Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

by Irish216

After the fall of Voldemort members of the Black family reunite to protect their children and charges. Together they will restore the Ancient and Noble House of Black while preparing for the return of a foe. Clarification: Harry and Draco have been aged to Viktor's age.

6. First Meetings

A/N: I still don't own anything. Beta'ed by HunterAzrael.

"Alright, alright! Put me down," Harry said with a smile on his face. Sirius dropped him on his feet and ran his hand over Harry's hair, tousling it with a challenging smirk on his face.

"Hey!" Harry said pushing his hand away, which led to a few minutes of wrestling. Sirius, with his Auror training and combat skills, easily trounced Harry, and had him flipped over and dangling by his ankles in a matter of minutes.

While hanging, Harry got his first look around the room he was standing in. "Wow. What did you do to the house?" Harry asked with wide eyes. He had been port-keyed into the basement dueling room as always but it was certainly different than he last remembered it.

Sirius barked out a laugh, "You'll be glad to know your lightning powers haven't been all bad. Your last little incident here burned through all the permanent sticking charms and household charms my dear old nutcase mother put on the house!" Sirius had a bit of a manic grin on his face. He flipped Harry right side up so that he could properly take in the room.

The old dueling room had a small, poorly lit square that allowed port-keys into the house. It was designed to be as unwelcoming as possible. This time, he was standing in the dueling chamber itself, and the difference was immense.

The dueling room was now brightly lit by torches along the walls, which contained magical flames that would never burn out. One half of the room housed a dueling pit covered with sand; the sand made it quite difficult for duelists to find adequate footing, but also mitigated injuries in the event that a participant was thrown to the ground. On the other side of the room there was a modern work-out room littered with free weights and multiple muggle weight-lifting machines. Finally, the southern wall of the room held various weapons; swords, spears, axes and a good deal of fencing blades that Sirius had trained with over the years.

"If you think this is cool, pup, you'll love the rest of the place. C'mon – there's been quite a few renovations." Sirius said with glee. The last time Harry had seen his godfather this happy was at his first ever Quidditch match. A million questions burst into Harry's brain at once, but he knew better than to ask, knowing that his godfather was keen on showing him each and every new improvement on their house. He flashed a grin and nodded. "Well let's go then," he said brightly.

As Sirius led him through the house, the most noticeable difference was the lighting. The first thing Harry noticed in each room and hallway was that it was brighter; whether from natural light, installed lighting, or brighter hues on the walls. No more were the drab black and grey gothic themed walls, and, thank Merlin, the row of house elf heads had been done away with.

The kitchen had been completely gutted and redone, with a mixture of muggle and wizarding appliances, and the large dining area was a regal, warm affair with a large chandelier hanging over the table. The dining table itself had the Potter and Black crests carved into the wood; the same with the back of each chair. Harry was in awe already, and they'd only just started the first floor.

Sirius led him through the other rooms on the floor, and the only major changes were in the paint and color schemes of the furniture and upholstery – until they reached the 'family' room.

Sirius' house was in the Pancharevo district of Sofia, Bulgaria – the house overlooked Lake Pancharevo. The family room had a large, red leather sectional that was pushed up against the wall-to-wall windows that provided a beautiful view of the lake. On one side of the room, opposite the couch was a large-screen television.

"So obviously, this is a no magic room," Sirius said gesturing to the television.

Smirking and quirking an eyebrow, "A red couch?" Harry asked with a snicker, "Aunt Cissy will love that," he added with a snarky roll of his eyes.

"Hey - she put in a green couch!" Sirius said in defense.

"In Draco's room," Harry reminded him. Sirius very maturely stuck his tongue out at his godson.

"Upstairs, march!" Sirius barked, rapidly changing the subject and moving towards the staircase to the second floor. The second floor was divided between the Black library and an office for Sirius. They moved up to the third floor which held five bedrooms, including Harry's.

"Right pup, this one's yours," Sirius said as he opened a door with 'Harry' embossed upon it in golden letters, and let the boy in.

"Wow," Harry said as he took in his new room. Before he'd left for Durmstrang, his room had been a somewhat depressing, dark space that he'd attempted to liven up with a mass of posters. Now, the room was an open, bright space with two floor-to-ceiling window-walls that overlooked the lake, each with a set of blue drapes that could be used to cover the windows. The wood of his bed, his cabinets and dresser were all done in ebony and were sleek and modern with silver fixtures. His remaining walls were painted in a royal blue that, surprisingly, matched his Phoenix, Hermes. Finally the coverings of his bed were, of course, a royal blue to match the rest of the room.

"I used a pensieve to track down all the posters and stuff you lost after the incident – it should all be there," Sirius said pointing to a large ebony hope chest at the foot of Harry's bed.

Harry, a hopeful grin etched on his face, opened it, "AHH!" He shouted, as a large black and white cat, Sly, leapt at his face. He dodged the cat who landed cleanly on the floor and walked away, tail flick jauntily from side to side. Harry turned a glare on Sirius who was laughing on the floor.

"I swear I didn't know he was in there," Sirius said when he got himself under control.

"That damn cat isn't normal," Harry muttered before turning back to examine the contents of the chest. Harry's eyes widened in shock as he noticed the quaffle he'd been awarded after his first start during U-18 game -"H-how?" Harry asked as he took it out. The quaffle was more black than red, with the amount of signatures on it. It was their team's tradition to sign the quaffle after each win.

"Believe it or not, that actually survived the fire," Sirius said. "I found it while searching for Sly. I think that was his way of getting you back." Sirius grinned at his godson.

"Thanks Sirius," Harry said as he went through the chest pulling out posters and a few stuffed animals he had left over from his time at Potter Cottage. The little deer and tiger he'd been given as an infant had been charmed by Lily to be fire proof, the charm was apparently still going strong.

"Your mum didn't put fire proofing charms on the house?" Harry asked as he picked up the tiger.

Sirius's bark like laugh rang out, "Your lightning went through all of them except these." He was grinning quite happily at his words. Harry just grinned back at him while sifting through the contents of the chest. When he finished inspecting it he found Sirius had indeed replaced everything he had hanging on his walls; right down to the risqué Holly Head Harpies poster, a gift from the man on Harry's eleventh birthday.

"Now through this door is your bathroom," Sirius said, opening a door opposite his closet. It opened up into a full bathroom done in blues.

"Cool, a Jacuzzi tub." Harry said with grin firmly on his face. "Is your room still the top floor?"

"Yep just redone without all the skulls and black and depressing cobwebs," Sirius laughed. "Let's go down and eat. Dobby said he was making Chinese."

"Oh how I would've loved to see Lucius's face after Aunt Cissy freed all his house elves." Harry snickered thinking about the slightly insane former Malfoy elf. Dobby, like the other Malfoy elf, Lobby, had followed Narcissa to Bulgaria after being freed. Lobby was sent to Andromeda and her family while Dobby was given to Sirius and Harry once Narcissa married Vladimir. Harry had, thankfully, not yet encountered the Black Family elf; Kreacher. According to Sirius, the ancient elf was quite psychotic; something Narcissa readily reaffirmed. When Sirius took over the family he gave Kreacher explicit orders that he was never to leave the House of Black in London; Sirius had no intention of ever setting foot in the house he grew up in so it was a win-win situation.

They made their way back to the kitchen where an island was set up with four chairs around it for small meals. Harry and Sirius sat down at the island just as Dobby dished up two plates of sweet and sour pork.

"So, any more duels?" Sirius asked as they dug into their meal.

Harry swallowed before shaking his head, "No after that fifth year nobody stepped up to challenge us."

"That's good. I don't much like you facing off with Durmstrang fifth years or up on a weekly basis, no matter how good you are." Sirius said with a bit of a glare.

"It's getting kind of annoying, to be honest" Harry said with a shrug of agreement. "Besides I don't want to give away all I can do before the dueling tourney."

"You still want to enter it?" Sirius asked, watching his godson with a careful eye. Sirius wasn't sure he wanted to give his permission for the tournament. He knew from Vladimir that the majority of the school entered into the tournament. The first three draws were completely random, sometimes pitting seventh years against first years.

"Yes?" Harry said hesitantly, sensing Sirius's mood.

Sirius sighed and looked closely at his adopted son, "Do you know how the tournament works?" Harry nodded his reply while eating. "So you know you could end up facing the reigning champion in your first duel?"

"The reigning champ graduated last year," Harry sarcastically added.

"That's not helping your case!" Sirius snapped back seriously which got Harry's attention; his guardian didn't often restrict him from doing things.

Harry cleared his face of any traces of amusement, "Sorry. I know I could face some really good duelers; not just those looking to make a name for themselves quickly." He was completely serious now, realizing Sirius was worried about him. "Wasn't it you and Vladimir who said you sometimes have to lose to win?" Harry asked, to make a point, not just a rebuttal.

Sirius looked intently at Harry and saw his eagerness for the tournament. "I will sign the permission slip, but you need to promise me you will take these duels seriously. No flare or extras; just competing."

Harry nodded eagerly, "I swear."

"Alright then." Sirius said with a nod then added, "We'll start training tomorrow morning." Harry groaned and banged his head against the table. Sirius grinned in reply before asking, "So how are your sessions with the Headmaster coming?" Harry had shared with him that the Headmaster had a rune scar; Sirius hoped the man would be able to help his pup. Sirius knew from Narcissa that Harry had lost control of his magic at school, and had almost stormed Durmstrang when he got back to his office and read the message. Fortunately, Narcissa was able to stick him to his chair in time to stop his knee-jerk reaction, and tactfully solved the situation.

