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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
- 30
- 31
- 32
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 31

After looking at the front page of the Prophet, Harry couldn't help but grin. While a large part covered the mess in Godric's Hollow, it was the picture of Umbridge and the word treason stamped across it which drew his attention. In her picture, the toad didn't look smug like she had at school. Instead, she seemed panicked and trying to hide from his gaze, attempting to slide out the side or the bottom of the picture. The article made it clear she was being charged with treason, among other crimes, and everyone was vowing to throw the book at her. Good!
“Oh, she's in a world of shit,” Sirius chuckled, leaning over and glancing at what Harry was gazing at.
“Not surprising, really, with what she was like in school,” Harry snorted, rolling his eyes. After tossing the paper aside, he went back to eating. That’s where he left it, though. The bit with her was a touchy topic with him, including Draco's involvement there. He didn't want to go into it and dredge up what would come.
“She was always a real piece of work,” Remus sighed, shaking his head. “Now Rufus has to figure out just how much damage she did and what she gave over in the way of information.”
“And do damage control,” Lucius added with a groan.
“He'll manage,” Sirius assured them. “I bet she starts singing, loudly. Treason carries a mandatory sentence of being Kissed after several years in prison. The Dementors might be gone, but she has to know Rufus might do something drastic.”
“And he would, too,” Lucius agreed with a nod. “He'll pull out something to make her sing.”
“Right, enough of that bit,” Sirius said, sending his plate to the sink. “We have some bits to work out. First, Remus is working nights, four a week. Wednesday through Saturday. While it puts a crimp in some of the class schedule we have going, it could be worse.”
“We'll wiggle around it,” Narcissa assured him. “It'll just take us adjusting the schedule slightly to accommodate the ones he's helping most with. Nothing more.”
“This morning we'll suss it all out and come up with a new schedule. I think, as he does, we can just go to shifting some to the afternoons rather than mornings so he has time to sleep longer. Not a hardship as I don't see Draco and Harry complaining too much about it,” Sirius chuckled.
After hearing the two agree and seeing the grins, Remus added, giving a small smile, “Sirius and I thought to have study times in the morning and for the classes we aren't taking on, like Potions and Herbology, to take place then. Harry isn't involved in some of those, so he can study or Lucius can work on his odd ones. We don't think this will end up too much of a hardship.”
“It shouldn't,” Narcissa smiled. “We'll manage.”
“We do need to tend to classes today, no matter what goes on,” Sirius told them, sobering up. “We're right at the line for time and getting in the hours we need thanks to the mess going on.” He then summoned the paper they were using which recorded the hours automatically and passed it around. “We'll take on the ones where we are right on the line. That means Potions and Herbology for Draco. He has to get his hours in today. Harry needs History. Then we'll tackle Transfiguration. Once we get a full class in of those, the pressure should be off.”
“We can easily tackle them,” Lucius assured him with a nod, looking over what was recorded. “Not an issue. I say you both work with Harry while I tend to Draco this morning. You can easily go over the book where we are and help. He knows what we're doing and can assist. Then we'll take a break and tend to the rest this afternoon. Narcissa can take on dealing with whoever comes in and explain we have to have the hours in, no two ways about it, so they leave us alone. It should be fine. If we manage today and tomorrow with all of them, we'll be back up with time to spare once more.”
“Agreed,” Sirius nodded. “We just wanted it out there. Our thought was to make it clear to those coming in we need to put the time in and not to linger so we can get ourselves ahead again. They'll understand as this has been a right nightmare.”
“Oh, it has,” Remus sighed, shaking his head.
“Tonight,” Sirius then pressed on, “late, after the students are in the dorms for the night, Remus and I are headed back to the castle. We managed to put up most of the protections the Board and Albus want, but we need a few more bits. Won't take any longer than it did last night.”
“Understandable and won't be a problem,” Lucius told him with a dismissive wave. “We'll handle whatever until then. Doubt it will cause issues.”
“Didn't think so, but we want it known,” Remus added. “Most who would come over will actually be at the castle with us, but with what's going on, we want it out there in case there are real issues. It's not a possibility.”
“Oh, indeed,” Narcissa sighed, giving a sad shake of her head. “We'll ensure the elves keep watch and will send an alert if anyone is tarrying about who shouldn't be.”
“Right, once Harry and Draco finish eating, we'll get on it,” Sirius told them with a nod. “Let's see how far we can get ourselves ahead again.”
