He Is Not One of Us

Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Recommended Reads: Who Dares Wins by OlegGunnarsson, Xenogenous Souls by Quatermass, Apex by JustBored21, When Daylight Dies by BloodyRose90, Harry Potter and the Hidden Truth by KingFatMan25, Midnight Sun and Darkest Before Dawn by Herald-MageAnduli, Dark Prince Rises and Argent Knight of Pendragon by Ronin2106, Beautiful, Broken, Deadly by ifYouDieInCanada, Small Changes by KnightCarter007, Harry Potter and the Prince of Slytherin by The Sinister Man, Harry Potter and the Shadowed Light by itshanniee and Antithesis by Oceanbreeze7

Key Pairing: Harry/Gabrielle;

Other Pairings: Neville/Ginny; Lily/James; Others TBD

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Mental Speech'

/Parseltongue/

{Foreign Language}

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"Your Veela side chooses me, but you need me to accept it, otherwise it's you who pays the price, not me…and I refuse to let any magic harm my friends if I can help it, so the deal is this: you stay the brilliant, beautiful and brazenly-courageous young woman you've become as you help me achieve true justice and, in return, I will give you what you want…me."

Gabrielle's eyes widened as Harry said that, though before she could answer, Harry touched a finger to her lips before he winked in a way that reminded the young lady of her intended's new Father as he smiled wolfishly at her;

"So what do you say, my angel Gabrielle? Do we need to seal it with a kiss?"

Chapter 8: Let's Get This Party Started

When the rest of the Black Knights saw Harry and Gabrielle return to their pseudo-Common Room – albeit one that welcomed students of the craft from all Houses/walks of life – both of them wearing the biggest smiles anyone had seen them wearing, more than a few members of the group seemed curious, if not relieved to see their leader looking like his usual self.

However, as Harry looked to his friends, he couldn't help but chuckle as he drawled, "Wipe those smirks off your faces, Gred and Forge, unless you'd like to be put on Potions duty with Severus for the rest of the summer!"

While Fred and George's smiles fell faster than a house of cards, Ron managed a small laugh of his own while, from her spot next to Neville, Ginny shook her head as she asked, "So, does this mean you're back now, Harry?"

"Yep: I'm back and better than ever, thanks to a good friend reminding me what it really means to have friends in a place where, because of all that's happened, I thought I'd only see enemies," said Harry, taking Gabrielle's hand in a way that suddenly caused Fleur to s smile, a lone tear rolling down her cheek even as Harry went on. "And, on that note, I want to say sorry to you guys for worrying you."

"You don't have to apologise, Harry," argued Draco, though, like Fleur, he also seemed to have noticed the closeness of Harry and Gabrielle and, like Fleur, he knew what it meant, though he didn't say anything about it.

Instead, he cleared his throat as he drawled in a way that made him sound like his former self, "Honestly, if there isn't a time of classic angst with you, Potter, we'd have been worried you were being impersonated by someone else."

"And if you weren't family, on my side, I might just be tempted to turn you into a ferret and leave you like that for the rest of the summer for thinking that all I am is some meek little lamb who walks around with his head hung and a leash around his neck, Black," sneered Harry, earning a blanched expression from Draco while the others laughed.

"He's ba-ack," remarked the Twins in a singsong voice, though judging by the amused looks shared by the rest of the Black Knights, their remark was one that everyone, even a blushing Draco, agreed with.

While the others revelled in Draco's embarrassment, Harry made his way back to the main table, taking his usual place at the head of said table while the rest of the Black Knights took up their own places around the table. As usual, though now, it seemed more-appropriate than ever, Gabrielle sat on Harry's left-hand side while Ron sat on his right, though as he did so, the redhead gave his best friend and honorary brother a nudge as he leaned in close to Harry.

"So…you and Gabrielle an item now?"

"I think we can both agree there are far worse ladies I could have chosen to give my heart to," argued Harry, looking to Ron before he added in a soft, but serious tone of voice, "But none who'd be as magically-affected if I turned them away, Ron: I won't go into too much detail about the how and why, but I will say this much for now…"

Here, he looked around the table, noticing how everyone else had their eyes on him, as if he really was their King, as he told them, "If anyone tries to keep her from me or do anything to threaten or harm our relationship, you'll all be reminded why I chose to mark myself with a wolf emblem for my cane and use the same term to describe myself."

As he said the last part, he looked to Ginny, who was sat as close to Neville as Gabrielle was to Harry.

When the redhead caught him looking, she gasped softly when Harry smiled before he nodded as he added, "I suppose I should be thankful I'm not the only one who has found someone they can be happy with, isn't that right, Ginny?"

"How did you…"

"Please," scoffed Harry, indicating the Twins, both of whom were, once again, being made to feel particularly-uncomfortable in certain areas as they were sat on either side of Fleur, as he went on, "After seeing how well you got on together as dates during the Yule Ball, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that your brothers have another betting pool set up to say when you and Neville take your relationship to the next level."

While Ginny blushed, as did the Twins, whose reactions told Harry he was right about the pool, the Black Scion looked to the boy next to Ginny as he explained, "However, Neville, I don't really need to tell you what will happen to you if me, Ron, Fred or George learn that you've said or done anything to upset our baby sister, do we?"

Here, Ginny gasped in shock at Harry's confession regarding the way he saw her in his life, though not before Neville took Ginny's hand, glaring daggers at Harry as he told him, "I know exactly what you'll do if I do anything like that, Harry; just like you should know, and be grateful, for the fact that the only reason I don't come after you for the stunt you've pulled lately is because, like Ginny and the rest of us, I promised to stand with you and follow your lead. But, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say it, but if you ever distance yourself from us like that again, we'll come down on you so hard that it'll make what Granger did to Draco seem like a love tap."

"You told them about that?" asked Harry, earning a shrug from Draco.

"We're a group of close-knit allies that are rapidly becoming friends, Harry, so we shouldn't have too many secrets from each other," explained the blond, his grey eyes shining as he added, "Mind you, if anyone suddenly starts a rumour that the stupid bint's attack was a mark of love, I reserve the right to bite back…and, for once, it won't involve me using my Father's name."

"Thank Merlin!" chorused Harry and the Weasleys, earning a roll of the eyes from Draco before Harry looked around the table as he went on.

"I know you've all been worried about me and, for that, I apologise: with everything that's happened lately, including my ploy on the Order and those brainless bastards who seem content to still believe that I'm going to kiss and make up, I never really had time to consider everything else that was going on. I mean, like you know, despite Potter's betrayal and the way him and his little wifey have decided to come back just to polish both theirs and their precious son's ego, I still plan on dealing with the Erumpent in the room: making sure that the next time I take down a certain half-blood pretender who preaches pure-blood supremacy, he stays dead."

"And that's why you've been so distant with us?" asked Blaise, earning a shrug from Harry.

"That's…part of the reason," explained Harry, looking again to his friends as he went on, "The other part is because, again, with everything that's been going on, I haven't really had a chance to deal with the emotional war going on inside of me. Even now, despite the hatred and loathing I feel towards them, there's still a part of me that hurts whenever I realise how much they were willing to do, and how far they were willing to go, just to make Jason the big shot he thinks he is."

Here, he looked to Ron before he added, "I mean, even Remus was in on it, and you know what his teaching, as well as the thought that he was a friend, meant to me back in our third year, Ron."

Ron nodded softly, remembering how, when everyone else was basically trying to wrap Harry up in cotton wool, because of the threat of Sirius coming after him, Remus was teaching Harry, being a friend to him and opening his doors to him.

Harry, meanwhile, cleared his throat before he continued, "But when it all came out and everyone showed themselves for who they really are, he didn't choose that same mentor-student relationship with me: he…he just stormed his way into my home and demanded I explain myself, which, now I think back on it, he also did something similar when chastising me for being caught out by Severus the night I noticed Wormtail…meaning Pettigrew's name on the Map."

Even the Twins were surprised by that revelation – though it wasn't until later, they reluctantly confessed to never even noticing Pettigrew's name in the time they had been the Map's keepers, before Percy had passed the traitor to Ron – while Harry scoffed amusingly, if not in personal disbelief as he added, "And when I didn't explain myself, he didn't show any signs of the teacher he was, he basically called me a child and, like everyone else seems to think of as some kind of cure-all around here, he used that not-my-brother's name, as if it was meant to mean something. Of course, long before that incident, which earned him his newest scar, I might add, but before then, Potter Senior openly boasted about how he'd let Remus come and teach me because it was all part of the plan!"

"For a werewolf, he's certainly lacking in fangs, not to mention failing to understand and honour the true meaning of pack loyalty," argued Daphne, earning a few murmurs of agreement from the others while Harry smiled, a part of him thankful to Severus for outing the backstabbing half-breed for what he truly was.

Of course, it was Potter Senior who'd done that too when he revealed Lupin to be what he always was: a cowardly, impotent, de-fanged, de-clawed runt who would bare his throat and, probably, even his balls to the nearest threat.

He was as bad as Wormtail, but, then again, Prongs was his so-called Alpha, so Harry shouldn't be that surprised.

While Harry had his moment of revelation, he looked to the others as he continued, "My point is, both with Remus and everyone else who was so willing to jump ship and treat me the same way they did."

"Meaning, but not limited to that insufferable know-it-all, Granger," added Pansy, earning a nod from Harry.

"To name but one of the more-disgusting examples of people who claimed to know me, Pansy, yes; and, between you guys and me, I seriously hope she has learned the hard way what all her grandstanding of being the brightest witch of her age really costs her, but I won't hold my breath."

Draco, Neville, Ginny, the Twins and Ron all agreed with that sentiment, while Harry nodded again as he explained, "But yes, just like her, the fact that so many who I fought for, so many who I honoured and respected, even going as far as denying my true place in Slytherin because of the fear of what it might mean for me and the memories of my…my former family…it left a wound in me that, with everything I've said and done since the Third Task, I've never really had a chance to sterilise said wound, let alone begin healing it so it doesn't affect me anymore."

