Chapter 12: A Change of Allegiance

The party went on for another hour with Ron spending most of that time trying to escape from Seamus as the others laughed. Just as things were calming down was when the mayhem begun. The group was saying there good nights when the screaming began. Everyone jerked their head and moved to exit the tent. Sirius who had been supervising the party followed them out of the tent finding everyone running and screaming. As the rest of the Weasley's ran up to them. "Arthur what's happened?" Sirius called as the man approached.

"Death Eaters Sirius." The Weasley patriarch said grimly, "They rounded up the muggle family who supervises the grounds."

"Get the kids out of here I'll go and help." Sirius told the elder Weasley's. Molly didn't wait she immediately started corralling the other children away from the commotion.

"Sirius!" Harry barked to get his godfather's attention. He clenched his fist since he was currently underage he couldn't help without alerting the Ministry.

Sirius turned and placed his hands on Harry's shoulders, "I remember the plan Harry…Remus is going to be backing me up…I'll be fine. Go. Now!" he turned Harry and pushed him towards Hermione, "Get him out of here Granger."

Hermione gave a firm nod and grabbed Harry firmly by the arm and pulled him toward the forest after the already fleeing Weasleys. Harry let himself be pulled along as he remembered the plan they devised weeks ago. Sirius and Remus would pick off the Death Eaters one by one rendering them unconscious. Thanks to some intel from Severus they knew the masks the Death Eaters wore could only be removed by the owners wand. So while they were unconscious the pair would grab their wands and remove the masks before alerting the Aurors of their location.

Harry panted as he and Hermione made it into the tree line. Harry stumbled over a root when he heard the sounds of clashing spells in the distance. He knew Remus and Sirius were now fighting Lucius and his goons. Just as Harry was about to charge back he was suddenly tackled to the ground. "No way Potter!" shouted the voice of Draco Malfoy.

Harry groaned as he hit the ground he looked up utterly shocked, "Malfoy? What are you doing?!"

"Stopping you!" He said, "My father's back there and he'd like nothing more than to kill you especially after that mess that happened second year."

Hermione stood over them with wide eyes at the scene, "So why are you stopping him then?"

Draco turned her way, "Because Ginny would be sad if either of you got hurt…and if my father was responsible…she'd never forgive me." Draco then pulled a very flabbergasted Harry to his feet, "Now keep going!" he points into the trees.

Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and started pulling him again Harry still dazed by the encounter simply followed, "Did that just happen Hermione? Did Draco Malfoy seriously just help us."

"I can't believe it either." Hermione replied as she ran with Harry in tow, "I'm grateful he stopped you though. You have to trust Sirius. Bellatrix is still in prison and Lucius isn't as good as he thinks he is. Sirius and Remus can handle him." She said.

Harry nodded recalling how Sirius took care of Lucius easily in his last life. It had been Bellatrix's sneak attack that ended Sirius' life, and she wasn't around right now. Harry calmed himself and followed after Hermione. They stopped for a moment to catch their breath when a wolf patronus appeared, "All of them are down meet us in the clearing." Remus' voice came from it. Harry looks to Hermione and nods then they make their way to the others.

Sirius was panting as he stood over the unconscious Death Eaters, "Sirius!" Harry called as he ran to hug his god father.

Sirius wrapped him in a tight hug, "You may be eighteen mentally Harry, but you still worry like a little kid."

Harry pulled away and punched his arm, "Can you blame me?" Harry growled, "I can't exactly help right now since the stupid trace is still on me."

Sirius patted his head, "I know but how about you leave the fighting to the grown ups for now. I'm not a fugitive now, and I am in much better shape than I assume I was in your last life. I can take down a few pureblood idiots."

Harry sighed and rolled his eyes, "I assume you contacted Amelia?"

"I sent word to her when Remus alerted you." Sirius said looking proud of himself.

It was then the Dark Mark was casted into the sky. Harry looked up frowning, 'I wonder whose wand he stole this time,' he thought to himself remembering Crouch Junior had taken Harry's own wand last time then the whole thing got pinned on poor Winky. The group was soon surrounded by Aurors and Amelia Bones came marching up with a look of cold fury on her face.

"Lord Black!" she called as she made her way over to them. She stopped a few feet from Sirius and looked at the unconscious men around them, "I must say I've missed your talents you made quick work of them." She was looking at their uncovered faces and smiled when she saw Lucius among the unconscious, "Oh I'm going to enjoy locking up this one…finally."

