Hiya Everyone! Yep, I've finally got round to updating this. Would have been up sooner but have had no time recently and then this bugger of a cold... still got it actually but am better now and managed to get round to completing this chapter!

As always please read and review and note that any and all flamers will be thrown on the fire and burned!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Harry Potter and all related characters, places, features belong to J. K. Rowling.

Any OCs belong to me though.

Warnings: There will be SLASH pairings, bi-sexual people and heterosexual pairings. NO actual details of sexual scenes. Will be implied. Implied past/possible mpreg. If any of this doesn't appeal or offends then don't read.

Manipulative Dumbledore. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Molly and Dumbledore Bashing.

Key:

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

Flashbacks

~Parseltongue~

Without further rambling here it is:-

Chapter Eight:

After several moments which felt like hours, Andromeda called everyone to order, admonished Sirius' actions and ushered everyone into the house. She shot her daughter a reproachful look as they entered the old farmhouse, where much to her ire they chose to enter the deep beige and red sitting room at the side of the house, rather than the bright sunlit conservatory at the back which was for entertaining and had a much cheerier view to it.

Squeezing his wife's shoulder, Ted gently offered her his support and murmured they should go make tea for everyone. Hurrying away Andromeda's frown was replaced by a large smile, which grew even larger when she saw Jade standing beside a grinning Sirius.

Whilst this occurred everyone else maintained or regained their composure and entered the small but very comfortable room. Jade immediately headed over to the far coach which gave him a view of everyone else in the room, the door and window. Sirius quickly sat beside him, with Kinglsey and Severus Snape heading over to the single armchairs across from them. Mad-Eye, headed over to his usual spot by the fireplace, ignoring the look Tonks gave him for choosing to remain standing. His magical eye spun quickly, looking for any traps or dangers and was surprised that he could not get a proper magic reading on Harry, before his surprise turned to glee that the kid obviously knew how to hide his magical signature.

As the two most alike and paranoid members of the group contemplated and silently tried to puzzle out the enigma before them, they ended up overlooking the one who arrived unnoticed to the scene that Black caused outside, who just slipped into a chair and slumped forwards, in a moment of sheer inelegance from him. Had anyone been paying the usually calm and refined man any attention they would noticed the battle that was warring within him. A battle that had been triggered by the arrival of the one they'd searched so hard for but who this man and unwittingly known and fraternised with for months now, almost two years to be precise.

A small smile tugged his face upwards into a parody of a smile. Unbeknownst to everyone when Kingsley Shacklebolt, Head Auror, had had to cancel his lunch plans because of an incident in the Ministry, he had been utterly crushed. As it was not often he got to meet with his peculiar and shady friend Eric and when he did he always desired to make the most of it. But today, today was special, for he had much he wanted to ask his young friend and much he wanted to do to the man who plagued his dreams. Yet, now that vision of his of him and Eric living together and making a relationship work despite his being in law enforcement and well Eric's obvious disregard for the law, was shattering around him in this house that was the embodiment of family living that he could never have. 'Destined to be alone and become as paranoid as Alastor. Never have any kids or a love to accept me.'

Inside he felt sick, afterall the age between them was significant, he should not be lusting for Eric... er Harry like that. It was morally wrong. Things were difficult enough when it was Eric who he desired but to discover that the one guy he desired and could actually see himself having a future with was also the saviour of the wizarding world was just too much! At the same time he had a pretty good idea of some of the stuff Eric did in the muggle world and couple that with what the public image for Harry Potter and well you had a disaster.

