Breakfast with Harry
Well, we didn’t get to Gringotts today. My muse got away from me.
Hphphp
“You mean to tell me that Crouch has his son, who is supposed to be dead, imprisoned in his basement under an Imperious curse?” Amelia stated after the debriefing. She had gone through the same range of emotions as the men had, though not quite as strongly since she was getting the watered-down version.
“Yes,” Sirius said, hoping she would take care of that right away. “If you nab him tomorrow, that will cut down the chances of them resurrecting Voldy,” he added, voicing his thoughts. That and he hated the Crouches. He never like Barty Jr. and Sr. had put him behind bars without a by-your-leave. He would love to see both of them sent through the Veil of Death. However, he’d settle for them to be put in Azkaban for life. If they could secure the dementors.
That was something they were going to have to work on too. Too many people used those demons to clean up messes they didn’t like. Umbridge with Harry, and Fudge with Barty Jr. and this year with the manhunt for him. There had to be a way to rid the world of them or gain better control of them.
“I will be doing just that. And I can assure you that Bartemius will be seeing the inside of Azkaban as well,” she said, going over all she needed to do. If these books were to be believed, then there was a lot of housecleaning to do at the ministry. And she would start with the Crouches. “I will go home and strengthen my wards tonight. I don’t want to leave that to chance. Susan will not go without her aunt this time,” she said, gathering up her robes, which she had discarded earlier. Figuring her business suit would be comfortable enough. “I will try and read more of the fifth book tonight, but I want to read the fourth next. I believe that it will have more information that I need.” She donned her robes and held out her hand for the other book.
“Sure, I’ll get it. Don’t worry, we’re going to handle Umbridge,” Sirius said, getting up to go to the kitchen to get the fourth book. He had left them there when she had come in.
“Don’t do anything I have to arrest you for,” she said, though she might look the other way for that woman. She was worse than any dark lord. And worse than that, she was in an important position in the ministry. She had always hated that woman. She always walked around so self-important, like rainbows came out her arse. Fudge treated her like she was the best in the world. The poor man listened to any suggestions she made. She wondered if the toad had blackmail on the minister. Or if she was just that good of a brownnoser.
“We won’t do anything you’ll have to arrest us for,” Remus said with a straight face. He knew they would have to do it behind her back, but it needed to be done. That woman was worse than Hitler. If he were a bad man, he’d take care of her himself. However, he was not so inclined. She was responsible for all the anti-werewolf laws on the books in the last decade.
“Very well. I will take you at your word,” Amelia said, taking the book that Sirius was holding out to her. She took all three books out of her pocket and copied them. She then picked up the copies. “I know they only last for four days, but I should have what I need by then,” she explained, tucking the copies in her expanded robe pocket.
“Well, it was great meeting you, Amelia. Will there be a press release on my exoneration?” Sirius asked, not sure if he should be seen in public too soon. He knew there were going to be people that believed he bought his way out, like Malfoy. Or those that would believe that he was crazy from so much time in Azkaban, like Dumbledore. He was going to have to jump through a lot of hoops to get what he wanted. But for Harry, he’d gladly do that.
“Yes, we talked to the press earlier. It should be in the morning addition of the Daily Prophet, and perhaps the Quibbler too. I know that Witch’s Weekly was also there,” she said, going to the floo. Sirius and Remus followed her. “I will return in four days.” With that she flooed home.
“Well, she’s a lot of fun,” Sirius said with a grin. He really liked her and was glad she was on board with them. They needed someone in the ministry if they were going to pull off half of what needed done.
“She’s really smart,” offered Remus, feeling the same as Sirius. He hoped that Amelia survived this time. She would make a great Minister of Magic.
“So, Gringotts tomorrow?” the dogman asked, yawning greatly. “I need to take up my ring and get my accounts in order.” He wasn’t looking forward to seeing what kind of mess those were in.
“Sounds like a plan,” the werewolf agreed. He too was tired.
“Should we pick up Harry on the way?” Sirius wondered out loud. He couldn’t wait to see the teen. He only hoped the boy liked him. He knew from the books that Harry liked the book him, but it was different in reality.
