AN: I don't think it would be fair to start off with a PG13 and then up the rating so that younger people couldn't read it. I'll have to check with a moderator about some of the themes I would use.
Ben, I am so jealous! I would have loved to have seen Queen live.
Harry and Hermione surveyed the expectant faces of the Molly, Arthur, and Ginny Weasley, Remus Lupin, and Hagrid. All were gathered around a very large round table at Grimmauld Place along with Ron, Dumbledore, the Grangers, and Professor McGonagall who all already knew why this meeting had been called.
"Well, what is it?" Ginny asked impatiently, noticing the glances exchanged between the Trio. She had come to join Ron, Hermione, and Harry for some fun before school began again. Since Harry and Hermione had not objected to her presence, she was allowed to stay for the meeting.
"Several issues have been brought to my attention," Dumbledore began. "There is a new plot to take Harry's life while strengthening Voldemort." Between Harry and Dumbledore, you would think that this group was used to hearing that word, but most of them still balked as if someone had said a filthy curse word.
Ron shook his head. Fame and glory be damned. He really would not want to be Harry. The threat of Voldemort aside, he ached for Harry and Hermione, knowing that their sex lives were about to come up in conversation. He would want to crawl into a deep dark hole if he were the subject of this meeting.
"What do we do to help?" Hagrid asked immediately.
"First, we need to attend to the matter of Sirius Black's will and the guardianship of Harry."
"What about the Dursleys?" Remus asked, wondering about their guardianship and if Vernon had been punished for what he had done.
"They no longer have custody of Harry," Dumbledore answered. No one was surprised by this news. "They have agreed to relinquish custody to a witch or wizard."
And were thrilled to do so, Harry thought to himself. He was too numb to their treatment to be hurt by it anymore.
"So, he needs a custodial agent," Remus reasoned.
Dumbledore nodded. "In his last will and testament, Sirius Black has suggested that Remus Lupin, Molly and Arthur Weasley, or myself take the position. However, he wanted the position filled prior to the reading of the will."
"Molly and I will be glad to do it," Arthur Weasley volunteered immediately.
Harry beamed. He couldn't imagine a better family to call his own. "You want me?" he asked in disbelief.
"Well, of course we do, dear," Molly spoke up. "You're practically family anyway, both you and Hermione," she smiled at both of them and they both grinned back. "We'll just make it legal then," she waved it off as if it were nothing when, in reality, it was one of the most joyous moments in Harry's life. Someone wanted him. They actually wanted him. "If that's fine with everyone else," she added. She realized that Lupin and Dumbledore might want the job.
"I would love to be Harry's guardian," Remus began. "However, with my condition, I can't always be there for him. I know he's skilled enough to handle himself without me, without any of us, but I would rather see him with two loving parents than one unreliable werewolf." He faked a smile. He wished to take care of Harry for James and for Sirius.
"You'd be a great guardian," Harry said, feeling the need to make him feel better. "You've always been great with me and taught me so much." Lupin's instruction had saved Harry's life.
"Not as good as the Weasleys," Remus admitted, nodding at the couple. "They know what they're doing and they can be reliable."
"What about you?" Arthur asked pointedly to Dumbledore.
"I'll always be looking out for Harry," he answered. "At the same time, I know how much he loves your entire family. Molly is the only mother he's ever known and I could not rob him of that, nor could I rob her," he smiled with his eyes twinkling brightly.
Molly was grinning with tears of joy in her eyes. She did love Harry dearly.
"But, it will put you in danger," Harry told them. "Voldemort will target you."
"He will always target us, Harry," Arthur said. "We don't follow him. If you're not with him, you're against him. And, Harry, even if being your guardians would put us in more danger, we would still do it. You are part of our family."
"That's cool, Harry," Ron smiled. "Now we'll be brothers, but there's only one problem." An unexpected serious tone was in his voice. They all looked to him. "You'll have to dye your hair red, otherwise, we can't let you in." He cracked a smile and almost everyone laughed.
A few seats down Ginny Weasley's heart was in a tug of war. She loved the idea of Harry joining her family. However, she had always secretly hoped it would be as a son-in-law. She knew that realistically she didn't have a shot to distract Harry's affections from Hermione though. It was obvious how devoted they were to one another, much to the dismay of her and her brother.
Dumbledore brought out a wizard's contract, seemingly from thin air. It stated that Harry Potter would now be under the guardianship of Arthur and Molly Weasley. The Weasley's signed it, as did Harry. Dumbledore signed it as an executor and Lupin, Hagrid, and McGonagall were witnesses.
"I'm a Weasley!" Harry said proudly. "I'm part of the best family in the whole world!"
"You always have been, dear," Molly told him as she ruffled his hair.
He was so happy he could shout, but he held back as he embraced his new family. He was taken into a great bit Weasley group hug. He pulled in Hermione. "I never have to go back to Privet Drive!" he bubbled.
