The front door opening and closing signaled the return of Sirius and Remus. Aria dashed out of the living room into entry way. When Sirius and Remus had not returned immediately after leaving, the whole house had assumed that they had found Harry and that perhaps they were talking with the Franksons. But to have Sirius and Remus walk into the house with Harry was still a giant relief.

"Don't ever run away again!" Aria ordered, wrapping Harry in a hug. Harry hugged her back.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. Aria pulled back, ready to hand him a lecture that would make Hermione proud, but her dad stopped her with a firm hand on the shoulder.

"We're going to have a talk with Harry," Remus said leading Harry up the stairs. "Please don't come up to the attic until we're done."

Aria nodded though she still wrung her hands with worry. Harry didn't always take correction from adults well. He was so very independent and use to doing things himself. She did not anticipate a fight between him and his guardians.

Up in the attic, Sirius ordered tea and cookies which Kreacher had within a minute. They gathered around the hearth which had a friendly fire going that took the chill off the attic even though it was summer. Harry began to serve them tea, but Sirius batted his hands away and made him sit while he made up the cups of tea.

"Harry," Sirius began. Harry jumped to his feet.

"I'm sorry!" he cried, eyes glistening, but no tears fell. "I won't run away again, I promise!"

"I'm very glad to hear that," Sirius said, glancing at Remus for support. "Neither of us could handle you running away like that again. We were scared, Harry, that something bad would happen to you."

"I'm sorry," Harry said again. "Please . . . can we just talk about it?"

"That's what we're doing right now," Remus said.

"Just talk about it," Harry insisted. "Don't . . . please . . . don't beat me?"

Sirius took several deep breaths, just like his healers had taught him in Switzerland, just like Andromeda had instructed when she had noticed him getting worked up during one of the meetings, they had to transition power from her (his proxy) to him. He remembered when he had first run away from Grimmauld and had taken up residence with the Potters, how afraid he had been of Fleamont and Euphemia, even though he had never been afraid of them before. There had been something in his mind that, now that they were his guardians, had made him unsure and afraid of their reactions. Was this what they had felt like when they had looked at him? When they had had to deal with his meltdowns and his fears about discipline?

"Harry," he said. "I am never going to raise my hand or my wand to you."

"Neither will I," Remus added. "Nor will Kenneth. No one in this house will ever hurt you again. Whenever you get in trouble, there will be consequences such as restricted privileges or essays or lines, but never will we lay a hand on you."

Harry worried his bottom lip.

"So . . . you weren't just saying that to Mel and Liam to make them feel better?" he asked. "We're really just going to talk?"

Sirius and Remus nodded. Harry sank back into the armchair.

"Harry," Sirius began again, "could you please tell us why you ran away?"

Harry looked away into the fire.

"I was afraid you'd send me with Dumbledore," he admitted. "I . . . know I will have to train. That Voldemort probably won't stop coming after me until I'm dead, so I'll have to fight him. But . . . I just . . . if I have to learn to fight then I don't want to learn from Dumbledore. Couldn't you teach me?"

"We will absolutely prepare you for whatever is coming," Sirius assured him. "But, Harry, I need you to listen closely. You are a child. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named may be after you, but you do not shoulder the whole responsibility of getting rid of him. If I had my way, you'd have no responsibility in that regard, but you are correct. He won't stop coming after you which means that you have to be prepared to face him."

"But Sirius and I and others will do our best to ensure we get rid of him before it comes to that," Remus put in.

"Do you think I'm incapable?" Harry asked.

"We think you're very capable," Remus said. "But as Sirius has said. You're a child. It's not your responsibility to save the world. That's ours."

"I . . ." Harry frowned, thinking hard. The men let him sit quietly and gather his thoughts. From the twisting of his face, they could tell he was struggling to find the words for what he wanted to say.

"Adults didn't care about me before Hogwarts," Harry finally said. "If they did . . . they . . . didn't for long. Or they disappeared. My first teacher in primary school was worried about the bruises on my arms and . . . I think she talked to the headmistress. She was gone within a week."

Sirius reached forward, taking hold of Harry's hand.

"I am so sorry that you had to go through that," he said. "You never should have been placed with the Dursleys. It's that decision, among others, but particularly that decision, that makes Remus and I the angriest. Your parents had so many contingency plans in place. You should have grown up knowing how loved you are."

Harry sniffed; chin tucked against his chest. Sirius tugged him gently until he had pulled Harry onto his lap.

"Too old," Harry muttered even as Sirius wrapped him in a hug and Harry tucked his head under Sirius' chin.

