Hey everyone,
I am going to enjoy this chapter, though I am mostly looking forward to its ending. As I said, I am going to make a small change to the whole "Four out of Five" thing and am going to exclude Marge from that. There will also be more focus put on the feelings that are growing between Harry, the twins and Lea and I am going to edit quite a lot of this chapter as there are at least two bits here that are just repeats from previous chapters.
Oops, my bad,

Venquine1990
PS. As you can see, this is where some of the editing stopped. I will probably continue this sometime next year. Can't make any promises though.


Chapter 15
Ancient Lines and Politics

7th of August 1995
Grimmauld Place, London
Sirius' POV

I know my family wants to help me and I loved them for it. I loved it even more when I saw Harry look from James, to me, to Sora as I can only imagine the things that must be going through that young man's head as he seems to realize again and again that he finally has the family James and I wanted for him when we first heard he was coming. Something that we considered a blessed miracle after losing Sora to who-knew-where at the time.
It had definitely been an amazing day – Christmas morning to be exact – and James had made it even more amazing by giving me all kinds of small gifts that already gave me a small hunch, such as wooden boards that, when put together, made a changing table, a pacifier and a ball of yarn. He had, after that, hugged me and pulled me until we were lying on the rug in front of our favorite fireplace before telling me the amazing news.

I had been shocked, amazed, terrified and exhilarated all at the same time, both due to the fact that we were expecting again and because we had just lost Sora at the start of that year. I had asked him several times if he was sure and whether or not he was serious or if he was just pulling a prank on me and finally James had said that he would prove it to me in a couple of months. And he had come true to his word two months later.
I had still been unsure if my mate was really pregnant for the second time, but that night James had taken me alone, back to our favorite fireplace and had laid us down so that my head was level with his stomach. And once I had done as he told me and had laid my ear upon his stomach, did I for the first time hear my little baby's heartbeat. And the memory of that sound is the first I remembered after escaping Azkaban.

This in itself had broken me out of my reverie, had dissolved all of my worries and insecurities and had brought tears to my eyes as I softly heard that tiny heart beat ever so softly inside my mate's womb, undeniable proof that I was, again, to be a father and I had vowed there and then that James would wish for nothing while pregnant.
Yet in my need to make sure that absolutely nothing to could happen or go wrong this time, did my desire run away with me. This desire had, after about three weeks, driven James up the wall and multiple times during those last five months had he threatened me with making me sleep on the couch, which was true punishment for me as I had taken to falling asleep after listening to my baby's heart for a few minutes.
All in all, had it been an amazing – and quite crazy – time for both of us and when Harry came I had been a living pile of nerves as I had been terrified of losing another son to whoever had taken my first. I had taken several Calming draughts to make sure my core wouldn't disrupt my baby's and had taken guard in front of his room. And because everyone thought James and Lily were together, did no one question my loyal need to protect them.

My relief had been great and the need of Calming draughts had become for naught when, after an hour, a House-Elf took my little Harry out of his nursery room and handed him to me, but I had shaken my head and told him to take Harry to his mother, knowing I had to take on a new plan I had come up with while James was pregnant.
This had been mostly because Lily had started to hide herself from the public society spots in the Wizarding world more and more while James was pregnant and so, because we still only had one son and because my parents were still alive, we had kept our secret. And the rumor had started that James was Harry's father and Lily his mother and I had decided to live further on that rumor, if only to protect my little baby.
This had been mostly because I did not want to give Sora's kidnapper any reason to try and kidnap Harry as well, fearing it to have been someone in my family who was secretly raising Sora to be against me or something. But this plan had failed when I heard about the Prophesy and right now my mind is aching to tell Albus the rest of the truth – how the Prophesy can't come true because I only faced Voldemort once.

Harry is my son and therefore his scar and him being mine and me having only faced Voldemort once make the entire Prophesy invalid, but I know why I keep quiet. I want Voldemort to go after the Prophesy – now that Harry knows the truth more than ever – if only so I can claim it invalid after the man finally has his hands on it. I know keeping this quiet will make Voldemort want to turn on me, but I'd rather have that than him after my son.
I want this more than anything as I sincerely hope that – if Voldemort realizes he has been after my son for the wrong reasons – he will finally stop trying to go after my family and, most importantly, after my son, who has been through way too much in his life and who deserves, more than anyone, to have a danger-free life. And while I have never done so before, do I know I will happily use any magic available to me to take him down.
I then shake my head again when I am tapped on my shoulder and hear my son's voice ask: "Are you okay, dad?" I nod and smile at him as I say: "Just thinking of the time when you were growing in your mum's belly, little one." Making Harry blush but smile at me, while James sighs in relief and I finally start reading, while dreading doing so.

The Noble … her up."

To this the young witch in question rolls her eyes and says: "She has been keeping me awake for nights on end, either vocally sharing her visions for her future with Harry with me or talking about them while asleep and then that woman tells me to not try and wake her up. Yeah, they're a real team of evil, they are." She then turns to Arthur and says: "No offence, Mr. Weasley." But the man smiles at her and says softly:
"Hermione, everyone, stop apologizing. It will just make us feel worse for not recognizing these very obvious signs. Ginerva and Molly were in the wrong, they are dark enough to cause time-travel. Heck, they are dark enough they piss off even Alastor and that is something very few can say. So stop apologizing as we just need time to accept this and you trying to sweet talk it isn't helping." This makes us all nod and I say:

"Arthur, you and your family have done brilliant things for my son and helped me reunite with my family. The Weasley House can always count on the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and Potter to help it through dark times like this and I would be most honored if you would allow me to supervise any new partner you wish to court, Arthur, at least while you and your family reside in a House of Potter or Black."
Arthur smiles at me for this and says: "It would be my honor, Lord Black, and I think I will discuss this matter with my sons before I will inform you of whether or not we wish to use your residences for our attempts to get the family back to one piece – Lord, Lady and Heirs all in one. In the meantime I'd prefer to just make fun and comfortable use of your company." I nod at the man, happy I can help him and read on.

"Asleep, yeah … Fred, winking.

To this I see Harry gaining a small hue of darkness on his cheeks and I see the twins smirking at each other over this. Ron and Hermione also notice the hue on their friend's face and grin at each other while I personally feel slightly amazed that my son is actually able to keep the two of them apart, something I found hard even when the boys were 3 year olds. Believing it to be a thing between them as mates, I read on.

Mrs. Weasley … was asleep.

To this I shake my head and mutter: "You just had to get the room with Phineas as portrait owner." Now Harry looks at me inquisitive, while Ron says: "There really is someone there? I thought it was just one of those abandoned frames. You see a few of those back at Hogwarts, you know." I shake my head and say: "Phineas Nigellus, one of Hogwarts' least liked Headmasters, who usually resides in his portrait back at the castle."
I then shrug and say: "It's the whole reason you can hear him, but not see him. Phineas was a highly paranoid man – not unlike my father – and thus made sure the distance between his two interlinked portraits was as minimum as possible, so he could do his duty as Headmaster and still keep an eye on the Heirs of Black. Though that only happened when the Black parents were too busy with their jobs and tasks to care for the kids themselves."

By now I just have a bad taste in my mouth as this was actually one of my own mother's favorite ways to punish me back when I was still a child. I roll my tongue inside my mouth to try and get rid of it without anyone seeing it before sighing and I say: "I'm really glad we moved your room after the books were read, that guy is just too high on his own pride and on Pureblood supremacy for anyone here to stomach."
This makes Harry cringe and he asks: "So, not a really good chamber partner?" And I shake my head and say: "I'm just glad he feels himself more important as Headmaster than as Ancestor of the Black line or he would have been mocking us for the last month straight. Though I can only imagine how much of that he does back in Albus' office." Everyone, especially Albus himself, cringes at this and I quickly read on.

