A/N: Hello everyone, so I hope that this chapter will help to calm the waters a bit. I hope that everyone has had a good past few days and for those who have had holidays during the beginning of July I hope that all was good. Anyway back to the show! This chapter has been edited to its current version by my beta MionellSparlockineco and myself.

Albus sat quietly in his office, he had been going over everything in his head since last night. He had not expected Minerva to take Harry and his new wife to Diagon Alley today, really he had not expected for them to go at all until he saw their signed permission slips on his desk this morning. Tracking them down to invite them to dinner later today had only been part of his plans, he had already resigned himself to the fact that there would be many things to explain to them especially now.

He looked down at the stack of papers on his desk, various letters and reports on the school. He had many things that needed his attention, and yet the one thing that he thought would not require any for several more years was suddenly the largest thing needing him immediately. He sighed inwardly as he pulled himself from his chair.

He had made a point last night to reveal to the Grangers many of the circumstances about Harry and who he was. He had left out some of the points regarding Voldemort and Harry's ultimate fate if everything went according to his plans, but he had let them know that Harry was a Lord of an Ancient House within the Magical world. He explained that Harry was to eventually inherrit his family's tittles and that someday he would have to Mary at least four other girls if not more due to the fact that he had many Houses that he was the Lord and Head.

He had recalled their faces at the idea of their daughter having to share her Husband. He had explained that due to the Pureblood ethics and laws that still tended to reign over the Magical world that Harry was legally required by Wizarding Law to marry these girls to strengthen lines and ensure that each House is only headed by one Lord. Laws that required that if he did not marry the girls in the contract then he could suffer many different punishments, depending upon those set forth in the contracts.

After he had explained everything including the fact that refusal of these contracts could lead to War between House Potter and the other Noble and Ancient Houses, he had proceeded to explain the contracts and who Harry was to marry. It was only after the fact that he had explained that the contracts had been started by his Grandfather and later finished by his father James just before his death. He had not explained that he had modified one of the contracts so that Harry or his Grandchildren could complete it, originally the contract had simply stated his Grandchildren must marry into the Weasley family in order to unite House Potter and House Weasley as was demanded by the Marriage of Cedrella Black to Septimus Weasley nearly a century ago.

He walked over to the window and stared out at the Forbidden Forest far below, a flock of birds sweeping across the tops of the trees. He felt the years as he let his mind return to his problems going back to the beginning. The beginning was where it had all gone wrong, horribly wrong.

He had spent most of the day of October 31st 1991 at Hogwarts, though he had been feeling an overwhelming sense of foreboding all that day. He had been too busy to leave the castle as several of the School Governors were visiting their fear for their children had brought them, everyone could sense that something was coming. It was not until nearly midnight that he had heard the news, news that he knew the source would never lie about.

He had just settled down to a late dinner when Severus had burst into his office nearly incapacitated by grief. Albus had listened as he told of the wreckage of the cottage in Godric's Hollow, the bodies of James and Lilly only barely cold and Harry crying in his crib for parents who would never come again. He had tried to convice Severus to go back, but it was no use instead he had entrusted Hagrid to go to Godric's Hollow and bring Harry to him. He had ensured that Hagrid understood Harry was not to go to anyone else unless he approved of the swap.

He had left Severus in his office leaving immediately for Gringotts as James had named him their Executor when they had gone into hiding. Ragnarok had greeted him gravely, already having received the death certificates from the Ministry the moment James and Lilly had died. He ordered the Wills to be opened and read all through them carefully, sighing when he realized that Lilly was strictly forbidding that which he feared was the only protection Harry had left, that of the love of a Mother for her child and the blood that flowed through Petunia Dursley's veins was that same blood and thus could be used to further Lilly's last protection.

He had ordered Ragnarok to seal the wills back in the vaults, any inquiries regarding them until Harry came of legal age was to be directed to him immediately. He had then left to go and meet Hagrid at Number 4 Privet Drive. When he arrived he had expected to only have to wait for about twenty minutes, it had never been his intention to speak with anyone yet to his suprise he had found his Transfiguration professor Minerva McGonagall there awaiting his arrival.

Hagrid had arrived shortly thereafter, mentioning that Sirius Black had been at the cottage. He had been somewhat surprised when Sirius had simply taken Hagrid's word that Harry was to come to him. It was something he had not thought much about considering that Sirius, per the Wills was the legal Guardian, but it would have to be dealt with later he would find a way to make Sirius understand.

They had left Harry on the doorstep with a letter he had written to Petunia months ago should the worst happen. In the letter he had tried to explain everything he could to her, who and what Harry was and just how special he was. He had also asked that they treated him like a normal child who was not famous, he had not expected for them to mistreat the boy.

