A/n: Thanks again for the reviews and messages! CaskettFan5 proved my explanation of Voldemort's soul was confusing at best, as I figured it would be. I thought of adding in an explanation further down the road, but it's honestly not a part of my story that deserves the time.

I added Dumbledore's revelation as a plot device (lazy, I know) to explain away three things: how Harry survived as a kid, his larger than normal magical reserves, and the existence of the diary. In my head, Voldemort wasn't even aware of splitting his soul, but chose to use the diary when he realized he had. It's inconsequential to my story, as I never really liked the horcrux hunt. Just lazy writing that I may go back and fix, but honestly I'd rather just push forward, and hope you guys just ignore it besides the explanation for his reserves.

Thanks, Caskett! Constructive criticisms are definitely appreciated, as are all reviews! As I've been writing this story, I've realized that I'm kinda moving from important moment to important moment, and sometimes struggle with explaining how we get there. That was definitely one example, as is some of this chapter. Wizengamot stuff will be featured less and less as we go, but Daniel gets to lay the smack down a bit more here.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 9

Harry walked briskly, his obnoxious plum-colored robes trailing behind, quickly arriving at the suite of offices set aside for the Faithful Eight. Finding Daniel's, he knocked and entered, noticing the feeling of a privacy ward as he closed the door. Daniel had his back to the young man, pouring himself a small glass of some sort of liquor.

"I'd offer you a celebratory drink if you were a couple years older," the man said, turning to lean casually against his desk.

"If I were a couple years older," Harry countered with a smile. "I'd accept. I take it Fudge's slip-up is more important than I originally realized?"

"In two ways, Harry. The first being that he broke an unwritten rule of the Chamber. To falsely accuse another member of a crime, especially one from a seat of the Eight, will have turned some members against him. The second, and more important if I may admit, is that he gave me an opportunity to stand in your support, without suggesting my neutrality is compromised."

"Confident in yourself, aren't you?" The young man joked.

"Very. I've worked on my reputation for years, and it is exactly as 'gray' and mysterious as I want it to be. Most members in that Chamber have needed my legal advice in the past, or know they will in the future. My standing in your defense will see the neutral faction to your side, and help push the traditionalists further. There is one thing you should know about my influence, though." Daniel's face lost a bit of his confidence, as he took a breath before continuing.

"I have an uncle. He was a few years younger than my father. He's serving a life sentence in Azkaban, a convicted Death Eater. He was among the first to join Voldemort."

Harry, having known about the man's uncle for a while, shrugged in ambivalence.

"Dumbledore told me. How does he factor into this?"

"I just wanted you to hear it from me," the man said honestly. "It's part of how I have the pull that I do with some of the traditionalists. They expect me to be sympathetic to their issues of blood purity."

"Have you voted with them on those issues in the past?"

"Only when I knew my vote wouldn't matter in order to keep up the appearance. If the vote seemed close, I wouldn't show up for it. Luckily, no unpalatable issues have been swayed by my vote alone, or lack thereof."

A knock on the door interrupted the two wizards, and Daniel opened it with a wave of his wand revealing Sirius, looking very much like his name.

"Lord Greengrass," he said, loud enough to be overheard. "I apologize for interrupting. I merely wanted to offer my gratitude for your words in the Chamber."

"Of course," the man returned, rolling his eyes at the charade. "Please come in, I'll pour you a drink."

As Sirius closed the door behind him, the mask of formality dropped. He grinned at Harry brightly, before turning back to the office's owner.

"Daniel," he said, a bit of the formality creeping back into his voice. "Thank you. You didn't have to stick your neck out."

"As I was just explaining to Harry," the man said, waving Sirius into a chair. "Fudge's accusations allowed me to. If they hadn't, I would've kept quiet. I'm happy it worked out this way, though."

"Me too," Harry supplied honestly. "I have a feeling there won't be any argument to Sirius taking his rightful place after Fudge is forced to apologize to him."