Harry put … room. Anyway…"

This angers me and while I remind myself to have Bill put special kinds of spells on Sora and Harry's rooms later, do I hiss: "I really need to keep a closer eye on that elf." But then Harry proves his amazing intellect again and asks: "Why don't you strike a deal with him?" Everyone looks at him and he says: "If he can get the entire house clean within an agreed period of time, he can chose whatever he wants to keep for himself."
Now everyone looks at each other shocked and Harry says: "You said for yourself that you can't get rid of him because he knows too much and neither has he ever cleaned since your mother died. Why not give him a purpose to clean this place up again and praise him for his hard work in the only way he will want to get rewarded. And afterwards, you can just offer him a room to stash it all in and order him to keep to just that room.
He doesn't want to let go off the past he had with your mother, but you don't want to be reminded of that same thing and neither of you wants to pretty much see the other, so just let Kreacher keep whatever he holds of value and let him tend to that. That should keep him busy enough and it will make cleaning a lot easier for us. And after that, telling him to just tend to those things will keep him out of sight for the rest of our stay here."
Everyone looks at each other shocked and then Ron groans and says: "Seriously, are Sirius and Harry the only ones who can think logical in this place? They keep coming up with these amazing ideas, one after the other and all of them are ideas we could have come up with weeks ago." Making everyone else turn red and while I feel both proud of the compliment and stupid for not thinking of this myself, do I read on.

He got … than death?"

To this Riku shudders and says: "I can think of something." But while everyone looks at him in either horror or concern over this and the dark tone of his voice, does Sora quickly hug him and whispers something in his ear that seems to shock the Longbottom heir at first, but then makes a grateful smile appear on his face and he says: "You always know how to see things from the brighter side of life, don't you love?"
And Sora smiles at him widely as he innocently asks: "What, it's true." Making Riku laugh, while I wonder how my son was involved in whatever Riku has experienced that makes him certain there is something worse than the Killing Curse. I then look at James and Harry and realize that the lad is indeed right as I know that all three of us would rather be dead than ever live apart again. I suppress a shudder at this before reading on.

"Maybe it's … at Ginny."

"There's a piece of truth if I ever heard one." Alastor growls, but Harry shudders and my need to either have Lea and the twins bond with Harry or to have Andy come over as soon as possible rises with greatness, while I hide a smile at how the three of the first option now look at Harry worried and I read on, hoping for the former.

"What d'you … were talking.

"Dear Merlin, those kids are fifteen, not seven." Tonks says angrily and she asks: "Does she always do that?" And Bill answers: "I had it until my last summer before Hogwarts." Making the young Auror look at him shocked, while I cannot believe we missed so many signs of bad motherhood and then Sora turns to Riku and says:
"Did our adoptive parents ever do that?" And Riku shakes his head as he says: "I think they stopped when we started visiting the Play Islands by ourselves. They just made sure that we were on the Main Island before a full sunset and that we could see them come out of their houses when they wanted us home or in bed."
Sora nods and Sirius says: "I might not like the idea of my little boy alone – parentless, that is – on a different island from where I am, but I do think I would grow to allow it, the older you would have gotten and that I would have accepted it somewhere around the age of seven, maybe ten." Sora smiles at me and I read on.

Hedwig and … he ducked…

"Wait, what the bloody hell was that about?" George asks and I see Harry think something as his eyes are showing very clear gratefulness, to which I say: "I think Harry finally had a dream that was different from his regular dreams this summer." And Harry nods, while George seems to be relieved at hearing this and I read on.

The next … the sofa."

"And why should that concern Harry?" Lea asks, making me know the three of them are going to make a lot of comments to show their care for Harry as a way to let him reach out to them as well and I say: "It shouldn't, but seeing that I didn't think straight when it came to Kreacher is cleaning this place now our job."
"Not anymore, dad." Harry then suddenly says and he goes on: "If you just make that deal with Kreacher and allow Riku to afterwards take out the rest of the darkness that Kreacher doesn't claim, like the Magical Creatures and the spellwork, then we can have this place cleaned up effortless – within a week or so."

This makes me smile widely and Albus says: "I say we allow Kreacher to hoard whatever he wishes to keep until –." But then Lea interrupts him: "You mean for the next three days, right?" And I smile as it has been quite obvious that Harry doesn't want to hear about the Hearing at all and Albus nods as he continues and says:
"And then, on the fourth day – after the party – allow for Riku to enter the Heart of our Headquarters. That way, we can indeed reach the time schedule Harry set us and can use the last week to just relax and make some last minute preparations for Hogwarts – especially our new students." And he smiles at Sora, Riku and Lea.
The twins and Harry are the happiest at the end of this speech, but I personally can't help but wonder if Harry is this happy about his brother coming along – or because Lea will be at Hogwarts as well as Sora. Deciding to just let it rest and trying not to openly snicker at the cuteness of the situation, do I continue reading.

Half an … writing desk…"

"You know, I'm not entirely sure if we shouldn't switch Molly and Buckbeak's rooms. Sounds a whole lot more fair to Buckbeak, but my mum is definitely cruel enough that if she finds someone like Molly in her room, she'll be joining the bint on her little schemes." I then mutter and shrug as I say: "Never mind." Before I read on.

He dropped … night before.

"I have no doubt in my mind, Harry, that my light tone was simply a means of self-defence to keep my Veela from rearing up as I don't think my Veela will forgive her anytime soon – whether for what I know she's done or what she said against my book-self." I then growl and Harry nods, smiling at me softly as I read on.

A loud … on downstairs.

At this I sigh and curse the fact that my boy was born to the two most curious men in all of Magical England and I whisper: "I really wish that transfer of Lily's title protection would kick in. Might actually lessen the effects our DNA have on you – especially our inherited curiosity." But then I see Harry's astonished look as he asks:
"Lily's whatnow?" And I look confused as I was sure Harry knew what had saved him that night as I have no doubt Albus would not have sent for Harry had he not known without a doubt that Harry had somehow survived the attack and I say: "Her transfer of title protection. The whole reason you survived that night."
Now Harry's eyes widen even more and he says: "I was told it was because Lily stood between Voldemort and me, was offered the chance to step aside, didn't and thus caused for a powerful blood protection to grow inside me and that that's what made me survive that night. Because she loved me enough to die for me."

Now I feel both curious as to why he believed such a far-fetched tale – even if Lily's fake role as mother must have helped develop that tale – and angry that no one ever came to the same realization as I did and I say: "No, Harry. You're part right, because Lily did indeed love you enough to sacrifice her life for you, but that's it.
What really saved your life that night, kiddo, is her transferring the title Lady Potter to you. That is a special form of protection that only works if a Potter Submissive Veela is given the title by another Lady Potter, who willingly gives it to them. It activates all of the Ancient Powers that that title holds – and it holds a lot."
By now Harry is shocked and asks: "So him taking my blood never did anything to the protection?" And I shake my head and he asks: "Then how was he able to touch me? That never happened before he took it." To this I sigh as I had felt both relief and great concern when Harry had told me this and I softly say:
"Voldemort was able to touch you, pup, because the blood in his veins was testing him out to see if he had any worthiness to your title – to the title of the Potter House. It makes the magical protections of everyone who has Potter blood weaker, while making their intent stronger, thus making it easier for Voldemort to hurt you."

This makes Harry cringe, obviously in memory, while almost everyone in the room is looking at Harry with sorrow. And with almost I mean, everyone but Lea and the twins, who are all obviously ready to go and show Voldemort what happens when you mess with their destined mates and while I feel grateful for this, am I still concerned.
Then he mutters: "No wonder he was able to have me –." But then he shakes his head and my suspicions on that night are confirmed as I have never once believed that Harry described the full duel when he spoke of it to me and Albus in the man's office, but I know Harry won't say a thing now either and let it rest.
Instead of that, do I whisper: "Harry, there is a way to get that protection back. You – well – we'll discuss it after the reading. It concerns your Veela side as well as your title." Harry nods and I share a look with James, my mate knowing what I do as Uncle Charlus explained us all about this years ago. I then sigh softly and read on.

Sirius had … the sofa.

