Disclaimer: Everything you recognise belongs to J. K. Rowling. I don't own the characters, nor do I make any money out of this story.
CHAPTER I
NOBLE AND MOST ANCIENT HOUSE OF BLACK IS "RECLAIMING WHAT IS THEIRS". MINISTRY IS THREATENED.
It was the headline of that day's Daily Prophet that greeted the fifth year Gryffindors. A good part of the Lions, along with a handful of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, shied away at the mention of the dark, mysterious family. Only Harry, Ron and Hermione gaped at the newspaper in unconcealed awe.
"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Ron. "And where was the House of Black all this time? We never saw any of them at—,"
"Lower your voice!" Hermione hissed. "Someone could hear."
Harry shook his head. He agreed with Ron; whom did the House of Black consist of, except Sirius? Maybe there was a family tree he could look at in the library. And what were they reclaiming? What had been taken away from them? The most important question was, however, what the ministry had to do with it.
"Is there any article about it?" he asked.
Hermione quickly flipped the pages until she found what she was looking for. "There. Page 9 – Representative of House Black speaks with Daily Prophet Reporter Joseph Tomson."
Harry's eyes quickly scanned over the text.
The once prestigious House of Black finally emerges from the shadows it had been hiding in for the last fifteen years, but not without a demand. St Mungo's' Andromeda Tonks, renowned Healer and mother to the famous Auror Nymphadora, speaks on behalf of her family with Reporter Tomson.
"Our family has been pushed down time after time," she says solemnly. "We have been persecuted because of our blood. Our entire lives have been taken away from us. The Ministry of Magic has denied us the right to read the wills of our own fathers and brothers. We demand the unsealing and opening of the wills of Dorea Black and her son, Orion, Cygnus, Alphard and Regulus Black."
"And you are planning to rebel against the ministry to achieve that?" asks Joseph Tomson. "You are willing to hurt people still suffering the repercussions of the Wizarding War?"
"The Minister for Magic needn't fear anything if he allows us the right to read our relatives' wills. And by no means will we ever harm anyone that does not wish to get involved in this unjust and unnecessary political battle. I wish to emphasise that the House of Black will always support those in need, those beaten down by the war. The House of Black is open to those who lost hope fighting for their rights, their lives, the futures of their loved ones. No one shall be denied help. But I warn you, Minister Fudge, we will give you one chance to hand us the wills of our House. We do not wish to fight. But if it comes to it, we will not hesitate to do so."
Harry blinked once. Twice. He didn't understand; what was the problem? Why wouldn't the ministry give the Blacks their wills? Why did the Blacks have to fight the ministry over them? And why would the ministry feel threatened by them?
Before he could give his questions voice, however, the amplified voice of Albus Dumbledore sounded around the school. "All students return to their dormitories!"
Whispering and muttering, everyone shuffled to their respective common rooms in groups of three or four, pointing at the newspapers they were holding.
"I don't know," Hermione said when Harry asked the questions on his mind. "But it sounds bad. Someone should send Tonks an owl. Maybe Ginny; they were quite close during the summer."
Harry muttered the password to the Fat Lady and the portrait swung open, allowing them access to the common room. The fifth year boys were already there, as were the Creevey brothers and Lavender and Parvati. The Weasley twins, Lee Jordan and the Quidditch team quickly joined them, followed by Professor McGonagall.
"Sit," she ordered curtly.
Everyone immediately took a seat somewhere. Some on chairs, others on couches. Harry sat on the floor with his back against the fireplace, right between Ginny and Seamus.
"As some of you may have already guessed," Professor McGonagall said, "these recent news can be dangerous for those of... noble ancestry. I advise Longbottom, Potter, Brown, Patil and Finnigan to take extra care. Yes, Finnigan, they know of your mother's descent."
"Professor –," interrupted Hermione. "Why would the ministry want the wills sealed? And why would it lead to battle? Are the Blacks really as powerful as the ministry?"
