"Ugh. What a pointless time waste," I said as I walked into Grimmauld Place.

"So I can assume he's cleared?" Sirius questioned.

"For sure. Dementors attacking a public place insured there was plenty of evidence. Even then, I didn't really need it," I told them, sitting down on the couch next to him.

"You said you met with the goblins? What for?" Sirius questioned.

"Oh, just preparing for a few future endeavors as well as a show of good faith. Plus I got to visit Fleur. She said she'd be down to visit in a few," I said.

"Ah. The French girl. You like her?" Sirius questioned.

"If you're imply dating wise... I haven't quite figured that out yet," I told him.

"More than one to choose from, eh? You remind me of me in my school days," Sirius said with a grin, making me punch him in the arm.

"Shut up," I said in an annoyed tone. "As of now, I'm more interested in talking about what happened with the goblins."

"Alright, I'm done. And you met with the goblins? What for?" Sirius asked.

"I got to talking to them and I'm trying to convince them that I'm on their side. Which I am, and their aid would go a long way in some of the ideas I have planned," I told him.

"What do you have in mind?" Sirius asked.

"You've seen the kind of weaponry I make. Guns, blades, technological bow and arrows, armor, things of the sort. But... I don't know how to make Goblin metal," I said.

"No one does but the goblins. They haven't revealed the secret to anyone but their own. If you're looking to try to get that secret out of them with a few nice words and actions, you got another thing coming," Sirius told me.

"No, I know that. Well... at least at first. There's so much potential; things I could teach the goblins. And there's one very important thing they can teach me. I don't expect them to tell me how to make the metal, but at the very least, there's some stuff they can make me that would really help out in this war," I explained to him.

"How much you reckon this'll cost you?" Sirius questioned.

"I reckon I'll be coughing up more blueprints than money, but I have plenty of the second one," I told him.

"Of that I am aware. You mentioned a show of good faith. What did you mean?" Sirius asked.

"Goblins know how to make guns now. At least pistols," I told him.

"What have you done," Sirius said in the flattest tone, making me bark out a laugh.

"Set some stuff in motion. Hopefully it works out. I don't know goblins as well as I know the minds of people, but I can make a pretty certifiable guess that they won't let good faith go unacknowledged. At least I hope so. Then this'll all be for nothing," I said with a shrug.

"Combining the minds of mad scientists leads to nothing good," Sirius told me.

"Nothing good for Voldemort, maybe. It's definitely going to take time, but I believe the payoff will be worth it," I told him.

"I believe so too. Wizards have underestimated how useful goblins can be. If only they just cooperated with them," Sirius said.

"You could say the same thing about Muggles. It's a shame how most wizards believe we still travel in basic cars and attack our enemies with basic pistols. That we haven't moved in evolution whatsoever. You do realize if I had even thought your world was the most basic threat to us, I could've nuked your entire world into a wasteland," I explained to him.

"Well, then thank God you have common sense," Sirius said, making me grin.

"Exactly. Though if Voldemort was the first wizard I met, I probably would've," I said, shaking my head.

"Can't say I blame you. Not sure he's even human anymore by how you and Harry describe him," Sirius said.

"He's more snake than man now. It's certainly not normal," I told him.

"Definitely not. He had to have gone through some sort of hidden Dark ritual to increase his magical power or something of the sort," Sirius said.

"For all you know, he could've just been born that ugly," I said with a shrug, making Sirius grin.

"All too true," he said before his grin faded. "Hogwarts is going to be rough. Especially if the Ministry will stick their noses in like we think they are."

"I took on all crime in Muggle US, France, and Britain. It's going to take more a bunch of ostriches with their head in the sand to stop me," I told him firmly.

"And I wouldn't expect anything less. At you've been taking care of Harry. In all honesty, I figured Dumbledore would be the one to help Harry train considering what he's up against," Sirius said.

"That would be a major improvement. I can only help him practice what's in books. I'm not a magical teacher, so I can't teach him advanced spells and incantations. I can only teach him with what I'm capable of," I said with a shrug.

"I'd love to tutor him," Sirius said.

"Why don't you?" I asked.

"First off, I'm exhausted from your exercises. You said you used to do that stuff when you were thirteen?" Sirius asked.

"Yup. I was always naturally buff before I started using enhancers to make me abnormally strong. Now what's the other reason?" I asked.

"Spending time with him kind of makes me realize that he goes back to Hogwarts in a few days, and then it'll just be me and Kreacher," Sirius said distastefully.

"We'll call you on the phone every now and again. But yeah. I can imagine being stuck here sucks," I said.

"It does. But not much I can do that won't involve me being thrown back in Azkaban or caught by Voldemort and tortured for info," Sirius said.