"HOLD ON A SECOND!" Ron suddenly shouts and Harry seems as shocked as him as Ron asks: "Why is she still taking his Merlin damned advice? We told her all about what a filthy fraud he was years ago. What the hell is she thinking?" But while I don't approve of his language, do his words seem to have effect as Harry says:
"Ron, it's the books." Everyone looks at him and he says: "She wasn't reading about Doxies. She's hiding all her plans and everything she wants done in her books. The Lockhart books, the one set of books no one will ever read again because all of Magical England knows of his embellishment. It all fits, Ron."
Everyone looks shocked and Alastor says: "I'll be sure to look through those books while you're with Arthur, lad." Harry nods and I feel grateful that we're now using code-language for what is known as the Hearing and while I know that those feelings are shared by my son, do I still feel determined to aid him that day and read on.

"Right, you … his breath.

"Then extract the venom there and get rid of the doxies instantly. The venom pocketed is a lot safer for all of us than the chance of those things escaping after you've collected it. Please promise me you'll instantly extract the venom once we get the doxies." I tell those two, knowing Arthur would have said the exact same thing.
On the other hand can I already imagine what Molly would do if she heard this and I shake my head at her drama-queen bitching as it rings through my mind, while I silently think: "As if my mother's voice was reincarnated or something." Shuddering ever so softly at the very thought before shaking it off and reading on.

Deftly spraying … whispered Fred

"Good ideas, boys, but I think I have a better purpose for those candies." Harry says with a smirk, while gazing at those still going and the teachers and George tips his fingers together as he says: "Do tell." Harry smirks at him, gazes once more at Dumbledore – and once at Hermione – before he sighs and says:
"I am sad to say that at least a quarter of all Third years regret one of their choices when it comes to Additional classes somewhere between Christmas and Easter. However, I don't think any student has the guts to go out to a teacher and – after months of studying – tell them they wish to switch – and that's where your candies come in."
By now I am totally onto the little bugger and smirk at him as Fred asks: "You want us providing those that disagree with their choices the boxes, so that they can safely get out of class without feeling bad?" Harry nods and says: "And it will also give the Heads of Houses a chance to grow closer to their students as well."
"How?" The twins ask in unison and Harry says: "We just need McGonagall watching her Third year Gryffs, Flitwick his Ravens, Sprout her Badgers and Snape his Snakes. If they then spot a 3rd year missing all classes of a subject, they'll get a chance to communicate and the student will get a free pass into another class.

Good way to grow teacher-student confidentiality and a way to get the needs of students to communicate with their Heads of Houses affirmed. Trust me when I say, those needs are growing with each passing year – and dying out as the students get older." Harry ends with disappointment in his voice and Albus says:
"Harry, I'm sure." But then Harry says: "McGonagall took 50 points from me, Neville and Hermione, because she thought I had pulled a prank on Malfoy – who she only took 20 points from, I might add – and that I thought it funny that Neville was also falling for the joke. If I thought it funny, why would I be out after curfew?
Her whole reasoning sucked that night and she barely even gave us the time to give our own story. I still see her glare at me on the day of that event and don't even get me started on what the students did afterwards – whenever she just turned her back on me, they struck. Believe me, they struck." He ends with a shiver.

By now Jamie and I are sharing worried looks and then Hermione seems to contemplate something and asks: "Sirius, what would you do if a 1st year told you something you kept secret from the entire school for almost all year and said that he believed it to be in danger?" I look shocked and confused at the question and say:
"I would take that student to my office and ask him everything he knew." Hermione rolls her eyes at this and says: "McGonagall waved us away, told us the thing was totally safe and that we should just go outside and enjoy the weather." By now I am totally onto the two of them and I turn to Albus as I tell him:
"Yeah, I give Harry right. If that's what he's been through then the communication between students and their Heads really needs to improve." Albus nods and says: "I'll be sure to make Minerva realize her mistake of the glaring. She will apologize, Sirius." I nod, but I can tell by looking at my son that he doesn't believe it and read on.

who had … said George.

"Boys, I know you're seventeen and that you have experience with this, but you don't have experience with dealing with situations where one of you gets badly hurt. You're too close to each other for that, so please allow either Bill or myself into your room when you experiment with your products, is that alright with you?"
Arthur asks his boys, while I know for a fact I would have completely forbidden Harry from doing this had he told me this at his age and I smile at the man as his handling of this is exactly what the twins need – a way to prove they're adults, while still guarding under their father's wings until they're fully standing on their own feet.
The twins seem to appreciate this as well as they barely even share a glance with each other before they smile and one of them says: "We will, dad." And the other goes on: "Thanks." Arthur nods and says: "I'll just arrange a better schedule with Jenkins. Have been wanting to do that for a while." All Weasleys smile and I read on.

"Joke shop … her sons.

By now my son and the twins are almost sweating like mad, while Ron and Hermione both have wide eyes, Bill and Arthur are looking at each other, Tonks is trying not to laugh, Remus is nodding his head in proud agreement and James is obviously trying hard not to squeeze Harry in his pride while Sora and Riku are smiling widely.
Arthur then seems to get over his shock and says: "At least promise me you'll study one extra subject for a career in case your experience in marketing and handling a store by yourself is proven to be too small or untrained to get everything done. I don't want to discourage your idea, I just want assurance you have a back-up in case needed."

The two seem shocked at this and one of them says: "Wow, we were totally." And the other goes on: "Expecting you to." And they chorus: "Well, freak out." And Arthur smiles as he says: "I don't approve of Molly, boys, but I have a strong suspicion that what I just explained is the whole reason behind her objections.
She's so assured that a Jokeshop can't work and that you don't have the experience when it comes to marketing, running a store and handling days full of clients, that she fears you will be put on the street within days. Combine that with the fact that you never spoke of anything else to do for your future and she gets cold feet even worse."
Now the twins look at each other shocked, but I suddenly notice something and see that Harry and Ron are sharing a glance that makes me know the two of them have either seen or heard something that makes them think different. Deciding to discuss this with them and Arthur at a later time, do I quickly read on.

The de-Doxying … covetous looks.

"And that is absolutely out of the question." I then sternly tell the boys and go on: "Doxy eggs go through an amazing process before being sold in apothecaries and as much as I have faith in your abilities, do I not – for a second – believe you have ever learned to handle doxy eggs. So please stay away from those, okay?"
The twins nod and Bill asks: "How did you know of the process?" And I groan before I say: "Because I caught Mundungus trying to sell them in one of the side streets of Diagon Alley when I was still a Rookie Auror. I didn't think it was that bad a crime at the time, but then Moody explained me the whole story.
To say I was pissed as he was selling it solely to parents of students who couldn't afford the Standard Set of Potions Ingredients needed for Hogwarts would be a very harsh understatement. I think I was just slightly angrier when I heard he had let my baby alone a few days ago." Now everyone looks shocked and I read on.

"I think … dodgy cauldrons?"

"That bastard better not even try. First he abandons my baby for those cauldrons and then he thinks he can stack them after we did his job of protecting my baby? He actually thinks he can put my baby – who he was supposed to protect – and the items for which he left his job in the same place? Seems I didn't get through him the first time."
I hiss in the end, my fury just as high and roaring through me as when I saw the man try to get back to us after Bella had confessed to us what he had done, but then James and Harry quickly switch places and James hugs me tightly, purring from the back of his throat and pushing his face in between my neck and my chest.

Feeling my mate so close to me, feeling his need to be with me and for me to be happy, I feel myself calming down and Harry says: "It's no good getting angry with him, dad. Not if the Order can help you get even." Which shocks the anger right out of me and makes most of us – especially the Weasleys – look at him.
He looks around and asks: "What? You know me! I don't let people mess with those I care about." To which a big smile is shown on the faces of the twins, Ron and Hermione, Lupin and myself and James, while I personally think: "And with us as parents, those that anger any of us better watch out for my boy's wrath." Before I read on.

"Yeah, you're … with concentration.

"Kingsley's probably there more to keep me in charge than to really talk to that idiot." I grumble, still furious that the bastard even tries to show up with the evidence as to why he wasn't there to protect my son and Kingsley rolls his eyes as he says: "Probably both you and Molly. What was I thinking?" Making us laugh as I read on.

"Can't hear … nice change."

