Yay, finally! So happy I got this up; I wrote literally 3/4 of this tonight. Writing angry Sirius was so entertaining, and frustrating. I felt for him, so badly. Is it weird that I wanted to cry okay never mind.

Sorry for the cliffie-type ending; what can I say? I'm all for a bit of excitement ;) Please do tell me if you find any mistake or such.

Oh and yes, I've taken some liberties with the whole adoption thing; I've no clue how it would play out, so I just went along with what felt right and proper at the time. And I'm rather proud of my including Tiberius, haha.

Enough rambling; I hope you enjoy it, and please review!

Ivy

Snape sat down heavily on the couch, and placed his face in his hands. Finding his quarters empty had scared him. Properly scared him, in a way he had not been scared for years. Forcing himself into rational thinking, dispelling all images of Sirius coming to kidnap Harry, he had tracked the boy with a few simple spells. Finding him by the trees, just jumping down to return, he'd calmed considerably, and decided to wait where he was. Wait for the child to come to him. And as soon as he heard Harry come in through the door, his worry had transformed into anger with him; of all the nerve, the little brat went outside even though he had, point blank, told him to stay put. Then and there he made up his mind: the boy needed a firm reprimand.

Contrary to the general opinion of Professor Snape, he wasn't really one to opt for such a punishment. He found that the more intimidating he could be using only words, the better. The students needed a healthy fear, especially with all the other teachers mollycoddling them into oblivion. He snorted, thinking of Professor McGonagall. Though strict, granted, she had a soft spot, a weakness, for her Gryffindors. One would have thought she'd be a bit more subtle, Severus thought, thinking of his Slytherins. Yes, he probably did favour them. However, as all of them knew, should they end up in trouble, Snape was the one to watch out for. Unlike McGonagall, he tended to be harder on his own students. Which brought him back to his earlier thought: why had he reacted with Harry as he would have with his snakes? The boy may be in his care, but he was a Gryffindor if he'd ever seen one: the child was practically painted in maroon and gold.

He shook his head: if he were to adopt this boy, he needed to sort himself out. Refraining from huffing irritably, he stood up and straightened his robes before heading for Harry's room. In a mere few days he would become, legally, the boy's father. I'd better not have frightened him out his wits, he mused with a small smirk.

Harry lay on his side on his bed, swiping occasionally at his nose. Upon entering his room, he'd discarded his glasses immediately, as they only fogged up anyway. The pain in his behind had dulled considerably; though it was uncomfortable to lie on his back, it was endurable when on his side. Flipping the pillow over, he accessed the cool cotton, encasing half his face in it, and fell into a light slumber.

Sometime later (not much, Harry guessed), he heard footsteps approaching his door. Distinct ones that he knew belonged to his guardian. Part of him wanted to scramble off the bed and put his glasses on in an effort to appear presentable, but the other half (and, ultimately, the winning one), felt far too exhausted. He simply stared at the door and waited until it was opened from the outside.

Severus stepped inside, his expression not changing in the slightest when he spotted the child on the bed. Entering, leaving the door open, he grabbed the boy's desk chair and brought it up to the side of the bed before sitting down. With his hands loosely clasped on his lap, he observed the boy. Harry, embarrassed under the scrutiny, wriggled a bit and looked away.

"I'm sorry," he whispered eventually, since Snape seemed adamant not to be the first to speak.

"So you've said," Snape replied evenly, his gaze not wavering. "We need to have a discussion." Harry felt his face grow warm. "Sit up." The order was quiet but effective: Harry obeyed instantly, pushing himself up and grabbing his glasses. "What you did was foolish, and, more to the point, potentially dangerous. I do not prevent you from venturing outside because I find pleasure in having you miserable." Well… "Sirius Black, though innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted, will want to get in contact with you." And I wouldn't put it past him to grab the child and run, should he be given the opportunity.

"But why can't I speak with him?" Harry asked, wondering why Snape was going on and on. "If he's good, then I want to talk to him," he added, a small frown; a mixture of discontent and confusion.

"With that tone, you won't be speaking to anyone for a while," Snape immediately reprimanded. Harry, blushing, averted his gaze, but kept his frown. "You will meet Black." Lightening, Harry snapped his head back to face Severus. "I will be adopting you this weekend," he continued, in a decidedly more sombre voice. "And because Black is your godfather, he has to consent."

"You're adopting me?!" The child obviously does not realise that his damn godfather's release complicates things, Snape thought with more than a little irritation.

