Embracing His True Self

Chapter 41

Voldemort didn't wait any longer to hear what was happening, instead he moved so he could actually see what was written on the piece of parchment. It caused an eyebrow to raise in silent surprise, truthfully he wasn't at all sure how to feel about it. He had been very happy with their marriage. A marriage between two powerful and loyal Death Eaters, who would go on – so sure at the time – to have children who too would be loyal to the cause. That was until the prophecy was heard, then he became cautious of any pregnant female by his Death Eaters. Thankfully, none of them had been born even in the vicinity of the end of July 'The Seventh Month Dies' as it were. No, only two were, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom both with parents in the Order. By Merlin, he had most certainly picked the one most like himself…more than he could have ever fathomed.

Now he had no reason to fear the prophecy, for Harry Potter was just as dark as him and very important to his immortality. Everything he read suggested only he could remove the Horcrux from Harry, by killing him that is, sure the boy can be killed, and the Horcrux too by either Basilisk venom or a Fiendfyre, those two were the only known ways to destroy Horcruxes in the books he had on the subject. Books that the Ministry would definitely have him in Azkaban over procuring let alone his kill count.

He knew how much his old friend worried about the end of his line, it was a weight that fell heavily upon him. Even having his sons out of Azkaban hadn't cleared that fear and worry up at all. No, he would let this happen, and not interfere unless it was required of him. Bellatrix was not going to have a child with Rodolphus that was clear, they could barely stand in the same room without winding each other up. So if his Death Eater could find someone else to care for and have a family with, while giving him the next generation of Death Eaters then he would be content. Especially if it made his old friend – Rabastian – happy and eased the weight upon his conscious. He did not want to see the Lestrange line die out, it was a good, strong, pure name, producing very powerful wizards and witches.

"What are you signing?" Rabastian – Lord Lestrange – demanded, worry very briefly appearing on his face before it was masked as he swiftly made his way towards his son in three short steps. Staring down at the contract, blinking in surprise, "Oh," was all the elder wizard could say, completely stunned, which everyone could tell even with an inscrutable mask upon his face, giving it an extremely blank look. For the first time in decades – he did not count anything Harry Potter related, he was entitled to be a little caught of guard thank you very much – he was rendered speechless.

Rodolphus signed the contract in blood with an eagerness he hadn't felt for over a decade.

Harry watched Lord Lestrange straighten up, almost as if he couldn't bear the thought of being seen 'slouching' like a common barbaric Muggle and yes, those words were ringing in his ear thanks to Voldemort. Then again, all the Pure-blood's had undergone enunciation, etiquette and Occlumency lessons – Meditation only, they were too young to have spells thrown at them at the age of eight or nine it would break their minds – at a young age. Taught how to act like a Pure-blood with all sorts of lessons, he too had undergone the same thing, and Voldemort hadn't been kind about it either. Lord Lestrange wasn't by far the tallest in the room, no that was reserved for Voldemort but he definitely had an aura around him that screamed he was no slouch. His son, Rodolphus was only inches shorter than him. Rabastan too was just inches shorter than his brother. You'd need to truly look at them and see them to notice, anyone else would just say they were the same height as one another.

"Let me see!" Bellatrix demanded, trying to make her way over, to see for herself what all the fuss was about. She didn't like being in the dark, and since everyone else had seen it, she wanted to as well. "Where did you get this?" she shrieked angrily, face slowly going red as she got more and more upset.

Harry smirked ferally, alerting the others to the fact Harry was going to say something worth listening to, "Now, now, show some respect to the Head of your house," he taunted her, unable to help himself. "After all, you know what happens to those who displease the Head of the family." Green eyes gleaming with viciousness that spoke of the ability to do just that without losing sleep over it.

Bellatrix froze in shock and horror at his words, "A filthy Half-blood presiding over the Black estate? My father would be rolling in his grave!" she spat, unable to curb her own tongue.

"As would your Uncle Orion and Aunt Walburga," Harry said, a grin splitting his face in half, he'd spent ages pouring over the Black names. "But you do realize I am of Black blood correct? It's the only way I could have taken over the estate. It's better than the Ministry getting their hands on the considerable sum." He added absently.