"They're good. Slow but good," Harry said with a shrug. "He has me working on making actual spells wandlessly; not just willing my magic to do something. And Artemisia - Mrs. Hardrada," Harry clarified for Sirius, "has started to help me with my lightning."

"Oh?"

"She's a veela," Harry said with a wide grin. Harry's grin faded to a thoughtful expression, "Or she might be part veela. Anyway she had to learn to control her own fire, so she has more knowledge about it." Harry finished before shoving another mouthful down his gob.

Sirius flicked him on the wrist for that, "Narcissa would love that. Chew your food. Have you made any progress with her?"

Harry's expression turned surly, "Not yet."

"How do you like the weather?" Sirius asked with a grin knowing Harry wasn't a fan of cold weather. He despised winters, especially ones that lasted longer than they were supposed to.

"It's like a bloody ice chest," Harry shuddered. "I wear my fur coat most days, like pretty much everyone else aside from Professor Ironside, the man's a bloody bear." Harry shook his head at the thought of Professor Ironside, the man had been dressed in shorts just the other day.

Sirius laughed loudly at that, "And where is your new fiery menace?" Sirius asked referring to Hermes. The bird flared into existence above his head, lighting Sirius's hair on fire. He trilled a note that made Harry laugh while Sirius jumped around patting his head before remembering he was a wizard. "Very funny," Sirius glared at the bird. It trilled back a note at Sirius.

"He said he doesn't appreciate being called a menace," Harry said off-handedly. "Where have you been?" Harry asked Hermes.

'Call the cat.' Hermes trilled.

Harry groaned, "Sly!" He called with apprehension, which turned to shock, then amusement as Sly came in hissing at the bird. Harry let out a barking laugh while Sirius gaped; Sly was missing the majority of his hair. He had tufts of hair on each of his paws and tail and just a mane of hair around his neck.

"What the hell did you do to my cat?" Sirius shrieked. Harry started laughing harder and fell out of his seat.

'He was about to pee in your boots.' Hermes trilled to Harry.

Harry laughed harder and gasped out, "Looks like Sly met his match. Nice one Hermes." Hermes trilled back that it was more than fun. Harry rolled on the ground only to be pounced on by Sly who tried to scratch him. Hermes swooped down and grabbed the cat before flying off.

"Hey! Where's he going with my cat?" Sirius shouted. Moments later they heard a splash and then the cat screech. Harry started laughing again while Sirius pouted.

"Alright enough laughing, finish eating," Sirius said a bit grouchily. Harry picked himself up and tucked back into his food.

"Oh, I need you to sign this permission slip," Harry said pulling it out of his pocket.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, "Really? After laughing at the plight of my cat you want me to do something?" He kept a straight face as he spoke.

Harry's face held a look of shock, "You're kidding right?" Harry's voice squeaked at the end. Sirius kept his face straight as Harry gaped like a fish.

Sirius' bark like laugh rang through the kitchen, "What's it for?"

Harry glared at the man for a minute before answering, "Professor Sturluson is taking us to Egypt at the end of the year." Harry explained. "The Great Pyramids," Harry clarified.

"We never got to do anything like that," Sirius whined as he looked over the permission slip. Harry grinned at his response and stayed quiet. "Two days eh?" He asked looking at Harry. "You want to go?"

"Yeah we've never been there and I'd like to see the runes," Harry said with an eager smile.

"Alright then I don't have a problem with it," Sirius said with a smile. "Just make sure you listen to your professors while you're there. No going down creepy tunnels or bringing snakes home, okay?" Sirius said as he signed the parchment with a flourish.

Harry chuckled. He had been able to talk to snakes since he was little but rarely used the ability since Sirius was not a fan of snakes. Harry had once brought home a little five inch long snake, Sirius screamed like Little Miss Muffet. "Deal," Harry said.

Sirius handed the parchment back to Harry and stood with his plate in his hand. He took it over to the sink to begin washing it, and Harry brought his own over and gave it to Sirius. They alternated week-by-week as to who cleaned up the dishes. Sirius knew Lily would have thought it would be good for Harry to have some chores. Harry, as soon as he was old enough, asked why Sirius didn't do any chores, and from there a schedule was set up.

"I tried to book some time off for your break but we're close to cracking this smuggling case we've been working on," Sirius started handing Harry a dish to try. "So you'll be going to Cissy's tomorrow. I think she's planning on taking you four to Bifrost Alley tomorrow."

"When am I old enough to stay by myself?" Harry asked, not so much whining but more curiously.

"When you stop blowing potions up on purpose," Sirius grinned.

"Soo," Harry stressed the word, "Never?" He gave Sirius a lopsided grin.

"Lily's going to kill me," Sirius sighed before laughing.

"Can we watch a movie?" Harry asked as he dried the last dish.

"Sure pup. Which one?" Sirius asked putting up the dishes much to the shame of Dobby who was watching nearby.

"Gremlins?"

---

Harry walked out of the fireplace with ease and into the Imp's Tavern. The Imp's Tavern was owned by an old, old man who still tended bar. He waved to Harry and then Draco who stepped out next. Saiph was spit out of the fireplace and stumbled into her cousins. They caught her, steadying her back to her feet.

"That was unpleasant," Saiph mumbled and then glared as Viktor stepped through with ease followed by Narcissa.

"It takes time Saiph but the trick is to step out like you're walking," Narcissa said in response to the glare. Saiph mumbled something. "Watch it young lady," Narcissa reprimanded. Saiph groan while the boys chuckled only to stop at Narcissa's glare. Saiph stuck her tongue out at them.

"Enough children," Narcissa drawled and all four of them winced, she only called them children when annoyed. Saiph had learned that last night when Draco and Viktor broke a lamp demonstrating a quidditch move.

"Sorry Aunt Cissy," They all intoned.

"Good! Now, our first stop is Gringotts," Narcissa said moving them towards the doors to the Alley. "The goblins refuse to deal with anyone but Saiph." Narcissa said mainly to Saiph.

"What does that mean?" Saiph asked.

"It means Bellatrix left explicit directions with the goblins. What happened when you first met with them?"

"They gave me a key and took me to a vault with some piles of gold." Saiph shrugged disinterestedly. "There wasn't anything else in there."

"Sounds like a trust vault," Draco added.

Narcissa nodded, "Come on let's go deal with the goblins." She didn't sound particularly pleased, the boys snickered quietly.

Harry leaned over to Saiph, "Aunt Cissy doesn't like goblins. They're greedy and will do almost anything to keep as much gold as they can, including keeping inheritances a secret. They can be okay unless you've pissed them off and the Blacks have come close to it."

"How?" Saiph asked with interest.

It was Narcissa that answered causing them both to jump. "Goblins believe that Goblin made objects - even if bought legally - should be returned upon the death of the buyer, quite the opposite of most sentient beings. Goblin made jewelry and weaponry are not rare but limited; as most cannot afford them. The Blacks, however, can. The Goblins do not like that we hold jewelry that was made, in some cases, over five hundred years ago."

Saiph looked confused, "But you bought it?"

"Exactly," Narcissa replied with a small grin to Saiph.

"So do we still have Goblin created things?" Saiph asked.

"Yes and we make sure to keep it out of any Gringotts bank," Narcissa said. "Now let's not mention this until we leave the bank." Narcissa came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs to the bank. The vast white marble building reminded Saiph of a picture out of a history book.

"Does anyone else find it interesting that the group that hates wizards has the nicest building in the alley?" Saiph asked with a small smile.

"It does make one wonder," Narcissa replied, ascending the steps with all the grace of a runway model. The four pre-teens ambled on behind her, Draco tugging Saiph forward as she paused to look at the Goblin warriors.

"Aunt Cissy?" Harry asked quietly but urgently. "There are more guards than normal" he said as he took in the fifteen guards outside, all armed to the teeth.

"Harry," Narcissa's voice was tight with emotion, "stay close to Saiph. Draco, Viktor - your wands." She prompted the boys. She knew Harry was paranoid enough to have his out already. The two boys lowered their wands into their hands; though they were obscured by their jackets.

They entered the bank to find goblins rushing around the entry way and from teller to teller. Over to one side were three rather important looking goblins, one could tell from the amount of gold worn by the goblins. The three goblins were talking to a group of Aurors; among the aurors was Vladimir. Narcissa raised an eyebrow at her husband in question. Vladimir made a slight hand gesture to put her at ease but otherwise remained focused on the Goblins.

"Your father says to relax," Narcissa whispered to her sons and turned and gave a nod to Harry. Harry released Saiph's arm from his hold and slightly calmed down; but unlike his cousins he kept his wand handy.

"Mrs. Krum how nice to see you again," Came the sarcastic greeting from the teller. He was smirking viciously, having not seen Saiph behind her.

Narcissa gave the goblin an icy stare and moved to the side allowing Saiph to step forward. Narcissa placed a hand on Saiph's shoulder as she carefully worded her reply. "My niece and ward would like access to any and all inheritances owed to her."

Saiph grinned at the Goblin's obvious discomfort at the statement. Saiph handed the Goblin a stack of parchment, "Here's all the paperwork, Snaggletooth." The last word was said almost like a question causing Harry to choke back a laugh. Saiph still wasn't used to goblin names.

Snaggletooth took the parchments and read them over with increasing horror inducing scowl. They could see now why the goblin was called Snaggletooth. His teeth were a disgusting bile yellow and pointed in various directions. "Follow me," Snaggletooth snapped out hopping down from his dais.

The four pre-teens and witch followed the goblin through the halls of Gringotts and up to the second floor. The goblin led them to a hallway filled with six sets of double doors and brought them to a halt in front of the second set of gilded doors. He knocked, and was answered by a sharp call issued in Gobbledygook. Snaggletooth pushed open the doors, and snarled something in Gobbledygook to a larger goblin sitting behind a silver and sapphire studded desk, Saiph could only recognize her name.

