Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: I know it seems slow. Yes, I plan on putting everything together as quickly as I can write, edit and publish. Reviews and patience welcome :-). This is my last chapter before Christmas and as my Christmas present to everyone: it is a long chapter :-). Merry Christmas everyone!

Ch. XVIII: Nursery Rhymes and Dangerous Times Part II

Sirius paused. "Can we overtake the Lestrange Vaults now? I mean, they're in Azkaban and I think we need to strike while the iron is hot." Sirius' lips thinned. "I believe my escape will only energize efforts...and I don't want Harry to be another target." He rolled his shoulders, feeling tense. "I feel like I have enough enemies as it is...and with Harry? Being famous will surely make him more of a target...aside from the whole Dark Lord thing, he has Dumbledore." Sirius scowled darkly.

"Agreed," Ragnok said. He summoned Capt. Lockjaw and Lawyer Flameclaw. "These Goblins are a part of the team, Lord Sirius." He said briefly as the Goblins entered and respectfully inclined their head to Sirius who returned the favor.

Ragnok handed Flameclaw the document and the Goblin laughed when he read it. "I'll tweak some of the wording, Lord Black." Flameclaw said. "But I believe we will need to hand over this document when we see Madam Bones on Monday."

Capt. Lockjaw agreed. "Per Goblin Law, we can enter the Lestrange Vaults with you here. Would you like us to bring in the Lestrange Account Manager?"

Sirius shook his head as he set his teacup down. "I'd rather not until after the meeting with Madam Bones provides fruitful results." He said matter-of-factly.

Ragnok rose and everyone followed him to the door. "Kreacher," Sirius commanded softly. "Remain in case Harry needs you." Glancing to his left. "My Lady? If you will accompany me?"

The House-Witch appeared. "Of course, Lord Sirius." She eyed the Goblins. "Best let me go first, gentlemen." She said smoothly. "I can imagine Bellatrix Lestrange using Black Blood Wards about her Dowry Vault."

Sirius did not glance behind him to where Harry is. He needed to steel himself in the event there is more to the Lestrange Vaults than he wanted to believe.

Glad I didn't have much breakfast. He thought grimly.

The House-Witch placed her icy hand on Sirius' shoulder in order to cause invisibility over him. Normally, most enchantments would be canceled. However, they had permission from the Director as Capt. Lockjaw and Lawyer Flameclaw stayed a few paces behind the Director where Sirius remained encircled.

Ragnok flicked his wrist and a Goblin cart appeared. All of them went inside and were brought deep into Gringotts Bank where its high security vaults remained. Sirius shuddered when he saw the blinded Dragon before him and heard the terrible sound of Goblin clankers. The Dragon withdrew immediately in anticipation of being punished.*

Ragnok placed his palm against the Vault door. He canceled the Gemino and Flagrante Curses* and stepped aside for Her Ladyship to precede them.

Sérephine hissed. "She has several Black Blood Wards in this room." Turning to Sirius she said quietly. "May I absorb them, Lord Sirius? There is definitely something very wrong in this Vault and I fear it might be related to what harms Our Heir."

Sirius' eyes flashed. "Do what you have to My Lady," he said crisply. "Make sure not to harm Our Heir if you can help it."

She nodded. "All of you must remain outside." The House-Witch said sternly. "I cannot protect you while I take the Wards down."

The Goblins exchanged wary looks and nodded. Sirius accompanied them and turned to Ragnok.

"Would you be willing to remain under a Black Protection Spell?" Sirius asked quietly, in case anyone else would recognize his voice.

"Yes, milord." Ragnok said just as quietly. Black eyes watching in anticipation as his employees came closer.

Sirius murmured something none could quite catch. Ragnok easily recognized Arcturus' wand and waited as Sirius commanded a large dome to encompass the four of them.

The dome's reflection is a strange pattern of Raven's feathers and Basilisk scales.

It pulsated with Dark, predatory magic and swirled around them. It made their rough, patchy Goblin skin crawl. The dome even covered the ground below their feet.

This, Ragnok thought. is unprecedented protection. If only we could access this magic then we could charge millions of galleons.

