September 4, 1985

The Australian Magical Times lead article:

Surprise Duelling Master Competing in Next Week's Australian National Duelling Championship

The name of Westley Farmer is an unfamiliar one to almost everyone here in magical Australia, unless you have been following the magical duelling circuit over the past several months. From out of nowhere, this young wizard arrived on the scene and promptly went on to win all of the major competitions. This young wizard arrived without any introduction, and without any record of formal magical schooling. But who is this skilled wizard? Where did he come from? Who trained him?

We were able to meet up with this mysterious young man prior to one of his duels, and we learned only a bare minimum of facts. He is in his mid or early twenties, he was homeschooled by various private tutors, and his family is originally from England. His minimalist answers only left this reporter with more questions. Questions which we have endeavoured to answer for you all.

Westley Farmer apparently took his mother's maiden name, and there is not much information that can be found on that magical family and apparently his mother was a half-blood or a muggle born witch. However, we were able to learn that Westley's father is the late Alphard Black, who had emigrated to Australia over 20 years ago from America and previous to that from England. The once powerful and feared Black family from England has a new scion that they were apparently not even aware existed.

Alphard Black was shunned from his family for being a squib, however he was actually a wizard, but from reports his magic was quite weak compared to many in the Black family. Long considered a dark family, several prominent members of recent generations were closely linked to the dark lord who led the recent wizarding war and rebellion against the British Ministry of Magic.

The skill and prowess that Mister Farmer has shown indicate that he must have a clear link to the Black family heritage. Only time will tell if he will follow in the paths of various witches and wizards in the Black family and make a name for himself.


~~~Mib~~~


April 1985, London

Arcturus was pacing slowly in the waiting room at St. Thomas' hospital. It was the muggle style suit that seemed to bother him more than just being in the presence of muggles. The glamour charm he had used to make him unrecognisable to any magical people they might run into was also disconcerting to himself every time he caught a slight glimpse of his visage. The greying red hair with beard made him feel more like a Weasley than a Black, and it had been a couple of generations since any Black had any real contact with a Weasley.

A cough from the muggle doctor who approached him caught his attention and distracted him from his rambling thoughts. Arcturus wondered why this muggle healer, or surgeon, seemed to always be wearing blue pyjamas, but that was apparently what he wore when he worked on patients in the operating room.

"Mister Black," said the surgeon, "your grandson is doing well, and he is in recovery. You should be able to see him soon. The scar tissue from his forehead has been removed. Honestly, it is a good thing we removed it. The layer of tissue under the scar was quite necrotic. He was at risk for developing a serious infection, or just complete skin breakdown in the area. Getting the dead tissue removed will only aid in the healing process. Honestly, I think the resultant scar, which will be more vertical than the zig zag scar he had originally will eventually fade and probably not be noticeable at all."

"Thank you, Mr. Harmatz, I appreciate all that you have done," stated Arcturus. "It is bad enough he suffered from this bullies who attacked him when he was so young, it was only complicated that no one saw fit to having it properly cared for while he was growing up."

The plastic surgeon smiled in response. "It's what we do. Restorative surgery or repairs of facial injuries, those are the important part of this job. Much more important than the cosmetic surgery which is what we are too often known for more than this type of work."

"Again, thank you sir," repeated Arcturus.

Within the next hour Arcturus and Harry were making their way down the side streets from St. Thomas Hospital on their way towards Grimmauld Place. They chose not to apparate so as not to risk affecting the healing that was taking place form the recent surgery.

Once they arrived back at the Black home, Arcturus summoned Kreacher who had obtained various magical healing potions and salves. "Starting this evening, you will begin to apply the essence of dittany, then start using the salve in the morning. The healing spells will be more effective tomorrow after you have had the first magical treatments."

Two weeks later….

Arcturus was seated at his desk in his study when Harry entered the room. Upon hearing the light footsteps, he looked up to see the young man who was standing before him. He squinted his eyes slightly and nodded appreciatively as he spoke.

"The healing has gone quite well, no evidence of a scar with simple inspection," said the Black patriarch. He continued to nod and smile as he stared at the forehead. "I think we're ready to start your education on Black family spells, and to prepare you to enter the duelling tournaments in Australia."

Harry smiled at those words. He had been hesitant to delve into the Black family library very much on his own, particularly after Sirius had gone through the veil. He rubbed his hand through his dark hair.

Arcturus stood up and grinned at the young man facing him. "This should be fun. I haven't practiced the family magic for some time. So, down to the duelling chamber in the basement."

After several hours of duelling and teaching Harry new spells, the two men arrived back in Arcturus' study, both of them winded from their use of magic.

Arcturus flipped through some parchment on his desk. Then he looked back up to Harry. "So everything seems in order for you to travel to Australia and assume your identity of, Westley the farm boy? Strange name."

"Westley," stated Harry. "Westley Farmer. He was a farm boy."

"From a muggle movie, you said," commented Arcturus as he still puzzled over the name. "Won't the muggles figure it out?"

Harry laughed at the question. "Considering it is from a movie that won't be released for a couple of more years, I doubt it. People who may have read the book might wonder if there is a connection, or more than likely just think it is a strange coincidence. But then again, I doubt many witches or wizards would have read a book by a muggle author."

Arcturus shook his head. "Well, it bloody well isn't a name from a powerful magical family."

"Not yet," said Harry with a smile.


