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Through the Veil and Back Again	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 77508 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (though someone could gift me a few of the men in it and I wouldn't complain) and make no money off of this.

Chapter List
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Chapter 25

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi, who I couldn't work without anymore. Thanks, Tenchi!

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.

Letting out a ragged sigh, Remus shook his head and looked down. Rubbing a trembling hand over his face he looked between Sirius and Harry after hearing all that was contained in that vision Harry had when the final power manifested. Leaning back in the chair, he shut his eyes, not knowing what to say.
Snorting, Sirius quipped, “Welcome to our insanity.”
“I—I'm not even sure where to start with this, Sirius. Or how to even give any kind of help, let alone a suggestion or advice,” Remus admitted, looking between the two where they were lounging on Sirius' bed. They were holed up in Sirius' room for a while so they could talk out all that had been tossed their way over the last few days, something they really hadn't had a chance to do. “Any clue what you both plan to do here or are you just waiting to see what plays out where to judge?”
“It depends on which chunk of the mess,” Sirius admitted honestly. “Part of it—that's going to push on with the suggestion of the solicitor to put an end to that piece of the insanity and see what we can come up with as a safe place to get us the hell out of here. Not to mention that Harry's assets need protected and something done to fix what so many did. The rest—you've got me there. As I said earlier; the contact is up to Harry. When he gets comfortable enough to do that, we'll let him go for it. He can now tell if he's being yanked around, so it's best to let him handle that.”
Nodding slowly, Remus said, “That might be for the best.” Shaking his head, he muttered, “Merlin! This is a bigger mess than we ever thought and I don't know how to handle some of this. Not only is Albus apparently no better than what we fought against in the last war if he's willing to pull some of what he has and what he's planning for, but the 'good guy' here is the one that was the enemy in the last war. Talk about unfathomable!”
“You don't have to tell me that,” Sirius snorted, leaning his head back and resting it against the wall, holding Harry close. “So far, everything we're getting aligns with what Lily told me. So, I'm going with it's the truth here. That doesn't make it any easier though.”
“No, it doesn't,” Remus admitted softly. “I don't know what I thought about that part, but this—I didn't even consider it.”
Sitting there quietly, leaning against Sirius and liking being held, Harry just listened in until that part. Quietly, he said, “I might have a suggestion here as to what can initiate contact. At least it's going to show something in good faith.”
Looking down at his godson, Sirius asked, “What's that?” He would be all ears on anything as he had no idea on how to work with any of that piece of this nightmare.
“Wormtail,” Harry said, looking between the two. “Let's call it proving that they are serious. If they get the rat into the hands of the Ministry somehow and get you cleared, it's going to make a big step in showing that end is serious about this.” Shaking his head, he added, “We don't need to deal with you being wanted on top of all the rest of this mess. It would help, giving leverage we need when it comes to Dumbledore and his crazy schemes. At least I think it would.”
Pondering that, Remus began to nod slowly. Looking at Sirius, he saw his friend doing the same. “It might not be something that will give complete faith, but it's a very large step in the right direction. Good idea, Harry. At the very least, we can derail anything Albus is working with as it's going to put Sirius in the role, officially, that he needs to be in. Albus knows not to push with Sirius when it comes to many things. Quite frankly, that's something we need. Even if I take over with official custody, he's not as wary of me, thus will be apt to keep right on trying. This would work far better.”
“Yeah, I think that's something we need to do here,” Sirius said bluntly. “Damned good idea, Harry! Not something either of us thought of. We'll get with Lucius after a while and lay that out for him. I'm sure he has a way to get it to that end of this mess or Snape. Then we'll go from there.”
“Whatever he's going to do, he has to be fast,” Remus said softly, shaking his head. “We are looking at the start of term looming at this point. We've only got a little over a week until Harry's birthday. Then the countdown is on. Which means, he's going to have to work quickly to do that. And we're going to have to push it to get us out before that deadline. That's all there is to this.”
“Very true,” Sirius groused then sighed. “The out part—bloody hell! That's not something we have even the most basic of anything to work with. We need those damned papers from Harry's estate to even start there because I can find nothing that we can use in what I own. While I get the offer from the other side is legit, I'd rather be in someplace neutral for my peace of mind.”
