Lucia and Kingsley walked up to the front door of number four Privet Drive silently, each of them contemplating whether they should have acted differently. Hermione's face as she fell apart would remain with them for a long time, making them question whether there needed to be far greater oversight of magical children. Independently of the other, each of them contemplated their next steps, silently vowing to ensure that the Grangers were never allowed another child.

"Mrs Dursely?" Lucia smiled at the woman when she answered the door.

Petunia Dursley eyed the woman nervously, "Yes?"

"Might we come in?"

"Who are you?"

Lucia faltered slightly at her clear hostility. "Lucia Shannon from the Department of Families and Kingsley Shacklebolt, a..um…policeman," she offered finally.

"What is this about?" Petunia demanded standing her ground.

"Mrs Dursely I assume you do not truly wish to have this conversation on your doorstep?" Lucia replied exasperatedly.

The woman's eyes darted warily up and down the street." No," she admitted reluctantly, noticing Mrs-accross-the-street's curtains twitching, "Come in."

They stepped into the house, following the woman into the livingroom. It was almost painfully clean in a way that made Lucia nervous, with no evidence of more than one boy in residence. "Mrs Dursely, I am here to discuss your nephew."

"What about him?" she barked visibly tensing.

"We heard some disturbing stories, Mrs Dursely. However, truthfully that is not why we are here. Mr Potter's guardian has recently become available and he would like to meet him,."

"You're taking the boy?"

"Well…we hadn't intended…." Lucia stammered, utterly blindsided.

"No. No," Petuna interpreted sounding almost excited, "if the boy has a guardian, take him!"

Lucia shared a look with Kingsley, wondering how best to proceed. They'd already removed one child today and they very much hadn't intended to remove another. Still. It was Harry Potter for Merlin's sake. They could hardly insist he stayed. "Very well, Mrs Dursely." she sighed, silently wondering what the fuck was going on with the parents and guardians today.

"Boy!" Both Lucia and Kingsley winced, watching as a scrawny boy in oversized clothing came down the stairs warily. "These people are here to take you."

"Take me where?" Harry's eyes darted between them and the door as if calculating whether he could escape out of it.

"Mr Potter, my name is Lucia Shannon," Lucia took a step towards him, deliberately keeping her voice soothing, trying to make herself seem as unthreatening as possible. "I'm from the Department of Magical Children and Families, Kingsley Shaklebolt is an Auror. Your godfather has…recently become available and he'd very much like to meet you."

"My godfather?" Harry frowned.

"Yes. It's…rather a long story. He is also going to be taking over the custody of his niece. I believe you know her? Hermione Granger?"

"Hermione!" Harry froze eyeing them warily as their words caught up with him, "His niece? What? Her family are muggles!"

"You weren't aware Miss Granger was adopted?" Kingsley hedged.

"No!" Harry stared back at them bewildered.

"AH," Lucia grimaced. "She was. She just had no idea who her biological parents were until recently."

"What has that got to do with my godfather taking her in?"

Lucia hesitated, "Did Miss Granger ever discuss her parents?"

Harry shook his head with a frown. "No. She rarely mentioned them."

Lucia hummed, having expected that. "They were….not entirely fond of her magic and decided it would be better for her to…spend more time on our world."

"They gave her up?" he hissed, clearly reading between the lines. "Where is she? Is she alright?"

"She is…truthfully Mr Potter, no she is not. She is currently in St mungos and we are concerned. Based on that, are you willing to come with us?"

"How do I know you are who you say you are?"

Kingsley smiled slightly, handing over a badge. "We carry them in case of muggleborns. Where is your trunk?"

Harry flushed. "It's ah…locked up?" he offered reading over the badge carefully.

"Pardon?"

Harry inclined his head towards the cupboard under the stairs where they could see the padlock. Both Lucia and Kingsley's faces tightened. "I see."

Striding from the room, Kingsley returned with his trunk, shrinking it down before handing it to Harry, gesturing at his pocket when he looked confused. "Is that all?"

"No. My owl, Hedwig's upstairs."

"Well, go and get her then."

Harry hesitated briefly wondering if he could trust them, before deciding they had to be better than staying put.