The youngest Lestrange continued to stare frozen, he hadn't expected Harry to really do anything despite asking. In a moment of weakness, he'd asked him to try, but never in his wildest dreams had he expected this to occur. He knew that Harry was friends with Neville Longbottom, and he honestly believed that Harry would find it fitting that both of them suffered for their crimes despite no longer being in Azkaban. Merlin, that smirk…he could see himself and Rodolphus in it, how much of the Lestrange family was really under that surface? What had Lily looked like? He may have recovered, but some things were still fuzzy, actually a lot of things.

Poor Rabastan had been young, as young as Sirius actually, and did not have an Animagus form to hide him from the Dementors like Sirius had.

"Sign the divorce papers or lose everything," Harry stated, bringing the young Rabastan from his thoughts. "By everything I mean your name, your magic, your husband, your family and I ex-communicate you." Which meant she wouldn't be able to communicate with any Black, including her sister and nephew without having them disowned as well. Narcissa would never endure the shame of being disowned.

None of them wanted to endure the shame of being disowned.

Sure she was 'dead' right now, but one day soon her Lord would take over the magical world and let her roam free once more. Free of the worry of going back to Azkaban and being unable to see or hear or help her Lord. Free of having to keep to the shadows, and free to do whatever she liked to the filthy Muggle-Borns and Half-Blood's who roamed their world. Gripping her wand tightly, ready to destroy the filthy Half-Blood who was daring to try blackmailing her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Harry warned her, standing up, his own wand in hand, a hand that showed of his two Lordship rings. Granting him innumerable protection, especially as her Lord, and Head of House. "Sign the damn papers if you know what's good for you,"

"You wouldn't dare," Bellatrix hissed standing toe to toe with him, sounding like a feral cat, eyes flashing in wrath and vehemence.

Voldemort watched the scene in front of him, it looked as though Bellatrix was taking the place of the one Death Eater who loathed the ground Harry walked on the most. Not even Lucius stared at him with such anger and unconcealed desire to punish and kill. He would need to keep an eye on her, he couldn't allow anything to happen to the boy. He was much too important, more important that even Bellatrix who did amuse him so. Yet it was Harry who had ensured such a smooth victory so far with his ideas, Bellatrix just made things complicated, how many times had he dispatched his Death Eaters to clean up her recent messes? Too many to count, so in the grand scheme of things, even if Harry wasn't his Horcrux…he'd choose the boy over her any day. He made a mental note to talk to her soon, remind her that Harry Potter-Black was not to be touched.

Harry met her eyes, without fear or backing down, "You really don't know me at all, so don't act like you do," he informed her coolly. "Sign it if you value your life,"

Rodolphus, Rabastan and their father watched the scene, barely daring to breathe. Their Lord didn't often interfere with any duels that burst out, even when it was Harry, the duel with Avery was a primary example of that. Yet he had suffered for it, they'd watched him curse Avery for his rash actions. Then he proceeded to make sure they understood that he wasn't to be touched. That they would be punished if anything happened to him.

Bellatrix's mask of fury crumbled a little, as genuine worry began to take its place. Would her Lord even want anything to do with her if she was disowned? She'd be lower than a common Mudblood. Everything she'd worked towards, everything she'd done would be for nothing. She had gone to Azkaban for her Lord, proud and true to herself, knowing he would come for her. He had, as soon as he returned, he had come for her and set her free. She'd have nothing, no home, no money, no name, nothing to fall back on.

Not that she'd have much anyway upon signing the divorce contract. Just a single vault, that would last her maybe three or four years if she spent it wisely. She hadn't touched her trust fund since she married Rodolphus, using the Lestrange vaults instead, except when she put the gift from her Lord into her own vault and withdrew a few galleons to get some new dress robes in order to please her Lord.

"On your head be it," Harry retorted heatedly, unsheathing another piece of paper, another contract, one that would disown her from the Black family, legally and officially.

It was already written Bellatrix realised, Potter hadn't wasted any time whatsoever in making sure she lost absolutely everything. Fury rushed through her veins, burning her from the inside, she swore to herself, nay, vowed, that the boy would pay if it was the last thing she did. He should have known better than to mess with her, she was the best Death Eater her Lord had, willing to do anything, curse or kill as ordered. He would know, he would realize, just before he died. Eyes glittering malevolently, unspoken plans written across her face.

It was all the warning Harry needed to ensure he did not turn his back on the psychopathic woman, ever.

