Author's Note: I only missed the weekend by a few days. My brain has been very foggy lately (I blame it on my age) and writing was a chore, and then snap I was able to write again. Strange world and my mind is one of the stranger bits. Thanks for reading and to those who take time to review. MNF

Chapter 29:

"Why were you showing off your Patronus?" Sirius asked. "And why are you not in the tent like I'd asked you?"

"Those three showed up," Harry said, indicating Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. Sirius was surprised to find the trio of boys tied up near the fire. "Cedric and Blaise went out to try and speak with them after they attempted to set the tent on fire by throwing a stick from the fire at it. There wasn't any damage, but we didn't think we should press our luck. I was worried about what the goon squad might get up to, so I put up a shield. It's really strong, and I explained to Cedric about my magic and how it's sort of strange after having the bindings removed. Anyway, I cast my Patronus to show off. Sorry." It was a rambling confession which if the situation hadn't been somewhat dire, Sirius would have laughed at. The man also realized Harry was awaiting some wretched punishment.

"No damage done, and you said everyone is alright after the fire?" Harry's dad asked, and the boy visibly relaxed while nodding yes.

"Yeah, Fred, George and Cedric took care of it right away," Harry explained. "Honestly, I didn't engage with them, Dad."

"I believe you," Sirius said, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Let me deal with my cousin's son and his friends. Why don't you go inside and wait for me with our company."

"Oh, some of them went home already," Harry explained. "Hannah called her elf and took Susan with her, and a few others did the same thing. It's just the Weasleys, Cedric, Theo, Blaise, Hermione, Neville, and me."

"I'm glad they're safe. Amy was worried about Susan." Harry nodded and headed inside. Sirius ran his fingers through his hair, scrubbed a hand across his face and then pivoted and walked to where the three Slytherins were tied up.

"When my father hears what that Hufflepuff did to me –"

"Your father is in the holding cells in the Ministry building," Sirius said while sitting down on his camp chair. "All three of your fathers are there."

"Why is he there?" Draco asked in a panic. "I'm sure when the Minister hears about this –"

"Minister Greengrass was with us when he was arrested. Your father was found attacking a Muggleborn third-year student," Sirius said softly. "She is the cousin of the Irish Seeker, Lynch. Cyrus witnessed him in the act, so your father nor grandfather will buy him out of jail this time. All your fathers have been arrested; two other members of their group have died."

"Who," Draco demanded.

"Sylvester Selwyn and Cantankerous Nott."

"Who murdered them?" the blonde further insisted.

"They weren't murdered, Draco, the Aurors were doing their jobs. Did you know that owning the lovely bone masks they were wearing is still considered a level One B felony?" The boys shook their heads. Sirius struggled to keep the ire from his voice. "It is, and it carries a penalty of one year in Azkaban. Their actions will add more time." Sirius intended to let that sink in, so he sent a Patronus to his cousin, Narcissa, so she could come get her son and friends. He was also going to offer them sanctuary, should she decide that being married to Lucius wasn't what she wanted. He fired off a second to Amy, alerting her that Susan was with Hannah they were at the Abbott home. He then turned back to the boys.

"I'm going to release you from these bindings, and then we are going inside where I am going to explain to Theo that his father is dead, okay?" The three boys nodded the angry winds knocked out of their sails; even Draco.

"His mum is dead," Draco said quietly. "She died when he was three. His father killed his nanny elf the summer after our first year. He spends most of his holidays with us."

"His mother was my grandmother's niece on the Macmillan side of things," Sirius said. "I'll make sure he's taken care of." Sirius released the ropes and the boys stood, shaking out their arms. "Take those robes off. Holocaust robes are also outlawed." The boys obeyed. Sirius gathered them up and threw them into the fire. While generally able to withstand fire, these stood no chance when Sirius raised his wand at the fire pit and blasted them with a flame-thrower like spell.

"Is everyone alright?" Sirius asked as he came inside. Someone, probably Harry and Hermione, had arranged for tea and cakes and the group were chatting quietly and snacking. "Fred, George, Cedric, your dads should be back shortly, along with Remus. Theo, can I speak with you over here, please?"

Theo stood, Blaise coming with him. Draco directed Crabbe and Goyle over to the others while he remained standing with his older cousin.

"What happened?" Theo asked.

"I'm very sorry to tell you that your father was killed tonight," Sirius said. "He tried to Disapparate, but the Aurors had put up anti-Disapparation wards and he splinched himself badly. There was nothing anyone could do, given the location of the wound."

"Where was it?" Theo asked and Sirius hesitated.

"He splinched his throat, cutting his jugular. He bled out in seconds." Theo stood there completely still for a moment, and then threw himself into Sirius's arms.

"Thank Merlin," Theo breathed out in relief. "My father, he was, that probably saved my life," the boy sputtered before breaking down in tears. Sirius held him, looking to the others for explanation.

"Theo's father was the worst," Blaise said. "He thought nothing of hexing or cursing him for any little thing. Last summer Mr Nott nearly took Theo's leg off with a cutting hex. Theo made it to Malfoy Manor and Lady Malfoy healed him well enough to get him to St Mungo's."

"Good Lord," Sirius said. "I will make sure you are safe. Do you understand? Your mum was the niece of my grandmother, which makes us related somehow, and I have no hesitations about helping you. No child should be attacked by their father."

"I understand," Theo said as he calmed. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome," Sirius said, giving him a gentle squeeze. "Come on, lets talk with the rest while we await your mother, Draco." As he said it, Narcissa barged into the tent, and went to hug her boy.

"Sirius, I don't what they did, but thank you for holding them until I could arrive," she said with true gratitude. "I'm sure their prank wasn't more than just schoolboy shenanigans."

