A/N: Hi everyone, thank you for all the responses to the last chapter it was a difficult one to write! I am back with a new, longer chapter! This one was difficult to write because I had to get all the timings right and the correct characterisation, so I do hope you like it. I will apologise now for the cliffy at the end again and pray you don't kill me!
I want to say quickly that this is not going to be a Harry/Marvolo fic. This fic is not even going to be slash, however much I do like to write it! The pairing has yet to be decided, but I have narrowed it down to Harry/Daphne or Harry/Luna so all opinions welcome. Other than that, on with the chapter I say!
A good few changes here guys, so I hope you like!
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I am not J. K. Rowling,
Warning; Mentions of torture, language and light blood and gore!
#Parsel#
Chapter 20:
Previously:
As soon as the lift shut Harrison and Sirius were overcome by mad jumping in celebration and Remus laughed at them.
"Have that Potter," Sirius cheered,
"Did you see his face," Harrison laughed, "And when he accused Madam Bones of being bought."
"I didn't even think Potter was that stupid," Sirius said chuckling.
"I wonder how long he's going to fight the fine until he realises he's going to burn through his fortune?" Remus asked with a sly grin, Sirius and Harrison smirked.
"Ages," They all shared a laugh before adopting their masks again to leave the ministry.
Sirius apperated Harrison to Celestial Alley with Remus following behind them. Harry blinked around in amazement, the alley could only be described as elegant. Where Diagon alley was amazing in its own right, with its cob stones and store variety, Celestial Alley was clearly for the high end. Smooth paths swept down the entire alley and the whole thing seemed to glisten.
"Wow,"
"Yes, it is rather impressive. This was the one thing my parents and I agreed on,"
"Let's go meet the Malfoys," Harry said and Sirius led the way. Harry looked in a few shops as they walked through the ally, where he made a mental note to return to make purchases of all kinds; thank you Merlin and the Founders.
"Harry, Harrison,"
Harry's head snapped around at the sound of his best friends voice and he 'walked' over to Draco and sat down.
"Well, what happened?" Draco demanded just as Sirius and Remus sat down.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked bewildered and Draco threw him an unimpressed look.
"Come on, Harrison, I need to know." It wasn't a whine, because Malfoys didn't whine, but it was close.
"Ok fine," Harry sighed, "2 year ban and a 1.5mil fine,"
"She was guilty!" He exclaimed and Harry nodded with the biggest smirk ever.
"Yes and they are so pissed about it."
"Language,"
"Yes aunt Cissa, uncle Moony,"
"This is brilliant, I wish I was there to see her face and Potters." Draco said enviously.
"It was a thing of beauty, I'll show you when we go through out shields and things."
"It's a deal," Draco agreed.
"This is good news, Sirius, you can set everything in motion now." Lucius said with a smirk and Sirius grinned,
"I know, and after we've eaten we shall conveniently happen upon Rita Skeeter in Diagon."
"Its going to be a beautiful exclusive." Narcissa said happily.
"We can't be too long, I have to get home." Harry remembered and Draco pouted.
"But I wanted to take you all around this alley because you've never been!"
"I know, but I do have to get home. But, I was thinking, we can make a day of it and come on a Saturday, maybe write to Theo and Blaise, and we'll go through both allies, unless there's more?"
"There's Diagon, Knockturn, Shadow Back, Celestial and Horizon, in the centre of London."
"Well we can explore them all." Harry decided.
"Fine, but you have to get your broom today."
"Of course, we have to check for the new Nimbus," Harry reminded him, "Dad, when does that come out?"
"I believe it is premiering today, according to my source there is only a few in stock to see if people will buy them." Sirius told them and both boys' eyes widened in horror.
"Come on, we have to eat." Draco exclaimed.
"Waitress, serve us." Harry called at the same time.
"Manners, cub," Moony chided and Harry had the decency to look a little ashamed.
"Can we be served please?" He tried again and a pretty young girl came over to take their order. They only had to wait a few minutes before their orders appeared on the table and they dug in.
"Ah Cissa, I think I may be in need of your knowledge." Sirius said and Narcissa looked at him.
"Oh, and what may that be?"
"I ran in to Nymphadora today, I've been meaning to see her for a while actually, and she said a few things that have raised so many questions."
"That's Andromeda's only child?"
"Yes, brilliant kid, she just got in to the auror office with 96% point average." Both Lucius and Narcissa's eyebrows rose at that.
"That is incredibly impressive," Lucius said and Sirius nodded.
"Yes, what was she gifted for such an achievement?" Narcissa asked.
"See, that's the thing. Andy hates the fact that she's an auror, kicked her out and everything,"
"What!" She gasped horrified, "That is appalling."
"I know, I can't even think about what's gotten in to Andy. And she tries to disassociate with the Black name, tells Nymphadora that she should be lucky she's a Tonks apposed to a Black."
"Oh my,"
"Yes,"
"But, I would have thought she would have asked to be placed back on the tapestry."
"No, I've never had a letter or a request for a former meeting. She should know I haven't a problem with who she marries, as long as they have true power and are worth something, but she doesn't want anything to do with the Blacks."
"Well I never, it's a good thing we no longer have her marring our good name." Narcissa stated coldly, "What of the girl Sirius, is she willing?"
"Nym's great, always has been, and she obviously has power to score so high on the aurors entrance." Sirius said, "I'm going to meet with her and get down to what's going on properly, I won't have a Black be treated with disregard like Andy's doing, and if comes to it, I'll take Nym in to the family tree without Andy."
"That seems perfectly acceptable,"
"Also, I didn't know this, but Nym is dating the Rosier Heir." Sirius told her and Narcissa's eyebrows rose for the second time.
"Kyle Rosier?"
"I'm guessing so, he is the only Heir,"
"That's a well kept secret, I didn't know about the courtship." Narcissa mused,
"Neither did I, but Andy has a problem that it is a Pureblood."
"She had really changed." Narcissa sighed sadly, "Her daughters needs should come first, she ran off with someone she loves, why disallow her daughter the same privilege?"
"I don't know, but I plan on getting to the bottom of this."
"Yes, you have a whole house to be dealing with, you need not her causing unnecessary problems."
"Don't I know it, and I haven't even thought of what I'm going to do about Bella. Its taken me this long to get through everything, I know what she's in Azkaban for, but she was born a Black and I want to know why. If it was a random attack and needless fun then I should rightly cast her out, but if there was a reason, a true reason, then there is something for her. We're not exactly on opposite sides now." Sirius sighed running a hand through his hair.
"Bella is very smart, she is cunning and very calculative, I doubt she would have been needlessly playing, especially so much so that she got caught." Narcissa said slowly.
"That was what I thought," Sirius said,
"I know she was on an important mission that night, the four of them were given secret instructions from our Lord directly and they were sent out. The next thing I heard was that our Lord had been destroyed and they had been captured after a 3 day chase." Lucius explained and Sirius sighed, Harry tilted his head.
"What exactly happened?" He asked.
"My sister Bellatrix Lestrange, nee Black, and her husband, his brother and Barty Crouch Jr were captured and tried for the torture of the Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom to the point of insanity."
"Whoa, that takes a lot of power." Harry muttered somewhat amazed, "When was this mission?"
"It was around the same time that our Lord went after Ro-you." Lucius said after a minute of thought.
"Odd question, but do you know the date of the Longbottom Heir's birth?"
"The day before yours," Sirius answered immediately and Harry's eyes narrowed.
"I think I know, but let me get back to you on that, and if you wait on the whole Bella situation I can get back to you on that too." Harry said to his father who sighed.
"You're not going to tell us anything else, are you?"
Harry grinned innocently.
"Nope,"
"Eat up, cubs, if you want to get your brooms." Remus said to them and the boys hurried to finish, they ate as fast as they could while still using the correct table manners. They forwent desert in favour of walking back up the alley and Draco was pointing out all the places he wanted to take Harry.
"If we get the necessities in Diagon today that would free up some time." Harry pointed out and Draco nodded.
"Ok, lets go."
Letting their parents' apperate them back to Diagon for a quick route, they glanced around before grinning.
"See you in the Quidditch shop," they yelled before they vanished in to the crowd, all the adults rolled their eyes and made towards the shop at a more sedate pace.
"Do you think they've made much improvement on the old Nimbus?" Harry asked and Draco shrugged.
"It all depends, but it doesn't matter, we both need new brooms so why would we get the old ones?" The blond pointed out.
"You make a very valid observation, Heir Malfoy,"
"Of course, Heir Black,"
They shared smirks and fought their way through in to the shop. The broom was on display and Harry had to admit that it looked good, the sleek black handle was polished to perfection and the silver stood out brilliantly, a crisp Nimbus 2001 was scripted on the handle and the boys shared a look.
"Hades yes,"
As if answering their calls, their parents stepped in to the shop and over to them.
"Have you seen it?" They said together and the adults smiled indulgently.
"I take it you want the broom?" Sirius said amused and Harry grinned.
"I was just going to buy it, Merlin knows I've got enough money."
"Yes, but think of it on Potter."
"Well, if you put it like that…" Harry trailed off with a smirk.
"Does this apply to you Draco?" Lucius drawled and Draco smirked.
"Of course, father, you have always told me that Malfoys only have the best."
"Very well, fetch what you like boys,"
They grinned and rampages the story, they bought everything they could possibly need and extra and heaped it on to the counters.
"Have you everything?"
"Except the brooms,"
"Yes, you purchase them at the counter." They're purchases were tallied up and the boys eagerly asked for brooms, which added to the total, and everything was packed up. They were lucky, it was the last two the store had for and they were limited until feedback came through, Harry and Draco shared sighs of relief at that.
"Now we have to 'browse'," Sirius said and they headed back out into the alley. It wasn't as busy luckily and they could walk comfortably down the alley without problem. Harry and Draco were making lists of all the things they wanted or needed to buy the next time they were there and Draco said he was going to write to Theo and Blaise as soon as he got home.
"Have you heard from the twins?" Draco asked and Harry shook his head.
"Not yet, but I was going to send Hedwig soon, no one knows that she's mine so it should be safe."
"I would send an owl from elsewhere just in case, that way if you're seen with her next year then you'll definitely be in the clear." Draco suggested and Harry blinked.
"Brilliant idea, I never thought of it like that."
"That's why you need me." Draco sniffed and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yeah yeah," He lightly shoved the blond, "I'll borrow one of Marvolo's birds."
"Have fun with that,"
"Will do,"
"Ah Rita," Sirius called brightly snapping the boys' attention back to the adults, they saw the blonde reporter walk over to Sirius with her leering smile in place.
"Lord Black, it's a pleasure," She greeted, "Mr Lupin-Black, Lord and Lady Malfoy, Heir Black, Heir Malfoy."
"Hello Rita, its good to run in to you this afternoon." Sirius said after everyone had retuned her greeting.
"Yes, I fancied browsing the alley." She said in return.
"I have an offer for you," Sirius told her and she perked up.
"Oh?"
"An exclusive interview with my family at Black Manor about the results of the secret disciplinary hearing that happened today,"
She was practically salivating at this point and went to talk when Sirius held up his hand for silence, "If you don't do any interviews for Potter, until after our one has been published."
"Deal," She said immediately and Sirius smirked.
"Is tomorrow good for you?"
"Tomorrow is perfect, Lord Black," She said hurriedly and Sirius handed a silver chain.
"This will bring you to the manor gates at 1pm tomorrow, and you are welcome to bring a photographer." Sirius handed her the chain and she clutched it like it was a precious jewel.
"Thank you Lord Black, I will be there."
Sirius nodded and they parted ways, all of them exchanged smirks before they covered them.
"I think that was a success," Remus commented lightly and Sirius hummed his agreement,
"I do believe that we have the advantage here." He agreed.
"Tomorrow is going to be so much fun." Harry said in glee.
"Yes, it is."
"Now, to the potions store," Harry dragged them all to the apothecary and then proceeded to raid the entire store, the man behind the counter looked stunned with the amount of things purchased.
"That comes to 3,500 galleons." Harry easily paid and placed everything away.
"Come on, lets go home. I don't feel like more shopping today," Sirius said and Harry nodded.
"Ok," He turned to Draco, "I'll see you tomorrow, we can talk about the interview and go flying?"
"Of course, I'll see you tomorrow."
The Malfoys and the Blacks parted ways and Harry apperated back with Sirius to the manor, he cringed at the feeing of side apperation and he shook himself lightly.
"Remind me to learn how to apperate." He grumbled heading for the stairs.
"Yeah, side apperation isn't the best," Remus agreed.
"If you leave your things in your room they'll be put away, that way you can go straight out because I have a feeling you're going to be out a while."
"Yes, Marvolo is playing this vow to its limits." Harry shook his head, his nose wrinkling.
"I still can't believe the Dark Lord made a binding vow with you anyway," Sirius said, shaking his head.
"I do agree," Remus mused, "Even with everything, he would know the Prophecy to be void with your public adoption. A binding vow seems almost too much for what he gains."
"Weeeeellllll…" Harry dragged out the word and offered a somewhat sheepish look as his dad and uncle turned to look at him with a mixture of resignation and dread.
"Go on, what have you done now?" Sirius sighed, his tone filled with fond amusement for whatever he was about to hear from his son.
"He might have gave his binding vow while not exactly knowing his words were going to be binding?" Harry ended up sounding as if he was asking them a question, and it didn't help when they merely blinked at him.
"What do you mean he didn't exactly know his words were binding?" Remus asked slowly, his mind was telling him what it meant but he really didn't want to even glance at it, the mere thought made him shudder.
"So I may have caused a small distraction and while he was distracted I slipped in to Parseltongue to finalise our verbal agreement. It's subconscious for those in conversation, who have the serpent tongue gift, to answer back in Parseltongue, the language has a closer connection to magic so your own magic answers its call. For example, when you move to a foreign country you end up adopting the language or the accent because everyone else is speaking it around you. As Parseltongue is born not learned, the effect is immediate. So when I spoke Parseltongue, the Dark Lord responded in Parseltongue without thought, it just happened." Harry explained and they both nodded to show they were following,
"Small little detail about Parseltongue is that, because it is closer to the Lady, you cannot lie, for you cannot ever lie to Magic. Because you cannot lie it means whatever you speak it the whole, pure truth, and the truth binds…" he trailing off when he noticed that both Sirius and Remus had frozen a few steps back from where they were moving through the manor. Harry turned and wanted to snicker at their looks of absolute horror as they realised that he had tricked what many considered the most powerful and most dangerous Dark Lord in history in to a binding agreement for the equivalent of half the dark empire.
"Harry," Sirius began slowly, his voice forcefully calm, "Please tell me the Dark Lord recognised and remembered that so very small detail about Parseltongue."
"Oh he recognised and remembered alright." Harry confirmed brightly.
"When exactly did he recognise and remember these details?" Remus asked, not at all fooled by the bright demeanour. Harry's cheery expression melted in to a smugly pleased smirk.
"Last week,"
Sirius released something that sounded like a whimper and a groan, holding his head in his hands, as Remus tilted his head back and looked as if he was praying to Magic.
"You tricked the Dark Lord in to a magically binding agreement." Remus confirmed, just to make sure there was absolutely no miscommunication.
"Yes,"
"And he now knows."
"Yes,"
"And you are still alive," Sirius muttered in disbelief.
"Well we are in a magically binding agreement, and you have to remember the silent words that come with all vows. He vowed to listen and use my ideas for the wizarding world, if he kills or harms me so I am no longer there to voice my ideas he cannot listen or use them, ergo he breaks the vow." Harry pointed out logically, and the two adults had to concede he did have a point. "Then there is the very helpful fact that I am his Heir, bound to the line by Salazar himself. He cannot, within magic's sight, do anything to maliciously harm me. And he will know that, being that he knows about how I come by the Heirship in the first place."
"Harrison Regulus Black, you are absolutely disgustingly brilliant." Sirius decided, a tad amazed at how so thoroughly Harry had secured him, and by extension them, a firm, safe place within the dark empire.
"I learned from Slytherin himself." He told them, "For years I watched him and then for years I was his very best student, he taught me more than any of the others, including Merlin."
"I think I am only just starting to truly understand that," Remus admitted.
"First point to survival: secure your base." Harry said, and then he grinned, "I thought the Dark Lord made an excellent one."
"Come on, Pup. You'll run out of time otherwise."
"Oh yeah, bye dad, uncle Moony." He ran off with a wave, leaving the two marauders to share a look.
"You know, Pads." Moony began, casting a look down at where Harry had run, "I think it's a complete waste of good pity to use it on the light,"
"Moony, good Sir, you make an excellent point. It does seem almost pointless to use it when their hope equates to less than zero."
They shared a somewhat dark grin and Remus chucked.
"At least we get front row." He pointed out lightly.
Sirius laughed.
"Good afternoon, one of darkness. How does one find one's self?" Harry greeted cheerfully when he strolled on in to Marvolo's study without so much as knocking. The Dark Lord blinked once and went to speak before he decided against it and shook his head, it wasn't worth the headache, and Harry grinned.
"I thought it was a wonderful day too," Harry agreed as he took his seat, "Simply splendid,"
"I take it that the hearing was to your favour?"
"Yes, pleasantly so, and dear Rita is going to be at Black Manor tomorrow for that exclusive." Harry told him with a smirk, which Marvolo returned.
"So the mighty will fall,"
"Oh yes, and I get front row."
"I will enjoy it, but not as much as Dumbledore's fall."
"Dumbledore will crumble almost instantly as soon as I reach my 5th year, but of course that is on you and how you wish to break him." Harry said and Marvolo nodded.
"Indeed, with the power we hold together, Dumbledore would not be able to oppose us, but I will be taking pleasure in ruining him throughout the build up."
"I thought as much," Harry grinned before sitting forward, "Now, on to more serious matters."
"Go on?"
"On the night you came after me, you sent some of your most loyal after the Longbottoms, yes?"
"That is correct, Bella, Rodolphus, Rabastan and Barty."
"Was that because Neville was the other child of the prophecy?" Harry asked and Marvolo nodded slowly.
"Yes, the child also fit the bill, but I chose you for a number of reasons. However, I was not willing to take the risk and in the end I sent my most loyal after the other potential."
"I thought as much, I wasn't too sure so I thought I'd clarify before mentioning it."
"What brought this up?"
"Today we were talking about the Black family and Sirius brought up Bellatrix and not knowing what to do with her, because if she had a purpose she would stay on the tree, however, if she didn't then it would be goodbye Bella." Harry told him and Marvolo hummed.
"Bellatrix was one of, if not, the best I had, loyal to the core and extremely powerful. I do not know the exact details around her capture, but I believe the only reason she wouldn't have left when given the chance was because she had failed her mission, something that she would have deeply taken to heart. Bella is the only person to never fail a direct order from me, even Lucius and Severus have had a few failures."
"She was your favourite?"
"Yes, no doubt about that, I could rely on Bella and I did often. Despite rumours and popular belief, I was not a crazy megalomaniac during my power and my Death Eaters were not mere slaves under my power. I had an army and it was regimented as an army. Bella, Lucius, Severus and Izar Nott were my most trusted followed by Barty Crouch Jr, the Lestrange brothers and Antonin Dolohov. They were my Elite. Then I had my inner circle, they were filled with powerful duellists and those in positions of power and information, I had someone from the DoM, some from the auror department, hit wizard and ones working close to the head office. Following that, it was my outer circle, those who were selected in teams and units, they could infiltrate and go on raids. Finally there my sympathisers, those like Narcissa who were healers and unmarked and the magical creatures that were under my command."
"I really did screw a lot of things up, didn't I?" Harry said blinking owlishly, Marvolo threw him a filthy look that had Harry holding up his hands in defence despite the fact he was smirking.
"Yes,"
"Next time you are not going to listen to a prophet." Harry said cheerfully, Marvolo gave him a look of contempt.
"I doubt that Azkaban will have left Bella unaffected, however, if she is removed then she can be healed."
"I have never been exposed to dementors,"
"They are not pleasant." Marvolo said, "They are creatures that remove all positive emotions leaving you with nothing but despair and anguish, they force you to relive your worst memories over and over until eventually you are insane. There is only one known protection against them; the Patronus Charm."
"The Patronus Charm, I've never heard of that spell before." Harry said in interest.
"You will need to learn it, but it may take some time. It is a notoriously difficult spell and many fully grown adults cannot cast it."
"How difficult are we talking about?" Harry asked slowly.
"I know only my Elite could cast a successful patronus, very few of my others could."
"Hm, what's the incantation?"
"Expecto Patronum, you are supposed to concentrate on a happy memory, a strong one, but when you are apt at casting and have a deep connection with your magic you can merely use the intent." Marvolo told him and Harry nodded, he closed his eyes and went through his mind, he pulled up the positive energy many of his memories brought him, and his mind flashed with many times with Salazar.
"Expecto Patronum,"
Something bright white shot from his hands and when Harry opened his eyes he saw a huge, glowing snake twisting around the room before it came back to Harry and reared up. Harry studied it and grinned, it looked exactly like Salazar in his animagus form, he let it dissipate and nodded to himself.
"That was very impressive," Marvolo said, he was looking at Harry with an unreadable expression on his face,
"Thanks, I felt how draining it is, but I think I should be able to have it through intent only within a week."
"I would say that was impossible, but you just produced a Patronus on a first attempt so I will refrain from saying so."
"Yeah, the impossible doesn't really work for me." Harry shrugged and Marvolo scoffed.
