I don't own SPN or Harry Potter.

Chapter 4 – getting to know each other

The first night in his room, Sam trashed from one side to the other of his bed. Sleep wouldn't come. Everything felt so new and familiar at the same time, like he was meant to be here. After three hours of rolling around on the big bed, he decided to do something useful with his time. Maybe he could find some answers in the library. Even if the bond of siblings could save Dean, he wouldn't put all his money on only one option. The library, which his uncle showed him before dinner yesterday, would be a good start, the amount of books, in it literally called out to him. He loves books.

So Sam got up from his bed, put on some clothes and walks to the library. As he enters he sees that, he isn't the only one with the intentions to search for some answers. But in contrast to him the other person was asleep. Sam takes a moment to look at Harry; he was sitting on the floor with a book in his lap. He apparently fell asleep while reading. The position can't be comfortable, but he looks to Sam like he could need some sleep. So he let him do just that.

Sam walked further into the library to start his research or better his browsing, because he doesn't know where to start. He walks alongside the first book row. As he reaches the end of the row, which was almost five meters longs, he discovers that the library is far bigger than someone would guess at the first glance. The entry with the chimney and the sofas besides some shelves were only a small part of the library. It looks to him like some sort of balcony. He stops at the reeling for an overview of the rest of the library. As he turns around to look at the entrance of the library, he can't see it like it was some sort of optical illusion.

Getting lost in this big library would be an easy task, while finding something specific looks like a hard task on the other hand. Sam has no idea where to start, he doesn't know how this library works or where he can finds something. He could ask his uncle, but at two in the morning he probably is sleeping. But maybe someone else could help, he doesn't know if it would work or if the creature needed sleep, but with nothing else to go on he has to try. "Kreacher." he whispered out loud and hopes that he comes like he does to his uncle. He didn't want to yell and wake Harry up with it.

Only moments later the little creature appears besides him. He looks at Sam for a moment as if he studies him, before he asks. "What can I do for Master?"

Master, ok that needs some time to get used too, Sam thought to himself. But he ignores it for now, as he says. "Can you tell me how this library works?"

Instead of answering Kreacher snips his fingers and a very old, thick book appears in his hands. He holds the book out to Sam and says. "Every book of this library is listed in this book in an alphabetical order." That's good. Sam takes the book. "If you find a book you want, tap it with your wand and it will appear beside you." That's easy. So Sam walks back to Harry to take a place on the table by the chimney. Before he could get a step away from the creature, he asks. "Do you want maybe something to drink?"

Sam thought a moment about the question before he answers. "Some coffee please." with that the elf disappeared and Sam walks to the table. One thing he doesn't understand is; why the elf is so nice to him and so hostile to his uncle or even Hermione. Maybe he should ask Sirius about it. But for now he has some reading to do. The coffee he asked of Kreacher was already on the table. Good. He takes the seat, places the book at the table and opens it. Due the thickness of the book he decided to start with D for demon or deal, you may never know, what you find if you don't try. Simple ways often bring the best outcome.

The first book that arouses his interest was Dark Magic and Demonic Magic – one and the same? That book was interesting for different matters, but he didn't want to go into dark magic without his siblings or family nearby. That was too risky for his liking, so he went on with the list. He picked the coffee mug up, took a sip and studied the book list further; the next book which could be helpful was Deals at a Crossroads. A book he definitely needed for his research. So he took his wand out of his pockets. Good that he can't put it away. Since he gotten it yesterday he felt, that it was necessary to have the wand always in reach, so that is what he did. He even got to bed with it. With the wand he tapped on the book and it appeared. The next book was Demons – Classification and Hierarchy, it could be a good start to learn about the who first, before answering they what questions. The list is getting longer and there are some more titles he could use for his research, but he will start with those two books.

Instead of starting with the books about Deals he took the classification book and started reading. He learnt some interesting things in this book like that the highest or better first demon was Lilith, she was tortured by Lucifer so long, until she transformed into a demon. Her purpose is to keep an eye on the crossroads deals, which were dealt and sealed by crossroads demons, which stand a little higher in the hierarchy, than normal demons. Could it be that she holds Deans deal now, he asks himself. But besides Lilith there are other higher up demons, who were fallen angels like Lucifer, they have different eye colors. One of them was good old Yellow Eyes and according to this book his name was Azazel. This information probably would have saved them some time.

His reading was interrupted by a moaning. He looks at Harry and sees that he was shanking with his whole body, sweating and his eyes moved to fast behind his eyelids, so he must have a nightmare. Sam let go of the book, get up and walks to the teenager. Gentle he tries to wake him up, but he still is in the nightmare and waking him isn't easy. So Sam shakes him a bit harder and says. "Come on Harry, snap out of it. It's just a nightmare." As if that did it, Harry sits up with a start and looks bewildered at Sam, who takes a seat beside him and asks him. "Everything ok?"

It took Harry a moment to get his bearing together. The dream rattled him a bit. How could it not, he always felt so helpless after he replayed the deaths of the people, who died for him in his dreams. But how should he tell that to Sam, so he lied. "Yeah."

Of course Sam wasn't fouled in the slightest; he dealt with his brother for the last 20 years, who was the king of suppressing his feelings. But the difference here is that Sam wouldn't back down, so he said with a smile. "You know talking helps."

