"Talking"
"Thoughts"
"Spell"
"Writing"
LovesDragons: During a war they probably would but as of right now I don't see them liking a harsh Harry.
GJMEGA and timunderwood9: First I always like constructive critisim so thank you for that, I know not everyone will agree with chocies and its good to hear other perspectives. I have not explained it, since Nott would know about oaths, but my version is different than other stories I have read. Making an oath does not stop you from reveling something it just makes a consequence for doing so, Nott could go right up to Dumbledore and tell him everything Harry said but would lose his magic for doing so. If Nott accidently reveals something he would still lose his magic as well.
As such governments cant have children swear on things because they fear children would make mistakes while growing up and that would drop the magical population.
Oaths are not used in court because they are based off the information the person swearing thinks is true. If Harry had Obliviated the two Slytherin's minds he could swear he attacked one while they could swear he did not. Oaths are usually only excepted if there is other proof to support it, such as Harry having the Black Family ring while swearing he was Lord Black.
Oaths can also be tricked by wording, Lucius could swear he didn't torture any muggles while as a Death Eater because he tortured and killed them. By believing he did both and not one or the other he wouldn't suffer any ill effects. That reason is why courts usually don't ask for oaths or except them, instead relying on veritaserum.
Veritaserum, while still only reveals what a person knows, it is almost impossible to lie under so courts are more trusting of it. Occlumency can be used to over come it but you need to be extremely skilled to show no sign, like strains in your voice, pauses or lulls in sentences, when tricking it. People that are that skilled would be known, as it is a rare skill, and the court wouldn't use veritaserum on them.
I hope these explanations makes my story a little better for you and if you have any more questions or thoughts feel free to review or PM me.
Guest: You are right that Harry is easily throwing the disillusionment charm while not others but I reserve that right as a fanfic author to do whatever the hell I want. Harry hasn't practiced silent casting enough to properly use it, the adult that have spoken were emotional and didn't think to. I haven't mentioned him studying occlumency yet because that's coming up soon.
Joe Lawyer: Harry will be more aware of girl's affections but he isn't going to be some player who dates and beds a bunch of girls. He will go on a few dates and will flirt to help him get his way. International relations will show up every now and then but not to indebt, at least right now, that might change as I get further into the story.
Blitzstrahl: No when Orion died no one took up the seat as they weren't appointed by him and there was no Lord Black, the votes were used without permission and you'll see by who later on.
Snapeshipsfan17: Thank you, I already edited it. Gold star for you.
Thank you everyone for the positive reviews!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Narcissa looked up from her book as she heard the Floo roar to life and Lucius appear in the room, she bit back her welcome when she saw his face. While many would think he looked normal she could tell he was upset about something and was trying not to let it show. He spared her a glance as he walked across the room, tossing his cloak onto a chair, and straight to the bar, pouring a Firewhiskey.
She closed her book and watched him, noting that he didn't throw it back but took a big sip was a good sign. "Harry Potter." She cocked an eyebrow at him.
"What about him?" Narcissa asked.
"Lord Black is Harry Potter." Lucius said as he turned to look at her.
Narcissa's eyes went wide and she clutched her dress tightly. "How?"
"That is what I would like to know." Lucius answered as he took another sip.
"There must be some kind of mistake." Narcissa's mind was racing for answers. "This cannot be true."
"Augusta Longbottom certified his ring and he swore on his life and magic he was." Lucius said.
Narcissa nodded absently, despite her family being more aligned with the "Light" Augusta would not risk lying about something like that. "Oaths can be tricked, you know that."
"But coupled with the ring it leaves little doubt." Lucius finished his drink.
Narcissa stood and walked to him. "So what are we going to do?"
Lucius turned and started to make another drink. "Nothing."
"What?" Narcissa asked baffled.
"When we heard Harry Potter was coming back to the Wizarding World we expected a clueless Gryffindor." Lucius turned to his wife. "We got a young Ravenclaw Lord, when challenged by our son he turned it around to benefit himself. We chased a mysterious Lord Back while he sat back and watched." He took another drink. "We underestimated him and paid the price." He sat his glass down. "I will focus on bringing us back to our former place in the Wizengamot and refill our vault." He started to leave. "If you want to worry about Potter be my guest."