"No," Daniel agreed. "That should be easy. Keeping your seat may be a bit more difficult, but I'll now be able to step in if I think you need it."

"Hopefully I won't, but thanks. I guess nominating Mr. Weasley and claiming the Gaunt ring will be trickier."

"Claiming the what now?" Sirius asked confusedly. Harry had spoken with Albus, Daniel, and Remus about his plan, but Sirius had enough on his plate, and Harry hadn't mentioned it.

"I'll explain later," Harry answered with a smile. "But it's a good thing."

Sirius, sipping the drink Daniel had handed him, simply shrugged in agreement.

"When we reconvene, let me deal with Fudge if I can," Daniel said to the pair. "If his apology is garbage, I'll be able to tear him down a bit more. I doubt we'll ever get Malfoy and company to abandon him, but I may get a few extra traditionalists."

The three used the rest of their short break to go through their plan of action, though they knew things could go differently than they hoped. Harry's smirk was a bit worrying to the other two, but as it wasn't directed at them, they were happy with it.

"Mr. Black, I humbly beg your forgiveness for my inaccurate and insulting words. The Black family, including yourself, have been respected and valued members of this community, and I was out of line to imply otherwise. Unfortunately, I had the poor judgment to delegate the responsibility of writing my statement, and I clearly over-estimated my employee's ability to do so correctly and without personal bias. The employee has been given an official reprimand and demotion. I, however, take ownership of my role in the blunder, and should have verified the statement was up to my standard before reading it aloud. I regret the fact that the error is now recorded in the history of this respected Chamber, and can only hope that offering my heartfelt apology next to it will be sufficient to insure future generations retain the respect I am sure they will have for your descendents. Sirius Black is a man who has withstood incredibly unjust treatment from my predecessor, and I regret the fact that our new relationship was immediately tainted by the same. Moving forward, I hope to work closely with you, sir, to ensure no other person shall endure what you have had to."

Harry was shocked by Fudge's apology, even though the man read it quite woodenly. As the Minister sat, whispering to Malfoy, Harry quickly realized who had written it. To his mind, however, forcing Malfoy to put contrite words to paper, and Fudge to read them, was a 'two idiots with one stone' situation.

"You failed to mention the employee's name, Fudge," Daniel said, rising from his seat. Cornelius, quickly hiding his initial reaction of frustration, rose also.

"I felt it best to protect their identity, Lord Greengrass," the man explained politely. "They may well be black-listed in their future endeavors if word gets out of their mistake."

"If Madam Umbridge was concerned about her ability to rise through the ranks of the Ministry," Daniel responded with a glare, naming the protected author. "She should have performed her duties with more diligence. As you should have. Name the woman, now. For the record."

"Senior Undersecretary Dolores J. Umbridge," Fudge replied shortly, returning to his seat.

Harry realized Umbridge must be the lady often sitting next to the Minister, and saw that she was now absent. He looked up to the visitor's area at his godfather, and rolled his eyes when he saw the man reading a newspaper.

"Mr. Black," Daniel continued. "Do you accept the Minister's apology?"

"Couldn't care less," the man responded, not lowering the paper, much less standing. "But my price has gone up in regards to compensation for my mistreatment at the hands of the Ministry."

Harry choked back a laugh as Fudge reacted to what Padfoot said. Clearly he hadn't expected to have to deal with any sort of compensation, and seemed ready to argue the stipulation.

"As it should," Daniel replied before Fudge could stick his foot in his mouth again. "And I'll offer to represent you during the negotiations with the Ministry on behalf of my fellow Wizengamot members."

"Sounds like fun."

At Sirius' dry response, Daniel seemed to consider the matter closed and returned to his seat, a scowl on his face. Dumbledore quickly stood at the sight, and addressed the gathering.

"I believe we all remember the Minister's argument to remove a sitting member of the Faithful Eight," he began, his words making those seated around him squirm uncomfortably. "I suggest we pick up where we left off.