"We could have helped you, Harry," argued Neville, earning a soft laugh from his friend and commander.

"I know, out of everyone here, and I'm even including Draco in this, but I know that you of all people know what it means to have to face those who try to make you into someone you're not or you don't choose to be, old friend, but, just like I know you know what it's like, I would think you would also know and understand that, sometimes, dealing with the reality of it is a trial you have to go through alone."

"A crucible," said Astoria suddenly, earning a surprised look from her sister while everyone else turned their heads in the direction of the younger Greengrass, who blushed softly before she explained, "Sorry, I…I don't know why I said that, but…but it's something I once heard when…when Daphne and I were growing up."

"I remember that conversation," agreed Daphne, picking up the conversation for her sister as she returned her attention to Harry, "And she's not wrong either, actually: we were both young…it was about a year or so before I started Hogwarts and we'd gone to visit a friend of my Father's, who was experienced in masking emotions and keeping your cards close to your chest…"

"Maybe you should introduce him to Harry," suggested Fred, though instead of laughs, his remark earned him a few warning glares from the others while Harry indicated for Daphne to continue.

"Anyway, when we met this friend, he said something that stuck with Tori and I: he described what he told us about as a crucible and, the way he described it was…and, I guess, still is kind of chilling, but appropriate, like I said before: he said, and I'm quoting directly here: sooner or later, we all go through a crucible. Most believe there are two types of people who go into a crucible: the ones who become stronger from the experience and survive it and the ones who die…but there's a third type: the ones who learn to love the fire and choose to stay in their crucible because it's easier to embrace the pain when it's all you know anymore."

"That sounds like Harry," said Tracey, earning a few awkward, but almost-inevitable looks and expressions of agreement from her friends.

"I hate to say it, but Tracey's right about you being the third one, Harry," added Neville, earning more agreeable expressions from the others.

As for Harry, he steepled his fingers together as he considered what they were saying.

For a long moment, nobody said anything, but as Harry weighed his options and the idea of what Daphne had said, he smiled thinly before he finally responded to their remarks.

"I agree…with Neville…"

As said boy blushed in response, as though he was hoping Harry wouldn't say that, Harry drew himself up again, resting his hands on the arms of his chair as he explained, "The third type, the ones who choose to stay in the crucible because we think it's easier to embrace our pain…yes, I've certainly been that. Like I said, I tried to handle the wound that's been carved into my heart…my soul all on my own and, as a result, I ignored the fact that, in the words of a certain Head of Gryffindor House, my House is like my family. And, in this instance, it's a family I have that's much better at being there to help me deal with my demons than my former family would have been."

Here, he indicated Draco, who cocked an eyebrow in curiosity, as Harry went on, "I mean, one of them, meaning you, Drake, one of my new family even shares that pain because of what it meant gaining the freedom that Dad and I helped you acquire, though, I confess, the fact that Lucius has been so quiet since then does worry me."

"Hear, hear," agreed Draco.

"However," continued Harry, tapping his cheek with a finger while he went on, "That doesn't change the fact that I've let myself be distanced from this family: I mean, everyone, even Dad and Narcissa, have tried reaching me and I let them down. And why? Because I chose to remain in my crucible, which was the loss of the only family I'd had before this bullshit production began…"

As he said the last part, Harry rose up from his seat, earning curious, if not alarmed looks from the others as he explained, "But no longer: I refuse to let my crucible consume me anymore, so, from now on, I promise…and I hope the rest of you do as well, but I give you my word that, from now on, I'll remember I'm not alone and, if it's within any of your powers to help, I'll listen…I promise."

"Hear, hear," chorused the Black Knights, earning a small smile from Harry as he looked back to Neville.

"On that note, I have to ask: where did Dad and Narcissa go? I noticed we were the only ones up here now, so have they gone out or something?"

"They're downstairs," said Neville, smiling before he stood up as he explained, "Making some extra preparations for the party in a couple of hours: you do remember that today marks the anniversary of the birth of the most-powerful, biggest idiot in our year, don't you, Harry?"

"Yes," smiled Harry, though it was his next words that caused the others to laugh in response to his choice of words;

"And it's also my birthday too."

Not One of Us

For a kitchen-slash-dining room in a London townhouse, Harry had to admit it, even if only to himself.

Sirius and Narcissa, most-likely with some help from Dobby and Kreacher, had done some good work on the kitchen.

Instead of the somewhat-cramped room that usually took up the space, the whole room had been enlarged to fit the table, as well as units where food and drinks were now stacked up on plates and trays. Along the walls of the kitchen, much to the unease of the Twins, Slytherin-monogrammed emblems and banners had been conjured, complete with bright silver-and-gold lettering that acknowledged the reason for the décor.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY BLACK AND NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM

There were also balloons and floating candles that provided an ambience to the room while, in one corner, Harry couldn't help but smile as he saw the presents that he'd noticed when he woke up now stacked against the wall while Sirius and Narcissa were putting the finishing touches on the buffet, as well as a large, emerald-green-coloured birthday cake that, to his amusement, Harry noticed was shaped like Slytherin's crest.

As the rest of the Knights entered the room, some of them gasping in awe at the changes, Harry walked over to Sirius and hugged him warmly, earning a soft tousle of his dark hair from his Father as he whispered, "Hey, it's all right: you know I won't ask what's going on with you, kiddo. I'm just glad to see you're going to be all right."

Even as he said the last part, however, Sirius saw Harry's expression falter when they heard the doorbell ring, "I will be when I no longer have to share this with them!"

"You could just throw them out and tell them to stuff their excuses," suggested Narcissa, earning a smile from Harry.

"And miss out on the fireworks? How much fun would that be, Narcissa?"

As if on cue, Harry's smile widened to new, greater levels, the likes of which could have put the Cheshire Cat to shame, when he heard a familiar loud voice, "DEATH EATERS! WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE?"

"And, with that, the last chance is wasted, thanks to Molly Weasley," said Harry, turning once to face the newcomers, though as he did so, he drew the Elder Wand from his cane as he added, "Almost forgot: Accio wands!"

Before anyone, even those whom Harry called his friends, could argue, each and every wand that belonged to everyone except Harry flew through the air, each one of them landing almost-perfectly in a box that had been placed next to the spot where Sirius was standing.

At the same time, Harry saw that the three Potters, along with a very red-faced Molly Weasley, a furious, but also disappointed-looking Dumbledore and, to his outrage, a still-scarred Hermione – who also seemed to be doing her best to keep her hands in her pockets and her body covered up, judging by the ugly-looking cardigan and turtle-neck jumper she was wearing – and an equally-furious Remus had all apparently chosen to stand in the doorway, almost as though they feared entering the room.

"What? Did you forget the terms of you being allowed to walk through my door?" asked Harry, sliding the box containing everyone's wands behind him as he addressed the newcomers. "Also, if you have any delusions of staying here, I suggest you start by telling that banshee bitch to shut her mouth and apologise to my guests for insulting them again…though not necessarily in that order."

"Puns fully intended," added Sirius, earning a smirk from Harry.

"Harry," replied Dumbledore, looking to the student in question as he asked, "What are you doing? Don't you realise…"

"No, and nor do I care, especially if it involves taking in the bullshit you're spewing, Dumbledore!"

"Professor Dumbledore!"

"Excuse me, Scarhead, who invited you?" asked Harry, earning a few titters from the Slytherins, especially Draco, who recognised the insult, even as Hermione turned red with shame.

Moments later, Harry got his answer when Jason spat, "Don't you dare insult my girlfriend any more than you have done, Black!"

"Your…girlfriend?" asked Harry, more than aware of a few green expressions being shared amongst the Black Knights while Harry feigned being nauseous as he clutched his stomach before he drawled, "Suddenly, I've lost my appetite: the thought of…you…and…and her…urgh, I'd sooner see her with Krum or some vainglorious twat…"

As though the thought just struck him, Harry laughed as he added, "Oh wait, she is with a vainglorious twat…and his son too."

"Keep pushing, brat!"

"Why?" asked Harry, patting Draco on the shoulder, which earned him a curious look from the blond.

Seeing the look, Harry winked in a sly manner before he asked, "Are you saying that, one day, I might meet the same…sticky…end as those who don't kiss your ass, Prongs?"

The way he emphasised some of those words, in an almost-perfect, though none-too-flattering impersonation of Lucius Malfoy earned more than a few laughs from his friends, while even Dobby chuckled at the reminder of his former Master's last words to Harry, back when the boy had freed him from Malfoy Senior's service.

Harry, meanwhile, scoffed as he continued, "In any event, Potter, seeing as how I'm holding all the cards here, I can and will gladly say whatever I want to say to thieves, liars, traitors and those who would rather think themselves better than everyone knows they are…and, fortunately for me, your little pity-fuck there is all of the above."

Unsurprisingly, Jason proved that stupidity really was hereditary as his hand flew to his pocket, as though he intended to draw his wand, though when he found no wands waiting for him, he blushed hard while the Black Knights roared with laughter.

"The attention span of a goldfish," drawled Harry, looking to Sirius with a bemused expression before he asked, "And I always thought it was meant to be another year older, another year wiser, Dad?"

"Sirius, control your…Harry!"

"I am," said Sirius, folding his arms while he smiled wolfishly as he asked, "And what's a party without entertainment, Molly?"

"Also, in case your overcompensating, half-breed-banshee-like loud voice deafened what few brain cells you've got left, I think the word you're looking for is son, Weasley," added Harry, leaning against the kitchen unit behind him as he asked, "I would think that someone who has popped out so many of them, her womb's more like the Tyne Tunnel, would know that word by now?"

"Too much information, Harry," groaned Draco, earning an apologetic smile from his cousin.

While Harry smiled at Draco, he also frowned in curiosity as he looked back to the door as he asked, "So, are you lot going to stand there looking like garbage or are you going to come and join the party? After all, it's a special day and you worked so hard to get your invitations, you might as well share the festivities."

"Then would you mind changing the banner, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"Why?"

"It's your brother's birthday too."

Here, Harry scratched at a random spot on the back of his head before he frowned in curiosity. "My brother? Who's that? Dad…have you been scratching the itch without telling me?"

"He means Jason, Harry."

"I'm sorry," said Harry, looking to Lily with a look of feigned confusion as he cleaned his ear out with a finger before he added, "I'm afraid you'll need to get a translator in here, Lady Potter; you see, I don't speak traitorous Mudblood whore."

"THAT'S IT!"

Before Lily or James could stop him, Jason charged at Harry.

Rather than show intimidation, however, Harry stepped aside, though not before he stuck out a foot, tripping Jason up and sending him flying headfirst into a bowl of emerald-green-coloured jelly.

While Lily gasped in horror and James looked like he was going to have a heart attack, the laughter from the Black Knights, as well as their commander, returned en masse when they saw Hermione run to Jason while Harry cleaned some excess jelly from his shirt, licking it from his fingers for emphasis as he eyed the downed saviour.

"I could outrun Dudley Dursley and his Muggle freaks for ten years, so what chance did you think you would have, Potter?"

"Ah," said Dumbledore suddenly, as though the thought had just occurred to him, earning a curious look from Harry as he added, "That reminds me, Harry: there is another reason we came here today."

"Whatever it is, I don't care."

"You will," said Lily, her voice edged by a hissing snarl that made her sound more like a certain Potions Master whom Harry sorely wished was here at the party, just so he could enjoy seeing the Potters being knocked off their high horse with nary a spell fired.

"Why's that?" asked Harry.

"Because the Dursleys are dead!"

Here, Harry looked to Lily, who actually seemed to be struggling to hold back her emotions as she told him, "They…they were found dead in their home…because you didn't protect them: your own family!"

"I'm sorry," said Harry, shaking his head in amusement before he asked, "But are you hard of hearing, you stupid bitch?"

Here, he walked right up to Lily, earning a warning glare from James, though not before Dumbledore stopped the Potter Lord from making things worse as Harry squared up to the biggest traitor of the bunch, as well as someone else who just couldn't seem to get the message, while he spat in her face as he addressed her. "I believe I said I DON'T CARE…and as for family: I think you, Lily, would know how little family means to someone who never had it…and who do we have to thank for that, I wonder?"

To Sirius' disbelief, even before James had a chance to stop her, Lily's hand came up.

However, when it met Harry's iron-hard grip, the redhead screamed while looks of horror filled the eyes of each and every member of Dumbledore's band of sheep as they saw Lily's hand turn jet-black, accompanied by a very strong smell of burning as well as what looked like cinders and chunks of flesh being burned away by Harry's touch.

"What is he doing to her?" demanded James, earning a cold, emotionless stare from Harry that he directed at Dumbledore, who was whiter than white, as he addressed the old man.

"It's funny, but I seem to recall someone telling me love and sacrifice gave me this as a protection…when was that? Oh, that's right; it was back when this whore died, so what would you call this, I wonder? It certainly looks like a power we know not, wouldn't you agree, traitors?"

"Harry, stop this!" insisted Dumbledore, his voice edged by fear and desperation as he exclaimed, "Whatever you think of them, whatever you might believe…it was all…"

"For the Greater Good," chorused the Black Knights, as well as Sirius, Narcissa and Harry.

As for said scion, he released Lily's hand, causing the redhead to fall to the ground while Harry moved back to his Father, though not before accidentally tripping Hermione and Jason up with his cane, sending both of them falling onto Remus, who was as white as Dumbledore at what he'd just seen.

This also revealed why Granger had been stuffing her hands in her pockets; said hands were now as black as pitch, as thin and frail-looking as skeleton fingers and, to Harry's amusement, also had the Black Family Crest tattooed onto the almost-burned flesh in bright, white-coloured ink.

"Ouch!" laughed Harry, nudging one of Hermione's hands with his cane, earning a pained whimper from the brunette, "That looks really painful, Granger; I really hope you have a kind, loving, merciful, forgiving friend to help you deal with that pain…tell me, is it just as bad on your unappealing body, as well? Is that why Jason's named you his girl? Let me guess; Krum came to visit, saw you for what you really were and decided he'd sooner have a relationship with someone with a much-better chest and body?"

"You…you vile…foul…"

"Loathsome," said Draco.

"Evil," added Ron.

"Cockroach," finished Harry, before he laughed as he tapped his cheek invitingly, "Go on, Granger: hit me and see what happens…can you even get it up with that hand? Good thing Jason's basically as impotent as his kicked-puppy betrayer there!"

He jabbed a finger at Remus – and not the one he wanted to point – before Harry continued moving back towards his Father.

