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The boys and I marched up the hill to a small paddock the Weasley's owned. It was surrounded by trees, so there was no worry of nosy neighbors, so long as we didn't fly too high. We couldn't use real Quidditch balls, lest they escape into the village below. It would be a little hard to explain. Instead, we threw apples to catch. We all took turns with my broom and Harry's Nimbus 2000, which was easily the best broom. Ron's old Shooting Star was outstripped frequently by passing butterflies.

We asked Percy if he wanted to join, but he said he was 'busy.' I had only seen him at mealtimes.

"Wish I knew what he was up to," said Fred. "He's not himself. His exam results came in the day before we got Harry; twelve O.W.L.s, and not a gloat at all."

"Ordinary Wizarding Levels," George explained to Harry. "Bill got twelve too. If we're not careful, we may have another Head Boy in the family. I don't think the family could stand the shame."

I had never met Bill, or the next youngest, Charlie. Charlie was the one studying dragons in Romania, and Bill was a curse breaker working for Gringotts in Egypt.

"Dunno how Mum and Dad are going to pay for school supplies this year," George commented after a while. "Five sets of Lockhart books! And Ginny needs a wand and robes..."

Harry and I exchanged awkward looks. I knew he wasn't exactly broke in the wizarding world, but he knew as well as I did the Weasley parents would refuse help. I knew I would just have to be sneaky.


Mrs. Weasley woke us all early the following Wednesday. After a quick breakfast of bacon sandwiches, we pulled on our coats and gathered around the fireplace. Mrs. Weasley pulled a large flowerpot from the mantelpiece and peered inside.

"Oh, we are running low, we will need to get some more today, Arthur. Ah, well... Guests first! After you, Harry dear."

I took one look at Harry's confused face and stepped up. "I'll go! That way Harry has someone who is familiar on the other side." I looked at Harry and mouthed, watch me. He nodded gratefully.

I took a pinch of the glittery powder and threw it in the fireplace. The flames turned emerald green and rose higher than my head, and I hopped into the fireplace. "Diagon Alley." The sensation was odd, like being sucked down a large drain. I kept my elbows tucked in tight to my sides and watched for the right grate. I spun and spun, then finally popped out at the right grate.


I waited patiently and soon the fireplace roared to life, out stepped Fred. We were chatting for a few moments as George joined us about the supplies we needed for pranks, and classes. Then Mr. Weasley emerged. "Alright then, Harry?"

"What you mean, Dad?" Fred asked.

"You mean he isn't here?" said Mr. Weasley. "Harry Potter didn't just step out of this grate?"

"No, is something wrong?" I asked. Only Harry.

Soon enough all the rest of the Weasley's were through the fire, and off on a manhunt. I kept tight hold of the twins' hands, trying not to lose them as we hollered for Harry. I finally spotted him.

"He's over there! With Hagrid and Hermione!"

The whole group shuffled forward at a rapid pace. I held back as the Weasley parents fussed, but paid close attention when Harry announced he landed in Borgin and Burkes.

"Malfoy and his father."

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" said Mr. Weasley sharply.

"No," Harry managed. "He was selling-"

"So he's worried." Mr. Weasley was rather grimly satisfied. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something..."

They were soon distracted once again, by Hermione's parents waiting nervously by the counter.


We all headed down to the vaults, and I was led to a separate cart from the rest. Mrs. Weasley started to fuss, but the twins offered to go with me. The ride in the cart down to the vault was not unlike muggle roller coasters, and I held my hands in the air with a cheer. I swept some money into a bottomless pouch and then we headed back upstairs.

This year, as I was twelve, I was old enough in the wizard community to begin making decisions myself as to what I wanted to be done with the Black family properties and money. I don't think the twins were expecting to have to join me for that much paperwork, but they took it like champions. The rest of the Weasley's headed out to do the shopping, with calls back to meet up at the bookstore when we had finished.

I seated myself before the goblin in charge of the Black family accounts and the twins perched on the chair behind me.

"Well now, Miss Black. We have several things to discuss. Firstly, the matter of your funds coming from Hogwarts, as a Head of House."

"Right. I would like to place those into a separate vault, and keep those records separate as well." I kept eye contact with the goblin, though it made me very uncomfortable.

"Very well. Now on to the properties. You have inherited the house on Grimmauld Place, as well as the mansion in Scotland. Both will need a few repairs and some major cleaning done before anyone can live in them. With these properties, you have also inherited one house-elf, a Kreacher, I believe."

I paused to think a moment. "Two houses are too much for any one house-elf alone. Summon Kreacher, so I can take ownership, and then I will go elf shopping later. They will be responsible for the repairs and cleaning up."

There was a loud pop as an old, shriveled house-elf appeared. "Kreacher hears, Kreacher comes."

I stood up. "Kreacher. I am Leo Antlia Black, daughter of Regulus and Vivienne Black, and I lay claim to your service as the Heiress of House Black." There was a slight tugging at my magical core, like a rope tying the pair of us together.

"Mistress." Kreacher bowed.

"Kreacher, I will be acquiring a few more elves to help you around the place, and you will be Head Elf. I will give you your list of duties later, but for now, begin cleaning up Grimmauld Place."

The elf bowed low, then disappeared with a pop.

"Wicked." Fred breathed in my ear. I shot him and George a grin, then finished with my paperwork. Now we could do the fun shopping.


I ended up buying three more elves. Holly, a young excitable thing, Dalter, a good gardener, and Krift, a mature, responsible elf. Two for each property at a time. I had Kreacher pop back in, explained his status as Head Elf, then sent them all to Grimmauld Place. Better to have them all work together there, and then all work on the mansion.

We bumped into Lee Jordan, and spent a long while in Gambol and Japes joke shop, stocking up on fireworks, then headed for the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts.