Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

If This Is How You Treat Your Heroes...	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Lucius Views: 96985 -:- Recommendations : 12 -:- Currently Reading : 15
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no form of profit off this story

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Chapter 19

Beta'd by the most wonderful, amazing and stupendous Tenchi. Woman, you are the best and love you for all you do for me!

Shoving his mostly uneaten breakfast away, Arthur looked down at the table and sighed. A glance at his wife as she read that morning's copy of the Seer told him she was getting to the part of it that had him feeling sick with himself. Today's focus in the series of interviews was about Sirius, from Harry's perspective. That and they were running an interview with the man. Arthur was very happy Sirius was not only with Harry, but no longer in danger of being Kissed for something he didn't do. However, what had him very upset was some of what Sirius said. And that was because it hit too close to home, frankly.
Seeing Molly put the paper down and give a sad smile at the wonderful picture on the front page of Harry and Sirius, he sighed and rubbed his eyes. “At least Harry now has two people who will look out for him.”
“Very true,” Molly said with a nod as she ran her fingers over the photograph.
Sighing, Arthur told her, quietly, “I'm feeling rather—sick with myself over some of what Sirius said. At the time—well, I’m sure you know why we did what we did. In hindsight, it wasn't right, Molly. He didn't name names when he talked about the people who supposedly cared for Harry so much or professed he was family, but didn't do the right thing, we know he was referring to us though.”
“I know,” Molly told him softly, taking a sip of her tea and sitting the cup down with a slightly shaking hand. Clasping her hands in front of her, she looked down. Shaking her head, she told him, “He made a point that is hitting home to me.” Seeing her husband motion for her to go on, she said, quietly, “Albus, and everyone else, have always assured us that the kids would be taken care of if something happened to us in the war. Sirius pointed out that if all of us, those that professed the same thing in the first war, would not follow through with Harry like we told Lily and James we would, why should we think anyone would bother to do it for us either.”
Nodding slowly, Arthur imparted quietly, “I agree. That stood out for me as well. I don't think I ever thought about it that way before he said that. It's true though. If we wouldn't do it for someone like Harry, they won't step up for ours either. No, that's too close to home there as well.”
“Arthur, I don't know what to do here. How do we tell Harry we are sorry and fix this?” She asked quietly.
“I don't know if we can,” he sighed, shaking his head. “Even if we could get him to listen, I'm not sure he would accept an apology like that right now. With all that went on that we ignored, something we wouldn't for our own children, I wouldn't blame him if there is no forgiveness coming. We've had every chance in the world to make this right by Harry and we didn't. It also appears that he didn't trust us enough to tell us so much of what was going on. I don't think that speaks well of what he's feeling about us right now.”
Rubbing her burning eyes, Molly slumped slightly and nodded. “I agree,” she said, quietly. “We've sent him letters, but haven't heard anything yet.” Sighing, she told him, “I don't know how to convince him we will change or to give us a chance.”
“I don't know if we can,” Arthur told her honestly, shaking his head. “If I were in his robes, I'm not sure I would either. He's—well, we've had a huge number of chances with Harry and have blown all of them. If he had to go so far as to take this step to actually get help, I don't see forgiveness or listening to apologies and accepting them as forthcoming easily.”
Though Molly didn't like that, she nodded, understanding. “Maybe at some point in the future we can try again. I hope anyway. This was a big failing on our part and a lesson learned. I hope he'll allow us to tell him that.” Stopping, she wasn't sure what to say, but was then distracted by a post owl flying in. Watching the unfamiliar bird swoop over the table and drop a couple of letters then swoop out, she reached over and picked them up. Tears filling her eyes, she shook her head. “And that's our answer for some of this.” Holding them up, they clearly showed they were the ones they wrote to Harry. He returned them, unopened.
Sighing, shoulders slumping, Arthur shook his head, looking sad. “I can't say I blame him.”
Dabbing at her eyes after putting the letters down, Molly said, quietly, tone quivering, “Maybe after some time he'll listen. I hope so anyway. If he doesn't, we only have ourselves to blame for it. I don't like feeling this way.”
“I don't either, but we can’t blame anyone but ourselves,” Arthur told her as he looked at the unopened letters. Sighing, he added, “Well, it's a lesson learned and we push on. We don't have a chance right now to make it up to Harry, but we can help others. I think that's where we need to focus here.”
“You're right,” Molly told him tearfully, sniffling. Trying to focus, she said, “I'm just not sure where to start with that, honestly.”
Reaching out and patting his wife on the arm, Arthur smiled then told her, “We'll find something, don't worry.” Looking at his watch, he sighed, “I have to go. I'll see you after work.” Standing, he gave her a kiss goodbye then headed out.
Watching her husband go, Molly then looked at the returned letters. Feeling her eyes burn once more, she shook her head. Standing, she began to gather the dirty dishes. After that, she was going to head to the hospital again to sit with Neville for a while. Maybe soon something would present itself she could help with and get her teeth into.

