Harry stormed down the stairs, his stomps echoing in the stairwell. His anger had returned, and it was palatable. 'How dare they,' he fumed to himself. 'How dare they make those accusations. After all the crap they put me through, now this.' He continued to stamp his way to the study, keeping up his inner dialogue, to where he was sure Sirius still was. He flung open the door, making it bounce off the chair behind it.
Sirius startled, but when he saw it was Harry he relaxed.
"Sirius, are they really calling me an unstable, attention seeking, psychopath in the paper?" he demanded urgently, going into the room and standing in front of his godfather, a desperate look of hope on his face. Like the man could tell him it was all a mistake.
"Yeah, sorry, they are," the dogman sighed as he put his book on the table next to his chair. He hated seeing Harry's face, and he hated dashing that hope down. He knew that Harry was hoping that they weren't saying things about him. Grown people talking about him like a group of gossiping teenagers, but he wouldn't lie to the boy.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked, angry that once again he was kept in the dark. He thought that at least Sirius would tell him the whole truth. "I really didn't know how much more I could take. Weren't the last four years enough? Now, someone is ridiculing me? Just so word that Voldemort is back doesn't get around? Why would they not want that anyway? Do they not care that people were going to get killed?" he rambled, throwing his hands in the air while he paced a few steps in two directions.
"I did tell you that you didn't want to know what was in the paper," Siris said quickly, making Harry stop his pacing.
"Yeah, you're right, you did say that. Sorry," the tired teen said, slumping in a chair.
Harry looked older than he should around the eyes. That poor boy had seen and done things that most adults hadn't, or even could've done. Sirius was determined to give the teen as much of a good life as he could. If he had it his way, Harry would never kill again. It broke his heart to hear the stories of Harry's last four years. Too much death for such a young man.
"I wanted to nip it in the bud if I could. I've already got Andromeda on that," his godfather assured him.
"Really? You know someone who'll listen? Can she help?" the boy asked excitedly.
"I'm sure she can," Sirius assured him.
"Wait, who is she?" Harry asked as he settled, his brow furrowed as if trying to recall the name.
"She's my cousin," his godfather replied. "You don't know her, but I contacted her last week. Her husband is a solicitor. He's going to have them print retractions and do an article of an overview of your life at Hogwarts. Nothing personal, just the highlights, with a few witness reports. According to Andi, many of your classmates are right upset at the way you're treated."
"Che, yeah right," Harry scoffed, remembering well the ridicule he lived with. He slouched down in his chair. He didn't believe for one moment anyone thought well of him. Sometimes, not even his friends. After Ron's display last year, and Hermione's constant nagging, sometimes it felt as if they were just tagging along, like they had nowhere else to go. He shook those thoughts away. He was letting his anger cloud his judgement.
"No, really," Sirius insisted, bringing him out of his oppressive thoughts. "They just didn't want to come forward for fear that they would be treated the same way. I know for a fact that Andi has talked to quite a few of your classmates. They all have the same thing to say, that you are not an attention seeking psycho."
"So, they only think I'm unstable?" Harry tried to joke, wondering who the woman had talked too. Maybe Neville?
"I know you're unstable," Sirius joked back. "Seriously though, if Andi and Ted can't get something printed in the Prophet, they're going to sell it to some other publication. Witch's Weekly is always looking for good bios on celebrities. That and if they get WW to run it, the women will be all sympathetic."
"I'm not sure I want my life displayed like that. Especially, if it promotes pity," Harry said warily, crossing his left leg over his right. "I mean, there hasn't been a year gone by that the kids at school haven't vilified me, one way or another. Well, third year wasn't too bad, but they still weren't overly nice. That and the adults in my life haven't been too helpful either. I remember Sprout cutting me some nasty looks last year. I don't hold much hope of this helping. Still…"
"I get that, but according to Andi, you might just be wrong in how many have your back. Still, if the public realizes just how wrong the Daily Prophet is, then the Minister will have a harder time convincing everyone that you're crazy," Sirius said seriously.
