Chapter 39 – Birthdays and Death

April 1st was a day that was anticipated by the majority of students and faculty at Hogwarts. It was the last day of classes before the beginning of the week long spring break. Many students had already packed up their travel bags in anticipation of the Hogwarts Express taking almost everyone away from the school for a week. Harry and his wives were still deciding about taking the train with everyone else when it left first thing on Saturday morning. Harry thought it would be fun to just sit and talk to his friends but Hermione was a little anxious to go to Potter Manor and maybe have supper with her parents instead.

Ginny and Harry were still trying to think up a fun exercise for the DA meeting Friday night. Harry was almost talked into showing everyone the Room of Requirement and holding a targeting competition for everyone when the three entered the Great Hall. Fred and George were sitting quietly waiting for everyone and Ginny separated from her mates to go give her brothers a long hug. "Happy Birthday guys, you want your presents now or later?"

"Oh my loveliest sister, you got us presents?" George pretended to wipe away a tear. "You're such a dear."

"The nicest sister a bloke, or two blokes could ever have" Fred continued.

"Does that mean you won't take the presents Harry and I got you?" Hermione said with a smile.

"We accept all sorts of gifts from family. By the way, Harry we have another bag of goodies for you."

"Why don't you bring them by the Hearth before supper and we can exchange then?"

"That sounds like something we could do. Are we having any firewhiskey?"

"Fred!"

"Just asking. We know you have some at the Manor and thought you might have some around for emergencies."

"Your birthdays classify as an emergency?" Hermione asked.

"Well it does matter…"

"… who you talk to." George finished for his brother.

"Whom you talk to" Hermione cheekily corrected.

Ginny laughed and punched George lightly on the arm. "Five thirty? After your Charms class?"

Fred and George both nodded and turned back to leisurely choosing their breakfast from among the many trays and platters. Harry and the other sat down just as the staff finished straggling into the hall and seated themselves. Ron and Luna were seated across from Harry, Hermione and Ginny. Hermione rolled her eyes when she saw the mountain of food that Ron had piled up on his plate. "Couldn't you go back for seconds Ronald?"

Ron looked up and mumbled through a mouthful of food. "These ARE my seconds. I've got a long day in front of me."

Hermione dug in to her bookbag and pulled out her favorite book – Hogwarts: A History. She propped it up in front of her. Harry grinned when he saw that it was just tall enough to cut his wife's view of her brother-in-law. Seeing Hermione had a satisfied look on her face, Harry passed her a pot of hot water so she could brew some tea to go with her meal.

The three loaded up their plates with their favorite breakfast staples and Ginny almost had her first forkful of scrambled eggs to her mouth when Ron started coughing violently. Luna pounded him on the back rather forcibly and Harry used his wand to clean up the mess that had been deposited up on the table.

"My food; it's been poisoned!" Ron cried out. Luna shook her head and picked up Ron's plate and tentatively sniffed it. "Smells like laundry soap."

"It tasted like laundry soap."

There were exclamations all up and down the Gryffindor table as people pushed their plates away from them. For the most part.

"Neville?"

"My toast tastes like flobberworms!"

'Only Nev actually knows what flobberworms taste like.'

Seamus was staring at his fork like it was something dangerous. "Pickle juice; my entire plate tastes like pickle juice."

Lavender put her fork down in disgust. "It looks like my normal breakfast but it tastes of dirty socks."

Hermione looked around and saw that the other house tables were experiencing the same problems. She took a small taste of what she had on her plate and made a face. "Mine's limburger cheese. I hate limburger cheese."

Ginny tried hers and then began filling her face as fast as she could. "Strawberry shortcake. Goody."

Harry looked at his food and then pulled out his wand. "Finite Incantatem." He put his wand back in his wrist holster thinking he had removed whatever jinx was on his breakfast. He was wrong; his first, last and only bite had the flavored of rubber erasers.

Harry looked down the table. Everybody was affected but some people were struggling to finish their meal anyway.

"Fred?"

"Liver and onions; a little early in the day but not too bad."

"Angela?"

"Curried pork; I hope I won't be burping it all day."

"Marta?"

"I've got some wonderful stuff that tastes of boiled calamari Harry if you want some."

"Thanks Marta but… no thanks."

There were shouts coming from all over the hall as the students identified the taste and smells of the normal looking food that was on their plates. Harry only caught a few of the exclamations but suddenly felt better that he could eat rubber eraser flavored food if he really had to. Other people weren't quite so lucky: grass, spiderwebs, earwax, tripe, five-alarm chili, and pickled beet marmalade had students pushing away from the house tables in disgust or trying to stop vomiting.

There was a sudden shout from the head table and Harry looked to find Professor Snape throwing his fork down in anger. He turned quickly to accuse Sirius. "You did this; I know you did. You know I'm allergic to milk."

'Snape is lactose-intolerant? That settles what he gets for his birthday!'

Sirius shook his head. "No, I'd have given myself something other than sawdust to have as breakfast."

Snape sat down hurriedly but then turned to whisper to Narcissa next to him. Harry cast the spell to enhance his hearing and found out that Narcissa's meal tasted like turnip flavored toothpaste. (That was way beyond yucky in Harry's estimation.) The other professors had similar fates. McGonagall was lucky to get gooseberry pie. Hagrid was trying to remember when he had last ate fried porcupine and Professor Trelawney was telling everyone around her that she had seen that her food was going to taste of Manticore toenails and she had eaten in her chambers before coming down.

'Harry, I think I know what happening. Don't make it obvious but look at the twins.'

Harry turned to look at Hermione and glanced down the table to where the twins sat. They had their heads together and were pointing at both the students and the head table where the staff sat. They were trying very hard to keep their faces straight.

Harry groaned silently. It was the twin's birthday. No better time to prank everyone.

Dumbledore stood up at the head table and spoke aloud. "It seems we have a trickster or two in or midst this morning. I've tried cancelling the spell on everyone's plate or food to no avail. I've instructed the house elves to set up some fruit and snack tables in the hallways until ten o'clock. I'd award house points for the Charm work but I'm sure the guilty parties wish to remain anonymous. Have a good morning everyone."

Harry stood after almost everyone else had left the hall and made his way down to where the twins sat. He took his fork with him and made a stab at what was left on George's plate. He had to spit back the piece of bacon that tasted like mud. "Sorry, I was sure the two of you were the culprits."

"Us? Sweet innocent lads that wouldn't harm a flea? You have trust issues Harry."

Ginny came up and cast a privacy ward around the group. "Okay; how did you charm the food? The house elves are very particular about allowing anyone in the kitchen when they are fixing meals."

"We didn't hex the food…"

"or Charm the plates…"

"…or the silverware."

Harry looked from one to the other. "Then what?"

George stood up and handed Harry his plate. "Try it now."

Harry was suspicious but did as he was asked. The last bite of bacon was cold but tasted like bacon.

"We charmed everyone's chairs to pass along the flavors of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. We were up very early this morning magically gluing a different bean to the underside of all the chairs in the Great hall. If anyone had thought to stand and eat, they would have enjoyed their normal breakfast."

"But you got liver and onions and mud" Hermione said.

"We did? Did you or anyone else see us actually eat anything? We sort of banished each bite as it got to our mouths. A few people tried our food and got what we said."

The group started laughing – even Hermione. Harry started applauding but was quickly stopped by Ron. "Don't encourage them."

"Before we head out for classes, are there any other things we should be careful around today" Hermione asked.

"Don't take the elevator" Fred said with a wink.

"Hogwarts doesn't have… oh, okay. Anything else?"

"That would be telling Mr. and Mrs. Potters. But Percy's shoes are going to be making rude noises all morning. If he takes his shoes off, so will his socks."

Harry shook his head but suddenly he had a suspicious thought. "We aren't a target today, are we?"

"Family? No way." George said.

"Why don't I believe you two?" said Ginny.

"Because you've seen our handiwork for a number of years."

George and Fred left the Great Hall whistling and the Potters followed them. Looking around carefully, just in case.

Xxxx xxxx

To be truthful, taking the new elevator wasn't actually that bad. It ran, albeit slowly, between the first and fourth floors. Every student that emerged from the conveyance however had their robes transfigured into another House's colors. That didn't set very well with most of the Slytherins but Professors Snape and Narcissa Black enjoyed handing out minor demerits to those students "falsely impersonating" Slytherin house members.

The only other identifiable prank that the three Potters could attribute to Fred and George Weasley happened at supper. All the staff that came to eat in the evening developed a quick rash that turned into a commendable display of freckles on every bit of exposed skin. Sirius was the first to come down from the teacher's dais and sit at the Gryffindor table and declare himself a 'temporary' Weasley.