Draco leaned over to Saiph and quietly whispered, "He said you're here about your inheritance."

"You understand that?" Saiph whispered back with a look of surprise.

"We all speak a few languages. I chose Gobbledygook as one," Draco said before Narcissa shushed them.

"So you are Saiph Lestrange's new guardian?" The Goblin behind the desk asked. He was larger than Snaggletooth and dressed in what looked like leather armor rather than a suit.

"Yes," Narcissa said her tone frosty at the implication behind the Goblin's sarcastic tone. "We would like to see the files on all of her inheritance and her vaults," Narcissa stressed the word all and Saiph's ownership of her vaults.

"Sit," The Goblin offered Saiph and Narcissa the seats in front of his desk while the boys were not even glanced at. The three boys stiffened at the insult. Narcissa's spine straightened further at the insult and sat primly on the very edge of the seat, returning the insult without saying a word. Saiph copied her aunt and the goblin sneered as he was about to speak. Harry moved to stand behind Saiph; he stood between Saiph and the goblin guard that had entered the room. Harry had yet to place his wand away and lit the tip of it. The goblin starred at the wand and then his attention was drawn by Viktor and Draco who took up a protective stance between Narcissa and Snaggletooth. They were well aware that all Goblins carried weapons, even tellers.

The Goblin sat back in his chair before standing, "I am Slipknife, the manager of the Saiph Lestrange's account." Slipknife's words were growled at them he pushed forward a file. Narcissa picked up the file opening it, and a letter fell out. Narcissa stared at the handwriting, not that Slipknife noticed, only her sons and nephew picked up on it.

"Saiph this is yours," Narcissa slid the letter to her niece. Saiph took it noticing her name scrawled across it. She placed it in her pocket as Narcissa gestured her to do. Narcissa looked over the file. "We were right; you were shown only your trust vault. It has twenty thousand galleons in it set to refill if you use it all by your fifteenth birthday."

Saiph gaped, "How am I supposed to spend twenty thousand galleons?"

Narcissa snorted, "Trust me your mother could have done it in a year." The boys shared a look with each other; they wouldn't be surprised if Narcissa did the same. Narcissa caught the look and shot them a warning glance.

"It says here upon the death of your mother and father that you are to inherit the Lestrange family fortune." Narcissa said.

"Which has not occurred yet," Slipknife broke in. He sounded both happy about that and thoroughly displeased at the same time.

Saiph looked at her aunt in question and Narcissa shuffled through the papers. "Ah yes, Rodolphus," the name was sneered. "He gave the goblins investing power like his father before him, apparently." She turned to Saiph, "It means that the goblins manage the investments. Goblins require a fifteen percent stipend to do so, which means while your parents are alive it is in their best interest to invest the estate's money wisely."

"Because they'll get more money too?" Saiph asked with a nod to Slipkinfe, though she didn't take her eyes off Narcissa. The boys grinned as they saw Slipknife snarl at Saiph's unintentional slight.

"Yes, but once your parents' die you will be in charge of the investments and can chose if you want the goblins to maintain their management," Narcissa said. Saiph nodded understanding now, the goblins might not like her family but the stipend required the goblins to invest in the best businesses possible, in order to make the most money.

"Hmm," Narcissa hummed as she continued looking over the file.

"Mother?" Draco prompted.

"The family crypt is held in Britain still," Narcissa mused.

"They're still in Britain..?" Harry said questioningly. Staying in Britain would be a vast mistake for the wanted Lestranges.

"I doubt it. Rodolphus and Rabastan may be that stupid," Narcissa said not looking up at the pre-teens. "Sorry Saiph." Saiph merely shrugged it didn't really bother her seeing as she had never known them. "But Bellatrix would not be. The Lestranges have a rather large vault in France and many smaller ones dotted across the smaller European and Asian branches of Gringotts."

"But they plan on returning to Britain or they would have moved the family crypt," Draco concluded. Viktor nodded his belief as the same.

"Yes," Narcissa said still looking over the files. "The rest is a list of what you will inherit." Narcissa set the file back on the desk. "A copy of it is hers," Narcissa prompted Slipknife. Slipknife looked at the humans with disgust before handing over a copy of the file.

"Now we should like to visit the Krum Crypt," Narcissa stood followed by Saiph.

Slipknife gave them a sneer, "Take them to the carts." His command was to Snaggletooth. The boys allowed Narcissa and Saiph to move in front of them. Harry stood facing both the women and Slipknife. Narcissa and Saiph followed Snaggletooth; they were followed by Draco and Viktor. Harry gave one last look to Slipknife before following his family.

Snaggletooth led them back down to the main hall and over to a cart. "Climb in," he snapped. Viktor took the seat to the side of the goblin watching him carefully while Draco assisted Narcissa and Saiph into the second row of seats. He and Harry then took the last two seats behind them. The cart took off with a lurch forward followed by traveling down the rails at a blinding speed. The four eleven year olds had wide smiles while Narcissa looked a bit sick. The cart twisted down the rails coming to a stop in front of the Krum Crypt.

The Krums were one of the oldest families in Bulgaria and as such required a crypt over a standard vault. Many of the old family items such as those used in medieval times were kept in the crypt, as some of the things would be illegal in the modern era. Saiph looked around the Crypt with some awe, aside from the gold; it resembled their history classroom with the various weapons and armor in the Crypt. There were also some very old, but very ornate robes and jewels.

"The Black Crypt is similar and I suspect the Lestrange crypt would be," Harry said to Saiph.

She nodded before looking at Narcissa taking out a large amount of gold, "I thought we were going to my vault."

"Saiph as your guardians Vladimir and I are monetarily responsible for you." Narcissa said as she finished putting money in a bottomless purse.

"But I can take care of my things," Saiph protested.

Narcissa looked at Saiph with a raised eyebrow. She saw Saiph was earnest in paying for her things, "How about you do the same as the boys. You can pay for things such you want but do not need."

Saiph paused her protests and nodded her acceptance, "Fine."

"Good, now we need to buy dress robes," The boys groaned and Saiph looked semi interested in the prospect. One nauseating or exciting (depending on the perspective) trip back to the main hall found Vladimir had already left with his aurors. They made their way happily out of the goblin bank. They all pulled their cloaks tighter against the snow and wind.

"After we get your robes we will stop by the Animal House," Narcissa said taking them to the clothing shop they frequented. Madam Vranchev met them at the door.

She was dressed in fine silk robes despite the cold weather, "Narcissa welcome back," she cheerfully greeted Narcissa with a kiss on both cheeks. "Who is this you have with you?" Madam Vranchev asked eyeing Saiph. Saiph had been taken to another clothing shop earlier in the year by her professor.

Narcissa smiled broadly and pulled Saiph forward with pride, "This is my niece and new ward, Saiph Lestrange."

Madam Vranchev to her credit didn't even flinch at Saiph last name, "It's a pleasure to meet you, young Miss." Saiph smiled at the women liking her much better than the previous store owner she met with.

"We were invited to the Bulgarian Ministry Yule Ball. Saiph and I need new dresses and shoes." Narcissa said. The boys snickered; Narcissa had more than enough robes.

Madam Vranchev caught their eye, "An early lesson boys; a woman can never have too many clothes." She grinned at the boys who nodded as Narcissa agreed with the shop owner.

"Saiph you haven't show as much relish for changing as Nymphadora," Narcissa started and glared at the boys who snickered at the name. "Are you going to keep your hair black for the ball?"

"You mean you don't care if I change the color?" Saiph asked with surprise. The mistress at the Orphanage didn't like it when Saiph did anything weird.

"Velina would you give us a moment?" Narcissa asked Madam Vranchev.

She nodded, "Call when you're ready." The seamstress left them to their own devices.

"Saiph, I would not deny you the use of your gift," Narcissa spoke softly to the somewhat startled girl.

"You don't think it's weird?" Saiph asked skeptically. She knew of course that Tonks routinely changed her appearance every day, but Saiph had spent years trying to keep her looks normal.

"Harry would mind doing a demonstration?" Narcissa asked her nephew with a small smile.

Harry gave a long suffering sigh before cracking a grin, "Sure." He winked at Saiph calming her a bit.

"Serpensortia," Narcissa murmured the spell. Out from her wand shot a small green snake. It hissed at them all menacingly drawing a variety of reactions. Narcissa, Draco and Viktor seemed perfectly at ease while Saiph drew back from the creature. Harry on the other hand laughed at the snake.

Saiph watch her laughing cousin wearily as he leaned forward towards the snake. He opened his mouth to speak but all Saiph heard was an eerie hissing similar to the snakes. She watched in awe as the snake turned towards Harry and hissed back at him.

Harry laughed again and turned back to his aunt, "He would like you to send him back. Apparently he was just about to catch a mouse. He's not very happy with you," Harry smirked, "and he expressed in some very colorful words." The snake turned and hissed at Narcissa as if agreeing with Harry.

"Really? Did you learn any Sirius hasn't told you?" She asked at the still smirking boy.

"Unfortunately, no," Harry said drawing snickers from his cousins, even the still-stunned Saiph. Narcissa gave a very dignified eye roll and banished the snake back to whence it came.

"You're a parselmouth like those Egyptian wizards Professor Sturluson mentioned?" Saiph questioned when the snake was gone.

"Yep," Harry grinned. He rather liked the ability even if most people found it unnatural and evil.