"Nonsense," Sirius replied. "Never too old for hugs from your godfather."

"Harry," Remus murmured, scooting closer, "next time you're upset, please come talk to Sirius and I. Don't run from your problems and please don't run from us."

Harry sniffed again.

"Okay," he muttered. "I just . . . I can take care of myself."

"We know you can," Remus assured him. "But you shouldn't have to."

Harry blinked, shock running across his face at the idea. Sirius pressed his face into his godson's hair, so much like his father's, breathing in the fresh scent of pine from the shampoo Harry had chosen when they had gone shopping.

"I don't . . ." Harry pressed his head harder against Sirius' chest. "I don't know how to let people take care of me."

Sirius pressed a kiss to his head.

"I didn't either, when I first came to live with your dad," he said. "I ran away from home at sixteen. This place . . . was so different then. There was no love here. It's not . . . easy . . . giving up control to let others take care of you. You just have to take it one small step at a time."

"Small steps?"

"Like this," Remus said. "Talking to us. That's a pretty big, small step. Another is letting Sirius handle Minister Fudge and the paper and Dumbledore. You don't have to fight them yourself. We will do it for you."

Harry smiled.

"Okay," he murmured. "I'll let you do it."

"And . . ." Sirius took a deep breath. "Let us take you to the healer's." Harry tensed at that. "We cannot take care of you fully if we don't know about any physical problems you might have from your time at the Dursleys."

Harry didn't answer for a few minutes. Sirius carded his fingers through the boy's hair, basking in the comforting weight of his living and breathing godson. So many nights in Azkaban he had imagined such a scene, thinking it could only ever be a dream. Now he lived it. Harry was warm in his arms; he could feel the boy's lungs expand and deflate as he breathed.

"Okay," Harry whispered. "I'll see a healer. For you guys."

Sirius and Remus shared a relieved look. One battle down.

The next battle came in the morning at the next Wizengamot session. They had to choose a new Chief Warlock, or a Chief Witch, and there was much business to take care of. The Wizengamot was an old body, meant to not only govern the magical peoples of the British Isles, but to also uphold tradition and the culture of the wizarding world within the British Isles. Some sessions concerned politics and government more than culture and tradition, and some sessions concerned culture and tradition more than politics. Sirius had a feeling this particular session would involve a little bit of both.

First on the agenda was getting a new Chief Warlock or Chief Witch elected. There were multiple people that Sirius could see doing the job well, but he knew that many would not do it. Lord Greengrass was one he thought would do well, the Greengrass family was famously neutral, but with Daphne's friendship with Harry, that might change. There was also Lord Weasley or Lord Prince, but both were already delegates to ICW and so probably wouldn't accept a nomination. Both of them, Sirius observed, had come back from Geneva for the vote.

There was also Edwin Bones who sat in proxy for Susan. The Bones were notoriously ethical and hard to sway from the side they believed to be right, which was one reason why Voldemort had targeted Edgar and his family. However, he doubted that anyone would seriously consider Edwin as it meant that a Bones sat as a Department Head and as Chief Warlock and that type of power being in one family might make people nervous. Not that that had stopped them from putting Dumbledore in power in the first place.

Then there was, of course, those that Sirius hoped did not get nominated. Lord Malfoy or Lord Nott or even Lord Parkinson he could not abide by being given so much power. One of them might try for it, though.

A part of Sirius was sad that Lady Longbottom was still in St. Mungo's. The cleansing she had had to undergo had taken its toll on the older witch and she was recuperating as best as she could. Sirius thought that, perhaps, it was not just the cleansing that had taken its toll on her, but all the knowledge and betrayal that had come from it. She would have made an excellent Chief Witch.

After the vote Florian would make the announcement to the Wizengamot about Frank's recovery and the prognosis for Alice. They were set to move to the sanitorium with Barty in another week and Sirius had high hopes that Alice might be able to recover like her husband. There had been some talk from the St. Mungo's healers of sending Aria into Alice's mind, but that had been nixed nearly immediately as the situation between Aria and Frank had been a fluke and Frank had already been a masterful Occlumencer. Alice was not known for having Occlumency skills.

After that announcement, Sirius intended to bring up the libel the Daily Prophet was spewing about Harry. He had already had to burn several Howlers sent by angry citizens demanding that Harry stop saying that Voldemort had returned, even though Harry had given no statement and neither had Cedric. Sirius also planned to mention that Cedric did not seem to feature in the articles as much as Dumbledore or Harry, that that seemed suspicious seeing as both Harry and Cedric had suffered through the same event.

Minister Fudge, acting as interim Chief Warlock, called the Wizengamot to order. People began to settle. Sirius caught Florian Fortescue's gaze as he settled in the Longbottom seat. The man was clearly out of his element, but he was putting on a good, brave face about it. Sirius could not imagine suddenly being thrust into a proxy seat for a Ancient and Noble House without any training whatsoever.

"The first order of business," Minister Fudge said, glancing at Percy Weasley who was taking the minutes, "is to nominate people for the position of Chief Warlock or Chief Witch. Are there any nominations?"

"I nominate Lord Malfoy," Lord Parkinson called.

"One nomination for Lord Malfoy," Minister Fudge repeated. "Do you accept the nomination, Lord Malfoy?"

"I do," Abraxas said.

"I nominate Lord Greengrass," Lord Nott called. Sirius could not hide the look of surprise. Nott was usually so close to Malfoy. Was there trouble in paradise? Lord Malfoy did not look pleased at Lord Nott's announcement.

"One nomination for Lord Greengrass," Minister Fudge repeated. "Do you accept the nomination, Lord Greengrass?"

"I do," Gareth answered.

"I nominate Lord Black," Edwin Bones called. Sirius did not even try to hide his surprise as he turned to the man. Him? Chief Warlock? The nerve of the man to give him more responsibility! Edwin gave him a sharp look that reminded Sirius about the other two men who were up for the job. Now Sirius had to decide. If he made it a three-way race, it may give Lord Malfoy enough of an edge to pull off a victory.

"One nomination for Lord Black," Minister Fudge repeated, though he did not look happy about it. "Do you accept the nomination, Lord Black?"

"I accept," Sirius replied with just a touch of hesitancy, not sure if it were the right thing or not. People usually talked this over before nominations were taken! What was Edwin playing at?

"If that is all the nominations, I will close the nominations and open the floor for discussion," Minister Fudge said. Percy grabbed hold of the Wizengamot Hourglass and turned it over, beginning the time. Immediately Lord Parkinson got up and began to wax poetically about Lord Malfoy. How much, Sirius wondered, was Lord Malfoy paying Parkinson? There was no way the man could have come up with such a glowing recommendation if he weren't getting paid, not after last year.

"Thank you, Lord Parkinson, for such a recommendation," Lady Selwyn said, rising to her feet once Lord Parkinson had sat down. "Though I am hesitant to believe Lord Malfoy will be as impartial as you say he will be. It is, after all, well known that he holds a fierce grudge against a witch who hasn't event taken her OWLs yet."

Titters arose from the Wizengamot. Lord Malfoy's face flushed.

"I am uncertain that a man who feels intimidated by a girl at nearly fifty year his junior is cut out for the political pressure of such a position as Chief Warlock," Lady Selwyn continued. Several Wizengamot raised their voices or slapped the armrests of their chairs in support of her.

"I am not certain Lord Black is the correct candidate for Chief Warlock," Lord Flint said. "He was in Azkaban for twelve years and seems to have his hands full with such a child as Mr. Potter."

"It's interesting you say that sir," Edwin Bones said, rising to his feet. "For any Hogwarts student would tell you that Mr. Potter is an exemplary student, loyal to his friends, intelligent, and trustworthy. I would have thought you would be able to get first-hand accounts as your son was in the same house as Mr. Potter for three years."

Lord Flint's face went red.

"Furthermore," Edwin continued, "Lord Black does not have the character deficiencies that Lord Malfoy lacks, regardless of what Harry Potter is up to. In the time he has been a free man, Lord Black had extended the hand of friendship to a great many houses here on the Wizengamot, has ensured that multiple charities are given his patronage, and had shown a level of cool headedness sorely missing from these chambers."

"Lord Greengrass also exhibits sound character and levelheaded thinking," Lord Nott argued. "Unlike Black and Malfoy, however, the Greengrass family is famously neutral and is known for listening to both sides of an argument before coming to judgement. After the years under Dumbledore and knowing past political affiliations of both the Blacks and Malfoys, it would behoove this body to have someone lead them who straddles the political divides."

More cries of agreement and hitting of the arm rests.

Minister Fudge peered around the chamber.

"If there is no more discussion," he said, "then I make a motion to begin voting for a new Chief Warlock."

"Seconded," Fortescue called.

"All those in favor of Lord Malfoy, raise your lighted wands." Wands were raised. "All those in favor of Lord Greengrass, raise your lighted wands." Wands were raised. "And finally, all those in favor of Lord Black, raise your lighted wands." Wands were raised.