He had stared grimly at what should have been a joyous seen of seeing Sirius tackle his long lost and found godson, he felt resolve harden within him. One which he would keep. He would continue to help guide Eric and to be his friend but he would cut off any romantic notions and regards he had towards the boy. 'Not like Eric could have ever felt the same way for me anyway.' Though he found the idea of Eric being involved with anyone else highly worrying and unlikely, it even seemed unlikely the guy would like him. 'Pity though because that kiss was something else. Merlin, he instigated it!' Stilling and jerking up straight in shock at the image that thought brought to mind, he shifted in his seat, never more grateful that he was wearing loose robes and not those ridiculous tight jeans muggles seemed to prefer these days. 'But on Eric they look beautiful.' Mercifully he was spared these trains of thought by the re-emergence of the couple whose love for one another he envied.

"Okay everyone, tea's ready." The notable too cheerful voice of Andromeda announced, as she and her husband levitated the food and drink in front of them. "How do you like your tea Harry dear?" the aging woman turned to the muggle attired youth, knowing her husband and daughter would see to it the others all had their respective mugs handed to them. At his silence she turned to face him fully, after having handed Alastor his tea and frowned at the man's refusal to sit. She began to ponder and mentally berate herself for not bringing a selection of drinks in with her and prepared to offer him something else instead, believing he did not like tea, when she caught site of the look on his face.

There before her sat Jade, a fierce frosty glare on his face, eyes portraying nothing, body eerily relaxed despite the obvious anger in his face and tension there. Everyone stilled, unsure what had provoked this turn of events.

Tonks and Kinglsey both tensed though for different reasons, each having more personal experience with Jade. Alastor found himself oddly proud of the young man's reaction, figuring where this was heading. Severus was shocked once more and a little afraid as the darkness he could see in that glare was unlike any he'd ever seen with his old master and did not seem out of place on the teens face when it really should have been.

"Do not use that name ever again". The voice was stone cold, tight and perfectly controlled; emotionless. It left no room for argument and was little more than a spoken whisper.

Soft whimpers erupted form the now pale and still form of Sirius Black, eyes staring at his newly found godson in fear and trepidation. The way his eyes were glazing over and his form was shaking was exactly like when he had a flashback to Azkaban or nightmares of that place.

The moment the whimpers began Andromeda had sprung into action, preparing to cast a mild sleeping spell at her cousin and have her husband take him out the room. 'I only hope we can get him out before he hurts or scares the boy.' However, the stony glare Jade sent caused her to stop dead.

The rest of the room also stilled; they watched Jade turn to the broken man and murmur something his ear. Moments later a certain potions professor was completely astounded at how Black had been calmed down without the aid of anything magical.

Had he turned to the man beside him, he would have realised that there was a lot more to that exchange than met the eye. Kingsley, unlike the others, had sensed Jade's magic in use and was well aware that he had used one of his more unusual and unnoticeable spells on his godfather.

Outwardly, Jade remained as calm and unmoving as the Jaded Avenger was famed for, though inwardly his godfather's aura was making him quite nauseous, likewise the failure of the supposed loving and caring people in the room to heal him was making him quite vengeful. 'The one who set out to destroy this man will pay the price.' He vowed and if those present had heard him or knew of his reputation they would be quaking in their boots right about now. As it was far away from this farmhouse, in a castle in Scotland an old man with a long beard sneezed and felt a shiver go down his spine, as though someone had just spat on his grave.

While Jade was still uncertain on his decision to come here and reveal himself to these people, one thing was certain, if he ever decided to vanish, he would take his broken godfather with him. 'Not that he will remain this way for much longer', he smirked darkly, ignoring the shivers from those around him and doing his best not to grin at their obvious fear and discomfort, save for one or two of the more hardened and darkened members.

"Well then, what should we call you?" The forcibly calm and even voice of Ted Tonks broke through the eerie silence and cold that had fallen when Jade spoke for the first time in their presence.

With an icy glint, Jade spoke softly and definitely. "My name is Jade. And Jade it will remain; always". He stared them each down in turn. Neither one of the aurors and ex-spy missed the way his posture was ready for anything they should do.

"Of course, what is your surname then?" Again Ted forced his voice to remain calm and even, though in truth they should of expected Harry to go by a different name and to want to keep said name.

