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The problem with hiding a fugitive, especially an innocent one, was that sooner or later one needed to consult with legal counsel. So Harry arranged an appointment with his solicitor by owl then got the twins to help him, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Padfoot sneak out of the castle via the Whomping Willow. It was a huge risk, especially with the Dementors on the prowl and Wormtail blabbing to the Aurors, but it would only make Sirius crazier if he thought he was confined to the castle. And Harry needed the others' friendships the same way that he needed Sirius, even if they were almost a decade younger than him now.
'It's going to be fine. I can side-along apparate Sirius and my patronus is even better after the whole Train Station of Death. I can handle this.' Harry thought even as he said aloud "Promise me that you'll straight to the Three Broomsticks after you get Padfoot through the fire and stay there until we get back."
"Of course!" Hermione gasped, scandalized as she hitched her bookbag higher on her shoulder. "You're the only one that can do the patronus charm when there are Dementors on the loose!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "You both worry more than my mum."
Harry tried to grin at one of his two, now three, best mates. "The Dementors don't care about catching Sirius Black, Ron. They attacked a quidditch game for fun. Do you really think they won't Kiss three firsties who can't drive them off?"
Padfoot whimpered softly and moved to walk closer to Harry, pressing his coarse black fur into the side of Harry's leg. Harry absently rested his hand on Padfoot's head. Hermione and Neville were a bit green. Even Ron was pale.
"But the ministry –" Ron weakly began to protest before Harry interrupted him.
"Even if the ministry punishes them, no one knows how to kill them. And whatever the ministry does won't get your soul back." One look at their frightened faces softened Harry's heart. "Wait for me and I'll treat you three at the Three Broomsticks and Zonko's."
Ron brightened. Even Hermione and Neville seemed excited at the idea.
Mrs. Bones was much less excited when he insisted that his dog attend their meeting. But she let Sirius into her office where he promptly settled next to Harry's chair and leaned into the side of his leg. When Harry announced that he wanted her to represent, or arrange the best representation for, Sirius Black in his criminal case, his negotiations with the ministry in their case against Peter Pettigrew, and his suit for reparations and punitive damages against the ministry for their disregard of their own laws and all of his years and suffer in Azkaban.
Mrs. Bones closed her eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. She opened her eyes, fixed him with a piercing gaze, and spoke.
"You are a very interesting client."
"Is that a 'no'?"
"I'm your solicitor. If there were conflicts of interest –"
"There won't be." Harry said firmly. "I only want what's best for Sirius. And once he's free of this nonsense he'll look after me."
Padfoot thumped his tail.
"You're an emancipated adult, Harry. You don't need someone to look after you."
"I want someone to spend Christmases and birthdays and holidays with" Harry said. "I don't need him to be my father but I want – I need – a family. A real one that doesn't hate me."
Padfoot rested his giant dog's head on Harry's thigh. He licked one of Harry's conveniently placed hands.
"And Sirius?"
"I think he needs that too. He was supposed to be my family if anything went wrong. I know that he loved my father better than anyone in the world. And I'm James Potter's son so he'll love me too."
Padfoot nuzzled his hand reassuringly. For the most part Sirius had been reassuring and playful toward Harry as a man in the previous timeline. It was far from shocking that he would be the same as a dog. Hell, it was probably part of the reason that his animagus form was a dog.
"Mr. Potter even assuming that Sirius Black is innocent, no one who goes into Azkaban comes out the same person. Even if they only stay a few hours, they're changed. He may not be the same person he was when your father knew him."
"He isn't." Harry said honestly. "But he's still Sirius Black."
"He'll need to see healers and mind healers."
"He'll see them."
Mrs. Bones sighed. "Very well. Against my better judgment I will accept Sirius Black's case on behalf of my law firm. However, the partner who specializes in criminal law will actually represent Sirius Black in this matter."
And instant later where a grim had been standing was a gaunt man in black robes. They were a bit big for Sirius since Harry had guessed Sirius' size when he had owl-ordered them from Gladrags. But they were clean, whole, and warm.
Harry watched as Mrs. Bones startled and bit back a scream. She shot him a glare that should have seared his flesh from his bones.
Sirius grinned. "I'm Sirius Black. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bones."
A few hours later, Harry and Padfoot purchased every used wand in the used wand bins outside of some of the more disreputable shops off of Diagon Alley and some of the alleys surrounding it. (Padfoot had flatly refused to let Harry set foot into Nocturn Alley, no matter how many used wands might be for sale there.) One of them would hopefully match Sirius well enough to be a temporary wand until Sirius could go to Ollivander's. After that they went to meet Ron, Hermione, and Neville at the Three Broomsticks.
They had taken a table in the corner where Hermione had somehow nagged the other boys into doing schoolwork. There was a tray of tarts in front of them and bottles of butterbeer. Harry snagged the fourth chair at the table which unfortunately left his back to the door then helped himself to two tarts – one for him and one for Padfoot who settled himself under the table.
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Want to know what happens next? 100+ advanced chapters await you on Patreon! Be the first to read what others will have to wait for. Join the community and read ahead today!
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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