"If not more so," said McGonagall. "The House of Black was undoubtedly very... enigmatic in its actions and, more importantly, its loyalties. They do have power to rival the Ministry of Magic. Obviously, Minister Fudge fears this. Anything could be stated in their wills. Wards that were never sent to live with them, property that now belongs to the ministry, illegitimate children that have yet to be discovered... This would change the Wizarding World forever."
"Who's part of this House?" Colin asked. "I mean, Percy Weasley said most of them are either in prison or dead. Sirius Black's hiding somewhere in the Caribbean... Is there anyone left?"
McGonagall's eyes hardened. "Do not think they cannot work from inside the walls of Azkaban. Besides that, Black blood is found in every pure-blood family. Lady Narcissa Malfoy is a prime example of that; I do believe she is the sister of Healer Tonks."
"Who's Dorea Black's son?" asked Harry. "Why isn't his name mentioned?"
Professor McGonagall turned her eyes to him. "Potter... Dorea Black is your grandmother. Her son is your father. James Potter's will has yet to be opened."
Harry could only gape at his professor in shock. He couldn't believe it. He was related to Sirius and he had never even known. He was, at least a quarter, a Black. And to think, he hadn't even known his own grandmother's name...
Ron made a face. "Mate – you're related to Malfoy..."
Harry grimaced. There was the other downside to being unaware of his bloodline. Malfoy of all people... This day just kept getting worse and worse.
"Silence, Weasley," McGonagall said sharply. "Longbottom, write to your grandmother and ask her whether she knows anything about the wills. Does anyone come into contact with Auror Nymphadora Tonks?"
"My brother Charlie is friends with her," Ron said, not foolish enough to mention Ginny's friendship with the older girl.
"Very well. Tell him to write to her. Everyone who comes into any sort of contact with someone who could be close to the House of Black is required to ask for information. I will ask for basic facts, but you will not be required to share anything personal. If your relatives are unwilling to give you information, that is fine."
"Potter, come with me," she said after everyone had left. Ron and Hermione immediately stood up to follow him.
"I'm not going to do anything to him," McGonagall snapped. "Stay where you are. This is a private matter." She motioned to Harry and led him to her office.
"Potter, you do understand you must be present at the reading of your father and grandmother's will, correct?"
"Yes, Professor," he said, unsure of why she was telling him this. Of course he was going to be present at the reading of his father's will. Where else was he supposed to be?
"And you also realise that the House of Malfoy and their allies will be there?"
Harry sighed. "Yes, Professor."
"Potter – Harry, these wills will mention you. It is a fact. Are you ready to side yourself with your godfather?"
Harry closed his eyes for a brief moment. Was he? He trusted Sirius, but he didn't trust the rest of them. He didn't know their intentions. He wasn't sure he wanted to. But what other choice did he have? They'd come looking for him either way if he was involved in the will. "Do I have a choice?"
"In a way," said McGonagall. "I could convince Sirius to emancipate you, or I could keep you hidden until you come of age."
Harry was touched. He had never known his professor would go through such trouble for him. He was well aware of the difficulty of both options. "Thank you," he said sincerely, "but I think I'll talk to Sirius about it. When can I visit him? I don't trust the ministry with my letters."
"Professor Dumbledore and I will arrange that. Perhaps on Saturday; we wouldn't want Professor Umbridge to notice your absence."
Harry nodded in understanding. Through his fear and confusion, he could feel excitement bubbling in him. He suddenly wanted more than anything to know what was in the wills. "Thank you, Professor," he said.
McGonagall nodded in response. "Go, Potter."
Harry ran back to Gryffindor Tower to share the news with Ron and Hermione. Just as he was finishing his story, Neville came rushing in with a reply from his grandmother. "Gran says she's going to be at the readings, but she doesn't know anything about them. She hasn't spoken with any of the Blacks recently."
Harry rubbed his face with a scarred hand. A sudden thought occurred to him. What if the Ministry forbade the will readings? What would the Blacks do? Would they steal the wills? Would they revolt? "I'm going to bed," Harry declared. He needed to think about everything.
One thing was certain: Wizarding Britain was about to change drastically. For better or for worse, Harry didn't think he wanted to know.
