Chapter 5: A Mysterious Heir

It had been weeks since students had returned to Hogwarts and Albus Dumbledore was no closer to finding out anything about the mysterious new Black heir. He had reached out to his contacts both near and far and none had an awareness of someone who fit the child's description.

Perhaps more worryingly were the reports from his professors about the boy. Apparently, the boy was nothing short of a prodigy. Minerva and Filius had both expressed that Algol would arrive to class, alone, listen to the lesson and proceed to achieve the day's work on his first attempt with no obvious effort. He would then spend the rest of the lesson reading from tomes that were either far ahead of where his peers were or that the professors didn't even recognize, likely from the extensive Black library.

With the late July birthday Albus had at first mused that the boy could perhaps be the one spoken of within the prophecy since Harry clearly wasn't the one to defeat Voldemort and the more he saw of Neville the more the headmaster thought that the boy would never be up to the job. Now though, Dumbledore found himself worrying that he had overlooked the fact that the prophecy speaks of the one with the power to defeat the Dark Lord but gives no indication whether the chosen one would be of the light. He now worried that he was right that Algol may have the power of the prophecy but that he would step into the void left once he defeated Voldemort and seize power for himself.

Shaking his head at the dark thoughts, Albus realized that while the boy may be a loner with few, if any, friends as well as a prodigy of magic residing in Slytherin house he had realistically done little to deserve the suspicion. As such, he decided that he would have the conversation with the boy that he had been putting off since the beginning of term so that he could gain a measure of the child for himself.

Sending a brief message off with one of the many house elves instructing Severus to escort young Algol to his office after breakfast that morning, Dumbledore leaned back into his chair. Steepling his fingers and one again contemplating Algol Black, his origins and the effect the boy could have upon coming events.

Things were not as they should be, or at least that was the thought that kept running through Draco's mind. Mere weeks ago he had been planning his return to school, where his name made him an undisputed leader within Slytherin house. His biggest concerns had revolved around how he would be able to benefit from the Triwizard tournament his father had informed him would be returning to Hogwarts this year. However, before they even arrived at the school he found the heirship to the house of Black that he'd always assumed would be his, taken.

Going through the motions of getting ready for his day, he thought of the cause of nearly all of his problems. Algol Black. A boy who by all accounts should not exist. Draco had sent a hurried letter to his father as soon as dinner the first night had ended. In hindsight, he had perhaps acted rashly in his attempt at confronting the boy that night but the thought of how that conversation had gone still left him seething. Of course, when his father's reply arrived the following morning at breakfast instructed him not to take any action and to remain cordial while he researched the matter, Draco had regretted his attempt. However, that didn't excuse the boy's impertinence! To make matters worse, it had been several weeks and he still hadn't heard back from his father regarding the matter, which led him to having to request an update about the matter. His father's reply had done nothing to reassure him, merely informing him that Algol's claim of heirship was true but also that none of Lucius' usual contacts could find the boy's origins.

Leaving his dormitory, Draco entered the Slytherin common room just in time to see the subject of his thoughts enter from outside. Wearing what was clearly a muggle outfit, Algol had clearly just returned from his daily ritual of some sort of morning exercise. His use of muggle fashion, as well as his distinctly muggle habit, had led to some mutterings within the house but no one had seen fit to confront the boy since Draco's ill-fated attempt that first night. Then again, no one had approached the boy in order to become closer either. The house as a whole clearly still hadn't decided just where Algol Black stood in terms of value as an ally. If Draco had his way they'd soon see him as nothing but another blood-traitor, not worth the air he breathes, let alone a pure-blood's allegiance.

Unaware, or more accurately simply ambivalent, of Draco's thoughts, Harry made his way towards his dormitory with plans of a quick shower before breakfast.

After making himself presentable and quickly gathering his materials for the day Harry began the walk from the dungeons to the great hall.

While making his way he let his mind drift towards the next steps he needed to take. Today was the first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts with the imposter Moody and Harry was still uncertain whether or not he wanted to confront Crouch Junior. On the one hand, the thought of knowingly leaving Moody trapped in his trunk for an entire year left him feeling incredibly guilty. But on the other, exposing the death eater so soon could very likely change things enough that his future knowledge would be all but useless. He had no idea how Voldemort would respond to losing his inside man, which led to him in the end thinking that he would just have to live with the guilt and let events play out. After all, living with guilt was nothing new to Harry.

Having arrived at the great hall, Harry made his way to the Slytherin table and began dishing himself breakfast. He made no effort to ingratiate himself with the other Slytherins and they in return didn't seek to include him in any of their social circles. It was obvious that the house didn't know what to make of him and his ascension to the heirship of the house of Black. After he was about finished Harry sat and thought of what he should do today, besides classes. Several minutes into his thoughts he felt someone approaching him from behind and heard the familiar drawl of Snape.

"Black!"

Turning to face the potions master, Harry responded.

"Professor?"

"The headmaster requires your presence in his office once you are finished here."

"Regarding?"

"The headmaster has not informed me as to what he wishes to discuss. I am to guide you so as to ensure you do not get lost."

Considering for just a moment seeing what Snape would do if he declined, Harry thought better of it and acquiesced.

"Thank you, professor. We can leave now if you are ready?"

With that, Snape spun and made his way toward the entrance of the great hall with his trademark billowing robes.

Thinking it was better to just get it over with, Harry stood with a sigh and followed the prat of a potions professor out of the hall and following him towards the headmaster's office.