"I have no need for surnames!" The snappish response was.

Ted gulped slightly and decided to remain quiet on the matter. 'Let someone more hardy get the answers'.

"What are your names?" After Jade made this request, Andromeda immediately reddened in shame as such an atrocious oversight and began apologising profusely while introducing everyone. Not realising that mentally Jade was rolling his eyes at her actions.

After meeting the gaze of each person present and calculating their power and possible threat level or ally power, Jade returned his blasé gaze to Andromeda. "I'll take that tea now, milk with two sugars".

Still somewhat socked and dazed, Andromeda did as he requested and went to sit beside her husband and daughter on the settee.

It was not long after before everyone was caught up conversing and eating. However, before too long they were done and once more they returned to the issue at hand; Jade's return.

Sirius sensing where this was going began to shake once more, that is until Jade's hand gently grasped his forearm and he stopped, glaring at the rest of the room with more fire in his eyes than they'd ever seen before. Nodding Jade returned to regard the rest of the room, smirking inwardly at how easy it was to gain his godfather's faith and at what their reactions will be once they realise he can do what they have all failed to do.

"Now boy, what are these conditions of yours?" Barked Mad-Eye in his gruff gravelled voice, adding a sharp tap of his cane for emphasis.

Behind him, Kingsley bit back a groan and shifted in his seat, knowing how Jade would react to being called "boy". 'Well least we can get most of the difficulties out the way at once'.

Quicker than any of them - save one - could see or even begin to track, a chunk of wood just before where Alastor's hand rested on the mantle, blew up. Alsotor could only stare at the teen in front of him, had he been like most of the current up-start Aurors he would have perceived the action as an attack and fired off a round of retaliation curses. Being who he was, despite being the most war-hardened and cruel of the Auror force, he knew the action was only a warning and nothing more. Besides he could not help but feel impressed by the kid's actions and at having his suspicions on the teens muggle identity confirmed. Though he did not move an muscle, seeing as there was a gun pointed directly at him, right between the eyes and Jade's face was unnaturally lethal looking.

What quickly grabbed everyone else's attention though was the expression and stance of Sirius, who stood calmly behind Jade, an unknown wand in his hand and pointed at them above Jade's body, eyes flicking from each of them in turn, ready to fire a spell at the first one of them that did anything that could be perceived as a threat to Jade. The elder Tonks's eyes were wide and round, fear was apparent in their every feature and the way they gripped to each other. Whereas Tonks herself was trying and failing to recall her training for such situations and gaping open-mouthed at the two, though she was half0sure that Jade didn't actually mean any harm but was rather just proving that he could easily be a threat to them and he was in charge.

Severus Snape on the otherhand was cautiously holding onto his wand that was hidden by the longsleeves of his wand and looking as non-plussed as ever, though his mind was raging. 'There's no way this brat can share blood with James Potter. And how the hell did Black get a wand?' Were the more prominent of his thoughts.

Kingsley though on his feet and ready to move should the situation alter for the worse was wondering how he didn't realise the significance of Jade's use of wandless magic that he sensed earlier. He was also unsure as to whether or not reveal his affiliation with Jade in the hopes of negating the situation and bringing some sort of order. 'Damn it, Nymphadora some warning would have been nice!' Though deep down he knew it was not her fault and that even after a brief encounter she could have no idea just how dangerous Eric... er Jade really was.

Even Kingsley didn't know and he'd known Jade's alter for some time now.

'Damn him, every time we meet he pulls some stunt like this!' Kinglsey's eyes sought out Jade's across the room and sagged on the inside when he saw that Jade did not mean any harm and was only imparting a warning into their hearts as he was very prone to doing. He was also wondering what heart failure felt like because he was pretty certain he'd felt it twice now since flooing to the Tonks household today.

Outwardly, much to Jade's annoyance Kinglsey did not react to any of the goings-on and remained as calm as ever.

