Rodrick had left his group of friends the moment Granger had started pranking them, not due to the girl. Black had walked by the group, asking him to follow. At least that's what he thought he'd said, the man had been openly laughing at what Hermione had done, not that he knew it was her.

He eyed the man wondering what he'd wanted to talk about, his gaze slowly trailing to the History classroom. Rodrick quickly took on an amused expression at the still quite visible black mark on the table, the twins had managed to make it rather durable.

"I hope this isn't a private history lesson," Rodrick remarked chuckling as he took a seat opposite the amused Black.

"I don't have it in me to do such a thing,"

Rodrick raised an amused eyebrow at the man, "Not willing to help a Slytherin?"

"Not willing to work any harder than necessary, besides, if I was going to offer a Slytherin private lessons it'd have to be your friend," the man scoffed.

"Remember, it's Harry's fault you're here,"

"Oh I certainly enjoy the castle," The man remarked, a twinkle in his eye, "It almost seems like it did 15 years ago, not much has changed,"

Rodrick simply stared at the man, "That's rather unfortunate," he genuinely spoke up.

Sirius blinked at the words, "What?"

"The idea of no change... Rather dull," Rodrick clarified before a grin took over his face, "I imagine this is a rather big change compared to Azkaban," he chuckled.

"I'll say," scoffed the man in front of him.

Rodrick's face quickly took on a passive expression as he turned towards the door behind him, his eyes wide in surprise as he discovered another hollow. 'So that's what he meant about having experience...'

Harry inwardly cursed. Sirius Black took a moment before it dawned on him as his face took on a grin.

'Potter... Potter has the cloak of invisibility... You have got to be kidding me,' Rodrick thought to himself as he shook his head, he watched idly as Harry removed the cloak from himself.

"Nice cloak," Rodrick idly remarked, staring at the hollow with a sense of resignation. The only way Potter could've gotten it had to have been through inheritance, there was no way he'd come across it randomly. That meant it would be almost impossible to bargain for it. He firmly believed somewhere out there, death was laughing himself to, well, death.

Harry rolled his eyes before taking a seat beside the boy, opposite his godfa- professor.

"How did you even find us?" Rodrick shook his head.

"I have my ways," Harry had the semblance of a smirk lining his face before turning to face his godfather

Rodrick merely stared at the cloak, completely ignoring the other two, the cloak of invisibility had given off quite the aura, he could practically see it shining in front of him, turning to Harry his eyes found traces of magic coming out of the boy's pockets.

"Accio," Rodrick remarked to the surprise of the other two, wincing at how much it drained him to use the simple summoning charm. With mage sight, he could theoretically, or rather confirmed at this point, use the summoning charm to summon any magical item in his view. It drained him far more compared to summoning something with its name.

The other two watched in surprise as the map quickly filed out of Harry's pockets, landing in Rodrick's hand. Looking up with a pleased look on his face. "What's this?" he questioned amiably, waving the blank parchment around.

"Nothing!" the Gryffindor suddenly exclaimed.

"I see, you won't mind if I keep it then? Seeing as it's nothing," Rodrick cheerfully remarked, pocketing the parchment. He watched as a confused and rather annoyed look crossed over Harry's face, Sirius was simply staring at the two with an amused look on his face.

"It's my homework," Harry stammered out the weak reply.

"Harry it's blank," Sirius couldn't help himself.

Rodrick nodded, "Yea that makes sense,"

"Oh shove off, just give it back," Harry exclaimed releasing a sigh,

Rodrick raised an eyebrow, "Try and get it, Potter," getting up off his seat, the boy moved a few steps backwards before taking his wand out.

Harry stared at the boy for a few seconds before getting up, situating himself opposite the boy before taking his own wand out.

Sirius stared at the two before shaking his head, he was a professor, he wasn't supposed to condone this but neither of them looked hostile so he simply watched on. Curious to see what the two were capable of.

"How does this work?" Harry questioned, he didn't feel like trashing the classroom.

Rodrick had a thoughtful look on his face before a grin quickly took over. Harry watched as the boy quickly surrounded himself with a shield charm. "We each get three goes, whoever can break through the other's shield charm, wins." he finished, idly waving his wand around.

Harry Potter contemplated the words before shrugging, "Alright, I take it I go first then?" he questioned aiming his wand at the other boy.

Rodrick simply nodded.

Sirius saw the hint of a smirk on the boy's face, idly wondering what the boy was planning.