"You don't say," the sarcasm was obvious and Harry grinned.
"If the dementors are as bad as you say, of which I don't doubt, then there is a chance that your people are going to be in less than healthy state. It is pointless working on bringing them from Azkaban if they cannot be healed, their bodies are going to be emancipated and their minds unstable at best."
"Yes, which is the main concern for their return, but there are no potions to correct the damages from dementors and the potions that will heal individual parts cannot be mixed making the healing process slow even by magical means." Marvolo sighed and Harry tilted his head.
"No potions yet," Harry corrected, "If you get me a list of all the potions used to heal, I will see what I can do to create an amalgamation of them or even just doubling them up."
"I will leave that to you as I plan on infiltrating the prison itself."
"How hard do you estimate?"
"It isn't called Azkaban fortress because you can walk through the door, Harrison."
"Difficult then,"
"Potentially problematic yes, however I am not worried about getting on to the island, more over the difficulty of retrieving and returning."
"Do you know where yours are?"
"All of them are bound to be high security, but I shall have Lucius retrieve their positions for me."
"I can pass that message on today if you wish, to save the wait."
"Yes, that will be much appreciated, I can finalise my plans with that information, but even with Severus and Lucius with able bodies, it is going to be difficult getting off the island and I do not wish to call any other of my followers until my Elite are in perfect condition once more."
"I can get the inmates of the island and back here," Harry said his head tilted in thought, Marvolo raised a sceptical eyebrow and Harrison sighed.
"How long is it going to take before you finally believe I'm not a weak 11 year old?"
"A while,"
"Fine, but seeing as I've thrown most expectations out of the window, will you give me the benefit of the doubt?"
"Go on,"
"If you can get on to the island, with me, and we can free all of yours, I can get them off the island undetected."
"And how do you propose you do that?" Marvolo drawled and Harry rolled his eyes, he got up and walked to the other side of the room.
"You know how I said I still had a few surprises for you?" Harry asked pleasantly and Marvolo nodded.
"Yes,"
"I think this one is definitely one of the best."
And with that Harry burst in to flames and appeared in the opposite side of the room in the same fashion, Marvolo gaped at the spot Harry was just in and turned slowly to where he was stood now.
"Questions?" Harry said lightly, he couldn't help the massive smirk on his face, there was something unusually pleasing about surprising the all powerful Dark Lord.
"You just burst in to flames." Marvolo stated when he had gotten himself together.
"Yes, yes I did."
"And moved,"
"Yup,"
"You can transport yourself via flames."
"Yup, with others too," Harry told him brightly and Marvolo just blinked, "You've got nothing to say have you?"
"You know what?" Marvolo said, "I have nothing because that isn't normal."
"I'm not normal, Marvolo, I thought we established that?"
"Sometimes I get sceptical."
"Don't I know it?" Harry muttered.
"What are you, part phoenix?" He demanded and Harry grinned.
"Yes," He answered simply and Marvolo looked at him blankly.
"What do you mean 'yes'?"
"I mean, yes." Harry knew he deserved the stinging hex aimed at his head eve if he blocked it grinning. "That was mean,"
"I am mean, now explain."
Harry rolled his eyes, but transformed in to his black phoenix and soared around the room before changing back and sitting back down.
"Ta dah!"
"You take an inordinate amount of pleasure in this, don't you?"
"More than you know," Harry agreed in complete honestly.
"So your animagus is a black phoenix which enables you to move via flames."
"Yes, it took myself and Sal a while to incorporate it in to human form, but we got there. I'm surprised you didn't work it out though."
"How was I supposed to know that? While I am known for having superior intelligence, this is something out of my range along with most things about you."
"I fell over 50ft on to solid ground and did not die, I think that would have been a big clue." Harry shrugged and Marvolo rolled his eyes.
"Moving back to the topic at hand; this simplifies things. If we can get on to the island undetected, you can get us back undetected, there would be know way to alert anyone of any suspicious happenings and Dumbledore is going to be too busy trying to save face for Potter that he isn't going to be looking for my activities."
"I shall speak with uncle Lucius and he will have the information to you ASAP. I need the list of potions and then I can get working on that as well as correctly dismantling the wolfsbane, without harming myself this time and then I can prepare for this interview." Harry took a breath and they groaned, "Damn, that's a lot of stuff."
"Binding vow," Was the only thing Marvolo said and Harry threw him a withering look.
"Yeah yeah," Harry waved him off, "Potions list if you will?" With two flicks of his wand, Marvolo had a list of potions needed and handed it to Harry, who tucked it away.
"Anything else?" Harry questioned
"No, not until I know where they all are." Marvolo replied and Harry nodded.
"I'll probably be over here tomorrow after the interview to work in the library." Harry said, "Au Revoir," He saluted and burst in to flames.
"That child is going to forever surprise me." Marvolo sighed.
Harry landed in the floo room of Malfoy Manor and skipped up to the lounge, Narcissa was sat there drinking tea and looked up at Harry with a smile.
"Hello, Harrison,"
"Hi, aunt Cissa,"
"Can I help you with anything dear?"
"I have to speak with uncle Lucius, I'm the messenger."
"Oh, well he's currently in his study, an elf will take you."
"Thanks,"
Harry followed the elf up and knocked on the door he was shown too, he waited to be called and then stepped in. It was decorated in tones of blue and soft gold making it quite warm, Lucius looked up with a smile.
"Harrison, I was not expecting to see you again today."
"Hello, Uncle," Harry greeted, "Yes, I'm here with a message."
