I am so sorry for how late all of this is. I've had a very busy few months. I hope you guys enjoy these new chapters.


Last Time on Black and White:

"I see you're awake."

Snapping to the voice Andrew's eyes found an outline of what looked like a human standing in shadows.

"W-Who are you? Where am I? Where's Harry?"

The humanoid was silent, seemingly staring at Andrew for a moment, before they stepped forward, and the young boy found himself breathless once more. The man was of average height, average build but what drew Andrew's attention was the man's face and hair, his face and hair.

"Who... Who are you?" Andrew asked, fearing the man's response.

"... Hello son."


Book 4 – Chapter 41: Covering the Bases

Harry sat in the Headmaster's office after the announcement of Viktor Krum's body had been told to the public. The older man had requested his presence after the news had been told to the students.

"I am glad you could join me, what I am to tell you will not be easy, in fact it is something I had wished to never have to burden you with."

Harry nodded at his words and waited for the man to go on.

"The news of Lord Voldemort's return has not been met well with higher ups within the Ministry. As such, Minister Fudge has refused any and all accounts of The Dark Lord's return."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Quite, it is rather unfair that he has chosen this course of action. Though I do not blame him, he is not a man of war, such a concept frightens him."

"That isn't an excuse, if he was really a man of peace, then any threat to that should push him to investigate the graveyard with more urgency." Harry argued.

"And I agree, but at this moment the Minister has refused to acknowledge the incident at the graveyard. He has put out an executive order to restrict the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Department of Mysteries from investigating the case further. As I am sure you have figured out already, this came as a suggestion from a 'close friend'."

Harry growled. "Malfoy."

Dumbledore hummed in agreement.

"Well, Andrew saw him, along with a whole bunch of people there! He can testify against them and show that Malfoy's lying."

"Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy's reach is further and tighter than I'm sure we're aware of. Having him appear in front of the Wizengamont in itself is an almost impossible task."

"Th- Then what the hell are we supposed to do? Wait for Voldemort to finish whatever plans he has?"

"I do not want you to worry about that right now, Harry. Your first priority is to ensure your friends are alright. Go to them, Harry."

Harry seemed to battle with himself for a moment before deflating and nodding at the Headmaster. Once he left Dumbledore wrote a short note and sent Fawks off with it. It only took a few moments before his fireplace roared with flame and out stepped Snape, his usual blank face in place.

"Headmaster, you called for me?"

"Severus, has Tom called for you yet?"

"Last night, he called every member of his inner circle. He does not wish for his presence to be known by all as of yet, not even his followers."

"He is weakened by the ritual. He would not trust the lower ranks to not take advantage of his state and try for his position."

"Regardless he bragged about his defeat of Potter 2. As you stated, he was weakened and the boy couldn't do a thing to stop him, you truly believe him of being a bigger threat? The thought is laughable."

Dumbledore bit his tongue in annoyance before turning back to the young man.

"That is irrelevant now. Did he share any of his plans with you?"

"No, he simply told us to be ready."

"Good, inform me as soon as he has any solid plans."

"... Very well, Headmaster. If that is all, goodnight."

As the potions master exited his office Dumbledore sat back in his seat once more and sighed tiredly. He was aware of Andrew's upcoming plight with the world; Krum having died in the Tournament would paint a target on his back by Malfoy Senior for sure and Harry would be on the Minister's list in a negative manner after his explosion at the man.

The upcoming year would be the most one difficult one to date. Dumbledore was aware that he would need to start sharing more information with the boys, but he was also weary of the threat that would pose should Voldemort become aware of his connection to one of the boys. He leaned back in his seat and struggled with ways of sharing information without The Dark Lord being aware of them.

HP-AP-HP-AP-HP-AP

Sirius sat in the Auror department, watching as the men and women tasked with the protection of Wizarding Britain went about their work. He sighed as an image of himself and James in these pens washed through his mind. He shook his head and brought himself to reality. He had a meeting scheduled with Amelia Bones.

"Are you sure, Ma'am?"

"Of course, I'm sure! Don't let it out of your sight until we're sure about everything."

