Chapter 24

Serious discussions

After the eventful day at Potter Manor, the morning at home seemed to be very quiet. Harry was hosting not just Terry, Antony and Ron as had been planned but the three girls decided to stay behind too, with Madam Bones coming to pick them up just before lunch. Aries had enough confidence in Harry now to allow the young boy room to be the host without adult supervision, especially since the biggest threat to Harry acting foolish had gone with Narcissa back to the apartment in London. He was reviewing some documents for the Wizengamot when the small knock on the study door came and Hermione Granger walked in looking a bit flushed.

'Can I help you with anything Hermione?'

'No, well, yes, I just wanted to discuss something with you, if I'm not interrupting anything that is.'

'Not at all, I was supposed to stop for the day about half an hour ago. Come in, take a seat. What is this all about?'

'Well, sir, it's about Harry.' The girl fidgeted a bit unsure where to start.

'Go on' he encouraged her.

'I know you've known him for less than 6 months but for us that have known him for longer…he's happy. He hasn't had a great childhood, and he really didn't deserve what happened to him both at Hogwarts and at his aunt's house.' Hermione sighed before continuing 'What I'm trying to say is, thank you, I guess. For coming into his life. I don't know why you chose to take care of him, but I'm grateful to you that you did. Even though it isn't my place to be grateful and I might sound presumptuous saying it, but Harry is my first and best friend. And you've been a positive change in his life. For that, thank you.'

'Did Harry ever talk about what his life at his aunt's house was like?'

'Not much, just small remarks. He never chose to go there for Christmas holiday or…well I think he would have liked to stay even for the summer holidays if he could, at Hogwarts, I mean. They aren't very nice people.'

'Yes, I gathered as much.' Aries said getting up and looking out the window.

'You've met them?'

'When they signed over the guardianship to me, a Muggle formality. They aren't people I care to see ever again, I might be tempted to do something worthy of the Black name.' he said in a low voice sending a sad smile towards the young witch.

'You care about Harry, don't you?'

'I do.'

'Harry said you told him you wanted to be his guardian, but that you didn't want to tell him why, only that it had nothing to do with the boy who lived thing.'

'I hope you understand that if I chose to withhold that information from Harry, you will not be privy to it before he is.'

'I know. I'm just trying to understand. As much as I am grateful for what you did for him, I am also concerned. Harry started to trust you, and that's a good thing, so please, don't let his trust be in vain.'

'You think I would betray that trust?'

'I hope you won't. Because then Harry would never trust again.'

'You're a good friend.'

'I am not an easy person to be liked. Harry saw through my flaws and stood by my side. I will do anything for him.'

'I understand, and though I can't give you the reason you seek to determine by having this conversation, I can promise you that I will not hurt Harry intentionally and I will strive to make his trust in me be justified and never shaken.'

'Thank you, that is all I ask.' She turned to go before turning to him again. 'I should tell you, Draco Malfoy told me something about your family.'

'Oh?'

'I didn't tell Harry as I couldn't check if what he said was true, but if Harry finds out, he won't be happy.'

'What did Draco say?'

'That Harry was now living with the family that had something to do with his family's murder.'

'I see, thank you for telling me this.'

'It isn't true, is it?'

'The Black family during the first War was divided, some family members were and still are Voldemort's supporters. But they are either dead or in prison.'

'I see. If Draco says what he said to me to Harry…'

'Harry would not take kindly to his words. I will speak with Harry before he returns to school. Thank you again, Hermione.'

Draco was waiting in Lord Black's study. His mother was with him but she said nothing, she just sat in the armchair next to his, her back straight, her legs slightly bent and to the side, her body exuding elegance and poise. Draco admired his mother a lot, she was everything a woman should be, in his opinion. Calm, collected, elegant, speaking little but with great wisdom, able to hold her house and make her husband look good and yet it hadn't been enough for his father. He had to stray, he had to push her to leave. Was it her fault, or was it his? He didn't understand, he hadn't had time to understand. Everything happened so fast. One moment everything was fine, great even, and then leaving Malfoy Manor, going to London to this almost stranger of an uncle. As he thought this the door opened and in came said uncle looking very much a Lord.