"Oh, sit down,"
Harry sat in an extremely soft blue chair and made a note to get himself one.
"I've just come from the castle and Marvolo wants you to find out the placement of all his Elite in Azkaban."
Lucius blinked at that.
"Their placements?"
"Yes, he wants to know where in the fortress they are and having their security detail wouldn't go amiss, and he wants them at the quickest possible time."
"Is he planning on removing them?"
"He's planning a few things, yes,"
"I will have them by tomorrow, the day after at the latest."
"Good, my work here is done. I now have to throw in a lot of hours of study."
"What are you studying for?"
"Well, I was speaking to Marvolo and we've come to the agreement that even if we can retrieve his people from Azkaban, the main problem is going to be healing them because of the potions counteracting each other so I'm going to be spending a lot of time, and utilising Severus as much as I can, to create a single potion that practically counteract the effects of the dementors, hopefully."
"That is a lot to work for, are you sure I can do it?" Lucius asked and Harry waved him off.
"I've already got ideas, but this is easy compared to what Salazar expects me to do. If I can get this done soon then the Elite can be taken from Azkaban,"
"Very well, is this the only thing your doing?" Lucius asked and Harry shook his head.
"No, I'm going to be with Marvolo transporting the Elite back to wherever he's taking them, that way we can remain undetected." Harry told him and Lucius blinked.
"Harrison, I know you are a remarkable wizard despite your age, but I do not believe your father will be too accepting of the idea of you infiltrating Azkaban Island." Lucius said to him and Harry frowned.
"Why?"
"Because you are only 11 and Azkaban is a place that most adults fear to approach."
"Yes, but I'll be fine, besides, I learned the patronus today." Harry waved him off.
"Be that as it may- wait, you learned the patronus charm today?"
"Yes, Marvolo said it was the only defence against dementors so I thought I should learn it. Its been a while since I've learned a brand new spell."
"You can't learn the patronus in a day, its just not possible."
"Expecto Patronum," Harry chanted and the same snake shot from his wand and slithered around the room before he let it fade.
"Ok, you apparently can," Lucius corrected with a shake his head, "That is irrelevant when it comes to the fact that Sirius will not indulge your thought to go to Azkaban."
"I don't see why," Harry shook his head bewildered.
"Maybe you should speak to Sirius about that."
"Fine, but I don't think he should be worried, I mean, Marvolo is going to be there as well as you and Severus probably." Harry got up, "I shall inform him that you will have the information ASAP."
"Goodbye, Harrison,"
Harry vanished with a wave, he floo'd home after saying goodbye to Narcissa and skipped off to the dining room where Remus and Sirius were sat.
"Hey Pup, your back,"
"Yeah, hey dad, Moony,"
"Hello cub, what's up, there's something on your mind." Remus noted and Harry sighed and sat down.
"Its just something uncle Lucius said." Harry said absently.
"Oh what was that?"
"Well, I was passing on a message from Marvolo, and he was under the impression that you would be worried about me if I went to Azkaban with Marvolo."
Both adults spat out their drinks and were overcome with hacking coughs, Harry wiped his face and cleaned up the mess with a wave of his hands.
"Ew,"
"What do you mean go to Azkaban with him, you're not going within 200ft of Azkaban." Sirius exclaimed, once he had recovered the ability to breathe normally again, and Harry blinked at him slowly.
"Huh?"
"You are not going to Azkaban!"
"Why not?" Harry questioned puzzled, both of the adults looked at him as if he had grown a second head.
"Harrison, you are eleven years old, you are not going to the most feared place in wizarding Britain." Sirius told him firmly.
"But I have to go, Marvolo was sceptical about me being involved in the first place, I've only just convinced him to build his plans around me being there." Harry said indignantly, "I learned the patronus for this and everything."
"Cub, we are not going to allow you to go to Azkaban what so ever, Dark Lord or not." Remus stated and Harry scowled.
"What if you come with me?"
"Not- wait what?"
"If your not going to let me go alone and as I'm needed there, why don't you come with me-us?" Harry suggested mentally making a note to speak with Marvolo again.
"I'll think about it of your so determined, but this idea should be pushed way way way back in your mind." Sirius warned and Harry grinned.
"Thanks dad,"
Harry was positively bouncing with excitement when he went down for breakfast, the mere thought of the interview bringing a large grin to his face and he wasn't surprised to see Sirius and Remus were just the same.
"I'm literally counting down the hours." Harry said, "What's the plan?"
"I was thinking we could allow Rita to see the grounds of Black manor and take her on the brief tour of the manor itself before settling in the formal lounge and having drinks while we commence with the interview." Sirius said pompously and Harrison smirked.
"And of course we shall allow photos in front of the elusive Black Manor,"
"Obviously," Remus drawled and then they all laughed.
"Your new Heir robes have finally been delivered, Harrison, wear them for this afternoon." Sirius said and Harry nodded.
"Got it,"
"And if you could try and stay in the library because the elves are on a mission to have this place gleaming by 12."
"I did wonder why Kip came back dusty." Harry mused.
"Have you finished your school work, Cub?"
"Yes Moony, its all done."
"So what are you working on, you always seem to be studying?"
"Well, I'm working on some new potions and I'm trying to get a working formula before I even think of trying to construct it, and now I have another one to be working on for Marvolo." Harry told him and Remus eyebrows went up.
"You're creating two new potions?"
