Recap:
Sirius and Remus have just agreed to bond to look after Harry. Both have taken it as a personal challenge, and refuse to give up. Isn't that why we love those stubborn mutts?
Sorry it's been a while lovelies! Please review so I don't get lonely
Disclaimer: I own nothing. For more detail, feel free to read disclaimer in Chapter 1.
September 10, 2009
"Hypothetically speaking, what would happen if we didn't bond or refused to share custody?"
The goblin smirked slightly at Sirius.
"Reconsidering your decision already Mr. Black?"
Sirius scowled, his heavy dark brows drawing together in frustration. Remus stifled a giggle behind a scarred hand, deeply amused by how much control the tiny goblin had over Sirius.
"No. I was just asking because I was curious. Is that a crime?"
His voice took on a dangerous edge at the end of his sentence, making Remus shift in his chair. Sirius Black was an extremely powerful man, despite what his playful, laidback demeanor would suggest. The goblin cleared his throat, ignoring Sirius's warning tone.
"Harry would be given to his muggle Aunt and Uncle who have a child rather close to his age."
Remus growled low in his chest.
"Not an option."
Three heads turned to look at him in puzzlement. Sirius raised a brow, unused to shows of aggression from the small, tawny haired man.
"Those muggles are of the worst sort. Lilly told me enough stories of them hating the Wizarding World and torturing her. I refuse to let them raise Harry, who will undoubtedly be a very powerful wizard, with that kind of hatred."
The goblin sighed.
"Yes that is a large concern of ours. Muggle relatives are often very hesitant to take magical babies into their midst."
Archie pulled his chair closer to the desk, eyeing the two men, humor flitting across his face.
"Shall we discuss the terms of your bonding then?"
Sirius groaned and dropped his head into his hands.
"Do we have to do it now?"
Remus narrowed his eyes.
"Do you want to get Harry out of the damn hospital and home?"
Sirius glanced up sheepishly.
"Yes" he answered in a small voice. He turned to look at Archie. "Alright, what are our options?"
Archie pulled out a thick legal document from his leather briefcase. He placed it on the desk in front of both men.
"These are bonding papers." Both men leaned away from the papers. "Oh for Merlin's sake you two! They aren't going to burn you." He rolled his eyes. "I will give these forms to you now, but you have six months to sign them, otherwise Harry will be taken away from you. I can't actually let you blood adopt Harry until you sign these forms, but you can take him into your home as your ward until then, without a court having to get involved."
Remus picked up the documents gingerly, as if expecting them to sear his hands.
"So that's it?" he looked up from his reading. "We take these documents with us, move into the same house and can take Harry home?"
Archie sighed.
"Pretty much." He picked up the forms that the goblin had taken out of the desk earlier in the meeting and passed on to each of the men. "These forms name you as Harry's temporary guardians, but will become permanent if or when you sign the bonding forms, naming you his adoptive parents."
Both men signed the forms. When their signature was placed on the line, the ink glowed gold before fading back into the black that it would remain forever. They both felt a tingle of magic spreading through their bodies.
"What you're feeling right now is your magic binding you to the contract you have just signed." The goblin placed the forms into a file folder. "The feeling should fade in a few minutes. You are now both the custodians of the Potter fortune, which is to be used to care for yourselves and Harry."
Remus rubbed his arm, trying to dispel the strange tingling. Sirius gathered his hair back into it's ponytail from where it had fallen out earlier in their meeting. The goblin pulled two keys out of a black box.
"This right here is the key to the Potter residence." He said, gesturing to a small house key. "And this, is the key to the Potter vaults" He pointed to an ornate key, engraved with the letter P. "The bonding form needs to be signed within six months or you lose custody of Harry, but for now, you are essentially his parents." He paused for a moment, checking that he wasn't missing something. Seeming satisfied, he continued. "Any questions?"
The two men looked at each other in tandem and the blushed and looked away as they realized what had happened.
"Seems pretty clear to me…. what about you Lupin?"
Remus glared at him without the usual malice.
"Might as well call me Remus, considering we're practically engaged."
Sirius chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"Alright then, any questions Remus?" His voice lilting almost mockingly.
Remus sighed.
"No."
The goblin leaned across the desk and shook first Sirius's hand and then Remus's. Archie stood and brushed his robes into some semblance of order as the men rose as well. The three men started towards the door, but turned to look around when the goblin spoke.
"Good luck. I sincerely hope you two manage not to kill each other."
Archie laughed quietly.
"Not bloody likely."