McGonagall was thrilled with the deal House brokered with Snape and immediately set up making up a list for the dinner. She knew she'd have to pick carefully; it wouldn't do to have anyone there hostile to Snape in the state he was in. He needed to know that he did have some supporters around him now before he would be strong enough to weather the storm of any rejection or hostility that some people still bore toward him.

She quickly had herself, Filius, Potter and Granger, Bill Weasley, Slughorn, and Miss Lovegood. Draco, of course, and perhaps Narcissa. She would speak with Pomona and broach the idea with her as well as see if there was a Hufflepuff or two to invite.

But as thrilled as she was to get the chance to show this to Severus, she did sympathize that House was going to have to face his demons head on to introduce himself to his wizarding family. She didn't think they would reject him but she decided a little bit of detective work and a touch of meddling wouldn't hurt. With that thought in mind, she sent a note to Professor MacDougal, asking him to stop by her office at his earliest convenience.

About eight o'clock that night, she answered a knock at her door and was pleased to see MacDougal there.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?" he asked with a touch of a boy expecting to be given detention.

"Yes, Professor MacDougal, please come in. Tea? Something a bit stronger perhaps?" she asked with a smirk.

"I could do with a nip," he answered with a broad smile.

Minerva poured them both a shot of scotch and took her seat.

"How are your classes going so far, Professor?"

"Please, call me Jesse," he said. "Pretty well, although the gap between muggle and wizard culture is so big it's quite a shock to both sides. There's a lot of dissention about whether wizards are too old fashioned or muggles have no manners or respect for traditions."

"Well, hopefully that will settle down quickly enough. Whether they choose to follow them or not, they still need to understand them to fit into wizarding daily life."

"True. I just wish the wizards had the same need to understand the muggleborns. Have you heard anything about how Professor House's class is going?" Jesse asked.

Minerva couldn't have conjured up a better opening if she'd tried. "The most common thing I've heard about Professor House's class is that he is as strict and demanding a teacher as Headmaster Snape was," she replied with a smile. "But I have overheard some of my 7th years from wizarding households expressing some surprise at how much the basics of wizard history parallels muggle history and many of the muggleborns are surprised by Professor House's house affiliation; Slytherin."

"A muggleborn in Slytherin is almost as rare as hen's teeth," Jesse chuckled.

"Oh, he's not a muggleborn, he's a half-blood. I'm hoping to change all that in the future," Minerva replied. "One thing I'm concerned about is how many magical children may have been left orphaned by the war? Particularly half-bloods and muggleborns. Wizarding families should ideally step up and take these orphans in, either as wards or through blood adoptions, but will they be able to overcome their prejudices enough to do so? Did you know that Voldemort was a half-blood? Yes," she nodded upon seeing Jesse's startled look. "He grew up in a muggle orphanage. I have to think that growing up different and unwanted played a large part in his fanatical crusade."

"Then why did he want to eliminate the muggleborns?"

"Because he only wanted to embrace his wizard heritage. He wanted muggles to fear wizards, not for us to hide ourselves and our abilities from those he considered lesser beings. My concern now is this; if wizarding families don't take in and raise war orphans, will we see the rise of yet another dark lord from a muggle orphanage?"

"That's a downright terrifying thought, Minerva," Jesse said soberly. "I see why you wanted both wizard and muggle studies to be mandatory for graduation now. The more they know and understand about each other, the less likely they are to follow someone like Voldemort again."

"Your mother is a muggleborn, isn't she?" Minerva asked, trying to delicately steer the conversation.

"Yes, she is. My father is a half-blood and my grandmother is a muggle," Jesse replied with a smile. "No derogatory comments allowed in our house; Grandma would give you what for."

"Do you think your father would consider taking in an orphan to raise?" she asked with deliberate casualness. "Not that I have any to place, mind you, just hypothetically speaking."

"He might," Jesse mused. "He's been giving not so subtle hints about wanting grandchildren lately."

"Indeed? Well, that's encouraging. Professor Weasley's parents have said that they would gladly take in a child in need, and a few others I know as well."

"How is Headmaster Snape, by the way?" Jesse asked.

"He is improving, physically better than emotionally, but we're working on that with him."

"I can't imagine how much it would mess with your head to be a double agent."

"Yes, it has left him with many questions," Minerva nodded. "Thank you for stopping by Jesse and letting me run these thoughts past you."

"My pleasure, Professor," Jesse answered. "Good night."

