hr

Three days later, Tony woke to little fingers stroking over his eyelids. Taffy had done an amazing job of turning a corner of his bedroom into an area for Harry, complete with a miniature bed, kid-sized wardrobe, and toy chest. Harry, however, insisted on sleep with Tony, still afraid he would wake up and Tony would have disappeared. The guestroom nearest Tony's room had been redone with new drapes, mattress, and bedding in anticipation of Sirius being released soon.

Harry had started to come out of his shell and shown himself to be an intelligent, inquisitive boy. On his right ring finger, Harry wore the Peverell heir ring and around his left wrist was the Carbonell heir bracelet, a rune array etched in the side against his skin added to the magical protection of the ring and Tony had enchanted it with a tracking charm. Between Harry's inheritance and Tony's personal wealth, he knew the little boy would be the target of kidnappers and the remaining Death Eaters. Two of the Potter house-elves, Taz and Max, had become Harry's personal magical bodyguards, remaining invisible whenever they were out of the penthouse.

Happy wore a bracelet similar to Harry's, thin gold and charmed invisible, with protective charms, a rune array which allowed him to see through magical spells and had a tracking spell on it. He and Tony had undergone two days of intense training; Tony as a refresher on casting spells and Happy on what he could do to protect his boss and Harry. Happy was delighted to learn most witches and wizards had no idea how to fight with fists or guns, and were arrogant enough to dismiss the "Muggle" devices. Their lack of reaction would give Happy an edge in reaction time, should anything happen.

While Tony and Happy had been busy, a healer specializing in abuse had been brought in and done an in-depth examination of Harry. Along with Healer Zenta, Healer Fawley worked to counter the damage done by Harry's relatives. His right arm had healed well, but the bones in his hands had been badly broken and it was decided to Vanish them and use Skelegrow to regrow them. Harry had been spelled asleep as Tony didn't want him to go through any more pain, something Tony was thankful for – Harry had already had enough pain to last his entire life. The healers had also used the time to heal damage done to Harry's kidneys and eyes due to being locked in a dark cupboard for long periods of tim. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to be done for the scars Harry had acquired.

Tony let it be known he'd fund research into the development of scar removing potions.

hr

Today was the day of Sirius' trial and Tony had decided both he and Harry needed to be there in order to make sure the man was released without incident. He simply didn't trust Dumbledore, especially after both Rockjaw and his solicitor told him about the soul-sucking Dementor which would be in the Ministry in case Sirius was found guilty.

Taffy had gotten them all the appropriate robes, although Tony wouldn't be caught dead in this particular shade of plum anywhere else! Although, he thought the real gold thread used to embroidery their house crests on his and Harry's robes was cool. The again, he reasoned, Tony Stark was always cool. Harry looked adorable in deep purple robes, edged with gold and the Peverell crest – he'd decided no one had to know what other lines Harry had inherited. Happy was skeptical of the open black robes with Tony's crest but understood he should wear them as was proper for his position.

Still not comfortable with the various ways magical folk travel, Happy drove them to the phone booth Smythe directed them to and stood in a short line for Tony's wand to be checked. The security wizard appeared bored and waved them through without even questioning the presence of Happy or Harry, even though Happy was armed. Once they were clear, Tony picked Harry up so he didn't get jostled in the crowd of people milling around the atrium. Harry held on tightly, his eyes huge as he looked around. Tony wasn't worried about the scar on his forehead making him stand out, as there was just a thin white line after the ritual to remove the sliver of soul. Smythe led the way and two plain clothed security wizards brought up the rear.

Tony's sunglasses were firmly in place, and he made a vow to get Harry a pair, as they walked into the Wizengamot chambers. A tall thin wizard with long white hair and a long white beard in gaudy robes was lifting a gavel to call them to order. Harry stiffened when he saw the man, while Tony recognized the bastard as Albus Dumbledore. Setting Harry on his feet, Tony took his hand, stepping over the threshold with the others behind them. A gong sounded and Smythe signaled them to stop. Looking around, Tony could see they were on level with where Dumbledore stood, instead of the requisite plum, he wore orange and gold eye-searing robes. Harry jumped when Dumbledore brought the gavel down and the doors around the chamber closed.