"Yes; we've spoken about this, multiple times, I believe. You cannot honestly still sound this surprised about it. But Harry…" Gaining the boy's full attention once more, Snape looked him firmly in the eye. "This is going to be tricky because of Black's release. He will want custody of you." Harry looked torn.

"But… But you're adopting me."

"Yes I am."

"But if he's my godfather… But I don't know him… But he knew my dad, and my mum." The confusion was evident in Harry's voice, and he stared imploringly at Snape, as if he would say a few words which would immediately clear things up.

Of course, adopting Harry shouldn't be a problem. Because he had temporary guardianship, and had now known the child for over a month, the Ministry would see him as a more fitting choice. However, James and Lily's wish would be difficult to override, despite the fact that Sirius had been in prison for years.

"Harry I know this is odd, but I need to ask you a question. And you would do well to answer it truthfully," he added sternly.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied shyly.

"Do you like living here?" Harry considered this. He didn't like the Dursley's. And he couldn't remember living with his parents, so he supposed (albeit painfully) that they didn't count. Of course, he thought Snape was far too strict all the time and he didn't smile enough, but, comparatively, yes, he did like living there.

"Yeah, I do," he nodded quietly.

"Would you rather live here than with Black?" Snape pressed on.

"But sir, I don't know my godfather. I… I dunno."

"And should the Ministry award him custody, you'd have to move in and live with him immediately, regardless of whether or not you know him," Snape commented, aware of the fact that he was being biased in this statement. Had he had his way, he'd have been even more so; anything to prevent Black from getting the child. But he knew it would be too obvious come Saturday. Besides, Dumbledore had demanded that Sirius be involved in Harry's growing up if Severus was awarded custody; no sense in having Harry hate him if that was the case.

Harry's eyes grew large.

"Really? Just like that?"

"Rather so, yes." Severus paused for a moment before he continued: "Should you stay here… Black will visit occasionally. He is your… godfather, after all. You ought to have… time. With him." This made Harry smile once more.

"So I can live here with you, but still see Sirius sometimes?" Severus nodded in agreement. "Wicked."

"The Headmaster has informed me that the official adoption will take place on Saturday, to be precise." Harry gaped in surprise. When Snape had said "this weekend", he hadn't really listened. "I will confess that I would have liked more time for preparations, but no matter." He added the last part more to himself than his charge.

"But that's only two days away!"

"One, really," Snape muttered and stood up. "I will send for dinner in an hour," he continued, straightening his immaculate shirt. "Start on some of your homework now." Harry grimaced, but refused to give Snape any new ammunition against him, and so he, too, rose, making a show of how painful it was to walk over to his desk. Severus snorted, heading for the door. "Do cease your childish antics, or I'll give you something to be really sorry about." Harry bit down on his lip and scurried over to his chair, scrambling onto it. "How kind of you to follow instructions for once, Mr Potter," Snape said sardonically, just as he crossed the threshold and disappeared into the hallway. Harry made a face after him. "Work, young man," Snape called, somehow knowing just what Harry was doing. Sighing irritably, the boy sat properly on his chair and pulled out his English homework.

"Harry, my boy, how perfectly marvellous to see you!" Harry looked up at the bearded Headmaster, who was beaming and twinkling madly down at him, and smiled tentatively.

"Hello sir," he replied, somewhat shyly, trying not to make it too obvious he was edging closer to Snape's side.

"Are you excited for today?" Dumbledore continued, though he was looking at Snape, having some sort of silent conversation. Harry unintentionally wove his hands into Snape's robes.

"Uh huh," he nodded, trying not to chew his lip.

"Wonderful."

They were waiting outside one of the court rooms, and there were several witches and wizards there, people that Harry did not know, but were looking strangely at him now and then, whispering amongst them. He'd asked Snape about it when they'd arrived, and his guardian had merely told him to ignore them.

"Some people, the very nerve," he'd muttered afterwards, but Harry supposed he wasn't meant to have heard that, so he didn't react.

Suddenly, Dumbledore's eyes left Snape's and travelled over his shoulder, and he once again broke into his large, friendly smile.

"Sirius, it has been too long." Snape spun around, pulling Harry with him as he faced Sirius.

Harry looked intently at the man. He looked gaunt and drawn, a bit undernourished, and his skin was pale. But his eyes, although severe, looked kind and gentle, his long dark hair glistening in the scant light. He was wearing robes just as fine as Dumbledore's, and almost as dark as Snape's, but somehow, they looked handsome on him, despite his slight frame. His eyes met Harry's, and he broke into a large grin, showing a row of white teeth.