The rest of the history played out as it had, Sirius had been arrested before he could blink and tossed into Prison. He had wanted to vouch for Sirius, but he did not have the political power after vouching for Severus which had taken much of his allies already thin support. He had made a mental note to one day find a way to ensure that Sirius got the trial that he was privileged to but the years had progressed and the time had still not been right until now.

He had first learned of the abuse the Dursley's inflicted on Harry when Harry was seven. He had entrusted some of the care of Harry to Arabella Figg, a squibb who lived just a few houses away from the Dursleys. She had started to babysit the boy when his family would go off to this or that leaving him behind. The bruises she had claimed were only the beginning, it was worse as to how he responded to kindness.

By that point it had been too late legally to move the boy without good reason and he could not afford to take away the protection that living with the Dursleys provided Harry. He had made the decision then to leave him there until he was fifteen, at which time he would reveal to Harry his tittles and take him to learn of his parents Wills, at which point he had intended to explain everything to him including the Prophecy.

He thumped his hand against the window sill and turned, this was going to drive him crazy. He would explain everything tonight, or at least everything that he could now and promise to explain the rest when he was able. He just hoped that everything would not blow up in his face before he could make Harry and Hermione understand.

Time was not an easy friend nor was it an estimable enemy, he turned and looked at the clock behind his desk. They had only been gone for three hours it would still be a while before he knew his fate. Albus sighed again and turned to head down to the Great Hall for lunch his mind still in circles.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Harry stepped out of the fireplace back in Professor McGonagall's office, turning to take Hermione's hand as she stepped out of the office. He could tell by the look on her face that something was bothering her, though it was the sudden burst of anger that came from her as she hurled herself into his arms, holding him tightly.

"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall asked as she turned to them at the sound.

"I'm alright." Hermione said as she continued to hold him. "I just...ugh!"

Harry held her as she cried into his shoulder as he gently rubbed her back. After a few moments she stepped back and smiled up at him and sighed.

"Professor McGonagall." She said as she turned to the older woman. "Can you please explain why Harry has to marry these other girls?"

Professor McGonagall smiled softly and indicated her small sitting area where she had a sofa and chairs. They settled down as she summoned some tea and biscuits, pouring a cup for each of them.

"As you well know Miss Granger, the Pureblood families in the Wizarding world have ruled more often than not." She said as she mixed some honey in with her tea. "It has long been the tradition for most Wizarding laws to reflect the current beliefs of the larger part, or ruling portion, of society. Because of this many Pureblood beliefs and family traditions have found their ways into laws."

Hermione nodded her understanding as she snuggled into him, he was also determined to know why he had to suddenly marry half of Hogwarts. "Yes Professor." She said softly, "I know how the Pureblooded families tend to believe and rule."

McGonagall smiled sadly. "Well, if you would like we can summon the contracts and examine what could legally happen if Harry or the others mentioned in the contracts were to refuse to mary." She said before taking a bite of a biscuit. "If you wish to read the contracts all either of you have to do is summon them from your vault."

"How?" Harry asked with a frown. He knew that you could summon something to you from nearby but the contracts were in Grigotts and heavily guarded.

She smiled and tapped her wand to her temple. "I Lady Minerva McGonagall summon forth the marriage contract signed by myself and my late husband." She held forth her hand as a scroll appeared above it.

Harry and Hermione quickly summoned both the will and the marriage contracts and waited for Professor McGonagall to read over them. It was only a few moments before she set aside the scrolls and sighed.

"The pureblood wizards were nothing if not thorough at times." She said as she scowled. "Some Families found ways for their darker traditions to also find ways into laws. The Black family was once notorius for many dangerous aspects of society, though they were above all on the side of Neutrality until recently."

Harry and Hermione again nodded as they listened, she reached over and gently took his hand in hers. "Why do I have a bad feeling about what you are going to say?" Harry said as he indicated for the Professor to continue.

She smirked at his comment. "There is a way out of your marriage to Susan Bones, but if her one of her children did not marry you or yours then she and all of her children will die as would you and your family." She said as she began to explain the clause. "You are both the last heirs to the Houses of Gryffindor and House Hufflepuff, as such there has been a promise of marriage held in place by law that your families would unite for nearly three centuries, however the union has never happened. If families do not join then there is a law that sends out a curse that immediately ends your life."

Hermione shrieked in disgust as he also gritted his teeth at the idea. "Which family thought of that law?" he demanded furrowing his brow at the suggestion of such an attrocity.