Sérephine sensed what Sirius did and hid her smirk. Turning toward the glittering room filling every crevice with various Dragonhides and enchanted armor, gold, jewelry and other precious items, the House-Witch entered just as the room attempted to attack her.

«Yes,» Sérephine said in High Latin. «Attack me with everything you've got.» She raised her arms and was not surprised as the room literally tried to slam the House-Witch with Dark curses, jinxes, and hexes. It even threw all three Unforgivables at her and she laughed.

If the House-Witch were alive any number of these colorful spells would have killed her or at least distressed her physiologically or adversely tried to destroy her magical core. Some actually broke through the Vault barrier and she knew the Black Blood Dome would protect her Master and the Goblins.

She grinned as she stood there and absorbed the Black Blood Magic.

«Return from whence you came,» Sérphine commanded. «You are no longer obligated to protect the blood-traitor* to the Our Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. I am Yours and You are Mine. Assist me in revenge and utter annihilation from those who choose to harm Our Lord and Heir.» She held her arms as if to embrace someone as black-and-silver mist bled from the crevices, nooks and crannies of the Lestrange Vault. «Bellatrix Elladora Lestrange is expunged by blood and magic from Our Lord Sirius Orion Black for betraying Our Interests, Our Loyalty, Our Esteem and Our Black Blood Wards. She has used Them for selfish gain, misuse and seeks to harm Our Heir. She has betrayed everything We stand for.»

More of the black-and-silver mist crawled toward Sérephine.

«We stand to further the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.» The House-Witch said silkily. Her voice sounding more serpentine as she crooned and beckoned the Dark Magic. «We are Loyal, Cunning, Capable, and Deadly.» She paused and walked toward the center of the Vault. «Our Lord Sirius Black has been wronged by many―including Bellatrix and her sister Narcissa―he seeks Our Expertise with Vengeance.» She smiled cruelly as her scleras blackened and her irises platinum. Her Will imbued with centuries of hatred, cunning, powerful magic and vengeance. «He will not stop until he has it. You Owe nothing to Bellatrix Elladora Lestrange. Her magic is forfeit to Me. She is expunged from the Black Family. Come!»

A silvery-black Basilisk appeared before her as did a black-and-silver Raven.

«Toujours Pur.» They echoed. Bowing their heads to her.

«What of the Dark Artifacts in this Vault?» She asked as her Black Will subsided as she regarded the Black Family Totems.

«There is a Horcrux given to Bellatrix by the Dark Lord to use for his return to power.» The Raven readily answered. He flew and snatched Helga Hufflepuff's Cup and a fake Godric Gryffindor Sword. The Raven dropped them at her feet. «He has given her this Sword replica to use to replace the one held within Hogwarts.»

«It matches the same spell signature present within the scar of Our Heir Harry James Potter-Black.» The Basilisk hissed, its eyes glowing platinum. «You can only destroy it using Our Heir's Basilisk fangs he has in his possession.» The Basilisk' forked tongued tasted the air. «Or have him use the real Sword of Gryffindor to destroy it.»

«Indeed?» Sérephine queried. She glared at the Hogwarts artifacts. Of all the dastardly Dark Magic. She thought irritably. We'll need those Basilisk fangs quickly. «Bind them until Lord Sirius is informed of this.» She commanded.

The Raven wrapped its wings around the Cup while the Basilisk swallowed the Sword.

Each totem touched her hands with the tips of their beak or nose and absorbed into Sérephine as she Willed them to the House.

Shuddering, she looked walked over to one side of the Lestrange Vaults. The Dowry Vault is the largest room. She narrowed her eyes as she touched a galleon, learning its secrets since Black Magic retained on it to prevent Lord Lestrange from stealing it from her.

"Most went to servicing the Dark Lord." She murmured. Every House of Black Daughter is given a substantial dowry for independence away from her husband or to further her children's interests. Since Bellatrix had no Heir she spent a large sum of her dowry to assist Voldemort.

«I command the Black Blood Books to return to the House of Black immediately.» She said coolly. She could not stop what Bellatrix already knew. However, she could remove all lineage items before she opened the door to the Goblins. After all, she thought arrogantly. It's Our House's property.