"Do not call me 'boy'. I am no child. I have probably done more and seen more than most of you can even imagine."

Kingsley felt fear grip his heart at Jade's chilling almost admission. 'Stop, you can't tell them the truth... you've never even told me half the truth'. Kinglsey prepared himself for the onslaught of questions and protests and was surprised when none were forthcoming and even more so when he realised by Alastor's face that he knew who 'Jade' was to the muggle world and even more surprised when he found himself insanely jealous of that fact.

"Of course it wasn't. You've learned how to survive on the streets but not become a murderer. Now onto these conditions."

Kinglsey swallowed hard realising Alastor definitely knew more than him.

But just like that, the crisis was all over and the gun was gone, vanished from sight. Both Jade and Sirius sat back down again, a grin on the latter's face as he drank in everyone's shock and felt his long lost prankster intent resurfacing once again.

"What the hell?" The usually calm Ted Tonks exclaimed. It seemed the elder Tonks couple had finally gotten over their shock and fear. "What is the meaning of all this?"

A derisive snort sounded drew their attention to the silent and snarky potions professor, but surprisingly - or perhaps not so in light of things - it was Sirius who answered.

"That was Jade telling us he doesn't like being called 'boy' or anything of the sort or being treated as a child. That he has the means and know-how to back himself up and does not need babying."

Silence reigned once more. Though apart from the Tonks' everyone else seemed to accept and respect that judgement.

Sirius grinned broadly and added. "I do believe dear Aly over there just approved of Jade." The demented man snickered slightly. He snickered louder when he heard Severus groan over his antics and mutter something about, "the brat's going to bring the mutt back".

It may not have been that great but it was proof to everyone present that the old Sirius was still very much alive and capable of making a return if not quite as cheerful and carefree as before.

Jade decided it would be a good idea to try and lighten the mood and smirked at the potions professors. "Yes, Professor, I indeed intend to bring my godfather back."

"What, you heard me?" For many, it was the first time they'd seen such open surprise on the man's face, though the elder Tonks found themselves equally as shocked, though in truth they were no longer following events as there were just too many revelations going on for them.

However, Tonks found herself fighting a smile at seeing the greasy bat so openly shocked and dumbfounded all in one meeting. Though she did need to tell Jade to stop scaring and shocking her parents, she did not want to check them into St Mungo's permanent ward anytime soon.

"Indeed." Shivers ran down most of their spines at that single word and eyebrow raise. It looked eerily similar to Severus Snape. Indeed, Andromeda easily noted how Jade could be mistaken for Snape's son rather than James and Lily's for even his eyes did not really remind you of the hot-tempered spirited red-haired witch that Andromeda dearly remembered.

"Siri is now under My Protection and Care. I will help him and restore his health, as you all seem unable to do so." A stern, cold, glare stilled any and all protests that that statements drew.

"Furthermore I will have my own chambers, warded, and one of you shall enter them without my express permission." Again, he silenced Andromeda's outcries with a glare, ignoring Tonks's own disapproving frown, afterall she already knew what she had been letting her family in for. "I will also require an all-access duel chamber. In addition my business and doings are my own and no concern of yours, I thank you not to go meddling in my affairs. Finally the name is Jade and Jade alone. I also ask you to remain quiet on my return." There was no room for argument in his words. They could not even find the strength to tell him they never had that intention in the first place. "Besides this Longbottom kid seems to enjoy the fame." A half-smirk formed on his lips.

Though, no one else seemed to have taken his attempt to lighten the oppressive dark mood that well.

Surveying the room, Jade found himself wondering over the odd assortment of people gathered here. 'On the surface they don't seem the type to get along, let alone be social with one another, yet here they all are. The bonds of their familial and friendship ties are strong and true. Despite the obvious discord and attitudes, it's obvious that they would give their lives for one another, even the one who claims to hate my godfather would die for him.' He fought to keep a devious smile and bout of manical laughter at bay. 'This is certainly promising.'

