"What did the headmaster want to discuss with you?" Anthony asked, startling Harry who didn't see the other boy coming.

"My godfather wants me to live with him during the summer. Apparently, my mother is 'dangerous for my safety'." he replied using air quotes.

"That sucks." Anthony said "Well, at least you won't have to put up with the muggles. And plus; you will live in the residence of one of the most ancient houses, the House of Black. Cassiopeia's grandmother was a Rosier who married a Black, some people in my family have visited Grimmauld Place before. They say that the Dark Arts section on the Black library contains some really rare stuff."

In spite of the boy's ramblings Harry raised an eyebrow. If that were true then he could see living at Grimmauld Place as not being so horrible. Before he remembered who he would be living with. "I just hope the idiot Black doesn't forbid me to enter the library." Harry muttered. "I didn't know you and Cassiopeia were related." He said to Anthony quizzically.

"Well... All the purebloods are related in some way or another. You should know that after reading that book about pureblood families you bought."

"That book mostly just covers the origins of the families." Harry replied. "Did you know that both the Rosier and Lestrange families have the same origin back in France?"

"Really?" the brown haired boy mused. "I guess I didn't pay much attention to what my father explained about our family. Shame on me."

Harry laughed when Anthony pretended to be downtrodden. He had noticed that when it came to talking about his family Anthony often spoke about his father, but not about his mother.

"Anthony," he called hesitantly. "Why don't you ever talk about your mother?"

Rosier expression saddened and he took a deep breath before replying with a small, vulnerable voice. "Because she's dead."

Harry nodded. He had suspected that. "The war?" when the boy confirmed it with his head Harry continued. "Aurors?"

"Not exactly..." Anthony answered uncomfortably. "I really don't want to talk about it."

"All right, I am sorry. I didn't mean to pry." Harry apologized.

"It's okay, Harry." Anthony forgave him, and the two boys resumed sitting in the common room in a comfortable silence.

—/—

Clearing his mind had become easier for Harry, and he was glad that it really helped when Snape tried to attack him with Legilimency. The professor wasn't by any means gentle, but now at least he didn't make Harry fall on the floor panting.

"You've improved, Potter, but you can do better. It would still take little to no effort for an average legilimens to rip through your mind in one minute. Now use your mental shield, I want to test it rather than your ability to push me away."

Harry took a deep breath and raised his mental shield. He nodded and Snape attacked him again. He felt a pressure that seemed mental at first, but soon became physical and slightly painful between his eyes. Snape cast the spell again, and Potter knew that it was stronger now. His protection lasted for ten seconds before crumbling.

"I believe that by the start of the next term you will be at a medium level of occluding, and I will be able to progress with your other lessons." Snape said. The professor only taught Harry the theory on Dark Magic during their meetings. For the practices he demanded a certain level of Occlumency skill to hide it from prying headmasters.

"Really, sir? It doesn't mean much..."

"You are far from mastering the art, Mr. Potter, but anyone who tries to invade your mind will be much more subtle than I am. Your shield is, moderately acceptable," which in Snape's vocabulary meant 'good', Harry thought. "But you have yet to clear your mind properly."

"I know, sir, I have difficulty with that... Too many things to think about." Harry said while exaggeratedly waving his hand beside his head.

Snape's face remained impassive, but he knew very well that Harry Potter was living through a difficult time. "It is not an excuse, Mr. Potter."

"Yes, I know that sir. I will work harder on this." Harry replied with a nod.

"Yes, I expect you will." Severus said and stood up, indicating that their lesson was finished.

Harry bid farewell and left Snape's office, firm in his determination to improve his Occlumency.

—/—

Two weeks before the end of the term Harry was alone in the library. Anthony and Septimus were at their Quidditch practice while Cassiopeia was helping the Shaqif girl with her Charms essay. As the months passed people would stop to stare at him because of his mother. There was nothing new from the Prophet about Lily Potter's whereabouts since one month after her escape, when it was publicized that dementors were wandering over Britain searching for her, and they had been authorised to administer the kiss on sight.

It worried Harry deeply, because he wanted so much to meet her and at least ask the questions he had.

He was so immersed in his Defence text that he did not see someone approaching him.

"May I sit here?" asked someone beside him, and when Harry bothered to look who it was he surprisingly saw Neville Longbottom standing there.

"The library isn't mine, I can't decide where people sit, can I?" Harry replied with a neutral voice and waved his hand motioning the other boy to sit.

Longbottom was interesting, Harry thought. The boy looked like he had decided to do something, but at the same time unsure if whatever he was going to do was worth it. He had a Potions book with him. Potter prayed the gods that he wasn't going to ask for help; he liked to study but he was never good at teaching, and didn't even try to be. His friends soon realised that asking for his help was the best way to end up in an argument. It was selfish, yes, but he never bothered building patience in himself to share knowledge.

Harry raised an eyebrow as though asking if Neville would say anything, when silence remained he devoted his attention back to his Defence book.

Minutes passed and the only sound heard was that of the pages of books being turned and their breathing.

"So..." the first year said hesitantly. "Are you anxious about your mother?"

"Obviously," was Harry's dry response.

"Yes, I guess it was a stupid question," Neville said half smiling. "I would be too, if I had never known my parents... I mean, I never knew them, but I am not like you, I will never know them."

Oh, brilliant. Just what Harry needed! Why the hell does Longbottom think that I'm the right person to talk to about his dead parents?

"I know how it feels to grow up without parents..."

No! Empathy no! Harry kept silent.

"Granted, I had my grandmother and my godfather and lots of frie—"

Harry slammed the book shut, prompting the other boy to jump at the loud and sudden noise.

"I don't want your pity, Longbottom! I don't know what possessed you to think that I want some therapeutic conversation with you."

"It's not pity!" the first year hastily protested. "I just wanted to talk with you," he paused and eyed Harry carefully. "You at least have parents that are alive..."

"Yes, I do," Potter snapped. "So it's you who wants to be pitied? I will not pity you, Longbottom. Your parents died in a war, that's what happens when people fight. You survived because of some magical error, do you understand? Just because you are alive doesn't mean that you have to bother people with your idiotic self pity and ridiculous questions!"

Longbottom's expression became clouded and Harry could see that the boy was hurt by his harsh words; he didn't care, really.

"Well, at least my parents died protecting me!" Neville replied angrily. "Different from yours that preferred to declare that they were followers of You-Know-Who and to leave you alone." Dumbledore had asked him to befriend Harry and to try to make him see some reason, but the boy wasn't sympathetic at all.

"You are a Gryffindor, it is understandable that you prefer your noble, self sacrificing dead parents than alive ones that did dubious things," Harry said calmly. "But I still prefer my own convicted Death Eater parents that someday I might get to know than yours,"

Longbottom seemed sad, but reality wasn't always kind, Harry learned it early on his life and he would not save Neville's beautiful illusions about life. Hell, the boy survived a killing curse, one of the darkest pieces of magic ever known, and had his parents killed in a war, and yet he still tried to see things through nobility. He, of all people, should understand about the opportunities that can arise in such a situation.

"It doesn't both you that your father killed people?"

Harry pondered on that. He sometimes wondered if he would be capable of killing someone in cold blood. He had more than once thought that he wouldn't. But his father killed in a war...

"It was a war," Potter said after some moments in silence. "Do you think that the aurors didn't kill Death Eaters too? That's what happens in wars, people killed, people died."

"Easy to say when no one close to you died." Neville spat.

"I could tell you the same," seeing Longbottom's puzzled face Potter explained. "Your parents are considered heroes, adored by the wizarding world. You are the bloody Boy-Who-Lived, symbol of all things good. My parents are criminals, considered heartless and cruel just because they supported the dark side on the war. I am called a traitors' son, the spawn of the Dark Lord's right hand, symbol of the next generation of lost wizards and witches. It's easy for you to live upon your family's doings."

"Your parents supported a murderer, a monster that killed children and innocent people!"

Harry sighed.