Harry looks at Sam and is reminded of the ritual yesterday. They both lost their mothers very young and were the reason that they are dead now. They have that some things in common and so Sam probably would be the only one at home, who has somehow an idea of what he is feeling at the moment. So he sighs and says. "I dreamt about everyone who has died because of me."

"I see." Sam says and sighs. He really wants to help him, but he doesn't know if he was ready to share his own guilt, but he can't tell Harry that talking about something helps and then not doing the same thing. That would be a little hypocritical. But sharing could give him the opportunity to get to know him and something tells him that he wants that. "I know what you are going through."

"Really?" Harry whispers as he looks at Sam. Even if he knows that he does, Harry had to ask.

But Sam looked at somewhere else, it was easier to tell those things without looking at someone, because then it was like you would only tell it to the universe and nobody else. "I always felt guilty that my Mom died in my nursery, because of me. … But all that reached a new level with Jess death."

"Who was she?" Harry wanted to know after Sam didn't spoke more.

"She was my girlfriend and I loved her very much. … But the difference is I could have saved her." Sam says in a whisper.

"How?"

"As I told all of you yesterday, I have vision because of the demon blood and I saw her die. I dreamt about it for weeks, but I ignored it. I told myself that it only were nightmares."

That's the moment Harry learns that Sam and him are kindred spirits. They have lived through same things and carry the same guilt. They feel it all very deeply and are compassionate. That's made them into the people they are now. Harry decides then and there that he wants to get to know Sam more. But before he can start with that, he wants to reassure him about something, so he declares. "Dreams can be deceiving, so you couldn't know what it means. I know that because I have somehow a connection with Voldemort, he sent me false visions and leaded me into a trap and of course I stepped into the trap." he looks away from Sam. "Even after Hermione told me that it is a trap, I still walked into it."

For someone so young, he is very wise, Sam thought. A dream can be a dream or not, but it depends, how you decide to see it. Talking with Harry helped somehow it was like sharing the pain. But painful things are simply that … painful. So he tries to change the topic. "You and Hermione are good friends?" he asks and Harry nods as answer. But Sam wants to know if there ever was something more between them. She is his little sister after all and for the first time in his live he has the chance to be a big brother. "Just friends … nothing more?"

Harry looks at him with a funny face, as if the suggestion of that was a joke to him. Which of course it is, because Hermione was his sister in every sense but blood and there is also the other thing. The thing he has nobody told anyone until now, because he was too afraid, but somehow he has the feeling that he can trust Sam with his secret and that he want to trust him with it. But instead of saying it directly, he tells him. "She isn't my type."

"What do you like redheads or is she not beautiful enough for you." Sam tries to provoke him, because to him Hermione is beautiful and someone, who turns heads. Not that he likes that very much.

Harry laughs. "God no, no redheads and Hermione is more than beautiful, but she isn't my type." He emphasizes type to signal Sam what he means.

It took Sam only a moment to catch on. "Oh." he was surprised. Harry doesn't look gay, but is there such a thing as looking gay. No definitely not and who is he to judge, he may be not gay, but he also like men and of course woman. In Harry faces he can see, that he somehow is afraid about what he has to say to that. "No problem with that." he reassures him.

"Thanks. … You are the first one I told that do?" Harry confesses.

"Why?" Sam asks, but Harry doesn't know how to answer that. So Sam concludes that Harry is afraid how others will see him, because he is gay. "I don't think that someone in this family will judge you, especially not Sirius. Not after what he confessed." He tells him; because Sam has the feeling that Sirius is the most important person to him in this equation. The only father figure he ever knew.

After a moment of considering Sams words he answers. "You are right." But Sam could hear in his tone that he doesn't believe it or only parts of it.

So he does the only thing, he knows will give him peace. "Harry it isn't a big deal, because I like men as well."

"What, but I thought … Jess." Harrys stutters because he doesn't know, how else he should say it.

Sam laughs, because even if he is wise in some points there other things in which he see the youth of Harry. "I like both women and men … because against everything my brother believes you fall in love with a person and not with a gender. … So I had relationships with males and females in the past. … Jess was only the last one and she meant so much to me, but not because she was a woman, but because she was a wonderful person."

"You miss her." Harry concludes.

"Every day." Sam confesses.

There was silence between them after that for some moments. Each one was in his own thoughts, about the people they loved and lost. But Harry wanted to ease Sam's pain a bit, so he asked. "Was she the one?"

"I don't know." Sams say and sighs. "Why?"

"Then you will find her or him, someday." Harry tells him.

Sam looks bewildered at Harry. "How do you know?"

"If she would have been your one, you would have known even with a sealed core. Because of magic, she leads you to your other halve."

"You make it sound like she is a living being!" Sam answers to that.

"She is. She is everywhere around us, is part of us, but thinks for herself."

Interesting. "Sounds like the force." Sam tries to joke about it bit. The tension between them was heavy, so to lighten the mood probably would be a good idea.

Harry laughs. "Almost, but magic is more part of us, then the force was part of the Jedi. She wants out and wants to be used and grows with every spell or jinx. The force stays the same. And there are also more sorts of magic like the magic of love or healing magic or potions, instead of simply two sides of the same coin." he explains to Sam.

"But isn't magic also light as well as dark?" Sam asks.

"Oh yeah, but the grey areas count, which the force don't has." Sam doesn't have a problem with grey, because life isn't divisible in black and white. He always knew that and he always saw the grey area especially with the things they hunted. Dean would be a problem, because he lives more to the standards of light and dark. For him there is clear line, but in truth you can't find one. It is nice to learn these aspects about magic, which is a part of him. It is like learning something new about him and Sam likes to learn.