“I tend to agree there,” Remus nodded. “We just have to wait on that is all. Then we'll work on what we can if we can find something. If nothing else, we'll see what we can buy and fix up. I don't know. That's holding until we get the paperwork. If we can get Harry a good solicitor, he might be able to assist in this chunk of the mess in some way. I just don't know what else to suggest that's even slightly workable, especially with the limited time we have for it.”
“Alright, Harry and I'll get with Lucius to see what we can do there. Frankly, that has to come because of the mess that's looming with this seer bit. I have no clue how involved that's going to be, but I'm damned certain, from what we've found out so far, it's going to end up very public. With me being in this position, we don't want to risk that. Then we press on with the rest as we hold for what comes.”
“Good plan,” Remus nodded. Sighing, he said, “Alright, on the bit with the visit to James and Lily--” Looking at Harry, he said, gently, “I think I may have a better plan for this.” Seeing Harry nod, he pressed on, “Let me go visit Arthur and see if I can get him to come along instead of Severus. I don't think Severus will take that suggestion badly. It was my thought that you might be more comfortable with Arthur with us as this is bound to end up highly emotional. No, I don't think Severus would do or say anything to you about any of what might come, but you may be more comfortable with Arthur because of the relationship.”
Not even thinking about that, Harry gave a firm nod. “I would,” he admitted. “I appreciate Snape's offer, as I know he's serious about that, but I'll do better with Mr. Weasley around.”
“I thought as much,” Remus smiled. “I'm also going to say give it a few more days. We've all, but you especially, have had so much thrown at us over the last couple, that I think it's best to give us some time to relax and lower the stress level slightly.”
“I think that's a damned good idea,” Sirius said with a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “We've had so much shite chucked this direction that I don't think more stress or emotional turmoil is going to help anything but trying to send us further off the deep end.”
“Yeah, let's wait a couple of days here,” Harry nodded. “Let me reset some dials a little and try to adjust before I have to deal with that part.”
“Good,” Remus said, pleased. “I'm going to try to go over and see Arthur tomorrow then work out something so Albus doesn't know we're doing it. We'll come up with a plan, I'm sure. Then we press on with the rest.”
“I vote that we spend today, other than the talk with Lucius, just relaxing and mucking around. The same with tomorrow. We need some time here, no doubt, to adjust. That and to see how much more might have kicked up from that mess. Then we go on. Let's just table anything stressful, unless we have to deal with it, until then. We need a damned break, I don't think anyone will argue that point.”
“We won't,” Remus chuckled softly. “I'm sure we can find something to do. That and, maybe, you might want to spend some time with Draco, Sirius. He wants to know about his father. I'm sure there's plenty you can tell him that Narcissa doesn't know. He would love to hear that as he has no memories of him at all. It's something similar to Harry in that area.”
“I'll do that,” Sirius said with a firm nod. Quietly, he added, shaking his head, “I didn't think about that part. Let's see what I can do here with him. It won't be much, but it's something.” Scratching his chin, looking thoughtful, he added, “Let's see if I can't get Kreacher to listen to me for once. He might know where more pictures of him are. If I make sure I tell him they are for Draco, he might produce them.” Shaking his head, he added, “We'll come up with something here.”

Looking between Harry and Sirius after hearing the proposal, Lucius nodded slowly. “I'll see what I can do on this end. It's not something I thought of, honestly. I don't think any of us did. However, we need to do something with that situation. This is complicated enough that the threat that comes with your wanted status is not what we need looming over our heads. There's also the fact that this can only aid matters with the mess that surrounds what Dumbledore pulled with Harry and his estate. That can derail so much if we ensure you're in the position James and Lily wanted you in.” Thinking it over for a moment, he said, firmly, “I'm going to send a missive to Severus to pass it along. Off the top of my head, I can't think of what may work to protect so many while getting him into the place he needs to be to prove your innocence, but the Dark Lord can probably come up with something for that. Or someone else can.”
“As Remus pointed out, we don't have much time here, Lucius,” Sirius told him softly, shaking his head. “We need something to at least throw spanners into whatever Albus might try before school starts. At this point, we've got only a little over a month to pull something out of our arse to get us out. Before then, we need plenty in place.”