"I hereby call to order this emergency session of the Wizengamot, on 5 July 1994. Before we start, we appear to have a new Lord to seat."

All eyes turned toward Tony and he smirked back. Smythe signaled Tony forward, Harry by his side. "I am Lord Carbonell and am here to claim my birthright."

There was a smattering of whispers heard in the chamber tiers as Dumbledore starred at Tony.

"I don't believe I know you, Lord Carbonell."

Tony gave Dumbledore an obvious once over. "I didn't realize that was a prerequisite to claiming my seat."

Smythe moved forward, handing the clerk sitting just inside the door Tony's papers.

Tony watched for a moment. "I am also Regent for the House of Peverell and it's voting bloc."

Dumbledore was on his feet instantly and Tony almost laughed. Bastard knew about Harry's heritage. The clerk waved them on and Tony led Harry towards the seat Smythe indicated.

"Lord Carbonell, you need to take those muggle glasses off," Dumbledore called.

"Actually, I don't," Tony answered turning around as the level of whispering rose.

Dumbledore's wand appeared in his hand in the next instance and several things happened at once. The sound of Happy racking a round in the chamber of his handgun caused the chamber to go silent. Then, Dumbledore's wand flew from his hand toward Harry and Tony was surprised when the little boy caught it, a golden aura surrounding him and it.

"It's mine!" Harry exclaimed in a surprised tone.

"That is a muggle weapon!" An aristocratic man with long white-blond hair called out, his voice thick with disgust.

"That, Lord Blondie," Tony's voice rang through the chamber, "is a Glock19 9mm semi-automatic with a 17-round magazine. Try anything against us and he'll put a bullet through your head before you can blink." He addressed Dumbledore, whose face was pale as a ghost. "Is there some reason, Dumbledore, you would be in possession of a wand which doesn't belong to you? You wouldn't know anything about James Potter's Invisibility cloak, which is somehow missing from his vault, would you?"

"Who are you?" Dumbledore sputtered, looking ready to vomit or faint, either was fine with Tony.

"Genius, billionaire, philanthropist, wizard," Tony spat out, "and father. Now isn't there a trial we're supposed to be hearing?" Tony led Harry towards their seats.

"You need to remove those muggle sun—"

Tony spun around to face Dumbledore again. "So you can attempt to read my mind? Not a chance, Chief Mudwimp." He sneered. "How often do you use Legilimency on unsuspecting people?"

The assembled body exploded in sound and Tony used the diversion to get to the seats Smythe had indicated. Tony sat down, Harry squeezing in beside him. Happy moved to a position on his right, gun still held in his hand down by his side. Smythe stood to his left as the security force fanned out around them. A plump, middle-aged woman next to Dumbledore shot off a spell that sounded like a firecracker going off. Looking down, Tony could read the placard in front of her: Millicent Bagnold, Minister of Magic.

"Order! Order before I silence the lot of you!" She glared at everyone as she looked around the room. "Now that Lord Carbonell has been seated, finally, bring in the prisoner!"

Tony leaned toward Smythe. "No oath to swear my loyalty or, I don't iknow, do the right thing? No vow to not f—mess things up?"

Smythe gave him a significant look, which Tony was able to interpret: iEveryone for themselves/i. No wonder Dumbledore and his lackeys were able to thrown Sirius in a hellhole without a trial and hide Harry away in his own version of hell. Harry took his hand, playing with his lordship ring. The handle of the strange wand that had flown to Harry was sticking out of his son's robe pocket and Tony smirked. He was sure this had happened due to Harry taking the Peverell heirship, if the story his mother had read him all those years ago was true. He doubted Dumbledore would be able to call the wand back to him, but Tony knew he wasn't above attempting force to get the wand back.

"Papa!" Harry whispered, his grip on Tony's finger tightening as two Aurors dragged in a shackled Sirius. "Is that my Padfoot?"

