Title: Blood Loyal
Series: Sherlock!Wizardverse
Fandoms: Harry Potter/some BBC!Sherlock in the prologue, and references after
Pairings: pre-slash and slash Drarry, Romione, and others as they come along
Author: Lady Bryan (formerly Z-sama)
Beta: Tem
Legal: We don't own the characters created by Ms. Rowling or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Or stuff controlled by the BBC.

WARNINGS: please see first chapter for full warnings

MISC: This is 6th year AU, and sets up background of the Sherlock!Wizardverse. This is also a prequel (of sorts) to our other story "John, I'm a Wizard". The expanded universe of this fanfic can be found on the Sherlock!Wizardverse blog: sherlockmalfoy . Wordpress . com

Once Granger had appeared, the meeting started in earnest. After making excuses for Potter, she launched into the latest information they had gathered from the different houses, then passed things on to Blaise.

"We feel we have made progress on the sorting hat's message. As you all are well aware, it gives a riddled warning each year since Potter's second year. This time is particularly difficult, as I believe the hat suspects as we do, that there are death eaters already within the castle."

"How much have we got thus far, Blaise?" Hermione asked. He handed over a scrap of parchment. She read it over quickly and gave a nod. "I've come to much the same conclusions."

"Well?" Ron pressed her, trying to see over her shoulder. Hermione ignored him and motioned for Luna to come closer. To her she gave the scrap. "Agreed?" she asked the Ravenclaw girl.

Luna's eyes scanned over the words and she nodded her agreement.

"If you would please?" Hermione asked politely.

Luna cleared her throat and the room fell into a hushed silence of anticipation. "The first line," Luna began, "Is still undecided. The second and third, 'Time for fear and sadness passed. The enemy has an army massed. Shadows long and moons rise high; strength alone cannot get by.' We three feel means that we cannot dwell on those we have lost to this war, because You-know-who has built up an army, and to do so would blind us to the current dangers."

Blaise and Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Furthermore," Luna continued. "We feel the third line references the appearance of the new apprentice in Potions." She glanced at Hermione, who gave a nod. Luna drew a deep breath, then-

"Mr. Black is a werewolf. Like Professor Lupin."

All eyes turned to the door of the room where Harry, Hermione, and Ron usually congregated before each meeting. "Harry," Ron said as he made to move to his best friend's side. Harry signaled for him to stay where he was. He went to his customary place, but did not sit. He remained standing, a sign of strength and authority. "The next part, please Luna."

She hesitated, swallowed hard, and then continued. "Well, the next part is obvious I should think," she said. "We cannot rely on strength. We cannot rely solely on Harry to see us through this war."

Hermione took over now, making sure her voice was loud enough to be heard over everyone. "We have to work hard and together. We must look to all of the houses, and play to all of our strengths. Slytherin cunning and ambition. Ravenclaw wit and wisdom. Hufflepuff loyalty and dependability. Couple these things with Gryffindor's strength and bravery and we are an army in our own right."

"Dumbledore's Army!" Neville exclaimed, throwing his fist into the air with enthusiasm.

Harry raised his arms to quell the cheering and whooping that had resulted in Neville's show of loyalty to his comrades. Once the crowd had gotten back under control of themselves, Harry turned to Luna. "Any more progress?"

She nodded. "I think," she replied quietly. "The rest must be spoken of in privacy. I do not know if those involved would like their business spoken of."

"Clearly," remarked a voice at the back of the crowd. "Miss Lovegood has a truly remarkable sense of tact and judgment that you all give her little credit for."

Faces turned, wands were drawn. There in the doorway, the middle of his back between his shoulders pressed against the frame, was Mr. Black. He held his wand between his index fingers. Staring at it as if pondering little more than the color or the shape or the detail work. "Might as well lower those pig stickers, children. I don't bite. Much at any rate." He pushed off the frame and turned, stepping into the crowd of rebels. The group giving a narrow pathway to the chair at their head. He flashed a third year his pearly whites, causing her to gasp in fright as he passed. When he came to the head of the group, to stand before Harry, Hermione, and Ron, Tobias bent a knee. His head down, a show of obvious subordination to any who questioned his presence here among them. "I've word from the front, Potter. News and a request meant for your council, and a warning for your ears alone."

Harry glanced at Hermione, unsure what to do. Ron leaned in to whisper in his ear. Whatever was said caused Harry to turn and glare at Ron in reproach. Nonetheless, Tobias did not yet rise. He would not until given the word by Harry.

At last, giving one more look to Ron, Harry sighed and signaled for him to stand. Yet Tobias remained on his knee. He would not raise his head. He could have at any time. But that was not the point.

The point was a show of power. Of strength and undisputed authority. And an example of pureblood etiquette.

