Chapter 50:

The next few days leading up to the trial, Harry distracted Remus by having him make plans for Sirius' trial and then demanding the wolf borrow some money to buy some new clothes for himself and Sirius.

Harry, however, was distracted himself by his search; he hadn't interacted with Quirrellmort all year. Excluding their Defence lessons, he had avoided the man. He didn't want to be around him, not when he was still so... scattered. The parasite he was while attached to Quirrell wasn't Tom or even the Voldemort he knew; he was a small, insane part of him. Sure, Harry had felt the slight pull, but he had been able to ignore it. He had thought about him, but Harry didn't want to meet the person who he now knew was his soulmate for the first time on the back of his Defence teacher's head.

Instead, Harry used his time in the Leaky Cauldron to visit Knockturn Alley in secret. The shadowy alley offered more in terms of the obscure, as well as the illegal, which suited Harry's needs as he had yet to find something with potential, let alone conclusive results. After spending the afternoon hidden in the aisles of a less than commendable back alley shop, Harry sighed in defeat. He had promised Remus he would be back early so they could go through everything again, before tomorrow. The wolf was anxious and believed Sirius would never forgive him.

Walking out of the shop after leaving a few coins on the counter for the shopkeeper - to show his appreciation in secrecy - Harry walked out with his hood up and head down.

"Buy any books today?" Remus asked when Harry entered the room.

Harry smiled slightly. "No, they didn't have what I was looking for," he said. He had told Remus he was searching Diagon Alley for books, saying he liked ritual magic and found it interesting.

"Well, I am always willing to look around for you," Remus offered.

"Thank you, but I think it will be one of those 'know it when I see it' books," Harry said. Remus laughed lightly at how put out Harry managed to sound. "I still can't believe Prongs produced a little raven, he was adamant you would be a lion," Remus said. He had been more willing to talk about Harry's parents as the week had gone on, opening up to Harry more than he had in his last life. "But your mother, she would have loved this. James would have as well, after he had gotten over the shock."

"Do you want to get food here or downstairs?" Harry said after a few moments.

Remus considered for a few minutes before he smiled. "How about we go out to muggle London? I know a nice Chinese place. Have you ever had Chinese?" he asked. Harry shook his head. "No. The Dursleys would have it occasionally, but I've never tried it." He thought it was strange that this was actually true; he was 18 years old mentally and he had never tried a lot of things.

Remus frowned at the mention of the Dursleys. "Well, put on some muggle clothes and we'll get going." He would never say it out loud, but Harry could tell that he felt guilty about the Dursleys treatment of him. He wanted Harry to experience what a real family was, and was trying to subtly act like a parent - or at least like a guardian. It was nice, if a little annoying; Harry was not used to parental figures butting in and, even though he looked like a child, he was not one - at least mentally. Harry smiled at the meaning though; Remus really was trying. Opening his trunk, he found a pair of grey trousers and a dark green jumper. It was summer, but the English summer evenings were cool.

Walking through the door into muggle London, Remus lead Harry through the streets, pointing out places he had either visited or worked and adding little anecdotes. After around 20 minutes they came to a small Chinese restaurant decorated with traditional lanterns and streamers. Entering, they were greeted and seated quickly.

"So, what should I order?" Harry asked, looking at the menu, unsure about what to get as he had never even heard of half of the stuff.

Remus smiled as he watched Harry frown at the menu, probably annoyed that he was unsure. He had noticed how Harry revelled in his independence and ability to survive.

"Why don't I just order a variety and we can pick and choose?" Remus offered.

"That sounds good, thank you," Harry said.

After they had ordered, Remus and Harry sat chatting about inconsequential things, however eventually this stopped.

"Are you worried?" Remus asked. "Worried?" Harry queried.

"About the trial? About what you will do if Sirius gets custody of you eventually?" Remus asked.

"I don't think the trial will be a problem, not anymore. Dumbledore and the ministry can't do much to derail it now. He is innocent and that will come out," Harry said. "And as for the custody, I'm not worried - just cautious. I've never had a real family or guardian; I don't think I would cope well with suddenly having my independence taken away, so I hope Sirius doesn't try that. Other than that, no, I'm not worried."

"And

if

Sirius

cannot

get

custody?" Remus asked.

Harry felt his eyes darken; that would most likely only happen if Dumbledore intervened. "Then I doubt I'll go back to my family - I won't allow myself go back to them. How they treated me was wrong and I severely doubt that the Wizarding world would allow it once it becomes known and I will let it be known if it keeps me from them. At worst, it will be a mad dash about who could take in the precious Boy-Who-Lived," Harry said, using the title he hated to show Remus what he thought about the situation.

~

Once they had eaten, the two returned to the Leaky Cauldron and turned in for the night. They had to be up early for the trial and Harry wanted to go to Gringotts before that to talk to Ragnok.

The robes they had for the trial where formal, but not fancy; Harry work dark green, almost black, robes over a white shirt and black trousers and Remus had a deep mahogany robe over a cream shirt and black trousers.

Entering Gringotts early, Harry, with Remus trailing behind him, made their way to Ragnok's office. Entering, they saw the chief goblin was sitting, surrounded by papers. Their visit was just a preliminary to make sure nothing had gone wrong; Harry doubted anything would have as the goblin would have summoned him, but still it was better to check. "Good greeted.

morning, gentlemen," Ragnok

"Chief Ragnok," Remus said, bowing slightly.

"You're ready for today?" Ragnok asked, looking at Harry.

"Yes. I doubt that the opposition will be able to do anything with the evidence we supplied," Harry said.

"And if they manage the impossible?" Ragnok asked, more out of interest than real concern.

"I have a few ideas," Harry said, thinking about the breakouts Voldemort caused in his last life. He didn't want to have to use such barbaric tactics, but he would if it meant Sirius was freed. Then again, Sirius could just break himself out again.

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