"You know much about magic."

"Not enough, even after six years in this world I still learn something new." Harry snorts.

"Maybe we can learn some things together." Sam says all of a sudden and without thinking about it for long. But as soon as the words left his mouths he was sure that he meant them. He doesn't know why, but if he would learn things about magic, it would be nice to learn them with Harry.

Harry looks around the room for a moment, not knowing what to say to that. His glance stops at the table where he saw open books. He smiles and says. "You are definitely related to Hermione."

"How so?" Sam wants to know as he follows the glance of Harry. It is nice to hear for him that he has something in common with his sister; he just wants to know what.

"You are a bookworm like her." Harry says fondly, before he continues. "I can't remember how often she was in the library searching for a book to save my life and she did it every time. … A trait you apparently share with your sister … what you are researching?" he wants to know.

Sam smiles. "It is always good to have someone on your side, who is good with research. … Believe me, without me Dean would go crazy, because he has to do of all the research. … I started with deals."

It took a moment before Harry asks. "Do you want some help, I may be not as good as Hermione, but I think I can manage." To say that Sam was surprised about that would be an understatement. But Harry apparently has the talent to surprise Sam on every turn, because even if he doesn't know Dean that much and isn't really related to him, he wants to help him. That is a nice trait to have and makes Harry into an interesting person for a good friend, maybe even more. But Sam shook himself out of that thought, Harry maybe beautiful, intelligent, funny and somehow a kindred spirit, but he still was way much younger than him. Even it is only 8 years or so, but he doesn't want to have problems with his uncle, because of seducing his godson or better almost son.

He banishes these thoughts as he said. "Are you sure you don't want to sleep a bit more." Because Sam sees in his face as clear as day, how exhausted Harry is and that he really needs to get some sleep.

But they apparently share another thing, stubbornness. "No, everything is alright." without waiting for an answer Harry gets up and walks to the table with Sam's research. Sam knows when a battle is fruitless, he fought many of those with his brother and in the end he always lost. So against his better judgment he stood up as well and got back to his research. But he vowed to himself to find a way to make sure that Harry would sleep, at least a bit.

There in the Black library at almost 3 in the morning, the two started to research together. Unknown to them is, that magic wanted this and is humming with delight, that the two of them start a friendship that in her hopes could become more someday. They could be good for each other.

Some hours later Dean awoke like usual without an alarm set. At first he was disorientated where he was, but then he remembers the eventful day he had yesterday. He still can't believe that he was a wizard it was still too new and too extreme for him. But he has to admit he hasn't slept that well in ages. Maybe it was the house, which was now a part of him, that could become a home someday or it was the people in this house, whom he considers as family, surprisingly all of them, even Harry. But the blood secrets ritual somehow opened his heart and for the first time he hasn't a problem with it, because it got him a home and a family outside of Sammy and someone, who will burden the responsibility with him. It was the first time since Kansas that he hopes that he belongs somewhere. It takes some time to get used to the idea of being a wizard, especially as a hunter. But after he read the letter of his father, he believed it more, because it was his handwriting and the spell worked.

He sets up in bed, stretches himself, before he goes to the bathroom to get himself ready for the day. After that the most important thing is coffee, so that he can wake up properly. So after he was done he went in search for the kitchen. Yeah Sirius has showed them some parts of the house yesterday before dinner, but the house was so big and Dean was still too overwhelmed with everything that had happened to get the hang of it. It took him some time until he found the kitchen. As he enters he sees that nobody was up yet. Which was normal he guessed, he always was an earlier riser, even if he didn't liked it, but training as a hunter and taking care of your little brother, meant for him to get up early? That was the time were he had time for himself. But even if the kitchen was empty, he smells freshly browed coffee. Good. He searched for a mug, after some drawers he found one and purred himself a coffee. Even the first sip made him more alert.

Even if he was hungry, his curiosity got the better of him. Especially because his dad had trilled into him to always know your environment, to be ready for everything. Not that he believes that something will happen here, he feels that the house is secure. But old habits die hard, so he starts with a tour around the house. He found some more bedrooms, a sitting room and a big room, which looked like a ball hall. He really doesn't want to know what this room is for.

The most interested room he found was not so big, but empty. But it wasn't the missing content that interested him, but the wall. On the wall was some sort of tree with picture of persons, their names and dates to them. It has to be a family tree, theirs to be precise. Dean was sure of it, after he found himself, his brother and his sister with a connection to their father. Surprisingly his mother wasn't part of the tree could that be, because she was non-magical, he asks himself. Besides his father was a picture of his uncle or at least used to be, because from the looks of it, it looks like someone burned it off the tree.

He was so engrossed in the tree, that he didn't hear someone entering the room and taking the place beside him. Only Sirius voice told Dean that he wasn't alone anymore. "My dear mother did that, because I didn't want anything to do with her blood purity ways." At first Dean was startled, that his uncle could sneak up on him, but he tried to hide it and then he thought about what he said. How could his mother have done that to him? Sirius must have seen the bewilderment and somehow disgust on his Deans face, because family means everything to him. "What you have to understand is that this household and my childhood weren't filled with love, the only exception was Regulus. It wasn't only my duty as the older one to look out for him. No I loved him since they day he was born, because even as little child I knew somehow, that he would be the only one, who would love me. Walburga hated me, I wasn't what she wanted and love didn't matter to her, only to keep the family line pure. Absolut bullshit. Father was a little better; he at least didn't try to drive a wedge between me and Reg."

