Hey, sorry it has been a while but here is a new chapter. Hope you all like it!

Chapter 14 – You Don't Care

Party poppers and streamers shot over Harry as he stepped out of the floo that afternoon, for the first time in days a genuine smile issued across his face, Sirius soon followed and he too was shot with the same streamers, everyone cheered, and the twins were shouting "They Got Off! They Got Off!"

"Oh, Harry Dear!" Mrs Weasley called over the cheering embracing him in a motherly hug, "I knew they couldn't convict you! And Sirius" She jumped onto him just like she did with Harry "Finally justice!"

"It has been a long time coming, I couldn't have done it without everyone here so thank you" Sirius said genuinely, he placed his hand on Harrys shoulder "Hopefully now after fourteen years I can fulfil my promise to James and be a real Godfather to Harry. Now I smell food!" Harry smiled at Sirius; this was the break he needed so he didn't have to go back to the Dursleys! Relief flooded him, he had a home, he had a parent, he had family.

"There is a bit of everything over on the table, everyone take as much as you like, but leave room for cake afterwards!" called Mrs Weasley "Harry you choose first then I want you off your feet the remainder of the night! Sirius you next, this is a celebration of your freedom, for both of you!" Sirius ruffled Harrys hair before picking up two plates and let Harry choose what he wanted, he chose some chicken pieces, mash, some sausages and veg. He then sat down on one of the sofas and did what he was told and put his injured leg up on the pouffe. That was relief in itself, his leg was very sore from being up all day on it.

"Thanks, Padfoot"
"You are welcome pup!" Sirius replied as he went to get some glasses and a bottle of something before, he plonked himself down next to Harry and started to eat his chicken legs that he had picked up. Harry started to eat too, food had never tasted so good and he didn't feel sick or anything, it was amazing how good freedom felt. Remus soon sat the other side of Harry on the next sofa across and also started to eat. "Moon, moon, so nice of you to join us" exclaimed Sirius as he took another bite into a chicken leg. Remus rolled his eyes before a laugh escaped, he then picked up his wand and waved it slightly before a ice blue smoke protruded out of it and settled on Harrys injured knee. The relief was instant, and a groan of satisfaction escaped from Harry.

"Thanks, Moony"

"Thought you might like that; it's been a long day for both of you" Remus replied

"You can say that again" called Sirius, his mouth full of food "Oh Rem, do you want some?" he continued holding up the bottle "And Harry too you have some, it's a celebration.

"Sirius No, you are not giving Harry Firewhisky!" replied Remus. Sirius swallowed stuck his tongue out and replied,

"It's a celebration and anyway, he's fifteen now, we first got drunk at thirteen, what a few glasses going to do to him under supervision".

"Fine, on your own head be it".

"Yes Mother!" Harry almost choked on what he was swallowing and coughed before laughing. Sirius who watched Harry choking and laughing started laughing himself. Soon all three were hysterically laughing mostly at each other, it was good to laugh again thought Harry.

"So, what's the plan now you are free?" asked Remus nodding slightly as if they had practiced the conversation before.

"Well, once the settlement from the Ministry has been sent, we will have to go to Gringotts and sort that out, I know I have a lot of the Black family finances and things to sort out too since I am the last direct heir now, that can be sorted at Gringotts too. We need to talk to Dumbledore too about your living arrangement from now on. Now I am a free man I can actually be your Godfather so we would like the guardianship to move across from your Aunt and Uncle to myself and Remus if he wants to come along for the ride!"

"Well, someone is going to have to be the responsible one and its not either of you! So, I guess I will step in" Remus earned himself a scowl from Sirius before a genuine smile

"I'd like to discuss with Dumbledore as well if we could take a few days, somewhere in the countryside where we can get to know each other a bit better, you know like a proper family, that's if you want all of this, like I said two years ago you are more than welcome to live with your Aunt and Uncle".

"No!" Harry interrupted "I want to stay with you".

"That's settled then, I will owl Dumbledore in the morning and ask to arrange a meeting, for as soon as possible then we can make a plan from there, do you guys agree?" Harry nodded.

"Yes, now Molly is bringing out the cake, do you two want me to get you a piece?"

