A/N: Welcome to the new story. I am working on a retelling of all seven years. That's really ambitious and I hope to finish. Anyway, the standard quick disclaimer, I'm not JKR and own none of the characters you recognize. Or probably the ones you don't either. Pretty sure Kitmu is mine. No money is made from this as it's a tool for me to release stress from my day job and the fact my kitchen remodel is still MONTHS away.

Update schedule is weekly, more than likely on Saturday. This story should top out at 12 or 13 chapters. I'm finishing up chapter 10 now and there isn't much left of the school year. Once the story gets going there will be little that matches the original books so this is a total AU. Be warned. Molly Weasley fans be warned as well, she has been annoying me in the stories I've been lately and that frustration is playing out here.

Um, what else...this chapter is a prologue and just sets the stage. in the next chapter we meet our protagonists properly. But for now, sit back and read how the British wizarding world would be impacted if Tom Riddle had been stopped early. While stopping him was good, maybe the real reasons behind it weren't so innocent...

MP*MP*MP*

Tom Riddle

When the orphaned Tom Riddle began his quest to dominate the world, his propaganda was met with silence. The wizards he attempted to court didn't care about blood purity, in fact the wizarding and muggle worlds were similar in this respect, all that mattered to any of them was money. Money provided the power that governed their respective worlds. While Riddle railed about the downward path of the wizarding world regarding muggles and muggleborns, the aristocracy simply saw the end of a fabled family in the guise of a madman's ramblings.

Tom Riddle was the last member of the Gaunt family, born to Merope Gaunt after her infatuation with a muggle, the half blood was raised in a muggle orphanage after the death of his mother. Instead of taking the child and allowing it to be raised in a loving wizard home, the Wizengamot, led by Albus Dumbledore, left the child to an unknown fate. Adoption of orphaned witches and wizards was a common practice and no one fully understood why Riddle was not given the same opportunities. Dumbledore stated the child would have no magic since his father was a muggle and mother a near-squib. As Merope had died in the muggle world, her father left her body to be buried in a muggle Potter's Field and the wizarding world had no way to confirm or deny her magical ability.

Riddle watched orphan after orphan be adopted while he was left alone. His want to be loved and accepted drove his every action. He was never given a second glance by the muggles wishing to have a child. This was also due to Dumbledore's meddling. As a baby, the last heir of Slytherin had a curse placed on him which would cause any muggle to be repulsed and not desire him in their home. Tom Riddle grew up unloved and with a fierce desire to do better. And to prove he was better. He was an intelligent child and when his eleventh birthday came so did the knowledge he was a wizard. Entering the wizarding world and discovering the truth of his past made him unstable; this was the legacy his mother left him and what the rest of the wizarding world had wanted to avoid but none dared to cross Dumbledore, yet.

As the insanity slowly overtook his mind, he, like the majority of his family, drifted into delusions and fantasy. Those fantasies drove the ideology he believed would lead others to beg to be part of his bright new world. When he realized the rich would not follow him into his fantastical vision, he attempted to get those with less money, less power to believe. Promising the lower classes a chance to better themselves ended up being a more successful ploy for the wizard. In the end the Wizengamot had to act and stop the coup Riddle was initiating.

Wizards had identified that marrying one's own cousins continuously tended to decrease the magical power of the subsequent generation and increase the likelihood of mental instability. The Gaunt family offsprings had been evidence of this, but with the addition of the 'fresh' blood from the muggle Riddle, the child of the union came into the complete power promised to the 'Heir of Slytherin'. When Tom Riddle entered Hogwarts the professors realized just how powerful the young man would be. His father's blood only assisted the young Riddle in his magical ability, his mental stability was based on generations of breeding within the same bloodlines. The refusal to accept what everyone knew to be true was the reason the last family with direct ties to Salazar Slytherin would eventually end.

After ending the potential revolt, the Wizengamot had to decide what to do with Tom Riddle. It had been decided he would be the first patient placed in the newly opened St. Mungo's Home for Mental Instability. The facility was on the former Gaunt estate which the Ministry had taken possession of after the death of Merope's brother. The remainder of the Gaunt holdings where used to repair the building. Due to the level of decay it took almost three decades before it was fully converted into the care facility.

The grounds had been warded to allow the residents to live in their delusions while not being able to actually harm anyone else. It was in the fields and groves of his family's ancestral home, the newly dubbed Lord Voldemort ruled his followers, if only in his mind.