Grabbing the quill violently out of Harry's hands, Bellatrix just wishing she could gouge out his eyes with the tip of the quill. Envisioned his pain filled screams filled her with pleasure and eased the anger lashing through her still. Oh, she would get him back, when he least expected it, in the most painful manner she could imagine. Scrawling her name down, using the Lestrange name for the last time.

As soon as the contact was signed a copy of it disappeared in a flash, while two others remained behind. One for Bellatrix and the other for Rodolphus.

"You'll pay for this," Bellatrix hissed solely for Harry to hear, or so she thought, she failed to realize just how close everyone else was.

"I believe you'll try," Harry retorted calmly, excitement furling through him at the prospect of a real no holds barred duel with Bellatrix. It would be a true way to test just how far he'd come, sure Voldemort was quite vicious when they were duelling, but he never actually outright tried to kill him or finish him off for good. With him being a Horcrux and all Voldemort wanted to make sure he could defend himself, but not to the extent of actually accidentally killing him. That and he'd never admit it but he felt jealous and angry at the thought of Voldemort and Bellatrix together. He didn't get it, but he was, and it was amusing to see her trying to gain Voldemort's attention when he was around and conversing with him.

With that Bellatrix stormed off, her anger getting the better of her, Harry Potter-Black's days were now numbered.

"She's very serious," Rabastan informed him, face impassive, but his eyes gave away his very real concern for Harry. The last time he'd seen Bellatrix like that she'd tortured to Aurors into insanity. He wasn't say he wasn't guilty, he was, he had joined her and cursed them, but not to the extent she had. He'd placed it upon them for a few seconds, asked them where their Lord was, then put it on again, only for another few seconds, merely to convince them to talk if they knew anything.

"I know," Harry replied, shrugging his shoulders briefly, indicating that he didn't care. He would be ready for her, and quite frankly, when and if she did attack him, he'd only be defending himself and Voldemort should have nothing to say on the matter. He would, Harry knew that, the only thing Voldemort killed off his Death Eaters for is if he suspected they were traitors to the cause.

"Leave us," Voldemort demanded, wishing to speak to the boy alone.

The three Lestrange's nodded respectfully, but before they left, Rodolphus stepped back up and collected his copy of the contract. Clutching it in his hand tightly, still reeling over the fact he was actually free. Glancing at the teenager, who had already been warned that Bellatrix would want revenge and truly didn't seem deterred. "Thank you, Lord Potter-Black," giving him the respect due, he personally didn't know anyone else who had control of two massive estates. He'd be able to preside over the wizengamot for two seats, two votes, which could be significant in the Wizengamot. Feeling much more at ease around the boy for the first time, the irrational fear that he was going to be replaced was gone.

Harry smiled, a genuine one at that, giving his own nod of understanding.

Once that was done, the three Lestrange's left, never once bothering about Bellatrix, Lord Lestrange had already adjusted the wards to prevent her admittance into their home. She was no longer a Lestrange, and thus no longer his problem. Quite frankly, he didn't want her getting anywhere near his family books with revenge on her mind. He didn't want the blame if Bellatrix somehow did manage to hurt the boy. He was actually grateful he didn't need to endure her temper tantrums and presence in his home. He was glad his boys were home, but he honestly could have done with her.

Then Rodolphus brought up something that stopped the other two short, "How did he know?" gazing suspiciously at his brother.

"I spoke to him about it," the youngest Lestrange stated seriously. "I did not think he'd do anything about it." He revealed after a few moments. Even at that, he'd assumed the boy would ask for a boon before doing absolutely anything. He was a Slytherin if he ever saw one.

Rodolphus nodded dumbly, agreeing wholeheartedly with his brother.

"The boy is not who we thought he was," Lord Lestrange uttered wisely, "We mustn't assume we know him at all."

The boys were still in a state of shock over the events that had just transpired, their father could see it written all over their faces and in the lines of their Azkaban ravaged bodies. They had come along way, but they weren't fully back to their old selves. They might never be, over a decade had passed and they were no longer the young teenagers they used to be when incarcerated on that island. "Go and get some rest, its best not to disrupt your treatments, lest it put you back by at least months." Sleep was the best thing for them anyway.

Once his boys did exactly that, Rabastian made his way back to his office, pouring himself a very generous amount of bourbon before sitting down all too subdued. He had answered his Lord's call expecting something to have been wrong, only to realize that his Lord had called them there for Harry of all people. That boy was more important than anyone realized, as one of the original Death Eaters…he knew that his Lord had never done such a thing before in the past. To do so now…for Harry, well it was significant, off the charts significant. Gulping down the bourbon, he made a mental note never to show any disrespect to the young Lord or allow his sons to do so. He must warn them against such a thing.