"We can talk about what the boys did tonight in a few minutes," he said. "Were you on the campgrounds?" He pushed the boys toward the others and directed his cousin toward the kitchen area.

"No," she said with disgust. "I do not camp, nor do I care about Quidditch." Sirius sighed.

"Cissy, Lucius and his," he paused, "associates dressed up tonight and were causing mayhem." Narcissa blanched at his words. "Your husband was arrested for among other things, assaulting a teen witch." He let the words settle on her. For her part, Cissy was impressed at how tactful her cousin was being. She'd expected him to gloat.

"I told him not to do this," Narcissa confessed. "He seems to think the Dark Lord is coming back, that there are signs of his…resurrection."

"Amy has heard the rumours too," Sirius said. "Although we didn't think anyone believed in them until tonight. He's going to Azkaban, I'm sure of it. The Minister saw him on top of the girl." Narcissa hung her head and began to cry. Sirius pulled his cousin into a one-armed hug.

"I know you want to lose it right now, but Theo's father was killed and from listening to your son and Blaise, you are the only mother figure the boy has had. Can you comfort him? We can discuss what plans need to be made for you and Draco later, but Theo needs someone right now."

"You'd offer me a home, after everything that's happened?" Cissy asked, stunned.

"We're family, blood, and that's stronger than politics," Sirius said gently. "There was a time when you were my closest confidant."

"Thank you, Russ." Sirius smiled at his cousin using his childhood nickname. He guided her to Theo, who put his arms around the Lady Malfoy and cried.

Narcissa took the five Slytherin boys back to her home, but it would only be for the night. Greg Goyle and Vincent Crabbe would head back to their mothers in the morning, and then she and Draco would pack up their things and head to Grimmauld Place, Theo, and Blaise in tow. Kreature had been summoned and was delighted that a 'true Black' would again be living in the family home. Sirius would help his cousin seek a divorce and sole custody of their son. Guardianship of Theo was something else they'd work on together.

When Arthur and Amos arrived, they took their sons home, leaving just Harry, Hermione, and Neville in the tent, and somewhere around two the trio was shuffled off to bed, leaving the two men to stand watch.

"Did you hear from Amy?" Remus asked once the confusion had died down.

"A quick message," Sirius confirmed. "She wasn't sure if she'd be leaving the DMLE offices tonight or not. I hope we don't need to postpone the wedding over this."

"I think they can give her a couple of days off," Remus said. "Shacklebolt can manage running the office." Sirius grunted in response. Remus knew his friend well enough to know his mind was otherwise occupied.

"What were they thinking?" Sirius asked in a pensive voice after a few moments of silence. "It's a new administration, and Cyrus can't be bought. Did no one think they'd be arrested?"

"I don't know how much thinking goes on with that bunch," Remus muttered. "Those were the hard core, inner circle followers. They bought their way out of justice the first time, and now…maybe it was the end of things. Nipped in the bud before it really started."

"Maybe," Sirius said. "But between that thing the goblins removed from Harry and their hunting for Tom's Horcruxes and now this…" he trailed off, his thoughts overtaking him. "If Tom does somehow return, then Harry will likely be at the centre of things." Remus put a hand on his friend's shoulder and they both took a sip of their strong tea.

It was mid-afternoon before Harry, Sirius and Remus were able to sit down and discuss all that had happened and what the plans were for the future. Amy was back at her house, sleeping for however long she could. Sirius was planning to take her some dinner later to ensure she did eat today.

"So, you're giving your cousin and," Harry swallowed hard, "Malfoy sanctuary?"

"I know that the two of you don't mix well –"

"Dad, he's the biggest prat at school. If I had to hear 'Wait until my father hears about this' one more time…well I felt like hexing him!" Harry said. "It was only fear of what Hermione would say that kept me from doing that!"

"Fear of Hermione, huh?" Sirius asked, giving his son one raised eyebrow.

"Yes. Her disappointed look is hard to take." Sirius and Remus shared a look. "Please don't go thinking it's something it's not. I don't even think that dating at my age is a good idea. I need to bring my grades up."

"Academics are important, Harry, but remember to enjoy yourself too. Your Hogwarts years should be looked back at fondly," Remus reminded him.

"Sure, I've just nearly died every year I've been there," Harry said as a grim aside and Sirius decided to return them to the original topic.

"Back to Cissy and Draco, yes, I am giving them Sanctuary at Grimmauld Place, my ancestral family home. The old elf is cleaning the place and looked happy, if Kreature ever looks happy. This will remain our house. The only people moving in here are Amy and Susan."

"Good. Will I need to invite Draco over like I do Neville and Hermione?" Harry asked.

"For right now, I think the fewer people who know just how strong your magic is the better. Your Patronus Charm is one thing, but seeing your overpowered Transfigurations would frighten people," Remus said. "Your friends can keep their mouths shut, and they will be staying with you this fall. Draco will be going to Hogwarts on September first."

"What about Theo? What's going to happen to him?" Harry asked.

"Cissy and I have petitioned for join guardianship. She as the woman who he's spent the most time with since his mother's passing and I as a second or third cousin. I will see to his financial needs, and she can see to his emotional. We hope that the Ministry will see this as the least disruptive arrangement for Theo. He will be joining you and Neville in your head of house lessons," Sirius explained.

"That's fine," Harry said. "Blaise told me about Theo's home life. It sounds like we have something in common there."

"We all do, Harry. When Theo is ready to talk, perhaps you can let him know you'd understand," Sirius suggested, and Harry nodded. "Thank you for rolling with these changes, son. I know it's been a bit of a bumpy ride this summer."

"As long as I have you, things are looking up in my life."