Chapter 3

Meet the Weasleys

The Weasleys arrived in force at 3 PM sharp using the flu network. First was Arthur Weasley followed by Percy then Ron, the twins, a young man Harry didn't know with long red hair and a fang tooth earing and then Mrs. Weasley holding onto a very sullen Ginny.

'Lord Black, thank you for having us today.' Arthur said stiffly.

'Please, call me Aries, and thank you for coming. I am happy to meet the family to one of Harry's best friends. This must be your lovely wife.' Harry watched as Aries kissed Molly Weasley's hand.

'Yes, this is Molly.' Arthur said a bit more relaxed. 'And these are my sons and daughter. The oldest is here only for a short visit, Bill works as a curse breaker in Egypt and the rest are still at Hogwarts, Percy, Fred and George, Ron and Ginny.'

'Quite a family. Welcome. My elf prepared some refreshments.' They made their way to the living room where Pan had set up a few appetizers and something to drink.

'The house looks very well maintained.' Said Mr. Weasley

'I should hope so, it was finished only last summer.' Said Aries

'This isn't the fabled Black Manor?'

'No, I had it commissioned about three years ago. Wine?' Arthur nodded and Aries poured him a glass before turning to Bill who also accepted one, Molly chose water as the kids took each a butter beer.

'A new house? Why?'

'The old one wasn't what I needed. I do a great deal of my work with Muggles, the Black estates though grand are too full with magic to allow for Muggle technology to function inside them.'

'You do business with Muggles?' asked Bill

'Business is business, and money is money. The galleon to pound exchange is quite good.'

'Well, I never thought I'd see the day the house of Black dealt with Muggle technology.' Chuckled Arthur finally relaxing.

'The narrowmindedness of my predecessors had to stop at some point.' Aries shrugged

'Aries, can we go outside and fly?' asked Harry

'Sure, just be careful if you release the bludgers.' Said the man.

The twins, Ron and Harry ran outside brooms in hand.

'Harry seems to be doing ok.' Said Arthur as they settled on the couches near the fireplace.

'He is a good kid.' Said Aries

'He has been through too much for someone so young.' Said Molly

'Yes, he has. I hope he finds a semblance of normality here with me.'

'Why?' asked Molly with Arthur looking concerned at his wife.

'Because he deserves it, like any other child.'

'But he isn't just any child and you have no relation to him. Why do you care?'

'Molly, that's not-'

'It's quite all right Arthur. I won't take offence this time.' This made both Arthur and Bill stiffen as Aries continued 'It is understandable that you would not trust someone like me to take care of Harry. Ulterior motives, that's what was going through Dumbledore's head when I notified him of the change in guardians. It is probably what you are thinking right now, and even if I told you that there are none, well, none that would be dark or evil in nature, you wouldn't believe me.'

'Why not?' asked Bill

'I've learnt long ago that even if you show yourself to be different, people will always expect the worst of a Black. That being said, I don't owe you any explanation as to why Harry is now my ward. Harry's safety and happiness is all I am interested in, nothing more.'

Molly made to say something but Arthur interceded.

'And so it should be, Harry has been through enough already. He deserves happiness in his life. You said you have Muggle techno-thingy in your house?'

'I do actually, I've been interested in their way of making and inventing things for quite a while now. They may not have magic, but they are far more creative than us wizards.'

'So what do you have?'

'Oh, I have a telephone, and something they call a computer, although it's still in the early stages, but my prize possession is a record player.'

And so the conversation turned to different things with Bill excusing himself to see how the others were playing outside, Percy staying stiffly by the adult conversation and Ginny sulking by her mother's side.

Harry and the others flew around for a few hours until it was getting dark and they got hungry. They took the food with them and retreated to Harry's rooms.

'Wow, you have this much space for yourself.' Said Ron a bit of envy in his voice.

'Yeah, that was my reaction when Aries showed me my rooms.' Harry said plopping down on an armchair.

'Did he treat you OK until now?' asked Fred

'Yeah, surprisingly so. I mean I still don't know the guy well, but this week here, it was great. He helped me with homework, we went out in the small town together, we even flew together, he's pretty decent on a broom.'

'He actually spent time with you?' George asked surprised.

'He said he took this week off of work to get to know me, and I him. He didn't tell me the reason he took over as my guardian, which is weird since he has been very honest about everything else.'

'Maybe it's too good to be true.' Said Ron

'If you're thinking he's after me like Voldemort was…I don't know, that was the first thing that popped in my head after Dumbledore told me about the Black family and Sirius Black. But after spending time with him, I'm not so sure.'

'So, maybe he's a great actor. I mean one week isn't a long time to keep up appearances.' Ron pressed on.

'Yeah but why? I mean, if he wanted me dead he probably should have left me at Hogwarts and say nothing about the Basilisk in the first place. I'm pretty sure the big snake would have managed to find its way to kill me sooner or later.'

'Maybe he's biding his time before he tries something.' Ron suggested but even he didn't buy it.

'It would be too obvious, if he wanted to do Harry in he wouldn't have brought him to his house.' Said Fred.

'Yeah, if something happens to Harry here, he's going to be the first suspect and all his power and money wouldn't be enough to keep him from going to Azkaban.' Said George

Harry took a moment to think this through. It was logical, and if Harry thought back to Aries's rules, the first one was about his safety. The man was not after killing him that was sure. But there was something he was hiding.

'Maybe we can sneak around and find out if he's hiding something.' Said Fred grinning.

'I doubt-' Harry started but George interrupted.

'Did he show you his own rooms?'

'Yes he did, they're just down the hall from mine.'

'Well, why don't we sneak a peek?'

'I don't think-' Harry started.

'Come on Harry, we can use the cloak.' Ron sided with his brothers.

'Cloak?' Fred asked confused.

Harry glared at Ron. The Twins didn't know about the invisibility cloak.

'My dad's invisibility cloak.' Harry said. 'But we're four, we won't fit under it.'

'You have an invisibility cloak?' Fred beamed

'Yeah, got it back as a present last Christmas. But it was my dad's all along.'

'Invisibility cloaks are really rare though.'

'I think it's a family heirloom.' Harry shrugged 'Anyway, we can't all four fit under it.'

'That's why Ronnikins will keep watch and alert us if someone's coming.' Fred said grinning.

'Why me? You two should sit this one out, not me!'

'But you've already used the cloak, and we didn't.'

'Harry's my best friend, not yours.' Ron glared.

'What are you three yelling about?' Percy asked coming up with Ginny after him.

'Nothing.' All three Weasleys instantly said.

'Right, well, you better come down, it's late and mum and dad want to leave.'

'So soon?' asked Harry but his eyes fell on the clock on his wall and it read past 11 PM.

'Sorry Harry, maybe you can come by our home next week or something.' Said Ron

'Or we can come here.' Fred said thinking of exploring.

'What are you two plotting?' Percy asked narrowing his eyes on the twins.

'Nothing.' The twins said in a sing song voice as they all went down to the parlour.

'Thank you for a wonderful evening Aries.' Arthur said cheerfully.

'It was my pleasure.' Aries shook the elder Weasley's hand. 'I'll let you know when I retrieve that Curse Breaker tome from the main library, Bill, and you can come pick it up.'

'Thank you. It would really help.'

'Well you lot vanished after eating.' asked Mrs. Weasley.

'Did you have a good time?' asked Aries

'We did.' Said George

'Can we come by to train for the Quiddich season later next week?' asked Fred

'Fred! You have enough space to train at home.' Molly Weasley glared

'Yes, mum, but we don't have bludgers and we need to train as beaters not chasers or keepers.' George pleaded.

'I don't see why not. But you will have to fly only if either I or Pan keep watch.' Aries intervened.

'Thank you!' said Fred and George 'We'll drop by on Monday morning then.'

'Fred, George!' Molly was mortified at her sons' suggestion.

'Don't worry mom, I'll come along and make sure they don't destroy Lord Aries's house.' Said Bill.

'Then if you stay until after lunch I'll bring the book with me when I return from London.'

'You won't be here on Monday?' asked Arthur.

'I have some business at the ministry, but Pan will be home and will look after Harry, and I'm expecting a friend to drop by for a longer stay on Sunday evening. Even if your sons come by, they will be well watched against too much mischief.'

'Well if you're certain it won't be a bother.' Said Arthur

'No bother at all. Actually they would be doing me a favour keeping Harry company while I am away.'