“Agreed,” Lucius said, rubbing a hand over his face. “We'll manage. How? That I don't know, but we will. There are plenty of us working on the problem. Just—we need time is all. That's not something we have in great abundance, I know, but we have enough I think. If we can't find anything, I may have something that will work as a stop-gap measure until then.” Seeing questioning looks from the two, he explained, “Narcissa has a couple of houses that were willed to her. They are known, of course, at least by some, but are nowhere near as visible as what I inherited. If it looks like we can't find anything, I'm going to propose we buy one of them from her, something she'll be willing to sell to us, then layer it with every protection we can find. I think, maybe, I might even be able to make one Unplottable, if we work it right. We can go through a contractor to do the warding and other protections. There are plenty who are discreet enough that they won't reveal anything. It's a last resort if nothing else presents itself, but it's an option.”
“If they were Black properties, we can do an out and out swap for one of mine,” Sirius said, leaning back in the chair. “That way it's kept in family and there won't be any paper trail like there would be if I bought it.”
“I didn't think of that, but it's something good. We may go that route. She'd be more than happy to trade for something that belonged to the family,” Lucius said, pleased.
“I want to make it clear that whatever happens here, Remus comes with and stays with us. It's not for a protection thing, but because he deserves to be out as well. Leaving him behind would just cause hell for him. He has enough of that as it is,” Sirius said quietly, though his tone was firm.
“Shan't be a problem,” Lucius told him. “In fact, we were planning on that anyway. Don't worry.”
Looking between the two, Harry asked, “Do either of you have any clue as to what I might own or not? I know we have to wait to get the paperwork to be sure, but I have no idea. All I knew about was the place in Godric's Hollow.”
“No,” Sirius said honestly with a shake of his head. “All I ever knew about for sure was the house your grandparents owned. That's far too visible. I assume you own that now, but I'm not about to chance that one. James did tell me there were plenty more. It's just I don't know what they are or where they might be because they lived in the one the whole time I knew him. It was just one they liked because it was smaller and had a homier feel to it was all.”
“I don't either,” Lucius admitted. “I've heard some, obviously, over the years. There was always talk of Potter Manor. I assume that is real as the older Pureblood families all had one unless they had to sell it off over time or it shifted to another family line when one died out for various reasons. If it does exist, it's hidden because no one I know has ever seen it. In fact, I don't think I ever heard a location where it might be either. This is a case of we're going to have to wait and see.”
“If there is a Potter Manor, or something similar, that might be the way to go here,” Sirius said, looking between the two. “It would be big enough we would have plenty of space and wouldn't get on each other's nerves. Plus, we would have plenty of grounds to use for whatever.”
“Very true,” Lucius nodded. “Let's wait to plan to see what we find. There may be a better option somewhere.” Changing topics, he said, “I have a missive off to a solicitor I know that I think is perfect for this. Not only won't Albus try anything with him, he's discreet enough that we won't have to worry about anything. He's also one that will keep anything I'm involved in when it comes to this under wraps and won't go by my reputation. I also think I can arrange late night meetings with him. He's one that has high-powered clients of all kinds so he knows that, sometimes, odd hours are needed to handle certain areas. Hopefully, I'll hear something back today or tomorrow from him. Then we'll go from there with what we plan. Severus will provide Polyjuice for me to go so nothing seems off, though there is no real danger here for me. It's just best to keep up appearances.” Looking at Sirius, he added, “I think you should come too instead of Remus. Both of us know what we're dealing with here and what may need handled. I believe I can convince him to take your case as well. If something breaks with Wormtail, you're going to need representation to take on some of this. It won't be a conflict of interest for him to have both of you as a client, even though some of what he's going to handle will converge.”
“I didn't think of that either,” Sirius sighed, shaking his head. “Yeah, I'll go. I'd prefer that anyway. Remus won't mind as he's so far out of his depths with much of this. Hell, it'll probably be a relief for him not to have to worry about that. I'll say something to him later today so he knows.” Smoothing down his goatee, he mumbled, “There is so much shite here, well beyond what we thought we had to deal with, that I'm just getting more lost as to what we have to work with as time goes on.”
Snorting, Lucius nodded, “I understand completely, trust me. We'll manage, somehow. It's just going to take some fancy footwork to do it, nothing more. There are enough of us involved on this end that we'll come up with something to get us out before school starts.”
