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A shiver of horror went down Harry's spine as he saw Sirius fall toward the arch in the middle of the room. Harry wasn't sure what the arch was but since it was in the Department of Mysteries, it couldn't be good.
Sirius fell part way through the arch but scrabbled at the stone to catch himself.
Harry saw Bellatrix raise her wand again.
"Sectumsempra!" Harry hurled the curse at Bellatrix. It didn't catch her fully but it hit her wand arm, which was Harry's main goal. The arm dropped next to her side, laying limp. Blood spurted across the floor.
Harry raised his wand again but Bellatrix whirled away, evidently activating a portkey.
He turned back to see Sirius panting at the base of the arch, entangled in one of the dusty curtains. Harry climbed the stairs to get to Sirius, keeping an eye out for Death Eaters. There didn't seem to be any left, but Harry knew better than to lower his guard.
"Sirius!" Harry cried. "You almost fell through!"
Remus came up beside them. "Are you all right?"
Sirius nodded, holding on to Harry.
"Is it over?" Sirius asked, worried.
Remus looked around. "I think so, but be on guard."
"Harry, let me get up," Sirius said.
Harry let go and backed away slightly. He watched as Sirius slowly untangled himself from the curtain. He held his wand up, scanning for danger.
At that moment, Harry's friends came rushing into the room. They all started talking at once.
"SILENCE!" Sirius commanded. Fortunately, they became quiet. "You don't know who is still out there. Don't let your guard down until we know it's over."
Harry was proud when the others kept their wands out and started looking around the chamber.
"Who's injured?" Remus asked. "Where are the others?"
"Ginny's leg is broken. Ron's badly hurt and I think he needs a Healer. They're in the next room," Hermione reported, pointing at the room they just came from. "Neville and Luna are mostly okay for the moment."
"Neville and Luna, you can stay here with Harry and Sirius," Remus decided. "Hermione, take me to Ron so I can get him out of here."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said. She led him out of the chamber.
Harry helped Sirius get the rest of the group moving out of the chamber. As they exited the Department of Mysteries, they met up with Dumbledore and the rest of the Order. Dumbledore frowned at Harry, but Harry didn't have the energy to react.
They came out into the Ministry Atrium. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw movement and whirled around to see who it was.
"Voldemort!" Harry hissed in horror.
Harry set up a shield in front of their small group as Dumbledore moved forward to force Voldemort's attention on him and away from the others. Order members scattered through the Atrium.
"Protego," Sirius said and Harry heard Neville and Luna echo him. They huddled behind the shields.
The battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore was fast and furious, demolishing the Atrium around them. Sirius backed Harry and his friends near a wall. Harry hoped the battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore wouldn't cause it to fall in on them.
Suddenly, Voldemort was gone, Apparating away. Harry waited for a full minute before he dropped his shield. They had come too far to lose anyone to carelessness.
"Everyone all right?" Sirius demanded.
"Fine," Neville reported.
"Yes," Luna said softly.
"Yes," Harry said as he frowned at Neville and Luna. They really weren't all right, although there wasn't anything he could do at the moment. He turned to Sirius. "You all right?"
"Think so," Sirius grinned with too many teeth and a small nod.
With Voldemort -- and hopefully any other Death Eaters -- gone, Aurors and Ministry officials poured into the Atrium. Too late to do anyone any good.
"Harry, take care of the others," Sirius said softly as he stepped closer to the wall.
Harry nodded and watched as Sirius changed into his Grim form. "I suspect we have to go back to Hogwarts," Harry said to Sirius. "I'll be at Grimmauld as soon as I can."
Sirius nodded. In the chaos that ensued, Padfoot was overlooked and ambled to the bank of Floos that would take him outside the Ministry.
So much for Ministry security, Harry thought.
Fudge finally came out from wherever he had been hiding. "What is going on here?"
"Voldemort." Harry said flatly.
Fudge huffed. "Now, how do you know..."
Finally, Dumbledore stepped in. "Minister. There is no doubt that it was Voldemort."
"But, how... why..." Fudge blustered.
"Your precious Ministry is sorely lacking in security," Harry said. "We got in with no problems," -- he waved his hands at his friends -- "as did several Death Eaters."
