21. FORMALITIES
"...clearly you were wrong." Minister Fudge stomped his foot in irritation and agitation, glaring at the Headmaster. "I will send for the Aurors to arrest Black and get him away from Potter. He's insane and most probably dangerous. How could you leave the boy with that criminal?"
"So I'm back to being a criminal now, am I?" Sirius raised one eyebrow mockingly, helping Harry to straighten up. "The Ministry seems to change its opinion on a daily basis now a days. How... fascinating."
"Sirius," Dumbledore greeted him merrily. "We were starting to wonder what was keeping you."
"Nothing that should worry you, I assure you," Sirius returned none too friendly.
He couldn't quite explain what rubbed him the wrong way about the Headmaster. He couldn't really blame him for James' and Lily's death or his imprisonment. Dumbledore had acted correctly and from his point of view, it must have been clear that Sirius was really guilty of the crimes for which he had been convicted. Maybe it was that he thought such a wise and seemingly omniscient individual as Dumbledore should have seen the truth. Maybe it was disappointment because Dumbledore insisted to see the good in everyone - everyone but Sirius it seemed. Maybe it was also because Dumbledore was about the only one who could have spoken up for him and helped him. Whatever it was, he couldn't help but be slightly cross with the aged Headmaster.
"Of course not, Sirius." Dumbledore's twinkle dimmed a little, but he jovially motioned for them all to take a seat.
Fudge was the first to plop into a plush baby-blue armchair as if his legs wouldn't support him any longer, morosely twisting his bowler in his sweaty hands. Lucius gracefully sank down in the least offending armchair, giving Harry a small smile as the elf made himself comfortable in Sirius' lap. Ron and Hermione took seats to their right, Hermione's hand automatically slipping into Ron's large, freckled one. Remus sat down the farthest away from Harry, while Severus preferred to hover behind the werewolf.
"The Ministry will take custody of Harry," Fudge suddenly burst out, crumpling his bowler. "At least until this whole matter is resolved."
"I'm of age, Minister," Harry said mildly. "And I'm sure we can 'resolve this matter' now."
"You still go to school, Harry." Fudge attempted a benevolent smile.
"I can drop out of school, if this is bothering you. I can drop out of school and disappear into the Muggle world." Harry's still didn't raise his voice and his face stayed calm and peaceful.
The Minister spluttered. "You will do what you are told, boy."
"I'll do what Sirius wants me to do," he argued softly, nudging the veela's chin and discreetly blocking Sirius' wand that had somehow slipped into his hand. "And I will stay with him. If you separate us, I will go and find him; if you ban him from the Wizarding world I'll go with him; if you throw him back into Azkaban you'll have to lock me up as well."
"I think none of us wants that Harry." Dumbledore smiled at him. "We only want what's best for you."
"Sirius is best for me," Harry declared with conviction.
"He's a murderer," Fudge all but shouted, his face turning an unpleasant shade of purple.
"Now, Cornelius, try to behave yourself," Dumbledore reprimanded him with soft emphasis. "It wouldn't do for the Ministry to dig its grave even deeper."
"Are you threatening me?" the Minister asked, flustered and incredulous, looking around at the silent occupants of the room. "I am the Minister of Magic."
"And a complete fool at that," Sirius muttered under his breath, just as Dumbledore started to answer, "And therefore you are responsible for the well-being and well-doings of the Wizarding world. A great responsibility for sure. You have the chance to right the wrong doings of your predecessors and come out of this dilemma as the shining symbol of hope, honour and honesty. Or you can make the wrong decision. It is in your hands only, Minister. But I would suggest that you choose your next steps wisely."
The slightly overweight man blinked slowly, giving his bowler another vicious twist as he tried to comprehend what Dumbledore was implying. It wasn't that he didn't trust him. After the disastrous events two years ago he knew better than to mess with Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, or whatever the correct order of those many names was. He also knew better than to risk a fight with the boy-who-lived.