Dumbledore believed the removal of the man who was threatening the wizarding world would prove what a great wizard he was and how better the wizarding world was because of him. It actually started to plant seeds of discontent with the nearly limitless power Dumbledore had acquired. Dumbledore was similar to Riddle; they both wanted to control everything. The difference between the pair was Dumbledore succeeded. His proactive actions with Riddle set into motion a world that differed from what Sybil Trelawney had seen. When her new visions played out, Dumbledore no longer required Harry Potter to be raised by his muggle relatives. He was not destined to be the savior of their world. Harry was no longer needed for Dumbledore to remain in power, so Dumbledore had no need for the boy.

The Potter and Black Families

Harry Potter was born to James and Lily Potter as seen by Trelawney. He was a happy little boy. His parents, not needing to be part of any underground militia group, were living the lives of expected of the aristocracy. The young couple was frequently photographed in their travels. They relished the attention and continually courted the press.

Shortly after the birth of their son, the couple went on a world tour. It was reported Harry remained in Britain due to his young age, but in reality it was the baby would impact just what the couple could do on their voyage. The boy was cared for by his nanny elf while the parents took some much needed time away. After giving birth, Lily realized she wasn't exactly a maternal person. James, having his heir, didn't see the need to have another child.

The young couple, barely twenty, wanted to enjoy their youth and extreme fortune. Their world tour was initially intended to be a six-month trip but it was continually extended. After eighteen months it became obvious the pair had little intention to return to their duties or responsibilities. Near the end of the second year of their travels, both contracted a rare case of dragon pox and were dead within a month. Harry Potter, not needing to save the world, was allowed to remain in the wizarding world under the care of his godfather, Sirius Black.

Sirius Black, while he missed his best friend, took advantage of the situation and moved into the Potter home in Godric's Hollow. Prior to the death of his only true friend, Sirius lived in a small flat in the not-so-great side of magical London. Sirius, while the eldest of the Black brothers, had been exiled from his family shortly after the death of the Potters. Regulus Black, the younger of the Black brothers and the now the heir to the House of Black, felt little pity for this brother. Sirius had brought great dishonor to the family during his years at Hogwarts.

Sirius and James Potter believed their families were more vaulted than all other families at the school. The two Gryffindors had spent their seven years extolling the great and ancient histories of their families while dismissing all others at the school. What wasn't acknowledged was how the boys continually targeted and bullied a number of the students. Regulus had been amazed at just how horrible his brother treated everyone upon his arrival to Hogwarts during Sirius's fourth year.

What upset the majority of the witches and wizards at the school was how Dumbledore turned a blind eye to the antics of the duo since they were Gryffindors. Dumbledore publicly stated a lion could do no wrong and without substantial evidence the rumored activity would not be disciplined. This belief was also held by the Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, who was the head of the Gryffindor house. This administration style led to the students dismissing those in the Gryffindor house due to blatant favoritism. Some students had even discussed how to resort themselves into one of the other houses, if it allowed them to be away from the red and gold.

By the time of his brother's graduation, Regulus had witnessed enough of the antics to be repulsed by them. Over the years he had taken to documenting their actions in his journals. Those on receiving end of the activities actually began to update the journals and acknowledge the accuracy of the reports. Not that anyone ever expected anything to happen until one day when the unimaginable actually occurred.

The final straw was when the duo planned to murder a fellow student. Shortly before the end of their final term, James had planned an attack with the sole intent to maim or kill another student. Sirius thought the plan was brilliant and was the one to suggest the target. A boy a few years younger and who had been the target of many of their most vile attacks. Both Sirius and James had reached seventeen and were considered adults when the attack was planned to occur. Being an adult, in body but not mind, put the duo under the authority of the Ministry and Wizengamot and not Headmaster of Hogwarts who had spent the previous seven years covering their sins. Regulus was horrified and after the event, helped the intended victim to detail what had almost happened to him.

Upon arriving home that summer, Regulus informed his father, Orion, who was outraged. Severus Snape was the Head of the Prince House and this attempt would not, could not, be overlooked. With the documentation Regulus had provided and details from Severus. Peter Pettigrew, a friend of Sirius and James, admitted to hearing the plan and acted against the wishes of his friends to save Snape. With the information, the Wizengamot had no choice but to press on with the case. It was during the multiple year investigation that Harry Potter had been born and his parents alighted on their vacation. By the time the investigation was complete, the Potters had been away for over a year. Both Sirius Black and James Potter were charged and the trial was started with James Potter in absentia.

