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Edited by the Mighty Pazed!

Chapter 20

Albus was as angry as he had ever been as he entered his beloved castle. How dare they! How dare Black! They had gotten the muggle government involved! And to top it off the push to have him removed from his positions in the IWC and the Wizengamot had new voices, the loudest of which was Augusta Longbottom! With her and Black's group… No he couldn't think like that, he was the Leader of the Light!

He was so lost in thought, he did not respond when his Deputy Headmaster, Minerva McGonagall spoke to him. "ALBUS! Are you listening to me?"

"Hmmm…. Oh! Excuse me Minerva." His features softened from the scowl he had entered with. "I was lost in thought for a moment. I trust everything is good here, no problems?"

She huffed, "Yes! There are problems, Albus! I've been trying to get hold of you all day! First there were the stories in the Prophet, owls have been arriving in droves! People are in an uproar! As are the students, and staff! You said he was safe! You told us he was being taught! You promised me that he was! I told you they were horrible people! I want the whole story!"

He stepped back from the angry woman. "I-I," he stuttered.

She looked him his eyes. "You don't know do you? You never bothered to even ask, how he got there! Morgana, Albus! Then you pull this stunt at the Wizengamot!" He looked stunned. "Augusta flooed me! What were you thinking! You may have guaranteed he will never come home! Those people took him in! Helped him get away from the abusive family you left him with! He trusts them, they saved-" she paused for a moment. "That's what you wanted, to save him. To have him trust you like he does them!" Her mind whirled.

A voice came from next to his deputy. "Is that true Albus?" His eyes moved to the diminutive man that accompanied her, his Charms professor Filius Flitwick. The half goblin was studying his face closely. "Is that why you did not heed Minerva's warning? Did you want to be a hero to the boy?"

His face paled, Minerva spoke again. "I was going to offer to speak with him over the break on Hogwarts' behalf, but I find myself questioning that decision. I am beginning to believe that he is better off where he is! Away from whatever plan you have for him." She turned away. "I'll have your mail placed in your quarters." Her lips curled into a cruel grin. "Oh, by the way no one can find Professor Binns. He did not appear for his classes today, and… well I was going to say his quarters are empty, but he hasn't used those since he passed away. Please look into it Headmaster, and be sure to cover his classes if he cannot be located." She began to walk down the passage, with her companion.

It was several moments till Dumbledore gathered his wits. "I am sorry Minerva, you will need to-"

She turned quickly and glared at him. "I will not! I am a Professor, Head of House and Deputy Headmistress! I have classes to prepare for, and students to oversee! If you do not have time to deal with this situation I suggest you remove yourself from one of your positions! If you do not find Professor Binns, a suitable substitute, or failing that teach the class, correctly I might add, I will make it my life's work to see that it is this position you are removed from! This is not a game! These students and their parents rely on us for their education!" She strode away.

Sirius lay back in the plush bed. 'Merlin,' he thought, 'so comfortable and soft.' His mind drifted back through the eventful day, starting with the events at the bank. Harry had arranged to sell every holding the Potters had and call due all debts, and moved every asset away from the wizarding world.

Sirius shook his head, he wasn't sure how much the Potter family had been worth but Charles, Harry's grandfather, had always chuckled when others showed off their manors and such. He had called it foolishness, a waste when it was more than they needed. It takes galleons to make galleons he always said, and if cash was wrapped up in something like a manor and its upkeep it was not doing its job.

The Potters had lived in the same four bedroom cottage, and its sister nearby in Godric's Hollow for generations. They had investments in everything from broom companies to cauldron companies, owned land for farms and retail space, and if James had followed his father's example (and Sirius knew he had) he had continued the practice. The question was how had those investments done in the years between his passing and Harry's return.

He rolled onto his side. When they arrived here, they were picked up in something called a 'limo', an overly long muggle automobile. He had enjoyed the ride, so many things to explore and try (that muggle alcohol, bourbon, was better than anything he had tasted). The only thing missing was Harry, who had sat up front and still not spoken to anyone. Shar had assured him though his sitting up front was normal, as he hated not being able to see in the back of the limo.

When they arrived at the gates of the compound, they had stopped and Harry stepped out of the limo. Shar's hand on his arm had stayed his own movement as she shook her head and gestured to the young man walking across to a vehicle parked just inside the gates.

It was a deep metallic blue, with two silver stripes running from the front to the rear. Harry walked toward it with the first genuine smile spread on his face that Sirius had seen today. He ran his hand down the front fender, caressing it like a man would a woman. Harry moved his way down the side till his hand reached the door handle. With a pop the door opened and Harry slid into the seat shutting the door with a solid sounding thump.

He sat for a moment, a peaceful look settled on him, his hands never stopped roaming the inside. As his left hand finally settled on the top of steering wheel, the car rumbled to life with a throaty growl. The engine roared as he moved inside, surprising Sirius with its power and the sounds it made, it almost seemed to want to leap forward each time.

He looked at Shar, saw that tears threatened to fall from her eyes. He turned back, to see the vehicle creep forward, till it stopped in the center of the drive. Harry moved in the seat for several moments, a red light appeared from a hidden spot in the trees. It blinked, a yellow appeared for a moment and then it turned green.

Harry's car shot forward, its rear wheels chirping and trailing wisps of smoke, the roar that it produced made him jump in his seat. He watched as it shrank into the distance, its paint glittering in the sun as it passed through the trees, lights on the rear flashing red as it made a right turn and was gone from sight.