She perused and found several items stolen from the House. She frowned worriedly. How could that blood-traitor find a way to cloak my sight? She scowled as she commanded everything related to them to the House.

Satisfied, she walked back to the Vault's entrance.

"You may lower the Black Blood Dome." She said calmly. "I have secured everything."

Sirius raised Grandfather's wand and canceled it with wandless magic. At least I still have that capability. He thought gratefully. He purposefully mumbled so the Goblins would not copy his Lineage Protection Spell. He knew seeing their obsidian eyes glow in anticipation of profit.

Sirius learned to trust no one after Halloween '81. Especially, from someone who might become a friend in lieu of a business associate.

She shook her head slightly at Sirius and he understood immediately on her double entendre.

The Goblins and Sirius entered and he arched a perfectly black brow at her. "With all that commotion," Sirius said dryly, "I thought you had a party."

"Nay, Lord Sirius." She said smiling before turning serious.

She quickly informed the Goblins they had a to be on the lookout for Horcruxes and they needed to speak with Their Heir immediately.

Once again, Sirius felt his House-Witch's icy hand and he is led toward the conference room.

"Wait," Sirius said to them. "How do we know Harry has a Basilisk fang?" Sirius asked. He recalled Ron mentioning something about a Stone and a Basilisk but he had no idea what to make of that and did not want to overexpose Harry due to his ignorance.

He guessed the Goblin awaiting for them is Ragemark. Lacie's Potionmaster assistant. He recalled.

"Lord Black," Ragemark said politely. "Lacie and I discovered Vlatifahn Potter had a Basilisk wound. While Lacie has been watching over the children. She cast a spell to showcase a physiological history." He snapped his fingers and gestured for everyone to sit at the conference table as an inverted pyramid lowered from the ceiling as a magically enhanced projection.

Sirius actually swallowed before he retched. That's Harry's body?!

The room suddenly quieted as the rest of the company sat back to absorb what they were actually seeing.

The holographic image showed six quadrants separating from Harry's body.

First quadrant: magical core. Second quadrant: blood wounds. Third quadrant: skeletal structure. Fourth quadrant: musculature. Fifth quadrant: skin. Sixth quadrant: magically infected areas.

Each had explanations written beneath them in detail. However, Sirius wrenched his attention from the images and forced himself to pay attention to Ragemark.

"What concerns us the most are the child's magical core, blood wounds and the magically infected areas." Ragemark explained as he pulled those images forward.

"We've determined two people have tampered with the child's magical core. One is definitely a Dark Witch while the other we suspect is Dumbledore." Ragemark said, unable to keep the disgust from his voice. "Somehow, these people have made the child into a literal ticking time bomb using a variety of spells we are thankfully familiar with. The only safe way we can help the child is if we had him for at least three days and are able to use the House of Black to empower his core while we slowly remove the damage. It would take at least nine Goblin-trained Healers." he added. "Its risk is that it might irrevocably altar the child's core into being a Black as opposed to a Potter."

Sirius gulped. I would have to hurry and become Regent of the House of Potter.

"My Lady," Sirius interrupted. The House-Witch eyed him thoughtfully. "Is there any way you could communicate to Harry's magic that we want to do everything we can to safeguard him? We don't want to disenfranchise Harry from his Potter Lineage but this is a clear case of life or death."

She nodded. "I can speak with him; but you need to introduce us first." She said meaningfully. Sirius nodded. "Absolutely."

Returning to Ragemark who continued. "These blood wounds are magically inflicted upon the child from when he was two-years-old until he was four-years-old." He said quietly. "These would also take three days. I believe we should work in sections of the child regarding his physical condition with the potions I've prepared for him to drink for at least a month until the procedure."

Sirius nodded, his mind spinning.

Ragemark pulled the magically inflicted wounds hologram toward them. "These are the wounds the child receive while at Hogwarts." He pointed to the large puncture wound on Harry's right forearm. "This is a Basilisk fang. Unfortunately," Ragemark said grimly. "The child has permanent damage from the venom forever poisoning him while the Phoenix tears he has is forever healing him. We don't know if this has impacted his magical core but it has made him virtually immune to all snake venom and probably most poisonous potions."

Well being immune to poison isn't such a bad thing. Sirius thought, internally screaming at the amount of damage and pain his godson underwent for that capability.

Sirius watched as the deadly greenish-yellow magic pulsated throughout Harry's attached lymphatic system while a pearly white substance pursued it and neutralized it indefinitely.

Merlin, Sirius wondered, I hope this doesn't impact his fertility or else he'll just have to have a godson of his own. The idea sickened and saddened Sirius. He never joked about infertility since he knew how serious a threat to Line Extinction and Line Theft it is. He remembered Dorea and Charlus Potter* almost did until they had their miracle son, James. It's one thing to choose not to have children. Sirius thought soberly. It's another to want them and be unable to.

"I think we need to focus on these three areas while priming the child's physical state with potions and exercise to strengthen him for a speedy recovery." Ragemark said succinctly.

"You're the experts here." Sirius muttered. "I'll trust your judgement regarding Harry's healing." He looked at the clock as it chimed 11:30 a.m.

"We will let you and your Heir discuss things during a luncheon we have prepared." Ragnok said smoothly. Sirius nodded. "Thank you." Sirius said genuinely as he looked at the Goblins.

"He is Vlatifahn Potter, Lord Sirius." Ragnok said quietly. "We Goblins don't have many friends."

"Neither does the House of Black." Sirius answered just as quietly.

Both races stared at one another for a moment and they left together.

Harry taught Fangscales a game of Gobstones. Harry got squirted in the face from losing the first round to the toddler, making her squeal.

Harry laughed. "Well, that's what Gobstones is*." He said. "The loser gets squirted in the face. We have a game like this in the Muggle world...it's just called marbles though," He explained, as he wiped his face with his overlarge sleeve.

She cooed at him and Harry knew to pick her up while immediately putting away their toys. Lacie observed Harry probably is not naturally a neat freak but do to his upbringing it became more of a habit he probably would never outgrow. Poor boy, She thought. You deserve to be messy and playful. Although, the patience you've shown Fangy is sweet.

Gobstones is games enjoyed by very young players or very old players while everyone else mocked the game in-between. Obviously, Harry is not most players. He didn't have a childhood so toys have more value to him. She thought, frowning as she scribbled more. It delayed his social development. He might be more grown-up because of his life-and-death experiences; but otherwise he's more like a six-year-old.

The door opened and the children looked up.

"It's time for lunch," Ragnok announced and Harry handed Fangscales to her grandfather and he turned expectantly to find Sirius.

Sirius smiled at Harry and the boy immediately went to his side as Sirius put an arm around the younger wizard's shoulders. They walked to another room which is cozier and a feast on the table.

Sirius regarded Harry for a moment. He knew he could not keep calling Harry 'baby,' since Harry is not a baby. That part of your life is forever gone from me. He thought regretfully. You're still my precious child, no matter how old you get.

Harry turned to Sirius curiously. His eyes bothered him from squinting.

"Tuck in, kiddo." He said leading Harry to the table as the dishes appeared with food. Harry's jaw dropped. "I don't think I'll ever get used to it." Harry said wondrously. "How everything just appears."

Sirius grinned and together they ate until Harry was full and carried on polite discussion.

"There is someone I'd like for you to meet, Harry." Sirius said.

Harry nodded, curious but wary.

"My Lady House of Black," Sirius' voice rang. "Please meet Your Heir."

Harry started.

Sirius smiled ruefully. "I know we'll have a party after we get all legal documents in order, kiddo. In the meantime, I can magically claim you." He explained. "Magical claims take precedence over legal claims since magic existed before Wizarding Law. It's easy for me because of Her Ladyship." He nodded behind Harry.

"Greetings Young Master," Sérephine said curtsying deeply, her dark eyes downcast. Sirius noted she took an extra effort to try and tame her disheveled appearance due to her murder so as not to alarm Harry. "It is a pleasure and an honor to make your acquaintance."

