when life looks you in the eye and growls, its fighting for dominence. Look back, bear your teeth and growl back. If you let it take dominince, you will never take over your own destiny and insted be at the whims of fate.

-----------------------------------------

Chapter 8: Off of shoulders so young

Harry took a moment to compose him-self. His eyes had misted up and a fine trimmer had infected his hands, causing him to clutch them into fists to hide the shaking.

"I know you wish some time to digest all you have been learning, but we must proceed with the last two. These are not so long and somewhat straight forward. Do you think you can continue?" The goblin asked. Belaying his races temperament, the small creature knew that this was hard on the young wizard.

"Let's finish." Harry lifted his head, his eyes shining bright. "I have a thousand things to do, and little time to do it in. Please, continue."

With a small smile, only showing the barest hint of razor teeth, the goblin placed the Black Will Cup in place of Lilly's and opened it.

Small wisps of smoke curled out of the small stone receptacle, creating an atmospheric effect.

Wocha, pup? Sirius Black's voice boomed out. Normally I'd be the first one to open my big mouth, but I figure that by the time you get around to actually viewing this, you will more then likely be more interested in your parents then in lil'ol me.

There is only one thing I have to tell you, about being a Black. Which by the way, you now are one. The last of the Black's.

God, at one time we were as numerous as the Weasleys. Now, you are the last of the line, not counting Tonks, but that doesn't count because she is not of the direct line. Black's voice sounded awfully huffy for a moment.

Aww well, all's well that ends well. Back to the real stuff, along with all the goodies in the Vaults and Properties, you also receive a…guarding ship.

None of us know what it is for, or why, but the fact is we have all, all the Black Males, have been entrusted with a single heirloom, that can never pass to another. The goblin in charge of the Black Vault will give you the particulars.

It's not complicated or very trying, but it is a guarded secret.

Well that's all I have, Pup. Watch after Moony would ya? I know that he will be alone, now that he's the only Marauder left. Know that I am very proud of you.

Always have, all ways will. Bye Pup, Prongslet, stay strong and live life!

It was strange, next to his parents' wills this was some what of a let down. No holographic face had risen up to meet him. But with the shortness of the message what would he be upset about

. It had his godfather all over it, short, and sweet and to the point. It was comforting in its own way, and no amount of visual would have changed it.

Instead of it leaving him feeling emotions that tore him down, it left him feeling refreshed energized as only his godfather could. The bitter taste that had followed him since his godfather's death slowly left the back of his throat.

A weight that he never knew he carried lifted from his shoulders, and Harry unconsciously straitened up.

Mr. Herkendoger took a small box from next to him. Sliding it across the table, it came to rest in front of Harry.

"This is the item which Mr. Black referred to." Mr. Herkendoger said. "Only the Black Heir can retrieve it."

Harry looked at the box, then back at the goblin, then once more to the box.

"He didn't prank it did he?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.

Herkendoger through back his head and laughed. "No, no. This is something that cannot ever be tampered with. Its quiet safe."

Harry just nodded.

His hands gently touched the wood panel inlay. The deep rich color turning deeper as it warmed with his body heat.

Designs of animals were frozen in different acts, some frolicking, some hunting, others just being their natural selves.

Dragons floated among wood caved clouds, birds played at their wing tips. Cats of all sizes and types pounced in the grass. Deer's and Stags grazed quietly in a meadow. Wolves crouched down on the rim of the meadow, watching the deer, their eyes showed more play then intent. Phoenix flew close to the carved sun.

A small inset latch graced the front, the crest of Black faming it.

Without hesitation, Harry opened the box.

Inside, laid in crushed velvet, was a ring.

"That is the Black family ring. With it, comes all responsibility and inherited powers of the family. By wearing it, you take on the mantle of Black." Herkendoger said. His eyes were intent.

Harry just smiled. "I guess I'll be adding some extra names to my last. Aww well, the more the merrier!" Hi picked up the ring and slid it onto his left pinky.

Immediately the ring resized, fitting his finger to perfection. Looking at it he new it would never come off, at least not till the next generation was there to take it from his hand.

The more he looked at it, the more he was entrapped by it. Small trickles of magic made its way from the ring into his body, binding with his core. Information, generations of it, lodged in his subconscious.

Harry closed his eyes as he assimilated it all. A small smile playing at his lips as bits of the memories caught his attention.

After a few minutes the young boy opened his eyes.

The change was subtle, hardly noticeable, but to a well-trained eye you could see it. The slight darkening of the iris, the small lines of silver that shot out from the pupil to the edges of the iris deepened the color to the deepest of the emerald. A slightly darker ring of silver outlined his eye color now, almost giving it the eerie glowing quality.

"So the new house of Black begins." Herkendoger said, bowing slightly in his chair.

"So will it begin." Harry repeats slightly, his mouth twisting in wary amusement.

"One more, I believe?" Harry asked, his gaze turning to Mr. Weed.

"Albus wanted you to know he was sorry for the mistakes he had made, to forgive him if you could." Mr. Weed said positioning the last cup on the table.

Albus's voice filled the chamber.

Harry, my boy. I'm sorry for all the danger we have put you through, the torment and the betrayal. Not many grown Wizards have your fortitude. Not many could make it through half of what you have faced in a single year. Yet you keep coming back, keep taking up the mantle and forging ahead to meet the challenge.

I have no issue and since my brother's last run in with a goat…well I have no problems about leaving you with all my worldly goods. Every thing. Down to the last lemon drop!

Now I know you worry about Ron and his family, don't worry; I have set something up already for them. Now, don't go moping around, there are thousands of things to do and very little time to do them dear boy, and I have every confidence you will find a way to enjoy every minute of it. Enjoy life, take a breather, and remember, in the darkest of nights, light still shines if you look hard enough for it! Now on to the next great adventure!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Longer then the others, but the storie is finaly starting to get rolling to my liking! Reviews are welcome!