Draco cut into the conversation, "What Professor Sturluson didn't mention was the way parselmouths are treated now. The ability mostly died out centuries ago and the only known parselmouth in recent history are Salazar Slytherin and Voldemort."

"So let me guess; most people would probably wet themselves if Harry started up a conversation with a snake?" Saiph concluded.

"Smart girl," Narcissa said with a smile. "Despite what Draco said, I do encourage Harry to explore the uses of his gift when he's at home. Yours is an exceptional gift, one that can serve you well in times to come. So yes - as long as you do not annoy your professors at Durmstrang, you should explore and use your gift. Nymphadora is extremely talented, and some metamorphagi cannot do half of what she can but Andromeda encouraged her to use her ability at all times. The more you use the easier it will be to maintain changes."

"But I've learned to maintain my form," She paused, "well as long as I'm not very angry."

"Yes and I assume that as something to do with the Orphanage?" Narcissa posed it as a question but pressed on before Saiph could reply. "What you've accomplished is no small feat, Nymphadora used to cycle through changes without even knowing it, so be proud of that. However I do not want you to fear your ability as there is no reason for it." Narcissa finished. Saiph looked to her cousins and found them nodding along with what Narcissa had to say. "So once again, would you like to keep your hair black or do you want to change it? We would not want it to clash with your dress." This time it was the boys who rolled their eyes. In response Saiph maintained her black hair but slowly added a few red streaks to it.

"Well that settles that." Narcissa said with a smile. "Velina," She called loudly, we're ready."

"Mum," Draco called. "Do we really have to be here for this?"

Narcissa shared a look with Saiph and Velina, "What do you think, should we trust them out there?"

Velina snorted knowing full well the three boys pension for trouble in the Alley, while Saiph answered, "Not a chance." The boys groaned but Narcissa smiled.

"Quidditch shop only," She said eyeing them.

All three boys grinned and saluted Narcissa, "Yes, ma'am."

Narcissa and Saiph exited the shop full of smiles that quickly turned to twin frowns as a woman ran past screaming about snakes. The woman was quickly followed by a horde of screaming girls of all ages and a few men. The two Blacks followed the mob back to the animal shop where a group of fifteen snakes were slithering after the people. Narcissa's eyes zeroed in on the three boys looking out the Quidditch shop window snickering.

"Saiph change your form," Narcissa said as she waved her wand over her face. Saiph watched in a bit of awe as Narcissa flawlessly changed her hair, eye color, and nose shape, silently. Saiph concentrated and changed her hair to a soft blond, her eyes changed to a deep green, and her face gradually change to mirror Tonks' favored heart shaped form. "Can you hold that for a few minutes?"

"I should be able to," Saiph nodded.

"Good, just follow my lead," Narcissa said as they walked over to the quidditch shop after the snakes had passed. Narcissa and Saiph entered the shop and headed to the back unnoticed by the boys who were still snickering. They came back to the front of the store and heard the boys.

"Nice one, Viktor." They heard Draco say to Viktor while Harry gave him a fist bump.

Narcissa came to the stand behind the boys with Saiph; Harry glanced back as he felt someone over his shoulder. He nodded at the mother and daughter before turning back around to his cousins. Narcissa changed her looks back and gave Saiph a nod to do the same. Saiph's features morphed back to normal.

Draco was the first to turn as he felt the stare of the pair still behind them. He glimpsed the blond hair of his mother and his face fell, "Shit." His brother turned first and swore followed by Harry.

"What did you do?" Narcissa said and pulled Viktor by the ear.

"Ow!" Viktor complained and then added, "We didn't leave the store."

Saiph laughed at that and in response Viktor glared at her. She rolled her eyes, "Dude, that soo didn't help."

"Dude?" Narcissa asked primly. "I thought you were German not American."

"Hey, we had a tele," Saiph said.

"Can you let go of my ear now?" Viktor asked with a wince. Draco and Harry had paled beyond their normal color and were subtly trying to back away from Narcissa.

Narcissa let go of Viktor, "You are all grounded for the rest of break and you are going to pay Mr. Stoyanov for the snakes." She snapped out the orders and all three groaned but quickly shut up at her look.

No one said a word for about two minutes straight as Narcissa starred disappointedly at the boys. Saiph watched her cousins squirm under the look, a different side to the three boys than what she had seen. It was like watching a standoff as finally Draco broke the silence.

"Um what about quidditch ma'am," He said as respectfully as possibly. All three boys looked at Narcissa imploringly.

"You will be allowed to attend only because of your teammates," Narcissa said before glaring at the boys stonily. "If you do anything else over break I will pull you from the team."

The boys nodded and Narcissa pointed them out the door. The quidditch shop owner looked on with a smirk. He waved to Narcissa as she and Saiph followed the boys out. She returned the wave with a smile and shook her hand at the boys.

"Now let's go to the pet shop," Narcissa said and marched the boys across the street. They entered the pet store and the sight of the three pre-teen boys the shop owner let out a laugh.

"Madam Krum why am I not surprised," The old shop owner had an odd sense of humor.

"Mr. Stoyanov, nice to see you again. These three have some snakes to pay for," Narcissa said pushing the three towards him. "Saiph, love, feel free to look around."

"Really?" Stoyanov mused looking at the three boys. "How about you help my son track down the snakes and I'll only take half the cost." Harry worked to contain his groan as he looked at the clerk who got snotty with him when he'd bought Hermes. The other two boys agreed readily and looked to Harry.

"All right let's go," Harry said despite the glaring clerk. They hurried away leaving the clerk to trail after them.

"What is the young Miss looking for?" Mr. Stoyanov asked Narcissa.

"My niece, Saiph." Narcissa clarified for the shop owner. Saiph turned at her name but saw Narcissa speaking to the man and turned back to the animals. "She's hoping to find a familiar. She wasn't given much time to look before."

"Well she should have plenty of time now," Mr. Stoyanov commented.

"Merlin help me," Narcissa muttered commenting on the boys.

Stoyanov let out a deep laugh, "They'll grow out of it soon enough."

"One can only hope they do it before they are banned from every store in the Alley," Narcissa ended the conversation joining Saiph as she browsed.

"Interested in anything?" Narcissa asked as she came up behind her niece.

"They all are interesting," Saiph grinned a bit self-deprecating. "We weren't allowed to have pets at the Orphanage."

"Well even if you don't bond with one you can still get a pet and the bond may form later," Narcissa said gently. Saiph surprised her by pulling her into a hug, the young girl had yet to initiate contact with them. Narcissa returned the hug rubbing the girls back in comfort. "So what do you think; a cat, owl, dog, or toad?"

"A Toad?" Saiph asked surprised at the animal's inclusion.

"Believe or not some people keep them as pets," Narcissa with a small shudder, she wasn't a fan of toads. They wandered around the store as Saiph looked from cage to cage. She stopped at a large cage that contained four small kittens. They were pouncing on each other and long somewhat bushy coats. One kitten, a white one with black markings around the eyes was sitting on a perch in the corner of the container. It leaped and pounced on its siblings pinning one playfully. It looked up and made eye contact with Saiph and stumbled over its playmates to look at the girl. The little kitten had bright green eyes and it pawed at the glass where Saiph was leaning looking at them.

Saiph opened the glass holding cage and scooped the little kitten out. It jumped into Saiph's arms and clambered up to sit on Saiph's shoulder. The little kitten rubbed its head against Saiph's cheek.

"Well, I dare say she likes you," Narcissa said. She was studying the information on the cats. It had their pictures and info about the individual cats. "Norwegian Forest Cat," Narcissa read to Saiph. "What do you think?"

Saiph moved the kitten into her arms and scratched its belly causing the kitten to purr loudly. Saiph smiled at her aunt, "I want her." The little kitten meowed at Saiph's words as if agreeing.

"You'll need a cat carrier for her and we'll get some kitten food for her," Narcissa said as she moved over to the cat accessories. They picked out a carrier that had expansion charms on the inside and green collar for the newly christened kitten, Bandit. As they were paying for the kitten the boys finally made it back. Each boy had a bag full of snakes to hand over to owner, along with a bag of gold.

"About time," Narcissa commented to the boys before directing everyone out of the shop and to the nearest floo fireplace connection.

---

Narcissa moved quietly through the Krum household, most of the occupants were asleep. Narcissa had spent the last few hours going over Saiph's financials by herself and two hours before that with the girl. Narcissa was trying to see if she could possibly figure out where the Lestrange's were hiding out. Earlier, Vladimir had sat down with her and they concluded the adult Lestrange's were either in Albania, Bosnia, or Croatia. Narcissa was leaning toward Albania as it seemed their largest vault outside the family crypt had been moved there. She knew the Lestrange family had not had any ties to the country before the war, yet now they did.

She passed by both her sons' rooms and looked in making sure they were indeed in bed. Part of their punishment was the loss of late night privileges. Both boys were indeed asleep but that did not surprise her, they had quidditch the next day, she would be more concerned closer to Yule that they behaved.

She paused before entering Saiph's room and knocked on the door, "Saiph?" She quietly called out.

"Come in," Saiph replied just as quietly.

Narcissa entered the room and immediately moved to Saiph's side upon seeing tears on the girl's face. Narcissa sat on the bed and took Saiph in her arms.

"What's wrong sweetheart," She asked soothingly, rubbing Saiph's back. Saiph simply held the letter up for Narcissa to take not saying a word. Narcissa held her and read the note over Saiph's shoulder as Saiph clinged to her.

Saiph,

Your father wanted you to be a boy and I was instructed to do away with you by him. I am sure you are smart enough to know what that means. I, however, would never take the life of a pure-blood child, especially a Black. As such I have left you in Germany - a country with no ties to the Lestrange family. Your father believes you dead and I would suggest you keep it that way. I have arranged for you to have a trust fund and inheritance. Do not squander it.