When he looked back at his companions for an explanation, he found both of them dabbing their eyes. Shar smiled, "He'll be alright. Tannim left his car here for him, it will help."

"His car?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. "He and Tannim built it. A 1969 Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, they found it in an old barn outside of Tannim's home town." She smiled softly. "Tannim had a dream once about finding that engine in an old barn. He found the barn but the engine wasn't there, but that is where he started his first business. The one that led him here." She smiled at the memory. "They were exploring the new property his parents had bought behind their place when they found another old barn, and that car was sitting inside. Tannim took one look at it and gave it to Harry," she paused for a moment, "I think he hopes it will lead Harry to his dream like his led him."

Sirius rolled to his other side, sleep it seemed still evaded him. So much had happened. He had seen, learned so much. His mind drifted to another point in the day.

They stepped out of the limo and walked toward a large square building. It had a row of windows about twenty-five feet up and the same logo reading Fairgrove that Harry's hat had. He followed the women to a set of glass doors at the center of the building, and inside.

It was surprisingly bright and clean, he could see his reflection in the floor's surface. Two rows of four cars flanked each side of the group, their paint glittering in the light from above. In front of them was a large wood and glass reception desk, again sporting the Fairgrove logo. It was manned by the most beautiful woman Sirius had ever seen.

She smiled as the group approached, her blue eyes glittering in the light. "Lady Ako! Shar! Welcome home!" she said hanging up the phone.

"Thank you, Sara, it is good to be back. Will you make sure our bags are placed up at the house? And Mr. Blacks's are placed in the guest quarters?"

"Certainly," said the blond beauty. She turned to Sirius. "You must be Mr. Black." She presented her hand, which he took and kissed gently. "My! Such a charmer, you have been quite the topic here Mr. Black!"

He released her hand. "Sirius, please, call me Sirius."

"Sirius then." She handed a pair of cards with small metal clips to the two ladies, and they attached them to their blouses. She handed one to Sirius, he looked at it. The ones Shar and Lady Ako wore had the logo, a colored symbol of some form and a small picture of them; his however had the logo and a large blue V. "That is your visitor's badge, you are not permitted beyond any of the carpeted areas without an escort. That is for your safety. You will need to turn your badge in at the end of each business day; if you wish to obtain a permanent badge please ask me and I will escort you to the security office. I hope you enjoy your stay."

When she turned toward Lady Ako he saw her ears - they had a gentle point to them hidden almost completely by the way she had done her hair. Merlin, she was beautiful he thought. "Shar? How's Harry? I heard his car, and saw his time flash up, he was pushing hard."

Shar smiled weakly. "I think he will be ok. It was very hard on him Sara. There is no denying that, especially this morning." She stopped at the door leading to a hallway. "He needs to calm down… can you see if there is any of his tea stuck around someplace? We were going to get more this morning but… things got out of hand."

"I think there is some in one of the conference rooms upstairs, I'll check and have any sent to the house," she said. "Was it what we were expecting?"

"A little worse," she replied sadly. "They moved faster on the adoption nullification than what we expected… They sent someone to take him… I think they hurt him, but he won't talk about it… they chained him to a chair, Sara. During his hearing he was chained to a chair…"

"Dear god…" was her only reply. She sniffed. "I-I'll inform Keighvin you are on your way, and have Dr. Martin clear her schedule."

Shar thanked her, and asked that she pass the word for everyone to help keep an eye on Harry, before walking down the hallway.

Sirius looked at Lady Ako confused. "Mr. Higgins said something about that…You expected that?"

She smiled, "Not as soon as it happened, nor the… effects, but yes we expected someone to challenge the adoption once he was found."

"You knew?" he asked stunned, as they followed the path Shar had taken. "You knew about magic?"

She laughed. "Of course we knew! Harry's magic was the only way he survived the Dursleys! It healed his injuries, offset his malnutrition, and once he was here and being taken care of he did all sorts of things. It took almost a year for him to be able to control the outbursts. Thankfully, my family is used to such things."

"Your family? You have magical family?"

Her grin widened. "I never said I was not."

"You're magical? But they said you were muggles."

She wrinkled her nose. "I do not like that word! It is degrading! That was your assumption, we just never corrected that assumption."

"S-so you are a witch? And Harry is a wizard? B-but he said he has never had a wand!" Sirius stuttered.

"And he has not! He has not lied, he has never used a wand. And I never said I was a witch," she said.

"B-but… How?"

Her grin took on a feral look, from behind her nine fox tails faded into view. "I am Lady Ako Halanyn, matriarch of the Kitsuni Clan." She led him through the door at the end of the hall.

A strong baritone voice filled the room as they entered. "Welcome Mr. Black, I am Keighvin Silverhair. I welcome you to my lands, Fairgrove. May peace be with you for your visit, please accept the hospitality of the Liege-lord of these lands."

Sirius's mind skipped a couple of heartbeats, as it tried to take in the sight before him. The man behind the large oak desk had a wide smile on his face. His hair matched his name, glittering silver in the sun coming through the large windows, his Blue eyes glittered. He stood and crossed the room, kissing Lady Ako's cheek in greeting. Sirius spotted lightly pointed ears peeking out through the man's hair…

His mind restarted…

Elves…. Harry had been found by Elves!