They apparated him into the foyer of St. Mugnos, leading him through the corridors until they paused outside a room door. "Miss Black in in there. Perhaps you'll persuade her to talk."

"Miss Black?" He exclaimed.

"Yes. Upon the cessation of the Granger's parental rights her name reverted to what it should always have been," Lucia explained gently.

Harry frowned, well aware he was missing some vital information before deciding it could wait. Pushing open the door, his eyes fell on Hermione, her knees drawn to her chest as she stared blankly at the wall. He didn't even notice the two men watching him as he walked over to her, sat down on the bed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Having experienced it before he braced himself for impact seconds before she turned and almost threw herself into his body, sobbing.

All of the adults winced at the sound. "At least she's doing something now," Remus muttered.

"Merlins balls this is completely fucked." Sirius whispered his eyes on the godson he hadn't seen for too many years. He looked painfully like his father.

"Yes but…maybe, maybe it's not a bad thing," Remus hedged, grimacing when Sirius swung to look at him incredulously, "Look how comfortable they are together. They're about to become siblings to all intents and purposes and…he knew exactly what to do and she knew it. They're quite obviously close. It might…it might help for when one or the other of them is refusing to talk to us while we work through their issues."

Sirius sighed, nodding as he conceded to the logic. "Doesn't make it any less fucked up," he muttered.

"No," Remus sighed, "I don't suppose it does.

As Hermione began to quieten, Harry's eyes scanned the room widening when he spotted them.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

Sirius bit back a wince, "Sirius Black." he introduced himself before inclining his head towards Remus, "Remus Lupin."

Harry scrutinised them, "You were pardoned recently. It was in the prophet yesterday."

Sirius nodded, "I was."

He hummed, "You're my godfather then."

Sirius frowned startled, "I yes…how did…"

"Oh. The woman who picked me up called Hermione Miss Black. She mentioned she was my godfather's niece," he shrugged, "It..seemed obvious."

"Ah," Sirius murmured, looking towards Remus for help. He had no idea what the fuck he was doing.

"How do you feel about coming to live with Sirius?" Remus asked softly.

"Permanently?"

"If you'd like." Remus allowed.

"Yes." he blurted, his arm tightening involuntarily around Hermione's shoulders.

"Good that's…good. I…we have no idea what we're doing." Sirius blurted in response. "But I'm here for another few days. Hermione should be able to go with Remus tomorrow."

"Remus"? Harry checked with a frown.

"I've given him temporary guardianship. Just until I can get out of here. we're ah...well. We're figuring things out."

"Oh."

"You look so very like your dad."

"So I've been told." Harry nodded, "I..if you're my godfather, you knew him well?"

Sirius smiled sadly, "He was…my brother in all the ways that mattered."

"Oh," Harry whispered, his eyes darting to Hermione speculatively. "Can I stay here tonight? I don't think…"

"Of course, of course. I ah, got my bed moved into the room, just for tonight," Sirius rambled, "It's been a bit of a long day all round really. And I ah…did I mention I have no idea what I'm doing?"

Harry smiled slightly," Yes."

"Right, right then…."

Remus eyed the teenagers warily, both were still subdued, and neither had let go of the other's hand. After Sirius' rambling neither had said much the night before so he was at a loss for what to do with them now.

"Do you want to stay in the same room for now?" he asked gently, "I can transfigure an extra bed."

"Yes," Harry nodded, clearly having been designated spokesperson.

"Alright," Remus agreed, "We're only staying here until Sirius is out of hospital but feel free to look around."

Harry nodded but led Hermione over to one of the sofas. Remus watched them with a pained expression as they curled themselves together, neither speaking. "Right I'll ah…I'll just go and deal with that bed," he muttered, wondering if he was truly capable of handling this.

They all jumped an hour later when someone began hammering on the door as if trying to break through it.

Shifting his wand into his hand, Remus inched forward, cracking the door open. "Open the door, Remus Lupin!" someone howled.

He jumped opening the door properly, as Andromeda Tonks marched into his house.

"Andy!"

"I caught that minuscule pardon in the paper! Where is he?"

"Come in and sit down." Remus sighed

Andromeda narrowed her eyes but complied, stalking through the house, stopping dead in the doorway, "Remus?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes on Harry and Hermione.