After hearing agreements, he patted Harry on the back and waited. They'd manage, just like they had since this started, then they'd press on from there.

With a tired sigh, Harry rubbed his eyes and tried to focus on the book in front of him. They were having an hour of study time before knocking off for the day. While he was generally tired after finishing for the day, it was even worse as he had spent the last hour practicing with Narcissa while Draco worked on Runes. Those sessions always wore him out for some reason, more than most classes. At the moment, he was reading through the last couple chapters for History. He thought he had it down, but wanted to make certain as Lucius mentioned a quiz on it during their next class. So far, he had an O in the class and wanted to maintain the average, so he was making sure he had it all down.
“You all right, Potter?” Draco asked as he glanced in Potter's direction while flipping through the book he had to find what he needed.
“Just tired,” Harry sighed. “The lessons with your mum take it right out of me. Nothing to worry about. When we finish this bit, I think I'll take a nap until tea time.”
“Understood,” Draco nodded, pleased it wasn't an issue of some sort. “We don't have long left and until we're done for the day.” Then he added with a grin, “And we are starting later tomorrow. That will be nice!”
“It will,” Harry agreed with a grin and nod. “While I'm used to the early mornings, what with school—and other bits, I'd rather start later.”
“I think everyone would,” Draco agreed.
“As we didn't receive anything from Ginny today, we can't work on that end of the issue,” he said, changing to a topic they were both interested in while jotting down some notes from the bit he found. “Let's see what tomorrow brings.”
“She might be a bit off because of Percy,” Harry told him softly. “Give her time. While I bet this takes her mind off his death, she might not be herself for a time. They didn't get along because he could be a right prat—well, he was a right prat, but he was still her brother.”
“Very true,” Draco agreed, sobering up as he hadn't thought much about that end. “Something to focus on always helps. We'll wait to see what she had to say in the letter and judge from there.” He told Potter.
Then, with a grin, he added, “Maybe work on finding you someone. Lots of good looking birds who are seriously interested in you, Potter! We don't want you alone while the rest of us have someone or are working that way.”
“I'm good,” Harry told him quietly, focusing on his book as he didn't want to delve into the uncomfortable topic. “I have enough to worry about with what I'm dealing with that I don't need more complications in my life.”
“These are the kind which would help!” Draco told him with a grin. “Take your mind off what you're dealing with. You might be in the same boat I am with not being around them in person, but even writing would help. Makes you feel better.” Then, with nudge, he asked, “Who are you interested in? All I knew about was Chang. I assume it ended.”
“It did,” Harry confirmed with a grunt, wanting off the topic. With a sigh, he then added, hoping Draco would drop it, “No one, honestly. Most aren't my type.”
“Well, what is your type then? We'll find you one, don't worry. They might not be in the house of the lions, but there are some good ones elsewhere,” Draco pressed on. If Potter would give him a hint, he could come up with someone who would end up perfect.
Harry shut his eyes with an internal groan, not sure how to handle this from here. While he wanted Draco to drop it, he understood he was just trying to help. After all, most their age would jump at the chance for someone to help them hook up with a person they favored, but it wasn't so easy for him. As he tried to figure out what to do, he felt a soft nudge, a very gentle one, but wasn’t pulled into the place he normally was. Instead he heard Regulus' voice, very soft, telling him it was fine and Draco wouldn't react badly. Then to tell him.
Heart now hammering, mouth going dry and insides quivering, Harry remembered all that had been said on the topic and decided he might as well. After all, he couldn't really tolerate too many more matchmaking attempts. Finally, he said, voice quivering, not looking at Draco, “Not interested in birds.” Then he stopped and waited for the fallout from that revelation. He hoped all he had been told was right and Draco wouldn't make a snide remark.
Head coming up, Draco looked at Potter, eyes wide at what was said. Taking it in and what he saw, including the tense look on his friend's face as he stared at the book. Then he snorted and said, going back to his own homework, “Blokes then. Doesn't matter.” And it didn't. He knew several who were gay and of all the bits which could matter, it wasn't one of them. “Give me hints, you gimpy git! I can't fly blind in helping you find someone! What's your type?”
Harry was highly relieved over what Draco said and grinned, though trembling a bit more than normal. “Zabini was nice, though I know he's not interested.”
“Most thought he was, be they blokes or birds,” Draco snickered. “Was it the looks or something else?” This would give him hints to work with.
“Oh, the looks were good,” Harry snorted, unable to help himself. “It was more though, but I can't put my finger on what it was.”