This makes Arthur and me share a glance, both of us worried as it sounds just too much as if those two hear nothing but their mum yelling at them. Both of us nod and Arthur says: "Boys, I'm going back to work tomorrow, but while I'm there, do I want you to think about and write down all the times you have heard her yell at you.
And I mean all of the times since you started at Hogwarts. I can get a pretty good guess of all the times before that, but not after. Can we agree on that?" The twins nod, but I can tell by their eyes that something about this agreement worries them and while hoping that Molly really does do more than yell at her own sons, do I read on.

"– COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE … for hours.

This further worries me even more as I look up from the book and – against my own will – see myself reflected in the twins as they seem to agree with what their book-selves said. Hating how these two amazing boys are used enough to their mother's yelling that they know how to avoid it, I turn back to the book and think:
"That woman has been working against more than just my family. She's even ruining her own. Does she even realize that?" I then shudder and think: "Has my mum been reincarnated in that terrible woman or something?" But then I again feel those warm, comforting arms of my beloved Jamie and feel relaxed as I read on.

And she's … the room.

Instantly my worries reach a whole new level and I think: "Kreacher, if he even so much as finds out about Harry being there, I just need to say one wrong word and that little bastard will be the end of all of us. I – I just – I just know it." And while fearing for my little boy's life and hoping that book-me won't screw up, do I read on.

Except for … it is."

This only angers me further and I see Sora and Riku share a glance as Riku asks: "Sirius, do you think lighting up the core of this place will make his attitude better too?" But I shake my head and say: "No. No, I do not. Which in itself is another reason I don't want my family living here. I don't want that House elf endangering them."
"Sirius, Kreacher won't –." Hermione tries, but I stop her and say: "Hermione, we live in this house with Kreacher, but we don't have his loyalty. That lies with Narcissa, Bella and the other inter-married members of my family. And they work for Voldemort. So please, understand why I don't trust Kreacher not to betray us."

The girl looks shocked, having obviously not expected me to bring forth such a logical argument and I say: "I just want my family safe, Hermione, and I don't feel they're safe as long as they're around Kreacher. I know you try to be better to the House-Elves than others are, but not all of them deserve your good heart."
This makes the girl want to open her mouth, but then Harry says: "Hermione, I hate saying this, but you're treating all House-elves like Malfoy treats all Muggleborns, as if all of them are the same and good and bad doesn't go for them. I thought you were better than that." The girl now turns red and then asks Ron:
"Am I really doing that?" And while the boy has wide eyes, obviously uncomfortable with the answer, does he still nod his head, making Hermione cringe, which in turn seems to inspire Ron to wrap an arm around her shoulder as she mutters: "Guess I need to review my beliefs on House-Elves then." We all nod at her and I read on.

"Sorry?" said … the Mudblood

At this I shudder and ask: "Do I really have to read such disgusting names?" To which Harry answers: "Do those that fear his name really have to read it?" Making me send a fake-glare at him as I could more than clearly hear the humor behind his sarcastic tone and while Remus and James laugh at the two of us, do I read on.

standing there … "Harry Potter."

At this I turn to Hermione and say: "Hermione, if Harry is in the room with Kreacher, please – and I mean please – come up with any possible name but his last. I don't want Harry and Kreacher in the same room, no matter how much it was needed when Sora and the others arrived here, so please try and help me with that."
The girl nods and James is quick to hug me around the waist as he whispers: "Don't worry, love. Once we get back to live in Potter Manor, we can use the Potter House Elves to keep Kreacher away from our boys." This, while I know that Hermione is shocked that there are Potter House Elves, calms me down enough to calmly read on.

Kreacher's pale … the doorway.

"I have no doubt that it's out of worry for what he could do to my little boy. And with everyone constantly overruling me because they think they know Harry better than me –." I shudder at the end, fearing for what Kreacher can do when out of my sight, something that little monster is a little too often for my liking.
I then sigh and say: "I suggest we move to Potter Manor and stay there with the whole family unless we have an Order meeting. We can easily move the books there and it's not as if the books are official Order business, so reading elsewhere shouldn't be a problem." Everyone nods, but then Arthur shocks me as he asks:
"Can my family and I live at the Manor too, Sirius? With Molly and Ginny under House arrest here do I think it better if I move my family as well and the Burrow just doesn't feel safe anymore now that I know there was a traitor in our midst that was so close to home." I nod, knowing exactly how the man feels and say:
"I meant all of our families, Arthur. I know Tonks, Kingsley, Moody and Albus have their own homes, not to mention Albus has his rooms at Hogwarts, but you and your family can be as safe in the Manor as you are here – maybe even safer if James shows Bill the Warding Room." Now Bill smiles at the prospect and I read on.

The noise … the floor.

"This just can't end right." I hiss softly and James glowers as he says: "You're right. I remember a few times Kreacher would bow to you and none of them were pleasant memories. Someone has plans and Kreacher seems aware of them." He then turns to me and asks: "Maybe your mother?" But I shake my head and say:
"Her portrait is enchanted to nothing but yelling. She would betray any plans she has for me if she were to try and convene these to Kreacher. No, someone else is using Kreacher to aggravate me." Now the twins huff and one of them asks: "Who do we know." The other goes on: "That loves cleaning." And they end together:
"And that hates Sirius?" Instantly Arthur whitens and Moody says: "Guess I better get back up to that room after the chapter's read." But Kingsley shakes his head and says: "You already went, Alastor. They'll be expecting you. We need the element of surprise if we want more information out of them. I'll go next."
The scarred Ex-Auror nods and says: "Make sure you mention back-up quite openly. Don't mention anything about who, just mention it. I think the twins are best to get them down, but so far have I led them into the belief it'll be someone else. They don't know who and that'll work in our advantage." Kingsley nods and I read on.

"Stand up … he was –"

This in itself is enough to anger me, but then James lies his face in the side of my neck and whispers: "Remember what dad always said. The only family that matters is the family your heart actually cares about. You know you have no love for them, they shouldn't be of any matter to you, love. Don't let them get to you."
This makes me smile as Uncle Charlus was really there for me after I ran away during the Christmas of my Sixth and while I had still been hiding my actual emotions from James, had Uncle Charlus helped me become immune to the things my family tried to do to hurt me and had he even given me his blessing later on.

This had been my sole reason for trying to gather my courage for the two months after that, for asking James to the Valentines Hogsmeade Weekend and for everything that happened between us afterwards. Still, my family had scared me into not revealing that my mate was pregnant and had even led us to the whole Godfather thing.
Hating how, in the end, my fear for them had been the near downfall of our family, do I think: "I've really been stuck here for way too long. We need to move at earliest convenience." I then look at my family – Sora, James, Riku and Harry – and think: "I can't let this place affect them like it does me." Before I read on.

"I asked … murderer too –"

"And there's our evidence on who he's really working for." Arthur says, his tone grim and while I try not to think about my years in Azkaban, does Bill say: "He must have believed that Molly was on the same side as the Mistresses he's actually loyal to. That must be the reason –." Then suddenly Harry gasps, his eyes wide.
Everyone looks at the boy as he seems terrified of something and he says: "We're letting Kreacher take care of someone, who he's actually working for while working against us. We're giving her exactly the tools she needs to keep controlling our lives and we didn't even realize it." And instantly fear courses through me.

Arthur's POV

Hating how Harry realized a major mistake in our decision making, do I stand up, determined more than anything to make sure Molly can't reach this family – who she has already hurt so badly – anymore and I say: "Don't worry, Harry. I'll handle this one." Before I turn to Bill, my eyes clear and strong as they look at my oldest.
The twenty-five year old male nods at me, tapping his wand on his chest to the make the Weasley Heir Badge appear and the two of us leave the room, both of us sharing the same plan in our minds and sharing the same determination in our hearts as we cross staircase after staircase, Bill only a few steps behind me.