"Sit down, Andy." he reiterated, noting the way both teens had their free hands on their wands, their eyes following Andromeda as she moved into the room.

"Harry, Hermione, meet Sirius' cousin Andromeda Tonks."

"Oh," Hermione whispered, looking at the woman curiously. Harry shot her a look, "Hair potion." she murmured. It must have made sense to him as he nodded. Remus and Andromeda shared a confused look.

Deciding to file it for later, he continued, "Andy, meet Harry Potter and Regulus' daughter, Hermione."

"Regulus'..." Andromeda gasped, her eyes raking over the girl in front of her. "I don't understand."

"Yes it's rather complicated," Remus agreed. "Sirius is in St Mungos until next week. He'll be released after that. He is taking over guardianship of both Harry and Hermione."

"I…I see. But…where have you been?" she asked sounding bewildered.

"Hermione was adopted by muggles," Remus replied softly. "I don't know how aware of the goings on in the Department of Mysteries in the seventies you are but they...conducted some experiments to try and combat squibs. Regulus was part of it. He was ah… Hermione's mother by all accounts."

Andromeda closed her eyes, "I'm sorry…can you repeat that?"

"He was her mother. Her father is Saul Croaker."

"The Head of the Department of Mysteries?" Andromeda exclaimed.

"You… you know him?"

"Yes! Ted's a Healer, he has a contract with the DOM given how many of their experiments blow up."

"Right I…well then yes, that Croaker.

"Mother of Merlin. Have you always known?"

Hermione jumped slightly when she realised the question was directed at her. "No." she replied softly, "It was a bit of a surprise."

"I can imagine." Andromeda murmured, "How did your parents take the news?"

Hermione flinched, "They refused to allow me back." she replied flatly.

"Mine disowned me," Andromeda voiced casually.

"Why?"

"I married a muggleborn, rather than the man old enough to be my grandfather that they'd picked out for me."

"Oh," Hermione whispered.

"It gets easier." Andromeda smiled slightly sadly.

"Does it?" Hermione checked slightly desperately.

"Yes. And when it's not, my floo is open. And your…Merlin, your Uncle, he'll understand too. His mother blasted him off the tree at sixteen, he went to stay with Mr Potter's grandparents."

"He did?" Harry asked.

"Yes. He did. All I can advise is that you talk to us. I…I didn't for the longest time. It almost destroyed my marriage. Ted, bless him, didn't really understand. The heavy expectations, the rigid rules, how much I missed them despite all that." she watched as Hermione swallowed visibly, an all too familiar look in her eyes, "My friend, Emmeline, eventually forced me to talk about it. She didn't entirely understand, but getting it out helped."

"Do you still miss them?" Hermione asked softly.

"My father died last year, and honestly, I don't miss him. Mother's still alive. My elder sister is in Azkaban. I miss who she was. And my youngest. Yes, I miss her."

"What happened to her?"

Andromeda smirked, "she married a blond prat and popped out an Heir."

Harry and Hermione blinked, "Narcissa Malfoy is Andy's sister," Remus supplied startled when a grin slowly spread across Harry's face.

"That means you're related to Malfoy," he crowed, turning to look at Hermione. "Gods I can't wait to see his face when he finds out!"

Hermione stared back at him in horror, "No."

"Yes!" Harry laughed, "Gods! Hermione, he's your cousin!"

"Second cousin," she muttered petulantly.

"You know my nephew?" Andromeda asked.

"He's in our year," Harry grinned, "Isn't hugely fond of me. Or Hermione to be honest. His face is going to be priceless!"

Remus attempted not to smile, both children were more animated than he'd seen them so far. "I really dislike you," Hermione growled.

"No, you don't!" Harry grinned, "I'm about to be your bother, youre stuck with me."

A slight smile quirked on Hermione's face, "I suppose I am," she murmured.

Andy watched them with interest, "You know, if you are interested in collecting family members, I have a daughter. She's nineteen and about to begin training to be an Auror. It would be lovely to introduce her to a sane member of our House."

Remus snorted, "I'm not sure such a thing exists."