"The Minister claimed that Lord Potter was too unstable and immature to retain his birthright, and felt him unprepared for the responsibility that comes along with it. Lord Potter, would you like to respond?"

"Yes, thank you," he answered while standing.

As he looked over the room, he noticed many more curious and concerned faces than he was expecting. Harry guessed that Daniel's assertion about many of them turning on Fudge was correct, though he wasn't willing to be any less than thorough.

"I believe I can move past the claim that I stood behind a convicted murderer instead of a 'national hero', and I consider that issue resolved, though I could suggest the same of the Minister. But the larger issue involved was the 'refusal to accept fact.' Is that correct?"

"Yes," the man answered from his seat. "Just last month you were running around claiming that He-who-shall-not-be-named has returned!"

Fearful gasps sounded throughout the room, and Harry patiently waited for the whispering to subside.

"Could you please tell the Chamber when I made those claims?"

"In Dumbledore's office after the Third Task, boy," the man said sharply, glaring at Harry.

"Fudge!" Daniel called from his seat. "I'm getting very tired of having to play nursemaid to a petulant child. Call Lord Potter 'boy' again, and it will be with more than words that I respond. I have better things to do today! Do not make me stand up again, nor bury your office in litigation."

Fudge, his face devoid of all color, nodded. "My apologies, Lord Potter," he mumbled quietly.

"In regards to the Headmaster's office that evening," Harry began, appearing to think hard. "I was honestly exhausted. It had been a long evening after a long year. But I would think that a comment said among friends, and my words and behavior in this Chamber or in public, would be considered two separate things. Are we willing to force our members to regulate their words in their own homes? Hogwarts was my home at the time, Minister."

"Your words were spoken to the Minister for Magic, Lord Potter. Not a friend." Lucius spat from behind the Minister.

"I'm sorry to learn he isn't. Were you there, Mr. Malfoy?" the young man asked, feigning surprise.

"You know I was! You made jokes about myself and my son."

"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, I thought you mentioned you were pulled from your bed," Harry said evenly, causing the man to flush. "Draco and I are rivals at school, being in the same year and Gryffindor versus Slytherin and all. I could see how in my exhaustion I may have insulted him, and if I did, I'll offer him an apology when next we meet. I can't imagine why I would joke at your expense, though. Could I ask what was said? Maybe it will jog my memory of the evening,"

"I won't repeat it in this Chamber," the man countered, his red face growing brighter. "You weren't deluded in any way, and you clearly claimed the Dark Lord had returned."

"I was unaware you were a medical professional, Mr. Malfoy," the teen replied, allowing a little of his frustration to show.

"I'm not, but it was clear to see!"

"According to Madam Pomfrey, who I visited later that evening, I was 'out of sorts'. She prescribed a strong invigoration draught, and suggested I get as much sleep as I could. I know 'out of sorts' isn't exactly a diagnosis, but I'm sure we could subpoena her for her records if you'd like."

"There is no need for that, Lord Potter," Dumbledore said with a look of warning at Malfoy and Fudge. "Poppy Pomfrey is a consummate professional, and has my trust. If she says you were not yourself, it was the truth. I suggest we move on."

"Then what do you claim did happen when you disappeared from the maze?" The Minister asked with a victorious look.

"An official statement?" Harry asked rhetorically. "It all happened fast, so I can't be sure. I remember Pettigrew. He killed Cedric with a Killing Curse," Harry had refused to lie about that fact, and sent Amos Diggory an honest look of sorrow.

"After that, it all blurs together a bit. I remember some sort of baby… some sort of being, wrapped in robes. Pettigrew dropped it in a cauldron, and then cut off his own hand and added it as well. Someone, or something, then rose out of the cauldron. I guessed it was He-who-must-not-be-named, as I knew Pettigrew was the man that betrayed my parents to him. I then cast the accidental magic in my panic, and managed to grab the portkey.

