JK Rowling owns Harry Potter, the star of the show. She is the creator of the world I write in.

FASA owns Earthdawn, who I borrow many ideas from.

Sirius Black finally received his trial in Britain. He was found innocent and was getting therapy with a mind healer to ensure he was ready to adopt Harry in six months. The punitive and reparation clauses he had activated in several magical contracts the previous Lord Black, Arcturus, created years ago had depleted the coffers of the traditionalist families that once gave allegiance to the Black Family. Wars weren't cheap, and now there was a lot less money. These same families were now liquidating their assets at a fraction of their value to fund the war preparations now that Voldemort was back. Sirius was buying up these assets through holding companies at a fraction of their value with the money from the reparations.

Harry finally recovered the 'Horcrux object' containing his father's incarnation and was able to absorb James' incarnation into himself. He also recovered and bonded with the Everliving Flower that was somehow connected to Oakheart. These key points were allowing his magic to slowly re-integrate itself after being shredded during Voldemort's revival ritual.

Harry started therapy and was beginning to realise it was not so bad. The Dursleys were also getting a bit of therapy as well. Harry managed to reach his Dreamscape again, but his parent's incarnations told him that he couldn't visit too often as his core was under 'repair'. In four to five months, he should be healed enough to use magic, but full healing would take longer. Each month, he could visit a little sooner. What started as monthly visits was now bi-weekly visits, but more frequent visits would slow his healing. He made the most of each visit by spending time with his parents and his father had begun the process of knowledge transfer that went along with absorbing an incarnation.

After considering leaving the Magical world, Harry was informed that he needed to get at least five OWLs to inherit his family vault and avoid being 'Obliviated' and then being cast into the Muggle world. Refusing to return to Hogwarts, Harry had begun Home Schooling with Bill, Remus, and Tonks. Due to the knowledge transfer from his mother's incarnation, Harry had no concerns about getting his OWLs. So, his instructors had switched his focus from academic topics to survival skills.

Hermione was so disappointed in the Defence class, she enlisted Cedric to lead the Defence Association. Harry had provided them with training material he used during his fourth year and Ginny, Neville and Hermione keep him up to date. He had agreed to send over new material based on the feedback from his friends, but the first book he bought for them was an exceptionally good one and was still in use.

Special thanks to this story's Beta reader, 'Just William' for your help and excellent feedback.

This is where we pick up.

—Dance of Death—

Chapter 26: Fade to Black

12 Grimmauld Place

Sirius Black's Study

December 12, 1995

Narcissa Black was led into the study by Kreacher. She didn't have much time and she couldn't stay long, just being there was a huge risk. As she walked in, the first thing she noticed was Sirius leaning against the wall and staring out the window. He was dressed nicely, but always edgy. In his right hand was a lit cigarette and the left held a snifter of either Brandy or Whiskey. From what she could remember, it was likely some horrid muggle drink. Jim Daniels if memory served her right.

Sirius slowly turned and took a drag on his cigarette. "Dear cousin, whatever brings you to Casa Black?" He filled the space between them with smoke as he talked. No, he would not be kissing her knuckles. His smile didn't come anywhere near his eyes.

"Sirius. Lord Black. I… come seeking shelter and sanctuary for a son of Black and a daughter of Black. By family tradition I am asking you for shelter and protection as a daughter of house Black to the Lord of House Black." There. She had swallowed her pride and asked for help.

"Cissy, my dear… why on earth would you need protection?"

Narcissa noted he spoke kindly and held a casual smile, but his eyes were cold. Cold as ice. Still, he knew the rules. Giving protection was something all heads of house were required to do. Required by tradition. To refuse would diminish the bearing of the House of Black. Something he dare not do now that he had an heir. She would play his cruel little game. But they both knew how it would end.

Narcissa swallowed a bit more of her pride. "My son and I need protection from… He-who-must-not-be-named."

Sirius looked confused, "Well, Cissy, if you can't name him, then how can I know who you need protection from?" Still with kind words and cold eyes. Narcissa just looked at him. Damn you Sirius, you know who we need protection from. Why are you doing this?