"Hard to tell, kiddo, but I think so." He glanced at Smythe. "Usually, even prisoners are allowed baths and clean clothes."

Tony watched over the top of his sunglasses as Sirius was chained to the prisoner's seat, no doubt in the same condition he was removed from Azkaban. A tall male clothed in rich black robes walked to stand next to Sirius. Returning to his examination of Sirius, Tony tried to find some sign of the man he'd known for years. He stared hard, trying to will Sirius to look up at them, but Tony knew Sirius probably had nether the strength nor the will. Instinctively, Tony knew no one had even attempted to contact Sirius during the time he had been imprisoned, probably believing Harry had been safe with him, all because of Dumbledore. Or no one had been allowed to contact Sirius, which made sense, especially as everyone thought him guilty of betraying the Potters.

A rustling two seats to his right caught Tony's attention and he felt Happy lean closer, before an elderly man stood up. Dressed in Wizengamot robes, the House of Black crest embroidered on the left-hand side. The man stood silently, leaning on a cane made of polished ebony. Tony shifted Harry a bit closer to his left side, away from the old wizard.

Dumbledore read from a scroll. "This is the trial of Sirius Orion Black. Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones will be presenting the facts—"

"May it please this assembled body!" The man standing near Sirius spoke, drawing the attention of Dumbledore and Bagnold.

"Barrister Archibald Shacklebolt, representing the accused, Heir Black. We demand Chief Mugwump Dumbledore, Minister Bagnold, and Bartemius Crouch all recuse themselves from this proceeding."

"I don't believe that will be necessary, Archie," Dumbledore began, only to be cut off by Amelia Bones.

"And your reason, Barrister Shacklebolt?" Bones interjected.

The man ignored Dumbledore, addressing his comments to an older woman in maroon robes with, of all things, a monocle in one eye, who somehow reminded Tony of his Aunt Peggy. "This document is a copy of the only parchment found in Heir Black's arrest file, signed by the aforementioned individuals and it is the order to transfer Sirius Black to Azkaban without benefit of interrogation, due process, or trial."

The entire chamber was on its feet and Bagnold shot another firecracker out of her wand. Tony shifted Harry to his lap as he jumped.

"Chief Mugwump Dumbledore and I turn the proceedings over to Madame Bones!"

Shacklebolt nodded and picked up another scroll. "Before you begin, this is our demand for Veritaserum to be used during my client's questioning."

Madame Monocle accepted the scroll and unrolled it, while Tony smirked. Rockjaw had told him about the truth potion which had been developed in the magical world. He wondered how effective that would be on people without magic, his thoughts going to Obadiah's sometimes hard to decipher behavior. It would certainly make it easy to hire people who were going to be honest with him. The bantering back and forth went on for twenty minutes and Tony was bored, while he was pretty sure Harry had fallen asleep. Apparently, bureaucrats were bureaucrats whether in the board room or the magical equivalent of a high court.

"Senior Auror Dawlish, administer the Veritaserum." Madame Bones said loudly.

Tony snorted as he was sure he heard a few interrupted snores. He resettled Harry in his lap and he stretched as Bones began asking questions.

"State your name."

"Sirius Black III."

"November 3rd, 1969."

"Were you a healer?"

Tony heard Sirius snort and shake his head. "No, an Auror, with James."

Dawlish stepped back and nodded at Bones, who stood.

"All right, Mr. Black, did you, on or about 31 October 1991, report the location of Lily and James Potter to the Dark Lord known as Voldemort?"

"No."

"Have you ever passed information intentionally to anyone associated with Voldemort?"

"No."

"Did you ever betray Lily, James, or Harry Potter?"

"No!"

"Were you the Potters Secret Keeper?"

"No! Peter Pettigrew, the bloody rat, was!"

"Pettigrew is dead—"

"No! He cursed me, blew up a gas pipeline which caused an explosion, and then laughed as he sliced his own finger off so he could disappear into the sewar in his Animagus form!"

"What form is that?"

"A fucking rat!"