"Of course, Madam Bones, I'll get my best men on it, immediately."

"Excellent."

Sirius watched as Kingsley Shacklebolt nodded to his superior officer before walking away, a severe look in his usually calm eyes. The Ex-Convict, remembered Kingsley from his days in the Academy, seeing him this serious made Sirius feel nervous for some reason.

"Sirius, come on."

With no other prodding needed the man followed the greying redhead into her office before she sent a complicated locking sequence at it. She turned back to him and let out a tired sigh.

"I imagine you know why I asked you to come see me?"

Sirius watched the intimidating woman for a moment before nodding his head. "You believe his back."

"What the Unspeakables found was irrefutable proof of an extremely dark potion made to facilitate an extremely dark ritual. So unless there are wizards out there messing with forces they cannot hope to understand, there is only one reason such a ritual would be used."

Sirius nodded again before turning back to Amelia.

"Fudge ordered a gag order on the Ministry though. This information won't leave your desk."

"That's what has me on edge. Fudge is a coward, that isn't anything new, but he isn't stupid. Keeping something this big under wraps is only begging for trouble, I can't figure out what his end goal is."

"Re-election? If Malfoy is lining the man's pockets in order to shut this up, he could have sweetened the deal by promising that he would get Fudge back into office." Sirius replied with a thoughtful expression. "Well, that's what I would do, anyway."

"Well, ignoring your devious thought process, I do believe you may have a point there. So any suggestions on what we're going to do about it?"

Sirius blinked and blinked again.

"What do you mean? Shouldn't you be making these plans with Dumbledore?"

"I have been talking to Albus. He has yet to part with any information that would be helpful to this situation. I believe he may start up his group sooner rather than later, but I cannot be a part of a vigilante group."

"I can't say I know what you're talking about."

"Please, you lot were barely a secret during the first war. I figured it out about three weeks after your group would 'discreetly' disappear from an attacked town. Luckily I saw Dumbledore with you lot once, or I may have reported you and had you all arrested." Amelia responded with a small chuckle.

Sirius smiled and thought about how they weren't as stealthy as they had first thought.

"Well, even with all that information, I can't tell you much. I'm sure you understand." He responded with a pointed look to the woman who looked a tad confused before a look of recognition dawned her features.

"I do. Well, back to your question; I believe Albus and his group will do their best to help when everything goes belly-up, but I called you in here because for two reasons; Andrew Potter was there when He-Who-Shall-Not-Named returned, and secondly, it isn't a secret that when all of this is revealed people will be demanding something be done about it. And the ones they'll be demanding it from will be your Godsons."

Sirius wanted to speak up but decided to hear the Commander of the Law Division out.

"Sirius, I don't know what Albus' plan is regarding those two, but I would feel eased if they were given lessons."

"What do you mean by 'lessons'? You want to turn them into weapons?!"

"Of course not, do not put words in my mouth, Sirius Black! I am simply saying they will be targets, assuming anything different would be foolish. They need to learn to defend themselves should the need arise."

The Black Lord took a calming breath and nodded.

"You're right. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blown up like that."

"Now, I understand you recently bought a home, is it warded?"

"Yeah, got it done a few months ago."

"Good, before the students leave for the end of term, go have these wards installed."

She wrote on a piece of parchment and handed it to Sirius who took it with a small frown. Seeing his look she responded to his unasked question.

"It muddles the effects of the Trace, I don't truly understand it myself, but I know it masks the usage of a wand being used enough to shield it from our under-age scanners. So, Harry and Andrew could practice and the Ministry would simply assume that some adult was using magic."

Sirius nodded in understanding. "I'll go to Gringotts immediately and get this done." he said with a nod. "Was there anything else?"

"Actually yes, Sirius, I'm hoping you and the boys' will not blame everyone in the Ministry for the stupidity of Fudge. I want you to know, that even though we may not be able to actively patrol the roads and villages, Albus has shared a bit of information that we can keep an eye on from here."

"Thank you, Amelia. I suspect the Headmaster will share this information with the rest of us soon enough. I should get going."