It must have been horror to live in this house. Not getting love from the woman, who gave birth to you? Dean may have only four years with his mother, but he knew that she had loved him. But it explains some things to Dean, because even if he knew his father has loved him, he didn't show it like other parents did. The whole hunter thing made it worse of course. "That sucks."

"Tell me about it."

"So that is the family?" Dean asks and states at the same time, as he points with his finger around the room at the tree on the wall.

"Yeah that's the whole insane bunch of our family." Sirius answers with a sigh. "But you will find some good ones here to two." he points at his cousin Andromeda, who had suffered the same faith as him and was blasted of the tree. "Like Dromeda for example, she married a muggle-born. That's why my mother burned her of the tree. She and Ted, have a daughter Nymphadora Tonks. She is the same age as you." he says to Dean. "My favorite cousin was always Narcissa, that's why Walburga wanted us to marry each other." he points at the picture of her.

"What? That's fucked." Dean exclaims at that.

"I am with you 100 %, but that's pureblood traditions for you. My parents were also cousins; the insanity in our family comes from the whole inbreeding. But Narcissa was betrothed to Lucius Malfoy, a death eater and the right hand of Voldemort. Her parents liked that very much, so they betrothed them to each other. To say that she has changed would be an understatement."

The name Malfoy sounded familiar. "Hey isn't Hermione betrothed to the son of the Malfoys?" Dean wants to know; because that is something he definitely wants to change. His sister should marry, because of love and nothing else. Besides that she is way too young to even think about marriage.

Sirius sighs. "Unfortunately, I am working on it to get her out of the contract, but the problem is I can't find the contract and I don't think that Cissa or Malfoy will give it to me, only because I ask nicely. But that is an important point on my to-do-list."

Out of interest Dean asks. "What else is on that list?"

"For example to teach all of you the wizarding customs … especially you." Sirius answers and as he sees the disgusted face, he adds. "I know you don't like to be a lord, believe me I hate it, but it is part of who I am and if I die, you have to be ready. Because you are my heir, the next in line for the title and I won't let you drown in the nobility, because I didn't teach you everything."

"Why is it so important?" Dean wants to know.

"As lord you can change things in the wizarding society and believe my change is necessary. You voice matters and you have influence on the whole family." Sirius thought a moment, how he could demonstrate that and then he had a mischievous thought. He isn't sure why he didn't thought about it before, maybe he was too invested in clearing his name after the whole ministry event. But now would be the right moment. "You can bring someone back in the family. Andromeda Tonks, ne Black, Ted Tonks and Nymphadora Tonks are part of this family, because they fight for the light and gain back the name of Black, so mote be it." with that he takes his wand draws a rune on the carpet and waits a moment. After only seconds the carpet repairs itself where Andromeda burned picture was. Her husband and daughter were weaved into the tree as well. "Or you can ban someone from the tree, like her." He points at the craziest person under the sun, because Bellatrix definitely hasn't all marbles together. "All family members, who have taken the Dark Mark on their free will, are banned from the family and aren't allowed to carry the name Black anymore, so mote be it." He draws the rune for that into the carpet and with that his deranged cousin was blasted of the tree, oh he likes that very much, and with her, her husband, good. But another thing he learns is that his little cousin Draco has taken the Dark Mark under pressure and not because he wanted too, that is good to know. Maybe he can use that information somehow.

Dean watches his uncle with interest. As Paterfamilias he has some serious influence and power over the whole family and Dean will get that power after his death, should he not have children. Dean isn't sure he likes this kind of power or not. Considering this is family, shouldn't be all part of it and nobody banned from the tree for their believes? But Sirius is right this whole purity thing is total wrong. He sees the total glee on his uncle's face as he watches as someone called Bellatrix Lestrange burned out of the tree. "You really don't like her."

Sirius turns to his nephew. "Believe me you wouldn't like her as well. Bella was always a crazy bitch, but after 15 years in Azkaban, she lost every sane bone in her body. That in combination with her love for violence, torture and humiliation of muggles, muggle-borns, half-bloods or every other person she doesn't like, is a very bad combination. That is beside the point that she tried to kill me a year ago."

"But …" Dean begins, but stops because what can you say to that. That this is an insane family, a treat the entire family shares of course or at least a bit. But Sirius seems normal, beside his mischievousness he has seen so far. A part he likes, maybe he could prank him sometime soon to see, how he will react to that. "How are you so normal?" he wanted to know, after he thought a moment about it.

Sirius laughs for a moment before he answers. "I really don't know, Dean." But as he looks at the wall he is reminded of the reason. He steps to the picture and says. "That's not entire true. I think the reason is her."

He points at the name on the wall and Dean reads the name out loud. "Dorea Potter. … Who was she?" he wants to know, she has to be related to Harry somehow. Not that it would surprise him anymore after his grandparents where cousins, which he finds disgusting.

"She was the mother, I always wanted. As I run away from home with 16, I run to my best friends James, Harrys Dad, home. She welcomed me with open arms. She gave me a home and showed me what love for a child should feel like."

"Why did you run away?" Dean was really interested in that information, but his hard face because of the question told him that it a sore spot for Sirius. He probably wouldn't even talk about it and Dean isn't even sure, he would like what he would hear. To give his uncle the chance to change the topic, he says. "You don't have to tell me!" and turns around, but before he could walk away out of the room a hand on his shoulder stops him.