Sirius smirked when Fudge, Bagman, and Crouch Senior joined them. "Which one of you conjured it?" Crouch said waggling his wand between Harry, Sirius, and Amelia.

"Are you daft?" Amelia asked as she turned to face him, "You're accusing not only me the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and my men, but also Harry Potter and his godfather of putting that in the sky." She points to the Mark, "I think your lost it." Crouch simply stood there quivering so Amelia continued, "I received word of the ones who attacked the muggles being apprehended by Lord Black and his compatriot. I have come to collect them." She looked in Lucius' direction.

Fudges face paled, "Impossible! This isn't true it must be a farce!"

"Would you like my memory of the event Minister?" Sirius said, "Remus and I made our way here after the commotion started. It took a while, but eventually we got them all and removed their masks. Shame that your most loyal benefactor will now be headed to Azkaban."

"Indeed, such a pity." Amelia smiled, "ROUND THEM UP!" she shouted to her men who began collecting the fallen Death Eaters. Fudge stammered as he watch Lucius get plucked from the ground and thrown over the shoulder of one of the Aurors, "Minister…" Amelia turned to face him, "Know that I will now be opening a thorough investigation on Lucius and ANYONE he was connected too. That includes you." With that she started to walk off.

"But what about that?!" Crouch bellowed as he pointed to the Mark, "These men were all unconscious who did it."

"The Mark was casted from over there sir." Harry said pointing to the area on the other side of the grounds, "If you hurry I'm sure you'll find something." He had a slight smirk on his face as Crouch looked at him confused.

He then rushed to where Harry pointed with a his group of security wizards as Remus came out of the trees brushing himself off, "Well Moony?" Sirius asked.

"Junior is stunned and waiting to be found by his father…felt bad about knocking out the poor elf too but its done." He said as he walked over to them.

Harry was smiling, "I bet tomorrow's headline is going to be a doozy." Hermione simply rolled her eyes at him.

A few days later, Harry and Hermione sat in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place discussing the events of the coming year when Sirius walked in and slapped the morning edition of the Daily Prophet on the table. "Your god father made the front page two months in a row." He smirked.

Harry rolled his eyes and pulled the paper closer so he and Hermione could read it:

Attack at the World Cup

Death Eaters Captured

A few days ago, after the Quidditch World Cup concluded an attack took place by unknown assailants. The group, dressed in Death Eater gear, proceeded to attack the muggle family in charge of the grounds where the cup was held. After torturing the muggle family and suspending them into the air the group was interrupted by recently acquitted Sirius Black. The Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, along with an unnamed compatriot, quickly incapacitated the attackers. Afterward they removed the masks they had hidden behind and the reveal was a shocking sight.

Among the attackers was Lucius Malfoy, a known benefactor to Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge. Malfoy and his comrades, including Gregory Goyle SR. and Eugene Crabbe , were taken into custody by Amelia Bones and a team of Aurors that were summoned by Lord Black and are now facing criminal charges. According to witnesses Minister Fudge attempted to get his benefactor released but was threatened with charges of aiding and abetting, and attempted bribery. When asked for a comment the Minister had this to say;

"I whole heartedly believe Lord Malfoy is innocent of the charges stacked against him and I will be assisting him in getting his name cleared."

However preliminary evidence shows that task will not be easy. While under interrogation with Veritaserum. Lucius admitted to the crimes he committed that night and others crimes from years before, including giving a cursed diary to one Ginevra Weasley two years ago. According to a highly reliable source this cursed diary event led to multiple Muggle-born students, at Hogwarts, getting petrified and hospitalized throughout the year. This reporter believes Minister Fudge will be in for a rude awakening his he thinks he can get Lord Malfoy off on the charges.

List of the captured Death Eaters on Page 3

Harry smiled, "Sweet Merlin this is even better than I hoped." He laid the paper down, "Lucius is headed straight to Azkaban." He chuckles.

"One less obstacle for us then." Hermione said, "There will be less supporters for when Voldemort returns."

"More then one." Sirius said, "Fudge is getting major bad publicity now…he will be out of office by the end of your fourth year."

"Oh that will make our fifth year go much smoother." Harry said, "That and the little meeting I plan to have with Skeeter later this year."

"Going to nip her little snooping problem in the bud eh?" Sirius smirked.