Minerva Mcgonagall had just finished setting her classroom up with the pincushions that her first years would be needing right after breakfast, and was about to make her way to the great hall, when she heard a knock at her classroom door. Noting that it was rare a student would seek her out so early, she opened the door to see Rose Potter standing outside looking somewhat nervous.

"Ms. Potter, can I help you this morning?"

"Yes, professor. May I come in?" the girl asked, prompting Minerva to open the door more widely and usher her in.

After sitting at her desk with Rose sat at where she normally sat, front and center, she could tell that there was something the girl felt she needed to share but was too nervous to so she would have need to help draw whatever it was out. Though why she had come to her rather than Filius was odd.

"Was there something you wished to discuss Ms. Potter?"

"Uhm... yes. Well, you see, I'm worried about a student and professor." she began.

Quickly thinking of who, and what, Rose may be speaking of left her unsure what the issue was but felt that it was likely that it dealt with the Ms. Lovegood. Whom she knew would sometimes even exasperate her with her ever distracted nature. Though she was certain that she dealt with it better than, say, Severus.

"May I ask why you felt you should come to me, Ms. Potter? While I by no means mind, I am also sure that your mother or professor Flitwick would have helped you, especially if it dealt with yourself or Ms. Lovegood."

Suddenly looking up from where she had been looking down at her twisting hands with a determined face, Rose began her tale.

"No, I'm sorry professor. It really doesn't concern either myself or Luna. Which is why I'm hesitant to discuss it with you, as I do not know if it is my place." Taking a breath she continued. "I feel as though you are the best to speak to because it involves Neville. Yesterday, Herbology let out a bit early. So me and Luna were ahead of schedule in making our way to the Divination classroom. Because we were early the last class hadn't finished quite yet. We waited at the bottom of the ladder and while waiting we heard the last several minutes of the class, including professor Trelawny's interpretations of some of the student's tea leaves."

All of a sudden, Rose looked nervous for a minute and paused. Minerva, thoroughly puzzled at the tale and where it was heading tried to offer her support.

"Go ahead Ms. Potter. I assure you, what you say here is in the strictest of confidences."

"Uhm... professor. Do you know what... what happened to Neville's parents?" Rose asked in reply, clearly hoping that the transfiguration professor would know and not need to be told by Rose.

Her worry spiked at this question. This subject led to no where good. With trepidation in her voice she answered.

"Yes, I am aware. Even had I not needed to know when he joined my house I had stayed connected to Alice, much like your mother and father, when they left school. I was devastated when it happened."

Thankful that she wouldn't have to tell the tale, which had been what she was most nervous about. Rose gladly explained.

"Well, you see, my parents are Neville's godparents. So, me and Daisy are kind of close to him. Though I think my parents wish they had done a better job, but with what happened to my brother" here she took a shuddering breath "well, I just think it was tough for everyone. But because of that, me and Daisy know about it too. We also know that he is really, really sensitive about it and doesn't like sharing it with people. But, yesterday, like I said me and Luna heard some of professor Trelawny's predictions at the end of her class."

All of a sudden she knew exactly where Rose was leading with her story. The insensitive fraud likely said something to try to be dramatic, and as Albus had spoken with her about predicting student's deaths last year after complaints about her doing exactly that to Neville as well it may have veered into an even more sensitive subject. She dropped her head to massage her temples in frustration.

"Please, Ms. Potter. I believe I now see where this is heading. Can you tell me exactly what she said?"

"Yeah, uhm well she took Neville's teacup I suppose, and I don't know what she saw, but she let out a gasp and then said in a very loud voice that 'A cloud surrounded the poor boy, and he was heading toward a fate worse than that of his parents.' I don't think anyone else knows about the Longbottoms ma'am, just that Neville lives with his Gran. When we saw them all leaving the classroom Neville looked real shaken. So, I thought it best to come to you."

The transfiguration professor all of a sudden thought about how she had been hoping to have the Potter girls in her house like she had their parents. Though, she would freely admit that she was counting on their mother to temper their father's influence Her disappointment four years ago when Rose was sorted into Ravenclaw and again disappointed this year when Daisy found her way into Hufflepuff. Both times, within only a couple weeks, Minerva would reluctantly admit to herself that the hat had made the right choice. Rose had fit better with the more studious house and she was glad that Ms. Lovegood had a housemate she was so close to, knowing that her eccentricities would mean that making friends could be difficult otherwise. Daisy Potter had, in her very first class, convinced Minerva that she was a far better fit for Hufflepuff when she had observed her be one of the first to complete the transfiguration, but then behave as though she was struggling just as much as her new friend who hadn't seen it.

Seeing Rose Potter standing here in front of her, where she was clearly uncomfortable, because someone she valued was likely struggling with something so profound as what Mr. Longbottom faced with his parents brought back all her disappointment that neither Potter would be a lion. For while Minerva may have been a Gryffindor, she couldn't be certain that at Rose's age she would have been brave enough to have such an uncomfortable conversation simply for another student whom she was barely connected to. Even looking in her eyes made it clear to the transfiguration professor that while Rose would like for her to handle it, if she did not get the answer she wanted then she would do so herself.

"Thank you, Ms. Potter. I will speak with the headmaster about her behavior and referencing a student's personal life. If she does not curb such behavior in the future, I promise that I will take more... drastic measures." At this Rose nodded her head, seemingly in acceptance of the answer. Privately, Minerva thought that Sybil had better listen to Albus, otherwise she would certainly be taking this to the school board where one Augusta Longbottom sat and would certainly do more than simply use words.