"If I win, you have to tell me what the blank parchment does," Rodrick stated.

Harry furrowed his brows at the words before questioning what he'd get.

Rodrick tilted his head slightly before grinning, "I'll answer any question you have, honestly." He was amused to see Potter's eyes widen slightly.

Sirius had a bemused look on his face, he sighed when Harry accepted, he would've asked for more.

"Ready?" Rodrick questioned amused, "Remember only three tries..."

Harry nodded, he had a feeling the boy was about to cheat, he couldn't see how.

"Stupify!" Harry's voice rang out as he shot off the stunner intent on breaking through the shield charm quickly before to his shock and utter annoyance, he watched as Rodrick simply stepped out of the way.

He heard Sirius Black chuckle at the action.

Potter looked on incredulously, "What are you doing?"

Rodrick raised an eyebrow, "Moving around, or was I supposed to stay still?" He questioned in mock innocence.

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, "I thought that was rather obvious..."

"Alright then," Rodrick stared of stern, "No more moving, you still have two shots left, even if you can't break it completely I'll take your situation into consideration," he finished with a nod.

Harry wasn't sure what the boy was trying to say but he wasn't going to move around at least. He aimed his wand again before shouting off, "Reducto!" Rodrick grinned as he took his own wand out and shot a spell off to block the incoming curse.

Harry twitched.

Rodrick nodded, "Ok, ok, no blocking curses either, my bad."

Sirius Black snorted when he realised what the boy was doing. He hadn't stated any conditions early on in order to be able to cheat his way through before making sure that Potter couldn't, later on, do the same...

Harry Potter simply smiled before raising his wand one last time, "Expecto Patronum!"

Rodrick flinched as the cloud of mist hit his face, it took a few moments to process what had just occurred before Black's laughter quickly filled up the room, clear pride shown in his eyes at the successful cast.

Harry Potter smiled sheepishly before turning back to Rodrick, amused, he'd never seen him so irritated before. His Transfiguration looked about to crack.

"Do I look like a bloody dementor Potter!?"

"Of course not," Harry Potter scoffed, "You're not nearly as pleasant as them," he added on, before joining Sirius in laughter.

"Real mature," Rodrick deadpanned before taking a seat. His mood souring when he realised Potter could hold a Patronus while he couldn't.

"Not having a go?" Harry questioned from his position.

"I would much rather you answer my question here, not in the infirmary," Rodrick calmly replied.

Harry Potter blinked before furrowing his brows, "You haven't won ye-"

"Potter you haven't even hit my shield charm yet,"

Harry stared at the teen, before shrugging as he went back to his seat, he wasn't about to take the pain with no real chance of winning. Besides, it's not like he was going to keep it. He certainly didn't have a problem with his godfather knowing about it.

"It's called the Marauders map," Black calmly spoke up from his seat.

Harry blinked as he stared at his godfather, "You know about it?" He questioned surprised.

Sirius grinned, "Of course, I am one of the people that made it,"

Harry simply stared wide-eyed at the words.

"I am Padfoot," Sirius calmly remarked.

Harry nodded, he'd been about to ask before Sirius quickly stammered out the answer.

"Prongs,"

Harry nodded in appreciation at the words before his mind connected the dots and gave Remus out as Moony, he'd certainly heard that enough times... He was rather irritated he hadn't realised it the first time... He idly wondered if Rodrick would have figured it out, he wouldn't be surprised if Hermione already knew. 'Maybe she didn't want to risk Black getting his map back,' He thought amused.

Turning to face the parchment, Rodrick raised an eyebrow, "How's this a map?" he questioned waving it around.

Harry sighed before indicating the item, Rodrick simply handed him the blank 'homework' before watching with a bemused look on his face as Potter pointed his wand at the map.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Rodrick scoffed before his eyes widened as he watched the map come to life."That's ... That's actually rather cool." he remarked surprised. He idly watched the dots roam around the parchment, turning towards Sirius Black, "This covers the entire castle?" he questioned rather eagerly.

Sirius chuckled before confirming the boy's question.

...

"Interesting," Rodrick remarked flicking the pages, before remembering something the twins had done, the morning they'd decided to prank their own house.

"Find Harry Potter," he remarked, amused to see Harry twitch as the map worked. Harry stared as the map seemingly found him and Sirius but not Rodrick. 'Might as well ask,' Harry thought to himself bemused.