"I will not discuss with you the matter of muggles and how they were treated in the war," the green eyed boy stated. "But as for the killing of innocent wizards and witches, I would tell you to talk with some Slytherins. Talk with them about how they also lost brothers, parents and other people that WEREN'T involved in the war. You have too much faith in your beloved Light side, you think it is composed only by fair and loving people. But what should I expect from a child?"

"If I am a child, you are too!" Neville protested and Harry was amused that after what he'd just explained to him about 'the other side' the first complaint he had was about being a child - which just proved that Longbottom was one, indeed.

"I didn't grow up coddled and without a sense of reality. I know what both sides of the war did and I don't delude myself into believe that my parents supported a belief that has no flaws. A world in black and white can only be seen by children or people that try to fool themselves," a faint smirk "And I prefer to believe that you are the first type, you don't seem to be a fool. You should stop living in Granger's shadow of brilliancy; you're smart too... Granted that considering the amount of time you spend around that Weasley boy, even Rowena Ravenclaw herself would feel a bit stupider..."

Harry stood up and took his book.

"Have a good evening, Longbottom. It was a good conversation." He turned and left the gaping boy as he made his way out of the library, having a feeling Longbottom was still watching him leave the forest of books.

On the way back the the dungeons Harry thought about the fact that his parents chose Azkaban instead of using some excuse - like the Imperius - and remaining free to raise him. Should he feel sad because of that? Should he feel neglected?

Harry shook his head. This is exactly what Snape had instructed him not to do; he needed to clear his mind from distractions and wavering thoughts such as those. With any luck he would meet his mother soon and get some form of an answer. He had no time to wonder, not right now.

--/--

"I will write you everyday, Harry!" Cassiopeia said with a grin.

"Me too!" Anthony added. "I do hope you make Black's life hell for all the points he took from us."

"And for leaving you in a muggle orphanage," the girl said still grinning.

"I am more interested in staying out of his way, actually," Harry quietly admitted.

"Perhaps that's for the better... But of course, the idea of tormenting Black was Anthony's so it obviously should not be good," Lestrange provoked but then her expression became more serious. "If something regarding your mother happens please owl me immediately!"

"Of course I will!"

They exited the train and waited for their parents or guardians to pick them up. Septimus and Maya, who were talking with some Ravenclaw relatives had already bid their farewell earlier.

"Oh, there they are," Cassiopeia said when she saw the Malfoys. "I think I should introduce you to my uncle and aunt, Harry. Come with me."

"My mother just arrived," Anthony said. "Good bye to you!"

"Good bye, Thony!" the girl replied, much to Rosier's annoyance.

"See you in September," Harry called after him.

Harry followed the girl. Draco Malfoy muttered something but didn't dare to openly provoke the other boy.

"Aunt Cissy, Uncle Lucius, this is my friend, Harry Potter."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter. My niece talks a lot about you," Lucius said with a slight bow of his head.

"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. and Mr. Malfoy," Harry replied and smiled slightly.

"You look a lot like your parents," Narcissa said and Draco snorted, receiving a glare from his mother. Her composure returned when she looked at Harry again. "Who are you waiting for to pick you up, some muggle from the place where you live?"

"Oh, no... My godfather thinks that it is unsafe for me to remain at the orphanage, so I will live with Sirius Black during the summer."

"I see," it was obvious that the blonde woman wasn't, at all, fond of her cousin. "Tell aunt Walburga that I send my regards."

Harry narrowed his eyes. From what he'd heard Sirius lived alone.

Seeing the boy's confusion, the Malloy matriarch smiled. "There is a portrait of Walburga there," then she seemed to remember something. "She might not like you at first, and she can be quite... Vocal about that. Tell her that you know me, and that Bella's daughter is your friend. She will appreciate your company, I'm sure. Merlin knows that she needs someone else besides her disgrace of son in that house!"

Harry nodded and grinned, looking at Cassiopeia briefly he had a feeling they shared the same thought; 'perhaps tormenting Sirius would be fun.'

"Harry?" someone called behind him. The Malfoys' posture became a bit hostile.