Narcissa stood there as her husband walked out of the room, after a few seconds she reached out and took the drink, draining it in one gulp. She let out a sigh and then headed for the drawing room to write yet another letter, she wanted answers and she was going to get them.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Azkaban Prison, North Sea xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Amelia Bones shivered as a feeling of hopelessness and dread washed over her and the others on the small boat. The sun was just rising over the horizon as she and her two most trusted Auror's, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt, went to bring in Sirius Black.
Moody was one of the older Auror's, his face showed his age and was covered in scars, a piece of his nose was missing, and his dark grey hair was wild, only adding to his fierce appearance. You could hear the thunk of his wooden leg as he stepped off the boat and onto the dock, all the while his magical left eye swirled around to take in everyone on the dock.
Shacklebolt was a tall black man with a bald head and single gold hoop earring in his left ear. He was clean shaven and even though he was close to Amelia's age he had a younger look to him.
She choose these two men for this mission because she knew they could both be discreet and would be able to handle themselves in case a problem occurred. Moody in particular was the most paranoid wizard she had ever met, when she told them the mission he had demanded they all sit in her office for over an hour, without consuming any food or drinks, just to be sure none of them were under polyjuice potion.
"Ma'am." One of the two dock guards said as they both saluted. "Welcome to Azkaban."
"Take me to the warden." Amelia said without stopping her stride.
"Yes ma'am, we will inform him right away." A guard said as he pulled out his wand and started to cast, only for Moody to grab his arm.
"She said take us, not inform." Moody said with a gravelly voice, the man gulped but nodded.
"Y-y-yes sir." He replied before gulping and rushing ahead of Amelia to lead them.
The redhead woman looked up at the massive gray structure, its very appearance made one lose any hope. It took a few minutes to walk up the chipped staircase carved into the rocky cliff but soon they came to the massive gateway that led into the prison. As soon as they walked into the prison a cold chill hit them and the feeling of despair intensified.
"Bloody dementors." Moody grumbled as they walked through the halls.
"They are most unpleasant." Kingsley said as he adjusted his cloak.
The group were led through the main floor and down a hall to a worn wooden door. The guard went to knock but Amelia pushed him aside and walked inside without knocking. Inside, the warden, an elderly wizard and retired Auror, snapped awake from his nap in his chair.
"Madam Bones." He snapped to attention, not even trying to straighten out his robes from the disarray they were in. "What brings you to Azkaban?"
"Take use to Sirius Black's cell." Amelia replied and stepped out of the doorway for the warden to lead them.
"Sirius Black?" The warden asked confused. "What…"
"Didn't ask for your opinion." Moody snapped before the man could ask more.
The warden gulped and nodded before he moved towards the door, past the group, and headed deeper into the prison.
"What is Blacks condition?" Amelia asked after a few seconds of walking, she was curious how much recovery time the man would need.
"For someone who's been here a decade he remains…" The warden paused. "Lucid."
"I see." Amelia thought that was both a good and bad sign.
"He always seems to have a witty remark whenever we come by." The warden answered.
"Heh." Moody smirked. "I doubt a hundred years with dementors could talk that away from Black." Kingsley chuckled at the comment.
Soon the group came to a hallway lined with cells, as they walked by the few prisoners who could speak yelled and jeered at them. Moody didn't even try to suppress his grin when people screamed out and cursed at him for locking them away. As they reached the end of the hall the warden led them up several flights of stairs and onto one of the top levels of the prison. Walking through a large metal door they came into another hallway lined with cells. "He's up ahead."
"Moody you can get us back yes?" Amelia asked.
"Aye." The older wizard said with a nod.
"Warden you may return to your office." The man hesitated at her order, he was curious as to what was going on. "That will be all." She gave him a fierce gaze that quickly crumpled what little curiosity he had and the man dashed off. Amelia drew her wand as the man left through the door. "Be ready gentlemen, Shacklebolt you'll hold him, Moody you see the slightest twitch towards any of us and stun him." Both men nodded. "Let's go."
The three went into a triangle formation with Amelia on point and walked down the hall, she walked with a purpose but slow enough to look into each cell as they passed. Finally she stopped when she spotted the man they came for, she had known Sirius before his betrayal and if she hadn't she doubted she would have recognized the man. His hair was longer than normal and was greasy and unkempt while his face was covered with a thick beard.
"Well well." Sirius said as he spotted them, his voice hoarse from a lack of use. "Amelia Bones, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" He grinned. "Are you here for, what was the muggle term again, oh yeah conjugal visits?