Albus Dumbledore had returned to his office following the morning meal to wait for Severus and Algol Black's arrival. As he waited, he reflected on what he knew, or rather didn't know, about the new Black heir. The boy showed up seemingly from the air, with no one having heard of him before and yet carrying himself in such a way that seemed to indicate the boy thought the other students below his notice. He engaged with few, if any, and didn't seem to have any issues with the other student's curious stares and whispers that followed him.

As he sat, waiting for the morning's meal to end and the arrival of the two he had summoned several strong knocks came from his door.

"Enter" he called. thinking that unless the two were exceptionally quick or had skipped breakfast they should not have arrived yet.

In strode the stern countenance of the castle's transfiguration teacher.

"Albus, you must do something about that joke of a class 'Divination' and the damnable crone you have teaching it!" she exclaimed while marching forward.

Sighing, as he well knew Minerva's stance on both the subject and professor in question. "Minerva, I assure you, professor Trelawny is here for good reason. I understand your ire at times and do share a number of concerns. I spoke to her last year when you came to me about her eccentrics surrounding young Mr. Longbottom, but otherwise she has not done much to warrant discipline."

Snorting at the idea that the witch was as upstanding as the headmaster was portraying her, she quickly began an explanation of her and Rose Potter's discussion just that morning.

Albus Dumbledore was well aware of Sybil Trelawny's limited, very limited, usefulness as a seer. As well as her even more doubtful use as a professor. However, all he could normally do was placate and assure her critics, primarily Minerva, that he was handling things and that she was eccentric but knowledgeable. But after hearing Minerva's explanation of what Rose Potter heard he knew that he would need to reign in some of the considerable leash he had granted her. He would not allow a student such as Neville to be subjected to such under his watch. The year prior a discussion was needed to inform her that predicting your student's deaths was not in standing with the school's goals. Albus had thought the fact that this was even more true in the case of students whom already had somewhat tragic backgrounds, like Neville Longbottom or Susan Bones, shouldn't have needed to be said. Apparently, he was mistaken and he would need to have a meeting with the never entirely sober seer this evening.

Assuring Minerva that he would speak with her that evening, he watched as the transfiguration professor left and returned to his earlier musings regarding Algol Black.

Luckily, Albus didn't have to wait long before the gargoyle at the base of his stairs indicated the two had arrived for the meeting. The headmaster quickly granted entry and found himself sitting with Severus standing to the side of the room and sat across from the one puzzle piece that the more Dumbledore thought about the more he was certain belonged to an entirely different puzzle.

"Headmaster, Professor Snape said that you wanted to see me?" Algol began.

"Yes, Mr. Black. Please, have a seat. Thank you for taking the time this morning to come visit. I simply wanted to introduce myself and inquire how you were settling into the school and with your housemates?"

Another thought provoking fact had been Severus', as well as his own, observation that while Algol did not seem particularly keen to interact with any of the other students he seemed particularly uninterested in interacting with his Slytherin housemates.

With seeming disinterest, Algol answered "Oh I've been settling in as well as can be expected, headmaster." Drawing a snort of derision from the dour potions master.

The short, vague and whole uninformative answer did nothing to assuage Dumbledore's curiosity.

"Professor Snape and myself have noted that it seems as though you've had some trouble interacting with your housemates. Is there anything I could do to make things easier in that sense?"

With that question both the professor and Headmaster saw what looked like resentment flicker across the boy's face before it was quickly replaced by a weary sigh of what almost seemed like… disappointment?

"I'm afraid it is far too late for that Headmaster. I do appreciate the offer though."

This change in attitude unsettled Dumbledore, as well as the fact that Algol seemed to think the Headmaster unable to help him with any issues he may have.

"I assure you Mr. Black, I am more than capable of offering support where needed. I highly doubt that mere weeks into your tenure with us it is indeed too late for me to help if there are issues, please, share any concerns you have.

The boy simply stared at Albus for several moments, seeming to be trying to determine whether the offer was genuine or not. Dumbledore found that the boy's gaze was somewhat unnerving him. Eventually however, the boy let out a sigh, sat back into his chair and began to expand on his thoughts.

"When Sirius spoke to you of my transfer, did he explain just how I came to live with him?"

Not able to help himself, Dumbledore leaned forward in anticipation of learning more of the boy's origins before answering.

"I'm afraid not. I had asked who your parents were and he had indicated that the situation was rather private and I respected that." Thinking to himself that while he may have respected Sirius' wishes on questioning the man he had then used every source he could to try and find information on the boy anyways, just to come up with nothing.

"It certainly is, but I think it important you know where I am coming from when I say that I doubt that me and my housemates will find ourselves with anything better than an acrimonious relationship if I were to seek them out. You see, in 1981, when I was a little over a year old, both of my parents were killed by Voldemort."

When Albus didn't interrupt with any questions, Algol continued, letting his gaze drift towards one of the window's with a view of the black lake. Though seemingly not seeing and rather lost in his memories.

"I was raised for a number of years by an aunt and her family." Here the boy sneered. "They were… unpleasant. Eventually, I was on my own, with no real family to speak of, until recently, when Sirius happened across me and agreed to take me in. He had known my parents, and after listening to my story allowed me to move to his home, for which I am very grateful."

Glad to have made some headway into the boy's origins, Albus still found himself frustrated that most of the more pertinent questions were being glazed over. The boy had somehow condensed nearly fifteen years of his life into a handful of sentences that shed a light of a tragic beginning but did little to explain anything else. However, Albus had noticed, as he sure his potions professor had as well, that the boy had used Voldemort's name without a hint of hesitation and none of the more common reactions to the reminder of the world's darkest wizard in the past quarter century.