~~~Mib~~~


September 9, 1985

Sydney Australia

Australian Ministry of Magic

Department of Records

The clerk at the desk was flustered.

"This is unprecedented," he muttered. "Why is everyone asking about this young man?"

"I don't know who this everyone is that you speak of," stated the man with the shiny Acromentula silk robes, "but your country's newspaper claimed this young man is a member of my family. And I expect that someone will either confirm or refute this claim for me. And I expect it to happen now."

The clerk started to shake slightly when he looked back at the man in front of him. "And your name, sir?"

Arcturus raised his voice a little more as he spoke slowly and clearly. "I am Lord Arcturus Black, of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Surely this country isn't such a backwater collection of criminals and fools that you have never heard to the House of Black?"

The clerk's eyes went wide and he dropped the parchments he was holding onto the floor. He immediately knelt down to grab the parchment, and quickly stood up only to hit his head on the edge of his desk. "Just a minute, Lord Black, we'll get this sorted out right away."

Before the befuddled clerk could do anything else another man walked out from the office behind him.

"What is going on out here, Nigel? Must you make such a racket?" said the man.

Nigel turned around. "It's Lord Black, all the way here from England, Mister Pennington. He's here to enquire about Westley Farmer, the duelist , the one mentioned in that article."

Mr. Pennington's eyes went wide for a moment then he stood straighter and turned to the older man standing across from the desk. "Lord Black! Welcome to Sydney, to the Australian Ministry of Magic! What can we do for you?"

Arcturus closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath before staring pointedly at Pennington. "You can provide for me the information of which I seek. I was made aware of this article published in your country's magical newspaper indicating that my nephew, Alphard, had moved here years ago and apparently had a son, one Westley Farmer. If he is who this reporter claims him to be, then he is a member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and he could possibly be the heir of my house. So, clearly you understand the urgency of which I require confirmation of said postulated heritage."

Pennington nodded, "Why of course, we should have that information and all of the associated documentation right here." He then turned to the clerk, Nigel. "Do you not have all of that information at hand?"

Nigel waved his hand around the room pointing at various tables and stacks of parchment until he finally tapped his head on one side. "Oh, yes, it should be right over here," he said as he turned slowly to his left, paused and scratched his chin for a moment. "Or was it over here," he stated as he turned back to his right.

"Nigel, you just had the documents yesterday," stated a frustrated Pennington.

"That is correct sir," said Nigel. "Of course!" he exclaimed, turned back to his desk and picked up a stack of folders that was placed in a basket to his left. "Here is the folder sir!"

Pennington snapped it out of Nigel's hand and started flipping through it. "Ah, here we are," he said as he pulled out a slightly browned piece of parchment. "It says here that one Westley Roberts Farmer was born to Alphard Black-Farmer and Robyn Farmer, on July 31, 1960, in Brisbane. Their residence is listed but seems to have been magically obscured from this document."

Arcturus frowned. "My idiotic nephew changed his name? If he was here now I'd threaten to kick him out of the Black family. Again."

Pennington just stared at Lord Black, not sure how to respond.

Arcturus noticed the staring and raised an eyebrow. "So, this Westley Farmer, my great nephew, or so it would seem, is competing in the Australian National Duelling Tournament?"

"Yes, why yes he is," answered Pennington now sporting a large grin. "He's quite the remarkable wizard. Came out of nowhere and has just absolutely dominated the duelling circuit this season. In fact he has generated more interest in the duelling competitions than they've had in years, or decades."

"Where is this duelling championship being held?" asked Arcturus, a little more politely.

"Oh, why at the Australian Ministry of Magic function hall," said Pennington. Noting the questioning look on Lord Black's face, he explained further. "The Ministry holds all the important events there. Awards ceremonies, balls and parties. But for something like this, the tournament, they have the inside of the building magically expanded so thousands of people can come and watch."

"Very well," stated Arcturus. "I shall look for him there."

With that he spun on his heal and walked out of the office.


~~~Mib~~~


September 14, 1985

The Australian National Duelling Championship

The preliminary rounds for the tournament had been completed and the championship brackets were to start this day. Thousands of wizards and witches were in the stands while the competitors were gathering near the duelling platform.

A hush fell over the hall as people pointed and stared at the older wizard in acromentula silk robes made his way to the front row with the Australian Minister for Magic at his side.

Westley and Amanda looked up from where they were seated and looked over at the two making their way towards the front row. Westley rubbed his forehead slightly and muttered, "Of course you would have to show up with the Minister for Magic of all people."

Amanda turned and looked at Westley. "What was that?"

"Nothing," said Westley quickly. "Just thinking out loud that I am surprised to see the Minister for Magic arrive."

Amanda narrowed her eyes slightly at Westley but then shrugged and went back to working on her mental preparations for the upcoming duels.

The commotion continued as the Minister and the man he was with did not stop at their seats but proceeded past the barrier and were making their way directly towards Westley.

"They're coming to see you," stated Amanda.

"I don't need this right now," he responded quietly.

The Brian Dennison, the Director of Magical Games and Competition came forward to the Minister and then pointed over at Westley. The three men then made their way over towards Westley.

"Mr. Farmer," called out Dennison as the group arrived, "allow me to present to you the Australian Minister for Magic, Christopher Hemingway and Arcturus Black, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, here from England."

Westley was standing and facing the trio. "Minister," he greeted with a smile and a slight bow of his head. "Lord Black," he added, inkling his head in the direction of the Englishman.

"You've created quite a name for yourself in such a short time, Mr. Farmer," stated the Minister with a broad grin. "We've been following your progress through these tournaments, and the articles in the Magical Times. Quite the mystery behind you, son, quite the mystery indeed."

Westley just inclined his head slightly, acting as though he had no idea where this was heading.

The minister continued, "And those articles have caught the attention of Lord Black here, all the way back in London. And he ventured here to meet you. He thinks you may be a long lost heir of the Black family!"

Westley rubbed his face with his hand as he looked back and forth between Minister Hemingway and the Lord Black. Westley shook his head, "Me? A Black? Who in my family was a Black?" Westley managed to make his voice sound incredulous as he spoke.

Arcturus spoke up next. "Your father, Alphard Farmer, changed his name. He was born Alphard Black, but left England many years ago. Apparently he was trying to distance himself from some members of the family. He tried to distance himself so much so that he changed his last name."

Westley shook his head slightly in response and then tried to speak, but his first few attempts no words came out. He rubbed his forehead once and then looked up at Lord Black. "So, what does that mean? More specifically, for me, what does that all mean for me?"

Arcturus did not allow any emotion to cross his face. "What it means is that I would like to verify who you are, what your lineage is, and if you are a son of the House of Black, then I would like you to return to England with me and take your rightful place as an heir, as the heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black."

"What? Right now? I am a little busy right now," stated Westley.

Amanda was covering her mouth to hide her smile and to stop herself from laughing at Westley's response. Dennison and Minister Hemingway both had visible reaction of surprise on their faces.

"Well, of course not right now, not today," stated the minister.

"The Minister is correct, Westley," added Arcturus. "I can wait patiently and watch you compete and probably win this tournament. I will plan to meet with you again when the tournament is over, Monday evening. We can discuss any details then, and answer any remaining questions that you may have at that time as well."

Arcturus nodded towards Westley and then turned and walked away, followed by the Australian Minister for Magic and the tournament official.

Westley turned slowly and came face to face with Amanda, whose mouth was agape. "You're, you're really a Black?" She held a hand in front of her mouth as she gaped at him.

Westley shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Apparently I am. Whatever that means I do not know as of yet," he added.

Amanda seemed more wary of him now, something that did not go unnoticed by Westley. "You're from Australia, but you know of they Black family, this Lord Black who just came and spoke with me?"

Amanda couldn't stop the blush from spreading to her face. She closed her eyes and she shook her head. Then she looked back at the man in front of her. "You grew up away from the magical world, here in Australia, being tutored by Merlin knows who, but you never learned of your family or your heritage?"

Again Westley shrugged, "I suppose you're about to tell me about this Black family then."

"You do know about the recent magical war that they had over there?" she asked. "Pureblood supremacists fighting against the muggle born and the supposed blood traitors, led by a dark wizard who they referred to as He Who Must Not Be Named."

Westley rubbed a hand through his hair on one side and shook his head. "No, I am not aware of this."

Amanda rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. "The story is that this dark wizard was somehow defeated by a little boy, barely much more than a year old. He is called 'The Boy Who Lived' as they claim he survived the killing curse. Well, two of his most powerful supporters were members of the Black family."

Westley raised an eyebrow, wordlessly telling her to continue with her story.

Amanda nodded and then she continued. "One of the Blacks, a Bellatrix Black, was married to a man named Rodolphus Lestrange. The Lestrange family was more dark than the Blacks even if they were not necessarily as powerful as the Blacks."

Westley rubbed his chin as he considered what she had to say. "You seem to know a lot about both of those families. "