“I've heard that before with him,” Draco admitted, tone thoughtful. “Not sure what it is, besides the looks.” Then, shaking his head, he pressed on, “Right, let's go through what you like so I know who to suggest and work on. There are a few I know who like the blokes. They would be perfect for you.”
“I'm good, really,” Harry told him, relaxing and smiling a little. “I don't need this out there with the reaction some would have on top of all I'm dealing with. Let me get some of the worst under control before I think about the romantic direction.”
“Understood,” Draco agreed after thinking it over for a minute. “We won't push. Just tell me your type and what you like so I can file it away for future use. We'll concentrate on the duo who are bound to drive the whole castle mental for now.” However, he was pleased Harry admitted it. It showed him the friendship was growing, something he adored. And he swore the first person to make fun of Harry for it or engage in the foolishness so many did wouldn't know what hit them when he was done. No chance he was letting anyone pull those stunts with his friend! He might be on the right side now, but it didn't mean he wouldn't use so much of what he had learned in the past.

As Sirius stood in the doorway and listened, making sure the two didn't know he was there, he was pleased everyone else was busy and he was the one who had come to check on the two. By now, he was fairly sure the two forgot people came to look in on them because of Harry's problems and pressed on since they were comfortable with each other. If they weren't, Harry wouldn't have said what he had.
While listening to the rest, his mind was on all James had said. His old friend was right. For a time, he was wondering if it was real and had happened or just his imagination. Now he was certain it was all real.
After listening in for a little longer, he slipped away, making damned sure he wasn't heard. He then smiled a little as he walked back towards the kitchen. Harry had finally given him the clue he needed to press on. Tonight, before bed when they were alone, he would talk to Harry and let him know he wasn't alone in the world when it came to this. Well, and he understood all he was dealing with. Then he would play it all by ear from there. It would take time, but he was now on a firmer path with what he was dealing with. He would just wait for signals from Harry on how to proceed from here. In the end, he'd manage now that he was sure it was all real.

“Snape was summoned and it wasn't pretty from what he said,” Sirius said, looking around at those who didn't go to the castle with them. “From what he was able to deduce from questions asked of him, Harry's prediction about the evil arse going after the castle was dead on the Galleon. He filled Albus in, of course, and will send everything he can remember along to Rufus as well when he can tonight.”
He then lowered his voice and added, shaking his head, “Parkinson's father is dead. He said he was fed to the snake tonight as retribution for attempted betrayal in his attempt to get her off.” Harry and Draco were upstairs getting ready for bed, so he would mention it now as he didn't want to upset the two.
“I assumed it was coming,” Lucius grumbled, shaking his head. “The man was fool enough to show up. Anyone with common sense wouldn't have.”
“I know,” Sirius shrugged, not sure what to say. Then he switched back to the original topic, “Albus is shoring up everything he can think of and telling the Board. Between the two and the Ministry, they are going to lock that castle down as tight as they can. We might end up needed to go in and help put more protections on as they find them.”
“Nothing we take issue with,” Remus told everyone. “We put up everything they found so far and he's making sure all the passages are closed off and warded, especially the one in from Honeydukes. He told us the Ministry is also taking on making certain there are regular patrols in Hogsmeade to keep watch for trouble.”
“It can only help,” Narcissa nodded, pleased they were doing all they could.
“And Dung is in Azkaban,” Sirius snorted, rolling his eyes. “From what we heard, he was wearing Death Eater robes and a mask to scare someone. The DMLE and Rufus were not amused. Not sure what charges will come, but he's there for a bit.”
“Fool,” Lucius snorted. “Not a ruse you want to perpetrate in these times. Serves him right.”
“Rather our thoughts on the matter,” Remus nodded. Then he pressed on to explain how he would be gone the following morning to pick up the bits he needed for working, such as a charmed necklace which would act as sort of a glamour. It wasn't much to cover, but he wanted everyone aware. As it was almost time for all of them to retire, he thought it best to leave the night on a calm note. It would help them all to wind down after the stresses of the day.

With a tired groan, Sirius flopped back on his bed after coming out of the bathroom once he finished getting ready for bed. A glance at Harry told him his godson was exhausted as well. As what Harry was dealing with took a lot of energy, it was understandable. Then there were the potions, something he had made certain his godson took before he went to tend to the normal before bed. However, before Harry grew too wonky from them, he wanted to talk to him.
