Chapter 9: Settling In

Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office after the Hearing, and he was furious. Somehow Harry had gotten ahold of his parents Wills and not only got Sirius his freedom, but stripped Dumbledore of his guardianship over the boy. He was certain he intercepted all Harry's mail coming from Gringotts to himself. ' How did the boy hear about the Wills then?' He thought, 'Did Sirius know about them?' It didn't matter now that Harry left the Dursley's he could no longer be able to monitor him. Harry would be able to freely practice magic within Grimmauld Place without the Ministry knowing. There would be no way to know exactly what Sirius would teach the boy.

He sighed, "Oh where did this all go wrong?" he said to himself. He sat there for a moment thinking hard on how to fix this issue when the night edition of the Daily Prophet was dropped on his desk. Albus sighed and unrolled the newspaper and there plastered on the cover:

Sirius Black Exonerated

Peter Pettigrew Alive and Wanted

Albus Dumbledore's Competency in Question

Sirius Black was exonerated this morning in the long overdue trial he had never received twelve years ago. Information was brought to light by Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, that proved Lord Black had been innocent the entire time. With the help of law wizard Edward 'Ted' Tonks, the evidence against Sirius Black evaporated, and the Wizengamot cleared him of all charges.

With proof that Peter Pettigrew was the one truly responsible for not only betraying the Potters but also for the deaths of the twelve muggles during the confrontation with Sirius Black on November 1st, 1981. Black admitted that he, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew were all unregistered animagi. This was how Black escaped Azkaban and he admitted and the only reason he escaped was he learned, through a copy of the Daily Prophet provided to him by Cornelius Fudge himself, that Pettigrew was hiding in plain sight as the pet rat of Ronald Bilius Weasley. He had read that Young Ronald was currently attending Hogwarts where his godson Harry Potter was attending and escaped the next day to protect Harry. Harry Potter himself was called to the stand and showed the court the memory of his confrontation with Black and Pettigrew where the former rat admitted to 'ratting' out the Potters to Voldemort. Pettigrew then escaped capture by transforming into his rat form and running into the Forbidden Forest. Pettigrew's Order of Merlin has been revoked and he is now a wanted fugitive.

But Black's trial did not end there. After his acquittal Ted Tonks announced Black would like to petition the court to claim his right as Harry Potter's Godfather, by Godfather Ritual, to become the boy's guardian. This was immediately opposed by Albus Dumbledore who was Harry's guardian at the time. Ted Tonks then questioned Dumbledore asking him since he was Harry's guardian, "Then Harry must live with you?" Dumbledore refused to answer so Ted Tonks asked the boy himself. Harry immediately told the court "No." and that for the last 13 years he had lived with his muggle aunt and uncle. This sent the court room into an uproar because as revealed by the previously read Wills, the late Potters STRICTLY STATED Harry was NEVER to be placed in the care of his mother's muggle sister and her husband. For they hated magic and would not love the boy. Harry then offered the court memories of his treatment at the hands of his relatives and this reporter was shocked to see a four year old Harry, wearing cloths not fit for a house elf, be struck with a frying pan by the boy's uncle. The court unanimously agreed to Blacks petition and he was given guardianship over Harry right then and there.

However this information has many asking, "Why would Dumbledore put the 'Boy who Lived' through such trauma after he lost his parents?" others are asking, "Is Headmaster Dumbledore even fit for the position at the prestigious school?" We attempted to get a quote from Dumbledore after the hearing but he refused to comment. Harry Potter however had this to say, "I'm thankful to the Wizengamot for seeing the truth and exonerating Sirius. Not only that but fulfilling my godfather's request to allow him immediate guardianship over me is a godsend. I have wanted out of my aunt and uncles house since I was four and now I will be able to live happily with Sirius. This is definitely a dream come true."

Albus scowled at the paper and threw it into the fire, "Damn those blasted reporters." He snarled not sounding like the grandfatherly man he usually did, "It doesn't matter now I suppose." He said calming down, "The Tri-Wizard Tournament will be happening this year…I'm sure Tom will make a move then they will be crawling back begging for my help." He nodded then proceeded to resume some work to prepare for the Tournament.

~ ~ ~

Just as Harry promised the Dursleys, hours after the Hearing he had all his things pack and walked out the door of Number Four Privet Drive shouting, "See ya never!" as he closed the front door. Sirius waited outside because Harry made him promise not to retaliate against them after what he had seen during the hearing. Sirius stayed outside as told, since had he saw them in person he would have beaten Vernon Dursley to a pulp.