Harry rubbed at his eyes. "Do I have to say it like that?" Harry whispered so only Ron and Hermione could hear him. "Yes," Ron insisted. "You do."

Another sigh, coupled with a groan. Harry raised his hand in the gesture for Tobias to stand. "By command of your liege lord, I bid thee stand, Lord Black."

Now Toby stood. Grinning from ear to ear. "We'll make a proper wizard lord of you yet, Potter. Until then, these little impromptu lessons will have to make due." He looked around for the door to the back room. "Come. Lovegood, you too. A few snakes will be along in a minute."

He strode past the three friends, bold as he pleased as if he owned the old shack. Inside the room, he found a chair and sat to wait. The four students trickled in, Luna first. Then Ron. Harry. And Hermione last. She closed the door behind her.

"What was all that about?!" Harry demanded of him angrily. But it was a hollow anger. He just couldn't summon up enough energy to be properly enraged.

"Parkinson led the attack on Malfoy."

That was not what any of them had been expecting. In their momentary surprise, he continued. "She also bears the mark. But it is charmed to hide it from prying eyes using a similar charm to the Map. I daresay that not even the old headmaster would be able to see it."

"And you have?" Ron challenged.

Tobias tapped the side of his nose. He leaned back in the chair and crossed his long legs. The wand was laid on the arm of the chair and a hand rested over it. The other lay in his lap. "I can smell the stink of it on her. The Dark Lord's touch has a specific... odor to it. Death. Decay. Harry's smelled it, haven't you my lord?"

Harry nodded thoughtfully. Then, "Is she behind the recent string of accidents surrounding the headmaster?"

Tobias nodded. "Yes. I have been following her. As the wolf she thinks I am one of Fenrir's pack, sent to watch over her. She does not yet know who I truly am."

"Keep it that way. And distance yourself."

"As you wish." Tobias looked to Ron now. His silver eyes deepening with worry. "Write to your mother. And your brothers. Do not use your owl, nor Harry's. I have arranged for you to use Hestia, Blaise Zabini's owl, to do so. Parkinson has set up watch on the tower, and messages are intercepted. However, those belonging to Slytherin students are not being watched and tracked."

Ron looked to Hermione. "Is something-"

"Nothing is wrong. Only that... Well, I feel you would not like your mail intercepted should you attempt to describe awkward feelings to your brothers and seek advice on how to woo your lady love. Again."

His cheeks burned nearly as bright as his hair. He opened his mouth, but couldn't get the words out. Tobias laughed, and Hermione's cheeks tinged pink.

Luna smiled. "I think the puppy wants to ask us something, but doesn't know how to say it."

Harry watched him, eyes narrowed as if he may pull it from his unwanted servant's mind. He had a sense that he would not like what he heard.

"There are some among your soldiers who have the potential to be something great. There are five partial Veela, nine animagi, and a half drake in the very next room. They are all reaching the age when their gifts will manifest. I wish to teach them to utilize these gifts and form a special regiment. As others are found to be possessing these singular abilities, I will absorb them into the group."

"What makes you feel you're qualified to-" Hermione began.

Luna interrupted, stepping closer and taking Tobias's hand and lifting it from his wand. Her smile faded. Her face softened. She looked from the piece of wood laying there for her to see. Her gaze turned to his face. To his hair, his skin, his eyes. She frowned. "I see..." she whispered, then turned to Harry. "He has seen the powers of the toad. He knows what lies ahead. If ever he were sincere in his intentions, now he bares his heart for all to see. He is friend, not foe."

Hermione whispered to herself, then repeated louder. The first line of the Sorting Hat's warning. " 'Friend or foe you'll know for naught until creatures found are proper taught.' You're a creature. You think you can help the kids who are going to turn into one."

He nodded. "I am a werewolf. I do not deny it. My heightened senses give me the ability to track and locate those of non-human ancestry. But I am so much more than this. My mother," he said, hoping the half-truth was not written on his face. He knew even now Harry Potter was more perceptive than he had seemed. Luna, he knew, would see right though him. But she had enough sense to keep quiet on delicate matters. A blessing really. "My mother was a creature. A very rare, very... special creature. One of only a small number in the world, and even among them, a strange and wondrous thing. And because of this, my mother lived in exile for so many years. Unable to speak of the hereditary shame being such a thing was. Alone and miserable until my muggle father came along and at last my mother found a mate."

Hermione's gaze softened. Harry, Tobias noticed, was deep in thought. Ron on the other hand was watching him closely. Eyes narrowed in suspicion. Though the Weasley clan were well known to be blood traitors, the lot of them. They were still pureblood. Very old, very deeply rooted in the wizard world. And even in the most friendliest of families, the old and ancient disgust and revulsion of creature kind could still be found.

