Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything you recognize belongs to either JK Rowling, Joss Whedon, or Eric Kripke.
In the relative safety of the shadows, the three beings watched as the curse rebounded from the fifteen-month old child and hit the demon that had cast it. The three knew that the small one risked being inflected by the piece of soul that the demon had severed with the murder of the child's mother and they knew they had moments to act. The three began chanting quietly to call forth the other pieces of the demon's soul. The two pieces currently present were quickly contained and soon five other pieces appeared in the room. The chant increased in pace as the pieces reformed into a single soul. Once the soul was intact, the three changed the chant and began the ritual to banish the soul forevermore. After what seemed hours for the three, but was in reality only minutes, the smallest of the three rose and began tending to the small child. The largest quickly left the room, returning moments later with a man bound and gagged. The three stood, patiently waiting as they heard an approaching engine.
The three heard a call of "James! Lily! Harry!" from below. The largest of the three positioned himself between the door of the nursey and the small child that was now being held by the middle sized member of the group. He quickly used a ceremonial dagger to cut the small child's right index finger and allowed three drops of blood to fall upon the parchment that the three had prepared earlier. A family tree began to form upon the parchment and had almost been completed when the man who had entered the cottage arrived in the nursery.
"Hello brother," the largest of the three stated as the man entered the room.
"I thought you were dead. What are you doing to Harry? Give him to me! I have to get him to safety and find Peter. If You-Know-Who has been here, Peter either betrayed us or he is in trouble."
"Sirius, Peter betrayed you. I have him here. Calm down. We are almost finished," the member of the three stated.
He glanced at the middle sized man and received a nod. He nodded in return and held his hand for the parchment. Looking over the parchment, he cast several duplication spells and returned the parchment to the other man. The man nodded again from the shadows and disappeared.
"Brother, we must act quickly before the others arrive. Peter must go to the DMLE or you will be thrown in Azkaban to rot. Come quickly. Crouch hates you for being a Black and me for being a supposed Death Eater. There are others that need saving tonight and over the next few days. Are you still seeing Amelia Bones? We can go to her and she will make sure no one interferes as they did before. We will then return home and all will be explained to you. But first, your name must be cleared or Dumbles will get his way." He turned to the small member of the three and stated, "Dobby, take Harry to Black Hall and inform Grandfather that we shall arrive soon. Also inform him that Griphook will be along soon." The small man disappeared with the child.
"Do you swear that you will protect Harry, Reggie? He is all that matters. If all goes to shit, he needs to be told the truth. He needs to be told about his father. He is James' Heir, and mine too, but he needs to be told of Severus, and Severus needs his memories back. Make sure that he is presented to Grandfather and Lord Prince to be accepted as Heir."
"I swear it, brother. I swear that Harry, Lord Potter, Heir to House Black, Heir Apparent to House Prince, Heir to House Slytherin, Heir to House Gryffindor, and Heir to House of Pervell will be protected to the best of mine ability. I shall also name him as my Heir as soon as we get to Grandfather. Now let us go."
The brothers grabbed Peter each by an arm and placed a hand on the portkey that Regulus provided. They reappeared in the office of Amelia Bones, Head Auror. The time was 8:52 pm on October 31st, 1981. Sirius spent the next two hours explaining that Peter was the secret keeper for the Potters and that Dumbledore had cast the charm. Regulus explained that since he had been under the Imperious Curse when he was marked, the mark faded as he fought the curse off. He explained that Severus Snape was a victim of the same. Those who willingly took the mark would be slowly drained of their magic for wards that the Demon that possessed Tom Riddle had placed until they eventually died. Because Riddle had accepted the possession, he had not been able to be saved by the ritual he and the others performed to banish the soul of the Demon. They finished the discussion with Sirius claiming his rights to his godson and receiving custody papers.
The brothers arrived at Black Hall shortly after dawn to find their grandfather seated at the dining table with a house elf and goblin, holding a giggling and squirming Harry. Sirius stopped in the doorway at the sight. With a slight push, Regulus was able to prod his older brother back into motion and they joined their grandfather at the table.
"Grandfather," Sirius began only to be cut off by the man.