All the while hope renewed began to kindle through him, there was hope for his line after all. It had always been difficult for many of the families and spouse to have more than a single child. He had been very lucky, in terms of having two sons, his beautiful wife would have given him a third, a girl, the first in the direct Lestrange line in generations. Clutching his glass, anger flashed through him, muted but still there after all those years. His wife and child had died, how he loathed the light side, those despicable Aurors. It had taken him years to get his revenge, done it so intricately that he had never once been suspected in their deaths. His eyes zoomed in on the large portrait of his wife hanging over his office desk. He'd never had a lover, not even after having the 'Heir' to the Lestrange fortune. He had been very happy with his match, his beautiful, kind wife, without her, only his Lord and sons had a place in his heart. To the rest of the world he was a cold unfeeling bastard but he didn't care what they thought.

Although Harry Potter-Black was coming close to worming his way into his cold unfeeling heart. He was a Lestrange so it perhaps shouldn't have been so surprising. Not many people stuck up for his sons, not many people would help them full stop just because of what they'd done.

"Just when I think I understand you…you go and do something so spectacularly…stupid," Voldemort stated calmly, giving away the fact he wasn't at all angry. He was however, watching Harry with a curious look in his eyes, pondering on why he'd just done what he had. He hadn't realized Harry cared about the Lestranges, he knew he was terribly fond of Barty, much to his jealousy, they spent way too much time together in his grand opinion. He hadn't even done it for an unspecified boon to be collected later, and the boy definitely knew about them. So why? The boy was more like him than anyone realized, yet he would never do such a thing. Not if it didn't benefit him first.

"That's your opinion," Harry said wryly, "Bellatrix was always going to find a reason to be pissed off," and that he knew without a doubt. She was a complete nutjob, it would have blown up regardless of what he did. Her instability was actually concerning to see, one minute she was fond, grinning and laughing, the next it looked as if she was plotting your demise.

"I am surprised, I must admit, I thought you fond of the Longbottom boy," Voldemort pressed further, wanting answers from that elusive mind. He received letters from the boy, quite often in fact, and replied back, although it had been a few weeks since Hedwig had been sent out.

Harry arched an eyebrow, "If I'm not trying to kill you for the fact you killed my parents, why the fuck would I care about my friends parents?" he pointed out, like him, Neville couldn't remember loving parents, he was just emulating what he thought he should be feeling. The truth of the matter was Harry could bet his considerable wealth that Neville didn't feel anything unless he was shoved in front of them, only to be reminded of what could have been. He knew that his friendship with Neville was numbered, Neville genuinely hated the Lestranges, hated what happened to his parents, he saw that when he saw the happiness when the news hit that the Lestrange's had 'died' in Azkaban.

He doubted very much that Neville would forgive him for siding with those who hurt his family. Neville was very loyal, and suspected the hat originally wanted to place him in Hufflepuff not Gryffindor like he should have been put in Slytherin.

"Touché," Voldemort murmured, when he put it like that he supposed it did make the world of sense. "Why not gain something from this instead of doing it out of the goodness of your heart?"

Harry scoffed, "I didn't need to, the Lestranges are honourable, if I ask for anything…they will go out of their way to give me what I ask for." they would feel obligated.

Voldemort watched him, sneaky little shit was right, in fact they'd be more agreeable to help due to the fact their hands weren't tied. He was going to have to remember that there was more to this boy than even he could conceive and he knew the boy about as well as anyone could, he had been in his mind constantly until he became very proficient at Occlumency and Legillimency. He pondered on how Harry would deal with the younger soon-to-be Death Eaters, they would be around soon due to the fact it was the end of the year. Which meant it would soon be Harry's birthday, sixteenth birthday. When one looked at him you wouldn't think he was merely coming up for sixteen, not anymore, he looked on the cusp of adulthood, which was seventeen year old in the Magical world.

