The next day

Harry woke to an empty room. Stretching his sore limbs, Harry collected his glasses and wand from the bedside table and cast a tempus charm. "Shite, it's almost 1pm." Groaning, Harry removed himself from bed, and pulled on joggers and a t-shirt from Sirius' wardrobe. He cautiously made his way downstairs, pushing his glasses up his nose as he entered the large drawing room of the Black Manor.

Mrs. Weasley stood in the doorway with her hands planted on her wide hips, directing her children and Hermione in a shrill voice. She turned to find a sheepish Harry beside her. "Alright Harry dear, just jump in wherever. Godric knows this house will take awhile to whip into shape." Harry nodded tersely as the twins glared at him for being out of bed. Ignoring them, Harry began cleaning the large dust covered windows and removing the moth-eaten curtains. Fred and George joined him, reaching above his short height to clean the tops of the windows. "Raven, you should be resting." George whispered gently. Fred leaned his chest against Harry's back pretending to clean. "If you do not go relax love, I will get Sirius in here." Fred growled with a quick nip to Harry's pulse point. Harry blushed, "I'm fine really guys. I need to move around. I can't stay in bed." The twins tried to persuade him but he refused.

Eventually Harry had managed to clean the large windows and wiped the sweat from his brow, cursing the fact that Mrs. Weasley insisted on cleaning the whole manor without magic. The teens continued on to the smaller sitting room before moving onto the first floor of bedrooms. The library was currently off limits as Remus had been tasked with cataloging every book and removing anything of darker nature at Dumbledore and the Weasley's behest.

Stumbling back down the stairs to the smaller sitting room, Harry decided to rest against the wall for a moment. Slicked in sweat and shaking, he pulled off his shirt to wipe himself off, when Sirius appeared. "Hey pup, wondered where you got off to. Are you okay?" Harry slowly nodded, blinking up at Sirius. Sirius grabbed his face carefully, "What have you been doing?" Looking to the ceiling, Harry answered, "Mrs. Weasley has all of us cleaning the muggle way. Honestly, I'm fine. I need to get back now."

He slipped his shirt back on and started towards the sitting room with Sirius on his heels. "Oh no you don't. You will get back to bed, right now." His godfather growled. The occupants of the room stopped to watch the spectral between godfather and godson. "Padfoot, I'm fine. Really." Sirius held up a hand before calling over his head, "Oi! Demon twins, pop him back to bed and make sure he stays." Sirius sniffed, "maybe a bath too. You're a bit ripe pup." Harry scowled and went to reply but Fred and George each grabbed an arm and apparated him to Sirius' room.

"Sirius, you cannot coddle him. It's most likely just a cold. He should be here helping clean up YOUR home." Molly screeched. Sirius slowly turned and locked eyes with the enraged red head. Ice filled his veins and his voice dripped with warning, "Just a cold? JUST A COLD?! Molly, do you realize while you've had him physically exhausting himself that he hasn't been cleared of bedrest by his healer? Let's see, broken ribs, punctured lung, concussion, among other things. Sure magic helped him mend but he's still physically unwell. He's drenched in sweat, shaking, and burning with a fever. As you so politely pointed out this is MY home, and that is MY godson so if you think I will let you run you're insensitive mouth without consequence you had better think again. If I say he is to be on bloody bedrest that is what he will do."

Molly huffed, "And why were we not made aware of his injuries?" Sirius clenched his jaw and spoke heatedly through gritted teeth, "Because he requested that no one know. As to how he got said injuries I quote my godson 'it's private'. His reasoning for privacy? He said that Ron, your ever so lovely son, turned his back on Harry during an extremely trying time. Quoted saying he was doing it for attention, that he was a liar and a cheat. Of course after said fourteen year old boy had managed to fight a bloody dragon and not get killed Ron came back around realizing all of the sudden that Harry didn't put his name in the damn goblet. Hermione decided to play the neutral party and still helping Ronald lick his non-existing wounds when he had made his 'best friend' a pariah even in his own house. Now if you can not respect Harry, I will revoke the right for the Order to use this home as headquarters until Harry has recovered or I see fit to allow you back." Before she could respond, Sirius spun on his heel in search of Dobby to care for Harry and for Remus to calm his temper.