Harry gasped and whispered loudly. "Papa, Padfood said a bad word!"

Tony opened his mouth to agree, when Sirius' head snapped up and he watched as the man's eye zeroed in on them.

"Mr. Black, were you a Death Eater?"

"Never."

"What happened that night in Godric's Hollow?"

"I had just logged off duty and went to check on Pettigrew who I hadn't been able to contact in several days. His flat was empty, as if he'd left in a hurry. I rode my motorcycle to the Potter's house, when I found Jamie in the entryway," Sirius looked down, took a deep breath, and looked at Bones, "he didn't even have his wand. Lily was upstairs in the nursery and Harry, my little pup, was sobbing with blood running down his face." He again paused to take a breath. "I gathered Harry up with a blanket, as it was cold, and took him outside so I could get him to St. Mungos. Hagrid appeared, I'm not sure how he knew, and demanded Harry, said Dumbledore wanted him. I told him no, but for some reason, the need to find Pettigrew became overwhelming."

"How long did it take you to track Pettigrew?"

'Two days."

"Why did everyone believe you were the Potters' Secret Keeper?"

"I was a decoy, but I don't understand why you didn't just ask Dumbledore, he cast the Fidelius."

The Wizengamot exploded with noise and Harry jumped a foot before trying to burrow into Tony's robes. Holding his son tightly, Tony was aware of the elderly wizard making his way to the seat next to Tony and sitting down. A flick of the man's wand erected a privacy doom around them and Happy, who eyed the man suspiciously.

"I am Arcturus Black, Sirius' grandfather, and I believe I have you to thank for getting Sirius out of Azkaban."

Tony could see where Sirius got his looks, from the curly black hair to the gray eyes and he nodded as Harry turned around to see. "Anthony Stark, Lord Black, it's nice to meet you. And this young man is my son, Harry."

Black smiled at the shy look Harry gave him. "I am so glad to finally meet you, young Harry. Sirius told me all about you when he sought my blessing before the godfather ritual, as he was naming you his heir."

Swearing under his breath, Tony sighed. "And you would have been eligible, by law, to have taken Harry in when his parents died."

"He is my niece's grandson," Black told him, meeting Tony's eyes. "And I remember talking to your mother several times, but Dumbledore—"

Tony felt Harry stiffen. "Yes, it appears we should have a conversation after this is done."

Black nodded, watching the people shouting at each other on the floor of the chamber as Tony was. Harry was looked between Black and Sirius, before leaning back against Tony.

"Papa, does that mean Mr. Lord is my grandpa?"

Black laughed softly and reached a gnarled hand out to Harry. "I believe so, young Harry."

A firecracker was heard again and Black caught Tony's eye. "After I get Sirius cleaned up, I know he'll want to see his godson."

Tony nodded, but before he could answer, Harry spoke up. "Papa, you didn't wait until I was clean when you rescued me. I was dirty and smelly and dressed in rags when you found me, but you still hugged me and even kissed me. Why would we make Padfoot wait?"

Holding in a snort, Tony smiled. "I don't suppose we should then, son."

hr

hr

That was how they found themselves in a small room adjacent to the lower level of the Wizengamot chambers. Lord Black stood in front of a heavy wooden door at the back of the room, a door which led to the Ministry holding cells. It had been almost an hour since the members of the government body had found Sirius clear of all charges and ordered him set free immediately. Tony and Harry had followed Black down from the Chambers, Happy and the security team on alert. Most gave them a wide berth – Happy still holding his gun in his hand might have helped a bit, Tony thought with satisfaction. Dumbledore, surprisingly, hadn't bothered them, however, Tony knew he'd make an appearance – most puppet-masters did.

Harry had started to get restless when the door opened and Sirius stepped out. He'd been allowed to clean up and was dressed in a set of black robes which hung off his frame. Tony felt Harry's hand slip into his as he stared at his childhood friend, knowing the man was only twenty-four but looked ten years older with creases etched into his forehead and around his eyes. He doubted he would be able to understand the horrors Sirius had been through in the past four years.