'Sorry to keep you waiting. Narcissa, Pan prepared refreshments for you on the terrace.'

His mother rose and with a small nod thanked her uncle before leaving Draco alone with Aries Black who began reading a document completely ignoring him. Five minutes passed like this, then ten and Draco started fidgeting. After another five Draco's anger made him open his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He tried again with the same result. After the third try, Draco began to panic and wanted to sit up, but he couldn't do that either, he was frozen on the chair, but no, he could move, slightly, not much, what was this? Aries seemed to take his time but finally turned to him. Those silver eyes seemed to be able to pierce into his soul. Was his uncle doing this?

'You are not here to speak, Draco. You are here to listen. What happened with your father and between your parents can be confusing and painful for a child which is why we are having this conversation and I don't go straight to your punishment. Yes, Draco, punishment.'

Draco wanted to say that he had done nothing wrong. But that wasn't strictly speaking true. Potter must have snitched.

'No he has not.' Aries said as if reading his mind.

'I do not need to read your mind to know what your facial expressions mean. But you are wrong, Harry didn't tell me anything. You failed to take into consideration my elf. Pan is not just a family elf. He is sworn to me personally, meaning that I and I alone can control him and that there are no secrets between us. But you would have known that had your father been capable of earning the trust of an elf in such a way. You see, while an elf enters easily into servitude to any family that would have them, not many choose to bond with one wizard or witch. For that to happen there needs to be trust, mutual trust. Your father didn't inspire trust nor did he trust anyone. His predicament now is in part due to that.' Aries rose and walked to the window before turning to Draco once again.

'Your mother turned to me because she trusted me more than she did your father not because of his betrayal of her, but because she trusts this is the way for you to learn, grow and have the best opportunity to make something of yourself. My predecessor Arcturus retired from the public eye and kept his duties as head of the family to a bare minimum. He was old and felt he had little to fight for with a family shattered, imprisoned or dead. That is why your mother didn't explain to you the role the Black Family Head has in your life.'

'Your father asked to be married into the Black family. His and your family name remained that of Malfoy for official purposes, but for magical purposes he was Lucius Abraxan Malfoy-Black, just as you were Draco Lucius Malfoy-Black. Both of you are to answer first to your mother, who has been and remains a Black, but above all else to the Black family Head.'

'In the current circumstances it is fortunate for both of you. Your father has lost all credibility in the eyes of Wizard society, that he has done so while outside of the country and away from you and your mother gives both of you the opportunity to step away without further implication in the scandal. Your father will still be your father however, and at the end of the marriage dissolution both of you may request to see each other, the when and where will be discussed with your mother and myself. If you think he will continue to be a presence in your life as before, then you are wrong.'

'Lucius's chance of a relatively normal life is in anonymity, which means he will have to leave the country and seek remote wizarding communities. From your point of view, it might seem like he is abandoning you, but in this case, this is the best thing he can do for you. Being here, seeing you, will only remind your peers that you have ties with a disgraced man, and you will face hardship.'

'That will also be the case now, in the beginning. In the months to come you will learn who your real friends are. Those who stick with you, you should cherish them forever.'

'Your mother and I will support you as much as we can, but school is designed to teach you to fend for yourself. Do you understand?'

Draco didn't want to understand, but he did, after all, he had been raised in the Pure Blood world, he knew the Wizarding high society and their insatiable appetite for gossip and scandal.

'This also means you will renounce the name Malfoy and become Draco Lucius Black.'

'But then father will disown me.' Draco blurted out and realized he could speak now

'He is in his right. If he chooses to do so, or not. That remains to be seen. He has no other children and his sister has none either. He might choose to keep you as his heir.'

'Can I talk to him?'

'After the marriage is dissolved, around Christmas.'

'Can I write to him?'

'With your mother's permission.'

'If I won't be his heir any longer, what will happen to me?'

'You are and will remain a member of the Black family. You will do well in school, and will choose a job that you will hopefully like and build the life you want to have. Just like everyone else.'