"I want to do, but give me a moment." Sirius takes a deep breath as he lets go of Dean's shoulder, after he nods in acknowledgement and turns around to look at him. He never told anyone about the events, what leaded to his escape. Only they, whom were part of it, knew about it in full. "At that time the war, which was brewing in the background finally stepped to the public. Both sides started to gather resources and naturally as you can guess the Black family wasn't on the light sight." He pauses for a moment, because he tries to keep his emotions in check. Because even after all those years it still hurt, as a single tear run down his cheek. "As the rebel that I was, I was always the black sheep of the family, but white would be more accurate." he tries to lift the tension a bit. "So my dearest mother and father decided to teach me a lesson and to use my love for Reg against me. He should have been their sacrificial lamb to bring me back on track. They would torture him until I would say yes to become a dark eater. … Should I don't do it, they would kill me and as the rebel that I was I stepped forward with my head held high and told them, that I would die for my believes and my brother. You should have seen my mother's happy face; her smile was as big as the Grand Canyon as my father said so be it. He started to cut and torture me for hours in front of Reg. Until the moment I knew that my end would be near and I let go. But what the both failed to notice was that with my willing sacrifice for my bother our established bond expanded and Reg loves for me kept me alive long enough to send me to the Potters after I passed out on my mother's beloved carpet." The last words were whispered. His little brother saved his live and went back into that house willingly. Dean wanted to say something, but he had the feeling that his uncle wasn't finished. So he gave him time to gather his thoughts and finish this horror story. "I was unconscious for days and my first thought after I was awake was Reg. I was panicked, because he wasn't at my bedside and I believed that I have failed to save him. Dorea saw my distress and told me, that my brother was well. But I knew that she kept something from me. After some pleading with her to tell me, she told me that my brother decided to keep me and him save he would join the ranks of Voldemort. I was devastated, but Dorea said that I should see the positive things that Reg last words were to keep your friends close but your enemies closer. That was the moment I decided to find a way to get him out that bastards hands." He looks at his nephew as he said the next words. "Seeing you and your siblings here after a hard live outside of this insanity I think I could somehow manage it."

Without saying anything Dean embraces his uncle in a hug. Dean Winchester may be not the touchy feely type, but he saw the obstacles his uncle took to keep them save. Family is everything to him and if someone can understand what his uncle was going through with willing declare to die for his brother, than it was him. They may come all form an insane family, where the most members don't have all their marbles, but the sane ones are the important ones in his opinion. Dean would embrace this family members, he vowed to get to know his uncle better and met his other cousins like Andromeda and Nymphadora, even if they have wired names, they are family. This was his family and he would keep them save.

The hug was short and intense for both of them. But Sirius appreciates it, not only because of the comfort, but it showed him that Dean was accepting him as family. There is only one thing Dean still doesn't understand. So after the hugs ends, he asks. "When you hate all this pureblood shit, why do you don't let it go to hell."

The laugh of Sirius was a bark like form a dog, which he was of course. It took him a moment before he was calm enough before he could answer. "I told your sister more often than not, it is very easy to get the rebel into a pureblood, but to get the pureblood out of the rebel is hard work. … Besides I made a promise to Dorea."

Dean has to laugh at that as well. "Can I ask what this promise was about?"

"It was simple, see Dorea was a Black before she married Charlus Potter. She was my mother's aunt and I can tell you she hated her, but I think the feeling was mutual. Dorea was a Slytherin like the come and she always planed ahead, way ahead. So she told me after a year living with them that she not only took me in, because I didn't have a home or because she loved me. … No, she had a third reason, she saw potential in me. She saw that I would be the next heir to Black, the one who could make it noble again and cleanse the house. In my juvenile unctuousness I promised her that I would do that." Sirius answers him as he remembers the day like it was yesterday in the Potter library with a biscuit and tea like they would talk about the weather.

"Ok, I can understand that. Maybe I can help you. … But what do you mean with Slytherin?" he asks his uncle. This world is still so new to him and he doesn't have a clue where to start without learning. So he asks questions at moments like this.

"Would you have been in Hogwarts you would have been sorted into one of the four houses. They each have traits that define them. For example the lions of Gryffindor are brave and sometimes reckless, the serpents of Slytherin are very cunning and ambitious, the ravens of Ravenclaw are intelligent and thirsty for knowledge and the badgers of Hufflepuff are loyal and open-hearted to everyone. … In my opinion we all share traits from all four houses, but the element which defines us the most put us into a house. If I had to bet I would say that you like me, Harry or Hermione are a Gryffindor. While I think Sam would be more fitted in Ravenclaw, which would have been a good place for Hermione as well."

Dean simply nods in understanding as he thought about, what his uncle has told him. His thoughts were interrupted by someone saying. "Good morning." it was Jos voice and it made him smile to hear. That was a new one for him. "Sorry I didn't want to disturb." and before he could even think about what just happened, she just turned around and left.

"What the hell?" he voiced his thoughts out loud. His uncle snickers besides him. So Dean turns to Sirius and asks. "What?"

"I think the expression on your face, which was first happy and then bewildered and then hard, somehow left the impression that you don't want her here." Sirius told him with a big smile, before he has to add in a teasing tone. "And after my brother told me all about your escapes and how you and I are the same with having sex all around, that you would know how to woo a bird."