Though feeling as though she had been run over by a whole herd of hippogriffs, Madam Bones was seated at her desk at the normal time, ready to go. She was still tired, all there was to it. These cases were the things nightmares were made of. Now, though, she had some hope. Looking across her desk at Wallias Renford, she was pleased. This would help. Quietly, she asked, “Has Rufus filled you in on what all is going on?”
“He did,” the retired head of the Aurors told her with a nod, looking sour. “Right nightmare, that's for sure.”
“We need help, Wallias, badly. I think I can safely say that we aren't sure who to trust right now because of the leaks. Not to mention how high-placed some of the people are that accusations are leveled at. We trust you to do what is right here.” She told him firmly.
“You know me, Amelia,” Wallias told her firmly. “Lay your trust in that. My crew, what is left of them, will do what we did best for years. Give me what you need to have looked at and we'll handle it from there.”
Pleased with that, Madam Bones nodded, smiling a little. “Get with Rufus about what has to be handled. You—I may need you for some touchy situations, such as Albus and Fudge.”
“Whatever you need,” Wallias told her firmly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Those two don't intimidate me in the least. However, a suggestion if I may?” Seeing her motion to go on, he said, “Give it a few days with Fudge. If what I keep hearing from my own sources around is right, he's going to be out of office very quickly. It'll be easier to level charges at a disgraced Minister of Magic than a presiding one. Hell, if half of what has already been said is true, he's done for. It'll make your job much easier.”
“I believe I'll take that advice,” Amelia told him, leaning back in her chair. “The charges aren't going away and it'll give me more time to look into the accusations.”
“Keep that in mind,” the man told her pointedly. “Same with Albus. Let them both squirm a little, wondering when the spell is going to hit them. Men in that position tend to make your job easier as they make mistakes and give you evidence. Let that happen here.”
“I will,” she told him, nodding.
“Now,” Wallias started, leaning back himself. Sitting there, the older man looked like a slightly thinner version of Father Christmas, complete with snow-white beard and twinkling eyes. That look, however, was misleading. He was one of the toughest men ever to hold his position, one that had been rock solid in loyalty to his duty and would uphold the law to the best of his ability. Along with that, he was one of the most feared men in modern times to run the Aurors. No one who was wise would cross him if they knew what was good for them. He only retired because he felt like he was slowing down and not wanting to put others in danger if that was the case. His mind, the razor-sharp one that had put plenty in Azkaban when the cases looked hopeless, was still as agile as ever. There was a reason no one crossed him when he ran the department. Many were about to learn that lesson all over again. “Where are we starting? Rufus said something about dividing the team up to help in multiple areas.”
“We have four big areas here,” Amelia explained. “Fudge, Dumbledore, the Dursleys and Sirius Black. We also need the leaks looked into and a way to make sure that they are plugged. I'm taking most of Fudge and Dumbledore, though would like help if you can manage. The leaks, right now, are the big one. The Black case needs help too. He's out of the country and protected by France now so not looking for him is freeing up plenty. I'll let you judge who to put where, Wallias. You know them best.”
Liking that, he nodded. “Alight, let's hash this out so we can get started. Quietly, he began to list who he brought and where he thought them best suited.

