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Lucky Strike	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 76061 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 17
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this strange dance in JK Rowling's world.

Chapter List
- 29
- 30
- 31
Beta'd by the most amazing Tenchi, who I can't thank enough for all the hard work she does for me!

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 29

“Yes, I believe this is the way to handle the meeting,” Healer Stewart said with a nod after Remus and Severus presented Sirius' idea and he thought it over. “Let's see what James and Lily have to say.”
“It's far safer,” Remus admitted honestly. “It's coming. Rufus promised Harry. We all know when he makes a promise, he keeps it, especially in an area this big. We were both thinking it will probably do Harry a world of good, with all he's dealing with. Probably Sirius as well. Both of them, though the situation isn't the same, suffered the worst over the negligence in this case.”
“Oh, I do agree,” Stewart said. “In Harry's case, with all he's going though, the fact he can confront the people who actually set it up to happen, though unwittingly, will help him in plenty of ways.”
“It's also the only way we can think of to get it across to the two of them just what he's like and how nothing they will try will get them back in Harry's good graces. While some of what we've said has probably sunk in, I doubt it's enough to effect a real change in their thought processes. The three of us are of the thought that even seeing what they did won't get them off the track they're on. It'll just delay what they are planning for a time, nothing more.” Severus sneered, slouching down, arms folded over his chest.
Then, with a heavy sigh, he added, “We truly need them to leave Harry alone, we really do. And I don't want any more meetings like this. They serve no purpose other than for them to gather information they can use for whatever. We don't want to give them any more than we have to.”
After pondering the last of what Severus said, Stewart gave a reluctant nod. “Very true. It has been made clear to me by all of you and Harry, especially him, there is no reconciliation possible. Harry doesn't want anything to do with them and, with what I know of his mindset, it probably won't change in the future. I think we need to make this clear as well. However, I would add if there are issues that come up at some point, and it becomes obvious they need discussed, we do it this way rather than try in another venue where it's more likely tempers get the better of everyone.”
“Yes, we'll agree to do so,” Remus told him after a glance at his husband and seeing him nod.
“I'll ensure it's brought up,” Stewart said with a nod, leaning back in his chair.
Stewart then changed topics and asked, “Aside from the obvious, is there anything in particular we need to bring up? I know the basics, of course, but was wondering if something presented itself we need to discuss with them.”
“We do,” Severus said with a determined nod. He then pulled the letter out from Draco detailing what the Potter boy had spouted about Harry and pushed it over to Stewart. “We need them to put a leash on their son. Draco wrote his father and Lucius showed us, so Harry doesn't know. However, if it keeps up, we'll ensure Harry's made aware so he knows what's going on. At this juncture, he doesn't need someone blaming him for the problems James and Lily created. We have no idea what his reaction would be beyond not pretty.”
As quickly as he could, Stewart read the letter then put it on the table in front of him with a soft groan. “No, such matters will help nothing but fueling Harry's temper. We'll bring it up. While I'm sure all of us here know just how hard it is to put a stop to teenager's foolishness in some matters, this is one his parents need to step up and tend to.”
“We also are wondering, as is Sirius, if what Jamie is spouting are bits he heard from the adults around him,” Remus tossed in there softly. Then, with a shake of his head, he added, “We don't think Lily would say anything like it, but James might if he's upset enough. Either that or it's the general feeling he's picking up on from his father. Our understanding is Jamie is just like James was in school. While we don't know what he's like now or how much he's changed, though we've not seen much from the meeting we had, what we hear from Draco is Jamie is just like him when he was younger. James did mature, though not completely in some areas. Jamie—it's James before he started to change. Which troubles all of us.”
“We'll delve into this as much as we can,” Stewart assured him, making note of what was said. “I'll keep the letter to show them.”
“Fine,” Severus nodded. While there were areas they wanted to get information about, they would keep that particular agenda to themselves and bring it up when the time presented itself.
After folding his hands on the table, Stewart looked between the two and said, “I don't think this will end up pleasant. I'm sure the two want information on how Harry is now after they witnessed what happened. It's probably the impetus for them wanting to schedule this meeting, honestly.”
“And we plan to tell them, very baldly,” Remus said, lifting his chin. “I want them to hear how he is. It can only drive the point home further.”
“Very true and I agree,” Stewart nodded. “We'll manage. Just—like before, shouting matches help nothing. I know quite well how the two of you feel about them, but an all out verbal battle won’t aid anything. Please try, though I know it's hard.”
“We will,” Severus grumbled, looking dour. While he wanted to verbally eviscerate the two, Stewart was correct. They could manage more if they didn't end up confrontational. As he well knew, no one listened if everyone was shouting at each other. At some point, he would get to say just want he wanted, but now wasn't the time.