We reach the room Sirius ordered Kreacher to put my ex-wife and ex-daughter in and I walk in without knocking, shocking the two, while they seem to calm down at seeing both me and Bill, their calmness making them blind to how Bill closes their door behind them and whispers locking spells on the doorknob.
The woman that ruined so many aspects of Harry's life then stands up, her eyes showing a happiness that makes shivers run down my spine and I focus on my determination to make sure she doesn't see my body move in any way that makes her think she can take advantage of me, before I say: "Pretty clever played, Molly."
The woman looks shocked and confused, her arms slightly wide and raised, while her mouth forms the first syllable of my name and I say: "Using your Black heritage to make the only House Elf here obey you instead of his master and using him to further Sirius' mental pain, thus making him unstable and – I can only assume – an easy kill."

The woman whitens, while I have no doubt in my mind anymore – mostly thanks to the pictures – that Molly intends for Sirius to be out of the way before she sets her sights on Harry and only Harry and Ginny asks: "Dad, what are you talking about?" But I silence her with a glare as I say: "Moody spilled your beans, Ginerva."
Making the girl whiten before I go on and say: "And I will be sure to inform Lord Black of the little Life Debt you owe his son. I don't think he'll take your actions of after the Life Debt into acceptance, other than to further punish you for all of your crimes, that is." The girl is now as white as when she came back from the Chamber.
Then Molly says: "Arthur, how dare you remind her of that terrible time?" But I simply glare at her and say: "Ginerva owes the Potter family a Life Debt, Molly, and committing crimes against such a family after a Life Debt has been set into play allows for said family to take Ginerva anything and everything they desire.
You know that, I know that and I will – either personally or through Sirius – make sure Harry knows it as well." I then walk over to her, the smile on her face quickly disappearing when I am almost nose to nose with her and hiss: "You will never more ruin anyone's life for your own greed, Molly Anne. As your Family Lord, I will make sure of that."

And with that do I turn to Bill and ask: "All done, William?" The man nods and says: "No one goes in or out of this room without me knowing, whether they be House-Elf or human or even Werewolf. That'll make sure we can keep an eye on exactly what Kreacher brings these two and that he doesn't help them keep their plans going."
To this I nod, while the two of them splutter and I leave the room again, feeling my son's wards pass me and register my core and blood type in their magic before I say: "No more meddling. I won't allow it." And with Bill closing the door behind me, the two women in the room still with their eyes wide, do I return to the kitchen.

Sirius' POV

Arthur and Bill come back into the room after about twenty minutes, in which the twins seem to converse with Lea again, where Harry tries not to look at the three, where Ron and Hermione snicker about my son's obviousness and where I feel relieved that my son has others to keep his minds off of his worries for the time being.
The man then takes a deep breath and says: "I informed Molly of what we know, Bill made sure the door registers anyone trying to come in, whether they be human or not and Sirius – I would like to talk with you once this chapter's over. It concerns something that happened when Ginny was in her first and the boys in their second."
I nod while Ron and Harry suddenly share a look, both of them confused and then Ron seems to get what the conversation will be about as he hits himself on the head and mutters: "That ungrateful, dumb little wench. How could she forget about consequences like that?" I wonder what the youngest redhead means, but focus on my reading instead.

"Keep muttering … his breath."

At this I shudder as the House Elf does that around me a little too often, especially when we pass on the staircase and I think: "Probably another thing Molly ordered him to. Those two are working as closely together as Crookshanks and I used to, only for completely different reasons." And while I shudder again, do I read on.

"You ran … lunch, though."

"I don't get it. If you and mum were an item, then why did you have your own place?" Sora asks and I answer: "To keep up the act that James and I weren't an item. My family knew I had a mate by that time as they already knew I was a Veela before I even turned sixteen, but other than those at Hogwarts did no one know of me and James."
"But what about Snape? Didn't he tell things like this to Malfoy and his little cronies?" Harry then asks and I shake my head as I say: "James and I had the agreement that, when around Snakes, we would just act like best friends and hug and embrace each other, but then with boisterous laughter to make it look friendly instead of romantic.
It was all an act, just like James still being in love with Lily, him proposing to her at our graduation, their marriage. The whole thing. The only ones who really knew of me and James being together were Pettigrew, James, Lily, Remus and a few Order members – and those were only those who had caught us together after meetings."

I end with a smile and Hermione asks: "So you hid your relationship from the entire world because you feared that your family would find out?" And I sigh as I say: "We even used ancient Potter and Black oaths to make sure the portraits in the Gryffindor common room wouldn't gossip about us to other portraits.
We did everything – everything we could – to make sure my family would not find out about our relationship until I had two sons." I then take a deep breath, while Sora and Harry share a shocked and confused look with each other and stand up, putting the book on the table in front of me before stepping away from my seat.

I then look at my sons and ask: "Boys, can you both come here please? Arthur, would you be witness?" The balding man nods with a proud smile on his face and while Sora stands in front of me on my right, does Harry stand in front of me on my left and Arthur stands slightly behind me, opposite of Harry, as he says:
"I, Arthur William Weasley, Head of the Noble House of Weasley, hereby accept to stand witness to this Official Oath of Claiming, committed by Sirius Orion Black." Again Harry and Sora share a confused look, while James is near tears as he looks at our group and I nod at Arthur in gratitude before I say:
"I, Sirius Orion Black, hereby lie official Claim on the Lordship of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Furthermore do I hereby claim Sora Arturo Black as First and Primary Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and Harry James Potter as First and Primary Heir to the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter."

Everyone looks shocked at this, but I feel the magic of Grimmauld Place growing active within me as the Oath settles into its foundations and while I can faintly hear Molly scream in anger and while I hear my mother wail loudly from her painting, do I feel the magic coursing through me with rapid speed, adapting my core to its power.
Feeling the Dark magic of so many of my ancestors try to break my core apart, do I think: "No magic can break the core of one who loves his family as much as I love mine. My family represents the new way our Family Moto will be seen by the Wizarding World. Pure of darkness, pure of pain, pure of anyone hurting us."
And these thoughts seem to be accepted by the ancient magic of my family as I feel the raging swirls of darkness calm down inside me, settle within my core and softly course through my blood, while I feel my robe getting heavier with a new ornament and feel cold metal wrapping itself around my left middle finger.

I then open my eyes as I had closed them to focus on the oath and see Harry and Sora both looking at their official Heir symbols, which for Harry is a beautiful golden crest in the shape of a crystal with a strong blue circular crystal in the exact heart of the crest and with a line of circular pearls hidden under the edge of the crest.
Sora's on the other hand is a silver badge with a dark onyx line around the edge and with a raven and snake shown on the badge, the raven made of brown copper and the snake made of different tints of brown copper and green emeralds, while the raven has its beak up to the left corner of the badge and the snake his head up to the right.
I smile at them and say: "Only with this oath, and only after both my parents had passed away, could I be absolutely sure that no one, not my parents or any relatives of mine that agreed with them would be able to get to you, whether through obligations or even through court – something I know Lucius will be bound to try once this gets out."

To this Harry nods and asks: "Is that also the reason you didn't use this oath to get your innocence? Because you needed Sora present for this oath to work?" I nod and say: "And because I needed the Lord of another Noble family as my witness and only Albus believed me up until this summer, so either way it wouldn't work."
Harry nods and again looks at his crest, James smiling and wrapping his arms around his son's shoulders as he says: "Now that is a very, very ancient Heirloom of ours, kiddo. It goes all the way back to the knights of the Round Table." This makes me smile at the crest, while Harry looks at it in shock and asks:
"Is this that ornamental piece you told me about? When you explained how magic works in Pureblood families?" James nods and says: "That's it. The official piece of Sir Galahad, the only Knight who, unlike his brothers, never committed a single crime against the crown. He himself was given that crest for his loyalty."

Harry looks at it with amazement in his green-blue eyes and James hugs Harry closely as he whispers: "Wear it, son, and you will remind the entire world just how ancient and important our family once was as Sir Jonathan Galahad became Arthur's right hand man after Lancelot's famous betrayal of him with Lady Guinevere."
Harry nods at this and I smile at my mate and son, while I can easily see Lea and the twins share an important look with each other, all three of them already vowing silently to be there for Harry and to help him achieve this goal. Feeling more and more confident that fate chose the right mates for my son, do I sit down and read on.

"But… why … Death Eaters."

