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Tony spent an hour with the Aurors going over security measures, magical schools, customs, and everything he could learn about MACUSA itself. He'd taken copious notes on the current political climate in magical America, along with the information specifically to California, relieved the system seemed less rigid than the British Ministry. They discussed how Tony should go about integrating magicals into his personal security and delved into how Stark Industries could create electronics which might work with magic. It turned out there were several magical schools in California, including a primary school fairly close to the house in Malibu, which taught a mix of mundane and magical subjects.

Harry napped through the negotiations, waking up to juice and blueberries as Tony strapped him back into his car seat and Happy drove them back to Centre Pointe. The penthouse smelled wonderful and Tony was astounded to see three unfamiliar house-elves, clad in red uniforms, in the kitchen working steadily.

"Master Tony?" Taffy appeared beside him as Tony checked the bar in the living room to make sure it was well-stocked.

"Yes, Taffy?" Tony asked, distracted.

"Goblin Rockjaw bes sending over the post." Taffy told him, holding up a small woven basket.

"Thank you, Taffy. Please set it on the table in the family room and I'll look at them in a minute."

"Goblin Rockjaw said alls bad spells taken off."

Taffy popped away as Tony continued to walk through the room to the entry foyer. He was thankful Rockjaw had told him about Gringotts' post services, as Tony hadn't given a thought to the fact that harmful charms, hexes, and potions could be applied to letters. Now, all their post went through screening at Gringotts, except for those whose magical signature was known. Which at the moment were just Arcturus and Sirius Black.

"Papa?" Harry yawned and stretched as Tony walked into family room, where he'd been watching Sesame Street on the television. "I think one of the of your letters is smoking."

"Taffy!" Tony could see a wisp of smoke and grabbed Harry from the couch.

Taffy popped in and snapped her fingers, taking care of the problem. "A Howler having delayed spell." She said, exasperated.

"Do you know who it was from?" Tony asked as he and Harry peered at the pile of envelopes and scrolls in the basket.

"Yous goblin may know," Taffy was terse and Tony had no doubt she knew exactly who sent the offensive letter as she popped away.

Tony snorted. "Harry, I don't thing we ever want to make Taffy mad!"

Harry nodded as Tony set him on the floor, ruffling his hair. "No, Papa."

"Come on, bambino, let's go change into something a little more comfortable."

Harry looked down at his now rumpled suit trousers. "I like my special suit; do I have to?"

Tony struggled not to laugh as Harry pouted and then widened his eyes imploringly.

"Please, Papa?"

Scooping Harry up and tossing him in the air (and thankful for vaulted ceilings), Tony caught him and kissed him all over his face. Harry squealed and hugged his head as Tony took them into his bedroom.

"Nice try, kiddo, but I patented that look!" Tony gentle tossed Harry on to his bed, listening to him shriek with laughter as he bounced. "You can wear your suit if you want, but you can't play with Padfoot unless you change into some jeans."

Harry contemplated the choice he had for a minute. "Okay, Papa, I'll change."

Smiling, Tony nodded and let out a breath. Maybe the parenting books he'd been reading actually had sound ideas; it wasn't that hard to give Harry options to help make his own choices. Tony just knew that he would do what he needed to undo the abuse those animals had inflicted on his son and empower him. He also didn't want everything handed to his son or to be emotionally distant from him like Howard had been. It was another reason to want Sirius with them as Tony knew he would be hard press not to spoil Harry rotten, and needed someone who wasn't afraid to point it out. Sirius would also curb his tendence to bury himself in a project and forget everything around him.

"Will you help me please, Papa?" Harry asked, trying to pull a shirt from his wardrobe.

"Of course, bambino."

By the time Harry and Tony were both changed into button-ups and jeans, there was a knock on the door and Tony had to grab Harry before he could rush to open it. He ignored Harry's flinch, making sure to run his fingers through Harry's unruly hair so he knew Tony wasn't mad.

"I got it, kiddo," Happy assured Harry in a quiet voice as he stepped by them.

Tony settled his hand on Harry's shoulder, trying to ignore the butterflies in his own stomach. Like Harry, he was excited to reacquaint himself with an old friend and yet anxious to see if they could become friends again without James' influence.

"Welcome, Lord Black." Happy gave a small bow as he stepped back and allowed Arcturus in to the penthouse, a large black dog at his side.

"Grandpa! Padfoot!" Harry chirped and lunged for the dog.

Happy tried to grab him, but missed and Tony put a hand on his arm, rolling his eyes. "Lord Black, Sirius, welcome!"

Arcturus stepped inside and Tony extended his hand. As they greeted each other, Tony heard a gasp from Happy and turned to see Padfoot transform into Sirius with Harry in his arms.

"He's what is called an Animagus, Happy," Tony explained to the bemused man. "Harry's father James could turn himself into a stag."