"When I returned, I was immediately whisked away for the meeting in question, but like I said, it was a long day."

"This is ridiculous," Lucius countered angrily, knowing he was running out of time. "And it's a perfect example of Lord Potter's instability. You were adamant that night, and suddenly you're claiming you aren't sure if you ran from the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters? That's something I'm positive you'd remember."

Harry's eyes widened slightly as he realized Malfoy's small error. The man seemed to notice at the same time and quickly returned to his seat.

"I don't believe Harry mentioned anything about any Death Eaters besides Pettigrew, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore interrupted calmly, his eyes burning in disagreement with his demeanor. "I suggest you move on to any further evidence. Clearly this is a case of one of our number's personal beliefs, not affecting his professional conduct, and continues to be so."

Fudge, turning to Malfoy for advice, got only a distracted shrug in response. The man clearly wanted to keep his head down after his blunder.

"How about the fact that he challenged a respected member of this body to a duel on his first day in his seat?" the Minister grasped desperately.

"Something I would have done in his position, Fudge," Daniel interrupted again, with exasperation. "Lord Yaxley was entirely out of line, and if the boy had not handled it, one of the rest of us would have. The man was verbally abusing our newest member, and it's well within Lord Potter's rights to respond as he did. I'm tired of this. I propose a vote on whether or not Fudge's ridiculous assertion should stand. Then maybe we can move on to things that matter."

"Seconded," Lord Boot said immediately.

The vote quickly failed, with only Fudge, Malfoy, and three of his closest allies voting to dismiss the teen. Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

Dumbledore declared a ten minute recess, and Harry moved to Sirius to talk through what was coming next. When the session resumed, Dumbledore quickly moved to place Sirius in his family's seat.

"Mr. Black," he began. "I have been told that you would claim the headship of your family. Is this correct?"

"Yes, Chief Warlock," the man stated simply, actually standing and giving the room his attention.

"Lady Black," Albus turned to address Narcissa. "Do you contest his claim?"

Narcissa slowly stood, and Harry couldn't help but wonder if she was going to be an obstacle. Or rather if her husband would be.

"I do not, Chief Warlock," she said softly but firmly. "The family ring has never accepted me as the head of the Black family, and now that cousin Sirius has been cleared of any suspicion, I believe it to be his."

Harry watched as Lucius grimaced painfully, before glaring at his wife.

"Are there any that would speak against this appointment?" Dumbledore asked of the room. None answered, though Lucius appeared to be biting his tongue.

"Then I thank you for your service Mrs. Malfoy. If you would please proceed to the floor to pass the ring to Mr. Black."

Narcissa did so, Sirius following quickly. She removed the ring, and he took it and placed it on his right ring finger. It quickly shifted shape, signaling it had found the head of the family. Narcissa simply turned and left the room, not once looking at her husband.

"Please stand to welcome the new Lord Black to our Chamber."

Harry stood and applauded, as did a smattering of other members, but the Chamber's reaction to Sirius' appointment was as torn as his own had been.

"Is there anything you'd like to say to those gathered, Lord Black?"

"Not at this time," the man answered shortly, taking his seat.

"Very well," answered Dumbledore, smiling at the man. Harry shot him a wink, which Sirius returned. It was a bit surreal how far they'd come in a few short weeks.

"Is there any other business to address before we move onto nominations?"

Harry stood at Albus' question, quickly being acknowledged. He noticed the majority of members seemed wary as to what he would say, something that he knew was understandable.

"Esteemed members," he began confidently. "I was studying the charter of our esteemed body, and found something that caught my eye. A holdover from much earlier times, a right of conquest still exists in the Wizengamot. I'd like to enact that right today."

Lady Bones stood and was acknowledged.

"Lord Potter, that is an archaic thing to request. Which family are you referring to?"

"The Gaunt family."