The twins helped Harry into the bath, washing his hair and soaping his body except where his boxers sat, before helping him dry and dress. Returning him to bed, they talked for a while before the twins agreed that they should get back before Molly came looking for them. With soft kisses to his cheek, they left Harry to rest. With the potions and a soothing bath Harry felt much better so he got up to explore the dark, old house. Coming upon a empty room, he found a large tapestry on the wall of the Black family.

His fingers slowly followed the line from Dorea Potter née Black to James Potter to Harry Potter. A hole was burnt in the tapestry among many of the faces. Alphard Black, Andromeda Tonks née Black, Nymphodora Tonks, Dorea Potter née Black, Sirius Black, James Potter, and Harry Potter. He wondered what the cause for some of them were.

That's how Sirius found him just a few moments later. "Ahh, I see you've found the tapestry." He pointed to his own name on the wall, "My mother did that after I ran away. I was sixteen." Harry's eyes widened, "Where'd you go?" Sirius smiled sadly, "Your dad's. I was always welcome at the Potter's. Mum and dad – Charles and Dorea took me in and gave me a real family." Harry nodded unsurprised considering he's met his real mother's screaming portrait. "And the others?" Harry asked quietly.

"Hmm let me see, Uncle Alphard was my favorite uncle. He gave me money when I ran away. When he died he left all his vaults to me. Andromeda was my favorite cousin. She married a muggleborn and then had Nymphodora a halfblood who you know as Tonks. Dorea, your grandmother, not only married a blood-traitor but a Potter at that. Then James was a product of that and then he in turn married a muggleborne and had yet another little halfblood to add to the tree. She didn't care whether they were family or not. 'Toujours Pur' always pure – the Black family motto. Uncle Alphard told me when I was young that in the family grimoire the motto wasn't speaking of pure as in blood purity but as in the purity of our magic. The family magics. He told me one day I would be Lord and have access to the family journals of the past lords to learn more. Thanks to my batshit crazy mother it seems that is nothing but a pipe dream now."

Harry was quiet for a while before speaking, "I'm glad you had my grandparents to love you." Sirius hugged him tight, "I wish you did too pup. Me and Moony will always love you. We will do right by you now. I won't let you down again." Harry frowned, "It wasn't your fault Sirius. You couldn't control going to Azkaban or Moony being hated for his curse or the Dursley's being terrible. Just you being here now, loving me, is all I want. Sure no war would be great, but together we'll make it through."

Sirius sighed and led Harry to his study, asking Dobby for tea. Once settled Sirius turned to Harry with a grimace. "Still James had wanted you to be brought up as he was. Proper training for your station like most pureblood families do. Even being a halfblood you are part of an ancient and noble house. You should've been taught pureblood etiquette, wizegamount inner workings, finance, family magics, tutors, magical traditions…" he trailed off

Harry frowned, "I thought you hated the whole pureblood supremacy stance?" With a chuckle Sirius explained, "Harry the Potter's, while not completely traditional, still followed most pureblood traditions. Sure they weren't blood purist but the believed in celebrating Yule, Samhain, Spring and Fall equinox, Summer and Winter solstice. You get the idea. They did courting and betrothals but allowed James to choose with whom. They reserved proper etiquette for formal social setting while at home they were a rowdy, pranking, love filled home. It is how James wanted you raised, just like he was. Lily whole-heartedly agreed."

Harry whispered sheepishly, "Could— Could you teach me?" Sirius shrugged with a small grin, "Sure some of it if you really want to. Things like your family magics will have too be learned from old family text though since I'm not a Potter. They should be in the family vaults. You have a lot to learn but better later than never huh?" Sirius nudged Harry with his shoulder making the teen laugh lightly. "Ya pads, better late then never."