"Well the first one is more of a formula, Salazar set me a challenge and I only have three months to finish, but if the formula is workable then I can construct it and work out the variables, so I have high hopes. Then the second is more of a collaboration of other potions to make a super potion, I'll be going to see Severus soon to see if we can work together and get it made faster."
"Do you plan on having a break any time during the holidays?" Remus asked amused and Harry laughed.
"Of course,"
"Do I get to see all this work?"
"Yes, come on Moony," Harry led him up to the library and snapped his fingers summoning his work, he laid it out and Remus' eyes widened as he looked over everything.
"This is amazing, Cub."
"Thanks, they're only ideas at the moment. Because I discovered all the ingredients that Sal left me I have to go over all of my previous workings to see if I can still use them, luckily I always keep a copy of my workings until I've found the correct formula." Harry explained and Remus whistled impressed.
"Is there any other subjects that you excel at?"
"Nothing as much as potions I guess, but my duelling is up to standard and my spell creation is much more ahead than most." Harry mused after a moment of thought.
"We haven't seen you duel yet," Remus pointed out.
"I know, I'm kinda slacking at my training, Salazar would be horrified. I'll take up my training again, and I may just happen to have one at the castle, that way I can really shock Marvolo." Harry told him, "And I haven't truly been able to work on my blades nor my bow."
"You know how to work with both?" Remus said in surprise, and Harry nodded.
"Yeah, I was taught well with both. I have customised daggers for my blades and a customised bow with arrows." Harry told him, "I was terrible at the bow and arrow first of all, but I'm pretty good now."
"I'd love to see you duel, use your blades and see you shoot." Remus decided.
"You'll probably see me duel by the end of the summer, which means you'll see my blades. As for my bow, well, I am sure we can set up targets; I said I would teach Draco anyway."
"Wonderful,"
"No doubt Marvolo wants to see anyway."
"How did your conversation with him go, properly?" Remus questioned and Harry smirked.
"You should have seen it, Moony, the all-powerful Dark Lord left speechless on multiple times!" Harry said in excitement, and Remus couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.
"How much pleasure did you take in that?"
"So much, and he knows it, but its funny because he doesn't know how much I have or haven't told him. Like today when I showed him my flaming, he was stunned."
"You know, even though we are technically dark now and we've met the Dark Lord, it's still strange to not think of him as the big bad monster from last time. Especially because before we've only see the bad things, I mean we've heard rumours of how he was as a leader, how he was crazy and on the battle field he didn't present the image of sanity. But to actually meet him, to speak to him and to hear you speak about him like he's an actual human, its surreal." Remus had a distant look in his eye and shook his head coming back to reality. Harry smiled.
"I don't know what it was like before so I can't comment, but I know what I do about him now and he is pretty intense. He's always been human though," Harry added the last point as an afterthought.
"It was hard to see him like an ordinary person because there was nothing ordinary about him, and on the battlefield, watching and feeling him wield his power, it was inhuman." Remus said.
"I've felt his magic, and he has it in buckets. I haven't seen him use it properly yet, but I know it will be something incredible."
"I can't wait to see you duel, we've felt your magic, I want to see you use it."
Harry grinned at that.
"I know I can duel, I beat Ric,"
"You beat Godric Gryffindor in a duel!" Remus exclaimed and Harry nodded proudly.
"Yes, took me years, but I eventually did it."
"Now I'm really looking forward to it."
An elf popped in and called them for lunch, Sirius was sat at the table already and he greeted them with a grin.
"Everything is sorted and in place, Rita will be here in an hour so that means showers and changing after lunch." He told them and they nodded.
"Yes, dad,"
"Of course, Pads,"
"Good,"
Harry was the first one to finish and he vanished up to his rooms, he had a quick shower and was surprised when his elf was there to help him dress; Harry soon understood why. The full Heir robes, ones he had not worn before, were very intricate and very layered. The first one was his trousers and a shirt, then a thin, light black inner robe, followed by a thin but weighty inner robe which was royal blue, that was covered by the outer robe which was silver and allowed the blue to show through in certain places giving a stylish look and it was finished with a black open robe with the Black family crest printed proudly giving it a rich finish.
Harry looked at himself in the mirror and smirked, it was a nice look, but highly unnecessary in everyday life. Harry walked quickly down to the formal lounge, casting a spell to settle his hair in to position as he moved. It was five minutes to one and he shut up his Occlumency shields, he had to be perfectly composed today. Sirius and Remus were already present, they looked like the perfect Pureblood couple and Harry stood on in the doorway with a smirk.
"Well don't we all look fine?" He drawled and Sirius smirked.
"We are of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, of course we look good."
"I still can't believe I've gotten used to this lifestyle." Remus shook his head and Sirius smiled.
"I told you you would."
"Yeah yeah,"
The alarm sounded and they made their way to the entrance hall, Harry took Sirius' right while Remus was on the left and they stood just back as one of the elves opened the door. All their expressions were blank and they were stood tall and proud as their guests slowly entered the building, Rita and her photographer were gazing around with uncompromised awe, much to the Blacks pride. Sirius cleared his throat.
"Good Afternoon, Rita, I am glad you could make this meeting." He greeted coolly, Rita's attention snapped to them and Harry could see the glint enter her eyes.
"Lord Black, I thank you for this amazing opportunity, to be in the elusive Black Manor is a once in a lifetime chance." She gushed walked forward, "Your manor is stunning,"
Sirius's expression morphed in to a detached smirk.
"Yes, it does hold a certain charm." Sirius agreed candidly.
"Will you permit a photo as you are now? The image you present is amazing."