Good Luck,

Bellatrix.

Narcissa sighed at her sister's blunt words and lack of empathy, it was typical of Bellatrix.

"They don't even care," Saiph sobbed into Narcissa's chest. Narcissa quietly rocked the girl and soothed her. She whispered words of care and love to the girl, all the while cursing the Black family in her head. Bellatrix was the perfect product of the maniacal Blacks. Narcissa, being the baby of the family, was often treated as a princess, allowing her to be more emotionally stable.

"Shh," Narcissa soothed. She rocked the girl for close to fifteen minutes before she finally succumbed to exhaustion. Narcissa pulled back the purple down comforter and maneuvered Saiph under the covers. She went into the en-suite bathroom and ran a wash cloth under cool water. She gently ran the cloth over Saiph's face and eyes. She took the offending letter and moved to the lit fireplace and tossed it in. She watched it burn, once again cursing Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and the rest of her cruel family. She moved back to Saiph's side and placed a charm around the bed that would let her know if Saiph started crying again during the night. She placed a kiss on Saiph's forehead before quietly slipping out of the room.

---

Narcissa walked quietly through the halls to her own bedroom, tears forming in her own eyes.

"What's wrong," Vladimir rocketed out of bed and to his wife's side. He gathered her in his arms.

"I am fine, just sad," Narcissa said to calm her husband from storming the house for whatever upset her. Vladimir led his wife to their bed where they sat on edge. Narcissa sighed as she laid her head against his shoulders. She cried for a few more minutes before calming. "She read Bellatrix's letter." Narcissa stated plainly with venom in her voice.

"I take it she didn't have good news?" Vladimir said quietly.

"She told Saiph that Rodolphus wanted her killed for not being a male," Narcissa said with contempt. Vladimir swore under his breath damning the man. "Then she whittled the girl down to nothing more than a continuance of the Black line."

"Your sister better hope I never have the pleasure of arresting her," Vladimir growled.

Narcissa snorted, "She'd better hope I never encounter her again. Saiph thinks they did not care about her. However, Bellatrix showed at least some maternal instinct. She left Saiph at a muggle orphanage and gave Saiph the best chance at life she could. Rodolphus would have killed Saiph if Bellatrix had not sent her away. Still the note was unnecessary, it would have been better to let Saiph wonder."

Vladimir hugged her closer before saying, "I'm not so sure."

"What?" Narcissa pulled back to look at her husband in surprise.

Vladimir shushed her before speaking, "Let me finish?" He implored her and she sighed and gave him a look that said it had better be good. "Saiph would have wondered and possibly emulated Bellatrix in trying to form a bond with her long lost mother. Now she's more likely to pull away from Bellatrix's legacy and definitely Rodolphus'. We will give her a loving, accepting family."

Narcissa nodded and letting out a long suffering groan added, "I don't want her to hate Bellatrix no matter how much my sister might deserve it."

"Then you must explain to her the history of the Black family and how Bellatrix became the way she is," Vladimir said with finality.

"Tomorrow," Narcissa said smiling at her husband, "I'll get up early, I want to be there when she wakes up." Vladimir nodded.

"I'll get the boys up too," Vladimir said with a smirk. "Some early morning laps for their grounding." Narcissa laughed at Vladimir's words.

---

Narcissa true to her word was up around five in the morning with tea brewing. Saiph usually rose early. The boys were up with Vladimir who had them running around their Quidditch pitch. The tea went off but Narcissa was staring into the air.

A small pop was hear, "Mistress, the tea." A small female house elf dressed in a small maid uniform prompted Narcissa.

Narcissa jolted from her stupor, "Thank you, Lobby." She smiled kindly at the elf.

"Will Mistress be needing anything else?" The little elf asked popping the tea and cups on to a tray.

"No, thank you Lobby," Narcissa took the offered tray smiling at the elf. The elf nodded and popped out of the room. Narcissa floated the tray up to Saiph's room and paused as she heard Saiph moving around inside. She knocked on the door waiting for Saiph to answer.

"Aunt Cissy," Saiph said as she opened the door allowing her aunt in.

Narcissa floated the tray over to one of the tables in her room, situated around the fireplace. "Come sit with me," Narcissa said taking Saiph gently by the arm. She led her over to the couch across from the fireplace. "I know asking you if you feel any better will do nothing, so I will not. Just know that I am here for you if you want to talk. For now I want to talk to you about the Black family."

"Why?" Saiph looked confused and a bit angry.

"We were not exactly a loving family," Narcissa said with a wry grin, she would have been angry too.

Saiph really looked confused now and sarcastically replied, "You and Uncle Vlad and Uncle Sirius seem just fine to me."

"Watch your lip, young lady." Narcissa gave her a stern look. Saiph looked suitably chastised but also defiant. Narcissa let it go, knowing the girl was still hurting. "Sirius and I and even your Aunt Andy took a long time to make it to where we are today." Narcissa looked away from Saiph staring into space again.

"We all grew up in the Ancient and Noble House of Black." Narcissa started, focusing back on Saiph. Saiph looked at her, questioning the title. "In Britain there are twenty-eight living families that can be considered Ancient and Noble, meaning they have had magic for centuries upon centuries, dating back to Merlin and Camelot."

"Whoa," Saiph whispered under her breath suitably impressed.

"Harry's family was one too, until James married Lily. However, the Blacks have remained 'pure' this whole time."

"You mean 'pure' as in blood status, right?" Saiph asked.

"Yes. The Blacks have always mixed exclusively with other magical families. They also always believed themselves to be superior to muggles, muggle-borns, and half-bloods. My sisters and cousins were born at a time when prejudice and isolation against and from the muggle world was at an all-time high. We were also raised by very strict and very," Narcissa trailed off looking for an appropriate word. "Violent…parents"

"Abusive?" Saiph clarified.

Narcissa was reluctant to put that label on it, "Somewhat. Bellatrix, Andy and I never really experienced it firsthand. You see, Sirius was the focus of most of the family ire."

Saiph really looked confused now, "I'm confused."

Narcissa sighed, "I'm not doing a very good job at this, am I? To our parents, blood was everything. To illustrate my point, if I, as a child, would have brought up muggles, and asked what was so inferior about them, I would have been cursed for it; most likely a stinging charm and then further punished by reading up on our family history. Understand somewhat?"

"You were raised to believe you were the top of the top, and to not question it at all.." Saiph concluded.

"Yes even among wizards we were taught that our family was the best. Sirius, on the other hand, was different." Narcissa took a sip of tea to try and focus her thoughts. They were running in different directions as she tried to think back on a past she'd worked to forget. "Sirius's greatest attribute and greatest flaw is that he is fearless. Sirius would constantly undermine his parents, and as the heir, his actions were deemed unacceptable. He was constantly punished for his views and that only served to illicit even more rebelliousness out of him. Once he was sorted into Gryffindor the family all but disowned him…myself included, I'm ashamed to say."

"Really?" Saiph asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"I was the youngest of the family and treated like a princess by my father," Narcissa said with a small grin. "I had no reason not to. However, things got worse once Andromeda ran off and eloped with your Uncle Ted." Saiph raised an eyebrow. "Ted is a muggle born and Andromeda was supposed to marry Evan Rosier, a pureblood heir and future Death Eater. It was a business merger that, fortunately for your cousin Nymphadora, Andromeda had no intention of completing."

"After that our parents came down even harder on us. Bellatrix and I cut all ties with Andromeda. They set up marriage contracts for both of us – a shocking contrast to our history. Marriage contracts hadn't been in use since the 1800's, but our parents thought they were necessary."

"How is that any different from Andromeda's supposed marriage?" Saiph asked.

"Andromeda's engagement was an understanding between the two families. Marriage contracts in the magical world are sealed with a spell binding the man and woman's magic to the contract. Breaking the contract would result in the loss of one's magic."

"Somehow I doubt you were bonded to Uncle Vlad?" Saiph said hoping that her aunt had been but already knew that wasn't likely.

"No. I was bound to Lucius Malfoy, a pureblood from a very rich and politically connected family. I thought he was the perfect prince to my fairy tale life," Narcissa said with a bit of a wince. "What he was, was an abusive pig who started abusing me both magically and physically on our wedding night. I went to my parents but they simply said I had to deal with it and to think of the family benefits the marriage brought."

Saiph looked aghast at her aunt's words and pulled her into a hug, "I'm sorry."

Narcissa took comfort in her niece, "Thank you." She pulled back and took another sip of tea. "There was no one I could go to for healing as Lucius would not permit me to go to the hospital and I was no healer. Andromeda, however, had studied to be a healer in school. I dragged my sorry self to her house and she welcomed me with open arms. Ted had to be stuck to his seat so he would not go and kill Lucius. That, more than anything, started to change my attitude towards muggles." Narcissa gave Saiph a soft smile that turned back to a grimace as the memory passed.

"You see magical marriage contracts cannot be broken unless the terms of the contract were violated and beating me was not a violation."

"And my mother's contract?" Saiph asked.

"Was much the same" Narcissa said in answer, "Rodolphus Lestrange was the heir to the Lestrange family. They, as you can tell from your Gringotts papers, hold many, many, businesses. They were also raging pureblood maniacs much like Bellatrix herself."

"My mum really believed all that?" Saiph asked quietly.

"Yes she and our cousin Regulus, Sirius's younger brother, were the most vocal about pureblood supremacy in our family. Bellatrix was encouraged by our parents in her studies in the Dark Arts and her involvement in pureblood politics. Rodolphus was cruel even in school and Bellatrix embraced him and his ways. They both joined the Death Eaters straight out of school and even invited the Dark Lord to their wedding. This vaulted Bellatrix into the role of golden girl of the Black family and she relished it."