The pair then apparated to Grimmauld Place, and had since been cleaning it to turn it into a proper home. They cleaned the bulk of the house, exterminating doxies and removing boggarts before hiring magical construction workers to renovate the home. Harry also gathered the Slytherin locket and after carefully storing it, he had Dobby deliver it to Ragnok for purging. When Sirius heard the story of how his younger brother sacrificed his life to steal the locket and how Kreacher had been trying for years to destroy it, he cried. From then on Sirius was a bit nicer to Kreacher he even allowed the elf to keep the horrendous picture of Sirius' mother that screamed profanities every time someone came in.

Remus joined them and assisted in making the house livable. Harry had been assigned Sirius' old bed room which was to his liking. Sirius took the master bedroom, while Remus went and took one of the many empty bedrooms. A week later Hermione and her parents came by for a visit. Harry was excited to finally meet the dentists, "Pleasure to meet I'm Harry, Harry Potter." He said as he shook her father's hand.

"Daniel Granger." The man said as he shook Harry's hand while giving Sirius a stern expression.

Harry turned to Hermione's mother, "Emma Granger." She told Harry as she shook his hand. She then looked to Sirius, "When Hermione told me you were that dog she had found at the park I must say I was shocked."

"Madam please don't remind me…that was the most embarrassing moment of my life." Sirius said his ears red.

The woman giggled, "Come now Mr. Black…you put up a fight." She smacked her husbands arm, "Stop glaring at him like that darling. He didn't want to be washed by me."

"If it makes you feel any better Mr. Granger I am of a different persuasion than yourself…the experience was not enjoyable for me." Sirius told him.

Daniel Granger raised an eyebrow, "So you're…gay?" he asked.

"Definitely." Sirius replied, "I've known since I was 13."

"Hmm," Daniel said eyeing Sirius sternly, "Alright then, I'll let it go this time."

Sirius let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you it won't happen again I assure you. Now that I'm a free man there is no need for me to hide about as a dog anymore."

Harry and Hermione laughed about the awkward position Sirius had been in. Then pair then began looking over their homework together as the adults talked. "My god Harry." Hermione said as she read over one of his essays, "They really had you messed up on those potions before." She sighed laying it down, "I might actually need to start worrying about you taking my top spot."

Harry laughed, "That's only my Transfiguration essay. Wait till you see my Ancient Runes essay." He grinned.

"Sweet Merlin Harry!" she exclaimed as she looked at the parchment that was seven inches longer than what it was supposed to be.

He laughed, "I have to prove to Professor Babbling I didn't change courses on a whim." He said.

"Well she will definitely not think that after seeing this." Hermione said, "I may need to add a few more inches to mine…I'm supposed to be the bookworm of the two of us you know."

Harry laughed, "Then what am I?" he inquired.

"The Jock?" Hermione said with a shrug which earned her a playful shove from Harry.

Days later Sirius received and invitation for him and Harry to join Fudge in his Box at the Quidditch World Cup. Sirius glowered at the invite, "He's trying to kiss my arse now that I have access to the Black Family fortune."

"True." Harry said, "But we still have to go, and I'd rather go with you than the Weasleys."

Sirius sigh, "Fine I'll accept then. What exactly is going to go on there again?"

"The Death Eaters will show up after the game and attack a muggle family nearby. I'd like to expose as many as I can…especially Lucius Malfoy." Harry said.

"So getting their masks off is your top priority?" Severus said having joined them for the evening to go over planning and to look over Harry's potions essay.

"And to make sure no major harm comes to the muggles, but yea." Harry said, "If we can expose them we can sever their ties to the Ministry in an instant."

"Hmmmm that is exactly the sort of plan your mother would have thought of." Severus said, "Its nice to see you actually did inherit her smarts."

"Well the Harry you knew before was doped up on potions that inhibited me for being my actual self." Harry said.

"Yes he must be getting those potions from Molly Weasley because he's never asked me to brew them." Severus said and he looked over Harry's essay, "Merlin Potter." He sets Harrys essay down, "You truly do have Lily's mind I can't believe this essay you wrote about the Wolfsbane potion the notes you made would likely make it five times more effective."

Harry smiled, "Good news for Moony then."

"Just how much research did you do?" Sirius asked, "Wasn't it only supposed to be an eight inch paper on the effects of the potion?"

"Yes." Severus said, "But after he did that he added five more on how to improve the potion." Severus was looking at Harry, "Are you trying to steal my job?"

"No way!" Harry said holding up his hands, "Just cause I understand it and I'm able to improve recipes doesn't mean I can apply it practically. I'll leave the practical part to potion masters like yourself."