None of the children of his Death Eaters knew about Harry's allegiance to him. Considering how hot-headed some of them could be, he did contemplate the idea of waiting until next year before introducing Harry to them. He didn't want to risk any stupidity on their behalf, that would have the light side becoming aware of Harry's place on the dark side. By the time they were seventeen they would be promised to him, marked, invisible to anyone not already a Death Eater, another ingenious idea by the boy at his side. The children would have observed a meeting and been made very aware of the real consequences of their actions if they did not do as directed by him. The Cruciatus curse had always been the perfect deterrent for most of his servants. It hadn't stopped Igor from betraying him though, or apparently Severus for a while, honestly he was quite lucky he was a Potions Master – and sworn a vow of protection to Harry – or he would have dispatched of him quite easily and happily.

"You're growing fond of them aren't you?" Voldemort asked with a knowing look, it was often inevitable if they had similar tastes and inclinations.

"That would require them actually talking to me, acknowledging me," Harry said dryly, "Like all the others they aren't sure whether they can fully trust me or not." Which made sense, they'd spent the last fifteen years believing he was an enemy only to have their world spun upside down and suddenly Harry was dark, it was a little bit too good to be true. Plus he had pissed off a lot of them, like Lucius, Avery, and most recently Bellatrix. The only one he could honestly say trusted him was Barty…maybe Fenrir Greyback too. He didn't spend too much time in their presence either, in the beginning they hadn't known he was here, as he'd been locked in whichever room he'd been in when the meeting was called. Afterward the attack by Avery they'd become aware, and got used to seeing him around, but that wasn't spending time with him.

Voldemort didn't design to reply to him, because what Harry said was the truth. The only reason they were giving him the benefit of the doubt was the fact he was vouched by him. They all knew better than to doubt him after all. Not just vouched either, warned them all, that if they touched a single hair on his head he would torture and kill them.

"Sirius Black!" Harry called into the mirror.

"Harry!" Sirius said, smiling at his godson, happy to see him despite the fact it was early and he was clearly exhausted. He had bags under his eyes, speaking of a long night passing without sleep. He smiled even more genuinely seeing how his godsons green eyes were sparkling with life and vitality. "Is everything okay?" knowing it was but asking regardless, he wanted to be a godfather, wanted to be the responsible one after all. He didn't want his godson feeling the need to take care of him as he had been doing in the past. Something that hadn't dawned on him until Harry pointed it out to him. The Potions to regain his mental health after Azkaban had also aided in his recovery and realizations.

"Yes," Harry said almost overexcitedly, he'd finally figured out the potion after pouring over all the available books. He could hardly believe it, but he'd done it. It was the fourth week of June, Hogwarts had been out for an entire week already, which meant he couldn't go to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade too much just in case he was spotted by any eagle eye classmates. He did have plans to visit Neville, they had been made weeks ago, although Neville's letters were coming less frequent and shorter. With a proper girlfriend though, it wasn't surprising, what had surprised him months ago though was that it wasn't Luna. They had just decided to remain friends, no, Neville had struck up an unlikely friendship with Hannah, the prefect had helped him when he was being cornered by Draco Malfoy and his side kicks Crabbe and Goyle. She was a Hufflepuff and loyal so perhaps her sticking up for Neville wasn't so surprising. She had also stood up for Cedric Diggory, and harassed him, believed he was the heir of Slytherin like everyone else. He didn't like her, but he also didn't hate her either. She had truthfully escaped his notice for the most part. Hannah had liked Neville for a while actually, she and Hermione had been deeply concerned for him when Moody aka Barty had performed the Cruciatus Curse on the spider during their class.

"What have you been up to?" Sirius asked, laughing happily at how excited his godson was.

"That's a question better asked to you, Sirius you promised!" Harry pointed out, he'd been trying to wheedle what Sirius was up to for the past week. So far he wasn't having any luck whatsoever and it was slightly frustrating.

"I did promise," Sirius conceded, "I'm just not sure you're ready to handle something like this,"

"Excuse me?" Harry asked indignantly, swearing at the coldness that had been unwittingly spoken.

Sirius sighed, "I suspected…that Dumbledore caused someone's death," he admitted, watching his godson's face closely. There was no denial, no shouting, nothing except just a smidgen of surprise but he believed that had something to do with his words, not the fact he suspected Dumbledore of causing harm to someone. "Why don't you come over? We can talk about this privately? Remus is out picking up the shopping so we have an hour before he returns to talk about it if you wish." It wouldn't be the first time his godson popped over for a short visit.

"He doesn't know what you've been doing?" Harry asked, very astonished by that.

"No," Sirius admitted, "I don't want him to know until I have found proof of his guilt or innocence." By his he meant Dumbledore not Remus.

