The Delacour Investigation

Fleur pulled out a little book and opened it. At Remus's insistence, she had been keeping track of the current prices and the amounts sold and to be sold. "It will probably end up being a little over four million galleons when it's finished but we'll need to pay about ten percent for ze rendering and ze selling."

Mr. Delacour stopped walking and looked at his daughter. "Four million?" He turned to Harry, "And you just shared wiz my daughters?"

"No sir, I am sharing it with my family who just happened to be your daughters," Harry replied. "I want to give some of it to a couple of other people, but most of it will be ours to share."

They entered the Chamber and Hermione and Remus were waiting for them. Remus looked extremely peaked. That evening was going to be a full moon.

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir," Remus said when introductions had been made. "I've been looking forward to it ever since I found out who you were."

"My daughters 'ave written 'igh praise of you Mr. Lupin."

"Remus or Moony please. I'm just happy to be of help."

"Moo…ah…I presume a play on your Lycanthropy?"

"Yes sir. Harry's father gave me that nickname. We were good friends when we went here."

"I'm glad you were willing to see me today. I know it's a tough day for you."

"I wouldn't miss the opportunity. Fortunately, I am able to take the Wolfsbane potion while I'm here."

"So you and James Potter were friends? So you are familiar with Mr. Brown zen," Mr. Delacour said with a smile, especially when he saw the confused look cross Remus' face. "I thought so, but zat just proves my conclusions I believe," He looked over at Padfoot. "Mr. Black I presume? I am 'ere as my daughter's father not in any official capacity. Even if I was, I would 'ave no issue with you."

Everyone in the Chamber was staring at Mr. Delacour. He turned to Fleur as said. "Your mother might be smarter zan I am, but I didn't get to where I am by missing many things; though I admit I didn't make ze connection until I was back 'ome. Mr. Brown mentioned 'e was a good friend of 'Arry's father, in fact 'e made it seem like 'e was James Potter's best friend. But when I did a little research on Mr. Black, I found 'e also was a very good friend of Monsieur Potter including best man at 'is wedding. But nowhere was there anything about a Mr. Brown," At the startled look on Harry's face Mr. Delacour explained. "I mentioned to you zat everything will be discovered when I ask for a full investigation. Zis was only a preliminary one done by my staff, but my staff is very good," He turned back to the black dog still staring at him. "I also realized just how well your dog behaved, almost like 'e knew exactly what was being said. I put ze things together and realized Mr. Brown was most likely Mr. Black and 'e was ze dog as well, an unregistered animagus?" He turned to his eldest daughter. "Ma petite, I swear I mean Mr. Black no 'arm. I know you believe 'e is innocent and zat is good enough for me."

"E won't tell 'Arry," Fleur said.

"Sirius, I believe him," Harry said and at that Padfoot became Sirius Black. Harry turned to Mr. Delacour. "Sir, I would like for you to meet my Godfather."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Black, as Mr. Black that is."

"Sirius please. I hope you understand my alias before."

"Alain. Of course I understand."

"Thank you sir for being willing to help me this summer."

Mr. Delacour shrugged. "I would 'ope I would be willing to 'elp any innocent man, but zis is a special case. Your godson is now a member of my family. You think I would stand a chance against my daughters if I did not 'elp?" The last he asked with a smile.

Sirius chuckled. "I guess not. I've had the opportunity to get to know them over the last couple of months. They are very special young women who I wouldn't want to be on their wrong side either."

Alain smiled as any proud father would. "Yes zey are. Just like zeir mother. 'Opefully you'll be able to meet 'er zis summer as yourself. Once we push for your trial, you are more zan welcome to come stay at our 'ome. I will be able to grant you asylum until ze trial starts. Zat should give you time to work with a solicitor on preparing your defense and still spend time with your godson."

Sirius appeared speechless until he was able to get out. "Thank you again sir."

"Don't thank me until you are free," Alain said. "You still 'ave a large 'ill to climb. Your family name isn't going to 'elp you at your trial. Speaking of your family," He reached into his robes and pulled out several sheets of parchment. "I wasn't sure if I would 'ave a chance to meet you today, but in case I did, I thought zis might 'elp you. As you can see, your family fortune is still mostly intact and you are ze legal 'eir as soon as you can appear publicly and claim it. Zat will be as soon as your ministry admits you 'aven't 'ad a trial. Zat will allow you to access funds to 'ire your solicitor."

"How did you get these? The goblins are notorious about not giving out information."

Again Mr. Delacour shrugged, "Ze Veela are on much better terms with ze Goblins zan wizards are. So with a few galleons 'ere and zere from ze right person, information can be obtained. It's not something I would normally do, but I was sure you wouldn't mind."

"Why did you do all of this?" Sirius asked. "Not that I am complaining."

"As I said, 'Arry is family now and zat means you're family Mr. Black," Mr. Delacour said. "Besides it makes my daughters 'appy. Someday may you 'ave ze joy...and ze terror of 'aving a daughter."

Sirius got a wistful look on his face and shrugged. "Yeah maybe.."

Alain had turned to Remus. "Mr. Lupin…Remus. As I said earlier, my eldest 'as written 'igh praise of you. She also made a request…"

"I just want to say, I am not looking for any charity sir."

....

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