Recap:

Remus and Sirius are meeting with their lawyer and a goblin to get custody of Harry. What exactly is the situation? (Spoiler alert – nothing to do with jersey shore!)

Disclaimer: I own nothing. For more detail, feel free to read disclaimer in Chapter 1.

September 10, 2009

"So Mr. and Mrs. Potter didn't tell you anything?"

Sirius leaned forward in frustration, glaring at the goblin.

"…Anything about what?"

The goblin sighed. He pulled a thick piece of parchment out from a sealed envelope, carefully popping the seal with his sharp nails. He handled it gently, touching it only around the outside. He laid it out on the thick mahogany desk, resting his pointed hands on either side of the parchment. He pushed his wire-rimmed glasses up his nose and began to read silently. Sirius began to shift eagerly, attempting to see what was written on the parchment. Remus coughed nervously, picking at his cuticles.

"No, as I suspected, I was quite right."

Remus cleared his throat.

"Right?"

The goblin chuckled rather humorlessly.

"Just wanted to make sure I wasn't giving you falsified information Mr. Lupin." He turned to look at a fidgeting Sirius; beady, dark eyes pinning him in place. "Patience Mr. Black, the verdict will not change in the next thirty seconds."

Sirius looked away embarrassedly, looking like a chastised child. He examined the floor as if suddenly it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen.

"As I was saying." The goblin cleared his throat, sending a pointed glare at both the men. "Mr. Lupin, are you aware that you were named godfather to Harry James Potter?"

Remus's head snapped up to look at the goblin, his mouth suddenly dry. That couldn't be right.

"What?" he croaked out.

Sirius looked indignant, glaring at Remus. A pouty, sullen expression covered his features.

"Why does HE get to be godfather?"

The goblin rolled his eyes.

"Mr. Black are you aware that you were also named godfather to Harry James Potter?"

Sirius's eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"Wait, what?" He stuttered, likely for the first time in his life. "How can we both be Harry's godfathers?"

The goblin paused for a moment to read more of the document on his desk.

"Although it is undeniably unconventional, it is not entirely unheard of for a child to posses two godfathers. In a situation where the two parents cannot come to a decision on a godparent, occasionally they will each name one."

"So what exactly does this mean?"

"I'm glad you asked Mr. Lupin."

The goblin produced two forms from the second drawer in the aged desk, as well as a golden pen from his jacket pocket.

"Since you are both Master Potter's godparents, you both are awarded custody of him."

Sirius and Remus turned to look at each other.

"Both of us?"

The goblin rolled his eyes impatiently.

"Yes Mr. Black. You both have legal custody of Mr. Potter." He adjusted his sleeves, trying to decide how he would word his next statement. "However, we do have a few options as to how we can deal with this."

The goblin poured Remus a cup of tea and Sirius a cup of coffee, somehow knowing exactly the way each man preferred his beverage. He slid the cups across the table, careful not to spill a single drop of the scalding liquids.

"Our options are as follows. Option one: one of you gives up your legal rights to Mr. Potter."

He sent a pointed glare at both the men. Sirius shook his head vigorously, his long locks coming free from his ponytail. Remus looked at Sirius with wide eyes and then back to the goblin incredulously, implying that there was no way that Sirius was capable of caring for a child on his own. An answering twinkle in the goblin's eyes let Remus know that he was not alone in this sentiment.

"Alright then, Option two, is that you both have partial custody of Mr. Potter."

Remus looked wary.

"What exactly would that entail?"

"You would both have to go to trial by the Wizengamot, and be audited by a member of their council to determine the terms of your arrangement."

Remus gulped nervously, and Sirius shifted in his seat. That did not seem to be an option for either man.

"Thirdly, you share custody of Mr. Potter."

Sirius scoffed.

"What's the difference between partial custody and shared custody?"

The goblin raised one heavy brow and examined the two men.

"Adoption laws, unfortunately, are very strict."

Both men puzzled at the cryptic saying. Archie, previously ignoring the proceedings blanched and leaned forward.

"We can legally only give Mr. Potter to an extremely wealthy individual, or a seriously involved couple. Your current situation would not constitute a stable home environment by Wizarding law."

Sirius's eyes narrowed.

"Because we're both men?"

The wizard laughed.

"Because you don't live together in a home suitable for a child, you are not in a monogamous relationship, and you don't have the financial means to support a child." He paused a moment. "However, in becoming Harry's guardians you will become the custodians of the Potter fortune, to care for Harry. Your gender does not play a role in your unsuitability Mr. Black"

Remus's eyes were faraway and calculative. Sirius was at the edge of his seat in indignation, his hands tense on the wooden arms. He was at a loss of something to say. Suddenly a soft voice broke the silence.

"What if we were?"

Three heads turned to look at Remus. Sirius looked utterly bamboozled.

"What if we were what?"

Remus took a deep breath.

"What if we were involved?" Sirius looked at him like he had grown horns and fur. "Wait, just hear me out." He held up a hand to silence the other man. "What if we lived together, just long enough to figure everything out."

Sirius seemed to mull things over, as the goblin sent a small smile Remus's way.

"Although admirable Mr. Lupin, your plan still wouldn't make you ideal legal guardians." He sighed. "That takes care of living arrangements and finances, but very few juries would award you the child unless you were bonded or planning to become so."

Sirius spluttered, spitting his coffee all over himself.

"Bonded?" he choked.

Remus paled. He had never in his life thought he would have to bond to the bane of his existence to care for his dead best friend's child. This was not something he had ever had to plan for. He took one last deep breath before plunging into the deep end of the shit pool.

"Ok."

Sirius turned to stare at him. his voice came out high and strangled.

"What?"

Remus stared calmly ahead, looking at the goblin.

"I said, ok." He sat up a little straighter. "I want to be able to look after Harry. If that means I have to live with you a few months until you decide to leave and give me custody fine. If after those few months you decide you want to stay, I'll bond with you. I can't abandon Harry. He's all I have"

Archie and the goblin turned to look at Sirius. Sirius carefully examined Remus, looking for some sense of a bluff. Remus studiously ignored him. He had made up his mind and would not be swayed.

"Fine."

Remus's head swung around at breakneck speed.

"Fine?"

Sirius looked at him challengingly smug.

"Yes, Fine." He sat up straight, matching Remus's posture. "I'll do it."