The trial became one of the most reported events in generations. The testimonies were documented and reported on in great detail. Sirius Black admitted the attempt on Severus Snape was because they wanted to see if it could happen. He also admitted to selecting Snape because he was a joke to the wizarding world and no one would miss the 'greasy dungeon bat'. There was little remorse in the testimony, but the testimony was completely accurate as the Wizengamot had allowed the use of veritaserum and Sirius wasn't a good enough wizard to negate the effects of the potion.

James had told Severus about the tunnel to Hogsmeade and somehow, Sirius hadn't been present for this discussion, got Severus to want to use it. On the last full moon of the school year, Severus was to open the tunnel, using the Whomping Willow. This one act would have opened the hidden door in the Shrieking Shack and allowed the werewolf Remus Lupin to escape.

The most likely result would have been Severus's death as Lupin couldn't fight his animal instinct. Severus was only saved when Peter Pettigrew reached the tree in time and to stop the unsuspecting boy. Pettigrew admitted that his actions were more driven by the friendship to the werewolf than to Severus. A successful plan would end with Severus' death, Lupin's capture and probable death, and the pair knowing they got away with murder.

Remus Lupin sat in the court and listened to how two people he thought were his closest friends tried to use him. He wondered why the pair, who were bullies and everyone knew it, befriended a known werewolf. In the end, they didn't do it because they liked Remus. They befriended him as a tool to be used later. After the completion of the trial, Remus left Britain to never return. Peter Pettigrew, basking in the fame of 'doing the right thing' decided to remain in the public eye and started to train witches and wizards on how to identify one's inner animagus. The other surprising fact unearthed during the testimony was the fact the trio had become animagi over the course of their seventh year. None had registered at the time, but once the Wizengamot began their investigation, Peter had been given a reprieved and happily registered. Peter's business became a very lucrative and many witches found they needed his personal assistance to reach into their inner soul to find their inner animal.

The scandal also reached the doors of Hogwarts as dozens of students, both past and present, stepped forward to tell what had happened to them. Based on the testimony, review of their memories and the multitude of journal entries Regulus had accumulated, the administration of Hogwarts was deemed to have failed in their primary duty of protecting students. The result was the commission of a Board of Regents to oversee the school on a perpetual basis. There was nothing the headmaster could do to disband the board short of closing the school. And that was not an action the Headmaster could do on his own.

The notification of the death of the Potters came during the trial. It impacted the eventual decision on how to sentence the remaining Marauder. As Sirius had been the only godparent named and wizarding rules dictated upon parental death, a child is to be raised by their godparents. Sirius was given a chance to redeem himself by raising the child. He was given a stipend from the Potter's vault in order to pay for the necessities of the child and was allowed to live in the Potter home in Godric's Hollow. The remainder of the Potter estate was held in trust until Harry gained his majority.

The stipend wasn't a large amount but with access to his Black vault, Sirius wasn't concerned about money. He agreed to the verdict without hesitation as it had kept him out of Azkaban. What Sirius didn't expect was for his parents to disown, remove him from the family and block his access to any Black family vault. A matter of moments after the verdict was finalized, Orion "blasted" Sirius from the tree and officially named Regulus as the new heir to the House of Black.

Sirius attempted to negotiate a larger stipend but the Wizengamot rejected stating the verdict had been agreed to and finalized. The only light for Sirius was Dumbledore who was incensed at what had happened. He attempted to reopen the case in order for the verdict to be renegotiated but the remaining members of the Wizengamot fought against him. Dumbledore, in an attempt to retain his position of power and (personal belief of total) adoration by the people, agreed to follow what every other member of the Wizengamot had decided. Dumbledore ensured Sirius had a job; however, assisting a man convicted of crimes so reviled by the populous would not help his image, Dumbledore kept his assistance quiet. This is how Sirius Black became bound to his "benefactor".

The Weasley Family

Arthur Weasley was an intelligent but naive man who had married Molly Prewett. Molly controlled the family while giving the impression of being a simple wife and mother. Her children, all seven of them, varied with regard to intellect and desires.

The eldest son, Bill, inherited his father's intelligence and mother's ambition. At reaching the age of majority, his maternal grandparents, bestowed the House of Prewett to him. Their own sons had been killed twenty years earlier in a potions experiment gone wrong. Arthur and his father-in-law decided the eldest Weasley child would continue the Prewett name, while one of the other sons would be granted the Weasley handle. Arthur, while not the wizard Llwelyn Prewett had thought for his daughter, was a good man. Llwelyn had a strained relationship with his daughter. He never disowned her but she had used her vault to stage an elaborate and ludicrous wedding. He refused her access to her brother's vaults and would not provide a stipend for her. She was incensed that she had to live on the measly salary her husband made.