Minerva cracked a big grin as soon as her office door closed. Though she might be wrong, she thought that the MacDougals were about to claim a long lost son. There was still risk of rejection; wizarding society didn't look kindly on illegitimate children, but she thought House had a good chance of being accepted by them.

House was teaching the seventh year muggle studies class that Thursday when an owl swooped in and landed on his desk. He ignored it for a few minutes, until it started to hoot incessantly. With a growl, he strode over and removed the letter, tossing it onto his desk and shooing the bird away. While the class was completing an essay quiz, he ripped the letter open and read it, his face darkening with anger as he wadded the letter up and threw it into the fireplace.

"Malfoy, stay behind after class," he ordered then sank down into the chair to brood while they all finished up their tests and left. Harry sent Ron and Hermione on ahead, with a flimsy excuse of having left something behind in the classroom.

"Hey, I want to see Malfoy get it too," Ron said with an ugly smirk on his face.

"Ron, just go. I want to talk to Malfoy and the Professor not get into a fight with them," Harry said, exasperated.

"See, I was right. You are trying to join up with Malfoy," Ron shot back, grabbing Hermione's hand and tugging her along behind him as he strode up the hall.

"Ron! Ron, slow down, I'm coming," Hermione admonished him as she hurried her stride to match his, glancing back at Harry in consternation.

Harry leaned against the wall outside the classroom and waited only another minute before the door burst open and an angry Malfoy stepped out.

"Hanging around to gloat, Potter? Where are your sidekicks?" Malfoy snapped.

Harry blinked at the old Malfoy reappearing. "I wanted to know if everything was alright," he asserted.

"Everything's bloody marvelous," Draco retorted. "My mother and I are being kicked out of the professor's flat in Hogsmeade. Seems the landlord doesn't want our kind there."

"What? Can he do that?" Harry asked.

"It's his building, Potter, of course he can. Besides, who's going to stop him from throwing out a Malfoy?" Draco asked harshly, and Harry could now see the hurt behind the fury.

"Potter," House said coming out into the hallway. "Draco, let's go talk to McGonagall. We'll have to go back and pack up, find someplace else to live. Maybe we can get two bedrooms this time, but you'd still have to share with me."

Draco, who'd started down the hallway, stopped and turned to stare at House incredulously. "Share with you? But… you said the landlord told you that we had to go or he'd evict you."

"And your point is?"

"There's no reason for you to move. Mother and I will find somewhere to go," Draco asserted, pulling what remained of his Malfoy pride around him.

"Don't be an idiot," House said, slapping him lightly on the back of the head. "You think I want to rent from someone like that? Either we all stay or we all leave. You need something, Potter?"

"No, sir," Harry answered, "Just wondering what happened."

"Let's go," House said to Draco, leading the way toward McGonagall's office.

Harry stepped aside to let the professor pass but after a moment's thought, he slapped himself in the forehead and took off after them at a run.

"Malfoy! Professor House! Wait!" Harry shouted after catching sight of them and skidded to a halt next to them.

"You three can live in my house! And no rent, you can stay as guests as long as you like," Harry said excitedly.

"I thought you were living with the Weasleys," Draco said cautiously.

"I am. That's why this is perfect! Grimmauld Place is plenty big enough and Kreacher is there. Maybe your mother can do something with the horrible decorating," Harry added with a smile.

House was watching Draco and could tell that he knew the place.

"What is this Grimmauld Place?" House asked.

"It's in London," Harry answered.

"It's a Black family ancestral residence," Draco added. "My mother was a Black before she married Father. I didn't know you owned the house, Potter."

"Sirius named me the heir in his will," Harry answered. "Really, you're all welcome to stay there. I'd be honored."

Draco snorted lightly at that thought, but he nodded. "Thank you, Potter. I appreciate this a lot and I owe you."

"Come with us, Potter. We've only got two days to get everybody moved," House said, starting down the hall again. "You sure you don't want any rent? I can pay you what I was paying in Hogsmeade."

"Positive," Harry said firmly. "It's a big house, it should be used instead of sitting empty all the time."

Minerva raised an eyebrow at the sight of Harry and Draco escorted to her office by a professor but quick explanations had her both outraged and beaming with pride.

"An excellent idea, Mr. Potter, and most generous of you. Grimmauld Place has more than enough room and I think that all three of you will enjoy the extensive library there. You're all excused from classes and school to get packed up and settled," she said, shooing them toward the floo.

They arrived in Hogsmeade and walked to the flat to find Narcissa packing up her things with a stray tear on her face. She looked up as they came in and blinked to see Potter with them.

"I've already started packing my things," she said, wringing her hands together.

