Chapter 10

The family room in the Black House was rowdy. The dinner they had had was fabulous and filling and Molly had received over enthusiastic praise from Lily who had asked for lessons Hermione was sure she had no intention of attending. Everyone had split into smaller groups and was discussing whatever took their fancy. Many of the young ones were talking about school, the party the following week or pranks and the adults talked about what they wanted now the war was over. There were all waiting for the professors to arrive although no-one was sure why Dumbledore wanted them to come, there was no war and so they weren't having an Order meeting and they had all agreed to come to the party in the next week.

The sudden- but no longer unexpected- shrieking of Mrs Black's portrait heralded the arrival of the teachers who were led in by Kreacher who gave a little bob of his over-large head before leaving to prepare more drinks. Once they all had glasses of their chosen beverage in their hands Dumbledore officiously began to enquire into everyone's health and hoped that all students were ready for their last years at school. Snape slid into the shadows nearest the door and McGonagall sat in an armchair close to Fleur Weasley and began to question her about her health and her pregnancy- in French.

"Kreacher seems to be better behaved, my boy." Dumbledore mentioned to Sirius, peering at him from over his spectacles. "What did you do?" Sirius threw his head back and gave his bark-like laugh and grinned at Remus and James who stood by him.

"Absolutely nothing. Obviously he realised that I'm his true master and he has to do what I want now." Suddenly he looked slightly mock-wary, "Hermione didn't hear me say that, did she? I don't think I could survive another spew lecture." He dramatically clutched his chest and as his friends laughed her looked for the brightest witch of her age and noticed her muttering with Ron. He caught the mouthed words 'Harry', 'Kreacher' and 'Master' and frowned, if he remembered he'd grab her later for a chat.

"Well, Lily has a plan for the future. Personally I think it's impossible but there we are." James' statement filled the lull in conversations in the room and drew their attention to him.

"C'mon mate, what is it then?"

"Lily wants to find women for my two best mates." Both Sirius and Remus choked on nothing while the rest of the room laughed at both them and the idea.

"Wh-why would you need to do that?" Remus finally coughed out while Sirius composed himself.

"Why not? Remus you need someone to take care of you and as the last of his house Sirius needs an heir." Lily told the room at large patronisingly.

"Yeah, think about it Sirius, imagine all of the Gryffindor's you could have running around here making your mother batty."

"Don't I already? I don't think anyone other than Snape in this room was not in Gryffindor. Anyway," Sirius nonchalantly ran a hand through his thick hair, "I'm going to Gringotts tomorrow to make Remus and Harry my co-heirs. Azkaban's left too many scars on me."

Ron and Hermione didn't miss the looks of greed that were quickly forced off the faces of Lily and Harry Potter but smiled genuinely at the look on Remus' face. He looked shocked, touched and as if he was about to cry all at once. Sirius saw this and clapped him on the back and gave him a manly hug.

As he embraced his furry friend Sirius muttered 'Got to corner Granger and Weasley' to his friend. As Remus pulled back he gave a short nod curiosity shining in his amber eyes. Seeing his friend so moved and knowing Remus wouldn't want all of the attention James quickly moved away towards the Weasley boys and began a loud discussion about the best Quidditch teams.

Seeing an opportunity to clarify what she had heard Hermione slipped from her boyfriend's side- Ron didn't notice as he was valiantly trying, and failing, to defend the Chudley Cannons- and made her way to Sirius. She lightly touched his elbow to let him know she was there and when he cocked his head at her she couldn't help but smile.

"What did you mean about Azkaban?"

"I can't have kids, Hermione."

"What?"

"I had a medical as part of my pardon. I was emancipated, undernourished and infertile." Seeing the sad look on Remus' face and the small frown on Hermione's Sirius tried to lift the mood. He theatrically put one arm across his forehead and slung the other holding his drink around her shoulders. "I know it is a tragedy that I can't populate the world with others as fantastically beautiful as me but, there is no need to frown." He dropped the arm that covered is eyes and gave her a little squeeze. Hermione hugged him back and turned to go back to Ron. With her own cheeky grin she looked at the two men from over her shoulder.

"Actually, I was thinking how relieved Remus must be that his children don't have to go through the torment he did of having to grow up with you going through puberty." And she bounced off leaving a pouting Sirius and laughing Remus, in the shadows Severus tried not to admit to himself that he felt slightly relieved that Sirius was back to his annoying self again as well as feeling slightly sorry for the man who was now unable to have children

Reaching Ron's side again she gained his attention. "Is it possible that Kreacher really could have sensed Sirius' intent to make Harry his heir?" Ron shook his head.

"I doubt it, but who knows how house-elf magic works?"

"Kreacher had been nicer to the 'other' Harry because he gave him Regulus' locket." Hermione fell silent. "House-elves can sense magic can't they?" Ron gave a small nod. "What if Kreacher could sense his new mistress had appeared? Could that be possible?" Ron's eyes lit up and he quickly kissed her.