"Yeah, alright," Harry said, thinking maybe it might help.
"As for the adults in your life," Sirius said, leaning back in his chair, "barring Moony, I'll be having words with them. I know why Remus has been remiss in his dealings with you, and we've already had words. I'll let him tell you in his own words. I'm not going to vouch for him or vilify him, just ask that you hear him out," he added, thinking that maybe he could get some of those 'adults' to understand that listening to Albus about how Harry was supposed to be treated was wrong.
He had no proof, but he did have a feeling that the suffering that Harry had done in school was under the orders of Dumbledore. Some bullshit about toughening him up a bit. Well, that was going to stop, if he had his way. After all, he was a deranged psychopath too. Just ask Fudge.
"That might work," Harry said, thinking it over. "I mean, there might be people who I don't know. Now that I think about it, there were a few that gave my sympathy looks… occasionally." He shrugged his shoulders, and settled further in the chair, a bit excited to see where all this would lead.
"That, "Sirius said, holding up a finger, getting Harry's attention again, "and we're hoping you could put in a quote. Nothing too dramatic, just a few words of your deeds, or something, to those that need the extra push. Maybe say something about how you feel about that bloke who died," the dogman said calmly. "I don't know about him, and the papers haven't really mentioned him. He was the second part of the dual winners. I feel really bad for his family, the way he's being ignored."
He really wanted Harry to do this. The adage, 'any publicity is good publicity'. Even what is being spouted in the papers now, is at least getting people debating. If Harry did this, he would get his side heard, and those debates might turn in his favor.
"Yeah, maybe. I mean, you're right, what's been done for Cedric? Nothing. He was a good guy, and he really didn't deserve to die like that," Harry whispered more to himself than Sirius.
"There you go then, just state that and how frustrated you feel over it."
"I could also say that I'd take a vow that everything I say is true. Heck, they can even dose me with Veritaserum. I mean, I can't stand that people aren't worried. What is it going to take, an all-out war?" a genuinely concerned Harry asked. He really hoped it didn't come to that. He was more hoping that Sirius and this Order prevented such a thing.
"Maybe, they did the same last time too. No one wanted to believe that war could happen in their backyard. I didn't, and still don't, and I was there. So, just write up a small something to let them know, okay?" the dogman encouraged, giving Harry an adult look that stated he really felt this would help.
"Okay, I'll write something down," was the sullen reply. Then the teen perked up. "Hey, what are you doing about getting free? I mean, if you've got a solicitor, can't he find you an attorney? You could clear your name," Harry asked suddenly, sitting up straight from his slouched position.
"Well, Ted is talking to a few people, but most lawyers won't take a case they're sure they'll lose. I don't have any evidence, except my memories, and those are not admissible in court. Some stupid law that Dumbledore passed… around the time of my incarceration," Sirius mumbled thoughtfully, like he just realized this.
"What? You think he did it on purpose?" Harry asked, getting mad again.
"Now hold on, we don't want to go throwing blind hexes. We have no idea what goes on in the Wizengamot. For all we know it might be completely unrelated. There were a lot of wealthy purebloods being put on trial then. They could have made something like that passed," the godfather cautioned, though, he too had his doubts. Still, he didn't want Harry to go up against someone as powerful as Dumbledore. He would face that man about his worries. It was his problem, not Harry's.
"I guess," Harry said mulishly.
It was about then that Ron and Hermione came in. Harry wondered what took them so long. Probably arguing.
"Did you ask about the Dementors?" Ron asked, sitting on the sofa, Hermione taking a seat beside him.
"What about the Dementors?" Sirius inquired, both serious and fearful. He had a feeling he would always fear those demons.
"Ron thinks that the government is trying to kill Harry," Hermione huffed as if she didn't believe it.