"Hello, Mr. Black." the boy answered politely.

"Let's go." Sirius hastily waved him over to follow him.

"My, my, are we not family anymore, Sirius?" Narcissa taunted. "Your mother would be so displeased to see that her son has no manners."

"I didn't know you still considered me family, Narcissa. Come on Harry, we are leaving."

Harry waved his hand at Cassiopeia and the Malloy family and followed Sirius, who had already walked some distance.

It was going to be a long summer.

--/--

It had only taken one experience of side-along apparition for Harry to conclude that it was horrible, utterly horrible. Had Harry eaten anything on the train he was sure that it would not be in his stomach anymore.

"Welcome to Grimmauld Place, Harry." Sirius announced. "Feel free to explore, I'll be back in a moment."

Harry looked around the house. The walls were dark brown and the atmosphere was a bit cold. There were several floors and plenty of rooms. Harry spotted a door that had 'Library' carved above it in golden letters. He passed through a hallway and heard someone shouting.

"FILTHY MUDBLOOD TAINTING MY HOUSE!"

"Are you talking to me?" Harry asked the mystery voice.

"Oh, how surprising," The voice continued. Harry followed it and found a portrait of a woman juror under by open curtains "A mudblood that knows his place!"

Harry snorted. It seemed that this woman was the Walburga person that Narcissa Malfoy mentioned. "You are Mrs. Walburga Black, i presume?"

"Yes," the portrait replied dryly.

"Narcissa sends her regards to you," the woman looked surprised. "And by the way, I am not a mudblood!"

"You know Cissy? How?"

Harry smirked. The joys of knowing the right people. "I am a friend of her niece..."

"Oh for Salazar's sake, don't tell me that you are a friend of Andromeda's spawn..."

"No, no," Harry said quickly. He didn't know who Andromeda was, and decided to ask Cassiopeia about that when he got the chance. "I am a friend of Cassiopeia Lestrange, Bellatrix's daughter."

Her eyebrows rose, and she seemed quite relieved. "Oh, so Bella married a Lestrange. Good," Walburga nodded approvingly. "but I never thought that she would actually have children. How are my nieces?"

"Well... wait, Sirius doesn't tell you these things?"

"My useless son?" She scoffed. "No, he hates me."

Harry tilted his head, unsurprised. "Bellatrix is in Azkaban."

"WHAT?" The portrait screamed.

"How much do you know about the Dark Lord?" Harry asked, curious as to how much he would have to catch her up on recent events.

"I think I know enough to put two and two together, and conclude that dear Bella was arrested for being a Death Eater."

"Exactly," the boy nodded. "So I don't know a lot about her. Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy. They have a son, Draco, who just finished his first year in Hogwarts."

The woman in the portrait nodded approvingly again. "Good, Narcissa chose well," Walburga stopped and looked at Harry, analysing him. "You have something of Black in you... But not quite enough to be one. Who are you, boy?"

"I am Harry Potter."

"A Potter?!" she exclaimed completely surprised. "I wonder how a Potter boy ended up as a friend of Bellatrix's daughter. Who is your father?"

"James Potter."

"And he just allows you to be near a Lestrange and to talk with the Malfoys?! I know James Potter, he is Sirius' friend..."

"Not any more," Sirius' voice sounded from down the hall. "I see that you've met my mother, Harry. Didn't she insult you too? I heard her shouting."

Harry swallowed. "That was just a misunderstanding, right Mrs. Black?"

"Yes, it was just a misunderstanding. So, Sirius, why is this child here, and where is his father?" Walburga politely asked her son.

"He is in Azkaban!" he spat angrily.

"My, my, aren't we a little bit edgy today?" she paused and looked at Harry. "Please tell me that you are going to live here, child, I need someone that talks to me with decency."

"Yes, I will, madam. I am Sirius' godson and I will be living here during the summers."

"Good. I will tell Kreacher to obey you." Walburga nodded to him, ignoring Sirius' clenched his fists and the glare he sent her way. "But tell me, how is it that a Potter ended up in Azkaban?"