Harry immediately stood up and politely bowed to her. "Please just call me Harry," Harry said quickly. "Would you care to sit down?" Harry's eyes bulged. "Oh no! You're hurt! I'll get Healer Thaxton and―." Harry reached for her hand to run toward the corridor. Sérephine gently pulled Harry's hand and knelt to his level.

"Nay, Young Master." She said, trying not to laugh. "I do appreciate the consideration, however; I am well." Harry blinked at her innocently.

"But you're not a ghost like Nearly Headless Nick," Harry said slowly, tilting his head. "Do you have a name?"

She nodded. Sirius tried not to laugh.

"I cannot tell you that until we are safely behind Our House's doors, Young Master." The House-Witch explained. She turned toward Sirius and nodded to him.

"Right then," Sirius said, brushing imaginary dust off his trousers as he took a deep breath.

"Harry," he said gesturing to his godson to rejoin him at the table. Harry surprised him by pulling a chair for the House-Witch. Séraphine graciously took it but was equally surprised as Harry sat close to Sirius' other side.

"I need you to do something very important for us." He said simply. Sirius decided he would tell Harry the truth rather than sugarcoat it.

The boy immediately straightened. "What do you need from me?"

Smiling ruefully, Sirius explained, "I need you to use my Grandfather's wand," Sirius handed Grandfather's wand to Harry hilt first. "And cast a spell on me."

"What sort of spell?" Harry asked, his eyes on the wand as he carefully held it. The boy stared at the highly polished and clearly expensive wand.

"It's called the Fidelius Charm*," Sirius explained. "That is a powerful spell when casted upon me, will enable me to safeguard my location within my soul."

Harry looked up sharply. "So if I cast this spell, no one can get to you?" Harry demanded eagerly.

"Precisely," Sirius said smiling faintly. "It requires a living soul to keep the secret and I would become a Secret-Keeper. No matter if it is magical or Muggle no one could find me unless I told them."

"Will you tell me where you are?" Harry promptly asked, before fidgeting. On the one hand, Harry assumed Sirius would be safe from Dementors and Harry wanted to be sure Sirius is safe at all times. On the other hand, Harry wanted to live with Sirius very badly and hoped this guaranteed him credence.

"Even better." Sirius said. "I can show you where it is because the location will appear in your head. Not the address per se." He said glancing at Séraphine. "But what it looks like is equally important."

"Why?" Harry asked, frowning as he tried to understand.

"It makes Apparatition easier on Her Ladyship or my House-Elf, whom you will soon meet." Sirius added. "And, it guarantees your safety." Sirius said solemnly.

Harry blinked, still not quite understanding. "OK, what do you need me to do?"

"All you have to do is say, 'Fidelius, Lord Sirius Orion Black is made Secret-Keeper,'* when I tell you to," Sirius explained. "There will be no counter-spell to this once you cast it. So you must shoot me directly." Harry nodded.

Sirius wrote 'No. 12 Grimmauld Place, London,' on a slip of parchment Séraphine passed him.

Thinking clearly in his head the address, he signaled Harry to cast.

Nervously, Harry concentrated. "Fidelius, Lord Sirius Orion Black is made Secret-Keeper." An amber glow surrounded Sirius and he repeated several times the location in his mind.

The amber glow intensified and then sparked around Sirius. He closed his eyes and felt the warm glow settle in his soul, and he smiled.

I'm safe. He could feel the wards around His House swirl and recognize the protection and it liked it.

Séraphine beamed. "It's done." Sirius' bark-like laugh rang in the little luncheon room.

In Harry's mind's eye, he could see a majestic, five-storied home. Harry did not know why it appeared wavy. All he knew is somehow this pleased Sirius and by-and-large Sirius is pleased with him.

Harry carefully returned the wand to Sirius. He had never heard or seen Sirius look so relieved before.

"Did you see the House?" He asked as he passed the address to Séraphine, who promptly burned it.

"Yes," Harry said awed. "That's your home?"

"And yours too, kiddo." He said grinning. "We are working with the Goblins to transform that into a reality as soon as possible. But first," he eyed Harry meaningfully.

Harry squirmed.

"What do you know of Basilisk fangs?" He asked.