"He might not be wrong," Sirius stated firmly, cutting her a glare. "Fudge is a paranoid bastard. He Kissed Crouch Jr. just to keep him from talking. He is in complete denial. If he thought killing Harry would make it stop, well, I wouldn't put it passed him." Something to inform Ted about. That way if Harry did up and die, then there'd be a record of such a worry. It might be enough to make sure it wasn't swept under the rug.
"You could be right there," Hermione conceded, nodding her head a bit.
"You know, I don't understand you sometimes, Hermione," Sirius said, giving her a queer look. "You know that I was thrown in prison without a trial. Crouch Jr. was Kissed without so much as a 'by your leave'. So, I don't understand why you would even think that the Ministry wouldn't try to off Harry," he said with a bit of a bite.
He liked Hermione; he really did. She stood by Harry's side all last year, but, and this is a big but, she was condescending to a lot of people. Her friends and him included. If she isn't careful, she could wind up just like Molly. He was determined to prevent that. For Harry's sake.
"I just don't like to think that the government could, or even would, go out of their way to silence Harry. I mean, you're right, but it's a frightening thought. They are supposed to protect us, not kill us off," she said softly, as if afraid to voice it out loud.
"I get that, I really do. But isn't it better to know than to live in ignorance?" Sirius asked, standing and going to the bookshelf.
The teens watched him search, wondering what he was looking for. "What are you looking for?" Harry asked, voicing their thoughts.
"Something that might help Hermione realize that those in power have boggarts in their closet," Sirius said, still going over the titles in front of him. He searched around for a moment, and then grabbed one of the tomes. He took it, flipped through a few of the pages, and then closed it. He then returned to his seat.
Hermine harrumphed, folding her arms in frustration. "I do know that already," she said, glaring at the older man.
"Maybe, but you still think that they are a higher authority, therefore untouchable, or something," the older man said, thumbing through the book again. "But with this, you might just see that they are human."
"What is it?" Harry asked, looking at the dark leather book.
"Blackmail," was the answer. Then Sirius returned his look to Harry's female friend. "Now my family was dark, I'll admit that. However, they were also a paranoid bunch. My Aunt Callidora has dirt on everyone in the Wizengamot and quite a few in the Ministry. This book is a composite of what she gathered before she got too old to use it. She wrote this so that the family would have a record," he said, closing the book again.
Hermione eyed the book with both a bit of greed, and trepidation. Her hands flinched a little, like she was trying not to grab the book and start reading it.
Sirius chuckled at her look and aborted movements. Remus acted much like that when he teased him with knowledge. "I think you'll find there are a lot of skeletons in many closets. Better not eat first. And I wouldn't recommend it for bedtime reading," he said, leaned over the coffee table, and handing her a dark read leather-bound book.
"Oh, thank you, Sirius," she gushed like she hadn't just been mad at him, taking the book lovingly as if cradling a treasure. Her fingers dance across the cover, which was gold embossed with a skeletal, winged horse.
"You won't thank me when you've read it," the man said, sitting back in his chair. "Mark my words."
"Why are you acting as if he gave you gold?" Ron asked, very confused. "Didn't you hear what he said?"
Harry felt the same way. That book was a work of nightmares.
"It's history," was her reply as she still admired the cover. "Straight from someone's thoughts and hard work, all put on to paper," she added, cracking the cover gently. "Only the Black family has read it. It's a great honor to be trusted with it."
"Well, don't tell me about any of it, unless we can use something to help Harry and Sirius," the redhead said, leaning back a bit in his chair, like getting away from that knowledge was the best idea he had all evening. "I really hope she finds something good, mate," he added, looking at Harry.
Harry pretty much wished for the same thing. If that book held the key to Sirius' freedom, hell, he'd read it. "Me too," he almost whispered.
"If you do," Sirius said, "let me know and I'll see if I can't find proof. I'm not above blackmail to get what I want."
"Sirius, really," Hermione chastised, gently closing the book and laying it in her lap.