After a few more moments, Jade lifted an eyebrow in that imperious demanding way of his. Moments later the oaths were given and Andromeda bought a fresh supply of food and tea in. They spent the rest of the day exchanging life-stories.

In the end Jade told a heavily glossed tale of his own life, though only the elder Tonks couple fully believed it as the truth. Without being asked or voicing their beliefs, everyone else decided that it would be best to let them continue with this belief, and that the edited story was the one they were all to use as the truth of Jade's life. Despite the paranois and suspicions of everyone else, they each decided to leave the truth for a while and figured they would learn it in time.

For now, they needed to make sure that certain meddlesome men and incompetent fools remained in the dark. Not to mention there was still that Tournament cock-up to deal with and a growing sense of worry and doom that seemed to be attached to it.

Three weeks later and not much had changed in the Tonks Household, despite the new addition. Jade now had permanent courters in the east wing of the house with his godfather just across the hall, the rest of the family lived in the west wing. Jade mostly kept to himself and his godfather, which confused many.

After the first few days Andromeda had calmed down and realised that her mother-henning was only alienating her from ever getting to know or be trusted by Jade and had backed-off. It helped when her husband privately and without her knowledge explained the situation of her upbringing and friendship with Jade's mother and of course her broodiness and desire for grandchildren which seems unlikely to ever happen! Though Jade did think the woman over-bearing and ridiculous he decided that she was honest and true and of course a born Black which meant she knew some pretty lethal and obscure spells. In all honesty without that little fact, Jade probably would have just ignored her; he never was one for sympathies and kindness... least not the sort that Andromeda had originally been using.

Whereas Mad-Eye biding his time and observing Jade. He'd decided to wait until a couple of his informants could get back to him on the deadly and mysterious muggle assassin who'd mysteriously gone quiet and was rumoured to have 'died' about three weeks ago. He was also making plans on what to teach Jade, he'd already decided that Kinglsey would do an overview and with the kid over the next few months and then he'd take over. Afterall if the kid can hide his signature, then he defiantly knew more than most Hogwarts graduates... or should. The grizzly man's incessant smirking and 'supposed' covert staring had been placing Jade on carefully concealed edge for days. Though since Jade knew he had the upper hand and from knowing the man's reputation he understood perfectly and did not overly mind. Afterall if their roles were reversed he'd do much the same if not far worse...

Soon the bitter snow had melted and summer had come to Britain once more, bringing with it unseasonably hot weather and lazy days by the pool. Of course the pool was charmed and heated in winter but as Sirius loudly proclaimed whilst doing a cannonball, "it just wasn't the same".

Over the last few months things at really changed at this old farmhouse. Sirius and come back to life in many ways, his old mischievous light present in his eyes. Though he was not the man most remembered and sadly never would be, grief betrayal and Azkaban would forever leave a permanent mark. But as the household had discovered it was possible for a half-way mark to be met. They discovered this when Ted took a shower one morning and came out with pink skin or when Severus was covered in dung bombs from flooing over. Then there was the time when Tonks decided to try and get a little payback on her cousin and ended going sledging down to flights of stairs on a jinxed rug! Though Sirius adamantly denied having anything to do with that prank but much to his ire only Snape believed him.

Mad-Eye, Tonks and Kinglsey had taken to training Jade, who they quickly discovered was an eerily quick learner and seemed to know much of what they wished to teach him or at least the Hogwarts education and Auror standard part. The latter part had put Mad-Eye in a foul suspicious mood for days, as Aurors shouldn't be able to reveal any tricks to the trade to outsiders and the only way Jade could know it was if he took the training, which he hadn't... had he?

Despite the odds, Jade and Kingsley's secret remained as such, though sometimes Kingsley thought it would have been better if they just told everyone... at least it would be where his mental health was concerned.