"Oh, well I killed one last year...er," Harry fidgeted. "It's sorta a long story." Sirius exchanged a look with his House-Witch. "Why don't you show me?"

"Show you?" Harry asked confused. Sirius nodded to his House-Witch and she produced Sirius' pensieve. "Take your wand," Sirius instructed and watched Harry follow. "Place it at your temple and think of your Basilisk memory. Then you pull it toward you and place it in this basin. It's a pensieve that makes a copy of your memories."

"Oh, so it's not like a Memory Charm like what Lockhart tried to do on me and Ron?" Harry asked absently as he saw the platinum-white string of magic flow from his wand into the pensieve and settle.

Sirius and Séraphine froze.

"Who is this Lockhart and why did he try such a thing?" Sirius demanded sharply as Séraphine stiffened.

"Oh, well...he was our Defense professor who pretended to be really great." Harry said quickly. "When Ginny was here for Family Week she got caught up with Voldemort's diary. It tried to possess her soul or something and Ron and I ran to get his help after eavesdropping on the professors," Harry blushed and fidgeted at Sirius' grey gaze bore into him. "They were going to close the school, Siri―Snuffles, and Ron was scared out of his mind for his sister, since we were supposed to be watching out for her, and well, she was in the Chamber of Secrets." Harry said meekly.

"The Chamber of Secrets is a myth." Sirius denied flatly and alarmed.

"Well, it's not." Harry said firmly. "I, er, found the Basilisk there and had to fight him alone because Ron was caught up in the rockslide and, well, Lockhart messed up because Ron's wand was broken, good thing too." Harry muttered irritably. "He was just going to let us die and steal some glory while the Basilisk ate Ginny or something."

Sirius remained rock-still. He did not want to make any unnecessary movement since seeing Harry's holographics and recognizing Harry's fragile trust in him. "We're going to see your memory, Harry James." Because you're not to blame entirely. Where the bloody hell was Dumbass?!

Harry gulped.

It is the first time Harry actually heard his middle name spoken since the Sorting Hat called him.

Sirius took Harry's hand and Séraphine's hands and turned toward the pensieve. He watched in growing angst about Harry seeing Hermione petrified. He bit the inside of his cheek nervously as he saw what the Golden Trio did to figure out the Basilisk as the enemy after seeing Hagrid's pet Acromantula. Bollocks Hagrid!

And memorized Gilderoy Lockhart.

Sirius' eyes narrowed. He didn't receive the full brunt of the Memory Charm. He glanced at his House-Witch. She was fuming but memorized his face to seek him out.
For once, Sirius would not gainsay her.

He walked over to the young Lord Voldemort and his jaw dropped as he stared at the Horcrux diary with Tom Marvolo Riddle's name on it and the young wizard created an anagram of his name.

Now I'll find you. He almost laughed that the answer to his previous question.

Sirius nearly had a heart attack watching Harry fight the Basilisk with a too-large Sword of Gryffindor he received from the Sorting Hat. Of all the things he could've gotten!

It's just a memory, Harry's really here now...He mentally reminded himself.

Harry jumped and bolted three steps up the wall as he pushed himself forward to get to the Basilisk's tail.

The Basilisk rose to strike and Harry waited until the last second to move as the Basilisk bit its own tail causing the serpent to hiss enraged.

Sirius had no idea how Harry moved so fast. His small body looked pathetic next to the King of Serpents. He did think Harry was smart to use the Sword's reflection instead of looking at its eyes which would instantly kill him.

That is until the Phoenix blinded the Basilisk and Harry chanced a look.

Sirius started at Harry's grim determination and knowledge he is going to die reflected in Lily's eyes. That's not the look a child should ever make. He thought repulsed.

Harry stood and his blood actually vibrated on Harry's body causing the Basilisk to shake its head and hiss. It flowed around Harry looking like a ribcage.

Sirius choked. Merlin's balls! That's an activated blood wound?!

Harry lunged and slammed his blade through the Basilisk's mouth at angle directly toward its brain.

Slaying it instantly.

