A/N: Thank you all for the great comments, suggestions and theories! Keep them coming - they sometimes inspire me to write something totally different than what I had planned ;)

mizzrazz72: They all do :P

tefe203: Maybe at some point I will but not in this fic - sorry ;)

Outofthisworldgal: Thought about it but then I was just feeling sorry for Harry so I didn't write it ;)

Charm93: There will be some more Ron in future chapters but right now I'm enjoying writing the family dynamics :) I'll see what I can do about Molly ;)

Zoysite: Ja Nagini hat so ihre Momente ;) Sie weiß einfach genau was sie will :D Ich glaube die wenigsten würden das alles ohne Alpträume überstehen. Vorallem nachdem er alles wieder durchkauen musste für die Auroren.

Mephistopeles: I can give testament to how akward it can be if there is a cat in the bed when you have your boyfriend over...

brissygirl: Thanks! It's at the bottom of the fic ;)

ThePhoenixandtheDragon: It's at the bottom of the chapter ;) I love a mothering, sassy Nagini - she's just so much fun to write :D

Dixie.f.9: I think so too :) It may seem fast to some but I think it works out perfectly the way I want it to :D

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling - I just played a bit in her universe.

Thanks to miu-sama95 for prereading, betaing and helping with the storyline ;)

Chapter 45: It's the adult's turn now

Words: 3383

It had been decided (after a bit of arguing) that Sirius would give his statement first since his would be actual evidence in Pettigrew and Dumbledore's trials.

Severus and Marvolo's statements would only be used to supply background information. Once Amelia had gathered and set up the dicta-quill she started questioning Sirius on everything that had happened.

"Lord Apparent Black, please tell me what happened on Halloween 1981."

"I had been having this feeling in my gut all day so I went to check up on the others. My first stop was Peter's flat but he wasn't there, so I apparated to Godric's Hollow to visit James, Lily and Harry." Sirius began explaining. He had to take a deep breath to reign in his emotions before he was able to continue.

"When I arrived the roof must have just collapsed. There was dust everywhere. Inside I found James at the bottom of the stairs. It… It was… It was just awful."

"Take your time, Sirius." Amelia told him softly when his breath hitched.

"It's okay. I can do this." After another minute Sirius continued. "James was my brother in all but blood. I knew I was too late but something told me to keep going so I went upstairs. The door to Harry's nursery had been blasted open and I could hear some quiet noises coming from inside. I found Lily in front of the crib along with a black cloak which I assumed was Voldy's."

Sirius tale was interrupted by Severus handing him a tissue. He hadn't even noticed that he had been crying. He quickly cleaned himself up before making eye contact with Amelia.

"Where was Harry?" She asked him.

"He stood in his crib, crying. Once he noticed me he called for me to pick him up."

"What did you do?"

"Pick him up, of course! His forehead was bleeding and I had no idea what had happened so I wanted to take him to St. Mungo's. But that never happened."

"What happened instead?"

"When I walked out of the house, with Harry in my arms, I met Hagrid. He told me he had orders from Dumbledore to take Harry to safety."

"Did you give him your godson?"

"No, not at first. Harry is my godson so he was my responsibility the moment Lily died. But Hagrid was very adamant rather unlike his usual self. He promised he would get Harry to safety and that it wasn't safe for me to take him to the hospital. He told me I should go after Peter and he would take care of Harry."

"Did you hand over Harry? This is very important, Sirius." Amelia asked again.

"Hagrid took him out of my arms. I was still in shock when he told me to go after Peter. It was only then that I remembered that Pettigrew must have ratted them out."

"Peter?"

"Peter Pettigrew. He was our friend. At least we thought he was."

"Why was Pettigrew the secret keeper and not you?"

"We had planned to use me but then Dumbledore reminded James that I would be quite an obvious choice. That's why they switched to Peter without telling anyone. We thought it all a big prank on Voldemort."

"Who knew it was Peter and not you?"

"Not many. James, Lily, me and Peter of course. Dumbledore since he taught Peter the spell and apparently Hagrid, although I wouldn't know why."

"I knew as well." Severus told them quietly. He was very thankful that his husband had cast a spell over Harry so the teen wouldn't hear their statements.

"We'll come back to that later, Lord Prince - Slytherin." Amelia decided. She wanted to get one statement after the other done. Otherwise this would turn into one big mess.

"Please continue the story, Sirius."

"Well after Hagrid had left with Harry I tracked down Peter. I wanted to turn him over to the ministry once I had him but I wanted to catch him myself. I also knew I had better chances than the aurors since I knew him better and knew he was a rat animagus."

"I don't even want to know how that happened." Madame Bones muttered.

"No, you don't." Sirius grinned before continuing. "It took me three days to find him. I confronted him in a muggle town. I foolishly thought he couldn't do anything in a crowded muggle street. Peter… I don't remember all he said. In the end Peter blew up a gas pipe and vanished. I was knocked out by the explosion and when I woke up I was in Azkaban next to my crazy cousin Bellatrix."

"I'm really sorry for everything that has happened and I plan to make sure that you are compensated accordingly." Amelia told him quietly.

"It's not as if you could give me back the time I didn't have with Harry or give him a better childhood."

"No, sadly I can't. I can only make sure the guilty parties are punished accordingly."

"Thanks, Ami."

"Now how did you get out of Azkaban?"

"I already used my animagus form to stay as sane as I could. The dementors don't register animals. Then I saw the title page of the Prophet when Fudge came by. You know the one with the article about the Weasley's winning the lottery or some such thing. The only relevant thing for me was that Peter was in the picture."

"How was he in it?"

"He must have hidden all these years as the kid's pet rat. I recognized him at once."

"So you decided to break out."

"Yes. I was already very thin and after a few weeks of self-starvation I was able to slip through the bars in my animagus form. From there it was easy to smuggle myself onto one of the supply ships."

"Thank you for finding these flaws in our security. I'll have to send out a team to increase security."

"You are welcome." Sirius said with a grin. "Am I done now?"

"Yes, you are done. Hopefully I will not have to call you to give testimony during the trials. Don't forget to register your form with the ministry, otherwise I will have to fine you."

Once being dismissed Sirius got up from his spot on the couch and changed into Padfoot before he jumped up next to Harry. The teen was still writing his statement and only jumped a bit when a big black head landed on his lap.

Which was a miracle on itself since Harry was working with a lap desk and there was not a lot of space, especially not for a big dog such as Padfoot. However he had managed to do it. Sirius quickly fell asleep when his godson started petting him with his off – hand.

Amelia, Severus and Marvolo had watched the other two with amusement before turning their attention back to the matter at hand.

"Who wants to go next?" Madame Bones asked.

"I'll do it." Severus said.

"Alright. Since you are only providing background information you can refuse to answer any questions you deem to personal."

"Thank you, Madame Bones."

"You are welcome. Now, how did you know about the secret keeper?"

"Lily had sent me a letter. She wanted me to come visit and meet Harry."

"Did you know Harry was you son then?"

"No, I had no idea until last summer."

"Last summer? But she died many years ago." Amelia asked surprised.

"I had no memory of the night we shared. I... She... I really don't want to go into how it happened."

"That's alright. Just tell me how you found out."

"Well... I received a letter shortly after they died. I was grieving too much at that time to open it. I've been beating myself up over that since I read it."

"Why?"

"In it Lily explained what had happened that night and why she did what she did. She told me that Harry was mine and James had only blood adopted him. She wrote that should anything happen Harry should live with us."

"How come you only read the letter last summer?" Amelia asked and was surprised to see a fain blush stain the Potions Master's cheeks.

"I lost it. Once I got it I was mourning and just put it somewhere. I had completely forgotten about it. Then, last summer, I was looking through some books and found it there."

"I imagine it was quite the shock?"

"You have no idea. I had spent the last three years hating Harry for who his father was and making his life at Hogwarts a living hell. It took me nearly all year to find a way to approach him."

"It all worked out in the end, didn't it?"

"It did. But not without a high price."

"Did Dumbledore ever tell you about Harry being your son?"

"No. He always did his utmost to remind me just how much like James he is although he knew exactly that wasn't true." Severus grumbled.

"So Dumbledore did knew about his real parentage?"

"He had their wills sealed after reading them. He knew that Harry should have gone to us and under no circumstances was he to go to his aunt Petunia."

"But Harry was with her, wasn't he?"

"Yes." Severus ground out.

He hated what had happened to his son and just thinking about those vile muggles made his blood boil. He was startled when his hand was suddenly squeezed and when he raised his eyes again he met those of his husband that were for once not guarded but shone with love.

"Thank you for your statement, Lord Prince -Slytherin." Madame Bones stated formally as was required by the rules.

"You are welcome."

"Now where do you fit into all this, Lord Slytherin?"

"I don't. At least not directly." Marvolo stated evenly.

"Would you care to elaborate on that?"