"Yes Please!" Harry and Sirius replied together. Remus took their plates and soon came back with three large pieces of cake. Before they could take a bite, Mr Weasley raised his glass to freedom and a positive future, everyone raised their glasses before taking sip. Harry had never drunk firewhisky before and was pleased to feel it living up to its name, his throat burned as he swallowed as if he could breathe fire, smoke came out of his mouth Sirius beamed and took a sip as well.

By the time it was time for everyone to go to bed Harry felt as high as the clouds, the firewhisky had made his head all fuzzy and he felt relaxed. Remus and Sirius were reminiscing about good old times at Hogwarts and their summer holidays when they all met up. Harry felt like he could have stayed up all night talking and drinking, he enjoyed that he didn't feel like he ad a dark cloud over his shoulders at all times and he could sit and laugh with people who liked him. He didn't want to go to bed but it was almost two o'clock in the morning at this point and it was unfair on everyone else who was around to stayed up just because he did.

Reluctantly he stood up and like said goodnight to everyone, he was a bit fuzzy in the head, but he was able to traverse the three flights of stairs to his room without too much trouble, he gave Remus and Sirius a hug before making his way into his room and changing for bed, he then laid down and pulled the soft duvet over him. It wasn't long until he felt really sleepy and closed his eyes, soon after he was in a heavy dreamless sleep for the first night since Cedric died in the graveyard.

The following fortnight went without incident, yes, the heavy darkness and constant feeling of anxiety in the pit of his stomach had come back in full force but with the thought of not having to go back to the Dursleys again he managed to get through the days without much incident. This was the longest time he had gone without cutting in months and he was pleased with himself, he was managing to keep down at least one meal which was something too because he knew he was causing suspicion as he went to the bathroom soon after every meal.

That morning at breakfast an owl finally came with the reply from Dumbledore, Sirius took the letter off the owl's leg and opened the envelope containing a small slip of parchment. Sirius sighed and passed it on to Remus who rolled his eyes sarcastically.

"Harry, Dumbledore wants to see us in his office this afternoon, are you up for that?" Harry nodded and went back to his breakfast "We will be leaving at two so straight after lunch".

"Okay, I'll make sure I'm ready for then" replied Harry before taking a sip from his tea. He had taken to having a cup of tea in the morning and a slice of toast, claiming he wasn't hungry but as long as they saw him eating, they wouldn't question him.

After breakfast Harry made his way to his usual spot in the library, he had finished his homework days ago, but Sirius had such a variety of good books to read he found himself siting on one of the comfortable sofas and reading volume after volume about complex potions. After Sirius discreetly told him the Ministry couldn't detect underage magic here, he had also read up upon concealment charms a couple of days previous too and had successfully mastered the daily glamour charm so that he could start wearing t-shirts again as the house was way too warm for long sleeves.

Harry went downstairs for lunch and started eating a small sandwich before excusing himself to get ready before they went to the meeting with Dumbledore. He emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet bowl, feeling significantly less nauseous he looked in his wardrobe to find a hoodie to put on as he knew even though they were only going to the Headmasters office, Scotland was going to be much cooler than here and he would require an extra layer. He took his black jacket and quickly placed it on before leaving the room and making his way back downstairs to the floo.

Remus was already waiting at the fireplace when Harry entered the room, the fireplace was made of traditional brick which raised up throughout the house, the floor was dark oak. There wasn't that much in the room except the fireplace and an old sofa with a coffee table, the grate was made of grand black marble as the fire danced happily across the wooden logs burning inside it.

"Just waiting for Sirius, he has gone to do his hair" commented Remus. Harry tried to fight back a laugh but couldn't when Sirius whizzed around the doorframe, hair fresh from an obvious hair cleansing charm.

"What's so funny" he asked panting.

"Nothing" replied Remus, he too now chuckling lightly "shall we get going, it's almost time" Harry nodded, so did Sirius. Remus took a handful of floo powder and threw it in the fire opening the floo network before stepping in and releasing the remainder on the powder saying loudly and clearly "Headmasters Office Hogwarts". Remus spun on the spot before being sucked down like water into a plughole. Harry went next, he hopped into the fire, the flames tickled him and were not hot at all, he took off his glasses and put them in his pocket before placing both crutches in one hand he took some floo powder with the other.