"Oddly enough, it was the Slytherins." She said with a hollow laugh. "His decendants were some of the most rutheless in maintaining line and blood purity."

"I can immagine." Hermione said, indicating the events of last year and the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets.

She nodded as she frowned at the reminder. "Precisely, some are less severe." She said as she tapped the other contracts with her wand. "The others unfortunately require the agreements of the other Lord and Head of House." She continued with a sigh. "Lord Greengrass has adamantly refused to absolve the contract, Lord Patil will never allow what has been promised to him since his daughter's were born to be set aside, The one for Miss Weasley and the eventual Malfoy are due to marriages between those families with the Blacks and due to another law if the two of you or your grand children don't marry then all magic will be lost in your bloodlines thereafter and the Houses of Potter and any others that your family directly through you will have claim to shall end permanently."

Harry frowned, he was beaten it seemed if he did not follow through with the contracts then either he and the other girl would die, thus also equaling out the end of Hermione and possibly the others as well or else their Houses would fall into ruin and loose their magic. He felt disgust at the idea that someone could allow this to still be legal.

Hermione sighed as she turned to him. "The Purebloods have been in power for Centuries, it's only been in the last hundred years that any semblance of the world we grew up in started to trickle into the Magical world Harry." She said as she put forth the largest issue to the entire problem. "As long as the Purebloods hold and abuse their power, then we will forever be in a fighting battle."

He nodded in understanding. "Malfoy and many of the others I know for sure do." He said with loathing at the name. "Are those against these laws still fighting for power?"

McGonagall nodded. "Yes, but unfortunately they hold very little sway in the Ministry or the courts at this time. Madame Amelia Bones and Albus are among the greatest that I can think of."

Harry nodded and then frowned. "Professor Dumbledore." He said, the name feeling odd in his mouth after today's revelations.

Hermione nodded. "He's definitely going to have some explaining to do this evening." She stated pointedly.

"I may very well be joining you, though let's not inform Professor Dumbledore of that shall we." She said with a nod. "I have a few questions for our dear Head Master myself and I will be needing you two there while I ask them and get answers."

Harry nodded, "I see no problem with that, in fact I invite you to join us he can toss off if there's an issue."

She smiled at his statement. "Well, I am sure Albus will have a good reason for many of the things that he has done."

Hermione sighed, and he felt her frustration and some of her anger leave as he pulled her hand up and gently pressed his lips against the back fo her hand. He could still sense her anger at the idea of the marriages, but he could also hear her making peace with herself at the fact that at least most of them she was already friends with and liked as friends.

I love you. He said gently as he felt her let go her worries and snuggle closer on the loveseat they were sharing. She leaned into him as he gently wrapped his arm around her.

"Thank you." She said as she lightly kissed his cheek.

"Now." Professor McGonagall said, bringing them back to the topic at hand. "What time are you meeting him?"

Harry looked at his wife. "Seven right?"

She nodded, "It will be in his office, I am sure you already know the password."

The older woman nodded. "Do you?"

"Treacle Ecclairs" Harry said, smirking when she nodded. "Sherbert Lemon, Lomon Drops, he definitely has a sweet tooth."

They all laughed and finally they stood to leave to go and visit Sirius. Harry wanted to get to spend some time with his Godfather before he had to deal with Dumbledore and whateverr this dinner was going to bring. This was also a chance if he was lucky and Sirius was able and willing he may learn about his parents.

They left Professor McGonagall's office and headed off down the corridors. It felt like yesterday had been days ago, though really it had only been hours since their bond and then all of the events until now. He was sure this was going to be an interesting encounter and he hoped that Sirius would like him, that he would live up to any expectations that his Godfather may have for him.

They were just rounding a corner when a they heard footsteps coming up quickly from behind. They both turned to see Ron rushing up to them, panting as he was out of breath.

"Where the bloody hell have you two been?" He huffed, bending to try to catch his breath. "I haven't seen either of you since what, lunch yesterday?"

Harry nodded. "A lot has happened recently Ron." He said as he felt her slip her hand in his. "And right now we don't fully know everything so there is a lot still to explain."

Ron blinked, utter confusion written on his face. "What are you talking about?" He said looking from him to her and back again until his eyes looked down and he saw their hands. "What the hell?"

Harry smiled softly. "Ron, it's a long story." Harry said as he sighed.

"We currently do not know everything, but there is a lot of things getting ready to change." Hermione said as she reached out to take Ron's hand in her's. "No matter what you will always be our best friend Ron."

Ron frowned and shook his head. "Whatever you two are talking about, let me know when it's supposed to make sense."