Albus found himself with just as many, if not more, questions about the Black heir. The most important of which being whether or not the boy could be a third option of the prophecy besides Harry Potter or Neville Longbottom. With this thought in mind, the headmaster found Algol continuing his explanation.

"I do not wish to claim that I had the worst childhood, I am sure there are those who have suffered more. Nor am I…" here he looked at professor Snape where he was stood to the side of the room, "...seeking any sort of attention. I simply wish to explain a little of my history so that when I say that I will not tolerate any of what that bastard stands for being bandied in my presence you may understand why I feel as such."

Snape, his temper having been on the rise throughout the meeting, could not hold his tongue anymore.

"Typical Black, so you feel yourself above the others in the house? You feel as though they should follow your lead? The arrogance is astounding, how you were sorted into Slytherin I cannot fathom."

Through Snape's outburst Algol had just sat there, seemingly growing more and more amused. Albus was about to jump in when someone, or rather something, began to cackle in earnest. Drawing the three men's eyes to the shelf upon which the sorting hat sat.

After calming down from his chuckling, the hat saw fit to interject.

"Well, Severus, that is only one of the many, many reasons why the job of sorting the new students falls to me and not to you. However, you should know that young… Algol here likely wanted to be in your house less than you wanted him there. BUT, I think that when things unfold as they will, it will become clear that I was correct."

Not sure how to respond, and having no desire to be drawn into an argument with a hat, Snape stayed quiet.

"Thank you hat, yes we are sure that you chose the best house for Mr. Black here." Dumbledore stated, wondering to himself how they had found themselves so far afield of what he had wanted to discuss.

Trying to drag the conversation back to the task at hand, Albus drew the attention of the others and the hat flopped back down quietly.

"However, Mr. Black. While I understand the disagreement regarding some of the other students views on certain matters I do hope you understand that violence will not be tolerated within Hogwarts." Dumbledore finished in a much colder voice than was typical of the headmaster.

Whatever Dumbledore thought Algol's response to that would be it was not the loud laughter the boy let out before devolving into quiet chuckling.

"Is there something humorous Mr. Black? Because I assure you that I was not joking."

Still getting over the effects of his chuckles, Algol quickly raised his hands as if to show he didn't mean for it to be malicious in thought.

"I apologize, headmaster, but it is just that your continual faith in this school as some sort of paragon of safety and learning is simply laughable at this point in time."

Not liking that this boy who had been in the school for so short of a time would slander it so Albus was about to demonstrate the boy when he continued.

"I mean this year alone! You are excitedly reviving a tournament that was canceled because the death toll grew too high!" letting out a bark of laughter he continued so as to not let either of the other two men interject. "Do not forget that my guardian is a well ranking auror with connections to the Potters. The whispers of petrifications, trolls, dark artifacts and possessed professors and students over the last handful of years alone should let you at least say that the safety of Hogwarts is not what it once was, should it not?"

The more the boy had spoken the greater Albus' worries became. While he had been unable to find any information surrounding Algol Black and his origins, it seemed as though Algol was able to learn many things of which he should not have been able to. Yes, some of the incidents could be explained by Sirius and him having heard, but by no means all.

"Mr. Black, I'm afraid I must insist that you share where you came across your information." Dumbledore demanded, the underlying ice again in his voice.

"I'm afraid I cannot divulge my source at this time." Algol said with a shrug, somewhat enjoying needling the headmaster, who was so used to being the only one with all the information.

Trying again to get the boy to see reason, "Mr. Black, you must sh-"

With clear iron in his voice, though not raising it, Algol cut the headmaster off.

"No. There is nothing that I must do, headmaster. You, both of you, have had chances time after time to do what is right. I will not fail everyone as you have."

"Why you arrogant little br-" Snape began, before Dumbledore raised his hand to silence him, hoping to somehow get their conversation back on track. But before he could continue, Algol spoke again, though without the iron and again in his distracted and seemingly almost bored tone.

"If I am completely honest, sir. I had many reservations about whether I wanted to attend Hogwarts when the option was made available to me. Primarily due to how you have failed many of my housemates."

The accusation threw both adults off again, and finding himself on the back foot, Dumbledore asked "Whatever do you mean, Mr. Black?"

"I mean, headmaster, that because of your lax policies both during and after the last war you have doomed many of the same housemates you seem to believe I should be working to grow closer with. As the leader of the resistance and a highly ranking government official your insistence on pacifist policies and aversion to violence allowed Voldemort's rabid followers to behave unchecked. Then, following the war, as chief warlock of the Wizengamot you allowed those same animals to worm their way out of punishment. Even in exile, the principles Voldemort stood for have gained traction within the governing body here in Britain. In doing so many of those currently down in the Slytherin dormitories have been doomed to either become as inhuman as their parents, or to an early grave."

As Algol ended his rant he stood from his chair, "If that is all headmaster, I believe that myself and professor Snape will be late for potions class if we do not leave now."

Dumbledore did not know what to say. To see a child so averse to the idea of forgiveness that he was willing to not only say that many of the previous generation should have been written off as lost but also that many of the current generation should be as well. The thought was bone chilling. With some hesitation, Dumbledore decided that little was to be gained by continuing just then.

"Ah, yes. We shall need to continue this discussion another time, my boy. Please make your way to class, professor Snape shall be along in just a moment."

With that, Algol gave a nod and left the office.

"Albus, surely you must see reason. We must get rid of the boy! He is a waste and will cause far more problems than he is worth!" Snape insisted, once they were certain Algol had made his way passed the gargoyle.