"It would really help," Harry stated, giving his friend a cutting look.
"Fine," she huffed. "If I find anything, I will let someone know."
"No, you'll let Sirius know. It's his book," Harry stated, waving to the nodding man.
Just then Sirius' head shot up. "Oh, looks like Dumbledore is here," he claimed with a chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked, not seeing what could possibly be good about that.
"The wards are giving him a hard time again. They did the same last week too. But now it appears that they are making him work to get in," Sirius laughed, just picturing the look on the old man's face when he bounced off.
"He has ill intent?" Harry asked warily and a bit disbelievingly.
"Nah, just control issues," his godfather stated, waving the thought off.
"Oh, so they let him in then?" the teen asked, looking at his friends to see what they were feeling.
Hermione had put folded her hands over the book, and turned towards the door, as if waiting for the Headmaster to come in and explain himself. There was a determined look on her face, like she would strangle the old man for answers.
Ron was slipping down his chair, as if to avoid confrontation. His eyes were darting around the room, like he was noting good hiding spaces, or exits. Harry didn't blame him, according to Sirius there had been too many fights this week as it was.
Dumbledore came through the door a few moments later, looking a bit ruffled. His purple and pink robes were in disarray, and his beard looked like it needed a good combing. He peered over his glasses at the children, dismissed them, though he did raise an eyebrow about Harry's presence, and then he glared at Sirius.
"Children," he started in a firm voice, "you need to remove yourselves from the room. I need to talk to Sirius." It was a demand.
"Harry, why don't you take these two up to your room and let them know what I've done so far," Sirius requested, not taking his eyes off the Headmaster.
"Alright, Sirius, but only because you asked," Harry said, getting up from the chair, his eyes also glued to Dumbledore.
"Harry…" Hermione started, only for Ron to grab her elbow and pull her from the room.
"Don't," the redhead said, dragging her along. "Just don't."
"But…" was all she got out when she noted Harry glaring at her. She closed her mouth, yanked her arm from Ron's grip, held the book close to her chest, and stomped up the stairs.
"She's going to be a nightmare," Ron commented as he walked up to stand next to Harry, who was glancing at the door of the study.
"Isn't she always?" came the quiet reply. Then the dark-haired teen sighed and started slowly going up the stairs. "Don't worry, we'll talk her around," he added, hoping it was true.
Back in the study, Sirius was still staring at the Headmaster. "Take a seat, Albus," he said, waving to the chair Harry just vacated. "I'd offer refreshments, but you don't seem to be here for pleasantries."
Dumbledore looked at the chair and sighed. He walked over and slowly sat down, as if his old bones were achy and tired. "Why did you remove Molly from the house?" he asked as he settled. "She is an important member of the Order."
"You see, what I don't understand is why everyone is making me out to be the bad guy. I opened my home to people I don't know. However, I am ridiculed, chastised, and generally treated bad by everyone," Sirius said, waving away Albus attempt at rebuttal. "Don't try and justify their actions. Molly Weasley came here with the intent that I was a horrible person, even after I gave her family a safe haven. And now, you're coming in here a telling me I was wrong. Dammit, Dumbledore, the wards would not have booted her if she had just shut her damn mouth," he stated firmly, glaring at the old man.
"Now, Sirius, I believe you are overreacting," the old man said anyway.
"No, I'm not. I am an innocent man; being held in a house I hate. I should at least feel somewhat safe and comfortable here. You would think that all the adults in this house believe that I am a criminal with the way they look and talk about me. I mean, hell, even Mundungus and Snape are treated better than me. One's a thief and the other's a Death Eater," the innocent man exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation.
"Both of those men are going dangerous tasks for the Order. You, unfortunately, cannot," the old man sighed.
"Yeah, about that. Why have you done nothing to get my name cleared? Can't you call for a trial?" Sirius all but growled.