"He ended up in that hell because he is just the sort of mindless minion of Voldemort that you so love to associate with!" Black said before Harry could answer.

"Dear Merlin! Finally someone in that family had some sense. But tell me where is your mother, Harry?"

"She is in Azk... She WAS in Azkaban for being a Death Eater too. She kind of escaped the prison a few months ago. That's why I was brought to live here."

"And who is your mother?"

"Her name is Lily Evans."

Walburga pondered the name "I don't know this family... Evans," she tested the name on her lips. "Is this family a foreign one?"

"No, my mother is a muggleborn."

"Oh." She seemed mildly surprised. "Well, she obviously has some sense, despite her heritage, and clearly birthed a decent son," a glare towards Sirius. "So, she isn't a mudblood after all? How interesting your family is, Harry Potter; a Potter and a muggleborn marry and become Death Eaters... I wonder what people say about them."

"What they deserve!" Sirius brazenly piped up.

"Oh, shut up, Sirius!" The dead woman scorned her child. "I am talking to Harry Potter now, do not interrupt."

"No!" Sirius stepped forward. "You are not going to talk to him anymore! I can only imagine how you would poison his mind!" he pushed the curtains of the portrait closed; Walburga screaming all the while.

"Come on Harry, I will show you to your room."

Harry sneered but followed the man anyway. Later he would sneak out and talk to Walburga some more.

Sirius led Harry to a room decorated in green and grey. The boy grinned; he guessed his godfather must hate the Slytherin decoration.

"Something funny?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Harry shook his head. "I just like the colours, really reminds me of the common room and my dorm in Hogwarts."

Sirius took note of the room's colours. "I tried to have the colours changed, but the whole house is enchanted and I can't alter things."

"Thank Merlin! I can only imagine how Gryffindorish you would make the place look. All that red would certainly give me a headache." Harry remarked nonchalantly.

"You will respect me whilst you live here, boy!" Black snarled. Harry's hand gripped his wand; though he didn't believe Sirius would harm him, one can never be sure.

The man saw Harry's posture and softened his own. "I wasn't going to hurt you."

"I couldn't know for sure, could I?" Harry challenged.

Sirius sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, make yourself at home," he said and walked away. Harry closed the door and began to unpack.

He really liked the room. There was a mirror on a wall and the letters 'R.A.B.' were inscribed on its golden frame. He would ask Walburga about that later.

--/--

On July 1st, Harry's birthday, several owls arrived in Grimmauld Place. Last year his friends didn't know the date of his birth, so they sent nothing besides the usual letters. This year, though, they were well aware, and oh boy did they do something about it.

The first letter he opened was Anthony's.

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Harry!

I hope your summer is being pleasant - as good as it can be due the circumstances.

I am in Italy with my aunt. It is beautiful here, and the food is delicious...

Did you know that Julius Caesar was a wizard? I was stunned when I learnt it.

The gift I've sent you was bought in Rome, use it well.

Anthony.

Harry unwrapped the gift the letter arrived with. It was a wand holster made out of leather with details in platinum. He tested it out, and quickly discovered all he needed was a flick of his wrist and his wand would be in his hand. A very useful gift, he loved it!

The second letter was Cassiopeia's

Hi Harry!

Happy birthday, I hope you are well and happy; I certainly am!

Did you manage to visit the library yet? Uncle Lucius wanted to ask you about a book. He said he's going to tell me about when I next owl you.

Have you heard anything about your mother?

Malfoy Jr. is still being a jerk. I think he is a bit jealous of both you and Longbottom. Honestly, I pity him.

One of the house elves, Dobby, is acting really oddly; I wonder what is happening with the creature.

Anthony wrote me about the matter that mine and his families have the same origin in France. Can you please find a book with a heritage potion? It would be awesome to trace our bloodlines back to their sources. I heard that the Potters are descendents of Godric Gryffindor...

Waiting for your reply!

P.S.: keep the owl, he is your birthday gift. Now you don't need to borrow the Malfoys' owls anymore!

Cass

Harry looked at the owl. He was majorly white, but his wings were grey. His eyes had the colour of honey.

