I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC

Hello guys, Badger here. I hope everyone is well today. After the previous two chapters being quite long and full of action, this one is relatively shorter and is more calm then the previous ones, which is why it was quick and easy to write and publish. This chapter also acts a mainly filler, setting up plots and scenes for future chapters but, I like it. I feel like its a nice way for the story to calm down a bit, before any more action starts. I will say though, it was a struggle trying to get this chapter to upload on my document manager. Not only was it taking forever for the file to upload everything on the word document, but sometimes my link to get onto the site sometimes wouldn't work either and I'd have to get on another way. But hey, we're here now, so its all good.

That is all I have to say for now, I hope you enjoy and I will see you at the end.

Chapter 56

Lord Badger, I presume?

There was a small, awkward silence, as the Trio sat in a train compartment, with Luna and Susan. After Voldemort had revealed himself during the Final Task, all students were sent home early, with many afraid of another war starting. Sirius, himself, was a little worried too. When he visited Harry and James in the Medical Wing, he told them he was going to set up a room in Grimmauld Place, so he can teach them everything he can when it came to magic. The compartment shook slightly, as the train turned on the tracks, which made Harry snap out of his thoughts. James, Luna and Susan were currently asleep in their seats, not stirred by the sudden jolt, only Harry and Daphne were awake. Harry's eyes turned soft with concern as his gaze fell onto his friend, his brother. Ever since James found out his uncle murdered his parents, he was growing more distant from everyone else. Not to mention, the air turned cold and thick with tension whenever he was around, his eyes a short jump away from fury.

"Don't worry so much Harry, he'll be fine" Daphne spoke up, being careful to not wake up the others.

"How can you be sure Daphne?" Harry asked, sounding frustrated as he turned to look at her, the emeralds of his eyes almost glowing

Daphne went to reply, but closed her mouth again. She wasn't entirely sure what to say. She, too, had been watching James with concern. She had never seen him act this way before. If Daphne was being honest, she didn't believe her words either.

"Because…I know he will" She said after a moment "James is strong, like you…he will be fine, as his friends, we just have to help him when we can…and we need to know when to leave him alone"

Harry nodded, though it was clear his frustration wasn't quenched. Daphne could understand why. She knew Harry wanted to help James. Ever since the two first met, James had helped Harry anyway he could. Harry just wanted to return the favour and not knowing how, when James was in a bad state and would need help now more then ever, was grating Harry's nerves. Daphne just hoped James will get out of his dark place soon.

The rest of the journey home was silent and James, Susan and Luna continued to sleep. When they were close to the station, Harry and Daphne woke them up, which they weren't entirely happy about. When the train pulled to a stop, not a single word was said, as they gathered their luggage and made their way onto the platform. Harry gave Susan a kiss goodbye and waited for James, who was approached Xenophilius Lovegood.

"You go on ahead Harry" James said "I'll catch up"

Harry was reluctant to leave, but did so with a nod and quickly passed through the barrier.

"What can I do for you sir?" James asked

"Please, call me Xenophilius, no need for this 'sir' stuff" Xenophilius smiled "I was hoping to find you before you left, so I could give you something…now where is it?"

As Xenophilius was looking through his pockets, a small glint of silver caught James' attention. It was a small necklace. A pendant. It was oddly shaped, consisting of a triangle, with a line going down the middle and a circle in the center. James tilted his head slightly, wondering why the symbol seemed oddly familiar…like he had seen it somewhere before. He shook his head, ridding those thoughts, when Xenophilius pulled a notebook out of his coat pocket and handed it to him.

"This is for you" He said "I lost the original books years ago, but I had wrote down many different spells and incantations in here…I heard about what happened and I apologise for what had happened and what you were told…I believe these my help you"

James gently took the note book and skimmed through the pages. Not only were there offensive and defensive spells, but also healing charms, illusion spells and also several mind defence incantations written in the notebook.

"Thank you Xenophilius" James said, sincerely, looking at the man in shock

"Don't worry about it, if you need anything, my boy, just let me know" Xenophilius smiled "Come Luna, we must be going now"

Luna took a moment to say goodbye to James, wrapping him in a hug and giving him a small kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"I'll see you soon James" She said "Promise you'll write to me and…don't lose yourself"

James nodded and gave Luna another hug, before watching her leave with her father. Once the two were out of sight, he made his way to the barrier. Before he did anything else, there is one thing he needed to do.

There was a small breeze, coming from an open window, as Voldemort sat on his throne. He was residing in the home of a willing, loyal and unlikely servant. He couldn't use Malfoy Manor again, as Lucius was currently on the run, as his name was called out in the graveyard and the Minister heard it from the Viewing Pensieve. No matter. Currently, only he and Michael Badger were in the room, discussing their duels in the graveyard. Voldemort was genuinely impressed with his fight against Harry. He could almost feel the boys power. Michael was also, more than thrilled with the power his nephew had possessed. However, Michael spoke of an idea, that had Voldemort leaning in his seat, with a small amount of intrigue.