He had seen the supreme power and strength encompassed in that frail-looking young boy and heard rumours of even more impressive abilities and stunts. He chanced a quick look at Harry and his veela. Harry had his eyes closed, his ear pressed to Black's chest, as if listening to his heartbeat. The older man carded his long thin fingers through the black tresses, his surprisingly lucid storm-grey eyes watching him with a mixture of vague amusement and wary anticipation, and possessive protectiveness. He knew what he should do, he knew what was the right thing to do and still he was reluctant.
A strong and gifted wizard like Black from an old pureblood family that was known to have not only a vast amount of money, but an even vaster range of knowledge and more than a feeble connection to the Dark Arts. Would it be prudent to give him someone like Harry, who could easily turn away from the Ministry and the Light under his guidance? Who was to guarantee that Black wouldn't want revenge for all the years in Azkaban? Who was to say that he wasn't insane and was only hiding it well? Could their world be safe with someone like Black having all control over the icon of their freedom and magical strength? The answer was no, but he had no idea how to prevent it without drawing the wrath of the boy-who-lived. And he couldn't risk that.
Besides that fact that he did not, under any circumstances, want to be at the receiving end of Potter's anger, he also knew that if they lost him they would lose their hope, their spirit and soon after the war. Why couldn't his time as the Minister have been a more peaceful one? One without Dark Lords, murder, intrigue and corruption? He had had such nice plans for a holiday resort, nature parks and zoos to boost tourism. He had no plans for wars.
"Please," Harry whispered, looking at him with big, pleading eyes. "Don't I deserve a bit of happiness as well? I will do whatever you expect of me, but please don't take Sirius away from me."
Those eyes could be anyone's undoing and even a better man would have lost his resolve faced with them, he decided, taking a last deep breath to stabilise his nerves or at least what was left of them. "Mr. Black, it is my belief that you were wrongly accused for the betrayal of James and Lily Potter and the murder of Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles."
Black snorted, but he did not allow himself to be interrupted.
"With the new found proof and the capture of the still alive Peter Pettigrew, you will be cleared of all charges. I hope sincerely that you will find it in you to see this as a huge misunderstanding and not to hold it against the Ministry."
Black rolled his eyes.
"The trial against Peter Pettigrew, who is held under close surveillance at Azkaban, will take place as soon as possible in approximately two weeks. It would fasten the process and help justice if you would be willing to testify against him. This matter will be brought to the Wizengamot who will also set the appropriate reimbursement for your undeserved imprisonment in Azkaban. All your proprieties, belongings and possessions are hereby returned to you and you are free to go wherever you want to go."
By now, he had completely lost whatever he had held of Black's attention, who was busy caressing the skin of Potter's neck with his mouth.
"However, in consideration of the circumstances it would be greatly appreciated if you and young Mr. Potter would stay within reach. The Ministry will gladly supply you with the necessary protection or financial or otherwise support. I would also like to extend an invitation to you and Mr. Potter in a small attempt to apologise with deeds rather than words."
It had been a long time since he had held such a speech, since he had gathered all his courage, eloquence and nobility around himself. It reminded him of the days when he was still young and energetic and full of ideals and hopes and power to implement them. It reminded him of the time when he hadn't been afraid of losing his job or his good reputation and when his only concern had been to make the world a bit better. Though, his plans had revolved around aviaries and water parks rather than official apologies and war strategies. But it was something.
It reminded the others why he had been elected Minister of Magic. And maybe, he decided, it was time to return to traditional values such as integrity and intelligence. Yes, he was done with being the laughing stock of the whole Wizarding world and he would not make it easy for You-Know-Who (he would have to work on saying his name) and just open the doors to the Ministry. He would also listen to and question Dumbledore more often. But first, he needed a big glass of firewhiskey.
He looked around himself, not quite able to keep the hopefulness and wish for recognition out of his eyes. Yes, he had done the right thing.
A smile lit up Harry's face and his hands gently massaged the nape of Sirius' neck as the veela smirked triumphantly.
"We shall see about that, Minister," Sirius stated indifferently with one last kiss to Harry's neck. "I would like to regain my strength and get settled in before I make any further plans for me or Harry. I'm also a bit oblivious to the way things stand at the moment and I think I'll need more information before I decide what is best for Harry and me."