Amanda took a deep breath before she responded to his comment. "Well, my father left England before the war started, before I was born. He was considered an outcast of his family as he did not support the pure-blood bigotry that was so rampant over there. My father changed his name when he moved away from England, from Lestrange, to Lester. He was trying to distance himself from his family in distance and in name. Rodolphus Lestrange is my cousin. Not that I would ever want to meet him or his brother or acknowledge them as family."

Westley raised his eyebrows at her statement.

Amanda gave him a pointed look. "Your father, Alphard Black, left the Black family and England for some reason. And that reason was important to him. And maybe it was similar to why my father left England and the Lestrange family. So you are in no position to judge me." Her last words came out more harshly than she had originally intended.

Westley held up both of his hands, "No, no, I'm not judging. I'm just amazed that we both find ourselves in similar situations. That's all."

Just then a bell sounded indicating the next rounds of duelling were about to start.

"Good luck in your next duel," said Westley as Amanda turned to go back to her seat.

She paused and smiled at him before replying, "I'm not about to wish you good luck because so far you have shown that you don't need it."


Monday, September 16, 1985

Private meeting room at the Australian Ministry of Magic.

Arcturus Black was seated at one end of a conference table. One of the minister's aides opened the door to the room and lead in Westley Farmer. Once Westley was seated, the aide left the room.

"Congratulations on your victory in the duelling tournament," said Arcturus as he looked to make sure the room was secure. "I expected nothing less from a scion of House Black."

"Thank you, Lord Black," replied Westley.

"Enough of this formality young man, you can call me Arcturus. I knew your father and I respected him, and it is not right how he was mistreated by the House of Black. "I, for one, would have preferred if he would have stayed in England, however, there were those, too many, within the family that were vocal in their support for the recent dark lord, and I am sure that is at least part of what drove him to leave our land."

"Very well, Arcturus, and I appreciate your sentiments," said Westley.

"Now, as to the purpose of this meeting and the reasons for it being held here at the Australian Ministry of Magic," continued Arcturus. "You are legally a citizen of this country. I would like to extend to you an invitation for you to return to England with me, to your family's roots, and consider taking up your rightful place with the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. And if you accept, we can begin with the official paperwork here so as to be able to expedite your return to England."

"And if I travel with you to England, and I decide that I do not like it there," Westley began to question the old man seated opposite to him.

"Then we will arrange for your return to the country of your birth," said Arcturus.

"Very well, then I look forward to this adventure that awaits," said Westley.

Upon his words, the door opened up and the Minister for Magic and his aide entered the room.

"We have the required documents to enable you to emigrate to England," said the minister. "And be assured that you will be welcomed back at anytime you wish to return to your home here in Australia."

"I appreciate that very much, Minister Hemingway," said Westley.

In a few short minutes the required documentation was signed and witnessed.

As soon as everything was completed, Arcturus smiled and spoke to Westley. "Now that these formalities are complete, why don't you and I go enjoy a relaxing dinner together, if that would be okay with the Minister."

"Sounds like a good way to finish this evening," replied Westley.

Twenty minutes later the two were seated at a restaurant and had ordered their meal. Arcturus had discretely placed a privacy charm around their table.

"Now that we have completed the charade in front of the Minister for Magic, we can plan your return to England," said Arcturus.

"I was almost surprised at how quickly they entered the room to have the documentation completed," said Westley. "You were quite right that they would be listening in to our conversation."

Arcturus nodded slightly. "We have an international port-key scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. You may wish to say your goodbyes to the young witch you have befriended from your tournaments before you leave."

"I will ask Amanda if she would like to return to England with me," said Westley/Harry. "Her surname is Lester. She told me that her father changed it when he moved here, leaving England and his family behind."

Arcturus leaned back and narrowed his eyes for a few minutes. "Perhaps her father is Dominus Lestrange, younger brother to Corvus. Corvus claimed that his brother died from the dragon pox some thirty years ago." He smiled broadly, "That's wonderful, actually, as it would give more credence to this story that we are creating for you, that another family had a wayward son who ended up raising a family in Australia."

"I'm not sure that she would want all of that made public," said Harry.

"That, of course, would be left entirely up to her, and her father," said Arcturus. "I do believe that our plan has enough to support it as it is. Once we make our return to England, I will, of course, make an official announcement in the Daily Prophet. I will speak with the Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold. Of course we shall need to plan a celebration of sorts to celebrate the return of the lost sheep to the Black family."

"Yes, Arcturus, you already explained all of this to me before I left for Australia and to compete in these tournaments," said Harry.

"Westley really just won't do once I announce you as a scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. We'll need a proper Black family name,"mused Arcturus. "One that would convey your strengths. People won't know you as the boy who lived, yet you have survived the killing curse multiple times and you have become a most formidable wizard."

Harry tilted his head to the side slightly as he considered Arcturus' words.

"A part of the family was once thought cut off, but yet you return, more formidable than anyone who knew Alphard would have ever guessed," continued Arcturus as he was thinking out loud.

Then his eyes lit up and a broad smile reached his face. "Like the hydra of old, and the largest constellation in the night sky, you have returned, stronger than before. Yes, Hydrae, that will work as a name for you. That will work indeed."