"Good," House responded. "Draco, you get the living room, Potter, you get the kitchen," he ordered, stepping up to Narcissa and taking her hands.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"I understand. We'll be gone in a couple of hours," she said, trying to turn away from him but stopping when he tightened his grip and wouldn't let her go.

"I don't think you do. I'm sorry the landlord is such a small minded prick. I'm sorry you had to find that out from someone other than me. We're all moving out. I'm not going to rent from that kind of person. Potter, you want to tell her why you've come along?"

"Mrs. Malfoy, I'd like for you, Draco and Professor House to come and live at Grimmauld Place for as long as you want," Harry said as he stepped up to her. "In fact, I've been wanting to redecorate now that the war is over. If you could take charge of that for me, I'd really appreciate it. Kreacher is there, taking care of the house for me while I'm at school."

Narcissa looked stunned at the offer and looked up to House, who nodded that yes, it was true.

"Are you certain, Mr. Potter? You and Draco have been rivals all through school and after your treatment at the manor…"

"I'm certain, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry said confidently. "Draco and I are starting to get along this year and you are a Black. You're welcome at Grimmauld Place. All three of you," Harry said, glancing at them all and then back to Narcissa with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Narcissa said with a tremulous smile. "I'll be happy to help you decorate the house. Merlin knows, it certainly needs it."

They worked together and had all of their belongings packed up and shrunk in short order. "Potter and I will take all our things, Mother, so that you can side-along Professor House."

"Thank you, Draco, we'll be right behind you," Narcissa said.

"The house is still under the Fidelius Charm," Harry said, handing them both a piece of paper. "You'll need this."

After the two boys apparated away, she faced House and took his hands. "You're sure about this too?"
"I'm sure," House responded confidently.

Narcissa smiled and stepped back, holding out her arm and soon they appeared in the park across from Grimmauld Place where Draco and Harry waited.

"A Black family ancestral home is in a row of townhouses?" House asked as he took in the neighborhood.

"Hiding in plain sight," Narcissa said.

"Read the piece of paper to yourselves," Harry said, then raised his wand. House took an involuntary step back as the buildings started to shuffle aside, revealing 12 Grimmauld Place.

"That is so cool," House said with a smile.

"Isn't it?" Harry agreed. "I love magic. Come on. You have to be quiet going in. Mrs. Black's portrait is still on the wall and she'll start yelling if we wake her up. Oh, and there's a charm that Mad-Eye Moody put in place that is freaky. When it comes up, say "I didn't kill you."

After getting past the charm and the portrait, Harry led them into the living room. "Kreacher," he called out. The old elf popped in and bowed, then turned joyous eyes to Narcissa and Draco.

"Master Potter brings Mistress Black and her son back to the family. What can Kreacher do for Master and his guests?"

"Kreacher, Mrs. Malfoy, Draco and Professor House are going to be moving in. They'll need appropriate rooms; something closest to the ground floor for the Professor. Draco and the Professor will be returning with me to Hogwarts during term but Mrs. Malfoy will remain here. You're to serve her and help her redecorate the house."

"Kreacher is pleased to serve Master and the Noble House of Black," the old elf said, disappearing to set up the rooms.

"Hi, I'm chopped liver," House joked, walking slowly around the room to get a feel for the house.

"Sorry," Harry said, a bit embarrassed. "He's bound to the Black family and been alone a long time. He'll notice you eventually," he finished with a shrug and a smile.

"How long are you going to leave that charm in place, Potter?" Draco asked. "It hits a little too close to home."

"Sorry. I don't know the counterspell. I'm hoping when Professor Dumbledore's portrait wakes up, he'll tell me what it is," Harry said.

Harry showed them around the house, not that Narcissa needed the tour but she followed along beside House. House and Draco were both impressed by the size and scope of the Black library as Harry had predicted. They saw the rooms that Kreacher set up for them and then sat down to a meal that Kreacher put together. After dinner they took tea in the study.

"I'll send an owl to Gringott's and authorize you to use the Black vaults to fund the decorating and anything else you need, for the house or for yourself. There's plenty there so please don't worry about it. I leave it to you what to do with the house, just leave my room to me," Harry said to Narcissa while House and Draco played wizard's chess.

"Of course, Mr. Potter. I can send you samples of my choices to make a final decision, if you wish."

Harry laughed. "I don't know the first thing about decorating, really. Whatever you decide is fine. And please, call me Harry."

As the night drew to a close, all three men wished Narcissa good night and admonished Kreacher to take good care of her, before apparating back to Hogwarts, with Draco taking House side-along this time.