AN: I have gone back through the first nine chapters and knocked some holes in the text walls I keep hearing about in the reviews. I also cleaned up the grammar as best I could. I don't think it will matter to those of you who have already read those chapters because besides fixing the spacing nothing of relevance changed. Though I did correct Croakers name to Saul so That kind of made it worth it.
AN2: This chapter is mostly filler and unfortunately no action. I have foreshadowed an event that will happen soon but until then just character development in the forecast.
AN3: I picked the name Hadrian because it sounds more Wizardy than Harry, Henry, Hank Harrison, Hardwin or any other name Harry is short for. The Blacks all have Roman sounding names and if you have read this far into the story you know Harry's Last name is Black, I was always going to make Harry a Black, so giving him a muggle sounding name just didn't make sense.
AN4: To answer a review commenting on the inconsistencies in the Black family, Cygnus being from another branch of the family and Arcturus being 0lder than in Fandom. This is Fanfiction, while I do try to stay as close to canon as I can, I did tweak the Black family tree (which from the many Fics I've read is very common). I wanted Andromeda to be Sirius first cousin, and Arcturus to be her Grandfather. I guess that makes Sirius not the product of incest (and it kinda grossed me out his parents were cousins). Because in this fic Walburga is not Orions cousin she's a Black by marriage.
Evans Farm, Durham County, England, 8/8/1975, 18:22
Sirius sidestepped Harry's stunner, and fired a pain curse which Harry batted aside and brought his wand down firing a nonverbal 'Fulmus'.
Sirius hastily transfigured a metal rod in front of him embedded in the ground and intercepted the bolt of electricity. Sirius fired a wide area banishing charm in reply and Harry was forced summon a "Protego" that easily with stood the blast of magic.
Dropping the shield he tapped his head and cast a 'Disillusionment charm' on himself. He then cast a spell to create thick fog, soon the training room was completely obscured in white. silencing his boots he cast a 'Homo Revelio' charm locating Sirius he silently crept up on the boy.
Sirius was repeatedly trying to cast a 'Ventus' charm but it had little effect he was starting to panic now He started firing blindly into the fog at random directions. Suddenly he felt something prod his back and everything went black.
Sirius was definitely getting better, Harry had been working with him for a week now and he had already noticed significant improvement in his spellwork and his form.
Andromeda was a little upset with him for taking away her evening entertainment but she got over it fairly quickly, when he gave her full control of Sirius' hand to hand training.
Clearing the fog from the room he fixed the damaged floor and then enervated Sirius.
"What did you learn?" Harry asked the boy as soon as he woke and got his bearings.
"That when a spell doesn't work it's stupid to keep trying it" Sirius asked hopefully
"Close always keep your wits about you, you panicked I crept right up behind you. You didn't even notice my location spell when I cast it on the room.
Sirius nodded, "what was that spell anyway?"
Harry just smirked and shook his head "Either look the spell up for yourself, it's in that book I gave you. Or find a way to defeat it on your own. Now I'm tired and we have a meeting with your Grandfather after physical training" Harry told his pupil.
"Why didn't he want to meet with me first thing in the morning?" Sirius asked as they both exited the Barn/Training Room.
"He did, but Andy suggested to wait until lunch time that way we could all come over, and he agreed with the idea" Harry told the now gaping boy.
"She did it on purpose! She's evil I tell you, she loves torturing me in training! Sirius exclaimed dramatically.
"Now, now Sirius don't talk that way about my Angelic wife. She is too kind of a person to stoop to what your suggesting." Harry just barely kept a straight face while saying this.
He knew perfectly well Andromeda loved making Sirius miserable. He was sure it was a Black family trait. or something, and he really had thought about standing up on Sirius' behalf. Then a more pressing thought over rode that one, 'Better him than me.' Cowardly sure, but he wouldn't cross his wife not for something as trivial as Sirius' happiness.
They had just entered the front door and Sirius just scowled at him and stomped to his room without even a goodnight.
"What's the matter with Sirius?" Nymmie asked curiously. she was standing in the hall in her pajamas.
Harry just grinned and scooped her up in his arms "Sirius is being a big baby" Harry told her.
She started giggling when he told her that.
"Why were you out here and not in there with mommy? Harry asked her curiously.
"I was waiting for you to come in, will you read me a story daddy. I asked mommy and she said to ask you? she pouted at him and he didn't even have a fighting chance of saying no.
"Okay what story do you want me to read? he asked her in a serious tone.
She scrunched her brow thinking and making her hair shift through the rainbow. Finally she answered "Babbitty Rabbity"
He smiled and then carried her with him to the sitting room were Andy was sitting reading a muggle book, something about Prejudice and Iggy was playing with blocks on the floor at her feet.
Andy looked up when he came in "how was training, and where is Sirius?" she asked him putting her book in her lap.