The second child, Charlie, was the largest of the Weasleys and found a deep love for animals. During his time at Hogwarts he excelled at the 'Care of Magical Animals' courses. As a result, the Prewett grandparents deeded a significant land holding to their second eldest grandson. Using the land, Charlie set up an animal reserve that rivaled the best the continent had to offer. The Prewett Family Animal Sanctuary and Reserve was located on a large island just off shore of Scotland. It became a place for all magical animals to find a refuge. It was a staging ground that allowed witches or wizards to learn about all types of magical beasts. Charlie wished for it to be used as part of the 'Care of Magical Animals' course at Hogwarts but found dealing with his former headmaster difficult.

Percy Weasley was the most studious and serious of the Weasley children. While the third son was not as intelligent as Bill, he had worked hard to become the top of his class and was rewarded with being the heir to the House of Weasley. After graduating Hogwarts, his maternal grandparents provided him with Prewett Manor, which was hence forth known as Weasley Place. Bill happily handed the over the deed as he had built a large manor for himself with the intention of sharing it with his family. Bill had found it difficult to find a woman who was interested in him for more than his vaults. This home would become the new center of the Prewett family.

None of the three eldest brothers felt any misgivings or jealousy over what the others had received. All had worked to gain their dreams and all had succeed. The brothers often were found at one of their homes laughing over each other's stories.

After the birth of Percy, Arthur informed Molly they would postpone having any additional children for financial reasons. Arthur's pay was reasonable for the family of five but another mouth would stretch the budget to its limit. Molly reluctantly agreed and immediately searched for Albus. After confiding Arthur's edict, Albus assuaged the witch's concerns. He did agree they should wait a few years and allow Albus's plan to be fully implemented. Knowing she would get what she wanted, Molly agreed to wait. Three years later, Arthur had secured a higher position with the ministry and agreed they were at a point where they could afford another child. Molly was immediately pregnant. This pregnancy was more difficult for Molly and shortly after her tenth week it was discovered she was carrying twins. After their birth, Arthur stated they were done with children. The pregnancy had been very difficult and the family now had five boys under the age of eleven. Molly agreed only due to her exhausted and slightly drugged state.

The twins, George and Fred, were cunning and scarily intelligent. They also inherited their father's intelligence but the devious nature of their deceased uncles. By the time the boys were five, they had witnessed their older brothers leave for Hogwarts and return to talk about all the amazing things they were learning. It was during the years that led up to their own start at Hogwarts, the boys began to research everything they could do at the school. On their arrival, the twins were the first Weasley to be sorted into Slytherin. Molly had been aghast when their house selection was detailed in the first letter from the boys.

The Prewett grandparents were not surprised as they had witnessed the boys cunning in their first eleven years. In fact, the Prewetts were quite pleased to see a bit of their own son's tendencies in their grandsons. It was the day after the twins' sorting their maternal grandparents decided their twin grandsons would be given means to reach their goals upon graduation. It was seven years away, but as with Fabian and Gideon, Fred and George would have ideas about what they would want to do after school. Fabian's vault was given to Fred while Gideon's was assigned to George. These changes were made without Molly's knowledge.

While her parents were securing the twin's future, Molly had demanded Albus have the hat resort the boys into Gryffindor where they belonged. Albus, not wanting to anger one of his most ardent supporters agreed and the next evening during supper he attempted to resort. The twins, suspecting what was to happen and knowing the hat could be influenced, spend the entire time of the resort screaming 'Slytherin' at the hat. The hat, regardless of the spell set on it by Dumbledore, had no choice but to keep the twins in Slytherin. This was the twins' first indication that Dumbledore was not to be trusted.

When the twins were almost seven, Molly had announced she was pregnant with a sixth child. This was a shock to Arthur based on the decision that five children were enough. The sixth child, another boy, was named Ron. Molly was furious as the potion she had taken guaranteed a daughter. Again Albus provided Molly with a spell and potion that would truly guarantee a daughter. This was how Molly Weasley became bound to Albus Dumbledore.