Arching her brow, Andromeda glared at him. "I have hopes for this one," she inclined her head towards Hermione, "And I remind you that insulting someone you believe to be questionably sane is absurdly stupid."

Harry snorted, "I hate to dash your hopes," he cheeked, "But Hermione is far from sane. Ow! See! Hermione don't hit me again!"

Hermione glared at him, "Did you not just hear Andromeda's warning?"

"Yes," Harry flushed," But come on! You once said being expelled is worse than death. And Hermione…you fancied Lockheart, that's not sane!"

Hermione's jaw dropped as she gaped at him, "Says the boy who took an unknown potion on the word of another first year before he walked through fire, fought a troll and took Lockheart down to the chamber of secrets as their only adult. Pots and Kettles, Potter."

"You were that first year!" he protested, ignoring the look of utter horror on Remus and Andromeda's faces.

"Yes! But I could still have been wrong!"

"You are never wrong," he muttered, "It's annoying really."

She snorted, "I thought Lockheart was a reasonable teacher in the beginning. I can be wrong."

He laughed, nudging her, "I suppose even you can be wrong occasionally."

"What were you doing near a troll?" Remus asked finally sounding srangled.

"A troll Remus! What about walking through fire!" Andromeda cut in, watching the teens with horror.

"Oh. I was locked in a toilet with one in first year, Ron and Harry might have knocked it out. And ah…the fire was also first year, Professor Snapes logic puzzle protecting ah…something."

Remus and Andromeda blinked at her, "I'm sorry, dear, can you repeat that?" Andromeda asked faintly.

"Which bit?" hermione asked politely as if they were having a perfectly normal conversation, startling an incredulous laugh out of Remus.

"Mother of Merlin, you sound like Cissa," Andromeda muttered.

Hermine wrinkled her nose at that as Harry laughed, " Please, please someone say that in front of Malfoy," he begged.

Remus rolled his eyes, "Enough, it's probably best not to antagonise him. He is unfortunately family."

Andromeda scoffed, "Nonsense, that's what makes it half the fun. Merlin knows Cissa has never cared. Although I imagine Gringotts will insist we inform her of your existence. If nothing else, she'll need to make a decision in regards to her son."

"I don't understand," Hermione admitted.

"Narcissa is, despite her marriage, a member of the House of Black. I am not." she continued when Hermione's frown deepened. "We are, while still members, bound to either officially break away or comply with the wishes of our Head of house. In this case, Sirius."

"So he…gets to tell them what to do?" Harry checked, a smirk flashing across his face.

"Not exactly," Andromeda corrected slowly, not at all sure how to word this. "The Patriarch of an Ancient and Noble house can…invoke certain rights. It's common within the old families, ours included. Because there hasn't been a head since the last Lord Blacks death, it wasn't something particularly needing consideration. However now Sirius has accepted his role, I imagine there will be…teething issues."

"Interesting descriptor of outright carnage, Andy," Remus snorted. "The house of Black holds primacy, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does," Andromeda smirked. "Lucy will be furious."

"Lucy?" Harry asked.

"Lucius Malfoy," Remus explained, "He was in Andy's year at school, they were ah…not often in agreement."

Harry's eyes widened before his face broke into a grin, "tell me you call him that to his face?" he begged.

"Often," Andromeda smirked. "I am not his favourite sister-in-law."

"Well compared to Bellatrix's murderous insanity, how could you be?" Remus quipped.

Andromeda rolled her eyes, "Quite. Although on that note, I should probably return home before Ted thinks someone stole me. I left in rather a hurry once it hit me that you'd likely know where he was,"

"Of course you did,"

Andromeda ignored him, "I expect you to bring them to dinner Remus. Tomorrow should suit."

"Very well," he sighed, it was one day he wouldn't need to work out how to handle the mess he found himself in alone.

"Wonderful. I'll see you two tomorrow.," Harry and Hermione watched with slight bemusement as Andromeda swept out as abruptly as she had barged in.

"What just happened?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"I have no idea," Harry admitted, "Do you get the feeling things are about to get really, really interesting?"

Hermione whined, "Can't we just have quiet and normal?"

Harry nudged her with a grin, "Nah, you'd be bored!"