"I'm coming over," Harry stated, turning off the mirror he put it aside and summoned Dobby. He was using Dobby a lot these days, including back and forward to the bank. He heavily suspected Order members had been congregating there in order to catch him. Everyone needed money after all, the way that older woman had run after he appeared spoke volumes. It didn't mean the woman was old, glamour's could conceal a persons age perfectly, could have been anyone in the Order.

As soon as he was at Sirius' Dobby disappeared and he was grabbed in a bear hug by Sirius.

"Wow, you're gaining weight and strength!" Harry exclaimed, as he returned the hug, he'd accept what he could get, when he could get it. The probability of losing Sirius and Remus when his true allegiance came out was very likely. Since giving Sirius the potion he was able to sleep easier, eat more and he was regaining his former strength by sticking to a diet ironically enough recommended by Muggles. Not that Sirius had anything against them, at least not all of them.

"I am, want anything?" Sirius asked, as they made their way into the kitchen, the kettle whistling indicating that he'd been making one.

"Pepsi Max if you have any," Harry said immediately, Voldemort did not have anything remotely Muggle in the manor. Which of course, nixed the delicious carbonated drink that he had found he very much liked during a visit. It was Remus' favourite drink, having spent the majority of the past decade in the Muggle world…he knew the Muggle world well and had his favourite drinks and foods. Sirius wasn't overly fond of it, too gassy for his taste and some were full off too much sugar. Harry had never been allowed anything other than water – and he was lucky to get that – for the majority of his life. He'd had milk at primary school, each day, but that was the extent of what he drank.

Sat down with a coffee and Harry with a can of juice, Sirius began to explain gravely what he feared to be the truth. Revealing another side of the events that happened all those years ago. How the werewolf had reacted to the loss of his pack, how despite all precautions he took, which by the way were usually fool proof, inescapable. How Moony had succumbed to his predator instincts and killed the human encroaching on what he saw as his territory. How Dumbledore had been the only one aware of Remus' chosen location. Which had been his childhood home, the home they left barely a month after Remus had been bitten, moving continuously to avoid detection until Dumbledore invited him to Hogwarts.

"What made you think Dumbledore did anything?" Harry asked diplomatically, even though his mind had immediately came up with possible ways to exploit this information. Not Remus, just more information against Dumbledore.

"Harry…Remus always makes sure he cannot get out, right up until the last second before the moon becomes full." Sirius said austerely, grey eyes gleaming with determination. "Even down in the trunk we're using during the moon now…he can't help but automatically check Moony can't suddenly find a way to climb out a trunk!"

Harry pursed his lips at the image, "You know four legged creatures can climb!" he pointed out wryly.

"Only a hand can open the lid, a human hand," Sirius said dryly, shaking his head, "I made sure that everything was done right."

"Okay, so you believe Dumbledore dismantled some of Remus' wards after the moon rose?" Harry mused thoughtfully, nudging his empty can back and forth. "I'm assuming it would be in order to make Remus want to disappear,"

"Right afterwards, Dumbledore told Remus that he shouldn't visit you, that he wanted you to grow up unburned by the fame." Sirius sighed, rubbing his temples, "Remus was…inconsolable, he did as he was told, too terrified that he'd hurt someone else…you primarily."

"Then let me guess, coaxed him back by using me…" Harry grumbled in concern, "And I said such horrid things to him." feeling a smidgen of guilt for his words, Remus had apparently been going through his own private hell.

"He hasn't said anything about that," Sirius shook his head, "He's a teacher at heart though, so of course, he'd want to teach at Hogwarts. It's not an opportunity he'd pass up, the fact you would be there probably made it easier in the long run…and the potion," his lips twisting as he said it, he had poured every single vial of that damn potion down the sink. Keeping a perfect eye on him at all times of the day. He wasn't risking Remus giving in and sneakily taking it. He'd get used to life without it, the trunk had helped immensely, as well as the fact Moony and Padfoot had done nothing remotely dangerous, just ran around the trunk, which is bigger than the damn Amazon.

"He was one of the best teachers we ever had," Harry said in agreement, truthfully he had enjoyed Moody's 'Barty's' classes. "Maybe one day he can teach at Hogwarts full time, without the law, fear and prejudice getting in the way." Glancing down at his rings, Sirius had thanked him for reinstating him as a Black, and he was happy to receive the monetary allowance, he already had plans to spend it on Harry, making up for the fifteen year absence. The only thing he had absolutely no idea what to get him. He was thinking of getting him a Quidditch set, snitch, Bludgers, Quaffle and Beater sticks. So he could play his own game with his friends, even though he didn't want to play professionally he could still have fun.