'But I'm not like everyone else. I am Draco Malfoy!'

'You are as of a week ago Draco Black. And you will learn to respect that name, because it is the name that will save you from your father's fate.' Aries said coldly before continuing. 'Your upbringing is lacking, but that is not your fault. It will however change as you are now a Black. If you think that grants you more reason to be obnoxious think again. You are not entitled to anything, you must earn your place. For you, at such a young age, it will not be too difficult. Your only concern is your school work and doing well. Your grades have been exceptional in Potions and moderately good in everything else but you can do better.'

'What will be difficult will be understanding where your loyalty lies. For a child of the Black family that should have been from the beginning clear. This family will protect you, and will help you to become the best version of yourself, but you have to want it, you have to work for it.'

'And in return for your protection and your help?' Draco asked almost snarling. Aries's eyes flashed dangerously close to anger seeing the boy didn't quite understand his position yet.

'Apart from your own contribution through studying? Respect and loyalty. But from what I can see, they will be hard to achieve for one such as you.'

'I know respect and loyalty. Respect your betters and be loyal to your own cause.'

'Spoken like a true Slytherin. You want to see what a man or woman is truly like, see how they treat their inferiors. Respect is not only towards your betters, but towards all. Our experiences are different, so we are not better or worse, and we have something to learn from everyone, even those you think of as inferior. For that reason your mother has written to your Head of house and you will be taking Muggle Studies. It wasn't her idea, but she agreed with me when I told her a member of our family cannot be more ignorant than a muggle about the world he lives in.'

'You can't do that! I'll-' Draco wanted to say he would tell his father, but stopped abruptly. 'I won't go to class. I refuse.'

'Then you will have to repeat the class next year, without your peers.'

'This is punishment for what I did to Potter.'

'No, it is not. We haven't gotten around to your punishment yet.'

'Whatever he said-'

'He said nothing. As I told you, Pan was my source.'

'The elf lied!'

'Draco, I am willing to give you some leeway because of the situation at home, but I will not tolerate obstinacy for long. What comes now, is of your own doing. I spoke with your mother about it. She assured me she stressed out the importance of you being civil with Harry and showing respect to me. If not for me being your head of family, than for the simple fact that I am older than you. The way you acted with Harry and myself did not reflect the upbringing of a pure blood heir, but that of a spoiled child.'

Draco wanted to protest but he felt once more he couldn't talk.

'The fact that I have to silence you to get my point across is proof of that. Now, since you are eager to learn your punishment for what you did to Harry's essay, it is this: you are banned from Hogsmeade visits until Christmas break.'

His last training with Kingsley had pushed Harry to the limit, revising everything he had learnt during summer. But it had been worth it. His body though tired was feeling good, stronger than ever before. He was confident about his next school year. His shower took longer than usual, allowing the water massage his back to take out the stress of duelling the Auror. He was just about to climb in bed and read something before sleep took him, when Aries came knocking at his door.

'Ready for bed? So early?'

'We duelled for three hours. I am beat.'

'Who won?'

Harry made a face 'Kingsley.'

'That's OK, you'll get him eventually.'

'I guess it's normal.'

'He does have a few years of training over you.'

Harry nodded. Of course a 13 year old couldn't beat an Auror, but it would have been cool had he managed to disarm his tutor just once.

'And yesterday, you had fun with your friends?'

'I did. It was cool to play against some of the Gryffindor Quiddich team.'

'And everyone had a good time. Amelia said Susan never asked to stay for a sleep over at anyone's house before.'

Harry blushed a bit.

'Oh dear, looks like we'll have to have the talk.'

'WHAT? NOW?' Harry took two steps back and stumbled over his bed, sitting down.

'Not now, unless you'll tell me you're interested in girls, or boys.'

'Or BOYS?' Harry asked blushing harder.

'Well, wizards have been known to mostly swing both ways.'

Harry wanted to crawl under the covers and just die of embarrassment, instead he blinked twice at the information and said 'Really?'

'Yes, but that is not what I wanted to talk to you this evening. Though if you're really tired, we can leave it for tomorrow.'