"I had a professor at school who could turn into a tabby cat," Sirius remarked. "Never did understand how the difference in body mass worked."

"Magic!" Tony and Harry said together, Harry giggling.

"Sirius, I'd like you to meet Happy Hogan, my driver, bodyguard, and friend. Happy, may I present Heir Sirius Black, Harry's godfather."

The two men nodded to each other, Harry still in Sirius' arms as Tony served drinks: beer for Happy, scotch for Tony, brandy for Arcturus, and water for Sirius.

Tony settled into a chair across from the couch where Arcturus and Sirius sat. "I never thought I'd see you pass up a drink, Sirius."

"Healer's orders for the moment," Sirius grumbled as he helped Harry take a drink from his glass. "Apparently I'm a bit underweight."

"Something you share with your godson," Tony admitted. "I am curious as to how you arrived at the door without calling Taffy for assistance."

"The fireplace on the floor below is hooked up to the Floo network, although it is available only to those of Black blood at the moment," Arcturus informed him. "We will need to change the wards as there are many who would cause harm with access still."

Tony nodded and exchanged a glance with Happy. "So I'm clear to have Gringotts add anti-Apparition and anti-Portkey fields to that floor?"

"Yes, and also add warding to the secret staircase between the two floors." Arcturus smiled for the first timed. "It is in the back of the wardrobe in the entry."

Tony arched an eyebrow. "That's handy."

"The Blacks have a number of enemies, Tony, and we tend to be a paranoid lot."

Sirius snorted at his grandfather's words and Tony grinned at the understatement. He remembered the summer Sirius had run away from home and come to live with them at Potter Manor. At the time, he hadn't been able to believe what a bitch Sirius' mother had been.

"I think I met someone who would rival your mother in vileness, though, and that is Lily's sister."

Everyone's eyes went to Harry would was snuggled into Sirius' chest and playing with the heir ring around Sirius' finger. Knowing the rest of the conversation would wait until after Harry was in bed for the night,

Leaning forward, Tony patted Harry's knee. "Why don't you tell Uncle Sirius about our visit to the embassy."

His face lighting up, Harry sat up and began to describe, with a four-year-old's perception, the most important aspects of their visit. "Uncle Padfoot! We went in the big black car that Mr. Happy drives for us to a really big house with a huge stairway made of white stone, and we had to talk to a really stuffy man who didn't listen to Papa. He gave me a big envelope with my papers, but he talked to me like I was a baby. I didn't like that!"

"Breathe, kiddo!" Tony tried not to laugh and Happy snorted.

"Then we had to go clear up all those stairs and Papa helped 'cause I still get tired sometimes, because of mean Aunt Petunia. I met cousin Iggy there and Mr. Aura—"

"Auror Graves, baby."

"—Auror Graves, who knowed Daddy James!"

Harry chattered almost nonstop about the trip and then, at Sirius' prompting, about everything which had happened since he'd been taken from Privet Drive and Tony smirked behind his glass – he didn't think he'd ever heard his son so animated. By unspoken agreement, the men continued to let Harry dominate the conversation through dinner and dessert. Happy excused himself shortly afterwards and Taffy helped Harry take his bath. Before tucking Harry into bed, Harry had insisted Sirius come in and see the room they had fixed for him, before collecting kisses from everyone before Taffy led him away.

Putting up a privacy charm, Tony headed to the bar and poured a small amount of firewhiskey in each of the glasses. Arcturus and Sirius had settled on the couch once again and looked at him in surprise as he set the glasses in front of them,

"I'm afraid you'll need those for this conversation," Tony saluted them silently and took a very small sip, promptly coughing as the fiery fumes exploded in his throat. "So, how did your trip to Gringotts go? Find core blocks, compulsions, and probably memory charms?"

The two men exchanged a glance.

"You knew?" Sirius asked quietly.

Sighing, Tony rubbed his forehead. "You and James were always way too loyal to that bastard, even when he clearly had an unhealth obsession with Harry. The prophecy Dumbledore seemed to put so much stock in was easily contrived and he most certainly put it in motion by making James and Lily take Harry into hiding, but insisted they stay in the country." He paused, taking another fortifying breath. "I left the pensive in New York, but I'd be happy to let you see all the memories – and yes, I know you lived them, but it would do you good to see them from another prospective. When I arrived at Petunia's house a little over a week ago, I found Harry locked out of the house, beaten, starving, and wearing only an overlarge shirt. After punching the fat pig Petunia calls a husband, I took Harry straight to Gringotts The goblin healers found core blocks and charms for loyalty and submission. The worst thing they found, however, was a sliver of Tom Riddle's soul, which had been sealed into his curse scar."

Arcturus went deadly pale and took a deep sip of his firewhiskey, while Sirius looked puzzled.

"Whose Tom Riddle?"

Tony snorted. "I think they missed a memory charm on you, buddy. Tom Riddle is the name of the half-blood asshole who renamed himself Lord Voldemort."

"WHAT?"

Arcturus grabbed Sirius' arm and yanked him back down on the couch, Tony seriously impressed by the old man's strength.

"It's all right now, coz," Tony fell back to an old nickname. "Goblin healers were able to remove it and, in the process, discovered a second soul piece in the bank."

"Horcruxes," Arcturus whispered, looking pale. "That sanctimonious son of a bitch made Horcruxes!" His eyes widened suddenly. "Regulus! That's why he murdered Sirius' brother!"

"Grandfather?" Sirius looked baffled and Tony stayed quiet, knowing this wasn't a moment for levity.

Arcturus had his head in his hands, before lifting it to look Tony in the eye. "Regulus came to me just before he disappeared and was presumed murdered, asking me if the Black library held any books dealing with Soul magic. I thought at the time, as young as he was, that he was interested in soulmate bonds. I know now, I was very wrong."

"I've hired Gringotts to track down the rest of these soul pieces," Tony said quietly.

"I may be able to help." Arcturus straightened up. "Kreacher!"

With a pop an ancient house-elf appeared wearing the dirtiest diaper Tony had ever seen. Or maybe it was a loincloth—

"Kreacher sees Lord Black and the blood-traitor who disappointed his mistress—"

"Kreacher!" Arcturus, raising his voice to cut through the ramble, admonished the elf in a derisive tone. "Do you know what Regulus was doing before he died?"

Tony was glad a Silencing Charm had been placed on the bedroom. And Pepper says I'm overly dramatic!

"My poor Master Reggie! Kreacher could not complete his last task—"

"Kreacher, what task did my grandson give you?" Arcturus had his hand on Sirius' knee in warning as Sirius appeared to what to tear the house-elf apart.

"To destroy the Dark Lord's locket, but Kreacher—"

"Kreacher?" Tony leaned down. "Can you get the locket you are talking about and pop it over the Gringotts? Give it to Rockjaw and tell him Lord Carbonell instructed you to witness the destruction."

Arcturus stared at Tony for a moment. "Do as Lord Carbonell instructed you Kreacher, no matter how long you must wait at Gringotts."

Kreacher nodded with wide eyes before popping away.

"Well," Tony said, taking another sip of his firewhiskey. "that was unexpected."

"Do you think he'll actually do what you said?" Sirius asked as he sat back on the couch.

Arcturus looked thoughtful. "Even if you hated him, Reggie always treated that house-elf like a friend, and if this will complete the last task Reggie gave him, I believe he will do exactly as Tony asked."

"All right," Tony got up and retrieved the basket of letters Taffy brought in earlier. "I haven't been through these yet, but I am wondering it any of them are from Dumbledore."

"You mean you haven't spoken to Dumbledore?" Sirius was astonished. "He was at Gringotts before my cleansing was completed and tried to bluster his way in to speak to me!"

"Bastard wanted Sirius to immediately apply for guardianship of Harry."

"What?" Tony nearly choked as he tried to swallow another sip of firewhiskey.

Arcturus smiled grimly. "The goblins didn't tolerate his behavior as he demanded to see Sirius, then he wanted the identity of Lord Carbonell, before demanding to see the Potter account manager. Watching him be threatened with forceful removal from the back was entertaining"

"So he doesn't know—" Tony stopped and dumped the basket onto the table in front of him.

"Tony, why are these scorched?" Sirius asked as he and his grandfather leaned closer to watch.

"A delayed Howler." Tony was sorting through the pile, moving the Gringotts mail to one side and Ministry documents to the other. "According to Taffy, anyway."

"Molly Weasley," Sirius guessed. "Her Howlers are legendary."

Tony blinked and looked up. "Ah, the bi—woman from Diagon Alley, with the bully son."

"Yes, I'm sure she wasn't thrilled by the story in the iDaily Prophet/i the next morning." Arcturus snickered.

"Looks like I have three letters from Dumbledore, going by the seal," Tony grumbled. "It would be a lot easier if they had postmarks on them!"

He lined the three up in front of him, before looking up at the Blacks wary faces. "Both Gringotts and Taffy have gone over all these for charms, hexes, and potions, but if you want to check them, I'd appreciate it."

Arcturus slowly drew his wand and cast several spells on the parchment envelopes. The thinnest letter gave off a slight blue glow. "Merlin be damned," he exclaimed, "a tracking spell, but one which is old and, more troubling, blood based."

"Fuck! Taffy!" Tony cursed.

Taffy appeared instantly. "Master Tony calls Taffy?"

"I need you to get any of the Potter house-elves who are loyal to Harry and have them search Hogwarts from top to bottom – the bastard has some of Harry's blood!"