Sirius stared at the map wondering why only two wizards were shown, "That's rather odd..." he turned back to Rodrick before questioning whether he'd done anything to the map previously.

"It's the first time I've seen it, he answered back confused. A thought quickly occurred to the boy, he reached a hand towards his necklace before, rather surprisingly, easily taking it off.

The words 'Rodrick Grindelwald' slowly appeared on the map.

Rodrick blinked at the words before looking up to see a confused Sirius Black.

"Goddamit Potter," Rodrick remarked shaking his head.

Harry didn't know how to react, "The twins said they only saw your first name show up..."

"Well, that certainly explains Bellatrix..." The two students heard Sirius Black remark rather easily.

"I imagine that was because the headmaster had likely not been aware at the time," Black added on, composed before sighing and shaking his head, "I take the fact your name showed up as it did means the headmaster is aware?" he questioned.

Rodrick glanced towards Potter for a second before nodding slowly.

"Oh, in that case then, it's fine," The man cheerfully remarked.

Rodrick blinked before a small smile took over his face, 'like godfather like godson,' he couldn't help the thought.

Another short silence seemed to ease over the three before Rodrick spoke up.

"What did you mean about Bellatrix?" he questioned coolly, whatever the woman had done aside, she was Black's cousin, it would be impolite to insult the woman. Quickly furrowing his brows he asked the second question, "What did you want to talk about by the way?" he seemed to have completely lost track of time.

"Oh," Sirius chuckled, "The two go hand in hand, to be honest," he shrugged.

Rodrick's expression didn't change, he simply stared waiting for an answer.

Harry made to get up at what he considered a rather sensitive subject, intent on leaving.

Rodrick merely glanced at the boy before shaking his head, "It's fine," he remarked.

Harry simply nodded as he lowered himself back into his seat, before turning his attention to Sirius, his godfather had a thoughtful look on his face before it dawned on Harry. He likely had no idea where to start. "Whose Bellatrix?" he decided to question.

"My cousin," Sirius answered before he quickly found himself talking about the woman more.

Rodrick didn't react to the words, simply intent on listening.

"She was rather obsessed with your mother," Sirius remarked staring at Rodrick.

Rodrick raised an eyebrow at the words, "Obsessed?" he questioned bemused.

Sirius nodded, "In a good way, I suppose..." he wondered what constituted a good way for his cousin.

"How so?" he questioned.

"I believe your mother was five years her elder, from the moment she'd joined the castle she'd seemed to have a rather uncommon interest regarding her,"

Rodrick stared at the man wondering what he'd meant, he had been about to speak before Black continued.

"By her second year, Bellatrix was practically inseparable from her,"

"How do you know?" Rodrick suddenly questioned.

Sirius blinked before chuckling, "The woman wouldn't shut up about it, at least before the black madness finally kicked in,"

"Black madness?" Harry suddenly questioned confused.

"Every now and then a Black suddenly goes crazy," Sirius remarked easily, the moment he noticed Harry's face scrunch up he clarified, "I wouldn't worry about me, I was born crazy."

"That's reassuring," Rodrick sarcastically remarked.

"You were saying?" Harry changed the subject.

"Oh yes, she wouldn't keep quiet about it, always speaking about her illustrious friend/professor every chance she got," Black was waving his hands around as if trying to convey a second language.

Rodrick frowned, he hadn't expected this sort of story at all, if the woman had liked his mother that much why on earth did she try to hunt her down? He wanted to ask but he highly doubted the man in front of him knew.

"Professor?" Rodrick suddenly asked, "You said she was only 5 years older,"

Sirius nodded numbly, "Your mother stuck around the castle after graduating, helping around the previous Divination professor, Bellatrix had been rather happy about that turnout," he remarked chuckling. "It was 2 years into that the professor had decided to retire and let your mother take over,"

Rodrick's frown deepened, 'That makes no sense... Bellatrix's behaviour didn't sound right for an 11/12-year-old...'

The boy sighed before asking why his name been Grindelwald answered any questions.

"Well for one, it certainly helps explain why the woman wouldn't leave your mother alone, if my cousin were to find out one of her professors was related to a dark lord I imagine she'd switch over to their course at the very least," Sirius Black stopped for a moment, thoughtful about something before continuing. "Divination is quite popular among the Blacks... Well, we didn't have your particular professor for it... It is still a subject most of my family tend to study,"

"Because of your names?" Rodrick questioned raising an eyebrow quickly earning a nod from the man.