'I'm not that tired, and if it isn't that talk…'

'Not yet, next summer, unless McGonagall sends me a letter that she found you in a broom closet with some girl or other, then you will get the talk early, via howler.'

Harry nodded and vowed to never go near broom closets the whole year around.

Aries sat down on the reading chair next to Harry's bed and fidgeted a bit, which Harry found odd since Aries was usually very composed and sure of himself.

'I believe it is time for you to know a few things about the man called Sirius Black and some factors that contributed to you becoming my ward. No, this isn't the why you've asked, but rather the context.'

'Alright.'

'This information came to me from external sources who weren't there, so please keep in mind that only part of it is verified, and I would like to start with that part. After Sirius Black's demise while trying to escape Azkaban his duties fell into the responsibility of his head of house. He was still heir to the Black family and even though Arcturus told me Black was under the impression he had been disowned, being heir meant that the Paterfamilias would take over whatever engagements and responsibilities the heir had left behind. It took a while but Arcturus got around to his will, because he did make a will for his little apartment and some money he had accumulated after his Hogwarts years, and in that will, he had named your father custodian to his assets until you, as his heir would inherit when you came of age.'

'Black named me his heir?'

'He was your godfather and he had no children of his own. The Godfather title can come with a ritual and a vow to protect the godchild, something akin to an unbreakable vow. It is not known if Black and your parents did the ritual, but as your parents' will appointed him as your guardian it is a possibility.'

'So…'

'As your father is no longer among us to take care of the affairs of Sirius Black, and as Black was the heir to this family, his affairs were given into the care of Arcturus and are now mine. Until you come of age.'

'Wait, what?'

'Those are the facts that I know so far and that I can vouch for.'

'I am to inherit after Black?'

'That is his will. You will be able to hear it after you come of age.'

'I don't understand.'

'That makes both of us.'

'What?'

'Not this, but what I am about to tell you. You know that after Godric's Hallow Sirius was sent to Azkaban for the murder of 13 innocents, 12 muggles and a wizard.'

'Yes.'

'What is not common knowledge is that he was believed to be your parents' secret keeper.'

'What does that mean?'

'There is a charm, The Fidelius, which can hide a secret inside a living soul. A charm so powerful that if the secret keeper won't reveal the secret, it can't be found by any other means. In this case, the secret was your family's location, and the only one who could give it away was the secret keeper.'

'Black betrayed my parents, didn't he?' Harry said piecing the information together his throat growing dry.

'That is the rumour.'

Harry's head snapped at the word. 'You think he didn't?'

'I honestly don't know what to think. A secret keeper can't be forced to give away a secret, Veritaserum or the Imperius curse won't work, not on the secret itself. But people who knew both your parents and Sirius Black vouched he had been secret keeper. It was hearsay, and I don't put much stock in that, but he was the obvious choice, if the stories are to be believed, he and your father were like brothers.'

'And yet he betrayed him!' Harry said anger surging up in him. 'They trusted him, and he betrayed them.'

'That is what makes no sense to me.'

'How can it not make sense? He murdered 13 people! 15 if I count my parents, you can't just say it doesn't make sense!'

'Then why did he name your father and you in his will? If he planned to betray him, to be an accessory in your murder, why the will?'

'Maybe to throw off suspicion.'

'Wills are not public knowledge. No one but Sirius Black would have known the contents of the will until either your father or you, and in this case the Paterfamilias would go to Gringotts and see it in the Pensieve.'

'I don't know! Maybe he thought he could change it later. Maybe he had a change of heart, turned spy after he became Secret Keeper.'

'Maybe.'

'But you don't believe that.'

'I can't say what I believe, except that it makes no sense for him to make that will and betray your parents at the same time.'

'And yet my parents were betrayed.'

'Yes.'

'Why didn't they ask him the reason at the trial?'

'Maybe they did, but the trial records can't be found. Arcturus was of the opinion that there had been no trial. That they just sent him to Azkaban after they found him at the scene of the massacre in Manchester.'

'How can there be no trial?'

'I don't know. No one who knows the truth is around anymore, at least not to my knowledge.'

