The Deceit of Man

Working Things Out

The four of them worked diligently for hours, circling and narrowing the list of properties they would inspect. They also began a list of tasks they would need to start on, the first of which was to free Sirius. The Minister of Magic's smear campaign was sure to make things difficult but Sirius and Remus both assured Harry that Amelia Bones was fair and impartial even with the government the way it was.

"It's a shame we don't have a reliable reporter we can use to get the story out." Remus spoke, a frown marring his face.

"I agree, with the Minister blocking what the Daily Prophet prints, your side of the story can't be heard." Draco's eyes widened as Sirius finished speaking before scrambling for the stack of parchment nearest him.

"I may have a solution that would help. I just need to find the parchment with your investments on it." He explained before letting out a triumphant cry and pulling out a roll. Opening it, his grin widened as he found what he was looking for, "I knew it! Between all of your Lordships, Harry, you are the primary investor for The Daily Prophet! This means you can tell them what to print and the Ministry can't change it as you own sixty-five percent of the newspaper. Honestly, they shouldn't have been able to print anything about you in the first place unless your Magical Guardian gave them the right. Who was your Magical Guardian?"

"Dumbledore and Molly, both illegally, so I have no doubt the Daily Prophet was allowed to write whatever they wanted. This is good though as I have a certain blonde reporter trying to stay in my good side so I don't reveal to the Aurors that she's an illegal animagus. Oh, speaking of which, you and I need to start the process of becoming Animagi Draco. That can go along with our other training."

"This is going to be good, Pup! No one would dare question you, not with you holding twenty-four votes in the Wizengamot. That's not including the ten you will hold when you take over for your Heirships."

"Wait, what do you mean twenty-four?"

"Each different type of House has a different number of votes in the Wizengamot. A House has one, a Noble House and and Ancient House both hold two, an Ancient and Noble holds four, and Most Ancient and Noble Houses hold six. Between all your Lordships, you hold twenty-four votes currently and will take on another ten when you gain the Black Headship and the Headships to these other Houses here. We're going to have to start your political training right away, starting with the Wizengamot. They're the ones that have the pull in our society. First things first though, we need to get out of this house and get me free. That way we can start undermining Dumbledore's hold on the Wizarding World. To do that we need to take things to Rita. Remus, once they set the date with The Daily Prophet and RIta Skeeter, you need to go with them. I'll see if I can convince Tonks to go with you as more back up. I don't trust anyone else as I don't know who Dumbledore may be paying off."

"Shacklebolt can be trusted. The goblins were tracking all the funds that Dumbledore withdrew and compiled a list of whose accounts they went into. They also pulled the financial spendings for the school. Seems Dumbledore was taking a lot of money from the scholarship funding and tucking it into other accounts, those belonging to himself and in more recent years the same Weasleys he's giving my money too."

"Are all the Weasleys involved, Cub? I know you enjoyed spending time with the twins and the eldest seemed like decent blokes when I met them at the last Order meeting. Are we certain that none of the other Weasleys can be trusted?" Remus spoke up, thinking about how unlikely it was that the Weasley twins would willingly betray Harry.

"When it comes to them, it would be better to play it safe. Have them give Wizarding Oaths that they had no knowledge of what their family members were doing. It may seem extreme but these are things we need to have a guarantee with before bringing them in. If we don't and they turn out to be involved then it could put all of our plans at risk. If they turn out to be false as well, then you can easily see to them just as easily. Didn't you say you gave the twin terrors a loan to start their business?"

Sirius cocked an eyebrow at his godson who flushed bright red, "It was my Triwizard earnings. I didn't want them, not after Cedric's death and Voldemort's resurrection. The Diggorys wouldn't take them so I gave them to the twins, telling them that the world use more laughter now. They wouldn't take it until I threatened to throw it away."

"You seriously threatened to throw away a thousand galleons?" Remus choked out and Harry grinned sheepishly.

"I wouldn't have seriously thrown the prize money away but I had to twist their arms somehow. If they turn out to be using me, I get my revenge first."

"Agreed," three voices chorused. The four wizards went back to narrowing down properties after that, determined to get out of Grimmauld Place as soon as possible.

Finally after another hour of careful consideration, they decided on Eagle's Respite, one of Merlin's properties. Eagle's Respite was situated on a plot of land and was set up much like many of the estates of the Ancient and Noble House seats that were still in use today. It had thirty bedrooms (with bathrooms in the eight bedrooms of the family wing and ten throughout the rest of the manor), four studies, six libraries, two informal dining rooms, one formal dining room that seated a hundred between six tables, two Floo rooms, an extra large kitchen, two ballrooms, three potion labs and was managed by two hundred house elves. It was white on the outside with beautiful white pillars. It had the necessary space for everything they would need.

"There's one last thing. I want to bring Severus Snape in. We are going to need potions and I won't settle for anything but the best. We will of course, subject him to the same Oaths as the Weasleys we bring in but we need his skill."

"Are serious, Pup? I'm sure we can find a different Potions Master. We don't need the greasy git!" Sirius barked out, his eyes wide in shock.

"I've already stated that I won't settle for anything but the best. Are you trying to tell me I don't deserve the best Padfoot?" Harry put on a very convincing puppy dog look and started preparing to bring on the tears. Draco pulled him into his arms and glared at the dog Animagus for upsetting the raven-haired teen. With a sigh, and a not so subtle eye roll, Sirius gave in.

"Yes, fine. We'll bring in the git even though I know I'm being manipulated right now."

"Miracles do occur," Remus muttered, though not low enough to not be heard. Sirius gave him a betrayed look.

"That means you will have to get along with him and put the past behind you. You're a grown man and it's time you act like it. There's a time and place for pranks and there are times to focus. I won't tolerate any pointless infighting. We have a war to win and bullying and the like won't be accepted. Do I make myself clear?" The glare Harrison sent his godfathers sent shivers down their spines. There was no doubt in their minds that their sweet young Harry was now a dangerous wizard even at only fifteen.