"I can't believe it, are you serious?"

Ted had taken the news regarding Harry's possible future quite well, all things considered. Ezekiel had the foresight of taking him to his studio and having him seat before telling him anything.

He feared he'd pass out from the shock, Merlin knows he almost did, but Ted just sat back in the chair on his studio. Ted had lost all strength, but he managed to keep his composure.

"Yes, the Queen herself told me this."

Both were seated across Ted's desk in his studio, Andi was with Harry watching the television and keeping him occupied.

"But how? They were potion-masters and Healers, how did they made that jump so fast?" Ted shook his head, completely lost.

"I don't know, didn't thought of asking."

"Wha-why?"

"Harry was a mess after that interrogation the Queen put him trough, I just wanted to get him out."

"Well, as commendable as it may be, it would've helped quite a lot to stick around and ask questions of your own."

"I know, I know." Ezekiel acknowledged tiredly "It's just that, we got hit by all this too fast. I need to get a breather. So far all I've been able to do is making Harry a bit safer, but that won't last until I can get a clear view of the big picture."

"Well, things are changing. You won't believe what happened to Dumbledore."

"What?"

"He got kicked out of International Confederation of Wizards and the Wizengamot, with a lifetime ban on ever taking any public post again."

"And Hogwarts?" Ezekiel asked hopeful.

"That's a bit more complicated. "Ted scratched his head. "Hogwarts has it's own set of rules, there's a board of governors that enforce them, but what those rules are is anyone's guess."

"I think Grandfather was on the board, do I still have a seat?"

"Sorry, no." Ted shook his head again. "It was one of your grandfather's gifts to your uncles after his death. There were other things but they were just material goods, although when checked his will he just gave some vague indications of what they were. Dark objects, I assume."

"Yeah, we used to give things like that to each other, specially in birthdays. Have I ever showed you the dagger collection that the Bellatrix sent me for my third birthday? Nine daggers made out of the worst things you could ever imagine. She promised me a very special one for my coming of age, whatever the hell that meant"

"Well... as disturbing as that seems, we can't remove Dumbledore from Hogwarts and from what I've heard, Lucius Malfoy has really tried. In any case his post as Headmaster is set in stone,the only way he'll ever leave that school is if he dies."

"I can arrange that." Ezekiel chuckled, the Black family ring shined on his right hand. "You think you and Andi could take care of Harry for the rest of the afternoon?"

"Ezekiel Black. YOU. WILL. NOT. MURDER. ALBUS. DUMBLEDORE." Ted said sternly

"Relax, Ted, it was just a joke" Ezekiel assured him, putting the though on the back of his mind should it ever be a possibility to convince his uncle. "At least we know where Harry won't be going if he chooses the magical side."

"Ezekiel, I beg you to think this trough. Harry Potter must go to Hogwarts, it's more than just his education. During his time there he'll be able to renew alliances with other Houses, he might even be able to do more. I checked the financial records, the House Potter had deals with almost all of the Ancient Houses."

"Deals which I presume are now void since the death of the previous Lord and the lack of response from his heir?."

"Well, yes. "Ted admitted. "But because of those deal disappearing it created a power vacuum. Who do you think jumped at the chance to fill it in?"

"Malfoy..." Ezekiel groaned.

"Exactly, with the Potters gone, the Malfoy family took over almost all of their businesses, specially their potion-making. They basically monopolize the market but their quality is passable at best. The Potter family created plenty of medications and brews that helped people all over the world, they were cheap and effective. The Malfoys are chocking every Knut out of the people and since they are one of the Ancient and Most Noble houses they can pretty much do whatever they want. If Harry were to reclaim his place as a Lord and renew those deal, the good that would do alone would improve the living conditions of the magical population in Britain."

"Ted, you expect too much of a child." Ezekiel sighted. "Besides there's no evidence that the people that made deals with Harry's father would make new deals with a child, and one that was raised in the Muggle world. It didn't work for me, it won't work for him."

"No, it didn't work for you because people hate your family and wanted to break any they had ties with you. "Ted realized what he had said and added apologetically "Sorry, it's the way people see the Black family. Harry is the Boy Who Lived, even if they see it from a business point of view, it's perfect."

"You've think this for a while, haven't you?"Ezekiel asked suspicious.

"Ever since my father died, yes."

Ted's father had passed away of Dragon Pox years before Ezekiel had joined their little family, a fact that had affected Ted profoundly. Ezekiel knew that the man was also quite old by the time he had contracted the disease, which no doubt had been the final nail on his coffin, but choose to not point it out.

"Is there any way to do all that without involving Harry's position into this?" He asked, surprising Ted.

"Well, his name would definitely have to be involved, it's what people will recognize."

"Right, and the farmers, do any of them have any ties to my House? Ezekiel closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Sure, people had left him in flocks once the alleged betrayal of his uncle but a very small group had remained, specially those who depended on the lands he owned to subsistence.

"All the small farms are in your family's lands, but they won't oppose the Malfoy's."