"Even then, try and hold it together. Believe me, I know more than anyone that it gets worse before it gets better. And sometimes worse is bad as hell," I said as I leaned back and rubbed my eyes.

"Yeah, I suppose you would know all about that," Sirius said, making me smile.

"Despite all that, I've found plenty of things to fight for. And you'll find some way to keep yourself from going insane," I said, patting him on the arm.

"You should be a motivational speaker," Sirius said.

"Could've been a lot of things. I chose to be rich beyond measure," I said with a smirk.

"I think you made the right decision," Sirius said with a grin. "Just make sure to call me if anything goes down."

"Sure enough," I assured him.


"Prefect? Huh," I said, turning the badge in my hand.

"Not really a surprise honestly. Regardless of you being rough around the edges, you are the most responsible person in our house since Percy graduated," Harry said with pursued lips.

"Firstly, it shows how much of an anti-fun branleur Percy was. Secondly, that says a lot about Gryffindor considering how irresponsible I am," I said before flipping the badge in between my fingers. "Prefect. God, I didn't need the extra responsibility this year."

"Prefect?" George suddenly said, Apparating in the room along with Fred. "Not much of a surprise, really. It was either you or Harry."

"You know of these days we could be in the middle of changing, and you may see something you really don't want to see," I told him an annoyed tone.

"Yes, but we could always give Miss Tonks the details," Fred said with a devilish grin.

"For a fee, of course. Such scarring requires payment," George said making me smack the both of them on the head.

"Shut up, you two. But yes. I'm prefect. And believe me, part of my previous occupation involved detective work. So keep your shit to a minimum, and I won't have to assign you detention," I told him.

"Is that badge going to make you stop being fun?" Fred asked with a disappointed frown.

"It's going to force me to be more responsible, so yes. I suppose so. I won't be breathing down your neck, but you better believe that if it is brought to my attention, I will deal with it. And then I'll deal with you. We clear?" I questioned.

"Yes. Merlin, you may be the only face of authority scarier than Snape or Filch," George said, making me snort.

"Please. Considering everything that's going on with the Ministry, I doubt I'll be the least of your problems," I told him.

"True. Did you see the book list?" George asked.

"Yup. Looks like Dumbledore managed to find a Defense teacher. Who do you reckon it is?" Harry asked.

"Two Sickles it's someone from the Ministry," I said.

"You think I'm crazy enough to take a bet from you?" Harry said, making me grin.

"What makes you think that?" George asked.

"Think about it. Trying to find a Defense teacher after Quirrell, from what I hear, was near impossible. Lockhart was the only one willing because in that case, he had bravado more than he did brains. Lupin needed a job, and Mad-Eye was an Auror who wasn't afraid of much of anything. I doubt anyone would be super excited to take the job, so it's more probable that the Ministry grabbed a teacher of their own. Just needed to find one arrogant enough to think they're untouchable," I explained.

"Master of logic, this one," Fred said as Hermione burst into the room.

"Did you... did you get..."

"Prefect?" I said, holding up the badge.

"I figured it either be you or Harry," Hermione said. "Congratulations."

"And you too," I said with a pleased nod.

"Believe me, there's a chance you'll find us with our heads flayed open this year," George said, making me roll my eyes.

"Oh, relax. You'll be fine. Maybe," I said with a smirk.

"That's not comforting," Fred said.

"It's not supposed to," Harry said flatly.

"This guy right here knows," I said, putting a hand Harry's shoulder and shaking him a little bit. "At the very least, you'll have to cut down on the pranking. Not saying you can't do it, but do it within boundaries."

"Otherwise what? You'll send us to detention?" Fred questioned.

"No. I'll rat you out to Filch," I said simply.

"Now that's low," the two twins said. I only grinned.


"You're a prefect eh?" Mad-Eye said.

"Yup," I said before taking a swig from my drink. "Says a lot about Gryffindor, don't you think?"

"Why not? You're responsible when reason calls for it. Otherwise, you're a wild card," Tonks said, making me grin.

"I do what has to be done. If what has to be done involves stepping out of line a time or two, then so be it," I said. At that point Mad-Eye bared his teeth, I could see that it was a grin, albeit slightly twisted.

"I'm starting to see why the Weasleys say you remind them of me," he said.

"Oh please. You don't stay alive out there by playing by the rules. Sure there are limits, but I no longer have those," I said with a snort.

"Everyone needs their limits laddie. Otherwise, what's to stop you from becoming a Death Eater yourself?" Mad-Eye questioned.

"It's extremely likely they'd laugh before tossing Killing Curses at me," I said dryly, making Tonks stifle a laugh. "I'm completely serious."

"And that's the scary part," she said, her laugh silencing immediately.

"Are you all done conversating over there, or can we start?" Harry called from the kitchen.

