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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
- 29
- 30
- 31
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 30

With a tired groan, Sirius sat down on the edge of Harry's bed then ran his fingers through his sleeping godson's hair. Harry was still out cold from the incident the night before and was showing no signs of waking. Though he was concerned, all of them ran the standard scans to make sure it wasn't a medical issue. As they came back normal, it was just a case of Harry being exhausted from everything which had happened the day before, nothing more. After all, plenty had taken place which would tire anyone out. Considering Harry's medical problems, it was understandable he was affected.
After a glance out the window, he gave a soft sigh. It was far later than normal when it came to him waking up, pressing close to noon. He was sure the others in the house were just rousing as well. Last night—it was a nightmare. If the day hadn't been bad enough, the rest was worse.
He and Remus had been called out to help by Albus. When they arrived at Godric's Hollow, it was under full attack with plenty of the buildings already burning and mass panic reigning. They had done what they could to help, but the town was a complete loss other than a few buildings. There were a couple of casualties, but it could have ended up worse, far worse. He wasn't sure which way the Ministry would spin this when it came to the Muggles, as the Muggle Worthy Excuse Office was there en mass to handle the issue, but it would make the Muggle news. While he hadn't wanted to leave Harry, there was little choice; help was needed. Cissy, Lucius and Draco would be fine taking care of him, as he was out cold, it was just the idea. From what he was told when he finally made it home, Draco had sat by Harry's side the whole time and refused to leave. Of all the rottenness that day, that was something that made him smile.
After Godric's Hollow, Remus and everyone else Rufus could recruit who knew what was going on had headed to Azkaban. Others in the Order stayed to help the Ministry in Godric's Hollow. Because of his experiences in the prison, he just couldn't handle going there, so he stayed with the others. What he knew from Remus, who was pale and shaking when he returned thanks to the Dementors, the vile creatures were banished from the prison forever and they secured it the best they could with extra guards and such. He also heard Rufus was hiring guards, putting the word out today they were looking for them. Good. The Dementors needed banished for good and Rufus had taken care of it.
Just to add to the full and unwanted mess of the night, Rufus had to take on not only protecting Bathilda, who was obviously quite frail and probably not long for this world, but Ollivander and Fortescue then setting something up for Amelia Bones. Thankfully he had some warning and was able to at least get them somewhere for the night before finding a more permanent solution. Then there was the all out war in Godric's Hollow that had taken everything all of them had to settle. On the upside, they did catch Fenrir. He was in the Ministry as secure as Rufus could get him. You-Know-Who was there in person and it was a fight and a half with Rufus and Albus, who had shown up when he received word how bad this was, taking him on. It was a draw in the end with the evil git leaving, but they held him off. While it wasn't the best scenario, it didn't end in catastrophe either.
As hell was kicking off, Snape headed back to the school since he obviously couldn't be involved. From what he now knew, Rufus had taken the time to contact the head of the Board with a 'credible tip' about a threat to Hogwarts. The Board, from what Snape said in a message, was scrabbling to shore up everything. Since they now knew about the passages from the map, those were the first to end up locked down. The wards were strengthened and the teachers were scrambling to do all they could to secure the place. One bit had Sirius chuckling; Snape had taken it upon himself to not destroy the Vanishing Cabinet they found, but send it to Rufus. His thought was, from what he said in the letter, to let them use it as a trap of some kind. Sirius thought that was a damned good idea.
From what he knew, most of the Order, those who weren't working that day anyway, were still out and trying to help with so much. Every Order member out there, including ones who just helped occasionally, had come to assist. Despite their grief and all they were going through, the Weasleys had all shown up and thrown themselves into helping. When he left, most were still there doing all they could. Aberforth was there with them as well, doing all he could. It was a mess, but at least everyone was pulling together and trying to help. With as big of an event as this was, he was certain they would be busy for days trying to deal with the aftermath. And that wasn’t all as some bits weren't dealt with yet.
Umbridge was someone Rufus had to deal with. Last night took priority, so she still needed taken care of. With what he knew of Rufus, he was sure it was coming, fast too. He wasn't liable to let her get away with this. They would just wait and see. Then there was Aberforth. With the information they could get from him, he was damned sure Rufus would talk to him soon. There were also the myriad of issues from so much else Harry imparted last night. Yeah, there was a ton of work to do on top of what they were already handling. It'd come, though, so he wasn't worried.