Flashback:

Jade was walking casually down the hallway towards the library when he was yanked through a doorway into the small reading room. Reacting instinctively, he fought back and he and his attacker sparred before they ended up falling over the sofa. Jade ended up pinned beneath his larger attacker, though once their eyes met both grinned and even outright laughed.

"You knew it was me all along?" Kingsley asked as he slowly withdrew from Jade, though he remained closer than he should.

A smirk was his reply.

"We need to talk."

Again no verbal response was forthcoming. Had Kingsley not been aware that his own acceptance and reservation towards Jade's actions, annoyed the hell out of the young man, then he would have been more irritated by this lack or response.

"Your actions and previous lifestyle cannot be found out. I will not reveal anything; I will keep your secrets. But what happened between us while you were Eric cannot be found out or continued."

"I do not see how your knowing my true identity should alter our interactions. Nobody has known of 'Eric's' relationship with you, so why can it not continue as such now you know me for me?"

Jade's voice was the same as normal, but too someone who knew him rather well, or better than most, Kingsley could pick up the underlying pain in his voice.

"It's different and you know why. Your fourteen!"

"Yet I have seen more and done more than any other teen my age. Hell, probably more than you!"

Kingsley remained silent, knowing he had no refute to that, at least none that would or make any sense.

"It just can't Jade."

To his shock, a ghost of a pout appeared on Jade's pale, chiselled face. "You wanted me as Eric, and don't try denying it."

A sigh escaped Kingsley's mouth as he stood up and headed for the door. "That was then. This is now. And, this is how it must be. I will see you at seven, for you lessons."

End Flashback.

Since then, they had both remained neutral, yet there was a tension in their relationship that was never there before. Amazingly the only one suspicious of them was Sirius, though Kingsley had yet to realise what exactly Jade had done to heal the man from his stint in Azkaban. Not that he was healed per se more that he had embraced a darker nature yet no one complained for it was a far happier Sirius than they had seen in months. One which they had come to accept, as they had Jade.

Months passed and much remained the same. Slowly Jade opened up to a degree with those around him. However, for the most part he only mellowed and could easily return to the cold ruthlessness that had much of London's underworld trembling in fear for many years. However, the people themselves found that they too were changing slightly due to the constant exposure to Jade. To their disappointment, Ted and Andromeda were never to become close or entrusted by Jade, yet he was polite to them and obeyed their rules, even if they each knew he found most ridiculous and a waste. But he respected them in the same way they respected his privacy and never asked what he was up to on the days and nights he vanished from their house, only to return in secret several hours later as though nothing at all had happened.

Tonks had found herself become less morale filled, as Jade's teachings and often jeering comments at her fighting style made their mark. This of course improved her actions in the field and also increased her mentor's respect for her. Though one thing Jade or Mad-Eye could not cure was her natural klutziness. Although Mad-Eye was overheard commenting to Jade, one spring morn, how he reckoned she did it deliberately so as to be underestimated, for she was a force to be reckoned with when in the field. No sooner had he said that, than they had both heard a crashing inside the house, followed by Andromeda berating her daughter for breaking yet another plate. This made all the more comical when Ted would just fix the plate with a simple flick of his wand and no damage was done.

Severus, who could not come by as often, found himself spending any free time he had trying to puzzle out the enigma that was Jade. Yet, while dining with the headmaster at the staff table he often had to fight to keep his mask in place, for images of what Jade could and likely would do or better say to the headmaster kept popping into his mind unbidden. He found himself becoming more and more amused and impatient for when Potter's brat would finally attend Hogwarts.

Although in truth they had all discussed it and decided that it would be best to keep their knowing of Harry Potter's whereabouts a secret until he was of age, for safety reasons. Though whose safety they never did discuss.

That though all changed in June with the aftermath of the Final Task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

Okay well that's all for now. Sorry for the delay but as always I promise you this story will not be abandoned and will be completed... eventually!

Thank you to my loyal readers for sticking with me and a big thank you everyone who has reviewed!