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In His Place	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 72865 -:- 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
- 22
- 23
- 24
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 23

Though Sirius wanted to help his slightly wobbly godson into the kitchen, considering how tired and unsteady he was, he didn't. It was best to let Harry do this on his own so he could get used to it. He was doing fine with the cane, but he needed to keep it up. Helping him wouldn't allow him to grow accustomed to it when he needed it the most. Once they were inside and Harry was seated, Sirius sent for something to drink for the both of them. Looking at Cissy and Draco, both of who were pale, he sighed then said, “We have something big coming. Lessons are canceled for the day and we have plenty to tackle.”
Nodding, figuring that was in the offing, Narcissa asked, as she and Draco hadn't heard yet, “Another prediction?”
“Not really a prediction this time, more like a message to pass on. That and plenty of information we need to deal with.” Before she could ask, Sirius sighed, “Percy Weasley is dead. That's the message Harry passed along. He told us where his body is. Remus and Lucius are trying to get in touch with those that need to know as we speak. We also got information on some that need protected.” Softening his voice, he added, “Andromeda is in real danger. She's being stalked for revenge. We'll make damned sure she stays safe, Cissy.”
Hands flying to her mouth, eyes widening, Narcissa just let out what could only be termed a squeak. While she didn't have the greatest relationship with her sister because of the past, she was trying to repair it. As of now, it was still a stiff one, but they were trying. She sure didn't want anything to happen to her.
“Remus is passing the message along,” Sirius soothed, making a patting gesture at her to keep her calm. “As he's with Tonks, he's going to do all he can, you know that. Let them handle it. Harry got the message across to us, so we can make sure she stays safe.” Changing topics slightly, hoping to keep her from fretting too much, he said, “Whatever you're doing with those lessons, you keep it up. It's working. He was able to hold off saying anything until we got him into a safe place and soundproofing up. We needed that, Cissy, especially since someone else was in the house.”
Wringing her hands and still thinking of her sister, Narcissa gave a shaky nod. “I can do that. We'll press on and keep working. Is there anything else we need to know? I assume so.”
“Plenty,” Sirius groaned then began telling her all that had come out. “Some they have to handle, now, to keep plenty safe. Especially those considered Blood Traitors. We'll deal with the other bit when that's over. Though someone needs to get in touch with Snape as fast as we can manage. As much as he's over here, he needs warned. I'll set Lucius on that when he gets back. I'm sure we'll have plenty of company as well since there is a shiteload to deal with.” Looking at Harry, who was leaning against him, though appearing as though he was about to go to sleep, he sighed. “We'll manage, just like we have been. Nothing to worry about.”
“We will,” Narcissa nodded, planning to focus on all that they had to take care of to keep her mind off her sister.
“Those maps are something we need to get tweaked today to expand the coverage. Not sure why we can't see whoever is there, but we need to. Everyone can come in another way, of course, but we want to keep an eye on who is lingering. With all that's coming, I'm not sure when we'll have time today, but we need to make some,” Sirius sighed, slipping an arm around Harry as he seemed to lean more heavily against him, breathing deepening, an indication he was dozing. “We can just expect to be busy. Let's see what Remus and Lucius have to say when they come back. Then we'll know more of what we have to do.”

Watching as Alastor came over and sat down, holding the tense Harry close, Sirius asked, softly, “Well?”
Sighing, shaking his head, Moody looked around the table at all the tense faces of those that lived there, “It's as Harry said; Percy is dead. The DMLE found him after a short search. I won't go into details other than to say it was a warning for Blood Traitors, again, as Harry said. Rufus got with Albus as he thought it was better for the old man to break the news to Molly and Arthur. Minerva is currently tending to the castle, something that is now on permanent lock down until this ends. The kids are out of it so far, but Albus and Rufus, both, don't want to take the chance. That means visitors have to be approved before going in and Hogsmeade visits are canceled until further notice.” Looking around, he added, as gently as he was able, “While we all know Percy was the black sheep and not well liked, Albus would like all of us to kick in something so we can get Molly and Arthur something nice. That and a note from everyone would be appropriate. It won't take away the hurt, but can help.”
“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we'll kick in what's needed,” Remus told him softly while everyone else nodded. “Everyone can write something up and I'll take it over personally.”