Most people around the Chamber didn't seem to recognize the name, but Harry made sure to memorize the faces of those that did, knowing they would belong to Voldemort's inner circle.

"For those unaware," Lady Bones replied. "The charter states that if a family recognized by the Wizengamot should be killed, 'in protection of the Light', the wizard who ended the line is allowed anything of value from the now-ended family. In the past it has always been their Gringotts vaults. Is that the right you are talking about?"

"It is, though I've been told the Gaunts have no vault."

"And when did you end the Gaunt line?"

"When I was but a wee child," Harry responded while fighting a grin, knowing the reaction his words would receive. It was starting to become a bit too easy for him to reduce fifty of his world's most influential, to a ranting, raving, mess.

"You dare?" Yaxley hissed in his direction mid-mayhem.

"He dared," He countered with a smirk before Sirius stepped between. "I was just a child."

"Lord Potter," Malfoy called above the din, the noise quickly dying. "Are you suggesting that the Dark Lord, who was vanquished in 1981, and that you just told us you believe has risen, was the last remaining member of the Gaunt family?"

"Not so much suggesting, as informing. And as he's officially presumed dead, I figured it was owed to me."

"And how would you know that information?"

"I found his diary, funny enough," Harry replied, glaring the man back into his seat. Malfoy looked even paler than usual, and like he would much rather be elsewhere.

"You must present this diary," a man near Malfoy said.

"I must do nothing, Mr. Nott," he countered calmly, recognizing the man from his lessons with Daniel.

Thaddeus Nott was another known Death Eater who bought his freedom, and was at the graveyard during Voldemort's return. He could go fuck himself.

"Why wouldn't you want to?" the man spat in disbelief.

"First of all, finders keepers. Secondly, it was destroyed."

"Then how can we be sure you know what you're talking about?" The man questioned acidly.

"Because I've done the required research," the young man responded airily. "I'm aware of who the 'Dark Lord' was before he took his moniker, and I've looked into the family's history. I can share that information with the group if you'd like."

"I've done my own research," Dumbledore added seriously. "And have come to the same conclusion. I have no doubts that He-who-must-not-be-named descended from the Gaunt family."

"We've had enough talk of the Dark Lord in these Chambers," Corban Yaxley interrupted angrily. "The man is dead. There is no reason to open any further inquiries."

Harry knew Yaxley and his ilk wouldn't want Riddle's name getting out, and that Nott would likely be reprimanded after the session. He had expected it to be Malfoy that attempted to move past it, but after speaking with his team earlier in the week, Harry was okay sitting on the information for now.

"Even if he was, that doesn't prove the Dark Lord is the last Gaunt," Nott interrupted angrily, still trying to find a way to stall the process.

"Thaddeus!" Sirius responded dangerously. "I fear you are getting exceedingly close to calling my godson a liar or a murderer. If there were any other Gaunts alive, the only way he could enact the right is if he killed them. Which is it you're accusing him of, exactly?"

Nott seemed to realize he didn't want to accuse Harry of either and sat, his face reddening in anger and embarrassment.

"Do I have permission, Chief Warlock?" Harry asked.

"I trust you know the words?"

"I, Harry James Potter, enact the Right of Conquest over the Gaunt family, and demand the Gaunt family ring."

Dumbledore nodded, and closed his eyes, using the power of his office to will the ring to appear. Harry knew there was no chance the ring would actually accept him, as Voldemort still lived. But he hadn't claimed the family headship itself, and wouldn't need to put it on.

He was lucky the claim he was making was of the Wizengamot, and not magic itself, or this charade would likely go very badly for him. Unfortunately, the worst possible outcome seemed to be happening, as the ring refused to make an appearance. Dumbledore eventually opened his eyes, shaking his head.

"What does that mean?" Augusta Longbottom asked loudly, the first to understand that something was amiss.

"It means," Dumbledore answered. "That a Gaunt is currently alive and wearing the requested ring."