Harry gently set Nymmie on the floor who immediately ran to the book shelf to get the 'Tales of Beetle the Bard' book.
"It went well, he is really improving. As to where he is, he's convinced you like torturing him and making his life miserable. I told him that was ridiculous and he stomped off to his room." Harry answered her, the corner of his mouth twitching
Andromeda smirked "the poor dear he's very confused, would you mind if I take his dueling practice tomorrow night? I don't want him to think such awful things of me" she asked him innocently.
"Sure Andy I think you should explain you only have his best interest at heart" Harry said ln the most level tone of voice he could manage.
Whatever Harry was going to say next was cut off by a glaring Nymmie pulling on his arm impatiently holding her book.
"She got you to read her a story, you are too soft on her" Andy said In amusement.
"He did that pouting thing" Harry defended.
"Hmmm, it seems she's already learning her father will cave with just a pout" Andromeda smirked.
Harry huffed and allowed Nymmie to lead him to his chair, she then climbed up on the arm. Handed him the book and bounced in excitement waiting for him to start reading. Before he could open the book Iggy wandered over and sat in front of the chair and listened intently as he started reading 'Babbitty Rabbity and the Cackling Stump".
Andromeda watched Harry reading, and the children's rapt attention as he read. He made a funny squeaky voice for Babbity Rabbity, and a pompous sounding voice for the king, he really was good with their children.
Harry had the children laughing and completely enthralled by the story and Andromeda felt a pleasant warmth in her chest.
Yes Andromeda was very happy how her life turned out.
/C.o.t.R\
Black Cottage, Wales, 8/9/1975, 12:00
Everyone was gathered at the table Sirius looked worn out, it almost seemed like lifting a spoon was to strenuous for the lad.
"So Sirius how has your training been going? Arcturus asked casually, his eyes had a glint of amusement to them.
Sirius hastily looked at Andy who narrowed her eyes and he gulped before answering his Grandfather. "It's been okay Harry has started taking over my dueling, I've also been learning silent casting and spell swatting from him".
"Good a Lord Black must be just as formidable in a fight as he is in the 'Wizengamot'. Now what has Andromeda had you doing?"
Arcturus asked curiously.
"She has been teaching me muggle fighting, she was teaching me dueling until last week." Sirius responded hurriedly. glancing nervously at her and as he spoke.
Harry almost snorted soup out his nose watching Sirius tremble in fear at his gentle wife. Harry spoke up when it seemed, Sirius didn't have anything else to say on the subject of his training.
"He has been improving in magical combat significantly since the start of Training Lord Black, but I believe he needs to study the mind arts to help calm his mind in the heat of battle he has been prone to panicking under stress." Harry told Arcturus candidly.
"Well all Black's go through basic occlumency training of course Walburga would have been his instructor but she was a Crabbe originally and Occlumency wasn't practiced in their family, perhaps I have been remiss in educating him. Would you be willing to instruct him in Occlumency Hadrian?" Arcturus asked thoughtfully.
Harry thought on the question, Occlumency was a very tedious subject to teach and would take months to instruct correctly, on the other hand maybe he could get something out of this that would make it worth the trouble.
"I would be happy too, but It will take a lot of 'one on one' lessons and Sirius returns to 'Hogwarts' in less than a months time. I don't have permission to enter Hogwarts so we could only meet during his 'Hogsmeade' outings." Harry replied.
"That can be easily solved, I have a couple of associates on the board of governors that owe me a favor or two. I can have you on the staff as a part time tutor, though you should know, the staff can assign you to tutor other students if they feel their students are in need of 'one on one' teachings. But that would allow you access to Hogwarts anytime you wish." Lord Black replied.
Harry sighed internally he was half hoping Arcturus would reply with some ancient pureblood law that allowed old families to have private tutors come to Hogwarts to instruct their heirs or some such, Apparently such a privilege didn't exist at Hogwarts.
Still he would be able to get into 'Hogwarts' anytime he wanted and he was knowledgeable on most subjects so it could work.
He still hadn't explored the 'Chamber of Secrets' properly, having never had the time to come back after he and Andromeda had captured and killed the Basilisk. There was also the room of hidden things that had all sorts of hidden treasures buried in the mountains of junk and of course the Library. Yes Hogwarts was somewhere he knew their were treasures to be found. So if it meant having to tutor a few students then it would be worth it.
"Thank you Lord Black I would be happy to accept". Harry answered.
/C.o.t.R\
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scottland, 9/3/1975, 19:00
Well a few children would have been nice, 'Albus Fucking Twinkle Eyed Dumbledore' had seen fit to set him Tutoring five nights a week. One of the core classes a night for the fifth and seventh years students who asked for, or were assigned tutoring. He read over the schedule scowling.