"Never again," Hermione repeated, squeezing his hand.
"Lovely, lovely," Dumbledore muttered as they all resumed their seats. "I should read the entirety of the will." He picked up another piece of parchment and began: I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind and body do hereby state the following as my last will and testament. As executor in charge of the Black estate, with full ownership of the properties and funds therein, I bequeath the following:
The my cousins Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy, the only remaining Black relatives: one knut each. And that's more than you deserve, you arrogant evil bitches. However, as you know, you will be in no position to contest this as you have been left your worthy part of the inheritance.
Dumbledore cleared his throat after reading the will as it was written.
To Remus Lupin, the sum of 15,000 galleons and a welcome spot in Grimmauld Place. You were truly my best friend. Please watch after yourself and Harry.
To Mr. Ronald Weasley,
Ron looked up shocked that he was mentioned. Dumbledore continued, I leave the sum of 10,000 galleons. Thank you for your part in saving my life. Buy yourself a new rat, but be sure to count his toes.
To Ms. Hermione Granger, I leave the sum of 10,000 galleons. You are a brilliant, fair, and amazing young lady. Thank you for saving my life. Treat Harry well. He will continue to need your support and help in accomplishing his task.
My godson Harry Potter will need a guardian in our world. I ask that Molly and Arthur Weasley, Remus Lupin, or Albus Dumbledore fill this position. I know each of you have Harry's best interest at heart. To whomever takes this gift, I also bequeath the sum of 25,000 galleons to be used as you see fit.
Now, my godson, Harry Potter. To Harry, I leave all Black family properties and the contents of both my personal and all Black family held vaults at Gringotts. An extensive list will be attached. I also leave Buckbeak to you, though I imagine Rubeus Hagrid would be happy to help care for him.
Hagrid smiled brightly. He did not know prior to this that Buckbeak had been with Sirius Black.
Harry, I am quite sure that I have not survived the most recent rise of Voldemort. In the short time I've known you, I've come to know a brilliant, powerful, fair, noble young man of great character. You have the strengths of both of your parents and your own magnificent abilities and insights. I want you to go on with this fight and do everything you can to remove that menace from our society. I believe in you, Harry. Any loss is worthwhile so long as you continue to the point it seems you were destined to find yourself. You will defeat Voldemort and I will be watching out for you from another world. I love you, my son. Sirius Black
Harry felt tears welling in his eyes. This was torture and it was bringing the loss of Sirius back in full force. He sniffed and looked upward, trying to keep the tears unshed. He felt Hermione's hand on his back, comforting and strengthening him. He bit his lip and blinked rapidly. I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry. In seconds, Molly had come to him and wrapped her arms around him. "It's okay," she soothed. It was the second time she had held him while he cried. It was the second time he had really felt as if he had a mother. *
Harry felt like screaming or running or hitting something, maybe all three. "It was my fault," he choked, trying desperately to not cry with an audience. He needed to be alone or with just Hermione. This was too much to take right now. Molly hugged him more closely and then Harry felt himself being pulled to his feet. Then Molly and Hermione were walking with him, taking him out of the room.
"It's not your fault," Molly told him as she led Harry to sit on a sofa in a living room. Hermione sat with him, holding onto his hand. "The only reason Sirius is dead is... is..." her voice turned to a whisper, "Voldemort," she said very softly, as if saying it softly was somehow not as bad as saying it in a normal voice. "He's the reason Sirius, Cedric, your parents, and so many others have died. "You know that in your heart, Harry. You know it's not your fault," she pulled him to her again and held him for what seemed like a very long time. Hermione stroked his back, softly telling him that it was okay.
"It just hurts," he told them. "Everyone I love dies. I don't want anything to happen to you too," he looked up at Molly and to Hermione. "I want the people I love to be safe."
"I wish I could promise you that nothing will happen to us," Molly said. "But none of us can predict that. We can hope for the best, but every decent witch and wizard is under a threat from that man. We'll just do what we can to stay safe and to keep you safe too."
"I'll protect you both," Harry promised them. "I'll do whatever I can to protect you."
"So will we," Hermione said. "I would do anything for you, Harry."
They waited a few minutes more before going back to the kitchen. They all needed a little bit of time to compose themselves to face the others.
"Sorry," Harry said, apologizing as he walked back into the room and sat down. "I just needed a minute to myself,"
"Perfectly understandable," Arthur said, waving it off.
Dumbledore had folded the parchment he had earlier and placed it onto the table. He glanced around the table before starting to speak again. "Now, Molly, Arthur, you're first order of business as Harry's guardians..." he paused, glancing back at the teenage couple for a moment.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley straightened in their seats, ready to face any fight for Harry. "Anything he needs. Anything at all," he offered.
"He needs your permission." His abbreviated sentence was a tease.
"Something dangerous?" Molly asked, her expression falling. Her motherly instinct wasn't so eager to oblige now.