“I hope,” Sirius sighed. Shaking his head, he said, “Alright, enough. Harry and I are pretty much done as to what we can take here. We need a rest from the stress. How about we schedule a night of just sitting around playing cards or something. We can order out for pizza and just goof off. What do you say?”
“That sounds like a good itinerary to me,” Lucius nodded, looking pleased. “We have some of our board games at the manor. I’ll get an elf to fetch them. Those are always quite entertaining as well.”
“I'll have you do that,” Sirius told him. “Alright, let me get with everyone on what they like then I'll send Remus on a pizza run when the time comes. I think we all need the break here.”
“We do.” Lucius agreed. “Let me send off the message to Severus then I'll go get with Narcissa and Draco to set it up.

Looking down at the message Lucius sent, rubbing his chin, Voldemort then looked up at Severus and told him, “This is something we need to handle, honestly.”
“I agree,” Severus told him with a sigh. Leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, he told the man, “Not only is it going to show the sincerity here, it's something we have to handle to hold off issues. It's not going to do us any good to have Black still wanted if we get him out, especially if he's involved heavily in the seer aspect. That's going to be visible, from what we know. The how is the problem.”
“It is,” Tom nodded. “Alright, Severus, we need to come up with something to work with this. And fast. Of all the things we need to handle, this has to be the quickest to get it in place. Whatever we do is going to take time for the Ministry to process. And I want to keep almost everyone out of what we do. Wormtail is a big exception to what I do now, but some may not see it that way.”
“He's useless and worthless,” Severus sneered, shaking his head.
“Agreed,” Tom chuckled. “Whatever uses he had ended long ago. He's little more than an albatross for so much at this juncture. I use him for menial tasks, nothing more. Even those, though, I can assign to someone else and they would probably do a better job. I've kept him out of the loop on almost everything that's going on now, thankfully, but we still have the problem of just what he knows. With as—spineless as he is, he would give up everything to save his own skin. That we don't need. What he does know might not be enough to cause major problems, but it would create some. Plus, I'm not sure just what he does know about in some areas. That worries me.” Stopping, he shook his head then groaned. “This is one I'm not sure how to work with.”
“We can't Obliviate everything he knows,” Severus sighed, rubbing his fingers in a distracted way. “Some of it goes back far too long to do that.”
“The first war is not something I'm concerned about. Whatever comes out about that won't trouble us. I'm worried about since my return.” Tom told him, starting to drum his fingers on the desk.
Trying to think, Severus said, “Though it's rather stomach churning and not what you do anymore, perhaps turning Bella loose on him? Let her do what she does best, though leave him alive. It's not something we're going to want anyone we're working with to know about, but it would solve a lot of problems.”
Taking that in and pondering it, Tom told him, tone distracted, “It could work. I would rather leave that as last resort, though. If we can't come up with anything else, I may go with that direction. He'd be alive, but brain-damaged enough that he couldn’t impart anything. Let me look into the spells that obliviate and see what I can come up with there. There might be one I can use to securely erase certain memories and implant new ones. I won't take everything, as that will only help the situation, but just the ones that cause the most damage to us. There might be something I can work with or change to where it does what we need. I'd rather go that route. The more he can tell when we turn him over, the better we're going to be when it comes to clearing Black.”
“I didn't think of that part,” Severus said, crossing his arms over his chest, looking down. Tapping his foot, he said, “Perhaps you need a Veritaserum session ahead of time before you do anything to see just what he does know so you can prepare. If he doesn’t know much, we might not have to do too much of anything before we get him in the right hands. The less we have to do here, the better all of us are going to be. Something like that you can easily Obliviate.”
“True, very true,” Tom nodded, pleased with that suggestion. “A modified form of the Imperius might help as well to get him to turn himself in once we know what we're dealing with. He's weak-minded enough that he can't fight it off. The simpler the solution, the better off we're going to be. Alright, let me see what I can find and talk to a couple of Unspeakables that work for me. They might have a solution as well. Once I come up with something, I'll get with you and we'll go from there.” Seeing the man in black nod, he dismissed him then went to find the library to see what he could come up with.
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Through the Veil and Back Again