"I speak of V-Voldemort. He has threatened my family and we are in danger. By New Year's Day, Draco and I will be punished. By… Greyback."

"My dear cousin, why do you not alert the Aurors? Surely if you are being threatened, the authorities should be involved. Wait, did you just say 'Voldemort'?" Sirius laughed amusedly. "Now I know you're putting me on, dear cousin. Why, your own husband said in the Daily Prophet just two weeks past… What was it… Ah, yes 'his return was just the fabrication of an attention seeking child'? Wait, what was it he called the Heir of Black… ah, 'The-Boy-Who-Lies'? Of course, he didn't call my godson out by name…" Sirius took another drag on the cigarette. "So apparently, you have nothing to fear. But, if you are concerned, you should simply increase the wards on your home. That should keep him out." Polite smile. Calm voice. Eyes forged from the coldest pits of hell.

Narcissa had so little she could say. "Please, Sirius. Please. You know he's in our house. You know what he will do. I'm begging you to help us. Help Draco and me. Please…" She was crying now. All pride and bearing had evaporated. She was reduced to a common beggar.

"Tell me dear cousin, what are you being punished for? Why would he take up residence in your home, eat your food, sleep in your warm and hospitable manor, and then threaten you?" He wasn't smiling any longer.

She had to lay it out. All of it. "He'll hurt Draco and me to punish Lucius for not having you… killed. For not seizing the Black Family assets." There. What he already knew. The Bastard was getting exactly what he wanted. For all his Gryffindor talk, he was as cruel as any Black.

"Well, that must make you feel… deeply conflicted. Tell me Cissy, when I spent more than a decade in Azkaban, did you feel conflicted? When Marlene was… Brutalised… did you feel conflicted? She would have been the next Lady Black and you knew that. From the crime scene file, I know she met a horrible end. Did you know about that?" he sipped his drink, then walked over to his desk. "Here, let me share…"

Sirius pulled out a file, it was marked as private and confidential. How he got it, she could only guess. He proceeded to pull out photographs from the scene. They were horrible. She knew who had committed the crime, but she also knew he had no choice. She knew it had destroyed a good man.

"Cissy, do you know who killed the woman who was to be Lady Black?" When she said nothing, Sirius pulled out another file. "This is Edgar Bone's wife. She was apparently given to a… 'Savage beast'. The brutality fits the standard profile of one man… Greyback. Based on time of death and forensic investigations, she died before Edgar. The general belief is that he was forced to watch… as she was savaged. Do you remember them Cissy? From school. They were both so very polite. Never said a cross word to anyone."

Narcissa had never seen either of these sets of photos. But yes, she knew their fate. She'd be lying if she said it hadn't bothered her. But she'd also be lying if she said it had made her question her husband's allegiance. In the end, she just put it out of her mind and refused to think about it. She locked it away and pretended to know nothing of it. To never think of the horror… Until now. Looking at Lady Bones, she realised that could be her. Naked and stripped of all dignity. Covered only in her own blood and shame and pain.

"No. Please, Sirius… I am a daughter of Black! You must help me. Help my child…" She was near hysterical now. Sobbing. In terror of what was to come. Those photos were only meant to hurt her.

"Tell me who murdered Marlene! Tell me Cissy! Your life depends on it!" Sirius was no longer pretending to be kind or nice. He looked at her as though she was the filthiest of the filthy.

Narcissa fell to the ground sobbing. "I can't… I can't... my vows… I can't… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" There were unbreakable vows in place*… she couldn't betray her husband. Or his… accomplices. And she wouldn't betray… Severus. "Please Sirius, Please! Help me! Help my son!"

"And what of my boy? What of Harry? Would you stand silently while he was tortured and murdered? The same way your husband did? He stood there in the graveyard and watched Harry being tortured. Repeatedly… held under the Cruciatus… He laughed and mocked my son! But you stand with that Bastard! Just like you stood with him while I was rotting in that nightmare prison… Tortured day in and day out!"

"Please, Sirius, please…" Narcissa had nothing left. She was reduced to a simple beggar.