—

In a heavily warded room, on the second floor, sat three enraged redheads. Whispering fiercely, "I cannot believe those filthy muggles got caught!" Molly Weasley said. Ginny nodded, "This could have ended badly." Ron looked between his mother and sister, "Why?" He asked with a look of confusion. Ginny sighed, exasperated, "Because, you dolt, if he died we couldn't access the Potter vaults anymore!" Molly nodded, "We needed to get Dumbledore to create a false will for Harry. If something like this happens again, I want our family's future secured. Ron nodded slowly, "You know he'll want the majority for himself." Ginny giggled, "Ron, he's just about as rich as Malfoy! That's really not an issue." Molly stood to leave. "Not one word about this outside of this room. Soon we will begin the love potions on top of the loyalty potions. I must go brew. You lot gets to bed." What no one noticed was the old, cranky, disillusioned elf in the corner, muttering to himself about filthy blood traitors and planning to intercept any potions that would help the whiskery old codger succeed in his plans.

—

Harry arrived at the ministry, escorted by Arthur Weasley on Dumbledore's orders. They gathered into a lift to head down to the basement level where the Wizegamount chambers were held. Kingsley Shacklebolt leaned in and whispered to Arthur. Arthur then turned to Harry, "It seems the time of your hearing was changed without our knowledge." Harry frowned, "To when?" Arthur shifted nervously, "In five minutes." Harry shifted from foot to foot as they waited for the lift to stop. Once stopped Arthur guided Harry to a set of black doors and paused, "Harry, I cannot go in with you, but I will be right outside. Just remember to be respectful, they will try to ruffle your feathers but don't play into their hands." Harry took a breath and nodded before entering the chamber.

Sitting astride a chair, behind a Dias, on a large elevated platform was a plump man in a gaudy lime green bowler hat. Beside him sat about twenty people, all in deep plum robes with a large W stitched onto the right breast. Harry, in his House of Potter robes, swept in and patiently waited near the witness chair. The man in the bowler hat had a name plate that read Cornelius O. Fudge – Minister of Magic. He sneered down at Harry. "Take a seat Potter." Nodding once, Harry complied and gingerly sat on the chair. Once seated, the chains sprung to life, wrapping around his arms and legs. In a panic Harry's breathing accelerated and he jerked visibly before staring wide-eyed at the crowd. Many looked at the scene then to the Minister in anger.

Finally, a woman with auburn hair stood and pointed her finger at Harry before speaking through gritted teeth at Fudge. "Is this really necessary? He is a child, not a criminal!" Many nodded along. Fudge bristled but could see no one would allow him to continue. "Very well." He waved his wand and removed thee chains. Harry smiled at the woman and politely asked, "Thank you. May I ask your name Madam?" The woman returned the smiled with a smile of her own and a small nod, "Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Harry nodded his thanks before turning his attention back to a flustered Fudge.

Fudge grabbed a piece of parchment and began, "Disciplinary hearing of the twelfth of august into offenses committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statue of Secrecy by Harry James Potter resident a Number Four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge MOM, Amelia Susan Bones Head of the DMLE, Dolores Jane Umbridge Senior Undersecretary to the Minster, Court scribe Percy Ignatius Weasley—"

Before he could finish, the doors opened up and Dumbledore strode in, purple robes fluttering around him. "—Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

Fudge gritted his teeth, "Charges against the accused are as follows: That he did knowingly and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, having received a previous warning from the ministry on a similar charge, produced a Patronus in a muggle-inhabited neighborhood and in the presence of a muggle on the second of August at twenty-three past nine. This constitutes an offense under paragraph C of the Decree of for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery 1875 and also under Section Thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizard's Statue of Secrecy."

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "We happened to have an eyewitness of the attack on Mr. Potter." Madam Bones frowned, "An attack? What's this about?" Harry sighed, "I was walking home with my cousin when two dementors came out of nowhere. One grabbed my muggle cousin by his ankle and began dragging him while another grabbed me by the throat, attempting to give me the kiss. I seen my cousin unmoving and the dementor hovering over his face. I produced the Patronus, chasing away the one choking me before sending it after my cousin. That's when my neighbor approached and told me to get home but keep my wand out in case they returned."