“He’s going to spend the day with his friends getting his school supplies, but I’m sure we can introduce you,” his friend answered, smiling encouragingly at him. He knew how nervous the man was to meet his godson.
“I can do that,” Sirius said, heading up the stairs. It was going to be a busy day tomorrow.
Hphphp
The next morning found Sirius and Remus knocking at Harry’s door at the Leaky Cauldron. They decided to eat here and talk with Harry before they went about their day. It would be a quiet ‘get to know you’ breakfast. Something Harry never got to have in the books. They were hoping to get a better understanding of him and what made him so headstrong.
It took a moment for the boy to answer. When he did, it looked like he had just fallen out of bed. His messy hair was more of a mess than usual. He looked like he grabbed his clothes from the floor.
“Hello,” he said, recognizing Remus, but he looked wary of Sirius. He had only met the other man the day before, so he wasn’t sure how much he trusted the man.
“Hello, Harry, sorry if we woke you. We were wondering if you wanted to join us for breakfast,” Remus said, gesturing to the room behind Harry. “We can eat in here and have a discussion,” he added, hoping the boy was welcoming enough to let them in.
“Alright,” Harry said, opening the door a bit more. He knew the Weasleys had spent the night here, so if there was trouble, they were nearby. He kept his wand in his back pocket, within easy reach.
Sirius and Remus entered and then Sirius snapped his fingers, and a house elf appeared. “Can we get a full English for three, please?” he asked the elf, settling in one of the two chairs.
“Yes, sir,” the elf said, popping away.
“I didn’t know the Leaky had elves,” Harry said, never having used them here before.
“You have to know how to ask those questions,” Sirius said, knowing that it hadn’t been covered in the books. He wondered why it hadn’t, all of the Alley establishments had at least one elf. “Oh, and I wanted to let you know, I hired your friend Dobby,” he added.
“How did you know about Dobby?” Harry asked, looking at the man queerly.
“He came to me,” Sirius lied, hoping he would never be caught in it. Or at the very least, he would be able to explain himself at a later date.
“Who are you?” the teen asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Harry, this is your godfather, Sirius Black. He was the one that was sent to Azkaban, framed by the man that was arrested yesterday,” Remus said, waving to the other man.
“Oh, well it’s nice to meet you, sir,” Harry said, polite as always. “I am sorry to hear that you were in that awful place. Mr. Weasley told me all about it after Mr. Lupin left,” he added, nodding to Remus.
“Please, don’t call me sir. You may call me Sirius, or Padfoot,” Sirius said with a grimace. “My mum tried to pound manners into me and turned me off them in return,” he added with a wink.
“Okay, Sirius,” Harry said with a grin.
“As for Azkaban, yes it was awful. I recommend that you never break the law and go there,” the dogman said with a full body shudder.
“I’ll do my best,” Harry said, vowing to do just that.
“We’re going to Gringotts today to do a little business. What are your plans?” Remus asked, wanting to start a safer conversation.
“Oh, well, I’m going to get school supplies with my best friends, Ron and Hermione,” Harry said as the elf popped in with their breakfasts. She put them on the only table in the room and popped back out. Each of them grabbed a plate and ate where they sat. Remus and Sirius each on a chair and Harry on the bed.
“That sound fun. Tell us a bit about your friends,” Sirius encouraged, starting in on his meal.
With that Harry told them all about his two friends with bits and pieces of his dormmates thrown in, until the meal was finished. He talked about his adventures a bit but didn’t go into details. He didn’t name any names that would get anyone in trouble. Like he would say, someone had a dragon’s egg, and that a friend’s brother came and got it, and that he got detention for being out after curfew. Things like that.
It was quite insightful to the two men, Harry’s recollection of his friends differed from the books’ description of them. Harry only told them the good things and none of the faults. They knew better though and kept an open mind. They were still going to encourage him to branch out and make more friends so that the shunning he went through his second year won’t happen his fourth, if they can’t prevent his name coming out of the goblet. Which they should, but they would rather be prepared.
