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

A/N: Thank you for your kind words :-). This is my second favorite chapter and I hope y'all will enjoy it as much as I do.

Ch. XX: Sirius Blackmail Part I

Harry lurched forward and nearly face-planted it had it not been for Kreacher catching him. Harry realized they returned to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"Thanks," Harry said gratefully. He did not know what to make of Kreacher.

He's nothing like Dobby. Harry decided. But that doesn't mean he isn't important, either.

Kreacher bowed his head to Harry and regarded his new young master in much the same vein.

"Young Master, may I see your Black Quill?" Kreacher asked. His sharp, pale blue eyes watchful. Naturally no Black House-Elf would allow for eavesdropping from ghosts or other students. Best pay my respects to Lady Hogwarts ere too long. The House-Elf thought sagely.

The boy obediently handed over his Quill to the House-Elf who examined it carefully.

"Young Master," Kreacher began. "I need you to sign my name upon my arm." He explained. "Do you know what a Blood Quill is?"

Harry shook his head, his brows furrowed in concentration.

"A Blood Quill seeks blood as ink," Kreacher explained, his gravelly voice oddly soothing to Harry. "Once you mark my name upon my forearm then it will activate further protections for you."

"Do all Blood Quills do the same thing?" Harry asked morbidly curious.

"No, Young Master." Kreacher answered. "Our Blood Quill is designed in such a way that I―regardless of what I am doing or where I am―will come to your aid should the Blood Quill deem you in danger and you're incapable of calling out to me."

"OK," Harry agreed. "That doesn't sound too bad…" Harry looked anxious. "Will it hurt you, Mr. Kreacher?" Harry felt the House-Elf was older than Dobby and did not want to alienate him.

Kreacher started at the appellation. "Not really, Young Master. Please just call me Kreacher." He said stiffly. He held out his forearm. "My name is K-R-E-A-C-H-E-R." He spelled aloud. The House-Elf willed himself not to flinch for his soft-hearted Heir. Unbidden, Kreacher recalled his beloved Master Regulus and that fateful day when his Master saved him from the Dark Lord. His jaw tightened at the memory and he buried it deeply.

Grimacing, Harry pulled the Black Quill out and wrote Kreacher's name on his forearm.

Shocked, the boy nearly dropped the Quill as Kreacher's bloody name glowed black before seeping into his forearm. Kreacher muttered a quick healing spell.

The Black Blood Wards activated as House-Elf Protection were added to it. It furthered Sirius' order for Kreacher to never betray or harm Harry.

"Before I return you to Gryffindor Tower, Young Master," Kreacher said trying not to flinch on the word, 'Gryffindor.' "I must ask you to reopen the Chamber for me. There is something that I need to verify from the Basilisk and Slytherin's domain."

Harry blinked. "Of course." He said softly. He did just do some serious magic on my behalf and I'm sure it hurt really badly.

The boy reopened the Chamber of Secrets for the Black House-Elf.

Time to see if it was really the same signature. Kreacher thought as he held onto Harry's hand.

Albus glared at his office.

"Hogwarts," he commanded irritably. "What was that breach?"

Rowena Ravenclaw's ghost appeared.

"Headmaster," she said respectfully. "Lady Hogwarts is unsure. She is looking with the Ghosts' help." Her eyes coolly assessed Dumbledore. How dare you order Her Ladyship. She thought annoyed. Where were you with the Stone? Or the Chamber? Or anything of import since that child entered this Castle?

Albus barely refrained from rolling his eyes. "I see." he said, his tone dismissive. Rowena gladly took her leave.

The old wizard sat for a long moment before walking over to the instruments containing Harry's vitals.

"Dobby," he summoned. His lips curling into a cold smile before he took a more grandfatherly appearance.

Fawkes pretended to sleep as he observed his Master's behavior.

He suspects something. He thought dismayed. It took everything in the phoenix not to react or eye the instruments he had been protecting with his Light magic.

Sirius laughed when he saw the Cup. "Well, at least one of those bastards is down for the count!" he said grinning at Ragnok.

Ragnok smirked back.

Sirius quickly read Amelia's hand and his smile faded.

"Director," he said soberly. "Would you care to broker any meetings I may have with Amelia and...Alastor Moody?"

The Goblin's eyes sharpened. "Of course, Lord Black." he said readily.

"I figure...it would best to meet on neutral grounds." Sirius said, gathering his composure. I hadn't expected Mad-Eye to appear...This changes things, too.