Amelia ignored the chuckle from Moody and was sure she did not want to know what he was referring to. "Stand up and come to the bars, hands behind your back and with them turned to us." Sirius sat up from his bed and cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Ah taking me for a walk I see." Sirius chuckled. "You don't need to wine and dine me first Amelia, I'll gladly take you in the sack now." He patted his cot.
"Do as your told Black." Moody said. "We've got places to be."
"Moody you came to?" Sirius said as he stood. "Well it has been a long time so I guess I can let you in as well, but no crossing wands alright." He chuckled to himself as he turned his back to them and held out his arms.
Shacklebolt pulled some metal cuffs, covered in runes and charms, from inside his robes and reached through the bars to secure them on Sirius. "Secured." The wizard said.
Amelia nodded and as Shacklebolt moved back she pulled out her copy of the prison keys and unlocked the cell. Shacklebolt passed his wand to Moody as he walked by, just to be sure Sirius couldn't get it from him, and grabbed the man's shoulders to spin him around and walk him down the halls.
"So they finally decide to throw me through the veil?" Sirius asked as they walked down the stairs. "Or am I going to be one of the lucky ones and get kissed?"
"Oh your one of the lucky ones alright Black." Moody grumbled out.
"It has come to our attention that you never received a trail." Amelia said. "So you will be moved to a holding cell and given treatment until you are fit for one."
Sirius stopped in his tracks. "What?" He tried to turn to see if they were smiling in jest but Shacklebolt kept him facing forward.
"Like I said one of the lucky ones." Moody said as he nodded to Kingsley, who gave Sirius a small shove to keep him moving.
Sirius barely heard him though as his mind was racing. "I'm getting a trial? No! It's a trick, this was probably setup by Death Eaters for some reason." "So how did you find out?"
Amelia wasn't sure if she should say anything but the mediwizards she had talked to did say any emotion would help in getting him healed. "Lord Potter-Black."
Sirius nearly tripped at her answer and spun around, even though Shacklebolt tried to stop him. "….Harry?" Moody and Amelia had leveled their wands at him when he turned but both found it odd he showed such emotion at the name.
"That's right." Amelia said slowly, Sirius looked at them for several seconds before he slowly started to chuckle, which soon turned into loud full blown laughter. The three Aruror's all took a step back as Sirius laughed, they believed he had gone unhinged at the news. None of them could guess he was laughing at the fact a half-blood was now the Lord of his pureblood family.
xxxxxxxxxxx 12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London, England xxxxxxxxx
Harry quickly grabbed onto the railing as he portkeyed onto the stairwell of number 12 Grimmauld Place. Standing up he placed the key, which Flitwick had made into a portkey for him before charming the house, into his pocket and walked inside. The entrance hall was dark but as Harry stepped inside lights began to illuminate, he looked around to ensure no one turned them on, but saw no one so he continued into the house.
"Who are you!" Harry snapped his head to the side to see the portrait of an older woman, dressed in fine looking black robes.
"I am Lord Harry Potter-Black." Harry said as he turned to the portrait. "Who are you?"
The woman in the portrait's eyes flew open. "Potter? The little half-blood, how dare you call yourself Lord Black!" She screamed at him.
Harry smirked and switched the ring on his finger to the Black one and held it up. "Kreacher!" A small pop signaled the elfs arrival.
"Dirty half-blood master calls Kreacher." The old looking elf said as he glared at Harry,
"Wha… how is… this cannot be!" The woman yelled as she took everything in. "Lies! Trickery! That cannot be the real family ring!"
"And the elf calling me master?" Harry asked with an amused smirk, he noticed a name plate on the picture as he studied it.
"How is this possible?" Walburga asked, the portrait looked like it might faint. "What have you done you filthy mongrel!"
Harry narrowed his eyes at her. "I will only tolerate your tone so much."
Walburga smirked at him. "And what will you do about it?" She was positive the charms on the portrait would keep her safe.
"I wonder how well you will like living in a closet for the next forty years." Harry replied, making the woman laugh.
"You couldn't move or silence this portrait if you wanted to filth." She shot back at him with a vicious smirk.
"Kreacher." Harry barked. "Throw this portrait in a closet."
The elf sneered at him. "Filthy half-blood didn't hear mistress, Kreacher can't move portrait."
Harry was growing frustrated with all of this. "Kreacher I am your master and if you ever refer to me as something else you will not like what I do."