When Harry reached Sirius, he turned back to Dumbledore as he added, "In any case, I don't know about your delusions of grandeur, Albus, my boy, but, as far as I'm concerned, I'm perfectly happy saying that everything that happens next as being for the Greater Good."

Whilst he began tapping his cane on the floor in a rhythmic manner, Harry's eyes shone like emerald-coloured fire as he delivered a final strike against the old man, proving once and for all what he'd been saying since the first day they'd revealed their true colours.

He would never forget.

And he would never forgive.

"Mine!"

Not One of Us

Not to anyone's surprise, after the humiliation of Jason Potter and the injury to Lily – which James' scathing glare told Harry was not going to be forgotten or forgiven anytime soon, but Harry didn't pay any attention – the Disorder of the Phoenix left Grimmauld Place as quickly as they'd entered, though not before Harry and the Black Knights got a laugh out of seeing Granger fail to learn her lesson.

When she tried again to access the Black Archive, Harry actually conjured a large bean bag, which, a few seconds later, the rest of the Knights saw was for Granger when she flew through the air, screaming like a banshee, before she came to a soft and relatively-safe landing on the bean bag.

While Fred and George made a passing remark about her hitting the bullseye, Harry crouched down to the scarred brunette's level, resting against his cane as he smiled pitifully at her while he addressed her.

"Now, I know you've been out of the loop for a bit trying and failing to blow up Jason's limp balloon, but that doesn't mean things changed too much for me and my real friends, Granger. Personally, you should be thankful I encouraged Dad to lessen the backlashes on the wards to a simple banishing hex and no-entry ward. Basically, like a vampire, you need permission, not that they do, or you ever will, so…if you'd be so kind, you silly little girl, there's the door."

Unsurprisingly, Granger left as quickly as the rest of them – though not before Harry thought he caught a whiff of something foul that seemed to have stained the back of her ugly Muggle clothing, making him wonder whether or not his earlier family's protections might have actually left a very painful reminder on Granger's body, after all…not that he cared much, mind you – leaving the Black Knights and their real friends and allies to enjoy the remainder of the party.

After a cheerful, overly-friendly rendition of Happy Birthday was sang to Harry and Neville, both boys blew out their candles before, to Harry's surprise, Narcissa cleared her throat as she told him, "Now, before the rest of your friends spoil you boys, I've got a special gift for you, Harry, but only if you choose to accept it."

"What's that, Aunt Cissa?" asked Harry, glancing to Draco in curiosity, though when he saw the blond's confused look, Harry realised his cousin didn't know anymore about this than he did.

"Well," said Narcissa, indicating the floor spot where Harry had forced Lily to her knees as she explained, "After the disgusting display we witnessed here today, I'm more than sure I'd like to do this, but it's your decision, young one. Before tonight, after everything you've done for Draco and I, I had a word with Sirius about your future and doing whatever I can to help you."

"Which you don't have to do, Mum," argued Draco, though he still seemed confused by his Mother's words, "Just like everyone else here, with the exception of you, Sirius and Uncle Severus, I've already shown Harry what that debt means to me by swearing my loyalty to him and his cause."

"I know," said Narcissa, looking from her son to her son's leader and friend as she told Harry, "We've had a feeling for a while that the lot of you had become something like the Order, but better and more-allied than hierarchical…"

"Although we do call Harry the Black King, Narcissa," said Neville, earning a soft titter from Harry and Sirius while Narcissa just scoffed.

"Crude, but appropriate, I suppose," agreed Narcissa, keeping her attention on Harry even as she went on. "However, while I applaud my son's choices, and the alliances you've forged with friends and allies alike, especially in the case of the Weasleys here…"

The four Weasley children seemed to stand that little bit taller when Narcissa pointed them out, though the attractive lady wasn't done, "The fact of the matter is that Draco's part in repaying the debt we owe you may be done, but mine is not. And so, after talking it over with Sirius, and a little agreement and debate with Severus, I have decided that, if you would accept it, Harry, I would like to adopt you as my son, so that you may have a Mother you can be proud to call such a thing."

For a long moment, silence followed Narcissa's words, though when each member of the Black Knights looked to Harry for his feedback or his decision, they were all surprised to see a look of alarm, as well as what actually looked like tears forming at the edges of the Black King's eyes.

Seeing the struggle in his son and heir's mind and emotions, Sirius smiled softly as he explained, "I know what Lily did, helping James hide Jason and keep the secret for so long, then go and choose them over her child, was unforgivable. Even moreso given how she would rather knock you off of your pedestal and ignore all you've done, for your friends and your family, so, like Narcissa said, pup, this is your choice. I've already told her the same thing: if you say yes, it's for you, not Cissa, Draco or anyone else. And, as much as she might want to do a much better job looking after you than Lily, Narcissa understands you're a grown man, who lost his childhood, if it can even be called that, a long time ago, so she has no right to try and return you to a child who needs scolding, times out or groundings to bring him into line. All this is…"

"Is me getting my heart's desire," said Harry, earning a small smile of sorrowful understanding from Ron while even Draco seemed to get what Harry was saying, even as said boy said it himself.