Shortly after Ron's birth, Molly was again pregnant, this time with her long sought daughter. Molly informed Arthur they were done having children after the birth of Ginevra and gave the impression the number of children was dictated by Arthur. With such the age gap, Ron's relationship with his older brothers was stilted. By the time Ron was no longer a toddler the oldest three were starting their lives and the twins were preparing for Hogwarts. The strained relationship between his mother and her parents led Ron to spend very little time with his grandparents. He saw what his elder three brothers had been given and fully expected to be given the means to live by his grandparents. His grandparents, seeing their youngest grandson's laziness held back on deciding what, if anything, his Prewett inheritance would be.

Ginevra had been coddled by her parents as she was the only girl and last child born. Her outlook on life was formed on getting whatever she wanted simply by wanting it. As she grew, her mother told her of the great life the girl would have if she could marry a rich man. Molly complained about Arthur's lack of wealth and his need to work. Ginny took the complaints to heart and decided research all her marriage prospects and ensure her husband would have the means to support her. There were quite a few families with sons a few years older. Her marriage prospects were very good.

Albus Dumbledore

The results of the Potter/Black trial and public knowledge of how Dumbledore was running things at both the school and the Wizengamot infuriated the aristocracy. They were the people that actually kept the old coot in power; however, the rest of wizarding Britain believed they also influenced the government. Currently, there just were not enough people upset with the government to institute an overall change in leadership. Instead of a coup d'état to remove the old man, it was decided, by those with the ability, to slowly decrease and then limit Dumbledore's power until he was merely a figurehead.

During the next session of the Wizengamot, the heads of the twenty-six houses decided the Chief Warlock would no longer be a lifelong position. At maximum the position could be held for twenty years. Twenty years was decided as Dumbledore had just celebrated his twenty-third year in the position. With the Potter seat unfilled until Harry reached seventeen and Arthur vote against, the remaining houses were all in agreement. There was little Dumbledore could do but step down from the position of leadership. With the exception of the Weasley seat, all of the Wizengamot members had been horrified at what they heard during the trial. Again, Dumbledore knew fighting to retain his power would only lower his popularity with the people. He had heard the rumors about his desire to be all-powerful and those stories were what he needed to curb. On the plus side he still had the Minister of Magic in his pocket and his popularity was at an all time high. Additionally, the new Board of Regents at Hogwarts would be new and have little influence for years. Dumbledore hoped to find some caveat allowing him or the Minister to disband the group before they became established.

Either way, he had plans to ensure the wizarding world would be safe from all things that displeased him. The removal of Sirius as the eventual head of the Black family put a crick in those plans. Until Harry reached his majority, the Potter Wizengamot seat would remain empty. Based on the future Sybil saw, Albus knew Regulus was not destined have children. There was a chance, albeit a slim one, the house of Black could fall back into Sirius's hands. This was why Albus kept him out of Azkaban. The Prewett vote would be dicey as Bill had publicly voted against Albus retaining the role of Chief Warlock. The boy had idolized the headmaster during his school years so it may just be a matter of calming the concerns and a few well placed lies.

Other than his own vote, the only member whose vote was always on his side was Arthur Weasley. With Percy Weasley being groomed in his role as heir to the House of Weasley, he would soon be seated on the Wizengamot as well. Both of the Weasley boys had been Gryffindors and it shouldn't take much for them to remember where their loyalties lie. Albus's long term plan was for the Potter boy to view him as a benefactor and align his votes appropriately. The Black vote may be against now, but soon Regulus would be gone and Albus would replace him with Sirius. Giving him a third vote. Some of the other houses were not as hostile toward Dumbledore and as such he would court the Longbottoms, Bones, Abbotts and few others. Knowing the families he was sure he could get them onboard or at least find a secret or two that would keep them in line.

The Malfoy Family

While the trial of the Gryffindors was old news, the discussion at the weekly witch's tea was how unfortunate the young Potter boy's situation was. Narcissa Black Malfoy, being a Black by birth and Malfoy by marriage, was the natural leader for her generation of witches. It was one afternoon after settling her own son, Draco, down for his nap the topic was addressed again.

"I don't believe it is fair for us to ignore the boy. His upbringing will be difficult enough given his guardian, I believe we should include the child and have him befriend our children. At least with exposure to the rest of us, he will hopefully not end up like his father and godfather."

The witches in attendance agreed and began to devise the plan that would achieve their desired goal. With Sirius being blasted and Potter a convicted felon (although posthumously), it would be a tricky process to get young Harry included. The fist port of call for Narcissa was a discussion with her cousin, Regulus.