'So you don't believe he betrayed my parents?'

'What I believe isn't relevant. I just wanted you to know about this.'

'Why?'

'Because you deserve to know and I believe you are old enough to see the whole picture and judge for yourself.'

'And if it is true? It would mean I am living with the family of my family's murderer, that I would inherit the money from my family's murderer.' Harry felt dizzy with disgust.

'It is up to you if you wish to see it that way.' Aries said getting up 'But I hope you do not. One man's sins are not another's.' and with that he left Harry, who sat there until late in the night trying to make sense of what he had been told. He never realized that his guardian would be having an even worse night than himself.

Harry got out of bed and went downstairs for breakfast later than usual only to find Dobby waiting for him instead of Aries.

'Where is Aries?' he asked the elf.

'Master Blacky is out on the terrace.'

'I'll take breakfast out there too, if it's not too much bother.'

'Not at all, Master Harry.' And a snap of elfish fingers later Harry followed Dobby and the floating breakfast in front of the elf outside. Aries turned to see who it was. He didn't look too good. His usually groomed hair looked like it had just gotten out of bed, and his eyes had dark circles underneath them.

'Good morning.' Harry said stiffly.

'Good morning.' He got back.

Harry started eating mainly because he didn't know how to start talking. He had insulted the man last night, making him the equal of a murderer, even though Harry had seen how Aries was, and he was sure the man wouldn't be able to kill anyone, sure ridicule and embarrass, but not kill, and not for reasons of pure blood supremacy. He finished eating and cleared his throat.

'Thank you.' He said making Aries look at him surprised.

'What for?'

'For telling me the truth. And for waiting a bit before you did. I understand why you didn't tell me this the first time we met, I wouldn't have understood. But you are right, one man's sins doesn't mean the whole family is rotten. Especially distant family. I can't understand your nephew and his reasons for betraying my family. I probably never will. But he is dead, and you are not him. I won't hold it against you. As for me being his heir…I don't want his money, you can keep it.'

Aries shook his head 'It was never about the money.'

'No-'

'If you still feel the same once you come of age, you can choose a worthy cause and donate it all.'

Harry nodded. He didn't feel like talking anymore. This was not how he wanted to spend the last day of his summer holiday, and once again he wanted to leave his home and go to Hogwarts, which was weird, since in all his 11 years of living at the Dursleys he never once thought of that house as home, and yet barely half a year of knowing Aries and this house and that was the word to describe it. And still it left a bitter taste because of what he had found out.

The floo to Grimmauld Place was swift the next day, and the ride to King's Cross quiet except for Heide's chatter about missing Harry and her being stuck at home with just Aries and two Elves for company. They had arrived early and Harry found an empty compartment in the middle of the train. His luggage, Vögli and Hedwig secured, Aries and Heide left with a short good bye and a squeeze of his shoulder.

Hermione found him first, and then Ron when the train was just about to leave.

'Oh bloody hell Hermione, what is that thing?' Ron shrieked as Hermione's new pet, a very large ugly looking ginger cat got out of the basket it had been in and pounced at Ron. Scabbers Ron's fat rat climbed up the seat and into the rafters with the luggage.

'Crookshanks, is my new pet. Mom and dad got him for me yesterday as an early birthday present when we did some last minute shopping in Diagon Alley. Come here you big baby.'

'That monster is going to eat poor Scabbers.'

'It's a cat, Ronald, they chase rats. But he won't eat Scabbers. They will get used to each other, you'll see.'

Harry seriously doubted it when he saw the predatory look in the cat's eyes. He had a feeling Scabbers would not last until winter. But they were soon joined by Neville and the bickering stopped, conversation turning towards Potter Manor, their Quiddich game and plants, making the ride pleasant and keeping Harry's thoughts away from Sirius Black.

A/N: well that was a long chapter. Let me know what you think of it. Next one will be about the new professors Harry will have and I am hoping a good start in a third year without the Prisoner of Azkaban and Dementors lurking around. To everyone who reviewed, thank you, I love reading your thoughts. Until next chapter, have a nice week, and I am still waiting for snow.