Amelia nodded and watched as the man grabbed the handle and waited patiently as she cancelled the locking charms and leave the Auror Department to have the ward scheme installed on his home.

HP-AP-HP-AP-HP-AP

Hermione sat in the common room, it had been 24 hours since the announcement of Andrew winning the tournament was made. A win through a technicality since the announcement of Viktor Krum's death came soon after, killed soon after the two boys had grasped the cup.

The rumours were brutal this time around; everything from Andrew murdering Krum in a violent fit of rage over Hermione herself to an epic duel where the younger man had no choice but to kill Krum before he himself had been killed. No comments were made by the Headmaster nor any Ministry official, so in order to satisfy their curiosity, students would corner Harry and the gang and demand answers from them about what had transpired.

Harry had told the others about what Andrew had experienced in the Graveyard. The thought brought shivers to Hermione's spine. Harry was currently in the Headmaster's office which left the bushy haired Gryffindor with Ron who was sat reading a book. She blinked at the visual, Ron had certainly upped his work ethic over the past few months, but it was still odd to see him so engrossed by literature.

"What're you reading?" she asked curiously.

"Hmm? I ordered an introductory book on the different jobs in the Ministry. Did you know we had a White Collar division within the Aurors. Of course, I didn't know what White Collar division meant, until Lavender told me. I didn't even know that there were art thieves."

"Well, it's not just art, you know; it's also gems, priceless jewellery, so on and so forth."

"Yeah, I guess I never really thought about all the different jobs there are."

Hermione had to admit, Ron's interest in occupations was a welcomed surprise, perhaps he was really serious about the whole psychology pursuit.

"So you asked about Psychology, right? Well, I was thinking perhaps when we go home, I could find a few books on the subject and owl them to you."

"Really?! I mean, I know you said it'd be really tough and that it'd be a lot of work, but I promise I'm going to learn as much about it as possible, I really think it'd be good to have someone in the Wizarding world that can help people, mentally."

She smiled at her friend and nodded her head. "I agree, and if you're really willing to do the work, I think you'll make a significant change in the Wizarding World."

Ron smiled at her words and turned back to his book. Hermione turned back to the fire place and watched as the flames lazily licked the logs and allowed her mind to once again wonder.

HP-AP-HP-AP-HP-AP

"..."

"..."

"... So you're my dad?"

"Well, considering the fact that I said, 'Hello, son', honestly, I thought that would've been obvious."

"Okay, I'm not appreciating the sass, alright? You have to admit it's rather far fetched, considering the fact that I've never really met you."

The man who confessed to being Andrew's father sat beside him. A look of calm patience on his face. A face that looked similar to Andrew's if not older and slightly more worn. At Andrew's words the man nodded his head and smiled.

"Fair point. Well, it's true."

"Okay, say I believe you, why now? Why not make contact with me earlier."

"Because I didn't need to."

The young man blinked at frank response and felt his blood boil slightly.

"You didn't need to?! Didn't need- Right, so my entire identity crisis was just a slight inconvenience that you didn't need to help me through with, yeah?!"

"Andrew, those weren't life or death situations. I wasn't needed then."

"You have no fucking right to determine when I mightneed you!" Andrew yelled angrily at the man. "I needed you when I didn't know who I was! I needed you when everyone thought I was a psychotic killer or an attention seeking prat! I needed you and you weren't there! So answer my fucking question; what do you want?"

The man watched as Andrew's chest heaved at the end of his demand. He sighed and nodded his head in understanding.

"I assume you're aware of your curse."

"Dumbledore told me about it. So?"

"There is a way to end it, so that it dies with you. No longer affecting our line."

Andrew paused a moment. "You mean this thing can be stopped?"

"Yes, but the worst of it has yet to happen. When the pull is strongest, that's when you'll need to ensure that you fight."

"That was cryptic as fuck. What do you mean?!"

"You'll learn about that. For now, just work on calming your mind and controlling your emotions."

Andrew felt a sudden wave of disorientation hit him and swayed slightly.

"What- What's going on?"

"Make sure you keep the family ring safe. Change our destiny, son."