After propping himself up on his elbows with a sigh, he said, keeping a soothing tone, “There was something I wanted to discuss with you before you get wonky.”
“What's that?” Harry asked, suppressing a big yawn.
Not sure how Harry would react as he knew he wouldn't have taken it well if someone found out when he was his age, Sirius sighed then launched right in, figuring it was best to get it out of the way then deal from there. Keeping as soft and gentle of a tone as he could manage, he told his godson, “I overheard you talking with Draco earlier.”
“About what?” Harry asked, propping himself up. Of course, his mind skipped to the worst and his heart began to hammer faster. He wasn't sure how he would react to Sirius knowing he was gay because he couldn't predict his reaction, hence how he wanted it kept a secret from so many. A mild panic was starting to take over at this juncture and he was helpless to stop it.
It was easy to read the almost panic on Harry's face, so Sirius slid over onto his bed and slipped an arm around him, pulling him close. After giving him a kiss on the temple, he said, gently, “About you being gay.”
“Oh bollocks,” Harry muttered, stiffening up and rubbing a trembling more than normal hand over his face. Now he didn't know what to do or say as he wasn't sure what Sirius thought about such bits.
“It doesn't matter, Harry. I don't care and it changes nothing,” Sirius told him, still holding him close. “It really doesn't. I don't give a damn one way or another. If you're leaning is to the blokes, it makes no nevermind to me. As long as you find someone who makes you happy and treats you well, I care not about their sex.”
Though Harry nodded, slightly relieved, he was still plenty uptight over it, wondering what was coming from it. He assumed there was more. As he looked at Sirius, he waited.
“It truly doesn't matter, Harry, and won't to those who really care about you. I swear it doesn't,” Sirius told him, holding his godson close. Then he leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Does it matter to you that I'm gay?”
Eyes widening, Harry stammered then asked, voice slightly higher than normal, “You are?” He knew what everything told him, well the ones no longer alive, but to hear it the first time from Sirius was startling. Then he quickly added, “And it doesn't matter to me.”
“I am,” Sirius told him with a small smile. “I've known since I was younger than you. Kept it hidden, of course, probably for the same reasons you have all these years, well, mostly. It means I understand what you're dealing with as I've gone through the same damned thing. As I said; it doesn't matter, Harry. Just part of who you are, nothing more.”
Highly relieved, Harry nodded, but added, “I was afraid to tell anyone, honestly. You know what some are like.” This—it was a huge weight off his shoulders. Sirius was the one he was most worried about when it came to his reaction.
“I understand completely,” Sirius commiserated. “You made the right choice telling Draco. His reaction was what you needed. And I just wanted you to know I overheard so you didn't think I was spying on you or anything. Well, and to tell you if you need to talk about it, I'm here to listen. Trust me, I understand everything you're dealing with when it comes to this area. Probably something I've dealt with, more than once.”
“Thanks,” Harry told him honestly, smiling a little.
“It's hard, this I know, harder than anything in the world.” Sirius told him honestly. Leaning over, he whispered in his ear, “You're the only one aside from your dad who knows about me. Even Remus doesn't, though I bet he suspects. I just never told him because I was afraid of losing my friends over it.”
“Trust me, I understand that,” Harry told him with a snort, though he leaned against Sirius, head moving to rest on his shoulder.
“We both now have someone to talk to about it,” Sirius told him with a smile, giving him a squeeze, head leaning over to rest against Harry's. “It's easier when you have someone who understands what it's like.”
“Much easier,” Harry agreed with a nod and smile. Truly relaxing, he let out a soft sigh. It was nice to not have to keep it a secret from some anymore. While he was sure Draco would tell his parents, he wasn't worried about them. Remus—not sure, but if he suspected with Sirius, he wouldn't matter. Well, he hoped.
“I think that's enough for now,” Sirius told him with a smile. After straightening up and ruffling Harry's hair, he said, “Let's get some sleep. Lots to do tomorrow.”
“True,” Harry chuckled as he sat up himself, though he was reluctant to break away from Sirius' touch. “And see what else drops on us.”
“It's always something there,” Sirius grinned. “So, we need sleep!” When Harry nodded, looking relaxed, the he stood with a groan and tended to the normal before bed, talking as he normally would. He didn't think sleep would come, though. There was now plenty to think over and plan for. If James was right about this, he was damned sure he was about the rest. Which meant it was up to him to get it moving the right way. And doing so would take time and effort. Yeah, he had a lot to plan for so he didn't make this harder on Harry than it already was.
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In His Place