It took Dean a moment to contemplate what his uncle is trying to say or better to tease him about. Does he really believe that he likes Jo more than just as a friend? A question he can't even answer for himself, so in a typical Dean move he brushed it away like it was nothing. But if his uncle wants to tease him he should be ready to get something himself. "Is that so old dog, I think you are out of practice because I scored only two nights ago and when was the last time for you?"

Sirius saw the teasing smile on his nephew face. It was probably a good idea to teach him a lesson, an important one, he learnt the hard way. The teasing manner between them is a good way for doing that. "Oh Dean, Dean … getting the bird into your bed is the easy way, believe me, you can ask all the birds, male and female, of my years at Hogwarts about that. … No the hard part is to keep the bird."

"Who says that I want that, because birds are high maintenance?" Dean knows that the implied meaning behind their words wasn't only more to tease each other.

"Nobody, but believe me that you will want it someday, maybe soon." Sirius answers mysteriously.

Instead of denying or acknowledging that statement Dean simply states. "We will see." He makes a short pause before he adds sarcastically. "Maybe that happens the same day you could call me a lord." He still is baffled that he will be lord, should Sirius die. He hopes that his uncle would still make some babies, because if Dean Winchester doesn't want one thing than it is to be one of the stuffed, egomaniacal lords whose asses he has to kiss.

"Don't panic, because it is easier, then you believe. Look at me; I was number one womanizer as well as one of the biggest pranksters of Hogwarts. Do you know, why it easy for me?" He asks Dean, how shakes his head in negate. "Because being a lord, is like playing a role. Like you play FBI agents and I heard you can pull that of very good." It was nice for Dean to hear some compliments form his uncle, because they were not only from him, but also from his father. So he nods in acknowledgement. "Yeah, there are rules you have to follow, but you can learn about etiquette like most things in books. But the most important element any lords needs is being observant and the possible ability to read between the lines. Both things I know you can do very good."

"Thanks." Dean says somehow shy. He isn't used to being praised so much. Sirius sees that, but instead of stopping it, he will do it more, because he knows his nephew hasn't a good self-esteem. But that doesn't mean he can improve his self-worth.

"I will give you pointers. First thing you need to know is, that there a three categories of Lords. The first ones are natural leaders like you, Harry, Sam or even me, who work with sarcasm and brutal honesty. The second ones are the sly ones with strong woman behind them, like Malfoy with Narcissa, because even if I know that Malfoy is bad, I know as well that he would be worse without Narcissa. She is one of the Black women and you never should underestimate them. I think Hermione would fall into this category as well. The last lords are simply power ridden and brutal by accomplish their goals. Those we will keep away but with the second category you can form a good working team if you know how to influence the woman as well."

"Politics, I hate politics."

"Welcome to my world, believe me. But together we will show these stuffed bastards, what we are made of."

The Wizengamot should be warned. Sirius Black will take back the Black seat and with it change the wizarding world. For his family, for his godson, for his nephew and future generations, they all deserve a better world. He will teach his nephews the elements of being a lord in this world and how to maneuver without drowning. His niece will learn a different set of tools; because she is a woman there are expected different things from her. Even if he didn't like the medieval views on woman, he has to teach them to her, because that is the only way that she would be accepted in this world. With her acceptance as Lady Black, which she of course is, they can change the medieval views and bring the wizarding world into a new age. The Black family will change the wizarding world for the better, but for that they have to survive this damn war first and Sirius will do everything possible to make that happen.

The alarm clock woke her up and she opens her eyes, but didn't get up. It was the first time since yesterday that she had a moment to think about everything that had happened. After she searched for the Horcrux in her father's possessions after the rest of the house has gone to sleep, she fell exhausted into her new bed and was in instantly asleep. The Horcrux was in a cursed box, they are created to contain evil, which was good, because this way the soul of Voldemort can't compromise anyone. They may have found a Horcrux, but they still don't know a way, how to destroy it.

Before she started searching she wanted Harry to help her. Dean was pissed about that, because in his opinion the only ones to take a look around the stuff of their father would be him, Sam and Hermione. So she said she would search for it without Harry, but at the same time without the help of her brothers. Her arguments for this were that she had somehow an idea what the Horcrux could be. The fought some moments about it, until Sirius wanted to help as well and she doesn't like that very much. She knew that the Horcrux would have too much effect on her uncle because of Azkaban and her brother's magic simply wants to be used in every way possible. Surprisingly all the males in the family accepted that.

Another reason to search her father's belongings alone was that it gave her the possibility to get to know him somehow. Even if he wasn't here anymore, his belongings he left behind, told her so much about him. She learned he was obsessed with the demon that killed her brother's mother, to the extent that he only had a handful of personal items like pictures of Dean and Sam while growing up. As she found them she looked through them and saw how the two handsome men looked as children. But in comparison to the pictures both her mothers have of her, it looked to her that her father saw her brothers after some time only as soldiers and not as his sons anymore.

That explains as well why Sirius said yesterday that Dean took care of Sam after he was only a toddler. Their father wasn't there for them and she hated him for that. Another reason why he didn't deserved to be called Dad by her or her brothers, so she would only ever call him John or Regulus, but nothing more. But she decided yesterday that she would show her brothers what it would mean to be the sister of Hermione Granger; no it is Hermione Winchester or better Hermione Black, wow she needs time to get used to that. With that thought she finally got up from her bed and made her way to her bathroom.