A severe looking woman with short grey hair and a monocle came up to them. "Exactly as I have been warning you, Cornelius! You've ignored or overrode every security measure I've tried to put in place. See where it's gotten you." She waved a hand at the destruction around them.
"Yes, yes," Fudge bobbed his head. "But, well, I didn't really believe that... You-Know-Who had really come back."
"Believe it," Harry said flatly.
The woman stepped up to Harry. "My name is Amelia Bones. I am the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Harry nodded. "Susan's aunt." Susan had proudly talked about her aunt and her important position at the Ministry.
"Yes. I'd like a chance to talk to you about what happened tonight as well as the night Cedric Diggory died," she said.
"I would be glad to help," Harry agreed. Finally, someone who would listen and take him seriously.
"Harry..." Dumbledore began, a tone of warning in that one word.
Something inside Harry snapped. He turned and pointed a finger at Dumbledore. "I don't care what you think, either. Voldemort is out there and everyone needs to be prepared. No more secrets, no more half truths." He turned back to Madame Bones. "I think I need to go back to Hogwarts because I need to keep an eye on my friends. But I can be reached there. Owl me and we can set up a meeting. Soon."
Dumbledore held up his hands and thankfully kept quiet.
Bones nodded. "I will. Thank you."
"Harry..." Fudge began.
"And you! You've done nothing but make me out to be a nutter! Why should I even talk to you?" Harry snapped.
"We could..."
"You mean you can ride on my coat tails. Again." Harry ground out.
"Tell me how to fix this," Fudge begged.
"I don't know," Harry shot back. "Maybe do your job? Do it right? Tell people Voldemort... stop wincing. It's his bloody name!" Harry sighed. "Tell people Voldemort is back and to be prepared. Do whatever Madame Bones wanted you to do that you've ignored." Harry narrowed his eyes. "Give Sirius Black an honest trial."
"What! Black is an escaped mad man!" Fudge reared back in horror.
"Why didn't he have a trial? Why did he spend any time in Azkaban? Why is Peter Pettigrew still alive and running around loose?" Harry found himself shouting and took a breath.
"Cornelius!" Madame Bones roared. "What does Harry mean? Sirius Black never had a trial?" She whirled to face Dumbledore. "Did you know this?"
Caught off guard, Dumbledore hesitated just long enough.
"You did! You're as bad as Fudge!" Bones shouted. She turned to Harry. "Pettigrew is still alive?"
Harry shrugged. "Far as I know. He's the one that killed Cedric in that graveyard. Although I will admit I haven't seen him since that night. Anything could have happened."
Madame Bones ground her teeth. "I know you want to check on your friends, but I'd like to talk to you tonight." She turned to Dumbledore. "Don't fight me on this," she growled.
Madam Bones was quickly becoming one of Harry's favorite people.
"It is up to Harry," Dumbledore reluctantly gave in.
"I'd like that," Harry said. "Give me a minute."
Bones nodded.
Harry went to Neville and Luna. "Go back to Hogwarts and right to the infirmary. You both need pain potions at the very least. Make Madame Pomfrey give you some Dreamless Sleep so you get some rest." He looked at Neville. "Take care of each other."
Neville nodded. He took Luna's hand.
At that point, Remus came up, carrying an unconscious Ron. Hermione obviously fretting as she followed, helping Ginny to walk.
"Remus? Should Ron go to St. Mungos or can he go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure what's wrong with him..." Remus started.
"Take them to St. Mungos," Bones directed. She looked around and pointed at two Aurors hovering a short distance away. "The two of you, help Professor Lupin and stay with the children until they've been looked at by the Healers."
"Yes, ma'am." One of the Aurors took Ginny from Hermione.
"Hermione?" Harry asked.
"I'd like to stay with you, if I could," she replied instantly.
"Remus, take care of Ron and Ginny," Harry said. "Once Mr. or Mrs. Weasley show up, you can check on Padfoot."
"Good plan," Remus nodded. He turned to the Aurors. "Lead the way."
"Do you want an adult with you?" Madame Bones asked, facing Harry squarely.
"No," Harry said firmly, before Dumbledore could get himself involved. "Hermione is sufficient and she can confirm some of the things I will be telling you."