Sitting at his kitchen table surrounded by letters, parchments and other bits, Albus was rubbing a hand over his forehead. This was a mess, all there was to it. Britain, itself, was in chaos over some of what was in the Seer, making it even worse. Even those in the Order found themselves pulled in several directions and not focusing where he needed them to. No, that wasn't good. He understood why that was happening, but he needed focus here. And that is where the problem was coming from. Right now, he wasn't sure who was still in the Order and who wasn't. That's what he was working on; a list to determine who was still around.
So far, from his calculations, he already lost several key members he depended on to get much needed information. Tonks and Kingsley were tops there on that list. Moody—right now, he wasn't sure about the man. He knew the retired Auror got called to the Ministry the day before. Since then, he had heard nothing from the man. That troubled him. Alastor was rock-solid in his corner. That he never doubted. As he couldn't get hold of him right now, the worry was there over what happened. It was a wait and see thing at the moment. When he heard something, he would figure it out from there. Others, too, were in a position he didn't know about. Such as some of the Weasleys. Arabella hadn't answered his last owl either. That bothered him.
Glancing at the Seer, he sighed, shaking his head. Sirius and Remus were out. That didn't surprise him though. When Harry vanished, he assumed the two would follow if presented with the opportunity. They had. On the upside, despite what Sirius said in the papers, he thought he could work with the two if given a chance or a lead as to where to find them. After all, they knew a good cause when they saw one. This was that cause. He just had to remind them of that and what it cost in the past. Once he got them pointed in the right direction, he would get his hands on Harry. Then things would be back on track like he needed them to be. Until then, though, he had a mess here.
Sighing, sipping at his tea, he tried to think. There was much to organize here. He had to find a new headquarters for the Order and he didn't know where that might be. From what he could tell, he didn't have access to any place that was safe enough right now. Then he had to worry about pressing on with finding Tom. After that there was the Severus issue. If, as he heard, Neville had given up the memory, the man was in danger of being arrested. No, he couldn't let that happen. Severus, according to the owl he received this morning, was somewhere safe and the Ministry wouldn't be able to find him. Though he would feel better if he knew where that was, he was going to trust the man to hide himself. After all, right now his options were limited as to where he could put him that was safe. So, despite not liking the idea, Severus was left to his own devices to hide. If it came down to it, he would help the man. It was the best option there was now, unfortunately.
Beyond that, he had to worry about finding Harry. That was the tricky part. Whoever was helping the young man apparently made sure he was safe and hidden. So far, no one he had contacted could come up with even a hint as to where in France Harry might be. He didn't like that. Well, honestly? Even if he did know, there wouldn't be much he could do about it. He didn't have the bodies or people Harry would trust to even attempt to talk to him. No, it would have to wait, despite not liking that option. The only upside there was that maybe Harry would calm down in the time it took for him to get organized and sort through this mess. Then he could work with the situation.
Settling back, hands folded in his lap, thumbs twiddling, he tried to think what to handle first here. There was so much that he needed information on that he didn't know where to start. Sighing, he decided to venture out to see what he could dig up on his own. No, he wasn't going to go to the Ministry. That was tempting fate in a way that was too risky, but he had other means. It was time to employ those and visit some old friends. Maybe he could do some recruiting and start people digging. He would then go from there.

Vernon Dursley was having a rotten day already and he hadn't even left the house yet. Well, that was part of the problem, actually. He found he couldn’t leave the house. The doors and windows didn't seem to want to open, no matter what he and Petunia tried. Nothing worked so far. Huffing and grumbling, red in the face, he had then tried the phone. That, too, was on the fritz and he couldn't get an outside line. This wasn't good and he didn't know what the problem was. If he didn't know his freak of a nephew was in school, he would have sworn the boy was behind this. However, the freak wasn't here so that meant it was another problem. He just didn't know what it might be.
After another attempt to get the doors or windows, one of the two, open, he and Petunia were seated at the table. He was angry, something expected, but his wife seemed worried about this turn of events. When asked, she admitted she didn't know what the problem was or where the feeling came from, but there was something bothering her about it. Though he soothed her that it was just one of those odd things you heard about once in a while, thinking maybe it was a problem with the house shifting or something, he was starting to get concerned himself. He had a bad feeling about this and didn't know why. They were just going to have to wait and see was all. The only upside here he could see was that there were no blasted owls getting in either! That was good as they had been bombarded with them for the last day or so. However, something, somewhere, was telling him that might not be a good sign either. Now he didn't know what to do.