"So then why did she drop me off at a muggle orphanage?" Saiph asked.

"I believe she did it to protect you," Saiph looked like she wanted to protest. Narcissa held up a hand to stop her. "A male heir is very important to all pureblood families; it's the only way to ensure the line continues. Had Draco been born a girl, I'm certain Lucius would have done much the same. In fact, Lucius cursed me so I would not be able to have any more children after Draco was born a boy."

"What?" Saiph asked, surprise coloring her tone.

"He did not want any competition between male children." Narcissa said quietly, grief making her voice heavy.

"So he cursed you from having any children? That's insane!" Saiph yelled, her anger was almost palpable, and her hair had exploded into a vibrant red.

"Yes I am quite sure he qualifies for that description." Narcissa said with a humorless laugh.

"What happened to him, your ex?" Saiph asked still angry.

"Well the Head of the Family and only the Head, can cancel a marriage contract. And Sirius did."

"I thought you said he was disowned?" Saiph was confused now.

"Not formally - you see his father Orion was not quite as ruled by his passions as Walburga," Saiph couldn't help it and giggled at the name. Narcissa shared a smile with the girl. "He made Regulus the primary heir but since it was a time of war he added Sirius back in as a secondary heir. He wanted the Black family to live on and his foresight was proven true. Regulus joined the death eaters straight out of school and by then the war was in full swing. Something happened to turn Regulus against the Dark Lord and he was killed for it, thus, Sirius became the heir once again."

Narcissa paused and finished her tea, "On the night the Potters were killed and Harry survived the Killing Curse, Lucius felt the Dark Lord fall through the mark."

Saiph interrupted, "Mark?"

"They left that out of the books?" Narcissa asked.

"No, but it's only a few mentions – no details." Saiph said.

Narcissa sighed as she contemplated the true significance of the Dark Mark. "The Dark Mark is a green tattoo – a magical tattoo of a skull with a snake coming out of the mouth like a tongue. The Dark Lord was a powerful sorcerer, and imbued each tattoo with a runic base, very similar to a Protean charm that allowed the Dark Lord to communicate with his followers. In order to be marked, you had to participate in a raid, which usually involved murders and torture."

"So anyone who had one was pretty much a really bad person," Saiph concluded, belying her young age.

"Essentially. Saiph. If you ever see that mark, do not hesitate to get far away from the person or area you've seen it." Narcissa said and picked her story back up. "Lucius felt his fall and decided to get rip roaring drunk and started in on myself and then Draco. I'd had enough by this point, so I cursed him and knocked him out. I took Draco, packed a bag and went to Andromeda's - after I got there Sirius showed up, banging on the door with Harry in his arms. He told us what had happened and intended on leaving Harry with Andromeda to hunt down the Potters' betrayer. Andromeda convinced him to stay and I was able to convince Sirius to take his rightful role as Head of the Family. I turned evidence on Lucius which got him arrested; violating my marriage contract and Sirius annulled it after we took all of Lucius' money." Narcissa had a vindictive smile on her face which made Saiph realize that her family could be pretty crazy.

"We came here to Bulgaria because the Krum family were allies of the Blacks, but not a dark family. Sirius accused of murdering the Potters and I needed to get far away from Lucius, so it was the only logical place to escape to. The Bulgarian government thankfully cleared Sirius of his charges."

"Isn't he still wanted in Britain though?" Saiph asked.

"Yes which is part of the reason Bulgaria has cut some ties with Britain. They see it as an insult to their Auror corps. And all of that leads us to where we are now."

"Thank you. For the explanation. This, this is gonna take some time to process," Saiph said uncertainly.

"Of that I have no doubt, my dear. I simply wanted to help you to understand your mother and our family. No matter how much we may dislike their actions, they are still linked to us by blood." Narcissa stood and gave Saiph a kiss on her forehead. "Now I believe you expressed an interest in training with the boys?" Saiph nodded emphatically. "Good. Vladimir wants to start today, so change into something comfortable." Narcissa left her charge and paused, leaning against the door to Saiph's room. She sighed heavily shedding a few tears before she lifted her chin and cleared her face. She would not allow her family's past to dictate her life.

---

Harry woke bright and early Christmas morning and quickly changed into a pair of jeans, his boots, and a black button down shirt. He grabbed his black pea coat and scarf and rocketed down the stairs to the kitchen. Sirius was waiting for him with similar attire, a bouquet of black roses laid next to him.

"Hey Pup," He said quietly. Harry nodded to the man and pulled a bowl of cereal to him. He added the milk and ate as Sirius looked at the newspaper. Meanwhile, Dobby tinkered quietly around them as they sat in silence. Once Harry finished his cereal, Sirius nodded, and stood, clearing his throat. "Ready?" the older man said, his voice baring hints of tension.

"Yeah," Harry nodded. Sirius brought out his wand and changed both his and Harry's hair to blond. Sirius's eyes changed to a deep brown while Harry's changed to blue. Sirius did not change any of their facial structures, as Harry had chosen to go through a magical adoption by Sirius when he was six. As a result, Sirius's genes were added to both James and Lily's. Harry lost his glasses and his features became sharper.

The changes would help to disguise the pair as they went to visit the graves of James and Lily Potter. It had become a tradition for Harry and Sirius, who went every year at different major dates, sometimes Christmas or James or Lily's birthdays, and before Harry started school, Halloween. Visitors to the graves of the Potters were common, but that did not stop Dumbledore and the Ministry from placing watchers in anticipation of a visit from Sirius Black. They had yet to catch the pair at any of their visits, and this was due in part to Dobby. Instead of Apparating or using a portkey, Dobby would teleport them to and from the graveyard – thus preventing the pair's magical signatures from lingering in the area.

"Sirs' ready?" Dobby asked solemnly, the little elf had dressed in a black suit for today. Sirius and Harry nodded, each taking one of Dobby's hands. With a brief nod of his head, the little elf whisked them away from Bulgaria.

As the trio arrived at the snowy little graveyard in Godric's Hollow, Harry felt his breath taken away at the shock of the landing - he stumbled, losing his footing and nearly fell into the snow, but was quickly stabilized by Sirius. Harry nodded his thanks. His history with apparition - human or elven - always seemed to be shaky. Something about having your entire physical being de-materialized and then re-materialized in a completely different location made for a rather rough landing.

"You and apparition," Sirius muttered and Harry cracked a grin. The pair took a moment to take in their surroundings; observing the quiet snowfall and embracing the crisp wintery breeze. Almost as if they were synchronized, they both started walking through the snow covered cemetery. As they slowly trudged through the deepening piles of snow, they covered a familiar path that they'd used many times in Harry's 11 years. As they walked, Harry's mind turned back to a time, a few short years ago, when Sirius had introduced the names of the many families buried in Godric's Hollow.

They finally came to a halt in front of the Potter grave. The headstone was a thick marble slab, covered in a light dusting of snow that glistened in the early morning light. Harry knelt and swept the snow off of the slab, tracing the carved names of his parents as he did so. Sirius stood looking from the grave to Harry with tears in his eyes and silently cast a charm to obscure their words. His best friends, his real family, were buried in the ground below him. Harry placed the flowers down on the grave.

"Mum, Dad," Harry was smiling despite his sadness. "I made it into Durmstrang and I'm already in advanced runes and fourth year DADA." Harry's voice was laced with pride. Sirius smiled as Harry talked quietly, he knew Lily would be proud of Harry's accomplishments. "I made the under eighteen Bulgarian team too," Harry's smile widened.

"And he's managed to prank three of the Bifrost Ally shops," Sirius said with a grin. "Not even we managed something like that. I miss you brother. And you were right Lils. I still haven't found a woman who'll put up with me yet." Harry snorted at his guardians words. They lingered for a while more, Sirius remembering and Harry wishing for his parents.

"Ready to go, sirs'?" Dobby said, popping back into existence and reminding them they were due at the Krums.

Sirius looked to Harry who nodded, "Yeah, Dobby. Take us away." Dobby popped them out of England and back to Bulgaria.

---

"How was your visit?" Narcissa asked pulling Harry into a fierce hug, as she always did after the pair came back from Godric's Hollow.

"It was. Good," Harry said with smile.

"The memorial's gotten bigger," Sirius added from behind Harry. Narcissa released her nephew and pulled Sirius into a hug that was returned with equal strength. The two cousins hugged for over minute, Sirius hiding his tears in Narcissa's shoulders. They separated and Narcissa gave Sirius a sympathetic look to which Sirius gave a small smile.

"Alright then! Enough mushy stuff, let's open presents," Sirius broke the tension.

Narcissa shook her head and looked to the sky, "Lily help me. I'll never be rid of him." Harry started laughing loudly and Sirius cuffed him on the head leading him to the family room where the rest of the Krums were located.

"Harry!" Saiph was happy to see her cousin. Apparently grounding meant the three boys weren't allowed to visit each other. Harry gave his cousin a hug before being pulled into manly one-armed hugs from Draco and Viktor. Saiph rolled her eyes at the boys' actions.

"What about me?" Vladimir asked from his spot by the tree. Harry moved over to his uncle who pulled him to a strong hug, "Okay?" Vladimir asked simply.

"Yeah, thanks" Harry replied with a grateful nod and smile. His cousins gave him sympathetic looks but that was it. Draco and Viktor knew Harry did not like to dwell on the subject, and it was bad enough that his parents' killer was going to come back – one day – likely for him.