Harry had to choke back a laugh when Felicia Hampton rose from her seat complaining about being 'infected' by the twins. The girl had huge blotches of freckles all over her face and arms and ceremoniously dumped two huge pitchers of pumpkin juice over Fred and George before stomping out of the hall. Professor McGonagall was so struck by the reaction that she didn't take points from either Felicia or the twins. (Harry saw Remus hand the disguised Auror a handful of galleons later that night outside the Gryffindor common room.)

Xxxx xxxx

A last minute announcement from Sirius had the Potters changing their plans about riding the train back to London with everyone else. They did, however made sure that they were down to the Hogsmeade station just after breakfast so that they could bid their friends and classmates goodbye.

Neville and Susan Bones were talking about their plans to work on some projects around Longbottom Manor when the Slytherins heading home walked down together to get on the train. Harry gave Neville a pat on the back and he, Ginny and Hermione walked over to talk to some of the people that they had taken classes with.

Harry made a point of saying hello to Astoria Greengrass and swinging her around in a circle. Daphne's little sister had a huge crush on Harry and enjoyed any time Harry paid special attention to her. Hermione had told Harry that Astoria thought that since he had two wives already, taking a third of her sister (or more) would be all right by her. Harry had made a point of asking Astoria if she had any fiancées or marriage proposals after that. The girl responded usually by saying she was waiting for the right Gryffindor to ask her. Both Astoria and Harry enjoyed teasing each other and each tried to make the other blush.

Today Hermione and Ginny gave hugs to the little blond and she ran away yelling for her classmates to save her a seat in their compartment. Harry watched her run away and then turned back to Daphne and Tracey Davis. "So what trouble are you two off to for break?"

Daphne shrugged her shoulders. "Tracey's asked me to visit her and her family for a few days and we thought we might do a day shopping in Diagon Alley."

"You can never have too many new clothes" Tracey said. "Or new knickers."

Daphne colored momentarily but pinched the cheek of her friend. "You are so going to get it."

"Promises, promises."

Daphne rolled her eyes and looked at Harry. "Could you talk to your wife Harry? Ginny's been giving Tracey ideas about what she can say in public."

Harry shrugged. "You could always do what I do when I think Ginny's gone too far."

"And that would be what?" said the redhead a little indignantly.

Harry looked around and then picked up Ginny bodily and snogged her senseless. She had a funny little grin when Harry let her down.

"See?"

"Duly noted Lord Potter. Have a nice week off; come along Tracey."

Tracey looked a little awestruck at Ginny's continued silence but gave Harry a pat on the shoulder and then followed Daphne away toward the train. Hermione came up and shook Ginny's shoulder just a little bit. "Ginny, are you okay?"

"Snog… snogging.. snogged. Yummy!" Ginny murmured.

Hermione turned to her husband. "You broke Ginny; you brute."

Ginny giggled suddenly and grabbed her wife around the waist. "Got you Nonnie." She laughed and Harry watched Hermione chase Ginny over to where the rest of the Weasley contingent was waiting for their goodbyes. Ginny pulled Ron and Luna around and hid behind them as Hermione tried reaching her.

Harry gently disengaged Hermione from the scrum and held her in a hug. "We came to say goodbye. We've got a few chores to take care of but could you let your Mum know we'll be over for a visit the day after tomorrow?"

Ron and Percy both nodded and then everyone exchanged hugs. Ginny congratulated the twins on the success of their birthday and the pair bowed deeply to the Potters. The last warning whistle sounded and the few stragglers left on the platform hurried to board. The Hogwarts Express left and the Potters waved to the people who were hanging out the windows wishing them a nice break. The train turned around a bend and Ginny looked over at Hermione. "Are we okay Nonnie?"

Hermione shook her head, stepped up right in front of Ginny and stared at her. Ginny closed her eyes, expecting the worst. Hermione winked at Harry, bent and picked up the little redhead and kissed her until Ginny's eyes popped open in surprise.

"Now we're okay." Hermione threw an arm across Ginny's shoulders and Harry gave each a kiss on the cheek. "You two are just a wonder; I'm glad it's never boring being around you. Let's get going-Sirius and Remus are waiting in Hogsmeade for us."