As she looked into the mirror, she asserts that her name isn't the only thing she has to get used to. Her new looks will take her some time to accept. Her new hair is tamer and less curly, so it doesn't look like a birds nest anymore. The colors of her hair as well as her eyes make her more aristocratic than before. Good that the Blacks were wizard royalty. She would say she felt more beautiful than before, but that's not true Fred always told her that she was beautiful, she simply looked different now. But to keep it under wraps from prying eyes they would have to glamour it, because it wouldn't be a good idea that Voldemort learned that the prophecy is back on.

The thought of Fred reminded her of his brother, that little shit, and his doings. She hasn't told him about the transgression of his brother yesterday. It wasn't enough time, because after he brought the things from her father's locker he had to go to the shop with George, they have a business to run after all. But he told her he would be here shortly after breakfast today. So she should get ready. It must be already 9 am and she doesn't know how much time he has before he has to work. So she took a shower, after she was finished she dressed herself and went down stairs into the kitchen.

On her way she heard Sirius and Dean talk about the family in the family tree room. But she didn't interrupt them, because it must be really overwhelming for her brother this whole new world. Too much information can backfire she so let his uncle take her big brother under his wings. She made her way to the kitchen, which was surprisingly empty. She would have guessed that Harry and Sam would eat something. But mistakes happen, so she made a pot of tea and took a seat after she made herself a sandwich.

The moment she started eating she heard a knock on the front door and she wanted to open it. But Kreacher was faster, because as soon as she was up, she already heard Fred's voice. "Good morning is Hermione here?" as he asks the elf. Instead of answering he escorted him into the kitchen. As Fred sees her, he starts to smile. "Good morning, Love." with that he kisses her. His kisses are more than a simple wake up call.

They kiss passionately for some moments, before they break apart and connect their foreheads. "Good morning." was her answer. Fred took a seat beside her after some moments. The cattle whistle, so she gets up to bring the pot of tea to them on the table. "Do you want one?" she asks him. As answer he nods. So she summons two mugs after she takes her place on the table again and purrs them some tea.

Fred has the slight feeling that something is up. She looks exhausted to him, but that is not all. It looks like something is bothering her, to help her he had to ask. "Love is everything alright?" His voice was concerned.

She sighs, because she doesn't know how to tell him about Ron's actions. They haven't the best relationship; she knows that, not like he has with Bill or Charlie, besides George. But she knows that he will be hurt and she doesn't want to be the cause of that. But she is a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake, so a direct approach is the best. "It is about your brother."

As she makes a pause he tries to lighten the mood and makes a joke. "Which one, I have more than one." It is his nature and she loves him for that.

"Ron." she says short, but with a little smile on her face, because she knows that he tries to make her feel better.

"What has he done now?" he asks her defeated, because of course only his youngest brother can put her in such a state.

With a deep breath she said. "According to Harry he tried to slip me Love potions for over a year."

"What?" Fred jumps up from the seat with anger and starts to pace. That little fuck will be in so much trouble, to steal his girlfriend, even if he didn't know about their relationship by using a love potion. That is forbidden and so low class, even for Ron, but he has no imagination. "I am going to hex him into the next week." he said after some moments of pacing. Hermione has to laugh that all men are the same, violence is their first answer. But revenge is a dish best served called and she hopes that her creative uncle has something in store for Ron. If not she would gladly take the task in her own hands. Fred stops his pacing as he hears her laugh. Either he said something funny, what he can't believe he did or she laughs about him. "Making fun of me?" he asks her.

"Always." she teases him.

"Hey I am joker in the midst of us." he says with a smile. But it is a good thing that she can laugh about it. That makes the things he wants to do next so much easier. Because dealing with a good-humored Hermione, is easier then with an angered one. "It talked to Bill yesterday." he started to get her attention. Her glance questions him why? "I wanted to know if there is a way that you could date someone, who is in a betrothal contract." he answers her silent question and waits for the blow, which of course has to follow.

But as always his Hermione surprises him. "And?"

"You aren't mad that I talked about this to him?" he asks her shocked.

She looks at him as she said. "Why should I. First I wanted to know that as well and second of all, I know you wouldn't tell him about the who."

As answer he has to kiss her, so he did just that. "You know me so well." he tells her after he broke the kiss.

"I try my best. … So what did he say?" she wants to know. She really doesn't want to stop dating Fred only because she was betrothed to someone she hates, especially because if she and her family are working to get her out that contract.

Instead of answering her, he reached into his pocket and took a jewel box out. He puts the box in front of her and she looks at it. From the size she knows that it isn't a ring box. Good, because even if she loves Fred and likes the idea of marrying him, she isn't ready for that, besides the fact that she is way too young for it. She looks up at Fred's face and sees that he is nervous as he encourages her to open the box. As she opens the box she sees that it a simple silver bracelet, but with the crest of his shop on it. It is simple as well as beautiful and she has the suspicion, what he tries to tell her with that.

Fred takes the bracelet out of the box. "This bracelet is the symbol for an understanding between us, that we don't date others and belong to each other. It is the only option to date someone with a betrothal contract, because the contract alone doesn't make that person unapproachable. An understanding must be formed with a token of affection, so that you could only date Malfoy. I can claim you as mine, even with your contract, but Malfoy still has a chance." he says. Unsaid remains the question if she likes that. He didn't ask, not because he was afraid that she would say no. No to activate the magic that comes with an understanding she has to embrace the bracelet without him asking. She knows that so she holds out her hand with a smile to signal him that should clip it around her wrist. Fred smiles as well and does just that.

