Summary: Molly sets the ball in motion to become a legal guardian, but it's not as simple as she thought.

Rated: T

Genre: General

Competition/Challenge Block
Written For: Monthly Challenges for All (Year 6); Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition (Season 10)

Quidditch: Wigtown Wanderers - Keeper (Molly)

MC4A:

Beta:

Word Count: 1,335

Warning Tag: Bigotry

Not As Planned

It wasn't exactly something that Molly ever prepared for, but she wasn't going to let her family's struggles and setbacks prevent her from considering taking in another child who so clearly needed it. Based on everything she heard and witnessed in regard to Harry's home life, it seemed like the right (and proper) thing to do to consider becoming a guardian for the boy so he had a safe place to call home. The boy's aunt practically threw the approval at her when Molly decided to meet Petunia in person one evening after everyone was sent off to school for term.

What she never actually expected to face was the extreme difficulty it would be to lay the path of caring for a child of all things. Molly didn't think it would completely derail over a simple request, but it had, and she stood before a good friend in utter shock that had disclosed just how complicated the matter was.

"What?"

It was the third time Molly said this, completely rendered speechless at what Amelia had just explained to her.

She was visiting the Ministry to discuss the situation of Harry's living arrangements, wishing to take that next step to be the child's official guardian, but she was not expecting to find out that her plan may not come to be after all and it left a sour taste in her mouth.

"What?"

Amelia raised a brow at this, steepling her fingers in front of her.

"I do not know what you aren't understanding, Molly. The Potter's Will is quite straightforward and I quote yet again; 'Should both parents of Harry James Potter no longer be able to care for him, then his godmother, Alice Longbottom, will be his appointed guardian. Should the godmother be unable to care for Harry James Potter, then his godfather, Sirius Black, will be his appointed guardian.'

"As we know, Mrs. Longbottom is permanently injured and so cannot take him—"

"Yes, and that Black fellow is in prison! How can a criminal take care of the child of the people he murdered?" Molly practically shrieked. "You absolutely cannot allow that!"

Amelia put a hand up to stop Molly from continuing her rant.

"You must understand the circumstances that are in play, Molly, "Amelia stressed, subtly squaring her shoulders. "Twelve years ago, Mr. Black was arrested with the accusation of the murder of eleven muggles and the Potters. However, after some extensive research, he was never properly processed, placed on trial, and sentenced under the Wizengamont of the alleged crimes, and so was improperly imprisoned. Now that an urgent matter has risen that involves him, these steps must now be properly taken in order for proper justice to be exercised.

"Should he be cleared of all charges, then he will be submitted for evaluation at Saint Mungo's to determine if he is suitable to care for Mr. Potter. Once all of this is handled and if he does not meet the requirements, only then will I be able to arrange alternative placement for the child."

Amelia had that look that said she would not waver from this process. She was very good at following proper protocols within the otherwise chaotic mess that was the magical government. She did work through a lot of red tape to essentially pardon Arthur for the Ford Anglia debacle for them. Molly would forever be grateful for that, but she wasn't sure if she'd ever see Amelia in as pure of a light as she used to once what she proposed followed through with the rest of the law department. Allowing a criminal to raise a child—the child of the ones he murdered no less—was the sickest, most twisted joke Molly has ever had to stomach, and she was raising two mischievous twin boys!

Taking in a deep, calm breath, Molly recollected herself before speaking again.

"Very well. When will all of this start taking place?"

Amelia didn't relax her posture in turn, keeping the stern appearance up as she reached for a document.

"If I have anything to do with it, which I do, my proposal for a trial is already being processed with the Wizengament."

Molly shouldn't be surprised by this; Amelia worked efficiently and well, knowing all the ways to fast track important things when needed but never cutting corners. She was, however, not liking the confidence that Amelia radiated about the entire situation. It was as if she saw that terrible man as innocent as a butterfly. Thirteen people were murdered that day because of that deranged man, and whoever found Sirius innocent while knowing that information were just as unstable as him.

"Alright," Molly said, trying to not sound defeated or disappointed. "We will keep in touch."

"I expect no less, Molly," Amelia said. "Good day to you."

There were no words Molly knew to explain how she felt and what she thought the second the Wigengamot read Sirius Black's sentencing to the court. Amelia wasn't messing around with the procedure to get the criminal to trial, only taking a couple of weeks since Molly first learned about it, and now her chances of becoming Harry's legal guardian were all but abolished at this point.

Sirius Black was found not guilty.

Her son's pet rat was not a rat at all and had been missing according to Ron in a letter.

Molly didn't know what to believe anymore. All she knew was that someone not quite sound of mind was possibly going to be given custody of the boy. She could only hope that his psyche evaluation at St. Mungo's will not clear him and put him away instead. Surely being in prison has taken its toll on the deranged man, he did admit to the entire court that discovering what had happened to the Potters caused him to not think straight and respond very impulsively to the situation, yet he was still never found to have actually harmed anyone, much less murder them. It was outrageous, and regardless of Sirius' claims, Molly knew that the Black family always was a bit mad. A sickness was rooted in their bloodline, one that traced back generations, and that will be the man's ultimate downfall, she could only hope, anyway.

The worst part of the entire outcome was that Harry had to be told he has a godfather who is willing to take him in. The boy wasn't even thirteen yet, how could he make such a decision for his well being? Sirius was a complete stranger to him, he would never blindly trust a former prisoner to raise and take care of him, right? Regardless, he needed to be told, and Molly was not looking forward to the conversation.

Luckily for her, Dumbledore had arrived for the appointment that would help decide Harry's future, escorting a very confused Harry to the hearing room in the process. Molly hoped he would advocate for her.

Turned out, he had his own agenda, using his voice as a stand-in for Harry's relatives, arguing that it was in his best interest to stay with the Dursleys due to circumstances that he for some reason could not disclose.

"We've been prattling on about this long enough," Molly interjected, tired of hearing the Headmaster and Amelia argue over the little things, "l believe we should ask Harry what he thinks."

She turned to look over at Harry, who appeared exhausted and upset about everything and everyone.

"My dear, what are your thoughts on all of this?" she asked gently, motherly. "I know it is a lot, but it is very important for you to know all of your options for your safety and future."

Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The tight fist his hand was in still remained on the table as Molly watched and waited for him to say something, anything in regards to the matter.

It turned out that the end result was not what she had hoped for in the end.