"Kreacher isn't scared of half-blood punishments." The elf replied, he had been punished plenty by the Black family and didn't fear anything Harry could do.
Harry however smirked. "Oh I won't punish you." This surprised the elf but Walburga laughed thinking he was weak willed. "I will give you clothes." Kreacher gasped and took a step back. "And it gets better." Harry turned fully towards the elf. "This home is under the Fidelius charm, meaning as soon as you are not bonded to the family you will never be able to return here unless I allow it." Kreacher looked at him with wide eyes.
"Kreacher will listen to master." Kreacher quickly said, he wasn't willing to risk his position.
"Disloyal elf." Walburga screeched. "I should have chopped your head off when I had the chance."
"And you." Harry rounded on the portrait. "I'll give you credit for the spellwork on the portrait but tell me did you think to protect the wall it's on?" Walburga's eyes went wide and her jaw nearly dropped, Harry grinned in victory. "Looks like I'll need to call in an architect to tear this wall down."
"You can't do that." Walburga said with a hint of fear.
"Oh you'll find I can do that." Harry snapped back at her. "I am Lord Black I can do whatever I want to this house." Harry glared at her. "If you want to stay then you better follow my rules, despite what you think blood means nothing to magic." He held up his ring. "This is proof of that, so anyone who comes into this house, no matter what their blood status, will be treated with respect. I hear you say one word I don't like and you're gone, and I'll drop you at the bottom of the ocean."
Walburga and Harry stared at each other for a few seconds. "You are nothing like your family."
"Hard to be like people that I've never met." Harry replied.
Walburga nodded, she didn't like what was going on and certainly wanted answers but to do that she needed to remain where she was. "I will follow your rules, on the promise we will talk more about your." She sneered slightly. "Theory."
"Agreed." Harry answered knowing it would be good to practice this particular debate with someone who couldn't go talking to others. "Now I need to finish examining the house." Turning Harry began walking. "Kreacher with me." The elf quickly fell in step behind Harry.
The House itself was in good condition, minus the fact Kreacher obviously hadn't dusted or polished in years. The master bedroom and one other, Harry found out it belonged to Sirius's brother Regulus, were the only two that looked to have been cleaned at all.
"Kreacher." Harry said as he walked back down to the first floor. "You will begin cleaning this house immediately, I also will be getting." Harry paused to think. "Two more elves for the house, as long as you follow my rules you will remain the head elf of the house but if you test my patience I will not hesitate to throw you out. Understood?"
"Yes master." Kreacher said with a nod.
"Keep me happy and I will make sure your head joins the others." Harry found it odd the Black's kept the decapitated heads of their elves but he could do it for Kreacher then throw them all out. "Now get to work cleaning, we might be having a dinner after Christmas and I don't want our guests to see the house in this condition."
"Yes master." Kreacher said before popping away to begin his chores. Harry nodded and pulled out another key and headed towards the door to portkey home.
xxxxxxxxxxx 9 The Shopping Parade, Langport, Somerset xxxxxxxxxxxx
Nymphadora "Don't call me Nymphadora" Tonks let out a long content sigh as she stretched out in her bed, she loved the holidays because she didn't have to wake up at a certain time and could sleep as long as she wanted. Sitting up and stretching her body, she scratched her head, feeling her short hair and pausing a minute before she remembered she had changed it for her family. Normally she liked to keep it short and spikey but for the holiday she appeased her mother and kept it shoulder length, though she did make it a dark red for Christmas. Jumping out of bed she grabbed a pair of shorts to throw on and headed down stairs.
"Morning Mum!" She yelled as she hopped down the last stair and into the kitchen, spotting her mother looking over a letter.
"Oh Nymphadora good morning." Andromeda replied after a second.
"Tonks." She said pointedly to her mother, though she cocked an eyebrow at her mother's delay. "Whats up mum?"
"I just received a strange letter." Andromeda said as she looked down at the letter again.
"What's it say?" Tonks asked as she walked over to her mother, who wordlessly passed her the letter.
Dear Mrs. Andromeda Tonks,
I would like to invite you and your family to dinner on Saturday, December 28th. My owl will wait for a reply.
Lord Harry Potter-Black
The teen stared at the letter for a second. "Bloody hell." She muttered.
"Language Nymphadora." Andromeda scalded her quickly.
"Harry Potter!" She yelled and waved the letter around. "What the hell is going on? Why does he want to talk with us?"
"I don't know." Andromeda replied. "But obviously it has something to do with the Black family."