His House-Witch arrived and she held the Hufflepuff Cup in her arms. "I will keep this at Our House until we are ready to appear before Lady Hogwarts." She announced primly.

Both men nodded at her. "There seems to be a new meeting, My Lady," Sirius informed her as he handed her the parchment.

"Indeed?" she said. Her eyes narrowing as she Willed the Cup to the House.

"Shall I send for them, Lord Black?" Ragnok queried.

"Please do." Sirius said grimly.

He sat to the left of the conference table, feeling morose and contemplative.

"Figgy," Ragnok commanded. "Please bring Madam Bones and Mr. Moody."

"Mistress and Master Moody are to come with Figgy, please." The House-Elf squeaked.

Both Amelia and Alastor quickly set down their cups and grabbed cloaks and wands.

"That was fast," she muttered to Alastor who grunted. He rolled his shoulders back, How am I going to manage this? He wondered darkly. The House-Elf took their hands and Apparated them to the Conference Room.

Sirius sat back and nodded to Ragnok.

The door opened revealing Sirius' former friend and mentor. Sirius felt a wave of jumbled emotions and could feel Séraphine stand behind him. Her coldness comforting him. Amelia's eyes flicked to the House-Witch as did Alastor. Neither could understand who or what she was.

"Director Ragnok," Amelia began formally. "Lord Black."

"Madam Bones," they greeted just as formally.

Alastor focused on Sirius. He looks...more like Arcturus. For a moment, the ex-Auror felt nervous. There's almost nothing of the young man I once knew. He thought regretfully. He nearly cursed himself. Of course he's not the same you barmy old fool. He thought frustrated. You let him rot in Azkaban for 12 bloody years!

Sirius arched a brow at Alastor. "I won't bite, Moody." He drawled. He dismissed the Auror and turned to Madam Bones.

"The facts, Madam Bones?" he asked calmly. "Do you believe I'm innocent and that I didn't receive a trial?"

"Irrevocably." Amelia answered immediately. She took a seat and wondered if her request of Moody was too steep.

Too late now, Amelia. She thought mentally rolling her eyes.

"I took the liberty of looking at the evidence and concluded it was ignored." She said getting to the point. "No one has checked your wand for the Blasting Curse or the Unforgivables as the testimonials claim." She waited. "I did and realized they were clean."

Sirius nodded. He told them how he became an illegal Animagus and how Pettigrew betrayed the Potters. He also informed them they had made Pettigrew the Secret-Keeper and not himself.

"What is said in this Conference Room remains under client confidentiality." Ragnok interrupted. The witch and wizards agreed.

"Other than the obvious clearing my name and such." Sirius said, with a half-shrug and a dismissive hand-wave. "I plan on fulfilling my rightful guardianship to Harry James Potter. Furthermore," he said noting their interest. "I plan on destroying Tom Marvolo Riddle as the true identity of You-Know-Who." he glanced at Ragnok.

Ragnok succinctly brought the witch and wizard up to speed on their previous meetings.

Amelia stared at the men before her.

"Extraordinary." She whispered. Her monocle shaking from her hand.

That's one way to put it. Sirius thought ruefully.

"Now, in the interest of good faith." Sirius continued. "I am going to ruin the Malfoys just like I ruined the Lestranges." he nodded as Lockjaw appeared and held the legal documents to Sirius and Ragnok. Sirius passed his Lestrange copy to Amelia while she made a copy and handed it to Alastor.

"The difference is I intend on utilizing the Malfoys to my advantage." Sirius explained.

"And...will you be wanting an official sentencing?" Amelia asked as let her monocle slip and eyed Sirius warily.

Sirius inclined his head. "Consider it an overdue notice." He smiled, showing straight, white teeth. "In the interest of full disclosure, I expect the Minister won't like it once you bring this to his attention of me being innocent." he said smoothly, noting the telling looks between Alastor and Amelia. "I figure in the interest of good faith," he emphasized. "You rescind the 'Kiss on Sight,' order?"

Amelia nodded sharply.

"Good." Sirius said as Séraphine tapped his shoulder.

"My Lady?" Sirius asked respectfully. Surprising the witch and wizard present. They had forgotten her.

"I would require in the interest of good faith," The House-Witch said coldly. "That you both take a Blood Oath not to betray Lord Sirius or the House of Black."

Alastor and Amelia balked.

"What?" Alastor growled. "A Blood Oath?"

"Yes," she said icily. The room becoming frosty. "You should consider this a fair warning." she inclined her head to Ragnok. "No disrespect intended to you Master Ragnok." Séraphine demurred. "In the event these two harm Lord Sirius then Our Heir is forsaken." Her dark eyes flashed. "I will not have him endangered more than he already is."