Sirius winced as Harry screamed when he withdrew his arm as a piece of the Basilisk fang ripped off and embedded itself in Harry's forearm.

He watched transfixed as Young Moldypants taunted Harry while the boy ripped the fang from his arm, trying his best to ignore the maniacal wizard's shade. He could barely keep himself upright.

The Phoenix wept over Harry's arm and Harry stabbed the diary several times front-to-back as Tom Riddle's shade disappeared with an agonized scream.

Eventually, Harry escaped the Chamber of Secrets along with the Weasleys and an unconscious Lockhart.

Harry's memory faded and they were thrown back into the Goblin's lunchroom.

"And where was Remus in all this?" Sirius managed to ground out as he pulled Harry close in a fierce hug. "Dobby, too?"

"Re―?" Harry's muffled voice asked. "Oh! You mean Professor Lupin? He came in toward the end-of-term since, well...we needed to make sure we could all pass our exams." Harry pulled back and looked at Sirius with guileless green eyes. "And Dobby didn't really work at Hogwarts because of something called House-Elf probation or something." The boy shrugged. "He said it had something to do with not being paid or something. Honestly, I didn't pay much attention at the time."

Sirius filed that away for later. Looks like I'll be a-visiting M―Remus sooner than I thought. He mentally groaned.

"Why was, er, Ginny, writing in that diary to begin with?" Sirius asked bewildered.

Harry looked very angry. "That slimy Mr. Malfoy did it." he said fiercely. "Ron said Mr. Malfoy insulted his Dad and then I figured out he slipped the diary in their shopping cart. I suppose she thought the diary was for her and just wrote in it the whole time. I'd only met Ginny during Family Week. She tried to drown it in the girls' bathroom where the Chamber of Secrets was and by that time she'd already strangled Hagrid's roosters." Harry grimaced. "Hermione took us there to make the Polyjuice Potion." Sirius' eyebrows disappeared behind his bangs. I knew she was brilliant―but not bloody brilliant, as a first year no less! "That's where we met Moaning Myrtle and we figured out she was the one Riddle killed first." The boy sighed. "She haunts the girls' bathroom since that's where she died and I kept hearing―." Harry clamped his mouth shut, twin flags of red stained his cheeks.

Sirius tilted Harry's chin upward.

"You're a Parselmouth, aren't you?" Sirius gently asked. Harry caved into himself.

"That's marvelous!" Séraphine exclaimed, startling the wizards.

"What an honor to have a Parselmouth in Our House!" She gushed, curtseying low to Harry.

"What's so honorable about talking to snakes?" Harry asked bitterly. "It's only gotten me into a lot of trouble."

"Nay, nay, Young Master." The House-Witch said sincerely. "So many of Our Clan would have killed just to hear you speak Parseltongue. Why, the only known Parselmouths are the Gaunt Family." She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Gaunt Family? Sirius thought. His mind spinning with possibilities. He knew Morfin Gaunt died a few years back* and thought there was a notice for Line Extinction. Or at least Line Theft if Riddle's involved. This changes what I had in mind for Lucy. Sirius almost smiled at the thought.

"Nonetheless," Sirius said garnering attention. "Do you know where we might find a Basilisk fang?"

Harry stared at him. "Oh, I imagine it's still in the Chamber." Harry answered. "Why?" He asked perplexed.

"We need to destroy something very dangerous, Harry." He said glancing at his House-Witch. "In fact, we need it right now. Kreacher!"

"Yes, Lord Sirius?" Kreacher asked bowing low.

Harry gasped and immediately knelt to Kreacher's level. "Hello," Harry greeted with a friendly smile. "My name's Harry." He struck his small hand toward the House-Elf.

Startled and wary, Kreacher glanced at Sirius who inclined his head. "I am the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black's House-Elf, Kreacher." He said standing straighter. He stared at Harry's hand until it occurred to him he is supposed to shake it. "It is an honor to meet you, sir."

Harry tilted his head in confusion. Why do they say it's an honor to meet me?