Bones nodded. "That is acceptable." She turned to the Aurors that were in the Atrium. "The Ministry is not on lockdown, but everyone who comes in needs to be scanned for the Dark Mark. Anyone -- and I mean anyone -- who doesn't cooperate, stun first, ask questions later. Set up a rota so there is always two Aurors here in the Atrium."
"See here..." Fudge started.
"Why not Minister Fudge?" Hermione asked, innocently. "Don't you want to catch Death Eaters?"
"I, um, well... Right. Yes, Amelia, that is the right thing to do," Fudge stuttered.
Bones stared at the Aurors for a moment. "And check yourselves first," she ordered. "We've had too many leaks for me to trust anyone." She moved to the Auror pair and rolled up her sleeve to show a blank arm. The Aurors' eyes went wide but they gamely rolled up their sleeves. She nodded. "Check whomever relieves you. As of right now, you are the only two I trust fully."
"Yes, ma'am," one Auror nodded, standing up straighter.
"Come with me," Madame Bones said to Harry and Hermione. "You both look like you could use a cup of tea and something to eat."
"True," Hermione answered. She took Harry's hand. Harry appreciated the contact and the warmth that generated.
"This way," Madame Boned directed, leaving Fudge and Dumbledore behind without acknowledging their presence. She guided them into a lift and to the second level, where the DMLE offices were. She led them to what looked like a lunch room.
"This will be more comfortable than an office," she explained. "And there's tea. Can I get you something to eat? This time of night it will be sandwiches, but they're good."
Harry nodded. "Yes, please. Tea and a sandwich would be nice."
"Yes, please," Hermione echoed.
Madame Bones busied herself preparing the tea and put sturdy mugs in front of them. She looked at them closely. "It's not what I would usually offer to a teen, but would you like some Pepper-Up?"
Harry nodded. "I'm exhausted. Yes, please."
"Susan thinks highly of both of you," Bones admitted as she handed them vials from inside her cloak.
Hermione checked the vial, nodded at Harry, and they downed the potion. Harry felt his ears steam and felt better.
"Where do you want us to start?" Harry asked as he took a sandwich. He passed the plate to Hermione, who took her own sandwich. Harry took a bite of a thick ham and cheddar cheese sandwich on a fresh roll. It was plain but, at the moment, it tasted wonderful.
Bones rubbed her forehead. "Umm... all right. Peter Pettigrew. How do you know he is alive?"
Harry looked at Hermione and she nodded. "It will all come out," Hermione urged. "Go ahead."
Harry looked at Bone and said seriously. "I am sharing a lot of people's personal secrets with you. You have to protect that, until you cannot."
Bones nodded. "I understand."
"Well, the real start is that Professor Lupin is a werewolf," Harry said. He held up his hand as Bones was about to speak. "Let me get this out and then you can ask questions. Otherwise, we will go off on a tangent."
Bones frowned but nodded. She grabbed a piece of parchment. "I suspect I should take notes."
"Professor Lupin was a werewolf as a child and attended Hogwarts as a Gryffindor with my father, Sirius, and Peter. Yes, Dumbledore knew Professor Lupin's status. My father and Sirius figured out Professor Lupin's, umm, 'problem' relatively quickly and they all became animagi, so they could spend the full moon with him."
"That explains a lot of things," Bones muttered.
"Peter's form is a rat and has been hiding with the Weasleys for, ummm," he looked at Hermione, who shrugged, "at least the past seven or eight years, as Scabbers, a family pet," Harry said. "At the point Sirius was accused of killing Peter, Peter changed into his rat form and escaped. Hermione and I, and Ron was there, too, 'met' Peter two years ago. Sirius escaped Azkaban when he saw the picture of the Weasleys, along with Scabbers, in the Prophet and realized Peter was inside Hogwarts, in his rat form. Sirius was trying to protect me." Harry took a sip of tea. "Professor Snape saw Pettirgrew and didn't seem too surprised that he was alive. That was two years ago."
Bones frowned and kept writing.
"Peter was the wizard that performed the ritual to resurrect Voldemort, after he had killed Cedric," Harry said. "So he was alive a year ago, at the very least. Even if he has died since, that is well after Sirius supposedly killed him."
"Would you give me that memory?" Bones asked. "Of the night Cedric died?"
"I don't know how, but yes," Harry nodded.
"I can take that for you, but it's easier if you cooperate," Bones replied.
"Good to know," Harry replied.