Sirius laughed out heartily, "Good call."

Harry nodded then looked around realizing it was only the three of them, he smirked, "Okay I'm going to go take a shower, long day." He turned and headed out of the dinning room, "Call for me when dinner is ready!" he said as he disappeared out sight.

Sirius sat there for a moment then realized what Harry just did. He looked across the table at Severus who was thoroughly rereading Harry's essay. Sirius' ears immediately went red, remembering the message Harry passed along from his spirit self, 'Tell Severus the truth and stop being a chicken.' He gulped, "Severus do you mind if I talk to you about something?" he asked his heart now pounding in his ears.

Severus placed the essay aside, "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to you actually calling me by my name Black…its unnerving, but go ahead."

Sirius brain began running at top speed trying to figure out what to say next, "I….uh…I…I've …likedyousincethirdyear." he said quickly. Then face palmed himself.

"I beg your pardon?" Severus asked he thought he heard him but wasn't quiet sure.

Sirius' face was now as red as tomato, "Seriously…you're going to make me say it again? Ugh fine, I've had a crush on you since third year. There you hear me that time?"

Severus blinked, "Is that supposed to be a joke?"

"Ugh!" Sirius banged his head on the table, "I guess I can see why you'd say that…I didn't exactly show my feelings properly." He grumbled, "I mean with my family had it gotten out I like men…my mother might have killed me herself. Then there was James and Remus I was worried about what they would think of course when I finally told them in sixth year the said they knew the whole time. Of course by then you already despised me because of that stupid prank I pulled."

"Prank? You almost got me killed?" Severus growled.

"I didn't expect you to get past the Whomping Willow!" Sirius exclaimed, "I figured you'd get wacked a bit by the branches and you would eventually give up, but now I look back of course you figured out how to get by it, you're brilliant. But I was fifteen then I didn't think you could." Severus was looking at him with a harsh expression, "Please believe me." Sirius begged, "I never intended for you to get that far. I thank Merlin everyday James got to you in time."

Severus' face softened a bit, "Fine I'll accept that for now but what are you talking about you've liked me since third year." Severus eyed him.

Sirius groaned, "Uh you remember that day in third year James tried to tease you about you and Lily about acting like a married couple during our potions class?"

"Vaguely," Severus responded.

"We'll uh, your response that day…it was hilarious…" Sirius began to laugh, "You told him he should stop being jealous and worry less about who he was going to snog later otherwise he'd never pass." He was now in a fit of laughter, "James's face was so red, it was priceless." He let his laughter subsided, "I sort of had a thing for you after that…but you and James were always at odds so I couldn't actually tell you not to mention you had a thing for Lily so I just kept my mouth shut and went with the flow." He face was now sullen.

Severus's face was red, "Did you really have to bring that up." He grumbled, "Yes I loved Lily she was my first friend, and about the only person in the world I cared about. But, Lily saw me as nothing more than a brother…until I ruined that relationship…but I accept that…but I never really looked at anyone else in a romantic way…"

"Well I know we've…had our issues…" Sirius grumbled, "But we're adults now so I want to know…do you think…perhaps we could…try a romantic relationship." Sirius face was red and he wasn't looking up.

Severus' pale face was also red, "I suppose…we could try, but I swear to Merlin if you try pranking me I will hex you into oblivion!"

The two men sat in silence for a bit when Harry poked his head in, "So should I start calling you both Dad now?" he said with a massive grin on his face.

Both of their faces got even redder, "You've been listening the entire time?!" Sirius groaned.

"Yup congrats to both of you, since last time you both died single maybe now both of you will get married before you croak." Harry teased.

Sirius threw a wash cloth that had been sitting on the table at Harry's head. Harry dodged and ran up the stairs, "Dear god he has Lily's brains and James' knack for teasing." Severus grumbled, "I don't know which I prefer more the potioned idiot Potter or the smart yet troublesome Potter."

"Both are a pain because either way he's a Potter." Sirius said. The two started laughing together their faces slowly losing the red in them.

"I heard that!" Harry called from upstairs, "Go snog already!"

"Oh god." Sirius said, "I'm parenting an eighteen year old in a thirteen year olds body." He groans and lays his head down on the table.

Severus put his hand on his face, "I have a feeling he is going to torture us daily."

"He is James' and Lily's son." Sirius said sitting up with a thoughtful expression, "We best brace ourselves."

Up Next: Harry and Sirius play a small prank after recieving potioned snacks. Then watch with smirks as they see the fruits of their prank once they arrive for the Quidditch World Cup.