"Some would certainly say so," Dumbledore laughed mischievously. Both Harry and Hermione gulped in anticipation of what was about to be announced.
"He need your permission to get married."
A stunned silence fell over the ones who were not aware of the impending nuptials.
Molly was the first to find her voice. "Married?" she quizzed. "He's just sixteen years old."
"Yes, Molly," Albus replied. "That is exactly why he needs your permission. I assure you this is necessary." The ones who were not aware of the reasons listened intently as Dumbledore once again explained Voldemort's plan. Harry and Hermione both wanted to disappear when he got to the "virgin" part. He did soften the embarrassment by telling them that Voldemort, no doubt, knew that Harry and Hermione both had strong character, so it was to expected that they were waiting for marriage as was expected of decent members of their society.
"He's getting desperate," Lupin evaluated. "He's got to know that many of those old dark rituals accomplished nothing."
"But one did work for him," Harry reminded them. He shuddered at the thought of the ritual he had witnessed. "It gave him back his body and broke the protection my mother gave me."
"He's been desperate to fight mortality his entire life," Dumbledore said.
"We've already given Hermione permission," John Granger spoke up. "Believe me, we're not thrilled about our daughter getting married so young, but Harry's life is at stake here."
Dumbledore explained that they would be having two weddings and the second would be a trap for Voldemort and his followers. "Now, we just need to work out the best way to see to it that he finds out what is happening."
"I think Hermione can handle Rita Skeeter," Harry offered. "We could get her to print some gossip."
"I don't know that we should risk letting her know what is really going on," Dumbledore reasoned. "She can't be trusted, not really."
"I know!" said Ginny, surprising everyone that she would speak up in this situation. All eyes turned to her. She swallowed nervously. "We trick her. We get her to think that she's scooping us, when in reality, she'll only print what we want her to," she started.
"How do we go about that, Ms. Weasley?" McGonagall asked.
"Easy!" Ginny exclaimed. "I'll write to her and tell her what's going on from the standpoint of a broken-hearted teenage girl."
"I think you're onto something, Gin," Hermione started. "But I've got an even better idea. You write to her as the jilted girl and tell her to look for you and me in Diagon Alley. Tell her you know her secret and you know she can be indiscreet. Then we'll have a very telling conversation which she will overhear and then scurry back into her hole in the ground to write."
"What secret?" Ginny asked.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged knowing looks. "She's an unregistered animagus," Hermione revealed, shocking some of the people in the room.
"A what?" McGonagall asked incredulously. "She wasn't even very good in transfiguration!"
"Well, she worked on it, I assure you," Hermione said. "We knew. That's how we got her to write that story about Harry last year."
"That, and you threatened her with the jar," Ron laughed. Hermione told him to shut up with a glance.
"That is a brilliant plan, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said approvingly, removing the conversation for Rita Skeeter's animagus abilities or the Trio's use of blackmail. "So, we just need to decide exactly what you will reveal to Ms. Skeeter. She will think she's got the scoop of a lifetime. By the time her report is printed, you and Mr. Potter will be married. Then we set the trap," he smiled.
He turned to Harry, "I am afraid that what happened with your uncle will have to be revealed to Ms. Skeeter."
"Are you insane?" Harry gasp. Only he could get away with addressing Dumbledore in such a matter. "I don't want anyone to know that."
"I understand, Harry, but there has to be a reason that we would allow you and Ms. Granger to be married. The only viable option is emancipation from your abusive relatives. That you two are in love is not going to be reason enough to convince the board of governors that your marriage should be accommodated by the school. They can not stop you from being married, but they can stop you from attending Hogwarts."
Harry closed his eyes, looking away. He shook his head, "I don't want anyone to know," he resisted. "You said you had already arranged a room with Professor McGonagall."
"Minerva and I can only do so much before the board gets involved. There will be a bonus," Dumbledore said as brightly as he could muster, "I'm sure there will be many a witch and wizard who seek to punish your family on your behalf. And, of course, there's nothing that you or I could do to stop them."
"No kidding," Hermione added, thinking back to when Harry's adoring public thought she had hurt him. She hoped that Vernon would get a packet of bubotuber pus of his own.
"I don't care about seeing them punished. I just want them out of my life for good."
"Yes, Harry. You want the Dursleys and Voldemort out of your life. This is our golden opportunity to get rid of both with one blow."
He sighed, shaking his head with defeat. "I really don't have a choice, here, do I?" Dumbledore's silence gave him his answer. "Whatever. Let's just get this thing going. The sooner this is over, the better. Maybe then Hermione and I can actually enjoy being married."
*I interpret the part with Molly holding Harry in the hospital wing in Goblet of Fire as Harry crying with the stinging in his eyes, burning in his throat, and wishing Ron would look away.
**I won't be updating for a few days. I have to go on a business trip. So, leave lots of reviews and I'll update when I get back! :-)