"Very well, here is what we're going to do. We, and by that I mean Andi and I, will ask Harry." He saw Ted about to complain and cut him off. "It's only fair, it's his family name at the end of the day and you are too invested. Then, if he agrees and only IF that happens, I'll send a message to the farmers. I'll get them to work with us."

"How do you expect them to trust you?"

"Me? I'll have Gringotts setup wards around their properties and connect their houses to the Floo Network, I'll buy their products at full price. Lucius hasn't particularly wised up since his Death Eater days, he may try to attack one of them but once he sees their defenses he'll fold."

"And if they don't want to work with you, despite all that?"

"Then I'll raise their rent ten times it's value, kick them off when they fail to pay and divide their parcels between those who do. I imagine that will make happy quite a few." Ezekiel shrugged.

"Only you can turn something like this into a coercion charges. You do understand that this is supposed to be something that benefits people, right?"

"Oh, yes. Absolutely." Ezekiel nodded. "I also know that trying to deal with people appealing to their goodness of their heart is moronic. They are farmers, Ted, they get the short end of the stick anyway. This will give them more money than they'll ever have." He paused a moment and then added. "If Harry gives his approval, of course. I need to be clear about this Ted, do not try to influence Harry's decision. He's a boy, a small and very frightened boy. You've heard how his uncles treated him, would you abuse his trust as well?"

"NO! God no! You're right, it's just that with him here." Ted excused himself, but Ezekiel continued.

"I understand, Ted but you've said it yourself: he's here. he's family. He's not an edge to exploit. Harry will need time to make decisions on his own, we can't force him or we'll hurt him even already have experience with this sort of thing." Ezekiel pointed out. "You helped me, remember? And yes, I know things are different with him but in the end it's the same: he's alone and scared."

"You're right, I'll ask Andi later about all this but Ezekiel, if I thought of this then other people did as well. We might not have enough time, if we aren't late already."

"We'll see, about that. One more thing, I wanted to apologize to you."

"Me?" Ted asked confused. "Why?"

"For the Palace summoning, I lost my temper and shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

"Oh, it's alright. I know you hate that place." Ted dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "You always get that Palace face when they call you, being in a bad mood is perfectly normal when they treat you like that."

"No, it's not. I let my emotions get the best of me and it was wrong. I am sorry Ted." Ezekiel apologized. "What's that Palace face you were talking about?"

"Oh, you just have that look that says 'I'm going to rip you apart one molecule at the time and enjoy it.'" Ted explained. " Still, I can't believe that the Queen accepted your appointment as Harry's Magical Guardian."

"Not really." Ezekiel point out. "She just didn't oppose it, that way she can stay neutral in case something happens. I don't think there ever was a case were we had the full support of the Crown. Still, I'm going to have to think some things trough to make sure Harry gets a normal childhood."

"I'll be happy to help with that one, I've got nothing but time."

"How come, did something happened at the law firm?"

"Oh, I didn't tell you. They fired me."

"WHAT, WHY?!" Ezekiel shouted enraged, leaping from his seat. First Andi and now this?

"I spoke during your trial." Ted revealed. "They sent my things trough Floo while you and Harry were away."

"Hang on, they fired you for defending me, my own Law-Wizard? Are they nuts?!"

"Apparently there was a clause in my contract, can't take a Dark Wizard accusation without the express permission of the partners. Kicked me out without even giving me my last paycheck. Even for lawyers that was a cold."

"Is there anything you can do, a lawsuit or..."

"No, checked the contract myself, it's bulletproof." Ted sighted. "Would you mind if I keep my salary for being your proxy at the Wizengamot?"

"Ted, I've told you a million times that money is yours." Ezekiel told him softly. The door of the studio opened and a worried Andi appeared.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Ted was just telling me about his job."

"Oh, yes, those wankers." Andy growled " Anyway I'm going to take Harry to the store, we're getting some snacks. Want me to bring you something?"

"Oh, I'll go with him" Ted said. Ezekiel gave him a look so he raised his hands" I won't ask a thing, promise. I just want to get some air."

"Very well...keep your eyes open. Harry can summon me if he's in danger but I'd rather he felt comfortable walking the streets"

They saw Ted leave with Harry trough one of the windows on the living room. It was a very normal room, by muggle standards. The walls were a smooth shade of yellow and orange, it had one big brown leather sofa in front of a wooden coffee table in the middle of it. There were two more chairs similar to the couch, one in one at the head of the table and another across the couch. A television was on the wall, placed so that everyone could see it. Once they were out of sight Ezekiel spoke while still looking trough the window.

"How long have you known about the Potters?" He finally asked.

"I didn't knew it was them, exactly. I suspected it when the Queen called for you." Andi said as she sat on the couch.

"A little heads up would've been nice. You want coffee or tea? "Ezekiel sat across her.

"And how would I've said that to you? Hey, Ezekiel, I know that you're about to go to the one place on earth that you hate the most to meet the only woman that makes your blood pressure skyrocket, but by the way, Harry might be the most powerful member of the Queen's court? I didn't even knew if that was the case." Andi snarked "Coffee, please, two sugar."