"Indeed not, My Lady." Ragnok grinned at her. "No offense taken."

Sirius smirked at Alastor for a brief moment before hardening his handsome features.

"I would like to conclude after this meeting," he announced. "For the Goblins have been quite gracious." he said respectfully to Ragnok. "And I fully intend on causing mayhem and mischief―if not murder," he said for Séraphine's benefit, "to my dear cousin Cissy and Lucy before dinner."

Amelia nodded once and stood to face the House-Witch. "Who exactly are you?"

Séraphine smiled showing sharp teeth as she looked up at the tall witch. "I am a formidable ally Lady Bones," she said simply. "And I will destroy any―and every―enemy to the House of Black."

Amelia nodded warily as she performed the Blood Oath.

She gave Alastor a stern look.

Grunting, the ex-Auror copied his friend.

Sirius stood towering over everyone.

Alastor eyed Sirius for a long moment, seeing the Martial Mage Pureblood clothing fully. "We could use that to your advantage, Sirius." He growled.

Sirius did not bat an eye. "Use what?"

"The fact you were an infamous Auror with 27 confirmed DE kills." He growled. Soon to be Hit Wizard if not Martial Mage.

Sirius started. "I thought it was 20?" He asked mildly intrigued as Alastor shook his head. "You passed out during an attack near Hogsmeade but took down seven of Rosier's cronies." Alastor corrected.

Well bloody hell. Sirius thought, feeling a surge of confidence and devil-may-care.

"How do you propose we use this?" Sirius asked, curiosity coloring his voice despite his stoicism toward Alastor.

"We'll use the Prophet." Alastor said sharing a look with Amelia. "I'll write something up for you to approve before we send it in 'anonymously,' to a hungry reporter with Amelia speaking upfront that there was no trial. It'll be enough to cause pause and panic for Fudge to publically rescind the 'Kiss on Sight,' order."

Séraphine nodded approvingly and Sirius shrugged. "Whatever works to rescind it is fine by me." Sirius said.

The House-Witch took Sirius' arm and wrapped her swirls around him as she Willed them to Their House.

"I need a drink," Alastor muttered, sweating.

Sirius shuddered as he arrived with Séraphine.

"Merlin," he muttered, sinking to the floor shivering.

His House-Witch eyed him compassionately and she sat beside her Master. "How're you feeling, Lord Sirius?"

"Soul-sick," he answered staring at her with startled grey eyes. He removed his ponytail holder and leaned against the wall. He blew out a breath he had not known he had been holding.

"I don't have the cure for that, Lord Sirius." She said remorsefully. "But, I will do everything I can to prevail you." Her brown eyes flashed determinedly. Sirius gave her a faint smile. "Thank you, Séraphine." he said sincerely. He drew his ankle toward him and placed his other foot above it, sitting at a triangle. He leaned his head against the wall as his charcoal black hair obscured his features before he pulled it away to look at her.

"Merlin, I miss Harry so much." He said dejectedly. "He's the only reason I made it there, you know?" Sirius told her hollowly. "I mean, I knew I was innocent and that was OK from a barely-breathing standpoint." He looked away for a moment. "But...Harry was―is everything to me, Séraphine."

The House-Witch regarded him thoughtfully. "I shall run you a bath, Lord Sirius." she said decisively. "I shall greet Gilderoy Lockhart―it shouldn't take me long." Sirius barked a laugh.

"What do you intend to do?" Sirius asked curiously.

"I'll let you know once I return," she answered simply, her small smile making him grin. Her dark eyes rose above them. "Your bath is ready, Lord Sirius." she gestured. "Once I've returned we'll invite the Malfoys for tea." She glanced at the clock 2:30 p.m. Just enough time.

Sirius nodded and slowly stood up, feeling his bones pop into place. "Is there any chance Lacie'll make my potions taste like strawberry kiwi?" He mumbled to his House-Witch.

Lacie pointedly informed Sirius he needed potions as well and that she would visit him at his earliest convenience to give him a proper check-up. Sirius agreed and told Harry he would be on a regimen, too. Sirius could see his godson liked that.

It makes things less awkward, I think. Sirius thought.

"Oh and Séraphine?" Sirius called before she swirled away. "Would you mind placing a Lockdown on the House until you and Kreacher return?" He frowned, remembering his House-Elf. "I hope nothing happened to them." he said looking at his House-Witch. Truth be told, he felt exposed without his House-Witch or House-Elf. Turning into a bloody baby boy. He thought disgustedly.