Minister Fudge glanced at Percy who had taken the official tally. Percy showed the parchment to Minister Fudge.

"Let the Wizengamot greet its newest Chief Warlock," Minister Fudge cried. "Lord Gareth Greengrass!"

Sirius joined in the applause as Lord Greengrass, Head of the Department of Mysteries, rose from his seat and came down to sit in the seat of the Chief Warlock. Minister Fudge vacated to his normal seat, his senior undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge, with him while Percy stayed where he was to finish taking the minutes for the Wizengamot session.

"Thank you, members of the Wizengamot, for this honor," Lord Greengrass said, bowing towards the lords and ladies. "I shall endeavor to act wisely and with honor, bearing in mind you have entrusted me to lead this esteemed body."

He looked down at the desk in front of him. Percy handed him a parchment with the agenda for him to look at. The man took a moment to study the parchment before looking up.

"Our next order of business is an announcement from Florian Fortescue, current proxy for House Longbottom. Mr. Fortescue, you have the floor."

Fortescue rose, nodding to Lord Greengrass.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock," he said. "Lords and ladies of the Wizengamot, I won't take up too much of your time today. But I come bearing good news concerning the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom."

Sirius noted several people looking confused. It was known that Lady Longbottom was in the hospital, and that Algernon had been arrested for crimes against both Lady Longbottom and Neville, but his crimes towards Frank and Alice had yet to be disclosed to anyone outside the DMLE and immediate family and friends.

"Frank Longbottom's mind has been restored."

An immediate orchestra of noise rose from the Wizengamot. Those of the public watching from the gallery, usually quiet during regular Wizengamot sessions, joined in the noise making.

"How?" people cried.

"When was this?" others asked.

Lord Greengrass banged his gavel and silence fell over the chamber. Sirius glanced up a few levels to where Lord Lestrange sat, always quiet, never doing much except casting a vote when needed. The man, according to people Sirius had talked to, had all but withdrawn from public life after the arrest of his sons and daughter-in-law for the torture of the Longbottoms. Sirius was surprised he had the nerve to show up to Wizengamot meetings.

Lord Lestrange now leaned forward, his face blank like all old pureblood lords, never giving away anything that he was thinking. Sirius had always envied people who had that ability. He had to work hard to keep his face blank.

"The trial of Barty Crouch Jr. brought forth an investigation from the DMLE, led by Madam Bones," Fortescue said, nodding towards the woman. "It was discovered that Algernon Longbottom, the uncle to Frank Longbottom, was the first on the scene once the Lestranges were defeated. He, in hopes of gaining the Longbottom title, cast strong Oblivations on Frank and Alice. Only recently has Frank's memories been restored to him."

"And what of Alice?" Lord Greengrass asked.

Fortescue could not hide the pain from his face. "She will take more time. With their care falling to me with Dowager Longbottom being indisposed, Lord Black has helped secure spots in Switzerland alongside Barty Crouch at the sanitorium that worked so hard to restore him to good and proper health."

Fortescue turned and bowed towards Sirius who nodded back at him.

"We should all go to Switzerland for our health," Sirius said with a lazy grin. "The air is not so damp."

Several people laughed.

"That is good news indeed, Mr. Fortescue," Lord Greengrass said as the man sat back down. "I speak for the whole Wizengamot when I say that we hope the Longbottoms continue in their recovery and that Lady Magic sees to reunite the family at last."

People nodded their heads, smiles on their faces.

Lord Greengrass turned back to his agenda.

"Lord Black," he said, "it says here you wish to speak on the . . . media?"

Sirius rose to his feet.

"I do, thank you Chief Warlock," he said, putting on his most charming grin. He pulled out the Daily Prophet from the day Harry ran away. He held up the front page for everyone to see. DUMBLEDORE: DAFT OR DANGEROUS? read the headline. Under it was a picture of Dumbledore, a standard portrait from the ICW records. The next headline, under the fold read: TEENAGE REBELLION? OR MAD WIZARD? The picture accompanying this headline was a cropped photo of Harry in his Triwizard uniform. It was clear that other people were in the photo, as someone had an arm slung around his shoulder, and he looked off to the side several times.

"Now, I wish to make it clear that I don't have a problem with Minister Fudge having issue with Headmaster Dumbledore," Sirius said. "Anyone who knows me knows that, after the debacle of my false imprisonment and the placement of my godson with his magic-hating Muggle relatives, I and Dumbledore are not on the best of terms. We are civil, polite, as he is my godson's headmaster, but nothing more. Not anymore. If Minister Fudge wants to sully his own reputation by creating a smear campaign against the Defeater of Grindelwald, that is his choice. However, Minister Fudge has no right to extend that smear campaign to my godson who is a minor. We do have laws in this country. And we in the Wizengamot and ministry are meant to uphold the law and traditions of the British Isles!"