"So with your mom been related to a dark lord..." the man seemed to stop at that before shaking his head, the woman had been as Gryffindor as they come from what he'd seen of her when she'd taught at his time, "And the fact she was a good divination professor, well, she was practically gift wrapped to Bellatrix in that sense." The man chuckled.

"Do you hate your cousin?" Harry suddenly asked.

Sirius blinked at the words before lowering his head, "I hate what she became," he remarked pointedly. "From what I remember, before her turn into a death eater, I heard she'd been quite a fun person to be around."

"That still doesn't answer why you wanted to talk to me..." Rodrick remarked thinly.

"Ah," Sirius remarked amused, "Thing is, Bellatrix was so obsessed with your mother, she willingly married into her family."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"What?" Rodrick questioned

Sirius Black blinked, "I am saying she married into your mother's family..."

"Bellatrix is a Lestrange..." Rodrick found himself saying.

Sirius Black nodded, "So was your grandmother,"

"..."

"What?" Rodrick questioned again, earning an amused look out of Potter.

"Your grandmother, her name's Leta Lestrange,"

"How do you know?" Rodrick felt inclined to ask.

Sirius Black raised an amused eyebrow, "Have you been paying any attention to what I've been saying?" He snorted.

Rodrick rolled his eyes while Potter chuckled at the words. He wasn't comfortable believing such a thing... It meant other than Barty Crouch, the other three people chasing the woman had practically been family... That didn't bode wel- Rodrick's thought process stopped as he understood Black's main point.

"I take it you firmly believe the Dark Lord will be back then?" Rodrick questioned mirthlessly, a grin on his face.

Sirius Black's eyes seemed to light up at the words, "Imagine how disappointed he will be to find the Lestrange family vault empty," he spoke calmly before falling into a fit of laughter at the thought.

Rodrick simply stared on rather surprised, "So because I am the only relative outside a prison and alive... I have access to the vaults?" he questioned curiously.

Sirius Black looked about to nod before quickly clarifying, "Well not all of them, I believe there were a few with different contracts in that, you couldn't access them until said person died..."

"Are there any vaults like that?" Rodrick questioned, earning a nod from the man.

"Bellatrix's for one,"

Rodrick simply shrugged, "I imagine most of their golds in the family vault?"

Sirius simply grinned.

Rodrick turned to Harry Potter, "I am richer than you now," he remarked casually before getting up off his seat.

Harry rolled his eyes, "just wait until I become Lord Black," he grinned in return.

Sirius merely stared at the two, "You two could cause far too much trouble together, I imagine that's why the hat decidedly put you in different houses," 'Not that it seemed to have worked that well,' he thought amused.

Harry scoffed at the notion, turning towards Rodrick he was surprised to find the boy thought about it.

Rodrick simply smiled before looking at Harry, "I suppose we'll find out next year," the eery words washing over the others.

"What's going on next year?" Harry questioned bemused.

Rodrick shrugged before giving his goodbyes to the two wizards. As he left the two to their conversations his mind drifted off to what Black had said. There was a skip in his step, Gringotts was the first place he was going to the moment he was out of the castle... He couldn't help the grin, the idea of stealing the large fortune from right under Voldemort's nose...

He wasn't sure how long he'd walked but the moment he reached the second-floor hallway, a strange feeling washed over him. Something seemed to call out towards him as he sped up his feet... The moment he reached the door in front of him, the door to the second-floor hallway, his stomach was in a whirl of knots. 'Why is it closed?' he thought to himself feeling rather numb, focusing his mage sight on the door he was surprised to see a locking charm on it.

Rodrick took his wand out and uttered out the unlocking charm at the door before he made to push his way through. He heard someone's voice ring out from the other side.

"Are you sure your mother was faithful? because from what I've heard of your father, he is quite the talented Auror, and you don't seem to have inherited anything from him." The voice of Diggory ran out as the boy made to dodge another spell before throwing off his own stupify at the three Slytherins in front of him.

Rodrick's eyes swept past Warrington and his cronies back, they hadn't seemed to have noticed him. Any other day he might've enjoyed Diggory's joke but currently behind Diggory, his eyes blazed with anger as he stared at Luna Lovegood's and Astoria Greengrass's unconscious bodies.

For the first time in his life. His Occulemency cracked.