"I understand, of course, Mr. Black." Fudge managed a rather honest smile as he mentally patted himself on the shoulder. "I hope we have your understanding as well that it would reassure us greatly if you allowed us to keep you and Harry under surveillance, also for your own protection of course, Mr. Black."
"I doubt that Harry would hurt me." Sirius grinned impishly. "But I think it will turn out much better if I allow this, rather than that you do it in secret. Harry?"
"Whatever," Harry muttered. "But I can look after myself and I trust you."
"I know." Sirius smiled at him, kissing his temple. "Let's just make sure, okay?"
"I trust you," Harry insisted and Sirius sighed.
"I don't trust myself, Harry. What if I am insane? What if Azkaban changed me? What if I'm only fooling myself?"
"I know you better," Harry protested. "I know you're not insane and I know that Azkaban changed you, but not in a way that is somehow dangerous to me or anyone else. And you are fooling yourself if you don't believe me."
Sirius buried his face in Harry's wild, silky hair, laughing softly before he smiled warmly at the small elf. "You're even smarter and more convincing than I remember you to be, Harry."
"And you're just as stubborn and obstinate," Harry gave back, ducking his head slightly, before Sirius burst out laughing, tilting his head upwards with his forefinger.
"But you love me for it, don't you, beautiful?" Harry nodded at once, "Good."
Dumbledore clapped his hands happily, plopping another lemon drop into his mouth and offering the small box to the others in the room. "It seems that is settled then. I was going to offer you to stay at Hogwarts, in any case, Sirius. Maybe you could assist our dear Defence professor Remus. This way Harry could finish school and be kept safe."
"I would appreciate being able to stay in the castle and I don't mind substituting for Remus every once in a while." Sirius chanced a quick look at the werewolf, who nodded gratefully. "But I'm not a teacher and I'll be looking for another job."
"Do you even know what working is, Black?" Severus sneered and Harry sent him an angry glare.
"I have been working for my living since I was fifteen, Snape," Sirius snapped. "Unlike you I didn't spend my holidays hovering around potions, getting my hair greasy while some doting house-elf served me hand to foot."
Now Harry glared accusingly at Sirius. "Stop it! Stop it, Sirius! Please!"
"He started it." Sirius pouted.
"Then you shouldn't have risen to his baiting," Harry said simply, putting his head back against Sirius' chest.
"Be nice to me, okay?" Sirius asked of him, kissing his forehead. "I'm just a bit on edge right now. I'll try to better myself."
"That's all I'm asking," Harry murmured. "You're both important to me."
Sirius sighed before looking up at the thin man. "I apologise, Snape. It was rather ungrateful of me to attack you after you did so much for my freedom and took care of Harry."
Severus nodded sharply. "You used to have a thicker skin."
"That's his way of saying sorry," Harry whispered in Sirius' ear, who smirked.
"Thanks for translating."
"I must admit I'm impressed." The Headmaster twinkled happily. "The shortest fight I have ever seen between those two. And with a happy ending no less."
"That's because your solution for everything is offering those abhorrent lemon drops." Severus sneered.
"I like them," Sirius grumbled and the small box was immediately thrust into his hands.
"Of course." Severus sneered. "How could you not?"
Sirius demonstratively took several lemon drops and appreciatively plopped them into his mouth. "They are delicious, Headmaster."
"Aren't they?" Dumbledore chuckled. "I had some with mango flavour for a while, but it just wasn't the same, though if they would combine the two - "
"If that will be the topic of this conversation, I will go and do something useful with my time," Severus spat, already turning around. "I rather thought there was some important reason for this meeting."
"Oh, yes, what was it again, Severus?" Dumbledore smiled appealingly at him. "Help me a little."
"Where Harry should stay the one week before school starts again," Severus grumbled.
"That was it, thank you, Severus." The Headmaster beamed. "Where would you like to stay, Harry?"
"With Sirius," Harry said immediately. "And not at the Dursleys'."
"Who are the Dursleys?" Sirius spoke up.
"My aunt and uncle," Harry muttered. "I live with them."
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Lily's sister? What have you done, Dumbledore?! Lily and James stated clearly in their will that Harry was not to go there under any circumstances!"