With a nod, Stewart then walked them through what they wanted to cover. As they only had the standard hour, he needed to make sure so they could fit it all in and he was prepared.

While James waited, though not patiently, for Stewart to explain what they were doing, lay down the ground rules and such, he jumped right in when they were 'officially' starting. “We want to know how Harry is. What we heard was he had surgery because of that mess after court and he's fine, but we wanted to know just what happened.” Then he waited. If they managed to get nothing else but this out of the meeting, they would be good.
“He's fine,” Remus told him with a slightly cold tone. “He had to have surgery to repair the old scars being ripped open. That's what the flashbacks cause, James. He's, physically, fine, but is still dealing with a great deal of the emotional pain the flashback brought on. While he's improving, he's not back to where he was before the flashback.”
“Will he get there?” Lily asked, looking between the two. “It looked plenty bad to us, what with the bleeding and all.”
“He'll get there, provided people leave him alone and don't push,” Severus snorted, glaring at the two of them. “It'll just take him time and work.”
“Maggie wants to apologize to him for triggering what happened,” Lily said softly, looking slightly worried still. “We didn't tell her the whole story, just that Harry was afraid of dogs as the reason for what she saw. Is there any way we can allow her to do so?”
“No,” Remus said before Severus could jump in. “Leave it. It's best to let Harry alone and not bring up the matter, even in the form of a written apology.” He did add, though, more for the sake of the child, “If it comes a point where Harry is in good enough shape to deal with the matter, we'll pass it along to him. Though we haven't said anything, I'm sure he knows what happened wasn't intentional on her part.”
“How bad is it now?” James asked, trying not to glare at Snape. What they said didn't give him a clue what Harry was dealing with.
“While he's talking, it's not much still,” Severus told them with a snort. “He's also still doesn't want to leave the house or interact with most people yet. By and large, he's not interested in doing much of anything.” It was true, though it did sound worse than it really was. He just didn't add Harry was improving at a rate much faster than the last time, something which pleased them all.
With a shake of his head, James looked down at the table, hands clasped tightly, gut curdling. “How often does this happen?” He inquired softly, not raising his head. Oh yes, this made him feel like shit for the choice they made all those years ago. He didn't want to think about and sure wouldn't ask what brought on the flashback. There were bits in this world he didn't need to know, and the contents of the flashback was one of them.
“Far too often,” Remus told them bluntly. “We've dealt with it plenty of times since Harry came to live with us. As I said the day in the Ministry; this is what you helped cause. Your willful negligence that awful night so long ago sentenced Harry to suffer this way. Do you now get it, James? Is there at least some understanding of what you caused? And, trust me, we know those flashbacks are actually tamer than living through it.”
“We don't fully comprehend, but are starting to understand,” Lily told him softly, voice watery. “And we are so sorry.”
“Sorry doesn't feed the bulldog,” Severus sneered, arms folded over his chest, glaring at the two. “Sorry doesn't take away Harry's hurt. It sure doesn't make his suffering stop or brush away all those years of torture he had to endure.”
“We know, but want it out there,” James said, still not looking up.
As he saw both Remus and Severus glaring at the two, Stewart decided to jump in as the topic they were on was going nowhere. After clearing his throat, he said, “We have some matters we want to cover and they are touchy. So, I want to start with the simplest first.” He then duplicated Draco's letter and passed it to both of them.
While they were reading what was there, not looking happy, he said, “This matter needs tended to.”
“It needs to stop,” Severus told them, voice hard. “Quick smart. What he is saying is not only a bald-faced lie, but unacceptable.”
“Bloody hell,” James moaned, pushing the letter aside, shaking his head. Not good, very not good. After scrubbing a hand over his face, he said, tone resigned, “We're trying. Give us time.”
“We aren't going to give you time, James,” Remus told him, glaring at his old friend. “He is your child and it's your responsibility to make it cease.” Before James could say anything, he added, “Our line of thought is your son is just spouting what you've said, though you didn't realize he overheard it. Either that or he's picking up on the attitude, one of the two.”
“We've never said anything like it, you have my word,” Lily told him, shaking her head. “While we've had issues because of so much we counted on not happening, we never blamed Harry for it. This—Jamie—well, he apparently came up with it himself. You know teenagers; they have to blame someone.”
“And the 'someone' he should be blaming is both of you and Albus,” Severus shot right back, voice containing a heavy sneer. “Not Harry.”
“We know, all right?” James sighed, not looking at the two. “Give us time. We're trying. The kids are being blindsided by plenty none of us knew to prepare them for. We're working with what we can as it presents itself. I assure you, this sh—crap will cease as fast as we can manage, if it takes contacting Filius to step in, we'll go about it that way.” Then, looking across the table, he asked the one question he really wanted to know. “Has Harry seen this letter or others like it? We've heard he and Draco are friends.” He really wanted to know, because if Harry had it would mean hell when it came doing anything or dealing with him.
