A New Life

"Mama," Draco called, running over to Alyssa as she and Remus entered the park, "I thought you were at a party."

"I was Dragon," Alyssa said, smirking slightly as she ruffled his blonde hair, "But I escaped for a while."

"But it's a party Auntie," Harry said, coming over, "Everyone loves parties."

"Most people do, but I don't like to be the center of attention at this one," Alyssa replied, with a mock shudder, "There was far too much pink."

Remus laughed as he and Alyssa went over to the benches where Sirius and Severus were sitting, shooing Harry and Draco back to their playing.

"Skived off already Lyss?" Sirius teased, "I was able to put up with History of Magic longer than that."

"You slept in History of Magic," Alyssa replied, "And that is not an option at the party. Imagine being surrounded by overbearing, well-meaning, meddling women, who delight in cooing over your stomach."

"Fair point," Sirius conceded, "So that's why you came back?"

"No, this is," Remus said, removing the letter from his pocket and handing it to Sirius, Severus leaning in to read it with him. At the end, both were furious.

"Why the hell can't the bloody Ministry leave you alone?" Sirius asked, crumbling the paper as his hands balled into fists, "We don't even live in Britain anymore, so why are they so concerned? There is no way you two are worse parents than Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy."

"Perhaps they have an alternate reason, aside from Remus's lycanthropy," Severus said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean Sev?" Alyssa asked, recognizing that look. It was the look he gave to an experimental potion that wasn't turning out just right, but that he had an idea as to why it hadn't.

"Well, when the toad visited, she mentioned Draco being the pureblood heir to a noble house, correct?" Severus asked.

"Yes. She wasn't too happy that we had already planned to have Padfoot explain all of the heir stuff to him, as neither Alyssa or I know anything about it," Remus replied, confusion in his tone as he asked, "What's your point Severus?"

"Being the heir to a noble house like the Malfoys means that Draco will have influence in the Ministry as well as inheriting a rather lot in money, properties, valuable books, etcetera."

"And if Draco is a ward of the Ministry, all of that will be able to be used for the Ministry's benefit, while if he was adopted by us, he would wait until he was of age to gain access to any of it," Alyssa replied, catching on.

"Exactly," Severus confirmed, "I think the lycanthropy is a minor factor in comparison to all they would lose if Draco becomes your son. The lycanthropy is just an excuse to give to the public so they don't have to spell out their reluctance."

"I think you're right Sev," Sirius said after a moment, "And I think I know the solution. I just can't believe I didn't think of this before."

"What is it Padfoot?" Remus asked, looking at the unusually serious animangus.

"The goblins," he explained, "Won't be too pleased that humans are trying to interfere with the guardianship bond that was formed when Alyssa and Severus performed the ritual to stand as his godparents. If they find out that there is the possibility the Ministry is trying to break the bond, no matter what the reasons, they won't be pleased. Add in the fact that Draco wants to be with you, and you and Alyssa take good care of him, and they'll be out for blood Moony."

Everyone was silent for a moment, going over each of Sirius's reason and comparing them to what they knew of goblin code. Alyssa spoke first.

"I think that might actually work," she said, slight amazement in her voice as she thought of the plan. So simple, and yet…it has the possibility to be so effective.

"It's not like I never come up with good ideas," Sirius pouted, annoyed with the amazement in Alyssa's tone. Really, she's acting like I've never had a good idea ever.

"I'm amazed because such a simple solution has been staring us in the face since the trial almost two months ago, and none of us thought of it till now," Alyssa said, still turning the plan over in her mind.

"It's brilliant Padfoot," Remus assured his friend, his eyes sparkling with delight. No there was no way the Ministry would be able to take Draco away. Not even Fudge is stupid enough to argue with goblins.

"The meeting could be interesting if the toad is there," Severus said with a smirk, "She's rather against part humans and fully magical beings."

"And goblins don't take kindly to disrespect," Sirius smirked. "Fudge will be lucky if awarding Lyss and Moony guardianship is enough to distract the goblins from attacking his toad."

"First things first," Alyssa said, thinking swiftly, "We'll need to send a letter to Minister Hall to alert her to our plan and ask when the visit is, so that we can arrange to have at least one goblin present. We also need to send a letter to the goblins, detailing the plan and asking for their assistance. Since the Ministry is trying to fool the Goblin Nation, I doubt they'll be hard to convince."

"I can handle the letter to the goblins," Sirius said easily, "I learned how to speak their language a few years ago, and I'm rather well versed in goblin code."

"Perfect," Remus grinned. "Lyss, can you write the letter to Minister Hall and send it out before you go back to the party?"

Alyssa scowled. "You're set on me attending that foolish party, aren't you wolf?" She sighed. "Very well. I'll send my patronus to tell Minerva that I will be returning shortly, and I'll send a letter to Minister Hall. She's much more reasonable than Fudge is, at any rate."

Alyssa pulled out her wand, summoning her wolf patronus and sending it to Minerva, promising to be back at the party in fifteen minutes, giving her time to write to the Minister. Draco came over just as she was getting ready to leave.

"Mama, can I go to the party too?"

"Don't you want to stay and play with Harry Draco?" Remus asked, looking at the small blonde who was clinging to Alyssa's hand. He frowned slightly. Did he hear what we were talking about? He has been rather clingy since Umbridge decided to visit.

Draco shrugged. He knew that Alyssa was only going to the party to please Grandma, so he wanted to go to keep her from being bored. Plus, he was still worried that the pink lady would come back and take him away like she was threatening before she left.

"I don't see why not," Alyssa shrugged, "But you'll be better off staying with Harry and the others. I heard your Uncle Padfoot promising to take you and Harry for ice cream. If you leave, you won't get any."

All of the adults smirked as Draco quickly decided it would be better to stay and play with Harry than to go to some silly girls only party. Thanks to Alyssa's wording, he came to that conclusion on his own, therefore wouldn't pitch a fit at being left alone. I really do not mind being his safety blanket, Alyssa thought as she went back to the house to write to the Minister before flooing back to Minerva's house, But I don't think I have the energy required to entertain him after he gets bored, and who knows what some of those women will say.

Back at the park, Sirius was scribbling on hastily conjured parchment, putting his proposition to the goblins down in English first, making sure to include everything. After he was certain that everything necessary was included, then he'd translate it. Using a spell to quickly dry the ink, he looked at the two boys on the swings.

"Ok, who's ready for ice cream?" he called out, just loudly enough for them to hear him. It came as no surprise when the swings were immediately vacated as the two boys raced each other over to where their guardians were sitting.