"All…all I ever wanted was…was my family, Dad and…and when you adopted me…when you made me Harry Black, I…I felt like I had it. But…but then I would remember her; what…what she said…what she did…how she chose to act and…and how she expected me to just smile and accept it because…because they thought it was right. That I was just…just a spare and a…a sidekick; I thought I'd have to bear that weighted curse for the rest of my life, but…but now…"

"Now, if you wish, you don't have to bear any weight of any curse anymore, young one," replied Narcissa, looking to Draco as she added, "This will also make you and Harry brothers, Draco, as you are my son and, as the adoption ritual requires blood, he will be too."

"But I have already formally anointed and named Harry as my heir, even though you're a month older than him, Draco…before you get any ideas," added Sirius, earning a nod from Draco, as though he expected someone to state the bleeding obvious with that little titbit.

"Actually," added Narcissa, suddenly speaking up as though the thought had just occurred to her. "I don't know if Harry's had any encounters like it before now, but, thanks to the damned powers of Azkaban and the Old Laws that have governed our family ways for a long time…or at least, up to the day you became its head again, cousin…you actually take the mantle of Regent for Harry now and he is Lord Black."

"How?" chorused the Weasleys, as well as Harry and even Draco seemed curious by this new piece of information.

In response, Narcissa indicated Sirius before she pointed to Harry, "Azkaban has always had a very strong negative effect on one's magic, as well as the mind and heart. However, what only a select few know…yes, Draco, including Lucius, is that Azkaban also has a powerful sterilising effect on a witch or wizard's reproductive organs. Add in continued exposure to the Dementors, like, say, for twelve years and everything else afterwards, and, to put it bluntly…"

"Harry won't ever have younger siblings…not from Sirius, anyway," said Gabrielle, earning a blush from Sirius while Severus cocked an eyebrow, though, otherwise, stayed silent, even as Narcissa nodded her head.

"Correct, Miss Delacour; so, when Sirius was returned to the fold and had his name vindicated, although magic acknowledged him as Lord Black at the time, because his only relation, his brother Regulus, died several years ago, when he adopted Harry as his son, the right to bear the mantle of Lord Black passed to Harry, acknowledging him as the new Lord Black and the future of our family. However, should anything happen to Harry or Sirius, the mantle and the power will pass to a fertile male heir, of which there's only one right now…you, Draco."

Once again, silence filled the kitchen, though after only a moment's pause, Ginny scoffed as she remarked, "Not to sound like a certain brunette, but that's totally barbaric."

"That's the Blacks for you, Gin," argued Harry, earning a knowing snigger from Sirius while Harry looked to Fleur and Gabrielle as he added, "At least now, I understand why even you called me Lord Black, not to mention why the Sorting Hat said it when I was resorted into Slytherin House."

"So," said Draco, looking to his Mother, as though seeking confirmation, while he asked, "Even if Harry accepts your offer, Mother, he'll still remain Lord Black unless something happens to him, which I pray to Merlin, Morgana, Mordred and Mab, it does not?"

"That's right."

"And what about you, Narcissa?" asked Neville, earning a curious look from Narcissa as the young Gryffindor asked, "If…if Harry accepts this offer of yours, will you also become a Regent like Sirius? Or will you be like my Gran and become Dowager or even Matriarch of the family?"

"Since I'm not a widow, it'd be a possibility that I will become a Regent, just like Sirius," explained Narcissa.

"Either way, I'll do it." Every head turned to Harry when he said that, even though there seemed to be more that needed saying.

While Narcissa was surprised, Sirius smiled proudly as Harry cleared his throat before he explained, "Like I said, I…I thought I'd be carrying the weight of…of knowing that backstabbing Muggle-born bitch was my Mother for the rest of my life, but…but now, not to sound like a purist git…"

"Draco!" chorused Neville and the Weasleys, earning a blush from the blonde while Harry sniggered at the attitude of his friends.

"But, thanks to Narcissa's offer, I can finally cleanse myself of that taint and feel like a Black through and through, so I'll do it…and, I know it sounds weird, given how sudden this is, but, would you mind if I call you my Mum too, Narcissa?"

"I would be honoured to hear you call me that whenever you're ready, young one," said Narcissa, though not before she gasped, as did Sirius, when Harry moved towards her and hugged her fondly, earning a few rounds of applause from the Black Knights, as well as Severus - whom Harry had been happy to see arrive just after the Dis-Order had left Grimmauld, where the Potions Master explained to Harry that he'd been late because of outside obligations, meaning Riddle - as they saw more and more evidence of the real Harry showing himself once again.

"Happy birthday, son," Narcissa whispered, stroking the hair of her soon-to-be-adoptive child with a real mother's tenderness, though not before she looked up at Severus with a softer look on her face.

"Looks like we're going to need some potions whipped up, Severus…would you mind?"