Regulus had agreed to a visit as he wanted to see Draco again. The boy fascinated him and in all likelihood, the young Malfoy would end up including the House of Black in his titles. Draco; however, was fascinated with floo travel and the Malfoy elves had taken to positioning of themselves at each of the floos to ensure the now-crawling young master didn't end up flooing somewhere on his own. The elves may have also put a tracking spell on the babe in case he slipped by one of them. He was a sneaky little thing. Lucius was quite pleased at how early his Slytherin tendencies were showing.

Arriving at Grimmauld Place, Draco immediately made his presence know with a loud wail. "Draco, we will go home that way, but for now we need to visit your cousin Regulus. Stop trying to escape or I will call Lockie to come and watch you." Narcissa and the infant stared at each other until the babe gave up the battle. Draco knew if Lockie appeared he would be stuck and decided it was best to not fight, yet. At his calm nature Narcissa thanked her son and addressed the elf standing before her.

"Good Day Kreacher, I believe Regulus is expecting us." With a nod, Kreacher turned and Malfoys followed the elf to the sun room where tea had been set up. Narcissa also noticed a small area set up with child toys and looking to her cousin, his only response was a sheepish shrug.

"Narcissa you are looking as beautiful as ever and young Draco is certainly growing. May I?" Holding out his arms Narcissa deposited the now-wiggling child into the wizard's arms. Regulus laughed at the boy who was focused on the toys that were now in his line of sight. Regulus cuddled on the boy for a few moments before setting him down and placing a protection boundary on the area. Regulus had heard about Draco's fascination with floos and his ability get away when not being consistently watched.

"Kreacher, would you please find Ossie and have her sit with young Master Malfoy? He has the ability to escape and Narcissa and I need to discuss some things." Kreacher nodded and not a minute later Ossie, the Grimmauld Place nanny elf, appeared. Draco let out a little huff knowing the likelihood of being able to explore had just dropped significantly. He amused himself with the provided toys until sleep overtook him. Ossie maneuvered the boy to be resting on a pillow before covering him with a blanket, she remained vigilant in her watch. The 'pretending to sleep' ploy had been used on her as a young elf. She would not be fooled again.

"Narcissa, now what brings you by?" Regulus wanted to discuss his thoughts on bestowing the House of Black on Draco, but wanted to know what caused Narcissa to initiate the meeting.

"It is Harry Potter, Reg. The ladies and I feel the boy will need guidance and friends. With those, he may be able to overcome the man who is raising him. But that would mean Sirius would part of the deal as well. I mentioned it to Uncle Orion the other day and he reminded me the torch, so to speak, has been passed." Narcissa growled a little, her uncle was not a pleasant man and any interactions with him were always difficult. "As the head of the House of Black, I want to discuss this with you and hopefully gain your approval. Yours, of course, is the most important as he was of your direct family."

Regulus had also been thinking about the poor boy. Children don't get to choose their parents and the Wizengamot did wrong by allowing Sirius to be his guardian. If Narcissa and the other witches had a way to influence the boy he may grow up to be an upstanding man instead of a replica of his father.

"That is a good idea. What do I need to do? The poor boy was already fighting an uphill battle." The cousins discussed the plans on how to address questions regarding the reappearance of Sirius Black. In the end, it was decided Regulus would simply state the well being of Harry was more important and his inclusion with his generation was the right thing.

*MP*MP*MP*

Albus Dumbledore was furious when he read The Prophet's fluff piece on Draco Malfoy's fourth birthday party. Included was a list of attendees and what burned the old wizard's bum was the picture of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy with their arms around each other. How could the boy be raised to hate the aristocracy if he was one? Black was supposed to keep the kid isolated and believing his father and godfather were unjustly convicted. Dumbledore lamented the choice of Black as the godfather, but there was little he could actually do now. All of his decisions, regarding anything, were publicized and discussed. Any interference would be seen as manipulation on his part. He crumpled and burnt the paper.

Harry Potter grew to be best friends with Draco Malfoy. His other close acquaintances were Neville Longbottom and Theo Nott. Harry was always included in any event for the boys and Harry's parties were organized by Narcissa. While Sirius was always present, he was kept to the fringe. Almost all of the wizarding world were aware of the situation and agreed the inclusion of the boy was more important then excluding the rouge wizard who was the child's godfather. The Riddle situation was a well documented case of what could happen when a wizard was knowingly kept from the world he rightly belonged. There were a small number of families who disagreed. These were the families Dumbledore courted and kept happy. His complete influence on those families was kept hidden from the majority.