“What classes are you taking?” Sirius asked, already knowing the answer and he was hoping to change the boy’s mind. He put his empty plate on the table and sat back in his chair.
“Care of Magical Creatures and Divination,” Harry said a bit sheepishly. He knew they were easy classes and that he wasn’t applying himself.
“Are you a seer?” Remus asked, looking at the boy with a tilt of his head.
“Not that I know of,” Harry said, rubbing the back of his head.
“Then why Divination?” was the question.
“Ron said…” was as far as he got when Sirius held up his hand.
“What do you want to do when you grow up?” the dogman asked, hoping it was the same answer as the books said. He could work with that. “For a living, I mean.”
“I was thinking a cop, or whatever the magical equivalent is,” Harry said, thoughtfully. He had thought of that yesterday when he saw them in action.
“Aurors,” Remus provided, winking at Sirius.
“Neither Divination nor Care of Magical Creatures will help you with that calling,” Sirius said with a soft voice. He didn’t want to sound like he was ordering the teen around.
“Oh, what should I take?” Harry asked, thinking they were right. He couldn’t see how reading tea leaves would help solve a crime. Unless of course one was a seer.
“Arithmancy and Ancient Runes will help with curses and spell crafting, so they help with Aurors and curse-breaking,” Remus answered, which was truer than the other two classes.
“Can I switch?” the teen asked, hoping he could. He wondered why they didn’t go over this stuff before the selection of the classes.
“Yes, you can write to McGonagall and ask to switch over. Just buy the books for the Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. There shouldn’t be an issue. If there is, write me and I’ll come and see why,” Sirius said with a smirk. If Dumbledore interfered, he was going to come down on that man like a ton of bricks.
“Why would I do that?” Harry asked, not sure what authority this man had over him.
“I’m your godfather,” Sirius answered, then added when the boy looked confused, “That means I’m your guardian.”
“Does that mean I don’t have to go back to the Dursleys?” the now excited teen asked, all but bouncing in his chair. After all, it had been a lifelong dream of his to be shot of them.
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” the dogman said with a wide smile. “Really, there isn’t any reason you would have to return there. No matter what anyone says. Don’t let anyone guilt you into doing what you don’t want to do,” he added, hoping that he could get the boy to stop carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“I don’t want to go back,” Harry said in a low voice.
“Then don’t,” Sirius said, firmly.
There was a knock on the door and a voice called out, “Oi, Harry, aren’t you ready yet?” Ron was there, and he sounded impatient.
“Hold on,” Harry called back. “I guess, I’ll see you later,” he said to the two men. “I had fun,” he added, not wanting them to think he was rushing them out.
“We have things we have to do today, and you’ll be going to school tomorrow. But Remus will be with you, and I’ll write you a lot, so your owl will be getting quite the workout,” Sirius said, getting up and giving his godson a hug.
“Alright,” Harry said into his shoulder as he returned the hug.
“Come on, Sirius, we’d better head on out,” Remus said, clapping the man on the shoulder as he made his way to the door.
“Right, off to see the goblins,” Sirius said, going to the door. They opened it to a flabbergasted redhead.
“Sirius Black,” Ron said, throwing himself against the wall behind him and reaching for his wand. “You better not have hurt Harry,” the boy said, pulling his new wand out and brandishing it at the two men.
“I’m innocent,” Sirius said, holding up his hands, and pulling out the Daily Prophet that he had picked up that morning.
The headlines read: SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT OF ALL CHARGES with a picture of Sirius of when he was an Auror.
There was a picture of Peter Pettigrew, below the fold, with another headline that stated: PETER PETTIGREW FOUND ALIVE AND GUILTY
“See,” Sirius said, holding the paper out for the crowd that had gathered at the boy’s shouting. “They caught the real criminal right here in this building yesterday, remember?” he pointed out, looking at the redhead with an annoyed eye.
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” Ron said, sheepishly, remembering it had been his pet that was the guilty party.
“Well, as fun as this has been, I have things to do,” Sirius said, going through the crowd and down the stairs, whistling as he went. He had goblins to talk to. Remus shook his head at the crowd and followed along.