Everyone sat stunned until Fudge sputtered angrily, "that's preposterous! What would two dementors be doing in a muggle neighborhood?" Harry held up his hands in a gesture of confusion, "I am unsure sir. All I know is I risked doing magic in order to save my cousin and myself." Fudge snorted, "And this supposed eye-witness?" Dumbledore spoke up calmly, "Ah yes. I brought her with me. Shall I gather her?" Fudge barked out waving his hand wildly, "No- Weasley, get the witness."

Soon Percy returned with Mrs. Figg – Harry's squib neighbor. "State your full name and if any relation to the accused." Mrs. Figg spoke gently, "Arabella Doreen Figg. I am a neighbor of Harry's" Fudge sneered, "We have no records of any magical residing in Little Whinging other than Mr. Potter." Mrs. Figg jutted her chin out, "That's because I am a squib." Madam Bones asked politely, "And as a squib, are you able to see dementors?" Mrs. Figg smiled, "Yes deary, we are able to see all forms of magical creatures or beast. We can also feel wards and are a only minutely deterred by muggle-repealing charms. It just seems to confund us for a mere moment." Madam Bones nodded but Fudge spoke up, red in the face, "And what is your story of this event?"

"I was walking home, the night of the second of August, near nine when I spotted Mr. Potter and his cousin running. I new something was a miss because the fat one never runs. All of the sudden everything grew very cold. It was odd because the night was unbearably hot. I followed them to the edge of the tunnel they ran to and seen the fat one being drug around by a large, hovering creature in a long black cloak. Harry was being held by his throat, suspended in the air. I began to ponder what to do, seeing as I do not have magic, when Harry was able to reach for his wand and blast the creature back and then the one that was attacking his cousin."

Madam Bones looked to Harry, "You can produce a corporeal patronus?" Harry furrowed his brow in confusion so Madam Bones elaborated, "It was a full form, not just a silver mist?" Harry nodded, "Yes ma'am a stag. It is always a stag." Madam Bones' eyebrows rose, "Always? You've done it before?" Harry tilted his head and replied slowly, "Yes, Professor Lupin taught me in third year."

Fudge, who seemed to become angrier by the minute, dismissed Mrs. Figg. "That is all very well but do tell me why you believe dementors would be in the muggle world and attack you Potter." Dumbledore rose and walked in front of the gallery, hands neatly clasped behind his back. "Very interesting indeed as to why creatures under control of the ministry were order to seek out Mr. Potter. Unless, of course, they were not under control of the Ministry?"

A round woman, resembling a pink toad, spoke up, "Hem Hem— I am sorry Headmaster, I do not believe I heard you correctly. It seemed to me that you were insinuating that the ministry ordered this supposed attack." Harry gripped the chair, having trouble keeping his emotions in check. He thought to himself 'just breathe, remember what Sirius said. Show no weakness.' Dumbledore held his hands out to the side before clasping them back behind himself, resuming his pacing. "Indeed Madam Umbridge. It would appear that way." Fudge stood enraged, "This is preposterous! We are not here to waste time debating on dementors We are here because Mr. Potter knowingly preformed magic outside of school, in a muggle neighborhood, in the presence of a muggle!" Dumbledore nodded, "Yes Cornelius but as it states in Clause 7, magic may be preformed in instances of life threatening situations, whether the witch or wizard are in danger or a muggle."

Many in the gallery nodded along. Fudge was shaking in rage but Madam Bones stood tall. "Let's put it to a vote. All of those in favor of clearing Mr. Potter of all charges?" All but two hands raised, "Those opposed?" Only two hands raised. Fudge slammed his hand down, "Very well! Cleared of all charges! But do not think you will continue to get off Potter. Dismissed!" Harry bowed and quickly made his way to the exit, robes billowing behind him.