This seems to shock my son out of his stupor as he had gone to sit with me again, but had continued to look at his crest, pulling at his wide, baggy shirt to look at the little thing from all angles and he looks at me shocked, but I had read ahead as I had felt his shock and angrily say: "Seems that spiking is back on schedule."
Everyone looks shocked and I say: "I really don't want to explain my son our family history the way I'm doing in the book, so either those two have been spiking my drinks and food again or my stay here is just unhinging me more than I would wish." And while Albus cringes at hearing the second option, do I read on.

"You're kidding!" back out.

This makes me sigh as it had been Kingsley who had caught me up with what my family had gone through after my imprisonment, especially because the man had actually contacted me only a few weeks after my escape and had been providing me with meals during my journey north, something that is still between only us.
I then remember the dangy little place where Kingsley and I had met about this subject and shudder as it had almost felt as if the dangy, misty walls of the place had caught up with me when I heard what had happened to my brother, even if it had happened while I was still a free man and shake my head, forgetting the event before reading on.

Well, you … tea trays…

By now many of those around me are shuddering and Hermione asks: "Why aren't you mentioning any people who did good things? Things that actually helped our world?" But even without reading ahead, can I easily tell her: "I think that will come up next. Trust me, I don't like talking about it either." They all nod and I read on.

of course … asks him –"

"That would certainly make sense." The young Auror says and then Sora and Riku share a glance, Sora actually having to tilt his head back to look at Riku, which makes the two of them just look adorable and Sora asks: "Think some Curaga spells can undo all that disownment stuff?" Riku shrugs at this and says:
"Sure is worth a try." But I smile at him and say: "Sora, as Primal Heir of the House of Black, you have – with my permission – first rights to reinstate or disown whoever you believe deserves such treats or deserves such a punishment – to state it with the words of a Pureblood." I say with disdain at the end of my speech.
Now Sora looks at me and asks: "So I just have to use my new title and I can get Tonks back in the Black line and therefore get another asset to keep Kreacher under our control?" And while I really don't want to think about my son around that little devil, do I nod, making Sora smile with interest before I read on.

"You and … name Draco.

This makes a shudder of shock go through my youngest and he turns to me as he asks: "We're related to that murderer?" And I know he means Lucius instead of his son, which makes me hiss at the fact that my son knows about Lucius' actions as a Death Eater, before I sigh and say: "Unfortunately, yes. Yes, we are."
But then James hugs Sora and Harry both and says: "But, because the Potters and the Blacks are already more powerful as separate families than the Malfoys – we have about a century more ancestors than them – are we almost unbeatable on all Pureblood fields of power by them now that Siri and I are officially Lords of our families."
This makes Harry smile and Ron asks: "So if Malfoy junior tries something?" And James ends: "He better not try anything against Harry, because a single Heir on Heir attack alone can damage the Malfoy line harshly – as long as our sons do not make the first move on the attack and act as politically correct as possible, that is."

The young redhead nods and Harry says: "I'll have to learn and keep my temper in check then." And to this I see my chance to help Harry along as I wrap my own arm around my little boy and say: "Don't worry, that's one of the things that makes having Dominant mates such a benefit for Empathic Veelas like you.
They not only help you channel your magic into your emotions, they also ground them and can even temper them down or raise them up if they feel the situation requires it. It can't be done in the first few months, as a bond of Trust must be sealed between the mates for this to work, but that is pretty much why Empathic Veelas have more mates."
At this Harry looks both red in the face, which is really visible on his new, slightly fuller face, and also looks amazed at the information just received and he asks: "So basically can I take my mates with me to Political parties where I will meet those that oppose my ideas and then they can make sure I can speak without losing my temper?"

This makes me smile at my youngest son's brilliance and his amazing ability to think ahead on everything he learns and I say: "Exactly, but that won't be all that necessary for you. More for Sora, really." Now Sora looks shocked and asks: "Why for me?" And while his friends look just as confused, do I answer:
"Because James is my Submissive Mate. That – in the eyes of the Politics and the Ministry – makes the Potter line Submissive to the Black line. Therefore, if we were to go to a Political Party, would Sora have to work harder on keeping up image than Harry as his behavior as Heir of Black would be watched closer.
Stupid rule, really, and it's mostly because Politics are all about the Public Image of Families these days, but – yeah." By now Sora looks irritated and he asks: "So I can't mess up if I go somewhere because it can make other families try to embarrass my line?" But I shake my head as I had heard a hint of fear in his tone and say:

"They can try, Sora, but it's like James already said. The Potters and the Blacks are the Most Ancient of all lines currently in existence. Joined together, we're about as High in the Political Range as the Queen herself. We can only be brought into embarrassment if – say – the Bones and the Malfoys were to try together."
I then look at Riku and say: "Not to mention that the union between the Black and the Longbottom line makes us practically royalty in and of itself. If that union becomes known in the Social Circles of the Pureblood world, even Malfoy will be cowering not to anger us or anything." Which in turn makes quite a few of us smirk as I read on.

"You're related … Rodolphus Lestrange.

This makes my lips thin in pained anger and I think: "Sora better be ready. Riku is probably about to find out exactly what happened to his parents." I then look at the two and think: "Let's just hope that they might have some kind of medicine in their Universe that can try what the Healers have long since given up on."
And I sigh as Frank and Alice had been amazing people, Frank even helping me come up with all kinds of cover up stories when I stopped attending Pureblood society parties for the sake of my mate – like when we decided to go down under, just before the whole Halloween debacle – and Alice had been an Angel of Kindness.
She had perhaps been blinded by disillusioning charms and made to believe that she was helping Lily deliver, but she had been there when my mate gave birth and she had actually broken free of the spells enough to try and give Harry to me, something that had made me teary eyed as I told her to give him back to James.
I then take a deep breath, remembering how Kingsley had held me as I had cried over their loss and how I had fought with Albus to get custody of Neville after the man had heard the true story and feel James hug me closely as he asks: "You okay?" But I whisper soundlessly: "I miss them." And James nods at me as I read on.

"Lestrange…" Harry … her loyalty.

This in itself makes me shudder and I turn to Harry, my eyes dark as I see the boy look down on the table, his mind obviously remembering back to the event itself and then Albus says: "Harry, remember what I told you in your Christmas of First year, dear boy." And it seems exactly what my son needs to hear as he nods and smiles at the man.
Wondering what my son could have gone through as an 11 year old that actually makes him now look similar to how he looked that day – something that only further my worries for my baby back then – do I keep my gaze on him and when he looks back, do I see him mouth: "Pillow talk." Which makes me read on with new relief.

"You never … like her?"

By now am I really hating my book-self and I quickly – if only to make up for my behavior – pull my son close and hug him to my side, using one hand to keep the book open as I press my face in his hair and whisper: "You know I'm not angry at you, right? That I'm just – not able to keep myself under control anymore, right kiddo?"
And Harry hugs me close, while I had been more than easily able to feel him tense when I pulled him close and he whispers: "It's not you, dad. You're a really good reader, but it's not you who says this." Making me almost get teary eyed as I can't believe how strongly Harry believes in me. I then softly kiss his hair and read on contently.

"Sorry," said … house anywhere.

To this James says: "Potter Manor – or it used to be until we had to pull down some wards and put some others on hold to make sure we could do the full transformation from Ancient Manor to Two-story cottage." He then shakes his head and says: "I really can't wait to feel all those wards protect me and mine again."
And I nod in agreement with him as the wards around Potter Manor had always been able to be sensed by both Jamie and myself as I was related to Dorea through my mother – the only relation of her I don't despise – and I had always felt way better, stronger and safer around their wards than around those of my own family.

I then sigh as I think back to the first time I felt those wards wash over me, the pride that was on Dorea and Charlus' faces when they realized I was Ward-Sensitive as Purebloods called the gift and the many lessons that Charlus gave Jamie and me because of our gifts, to make sure we could continue keeping the wards strong.
I then look at my mate, knowing he must be missing his parents an awful lot as Dorea had – in a terrible way – died of Dragon Pox only fortnight after the end of our fifth and while Charlus had really been amazing in taking on both parental roles, do I know that neither father or son ever truly got over her death.
To make matters worse had Charlus died only a fortnight after Harry was born and I know that my mate is still devastated over this as I had been forced to keep my distance from him due to our little roleplay and while I feel determined to use tonight's pillow talk to finally make my mate grieve, do I take a deep breath and read on.