Both Hermione and Ginny's eyes picked up at the reminder. Sirius had finally agreed to take them to the Black family library and do some research on what Tom Riddle had possibly done to himself. The three quickened their walk and found the two older wizards waiting for them outside of The Three Broomsticks. Sirius received hugs from both Ginny and Hermione and Remus asked if Harry if everybody had got off okay. "Some better than others" Harry said looking at his wives. Both girls took a lazy swing at their husband and Sirius produced a long soup ladle from somewhere.

"Everyone grab a hold and I do mean grab a hold. Don't let go of this because losing your grip on the portkey means you could be lost anywhere along the way."

"Sirius" Hermione said patiently, "we've used portkeys before and Harry has gotten quite good at making them."

"I was saying it for Moony's sake. He got 'misplaced' in transit once."

"And you're never going to let me forget, aren't you?" Remus sighed in annoyance.

"We must have some constants in life, shouldn't we?"

"Like Ginny always being ticklish or Hermione having a book always within reach?"

"You take that back Harry" the brown-haired wife exclaimed sharply.

"Play nice" said Sirius Black as he activated the portkey. There was a small pop and then the five travelers appeared inside a small semi-circle of trees in an old park. Harry, being Harry, took a tumble and ended up pulling Hermione down with him. Keeping his eyes closed until the dizziness passed, Harry wasn't too surprised to see Hermione sitting on his chest with a smug expression. "Any more wisecracks you want to get yourself in trouble with Mr. Potter?"

'My sincere apologies Nonnie and you also Ginny. Foot rubs for both of you later?'

'That's acceptable for me. How about you Ginny?'

'Foot rubs are okay but I'd rather he rub…'

'Got it, Vixen You're insatiable.".

"Only for you, Jamie dear.'

Ginny giggled but helped both Hermione and Harry get up off the ground. The two brushed the leaves and grass off their clothes and followed Sirius and Remus to a spot about 3 blocks from where they landed. They finally came to a section of townhouses that were located in a short street called Grimmauld Place. They were a series of old style brick manor houses - boxy, three or four stories tall and probably were quite impressive in their day. Now they just look tired and a little old-fashioned. Most looked kept up as best they could with new window furnishings and paint but Sirius stopped in front of the most run-down of the lot.

"Here it is; 12 Grimmauld Place. The ancestral home of the Black family and one of the most depressing places to ever grow up. It was almost as bad as your Aunt and Uncle's Harry but at least they never got physical with me. It was more of a verbal and emotional punishment that I received. Stay close. There shouldn't be any danger as long as you're with me."

Hermione and Ginny looked at Harry a little nervously as what Sirius had said but he took up their hands for a quick reassuring squeeze. Sirius cast a Notice-Me-Not spell over everyone and approached the battered and dirty front door with his wand drawn.

"Lord Sirius Black demands entrance to his home." There was a decidedly off-tone click and the front door opened on very creaky hinges. The five entered the door and stopped at the beginning of a long gloomy hallway that was decorated with old gas lamps and a large dusty chandelier. Sirius raised his voice once again before they moved on. "I, Sirius Black, grant unrestricted chaperoned entrance to Harry Potter, Hermione Potter and Ginny Potter." He turned with a smile. "That means you three can come here any time you want but have to have me escort into the more 'select' areas like the library and the dungeon. Not that you'd ever want to go to the dungeons anyway. There's a potions lab down there I really ought get around to cleaning up and reusing."

"Speaking of cleaning up, you didn't have any house elves here to keep up the place Sirius?"

"There was only one old elf here when I was given my opportunity to enjoy an unlimited stay at hotel Azkaban. My mother died in 1985 and I think the shock of that totally unhinged him. Kreacher? Where is that elf?"

The group moved down the hallway and made a turn past the grand stairway while Sirius was explaining the layout of the ground floor. Harry was just past the stairs when he was hit in the back by a powerful bludgeoning curse. He folded up with a grunt and something launched itself from the shadows in the stairs to physically attack Hermione. "Filthy half-bloods and mudbloods shall not soil the magnificence of the Noble House of Black!"

The dark grey elf was clamoring all over Hermione and trying to reach up and attack her neck and face while Ginny was frantically trying to pull the enraged elf off. Sirius and Remus had pulled their wands but couldn't get a shot at Kreacher without accidentally hitting Hermione or Ginny. Harry saw through his pain the attack on Hermione and levered himself slowly off the floor. He stumbled to Hermione's side and, with Ginny's help, dislodged Kreacher before he could sink his claws or teeth into Hermione's neck or face. Kreacher went sailing across the room but landed and began running back at the Potters.

