It was near Christmas time and Harry crumbled up his letter and threw it away. Lilly asked him, "What's wrong Harry?" "I got a letter from Mr. Black, and the ministry, because a custody case is going on, I have to stay with Mr. Black over break. I'd rather stay here than with that muggle sympathizer!"

Draco patted his back, "Father is trying his best to get custody of you. His past just makes it difficult." "What's so difficult, a madman cursed him?!" Ron, who was now a regular and avoiding Hermonie answered, "Not everyone believes that, Harry. You hate muggles, and the Malfoys served He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, it is a complicated process even with Mr. Malfoy's influence." "Fine, but he better not make me communicate with those creatures."

Harry took out his anger towards Hermione in the dueling club, constantly casting jinxes she had to dodge, not that she minded doing the jinxes back.

When Christmas time hit, Harry found a private compartment and mourned having people who knew why muggles needed separated from the magical world. When Black picked him up, he didn't even bother to at least shake Harry's hand, a bow makes no sense in public, but at least pretend to have some manners.

Sirius showed Harry his room. "Thanks, Mr. Black." "You can call me Sirius, Harry." "I asked you to call me Mr. Potter, Mr. Black. We have not met before." "Yes, Mr. Potter. I have a houseelf named Kreacher, you can ask for him, if you don't want to come to me for anything." "There is something I need from you." "Yes?" "Don't take custody of me." "Har- Mr. Potter, I think you don't understand the importance of this custody case. I will not give up my godson, even if he doesn't want me around."

Sirius left the room. He wasn't dense, he knew Harry didn't want to be with him. He knew Harry considered him fighting the Malfoys for custody an inconvenience, but he needed someone on his side, even if he hated them for it.

Sirius vowed Harry would have a mind healer when he had decisions over those things. Sirius never imagined he would be fighting a battle for a kid who would rather be anywhere else. And if he won, it could be possibly five years of a hateful Harry, but he would do it for James, and for Harry, even if Harry would hate him for it forever. "I'll protect your child, James. I'm sorry I did a bad job to this point."

The first thing Sirius did was sort through Harry's mail. "Malfoy trash will not corrupt Harry." Sirius burned anything the Malfoy's gave to him. And no Slytherin mail was going to Harry either. Harry having a snowy white owl made sorting through mail so much easier. "One good thing that was done."

What Sirius didn't realize was Ron wrote to Harry every now and then, and he was considered safe to write to Harry.

Harry,

Ginny says you didn't write to her in the last couple days or respond to her. After we talked, it seems you haven't responded to any Slytherin. Is something wrong?

Harry wrote back,

Ron,

I been writing to you, even sent gifts. I haven't received anything from any Slytherin. I think I know why, for now can you redirect my mail?

Harry,

Of course. Again, sorry you're stuck with Black.

Sirius did try to get Harry a sweater, which Harry threw into the fire. "Like you did to my gifts! Just because you hate Slytherins doesn't mean I do." Harry spent all Christmas day in his room, opting to skip every meal.

Sirius tried knocking on the door, "Mr. Potter." "Go away!" "No." Sirius decided it was time to get serious. "Look, I think the Malfoys may be a bad influence."

"You are just saying that because they care about me!" "They're using you, Har- Mr. Potter." "And you're not. I am aware I look like my dad. You want a replacement!"

"That's not true, young man." " Sirius heard shattering of something, "If it wasn't, you wouldn't control my friends. It was only Slytherin. I was almost put there, would you want me if I was?" Sirius' voice turned into a whisper, "You were almost Slytherin." What Harry didn't know was Sirius was worried about death eater influence on Harry, he was a prime candidate. "That's what I thought! Go away!"

Sirius sighed as he called Kreacher, "Give Harry his meals until he comes out." If his godson wanted to avoid him, he would live with it, but his godson wasn't starving.

When Sirius offered to apparate Harry to King's Cross, Harry responded, "I'll take the Knight Bus." "I must insist you take it with the Weasleys as an adult is needed."

Mrs. Weasley, complying with Harry's request, came through the floo with her family. Before she greeted Harry, she cornered Sirius, "How dare you burn Mr. Potter'a mail. My daughter is not a bad kid because she is Slytherin. Right boys?" All the boys agreed, especially Fred and George. "I think you're temporary guardianship has gone to your head."

Harry had a thought, "How did you know she was Slytherin anyway?" "I did a spell." "Asshole." Harry mumbled.

Mrs. Weasley held Harry's hand, "Lets all get to the Knight Bus." Percy, Ron, Ginny, and Fred and George were following their mum as she lead Harry to the Knight Bus, "Thanks for defending me, Mrs. Weasley." "No problem dear. What are they thinking? Putting you with someone who's been in Azkaban. How can he make sound decisions."

Harry smiled when he saw Mr. Weasley standing beside Narcissa, Draco, and Lucius, through neither looked happy about it. He was lead up to the group. "We will let you talk with your friends Mr. Potter. Don't tell Mr. Black. Ginny tells me you were almost Slytherin." "Very close, ma'am." Mrs. Weasley rubbed his head, "It was a shock when our daughter was a Slytherin, but she takes it in stride. And Malfoy Draco protects her very well."

"A little too well." Lucius' face turned pale, "Did you give her the talk too?" "Of course." Mrs. Weasley commented.

"Father!" Draco yelled, "That's so embarrassing." "Imagine how embarrassed I was to walk in on you two kissing." "Father!" Lucius smiled, "It's almost time for the train." Lucius, Narcissa, Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Weasley followed the kids as they ran through the barrier. They went on the train.

"You two are dating!" Harry exclaimed when they all had their compartment. "Mum freaked! Then gave me a talk. She also delved into the Malfoys background and told me I had to be informed."

"Father gave me a two hour long lecture. Godfather did also. He said my relationships were like my friendships."

"Amazing then." Harry sat on Draco's lap, "We even have more people in a compartment than we should. Only if Percy joined." Ron laughed, "Percy said we would get in trouble before we got back if he joined us. He can't be biased." The compartment laughed.

"Percy isn't bad, he's just a stickler for the rules. And he's been a bit protective since Scabbers." The compartment nodded. Harry frowned, "I'm so sorry." "Wish people quit apologizing. I just need time." Ron mumbled. "Mum offered me a pet but..." Ron looked at his knees, "I keep thinking they're animaguses. I don't even like using our owl anymore. I always ask someone else to send the letter."

Harry frowned, "Maybe you can send it through a house elf. Not Blacks, he'd probably destroy it." "Where am I supposed to get a bloody house elf!" Draco looked at Ron like he grew elephant ears, "I have an houseelf. Dobby!" Dobby popped into the compartment, "Yes, Master Draco." "Can you send Ron's mail and give his mail to him?" "Of course, Master Draco, sir." Ron's eyes widened, "Cool! I thought they weren't allowed."

Draco smiled a wide smile, "When your father is on the board of governors you have some privileges. He's mostly here to protect Harry though." "He needs protection from Black." Harry sighed, "That's true. He thinks I'm my dad! He'd kill me if I was Slytherin!" Draco dismissed Dobby before informing Harry, "That's why father let me have the houseelf at school now. He says Black is unstable and you need extra care."