Dumbledore is … d'you think?"

"And there I make the one mistake I've been trying to keep everyone in this room from making since we decided as to where we would stop reading for the day. I'm either affected worse by this house than I know or that woman knows her spiked drinks and foods a little too well for my liking." I grumble in slight fear in the end.
Neither option really speaks to me as the first means that I might need some time away from my family to heal of what this house has been doing to me and the other makes me fear for what else that woman has planned – while I'm pretty sure that the end result will lead to my own demise – and then suddenly Harry says:

"Dad, stop it. It's not just this house or that woman." Everyone looks at him and he looks at me straight, his eyes now almost coral reef blue as he says: "Dad, I know you've been trying to ignore the past twelve years of your life like no tomorrow, but they're affecting you too and you have to stop denying that.
You can't expect of us to believe you came out of there completely unharmed or untouched. I might be in need of Tonks' mum for what happened in June, but you can't deny that you need her help as well. Stop trying to put the fault on things happening here and now and accept that your past has changed you, please."
By now the boy is near tears and while I hate that my actions have hurt my little boy, do I also feel my heart melt at the fact that my little boy knows me so well and I softly say: "I'm sorry, son. You're right. I keep trying to believe that place hasn't changed me, but it has – and this place and that woman aren't making it any better.
They're all affecting me – both in the book and outside of it – and you're indeed right. I need to contact Andromeda and I need to ask her for some counseling myself. I need to come to terms with what happened in that place or else I'll just remained unhinged and I won't be the father you need me to be." And with that I hug him and read on.

Harry felt … without him.

"The only one – if she will still get the chance once she has been fully questioned – who might even get the chance of going to Hogwarts without you, son, is Ginny and that won't be until her Seventh, you hear me?" I ask my son, having felt him tense as I read the last sentence and my son nods in my shirt as I read on.

"Don't worry," … "We'll see."

"I really don't want you living here, son, not with Kreacher around or with you being as inquisitive as you are. Anywhere else and my answer would have been a yes before you even finished the question, but I won't let you spend your whole life here, you hear me?" By now Harry is smiling up at me and I smile back, kissing his forehead.
I then whisper: "Daddy loves his little boy, son." And I quickly look up at Sora, knowing he deserves as much of my love as Harry – even if Harry has obviously been deprived of it more than Sora – and say: "Both his boys." Making my eldest smile at me widely while Riku still has his arms wrapped around him and I read on.

"I'd feel … Mrs. Weasley called.

"Sure as hell wouldn't put it past her to actually have been eavesdropping on us at that point, seeing those two over there can't have trained that ability without having inherited from somewhere." I kid at the end, making sure to lie emphasis on my nod at the twins and I can almost feel the heat of my son's cheeks burn through my shirt.
Smiling at all the proof that I'm getting that my son is falling in love with those three, do I lower my head to my son's hair and whisper: "We both know what they discussed before this chapter, little one. Or better said, who they discussed." And Harry groans softly, making me hold back a snicker before I decide to read on yet again.

Sirius heaved … Doxy-filled pocket.

At this do I glare at the two, mostly because I don't want them trying that around my son when they bond and I say: "I am more than willing to negotiate on what you can and cannot take from that bag, boys, but there's a difference between taking some doxies and taking things that once belonged to my parents, understand?"
The two of them cringe at this, having obviously not thought about it from that point of view and Arthur goes on and says: "Fred, George, we might be Blacks through my mother and your mother's grandparents, but that does not mean you have the right to take Black Heirlooms, not even if Sirius doesn't want them, understand?"

The two of them nod and I look at them until they look back, before I quickly glance at my son, telling them without words that I know of their feelings and that I'm only angry at them for fear of what could happen to my son would they bond with him and continue doing stuff like this. The two seem to get my signal and nod with a smile.
I smile back and say: "We'll try and gather as many Heirlooms as possible in our garbage bags and then discuss which are to be destroyed and which ones you can – under strict supervision of either Bill or your father – use for your experimenting. And I'm only lying down this condition because they have more Dark Magic experience, okay?"
The two of them had been angry with me when I laid down the condition, but they had grudgingly nodded, small smiles of gratitude on their faces at the end of their speech and I glance at Harry again real quickly while looking at them, softly petting his hair to make sure my son doesn't see my glances before I read on.

They found … lid shut;

By now even the twins are shuddering and Moody then turns to me and – in an act of kindness I don't often see from the gruff man – does he say: "Kingsley and I will do a thorough search of this place, Sirius, before we even let this group here try and clean the place. They can take the animals, we'll take the Dark objects."
To this I nod, while Ron looks most relieved to have less work on his shoulders and I think: "If he and Hermione continue to be such opposites in their work ethic – it could really damage my son's actual school results." I then look down on my boy and think fearfully: "If it hasn't already." Before I quickly read on.

a heavy … heard before.

This makes me glare at the book suspiciously as I try to remember what this ring could hold of value to the crazy elf – as I already know that it can't be the Family Lordship ring, this one being held by the Goblins for the last decade or so – and I think: "Why would Kreacher want this? I better let Bill have a look at it." Before I quickly read on.

"It was … inside it.

"I'll be sure to have a look at it once we stop reading." Moody growls and I nod, while determined to have my pillow talk with my son in a bed other than the one I shared with James last night and I look at him, his face showing he has the same idea as me and he says: "Siri and I are going to use the next few days to move away, okay?"
Everyone looks at him and he says: "We want to make sure our little boy has a place he can really settle, not just because of our last chapter, but because we want to press onto him that he has somewhere he can go to once he leaves school – and because Sora deserves evidence that his home is really here with us."
Everyone nods at this, Hermione and Tonks smiling with wide eyes and loving smiles and Sora and Harry hug both of us respectively as Albus says: "It seems our schedule for the next few days is more than settled. Very good, let's continue so we can hurry and pass our reading deadline." I nod at him and do as told.

They moved … a half).

This makes the twins snicker, but then Harry looks at Ron shortly before he asks: "Fred, don't you think it wrong that a prank of almost twelve years ago still affects your brother to this day?" Now the boy looks shocked and I smile at my son, while Ron himself turns red with a small grateful smile on his face as well.
By now Fred has his head low and asks: "Are you really that afraid, Ron?" And Ron searches Harry out, but Harry is looking at me, obviously telling Ron silently to be honest with his brothers, making the redhead sigh before he says: "Let's just say it wasn't easy fighting of that Spider Boggart in my Third, alright?"
Which only seems to make Fred's guilt worse and he says: "I really should have apologized for that, but – well – it – it was accidental magic, really – and – I was five and – it was a broom dad gave me when I turned one. I had been cherishing it for years. I – I just felt as if you had killed someone I really cared for, you know?"

Now Ron looks down and says: "I didn't know you had it for that long. I mean, I know mum and dad had trouble buying us stuff like brooms, but – sorry Fred. I – I don't even remember how I broke it. All I remember is holding that teddy, suddenly feeling its fur change and then feeling all those legs crawl over me."
Again the boy shudders wildly, just like he must have done in the book and Fred cringes as he says: "I'm really sorry, Ron. I was – well – I was five and – the broom had really been important to me and –." Now he sighs and says: "My baby mind just wanted you to feel how I felt, losing something so important to you.
I didn't want to scare you, I just wanted you to feel how I felt and I thought that teddy was important to you, so –." By now everyone is smiling at the two brothers and Ron goes to sit close to Fred, while George and Lea are smiling at the two from where they sit and Fred pulls his little brother close, both of them smiling as I read on.

The china … at passers-by.