"Albus," he nodded politely to Dumbledore, completely enthralled by the little boy he was soon standing a mere three feet away from. Crouching down to the boy's eye level, still smiling, he held out his hand. "Hello Harry. I'm Sirius, your godfather." Harry took the offered hand and shook it, though still standing pressed against Snape's side.

"Hello sir," Harry replied, berating himself for sounding so little.

"Just Sirius," the man nodded, placing a gentle hand on the boy's head. "Just Sirius," he added, almost in a whisper, and Harry thought he looked almost like he wanted to cry. After a few moments, he straightened again. "Severus."

"Black." Harry thought Snape sounded unnecessarily cross, but didn't dare comment on it.

"Albus, may I have a word?" Sirius asked suddenly. Though itching to embrace Harry and cry with joy and relief, he knew doing so would infuriate the Potions Master, and perhaps frighten the boy.

"Certainly, Sirius. We have a few minutes." Holding out his arm, he led Sirius away. Harry watched them go, wondering how on Earth people could ever think Sirius had killed anyone at all.

"How could this happen?" Sirius hissed as they were out of earshot. "Snape? Are you out of your mind, old man?!" Dumbledore regarded his former student solemnly.

"I do believe it is a rather perfect match."

"Severus hated James! He may have been Lily's friend, but I am his godfather. How could you do this to me?" Once again, the newly released prisoner of Azkaban looked close to tears, and his clenched fists were shaking with grief and disappointment.

"Believe me, Sirius, it was not a decision I made lightly," the Headmaster responded quietly. "You weren't around when Harry needed it. I know you could not have been, but Severus was. And he knew Lily. Harry needed that connection to his mother."

"And what about his father? Snape will no doubt taint the boy's memory of James Potter forever!"

"Snape is not the same man you remember. Harry has been in his care many weeks now, and they have grown quite fond of each other. I know you love Harry, and I am certain he will love you in return, but Severus is his guardian." Losing the fight against his tears, Sirius heaved a great, large breath as a few drops welled over the rims of his eyes. Irritated, he tried to dry them away, biting down hard. The older wizard carefully lay his arm around the younger's shoulders. "I know you don't want this. It pains me to see you hurt this way, but Sirius, I would never have allowed this to happen had I believed that Harry would not be well off with Severus."

"You allowed the child to stay cooped up with those horrendous Muggles for most of his life!" Sirius exploded, shrugging off the comforting arm. "How am I supposed to accept this? Severus and I never saw eye to eye; when I was released from that damned place the first thing that crossed my mind was that I'd be able to take Harry home. Home, Albus, are you familiar with the concept? Home is not with a man who despised his father. He is my godson," he added in a hiss, positively shaking with suppressed rage.

"Sirius, Harry wants to be with Severus," Dumbledore said, opting not to answer Sirius' rather rhetorical question. "The boy has been longing to see you, but when asked, he has told us, several times, he wants to live with Severus." The pain that flickered through Sirius' eyes was unmistakable, and he suddenly looked a bit smaller, like he was cowering away from something; Albus felt almost disgusted at what he was doing, but he had no choice. As much as he loved and trusted Sirius, he was not ready to allow Harry into his care. Although he had not been obviously affected by the Dementors, eight years of imprisonment changed a person. Sirius had just been released, and it was most likely that these changes would not manifest themselves until in a few weeks or months' time.

Albus observed Sirius fight with himself for a few moments, before the younger man promptly turned around and walked away from him. Conveniently enough, an elderly wizard of the Wizengamot opened the door, and led everyone into the courtroom. To both Albus' and Severus' chagrin, there were several reporters present. Unfortunately, not much could be done about this; it concerned The Boy Who Lived, being adopted by a known former Death Eater, an event that required said boy's godfather's consent. If anyone could possibly dream up a more awkward meeting, Severus was ready to applaud them.

As the press, guests, Wizengamot and involved parties took their respective seats, Harry grew increasingly nervous. He had seen Sirius have a rather heated argument with the Headmaster, and though he knew the man wasn't really dangerous, he'd been rather frightened. Holding Severus' hand, he'd been led to his seat and they were now waiting for the whole thing to begin. Snape had explained to him that the Ministry wanted to make a huge deal of it, hence the courtroom and press and whatnot, rather than just a small meeting.

