One Tin Soldier

Chapter 10: Interlude 1

The month of August had been a trying time for Albus Dumbledore and those that belonged to his Order of the Phoenix.

Harry Potter, the lad he had insisted everyone stay away from so he 'might grieve', but must still be protected, had vanished. No one knew where he had gone.

The old headmaster was very disappointed in Mundungus for leaving his post the night that Harry disappeared. What was even more mysterious was the report of two missing dementors and their ashy residue found in a park near Harry's home.

The goblins seemed to know what was going on, but none of his spies could get anything out of them. It was disheartening to learn that Molly Weasley had been dipping into the boy's trust fund and had been caught. Thankfully, he had refrained from that temptation; no matter how much the 'greater good' could've used the money. If he'd done so and it had been found out, well, no justification would've excused the fact he had stolen from a minor orphan.

Albus found out even the Dursleys had been hit by the goblin audit! It saddened him that none of the funds they had been given for Harry's upkeep had gone to his needs. He'd known Harry would spend ten lonely, hard years with them, but he just thought it would be because there would be no magic in his life. He'd known Petunia was a bitter woman, but to have taken that bitterness out on a small boy...? It was unconscionable!

'Where could the lad be?' the aged wizard pondered. 'Hogwarts is starting soon. He has to be here; he has a destiny to fulfill!'

"Headmaster! Albus?" came a sudden call from his fireplace.

Albus turned to see a face amid the green flames. "Ahh Arthur, what can I do for you today?"

"Harry wrote to Sirius. He said he would be at the goblins two days before the first to finalize his inheritance. He wanted Sirius to meet him there. Then he wants to get his supplies."

"I see." He smiled. Things were finally looking up. While two days before the start of school wasn't much time to deal with Harry's rebellion, he should thank Merlin for small favors.

~~

Sirius scowled as he stood behind what he thought was a friend reporting his private correspondence to the old fool.

"Oh hi Sirius," the balding red-haired wizard said, nervously as he came out of the fireplace.

"Arthur, I didn't tell you so that you could blab to Dumbledore. Harry's MY godson, and not some pawn in the old man's schemes!"

"But we were all worried, especially Albus. Molly insisted...," Arthur Weasley tried to justify his actions. He lowered his eyes as Sirius continued to glare at him.

"I think it's time for you and your family to leave. You have betrayed me and mine for the last time and are no longer welcome in this house!"

"You...you don't mean that?!"

"That information was private, and Harry asked that we didn't tell Albus. Why did you tell him?"

"But...he wanted to be told..." Arthur sputtered.

"Don't you think I don't know that? Molly and your brood have broken the code of Hospitality and Guest Right time and time again, and I'm getting tired of it," Sirius continued to glare at the hen-pecked man.

"She thinks she can order me around in my own house! She refuses to acknowledge e as head of house Black and Master of this dwelling. Your youngest son has no manners, eats like a pig and is rude to just about everyone here. Granted, I hate this place, but when things got too dangerous for you to live at the Burrow I allowed you to come and live here," Sirius snarled, turning to leave. "You have one hour. I want you and your family gone!"