Disclaimer: Harry Potter and properties don't belong to me but JK Rowling. This chapter is edited by Danyealle. Thanks a lot for her help. The story contains spoiler from Philosopher Stone to Deathly Hallows so if you haven't read one of the book from Harry Potter series, you have been warned.
Unexpected Things
Chapter II
"Welcome ladies and gentleman," Harry Potter said, grinning from ear to ear, "to the newly improved and renovated Grimmauld Place Number 12."
"Wow!" that was all Ron could say.
"This is amazing Harry," Hermione commented. They were standing in a grand, traditional green hallway, wood paneling with molding, and white tiled floor. She couldn't believe that this was the same house they inhabited a year ago. Gone was the dark, gloomy room replaced by bright, inviting atmosphere.
In the last month, Harry had asked Bill, Remus, Mr. Weasley, and Andromeda Tonk to help him renovate the Black house. It was at Sirius' funeral when Harry got the idea. Even though Sirius' body was never found, Dumbledore had arranged a funeral to honor Harry's godfather, which was attended by Tonks and her mother. You could imagine people's reaction when they saw Andromeda Tonk for the first time. Most of them, including Harry, had thought that it was Bellatrix Lestrange herself who walked into the room.
After the funeral, they went back to Grimmauld Place. Andromeda, who Harry found out to be a nice woman, had looked around the room in distaste and commented that the Black House was now only a ruin.
Harry didn't care about Black family history but he did care of his godfather. Sirius hated the house but it was also the place where Sirius grew up. It belonged to Sirius. And the house was also a reminder of him for Harry. So he asked for Remus and Mr. Weasley's opinion and they agreed that he should rebuild the house. Soon, they were delegating the task. Mr. Weasley called the contractor, Bill, Remus and Moody helped collecting the dark artifacts scattered around the house and kept it warded. Andromeda gave her opinion about the lay out and once the house was done Fleur Delacour helped decorated it. She actually had a good taste.
"Harry," Hermione suddenly said. "You're not wearing your glasses." She could see Harry's green bottle eyes clearly now.
"I got my eyes fixed," Harry explained. "That way I won't be hindered in battle if something happen to my glasses."
Hermione nodded. That made sense.
"Yeah mate, wouldn't want those slimy Death Eaters use summoning charm on your glasses, would you? Ron joked, snickering at the fantasy.
Even though Harry laughed at the joke, he had to admit it was true. Thankfully, the idea never crossed Voldemort mind or he wouldn't be standing with his friends right now.
Hermione looked at her best friend again. "You have changed too," she stated again, eyeing his dark blue jeans and red polo shirt.
"I burned all Dudley's clothes," Harry explained.
"Well done Harry," Ron exclaimed. "It's about time you know. I don't understand why you keep wearing those rags if you have money to buy new clothes."
Since Voldemort death, Harry didn't need to return to Privet Drive anymore. He only went back to collect his things and said goodbye. Uncle Vernon was delighted to hear it. After that, he went to Madam Pomfrey to get his eyes fixed. Then, to celebrate his freedom, he dragged Remus with him to London to buy clothes and other things. The time that he had to wear Dudley's cast off was over.
And now he was showing the house to Ron and Hermione for the first time. Today was the last day of the summer holiday so Harry, Ron and Hermione would stay tonight at Grimmauld Place and go to Hogwarts together tomorrow.
"Let me show you the house," Harry said.
The ground floor consisted of guest room, bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, and open terrace, which lead into the garden outside.
"I didn't know that there's a garden here," Hermione said.
"Well," Harry shrugged. "The door was closed all the time and we didn't explore the entire house."
The garden was quite big with a small fountain and a bench in the middle and full of colorful flowers. It even had a tree in it. After that, Harry led them to the first floor. Ron looked at the winding staircase and the chandelier at the ceiling.
"I can't believe that this is the same place we lived in," he said.
"Yeah, me too." Harry replied. The only thing that didn't change was the Black family tapestry that still hung on the wall. Harry refused to throw it away and, instead, fixed it so he could now see Sirius name as well as Andromeda and Tonks on tapestry. After all, the house belonged to Sirius who was the last male descendant of Black family. The only one who bear the Black name.
The first floor consisted of living room and two master bedrooms. A huge fireplace dominated one side of the living room. The second floor consisted of living room, four guestrooms and two bathrooms.
"You're going to like this Hermione," Harry said, now leading them to the third floor.
"Oh my," Hermione whispered when they reached the destination. The third floor was actually a study room and a library with a hidden door to the attic in where Harry kept all of Black's family treasure he found in the house, such as fine antique glass, porcelain, watches, and many magical artifacts. There're also jewelry adorned by diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald and many more. Harry felt he was in British Museum when he saw all of that even though Andromeda had stated that this was nothing compared to the treasure kept in Black family vaults in Gringots and Switzerland Wizarding Bank. The dangerous dark artifacts were kept in other hidden room in the house.
Hermione ran to the bookshelves and examined the books. "Where did you get these Harry?" she asked. "Some are very rare, you know."
"Black's family collection," Harry said. He had read quite a few of them, though mostly the books he read were related to attacking spell and how to counter it. It would be useful if he went to fight with Death Eaters, he assumed. He also planned to bring some of the books to Hogwarts.