Tonks frowned, she knew all about how her mother was thrown out of the family because of who she married. "Maybe he's going to bring you back into the family?"
Andromeda nodded at the possibility but she really didn't care, she was happy with her life and while it stung to be kicked out back then she had no feelings about it now. "Well I guess will find out when we meet." She opened a draw and pulled out some parchment and a quill.
"Were going?" Tonks asked with a grin.
"I already called your father and we decided to." Andromeda replied as she wrote her reply. "I was just thinking on it more when you graced me with your presence."
Tonks stuck out her tongue at her mother and walked over to the cabinet to get food, though she was extremely curious about Harry Potter. She had heard all about his Quidditch betting thing going on, which she found odd but a few of her friends had placed some bets and won so she didn't think it was as sketchy as muggle betting. Shrugging it off she made a quick breakfast and took it up stairs, she wanted to owl her friends and see if they knew about Harry.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Potter Manor xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Wakes up master." Zeus said as he gently shook Harry.
"Mmm." Harry moaned as he cracked open his eyes and looked up at the elf. "What is it Zeus?"
"Master has presents under christmasy tree." Zeus said with a grin before hopping off the bed.
Harry chuckled at the elf and slowly got out of bed, grabbing his robe as he did and pulling it over his pajamas. Following Zeus down the hall Harry made his way into the main den, where he had the elves setup the tree, and found several presents underneath it. He was curious as to why there were so many though, he assumed his year-mates would send him gifts and had sent them all something, but he couldn't think of who else would send him gifts.
"Master sits there and we's bring him the presents." Zeus said and the other elves all nodded, each grabbing a present. He figured this is how their old master did Christmas so he didn't fight it, walking over to an armchair Harry sat down and immediately Zeus had a present in his lap.
"Does master wants breakfast to?" Frigg asked from his side as he began opening his first gift.
"That will be fine Frigg." Harry replied. "But instead of tea I would like hot chocolate." Frigg nodded then popped away to make the meal.
As he thought all his year-mates sent him presents, candy and school supplies, but he was surprised when he received a gift from Tiberius Ogden, a bottle of aged Firewhiskey and a note saying it would put some hair on his chest. No other Families sent him gifts but he wouldn't be surprised if he had several invitations in the mail for him, his attention was peeked when Odin gave him a rather badly wrapped parcel, opening it he found a hand carved flute from Hagrid. "Curious." Harry thought. "Why would he send me a flute?" Harry figured it was somehow arranged by Dumbledore but was still going to send the man a gift in return.
The final gift was in a small box, wrapped in a simple but fine paper, and opening it he found an odd looking cloak. 'Hmm." Harry said as he stood and held out the cloak, he looked back in the box and noticed a note. Picking it up Harry gave it a quick read.
Your father left this in my possession before he died.
It is time it was returned to you.
Use it well.
"That's not suspicious." Harry muttered before he put the cloak back in the box, while he knew Gringotts wouldn't have sent it if they detected anything malicious he wasn't going to trust an unsigned gift. "I'm sure Flitwick will check it for charms and curses if I ask." He closed up the box and decided to take it to his trunk.
"Master, breakfast be served." Frigg said as she popped into the room.
"Thank you Frigg." Harry replied. "Zeus please put this in my school trunk." He held out the box for the elf, who quickly took it and popped up to his bedroom. Nodding to himself Harry turned and walked towards the dining room. "This has been a pretty good Christmas." He thought as he sat at the table.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 9 The Shopping Parade xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Andromeda was nervous, and she really couldn't figure out why exactly that was. Sure she was meeting a Lord but he was an eleven year old boy so she shouldn't feel nervous, though from what she'd read and what her daughter had said he is more mature than his age. She assumed it was because she didn't know why he wanted to meet with them, was he going to reinstate her into the family? Would he even care? Was he calling in some unknown debt? She had heard about what happened with her sister Narcissa and wondered if her parents or Aunt had done something to her she was unaware of.
"Calm down dear." Edward "Ted" Tonks said to his wife with a chuckle. "Your acting like this is the end of the world."
"Ya mum calm down." Tonks chuckled out.
"Nymphadora would you please change your hair to a more acceptable color?" Andromeda asked as she turned to see Nymphadora had her hair a neon pink.
Nymphadora huffed. "Fine." She shifted her hair color to a dark brown, the same as Andromeda's. "Happy?"