"You have plans to sit on the Wizengamot?" Sirius asked, shrewdly catching the glance at the rings adorned his godson fingers. "You do realize it might not change anything? The old farts are stuck in their ways." And most of them were prejudice against 'creatures' it had always been that way in the magical world.

"I've thought about it," Harry admitted, "I'm reading through the law books when I have the time, even if it is tedious," he wouldn't, couldn't, go in front of the wizengamot completely ignorant.

Sirius snorted, nodding sagely in agreement, "It sucked,"

"You've read the law books?" Harry asked, speculatively.

"Merlin, no, I was taught stuff like that when I was younger though, I was brought up to be Lord Black, and with that became specific obligations according to my parents. Regulus was put through it after it became apparent I was a disappointment and inevitably left the family behind." Sirius admitted distastefully.

"Back to our original topic, have you found anything?" Harry asked, having no desire to talk politics, he couldn't stand it, nor could Sirius actually come to that.

"Trails old, over a decade, and the property has a lot of land, I'd need to find the exact spot Dumbledore twisted the wards." Sirius explained, and even then it would be different to ensure he had actually managed to check every possible spot.

"Why not ask Remus to do it? He could sniff out the exact location, you're just causing unnecessary work for yourself." Harry rolled his eyes, knowing exactly why Sirius wasn't doing it.

"I can't do that to him," Sirius retorted immediately.

"Alright," Harry conceded, pondering on whether to use Fenrir, without the Wolfsbane potion weakening him and with his ability to turn into a wolf at will, he would find the spot Dumbledore had stood at within seconds. "Is Remus' house private property?"

"Yes, I was only able to get in because I've been there before," Sirius said, a red flush appearing on his cheeks.

Harry laughed at the look Sirius was supporting, "Yeah, I don't want to know," he teased him, causing Sirius to flush some more and Harry just utterly lost it and roared in amusement.

A buzzing interrupted Sirius and Harry's hysterics, at the sound of it Harry sobered and cursed and glanced at the time, just as Remus apparated in with his hands laden with bags. "I have five minutes to get home and prep the ingredients for a potion I'm making…I have to go! Sorry Remus! It's good to see you! Bye!"

"Bye," was all the bemused partners could say to Harry as he called upon Dobby and disappeared home.

Dobby took Harry to his bedroom, where he was normally dropped off. So, Harry hastily thanked Dobby before taking off, running with speed and haste towards the labs, swiftly skidding to a halt outside the door just narrowly stopping himself from smacking into the solid oak door.

The jar of ingredients were already in place for his usage, but it still needed to be prepared. It the way he knew would be best, as apposed to how it was told in the recipe. So he squeezed the juices out of it and then placed the pod along with the juice and let it slide into the cauldron.

His hasty run hadn't even made him slightly out of breath, but he did let out one when the colour it turned, a pungent red. His only show of relief that so far the potion was turning out just as he predicted. He had no idea how this would turn out in the long run, it was one of the craziest experiments he'd ever conducted but if it worked…it would change everything for the Death Eaters who were currently 'dead' due to the epidemic that hit Azkaban. "I fucking did it!" Harry murmured out his relief, before slowly counting the time then stirring the contents in the cauldron with the stirrer.

He relaxed his stance, that was it for another two hours and three minutes.

He didn't bother returning to Sirius' home, he also nixed the idea of interfering with Sirius' investigation. If he found out that Fenrir was anywhere near the area he would claim it was a set up regardless of whether it was true or not – which it wouldn't be – but Sirius was irrational when it came to anything to do with the dark side.

He'd let Sirius do what he must, he'd get there in the end one way or another. Even after decades magic remained behind, traces of it. Even trying to get rid of any traces left certain residues behind, residues that could be found. Sabotaging wards though…there would be a sign on the building if nothing else.

Perhaps sending him a copy of the book he'd read that from would give Sirius the idea to do it on his own.