"You will listen to your brother's story before we begin. Once we both know the entire truth, we will plan and as a family, House Black will begin to act. You have lost much last night, but if you agree, you will regain your family and its allies. House Black will aid in the return of the old ways to save the Wizarding World." Arcturus Black summoned a light breakfast with finger foods for Harry and coffee rather than tea for the men. He waved Dobby away when he offered to take Harry.
"I ask that once I begin you hold you questions until the end. The story will progress much faster that way." Regulus waited until the others agreed before beginning. "The three of us have been given a chance to right a horrible wrong that has been done to this child in the name of the Greater Good. If things progress in the way that did previously, the Wizarding World will be destroyed just after the turn of the century. Tom Riddle will be destroyed, but Harry will not understand the larger threat to our world and will unknowingly lead to the destruction. After the death of Riddle, Harry will, thinking he is doing the right thing, follow in the unknown dark wizard's footsteps and destroy our traditions and with them the protections that keep us safe. His actions in destroying Riddle will bring the attention of the Queen and she shall decide that we are a threat and respond as such. Fifteen years after the death of Riddle, the Queen has finished her research and in 48 hours from beginning to end, the non-magical world will have utterly and completely destroyed the magical world. Those who do survive, are enslaved. Within ten more years, all magical creatures are destroyed, and in ten more all magical births have stopped. The last magical person is Harry and he dies in 2032 and with him all hope for us dies as well. Shortly after Harry's death, the non-magical world falls to Demons and humankind is destroyed. How do I know? I was killed in 1979, Dobby died in 1996 while aiding Harry, and Griphook died in 2022. The three of us have been harmed by House Black and we ask aid of the Head of House Black in righting a great wrong. Mother forced me to join Voldemort, Dobby was abused by the Malfoys and then killed by Bella, and Griphook was betrayed by Bella and Cissy which lead to his death.
"We have been tasked by the Powers That Be to help right this wrong. Our task is to teach Harry to think for himself and protect him from those that will harm him. He must be able to avoid the manipulations of the dark wizard that he is to defeat. We have already begun our task by destroying the soul of the Demon that possessed, with the aid of the dark wizard from the Prophesy, Tom Riddle. Unfortunately, Tom was lost, but Harry will no longer have to destroy a Demon and a dark wizard.
"The Prophesy actually states 'The one with the power to destroy the Dark One who hides in the Light approaches. Born of the Father that has defied the Demon trice, claimed by the Father that defied the Demon trice, protected by the Mother who bound the three. If the Dark One is destroyed by this child, Peace and Harmony will reign, but if the Dark One succeeds, the World will end. The Heir of the Loyal will call him friend and the Heir of the Wise will call him Mate. The Slayer will protect him and He shall protect her. The sons of the Hunter will play their part, but the Child and the Slayer will save them. The Mouth of Hell unites the three while the Halls of Magic unites the three and the One unspoken of both worlds combines them all.'
Regulus paused in his tale listening. "Grandfather, check the wards. Someone is coming."
Lord Black rose to meet the Aurors and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Bartemus Crouch as they entered the Receiving Room. He exchanged pleasantries with the gentlemen before taking his seat and asking how he could be of assistance.
"We are here in our official capacity to arrest Sirius Black for aiding You-Know-Who in the destruction and murder of the House Potter. He is also charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of one Harry Potter. You will turn him over to our custody immediately and aid in the return of Mr. Potter to his rightful guardian, Albus Dumbledore," said Crouch full of importance.
"Mr. Crouch, I believe that your information is incorrect. Sirius Black is sworn godfather to Lord Potter. Lord Potter is the Heir to several Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses and the Law requires that he be raised in a household of a Most Ancient and Most Noble House. House Dumbledore is neither Ancient or Noble must less Most Ancient and Most Noble. That man has no claim to my Heir. Yes, Crouch, my Heir. The only worthy Black who is eligible to become Head when I pass is Lord Potter, descendent of Dorea Black Potter who was my favorite cousin and her grandson is not only my Heir, but the Heir of Sirius and of Regulus. I also have custody papers giving custody of Lord Potter to Sirius and also a copy of the arrest report and confession of Peter Pettigrew. If you talked to the others in your department before coming here to make a fool of yourself, you would know better. Unless you have evidence, you and yours should leave. I will be bringing this before the Minister and the Wizengamot. Now get out before I put you out. By force."
