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In His Place	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 72876 -:- Recommendations : 16 -:- Currently Reading : 16
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, so sad for me, and make no money off this story, even sadder for me.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Chapter 16

“I have a question,” Harry said, looking at Sirius. They were both still in their room and in their pajamas. Not only was it the weekend, something that even those in the house tended to observe and stay asleep longer, but the night before everyone had been up really late dealing with the mess that happened. Which meant no one got to sleep until the wee hours of the morning, so they were all probably going to be late rising this morning.

“What's that?” Sirius asked with a groan as he flopped down on the bed after coming back from the loo.

“It's about this whole prophecy bit, all of them,” Harry sighed, shaking his head. While he got that they helped, he still wasn't real comfortable with this. Seeing Sirius motion for him to on, he asked, “As, apparently, they're accurate, are they going to turn up in the Hall of Prophecy? And if they do, won't my name be on them? Since Dumbledore was able to get in there with that last one, knowing it was there and having everyone guard it, might he be able to stumble across these as well?”

Eyes widening, Sirius looked at his godson then said, tone wary, “I don't know, I really don't. It's something we need to check into, though. That's for damned sure! Or have Rufus do that. One of the two. We do not want him finding out you can do this. The same with so many others.” Reaching over and ruffling Harry's hair, he said, “And it's a good thing you brought that up as I don't think it's something any of us thought about. Let's see who's around this morning. If it's fairly cleared out, we'll get in touch with Moody and have him come over then fill him in. Let's see what he can find out.” Sighing, he then added, tone distracted, “And we need to come up with something to be able to send Rufus a message directly. That mess last night tells us we need to. Let's see what's going on today.”

Nodding, Harry sighed. “It was just one of the things my mind kinda' focused on, what with the mess there at the end of term.”

“And that's a good thing,” Sirius told him firmly. “Because I doubt any of us would have thought about it. We'll work on it, don't worry. And find out, one way or other.”

“I really don't want it out there that I can do this,” Harry told him softly, looking at his godfather. “I'm not Trelawney and don’t want a cult following.”

“Don't blame you a bit there,” Sirius grinned. “To protect you, we don't want it out there either. So, we need to be cautious. We'll work on it.”

Polishing off his first cup of tea for the day, Sirius looked around and asked, “Anyone know what to expect today? Like if we're going to end up with a ton of company or not?”

“I don't think so,” Remus told him. “It's my understanding that everyone is busy today. Albus can't leave the castle, obviously, but he sent out plenty of things that need tending to.” Seeing Sirius look like he was going to ask, he pressed on, “Most of it has to do with beefing up protections for everyone. I'm supposed to stick right here and relay information if needed. Moody and Kingsley are getting with plenty of others to strengthen warding and whatnot. They'll be making the rounds to Order members and their families to put up everything they can. Some are moving, temporarily. Like Tonks. She's going to stay with her parents for the time being. We all thought that best. All the Weasleys in the country are going to stay at home for the time being. Molly will ensure that she goes nowhere. They have the ghoul, so she's not worried. Others are shifting around to either go home for a time or pair up. I believe Moody and Kingsley are sticking together. For now, it's best. He also wants all of us on our toes. What he wants is for all information to come through the house and he's going to set up something so we can get it to him fast. Yesterday was proof that we need something better than a Patronus in times of an emergency.” Lowering his voice and looking at Sirius, he said, “We need to talk about something we discussed a few weeks ago. Those can help, tremendously.”

“We will,” Sirius said getting the hint and giving a firm nod. “In fact, one of them can help us now. Let's see what we can manage. Fred and George are perfect to take on duplicating and recreating.”

“We'll tend to that after breakfast,” Remus said. “Other than that, not much besides keeping on our toes. We're protected the best of all of us, so we shouldn't have a problem.”

“Harry brought something up to me before we came downstairs. And it's something we need to get with Alastor about to pass along,” Sirius said, glancing around. When everyone looked at him, he relayed the talk about the Hall of Prophecy then his suggestion about finding a way to contact Rufus. “The first one—yeah, we need to find out, fast, before someone else manages to unearth it. Any scenario there won't be good, especially if it's the press or Albus finding out.”

“I'll get a message to Moody,” Remus told him, a serious look on his face. “Rufus can manage and do something to keep the name from coming out if someone does discover them if they are there. And the message system? We need that. I doubt it could have helped poor Fleur, but any delay in something like that can cost lives. With what's going on, we can't chance that.” Looking at Sirius again, he added, “This is where those bits and bobs we talked about can come in. Which means we need to put our heads together and come up with, first, how to duplicate them, and second, how to make them work for what we need.”