Balancing carefully yet holding his crutches tight he dropped the powder and spoke loudly and clearly "Headmasters Office Hogwarts". As soon as he finished stating the fireplace requested, he started to spin, getting better at flooing he tucked his elbows in, holding his crutches to his chest and closed his eyes as he spun, faster and faster. As quick as he started to spin, he started to slow down and was effectively spat out of the fireplace. He didn't have balance in that one leg to keep upright and started to fall to the ground but was caught before he hit the floor.

"Thanks Remus" Harry said as he was placed back on his good foot and handed his crutches that he threw aside when he thought he was going to fall. Remus muttered a cleaning spell on him as he put he glasses on again, finally he could see the beautiful office again. But no-good memory came back for Harry as he looked around the room, last time he had sat in this office the headmaster had forced him to relive the death of Cedric in the graveyard after the final of the Triwizard tournament.

"Harry my boy, you're looking well".

"Thank you, and you Headmaster" Harry replied politely as Sirius came out of the fireplace muttering a similar charm over himself just like Remus did with him.

"Thank you, Harry, come you three take a seat. Lemon drop anyone?" asked Dumbledore gesturing at the bowl of stickly sweets atop his desk. Everyone shook their heads. "Its good to see you all, Sirius many congratulations on your freedom, Remus I hope the moon is treating you well. Now what brings you to see me today?" Harry glanced up at Remus and Sirius before turning to face the old man again, neither of the marauders were smiling and looked quite serious as if they were discretely disappointed with the Headmaster.

"Like we mentioned in the letter we sent you, we need to discuss the Guardianship of Harry, James and Lily's will clearly stated that I was the preferred guardian for Harry if the circumstances were proved that I needed to be. I was wrongly imprisoned and therefore the rightful guardianship is mine and if Harry would like it, I would like that to be transferred over to Remus and I." stated Sirius, seriously.

"But Sirius, Lily made a sacrifice forming binding magic which gives Harry that protection until he is seventeen, if you were to take Harry away from his Aunt and Unless guardianship that protection will be broken, and Harry will be left vulnerable." Explained Dumbledore.

"If it is the guardianship that has the protection, I can assure you Harry will receive more love from us than he ever did from his Aunt and Uncles" fought Sirius.

"I'm sorry Sirius, Harry has called his Aunt and Uncles house home since he could talk, the protection is there. As long as Harry returns there for two weeks each summer until he turns seventeen, he will have that protection the remainder of the time he can stay with you, that is the only offer I have".

"Harry is not safe there! He is safer with us, with trained wizards and no bloody dementors coming at him with no protection because obviously he's not allowed to protect himself!" snarled Sirius.

"Sirius, take a deep breath." Remus said calmly placing a hand on his shoulder before taking a breath and speaking himself "Headmaster, what Sirius is trying to say, is that the protection we can provide to him, two veterans of the first war, is far superior to one spell".

"Voldemort cannot break through that charm, he cannot hurt Harry while he is living with his Aunt and Uncle, he has Order members around the clock making sure he is safe".

"Sir, I feel safer with Remus and Sirius, I don't want to end up hurt again, I could have died this summer if the dementor had me, or if that car was driving any faster. My Aunt and Uncle couldn't protect me, I don't call their house home anymore, Hogwarts is my home" explained Harry calmly as memory after memory of his Uncle beating him flashed past his mind, memories of his Uncle forcing him to be sick because he ate something that wasn't his, the times where he was left in his cupboard for days without food or water. He had never called the Dursleys home, home, the spell would never work.

"Even so, a school is not a house and therefore not a home".

"Headmaster, you have just heard Harry, he wants to stay with us he feels safer with us! We will protect him!" Remus reminded, stepping on Sirius' foot making sure he didn't say anything more, he looked livid but Remus new having Dumbledore against them wouldn't be worth it.

"I'm sorry Sirius, that is my final word, if that is all, take your Hogwarts letters and please leave, I have some paperwork to attend to" finished Dumbledore as he gestured to the fireplace. Harry looked at the old man looking at him, hoping he would change his mind. But no, Harry realised there and then that Dumbledore didn't really care for him, he didn't want to help him, he just needed to keep Harry where he wanted him. Dumbledore was not the saviour of the world he thought he was, Harry felt like he had lost a grandfather the darkness almost suffocating him and entered the floo after Sirius trying to keep the tears held back.