She paused. "He is guarding Our Heir, Lord Sirius." She responded. Although, she thought. I will find out why he tarries.

She raised her arms. Her eyes glowing platinum.

«Protect Our Master!» She commanded in High Latin. «Allow only Our Master, Myself, Kreacher and Our Heir to enter!»

The House's swirly black-and-silver magic covered the entire perimeter and became a fortress before his eyes. The windows closed and the House roared to life. Sirius marveled as the very woodwork and ironwork materialized weapons and powerful, predatory magic seeped from all around.

Sirius blinked. Merlin's balls. He wondered. This House only pretends civility. It's a sentient Martial Mage.

For some reason, Sirius felt Padfoot liven up.

Ah, he thought while showing his Grim-and-Black smile at the House approvingly. You're aching for a fight, aren't you, you old Hellhound*? I imagine we're overdue for one.

He nodded to Séraphine as she swirled from view and he headed toward a long-awaited bath.

We'll fight before we have to meet with Lucy and Cissy. He promised his Grim as he readied himself for his bath.

Gilderoy Lockhart looked himself in the mirror and preened.

"You rogue, you," he crooned to his reflection. The only remarkable thing about Lockhart is he was able to leave Hogwarts with some recognition as going into the Chamber of Secrets and 'fighting valiantly alongside Harry Potter,' before getting knocked out in the landslide. No one thought to check Weasley's wand or to ask too many questions.

He cursed the Weasley boy. Stupid wand, thank Merlin I didn't lose my memory. He shuddered at the thought. Worse than being like my Squib sisters*. Gilderoy rolled his eyes.

"At least you were too stupid to come after me," he admitted to his blandly handsome self. He dyed his blond hair again after finding a white streak from the experience. He tucked his weak chin into his neck. The 28-year-old* smirked at himself.

"Time to find a lucky witch," he said to his reflection. "I've sold 75,000 copies since that little incident with the Chamber." Gilderoy studied himself again. "I'll have to reach my agent in the morning."

A knock surprised the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Awardee.

"Why, hello there love." Gilderoy said, adjusting his collar. Merlin's balls! Where did she come from?

"Hello, Mr. Lockhart." A dark-eyed witch with blonde hair said coyly. She fluttered her eyelashes at him. "I apologize if I might seem forward," she continued her voice like honey as she eyed him with interest. "But Mr. Smith said I should come over to take your photograph for the Prophet."

Gilderoy immediately pulled out all the stops once hearing his agent's name.

"Do come in, love." he said oozing charm.

"Thank you, Mr. Lockhart." The 20-something witch said demurely while holding her large camera. Gilderoy unabashedly did a quick perusal of her Ravenclaw blue dress and liked how it highlighted her lovely figure.

"Please, love, don't call me my father," he said, flashing her a pearly smile. "Gilderoy is my given name."

You'll be saying my name before we're through. He thought assuredly.

Séraphine smiled as Lockhart allowed his doom to enter. She canceled his wards and twisted them to convey normalcy while locking down his house.

"Oh well thank you, Gilderoy." She simpered while internally gagging. Séraphine adjusted her camera allowing her décolletage to garner his attention.

"Allow me," Lockhart said as he brushed her shoulder. Séraphine smiled as she faced him.

His hand went down her back.

Séraphine held his gaze and her scleras blackened as her platinum eyes glowed at him.

"No one to save you now, Gilderoy." She informed him. His horrified expression ignited her magic. He struggled. He tried to remove his hand. Belatedly the wizard realized his other hand was also attached to her bodice.

I'm stuck. He thought frightened.

"I can give you anything you want, Miss, er―." Gilderoy said quickly. Merlin! What's her name?! Why aren't my wards protecting me?!

"Shh," she said puckering her red lips at him as she took her finger and placed it on his lips. "You're handsomer when you don't speak...only I can hear you." Séraphine teased while showing her Basilisk fangs.

References:

Hellhound/Grim: I remember reading about the legends regarding a Grim which protects Innocents in the graveyard to an actual Hellhound. I will post the full reference once I find it :-).

Gilderoy Lockhart: Disgusting for all the right reasons. My addition is that this coward did not deserve to be in the same ward as Neville's heroic parents. Hence, why I created his 'survival.' According to Harry Potter Wikia he really does have two Squib sisters, is a Half-Blood, and actually was 28-years-old when he met Harry and Ron.