"Severus, I understand young Algol does not agree with the necessity of forgiveness in the fight against the dark. But he has not yet done anything of which we could even reprimand him for, let alone expel. We shall simply need to make sure to keep an eye on Mr. Black and work to show him the light."

Rolling his eyes at the same drivel the old man always spouted, Snape swept from the office to follow his current least favorite student to that morning's Gryffindor and Slytherin potions class.

Wondering just what Dumbledore's goal with their meeting had been, Harry made his way to the dungeons for potions before lunch. On his way, he began to contemplate just what he had accomplished since his… return? Jump? Reset? Whatever the correct terminology, since he reawaken during his fourth year. Overall, he had to conclude that he had not been nearly as productive as he should have been.

Yes, he had gotten the locket, the ring, and had access to the diadem. He also had access, of a sort, to Basilisk venom. But he still needed to verify that the diary had made its' way into Hogwarts and then determine what happened to it, since Sirius assured him that there had been no student deaths at the school in at least a decade. Sirius was working on Hufflepuff's cup, but if Harry was honest with himself, the likelihood of the Goblins working with them was slim. He didn't think that Nagini had been made into a horcrux yet, but that was just another question he needed to get an answer to.

About halfway to the potions room, just in time for class, Harry had come to the decision that the coming weekend would be a busy one. He would retrieve the diadem, answer some of the questions surrounding the diary and would make a visit to the chamber of secrets. He and Sirius would also destroy the horcruxes they had managed to collect at this point. Quickly pulling the two way mirror that Sirius had made him to get in contact when needed, he called the man, hoping he was free at the moment. Seconds later the mirror seemed to fog so badly that he couldn't see anything in it until clearing and showing the dog animagus smiling up at him.

"Hey there, lil P. What can I do you for?" he immediately asked.

"First off, no on the nickname. Second, have you been able to make any progress with the goblins?"

"Well I can't very well make your marauder nickname until we teach you the transformation, now can I?" he pouted, "plus what kind of name is 'Algol', ugh should've chose better mate. But yeah, actually! I think I found something today that'll work for what we need!"

Harry was surprised, but happy, to hear that they had actually made more progress than he'd initially thought. Avoiding breaking into the bank and a thoroughly uncomfortable dragon ride was significant.

"Alright, awesome! I think we need to meet to go over some stuff. Would you be able to meet tonight, say 6'oclock, in Mooney's old haunt? Also, you picked the name you prat!"

Laughing, clearly entirely too pleased with himself, Sirius agreed and said that he'd see Algol then before the two deactivated their mirrors.

With his decision made and a plan to meet Sirius later that night, Harry had nearly made it to the potions room corridor, and was brought out of his thoughts by the familiar annoying drawl of Malfoy up to his usual brand of bigotry and hate. If that wasn't enough, he was again directing it at Hermione.

Hermione waited with the assembled Gryffindors and Slytherins outside the potions classroom, professor Snape not having arrived as of yet. Potions was never Hermione's favorite class, ever since her first year when professor Snape had made his disdain for her clear. In fact, with how much he allowed the Slytherins get away with in addition to his dislike for Hermione herself the girl likely would have dropped the class if possible. Unfortunately, it was a required course through fifth year.

All of a sudden, she heard one of her most hated voices speak up from behind her.

"Well, well, well. I thought I smelt the stench of our resident mudblood swot." Turning to address several of the other Slytherin bigots that seemed to love to follow him around, "You know, I had really hoped that she would have learned her place and stayed home this year. Imagine my disappointment when I found she had disgraced the express yet again." He finished with a sigh and disappointed head shake.

Hermione Granger had felt more alone this year than any other. Usually by this time of year, she would have had to deal with the loneliness, but the taunts of the Slytherins would at least bring a sense of comradery when the Gryffindors would defend her. Even if only out of a sense of house unity or their hatred for all things Slytherin.

Yes, as the lions saw it she was theirs, and theirs alone, to bully.

But this year the Slytherins hadn't been bothering her. In fact, the Slytherins didn't seem to be bothering any of their usual targets. But she should have known that it wouldn't last though.

Closing her eyes to try not to give Malfoy any satisfaction of a reaction from her, Hermione didn't see what happened at first but did hear that while his cronies began snickering Malfoy let out a shout of indignation that was immediately followed by one of the voices she found herself appreciating more and more.

Knowing that outright violence, while likely more effective in convincing Malfoy, would only lead to more trouble since Dumbledore had just threatened him about it and Snape was likely only seconds behind him. Because of this, Harry chose to try embarrassment instead.

With all of the attention on Malfoy and Hermione, no one noticed Algol approaching. Just as his little followers were beginning to snicker and while Malfoy was trying to do his best impression of disappointment over finding Hermione on the Hogwarts express this year. Harry quickly grabbed the blonde ponce's bowed head underneath his arm and began to vigorously rub his knuckles across the perfectly done up hair while berating him in the over excited voice most people take when speaking to a baby, or dog.

"Oh cousin! Who's being a brat again?! Is it you?! Is it you?! Yes it is! Yes it is!"

Malfoy had let out a initial shout of indignation and began struggling immediately to escape Algol's grip before stumbling back when eventually he was released.

He saw the other students, Gryffindors and Slytherins alike, were completely gobsmacked at what had just happened while Algol stood there with the biggest shit eating grin on his face. Malfoy lost it, drawing his wand and pointing at the one who had quickly become his biggest annoyance at school he began to threaten.