"Narcissa Malfoy. You left me in Azkaban for twelve years when you knew I was innocent…"

"No, Please, Sirius, don't do this…" He wouldn't… he couldn't…

"You allowed the future Lady Black to be Tortured and Murdered…"

"No-no-no-no-no-no-no… Please, Sirius, please…" Not this. It would be a death sentence.

"You stood by your husband even though he watched the Heir of House Black being held under the Cruciatus curse and subjected to a ritual that shredded his magic."

"Please, Sirius, please…." Narcissa knew what was coming. "I'm begging you…"

"You are no longer a Black. You are cast out of the house of Black forever more. You… and your offspring. So Mote it be!" She felt the magic settle in. The wards were now applying pressure that was not there moments ago. She was a visitor.

"Nooooooo! Oh, Merlin no… You have doomed us Sirius, you have doomed me and my son." She was irreconcilable. A puddle on the floor, blubbering away. Trash that was easily discarded.

With an arctic stare, Sirius Black simply said. "See yourself out."

Sirius Black left the room. And with him, went the last of her hope.

Draco could never rise to become Lord Black. No one could know. If the Dark Lord found out… Her worst fears had come to light. She was lost.

And so was Draco.

The clock was ticking…

—Dance of Death—

Hogwarts

The Room of Requirement

December 18, 1995

Monday Afternoon

Cedric and Hermione had just wrapped up the last Defence meeting in the Room of Requirement. Dobby had occasionally brought supplies from Harry to the group. Primarily books he had found and healing potions from Andromeda. Dobby had also taken it upon himself to decorate the Room of Requirement for Christmas. It was quite nice, and he must have involved a few other elves in the process.

It was a bit depressing because it had a Harry Potter theme to it. Everywhere you looked there were banners and tablecloths saying "HAVE A VERY HARRY CHRISTMAS"**. It served to remind everyone that Harry was no longer there and had been severely injured. The room was split on those who believed him and those who did not, but no one wished him ill. In fact, most of the crowd were looking forward to an attempted rapprochement when Harry was coming in after the Holidays.

Cedric approached Hermione and brought her a mug of hot cider. "The group is really doing well, Hermione. This is a credit to you and your drive. None of these kids would be ready for their Defence tests without our club."

"You deserve most of the credit Cedric. You're an exceptionally good trainer. You and Ron. Susan, too."

Ron and Susan had really stepped up, but Cedric was the best of the group. Hermione knew the most spells, but Cedric had an instinctive understanding of how to use them. Ron and Susan did too. Hermione tended to get distracted by the size of her 'tool kit'. The others all stuck to the basics. Ginny had been the biggest surprise. She was a real heavy hitter.

Cedric smile. "Thanks, Hermione. Honestly, Harry's books and potions really made a huge difference too. Sending Dobby to support was a nice move."

Hermione smiled and nodded. She didn't see any point mentioning that Harry refused to work with anyone but Ginny and her. Well, Neville too, but Neville was content to watch and wait. She had to really apply pressure to get his support. She reminded him that these were the future people that would stand up to Voldemort and it was in everyone's best interest to have them trained.

Cedric pondered a moment, then asked, "Do you know when Harry will be back? I think, well, I know I'd like to… talk to him. I still feel bad and he won't respond to any letters…"

Hermione sighed. "Cedric, you need to give him time. Don't force your apologies on him, just give him support and be nice… he'll let you know when he's ready."

Cedric smiled, "I know. But, it's not just me. Cho is… well, she's really hurting… Susan too." Susan had received her note back covered in owl droppings. Cho was so upset over the summer, she had to see a mind healer. Most of Harry's friends wouldn't even speak to her.

Neville walked up. "Leave Harry alone, Cedric. You've caused him enough problems. You and your girlfriend. Just stay the hell away from him!" This was a Neville Hermione had never seen before. He looked like he was ready for a fight. Cedric was just as shocked. This was so unlike Neville.

When no one said anything, Neville stormed out. Colin left with him. So did Ginny. Yep, Harry still had his supporters.

Cedric looked briefly at Cho. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. Again. "I'd better go. If you do talk to Harry, let him know how much we appreciate what he's doing for us. And tell him we all wish him a happy Yule and a Merry Christmas." He then walked over to Cho and departed.

Hermione sipped her cider and thought about the coming Holiday. She had planned to reach out to Harry. It would be nice to talk on the phone again. Sometimes it paid to be raised in a muggle environment. Hopefully, he would help her with the DA lesson plan next semester.

Ron walked up. "Nice job today Hermione."

"Thanks Ron." You and Susan really add a lot." Ron just smiled.

"I heard what you said to Cedric. Do you really think Harry will come around?" Hermione looked directly at Ron and realised he was upset. He must have heard Neville going off on Cedric.

"He came around with you and the twins. He just needs a little time. But if Cedric tries to push Cho on him, all bets are off." Hermione was still mad at Cho. Lord help the girl if Katie and Ginny were around.

Ron shook his head, "Hermione, you know he just puts up with me because he's mad about Ginny. I think he just does it for her and Bill." Pausing a moment, he added, "But it's not the same. He's too polite if you know what I mean. Always on guard…"

Hermione saw her friend was in pain. She knew he deserved it. His betrayal was one of the worst. "Well, give it time. Eventually, all this training will be use. When that day comes, he'll need you to stand with him." Hermione almost stopped there, but she just couldn't. There was one more thing she had wanted to say to him for a long time.

"Don't let him down again, Ron. You're out of second chances."

—Dance of Death—

Ted and Andromeda Tonk's Home

December 18, 1995

Monday Evening

Harry was enjoying a formal family dinner with the Tonks. He was in his dress robes and every time he slumped; Andromeda gave him that look. Tonks was enjoying herself far too much. Harry knew she was loving this. Her mum was suddenly focused on someone else.

Andromeda looked over at Harry and said, "Hadrian, tell me about your day…"

"Aunt Andromeda, everyone calls me Harry…"

Andromeda sighed deeply. "We call you Hadrian at the dinner table because that is your given name, and this is social practice and training. When you are of age, you will be Lord Potter or Mr. Potter or perhaps Heir Black. By the same token, I am Mrs. Tonks or Madame Tonks. Nymphadora is Miss Tonks or Auror Tonks. When we have pizza with Mr. Tonks, Lord Black, and Miss Tonks, you are Harry and they are Uncle Ted, Sirius and… whatever name my daughter has decided to call herself. Really Hadrian, did no one teach you this?"

Harry had enough. Dr. Gaines had encouraged him to open up, well, maybe now was the time. "No. No one taught me this! No one taught me anything! I spent my first eleven years living in a cupboard under a staircase. I didn't even know about the wizarding world. Thanks to my damn cursed scar I never even ate at the table. This is hard stuff to learn… I always knew there were two forks, one big and one little. I assumed one was for kids the other for adults. Now I find out there are four forks. Dinner, Salad, Desert, and the infamous shrimp fork. To top it off, the way you set them on the table matters. Waist coats? Formal robes? Bow ties? And no, people in the muggle world don't know how to tie a bow tie. Most just get a 'clip on'. The damn Goblins made me learn how to tie a Windsor knot. They made it sound so amazing, like I was in a special club or something… Then they drop me like yesterday's news. There's just so much to learn…"

This all came out because Andromeda was just the worst. Always pushing him. Never cutting him any slack. Harry put his head in his hands. He was tired and embarrassed. Why in the hell did he lose his patience at the 'formal dinner'? Now he'd never hear the end of it. He felt a soft hand on his shoulder. Looking up, it was… Andromeda.

Time to face the music. "Aunt Andromeda… I'm sorry." He knew how pathetic he sounded. He really hadn't expected it to be her. He knew he needed to know this stuff, but on top of all the training he was doing… it was just so much…

"It's OK Harry. You're with family. You are with family. Your family…" Harry slowly realised she called him 'Harry'. It really is just practice. Maybe she's not a cold-hearted bitch… Despite his embarrassment, he felt immense relief. Just like Dr. Gaines said he would.