“We will and you can pass along from me that anything anyone needs, we'll help with,” Sirius added, shaking his head. “We might not be able to go out, but we'll do what we can.”
“I'll pass that along as well.” Moody assured him with a nod.
“What about Andromeda?” Narcissa asked, wringing her hands. She was worried about her sister and wanted to know.
“Rufus is on the case,” Alastor assured her. “He's sending people over to keep watch. We've made sure she got one of the maps and a mirror to call for help. Anytime she or Ted go out, they'll have an escort. Nothing to worry about. Albus is also going to send a few over to beef up warding and whatnot. She'll be fine since we got warning. Rufus himself talked to her and Ted to warn them. So, she knows to watch herself.”
“Good,” Narcissa said with a smile. “I was concerned, of course.”
“Completely understandable,” Alastor told her. “If it gets to the point that it looks like they won't be safe at home, we'll find somewhere for them. Nothing to worry about. The warning is what we needed to tend to it.”
Glancing around, he changed topics, “I got in touch with Snape about staying safe. He's going to Apparate straight onto the front steps from here on out. Or Floo in if he has to. Albus is going to come up with something for the Floo. He's also passing word to everyone to stay the hell out of that park. We're doing what we can to hide who is in the Order. Some of us it's well known, but we don't want to paint targets on anyone we don't have to. The rest of us—we'll protect ourselves the best we can, don't worry. You lot are safe, other than Remus, so don't let it stress you. We got the information we needed to help and that was Merlin sent. And we're going to use it. Nothing to worry yourselves about needlessly.” That last part was to Narcissa so she didn't stress too much about her sister.
“What about the rest of this mess? And what else Harry came across with?” Sirius asked, glancing at his godson. Harry was awake, of course, and looking uncomfortable. As this was the bit that could actually aid in ending the whole nightmare, they needed to work on it.
Sighing, Alastor explained, “Rufus wants to get with you about that, just not tonight. He's pulled in about a hundred different directions today and can't. Protection of living people trumps the other part. What he told me to pass along is to write down everything you can remember, Sirius.” Eyes flitting to Harry, who was looking at him, he added, “And you too, lad. All of it. When he gets time in the next couple of days, he's going to set up another meeting. Because of what's going on, he thinks it's best to do it through the mirrors. Then he's going to go over everything with you lot and get all the information he can. Once he gets it, he'll go from there and have people start hunting for those nasty things. However, he's doing a couple things now.”
“First, he's signed an executive order that Mr. Potter is one of the people that is in extreme danger and needs Ministry protection. That won't look odd as there are several on that list by now, as anyone can guess,” Alastor said, looking around. “He's doing it for a more covert reason, though. In doing that, it's going to keep Harry out of school because of the danger he's in. That he slipped in there quietly. What it does is it bars Albus from trying to manipulate him to go back in any way. The castle will magically reject Harry if he tries. Once everything is settled again and this nightmare ends, it'll expire. He wanted it done before Albus can pull anything. Going about it this way won't send up signals the way an executive order barring Albus from attempting it would.”
“That is an ingenious way to go about it,” Lucius admitted with a nod. “Not something I would have thought of.”
“That's why he's the Minister and was head of the Aurors for so long,” Alastor said with an amused snort. “He knows what he's doing.” Shifting back to the topic, he added, “And it's going to give us some help in protecting the lad when he has to go out for something. The order will automatically make it to where Harry will have Hitwizard protection if he has to go out. We all know he stays in the house, for the most part, but there are bits and bobs that come up he might need to venture out for. This will take plenty of pressure off scrambling to find bodies. We need that, desperately, with all that's going on.”
“We do,” Sirius admitted, happy with that part.
Glancing at Harry, Alastor softened his tone the best he could then said, “Lad, I want you to let me finish before you get upset with this.” Seeing a wary look then Harry nod, he pressed on, “He listed the reasons for the order as a physical disability.” Though he could see an upset expression on Harry's face, he kept going, “As it is the truth, in a way, he went with it. It's also another means of protection. Mr. Potter might not be up to what he was when it comes to defending himself, but he can do the job if he has to. Listing that will make the other side of the nightmare underestimate what he can do and make them think he's more helpless than what he is. That will help all of us. It gives us something we can pull out if we have to and keep them off balance. We aren't sure what they know when it comes to Mr. Potter's condition, so we want it sounding worse than what it is. That can only help in the long run.”
