Chapter 7
Orion gaped at his Head of House, after a few seconds he replied: "What? Father was a Marauder? But…he…he's not a rule breaker! He…he told me to behave? What?"
McGonagall couldn't help but grin at his reaction and said: "Your father was the biggest mischief maker Hogwarts has ever had, along with Mr. Potter as well of course. Well of course being a father must have changed His Grace's views on the matter, also the loss of his best friend, your godfather James, probably made him want to forget everything about the past."
Orion said quietly" "I never thought of it that way..."
"I wouldn't expect you to" McGonagall said "Duke Black is your father after all, It his hard for you to see his weakness on the matter."
"Thank You Professor, I really appreciate you telling me this." Orion said with a smile on his face.
"You're welcome Mr. Black, now go back to your dormitory, It's getting late."
Orion left the office and went back to the common room to find Neville and Draco pale faced sitting by the fire. He sat by them and asked: "What did your parents say?"
Neville spoke up first: "Gran was furious, I'm banned from leaving the tower unless I have classes or meals."
Draco said quietly: "They tried to convince Dumbledore to change my house, they even settled for Ravenclaw if It was more convincing than Slytherin but to no avail, The headmaster agreed to none. He said that I am a true Gryffindor that's why the hat put me here. Anyway, they couldn't abuse me here so they'll probably disown me If I ever do any Gryffindorish act again."
Orion: "And you will! You're a Gryffindor by heart! It wouldn't matter anyway because I insist you go to my place during the holidays! Anyway I have great news guys! News that's going to put that frown upside down!"
Neville: "What is it Orion?"
Orion grinned widly and said: "Guess who the marauders really are?"
Draco and Neville looked at each other as if wanting the answer from the other and then said: "Who?"
Orion answered: "Well, Prongs was my godfather James Potter, Moony is Remus Lupin, Wormtail is the traitor Peter Pettigrew, and…here's the best part…Padfoot is the one and only Duke of Hampshire, Sirius Black!"
Draco and Neville were absolutely gobsmacked! They gaped for what seemed like forever at Orion and then exclaimed: "You have got to be kidding me!"
Orion just laughed sheepishly and said: "Well that makes me heir to the marauders! And You my friends, along with me, are going to be the next generation marauders!"
They both nodded happily as they beamed at him. Orion then told them that Prof. McGonagall is the one who told him this and that his Father is totally against it. They couldn't understand why.
The next day arose, the trio went down to the Great Hall for breakfast along with Hermione Granger. They sat at their house's table and started discussing their upcoming potions class with the Hufflepuffs. As they talked, Orion noticed that everyone in the great hall was peeking at him every once in a while and whispering about him.
"Do I have something on my hair" Orion asked Draco as he swayed his silky black hair.
"No, but face it they're going to talk about you all the time and you know why!" Draco said in-a-matter-of-fact way.
"Why? Why would they talk about him?"asked Hermione
"Well, when we introduced ourselves we forgot to tell you a little detail about Orion" Neville replied
"And what is it?" asked Hermione
"Well, Hermione, I'm not actually a normal student, I am, well… royalty!" Orion said hesitantly
"Yeah Hermione, Orion is the son of Sirius Black, Duke of Hampshire and his wife Duchess of Hampshire." Draco added.
"What? You're the son of a Duke? That means you'll be a Duke when you grow up! You're part of the royal family!"Hermione exclaimed!
"Well, this is all very true, but Hermione, all I really want right now, is to be a normal student and have real friends not just people who want to be friends of the future Duke." Orion explained.
"Orion! I wanted to be your friend before I knew you were royalty! I only care about the person you are and not the title you have." Hermione said hastily and truthfully.
Orion smiled at his friend and told her: "I know that Hermione, and we're going to be great friends, I promise."