'But they haven't done their homework yet.' Molly protested

'We'll finish it tomorrow.' Said Fred and George

'Well Molly, if it gets these two to actually do their school work before the last possible minute…' Arthur chuckled.

'But what about Harry's homework.'

'Oh I've already finished mine.' Harry said quickly.

'Very well, Fred, George, if Bill comes with you, and if you finish your homework until Monday, you may come to Lord Black's house to practice for Quiddich.'

'I want to come too!' Ron said quickly

'You don't have to practice for Quiddich Ronald. And you haven't even started on your homework.'

'But mom, they'll need an extra player for the Bludgers to chase after. And I can finish my homework by Monday too.'

'It would help if I'm not the only one up in the air being chased by two bludgers.' Harry came in his friend's aid.

'Hm, well, all right, but only if it's ok with Lord Black and IF you finish your homework and let me check it before Sunday evening.'

'Great, then what are we waiting for, I have homework to do.' Ron said excitedly.

Bill laughed as the adults looked amused at the younger generation. Molly wasn't all too pleased, but if it got her sons to actually study and Bill would supervise the twins the whole time, she didn't think it would be too bad if the house would be a little quieter on Monday. She wanted to spend some time with Ginny, as the girl had been acting odd since she returned from Hogwarts.

'Thank you again for having us, Aries.' Arthur said extending a much more relaxed hand to the Lord.

'Thank you for coming. I don't know many people here in England outside the political scene. You and your family are a breath of fresh air' And with that the red heads returned to the Burrow leaving Harry excited and a bit nervous for Monday morning.

On Sunday Harry was anxious to see who Aries's friend was that was coming to live with them. He waited and waited, but as the time grew closer to his bedtime no one came. He was about to go to sleep when he heard voices in the corridor between his and Aries's rooms. They were muffled by the heavy wooden doors and after the persons left the corridor for the confines of the Lord's quarters there was silence again. So someone did come, but why was that someone inside Aries's private chambers and not in one of the many guest rooms? That night he lay awake thinking until sleep finally claimed him.

'Good morning.' Harry said coming down for breakfast fully dressed for the day thinking the guest would be there.

'Good morning.' Aries greeted, already in business robes and sipping coffee.

'Did your guest arrive yesterday?' Harry asked as he sat down taking the carton of orange juice and pouring himself a glass.

'Yes, she did. But she is a bit jetlagged since she travelled from China. She will probably sleep throughout the morning.'

'Oh.'

'Don't worry about making noise though. She is sleeping in my rooms and they have very good silencing charms around them. She won't hear a thing.'

'Oh. OK.'

'I have to go, I'll be late at the ministry if not. There are fresh pastries in the oven, kept warm and Pan will order lunch for you guys after your Quiddich practice.'

'Thanks, um, have a nice day at work…' that felt odd on Harry's tongue, and yet it felt good to say it, almost like a family.

Aries smiled 'You too, have fun, don't burn the house down.' And with that Aries went to the huge fireplace and flued to the ministry.

To say that Fred and George were disappointed when they heard they couldn't sneak in Aries's rooms because they were being occupied, was an understatement. But with Bill with them, they would have had a hard time of sneaking in anyway, since their older brothers was a very observant person and he was there to make sure they stayed out of trouble. Harry wasn't too upset though, he was having a great time with his friends flying around and even if he wanted to know, a part of him didn't, the part which wanted this to be real. For a whole week now, it was slowly starting to feel like he had a home, there was still doubt, he didn't allow himself to truly believe, but oh, how he wanted this to be real. They had lunch on the terrace. Pan had ordered from a grill house and the food was quite tasty, or maybe they had worked up an appetite after flying from bludgers for three hours straight.

'OH FOOD!' a feminine voice said from the entrance to the house. This had to be Aries's guest, but when he turned there was no one there.

'What the?' Ron asked as they saw the air shift and shimmer and then instead of a person they came face to face with a darker haired Tinkerbell.

'You're a Fae.' Said Bill

'And you're cute.' She said giggling. 'Since we're all stating the obvious here. Pan, did you forget the berries again?' she turned on the elf who groaned and popped away. 'He always forgets the berries. He doesn't like me much.'

'You're Aries's guest?' Harry asked.