Nymphadora felt so bad for him. At least she had learned this stuff over years. Harry was having to learn it all in a matter of months. She suddenly was reminded of what Remus has said to her. 'Maternal'. There was no denying it, she wanted to protect Harry. He was… family. Her little cousin. Her little… brother.

After a few minutes everyone calmed down. Harry looked embarrassed. He had opened and Sirius was so unbelievably proud of him. But he just let Harry relax and recover. The way his own mind healer said he should. This was his SON! The child of James and Lily! His little boy! He had to play it cool…

Andromeda sat back down. Harry rose and held her chair. He got that right. "Let's make the rest of the evening casual… but next time, we go white tie!" Everyone seemed to let out a collective sigh. White tie was Andromeda's favorite dress code. It also meant they'd be dining in Grimmauld Place. Using the family silver and being served by Kreacher.

The treacle tart came around and Harry took a huge helping. At least his appetite was fine.

"So, Pup, do the rest of us get any?" Flash a cool smile. Be the cool godfather. Every minute counts.

Harry looked at him and said, "Where there's a lot, take a lot. When there's a little, take it all…." The two of them broke out in laughter. Nymphadora joined in with Ted. Soon, even Andromeda was laughing. No, not at the stupid joke. They were laughing at the silly fun they were having. At Harry and Tonks and Ted and Sirius. At Andromeda… At family time. They were there for each other.

Harry talked about his training and about his reading some of his rare books out loud for a set of five dicta quills. He didn't want to part with the old books on combat and strategy, but he wanted to get it to Hermione. He'd choose some of the best chapters and send her the transcripts. This way she could supplement the training the DA group received. He had learned what worked best last year when he was in a constant state of readiness. He wanted to make sure Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Colin, and Luna were getting the training they needed. Katie too.

He made a point to thank Andromeda for the healing potions she had provided. Occasionally someone gets hurt and a trip to the infirmary would give them away. He couldn't have any of the people he was still close to getting punished for wanting to learn how to defend themselves. Andromeda had eagerly risen to the challenge. Apparently, she remembered Dolores Umbridge and was no fan.

Harry talked about wanting to become a curse-breaker and how much he enjoyed exploring old tombs with Bill. The challenge and the reward. Camping out and deconstructing ancient curses… How he hoped to become a master curse breaker before he was thirty. He noticed a few pained looks but chose to ignore it. They all thought he was basically a squib. He'd show them soon enough. Hopefully, he could take his OWLs with a wand. He'd show everyone.

As the evening wound down, Tonks gave Harry the five-minute warning. She needed to return him to the Dursley's by eleven o'clock. It was now eleven fifteen.

Sirius got up and smiled. "Ted, my friend, Andromeda my favorite cousin… tonight has been wonderful. Thank you for such an amazing feast. But I must bid you adieu. Arthur Weasley is sitting quietly in the Department of Mysteries and he should be with his family. Harry my boy, never forget, family first!"

Tonks looked at him critically. "That's nice of you, but I can't help but wonder… A certain unspeakable comes on shift at seven in the morning…"

Sirius smiled. It was the smile of a cat in pursuit of a canary. "I might have my eye on a certain… voluptuous unspeakable…"

Tonks laughed, then said, "You know they're not real, right? She uses charms. To make them… bigger…"

Sirius just smiled, "Your point?"

They both suddenly looked over at Harry who was a deep crimson. Wide eyed and innocent.

Ted was pretending not to notice and holding in a laugh. Andromeda looked exceptionally annoyed. She did that thing with her eyebrow. Where she raises just one.

Sirius cleared his throat. "Arthur needs to be with his family."

Tonks nodded in agreement. She knew Sirius really hated the schedule that had Podmore and Arthur mixed in with Moody and herself. She also knew he liked Arthur and wanted him to get home for Yule celebrations. Unlike Arthur, Sirius didn't have a day job.

"Come here pup." Sirius gave Harry a huge hug. "Soon, this will be permanent. You'll be my son."

Harry was taken back a moment, then said, "I already am… Dad. The lawyers just haven't figured it out yet."

Andromeda couldn't help but look at her troublesome and rebellious cousin and realise that he may have grown up. He just needed a son.