"Elf!" Arcturus spoke sharply. "Look for small instruments which contain any blood – as this spell could use James or Lily's blood as well as young Harry's and is possibly powering monitoring spells."

Taffy bowed, an angry scowl on her face. "Yes, Master and sir, Taffy will!" Se popped out.

"What wards did you have Gringotts put on the penthouse?" Sirius bit out. "Can't believe Dumbledore would use Blood Magic! He wrote the fu—blasted legislation which outlawed most forms of the magic!"

Tony narrowed his eyes. "The potion we used—"

"Dumbledore would disapprove, if he knew, however blood potions are still legal" Sirius cut in, "but he has managed to get rituals banned. Which is why we did the blood based potions for both the conception and my adoption with Harry instead of the old godfather ritual James wanted."

With a tilt of his head, Todd examined his memories of the time and pulled up the debate Sirius was talking about, as James had been adamant about the ritual, because his parents had taught him it was the most binding. Sirius had reminded him of their vows as Aurors about breaking laws. It was one of the few times Tony ever remembered the two men having a serious argument.

"I remember, but apparently Dumbledore is a ido as I say, not as I do/i kind of leader. Have you ever heard of MACUSA Auror Robert Graves, Sirius?"

Sirius shook his head. "Name sounds familiar, but I'm afraid the Dementors had done a job on my memory."

"How did you—" Tony made a vague circular hand gesture, not wanting ask the question verbally.

"I spent most of my time in Azkaban in my Animagus form," Sirius admitted quietly. "The dementors didn't bother me as a dog and the gruel they gave us was easier to eat in that form."

Taffy appeared next to Tony, a fierce look on her face. "Bad Dumbles had whizzy things tied to Master Harry! Wes elvies took care of those and all the blood bad Headmaster had!"

Arcturus looked shocked. "He had more than just Harry's blood?"

Taffy bobbed her head, still scowling. "Yes, Sir! Many vials bes in a drawer! Wes replaced them with elvies blood!"

The smug look on Taffy's face made Tony laugh. "Well done, Taffy! Please, thank all the Potter house-elves for Harry and I."

Taffy curtsied and disappeared.

"Why did you ask me about the American Auror, Tony?" Sirius questioned as Tony skimmed the second letter.

"He had interesting things to say about the relationship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore – including the fact that they were lovers."

"Any relation to Percival Graves?" Arcturus asked.

"Grandson, I believe," Tony opened the third let ter. "These all say basically the same thing, except they get a bit threatening by the third one – I needed to meet with him in order to keep Harry safe, including being quite insistent that I send him back to the Dursleys due to some blood wards."

"That's not happening," Sirius muttered.

"Definitely not," Tony assured him. "How are your Occlumency shields, Sirius?"

Sirius gave him a look. "They helped save me in Azkaban – only thing my mother ever demanded I learn that actually benefited me."

"Can you teach me?" Tony queried, pointing at his head. "I don't want to take a chance on Dumbledore messing with this fabulous brain!"

Sirius laughed. "I can try and we can get Harry started on meditation."

Arcturus cleared his throat. "May I ask what you are planning to do about Dumbledore? You know he won't give up trying to get your son back under his control."

Tony studied the man for a moment, seeing steel in the gray eyes so like his heir. "While I am sure there will be a confrontation at some point, I would rather it be at a time of my choosing. He can't do anything about the wand he lost to Harry, as it was a Peverell heirloom and among the missing heirlooms from Harry's vaults. Gringotts has discovered irregularities with Harry's trust vault during the time he had proclaimed himself Harry's magical guardian, including large withdrawals."

Both Blacks seemed on the verge of exploding and Tony knew how they felt. Dumbledore leaves his "savior" with a family who starves and abuses him, while he steals from the "orphan".

"I have instructed the goblins and my lawyers –solicitors—whatever, in both worlds, to report all the irregularities to the appropriate authorities, prepare every possible lawsuit we have grounds for in both Harry's name and mine. Tomorrow, Dumbledore should be served with both magical and mundane restraining orders to keep away from both Harry and I."

Sirius whistled. "I never thought of doing that!"

Tony grinned. "I'm sure Arcturus could get his lawyers to file a wrongful imprisonment suit against Dumbledore, Bagnold and that Crouch guy. And, hell, the entire Ministry for that matter. Bring in the press, they will help to trash Dumbledore's reputation."

"I highly approve of the idea and will have the paperwork prepared," Arcturus announced as he drained the last of his firewhiskey. "I am pleased Sirius is accompanying you back to America, as he needs time to heal and stay out of Dumbledore's sphere of influence."

Tony was very glad as well – he knew Harry would need help to get over everything he'd been through and Sirius could help him protect his son.

And maybe Harry and he would be able to help Sirius along the way.

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