"Since I heard about how Harry sent his wraith packing again at the end of his first year, yes." Sirius said. "But he will try and get a body, and try and regain power. We're going to stop him."
"We will do everything we can to assist you." Narcissa said.
"Good. Narcissa; you will take part in a blessing ritual this afternoon for Harry." Sirius said.
"Of course, my Lord Black." Narcissa bowed her head.
Sirius regarded them with an intent expression. "I am giving you this one chance: work with me, help me protect Harry and you will be rewarded. Cross me, harm Harry in any way and I will end you."
He examined their faces with satisfaction as they registered his final words, turned and tapped the ornament. Penelope knocked softly on the door before opening it.
"Please escort the Malfoys to one of the guest rooms on the first floor, Penelope, so they can freshen up before lunch." Sirius requested.
The Malfoys got to their feet; Narcissa curtseyed and Draco awkwardly followed his father in bowing his head briefly before they left. The door closed behind them and Sirius let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension that had gathered there.
Remus gave a small cough. "You OK, Padfoot?"
"I feel dirty." Sirius admitted. "I feel like I'll take a million showers and will never be clean again."
"Well, we have made a deal with the Devil." Remus murmured. "But politically this will be easier. Lucius is the key to at least neutralising the pureblood supremacists within the Wizengamot. If he died, even with Narcissa as a Regent, they would likely choose some other leader who would make things much more difficult."
He sighed. "I'm not looking forward to telling Harry about the prophecy and Snape."
"Do you think it's wise to tell him?" Remus demanded. "They already have a difficult relationship."
"I don't know," Sirius said, "I don't want him blindsided with information that others are holding secret like a Sword of Damocles over his head, Moony." He sighed. "We'll discuss it with Minerva but not today; today should be about the adoption and the blessing ritual."
"I won't argue with that." Remus said in heartfelt agreement. He peered at Sirius. "Something else is bothering you."
"You mean apart from the fact that Lucius has just confirmed old Voldie is on his way back to getting a body and we really need to work out where Peter went and what he's likely to be doing?"
Remus simply gave him a look that said 'you don't fool me.'
Sirius grimaced and looked away from his friend. "Malfoy gleefully pointed out why so many people were quick to believe I was a mass murderer by reminding me of how many people I killed during the war."
"In self-defence." Remus pointed out.
"I don't even remember killing ten of them, Remus!" Sirius retorted.
"You were captured when you were undercover, tortured, and you were half-dead when recovered." Remus said dryly. "The evidence for self-defence was rather overwhelming."
"And what about the LeStranges?" Sirius said before he could help himself. "I knew calling Judgement through the family magic would probably kill them. Bella probably won't be alive this time next week."
"Yes, you did know," Remus acknowledged, "and that you feel…regret makes you the good guy."
"That's the problem, Moony," Sirius confessed, "I don't feel regret. I feel…relieved that they won't be around anymore to hurt anyone else, or to help Voldemort when he comes back – if we can't stop it. A part of me still thinks I should have just done the same to Lucius."
Remus placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did what you did to protect Harry. I'm not going to tell you that doing it was the wrong thing to do." He squeezed Sirius's shoulder. "I'll never tell you that protecting Harry is the wrong thing to do, and Sirius; I'd kill to protect him too."
Sirius nodded slowly, letting Remus's words wash away the doubts that had plagued him.
"Come on, we should get back. Hermione was in the middle of a discussion with Andromeda about ritual magic and its place within wizarding culture when I got your signal and Harry looked terrified at being left alone with them." Remus said cheeringly. "We should go rescue him."
Yes. That's what it all came down to in the end. Rescuing Harry.
And Sirius could do that.
.
.
.
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