Monday: Transfiguration Tutoring, 5pm-7pm
Tuesday: Charms Tutoring, 5pm-7pm
Wednesday: Potion Tutoring, 5pm-7pm
Thursday: Defense Against the Dark Arts Tutoring: 5pm-7pm
Friday: History of Magic/ Astronomy, (Alternating every other week) 5pm-7pm
Which meant now he would have to meet with Sirius every morning at six for his occlumency training. He knew he really couldn't complain, Dumbledore was only making him do the job he was supposed to be doing anyway, Harry just never figured the staff would be so receptive to having a tutor on staff.
Sigh he had just finished Tutoring Peter Pettigrew and Bertha Jorkins a seventh year in potions.
Jorkins tried to flirt with him the whole time and made no effort in the potion he was trying to help her with and Pettigrew was a nervous wreck and ended up melting his cauldron during his attempt at the 'Draft of Peace.'
Though that might have something to do with the scowl Harry couldn't keep off his face every time he looked at the younger version of 'Wormtail'. He was starting to understand Snape a little better this evening and that thought pissed him off more.
Still he was done for the evening and decided it was time to head home. Exiting his classroom and beginning the walk to the gates since he didn't have an office or a convenient Floo connection nearby, he made his way through the school coming up on a group of four boys in a huddle whispering to one another.
"Harry" a voice called out of the group and the others turned to see who Sirius was talking to.
Harry's heart dropped at the sight of the other two members of the group. James Potter and Remus Lupin, It took all his control not to gape at the two boys. Getting to know Sirius at such a young age had eased him into the situation a little bit. Seeing his father at fifteen looking just like he did in 'Snape's' Memories was a shock.
The real surprise was seeing the father of his Goodson he never really got to know either Remus or Teddy very well. Seeing the werewolf sent conflicting emotions through him the first one was easy to place happiness at him being alive and healthier than Harry had ever seen him.
The other was harder to place but soon figured out it was a strong dislike of the boy for going anywhere near his daughter even if it was in the future (Even if Nymphadora wasn't his biologically daughter), He saw Lupin as a future threat and would definitely keep an eye on the situation in twenty years time.
Shaking his head of those thoughts he smirked at Sirius "Ah the heir Black and his entourage, what are you up to this fine eve?" he asked in a cheerful voice.
"We were planning a prank for the Slytherins" Sirius responded candidly.
"Well I don't want to know any more, be prepared we have a lesson at six tomorrow morning" Harry replied, he didn't want to know about their pranking as he was technically a member of the staff plausible deniability was the best bet. The last thing he needed was Albus foisting the overseeing of detentions on his schedule.
"Why so early, I was hoping to do my run in the mornings." Sirius asked him petulantly.
"Thank Dumbledore for that he has my nights booked all week, we will have to meet every morning before breakfast for your lessons, and every Saturday groom ten until noon." Harry replied with a touch of exasperation.
"What lessons are you taking Sirius?" James finally spoke up.
"His grandfather wishes me to give him Occlumency lessons Mr..." Harry replied before Sirius could answer, he wasn't above forcing an introduction.
"Potter, James Potter oh and this is Remus Lupin and over there is Peter Pettigrew" James introduced pointing to each boy as he said his name.
"I just had a tutoring session with Mr. Pettigrew, but it is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Potter and you as well Mr. Lupin" turning to Sirius he said "I must be off, don't get caught in your shenanigans tonight or I'll be having Andy giving you more hand to hand training" Harry said casually before leaving a pale Sirius Black behind as he headed toward the gates, It was time to head home.
/C.o.t.R\
"What's the matter Sirius? You look like you just kissed Snivellous" James asked curiously.
"Andy is a sadist she's been teaching me muggle fighting and some dueling over summer, She's evil I tell you, she was screaming and throwing stinging hexes the whole time it was a nightmare." Sirius exclaimed somewhat dramatically.
James looked at Sirius skeptically "I've met Andy before in Diagon Alley, she's very nice I think your making this up buddy, why was she training you to fight anyway?" James asked.
"It was supposed to be Harry teaching me but she tricked him with her evil ways and he let her train me in dueling, then a month ago he took over training me to duel and she coerced him into "teaching" me hand to hand fighting". Sirius finished explaining.
"I still say your having me on, is he any good at dueling" James asked.
"He's terrifying with a wand. But he is a really good teacher" Sirius answered.
"I don't think he likes me very much" Peter put forth timidly.
"Why do you say that Pete" Sirius asked confused.
"In the Tutoring I just had he kept scowling every time he looked me, he was so terrifying I ended up melting my cauldron" Peter answered embarrassed.
"Huh, usually he's pretty friendly with everyone, well anyway we have a prank that needs doing, And. We. Can Not. Get. Caught!" Sirius exclaimed emphasizing the not getting caught part.
Remus who had kept quiet up until now nodded then spoke decisively "okay we already have the potions so let's get Down to the kitchens and arrange for delivery to the Slytherins at eight o' five." with a nod from the other Marauders they all headed toward the kitchens to manage some mischief.