"Kreacher, I want you to Apparate Harry to the Chamber of Secrets quickly and discreetly. You have the full backing of Her Ladyship," he quickly directed. Turning to Harry he said. "I need you to go to the Chamber of Secrets, kiddo―and remove the Basilisk fang with Kreacher's help and return immediately. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," Harry said surprised. "Please take us to the girls' bathroom haunted by Moaning Myrtle on the second floor*."

Kreacher's eyes sharpened as he took Harry's hand and Apparated them. He felt a rush of Black Family Magic coat him and his charge and the House-Elf grinned in malicious joy. It had been more than a dozen years since he felt the surge of House Magic. It straightened his back and renewed his health in an instant.

He quickly warded them from Moaning Myrtle and barred the windows, stalls and doors.

«Open.» Harry commanded in Parseltongue recalling the Basilisk from the pensieve.

Kreacher could barely contain his glee. A Parselmouth in Our House! He thought amazed. Harry reached for Kreacher's hand and gave him an apologetic smile.

"It'sss a long way down," Harry said with a thick sibilance.

"Hold onto me, Young Master." Kreacher said as he floated them down the long tunnel and Harry still held Kreacher's hand as he walked past rodent bones and where they were trapped.

Harry led the way as he shuddered. "There's the Basilisk I killed." Harry muttered as he slowly walked around the beast. "I forgot how big it was."

Kreacher eyed Harry with new respect.

A worthy Heir indeed. He thought awed before turning to his task.

"Stand back, Young Master." The House-Elf said. Harry quickly did so.

He pulled a sack which shimmered in the dim light and floated an Unbreakable and Never-Ending Space Charmed* potion bottle. It was a good thing, too. Once Kreacher defanged the serpent by placing the fangs inside the bag the venom gushed from the venomous sacs located within the snake's mouth.

It took almost a full 20 minutes to remove every last drop of venom from the once-feared King of Serpents.

Corking the potion bottle, Kreacher carefully placed it inside the shimmering bag and stared at the Basilisk for a moment. I'll be back. He vowed. He took Harry's hand Apparating them to the front entrance of the Chamber. Harry closed it before canceling the warding spells as they returned to Sirius' side.

Albus looked up from his book. The tug on his consciousness informing him of intense magic within the castle not attributed to a professor, student or Hogwarts herself made his suspicions arise.

"Hogwarts? What just happened?"

"Harry," Sirius said his worry evident. "What took so long?" He demanded Kreacher while pulling his child in his arms.

"You should've seen it!" Harry gasped. "It's been down there for months and it hasn't begun to decay yet! We got all the venom and almost two fangs."

Sirius frowned. "Where's the other fang?"

"Oh I gave it to Professor Dumbledore," Harry answered readily.

Of course Dumbass has what's rightfully Harry's.

References:

Gobstones: Interestingly enough Harry seriously considered buying a solid gold set once. Everything listed is from Harry Potter Wikia.

Lestrange Vaults: I paraphrased what I saw on the Harry Potter Wikia. I did use creative license for the Dowry Vault, etc.

Blood-traitor: I chose to use this term to reference BellaBitch. Why? It seemed like poetic justice for Sirius to call her that term. Also, Sirius made a point to tell his House-Witch that Toujours Pur matters outside of being Pureblood. It means not to betray the House, etc. Therefore, that is the context I used for her.

Dorea Potter née Black and Charlus Potter: I am totally going with this favorite fanon. I do not care for Euphemia and Fleamont Potter. They sound rather lame and this way Sirius can truthfully claim familial ties since Dorea is Sirius' Great-Aunt Dorea. Courtesy of the Black Family Tree on the Harry Potter Lexicon website.

Fidelius Charm: I took it from the article I mentioned earlier written by Christine Kendrick, "The Secrets of the Fidelius Charm." Beyond Hogwarts. I added the part about Sirius explaining it to Harry and what to say directly because it made more sense here, what it looked like and that Harry could 'see' the location is creative license. Obviously, this is canon. As is the Unbreakable Charm.

Moaning Myrtle's bathroom: located on the second floor courtesy of Pottermore Wiki.

Morfin Gaunt: totally canon from Harry Potter Wikia.

Never-Ending Space Charm: I personally always wanted this so I just decided it would go here for the potion bottle.