June quickly turned into July, it was already the ninth, and today was the day he had finally know if his potion was viable. Luckily there were plenty of willing…ah, hem, fine, unwilling participants to help with that. So they had been put under the Imperius Curse and imbibed the potion. He'd had to use a wizard, unfortunately Umbridge hadn't been possible, she was with Greyback currently, enjoying her experience as the pack Bitch. What that meant, Harry had no idea, and he honestly didn't wish to be regaled either. Sure, he hated her, but he didn't think his stomach could handle such…information if it was what he thought it was. It wasn't anything to do with pitying her either, there were just some things he'd rather remain ignorant on thank you.

Harry would only be alerted when she was close to death, due to their agreement, he was the one that got the pleasure of ending her pathetic life. Fenrir would keep his promise, Voldemort assured him, only extenuating circumstances would prevent it, and it would be things Fenrir couldn't change.

However, a letter from Neville quickly changed all his plans for the day, the potion results could wait, it was the first time Neville had written in near enough a fortnight. Which had concerned him enough to write to Neville nearly every day. There was no way Neville could have found out he'd changed sides so to speak, since Harry didn't really consider it having changed sides, he'd only been biding his time. He'd never agreed with the light sides agenda.

"How is your experimental stage going?" Voldemort asked, observing Harry entering the room, and claiming his seat, both of them more than ready for lunch. Wormtail never ate with them, instead electing to eat in his room. He had graciously allowed Harry to test his potion on one of his prisoners, pleased that Harry had actually asked. He would have been furious if he had gone along and done it without permission. Depending on whether it actually worked or not, if it did…then his Death Eaters would know a whole new freedom, he would too, he was very reluctant to alter his looks in order to fool Dumbledore until the old man was dead.

"I don't know yet," Harry said, his brow furrowed, "Dumbledore had decided that he 'made a mistake' with me and that it's Neville who is the real child the prophecy spoke of."

Voldemort blinked at him in utter bafflement, until it dawned on him, really dawned on him what Harry had just said before he burst out laughing. He was so surprised that it lasted only seconds, but it was more than anyone had been able to pull out of him in numerous decades. He was not by any means a cheerful wizard who ever lost his composure or Merlin forbid laughed at things.

"Tell me everything," Voldemort demanded, ignoring the look of sheer delight on Harry's face, presuming it to do with his lack of composure.

"Master Longbottom is hurt, Master said to come to you if anything happens to Dowager Longbottom and him, please help, young master" the unknown House-elf was frantic, wringing its hands desperately. It may be unknown, but it was most definitely a Longbottom House-elf.

"You didn't think you'd be the only one to think of it did you?" Harry asked as the look of stunned disbelief on Voldemort's face.

"I have wards on my home preventing any access lest they are bound to me," Voldemort hissed out, fury distorting his face into a mask of anger.

A House-elf sent by Neville changed the game entirely.

"House-elves can get in and out of Gringotts for Merlin's sake, as well as Hogwarts! There is nothing they can't get around." Harry argued with Voldemort, as always ready to have a comeback. The others might be too afraid to argue with Voldemort but he wasn't. "The laws of magic don't seem to work on them."

The poor House-elf strained to remain silent, truly fearing for the lives of his Lady and young Master. "Please," she blurted out unable to keep quiet. They weren't moving quick enough, they had to help her Master!

"It could very well be a trap," Voldemort warned him. Eyeing the House-elf disdainfully, he had to find a way to keep the damnable things out, otherwise he was going to be sleeping with one eye open for the rest of his immortal life.

"Dobby?" Harry called out, as soon as he appeared Harry rushed to speak, "Go to Longbottom manor, ensure that only the Longbottom's are there, and return, make haste, Neville is hurt." He couldn't very well bring them here, Voldemort wouldn't allow it.

The two House-elves disappeared with pops.

I decided to write the next chapter since I didn't want to leave you with a cliff-hanger...although I didn't really consider it much of one :D Bellatrix is still needed hence her show of 'patience' when it comes to Harry :D she's just the perfect person to help my story along :) so sorry if you thought she'd be killed :D Will this action on Harry's part cause the Rodolphus and Lord Lestrange to warm up to Harry further? Rabastan already is at this point! sooo, Luna and Rabastan or Luna and Rodolphus? Hmm just how to get Hermione on Harry's side and to make her see Dumbledore for who he is...something that's not been done before so no adoption or anything like that, she will remain Hermione Granger! :D killing the Grangers would be well out of character too...Barty/Hermione anyone? They're both the biggest bookworms ever after all! Read and Review please!