Before he could throw back some sort of insult Andrew's vision went dark and the void he had been with his father had disappeared. With a gasp he found himself lying in a room he was all too familiar with. The smell of sterilizer and gag inducing potions wafted into his nostrils. The other unchanging thing is Madam Pomfrey's uncanny ability to tell when one of her patrons had awakened as she now stood beside his bed and began running diagnostic charms over him.

"Welcome back, Mr Potter."

"Ah, yes, Hotel Hospital Wing. Of course, I'm back here."

"Would you prefer Saint Mungo's, Mr Potter?"

"That's an unfair question and you know it. I've never been." he responded cheekily.

The Medi-Witch huffed at him before seemingly accepting the diagnosis.

"So, what's the word, Madam P? Will I be able to walk again?"

She ignored his dramatics.

"Everything seems alright, though there is still stress from your limbs and muscles. Gods, both you and your brother always seem to leave me speechless with your injuries. Why can't you two ever just have a broken arm or dislocation? Honestly."

"Well, sorry for making your job slightly more interesting."

"You will stay here." she informed him, again ignoring his words. "Headmaster Dumbledore wished to be informed when you awakened."

As she walked away Andrew frowned at her curtness, Madam Pomfrey was usually down for a few verbal barbs thrown, but it seemed as though she was "keeping her distance" for a lack of a better term.

The braided boy made to sit up in his bed and felt a sharp pain rocket through his limbs and released a hiss at the sudden assault on his joints.

"I wouldn't recommend you move around so much."

Looking at the voice revealed Dumbledore standing a few beds away from his own, a severe looking woman standing beside him. The Headmaster had a look of calm on his face and Andrew felt as though this was no regular visit.

"Where are Harry and the others?" he asked with a small frown.

"Probably resting in their beds, it is rather late. Andrew, this is Madam Amelia Bones, she is the current Head of the Magical Law Department in the Ministry."

"Good Evening, Mister Potter." the woman greeted with a small nod of her head.

He returned the gesture before frowning slightly, "Bones, like Susan Bones?"

"The very same, she is my niece." she told him with another nod.

"Ah, well... I'm sure she hasn't painted me in the brightest light in her letters to her family." he said while looking away.

"She isn't your biggest fan, no. She believes you stole the limelight from one of her house, Mr Diggory."

"Her and more than half the school." he muttered bitterly.

Dumbledore walked over to the boy's bed and conjured a chair for himself and Madam Bones who joined him.

"Andrew, we're here to hear about what happened in the graveyard." Dumbledore told him softly.

"I told Harry already... I thought that was why you guys came, to stop him."

"Yes, and we have the cauldron as well as two of his men. What we're asking for Andrew, are details." Madam Bones clarified while leaning forward in her seat. "You must understand that we're missing large portions of the story, we want to get ahead of this before the Krums make some potentially worrying accusations."

"Wait, you don't think they'd try and pin his death on me, would you?"

At their silence, Andrew's eyes grew wide in shock and he suddenly sat up, ignoring the ache of his body.

"Hold on! Okay, yes, I hated the guy, like I really disliked him, but not enough to kill him!"

"And we believe you, truly we do." Dumbledore stated quickly in an attempt to calm him.

"But the public might not, with all the articles Rita Skeeter made about you, most of them negative, most of the Wizarding World already believe they know who you are, and the version of you in their minds is a violent, angry, ex-boyfriend of the girl Krum was assumed to have a relationship with."

Andrew blinked at that and felt his brain short-circuit. "People aren't that stupid, right?"

At their silence, he groaned loudly and angrily. He looked between the two adults who sat patiently awaiting his response. He knew where they were coming from; outside of helping him, this would potentially help derail an International Incident. A foreign student dying on British soil was probably something the Ministry wanted to not deal with. Add in the fact that Krum was a Quidditch star basically made him a sort of Royal figure.

If he didn't help nip this problem in the bud here and now, it would bring nothing but problems for him and his family and friends. With a sigh Andrew looked back to Dumbledore who gave the boy an encouraging smile and slight nod.

"... Fine, so it started when Krum and I both grabbed the cup and wound up in the graveyard-"