"All right. Pettigrew being alive as well as Sirius not getting a trial, tie together," Bones decided. "Once I have your memory, and show that Sirius did not get a trial, that will help exonerate Sirius from any charges."
"That would be good!" Harry nodded.
Bones looked at her notes. "Oh. That means Sirius is an animagus, isn't he?"
Harry nodded. "We'd like to keep that part as quiet as possible," Harry reminded her.
"It's not illegal, but one is supposed to register," Bones said. "By one's twenty-fifth birthday."
"Sirius wasn't twenty-five when he went into Azkaban," Hermione pointed out. "Why should he be punished for something he was prevented from doing?"
Bones gave a grin. "You should be a barrister," she said. "And I'm on Sirius' side here. What you are telling me is that a grave injustice has happened."
"And some of the people currently in power are aware of it," Harry replied. "Fudge may or may not know." He shrugged. "But Dumbledore did know."
"He'll call it something banal for that bloody greater good that he goes on about," Hermione added sarcastically.
"Too true," Bones agreed.
"It will be useful for you to point out that the Lord of the Noble and Ancient House of Black, well, the Heir at the time, has been mistreated by the Ministry and is entitled to his day in court," Hermione said. "If something like this could happen to him, what could happen to other Wizarding houses?"
"Oh, bugger," Bones sighed. "But it is true. Especially if the Family Magic did not disown him. If he had murdered a friend in cold blood, the Family Magic would react to that."
Hermione's eyes went narrow. "Family Magic?" she asked.
"Dumbledore," Bones made it sound like a curse. "He took out the classes that taught Muggle Borns and Half-Bloods how Magic works. There is a hereditary aspect to Magic, even for someone like yourself, where Magic comes from, how it works and how having a stable Family can stabilize a Wixen." She waved a hand. "More than we can get into tonight."
"May I contact you later for more information?" Hermione asked.
"You may," Bones nodded. "I would welcome a chance to share that with you."
"Umm... speaking of sharing," Harry thought he'd bring the conversation back to why they were there, "how do I share memories with you. I know it can be done, just not how."
"Take a moment to think through what you want to share with me," Bones directed. "If you can bring the memory to the front of your mind, run through it as clearly as you can, and hold on to it. I will only be taking a copy, and not taking the memory from you, just to be clear."
Harry grit his teeth. "It's not pleasant," he warned.
"I am sorry to ask you to re-live that night," Bones said gently. "Do what you can. Focus on Pettigrew, if that helps."
Harry nodded. He sat back in the chair and closed his eyes. He thought back to that night, the night of the Third Task. He ran through the memory from the moment he and Cedric took the Cup together to the reincarnation of Voldemort. He figured that would be enough for now. He wasn't up to re-living what happened after that.
He opened his eyes, seeing Bones waiting patiently.
"Ready?" she asked.
Harry nodded.
She put her wand at his temple as he held the picture of Pettigrew in his mind. Harry thought about the pain he went through that night.
"Done," Bones announced. She had a vial of silver in her hand. "May I watch this now? In case I have any questions."
Harry nodded.
Hermione perked up and looked at Harry.
"I... I won't stop you from seeing that but, 'Mione, it was horrid," Harry was blunt. "I would prefer if you did not see that night."
Hermione huffed but nodded. "All right," she said. "I just want to understand."
"Let me see it first," Bones suggested. "Then I can give you some advice."
"Better," Hermione decided.
"I understand, you know," Harry said to Hermione. "Everyone keeps so much from us, we don't know what we don't know. Information is power."
"Too true," Bones nodded. "I'll be right back." She left them alone.
Harry was slightly surprised that there were no Aurors but it was the middle of the night. And some would be asked to help with the clean-up in the Atrium.
"Have some more tea," Hermione said, pushing his cup closer. "And another sandwich. It's been a long day."
Harry snorted. "That is true," he agreed. He took another bite of the sandwich and drank tea. He watched as Hermione did the same.
Bones came back into the room, looking pale. She sat down on a chair next to Harry and took one of his hands. "Hermione, I hope you never have to see that. As Harry said, it is horrid and painful." She looked at Harry. "How did you survive that?" she asked softly.
Harry looked away at the pity in her eyes. "You're the first person, well, besides Sirius and Hermione, who's asked me that. And they only know what I've told them."