"You are a genius."

A smart rap on the window brought everyone's silence and attention to five smart owls sitting outside on the window ledge. At a second, more impatient rap, Bill who was closest opened the window and the five birds made their way and scattered throughout the room, legs held out expectantly. When they had been relieved of their burdens and flown out Arthur, Fred (with George hanging over his shoulder), Remus, Sirius, Dumbledore and Andromeda Tonks all held letters.

Lily peered over Remus' shoulder to see that the back of the letter was sealed with both the Gringotts crest and the Black crest. She frowned, had Sirius informed Gringotts of his intentions already, even though he had said he would be going tomorrow? If so where was her son's letter, his right? Lily felt so angry, she felt she could stamp her feet and quickly tried to force her face into one of curiosity when she realised what she was doing, however Snape had seen the ugly look on her face and was starting to see what she had become.

A shout of surprise came from Fred and George as they had broken out of their shock and fallen victim to their curiosity and had opened their letter. They could not stop their eyes flickering to Ron and Hermione before they jumped to their feet and danced exuberantly with each other around the room thrusting the letter at Percy as they spun past. He unfolded it from its scrunched up state and read it aloud.

Messrs Fred and George Weasley,

This letter is to inform you that my client is an investor who has decided to put some money into your company, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

The starting amount shall be 5,000 galleons. If your work continues to be as impressive as it is currently, my client has expressed openness to further investment.

May your gold flow.

Griphook

Head of the Black family Accounts

On behalf of Lady R. Black

Silence followed as Percy finished before the other four looked at each other and the Dumbledore motioned for Arthur and Andromeda to open their letters. A quick thought flew through Remus' mind as he watched the frantic opening and reading of letters 'Sirius is right, Hermione and Ron know something.'

A gasp from Andromeda and loud sobs from Molly quickly brought his thoughts back into the room and drove all plans from his mind.

"Andy, what is it love?" Ted her husband reached one arm out to wrap it around her.

"I've," she had to choke her tears back; "I've been reinstated to the Black family and gifted with what I should have received as a dowry." She sniffed and took a breath looking around the room. "I think I'd like to meet this head of the family before making a decision as they are going to allow me to refuse it if that is what I want. I don't want to accept and find out that it was a bribe, but I also don't want to offend anyone by refusing straight off. You don't know who it is do you Sirius?"

"Sorry, no. The only person with a forename beginning with 'R' in the Black family that I can think of was Regulus. I'll check the tree later though." Everyone turned their attention to Mr and Mrs Weasley and Arthur summarised their letter for the silent room (the twins had finally stopped bouncing).

"We've been gifted with 20,000 galleons for 'care and love given to our family' although we can't refuse it." Sirius quickly opened his letter and scanned it.

"Same as Andromeda's. Reinstated to the family but they want me to go in and talk to them about what else I am to receive. Looks like I'm still going to Gringotts tomorrow. Remus?" Remus swiftly opened and read his letter and could only stare at the parchment blankly for a few moments.

"250,000 galleons for the love and friendship given to the family of Black. Also Wolfsbane whenever I require it." James and Sirius cheered excitedly and jumped on their friend and a small smile broke out on Remus' face. Dumbledore slowly opened his letter and the room fell silent once more. He read it quietly before folding it up and placing it into a hidden pocket.

"After the party next week I shall no longer be the secret keeper for this house and everyone will have to leave that night or the next day and once they have left only a select few will know where number 12 is." A shocked silence fell before Sirius dropped his empty glass and his letter onto the nearest table and made his way out of the room towards the library. He looked very angry and so no-one wanted to follow him before Remus sighed and left the room after his fellow canine friend. Everyone broke out into excited chatter congratulating the Weasley's and Tonks' loudly and so none of them noticed when Snape slipped out or when Hermione departed a few minutes later.

When Hermione reached the library all three men were feverishly scanning the middle of the Black family tree. Knowing that this would make her suspicious, but knowing she should do it, she made her way over and quickly located Sirius on the tree, then following the line to Regulus she pointed to the name just under his- Rasalas. All the men focused on the name her finger rested by. Sirius collapsed in a nearby chair mouthing 'niece' and 'my brother's daughter' over and over again, with his head in his hands. Severus and Remus turned to Hermione.

"How do you know her Hermione?"

Remus questioned and received a surprisingly bright smile in return.

"We met up in France. She's lovely. She was staying with the Malfoy's. I think you'll really like her-"Severus cut her off with one word.

"Potion." The look of shock on her face before she recovered was enough for him. He really needed to talk to Lucius at the party. Sirius spoke up having caught the look.

"You know more than you are letting on." Hermione sighed sharply.

"Yes, but it's not my story so you'll have to ask her at the right time. She'll be at the party next week as she's the Malfoy's guest."

"I can wait a week but no longer, alright?"

"Good. I do want to ask you to hear her out before making any decisions." The men nodded and left the room to re-join the party leaving Hermione alone in the library. "Merlin protect her."