"I am not running a smear campaign against Mr. Potter!" Minister Fudge cried, face turning red. People around him wrapped the arms of their chairs in agreement with Sirius.

"So, you didn't say . . ." Sirius looked at the newspaper, "and I quote, 'Mr. Potter has been led astray by his headmaster. It is so sad to see such a boy be allowed to say such things unhindered and without consequences. It is clear that Mr. Potter is troubled and seeking attention and that Dumbledore is enabling him' unquote." Sirius looked back at the minister.

"I . . . I . . ."

"Because it's a bit concerning," Sirius said, "that you seem to be allowed to say such libel about a minor, a fourteen-year-old boy, without any repercussions."

"Here! Here!" Lord Weasley called down.

"On top of that," Sirius went on, "if you truly were concerned about how influential Headmaster Dumbledore is on one particular student, perhaps instead of alienating and humiliating said student, you should speak to Madam Bones about your concern regarding Dumbledore's singular fascination with Harry!"

Again, others voiced their agreement. On one hand, Sirius was glad people agreed with him. On the other hand, he was miffed that they had not been willing to stand up for Harry on their own. Still, agreement with him was better than no agreement.

"I also find it interesting that the Daily Prophet makes no mention of Cedric Diggory," Sirius went on. Amos looked frightened at the sudden attention. "Granted, I wouldn't wish any antagonism against Mr. Diggory. He is a fine, upstanding wizard just like his father and like his mother who is a fine upstanding witch." Amos puffed up slightly. "However, he was with Harry during the Third Task. If you are going to slander Dumbledore and Harry for believing that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is back, then why are you not also including Mr. Diggory in your campaign when he too makes the same claim?"

Minister Fudge gaped at Sirius like a fish.

"The International Confederation of Wizards also has reservations concerning Minister Fudge," Lord Weasley said, rising to his feet and taking the floor. "Most notably surrounding his decision to ban the foreign press from Britain's shores and his ordering of the press to not interview Mr. Potter or Mr. Diggory. The integrity of the free press is at stake, ICW fears, and the rest of the world wants the truth. ICW has already demanded Britain investigate the claims Potter and Diggory and Dumbledore are making."

"ICW has demanded we investigate?" Lord Greengrass questioned.

"Indeed," Lord Prince said, joining Lord Weasley on his feet. "Which has been communicated to the Minister's office several times."

Lord Greengrass turned sharp eyes on the minister who continued to gape like a fish.

"We are not required to investigate every little thing the ICW requests us to investigate," Umbridge piped up in her sweet voice that made Sirius' skin crawl.

"No," Lord Weasley replied, "but they could send in their own investigators."

"I won't have it!" Minister Fudge cried. "He is not back! That monster was killed on October 31, 1981. I won't have any more ICW representatives poking their noses into British business!"

"Then let us settle their worries before it gets to that point," Lady Selwyn cried. "Madam Bones, have you investigated the claims made by Mr. Potter and Mr. Diggory?"

"I have not been allowed to do so," Madam Bones stated. "Even if Minister Fudge is correct and You-Know-Who is not back, something did happen that night, and I have not been allowed to investigate."

"I make a motion to allow the DMLE under the direction of Madam Bones to form a special task force to investigate the possible return of the Dark Lord Voldemort!" Fortescue cried.

"I second that!" Lady Selwyn said.

"It will be a waste of resources and time," Lord Malfoy argued.

"All those in favor of the motion?" Lord Greengrass shouted over the growing symphony of voices. Wands were raised.

"All opposed?" Some wands were raised.

"Motion carries!" Lord Greengrass banged his gavel. "Madam Bones, I look forward to hearing from you about this task force."

Sirius watched with amusement as Minister Fudge stormed out of the chamber. Lord Malfoy also disappeared quickly, followed by Parkinson, Flint, and Nott. Percy hurried after the minister and Umbridge without a glance in Sirius' direction. Sirius noticed Arthur up in the gallery. It was no secret in the ministry that Percy and Arthur were in a huge fight, similar to the one Arthur and Lord Weasley were still having. It saddened Sirius. Even after that conversation with Arthur, they had been unable to look past Dumbledore and see what a wonderful son they had. Sirius hoped he was never blinded so much as to unappreciated Harry or Aria. He didn't know how Arthur or Molly could do it.