Kreacher was quickly blasted back into the hallway and it was a wonder that the old walls stopped him from being sent through it. Harry spared only a glance as the smeared remains of the house elf slid to the floor before he was at Hermione's side. He looked at the numerous bite and scratch marks on her arm and shoulder and threw a frantic glance up to where Sirius's and Remus's shocked faces were staring down at the trio.

"Harry… I didn't know…."

"We'll be back once we're sure Hermione's okay." Harry gathered both girls in a hug.

"Harry, you can't leave from in here…."

"We'll come back to where we appeared in the park" Harry said as the three disappeared.

"… there's anti-apparition wards" Sirius finished weakly. He looked at where the remains of Kreacher were puddled on the floor. Sirius sat down suddenly. "I so screwed this up. I should have known. They'll never forgive me for this."

Remus pointed his wand at the grey lump and banished the remains of the old house elf. "They won't blame you."

"I blame me." Remus gave Sirius a hand up. "We'd best go back to the park and wait for them."

"Okay but there's one more thing I have to do." Sirius made his way to a place in the next hallway and stopped before a small alcove that was covered by some very old and worn velvet curtains. Remus saw that his best friend didn't hesitate in pulling the cord that opened the curtains. The screech of outrage and fury that came from within made Remus cringe. "You dare show your face after we cast you out of the house of your fathers! Kreacher? Kreacher! Remove this outcast from my presence at once. You are not welcome here Sirius Orion Black. Not for one second. Do you hear me? Leave. Leave, Leave!"

Sirius waited until the source of the wild ravings paused to regroup. "Shut up mother! Yes you. I'm the master of the house now and Kreacher will no longer answer to your summons or orders. I've tried before and I can't take you down from this wall. I will no longer put up with your madness and prejudices against myself and my friends. Until I figure out how to destroy or banish your picture from MY house, this will be my solution."

Walburga Black began hurling insults again and her face became even a crueler caricature of the person she was in real life. Sirius took a step back and pulled the curtains down with one rough jerk. He tapped his wand on the three sides of the alcove and then on the floor. He made a sweeping motion with his wand and the alcove was no more. The walls stretched unbroken down the hallway and there was only a small murmur that could be heard from the spot where the life-sized portrait used to be. Sirius cast a silencing spell on the wall and the faint noise vanished.

"Banished the alcove?" Remus asked.

"Sealed her in. Covered the area with bricks before enlarging the walls. She can't move to any other portrait either; not that any of my other dead relatives would allow her into their frames."

"I'm glad you took care of that before Harry and the others came back."

"I should have taken care of her and Kreacher before I ever thought about bringing them here."

"It's okay Padfoot. You had no idea how badly Walburga had corrupted Kreacher. I'm sure Hermione will be okay. Ginny's a good healer and if it was something she couldn't handle they would go right to Hogwarts and Poppy."

"I guess you're right Moony. I just feel so guilty."

The two had been walking back to the front door while they were talking and Remus stopped suddenly at one spot. "Mind if I take care of that before Ginny and Hermione return?"

Sirius looked to where Remus pointed and shuddered. "That wouldn't go over well, would it?"

Remus shook his head 'No' and pointed his wand. The long string of plaques that contained the heads of all the other Black house elves silently vanished.

"I'm not sure if I want to tear the whole house down and start over again or just hired a team of goblins to rework the old place."

"Either way, you need to have someplace of your own and Gracie's."

"Merlin, you're right. I almost forgot about her living with me if I get approved for adoption. I'd better make some decisions and plans quickly."

The two left 12 Grimmauld Place and made the short walk back to the park where the portkey had originally landed them. It was about a half hour later before there was a sudden appearance. Sirius almost sobbed when he saw that Harry was alone. He hung his head. "Harry I am so sorry for what that happened. How's Hermione? I…what can I do or say to have you forgive me?"

Harry stared at Sirius for a minute but then relaxed and clasped a hand to Sirius' shoulder. "Hermione's okay and she wanted me to tell you that you aren't to hold yourself responsible and there's nothing to forgive. It wasn't your fault your house elf had been driven crazy. But…"

Sirius held her out at arm's length. "But?"

"Both girls are very shook up and won't be coming today. Maybe tomorrow if the offer still holds."