'Yes I am, sort of, I like to think of myself as his friend. And you must be young Harry, glad to see you're finally here, we'll have so much fun!'

'Er, right.' Harry didn't know what to make of the 10 cm tall flying fairy with black wings fluttering as fast as a hummingbird's.

'Forgive me, Miss…' Bill started

'Call me Heide.'

'Right, Heide, I'm Bill, by the way, Bill Weasley and these are my brothers Ron, Fred and George, they are friends of Harry's.'

'I know, Aries said there would be friends coming over today.' Pan returned with the berries 'Finally, I am starving.' She picked up a blueberry the size of her head and started eating it making a mess all over her face. It looked kind of funny.

'I'm confused.' Said George 'Weren't Faes supposed to avoid people?'

'Normally' *munch, munch* 'We would.' *Munch, munch* 'But Aries and I' *munch, munch* 'have' she swallowed 'a special relationship.'

'If by special relationship, you mean that you annoy the hell out of me most of the time.' Aries said as he stepped out of the house onto the terrace. 'Hello everyone, I see you've met this ill-mannered creature already.'

'Ill-mannered?' Heide shrieked.

'You're covered in blueberry sauce.'

'Oh, you would be too, if all you ever got to eat was goji for three months.' She huffed.

'You said you could handle China.'

'I did handle it. Only those people think goji is the sacred-est-'

'That's not a word.' Pan pointed out.

'- thing for a Fae.' Heide ignored the elf and continued 'every single time, goji, goji, goji. It gets boring, fast, you know.'

'You could have asked for something else.'

'And risk offending them?'

'I doubt they would have been offended.'

'Easy for you to say, Lord Black.'

'I will send Pan with you next time.'

'NO!' Pan and Heide said at the same time.

'I'll stomach the goji, thank you.'

'I won't stomach her.' Pan added.

'That's because you don't understand humour.' Heide snapped at the elf before turning into a Raven and flying circles around Pan's head.

'As fascinating as it is, to see you two quarrelling, need I remind you we have guests?'

'Oh, right.' Heide said after transforming back into her Fae self before vanishing the blueberry stains and composing herself smiling prettily mostly at Bill. Pan bowed and retreated inside the house.

Bill was re-evaluating everything he knew about the Black Lord. A Fae being so at ease within the house of a Wizard, even one rumoured to be a Squib, was unheard of. Faes, the ones that stayed in the human realm for longer periods of time usually avoided Wizards because Wizards would almost always try to capture them for the secrets of Avalon. If they did manage to form a sort of bond with a human, it was usually with someone who could protect them. And yet, this Fae was completely at ease with not just any wizard, but one that was head of a very dark family, a family that would not hesitate to take the Fae's secrets away if it meant more power. And yet there was no denying the Lord and the Fae were friends.

'I found the book for you Bill.' Aries said handing the older Weasley a hefty tome.

'Thank you.' Bill snapped out of his train of thoughts. 'Wow, it's a first edition.'

'The Black library has been subscribed to all the major wizarding publishing houses since the beginning of the magical printing press, and before that to the scribes since ancient Egypt's papyrus Gemini priesthood came into being.'

'I would love to have a look through those.' Bill said

'Maybe one day I'll give you a tour. How was practice?' The older man turned to the teens.

'Brilliant.' Said Fred 'Those Bludgers are top quality.'

'I'll say, they nearly dislocated my arm.' Ron protested.

'It's your fault for not dodging fast enough Ronnikins.' Added George

'But Harry managed to dodge every one of them.' Said Bill

'He is the youngest seeker in a century.' Said Fred.

'Maybe next time I'll join you up in the air.' Aries added taking Fred and George by surprise. Aries was older than his father, for a man of near 60, even one that seemed to be quite fit for his age, it was odd to see him willingly engage in games with teenagers. Even more so, with a man that had the title of Lord Black. Maybe it was time they reconsider what they knew about the man. They needed to get into his room now more than ever, because secrets and riddles were the Twin's specialty, they were, after all, the new generation of Marauders. So in the name of Mr. Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, they would unravel the mystery that was Lord Black.

Thank you for the nice reviews. I hope this chapter revealed a bit more about Lord Black, but not too much, since I like him being a bit of a mystery, at least to Harry and the others. Until next time, have a nice Weekend.