Marvolo looked towards his husband and once he saw him give a minuscule nod he turned back to the head of the DMLE and answered her question.

"In this particular situation I am nothing more than Severus' husband and Harry's stepfather. But a long time ago I was just a young student at Hogwarts that had been betrayed by Dumbledore."

"You went to Hogwarts? When?"

"I was a little first year in 1938. My name was Thomas Marvolo Riddle."

"1938?! You look rather young for your age."

"Thank you. I experimented a lot with magic after I finished school. I also took part in a few rituals during my travels around the world that are strictly forbidden in Great Britain."

"Ahhh... That explains it. Please, continue." Amelia said. She was curious what Marvolo would tell her. Since she had never heard of him before the last Wizengamot meeting she was even more curious.

"I lived in a muggle orphanage when Dumbledore came and told me about magic. I had no idea who my parents were and only knew that my mother had died after giving birth to me and that I was names after my father. What do you know about muggle wars?"

Amelia was surprised by the sudden question but still answered it. She was getting more and more intrigued where this was leading.

"Not much. I only know there was a big one in the 1940s, right?"

"Yes. I had a hard time at the orphanage since I was different and had hoped it would change once I got to Hogwarts. I was sorted into Slytherin and although I was accepted by my house it seemed as if Dumbledore had singled me out. At least as much as he could since back then he was still only a professor. I spent all my free time in first year trying to find a relative so I wouldn't have to go back to the orphanage."

"I guess that didn't work out?"

"No." Marvolo said bitterly. "Since I was orphaned my head of house held official guardianship over me. Professor Slughorn liked me and had already given his permission for me to stay with one of my classmates over the summer. But then Dumbledore - who was held in high regard by headmaster Dippet - had to stick his nose in things that didn't concern him and stopped me from staying with my friend. He claimed that he had promised the orphanage I would be back every summer."

"Why would he do that? Wasn't it dangerous to go back?" Amelia asked shocked.

"I don't know why. Of course it was. The other kids were even meaner since I got to go to a special school and the workers were angry because there was another mouth to feed again. It was also very difficult to keep my magical possessions hidden from everyone."

"You asked about the war. Why?"

"The second world war officially began a bit later but trouble was already brewing in all of Europe. I was scared that one year I wouldn't come back to Hogwarts because I had been killed in one of the attacks. Especially the summers of 43 and 44 were awful."

"And the teachers didn't care?"

"Slughorn did. I had told him of my fears and the troubles in the muggle world and he understood. But no matter how much I begged the headmaster, he - being pushed by Dumbledore - wouldn't revoke his decision." Marvolo explained. He was having a hard time keeping his emotionless mask up since that time of his life had been the most awful of all.

"How do you know Dumbledore played a role?"

"Whenever I was in the headmaster's office he was there and Dippet always looked to him for confirmation. They weren't very subtle."

"When did the war end?"

"May 1945 - just as I finished Hogwarts. Thank Merlin it did!"

"What would have happened had the war continued?"

"I and every other muggleborn wizard would have been called into his Majesty the King's service. Every child in the muggle world gets registered at birth and during wartimes they are called into service after their eighteen's birthday."

"That's... That's..."

"Awful? Yes it was. Especially since the headmaster and Dumbledore refused to acknowledge the situation at all. I was not the only muggleborn that year and I don't know how many were called the years before."

"I'll look into it. I am glad that you were able to escape that fate."

"As am I. But the next time the muggle world goes to war I hope we can protect our young muggleborns."

"I'm sure together we can find a way." Amelia said with a shark like grin.

She loved how much more material she was getting that put Dumbledore in an even worse light.

Harry was still writing his statement and by now he was glad about the long essays he had to write for his Dad's class. Otherwise not only his vocal cords but also his hand would be killing him.

He was also glad that he only had to write about four years of school. Not that any of them weren't eventful but some, like third year, were easier to write. He was already at the second task of his fourth year when the adults approached him.

"How are you getting along, Snitch?"

"Alright, Dad. I'm nearly done. Only a bit of this year left." Harry croaked.

"Stop talking!" Marvolo admonished him. "Why don't we all have another cup of tea while you finish that?"

With that he called one of the elves for a fresh pot of tea.

Sirius had awoke from his nap and since the statements were over he joined the others for tea - as a human of course - and flirted like the devil with Amelia. The blush on Madame Bones' cheeks amused Severus and Marvolo greatly while they enjoyed their teas and - of course - biscuits.

Another twenty minutes later and the teen was finally done with his statement. Harry happily leaned back and admired his finished work while sipping from the tea his father had brought him a few minutes ago.

