AN: Ok second chapter, I hope to get thongs rolling much quicker now. There's going to be a lot of people suddenly added into the story. I'm going to try my hardest to stick to the cannon timeline for as many things as I can. Bear with me, please. On that note though, I will be stocking to Charlus and Dorea Potter being James' parents, for the sake of the storyline.

Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing.

Chapter 2: The Boy Who Was Found.

Hermione took a deep breath. She would have to tread carefully here. She wasn't sure yet if she could trust these women. They had explained their roles in the wizarding world, one a teacher and one Chief-of-Police, for lack of a better word. That didn't mean they could be trusted. But Hermione had the feeling they could be.

"Things have been happening since I was little." She explained. "All sorts of strange things. My parents couldn't explain it any more than I could."

"It started small," Helena murmured. "Finding toys in my cot that had been on a shelf. Doors opened that were closed. But in the last few years, it got much bigger."

"I fell out of a tree." Hermione offered. "I probably should have broken something, but I floated down instead. I think we all knew something was different then. We didn't know though, not until I bumped into a woman. She saw me float my books so they didn't hit the ground. It was an accident. She's the one the explained magic to me."

"And what was this woman's name exactly?" Amelia tried to keep her tone light, but Hermione wasn't fooled.

"I won't tell you that. I think it's best for her if no one knows. She's the one that introduced me to Harry though. She's the reason why he's here and not at his Aunt's place. So really you should thank her."

Eyes all turned to Harry. He tried not to shrink in his chair, attention was not something he was used to, nor was it very often a good thing for him. Until he met the Grangers of course.

"Now Harry," McGonagall prompted. "How about you tell us how you found out about magic?"

"Hermione told me," Harry mumbled. "She and her parents told me everything they had been taught by Mrs. F- by the lady. Before that, I just thought I was weird. The Dursley's told me it was bad, that it was wrong and I had to stop. They tried to make me stop, but that usually made it worse."

Silence followed. Amelia cleared her throat and shuffled forward in her set, drawing the children's attention.

"Harry, I'm going to ask you some questions, ok?" she gazed at him through serious eyes. "Now I understand that you might not want to answer but I have to ask you to do your best because we all want what is best for you, it's my job to figure out what that is ok?"

Harry glanced at Hermione. She slipped off her seat and moved across the divide to perch on the arm of Harry's chair. She grasped his hand.

"Remember Harry, whatever happens, I'm here."

Taking strength from his new friend, Harry turned and nodded at Amelia.

"Harry, you live with your Aunt and Uncle, is that correct?"

Harry nodded.

"And your Aunt is your mother's sister, correct?"

"That's right." Harry croaked out.

"Do your Aunt and Uncle punish you some times, Harry?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"They lock me in my cupboard."

Hermione looked at her friend, horrified. Why hadn't he told her that? The adults in the room all took a moment to compose themselves. Minerva looked ready to explode at any moment, but yelling wouldn't help get Harry's story.

"The cupboard in your room?" Amelia kept her voice has calm as possible.

"No, I don't have a room. The cupboard under the stairs is where I sleep. If I'm bad they lock me in."

"Do they feed you when they lock you in?"

"No. Only water."

"Do they often refuse to feed you?"

"Only if I've done something bad."

"Does that happen often?"

Harry shrugged a thin shoulder, looking away from the prying eyes. "I'm bad a lot."

"How else do they punish you, Harry? Do they hit you?"

"Not often, mostly just Dudley, he's my cousin."

"Is he the one that did that to you lip?"

"No, that was Uncle Vernon."

"What did you do to deserve that?"

"I burnt the bacon, while I was making breakfast."

Amelia sat back and motioned to McGonagall.

"Harry, if it's ok with you I would like to use a bit of magic on you." The Professor smiled softly. "It won't hurt."

Harry shot another look at Hermione, his hand tightening around hers, then he nodded. McGonagall moved forward, drawing her wand slowly. Then she swished it around the boy gently. Murmuring as she went. Lights drifted over Harry, moving across his skin and changing colours as they went, some flashed, some glowed, others pulsed for a moment before disappearing. Finally, they all disappeared.

McGonagall took a few deep breaths, then exchanged a quick nod with Amelia. The woman stood and moved towards the kitchen.

"Excuse me a moment, I have a few things to take care of, I'll be right back."

A quick gesture of her hand had Hermione's parents following her out of the room. Leaving Harry and Hermione alone with Professor McGonagall.

"What were those lights, Mrs. McGonagall?" Hermione asked curiously, her wariness of the two witches slowly fading.

"Those were diagnostic spells, they were telling me things about Harry's health and physical state."

"What did they tell you?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Well firstly, there are a few things that need mending. You have some old damage to your ribs and your arm. Old breaks by the look of it that haven't quite healed. I can fix those now if you like. Again, it won't hurt, though it may feel a little odd."

Harry nodded and a few quick spells later and he found he could sit straighter.

"Now Harry, you are underfed, and because of this, you are lacking some essential nutrients in the body. That's nothing a healthy diet won't fix though. I see the Grangers have already started working on that. Other than that, you are healthy enough."

"That's good."

"It is."

"Mrs. McGonagall-?"

"Please Harry, call me Minerva if you would."

"All right. Minerva, what's going to happen to me now? Will I go back to the Dursley's"

"No!"

Harry jumped when both Hermione and the Professor spoke in unison, one much louder than the other.

Minerva raised an eyebrow at the girl who blushed.

"Sorry."

"No, Harry." Minerva continued calmly. "You will not go back to the Dursley's. You do, as a matter of fact, have a large array of family members in the magical world. We will be contacting them and deciding what will be best for you moving forward."

"What will happen to me in the meantime?"

"You will be staying here." Helena Granger breezed back into the room, Amelia and her husband trailing along behind her. "We have a spare room and are happy to have you here for as long as needed."

Hermione beamed at her mother. Harry smiled shyly, shooting a glance at the stern Professor.

"Is that ok?"

"Of course Harry, more than ok, we trust the Grangers will take good care of you while we make arrangements."

It took a few more minutes to iron out the details, then both witches were off, leaving Harry in the safe hands of the Grangers, for now.

They walked calmly to their apperation point then spun neatly on the spot, leaving the muggle town with soft pops.

XXXX

The two witches sat in Amelia's office, tea on the desk in front of them and robes now firmly back in order. Papers were spread around them, records from the last days of the war, all the records for the trials of suspected death eaters and the Potters Will. But it wasn't the records that were there that was most telling, it was the records that were missing that really told the story.

"This is big Minnie."

"I am aware."

"We are going to have to tread very carefully here."

"Dumbledore must not know. Not until it is done."

They both looked down at the Will of James and Lily Potter which sat in front of them.

"Is it even possible Minnie? Do you really think it could be true."

"I do."

"Then where do we start?"

Minerva took a deep breath. "We call in the Black Family, that's what we do. And I know just where to start."

XXXX

Andromeda Tonks has not been to the Ministry of Magic in a very long time. To receive a summons, from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement no less, did not bode well. Still, she had her daughter's assurance she had done nothing wrong. So she did what any self-respecting Black would do.

She swept threw the halls of the Ministry, making sure her dark purple robes snapped in her wake. People jumped to attention as she breezed past them. Yes, she had been disowned, but she was still a Black, in magic and in temperament. She was going to prove it. After all, she was like Bellatrix in looks alone, she had inherited the family temper she just had better control of it.

She made quick work of her walk to the Department that had summoned her, people scattering in her wake as she strode through the offices, chin held high and face as haughty as she knew how to make it. She made her way to the door labelled Madam Bones, Head of DML. The assistant at the desk outside didn't even have time to speak. Andromeda simply strode past, flicked open the door and entered the office without so much as a knock.

The two women inside looked up, not a single sign of surprise on either face.

"Ah, Andromeda." Madam Bones rose to her feet with a smile, shooing off her assistant in the same motion. "Punctual as always. Please won't you have a seat?"

"What is the meaning is this?" Andromeda demanded, hands on her hips and silver eyes snapping with irritation.

"Cut the Black act, girl." Minerva rose with a stern look, "We both know you better than that. You're not in trouble if that what you're worried about. In fact, quite the opposite, we need your help."

"My help?" The heat flushed out of the younger woman and she sank into a seat beside her old Professor. "What help could I possibly offer the two of you?"

"Well, that little display said it all really." Amelia's smile didn't reach her tired-looking eyes. "We need a Black, Andromeda. We need you."

"I'm not a Black, not anymore, I was disowned." Andromeda sighed and shook her head. "I can't give you what you need, I have no power over the Black family."

"That's not exactly true." Amelia hedged.

"How long has it been since you paid your Grandfather a visit?"

"Not long enough." Andromeda looked from Amelia's tired eyes to the lines on McGonagall's forehead. "You're serious about this aren't you?"

"Interesting choice of words." Minerva chuckled as a memory floated through her mind. "Oh yes, we are serious. Very serious indeed."

Grey eyes widened.

"What do you need me to do?"

XXX

Pollux Alphard Black had not had an easy life. Even from conception, he had had to struggle for life, competing in the womb with his twin. Upon birth he survived, his twin had not. It was this trial, the first of many, that earned him his name Pollux, the twin without a twin. The death of Pollux's grandfather, Phineas Nigellus Black, caused the line of succession of the Black family to be passed to his Uncle Sirius Black II, Phineas' eldest son, who in turn chose to pass it to Pollux's father, Cygnus. Pollux himself became the Head of his house and thus Lord Black at the young age of 31 after the death of his father in 1943.

This whole series of events lead Pollux to drop his own career as an Auror, to become the Head of his house. A job he had taken very seriously and had done ever since, often with the help of his cousin and friend Arcturus. Back then the house of Black had been large and prosperous. Now it lay in ruins, like a once-great castle to which had been laid siege.

Pollux stared at the family tapestry in front of him, a large, foreboding mess of names that stretched far into the past. Now whittled down to so little. There, near the bottom of the mess, was his name, along with his siblings. He traced the names, three sisters, that was all he was given. One is a spinster, living as far from the Black family and London as she could. The second a squib, cast out and disowned. The third, dead, her husband too, their son and his wife killed at the hands of the Dark Lord and their tiny baby, Harry Potter, whisked away by Albus Dumbledore.

His fingers traced lower. His Grandchildren, the last of the line. His heir Sirius, locked up in Askaban, the second son Regulas, dead. Then the three sisters, one a madwoman, locked up in the same location as her least favourite cousin. The second married to Malfoy, one of the Dark Lords' most loyal followers. The third, the middle sister, married to a muggle-born, disowned by her family. Cast aside.

Yet here she was, coming up the path to his home. The Ancient Manor of the House of Black

XXX

Andromeda walked slowly up the path to the Black's Ancestral home. The manor looked exactly as she remembered it, a large sprawling monstrosity of a house that once held the many branches of the Black tree. Now it was home to three old bachelors, Lord Pollux Black, his cousin Arcturus and his son Cygnus, Andromeda's father. This was her childhood home. She had never thought to see it again. Coming here now, was still too soon.

She paused on the threshold for a moment, feeling rather than seeing the women at her side stopping with her. Three deep breaths were all she allowed herself. Then she rang the bell. Deep, pealing tones rang through the house echoing back to the three women. The door creaked open slowly as if it hadn't done so in some time. Andromeda imagined it probably hadn't the three men likely weren't big entertainers. Not any more.

"Good morning, Misses." A small, tidy house-elf gazed up at the three women. "Please come in, the Master is expecting you."

The three women followed the elf into a parlour not far from the entrance hall. There it left them, promising the arrival of tea and nibbles, as well as her Master, shortly. None of the three witches sat, preferring to place themselves at certain locations around the room. Amelia Bones, dressed in impeccable Ministry robes, stood near the high, arching windows, giving her a view of the sprawling Manors grounds, which seemed to go on as far as the eye could see, full of gardens and greenhouses and forests. She was pretty sure there was even a stable off in the distance.

Minerva McGonagall placed herself near the fireplace, keeping her hands tucked in front of her as she observed then trinkets out for display on the mantel and surrounding shelves. Her robes today were a deep red, perhaps reflecting her house, perhaps her position as the Head of Gryffindor. Or maybe, just maybe, they were a little symbol of the man she was here to represent.

Andromeda placed herself in the centre of the room, her eyes on the door. She had dressed for the occasion. Her robes a deep green, her hair combed and styled into soft loose waves, she had even made sure to wear a few pieces of the fine and antique jewellery she was allowed to keep after her disownment. The room its self was one she was familiar with, it hadn't changed since she was last here. Her own mother had decorated it in the faint blush and gold tones it held, merging them seamlessly with the golden wood of the floorboards and cream throws on the chairs. It had been one of her favourite rooms as a child.

Heavy footsteps were heard outside the door, accompanied by the hard tapping of a cane on wood floors. As they moved closer all three women stood straighter, more alert. All eyes came to rest on the door.

The knob turned and slowly the door swung open, revealing Lord Pollux Black of House Black.

Dark eyes, so grey to be almost black swept the room, taking into account each woman in turn. Finally, they laid to rest on Andromeda, his estranged granddaughter. Their eyes locked and they seemed to spend a moment sizing each other up. He looked older than Andromeda remember, deep lines made his face look even more severe and hagged. His hair was full grey now, though neatly styled in a low ponytail. He leaned heavily on his walking stick, his leg injured long ago during his time as an Auror, obviously bother him more now than ever.

"Lord Pollux." Andromeda dropped a curtsey, the women at her side both chose to bow. "Thank you for accepting our request for audience."

Silence followed her statement and the man seemed to stare at her even harder. Finally, the corners of his mouth ticked up, the severeness lifted and a grin split his face.

"Andy, you silly girl." He laughed. "Is that anyway too great your old Pop's. Come here and give me a hug you daft creature."

Worry was replaced by shock, which was quickly swept aside by joy and Andromeda stepped forward into her Grandfathers arms. He gave her a tight squeeze, pulling her close before pushing her back and holding her at arm's length,

"You never came to visit me all these years." He accused.

"Grandfather, you disowned me." she laughed slightly. "I couldn't come back."

"Bah!" He threw up his hands and moved into the room, lowering himself into a large armchair. "I had to disown you, you knew that, didn't mean you couldn't have come to see me from time to time. I never did find anyone to play chess with me."

A gesture from the man had the three women lowering themselves into chairs. A pop sounded almost instantly and soon tea and cakes were being shared around. Once everyone was settled talk turned swiftly to business.

"Now, girl. This cant be a social call. What do you need."

"Well, we are actually here on house business. Black house business." Andromeda glanced at the other two women who nodded for her to go ahead and explain. "We need your help Grandfather, to restore the house of Black."

"Restore the house of Black!" The man laughed humourlessly. "Don't be daft girl. The house of Black is finished. Your own father is the last of the male Blacks, and we all know he's not in his right mind anymore. No, the Black line will end with me."

"That's not entirely true." Both Blacks turned to Madam Bones. "There is, in fact, one remaining Black male of age left."

"The boy." Pollux stared hard at the two older women. "Do you mean to tell me you expect me to aid Walburga's son? To get him out of Askaban?"

"That is exactly what we want." Minerva agreed firmly.

"No."

"But grandfather-"

"I said no!" The man stood quickly, hands shaking in rage. "He is a murder! He killed my nephew, his wife and doomed his son to a life of misery and death. He betrayed those he swore to protect. Blacks do not go back on their word, not on pain of death. He is no grandson of mine."

"What if he is innocent?" Minerva asked calmly, perfectly poised in her seat.

"His trial says otherwise." Spat the old man.

"What trial?"

Dark eyes turned, slow and deadly to Amelia.

"What did you just say?"

AN: And I'm going to leave this here as I realised it's going to get very long-winded. I promise things are getting there. We just have to get Sirius Black out of Azkaban and then we are on track for the rest of the story. Bear with.