"Most definitely." His god son replied as he pulled a letter out off from the side, "By the way I got this from Gringotts while we were away." He hands the opened parchment to Sirius who turned it over and began reading:

Heir Potter,

I would like to thank you for informing us on the abominable horcrux hidden within our own vaults. The artifact was indeed located within Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. Her account has been closed due to violating our clause against dark artifacts being kept within a vault. Her confiscated funds will be handed over to the head to her birth family meaning, all funds will be deposited into the Black family vault.

As far as the other cursed items you left in our possession. We have destroyed the vile souls attached to the diadem and locket and both have been placed in your vault as you requested. The artifact found in the Lestrange vault was the cup of Helga Hufflepuff we are currently in the process of removing the soul from that one as well and once completed it too will be deposited in your vault. Again we would like to thank you for allowing the Goblin Nation the oppritunity to rid our ancestors creations of the vile magic that had been placed on them. We look forward to our future business with you.

Honorably,

Ragnok VII

Potter Family Account Manager

"I don't know if I should be happy to have stripped Bellatrix of all her gold or disgusted because I know how that gold was accumulated, and its now sitting in my own vault." Sirius shivered a bit.

"Either way less money for Voldemort to buy supporters." Harry added.

"True." Sirius said as he laid the letter down and sighed. He was about to sit across from them when suddenly their door bell rang. Sirius stiffened mid way through sitting down. He looks to Harry, "Expecting company?" he asked. Both Harry and Hermione shook their heads. Sirius drew his wand and makes his way to the door opening it slowly. He lets out a sigh of relief when he sees Severus on the other side, "You didn't tell me you were coming Sev." He says as he opens the door wider

"Well I didn't know." Severus says, "I brought some visitors for you." Severus steps aside revealing Narcissa Malfoy and her son Draco Malfoy.

Sirius blinks then looks to Severus, "You need to work on your surprises Severus." He then turns back to his cousin. He crosses his arms and stares at her coldly, "Hello cousin." He said.

Narcissa curtsied as Draco bowed a bit, "Lord Black. I've come to speak with you as head of my birth family."

Sirius sighed and stepped back before turning towards where he left Harry, "Harry one of your classmates has come for a visit!" he called as the three of them came in. Harry and Hermione walked out into the foyer and stared dumbfounded as Draco and Narcissa stood near the door.

"Heir Potter." Narcissa curtsied again while Draco bowed, "Congratulations on finally taking up your birthright." Draco's mother says as she stands up straight.

"Well…this is unexpected." Harry mumbled shielding Hermione a bit from them with his arm.

"Calm down Potter." Draco said, "We're here to talk."

"Talk?" Harry said looking to Severus who nodded. "Alright then." He gestures to the new redecorated parlor room.

The group makes their way in and everyone has a seat. Sirius sat in the an large chair that resembled a throne with Severus standing beside him. Harry and Hermione took the love seat to Sirius' right while Draco and his mother sat in two arm chairs.

"The house looks…different." Narcissa says remembering the way Grimmauld Place looked when Sirius' mother lived here.

"Yes well forgive me but I do not believe my mother's taste in décor was particularly welcoming especially to children." Sirius replied, "As you are aware I have taken custody of my Godson and I rather he not be subjected to the horrid environment I grew up in."

"I meant no disrespect Sirius." Narcissa said as she looked around, "I rather like the change. Modest yet elegant. Perfectly suited to the Black family."

"Thank you however you didn't come here to talk about my décor Narcissa, so how may I assist you?" Sirius asked in a firm tone.

Narcissa cleared her throat and sat up straighter, "Lord Black, I am here not as the Lady of the Malfoy family, but as your cousin a member of House Black."

Sirius straightened his back a bit, "I'm listening."

"In a few short days Lucius will be incarcerated for his crimes and House Malfoy will crumble…" Narcissa began, " So at this time I humbly request you, The Head of my birth house, dissolve my marriage to Lucius Malfoy as per our Marriage contract."

Sirius blinked confused, "I beg your pardon?"

"Sirius you know grandfather was not particularly thrilled with mine and Bellatrix's marriages. He was opposed to any family who whole heartedly supported the Dark Lord."