~~~Mib~~~


Tuesday, September 17, 1985

Westley (Harry) had a meeting at lunch time with Amanda Lester. She had heard that he was planning on returning to England with his new grandfather, or great uncle, or whatever this relation was. Her father had given her a little background of the Black family and she was wary of the old man who came to speak with Westley.

"You seem distracted," said Westley as he put down the sandwich he was eating.

Amanda snapped her head quickly to face him again. She had been staring out the window of the restaurant, reviewing in her mind everything that her father had told her about the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. And nothing she had heard made her happy about Westley leaving Australia with that man, Arcturus Black.

"It's nothing," she said.

Westley frowned at her. "I can tell when your are not being truthful. I can discern what spells you are about to cast from the end of the duelling platform, surely I can tell that you are hiding something when I am seated just a meter away from you."

She sighed and shook her head slightly. "Fine, I'm not happy about your leaving. I don't trust the Black family, not with everything my father has told me."

"Then come with me. Join me as I travel to England. See for yourself what it is like, what Arcturus is trying to do to reestablish the Black family. He wants to establish the Black family as a leader within the present day magical world and not continue to continue to support the falsehood of pure blood supremacy." Westley was smiling broadly as he explained this to Amanda.

"I can't, I just can't do it," she said.

Westley noted a tear forming in the corner of one of her eyes.

"I'm not happy about your leaving, but honestly I am not worried about you," she continued. "You are a master with a wand. The unheralded duelling champion of Australia is unlikely to be bullied or intimidated by anyone in England, or anywhere for that manner."

Westley sighed and leaned back into his seat. "So, there is nothing I can do that can change your mind?"

Amanda's smile did not hide her sadness. "No, I am not about to change my mind. Hey, with your leaving for England, I actually have a shot at winning the duelling title next year."

Westley smiled awkwardly at her comment.

Amanda reached out and took his hand, squeezing it slightly. "No, I am not ready to leave Australia, and my father is not ready to return there. Particularly with all the attention you will be receiving as the lost son of Black. He does not want to take a chance that anyone would recognise him as a Lestrange."

The meal was finished in a companionable silence. Westley looked up at the clock on the wall, and took a deep breath. "I need to head to the ministry, it is nearing the time of our port-key to travel to London."

Westley stood up from the table, as did Amanda. She stepped forward and engulfed him in a tight hug. She then stepped away as she looked him in the eyes. "Be safe, but I know you will. Follow your heart. If you are meant to stay in England, I am sure that you will sort that out. Perhaps someday we will meet again."

Westley leaned forward and left a kiss on her forehead. "I will miss you, terribly."

Amanda ignored his words. "You need to get going, you said so yourself. And I will not be the reason that you miss your trip to England. Now, turn around and go, before I hex you."

Westley didn't speak, but reached out and lifted her chin with his hand, and placed a quick kiss on her lips and then he turned and left the restaurant.


AN: I have taken some liberties with the family members of the Lestrange and Black families. Several reviewers have been critical of Harry and Arcturus not retrieving young Harry yet from the Dursleys. They are trying to establish this new Harry (Westley) before they stir u the waters too much. Also, several reviews have pointed out that Westley Farmer is not a Black family name. Of course it isn't. But as you just read, that will be changing.