The owls flew from Black Hall very shortly after the Aurors left. Arcturus Black would now begin repairing the damage to House Black rather than sitting back and allowing it to be destroyed by the more radical members of the family. He would regret giving Orion and Walburga permission to marry if it had not given him Sirius and Regulus and through them, little Harry. He had called all of the living Blacks by birth but for this first meeting, he excluded the Weasley, Longbottom, Prewett, and Crouch children beyond the first generation. They would all arrive for lunch, and Arcturus would lay down the law after he fed them. Many would no longer be Blacks when he was finished. He hoped that he would end the day with more family than he began it with.
Promptly at noon, his guest began to arrive. He asked Regulus to keep Harry in the sitting room off the formal dining room until he was summoned. He hoped to have everyone under control before exposing little Harry to the remaining Blacks. Once the last of the group arrived, Black Hall was sealed until the business of House Black was completed. Family magic would ensure that none would be harmed without his say. He asked his guest to be seated and summoned Regulus and Harry to join.
"We will eat our meal, then Family business will be discussed. Peace will be held until I am finished. If you cannot, you will not only be ejected from the Hall, but also from the family. Please help yourselves."
The meal was quiet with glances towards Regulus, Sirius, Arcturus, and the child they doted on. During the meal, little Harry saw little Draco. He managed to squirm from Sirius' lap and make his way to the other small child.
"Hi! I Hawwy! Play wif me?"
"Malfoy children do not play, nor do they associate with those who are not of pure blood," drawled Lucius Malfoy.
"Malfoy, this is your warning. You are here because my niece cares for you, no other reason. I will react with force if you insult my guest again. Now sit down and shut up. Narcissa, if the children wish to play, allow them to play. They are not yet two and still innocent," Arcturus spoke with his power pulsing. Not a person in the room doubted the reason that he was the Black. Narcissa quickly placed her child on the floor and lightly pushed him towards the other child. Harry grabbed the boy's hand and led him away from the mean man back towards his Padfoot and Uncle Reggie.
When the adults completed their meal, elves cleared the remains and Arcturus called the family meeting to order.
"I call this meeting to right various misconceptions that have occurred in the younger generations of House Black. You will all be given a choice as to your continued membership in House Black after I am finished with the explanation. Toujour Pur, Always Pure does not have anything to do with blood status, you idiots. It means that we are true to the old ways and our family. House Black comes first. House Black has always followed the old ways. That is until my grandmother began influencing the Black of that time, Phineas Nigellus. The influence of the Flint family caused us to fail to remain pure. I am correcting this. Cedrella Black Weasley you and your descendants are returned to House Black. Andromeda Black Tonks you and your daughter Nymphadora Tonks are returned to House Black. Theodore Tonks, as you have no House in the Wizard's world, I make you a son of House Black, as the old ways dictate. If you accept, you and your family will be formally known as Tonks-Black. I have no need to return Sirius to House Black because while Orion was my Heir, Walburga was not and has not the power to remove anyone from House Black. I also reinstate Marius Black to House Black. Squibs are furthermore included in House Black and unless they break our laws they cannot be banished for simply being born without access to magic. The children of two squibs can have a magical child and those children can bring honor to House Black.
"Now to those who have dishonored House Black. Walburga Black, Bellatrix Black Lestrange, and Narcissa Black Malfoy come stand before your Head of House and attempt to explain your dishonor.
"Walburga, you have exercised power that is not yours. You have abused both of your children. You attempted to disown Sirius and banish him from House Black for "running away" from the family. But, stupid cow, he ran to family. He ran to your aunt Dorea Black Potter who was a member of House Black and more of a Black than you are. You forced, by way of Imperious, Regulus to be marked by a madman. Can you explain?"
"He was a willful child who was sorted into Gryffindor. He became friends with a Potter and a half blood, Lupin. I never abused my children, definitely not my poor dead Regulus."
"I have always felt that you were more Crabbe than Black, but this proves it. Regulus is not dead. He is seated with Sirius and the small ones. Since you have no reason for your abuse and dishonor, you are removed from House Black. You will be given 2000 Galleons to cover any personal belongings located at Black Manor. You are banned from any Black properties and are no longer entitled to the name Black. The Black has spoken, so mote it be." Walburga was magically ejected from Black Hall with all of her memories of the locations of Black properties removed.
"Bellatrix, you followed a half blood maniac and allowed a mark of slavery to be branded onto your person. You and your husband have broken the marriage contract between House Black and House Lestrange in several ways. Can you explain your dishonor?"
"Lord Black, I have no remembrance of how I came to be marked. I have tried to conceive a child since my wedding to no luck. There is no affection for my husband or life, and I ask to be returned to House Black."
"Andromeda, could you check Bellatrix for compulsions and potions. I feel that she may be currently protected by family magic. Her personality changed after her wedding and now she is closer to the child I remember. After you have your results, I will make my decision.
"Narcissa, you have caused the least amount of dishonor of the three, but it has still happened. You have allowed yourself to be linked to a madman with delusions of grandeur. Your husband is a marked Death Eater. You have also broken the marriage contract between House Black and House Malfoy. House Black required two children to be born in the first six years of marriage, yet only little Draco has been born in eight years. Your excuses?"
"My husband was pushed into service by his father. His mark is forced and reinforced by Abraxas. While we have not had problems conceiving, I have only been able to carry Draco to survival. I love my husband and he loves me in his own way. Lucius will swear loyalty to House Black if you can find it in your heart to allow the marriage to stand."
"Join your sisters. Have Andromeda check you after she is finished with Bellatrix. Lucius, are you willing to do as Narcissa asks? Will you swear loyalty to House Black and its Heir?"
"I will do what is needed to protect my wife and child."
"Swear to be loyal to House Black, its Lord, the Black, and its Heir. Aid in returning the Wizarding World to the old ways. Promise to follow the old ways from this day forward. Do these things and House Black will, in return, allow the marriage to remain and provide protection to you, your wife, and any children born from the two of you."
"I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, swear loyalty to House Black, Lord Black, and his Heir. I swear to protect all members of House Black. I swear to follow the old ways that I currently know and to learn and follow any that I am lacking knowledge of once I am informed of them. I swear to do all in my power to return our world to the old ways. So I say, so mote it be."
Those gathered in the room watched as a glow enveloped Lucius then settled into his magic itself. Harry and Draco ran to the man, smiling. Little Harry smiled up at the man and grabbed his arm directly over his mark.
"NO! You bad, leave Unca Luc alone. He mine and Drake's, not yours. Stop it! NOW!" The child seemed to be arguing with Lucius arm. As he screamed now, a tendril of black smoke rose from Lucius' arm. Lucius fell to his knees in a scream. Harry pulled Lucius' sleeve up and placed his hands on his arm. "Unca, you not belong to the bad man anymore. Dumb door not hurt you anymore, I promise. I fix it."
Lucius looked at his arm seeing unmarked skin again. "Dumb door, huh?" Lucius asked the small child.
"We have much more to discuss once the ladies join us," Arcturus smoothly replied.
"Lord Black, Bellatrix shows signs of being under loyalty potions, fertility potions keyed to Tom Riddle, and ongoing Imperious curses. When you sealed Black Hall, the curses and potions began being purged. I have given her a purge potion to aid in finishing the job. Narcissa has been cursed to only be able to carry male children. Because of the curse, all of her children will be born early. If we can find a curse breaker who we can trust, she will be fine," Andromeda explained to The Black.
Arcturus looked over the family seated before him. He had much to do before he was finished. He would restore the honor of House Black.
"I declare the marriage of Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black annulled. I recall the entire dowry plus interest due to the breaking of the marriage contract. I further declare a blood feud between House Black and House Lestrange due to the treatment of our daughter. So mote it be.
"I declare blood feud against Abraxas Malfoy due to his treatment of a daughter of House Black. The marriage contract will remain valid because the breaking is through no fault of Lucius or Narcissa. Draco Lucius Black Malfoy will be trained beside Heir Black in the old ways. Lucius will be educated in the old ways to aid in his sworn duty. So mote it be.