Sirius nodded. "Whenever you want. I'll try to get the library cleaned up by tomorrow morning."

Harry frowned. "I'd still like a complete tour of the place. I promised Hermione and Ginny that I or we would go through everything before they would come back here. I'll not endanger them again."

Remus just nodded. "It's okay Harry; it's something we need to do anyway. We'll make sure it's really safe before you return to Potter Manor."

Harry nodded and then came over to hug Sirius. "She's really all right. Between Ginny's healing and the house elves back at the manor, Hermione didn't even have any bruises left where Kreacher scratched and bit her. But she says you owe her a new top and she may drag you to Diagon Alley to help her pick it out."

Sirius finally relaxed a little. "If she can threaten me with that then I know she'll be okay. Let her pick the date and I'll even hold her purse without complaining."

Harry chuckled and the trio retraced their steps back to Grimmauld Place and entered the house again. Harry held up his hand as the front door closed behind them. "Knop!"

Sirius and Remus were surprised when the head elf at Potter Manor popped into being accompanied by two other house elves.

"Harry? What's going on?"

Harry paid no attention to his adopted father and held a quick conversation with the three elves. "Thank you Knop. Tell Hermione and Ginny that I'll be home as soon as I can."

"Very well Lord Harry. Until later." The older elf disappeared with an almost silent pop. Harry turned the two house elves around to face Sirius. "While I was anxiously waiting for Ginny to fix Hermione up, I asked Knop if there was a married couple at the manor that would like a bit of work. I guess there were a number of volunteers to accept a job I needed somebody for. Sirius, this is Hult and Sedance. You haven't met them before. This is Sirius Black, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black and now father to me and the three ladies."

The two house elves bowed deeply to Sirius. "What would you wish of us first, Lord Black?"

Remus seemed delighted by the confusion on Sirius's face. "You better tell him Harry. He does not comprehend what's going on."

"Okay. Padfoot, I realized a while ago that you would eventually like to have a place of your own. I don't know if this house is it or not. But this place is falling down. I don't know if you want to restore it to what it was at one time or make it better. But Hult and Sedance are on loan to you to help out around here as long as you want. They seemed happy to have a challenge to work on."

"Don't I get a say in this?" Sirius asked.

"You'll have to talk to them" Harry stated.

Sirius scratched his head for a couple seconds and then moved a few feet to stand before the small couple. "There's a lot of work to be done around here. Decades of neglect and dark arts to erase and brighten the place up. So if you really want to help me out, what are your terms of employment?"

The two house elves looked at each other confused. "We are already getting pay and time off from Lord Harry, Lord Black."

"But you'll be working here now. And for me. What would you like?"

"We are getting 6 sickles a week and an afternoon off at Potter Manor."

"How about 1 knut for each of you a week and two days off?"

Remus rolled his eyes but just leaned against the wall like Harry did while his friend and the two house elves began haggling in different directions for their terms of employment. It finally was settled at 12 sickles and 1 day off a week which Hult and Sedance could work if they wanted to. Sirius thought he hadn't got the better part of the deal but promised himself to treat the new house elves much better than anyone else in his family ever had.

Hult explained to Lord Black that he and Sedance were already were provisionally bonded to the Black family because of the relationship between Lord Harry and him. Sirius smiled and said that he understood that the two held their primary allegiance to Harry and that he had no intents of supplanting him as their master. That seemed to settle a possible conflict for the two house elves and they bowed to Sirius and asked them what he wanted them to do first.

Sirius sent Sedance to work on cleaning up the kitchen downstairs while he sent Hult to the library to begin cleaning and airing out the room. He cautioned the house elf to be careful about touching any of the books. Hult nodded and walked out of the hallway as Sirius told Sedance where the kitchen was.

xxx xxx

It was almost two o'clock when the three wizards finished their walkthrough of the four-story town house. The attic was the usual dusty mess of old trunks and abandoned furniture. Harry eyed an old wardrobe and decided that Sirius or Hult would be more than welcome to open it and find out if it contained a stray boggart.

The fourth and third floor contained bedrooms and an upstairs toilet that Sirius remembered a ghoul had occupied for most of his years before he went to Hogwarts. Luckily it seemed to have moved on and the bedrooms were all musty smelling with a bunch of less than desirable decorations and furnishings.