By now do I feel ready to agree with the statement of my book-son about raging war on this house and then suddenly something clicks in my internal father's instinct and I ask: "Wait a second, what kind of dangerous things have our book-selves come across so far?" Everyone looks at each other and then Hermione says:
"Well, there was the snuffbox, the tweezers, the music-box, the spiders, the murderous old ghoul and the grandfather clock." I nod and say: "And doesn't anyone find it strange that Molly doesn't want these kids involved in the Order, but still lets them take on such Dangerous, obviously Dark-magic encased artifacts?"
By now everyone is looking shocked and Alastor says: "Tonks, let Granger repeat that list and write it down. I want to question that retched woman on what the bloody hell she tries to be playing at and seeing that that elf keeps popping up, do I smell some kind of sinister acting at work here." My Cousin nods and turns to the girl.

I personally had whitened even further when Alastor had brought up the whole thing with Kreacher and think: "Is that how she's making him work for her? By telling him she will let him have whatever he wants to keep, no matter how dark and dangerous it can be? Is that why he tried getting my father's ring in the book?"
I then reread the paragraphs, trying to envision all of this from the woman's Point of View – a talent trained onto me by Alastor when I was a Trainee for the Auror Division – and while I find my anger getting in the way a few times, do I still feel very grim as none of my conclusions have positive results for my family before I read on.

Mundungus redeemed … their wardrobe.

Reading this makes me smirk slightly as I have no doubt that the action barely did a thing to improve my opinion on the man and while I feel relieved at even the slightest of proof that the woman does have some care for her family – and that Mundungus at least has some sense of justice – do I read on with a relieved smile on my face.

Despite the … mentioning it.

This both makes me cringe and snicker at the same time as such small actions between close friends just can't be kept unseen by a Potter Heir due to them being much too observant, even if their full skills usually only develop after their Sixteenth birthday and while this makes worry slightly overshadow my pride, do I read on.

Sometimes, he … with Sirius.

"Live with me, good idea. Grimmauld place, never going to happen." I state very clearly and I go on as I see Harry want to open his mouth and say: "Harry, I ran away from here for a reason and I don't want you here long enough to fully discover that reason, because I don't want you falling victim to it, understand?"
By now worry is shining in Harry's eyes, which makes me sigh as Harry cares too much for others to even – sometimes – think of himself and while he still nods, does he also bury his face in my cloths, making me smile as I now have the book on the table in front of me and while I have both arms around my son, do I read on.

He felt … clenched teeth.

This angers me as it's obvious that the woman and I have discussed the matter several times before we revealed this to Harry and I wonder how much time could have spanned between this evening and Albus' meeting, but then see that only one paragraph is left and read on hurriedly, breaking off some of the others wanting to protest.

Mrs. Weasley pursed … even worse.

This makes me hold my son even closer and I decide to make him feel slightly better as I ask: "Is anyone against it if I take my son alone for a few seconds? I want to cheer him up seeing the depressing end of the chapter." Everyone nods at this, Albus having his head down in shame and I stand up.
Harry quickly gets to his feet as well, having stood up with me and I take the little lad up a few floors, leaning against the wall of the floor above my mum's painting and casting silencing wards on the entire landing to make sure no painting or passerby can hear us before I turn to my son with a relaxed smile and ask:
"Pretty boring chapter, right?" And the boy looks shocked as he asks: "Boring? I actually get to learn more about my family than I did in the last five years and I get proof that I am officially part of this family, not to mention the assurance that I have something to make sure other Pureblood idiots don't try to walk all over me anymore."

By now I'm laughing at his excited tone of voice and ask: "And the fact that you had a lovely view just ahead of you to focus on while reading isn't a nice bonus?" To which my son turns red and mutters: "I – I've been growing a crush on the twins since the Yule ball, but – but Lea, I – I've never felt anything like I feel around him."
I nod at the lad as James often makes me feel exactly the same way and I ask: "You up for trying the same thing Sora did to get Riku hooked up?" Now Harry looks at me confused and I ask: "You know, dress yourself in such a way you look even more delectable to them?" Making him blush beetle red and turn his head away.
He then says: "I – I have – I mean, I think I have dreamed of those three when I came here the first night, but – but what if that's just –." But then I stop him, as I really had no idea that my son actually already had a Veela dream and while shocked that so much of his Empathic Veela is already rising to the surface, do I say:

"Harry, Empathic Veela get dreams of their mates a year earlier than other Veela. They dream of them at age Fifteen, because that is the magical age where Hormones really affect one's emotions, whether they be Magical Creature or not. You'll be experiencing your emotions being all over the place this year and for that you need Grounding."
At this Harry cringes and I say: "Not that kind, kiddo, I mean magical Grounding where the presence of your mates makes you feel welcome and wanted, something that instinctively makes it easier for you to keep your emotions in hand, you understand?" Harry nods and smiles at me, obviously relieved at this fact and I say:
"If you think you dreamed about Fred, George and Lea when you came here, then that means they are meant for you, kiddo. They're your mates and you shouldn't keep them waiting. I know for a fact that Fred and George have been silently discussing all kinds of things they would want for your future and they really know their stuff."

Again Harry blushes, obviously having trouble with the idea that someone wants him in their future and I wrap my arm around my son as I say: "Fred and George are exactly what you need, kiddo. They're responsible, have good brains on their shoulders and know exactly when someone needs a good cheering up.
They also deeply care for you and obviously want to help you feel better about yourself. And then I'm not even talking about Lea." This makes my son grin as he seems to finally feel at peace with talking about this before I pull him closer and say: "I saw how he looks at you, Harry, and I know for a fact he is already head over heels.
He looks at you as I know I sometimes look at your mum, so you can be assured you have that strong, well-muscled man all wrapped around your little finger. And he knows it too, let me tell you that. Why else do you think those twins took him apart after his chapter? They're jealous, Harry, and that only proves that they too really love you, son."

By now a really wide smile is on Harry's face and he asks: "So you won't mind if I try forming a bond with them, dad?" And I hug my little boy close, pushing his face in my shoulder as I say: "As long as I get to spend time with you and keep my little boy close, I don't care who you spend your future with, Harry, as long as you're happy."
This makes Harry hug me around the waist with a strength I had not expected that little, malnourished body to be capable of and I hug my son close and whisper: "Just make sure you have someone keeping an eye out, whether for those wanting to hurt our reputation or for those three letting go of their hormonal instincts, okay?"

And Harry nods, while I had felt him tense at the last part before he whispers: "Dad – can – can –." But my little one seems to terrified by his own thoughts to bring forth the question and so I focus on my Inner Veela and start crooning softly, petting Harry's hair in a calming manner and making sure he can feel my chest hum with the tune.
This apparently seems to work and I feel my little boy calming down slowly before he softly asks: "Dad, can – can acts from outside forces that – that are obviously meant to be only committed by – by those sharing a loving bond – well, can these – these acts affect a relationship between a Veela and their mates?"
And while my son has tried, quite strongly, not to openly speak of his problem, are the words of Moody about four out of five ringing through my mind, making me know exactly what my son means and while working hard not to let my anger control me into taking revenge now that my son needs me so badly, do I whisper:

"No son. Such acts cannot affect a bond between Veela and mates. It can affect the mates or the Veela in person, but a Veela bond cannot be touched or harmed – or even broken, if that's what you're afraid of – by such acts, I assure you." And Harry's body completely sags against mine in relief, making me hold my poor little baby boy.
"I don't want them finding out, dad." He then whispers and I whisper back: "They will one day, Harry. If you ever grow to love them enough for such acts, then they will find out. Don't you think it's therefore better to tell them yourself?" And Harry shakes his head wildly against my shirt, to which I ask: "Not even in private?"
At this Harry stops shaking my head and asks: "Can – can – can I?" And I whisper: "You can have whoever you want around you when you tell them, son, but I have to press onto you the urge to at least tell them before you get to that stage. Let them know, Harry, because I have no doubt in my heart, that they want to help you get past it."
By now I feel the fabric of my shirt creasing as my son smiles softly and he whispers: "You're right, dad – thanks." And I smile, pulling my arms tighter around my son, feeling touched that we had this little moment to grow our bond even closer, before I push my head back in his hair and whisper: "Anytime, son, anytime."