"I declare Harridan Severus James Potter Prince, Lord Potter, Heir Pervell, Heir Slytherin, Heir Gryffindor, Heir Black, Heir Prince to be protected and educated by Sirius Black, Regulus Black, and Bellatrix Black. Lucius, Narcissa, and little Draco may join them. Others will be offered the honor and I hope that at least two small families will join them in their endeavors. House Black will work within the Ministry for Magic to bring the old ways back. So mote it be.
"Lucius, if you will be so kind to retrieve Severus Snape and bring him before us. Lord Prince should be arriving for tea in an hour, and I wish Severus to join us beforehand."
"Of course, Lord Black. I shall return with him directly if you will allow it," Lucius answered.
When Arcturus waved, Lucius hurried through the Floo to retrieve Severus.
"Algernon Longbottom, tell us of young Neville. Do you think he will be a suitable playmate for young Harry and Draco?" Arcturus asked with a smirk. He knew that Algernon was unhappy with young Neville's birth because it pushed him further from becoming Lord Longbottom.
"He has little to no magic. I hope that Frank will realize this soon and name me Heir rather than the brat. Mother is most displeased with Frank's choice of wife and the shame that it has brought our House," Algernon replied smugly.
When Algernon finished his rant, Sirius punched him. "You are not worth the effort it would take to pull my wand. Grandfather, Frank and Alice are not here due to being in hiding. May I make them the offer of going with us and Harry?"
"Yes, Sirius. Make the offer once we have finished here. James and Lily were young Neville's godparents, correct? And Alice is little Harry's godmother?" Sirius nodded yes to both questions. "Go during tea with Lord Prince and make the offer then."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
The Floo flared green again and Lucius exited. He was followed soon after by Severus Snape. Severus bowed low to Arcturus which he responded with a deep nod.
"Welcome to Black Hall. You have been called for House Black to repay a debt that we owe to you personally," Arcturus stated before turning to the others present and stating, "Please excuse us for a few moments."
Arcturus led Severus down the hallway to the family sitting room where Regulus and Harry waited. Sirius would join them after they had time to explain things to him. The plan was that Sirius would be restoring the removed memories at that time.
Harry looked up when they entered the room and squealed "Daddy! You came for Hawwy! Mummy said you would! I miss you!" Harry proceeded to grab Severus and attempt to climb him.
Harry managed to grab Severus over the location of the Dark Mark. "This my daddy, Dumb door! Get out of my daddy! He mine!" As Harry screamed at Severus' arm black smoke came from his arm as it had from Lucius' earlier. Severus lifted the small child into his arms and the child threw his arms around the man's neck.
Regulus shared the secret of Harry's history, how Harry was the son of Lily and Severus and how James married Lily to protect her and her unborn child. James blood adopted Harry and named him his Heir when they were in hiding. With the type of adoption done, Harry became the child of the three adults: Severus, James, and Lily. Sirius arrived and spoke the pass phrase to unlock Severus' memories. The three Blacks left the father and son alone to grieve their losses.
House Black accomplished much that day. Sirius managed to arrive at Longbottom Manor while they were being attacked by Barty Crouch, Jr. and the Lestrange Brothers. Sirius quickly killed the Lestrange brothers per the terms of the blood feud. He captured and restrained Crouch. When he checked on the others he found that Frank and his mother had been killed, but Alice and Neville had only been stunned. Once the Aurors had finished questioning them, he brought Neville and Alice to Black Hall.
Lord Prince fell to the pressure of Lord Black at tea and reinstated Severus Snape as rightful Heir, signed two documents, then passed the Lordship to Severus. The first document he signed made Severus, Lily, and James' relationship legitimate. The second document was a marriage contract between Harry and the newly born daughter of Xenophilius and Pandora Lovegood. Xeno, Pandora, and baby Luna arrived moments later to work out the details of visitation and custody. Harry would spend two weeks a year with the Lovegoods with Luna attending the same school as Harry as soon as she was old enough to attend. Pandora insisted that Luna be allowed to attend with any tutors as well. A promise ceremony would occur on Luna's second birthday.
House Black worked out plans to ensure that Harry learned all that was needed. The old ways were no longer followed in Magical Britain, so the children would be educated abroad. Bella and Reggie would be the primary caregivers of the children. Severus, Sirius, and Lucius would be given family portkeys to be seen in public in Magical Britain to keep suspiciousness away. House elves were sent to ready the Black vineyard house in California.