Listening in, Lucius was curious. Looking between the two, he asked, “What do you have in mind? It sounds like you have something we can use.”

“We do,” Sirius said with a sigh. “We'll show you just so it goes no further. Besides, we're going to need some help from someone that can negotiate a contract with Fred and George for them. We'll give it up to the Order, no problem there, as we need something, but we want to sell them as well.”

Intrigued, Lucius asked, “What are they?”

After a glance at Sirius, who was nodding, Remus said, “Communication mirrors for one. We need to tweak those so we can add others to them. It's a perfect, instantaneous way to get in touch with someone. James and Sirius had them in school to talk while they were in separate detentions. We also have a map of Hogwarts that—well, we'll have to show you what it can do. With all that's going on now, we can take the template we used and do it for the park. Albus could use it for the castle as well as the template to see not only the road to the castle but Hogsmeade. That can help, really it can.”

After getting Harry's permission, Sirius sent an elf for the map and both mirrors. Seeing a slightly wide-eyed look from the Malfoys, he said, “We're going to sell them and some other bits we did to Fred and George as they have plenty of uses other than for pranking. This though—we can use them and need some of what they can do. We're just going to need help modifying and duplicating them is all. Some of it—we're not sure if we remember all the charms on them to do that. Fred and George are perfect for taking that on because of all the other bits they've come up with.”

Taking the items from the elf when the creature brought them, Sirius laid them out and explained what they did. Looking around and grinning slightly at the astonished faces, he said, “Yeah, we were rotten, I admit it. What they can do, though, can help us now. And we'll make a fortune off them.”

“You will,” Lucius admitted with an impressed nod. “How about this—contact Moody and tell him to come over, alone, when he can. We'll get with him about some of the parts. Then we'll have him grab Fred and George. While we're waiting, we'll see what we can manage. I say work on the mirrors first to get them functional. Those we need the most. Then we do a template for the park across the street for the map. If we can manage that, we'll add some parts that can be of use, like signals for those that don't belong and aren't Muggle. That should keep us all plenty occupied for a time.”

“And it's a very constructive use of our time,” Narcissa added. “We may not be able to help a lot with so much because of what's going on, but we can in this way.”

“And it would be an immeasurable aid if we can get them functioning right. Besides, Harry and Draco will get a wonderful Charms lesson out of it.” Lucius nodded.

“I'm also going to say we see if we can straight up duplicate them for now. At least two copies, and send one with Alastor. We then get the other to Severus. That way if there's an issue, we have some way to contact them right away,” Narcissa said, looking around.

While the adults discussed what to do, Draco took a gander at the map, taking in what it could do and how it revealed passwords then looked at Potter, eyebrow up. Seeing Potter just grin at him, he snorted and shook his head, “You would have been a perfect partner in crime.”

Snorting himself, Harry just grinned then said, “Well, yeah, I would have.”

“I'm remembering this, Potter, the same with some other bits for later on. You're sharing some of what you know with me,” Draco told him, looking firm though grinning just a little.

“Have him show you his Invisibility Cloak sometime,” Remus said softly, smiling slightly, as they walked Lucius and Narcissa through what they could remember of the charms on the mirrors. He didn't figure anything bad would come of this as it would just be another way Draco and Harry could connect.

“No!” Draco said, eyes wide, grinning bigger. “That would have serious good uses, Potter!”

“You have a Hand of Glory, I have an Invisibility Cloak,” Harry grinned, sipping his juice.

“How do you know I have that?” Draco asked, one eyebrow going up, though still grinning.

“Second year,” Harry said, explaining that first Floo trip that landed him in the shop.

“We're going to make a good team, Potter,” Draco said, grinning even bigger. “Between our toys and what you get from the Weasleys, people need to watch out.”

“They do,” Sirius said with a grin, nodding. He loved this and it was perfect. Rather than getting snotty or angry over some of it, Draco was taking it the right way and going with it. That could only help. Besides, the two knew just how much danger they were in and weren't apt to do anything foolish, like going outside the house. He didn't care if they mucked around in it, goofing off with whatever. It might even help them feel more 'normal'.

“I think you mean we do, Sirius,” Lucius said with an amused snort, though he was pleased with the interaction. “As we're in the house with them, we're the ones that need to stay on our toes and be wary.”

“True,” Sirius admitted with a grin.

“Not to mention the two of them can get pointers from the sources of so much mischief, like two of the original Marauders,” Narcissa sighed, shaking her head, though she was smiling just a tiny bit over this.

“That too,” Sirius said, grinning even bigger. A glance at Remus showed that his old partner in crime was smiling just a little himself. “We won't mention how it's in Harry's genes from James.”

“Potter, we're working on your untapped potential,” Draco told him, grinning even bigger.