"I know," Ezekiel took out his wand and summoned the drinks and added the sugar for Andi. "How did they make it? The jump in the hierarchy, I mean. They were Healers and potion makers, for Merlin's sake."

"Well, it was a rumor of course but apparently they did what no one had done at their time."

"Which was...?"

"They stopped the Black Plague."

"Oh..." Ezekiel said. "How?"

"No idea, the Crown have never revealed much about it, or who did it for that matter, but ever since then the Black family have wanted to know. After we swore fielty to the crown they ordered us to never look into it, well they ordered the Lord of the House at least. Our ancestors took the orders literally and had the rest of the family searching for clues. As you imagine they never found anything." She took a sip. "Mmm, how come your coffee tastes better than when I do it?" She asked but Ezekiel shrugged in response. "Well, if all this fails, you'll have a very nice career as a barista." She smiled at him.

"Listen, all that beside, I need you to help me with something." Ezekiel got serious.

"By all means, what is it?"

"Harry is going to need a Mind-Healer and a tutor, but I can't have them in my house."

"You could have them in a regular house. I did say that you'll need a regular house for Harry's enrollment. " Andi reminded him.

"Yes, but I don't have one yet and I don't think many will be willing to sell in my area, besides I quite like my house."

"Despite being a nesting place for the darkest magic ever created? Seriously, one of these days you'll have to show me how you make this coffee." Andi said amazed after another sip of her beverage.

"I'll figure it out, but I need somewhere for Harry to do all those things while I do it. Not to mention that I'll have to return to work once my little 'vacation' ends. I don't like the idea of him being alone."

"Right, that house is packed with Dark artifacts. Why don't you just turn them to your boss?"

"Are you kidding me?" Ezekiel was shocked. "Some of those things would send me to Azkaban just for mentioning them."

"Not to mention the things you brought back from your errands for the crown." Andi teased them.

"Nah, those thing don't work anymore. I just liked the way they looked."

"That car of your seems to work just fine. Where did you get it, anyway?"

"California, and I did destroy the magic runes and the spirit in it. It took me quite a while to get the right runes back, mind you."

"And yet you still drive as if you were possessed by an evil spirit" Andi pointed out.

"Okay, two things. One, I'm a great driver. Two, that car runs like a dream, Besides, it can self repair and never runs out of gas. It's a beauty."

"Let's leave that aside. Yes" She nodded "Harry can come here to learn and wait for you. I hear what Ted ask you, by the way. I'll make sure he doesn't push Harry."

"Thanks." Ezekiel smiled relieved. "I know how Ted gets about that. Didn't want to start a fight."

"Oh, nonsense, Ted's priority has always been the family. He'll never do anything that might hurt us and you know it. Will you and Harry be staying over for dinner?"

"No, I need to key him in the wards and then we'll eat there. He needs to know his new home and I've delayed it long enough as it is."

Ted returned with a cheerful Harry besides him, having brought a single bag of cookies.

"I told him that he could get more but he got too scared." Ted explained in a low voice to Ezekiel.

"It's alright, we'll deal with that later." He followed his aunt to the couch where Harry and Andi were talking. "Hey Harry, remember when I told you that I'd have to key you in to get into my house?"

"Yes, but how are you going to do that?" Harry asked unsure. Ezekiel reached to his head and plucked a single hair from him. "Ouch!"

"Sorry, my wards require something of the person or they activate."

"And what happens if they do that?" Harry asked while rubbing the part of his head where Ezekiel had taken the hair.

"You die."

"Oh" Harry answered, his head didn't hurt as much once he heard that. "And do you have to do that every time I need to get in?"

"Relax, it was only this time." Ezekiel assured him. "I need to go, be back in ten and we'll show you the place."

With a loud CRACK! noise, he disappeared again. True to his word, Ezekiel would return ten minutes later. They'd finish drinking and eating and said their goodbyes. Andi reminded the two before leaving that Dora would most likely visit them the next day. Ezekiel apparated with Harry at the entrance of the house. It had taken quite a while for it to be restored to the grandeur of past times, since nobody had lived there since the death of his family but with enough gold and magic, not to mention some dealings with Gringotts, the house looked as impressive as Ezekiel remembered. It had to undergo some alterations, specially changing the gas lamps for runes that produced sun-like light but for the most part it was a normal wizard's home.

Yet for some reason, something bugged Ezekiel. It was almost as if he had forgotten something important, but he couldn't thinks of what it was. He placed his coat in the hanger near the entrance door while he spoke to Harry.

"Well, Harry, this is the ancestral home of The Ancient and Most Noble House Of Black, what do you think?"

"I think it loo AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" Harry suddenly screamed. Ezekiel turned as fast as he could, wand in hand.

Oh, yeah, now he remembered.

Kreacher

I don't own Harry Potter, all characters except OC belong to J. K. Rowling.