"So, let me get this straight Michael" He said, his voice slow and smooth "You want to try and get your nephew, a boy you were trying to kill, to join our cause?"

"Yes" Michael nodded "I may have tried to kill him, but that was because I didn't know how strong he was…despite his young age, he is powerful then most double his age and will most likely become more powerful with the right training…just imagine what we could do with such power on our side"

"I admit, it does make me wonder, plus I think it would satisfying to see Potter have to fight and possibly kill his best friend" Voldemort smirked, his eyes glowing dark shade of crimson, at the thought "How can you be sure the boy will turn?"

"I don't think he will" Michael admitted "I'll do my best, but if he refuses my offer, then he is an enemy like all the others…and I wish to be the one who kills him"

"He is all yours my friend" Voldemort waved dismissively "The boy is no concern of mine…how do you plan on speaking to the boy anyway?"

"Through means of magic so complicated, I don't know how to properly explain it" Michael shrugged "You'll just have to trust me"

Voldemort's eyes narrowed as he looked at the man, but nodded after a moment. Usually he would question further, but it was clear he wouldn't get an answer. Michael, he found, was pretty stubborn. Usually, Voldemort wouldn't allow such stubbornness, but Michael was different to the others. He just hoped Michael did what he said he would.

James walked through Gringotts, towards the Goblin that sat at the front desk, which didn't tower over him as much, like it used to. After a polite clearing of his throat, the goblin looked up and sat up straighter, upon seeing James.

"Mr Badger" He said "How can I help you?"

"I would like to see Badger account manager Silver-Blood, so I can claim my title and inheritance" James replied

The Goblin nodded and led James down a small corridor and towards a door with the Badger Family Crest: The head of a badger on a shield, dragon wings on both sides, and a ribbon going across the shield which read: Non est lux et tenebrae, solum intentae.

'There is no light or dark, only intent' James recited in his head, upon seeing the ribbon, before entering the room.

James sat, waiting, for a few moments, until another Goblin, Silver-Blood, entered, holding a scroll and a knife.

"Mr Badger, good to see you again" Silver-Blood said "I'm surprised you want to claim your title, I thought you said you weren't going to do so, until you were seventeen"

"That was the idea, but something happened" James replied

"What was that then?" Silver-Blood asked, as he got the scroll ready

"My uncle returned…and he was with Volde…You-Know-Who" James growled

"Oh" Silver-Blood said, until realisation hit him "Oh, I see…I imagine you are doing this so he doesn't get the titleship…well, I'm sure you know what needs to be done"

James nodded, as he took the knife, before slicing his thumb, before smearing his blood against a box imprinted on the scroll. There was a small glow, as a ring appeared on his middle finger, whilst writing appeared on the scroll. The ring was a platinum band, with multiple engravings of runes that wrapped around a squared, finely cut, obsidian gem.

"Congratulations Lord Badger" Silver-Blood spoke "As well as the Badger title, you have been left Badger fortune, consisting of 100 million Galleons, an the Badger Manor in Dorset. You also have a seat on the Wizengamot, which you will need a proxy for…is that all for today Lord Badger?"

"Yes, Silver-Blood, thank you" James nodded, before leaving the room

James walked out of Gringotts in deep thought, as he fiddled with the ring. Right now, he didn't care about the money, or the manor house. The seat on the Wizengamot wasn't a problem either, he was sure Sirius would agree to being the proxy. No. None of that was on his mind. Silver-Blood was correct in his assumptions. James was sure that his father had named James the heir before his death, but that probably wouldn't stop his uncle from trying to get his hands on the title and fortune. Now that it belonged to him, James wouldn't have to worry about such a thing from happening. The only thing he needed to worry about now, was training not only himself, but Harry. No doubt Voldemort and Michael will come after them again, in the future. However, when they do, they'll be ready for them.

New chapter, done.

What did you think? In the previous chapter, someone told me they would like to see more of Daphne, as she hasn't had any proper scenes for a few chapters. I do apologise for this. Even though one of the stories main focus points is the friendship between Harry and James, I can understand this, so I gave her a small moment at the start of this chapter. I will try to give her more scenes as well in the future.

We also have a small scene between Voldemort and Michael. Did I forget to mention Michael is based off of my real life uncle? Anyway, Lucius is on the run...good. Also, yes, there will be a small moment between James and his uncle, before you ask. QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER: Who is the 'Unlikely Servant' Voldemort mentions in this chapter? Leave your theories down below.

Then we come up to the main focus of this chapter: James claiming his titleship. Something that I came up with a lot later on, when planning this story. What do you guys think of this scene? One thing that took a lot of consideration was the quote on the Badger Family Crest, which James says is: There is no Light or Dark, only intent. I feel like this matches his character: He uses dark curses and spells, but isn't a dark wizard if you understand my meaning. I thought it was a nice touch, anyway.

Nothing else really to note on with this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and expect the next one to publish in the next couple of days, depending on how long it takes to write and how much time I have available to write.

Badger out.