Harry bit back his smirk as Sirius graciously nodded, they held their position as the camera snapped a few shots.
"Miss Skeeter, would you care for a small tour of the manor and its grounds? You may find something else you wish to photograph." Harrison offered and her eyes lit up.
"I would be honoured,Heir Black,"
Harrison led them out and through the beautiful flower gardens to the side, Sirius began a small running commentary of the facts about the grounds and what Black did what. They moved around to see the view it presented and the photographer snapped up some shots of the stretch of lake and the mountain views, they brushed passed the greenhouses and the other gardens before heading in.
"Now the manor itself is still its original structure when it was first constructed by Cepheus Black II in 1072, however, my grandfather, the late Arcturus Black III redesigned the inner design and room layouts to create the piece you see today." Sirius told them and Rita was happily writing everything down as the man was photographing anything Sirius gave the ok to. The famous Black library drew an astonished gasp from both the guests and Rita was hurriedly scribbling down how impressive it was. Finally they led them back to the formal lounge where they posed for another picture in front of the crest.
"I am astounded at the beauty of your Manor, Lord Black," Rita said and Harry knew she was being honest.
"Thank you, Rita," Sirius said, "Would you care for afternoon refreshments?"
"Yes please,"
They all took seats and an elf popped in without so much as a summons from Sirius with afternoon tea, fresh lemonade and a selection of, no doubt, hand made biscuits. After a few more pleasantries and questions about the manor, Sirius brought the topic on to the one they wanted.
"As you know myself and my associates have been pushing for action against the Potter Heiress, Rosina, after her brutal attack against my son and Heir." Sirius said and her attention refocused.
"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore and Lord Potter were adamant that it was an accident and the ministry was not moving despite the startling evidence."
"Yes, it was most unfortunate, however, I was not about to allow something of such severity go unpunished, so I spoke to the minister directly. We decided it would be best to pursue a civil case opposed to a high profile criminal case, and a hearing took place in front of the Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Amelia Bones."
"It was accepted as a reasonable case then?"
"Yes, it seems that there were others that spoke up also," Remus confirmed.
"When was the hearing?"
"Yesterday and I am pleased to say that Heiress Rosina Potter was found guilty of assault against an Heir of a Noble and Most Ancient House. She was sentenced to a ywo year flying ban and fined 1.5 million galleons. This was based of the evidence that was collected by an independent source and the given testimonies and was witnessed by aurors." Sirius told them lightly and Rita gasped.
"She was found guilty?" Rita repeated in a hushed whisper.
"Yes,"
"This is definite, this is proof that they were lying. When this reaches the public's knowledge, it will cause outrage, the nation's hero is no better than a common thug." She whispered astounded, and Harry nearly rubbed his hands together like an evil genius, but he refrained from doing so because that would have been strange in front of guests.
"I find it disgusting that this was almost covered up just because she was labelled as a hero." Sirius shook his head and Rita nodded emphatically.
"It is unacceptable behaviour," She agreed before turning to Harrison, "How do you feel with result?"
Harry looked down shyly,
"I am glad that she's being punished, I don't understand why she would resort to something so horrible. I know we haven't exactly gotten along, but I nearly died and it made me lose faith when the apparent leaders of our world were covering for her." He fiddled with his robes and shifted for effect, "I am glad that some people within our ministry still believe in thorough justice."
"Yes, it brings back a sense of hope to know not everyone is corrupt." Rita said and Harry had to bite his lip, luckily it made him look more nervous.
"Now, we merely have to hope that the House of Potter honours the sentence." Remus stated with a touch of indifference.
"Surely they would? It would be foolish not to." Rita said in slight confusion, but Sirius raised a shoulder slightly.
"They claimed that the hearing was 'bought' merely because the evidence spoke for itself, Lord Potter was nearly charged with harassment of a government official."
"The disgrace,"
"I have never been more proud to be a Black then at that moment." Harry said honestly and Rita nodded.
"It is understandable, given the circumstances of the situation; no one would blame you for that."
Sirius, Remus and Rita went over the final details of the hearing while Harry sat back and made it so he looked to be listening as he own thoughts ran wild, he couldn't wait until the article was published, it was going to be huge just like the ones before – only more. Harry tilted his head as he felt a rippled in the wards and he saw Sirius' shoulders stiffen indicating he wasn't the only one. There was a sound of a portkey and someone landing in the entrance hall, Harry was on his feet running to the hall as there was only one person who had a portkey to Black manor and when he slid around to corner he froze in horror.
Harry paid no attention to the hurrying footsteps following him as his eyes landed on a bloody and beaten Lily Potter. Her robes were ripped and torn, barely covering her battered form. She was thin, more than that, her skin looked stretched across her bones and her hair was dull and lifeless. Layers of bruises littered the sickly pale skin, some looking weeks old and others looking fresh. Some of her bones were in obviously broken and there were nasty slashes over her which were bleeding heavily. Hand shape bruises could just be picked out amongst the mess including one on her throat and wrists, she was sporting two black eyes and a split lip and her breathing was clearly laboured.
"Sev'rus," she gasped, "Get Sev'rus, please,"
And then she collapsed.
There you have it, the next chapter and finally the entrance of Lily. I know people have been waiting and wondering how I'm going to play this out, but don't worry, I have a few ideas and I hope this catches your attention to read on! I know there will be a few of you that are sceptical about the whole Patronus thing, but it will be explained in a later chapter so just bare with me please guys! Let me know what you think please,
Jess*