Not One of Us

After the excitement of his birthday, as well as the gifts and surprises that came with it, Harry spent the rest of the summer in company that was definitely more-welcome and pleasurable than any he'd ever been around before.

To his surprise – not that he was complaining, mind you – a week after his birthday, Harry received word from Severus that the Order were going to a new Headquarters, which, apart from everything else, meant that they would never be returning to Grimmauld, unless there was an urgent reason or, more-unlikely, if they were ever invited.

This meant that the home of the Black Family was now a full-time hangout and headquarters for the Black Knights, which now included Sirius, Narcissa and, unofficially, Severus. To his surprise, Harry also found outside aid coming from Daphne and Astoria's parents while, weirdly, Neville asked Harry if he wouldn't mind the Longbottom Heir moving into the house indefinitely.

It wasn't until summer's end that Neville revealed how his Grandmother had given him an ultimatum: stand with Dumbledore and the Potters or leave the Mansion and never return.

Thankfully, he had real friends and family members in Harry and the Knights.

Of course, Ginny was part of the distraction with Neville – while Fred, George and Ron had also moved in indefinitely since any attempts to return to the Burrow were met with demanding, overcompensating, impotently-driven screams that deafened them and, on more than one occasion, signs of hexes or potions being mixed into things that basically told Harry Molly was getting desperate – but she was as welcome as the rest of them.

For the remainder of the summer, the Black Knights divided their time between studying, training and, for perhaps the first time ever, Harry even got an experience in what it was like to be an ordinary teenager in the summer holidays.

He had put on a fair bit of weight over the summer and grew almost a full foot compared to how he'd looked back when he was Harry Potter while, to look at him, you'd hardly recognise him, especially since Narcissa's blood adoption had come with an added trait – a few blond streaks along his fringe, just like hers, as well as a cold, enchanting air in his expression that sang nobility and power.

In the penultimate week of the summer holidays, Sirius treated Harry and all the Knights to a three-day beach holiday, during which, Harry was surprised to find he had the pleasure of meeting Fleur and Gabrielle's parents, Apolline and Francois, who both gave Harry the confirmation he'd been waiting for that said they accepted and supported their daughters' Veela natures choosing to make Harry their liege-lord.

A quiet word in Apolline's ear also revealed that she knew of the growing relationship with Gabrielle and, while Francois might have been a little sceptical about it, she gave Harry her blessing and, to his shock, she even said that, as a Veela blooded witch herself, she gave him permission to bed Gabrielle when he was ready.

It was during these talks and this holiday that Fleur and Gabrielle also learned of their acceptances to Hogwarts, with Fleur repeating her seventh year because of the Tournament, while Gabrielle would be joining Harry's classes as a fifth-year student.

Harry just hoped they wouldn't get too bored.

One other highlight of the summer came during the last weekend of the holidays, the timing of which, Harry found a little suspicious, when he received a letter from Hogwarts that contained the badge that announced him as the new Slytherin Prefect.

To the amusement of the Black Knights, Harry's female counterpart was Daphne, who not only promised Gabrielle she'd keep an eye on Harry, but also promised Harry she'd do her best to ensure they didn't go too mad should what they feared might happen actually happen.

When Ron got a badge of his own, signalling he was Gryffindor's new Prefect, but there was no mention of his female counterpart, Harry smelled a rat, especially since he imagined only one Gryffindor that might be chosen to be Ron's compatriot in Gryffindor. Although he was also thankful to learn that Cho was one of the Ravenclaw Prefects, along with Roger Davies, who'd been Fleur's sorry excuse for a date at the Yule Ball, which meant the Black Knights had a foot in almost every door in Hogwarts.

If they managed to secure relations with the Hufflepuff Prefects, Harry could have eyes and ears in every corner of Hogwarts.

And, given how Dumbledore had been conspicuous by his silence, not to mention the lack of movement from Tom since the Third Task, Harry was like a cat with its hackles raised.

Call it him putting Alastor Moody's catchphrase about Constant Vigilance to good use or call it him being a paranoid teenager who saw enemies in every corner that wasn't occupied by a friend, but Harry was on edge.

As the old saying went, Riddle had been quiet…too quiet.

And it was when things got too quiet around here that the boy formerly known as Harry James Potter really worried…

Because that was usually when it all kicked off.

Chapter 8 and the summer may be over, the Order might have decided to leave base camp – I know…FINALLY – and it also looks like there might have been a death in the family – show of hands: who cares? What? No hands? I'm shocked – but now, the real game begins: who will win?

Also, not that anyone cares too much, but what else might have happened to the insufferable, thieving nightmare to make her dress like the ugly daughter of a certain most-loathed Ministry member?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: It's back to Hogwarts for the Black Knights and, while one suspicion is confirmed, another is made more-fun than it should be when Hogwarts, and the Brat-Who-Lived, get a nasty, pink shock…one that gives Harry some real opportunities to stick the knife in deeper and deeper…can lions bleed gold, I wonder?

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