As the bracelet clips they both feel the magic around them as the understanding was activated. This sort of magic has everything to do with intend. Intend for him to give her the bracelet and intend for her to accept it. This way they could form a bond between them. That doesn't mean it can't be broken, simply by taken it off, everything was off between them. Hermione takes a better look at the bracelet and is fascinated with the engraved crest. "Why did you choose your own crest instead of the Weasley crest?" she asks him.

He knew that she would want to know that. "For that I would have to ask my father about some family jewels in a row I would have had to explain why I wanted the jewels." he answers.

"And you didn't want to tell him about us?" she interrupts him.

"Of course not, but I didn't want to explain it to my mother and have her interfere. Because as the wife of the head of the Weasley family she can disturb that and this way I could give you something of my own house." he tells her. Hermione understands his reasoning, because Molly Weasley is a mouthful and her obsession with Ron as her partner in life is driving her crazy. "So are you going with me to Bills wedding as my date?" he asks her with a big smile on his face.

She was surprised by that question. "What? … Say that again."

He cleared his throat and made a show out of it, stood up. "Miss Black would you do me the honors and accompany me to my brother's wedding this Saturday?" At the end of his question he even bowed to her. His silliness always made her laugh; it was one of the reasons why she loved him. The people have to laugh; even during this darks times and people like him and his twin are perfect for such a job.

But even if he made her laugh about that so was she unsure about her answer. Not because she didn't want to go with him. No but more what his family or especially Molly and Ron would say to their public outing as a couple. "I don't know."

He knows why she hesitant. His mother can be a thunderstorm when she is angered. But he gladly jump into it with her, because she so worth it. He kneeled in front of her as he tries to reassure her. "Love, I will be with you every time and should I not, Georgie will. … I already cleared that with him. So I want to go to this wedding with you on my arm. I love you, come high water and everything. Besides this." he takes her hand with her new bracelet. "declares you as my intendent to everyone present and they have to accept it. … And should my idiot brother try to slip you love potion it wouldn't work, because the magic of the understanding prevents it."

She thought a moment about it, before she gives him a light kiss. "Ok, but I want Harry on my side always." she tells him after, because if Hermione knows one thing that it is that Molly Weasley would never bad mouth her in front of Harry. Let's not forget he is the golden boy, the chosen one, who can do anything wrong. Not that she believed in that kind of thing. Harry is her brother and she loves him as he does her, so she knows that he would support her against Fred's mother.

"Certainly my Love." Fred answer to that and started his victory dance. He finally can let go of this secret relationship. Not, that it wasn't fun, but he really likes to take her on dates and not to hide her in his room, she is far too precious for that.

She watches his dance around in the kitchen as he hears a tapping on the window. She looks to the source of the noise and sees a big brown owl. So she gets up, opens the window and the owl flies into the room. The owl let's her letters fall on the table, turns around to fly out of the window again. Hermione closes the window after the bird was gone and walks to the letters. Run-through the letters leaves her shocked. She learned to whom they were addressed; there was a letter for her, for Harry and for Sirius. That was not shocking, but it was shocking to learn that there were two letters addressed to her brothers, surprisingly with their full names. One was for Hercules Dean Winchester Black and the other one was for Perseus Samuel Winchester Black. Not good, nobody should know about them. So she turns the letters around and sees that all of them were from the same sender, Gringotts. She let go of the letters and went into the hallway. "Everyone into the kitchen, now." she yells in her demanding tone. With that she walks back into the kitchen to wait for the rest of the inhabitants of the house.

After some moments she hears feet coming down the stairs. The first ones in the room were Harry and Sam. While Sam simply followed Harry wordlessly, the other one asks as he enters. "What is it, Mione?" Sam looks at Harry as he uses the nickname since they were friends and is surprised that his little sister didn't protest because of the nickname. He had the impression that she hates nicknames, but it looks to him like she likes this one as well as Mia or better like the people, who call her by those names. Of course Dean has to be the first one to come up with a new name for her; that is his thing after all he calls him Sammy, since he can remember.

As answer to Harrys question she signals him that they should wait for the rest of the family. It didn't take long before the rest enters the kitchen including Jo. Sirius takes a look around the room, before he addresses his niece. "What's going on, kitten?" In her face he sees that something has shocked her.

She walks to the table and points at the letters. "We all got letters." To tell him the important part, she points at every single one of them, who got a letter. Sirius looks trough the letters and as he sees, how the letters to his nephews were addressed he understands her panic. But it doesn't mean that it is bad, because the goblins always know more than the wizards. But they would only find out what they knew if they open the letters. So he gives everyone of the recipients his letter.

At last he takes his own and says to all of them. "Open it." Dean and Sam were a little bit taken back by the parchment material, but they open the letter, because they didn't know why their sister and uncle were so shocked. All of them started reading.

Lord Black,

We hereby inform you that you are invited to the reading of the Will of Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore on the coming Friday on 11 pm. We look forward to your attendance at the reading. Please arrive 30 minutes early, so that we can establish you identity.

Respectfully

Tortuk

Head of inheritance at Gringotts Wizarding Bank

It was silent for a moment, before Dean asks his uncle. "How did this Dumbledore know of us?"

"I don't know, but the old fool has his ways." Sirius says in a disapproving manner.

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