"Can I borrow some of these books Harry?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"We even haven't started school," Ron grumbled.
Harry chuckled. It was typical of Hermione. There was a short-lived silence as Hermione perused the book and then Ron broke it, "I'm hungry." The red haired boy whined.
A few minutes later and they were having lunch in open terrace. Winky had prepared food for them. Harry explained to them that Winky didn't feel comfortable in Hogwarts that's why now she and Dobby worked for him. Quite surprisingly, Hermione didn't say anything hearing that. Kreacher had died. Harry didn't know what happened but when they went back to Grimmauld Place, the order's member found out the house elf had passed away. Remus said maybe it was the magic that bound him to Black family that cause his death since Sirius was the last living descendant of Black family.
The practice, Remus told him, was that it was common in old, pureblood families that the house elf would die if their master bloodline ended, ensuring the secret of the family hidden forever, unless it stated differently in the will. Harry might be the head of the noble and most ancient house of Black legally and had inherited all their gold but he didn't have Black's blood ran through his veins.
When he inquired about Narcissa, he refused to think about Bellatrix anyway, Remus told him that she took her husband name thus making her son a Malfoy, not a Black. And since Sirius didn't think he was going to die soon, he didn't include Andromeda in his will. He left all of Black holdings to Harry. It wasn't surprising when Hermione began to rant about the injustice after hearing it.
"Is the portrait of Mrs. Black gone?" Hermione asked seconds later.
Ron scrunched up his face in disgust. "I hope Harry burn her painting."
"Ron!"
"But Hermione...you know how that old hag was," Ron complained.
"I didn't burn it," Harry admitted. "But Bill found a spell to make the painting an empty canvas again."
Ron laughed upon hearing this. "Bet she didn't like that at all," he commented.
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Harry already knew it that he would be a center of attention when they arrived on the platform at the train station. The students and their parents were staring at him openly. Some even took his picture. It was ridiculous, in his opinion. He blamed all of this to Daily Prophet who couldn't stop publishing his story in the front page. When he spotted some of them beginning to rummage their bag, looking for a quill to ask for his autograph, he quickly decided that they had to board the train, right away.
Harry was left alone to find an empty compartment in the train as Ron and Hermione went to their prefect duties. He wasn't bitter about the fact that Ron got prefect title anymore. Especially since he was appointed as Gryffindor quidditch captain. Soon, he was joined by Luna and Neville.
"Hi Harry." Neville and Luna greeted him in unison.
"Hi Neville, Luna." He greeted them back. "How was your holiday?" He asked.
"It was great," Neville said. "Gran was proud of me. She said that I finally showed my parents courage. She even bought a new wand for me," Neville took out his wand and showed it to Harry and Luna. "Cherry wood and unicorn hair," the usual shy boy said proudly.
"How about you Luna?"
"Oh. Daddy and I went to search Crumple Horned Snorkack in Sweden," she replied. "We met with Daddy's friend there. Mr. Scamander with his grandson, Rolf. They're nice person."
"Uhm...did you find the snorkack?" Harry asked.
"No, but they like to hide." Harry and Neville exchanged looks at this. They were used by Luna's weird comments right now.
They turned as one when the door to their compartment opened and Ron came in scowling with Hermione just a step behind him.
"What happened?" Neville asked.
"Malfoy," Hermione answered.
"He was bragging at the prefects meeting that his dad is going to be the new DADA professor. The entire train must know by now seeing as he couldn't shut his mouth." Ron added, grumbling.
"WHAT?" Neville asked disbelievingly.
"Yes, Neville. Lucius Malfoy is our new defense against the dark art professor." Hermione said.
"But-but..." Neville stuttered. "He was...in the ministry..."
"He managed to get away again. That bastard," Ron cursed.
"Daddy printed it in the Quibbler too," Luna commented. "He gave Fudge an army of Heliopaths as Christmas gift you know." She said in all seriousness. "And they sometimes cook goblin pie together."
Harry had bitten his mouth from laughing out loud. Even Hermione, Harry noted, looked as if she tried hard not to laugh. Ron had his fist stuffed into his mouth. Neville managed to smile.
After they calmed down, Hermione explained it to Neville, "Harry thought that it's better if Malfoy senior stay in Hogwarts so we could keep an eye at him."
"Voldemort is dead but Bellatrix and the other death eater were free. We all know that Malfoy's Voldemort's right hand man. He could be planning something dangerous if we let him roamed free." Harry said.
In the end, Neville accepted the reason. "So Harry, are we going to revive DA again?" the teen asked.
Harry blinked. "I don't know. We already disposed Umbridge, right?"
"I learned a lot from DA," Neville said.
"I like DA too Harry," Luna said. Her silvery eyes stared at Harry. "I enjoy the company. It's nice having friends."
Harry stared at Luna. He liked her, despite her oddness. And she was the one who comforted him after Sirius' death. She was a good friend to him. Harry was silent for a moment, reflecting, and then he said, "Well, I will think about it, okay?"
Author's Note:
My first Harry Potter fanfiction. So don't be harsh with me alright. I wrote this because I want a story about powerful Harry. Most of the fics portrayed annoying and weak Harry which really bother me.