"There was hardly an alternative with you in Azkaban, Sirius," the Headmaster returned, looking slightly guilty. "I had to think of Harry's safety."
"You had to respect their last will!" Sirius hissed. "Those Muggles hate magic. Did they treat you well, Harry? Tell the truth."
"No," Harry murmured. "Not really."
"That's why he wasn't to go there, Dumbledore!" Sirius snapped. "Even Snape would have been a better guardian and you damn well know it. How could you entrust them with Lily's and James' child? Merlin knows what they did to him."
"Sirius, stop please." Harry leant heavily against him. "I appreciate it, I really do, but what's done is done and it wasn't that bad. I'm fine, okay?"
"I should have been there. I promised James to look after you," Sirius said hoarsely, closing his eyes.
"It's not your fault. I know you would have been there if you could." Harry gently kissed his cheeks and then his eyelids, stroking the tufts of black hair. "Let it rest, okay? Now I have you back. I'm safe, no one can hurt me."
"It doesn't make it right," Sirius grumbled. "I'll have to have a serious conversation with them about how to treat their nephew. And don't you tell me to let it drop."
Harry sighed, but didn't say anything.
"I'm coming with you," Ron declared, raising his hands at Harry's indignant look. "It wasn't right what they did to you. They did not just treat you not well, Harry. They locked you in a goddamn cupboard and starved you and treated you like their fucking house-elf!"
"Aha." Hermione jumped up. "So you do realise that house-elves shouldn't be treated the way they are."
"Dammit, Hermione!" Ron snapped at her. "Not everything is about them stupid house-elves. Can you for once leave them out of a conversation and focus on Harry? If you have to save an elf, start with him, because face it, most of house-elves are happy and you only upset them with your constant rambling about freeing them. It's no wonder they threw us out of the kitchen!"
"It's the house-elves." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "And don't you dare assume that I don't care about Harry. I'm not the one jealous of all the attention he gets. And if you haven't noticed, Harry doesn't want us to go to the Dursleys!"
"And if you haven't noticed the house-elves don't want to be free!" Ron exclaimed.
"Dobby wanted to be freed," Hermione argued.
"Dobby?" Lucius spoke up. "Isn't that my old house-elf?"
"Exactly." Hermione glared at him. "If you had treated him with the same respect as you treat Harry, he would have been perfectly happy, Mr. Malfoy."
"This is all because of Dobby?" Lucius asked once again.
"You mistreated him," Hermione snapped impatiently. "And he's not the only one. Look at how many problems Winky has now!"
"Because she is free!" Ron glared at her. "There'll always be an exception to the rule! I really don't mind that you want to help them, but Harry is more important."
"I'm doing this so that it won't happen to Harry," she hissed. "Submissive elves can be sold as slaves, too, Ron. As sex slaves! Do you want that to happen to Harry? Do you?"
"What?" Ron's face turned completely white. "Where did you get that idea?"
"It's not an idea, Ron, it's a fact. A fact you would know if you had listened to Professor Binns." Hermione stared accusingly at him. "Wizards pay millions of galleons to get their hands on a submissive elf, for breeding and for pleasure. They used to hunt them down and sell them into slavery, even the small elflings. That's why it's so important that Harry has a dom so that no one gets the idea to bid for him. It's not forbidden, Ron, there's no law to protect Harry." Tears were streaming down her face now.
"That's not true," Ron whispered. "Tell me it's not true." He looked around helplessly.
"Unfortunately it is, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore looked grave. "The habit of wizards to use elves for their pleasure and enjoyment is partly the reason why elves fear our kind so much and avoid being seen by us. We were able to stall for time and keep Harry's condition private, but I fear that Voldemort won't wait much longer till he makes his move."
"His move?" Ron asked, dread filling his voice. "What do you mean, Sir?"
"There are no regulations how many people can put their money together to bid for an elf." Lucius sighed. "Many of the Death Eaters aren't exactly poor, neither is Voldemort himself and if they make a group bidding, it could be hard to outbid them."
"But you're fucking rich," Ron shouted at him. "Or aren't you willing to save Harry?"
