"Are you absolutely sure Remus? You have been the first truly skilled Defense professor we have had in years."
The Werewolf gave a smile towards the Headmaster as he continued packing up his belongings. "I am sure, I want to be with Sirius and Harry this summer, which means I wouldn't have time to plan for next year. I do not want to deprive students of any learning opportunities."
Nodding the old man let out a sigh, "I understand your reasons and I admire your commitment to Harry and Sirius. What are you planning to do about lodging?"
"Sirius and I will be cleaning out Grimmauld early on, then taking a nice long vacation with our godson."
"I…" Dumbledore paused, searching for a way to address the topic without insulting the man or causing rifts, "am just concerned about exposing Harry to the festering Dark Magic that might still reside there."
"We are as well Headmaster," a voice called from the doorway as the Lord Black walked into the room. "Luckily for us pup has a few friends who were more than willing to volunteer to house him for the first few weeks while we get rid of that crap. Heck I must thank you both for that. It was you and Remus' plan which established the connections last summer that we can now rely on. The Weasley's, Lovegood's, Tonks, Professors Sinistra, McGonagall, and Flitwick have all volunteered to help. Not only that but more than a few of Harry's Housemates have written me asking if we needed a place to stay temporarily."
Albus nodded cautiously, "I am glad to hear of so many offering their time and homes. I do hope you err on the side of caution when it comes to any former Death Eaters however. I do not wish for the boy to be harmed."
"Nor do we Albus, we have sent thankful declines to most… but…"
"But?"
"My cousin's prat of a husband is being quite insistent considering pup's backing of his political campaign. Apparently, his son is just as bad, constantly nagging about having my godson visit for at least a few days."
"It seems as though you have taken on more work simply sorting through the requests than will be saved by their help."
Both Marauders laughed, earning a smile from the elder Wizard. "Although my schedule can be quite demanding do not hesitate to contact me should you need anything. Enjoy your summer gentlemen, if anyone has earned a long vacation it is you three."
...
"Hedwig."
The owl shifted back into the girl a moment later, her eyes darting between the two godfathers of her beloved.
"Harry isn't here right now."
"We know, we actually wanted to speak with you."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, unsure what they could possibly want with her.
"Uh you see, well this is sort of awkward but uhm… well with the summer coming up and all…" Sirius stuttered a bit over his words, before looking over to his friend for help. Luckily the two adults had reached the agreement earlier, and the Werewolf just sighed before nodding.
"We want to take Harry on vacation."
Her amber eyes blinked a few times, before nodding slowly, "That is a good idea, he has never really been on one before and…" Her mind caught up to the situation, why the hell would they be asking her privately unless… "You don't want me to come as well."
Both Marauders winced at the cold tone, "Hedwig… listen I know you and Harry are close, probably closer than anyone else is with him, but… we want to have an opportunity to bond with him too."
"And you can't do that with me there because…"
"Er… we were hoping to go to the beach? You know get a tan, lounge in the sand, play in the ocean… check out some girls…" the last part was whispered by the Black Lord, earning a deeper scowl.
"So, let me get this straight, you two want me to give up the person that means the most to me in this God forsaken world for the summer…"
"Not the entire time, just like a few weeks or…"
"DO NOT INTERRUPT!"
Remus' mouth snapped shut, knowing better than to argue with an upset female. "And while you take him away from me you are going to be trying to get him laid as much as possible with random women… and I am supposed to just be okay with this!?"
"No… not 'okay' but maybe accepting? We missed out on over a decade of his life Hedwig, we failed him time and time again and then he goes and protects us, helps us…" Sirius faltered, before an idea came to his mind. "We will make you a deal though."
"And what " the white-haired girl scowled, "could you possibly offer me in return for allowing this?"
"We will convince him to take a vacation with you next year. Just the two of you."
The girl fell into silence. This was something she had wanted for years now, to be away from everyone else, to just pretend it was the two of them, that maybe they were newlyweds or just a romantic couple.
"I…"
"Anywhere you want Hedwig, hell we will pay for it and keep everyone else out of your hair. We will answer his mail, do his summer homework, and take care of everything."
The two men looked almost desperate, and the beauty sighed. 'It is for Harry… and he deserves some time with them, maybe even a break from me…'
"Fine…"
The Marauders grinned.
"BUT, I am going to hold you to this. Anywhere I want for two weeks next summer."
"We promise, we will have to sort out the exact date with cub, but I am sure we can convince him."
"AND, one more thing."
Glancing at each other the older Wizards nodded slowly. "This is a vacation for the three of you, which means I better not hear about him being dropped off somewhere while you two morons chase skirts."
"Of course not, pup will be our number one priority I promise."
"He better be…"
...
"Lucius"
The blonde bowed slightly, but stopped short of declaring his allegiance, there would be time for that later once the Dark Lord had returned. There could only be one true master of the world, and it would undoubtedly be one of the two he served. For now he only had to keep up appearances, such as arriving when summoned.
"I have two tasks for you."
"Of course, what can I do?"
"First," the teen slipped a small journal from his cloak and presented it to the blonde, "A list of changes you are going to being pushing through the Wizengamot. Do not worry, all of them will benefit your public appearance greatly. You will choose one and have it passed by the end of the summer."
Malfoy nodded, before pocketing the object. "And the other?"
"How are your connections with the guards at Azkaban and the DMLE?"
....
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