"Moving on," Vladimir said. "Sort."

With that one word and a swish of his wand the presents flew from under the decked out tree, to each persons' seat. Saiph was pleasantly surprised by the amount of presents she had.

"Who wants to go first?" Narcissa asked.

"ME!" Sirius shouted; surprising only Saiph. Narcissa looked to the sky once more and let out an exasperated sigh while rolling her eyes as her three boys laughed.

"Fine. The oldest goes first," Narcissa quipped and Sirius pouted but then ripped into his presents like a four-year-old. Saiph laughed at the disappointed face he made when he pulled out socks. From there, Sirius got a new helmet for his bike from Harry. It was a sleek, black piece with a professionally carved Grim drawn into the front. The rest of his gifts included a pair of Lucky Charms boxers from Draco while Viktor opted for Rudolph ones. Narcissa gave him a 'get out of jail free' pass that he could cash in the next time he managed to royally piss her off. Most of Sirius's presents were gag gifts - not that the man showed any sign of caring. In fact, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy them. Saiph had gone with her cousins' advice and gave the man a pair of bright pink fuzzy bunny slippers that squeaked when he walked. She thought they were daft until the grown man put them on as soon as he opened the package.

Vladimir went next, and his gifts were more of a more serious or sensible nature; ranging from a pair of platinum cuff links with the Krum crest from his wife, to a new dragon hide wand holster from Harry. Narcissa followed Vladimir receiving a vacation for two in the Bahamas from Vladimir. Draco and Viktor went in together to get their mother a day at a magical spa earning them both enough hugs and kisses to embarrass them.

"Harry did you do this yourself?" Narcissa asked with excitement lacing her tone. She had just unwrapped a mahogany jewelry box. It had Norse runes carved into the woodwork for protection from fire and theft.

"It was my runes midterm," Harry said with a smile.

"It's wonderful," Narcissa said with a large smile. Saiph gave her aunt a pair of muggle sunglasses; she had expressed an interest in Saiph's pair. With an uncharacteristically gleeful cackle, Narcissa put them on and her eyes were hidden from view. Her mouth quirked into the tiniest of evil smirks, prompting laughter and grins from her family.

Vladimir snorted, "She'll scare the living hell out of the ministry. Her eyes were the only thing that occasionally gave her away." Narcissa smirked in an entirely Slytherin way. Sirius gave Narcissa a fabulously carved broach in the shape of a toad. The boys snickered while Narcissa pursed her lips at Sirius. The only reason she didn't make him fork over the pass she just gave him was because Saiph was laughing. Viktor opened his gifts next resulting in a vast array of quidditch equipment and posters of his favorite team. Viktor was also given a gold necklace with a small representation of the Excalibur.

"Alright Saiph, you're next love." Narcissa said sitting forward in her seat and turning to her niece. Saiph looked at the mound of presents and was a bit daunted by the size. She had only ever gotten a present, maybe two (if she was lucky) in previous years. She carefully slit the packaging of the first present, but was rudely torn away by a groan.

"Ughhh…Great. She's like Draco," Harry sighed. "Perfectly opens everything."

"Don't complain just because you're the baby and have to go last," Draco snarked back. Saiph smiled at Draco and then stuck her tongue out at Harry. Saiph got a whole new wardrobe with clothes fitting a girl of noble ancestry such as theirs, from Vladimir, Narcissa, and Sirius. From Nymphadora, she got a focusing crystal with a little note describing its use.

Harry recognized it when Saiph pulled it out, "Tonks used to use that to practice her metamorph abilities."

"Yes. Those are usually given to children with many bouts of accidental magic. The goal is to light the crystal up with whatever color you choose and to hold it there," Vladimir explained.

"Dora said it mimicked the same magic she used to hold a change," Narcissa explained to Saiph.

"Cool," Saiph said looking it over and going back to her gifts. From Harry she received copies of three of her favorite muggle books. Draco gave her a photo album for wizarding pictures, and Viktor finished it out by giving her a crystal globe that projected the many stars of the galaxy into a dark room; astronomy had become one of her favorite subjects.

Draco followed Saiph and painstakingly opened every one of his presents and then perfectly folded the wrappers. Harry's glare could have burned a hole in Draco's skull. As it was, he could feel his magic rising and trying to respond. Harry took a deep breath and flexed his fingers, and then focused on counting his breaths the way Artemisia practiced with him. It worked and his magic calmed despite Viktor's chuckling at his brothers' actions.

Narcissa though had caught Harry's look and reprimanded Draco, "Draco." She snapped calmly staring at her son. Draco hurried himself along though all the paper remained intact and folded just faster. Draco like Viktor had some of his quidditch gear replaced; though he didn't need as much. The reason being; Viktor's size made him more of a target on the pitch, and thus collisions with players and bludgers alike were far more common for the tallest of the three boys. Draco also received an assortment of rare potion ingredients from his godfather, whom he had only exchanged letters with since they moved to Bulgaria and received a similar necklace to Viktor's, from his parents. It was a gold carved representation of the Black Family crest, on a thin golden chain.

"Finally," Harry muttered as Draco put the necklace on.

Sirius let out of bark of laughter as Harry tore into his first present much like Sirius had. Narcissa shook her head at the display but smiled as a large grin was brought to Harry's face. He had just opened a signed poster of the Vratsa Vultures. Prominently displayed in the poster was the Vultures first female player; a recent Durmstrang graduate, Nina Koleva. Harry's next package contained – like the other two boys – replacement quidditch gear. He also received a few movies and music albums.

"What?" Harry asked as he opened the tiny package from Sirius. He didn't care about the size of the package; he was confused by the content - a key. Sirius laughed loudly at the puzzled look on his godson's face. "Are you going to keep laughing, or tell me what it is?" Harry asked a bit of annoyance coloring his tone.

Sirius nodded, "Cool your jets. It's a key to your very own dirt bike," Sirius said with a flourish. Narcissa let out a shriek while Viktor and Draco clambered to put their own bids in to ride it. Saiph watched it all with a grin and laughed aloud when she saw Vladimir try to duck out of the room only to be pulled back by his wife.

"Sirius!" Narcissa's voice came out in shrill reprimand.

"What?" Sirius defended himself. "It's kid sized and he has a helmet and pads for it."

Narcissa went to talk but closed her mouth at Vladimir's nudge. She glared at the five males before saying, "Fine. But if you break anything riding it, you will not be getting healed. And you will be the ones telling Coach Popov, Merlin help you." That took the some of the wind out of the sails of the boys.

"Alright," Vladimir called them all to attention. "We have one more gift for you all," he said to the four kids. "And despite your grounding you'll be allowed to go." He handed an envelope to Draco knowing Harry and Viktor were liable to tear the contents in their haste.

Draco slit the envelope open and dropped the contents into his hands, "Sweet!" Draco for once lost his reserve and let out a whoop. "Tickets to the Vratsa Vultures game against the Montana Manticores!" The two other boys let out a shout of delight. Saiph looked confused and looked to Narcissa for an explanation.

"The Vultures are their favorite team and the Montana Manticores are their biggest in-country rivals." Narcissa explained with a bit of excitement in her tone, she didn't help raise three quidditch mad boys without some enjoyment of the sport. "It will be your first professional game." Narcissa smiled at her niece, "And trust me it will be a good one."

"Tickets for the whole family for tomorrow's game. The Tonks are coming with us to the Ball tonight and then to the game tomorrow." Vladimir said explaining the amount of tickets the boys counted. The boys proceeded to start chanting the Vratsa fight song. Saiph looked at her cousins in amazement; she had never seen them act like that even during school matches.

"Now boys help Saiph take her presents to her room," Narcissa said. "Once everything's been cleaned up, you're free until five o'clock. That's when you need to start getting ready!" She finished in a yell as the boys were already levitating piles of Saiph's clothes up the stairs.

"We need to practice," Harry said turning to Saiph when they finished helping her. "Do you want to come with us to the pitch and get more comfortable in the air or stay here?" He asked.

"I'll come with you guys," she confirmed. "I rather like flying. It's a rush." She finished with a grin.

"If you think it's fun on a broom just wait 'til Uncle Sirius takes you up on his bike," Viktor replied grinning.

"His bike?" Saiph asked.

"Uncle Sirius rigged his motorcycle to fly and because it's Sirius," Draco chipped in, "the bike goes beyond the regulated speeds used in racing brooms. Change and we'll meet you on the pitch." The boys left Saiph's room and took off for their own rooms; Harry had a designated guest room for himself. They quickly changed into their quidditch gear eager to break in their new equipment. They raced down the stairs and out the solarium doors and down to the Krum quidditch pitch. Each boy grabbed a broom from the broom closet; their back-up brooms, Cleansweep Sixes. The boys had Nimbus 1700's provided by Bulgaria for their matches.

"Animate the dummies Harry," Draco called. "I've got the game balls." Harry went over to the dummies that were charmed by Sirius to act as players. He charged the runes Narcissa laid on them for when the adults were not around to control them. Harry's seemingly infinite supply of power allowed them to stay powered for long amounts of time. The wooden dummies animated, flying up to take positions around the pitch.

Harry turned to the others; Saiph had joined them, and wiggled his eyebrows, "Just call me the energizer bunny."

Saiph snorted while Viktor shook his head, "That was bad Harry, even for you." Saiph and Draco laughed while Harry pouted.

"Here Saiph, it's a Comet 260. It might not look pretty but it's on the same level as the school brooms. Good to lean on," Viktor said handing it over. "If you stay above the hoops you should be fine, but it doesn't hurt to pay attention. We'll have two bludgers running wild so stay above play." Saiph nodded and took off into the air slowly but gaining speed. She was bundle in winter clothes whereas the boys just had on their quidditch robes.