The second floor contained the master bedroom and a couple of smaller bedrooms. One look at the definite dark and Slytherin trappings everywhere and Harry almost felt like floo calling Mrs. Weasley and letting her know that Sirius needed a lot of help redecorating. The Lord's study was connected to the master bedroom and Harry just got a creepy feeling from entering the nearly deserted room. Harry asked if the big fireplace was an active floo connection and Sirius said that he wasn't sure. "The bills probably hadn't been paid for many years and it has probably been turned off. I'll have to think if I want it active again."

The first floor held some small bedrooms and a large drawing room which Sirius explained had been his and his brother Regulas's play and learning area. Harry thought it would make a nice study room for Gracie if she didn't mind seeing the tapestry of the Black family tree. He was surprised to see that he and his wives were listed directly under Sirius's name which had burned off the hanging at one time. Sirius explained that the tapestry continually updated itself and he hoped he would get to see Gracie's name appear on it soon.

The ground floor held the Black library where Hult was still working when they peered in. It also held a large empty space that Harry assumed was the ball room where parties or dances used to be held.

A decent sized kitchen was found in the basement and Sedance was busy clearing out some very large spiders out of the pantry when they opened the door. Sirius asked the elf if she wanted any help and she quickly turned and gave him a look that quickly had him apologizing to her. The other areas in the basement were a potions lab which was in a horrible state and the dungeons which Harry passed on while Remus and Sirius inspected it.

Harry was dirty and dusty from the climbing and poking he had done in the corners and rooms along the way. Sirius cast a spell to clean him up and Remus produced a few cold butterbeers for them to drink. Harry thanked Sirius and Remus for letting him go along with them and said he could honestly tell Hermione and Ginny that they had been through the house from top to bottom and it was safe to come into.

Sirius stammered out his apologies again and Harry said that he would have to do a reasonable job of bowing and scraping when Ginny and Hermione showed up in the morning. Sirius laughed and said he would have the flowers and chocolates ready. Harry gave both men a hug and then disappeared. In complete disregard to the wards.

Sirius let out a long sigh. "He's got to tell me how he does that. That was tougher than I thought. I'm glad we didn't find much to get rid of along the way."

Remus threw an arm around across his friend's shoulders. "How about we go check on your elves and see if and when Sedance will be able to make supper. We'll get out of their way for a bit and I'll buy you the first pint. I saw that The First Lances was still open over on Ackerly Lane."

Sirius smiled. "Think anybody there will remember we were banned from the place?"

"I sincerely hope not. It has been over a decade and we might have learned some manners since then."

"Speak for yourself Moony; I'll go check on Sedance."

Xxx xxxx

Sirius did have both chocolates and flowers for both Hermione and Ginny the next morning in way of apology. Both gave their father-in-law a kiss on the cheek but Hermione said she really wanted to get to the library. Sirius chuckled but wasted no time in leading the three Potters to the library. Hermione was delighted to see that the library was even larger than the one they had at Potter Manor. Remus was already there reading when the other four entered.

Hult had done a marvelous job of cleaning up and even the windows were cracked a little to let some fresh air into the room. Sirius pointed out the two bookcases that he didn't want them touching but said that the rest of the library was open to investigate. The three quickly found books that they thought might help in their investigations but Sirius called a halt after a couple of hours so that they could walk down to the kitchen for a lunch that Sedance prepared.

The Potters quickly settled into a pattern of reading in the library for a few hours every morning and then discussing the books they had chosen. While it didn't get them closer to the answer they had hoped for, they thought they were getting some ideas. It at least gave the three a glimpse of what pureblood families and Death Eaters considered important.

It was Thursday morning that a frantic Remus rushed into the library waving a copy of The Daily Prophet around and calling for everyone in alarm. He spread the paper out on a table for everyone to read.

The headline was shocking: 'MURDER at Greengrass Manor! Elliot and Portentia Greengrass killed by Unknown Forces; Injured Daughters Rushed to St. Mungo's.'

Harry and the others were white-faced when they looked up. Sirius didn't say anything but grabbed a nearby paperweight and waved his wand over it. "A Portkey to St. Mungo's. Go check on your friends."

Harry nodded and the three placed their hands on the object before Harry activated it. The three disappeared in a sparkle of magic and Sirius sat down rather abruptly. He looked over at an anxious Remus.

"This is just like the old bad times when we were fighting Voldemort." Remus silently agreed.