Watching Harry as they listened, Sirius waited until he saw the comprehension dawn on Harry's face then he nodded, before he put a hand on his godson's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Damned good idea there. Let them think he's mostly incapacitated.”
“Exactly,” Moody nodded. Once more changing tracks, he began, looking around, “Remus told me you have the reason for Albus wanting Mr. Potter in the castle and what he's pushing for? Besides that prophecy?”
“We do,” Sirius sighed then groaned. “It's not pretty. And it's related to that mess with the objects.”
“Good. We have something. We'll save that for the meeting with Rufus as well. Now, about the object in the house—Remus mentioned that. Rufus said if you can get your hands on it, send it to him as quickly as you can with one of the elves after you put protections around it. He has a way to destroy them, but you don't want to attempt it here.” Seeing that they were about to ask, he explained, “You need either basilisk venom or Fiendfyre. I don't fancy your chances of having the one on hand to use or being able to control the latter without burning the house to the ground. He'll have some people in the Department of Mysteries handle it.”
“Ye-ahhh, we'll let them take that on if it's the only way to do it,” Sirius said with a shake of his head. “Not going to try, don't care there. I'll send it along if we can get our hands on it. We have to work on Kreacher for that. Let me see what we can manage.”
“Do that as soon as you can,” Alastor nodded. Sighing, he added, “Expect company today, plenty of it. Albus is working on a few bits to help, so we might need you lot for some of it. Worry about the other issue later.” Standing with a groan, he said, “I'll be back when I can. If you need anything, get in touch.” Hearing them assure him they would, he then left to tend to an ever growing nightmare.
Looking around, Sirius said, “Let's get something to eat and settle in. Those maps need tweaked as fast as we can manage. Then we'll deal with whoever shows up. The rest? We'll take it as it comes.” With that, he made a mental note to get with Harry alone again to reassure him. He knew his godson hated what he could do, but it was now becoming dead useful and helping. That was something he wanted to keep impressing on him.

Taking a seat on his bed with a groan after coming back from the loo, Sirius looked at his godson. Harry was ready for bed and looking like he was going to pass out, having dark circles under his eyes as well as being slightly wonky. That was understandable as it was two in the fucking morning. They were just now getting to where they could get some sleep with all they ended up having to do.
As Alastor said, they had plenty of company and other bits to take care of that Albus sent along. One of the worst was not only getting a signup sheet up for those that could volunteer for protecting people, acting as bodyguards, working on warding and whatnot, but others dropping off donations for the Weasleys. Then they had to work on plenty of others to deal with the mess. They got the official paperwork for Harry's status, something he had to sign as Harry's guardian. That they needed to keep on them any time they were out. Alastor was in and out several times with other things they had to take care of. So, they were all busy up until a short time ago.
Glancing at the map of the park that they now had on their wall, he sighed. The issue had been that it wasn't showing enough of the area. When they expanded it to where it passed over the property lines for some of the flats on all sides, the names showed up. That wasn't good as these were some powerful Death Eaters. It was good in the fact they now knew, though, and could keep watch. All of them in the house had a map in their room and there was one up in the kitchen, where they congregated, so they could all monitor and keep a running list of names. That list was also in Albus' office, so he could help when he was able. They also made it to where it registered in a book for Rufus. From what Alastor said, Rufus was going to do all he could, when he had the bodies, to arrest the idiots. That they needed.
Leaning over, he put a hand on his obviously stressed out godson's head and rubbed it. “You doing all right, Harry?” He asked softly. They hadn't had a chance to talk yet or tackle Kreacher. The latter he was going to try tomorrow, if he got the chance, as it would take time. The former—they were going to do now so his godson could relax about it before bed.
Shrugging, Harry sighed then admitted, “I don't know, honestly. I—well, I don't like this Sirius, even if it does help. It makes me feel like a freak.”