Harry sighed and turned to see her exasparation as well. "We are heading to the Hospital Wing to meet my Godfather, Sirius Black." he said as he turned to head back in their intended direction. "If you would like to come with us you are more than welcome."

Harry could feel the shock from his friend at the mention of Sirius, he hadn't gotten to tell Ron about Sirius being his Godfather because he had not known until last night himself. He felt Ron fall into step with them as they headed toward their intended destination.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

He could feel the fresh air coming through the window, the sounds of birds chirping from outside. The bright fresh smell of daylight, freshly mowed grass and autumn starting to settle in reminded him of his days at Hogwarts. Hogwarts, he was home again, once more in the Infirmary no less.

He had not known how to feel when he had suddenly felt the pull of the magic that had taken him to his Godson, he would never be able to describe exactly what he felt at that time. When he had suddenly been declared in a place of temporary if not permanent refuge from running he nearly collapsed on the ground. After all this time, he could rest knowing that he was finally getting a chance, a chance at something.

He had gotten to finally meet Harry last night, something that he had long since given hope of ever doing again. He had resigned himself to death in Azkaban, death at the hands of those monsters. He had only escaped for one reason and one reason only, Peter.

It was still hard to believe, nearly thirteen years later. He had always been their friend, nothing had even remotely indicated that Peter would betray them. They had watched him grow from snivelling First Year to, well, more confident Seventh year. True Peter had ran along after them in the beginning, nearly trying to kill himself to befrind both him and James, but it had not taken long for them to take a liking to their small friend.

He had never indicated during that time that he searched them out due to their power, though it was obvious when you looked back over the memories you could see that Peter relied on them for protection because they were better, they were stronger and he sought to serve those who were strong.

"You poor fool Peter." He said softly, he had finally given up his anger last night after speaking with Amelia for nearly two hours before she left. "You should have known he would be your downfall."

Sirius suddenly heard footsteps as three voices entered the room. He had been shuttered away behind privacy curtains to prevent anyone from interrupting his brief respite here with Madam Pomfrey. He felt a thrill of joy as he recognized that one of the three young voices was his Godson.

"Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey's voice came from the other side of the curtain. "I am sure you will be wanting to see Mr. Black."

"Yes Madam Pomfrey, if we may." Harry said in response to her question.

"Of course, though I must please ask that you keep things calm." She said as he heard their footsteps approaching his sanctuary.

The privacy screen was moved and three chairs were summoned as Harry, Hermione and a redhaired boy who looked extremely familiar slid into his space. He smiled at them as Harry grinned broadly at him and then came forward to hug him.

"Good of you to come by." he said as he released his Godson. "I was beginning to think that you had forgotten about me."

Harry smirked in response. "I could never forget about you, we had to go out to London this morning with Professor McGonagall."

The redhaired boy looked at them in question. "You went to London, why?"

Harry sighed. "Ron, like I said there is a lot going on right now and I do not know everything yet. However, I can explain some things to you."

Sirius grinned. "Harry, are you getting into more mischief already?"

Ron laughed, "He doesn't have to get into any mischief, it keeps finding him."

Harry smirked. "It's true, but no at least not anything I would consider mischievious."

"Well then do tell!" Sirius said as he fluffed up his pillows a bit, settling up a little more comfortably. He was eager to hear all about everything Harry would share with him, at least he hoped that he would share with him. "I am here if you want me to be." he amended softly.

Harry grinned broadly and Sirius felt his own face light up as well. It was not long before Harry was explaining everything that had transpired, both the evening before to catch up his friend, and everything from today. When he had mentioned his and Hermione's Soul Bond to Ron, the boy had been befuddled, though he had managed to keep up during their brief explaination.

When Harry had mentioned his tittles Sirius had been surprised that his request had actually been seen through. It was surprising to think that he may soon be able to take back his family title and return to society. It was not something that he had thought to ever consider and now he almost could.

"Let me guess, when you learned your many many tittles, you also learned that you had betrothal contracts?" Sirius asked with a grin.

Harry coughed at his suggestion but nodded soberly. "Yes, three for me alone, one I could have left to my grandkids and then another for my grandkids." Harry said flatly.

Sirius smiled. "Well, be glad you aren't me. If I get set free I have at least seven I have to go and review, you just got set free of those."

Harry laughed as the redhaird boy stared at his friend in disbelief. "You have to marry five other girls aside from Hermione?" He asked his face nearly white.

"Yes." Harry said with a sigh. "Daphne Greengrass, Susan Bones, Padma and Parvati Patil."