"Well... I suppose I should name you." Harry said eyeing the owl, who hooted cheerfully. He quietly pondered for a moment, thinking about a name. "Zeus?" the owl tilted his head unhappy. "I don't think so... What about Hermes?" the owl again seemed displeased. Harry grinned wickedly "Hades?" an approving hoot was heard. Harry chuckled. "Hades it is. At least you are not the ferryman, so I won't need to give you a penny every time you deliver a letter for me, will I?"

The last letter was from Septimus.

Hello Harry, happy birthday!

I hope your summer is progressing well so far.

Mother and father were speaking about your mother yesterday, but I couldn't listen to what exactly they were saying.

I hope you like your gift. Maya and my parents are sending their regards.

Septimus Avery.

Harry laughed in amusement seeing the gift Septimus had sent him. It was a box of chocolates. He would offer Sirius one and when the man had eaten one he would tell that it was a gift from one of his Slytherin friends.

Harry never noticed a raven that flew in front of his window.

--/--

Sirius sighed. He wanted to get to know Harry, but the task was proving difficult. The boy was always giving him sarcastic retorts or even ignoring him. It seemed that he believed he was being held as a prisoner during the summer.

If Black were to be honest with himself he would admit that forbidding visits from Harry's friends wasn't the smartest course of action. But what could he do? His godson's friends were all children of Death Eaters, one of them the daughter of his crazy cousin, no less!

He had been informed there would be an informal meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. It seemed that Albus had worrisome news about You-Know-Who. Sirius shuddered at the possibility that the rumors that Voldemort had made himself immortal were true.

He would see Remus, at least. The werewolf and Peter were both living alone and away. It was painful that the Marauders had ended in such a way.

His thoughts drifted back to James and Lily. They hurt him so badly... They made him Harry's godfather, and all the while they were already Death Eaters. And then he directed the ache from their treason on the boy. He knew it was wrong, but there was no way he could raise their son. What was he supposed to do? Tell Harry how horrible his parents were and make the child love him like a father? No, he still had too much consideration for James and Lily to do such a despicable thing. Harry was better with Lily's muggle relatives - or so he thought.

Apparently Harry grew up resentful of the muggles because of the orphanage. His plan had failed miserably.

"Do you want a chocolate?" Harry's voice sounded behind him, extending his hand to offer the sweet.

Sirius wondered if this was Harry's method of trying to talk with him. Well, certainly the boy wouldn't try to poison him, right?

"Why not?" Sirius took the chocolate and ate it. The flavour was divine. He narrowed his eyes when a wicked smile appeared on Harry's lips.

"My friend, Septimus Avery, sent it. Delicious, isn't it?"

Black wanted to spit the chocolate, but unfortunately he had already swallowed it.

"I still dislike you," Harry stated calmly and walked back to his room.

For the first time in weeks, Sirius laughed. Harry pranked him! It was a wonder that the boy could hide his intentions from the beginning... Then he remembered that his godson was a Slytherin.

But still, it was a well enough prank that it left him honestly laughing a little bit. A thought occurred; Why had the Avery boy sent the chocolates in the first place? It wasn't like Harry had no access to chocolate here, could it have been for a special occasion?

Sirius' eyes widened when he remembered that it was Harry's birthday. With all the hostility between them both he had forgotten it. He sighed and swore that next year things would be better.

--/--

Harry stood there watching when people began to arrive at Grimmauld Place. The first one was Augusta Longbottom. Then two redheads that he believed to be Molly and Arthur Weasley. A somewhat lanky man with brown hair and hazel eyes who Sirius called Remus. A few people he didn't know at all... Oh, Professor McGonagall was here too. And his own head of house. And, in the end, Dumbledore himself.

He frowned. Sirius had told him to stay in his room for the entire evening, because they would be having a meeting in the kitchen. A meeting of what?

He tried to listen in on what they were discussing, but all he could hear from the kitchen was a noise that sounded like bees.

Deciding that it was useless trying to find out what this meeting was about, he headed towards the Black Library.