Severus held up his hand stopping her there, " Narcissa we don't call him that in this house. Use his name…"

Narcissa swallowed a bit, "You know he was opposed to anyone who supported…Voldemort." She shivered a bit as she said the name. She shook her head then continued, "Anyway grandfather included clauses in both of our marriage contracts. One specifically stated should the grooms family swear loyalty to anyone not aligned with House Black the marriage would be voided and the bride, any children from the marriage, and the substantial dowry would all return to House Black. As you know our grandfather never aligned House Black with Voldemort even though multiple members of our family did choose to side with him. With that being said Lucius clearly aligned with…Voldemort…thus breaking our contract. I hereby request you return me and my son to House Black."

"I humbly request the same." Draco said.

Harry blinked, "You're serious?" Before the Black family head could open his mouth for his usual joke Severus grab his shoulder to silence him.

Draco looked at Harry, "Yes Potter," Draco said, "I actually would like to thank you. Due to your little prank with that love potion we discovered that my father had been dosing me with potions as well."

"Sorry about that that was actually my idea." Sirius chuckled.

"Well I must thank you for that as well," Narcissa said, "I noticed Draco seemed a bit off a few days ago, so I took him to St. Mungos and got him flushed of all potions it appears Lucius had been dosing our son with loyalty and obedience potions for a long time."

Harry blinked, "Wait so the reason you've been an annoying prick the last three years is because daddy dearest wanted you to be his carbon copy?"

Draco was silent for a moment, "I will admit my behavior was mostly due to my father's schemes from second year an on…that was when he started doing it. According to mother I had come home first year talking of trying harder to befriend you during our second year. But after hearing the company you kept," he glanced to Hermione, "My farher didn't like the idea and started slipping me potions to have be more loyal to him which in turn had me acting more like him."

"So when you called me a 'mudblood' second year?" Hermione said quietly.

Draco looked her way, "Yes…I apologize for that and the numerous other times." He bowed his head.

"I'll consider that punch I gave you at the end of last year your penance." Hermione smirked.

Narcissa turned to Draco, "So that's why you were so furious when you came home."

"I hear Hermione has a mean right hook." Sirius said with a smirk.

"Lets just put it this way," Draco begins, "now those potions are not clouding my judgement I will be going out of my way not to anger Granger…she not only has a mean right hook, but she IS the best student in our year….only an idiot would piss her off and I like to think I am not one."

"Anymore anyways." Harry says.

Draco smirked at him, "Exactly."

Narcissa smiled a turned back to Sirius her expression changing to a more serious expression, "Cousin please, don't subject us to the misfortune of being apart of a disgraced house."

"Very well then," Sirius says standing up, "but you both will take oaths of loyalty to House Black. As I am Harry's Godfather House Black is now aligned with House Potter so your oath will extend to Harry as well if you can not agree to this you will be banished from House Black. Am I clear?" he looked to both of them sternly.

Narcissa nodded and looked to Draco who nodded as well, "We understand."

Sirius sighed, "Alright then I suppose we must head to Gringotts to get this finalized, I had hoped to not have to go there again for a while, but duty calls."

"Better get used to it you are the Head of your house Padfoot." Harry told him.

"Hey same goes for you when you're seventeen your in for a world of obligations." Draco told Harry.

"Speaking of," Hermione spoke up getting Narcissa's and Draco's attention, "I assume the both of you are trained in High Society of the wizarding world." She looked to the two soon to be Blacks who nodded in response, "Might I ask you both to teach me and Harry what we would need to know to not make fools of ourselves…I'd ask Sirius but he is…well Sirius"

"HEY!" Sirius said looking offended.

"She's right." Severus spoke up.

Narcissa looked to Hermione, "Are you Heir Potter's betrothed?"

Harry and Hermione immediately blushed, "Well no but…" Hermione looked to Harry a bit. Harry immediately looked away his face getting redder.

Narcissa smirks, "I see the Potter Family tradition is alive and well?"

"Tradition?" Harry asks.

"Courting the smartest of their year." Draco's mother smirked at him which caused his face to redden even more.

Draco smirks, "Oh this year will be amusing." Which earned him glares from both Hermione and Harry.

Up Next: Harry and Draco's start repairing the bridge they burn years ago. Ron throws a fit on the train and we see a whole new side of our favorite Ravenclaw.

A/N: So I must reply to one of the comments I noticed stating what Harry and Sirius did with the love potions was as bad as Molly and Ron's scheming. My only response to that is "WOW" they played a prank. Where Molly and Ron intended to continue to potion Harry and Hermione for years to get what they wanted. The two scenarios are vastly different.