Sirius smiled as Harry finally started to stir. Though they didn't have much time last night due to all that was going on, Rufus had pulled him aside at one point and told him plainly when this mess was over, Harry was getting an Order of Merlin for all he had done to help because of the gift. His godson was helping to end the war and saving lives because of the gift he had, something Rufus admitted was a huge help he would never have received in any other way. While Harry didn't like it, the help it was giving all of them was immeasurable. Last night alone could have ended disastrously if Harry hadn't imparted what Regulus told him. Yeah, it was more than worth it and Rufus was willing to listen to anything he had to say.

“You feeling all right, Harry?” Sirius asked as his watched his godson eat breakfast. They were still up in their room as Harry said he was tired. No hardship there, honestly. Let him wake up, get his shower and all that then they would go downstairs. He thought it was just lethargy, but wanted to make sure.
“Just tired,” Harry told him, eating slowly. “It—well, letting Regulus take control took it all out of me. Nothing more.”
“Just making sure,” Sirius told him with a nod and relieved sigh. “I'm sure you understand why, of course.”
“I do,” Harry told him with a smile. Then he added, “Thanks for the concern.”
“Part of my job,” Sirius told him with a smile, reaching over to ruffle his hair. “Besides, I was a tad worried.”
“Understandable,” Harry agreed with a nod. Polishing off the rest of his brekky, he pushed the plate aside with a satisfied sigh then sipped his juice.
“So, what are we doing today?” He then asked as he continued to sip.
“Not sure,” Sirius told him honest with a shrug. “With all that happened last night, I'm certain we'll have plenty to attend to. We'll do some school work so we don't fall behind on the hours we need to put in, but it won't be much if it's a madhouse.”
“Draco and I can probably work alone for a time to keep up the requirements. Not a hardship there as we know what we're doing with some of it,” Harry suggested, leaning back with a contented groan. He was still tired, no doubt, and would probably take a nap later, but was feeling better.
“We'll let you do so,” Sirius nodded, pleased with the idea. “You can just read and take notes or something easy like that.”
“Either those or continue to look up bits for the locking spell as we haven't found it yet,” Harry told him with a smile.
“Whatever you two want to do,” Sirius agreed. “It's just going to depend on what we have going. If it's a complete madhouse, you two might have to help. We'll see there.”
Then he grabbed the copy of the Prophet that came up with brekky. He hadn't read the whole paper yet to see what all was there, but enough to get the gist. When Harry took it, brow furrowed as he read, he told him, “I can damned well guarantee your gift saved plenty of lives, Harry. It was a mess when I was called to help. I didn't want to go, but there was no choice. When I arrived, it was a full out battle with the town on fire. If you hadn't given the warning you did, plenty would have died. Then you gave Rufus enough to take care of plenty. It's not all done as he had to prioritize last night, but it's coming. And it was a huge help.”
Harry just stared at the picture of the town burning on the front page after reading some of the article. Shaking his head, he asked, since he hadn't read all of it, “Did anyone die?”
“There were a couple people we couldn't get to in time, or the Muggles didn't manage, but everyone else came out alive, though there were some injuries. If you hadn't passed along what you did, plenty more would have,” Sirius told him softly, scooting over closer and putting a hand on his shoulder.
“And the Dementors are gone from Azkaban. Rufus, and everyone he could get his hands on, including Remus, went and evicted them after we were done in Godric's Hollow. The Board is in the middle of securing Hogwarts as best it can. Snape sent us a letter saying the secret passages are all locked down and warded against intrusion. He sent the Vanishing Cabinet to the Ministry for Rufus to use as a trap. Rufus still has to handle a few bits, but the worst is either taken care of or being tended to. And he is happy as hell with all you gave him as it helped more than you'll ever know.”
Though he still didn't like the gift, Harry smiled a tad. Yeah, this made dealing with it a little better. “At least it helped.” He finally said softly.
“It did and I want you to remember how much,” Sirius told him. Pointing to the paper, he said, “Most of the people in that town owe you their lives because of the warning you were able to give to us. He was intent on killing everyone in it.”
Not knowing what to say, Harry just looked at him and nodded. Yeah, it helped and it was all that mattered in the end.
Sirius scooted closer then slipped an arm around him, giving Harry a squeeze. Gently, he asked, “Can you explain what went on with Regulus and how he was able to take over your body? We wanted to know last night but not only did you go out like a candle, there was too much to do.”
“I can,” Harry told him with a firm nod. Then he walked Sirius through what happened the best he could.