Lucius' eyes narrowed dangerously. "Have you ever been to Gringotts, boy? Those Death Eaters own about half of it. How do you suppose I outbid them? Don't talk about things you do not understand."
"You never told me," Harry murmured tiredly. "Why did you pretend that you were leaving me a choice, why did you bother to look for a dom for me, if I was just going to be sold off?"
"I was giving you the time to get used to your situation," Dumbledore soothed him. "Besides, it isn't an actual problem, yet."
"And when it is? Are you going to rely on Lucius' money?" Harry stared at him. "Who gives you the right to decide something like this? How am I supposed to get used to the situation, if you don't tell me everything I need to know? And would you even care if I wasn't Harry Potter?"
"Of course, I would care, Harry. You are doing me wrong."
"Did you know, Sirius?" Harry turned towards the veela, looking inquiringly at him.
"Yes," the Animagus replied softly, tightening his hold as Harry made to draw back. "I also thought you knew."
"But..."
"You're my mate, Harry. Most of the really old pureblood families have veela blood, Harry. They have a lot of influence on politics. There are laws against denying a veela their mate. That's why my mother was so happy about this, Harry. I don't have to pay for you because you already belong to me. I won't allow anyone taking you away from me. I already claimed you." He looked up at the others. "There are records on this matter in the Ministry. No one has the right to bid for Harry. He's mine." His shadow flickered angrily, swirling around them like a black cloud before settling again.
"That's unfair," Harry mumbled.
"What is, love?" Sirius questioned.
"That you get laws to assure you your mate while I don't even have the right to chose who I want as my mate," Harry gave back. "How is that fair?"
"It isn't," Sirius agreed. "But neither is what they are doing to Remus."
"I'd rather be a werewolf than a stupid submissive elf," Harry declared bitterly.
"Is it so bad for you, Harry?" Sirius gently made him look up at him. "Would you rather you weren't my mate?"
"No, but I want to have a choice and I want you to be my mate, too. Lucius said I could choose who I want as my dom, but apparently that wasn't true, either." Harry murmured bitterly.
"It is true," Sirius corrected him before Lucius could justify himself. "At least partly. Your nature would allow you to choose someone other than me, though it is against Wizarding law for you to reject me. I won't insist on those laws if you don't want me to, Harry..."
"No!" Harry exclaimed. "No, I want you. I love you. I just... Lucius, you didn't lie, did you?"
"No, Harry, I didn't," the blond veela assured him and Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
"I know you're disappointed and afraid because you have only my word to tell you that I'm your mate," Sirius murmured soothingly, kissing Harry's cheek. "I can't change that, but I can protect you and I can make you forget about your anger and pain and I can make being an elf good for you. I promise."
"I'm afraid, Sirius." Harry buried his face against Sirius' shoulder. "I don't want to be anyone's sex slave. I don't want to lose you."
"Neither will happen," Sirius promised him. "Believe me?"
"Of course," Harry mumbled, pressing closer to the older man.
"Then everything will be alright," Sirius concluded.
"Mr. Potter," Fudge spoke up. "The ministry is already discussing the possibility of an abolition act and the Wizengamot will deliberate this afternoon. No one wants you to be auctioned off to a Death Eater."
"As much as I appreciate it, it's rather hypocritical to suddenly be so concerned about the well-being of elves when you couldn't have cared less for the last hundreds of years, Minister." Hermione stared at him.
"Hermione," Sirius spoke up softly. "I agree that it is wrong, but not many purebloods think like that and even less would be willing to put themselves out for this. There are laws to guarantee every creature their mate, but since submissive elves don't feel who their mate is, they're more or less excluded from that law.
"Harry's family did try to change those laws and now submissive elves have at least half a year to find a suitable dom. If Harry wasn't who he is, no one would probably even think of bidding for him. It may not be ideal that they only want to change something because they need him, but it'll help the other elves as well."
"It's still wrong," Hermione stated crossly. "Harry needs his dom just like every other creature and if the Wizarding world wasn't so used to slavery in the form of house-elves, there would have been protest much earlier."