“Oh, it's been tapped,” Harry chuckled, grinning himself.

“Then we need to develop it! Fun is to be had, Potter, and you will be involved in it,” Draco told him, already starting to plot a few things that could give them some laughs.

“Which means we need to come up with Marauder names for them, Moony,” Sirius grinned as they worked a bit on the mirrors, trying to get them to duplicate right so they could all have one to work on.

“We do,” Remus nodded, smiling a bit bigger himself. “James would be quite proud.”

“We are in real trouble,” Lucius snorted, shaking his head, completely amused.

Looking around at what was on the table, Moody gave a pleased nod. “What I'm going to do is this,” he said, taking a sip from his flask. “First, I'm going to the Ministry. I don't think any of us thought about the Hall of Prophecy and what might show up in there. We need Rufus to check on that so it doesn't slip out. Second, I'm taking the two mirrors you managed to replicate. I'm keeping one for myself and giving the other to Rufus. We'll get on one for Snape as well. He does need one, for more than one reason. Keep it on you at all times, Sirius. It can help until we can get them duplicated and other bits added to them. After that, I'm going to send a message to Albus about us having something to help. I doubt he can slip out today as he has a full plate. Tomorrow he may be able to. We'll start passing them along then. After that, I'm going over to grab Fred, George and Kingsley. Between all of us, we'll manage to get something down we can use. If nothing else, figure out what Charms you two used to make these things. Once we have those, we can work on them. These are perfect, lads, and what we need.”

“We thought so,” Remus nodded.

“You two might have been hellions in school, but what you did can now help in many ways. If you have anything else up your sleeves, let us know,” Moody said firmly, looking between the two.

“While we have you here, we'll run you through how to do the modification on the Patronus. It's something simple. That way all of you can start passing it around,” Sirius told him. “I've sent the basics to Snape. He should be able to figure it out on his own. If not, we'll get with him and give him a crash course next time he comes around.”

“Do that,” Moody told him firmly. “I'll get it in the right hands from there. The more help we get, the better off we're all going to be with this nightmare.”

“You getting any other hints or tips we can use?” Sirius asked, sipping at his tea while slipping an arm around Harry.

“Nothing so far,” Moody sighed, shaking his head. “We'll see what pops up from here. I doubt that was the only incident we are going to have to worry about. If it was a clear message of the start, we need to worry. Let me see what I can find out or hear. As far as I know, Snape has nothing either, so we're just in a wait and see pattern. I'm sure that we'll know something soon. We're just making damned sure everyone keeps themselves safe and are putting up every form of protection they can. If they can't or don't have someone to partner up with, they're to come here. We don't want to take chances.”

“Understood,” Remus nodded. “We'll be ready if it’s needed.”

“I'll get the elves to start setting up unused rooms and make sure they are prepared in case we have to use them,” Narcissa said firmly.

Looking around, Moody said seriously, tone grave, “I'm going to warn all of you that unless we can find a more permanent solution to the warding problem over at the Burrow, it might be best if the Weasleys come over here. We're looking to see what we can find, of course, as they don't want to leave, obviously, but it's a problem. We have everything up we can think of and that's not going to help for long. Let me get with Albus to see what he wants to do there. He may have something. I don't know. If any of you can come up with anything, let us know. All suggestions are more than welcome.”

“We'll put our heads together and see what we can find,” Lucius told him with a firm nod.

Standing with a groan, Moody nodded. “Let me get going. There is plenty to do.” Nodding to those at the table, he then made his way out. It was already a busy day, but he didn't mind as it was highly constructive and things that looked like they could help all of them were on track. That was good.

Relaxing that night just before bed, Sirius leaned back in his chair with a groan. It had been a productive day. Fred and George were an immeasurable help in duplicating and tweaking the mirrors. They would start on the map the following day. Not to mention the two were more than willing to buy the templates. They even put out the first feelers to him and Remus about hiring on as consultants. Perfect. The mirrors were starting to get into the hands of those that needed them the most with instructions on how to use them. Perfect.

Looking at where his godson was stretched out, sipping a butterbeer, Sirius asked, grinning just a little, “So, what did you and Draco get up to while you were up here? And do we need to worry?” For a time, the two had vanished up here to do something or other while things were boring. They didn't say what they were doing and no one was all that concerned.

“Nothing to worry about,” Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “I was showing him Dad's Invisibility Cloak and we talked for a bit, nothing more than that. Plus, he was going through all the stuff that Fred and George gave me, devising plans to use some of it to muck about on the brooms.”

“Oh?” Sirius asked, grin growing. “How so?”

“We thought a bit like an obstacle course. We can't do what we normally would with flying, so we kinda’ thought we could add some bits to make it challenging,” Harry shrugged. “We just don't have enough room for a real game.”