Viktor took off into the air and set up on the left side of Harry. Draco kicked open the ball crate and sent the bludgers in the air. He unlocked the quaffle and levitated the box off to the side and then flew up on his broom to the right side of Harry. The opposing dummy chasers took their marks.

"Go!" Harry commanded and the quaffle shot into the air and the boys shot towards it as the dummies did. Viktor cut off a dummy to grab the quaffle and passed to Harry who shot forward beyond the dummies. He turned and ducked under the wooden arm of dummy. Another dummy shot into Harry's side once and then twice. Harry pulled back as the dummy went to ram him again. The dummy shot past him and Harry threw a long pass down to Draco. Draco ducked a dummy and immediately shot scoring past the dummy goalie.

"Whoo! Nice shot!" Saiph called from her vantage point. She hadn't seen quidditch like this before. The school matches were not nearly as fast paced or as brutal. The dummies held nothing back against the boys. They continued on in this fashion for almost three hours before a silvery dog interrupted them.

"Boys, Saiph, time to come back and get ready!" Sirius' voice rang from the dog's mouth.

"Stop!" Harry called and the dummies fell back to the ground. Draco took care of the quaffle while Harry and Viktor rounded up the bludgers, albeit a bit painfully. Saiph was still staring at the space where the silver dog was.

"What was that?" She asked as she flew down.

"That was a Patronus Charm," Harry said with a smile. "It's created using happy memories and feelings. You use it to drive off Dementors."

"Demen-what?" Saiph asked.

"Dementors are a magical creature, some even say a demon," Draco cut in. "They guard the English wizarding prison of Azkaban. They're also native to Greenland, Iceland, and the Scandinavian countries, and they create an aura of deep depression and cold when they're around. They can also perform what is called a Dementor's kiss can suck your soul out and leave you hollow." Draco spoke quietly with revulsion lacing his tongue.

"They are evil creatures," Viktor said with hatred in his tone. "You should hope to never meet one. They kill indiscriminately and Voldemort used them in his war."

"But the Patronus thing talked," Saiph questioned.

"Dumbledore," Harry sneered the name which earned him a look of question from Saiph, "developed a variation of the charm to communicate messages. Most Death Eaters lack the ability for some reason or other to cast a Patronus."

"Most of the books say Dumbledore is a great wizard," Saiph said, hoping to not offend her cousins.

"Dumbledore is a fraud and a meddling fool. He had been manipulating my parents and the Order of Phoenix for some time before the war ended. He was more than magically powerful enough to end Voldemort before he began but thought the man could be redeemed. Y'know, throughout the war, he refused to do anything but take prisoners. People lost their lives because of his inaction." It was Draco that gave the surprisingly volatile speech, his usual unaffected tone gone.

"He was a friend and colleague of Gellert Grindelwald before he turned on him," Viktor added with hate lacing his voice. Saiph ruminated on their words while they made their way into the kitchen. The boys stripped their quidditch gear off and left it in the mud room off to the side. Saiph grabbed a quick sandwich and moved to get ready only to stop and turn at the loud groan.

"Why do I have three boys," Narcissa groaned as she looked the boys over. Saiph laughed when she realized the problem. Viktor looked okay except his shoulder was bruised rather violently. Draco had a bust lip that would look better once cleaned but Harry had a rather ugly shiner on the left side of his face.

"Harry put some ice on that now," Narcissa snapped. "Saiph, let's go get ready! Dora and Andy are already upstairs." On the way out of the kitchen she mumbled, "Merlin help you, Harry, if that's still swollen by tonight."

The boys waited until they knew she was long gone before they burst into helpless laughter. Harry took the offered ice from Lobby and placed it on his bruised faced. Lobby handed Draco a warm towel to wipe the blood from his face, and then she stuck some ice to Viktor's shoulder.

"Thanks Lobby," The three boys intoned with mirth in their voices.

"Little Sirs will make Mistress gray early," The little house elf muttered before leaving them to their lunch.

"Ello boys," Ted called as he came into the kitchen.

"Uncle Ted," They each called with smiles. He started laughing once he got a good look at them.

"Practice go well," He asked them chuckling.

"Yep, broke in our gear. Thanks for the shin guards." Harry said. The two other boys added their thanks.

"Look alive mates!" Sirius called coming in the door and tossing three packages at the boys. "Uncle Remus wishes you a happy Christmas but is in the middle of Mali working with a shaman."

"Stupid laws," Draco muttered. "Did he get our gifts?"

"Yep right before they left for another tribe. Ares is damn good," Sirius whistled.

"So what did he give you?" Vladimir asked. Draco was given a bunch of tribal mask worn by shamans; Remus got him one from every tribe he visited. Viktor got a wicked looking curved sword and Harry received a set of daggers. "Right those are going in the training room." Vladimir banished the weapons from their hands.

"Aw come on," Harry and Viktor complained. Draco snickered at them.

"You boys had better stay out of trouble tonight," Vladimir said as they gulped down their food.

"We know, we know, 'Be on our best behavior. There's important people who can't take a prank'." The boys said robotically. Ted and Vladimir turned to Sirius with looks of disbelief.

"What?" He exclaimed. "I didn't tell them to say that. They figured that one out all on their own." They looked at the boys for confirmation.

"Yeah we learned that when we left those spiders in Mrs. Zlatinski's desk," Harry said. Viktor and Draco absently nodded their heads as they started in on the dessert left for them.

"Isn't that your boss's secretary?" Ted asked Vladimir.

"Yes and they were five so it was somewhat excusable then," Vladimir said with little humor as he remembered the screeching old hag could be heard three floors down. Sirius shivered as he too remembered the screams.

Ted laughed loudly before switching topics, "Come on. There's a rugby match on."

---

"Want to dance Saiph?" Harry asked with the infamous Potter grin, holding out his hand to his cousin.

"You know I still suck at it," she said, taking his hand regardless of her apprehension. It did look like fun and Draco and Viktor had already been roped into dancing with two daughters of a prominent Bulgarian family. They both attended Vestal Academy much to Tonks' amusement. Tonks had been asked to dance by Simeon, leaving Harry and Saiph alone.

"It's all in the leading," Harry laughed, pulling Saiph on the dance floor. Harry and Saiph waltzed around the dance floor without a care for their steps. Harry made Saiph forget about her unease in dancing as they weaved in between people, usually making the people stumble at the sudden appearance of the two.

"Harry, Saiph!" Their names were called by a familiar voice. They turned to see their Headmaster calling them over. Harry led Saiph off the dance floor and was struck in place by the girl sitting at his Headmaster's table. She was dressed in a light purple slivery dress and had a halo of silvery blond hair. Her bright blue eyes were staring out at the crowd with a guarded expression. To Harry, she looked like an angel.

"Harry?" Saiph asked giving him a push forward since he stopped dead. He shook his head clearing his thoughts and put on his grin as they came to the table.

"Headmaster, ma'am," He greeted Hardrada and Artemisia. Saiph did the same and waited for the Headmaster to speak. Both Harry and Saiph moved to stand at attention in front of their Headmaster.

"Artemisia here wanted to introduce you to her sister," Headmaster Hardrada said gesturing to the others at his table. A woman with a striking resemblance to Artemisia and a short but powerful looking man stood, as did Harry's angel. "Are your cousins around?"

Harry grinned and whistled loudly making the people around him jump and glare at the boy. Harry's grin widened at the looks. Saiph noticed the girl that was their age, seemed annoyed by Harry's whistle. Harry waved his cousins over and they eagerly took the escape he offered.

They came and stood in front of their headmaster at attention while Hardrada turned to his wife's family. "This is Mr. Potter, the boy Artemisia was discussing with you. And these are his cousins. All four of them show great promise." He was about to introduce the others when his sister-in-law interrupted.

"You neglected to tell us the boy was Harry Potter," Artemisia's sister step forward eyeing Harry with a calculating look. Saiph noticed the woman's daughter zeroed in on the look and narrowed her eyes.

"Why should that matter?" It was Draco that shot back the slightly venomous response. He raised his chin, in what would seem like arrogance but to the cousins was a defense mechanism.

The woman smiled, "It doesn't. I am Apolline Delacour, Artemisia's older sister. My husband, Jean Delacour and my daughter Fleur. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you. I am Harry Potter, and these are my cousins. Saiph Lestrange," he presented Saiph forward. She shook her hands with the trio despite their stiffening at her last name. She was surprised when Fleur smiled at her despite the cool reception she was giving Harry. "Viktor Krum," Harry said next gesturing to the eldest of the four cousins. He was still standing ramrod straight and nodded while shaking hands with the three. "And Draco Black-Krum." Draco accepted their hands with distrust in his eyes; he didn't like Apolline's use of Harry's name.

"They're also tutoring Erik in quidditch which is where I presume the split lip and black eye came from," Artemisia said hoping to diffuse some of the tension.

Harry the friendlier cousin grinned charmingly, "Of course, we received some new gear for Christmas. We had to break it in."

"They play for Bulgaria's under-eighteen team," Headmaster Hardrada spoke.

"So they can sit on a broom for hours? Oh how charming." Fleur said sarcastically. She knew the look her mother gave the green eyed boy in front of her; she was eyeing him as a match for Fleur. She intended to do away with that notion quite speedily; a quidditch mad wizard was not high on her list, not even if he was the boy-who-lived.

A/N:

So I apologize for the long wait but my brother lost his battle with addiction and mental health. He passed away at the beginning of March. I'm doing a bit better now so hopefully you won't be waiting as long for the next chapter.

Thanks,

AM