It was Hermione who spoke next. And Tobias turned a kind ear to her. Yet he did not take his eyes off Ron, and studied him closely. The boy was conflicted. He knew a werewolf, Remus. He knew a giant. He knew a half giant. He knew of the centuars. Had been taught by one, actually. And Veela. Oh he knew about the Veela all right. His soon to be sister-in-law was one of them. Now presented with the fact that fellow students, members of Dumbledore's Army no less, were also of creature stock... He struggled between the innate revulsion all wizarding folk feel towards the creature kind, and the acceptance of his friends and loved ones who had shown that not all creatures were vile and filthy things.

It took only seconds for Tobias to pull this information, all the while Hermione had no idea the inner workings of her future husband's mind in this moment. Instead, she was focused on Tobias. "What... before you were bitten, were you-"

"No. But my older brother... he was one. Like our mother. But I carry the hereditary trait. Somewhere down the years, a descendant of mine will likely meet a wizard or witch with the same trait, the same species, and their child will become one when he or she comes of age. What I carry inside me, it's dependent of a mixture of wizard and muggle blood. An ancient creature so mysterious none can really be certain as to how it came to mingle with both magical and non-magical beings." He shook his head and refocused on Harry. "I request to train these children in the ways of their wild magic. To learn how to control the creatures within so that they may better understand their magic and protect themselves. I'm sure Neville Longbottom would like to finally have some answers about why his magic is so unpredictable."

At this Ron's face went pale, making his red hair all the more brilliant by contrast. Harry's eyes widened, and Hermione gasped in surprise. Luna, quiet all the while, gave a knowing smile to Tobias. "I think," she said. "I think he should do it. Think about it Harry. You-know-who has all manner of dark beasts in his thrall. Wild magic is so powerful that it can easily overcome mere wand based spells. If he can teach them how to control it, we may stand a better chance when the moment comes to face off against the shadow monsters."

Hermione glanced at Luna in surprise. "For the first time ever, I do believe I actually understood everything she just said."

Harry rubbed his chin, then motioned for his friends to step aside with him.

Tobias watched as the four of them huddled together. Their heads bent save for when one of them would glance back at him. Voices a hushed whisper, careful to obscure their words so that the werewolf would not understand them. Then, at last, Harry came to him. He offered his hand. Tobias shook it.

"We have a deal?" he asked.

Harry nodded. "We have a deal. Give Luna a list of the students, that way we know who they are. She can easily go around to the different houses and let each one know to meet you for training."

"As you command, oh fearless leader."

Harry smirked. "Now what's this about a warning for me?"

He would not speak. Not with the others so close by. Realizing this, Harry sent them away. Once the door was closed, Tobias silently raised wards on the room. Silencing spells and confounding enchantments. Harry bristled under the silent spellwork. Unused to such power being thrown about so easily and without proper care.

"Speak," he snapped.

Tobias nodded. He picked up his wand at last and looked it over. Tracing the familiar design he had carved himself with his eyes. Reminding himself that he could not interfere too terribly much. But if he didn't... If he didn't warn his grandmother, then all might just be lost.

"Another attempt will be made on the headmaster's life. Very soon, close to Christmas. I do not know how, or any more exact timing than that. It will fail, of course. But you need to be careful who you trust from this moment forward."

"Parkinson?"

"No. But she has become very good at casting the Imperius curse. So good, in fact, that she may be able to ensnare even a well known or respected professor. Be on your guard, Lord Potter."

Harry considered this, but could not think much further as Tobias rose and lowered the charms and enchantments. "Meet me tomorrow night in the hall where they used to keep Fluffy in your first year. I have a surprise for you, my lord. One you may find rather enlightening, if not amusing."

With that, Tobias left him. He did not need to look behind to feel Harry's penetrating, irritated gaze in his back. "Oh, and Potter. You may bring Hermione. Leave the Weasel behind."

o0o

Harry had watched the map. Watched the dots that were Draco Malfoy and, he believed, to be Mr. Black. He had watched them all day, with Ron commenting that he was becoming obsessed with Malfoy. It was this remark in Transfiguration class that caused him to put the map away for a little while.

During lunch, Hermione had begged off to go to the library and meet with Luna and Blaise for more research. Harry gave Ron and Ginny the slip to join her.

Harry found them, hidden in a corner huddled together. Blaise sitting in the darkest part of the corner with Luna and Hermione scribbling away. Stacks of books further obscuring Blaise from prying eyes.

"The Forest King approaches," Luna said dreamily without looking up. "He seeks the Wise-woman, but which witch does he seek?"

Harry gave a small smile as slid into the seat next to her. Hermione instantly threw up a silencing charm to bubble in their words. "Since we got the information on some of the others being creatures, more of this is making sense. We can't be completely sure just yet, but when we have a solid answer, we'll let you know as soon as possible."

"Thanks 'Mione. Speckles."

Blaise gave a nod as he continued to read.