—Dance of Death—

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging, Surrey

December 19, 1995

Tuesday 9:30 AM

Harry had slept great and felt invigorated. He had visited his parents in his dreamscape and his father had transferred a great deal of knowledge around Illusionistic magic. It was so amazing. The ancients had such a different take on magic. Not better and certainly not faster, but quite different. He was also giving Harry pointers around Transfiguration and the use of animated household products. Apparently, it was a big help against the Killing curse. His mother was supportive as always and continued to refresh and review the knowledge she had transferred. Training in your sleep is not a bad way to go. Especially when time is tight.

With the colder mornings, he and Tonks had decided to switch to afternoon workouts. They had started going right after he finished his home schooling. He made breakfast for his family and helped see Uncle Vernon off. They used to argue and refuse his offers to cook, saying that he did enough of that while they were under the curse, but Harry insisted. He liked cooking for his family. Especially when he could join them and joke around with his uncle.

He had his Rune book out and was preparing for his review. He was beyond NEWT levels in Runes. This was a discipline he just loved. He even suspected he could power up a simple runic sequence… but he was going to wait until his parent gave him the all clear. Strange, Bill was late. Bill was never late. Well, not by much anyway. They were supposed to have started at 9:00 AM.

By 9:45, Harry started to become nervous. Then, there was a knock on the door. Harry cautiously approached… It just felt odd. Opening the door, he saw five people. Bill, Remus, Tonks, Andromeda, and Arthur Weasley? Arthur wasn't one of his trainers. They all looked so incredibly sad. Something had happened. Slowly, the dread started to set in.

"Sirius. Where is Sirius?" He knew he sounded desperate, but he didn't care.

Bill stepped forward, "Harry, can we come in?"

"No! Where is Sirius? Tell me!" He was practically yelling now. He heard Aunt Petunia approaching behind him. "Where is my Dad?" He couldn't breathe.

Bill said, "I'm so sorry, Harry. Sirius was… killed last night."***

Harry would look back years later and realise he had no idea what happened next. He knew there was yelling and denial. Tears and accusations. He had called them all liars and demanded to know where Sirius was. He just remembered Andromeda holding him. Soothing him as he fell apart. She had been crying too.

In the end, Harry was in bed and had taken a calming draught. How he got it and who gave it to him, he had no idea. He didn't even remember taking it.

Slowly, everything began to Fade to Black…

—Dance of Death—

The opening scene is one I had planned for a long time. Sirius comes across as a cold-hearted Bastard, but he made good points. Was he being cruel? Yes. But in his mind, she deserved it. Yes, she sided with the people that murdered the woman he loved. Yes, she was looking at a horrible fate, but it was the same one Edgar Bone's wife had. Yes, she wanted to save her son, but she was willing to see Harry murdered to save her own family. Maybe she would not have enjoyed it, maybe she would have been repulsed by it, but she chose her side. Sirius was making her painfully aware of that.

*Unmarked spouses would have to take an oath to ensure secrecy. Seems basic.

** Dobby decorated the Room of Requirement in a Harry Potter theme in canon as well.

*** In canon, Arthur Weasley was attacked by Nagini late in the evening on December 18. Only Harry's connection to Voldemort and Nagini allowed him to get help in time. The event obviously played out differently in this story. Unlike canon, Sirius was now a free man and could stand guard. Being against the use of non-combatants in dangerous missions and loving the thrill of danger, Sirius stood in for Arthur Weasley. Also, unlike canon, Harry no longer had a Horcrux in his head that let him know of the attack. I always felt that Sirius' death was one of the key turning points in the story and I planned to keep it.

No, I did not detail out the scene where Harry is told Sirius is dead. I don't think I could match the grief that was so beautifully written in the book and so well portrayed in the movie.

The next chapter will likely be huge. I may have to split it into two parts. I plan to cover the funeral, the will reading, and a few other surprises. There will be some action. Goblins, Malfoys, and Dumbledore.

My question for readers – Do you think Sirius was justified in turning Narcissa away or was he failing in his duties?