"Go and get changed. I'll keep watch on Harry." Remus urged.
Harry frowned. "I wish I could go."
"You can watch the memory later." Sirius promised him. "Just rest, OK? No more summoning ancient spirits."
"I wish…" Harry's voice trailed away and Sirius supplied the rest: that Harry wished he could summon the spirit of Lily again.
"I know, Pronglet," Sirius said gently, "I like to think it was her way of saying she approved."
Harry's face brightened. "Yeah. Me too, Padfoot."
Sirius leaned down and dropped a kiss on Harry's forehead. "I'll be back before you know it." He walked away and Remus entered to take his place.
Thirty minutes later, Sirius was washed, dressed and ready for action. He wore his formal robes with the crests of Black and Potter on his breast; he went with the leather trousers underneath for ease of movement and to make a statement: he was a maverick, someone they couldn't put in a box. His own wand, newly returned to him, was holstered and he had secreted his great-grandfather's in a second holster on his other arm.
He peeked into Harry's room before he left. Harry was out; fast asleep. Remus looked up from the book he was reading and walked over to the doorway.
"Ready?" He asked quietly.
"As I'll ever be." Sirius responded in the same low tone. "I have my mirror so if anything happens…"
"I will contact you." Remus assured him. He patted Sirius on the shoulder. "Now, go be a Marauder, Padfoot, and get up to no good."
Sirius smirked a little and left before he could convince himself it was necessary for him to stay beside Harry.
He flooed to Black Manor first and then onto Brian's office.
Brian greeted him with a brisk handshake. "I should thank you for inviting me to one of the most wonderful events of my life. It's rare that you get to see that kind of magic."
"Me too." Arthur said in agreement as he offered his hand. "It was very special."
"It was all Harry." Sirius said roughly. He pointed at Arthur's finger. "You're wearing your ring?"
"Yes, well, with all the vows and oaths and alliance discussions, I thought it best to start wearing it again." Arthur's expression sobered. "How is Harry?"
"Recovering. He woke up this morning but went straight back to sleep after some breakfast. I, uh, didn't really want to leave him." Sirius admitted ruefully.
"Molly will be pleased to hear he's OK. She's been worried all night." Arthur said. "She's very fond of him – we both are."
Brian ushered them into seats and signalled for Sirius to begin. He set out what had happened at the Black family meeting and Malfoy's confession in straight language. When he was finished Arthur went as red as his hair. Gone was the affable, easy-going man and his place was an irate protective father. It took Brian pointing out the futility of trying to bring Lucius to justice – he would after all simply claim he was compelled – before Arthur would listen to the idea of restitution. He refused the educational fund on the basis that he didn't want Malfoy having anything to do with Ginny and instead accepted a political donation to his department. He left to walk and clear his head before the Wizengamot with the advice that telling Molly might not be the way to go as much as a Howler to Malfoy might have been amusing.
Sirius and Brian went over everything else quickly; confirming that all the correct procedures had been followed and documents filed before they flooed directly to the Minister's office.
"Brian! Sirius!" Cornelius smiled hugely at him. He was decked out in his Wizengamot robes and Sirius wondered idly who had thought lilac would be a good colour to represent the Ministry.
"Cornelius." Sirius nodded at him. "All set?"
"Absolutely," Cornelius said brightly, "and I have to say this place is abuzz this morning!"
"The news leaked out then." Sirius said, his lips twitching in amusement.
"Everyone is expecting the new Lord Black." Cornelius confirmed. "Albus is in the building and made a comment indicating that he knew that it was expected that Lord Black would take his seat. The old Potter alliance came together. I think Madame Longbottom has briefed that side. On the other side, I believe Lucius briefed the most important in his alliance this morning. They didn't arrive together because that would be too obvious but Selwyn, Wilkes and Gibbon have all hinted they know of something that will happen."
He grinned happily and Sirius was once again reminded that Cornelius was in his element.
"Good to know," commented Sirius neutrally.
Cornelius clapped his hands almost giddy with glee. "Shall we make our way to the Chamber?"
"Lead the way." Sirius said, noting to himself that Cornelius had yet to ask about Harry. He tried to remember as Cornelius chattered on beside him the format of what would happen, the protocol to be followed, but he soon lost track of his thought as he realised Cornelius had unusually understated the level of excitement within the Ministry corridors.
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