Andromeda smiled. "Very."
"So how are we getting to where ever it is were going?" Tonks asked curiously.
"Were waiting for one of Lord Potter-Black's house elves." Andromeda replied, she was surprised when he said they would meet at the Black family home and she couldn't remember where that was but Harry explained it was under a Fidelius charm and he would send an elf for them. She also saw that as a good sign if he was trusting them to learn about the house when he obviously wanted it hidden.
A popping brought all of their attentions to the middle of the room. "Missy Andromeda." Kreacher said as he looked up at the witch, he remembered her and despite his displeasure in seeing her he had been warned already to keep a civil tongue.
"Kreacher." Andromeda said with a nod though she was a bit surprised to see the elf.
"Master tells me's to show you this." Kreacher held out a scrap of parchment and the family leaned down to read it.
Lord Harry Potter-Black resides at number 12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London, England
While nothing happened to Nymphadora both her parents suddenly remembered the home and how to get there. "Kreacher will see yous there." The elf said before popping away.
"What was that?" Tonks asked confused.
"The house was placed under a Fidelius charm, since you didn't know where it was to begin with you felt nothing but your father and I suddenly remembered." Andromeda explained as she grabbed her coat. "Now come, I will side along you and your father." They nodded and took Andromeda's hands, a loud crack filled the house as they disappeared.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 12 Grimmauld Place xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Tonks all appeared on the porch of the house, after a quick check of her clothes Andromeda knocked on the door. When it opened instead of Kreacher they saw a younger looking elf. "Welcomes." She chirped and moved to allow them to enter. "I is Lollie, can I's takes your coats."
"Please." Ted answered as he started to remove his overcoat.
A snap of her fingers and the house-elf had removed their things. "This way please." She said and led them into the dining room.
"Andromeda?" The woman spun around at her name and spotted Walburga's portrait
"Aunt Walburga." Andromeda replied dryly, she was hoping not to have to deal with magical portraits of any of her former family.
Walburga studied her for a few seconds. "You look…well." Andromeda was surprised by the lack of attack, their last meeting had not been so pleasant.
"Thank you." Andromeda said hesitantly.
"Good to see you can be civil Walburga." Everyone turned as Harry walked into the dining room, Andromeda was especially curious at what he said. "Welcome Tonks's, I hope you are well."
"Lord Potter-Black." Andromeda said before turning to her family. "My husband Edward."
"Mr. Tonks" Harry walked to the man and held out his hand.
"A pleasure Lord Potter-Black." Ted said, he wasn't all that comfortable speaking to an eleven year old like this but Andromeda had told him they needed to use pureblood manors tonight.
"And my daughter Nymphadora." Andromeda said.
"Tonks." Nymphadora gritted out at her mother, her hair turning a bit red, before turning to Harry. "Nice to meet ya."
Harry cocked an eyebrow at the girl before he shook her hand, Andromeda sighed at her daughters un-natural hatred for her name. "Forgive my daughter, we have always had a disagreement over her name."
"I see." Harry said. "Would any of you like a drink?"
"Wine for me please." Andromeda said, she needed something to calm her down.
"I don't suppose you have any Firewhiskey?" Ted asked.
"I'll have…" Tonks began to say.
"Anything non-alcoholic." Andromeda cut in, making Tonks frown at her.
"Do you have pumpkin juice?" Tonks asked.
"Kreacher." Harry said and the elf popped next to him.
"Yes master?" The old elf asked.
"Please get Mr. Tonks a Firewhiskey and Tonks." Harry nodded at the teen. "A pumpkin juice." He turned to Andromeda. "I have not stocked any wine but there are a few bottles in the basement, Lollie can take you and you can pick whichever you like." Lollie ran over when she heard her name while Kreacher popped away to the kitchen.
"Thank you." Andromeda said and turned to the elf, who smiled and headed off towards the stair well.
"Please have a seat." Harry said to the others and walked over to the far end of the table, the Tonks's both noticed the end chairs were more decorated. Ted decided to leave the opposite chair of Harry for his wife, not sure on what the custom was, and took a spot on the left while his daughter plopped down on the right. "So Tonks." The girl looked up. "What year are you in Hogwarts?"
Harry kept the conversation light, mostly talking to Tonks about her time at Hogwarts, but also asked the adults questions about their jobs. He could tell they were all curious about why they were there but held their tongues, Harry was surprised Tonks didn't just blurt it out. Just from the few minutes of talking to her he didn't think she was a very patient person. Finally after they ate and the plates were cleared Harry figured they had stewed long enough. "I'm sure you are all curious as to why I invited you here tonight?"