When he finished, before his godfather could ask what he knew was coming, he added, “It's something I can do now and am in no danger of not being able to pull them back.” Then, quietly, he added, “It was easier on me to let him take control so he could get it out rather than trying to relay it to you lot. Might have made me more tired than the other way, but it was better. And I know not to let anyone try who I don't know or trust.”
“As long as you stay safe, it's good,” Sirius told him with a nod. This part he had heard of before as some were said to be able to become a conduit for the dead. Most of it was bunk and a show, of course, but he knew what he saw the night before was very real. “And you are sure it's who they say it is. Be careful they don't try to trick you, Harry.”
“They can't,” Harry assured him with a shake of his head. “I know who it is and it's not like when we're alive with bits. They can't hide who they are.”
“Good,” Sirius nodded, thankful his godson wouldn't end up pulled into something for a bad purpose.
Then he asked, “What was with the last part? You were unnerving us after Regulus said he had to go as there was just the blank look on your face and you didn't react to anything we said. Curious there, though you seemed fine.”
“It wasn't anything to worry about,” Harry assured him with a smile. “He just wanted to talk to me alone, nothing more. Part of it was him explaining the being allowed to take over bit and assure me no one could do it completely since I can pull them back. Another was something I might be able to do when I get this more under control. Mostly, it was just him reassuring me about plenty.” Then, softly, smile growing, he added, “Your brother is very nice. I liked him.”
With a smile himself, Sirius nodded then told him, “You would have liked him if he were still alive. He had his moments, but was a good bloke for the most part. Well, as long as he wasn't around mother and some of the others. We always got on well.”
“What did he tell you about? The bit you might be able to do?” Sirius then asked, curious. If more strangeness was coming, they needed to know about it ahead of time.
Harry then quickly walked him through the part about talking to those who passed on before saying, “That's all. Nothing horrible which will cause more problems.” Then he grinned and chuckled before adding the part Regulus told him about with the funny stories from when Sirius was growing up. “Those I might like to hear!”
“Oh, bloody hell,” Sirius groaned, though grinned as he did. “Yeah, that's my damned brother! Leave it to him to try to embarrass me, even after he died!” Sobering up, he then added, “This doesn't sound bad. It might help if we need answers to something at some point. At least it's not something we'll have to worry about hiding like we do the rest of this mess.”
“I agree there,” Harry nodded. Quietly, he added, “Really, this was easier on me, Sirius. I like it better than the other bit.”
“Oh, I can damned sure see why,” Sirius agreed, ruffling his hair. “And it helps you can hold off now. You did a damned good job of it last night, something we desperately needed. Keep working with Cissy on it so you can make sure to keep yourself safe and not let anyone we don't want overhearing.”
“I will,” Harry assured him. “Regulus was good about it though what he had to say was important. Not sure if others would be the same way, though. I think it'll depend on the person imparting the message there.” And, after this, he would put more effort into it. Not only did he want to talk to his parents, but also Regulus. It would be neat if he could.
“Right, since you're done, let's get ready for the day and head downstairs. I'm sure it's a madhouse and we need to get caught up on what's going on,” Sirius said, giving him a kiss on the head then standing with a groan. “I'm sure there's plenty we need to take care of.”
With a nod, Harry grabbed his cane and stood. While still a bit lethargic, he thought a nice hot shower would wake him up nicely. After all, he wanted to hear what happened since he went to sleep last night and if there was any more he needed to know about.

As expected, the kitchen was a madhouse with all kinds of people there, not only trying to sort out information and pass along plenty which needed done, but others were in and out tending to a lot of things. Thankfully, Alastor was one who was planted for the duration as he was coordinating jobs Albus was doling out then gathering information all sides needed. From what Harry and Sirius were seeing, there was plenty going on with lots for so many to do.
Once the two settled in and were caught up, Sirius asked, making certain there was a lull with no one who didn't live in the house there, “What else do we need to know? I'm sure there is plenty with all the info Rufus received last night.”
“There is,” Alastor nodded while putting his notes in some semblance of order so he could find what he needed. “Tons. Rufus will be plenty busy today. He told me Umbridge is being tended to this morning. From what he planned, it would be done quietly and she will be locked up as securely as he can get. We're not sure what all she gave over, other than the Dementors, so he needs to find out. Either way, she's not wiggling out of this as he plans to throw the book at her, publicly.”
“Good,” Harry muttered as he listened in. “She deserves it.”
“And no one in this room would argue with you on that assessment, Harry,” Lucius told him with a sigh. “She's the sort which shouldn't have any kind of position of power as they abuse it.”
“More I won't disagree with,” Alastor grunted.
Then, pressing on, he said, “Right—tonight Albus wants Remus and Sirius up at the castle to help with some measures they're putting into place. The teachers are all helping, but they need more bodies. This will be really late, after the students are in their dorms for the night. Won't take long, an hour at the most, but he wants the castle as protected as he can get it. I'll be along as will Bill and some others. It's tricky work and they need plenty of power to get everything into place.”
“No objection from me,” Sirius told him honestly, though he didn't like the idea of being away from Harry. It was to the point he had to help with some of this, though. The school needs protected at all costs in this mess.
After hearing the same from Remus, Alastor pressed on, consulting his notes. “Most of what needs done are areas Rufus has to handle with those in the Ministry. Nothing we can do to help, honestly, but Albus is going to assign jobs to plenty.” With a snort and lopsided grin, he added, “Except you, Remus. You're actually taking a real job starting this week. Both Rufus and Albus spoke to Aberforth about getting someone behind the bar to help. You've been picked as the lucky one to take it on. And it's a real job with pay.”
Though he knew what the Hogs Head was like, Remus chuckled then told him, “I'll not grouse about it. Not to worry. Let me go see Aberforth today to see what schedule he wants to set up for me so we can deal accordingly.”
“We're going to come up with something to disguise your looks so no one knows it's you. If they see who you are, they might end up wary, thus not talking. Not to worry, we'll come up with something,” Alastor told him, looking in his direction.
“More I won't complain about,” Remus assured him with a smile. As far as he was concerned, a job was a job and he'd take it.
“We'll have to do some rearranging of schedules for schoolwork, but it won't end up a hardship,” Lucius told everyone, jotting a note down about the area so they could get back to it and work out something.
With a nod, Alastor pressed on to some more minor areas, just so everyone knew what was happening with so much.
As Alastor talked, Draco, who was seated by Harry with both of them having school books opened, asked, “You doing fine, Potter? You sure didn't wake up last night.”
“Nothing to worry about,” Harry told him, keeping his voice down. “Was just tired after that bit, that's all.”
“Good, I was concerned,” Draco told him with a bit of a smirk though he was relieved. “It was impressive, Potter! I'll give you that.”
“Wasn't me, it was Regulus,” Harry chuckled, shaking his head, making sure he stayed quiet so everyone could hear Professor Moody.
“Either way, it was impressive. Definitely better than what the fake in the castle does. I get she's given a couple real ones, but most of what she does is to impress her fan club. Well, and to show off.”
“I agree,” Harry chuckled. “She does that whole mystical routine in class to get attention. It's all fake, honestly.”
“Do agree there. Not sure about the house of the lions, but she had a fan club among the girls in Slytherin. You could tell she pandered to them because they hung on her every word.”
“It was the same with some in Gryffindor,” Harry admitted. “They were fawning over her and convinced it was all real.”
“Idiots,” Draco sighed with a roll of his eyes. “It's a joke, nothing more. Well, at least her kind that is. You? Another story all together there. We just need to work it to where you can come across with plenty useful, like answers for tests, where to look to find what we need for some bits and visions of how to make some projects work. I get what you've done is helpful, but we need it for some serious bits here, Potter! Well, and to help with the three in the castle we're working with.”
Unable to help himself, Harry chuckled then grinned before saying, “Sorry, Malfoy, I can't control this bit and doubt I'll ever be able to, so we're on our own with some of this. If I thought there was a way it could help us, I'd be doing it!”
“I figured,” Draco said with a dejected sigh, shaking his head. “Just make sure if you get anything close you poke me then we'll go from there. We need help with some of it, Potter! Even if it's the mystical sort we can't explain. Make it work for us.”
“I'll do what I can,” Harry told him, still chuckling.
“Right, what are we going to work on?” He then asked, changing topics. There was a ton for both of them to do, so they might as well start since the conversation was a boring one.
“Let's go with Charms as you're close to where I am. I'll work with you on where you're behind as it'll give me a refresher course with some of it. Then we can look at Transfiguration and do it the same way. Defense—we'll leave that be as you're way behind.” Draco told him, grabbing his Charms book and trying to find the spot where Potter was.
“Sounds good,” Harry nodded, doing the same. While this wouldn't be the most exciting bit in the world, they were at least working on it while paying attention to all that was going on. Besides, if they did some work like this, Draco wouldn't end up behind as well.
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In His Place