They stood back as Black greeted his grandson and sharply dismiss the Aurors who accompanied him. He declined their offer to escort the two out of the Ministry and waited until they left to draw Sirius further into the room. Tony could feel Harry step closer, pressing against his leg. As Lord Black moved to one side, Tony knew exactly when Sirius caught sight of them as he froze, a startled expression on his face.

"Tony?" Sirius whispered, taking half a step forward. "How are you here? Lily—you gave up your memories!"

Tony gave him a lopsided smile. "Lily and my mom left instructions with the goblins to send me my memories just before Harry's fifth birthday. Lily was very concerned with Dumbledore's interest in Harry, and she was afraid of what might happen should she and James died."

Sirius stumbled toward him and Tony was surprised at the strength of his embrace. He could feel the silent sobs as Sirius shook against him, awkwardly patting his back. Harry tightened the grip he had on Tony's other hand.

"Papa? Can I hug my Padfoot, too?"

Sirius stiffened at the sound of Harry's voice and straightened up, looking down at Harry. "Hello, pup, I thought I was imagining you in the chambers."

Harry threw his arms up and Sirius knelt, gently gathering the child in his arms. "I miss'ded you, Padfoot!"

Tony settled a hand on Harry's shoulder as his son patted Sirius' head. Black cleared his throat and Sirius reluctantly pulled away from Harry.

"There will be plenty of time to get reacquainted with all of us, Sirius, but now we have an appointment with a healer at Gringotts."

Tony snorted. "Make sure they check for compulsions and memory charms, apparently Dumbledore likes those. Healer Zenka had to remove several from Harry."

"Dumbledore hasn't tried to contact you?" Sirius frowned.

Reaching down, Tony drew Harry against him. "I've only had Harry for a week and today was our first appearance in public." He brushed his fingers through his son's soft hair. "Although, since Harry somehow Summoned the man's wand—"

"It's mine, Papa!" Harry drew the wand out of his pocket and it literally sparkled at them. "It just came to me!"

It was Arcturus who gasped and stepped forward to get a better look. "It's the Elder Wand!"

"The Peverell brothers?" Sirius asked, watching as Tony leaned down to remove Harry's heavy robes, a tiny blue suit underneath.

"One of the things we'll need to discuss," Tony said quietly, lifting Harry's hand with the Peverell Heir ring on it.

"I think we'd both like that," Arcturus agreed.

"I have a penthouse at Centre Point, overlooking Kensington Park," Tony told them as he removed his Wizengamot robes, to reveal a business suit identical to the one Harry was wearing. "Harry insisted we fix up a room for Sirius and I'm trying to buy the floor below in order to expand, but the owner is a crotchety old guy who is proving tough to negotiate with."

"And I hear the brash young American who wants to buy up my grandson's inheritance is offering well over what the floor is worth." Arcturus actually smiled. "I will lease the floor to you for a Galleon a year, to be renegotiated when Sirius becomes head of House."

"Deal!" Tony shook hands with the elderly man, a genuine smile on his face. "Taffy!"

The house-elf appeared instantly, curtseying. "Yes, Master Tony?"

Tony handed her the two sets of folded robes. "Will you please take these to the penthouse? Harry and I need to make a trip to Gringotts."

"Yes, Master Tony!" Taffy gave Harry a little wave and then popped away.

Arcturus looked stunned. Tony just shook his head and picked Harry up, making sure Harry still had a good grip on the strange wand.

"Too many people over look the fact that house-elves have powerful magic. Taz?"

Another house-elf, this one wearing the Potter crest appeared. "Yes, Master Tony?"

Tony looked at the Blacks with a smirk. "Taz and Max have been here with us since we left the penthouse. Between them and Happy, Harry and I are very safe." He leaned down a bit. "Taz, could you and Max please pop Happy and us to the steps of Gringotts." Tony gave the Blacks a half-bow. "The Goblins have warded the penthouse – when you are ready to visit, call for Taffy and she'll bring you through."

And with that they were gone.

hr