"Are you finished?" Severus asked when he noticed Harry's laid back posture.

His son just nodded, still enjoying the simplicity of British tea time. He couldn't understand how people hated tea or how they didn't enjoy tea time. It was nice to have a time of the day dedicated to relaxation and quietness.

Madame Bones was surprised to see four thick scrolls of parchment stacked neatly on the lap desk Harry had used. She just hoped he didn't have a cramp in his hand from all the writing.

"Thank you all for your statements. I shall read yours back in the office, Harry. If I have any additional questions I will contact you again."

"That sounds fine, Madame Bones. Thank you for taking the time to come here." Marvolo answered formally. "Feel free to call on us anytime."

"I will. Hopefully you will get your voice back soon, Harry. Goodbye, gentlemen."

All of the men said (or waved) their goodbyes before one of the elves escorted the lady back to the floo.

Severus had a hard time holding back from smirking at Amelia's retreating back. She had been in quite a hurry to leave after all of Sirius' flirting.

They all enjoyed the quiet for a few minutes before Harry grabbed a stray piece of parchment and quickly wrote something down. He handed it to his father with pleading eyes.

Seeing the curious looks of the other men, Marvolo read out loud what the teen had written. "Please can we go for ice cream after we were at Gringotts? Do you think that's a good idea with your voice, Harry?"

The boy quickly and vigorously nodded with a winning smile on his face. He really craved a chocolate fudge sundae.

"I don't want to hear any whining if your voice is gone for longer because of it." Marvolo stated, causing Harry to grin. He knew he had won.

Severus and Sirius, who had already been snickering on the other couch since the boy's question just couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing at the Dark Lord's declaration. They all knew that Harry had that man wrapped around his little finger. Only Marvolo refused to acknowledge this.

"Then let's get going so our growing teen can have his ice cream." Severus said after getting his composure back.

"I'll join you and finally claim my Lordship. That shouldn't take long at all." Sirius joined in and got up as well.

Thus it was only ten minutes later that all of the inhabitants of Snake Pit Manor stepped out of the floo in the Leaky Cauldron. Severus and Harry had arrived together since the teen could not speak well enough to pronounce the address correctly at the moment.

A brisk walk through Diagon Alley brought them to Gringotts bank where they parted ways to get their businesses taken care of. Sirius went to the Black family accountant to get his Lordship confirmed and the ring of the Lord while the other three went to get Harry's block removed.

Thankfully this time the block removal was easier on his body than the last time and he would only have to come back once more to get all of his magical power. This time around Harry was actually able to feel how much more magic he had to his availability. It felt awesome. Luckily he had two weeks to get used to the increase in power before the goblins would unlock the last part of his magic.

Not even an hour after they had entered Diagon Alley the four wizards were sitting in front of Florian Fortescue's ice cream parlour, enjoying their treat of choice. While Harry was occupied by his huge chocolate fudge sundae, Sirius was eating his way through a big piece of ice cream cake and Marvolo and Severus were sharing a pot of tea as well as a piece of chocolate cake with a side of ice cream.

While licking another spoonful of his frozen treat Harry couldn't help but think that this the best way to spend a sunny afternoon. Enjoying life together with his family.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by someone calling out to them.

„Sirius! Harry!"

TBC

Nagini's sentences:

When she is thrown off the bed: "You stupid twolegged being that doesn't even know how to get food from outside! Is your nest still not big enoug? You should have thrown the idiot fourlegged human out and not me!"

At Sirius: "Help him you stupid idiot. All that changing into a dog must have turned you brain into one of a fourlegged idiot. They only know how to follow orders so help him!"

After he got nearly thrown off: "IDIOT! Don't you know not to touch him during a bad dream?! Do I have to do everything myself or will you finally manage to follow orders and HELP HIM you imbecile!"

At Harry: "Ohhh... poor poor hatchling! Mama is here. All is well. This stupid idiot just didn't know how to follow Mama's orders. But I'm here now. All will be well. Shhh..."

Last hiss at Sirius: "Just this once I'll follow your orders... just this once and just for my hatchling."

Who do you think our mysterious guest will be?

We were in London this weekend (again)! Family from New Zealand was travelling all over Europe the last few weeks and this was the only chance (due to uni) we had to meet them :D Such a shame we had to fly out here ;D

... That may also be why there is a rant about tea in this chapter... my boyfriend let me go wild in the tea shop and now we have half a suitcase full of tea :D

First posted on: 13. May2018

Next update planned: 27. May 2018