While Remus wasn't Severus, part of him wanted to see the two squirm by saying yes. In the end, though, he wouldn't lie about it. Instead, he sighed and said, “No. Draco just wanted us aware of what was being said so we could deal accordingly. However, if it persists, we will tell Harry.”
“We'll make sure it stops,” Lily assured the two with a determined nod. “Just give us time. Jamie—well, he's having a rough time of it because of so much.”
Though Lily seemed like she was going to continue. Severus interrupted, “Not our concern. Harry is our concern and people spouting outright lies about him. Your son, his motormouth issues, something we've also heard about, and how to put a leash on him are yours. You've brought this all on yourselves and it's time to deal with the fallout. Your son is part of it. I don't know what you were counting on, though I heard parts, but that is on your head, not Harry's. And why you felt you should count on anything from Harry after you abandoned him is beyond me.”
James glared at Snape, who did it right back, but kept his cool. “Give us time. We'll make sure he stops.”
“It better, James,” Remus told him with a cool tone to his voice. “We're not putting up with it.”
As that topic would go nowhere good, Stewart decided to change to the next one. After consulting with his list, he folded his hands on the table and broached the next subject for discussion. “One of the areas we want to discuss is a suggestion on a matter.” Seeing James and Lily nod, he pressed on, “As we mentioned in the last meeting, Rufus promised Harry time with both of you so he could lay out what he deals with and what he wants to say to you. I'll be honest in saying such a meeting would do Harry a world of good. It won't be pleasant, all of us know this, but it can help him.”
While James slouched in his chair, arms folded over his chest, he said nothing, looking down. No, he most certainly didn't want a meeting like that as it wouldn't be pleasant.
“Has he talked about setting something like it up?” Lily asked, looking at Stewart. While it wouldn't be fun and would probably cause plenty of tears on her end, she would go through with it, so would James.
“No, not yet.” Stewart said honestly. “A suggestion was made, and I think it's a better option, to have the meeting with me. As you've noticed, my office has rules in place which don't allow for serious fights and I'll mediate what is said. This way, though it won't be pleasant, might be better.” Then he added, so it was out there, “Sirius will be joining as well.”
“Bloody wonderful,” James moaned, head dropping back, gut already clenching at the thought of dealing with Sirius over anything.
“You can't duck Sirius forever, James,” Remus snorted, shaking his head. “It would be far better this way than running into him somewhere in public. Neither of you would have a wand and all out war wouldn't come of it.”
“Very true,” Stewart nodded. “I don't let anything go that far, as you've seen. Emotions will end up high, there is no doubt, but it won't degenerate into a brawl.” With a sigh, he said, “Much explaining needs done to both Sirius and Harry as to why this nightmare happened and why they weren't protected from so much. These are answers they deserve, both of them. Only you hold them. I'm sure you understand they want to know and have their say about it.”
“We'll do it,” Lily said, before James could open his mouth. “Set it up and we'll be here.” Then she asked, “Do you want Albus to come as well?”
“Albus needs to stay as far away from the situation as he can get himself,” Severus sneered. Then he added, unable to help himself, “Hauling himself back to Argentina and staying there until he dies would be preferable.”
James' head came up and he looked at his wife, eyes wide, when she agreed. However, he didn't argue. Even he could see this was a better way to go about the matter. If he just bumped into Sirius somewhere, he would need treatment at St. Mungos when they were done. Even then, he doubted everything Sirius would do would be reversible.
Then he honed in on what Snape said, eyes narrowing. “We need Albus, Snape. I get plenty aren't happy with him, but he can help in what's coming.”
“We don't want him around. Neither do plenty of others,” Severus snorted dryly. Then he took the first chance to poke to see what he could get. He assumed most would come out in the meeting with Black and Harry, so he didn't expect much. “Why do we need him? You keep saying this, but never tell us why. The same with the reasons you abandoned your son. He's going to ask you the same questions, honestly.”
“Albus knows plenty about what's going on,” James snapped, glaring at Snape. “More than most will ever figure out. He's needed to stop this fight.” He ignored the part about Harry. It wasn't something he would discuss yet and sure as hell not with Snape.
“Right,” Severus drawled, rolling his eyes. “We keep hearing the same bit, though no one elaborates, so pardon me if I don't believe it. Just more nonsense from a manipulative old man to pretend he knows what he's doing. He didn't. If he did, none of this would have happened.”
“Look,” James snarled, sitting up straight and pointing at Snape. “You don't know what's really going on. No one does. He's trying to help and we're going to need everything we can get with the fight coming.”