"Black! I do not know what you were thinking by touching me like some muggle. But I will make you pay for it, I don't care if you are the Black heir or pureblood. No one lays hands on a Malfoy!" he exclaimed, trying to decide how best to hex this upstart.

As always, Algol didn't let his thoughts go unanswered for long and didn't answer in any useful way.

"Oh, I'm not." was all he said, confusing everyone surrounding the two at this point.

"... what? You aren't what?" Draco asked, his previous anger somewhat abated at the thought that somehow the boy had lost the heirship already or was lying about it until now for some reason.

"A pureblood. My mother was muggleborn, so I'm a halfblood."

The Gryffindors were all beginning to laugh uproariously, the Slytherins were split between horrified at what they had just seen and trying to hide smiles at the blonde boy's embarrassment.

Malfoy saw red, he wanted to kill the boy, but again found his thoughts cut off by the boy in question as well as his head of house's arrival.

"I have it on good authority that 'violence will not be tolerated within Hogwarts'. As professor Snape can attest to, the headmaster seemed very serious when he told me just minutes ago." He finished with a gesture towards Snape, who had just arrived.

Draco wanted to scream!

After a thoroughly uncomfortable class where he was able to take nearly a hundred points from Gryffindor, which they seemed to be in too good a mood to care about, Snape had made his way to lunch. When he arrived, he had approached Dumbledore and insisted that they meet in the headmaster's office following the meal. Which was where he found himself now.

Severus Snape sat across from Albus Dumbledore. Thoughts turbulent, not quite sure what game was afoot or what Algol Black hoped to accomplish, but sure that things were becoming more and more volatile.

After a moment to gather his thoughts, Snape asked, "May we use your pensieve? I believe that it would be better that you see what I have."

Albus had been surprised by Snape's request of a meeting after their earlier meeting with Algol Black. As they had made their way to his office the potions professor had seemed distracted, which in and of itself was concerning. But the request for the pensieve to view something that Severus had presumably seen between that morning and lunch had the headmaster concerned.

"Yes, certainly." He arose to gather the device from the closet in which he housed it while continuing "Does this have anything to do with our meeting this morning and young Mr. Black?"

"Indeed, I suspect things will become quite difficult in not so long."

His eyebrows raising at the claim, Albus laid the pensieve down on his desk and motioned for the potions professor to proceed.

After waiting for Severus to remove his memory and drop it into the basin, Albus found himself diving into the memory of Severus walking through the hallways towards his classroom just after their earlier meeting, Albus assumed. At his questioning glance Snape explained.

"It was over quite quickly, so I've included some of the walk before arriving. Listen and watch."

Turning back to the walking professor, Dumbledore began to hear somewhat of a commotion up ahead. As they neared the corner Albus could make out what sounded like a heated, at least for half the participants, conversation between Algol Black and Draco Malfoy. He was happy to learn more about the Black heir, that his mother was muggleborn, but knew that the situation could very well get out of hand quickly.

As they turned the corner laughter could be heard, they were met with a scene of a thoroughly disheveled Draco holding a bored and amused Algol at wandpoint. Then the headmaster felt almost as though Algol was speaking to him, rather than Snape or young Draco, when he had his earlier claim of Hogwarts' stance on violence thrown back at him.

Dumbledore heard Snape tell Draco to put his wand away and usher the class into the room as though they were the ones that were late. Docking various points from Gryffindors for their laughter before the memory ended and he found himself sitting across the potions master in his office once again.

"Albus, surely you must see that the boy is a menace. We can not allow him to continue!" Snape insisted.

Raising his eyebrow towards his potions professor, Dumbledore had to ask "You are speaking of whom? Young Mr. Black or Mr. Malfoy? Because what I saw shone a light on more of Draco's issues than Algol's."

Severus scoffed, "surely you must see that Black goaded Draco into that. If I had been but a minute sooner I am sure it would have told a different story!"

"And Mr. Malfoy is never known to goad another student into action that will see them penalized?"

Snape opened his mouth to argue before snapping it shut. Knowing that the scene they had just watched matched many of his where Draco had done exactly the same to the Weasley boy.

"The boy will certainly need to be watched. I will not say that what he has said and his actions are not worrying to some degree, but if we are honest with ourselves some of the points he made were not without basis."

Continuing, though now looking far more worried "What I am most concerned about, Severus, is where the boy has gotten his information from. He seems to know a great deal about matters in which few do."

Not seeming to share the headmaster's concern about how informed the Black heir seemed to be, Severus disagree. "I noticed that he knew all about the most recent years here at Hogwarts as well, but with Black likely telling him anything he knew as well as the rumor mill that runs faster than the express here I do not think it ludicrous to believe that he had heard of it all through casual discussions."

The headmaster was quiet for a moment before speaking. "Quirinus' possession, while not widely spread, he could have learned from Sirius or possibly another source. However, he cited both professor and student possessions here. With the story given that a dark artifact was responsible, there is no way for him to have learned of young Ginevra's without either of us or the Weasleys having told him, which is exceedingly unlikely."

Thinking back, Snape realized that Dumbledore was correct. Black had indeed indicated to both possessions several years prior.

"Are you sure, Albus? It is possible he was simply speaking hyperbolically. He made no mention of Ms. Weasley."

"... sure? No, I find myself unsure of anything surrounding Mr. Black. Yet, I truly believe that he knows of young Ginevra's ordeal." He paused here for a moment before continuing with an air of reluctance, "... I also am now beginning to believe that he knows of her possessor as well."

Sitting up straight at that Snape demanded explanation. "What are you talking about Albus? Are you saying the boy knows of the Dark Lord's survival?!"

* Two Years Prior*

Dumbledore had long maintained that Voldemort was not truly gone. With how far the Dark Lord had dived into the darkest of magics it was very possible that he had survived that night, though he had been unsure how. Until Snape had come to him, dragging a completely distraught Ms. Weasley to his office and presenting him with a journal that she had been writing in during a detention she had gotten for inattention during class that had led to a melted cauldron. When Snape had seized the journal from her he had immediately felt the dark magic permeating from the thing and brought her straight up. It was an entirely lucky happenstance that had saved the girl from a horrible fate. After calling Pomphrey and having her parents come to the school the headmaster had left the worried family surrounding the sleeping girl in the hospital wing and returned to his office.

Stepping into his office, he was accosted immediately, "Albus, what is that thing and why is the girl not expelled?! You know my history better than most, yet I have never felt something so dark!"

With a sigh, the headmaster motioned for Severus to take a seat. "What I am about to tell you, Severus, must not leave this room. As you will learn, it certainly falls under the oaths we exchanged all those years ago."

Knowing the oath that Dumbledore was referring to, Snape was immediately on guard. "Alright, just how does this pertain to the Dark Lord?"

"As I am sure you've surmised, Voldemort was not born with such a moniker. Have you ever wondered just who he was before becoming the monster he will be remembered as?"

"Of course, and while I will admit to some minimal research in the years since I have never learned anything of value. Or really anything at all."

Not having known that Severus had done any research into the history of the Dark Lord Albus was intrigued.

"Really? I was never aware that you attempted to learn more of the Dark Lord?"

Answering the underlying question of why he hadn't shared with the headmaster, "With your insistence that he was not defeated for good and my previous allegiance I did not share the fact as I was somewhat worried you would think I may be working towards his return. I assumed that since you hadn't brought me in on any such search into the monster's identity that you did not want my help."

"Ah, I can of course understand that. Though I do hold a much higher opinion of you than that, Severus."

Snape simply shrugged, knowing that while the headmaster may trust him that much no one else would. Not even himself.

Continuing, Dumbledore explained "No, why I did not ask your help in finding the Dark Lord's identity is much simpler. I already knew it."

Severus Snap was not a man to let emotion have power over him in any but the most serious of situations, so it was with some amusement that Dumbledore saw the brief open-mouthed shock that crossed the man's face.

"You know?! You already knew?"

"Yes. And with your confiscation from young Ms. Weasley, we have now confirmed I am correct that Voldemort is not gone for good as well as his method of survival."

Turning the name on the journal towards the stunned professor, Albus explained. "Tom Marvolo Riddle was the name of a student here some fifty years ago that would go on to become the most feared wizard of our time. He had made this diary, a horcrux, in which he housed a part of his very soul that would tether him to this world if his mortal body were to be destroyed. I have only done minimal research into the process and the items, but we can now be certain that somewhere out there Voldemort remains. Though, likely still weaker than even a wraith."

Jumping to his feat, "Then we must destroy it! Now! What must we do?!" Snape demanded.

Albus held up a hand for patience, "Wait Severus. You knew the Dark Lord nearly as well as I. So I must ask, do you think that he would have been satisfied by merely one contingency on his life?"

Falling back into the chair he had vacated a moment ago, "More, you think he made more?"

"I do not know, but from what I knew and know of him I would not be surprised."

The two would discuss the matter long enough that Snape ended up needing to cancel all of his classes the next day and the two began working to seek out a way to find other horcruxes if possible. Deciding not to destroy the journal just yet, in case it could prove useful someday in finding others.

*Present Day*

"I do. As I believe you will if you are to think back to the conversation. I didn't realize it this morning, but Mr. Black spoke of Voldemort's actions in the past tense but of the man and his values in the present. Additionally, when he spoke of the Dark Lord's fate he interestingly called it 'exile' rather than defeat, death or any of a host of more permanent descriptions. No, I believe that our Mysterious new student knows that the Dark Lord is not truly gone, and while he condemned the actions and values of him I do not know just what he plans to do with this information. That, Severus, is what concerns me."

That night, in the shrieking shack, Sirius had just finished recounting to Harry how the trip to Gringotts had gone and Harry had just informed Sirius of his plans for the weekend when the ethereal stag came bouncing through the wall towards them and speaking urgently with James' voice.

""Sirius? Where are you? Stopped by Grimmauld, at my place now. We need to talk."

Sirius turned back to Harry just in time to see the small smile of remembrance that had shown on his face for just a moment before slipping away.

"So, you remember Prongs then?" he asked the boy who he thought was far too severe.

"Huh? Oh, not really. I suppose I can still see glimpses from that first year, to be honest I think I remember you, or well Padfoot at least, the most from then though. But I used to use the same patronus. The first time I summoned it I actually thought it was my dad who had. Seeing it just brought back some memories." Harry explained.

Confused, Sirius couldn't stop himself from asking "used to use?"

"Its… just another part of the long story. Its' not important, I'll explain more some other time, but you should go see what James needs."

Wincing at Harry's insistence to call them James and Lily with an air of unfamiliarity, Sirius agreed. He turned to the door and made his way out but just before exiting he turned back and looked into those dark blue eyes he hated and said "I'm gonna hold you to that Harry. I want to hear all your stories, and more importantly I want to help you make new ones." with that, he stepped outside and with a crack was gone to see what his oldest friend needed.

James had found himself bored, spending yet another night at home with none of his family there. So, on a whim, he popped over to Remus' place to see if the wolf wanted to get dinner and maybe a few drinks. He knew Sirius would be at home and they could convince him to come out too and he'd like to spend a night with his two oldest friends.