Sitting in their chambers before the start of the day's session, the members of the Wizengamot were looking through the list of what cases were due to be heard that week. Reviewing what was there, there was plenty of grumblings about not only the charges, but the sheer volume of cases. This was well beyond what they normally dealt with in any given week. Plus, what was here were serious charges that looked to need full trials.
Rapping a gavel on the table, Wienstein Hammeric waited for everyone to pay attention then cleared his throat, “Folks, we have a busy week here. From what I was told, we can expect it to get worse. We have not only more criminal charges looking like they will be leveled, but chunks of legislation that we may need to look at. I'm giving fair warning that you can expect long days for the foreseeable future.” Stopping, he looked at the grim faces then added, “We also need to ensure that the highest secrecy charms are on chambers and the court. We're talking some serious charges and sensitive matters that are coming, well beyond what we normally deal with.”
Shaking her head, Anis Norin asked, “How much of this is coming from what's in the Seer?”
“Most of it from what I've been told,” Wienstein told her grimly. Hearing more mutterings, he added, “We can expect plenty more on this. I was also told that tomorrow morning we need to block out a chunk of time for Madam Bones to come talk to us about some legislation she needs to get through to prosecute. It has to do with an allowable exception to evidence when it comes to accepting a sworn statement of authentication. I've already given our assurances we'll make time for her.”
Quietly, Arista Maylen said, “I've been getting quite a few owls from some very unhappy citizens the last couple of days. Mostly, they are asking why we have allowed this situation to go on for so long. All of them that have been brought up so far. They are rather upset with our lack of oversight when it comes to such matters. I tend to be in agreement with that, honestly. They have also mentioned Albus, and how he was a member of this panel in good standing. I can see their reasoning there. I think, at some point this week, we need to sit down and assess ourselves then see what we can do. Perhaps even an investigation of our own as to what went wrong, what should have been done and how to make certain it never happens again. We are, of course, employed by our citizens. They have a right to be upset with us over this.”
Looking around, hearing murmurs of agreement there, Wienstein said, “I think that may be in our best interests. We're going to be called on the carpet here too. Especially in cases like that of Sirius Black. Yes, I think we need to see where our culpability is here as well and not worry about backside covering. There is already plenty of that going around from what I hear. We are supposed to be a body that balances out the other entities in the Ministry. We need to do that. Agreed?”
After hearing a consensus on that, he was pleased. “We'll set aside time, even if it's after hours, to handle that end of the mess then see what we can do to investigate on our own. Hearing more agreements, he stood and said, “Alright, we have work to do, folks. First up are Skeeter, Winchell and Umbridge. From what I've been told, all of them are going to fight the charges. So, we have work ahead of us. Let's get to it.” With that, he made his way to the courtroom.

Sitting at the table with Sirius, Remus and Narcissa, Harry was finishing his breakfast after Lucius left to attend to matters in Britain. They were all talking about plans for the day. Mostly, it wasn't much. The elves were going to be working in his room with the decorating. The only thing, so far, they had planned was going through the school books to see what was different from Hogwarts with them. They weren't going to start any kind of 'classes' until the following week, but were going to see what they needed to work on. After that, well, they were going to find something to do, though they didn't know what.
While sitting and talking over plans of what might be viable options for things to do, Tom came in carrying a couple official looking envelopes. Sitting down by Harry, he handed the young man the one addressed to him and the other one over to Sirius. “One of the elves handed them to me when I Floo'd in. They are from the French Ministry.”
Opening the official looking envelope, Harry pulled out the parchment and began to read. Grinning slightly, he said, “I'm now a French citizen! It's official!” Holding out the parchment for Tom, he looked at Sirius, who was grinning as well.
“I am too. Damn, that was fast!” Sirius chuckled, tossing the parchment on the table, leaning back.
Looking over the official document, Tom nodded. “This is good, very good. You are both now as protected as you can get from anything Britain may try. Plus, the French aren't about to let anyone slip through or help them find you. Perfect.”
Peering at the document Tom was holding, Narcissa smiled, “I think one of the first things we need to do here is start teaching all of you French. If they went to the trouble of making sure you received citizenship this quickly, you need to learn the language.” Stopping, she looked at her cousin then gave a long suffering sigh before adding, “And I don't mean some of the words you know, Sirius! Ones that won't get all of you slapped if you say them!”
Laughing, Sirius said, “Yeah, I see the point there. We can start working on that.”
“I say an hour a day will be good to start. Sirius and I probably won't pick it up as fast as Harry, but we'll start,” Remus said, pleased with this.
Liking that idea, Narcissa made a mental note to plan out an hour of her day to help them as she spoke French fluently. Leaning against Tom, she smiled at the reactions around the table. This was good.
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If This Is How You Treat Your Heroes...