"I knew it!" Thaddeus Nott crowed victoriously. This farce should be stricken from the record."

Harry was disappointed, as managing to get the stone this way was by far the easiest route. Not only that, but Nott was correct. Harry had wasted the time of the Wizengamot for seemingly no reason. He knew that was a possibility, but hoped Voldemort hadn't found a way to retrieve the ring yet. He knew he would have to tread carefully here, and try to recoup a bit of the already miniscule respect he had in the Chamber.

"You're right, of course. I must be mistaken. And following the example of our esteemed Minister, I would like to apologize to all of you for wasting the Wizengamot's time. I now realize that it was a frivolous request, even if I had been correct. I shall make an effort to be more circumspect, until I've had a bit more time in my seat.'

Harry sat, his back straight, refusing to feel shame in himself. An apology would have to suffice.

The session quickly turned to the nominees for two vacant seats, after Amos announced his desire to step down from his position. Harry, knowing he would be more helpful sitting the discussion out, merely listened as people were named and argued over.

Eventually, Arthur did receive a nomination, as did two wizards named Stuart Craggy and Graham Paisley, and a witch named Katherine Nichols. Harry didn't recognize the names, but Sirius grimaced when Craggy was decided on. The four, if they accepted the nomination, would begin their campaigns in August, and voting would take place the first week of September. They would all run against each other, with the top two vote-getters receiving the seats.

July 25, 1995

The next day Harry met with his team, the group chatting from the various seating in Harry's office. Harry, still a bit frustrated about the ring, sat at his desk trying not to sulk.

"Augusta is determined to search the Ministry archives to figure out who Voldemort really is," Arthur explained. "If she's still curious, others will be, too. I don't understand why you wanted the ring, though, Harry."

"You, Bill, and I can meet after this so I can explain," Remus answered for him, receiving a grateful nod from Harry for his interference. "People definitely won't forget, but it'll be brushed aside. Albus, I thought you said Severus hadn't seen the ring."

"He assured me he hasn't. But family rings are charmed to turn invisible when desired, and Voldemort likely wouldn't want his less trusted members to know of his family ties other than to Slytherin. It was a risk yesterday, but a calculated one."

"You're still in a funk," Sirius changed the subject, looking at his godson. "What's the deal?"

Harry sighed, leaning back in his ornate chair. "I'm just frustrated by the situation. So much was going right, that I began to think this mess would be easy. I lost momentum in the Wizengamot the moment the ring didn't appear, and we need all we can get."

"That momentum remains, Harry," Dumbledore countered with a comforting smile. "Two new members of the Faithful Eight, and a fifty-fifty chance at Arthur joining us. The shift in dynamic alone is enough to celebrate, and that's not including the new allies you've brought to our cause."

"I get that. It's just… failure for the first time since I came back, you know?" Harry relented, trying to force his bad mood down.

He'd even snapped at Ron and Hermione earlier while they were training. He apologized immediately, but Hermione had known something was wrong. Luckily, their training was rather intense, and he'd avoided any questions on the matter.

"I understand, kiddo," Sirius said gently. "But unfortunately, you'll need to get used to it. It's not going to be all sunshine and roses. Voldemort's not gonna suddenly decide to be a veterinarian."

"I think he'd be great at that," Harry said with a chuckle. He took a moment to mentally shake himself, doing his best to move on.

"Not to pile on," Bill offered. "But this is the first time you've been on that side of the desk during one of our meetings."

"Huh?" Harry, thinking back, realized the truth of the observation. "Huh. I guess you're right."

"Don't sweat the small stuff, mate," the redhead replied with a smile. "If you start trying to carry everything yourself, it's only going to bury you. You have some incredibly capable help, if I do say so myself."

Harry stood, smiling in response. The team, Albus included, applauded sarcastically as the young man plopped onto the couch next to Arthur.

"Our exalted leader deigns to mingle with the commoners," Sirius cried dramatically.