"Most house-elves form a bond with their masters and mistresses and they would feel rejected if they were to be freed. Much like Harry would feel rejected if I told him that he should look for a better dom," Sirius argued. "It's in their nature to take care of wizards and they take pride in doing so. They don't consider it slavery."
"How can you say that what wizards do to house-elves is right when it's clearly wrong what they could do to Harry? Whether or not you're Harry'S mate doesn't change the fact that he has no choice." Hermione scowled at him.
"Have you actually talked to a house-elf yet, Hermione?" Sirius narrowed his eyes. "They are happy. Harry wouldn't be, that's the difference. House-elves need a master and Harry needs a dominant. It's not the same."
"Mione, it may not seem right to you, but it is," Harry said softly, looking up at her. "They want to make their masters happy, like I want to make Sirius happy. House-elves choose whom they want to serve. Their magic is connected to the line of their masters' blood. They stay with their family as do their children and the only ones unhappy are those who were forced to serve someone they can't respect and who is not their master. That's why Dobby was so unhappy with Lucius and why Winky is so unhappy now. If they auctioned me off it would be like slavery, but it isn't as long as I'm with Sirius. I love him and I'm happy as long as he is happy. Please, don't condemn me for it."
"I could never condemn you, Harry." Hermione gasped, throwing her arms around Harry's neck. "I'm one hundred percent on your side. I'm just so worried about you. I'm sorry."
"I think you should apologise to Ron, too." Harry smiled gently at her. "You might have been a bit hard on him, don't you think?"
Hermione blushed and nodded lightly before dragging a confused Ron from the room.
"Sirius, are you sure those records exist?" Dumbledore spoke up after a while, in which the Animagus had gently dried Harry's face. "It would be fatal if they were not valid."
"I'm sure," Sirius nodded. "I had them made almost immediately after graduation. But since I didn't know Harry's real last name, I should probably update them."
"I'll have them brought here so that we can get this out of the way," Fudge stood up and walked over to the fireplace.
"Stop crying, okay?" Sirius murmured tenderly. "Everything will turn out fine. Even if there was to be a bidding I would make sure that I would get you back. I have enough money, and I would give everything if it meant keeping you. You're worth more than all the money in Gringotts."
Harry sighed, smiling softly as he snuggled closer to the veela. "Thank you."
"Not a problem, beautiful." Sirius chuckled, tucking Harry's head under his chin.
Fudge pulled back from the fireplace with a toppling stack of yellowing parchments in his arms and quickly dropped them on the Headmaster's desk, shuffling through them till he found the one he was searching for.
"Aha." He held up one of the rolls triumphantly. "Mate: Harry Parker. Is this it?"
"Yes," Sirius said after a brief glance at the paper. "There should be an extra parchment, where I wrote down everything that I knew of Harry so that it could be verified that he's my mate."
"Who were the witnesses?" Fudge asked, looking the parchment over once more.
"James and Remus," Sirius said. "And a Ministry official. I don't remember his name."
"Arthur Weasley," Remus supplied. "He had a beard, that's probably why you didn't recognise him."
Sirius shrugged uncaringly.
"Everything seems to be in order," Fudge declared. "But it will be best to fill in a new form so that no one can say it is outdated."
"Alright," Sirius said.
"It also entails a blood test to make sure that Harry is really your mate," Severus spoke up. "And questioning under Veritaserum."
"I think the interrogation of yesterday will be enough. Wouldn't you agree, Minister?" Dumbledore twinkled at Fudge.
"Yes, yes." Fudge nodded at once and then started to fill in the forms, scribbling almost hastily before handing it to Sirius. "A drop of your blood and your signature, if you please."
Sirius carefully shifted Harry a little and then reached for the paper and the quill. He lightly cut his finger with his wand and let the dark liquid drop on the paper before quickly signing and handing it back. Then his arms once again tightened around Harry, who had started to glow a soft golden light, his eyes closed.
"What was that?" Harry murmured after it had stopped.
"You accepted the claim." Sirius grinned at him. "Now we are as good as engaged. You're mine."
"Good." Harry grinned back. "You are not getting rid of me so soon now, Mr. Black."
"As if I would ever want that, Mr. Potter." Sirius laughed.