"You need to see a Healer," Bones said. "Someone who specializes in exposure to ritual magic."
"And Cruciatus," Hermione added.
"You didn't include that," Bones frowned.
"It wasn't part of the Pettigrew memory," Harry admitted.
"I will reach out to a Healer that I trust," Bones said. "You need a thorough scan and, likely, some healing yourself."
"I can't afford that," Harry protested.
Bones frowned. "I'll cover it, if necessary. Have you talked to the Horde about the Potter Estate?"
"Potter Estate? Is there one?" Harry asked.
"Dumbledore." That time, it was a curse. "The moment you can, go to the Bank and ask to see the Potter account manager. If they give you any static, which I doubt will happen, demand to see the Black account manager."
"Sirius said that he had made me his heir," Harry admitted.
"There you go!" Bones grinned. "You have more power than you think. You did good tonight, holding off both Fudge and Dumbledore. But once you take on the Potter Estate, you can't be stopped."
Hermione huffed. "Something else that no one has told us!"
"I have what I need to start getting Sirius a real trial," Bones said. "The Pepper-Up will be wearing off shortly. Where do you want to go?"
Harry hesitated.
"To see Sirius," Hermione prompted.
Harry nodded. "Please?"
"Is the Floo open, wherever he is?" Bones asked. "I can let you use the Floo here in the Department and no one besides me will know where you went."
"That would be best," Hermione said.
Harry had a thought. "For better or worse, you took my side tonight," he said. "You need to think about your own protection. Sure, you're good. You wouldn't be the head of the DMLE if you weren't. But could you take on half-a-dozen Death Eaters on your own?"
Bones' eyes narrowed. "What do you know?"
"Nothing specific. But, Voldemort and I share a prophesy," Harry said. "He is after me and everyone, including Dumbledore, is doing their best to leave me defenseless. That now includes you. You are now mixed up in this."
"Do it for Susan," Hermione added.
Bones looked thoughtful. "I will step up my personal security," she promised.
Harry nodded. "Good."
"Let's get you to the Floo before Fudge decides that I need his help," Bones said. "Come."
Harry and Hermione followed her to a small room in the DMLE offices. "You won't be able to come back this way. But you can get anywhere," Bones explained.
"Hermione, you go first," Harry said.
Hermione took the Floo powder, threw it in the fireplace and called, "Grimmauld Place." She whirled away.
"I'll be in touch," Bones promised Harry. "Go."
Harry nodded and followed. He found himself stumbling out of the Floor and into Sirius' arms.
"You could have gone back to your friends at Hogwarts," Sirius said, holding Harry close.
"I needed you more," Harry admitted.
"Kreacher!" Sirius called.
"Bad master called?" Kreacher popped into the room.
Harry sighed. Evidently, it was his day to call people out. He turned in Sirius' arms. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" Harry demanded. He looked at Sirius. "You, too!"
Both Kreacher and Sirius looked startled.
"You!" He pointed at Kreacher. "You need Sirius, and even us, to keep yourself stable. Yet all you do is moan and groan. This house is a mess and any self-respecting House Elf would be ashamed to call this your home."
He turned to Sirius. "And you. Maybe Kreacher isn't the House Elf you want, but he's the one you have! You need to be the Lord of this bloody house and take the responsibility for it."
Harry found himself panting.
"Ummm.. Sorry?" Sirius asked.
"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to him!" Harry waved a hand at Kreacher. Harry frowned and turned to Kreacher. "But it is your fault we even went to the Ministry!" Harry said lowly. "You wouldn't answer my questions when I asked."
"Youse is not officially Heir," Kreacher protested. "He" -- Kreacher waived a hand at Sirius -- "is not officially Lord. There are no bonds. Kreacher does not have to obey you."
Sirius looked gobsmacked.
"We will fix this all tomorrow," Harry sighed. He looked at a clock. "Later today. We will go to the Bank and take care of... whatever needs taking care of."
Sirius took a breath. Then another. "Kreacher, may I ask if you could prepare room for Harry and Hermione?" he asked calmly.
Kreacher nodded brusquely and popped away.
"It smelled like Pepper-Up," Hermione grinned. "Maybe it had something else in it."
Harry gave a small laugh. It was all he had the energy for.