"The system does not work like that, my dear boy. I can ask, but I fear that nothing will come of it. Moreover, with my name being, as they say, in the mud, I hold little influence over the Wizengamot," Albus explained, a soulful look in his eyes, as if pleading to be believed.
"I can see that might be true now, but not a year ago," the dogman said, not going for the manipulation.
The Headmasters face sobered, and he sat to his fullest height. "Are you accusing me of something?" he inquired forcefully.
"Yes," was the blunt returner. "I think you don't want me to take Harry," Sirius added. "See, you could have given me a trial back in '81. You didn't. You vouched for Snape, of all people, but I wasn't even given the common courtesy of a trial. And you could've done something last year, when people still adored you."
"Speaking of young Harry, why is he here?" Albus asked, only to have the question ignored.
"Why didn't you get me a trial?" Sirius insisted on knowing. He wasn't going to tell the old man anything about Harry.
"I must insist that you tell me why the boy is here," the Headmaster stated, doing his best grandfather routine.
"No," was all the answer he got.
"I…"
"Getting back to the matter at hand," Sirius said, softly. "I think, that when you heard that Harry wanted to live with me, you just… put it off. I think that you left me hanging in '81, just so you would get your way with Harry's living arrangements. Well, that stops now. I'm not going to stay on the run the rest of my life. I'm going to do everything I can to get cleared, and if I step on your toes to do it… I will," he stated, slamming his fist on the arm of his chair, all but yelling the last part.
"I see," was all the old man said, stroking his beard, deep in thought. This did not bode well for him. If Sirius did get free, then he would have say over Harry. Those blood wards would be for naught. He would have to reason with the man. Harry was invisible to his enemies under those wards. If they fell, then the Dursleys would be in danger.
"I can see that machine you call a brain is working overtime to try and control the situation. I tell you here and now, I'm going to do everything in my power not to let that happen," the other man cautioned.
"Back to Molly, why did you remove her from the house?" the Headmaster asked again.
"I didn't and don't think for a moment your changing the subject is going to change my mind," the younger man stated.
"If you did not remove her, then why did she inform me that you had?"
"I told you, the wards did. She went too far; they just picked her up and carried her out," the younger man lied, straight to the venerable man's face.
"I see," Albus said, his face taking a sour look. He remembered that just tonight he had to 'fight' the wards. Perhaps, Sirius was telling the truth. Molly was a strongminded person. Plus, she did hold Sirius in contempt.
"I've talked to Arthur, he's going to keep her at the Burrow, and he wants to talk to you about alternate plans," Sirius stated, settling back in his chair with narrow eyes. He still didn't trust the man in front of him and the more he thought about the years passed, his and Harry's, the more that distrust grew.
"I can see I will get nowhere with you tonight," Albus said, getting slowly up from the chair.
"And once again, it is my fault," the dogman sighed.
"I will bid you goodnight and hope that we can reach an agreement shortly." With that the old man started from the room.
"You know, I think you're going to need a bit of a push," Sirius said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. He got up as if to escort the older man out of his house.
"Whatever do you mean?" Dumbledore asked, turning slightly to look at the younger man, not liking the look in his eyes. He fingered his wand, hoping the man didn't do anything foolish.
"I hereby revoke the secret of Grimmuald Place from Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, plus all those that are members of his Order of the Phoenix. May they know it no more," Sirius incanted with a deep voice and distrusting eyes.
With those words, Dumbledore disappeared. He would no longer know where this house was, nor would anyone in the Order. This way they had to find somewhere else. Anyone in the house would be fine. They weren't part of the Order, just related to members. Still, now he was going to have to tell some people where he was. He needed to have some support through all of this.
Sirius heaved a great sigh of relief, and he sat back on his chair and shook his head. He sighed again and picked his discarded book back up and began to read. He'd write those that needed to know later. Right now, he needed to find a way to get that damned horcrux out of Harry's head. He was sure that was what it was, though he was fighting hard against the river of denial.
Harry first, others second. Harry was more important.