Luckily, Mooney was a much easier sell for a relaxed night out than he had been expecting, so the two quickly found themselves popping into Grimmauld place to drag their third out of whatever he was doing to spend some time with them.

Annoyingly, when they arrived, Sirius was nowhere to be found. They decided to check through the house just to make sure that the man hadn't drank himself half to death and passed out somewhere again, as he would do too often. They split up, James taking the upstairs rooms and Remus the first floor. James had only checked Sirius' room and what he thought must have been Algol's when he heard Remus call him from below with a clear note of concern in his voice that put James on edge. Following Mooney's voice led him eventually to the study, where upon entry he felt as though he was blasted by a sense of wrongness.

"So, you feel it too? I was really hoping I was going crazy or the wolf was acting up for some reason." Remus said from where he stood examining a bookshelf.

"This is where the entrance to the dungeons is, right?" he asked.

His earlier jovialness had fled in a moment with what he felt in that study. He knew the Blacks had historically been darker than even their name would suggest, but he thought Sirius had purged all of those artifacts when he became the final Black? So just what was this?

Drawing his wand, he made his way across the room cautiously to stand next to his friend. James found himself looking at the bookcase that he knew indeed hid the entrance to the Black dungeons. A place that Sirius had all but sworn he would never willingly enter, leaving the question of who had and more importantly what had they brought into the house that could feel like that?

"...yeah." was all James could reply. Wondering just what was going on.

"Well, whatever it is, its' down there."

Deciding there was no use standing around in the uncomfortable room, the two made their way back to the living room. James could only think of one person who would have had the access to Grimmauld place, besides Sirius, that could've brought something of that power across the wards. The new, mysterious and the more James learned about him, suspicious heir Black.

"This has to be Algol. What is he doing? Who is he? What does he want with Sirius?" James muttered, still at a loss for why something so dark, whatever it may be, would be in Sirius' house.

"Well, we don't technically know that, James." Remus said, drawing his friend's ire.

"What?! After all these years you think Sirius would get mixed up with something like… whatever that thing is?!" he nearly shouted.

"No. But I also don't know that just being the heir would be enough to get Algol access to the dungeons. Also, how would he have found them? I'm worried that he may have Sirius under control somehow."

"That… that would make a lot of sense." he said with a sigh. "So, what do we do?"

"I think, first and foremost, we need to check Sirius for any and all compulsions."

"Fair enough, suggestions?"

After thinking for a moment, Remus finally seemed to have come up with the semblance of a plan.

"I think we need to go to your place where you have control of the wards and not him. The girls and Lily are all at the school right?"

"Yeah, Lily doesn't plan to come home until this weekend."

"Alright, so we go there. Stun him, restrain him, and then question whats going on. I know that neither of us want to get the DMLE involved, and Merlin knows that it wouldn't be good for one of their senior aurors to be brought in."

"Alright, fair enough. Classic 'greet and stun'?" James asked, trying to make things feel a little lighter but feeling the attempt fall flat.

"Yeah. That should do it." Remus agreed.

With that, the both popped to the Potter's home, quickly did a walk through to make sure there wasn't anything they were overlooking, and then James sent a messenger patronus to Sirius.

"Sirius? Where are you? Stopped by Grimmauld, at my place now. We need to talk."

Dumbledore had been thoroughly enjoying his dinner, until Minerva had arrived and reminded him of her earlier complaint regarding Sybil. Yes, the conversation could not wait and he would need to meet with the eccentric witch, that held more importance than any but he and Severus could know but was unfortunately a incredibly poor teacher, that very night. If he could not get the witch to curb her tendency toward dramatic predictions of doom and despair then Minerva's threat to bring the issue to the school board would very likely see her from the castle. Augusta Longbottom was not a witch that anyone of average intelligence would cross and he were to put modesty aside, Albus thought that he was certainly above average.

So, it was with no small amount of annoyance that the aged wizard made his way from the great hall toward the divination classroom and what was sure to be a conversation that was cause for a headache. At the bottom of the trapdoor Albus caught his breath and cursed the fact that Sybil never seemed to eat with the staff or students and for some reason have the second highest classroom for no discernible reason.

After climbing the ladder into the dim classroom, he called out for the divination professor.

"Sybil? Are you in?"

The slight sound of movement led his gaze towards a chair facing one of the large windows that overviewed the ground. Seeing the empty bottle of sherry next to it he lowered his gaze to the floor to take a breath as to not show his annoyance, and approached.

"Sybil, I'm afraid we must discuss young Mr. Longbottom and your behavior towards him."

When there was no movement or acknowledgement to come from the professor, the headmaster made his way towards the chair, thoroughly exasperated. Reaching the chair, he found the seer asleep holding another bottle of sherry. With a wave of his wand Albus cast the sobering charm before reaching out and shaking her shoulder to wake her.

"Sybil w-"

He was cut off, as the witch moved faster than he thought she was able. The bottle she was holding falling to the ground and spilling its contents, forgotten. As she gripped both his shoulders and began speaking in a tone of voice he had only heard once before, and had hoped to never hear again.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord is here… The Warlock, at first unmistaken, has allowed faith to waver… Seeking to alter what cannot be altered, will become the dark's unwitting ally… Beware the false heir to the most ancient and noble of houses, for he shall strike against those who will stand with the vanquisher. For only once the heir of the light joins his house with those both dark and gray shall he be able to vanquish the Dark Lord… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord is here…"