Ron counted them off with him as he listened to the names, each one he knew well from his family's many dealings in the magical world. He didn't know any of them particularly personally aside from as schoolmate and classmates but that was it. He noticed when he stopped at four names that Harry had not mentioned the fifth yet.

"Who's the fifth girl?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Harry frowned and sighed. "Ron, I don't know how to tell you this." He said as he began softly. "there was a betrothal contract between your family and mine, either I could marry into your family, or my grandchildren could marry into your family."

Ron nodded following along. "Yes, I remember there was my like great aunt something Ced-ced-"

"Cedrella Black, married Septimus Weasley." Sirius offered, surprised that he still remembered his mothers rants after all these years. "It was a very odd marriage."

"That's right, so it's time for our families to intermarry thanks to the Black's and their family traditions that are also law." Ron surmised surprising them at his knowledge.

Hermione nodded as Sirius noted the surprise on their faces at the redhaird boys catching up. It was just as he had remembered Cedrella and the last name Weasley that his mind clicked into where he knew the boy from.

"EGYPT!" Sirius shouted, pointing at Ron with alarm. "Y-you-your Rat!"

Harry stared at him with concern written upon his face and in his eyes. "Are you ok?"

He nodded. "Sorry, I just remembered why I broke out of Azkaban." He said as he grabbed the glass of pumpkin juice on his bedside table and took a long drink. "You and your family were on the front page of the Dailey Prophet this past summer."

Ron nodded as he once again fluffed some of the pillows for more comfort. "Your pet Rat, is an animagus." Sirius stated rather pointedly. "A little traitorous bastard named Petter Pettigrew."

Harry's jaw dropped as Ron stared at the man in disbelief. "What proof do you have?" He demanded as he looked at Sirius with wary eyes.

"I myself am an Animagus boy, and I spent nearly all of my Hogwarts and the better part of my early adult life running around with that rat before he betrayed Lilly and James Potter and Harry to Lord Voldemort."

Ron shivered at the name but held firm. "If I bring him to you, can you force him to show his true self?" Ron asked as he continued to watch all of them.

"Yes." Sirius said with a nod. "There are a few spells to force an Animagus back into their human form."

Ron nodded and they all agreed that the next afternoon they would meet with Professor McGonagall in Sirius's small refuge to reveal if Scabbers was indeed Peter Pettigrew. Sirius wondered how this would change things in the future.

"So anyway, who in my family is your grandchildren marrying then?" Ron asked as he looked at Harry curiously. "You could always marry mine, I know they won't be Lord or Head someday, but ya never know we could see our great grandkids grow up together."

Harry smiled softly at his friends enthusiasm. "Actually, Harry said with an appologetic smile. "It will be our children that we see growing up together."

"What do you mean, our children?" Ron asked, a look of alarm crossing his face.

"I had the choice to take a Weasley as my wife." Harry said as he spelled something out for his friend.

Hermione cleared her throat. "She would do anything to be with Harry Ron." Hermione said clearly indicating that this was someone who Ron knew. "She has had a crush on him for pretty much her entire life."

Ron paled as something dawned inside his mind. "Ginny..."

Harry nodded with another appologetic smile as he waited to see how his friend would react to whoever Ginny was. He had to assume it was either a sister or cousin to Ron.

Ron eyed him with some measure of caution. "If it was anyone else, I'd think they were crazy." He said as he gave Harry a firm look. "I assume you have already had word sent to Dad, all I can say is if you hurt my sister I will kill you no matter if you are my friend or not."

Harry nodded as he gave an equally grave look back to his friend. "I understand and I would expect nothing less." Harry said as he sighed. "Unfortunately unless something changes Ginny will not be the Lady of a Noble House big or small, just my wife."

Ron laughed. "I don't think she will care, trust me she's nuts over you Harry."

Harry also took this time to reveal to Ron the fact that he had bought him and his family all new brooms as a gift. He also revealed that he had bought one for Sirius as well, though he would not reveal to them what broom model it was that he had bought. The thought of flying, freedom, a new broom and so many more happy and wonderful things was overwhelmingly joyous to Sirius. This truly had to be the greatest moments of his life.

AN: hello again, so I hope that you enjoyed the new chapter. I just wanted so that that it will be about a month before any new chapters are released. I have recently taken on a Beta Reader for this story and we are going to be working on editing the existing chapters including this chapter before any new chapters are released. Please stay tuned as there will be a new announcement when the story resumes. I know some of you were questioning so many things last chapter and while I know I have not answered all of those questions or worries, please know that I will do so in time and that while I understand them there is more to this that you are seeing now. Everything has a purpose and a reason and will make sense in time.