“We don't need him, James,” Remus shot back, understanding what Severus was trying. This wasn't much, but any little bit of information could help. “With all he's pulled and even thinking it was fine to have someone abandon their child on a doorstep, we don't need his kind of help. It's the sort of stunt the other side would have tried.”
“We're sorry, all right?” James shouted, trying to stand, but Lily held him back so he couldn't. “It was the wrong decision and we wish we could take it back. We can't, I get this. So, we press on. Albus is needed, despite what any of you think.”
“Until you tell us why, we won't believe it,” Severus told him plainly, crossing his legs and glaring at Potter. “And dancing around the topic makes me think you either have no real reason or it's something so horrific you don't want anyone knowing. Either scenario doesn't help you in our eyes and will just make it all the worse.”
“When the time comes, you'll know,” James snarled, glaring at him. “It's coming Snape, then you'll understand.”
“Doubtful,” Remus added, shaking his head. “Nothing justifies this mess.”
As James looked like he was about to go on a tirade of some kind, Stewart held up his hand. “This is an area we don’t need to delve into as it's doing nothing but causing fights. Let's take a minute to calm down and take deep breaths then we'll press on.”
Though he nodded, James continued to glare at the two across the table from him. Honestly? He really didn't want to answer those questions because the reasons now sounded so contrived and small it didn't seem like a justification, especially with the knowledge of what happened to Harry after he was abandoned. He didn't think there was any justification for doing what they chose now, no matter what Albus said. It sure as hell couldn't make up to Harry all he went through, something which made him feel all the worse. All he could do was press on, something he planned on. Well, and dodging the topic the best he could until he was forced to give up what he knew.
Pleased everyone was listening and calming down, Stewart checked the time. As he assumed, the hour was running out, so they needed to wrap up the meeting. When he felt like everyone was under control, he pressed on to talk about no more meetings. James and Lily didn't like it, but Severus and Remus were insistent. He, too, could understand why. He did point out if it was needed, they could arrange another, but that was all.

“I didn't think you would get much,” Sirius said, shaking his head. They were in the kitchen after the two returned, with Harry right beside him. After pulling Harry close, he said, “They're ducking questions and not elaborating, which tells me we really need to worry and stay alert.”
“We agree,” Remus nodded. “Let's see what Alastor can get for us. From my understanding, he's the one with the most clout in Albus' version of the Order. So, if he talks, it'll be to Alastor. Until then, we do what we can to find out what in Merlin's name is going on.”
“We're sure the meeting with both of you will jar some loose,” Severus added with a smirk. “They may be able to hold Remus and I off with some, but it's doubtful they will with Harry.”
“I'm not letting it go with half-arsed explanations,” Harry said quietly, shaking his head. “They're talking or I'm letting them have it over the fact they aren't.”
“Makes two of us,” Sirius nodded with a grin. “One way or another, we'll get it.”
Then Sirius looked at the two across the table and said, “I say we let Draco poke the brat and see what comes. I bet he knows plenty. To deal with this nightmare, we need information as I'm sure we don't have a lot of time before we have to know some of it.”
“I'll send a missive to Lucius to have him tell Draco to do what he can,” Severus nodded. “He'll know how to phrase it and I'm sure Draco is up to the task. Let's see what he can get us.”
Remus looked at his son and smiled. Harry was doing far better this time around than with the last flashback. Though he wasn't up to where he had been, it was progressing. He was at least taking an interest in plenty and talking, more than they expected, honestly. Figuring he could push it just a little, he said, as the topic was covered, “What do you say we go out for supper again? That little sub shop not far from here sounds good, honestly. We all like their offerings.”
Severus picked up on what Remus was going for and nodded, “It sounds good. I say we do it. We'll even grab some of our stash of quarters so the two of you can partake in the arcade for a while. What do you think, Harry?”
“Sounds good,” Harry told him smiling a little. He loved the place, honestly. The subs were huge and tasted great. Besides, he and Sirius a ton of fun with the arcade. It was always a blast. Even the other two played a bit. “Maybe we can stop at the shoppette on the way back? I'd like some soda.”
“Of course,” Sirius grinned giving him a squeeze. “I vote we stop to grab a paper. What do you say we all take in a movie first then get the food? I'm sure there's something playing we'd all like.”
“I'd like that,” Harry admitted. Looking across the table at his dads, he saw them nod too. Yeah, this could be fun. It was great when they all did these bits together.
“Let's get ready then,” Remus said, standing. He actually liked the movies, as did Severus, so they'd have fun. It was a wonderful way to relax after so much stress. Besides, he adored doing activities as a family.
As they walked out of the kitchen, Sirius slipped his arm around Harry and pulled him close. While this was great, it was even better Harry agreed. It pleased him more than he would admit. He just hoped they had a few days before more stress came. It would do all of them good to just relax.
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Lucky Strike