"Been killing me." Tonks muttered from her seat, Andromeda rolled her eyes at her daughter.
Harry chuckled but quickly straightened his face. "First, if you would like, I will reinstate you into the Black Family."
Ted reached under the table and squeezed his wife's hand, giving her a small smile when she turned to him. Andromeda returned the gestures and looked back at Harry, she had thought what she would do if he did offer this choice. On the one hand she really didn't care about being a Black anymore, but on the other if she was back in the Black Family that meant her daughter would be as well. Being a half-blood was hard enough, but being the daughter of someone disowned gave her a difficult stigma to overcome. "You said first." Andromeda realized. "What is the second?" While she doubted there would be, she wanted to make sure there wasn't a catch.
"Second, and this is not a requirement for your reinstatement." Harry guessed what she thought. "I would like Nymphadora…"
"Tonks!"
"To take the Black name." Harry finished with a grin, Tonks had gone from angry to confused in a second.
"What?" Both Tonks's and Ted asked.
Andromeda leaned back in her chair and eyed Harry for a second. "I see." She replied, understanding what he wanted.
"You see what?" Tonks asked whipping her head to her mother. "What does he mean take the Black name?"
"When a family is dying out it is not uncommon for family members to take a different name." Andromeda started to explain. "Basically if you did become a Black whoever you marry will take your name last name, even though traditionally you would take your husbands."
Tonks furrowed her brow. "What does that solve?"
"It makes more members of the Black family as all your children will be Blacks." Andromeda replied. "It's an uncommon practice but not unheard of."
"So I would get the benefits of being in an Ancient and Noble House?" Tonks asked curiously, despite not being a pureblood or member of a noteworthy family she had some friends who were and knew enough about it.
"Yes, however." Andromeda nodded to Harry. "Being a Black means the Lord still has a say in your life choices, even after you turn eighteen. The only way to get out of that would be to leave."
Tonks frowned at that, she was looking to her independence after graduation. "What exactly do you want from me?" She asked Harry. "I mean you can't just want more people running around with the last name of Black."
"Why not?" Harry asked. "It will give me more of a family, I mean I have muggle relatives but they don't like magic so I'll probably never see them again. Not that they were horrid or anything but we were more like strangers living together then family so no real loss there." The family frowned at him. "But also this will give you better chances and opportunities in life, something you would have had if the Blacks hadn't been so pigheaded back then." They heard Walburga huff.
"So if." Tonks stressed the word. "I agree to this you're not gonna be all demanding and critical of me, right?"
"As long as you aren't doing something illegal or that would humiliate the family as a whole you can do whatever you want." Harry replied, well aware he was being hypocritical. "I also hope you strive to be more the just an Auror, perhaps Head Auror if not the Head of the D.M.L.E." Tonks nodded, she already had goals to get farther up the ladder.
"What about marriage?" Andromeda asked.
Tonks snapped her head towards her mother. "I will not be signing any marriage contracts but I would hope she marries someone she loves that also is well respected in his field." Harry answered. "I would also warn you, if you do accept I'm sure many people will try to get your attention.
Tonks let out a groan and slouched in her seat. "Just great."
"Of course you'll have the final say so I wouldn't worry to much." Harry tried to appease her some.
"Well I think you've given us a lot to think on." Ted spoke up, having been taking in everything that was said. "I hope we can discuss this and give you an answer later?"
Harry nodded. "Of course, I didn't think this would be something decided right away." He stood up. "Take time to talk it out, but I hope you can give me an answer by mid-January."
"It shouldn't take that long." Andromeda said as she and her family stood. "Thank you again for the dinner."
"My pleasure and Tonks." The girl turned. "It is your decision in the end and if you have more questions I'll be happy to answer them for you."
She nodded and shot him a smile. "Thanks Harry." Her smile turned to a grin as she grabbed hold of him and pulled him into a tight hug. "You know I did always want a little brother, I guess you'll do." Harry let out a small chuckle as she let go and followed after her parents.
Harry let out a sigh as he heard the door close, most of what he said was true but also he hoped Tonks would show people the Black family views were changing. The fact she wanted to be an Auror would be beneficial as he could pump her for information later on. "I just need to be careful about what I talk about around her."