"Madame Bones gave us some Pepper-Up," Hermione explained. "But I think it's worn off."
"Definitely," Harry nodded.
"Can you get up to the next floor?" Sirius asked.
"Stay with us?" Harry asked.
"Always," Sirius promised.
It took a major effort to get ready for bed. Sirius cast a Scourgify on both Harry and Hermione and then used another charm to put them in sleep clothes. He helped Harry crawl into crisp sheets and Harry passed out.
Harry woke warm and comfortable in a way he had not in a long time. He had slept, thankfully, without dreaming and he could see daylight around the edges of the curtains.
A bathrobe had been left by the bed and Harry threw it on. He used the bathroom and went down to the kitchen in search of breakfast. He entered the room and stared. It was... cheerful and welcoming in a way it had never been.
"Master Harry would like breakfast?" Kreacher asked. Kreacher had never offered to make breakfast before.
Harry nodded. He cleared his throat. "Yes, please," he said. He looked around the room. "Nicely done."
"Miss Hermione like," Kreacher shrugged.
Harry stared. Kreacher looked... different. Taller. Younger. The ragged tea towel had been replaced by a new-looking black linen towel. The Black crest sat on one shoulder.
"You look... better," Harry said.
"Master Sirius took me to Horde after you sleep," Kreacher admitted. "Healers help us both. Master Sirius needed most help. He still sleeping."
"That's good," Harry nodded.
Breakfast appeared on the table. Eggs, bacon, toast, porridge, orange juice, and hot tea.
"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry said solemnly.
Harry sat at the table and made himself a plate of food. He was putting marmalade on toast when Hermione appeared.
"Harry!" Hermione grinned. "How are you?"
"Better." He took a bite of toast. "I think." He waved a hand around the kitchen. "You and Kreacher did a nice job."
"Kreacher did most of the work," she admitted as she made herself some tea. "But I helped him spruce it up."
"In any case, you did good work together," Harry praised.
"It was... fun," Hermione admitted.
Harry ate the rest of this plate and ate another rasher of bacon. "Thank you for breakfast, Kreacher," Harry said. "Do you have any idea how much longer Sirius will sleep?"
Kreacher seemed to listen to something for a moment. "Another hour or so," he said. "You should stay. He need you."
Harry nodded. "I can do that."
"Master Sirius lock down house to you both and Master Wolf," Kreacher said. "No one will bother you."
"Oh, excellent!" Harry said. He had been faintly worried about someone from the Order coming to berate Harry and ask questions about what had happened yesterday. Or worse, try to get him to recant.
"Ah. Master Wolf come now," Kreacher announced.
Remus walked into the kitchen and did the same double-take that Harry had done earlier.
"What--" he started.
Harry waved a hand. "Long story," Harry admitted. "Have a seat."
Remus dropped tiredly into a chair.
"How are Ron and Ginny?" Hermione asked.
"Ginny is on the mend," Remus replied. "She got some Skele-Gro for her leg and should be fine. Ron was still unconscious when I left. The Healers are consulting with someone from the Department of Mysteries on what might be wrong with him."
"That's not good..." Harry said slowly.
"He's in the best hands," Remus said. "Although I would expect a Howler from Molly. She was ranting about you 'making' Ron and Ginny go with you to the Ministry."
"Ha! As if I could have stopped either of them!" Harry protested. "But Kreacher said that Sirius locked down the house, so she can't come here, which is good."
Remus stared for a moment. He rubbed his hands over his face.
"Eat," Kreacher rumbled. "Sleep after you eat." Fresh food appeared on the table.
"What is going on?" Remus asked in almost a whisper.
"Harry yelled at... everyone," Hermione said with a proud smile. "Fudge. Dumbledore. Sirius. Kreacher. Although he was polite to Madame Bones."
Remus turned to Harry.
Harry huffed. "I just told them about themselves." He sipped his tea. "Oh. Sorry. I had to tell Madame Bones that you're a werewolf."
Remus' fork stopped in the air. Then he shoved eggs into his mouth. "There are worse people to tell," he admitted. "I assume you had a good reason."
"We were explaining how we knew Peter Pettigrew was still alive, or really that Sirius didn't kill him all those years ago, since no one has seen Peter lately," Harry said. "We had to tell her he was an animagus and you and Sirius were outed in that story. She's going to get Sirius a real trial. Or whatever she needs to do to exonerate him."
"That was a good reason," Remus nodded.
"I did tell her that I was sharing secrets that were not mine," Harry added. "She seemed to take that seriously."
"Amie always was a good sort," Remus replied as he continued eating. "Smart and honorable. Sirius always liked working with her."
"I had mostly forgotten that," Harry admitted. "She said she's on Sirius' side. But that I should go to the Bank as soon as I can."
Remus chewed on some bacon for a moment. "If Amie thinks you should go to the Bank, you should go to the Bank. But if Sirius could go with you, I think that would be better."
"Kreacher said he and Sirius went to the Bank with him last night," Hermione said. "Some of this" -- she waved a hand -- "is a result of that."
Remus nodded thoughtfully. Then yawned.
"You need to sleep," Hermione said pointedly.
"I'm supposed to go to..." Remus frowned. "Dumbledore wanted me to do some traveling for the Order."
"Blast that," Harry declared. "We need you here more. Is what Dumbledore has asked you to do all that important?"
"No," Remus answered quickly. "Not anymore. I'll stay here." He grinned. "Especially if no one can get in but us."
"How does that work?" Hermione asked.
"I'll be interested in what Sirius did but I'm guessing that he's reset the ward stone for the house," Remus explained. "It likely had been open to anyone that the Lord or Lady Black would allow." Remus' eyes went wide. "Sirius likely took the Lordship and, as such, can control the ward stone. He can tell the ward stone who to allow in the house. The Fidelus that Dumbledore cast will allow people to see the house but the wards will prevent access."
Hermione huffed. "We don't learn any of this at Hogwarts!" she sighed.
"Children that grow up in Wizarding homes learn a lot of this by being around it," Remus said. "You are familiar with Muggle things like television and airplanes. No one overtly taught you about them. But children growing up in magical families won't always know about that."
Another huff. "Then why is there a class for Muggle Studies but not Magical Studies?" she asked.
"Dumbledore has blamed that on the Board of Governors but I'm starting to think there's more to it than that," Remus admitted.
"It's becoming very interesting that a lot of the issues in my life keep circling back to Dumbledore," Harry said softly.
"Not something we can solve this minute," Remus replied. "But we can work on it."
Sirius stumbled into the kitchen at that point. Harry scrambled out of the chair and wrapped himself about Sirius. Sirius held Harry tightly.
"Pup," Sirius said softly. "I'm so sorry!"
"Sorry for yelling at you last night," Harry replied into Sirius' shoulder.
"No!" Sirius held Harry's shoulders in his hands. "You were right. Going to the Bank and officially taking the Black Lordship was important."
"Well, Kreacher is better, too," Harry said. He waved a hand at the refurbished kitchen. "He and Hermione redecorated."
Sirius stared at the kitchen. "Thank you both. It's... amazing!"
"Master want breakfast?" Kreacher asked, fidgeting in front of the stove. Harry suspected he might be embarrassed to be thanked so much.
"I would, thank you," Sirius said.
Harry dragged Sirius to the table. "You look better," Harry said as Sirius sat between him and Remus.
"Harry's right," Remus said.
Sirius looked at the food suddenly in front of him. "I'm starved."
"Master need to eat more," Kreacher said firmly. "Healer say small meals, several time a day."
"I remember that part," Sirius admitted as he took eggs, bacon, and toast. "But some of it is... fuzzy."
"Old Mistress curse us," Kreacher admitted. "Healers fix."
Sirius frowned. "I remember part of that."
"Your time in Azkaban would also affect you," Remus added. "I suspect a single session with a Healer would not erase that."
"Master is to go back," Kreacher agreed. "He take Master Harry."
"Madame Bones told Harry to go to the Bank as soon as he could," Hermione nodded.
"We could all go?" Harry hazarded. "Sirius probably shouldn't go alone and, well, I'm not going to leave Hermione behind."
Hermione dimpled and nodded.
"That makes the most sense," Sirius nodded. He looked at Remus. "You've been up all night. Sleep for a few hours. I can talk with Harry and Hermione while you sleep. And we can all use a few hours to regroup."
Remus yawned again. "That sounds good to me."
"Let me get some paper," Hermione said. "I have questions and need to take notes."