They were sitting at a large round table; Harry, Severus, Sirius, Dumbledore, the Minister, Millicent Bagnold, the old wizard from the Wizengamot as well as a woman from the Socials department.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," said the Minister dully. "We are convening today to discuss and seal the matter of the adoption of Mr Harry Potter, by Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts school." She had a very business-like voice, Harry thought, and supposed it came with the job. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties, but sounded very tired. She must work a lot, he figured. "Present to see over the adoption, as well as give consent, are myself, Minister for Magic; Miss Julie Stoker of the Socials department, Professor Severus Snape, Mr Sirius Black, Professor Albus Dumbledore and Mr Tiberius Ogden, representing the Wizengamot, as its Chief Warlock, Professor Dumbledore, is a biased party in this matter." Harry found it rather pointless to tell everyone what they already knew; I mean, everyone can see who's here. Dumbledore seemed to smile sadly at being called biased. Harry wasn't sure what that meant, but he'd remember to ask Snape about it afterwards.

The Minister proceeded to ask Ogden, the elderly man, to place all the documents out on the table. And then, the Socials woman, Miss Stoker, spoke.

"I would just like to ask Harry a few questions before we get on with the signing," she said, smiling sweetly at Harry. Having been in Snape's care for some time, that sort of sickening smile made him want to grimace, but he refrained, knowing that, even know Snape probably despised the smile too, he'd want Harry to behave himself. So instead, he simply nodded mutely. "Do you like Professor Snape?" Harry nodded again. "I'm going to need a proper answer, sweetheart." Blushing, Harry cleared his throat quietly.

"Yes Miss, I do."

"And do you feel like you're treated kindly when living with him?"

"Yes Miss."

"Do you feel like you receive all the attention you need?"

"Yes Miss." Harry felt rather monotonous with his repeated answer, but really could not find any other suitable reply.

"Has Professor Snape ever been upset with you?" Blushing at his most recent infraction, Harry had no choice but to nod in affirmative.

"Yes," he whispered.

"What for, dear?"

"Miss Stoker, I really don't think this is necessary," Snape drawled. "Can't you see you're making the boy uncomfortable? Yes, Harry has misbehaved on occasion, just like any other eight-year-old."

"Thank you, professor, but I believe I was addressing Harry," the woman smiled briefly at Snape, before returning her attention to Harry. "Well?"

"I went outside when I wasn't supposed to."

"Were you grounded?" Harry wrinkled his nose.

"Not really."

"And what did Professor Snape do?" Harry had no idea whether or not to lie. It was so embarrassing, and he was terrified of saying something wrong. Severus, spotting the child's nerves and embarrassment, placed a comforting hand on the child's back.

"He was a bit angry with me. He…"

"Did he punish you?" Harry nodded. "How?" Blushing a deep red, Harry glanced up at the woman through his fringe, praying she wouldn't make him say it. Somehow catching on, her face sobered. "I see," she said stiffly. Glancing over at the Minister, she seemed disappointed that no one else seemed to object. "I see. But you are happy with Professor Snape?"

"Yes Miss, I said so, didn't I?" Harry replied, frowning. He felt Snape's hand stiffen on his back and caught the silent warning. "Sorry."

"No matter. All right, thank you." She leaned back in her chair, and remained silent.

"Wonderful," said Tiberius Ogden. "Well I have no objections so if the Minister concedes, why not continue with the actual signing?" Parchment was shuffled around, quills and ink appearing out of nowhere.

"We will begin with Professor Snape," the Minister announced, ceremonially pushing the documents over to Snape, who reached for the offered quill. "On the lines, if you please." Nodding curtly, Severus' eyes scanned the dense text, the silence in the room absolutely deafening its occupants. After a couple of minutes, he nodded to himself, dipped the quill in the deep blue ink and signed his name in the required places before laying down the quill. "Professor Dumbledore, if you would." Smiling gaily, Dumbledore took the quill next, and signed his long name without so much as looking at the actual document. "Thank you sir. And Mr Black, would you…" The documents were placed in front of Sirius, the quill in his hand. He stared down at the two existing signatures, the words of the agreement blurring. The little ink on the tip of the quill was rapidly drying, and the room was still deadly quiet, waiting anxiously for him, for his signature. He had said nothing for the past few minutes, merely watched as if he was not actually experiencing this. It can't be, there is no way… Without really realising it, he placed the quill on the table, and stood up.

"I do not consent to this adoption, and I will thus not be signing this document. Good day." And with that, he swept out of the room.