“Not a bad idea,” Sirius admitted with a bit of a nod, looking impressed.

Grinning, Harry added, “We talked about putting the portable swamp out there as a use for it, but we all like sitting out there too much to do that. So, we're just going to hold onto it. Other bits—we'll have a bit of fun with, though nothing nasty.”

“Have all the fun you two want,” Sirius told him. “It's plenty boring around here, for all of us, but probably worse for the two of you as you're used to being around so many. I don't mind. And I very much doubt anyone else in the house does either. Schoolwork only goes so far to alleviate that.”

“Yeah, you can only study so much before you get bored with it,” Harry admitted with a chuckle and a bit of a grin. “Even as far behind as I am, you can only take so much.”

“Completely get it,” Sirius admitted with a big grin. “Why do you think we all got in so much trouble in school? Let me get with everyone to see if we can come up with some recreational activities. Maybe send someone out to get some games or something. I don't know. We'll come up with some things for you two.” Sobering up, he said, softly, “I'm glad you and Draco are making an effort to get along. I know the history there isn't the best and neither of you liked each other. It can only help all of us, Harry. And it gives you someone your age to have some fun with. I'm sure it's not what you wanted or envisioned, but it's there.”

Thinking it over, Harry said, “There's a lot of history there, I admit that, but we're working on it. For now, that's not been brought up other than bits of it and more as explaining something or kinda' to be funny. The really horrid stuff we're not talking about. I think that's for the best.”

“It is. At least for now. Give it some time to let what's going on grow. Then you can work on the more troublesome bits. You're both doing good with it. We're all happy with what's going on, actually. I think we were expecting big problems and several explosions before it settled. And I can say we're happy we were wrong about that. Just keep going like you are and you two will do fine. If it takes you walking off or saying you need some time away from each other, do that. No one is going to take offense.”

“We're trying, both of us,” Harry admitted with a nod. “We've been having fun too, at least some. It's just odd is all.”

“I think, honestly, we need to start making time for the two of you to do something. Like I mentioned earlier, some games or whatever. That or getting outside to smack balls around. Something. I know being cooped up gets to all of us. With you two, it's probably worse. Let me mention that to everyone tomorrow and that I think we need to set up a schedule so we can include some recreation time. We also need to include both of you in deciding what we do. After all, the two of you are the ones more affected. Let's see what we can all come up with. It's not something any of us have thought of, I don't think. Draco has to be bored with not being able to go anywhere. I know you're just plain frustrated with all you’re dealing with, so we need to do something. Let's see what we can find that won't get us all hexed by Cissy,” Sirius finished with a grin. “Either that or she doesn't huff at us for corrupting the two of you.”

Laughing at that, Harry shook his head.

“Don't laugh! She would! Especially me! She knows just what I’m like, so I might end up with stinging hexes on the arse. Not good there. I want to sit properly,” Sirius told him with a grin. “And anything coming from Fred and George's shop is going to end up suspect from the get go. So, we need to make it a neutral kind of thing to save from being threatened.”

Grinning, Harry just shook his head.

Reaching over to ruffle Harry's hair, Sirius told him softly, “We'll get through all of it, Harry. It'll just take some work and adjustment, nothing more. We've been through far worse than this, both of us, and come out on top of it. We’ll survive this one, too. It just offers some more challenges than we're used to.”

“We will,” Harry told him with a smile and a nod.

Sitting on the edge of his bed about midnight, Sirius' hands were clasped between his spread legs as he looked at his godson. Harry was in the middle of one of those nightmares again. This was—it—he couldn't take this, honestly. Watching Harry lying there, twitching madly, moaning and drenched in sweat was horrific to see. If that dream he had of James was 'real', he knew where this was coming from. He just couldn't stand to see Harry suffer this way. All there was to it. Shaking his head at a violent shudder from Harry, he slid over and sat on the edge of his godson's bed.

Running his fingers through Harry's sweat-soaked hair, Sirius murmured soft, soothing words then laid down behind Harry, curling up to him and holding him close. He would stay like this for the rest of the night. Harry was suffering enough with all he had to deal with when it came to the physical end, that he didn't need this added in. As he had noticed that his being close seemed to soothe his godson and help him sleep better, Sirius fully planned to do that. For as long as Harry needed it.

Resting his head against Harry's, holding him, Sirius shut his eyes and sighed. This was good and, honestly, it soothed more than just Harry. He felt good when he held his godson, for plenty of reasons. Some of them—they were uncomfortable still, but most were fine. What he planned to do was to flat out ignore the uncomfortable parts and focus on the others. In time, he would adjust and they would go on from there.
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In His Place