"About the... disappearing portrait thing," Hermione continued, looking to Blaise. "We've been looking into that as well. How could we not after what happened in second year."

"The Chamber," Luna said softly.

"Yeah. I was wondering about that myself... If Slytherin had a secret chamber in the school, who's to say the other founders didn't have secret rooms as well."

"Precisely." Blaise laid the book he had been reading down on the table, pointing out a passage about the founders themselves. "I received this from my mother yesterday when I inquired about this very idea."

Harry skimmed through the passage, then read on further. It was an entry in a diary. Who's diary, he didn't know. But it was obvious it had been a student of Hogwarts, given the mention of a magical room that changed it's appearance all of the time. "I believe," Blaise began. "You are familiar with that room, Potter. You and your followers used it last year for your secret training."

The use of the word followers made Harry uneasy. Blaise saw this, but made no effort to change his words. Harry instead continued to skim through, until he read another passage. A description of the Chamber. How...

"When was this written?" he asked.

"Three hundred years ago, give or take a decade," the Slytherin replied. "It was my belief that Salazar's chamber had been hidden until you had bumbled your way into it."

"So had we," Hermione said. "But apparently we were wrong."

Harry read that passage closer, only to discover the person who had written it had been bound by a wizard's oath never to reveal the location of the chamber's entrance. That did not stop them from describing in great detail all that they had seen inside it. "I wonder... who made them swear that oath," Blaise commented as Harry read on. Once he was through with the passage of the chamber, he continued his skimming. Blaise continued his commentary. "Presumably, if Helga Hufflepuff created the Come and Go room, and Salazar Slytherin created the Chamber of Secrets, then surely Ravenclaw and Gryffindor also had hidden chambers in this castle."

"Hufflepuff?!" Hermione exclaimed, receiving a shush from Madame Pince across the library. She lowered her voice. "The Room of Requirement is-"

"Of course. A room that caters to every need and whim, no matter how grand or utterly mundane. A practical space that can be put to any use. Like a Hufflepuff. Practical, hardworking, and the house that accepts anyone and anything into it regardless of desires, ambitions, curiosities, or even stupidly dangerous bravery. A room that reflects it's creator. Accepting of all who have need. A willingness to accommodate those needs.

"By that same logic," Blaise continued quietly. "Slytherin sought power. Supreme segregation from the muggles and muggleborn. A place to hide his secrets where those he deemed inferior would never find them. I imagine to locate the remaining secret rooms, one must consider their creators. Ravenclaw valued wit and wisdom. She must have had a place in which she could seek solitude for meditation and study. Gryffindor favored courage and bravery above all else. But he was also seen as the leader of the four. Therefore... Perhaps the headmaster's office is the key." He lapsed into silence, taking the book back and bowing his head in concentration. Harry could hear the scribbling of quill against parchment and Blaise mumbling to himself on the matter.

Hermione left him to it, as Luna offered soft whispers of input to his musings. The two of them otherwise occupied, she turned her attention to Harry. "You know you can't be here much longer, not with Blaise sitting here, too. What's going on?"

"Last night, remember what Mr. Black said about the other students?"

She nodded. "Yes, I've thought about that. I spoke with Luna, and a little with Ron about it. From what I gather, when a wizard or witch receives a creature inheritance, they are generally shunned by society. Unless, of course, they become one of the more desirable creatures like a Veela, or a High Elf. It's quite... sad. I think we should let him do it. Find them and teach them to protect themselves. With people like Umbridge in the world, and V...Vol... Voldemort," she forced herself to say his name. "They need to know how to use their powers. Otherwise, they'll be sheep for slaughter."

Harry gave his agreement. Then, brought up what she had been dying to know. What had Mr. Black spoken to him about afterward in private. "He said I could bring you with me. I think that's the best idea he's ever had."

"I'll tell Ron-"

"No. We can't tell Ron. I think... I think whatever he wants me to see or know, Ron might be a problem."

"Possibly it's to do with Malfoy."

"Maybe. Come with?"

She smiled and reached across the table to place a hand on his. "Of course Harry. And what about... do you still have the shakes? How did you sleep last night?"

"Still a little... off. But otherwise I'm okay. Tired, and sore mostly. I slept alright."

The pair of them spoke quietly of other matters, less important matters, before Harry excused himself with Luna, wanting to get a bite to eat before the lunch period was over.

As Harry and Luna made their way back to the great hall, Harry could have sworn he saw that woman watching him from her portrait in a nook. But when he glanced back at it, the giant bumble bee woman was gone. "Did you see-"

"Buzz buzz said the honeybee," Luna said, linking arms with him. "Careful not to stir the hive, Harry. Otherwise you might disturb the queen and her drones. Wouldn't want to make an angry swarm now, would you?" she asked, pulling him along and reminding him of his grumbling stomach.