"Calm down. Just having a discussion with the grownups," I said as we all stood from the living room and joined everyone.

"Firewhiskey. You're old enough to handle it," Bill said, handing me a glass.

"I prefer butterbeer, but I'll take it," I said, taking it.

"Well, I think a toast is in order," Mr. Weasley said, when everyone had a drink. He raised his goblet. "To Robert and Hermione, the new Gryffindor prefects!"

"Basically an official reason to act like a prick," I said with a smirk, making a good amount of the table laugh before we took a drink.

"I was never a prefect myself," Tonks said brightly.

"No. You, really?" I said in a fake surprised tone as I took another swig, which drained the rest of my glass.

"Yes, yes. I know, it's a shocker," Tonks said, putting a hand over her heart as she shook her head sadly.

"If you ever became a prefect, the castle would've descended into chaos," Harry said.

"But it would've been fun. You can't deny that," Tonks said with a grin.

"Am I late to ze party?" a familiar voice said, which made me turn to Fleur with a smile.

"No, I'd say you're right on time mademoiselle. Though you missed the toast," I said, getting up to give her a hug.

"Well, better late than never," Fleur said with a grin. "Gringotts has been... busy to say the least."

"I can imagine that. Well, come on. Take a seat," I said gesturing to the table.

"Thought the goblins wouldn't let you off in time," Bill questioned.

"You're correct. I can't stay too long. Only reason ze goblins would let me out was this," Fleur said, handing me a letter. "That's for you. I could just say it took longer than necessary to find you, so I can stay for a while."

"By all means then, sit," I said before I looked at Tonks, who had a bit of an analyzing expression on her face. "You ok?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine," Tonks said before waving a dismissive hand.

"I doubt my dad was a prefect," Harry said, making a good amount of the older adults snort.

"Merlin, no. Me and James spent way too much time in detention to even think about it. Lupin was the good boy; he got the badge," Sirius said, jerking his thumb towards the man in question.

"I think Dumbledore might have hoped I would be able to exercise some control over my best friends," Lupin said. "I need scarcely say that I failed dismally."

"Yes, well if Sirius and James were anything like Fred and George, it'd take death threats to get them to behave," I said dryly, making the Marauders as well as Fred and George let out a good laugh.

"I think you hit it spot on there," Sirius said with a grin before looking at Fleur. "So... you're Miss Delacour, eh? Robert's mentioned you before.

"You have?" Fleur asked.

"Couple of times. You and Aurore's insane ass," I said, filling my glass full of butterbeer this time.

"Huh. That must be some ass she's got," Sirius said, making me accidentally spill a little on the table.

"Sirius!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

"I'm kind of used to it now. Emphasis on kind of," I said as Tonks cleaned up the drink I spilled. "Thanks."

"I doubt he was looking at... that," Fleur said awkwardly.

"No, but he did feel it," Fred said, making me glare daggers at him.

"Get out of town! You dog!" Sirius teased.

"Someone kill me now," I said as both Tonks and Fleur looked at me. Suddenly, I felt like I was under a microscope. A microscope that had a gun at the end of it. Loaded with rockets.

"When was this?" Tonks asked.

"That's what I want to know," I asked, looking at Fred and George.

"Remember you asked her to take a seat and she sat on your lap?" George asked.

"Oh, right. She said my leg was comfy," I said, taking another swig. And I wanted nothing more than for this conversation to end.

"She also called it a public lap dance," Fred said with a smirk.

"That is definitely NOT what that was," I said with a point.

"You were about halfway there," George said with a smirk.

"Drop it you two," Mrs. Weasley said firmly to them.

"Well, well, well," Sirius said with a grin.

"Don't you even start Sirius," Tonks said with a point.

"I'm just saying he's got a bit more game than I thought," Sirius said.

"I've always had game. Don't get it twisted. But I don't date just anyone who has a nice ass like you would," I said.

"Ha! So you admit it!" Sirius said with a point. I looked at Fleur, who looked highly amused.

"You think this is funny?" I questioned with disbelief.

"No. I think you being flustered is funny though," Fleur said with a bright smile.

"I am not..." I then felt my face with one hand. "Oh, dear God."

"This is gold. The royal prefect feels embarrassed," Fred said with a grin.

"Sure. Laugh it up," I said with a roll of my eyes. "What will it cost for this conversation to end?"

"Immunity for all pranks we shall commit this year?" George questioned.

"Not gonna happen bucko," I told him.

"Then we shall..." Fred trailed off at the look of death his mother was giving him. "Eh... we've decided to stop."

"Excellent. So how's work been?" I asked, looking to Fleur.

"Fairly well. I mean, there isn't much interesting about handling all foreign translations and sorting money, but they pay fairly well, despite wizards saying they have quite a addiction to gold," Fleur said.

"There's more than likely a lot of things they get wrong about goblins. After all, they get Muggles all the way wrong. If they were right about us, we'd still be driving around in the most simplistic cars in existence," I said with a shrug.

"Instead of traveling around in limos, Lamborghinis, and private jets," Tonks said.

"Exactly. And if you're wondering what I'm doing with the goblins, it's classified. Goblins don't discuss their dealings, and I'm going to honor that," I told him.

"You know at this point, I've given up on wondering how you figure this stuff out," Tonks said.

"Because as weird as you are, you can be painfully predictable," I said with a shrug.

"Hey, you aren't exactly normal yourself," Tonks said.

"That's what makes me awesome," I said with a grin.

"I can agree with that. So you are ze prefect, hmm?" Fleur asked.

"Yeah, for my house though. Did Beauxbatons have anything like that?" I asked.

"Yes, but only three of them. They were consistent for the whole year they were there, unless someone was more qualified for the position. The person needed to be at least fifteen, like Hermione and Harry," Fleur explained with a point.

"I've known adults less responsible than Hermione when she was eleven. I think the House will be fine between us running it," I said.

"Oh, sure. I point out all the rules, and you enforce them with all of the threatening presence of a dragon. People will be scared into following the rules for years to come," Hermione said dryly, spreading her hand in the air.

"Better believe it. And hey, if my threats don't work, you can always punish they by forcing them to listen to you recite Hogwarts, A History word for word," I teased.

"Like you couldn't do the same thing," Hermione reminded me.

"I have an eidetic memory. I can remember the menu of a restaurant I visited when I was seven, and believe me, it was limited. What's your excuse?" I asked.

"The possibility that you're correct, and I have a photographic memory," Hermione said.

"Point," I said.

"Well, I should get back. This was fun, no matter how short it is," Fleur said.

"Au revoir Fleur," I said, giving her a hug. She waved at the others before walking out of the door. The whole table eyed me, and I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You know her?" Bill asked.

"I've got along really well with her since last year. The fact that she's part Veela is irrelevant to me. Especially considering I'm immune to her allure," I said with a shrug.

"You've got to have some serious will to not be affected at least a little bit," Mr. Weasley said.

"Of which I have in spades. No one makes me do anything I don't want to do," I said.

"You don't want to date her? At all?" Bill asked, making me pursue my lips.

"I'm saying if I ever did, it wouldn't be for those reasons," I told him.

"And as you should. No one should solely date a person based on looks," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Though I think we're all in agreement that we're a little selfish. It's always nice to find someone who cares about you, but it doesn't hurt if the person has a nice rear," I said before bringing my glass to my mouth.

"Haha!" Sirius roared, clapping his hands. "So there is a real boy under that robot exterior after all!"

"Just because I don't talk about discussions like this and keep myself in control does not mean that I don't notice," I said with a shrug.

"I'm sure you have a verdict on Tonks already," Sirius said, making Tonks cast a curse at him. But Sirius nulled it with a spell of his own. "Not this time, cousin."

"No casting at the table!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

"Hey, she cast the first spell!" Sirius said, jerking his thumb at Tonks.

"I am not discussing this," I said before grabbing a chicken leg and taking a bite.

"You do," Sirius said with a wide grin.

"You keep this up, and you'll be nursing a broken arm," I threatened.

"Ok, ok. I'm done," Sirius said. "Flustered again, Robert?"

"And on that note, I need a moment," I said before closing my eyes and laying my fingers on the table. While it was kind of nice that I could even feel that embarrassed, it was still awkward. Especially with my whole... situation.

"Most people my age don't have this problem," I muttered. But I'd figure it out. I managed to compose myself and look back up with a calm expression. "Ok, I'm good."

"That was quick," Sirius said.

"I've had practice schooling myself," I said simply. "Now can we have a more mature conversation? One that doesn't involve me needing to school my emotions to avoid feeling ridiculously embarrassed."

"Gladly. So... can you at least give us a hint as to what you're doing?" Tonks asked.

"Let's just say I might have a bigger, more magical arsenal once all out war breaks out. But this will take time," I said, cracking the knuckles in my hand.

"So you're putting your head together with a bunch of goblins," Tonks said.

"Expect to see with goblins with guns sooner or later," I told her with a grin.

"What have you done?" Tonks questioned.

"That's what I asked him!" Sirius said with a chuckle.

"Well, you won't share wands with goblins. Selfish wizards," I said as I smirked into my drink.

"God, you even sound like them," Tonks said.

"Cheers love," I said before raising my glass.


A/N: On this chapter, I was kind of just winging it. Lost track of what I was doing about halfway through, so this one may a bit of a mess. I really need to get back on the ball when it comes to updating stories besides my Star Wars one. My bad for keeping you all waiting.