Sliding over to sit with Harry on the edge of his bed, Sirius slipped an arm around his waist and held him close. “You're not. I swear that. While I get some call this a 'gift', I can easily say that it doesn't seem like one to me. That doesn't make you a freak, though. It just means you can do something most can't. From what is in those books Cissy has, this is something that we all probably have, we just can't—well, its latent. The head injury is probably what 'activated' it in you. That's all. It doesn't make you a freak.” Lowering his voice, he added, “And the help it's given us in keeping plenty safe and preventing deaths is immeasurable. You've saved plenty with what you've come across with, including, probably, some you're really close to. That's more than worth it, isn't it?”
Thinking that over, Harry gave a slow nod. “True,” he admitted. “I just don't like it.”
“Shite, I wouldn't like it either, Harry,” Sirius admitted, giving him a squeeze. “It has to be nightmarish to deal with. From the look on your face as you do it and what we see afterwards, it is probably plenty bad. Not to mention what you described, but that's a bit balanced out by what you've given us. The help we got from your dad alone is going to give us what we need to end this nightmare and protect you while we do it. That we desperately needed as we had no clue what was going on. Now we know what to look for when it comes to not only Albus, but those objects. The latter one is what's going to help us end this nightmare. That—if we didn't have that we would end up running in circles. Because whatever Albus knows about them, something we're pretty sure he does, he wouldn't have told us, letting his end play out. Rufus will take care of the business with them and get rid of the evil things. Trust me when I say he doesn't give a shite if that evil arse targets him. He knows just what he's doing and will give him the fight of his life.”
“Good,” Harry sighed, nodding. He was feeling a tad better about this now. That feeling was still there, but he could keep a handle on it now. Thinking it over, he asked softly, changing topics, “Is there any way for me to go to Percy's funeral? I didn't really like him as he was a bit of a prat, but I'd like to be there for everyone else. Well, you know what I mean.”
“I know just what you mean,” Sirius told him softly. Shaking his head, he then told his godson, “That's a bad idea, Harry. Very bad. It's easy to understand why you want to go, but that would put not only you in danger, but everyone there. As much of a target as you are, I'm sure there'll be some from the other side watching. I don't think anyone needs that.” Stopping, he grinned just a bit then added, “Though it might make Molly feel a tad better to huff at you for putting yourself in danger by being there. You know what she's like. Fussing at someone helps her.” Gently, he added, “Your friends and the rest of them will understand why. I'll make sure that they all get something special from you and we'll sit together and write them a note that I'll pass along. I think that's the best you can do, Harry. We can't chance sending you the normal ways, like with Polyjuice. Your health problems would make that highly dangerous.”
“That's not something I thought of,” Harry admitted, shaking his head, looking down.
“It’s going to end up with so many people there that it'll make it an almost impossible task to keep track of who is who,” Sirius admitted. “Those families are big. That's a nightmare when it comes to keeping you safe. We'll make sure all of them know you wanted to go, but we just can't manage it. Remus is going with Tonks, so he'll make sure to pass along your condolences that way. Nothing to worry about and no one is going to get upset that you can't go.”
“I'd like that,” Harry nodded. Looking at the floor, he sighed, “This is such a mess and so horrible.”
“I know, trust me,” Sirius assured him. “There's nothing we can do to change it at the moment. That evil arse is responsible. That means we just have to fight him with all we have. That we're doing. We'll win in the end, don't worry. It's just going to be rough getting there, nothing more than that. We've now got the upper hand in some areas, so we'll manage.” Giving Harry a kiss on the side of the head, he said, “Let's get some sleep. We've got a shiteload to do again tomorrow and probably more that will end up dropped on us, so we need our sleep.” Seeing Harry nod, he stood and waited for his godson to slid into bed then slipped in behind him.
Extinguishing the lights, he curled up to Harry's backside and held him. Though he should see if Harry minded him sleeping here, something he didn't think he did, Sirius didn't ask. It was his thought that he would just go with it. After all, it seemed to actually help both of them, in plenty of ways. That and Harry didn't seem to get the nightmares he was still dealing with when he was here. That alone made it to where he wanted to do it. Harry dealt with enough that he didn't need the nightmares. Well—there was also the fact that it helped him with his own issues. That he liked as well. So, unless Harry voiced an objection, he would keep on doing it.
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In His Place