"Oh shut up. It was one damn time."

"But it was a good observation, Bill," Albus said seriously. "We need to expect frustrations at the least, and likely the rare catastrophe. How we respond to them will define us."

"You're right, Albus," Harry said after a moment. "I'm choosing to move on, and we'll figure something else out. Now, what do we know about the people Arthur is going to stomp into the ground. Democratically, of course."

"Katherine Nichols was in Hufflepuff when I was at school," Arthur supplied. "She and Molly interned with the matron together. We haven't seen her in a while, but I'd guess she'd be a solid addition. I think she's a half-blood, but that's never been something I cared enough about to remember."

"Graham Paisley was a Gryffindor," Albus added. "He recently retired from running a travel company that offered tours of various historical sites, Stonehenge and the like. He's muggleborn, and a deep thinker, if not the most magically gifted. He'd lean towards the progressive side of most votes."

"Craggy was friends with Bellatrix," Sirius offered darkly.

"He was never accused of being a Death Eater," Remus continued when Sirius refused to. "But he frequents those circles. Slytherin. Half-blood."

"And a pompous asshole," Sirius finished firmly.

"So he's bound to get a seat then," Harry mused pessimistically.

"I'd suggest we plan for it," Dumbledore agreed. "But I have faith that we'll at least get Arthur elected. I'd like to approach Katherine and offer her my help, but I must be seen as impartial."

"So we focus on Dad, and hope for the best," Bill summarized. "We're really starting to sound like the Cannons with that tagline."

"I think we'll find Arthur has more power than our opposition expects," Dumbledore said sagely. "He's the head of a long pureblood line, yet sympathetic to muggleborn rights. I believe he'll sway many of the neutrals, and I'm excited to see it."

"I'll try, Albus," the man in question replied. "But don't go pinning your hopes for the war on my vote."

"Of course we won't, Arthur," Harry agreed, hoping the man wasn't feeling overwhelmed. "It'll just be a step in the right direction. Your best will be more than enough."

"Have you heard from Daniel today?" Sirius asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah, he has some ideas to regain a bit of reputation, but I'm not thrilled about political stunts. I'm leaning towards your idea of just bringing a paper to the next session."

"I'd hope," Albus said with a stern look to the new Lord. "That Sirius would take more of an active role now that he's been seated."

Sirius appeared to think hard for a long moment, before shrugging. "Meh."

"Eloquent," Albus noted. "Have you at least sent an owl to Narcissa?"

Sirius wiped the smirk off his face and leaned forward. "Yeah I did. What's going on with her?"

"That's on you, Pads. It's been obvious, and I don't like the idea of her alone with Malfoy when school starts."

"Me neither," Sirius agreed with a shudder. "Arcturus promised to use my skin as a blanket if I didn't look out for the members of 'his house'. I'm hoping he'll forget Bellatrix exists, but I'll look into Narcissa. I solemnly swear."

Many eyes were rolled at the comment, while the two Marauder's grinned at each other. When the moment passed, Dumbledore switched tracks.

"The 'visits' have begun," he said seriously.

"Who?" Harry asked quickly.

"Macmillan, Davis, Bell, and Davies that I know of. Which means probably twice that number that I don't. Those families have always had close ties with the school, and we speak often."

"Threats?"

"Minor ones. More testing the waters at this point. I will say the Davies' have been visited twice already," Dumbledore continued. "Roger has an older brother who is very powerful, as is their father."

"Were they given a deadline?" Harry asked worriedly.

"September first," Dumbledore answered, his eyes shining angrily. It was clear the man didn't want that date tainted by anything.

"Then we have a little time," Harry said, an idea forming. "Give me a week, and let's revisit. Let's get through the surprise party Sirius is planning for my birthday first."

"You knew!?"

"He does now, idiot," Remus responded, slapping the man on the back of the head. Harry grinned in victory, happy for a small win.