*I own nothing. J.K. Rowling owns everything harry potter I'm just borrowing it.
**I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and enjoy this one also.
Black Situation
Chapter Four
Harry, Neville, James and Draco had decided to take a break and meet again the next Saturday. They had decided to pretend nothing had changed for the time being for the very reason it all seems strange that Hagrid took Harry instead of a professor and that Hagrid forgot to mention where the platform was. Than it was even stranger that the Weasley's that are pureblood went the muggle way to the platform and shouting out about things that could have broken the secrecy laws. No, they decided to keep things the same for now. Harry and Draco went about fighting and insulting each other, Neville was still quiet and away from Harry. James was watching over them and being quiet like always. Harry was the one that found it the hardest since he had learned about the Weasley's, he found himself watching the twins seeing if he could trust them, watching Ron noticing little things about him that showed his jealousy. Harry knew he could never go back after learning everything about his family and how he almost betrayed them. Harry watched others around him. Harry learned a lot about his classmates. How they treated others. How they didn't care about hurting others.
Harry also learned that the night of the candle lighting, they had missed something. Everyone had been on their way back from the Halloween feast and they ran straight into a flooding hallway and a stunned cat that belonged to Mr. Filch. No one noticed they had been missing, because Hermione covered for Harry and Neville. She had been really worried about them and where they had been. But she didn't nag them about where they were or what they were doing after Harry and Neville told her they would explain soon.
Harry couldn't wait for Saturday. He wanted to learn about the Blacks since he's related and a second heir to the family. James being the first heir since his father, Sirius black was Lord Black. Harry wanted to know everything he could about the Wizarding world. He wanted to learn the things he should have growing up. He wanted to know about being a lord, more about his family history, and what other alliances there was connected to the Potter's but also the Black's so he didn't go about betraying the family he wanted. He didn't want to screw it up by not knowing something he should have, if he had been allowed to grow up in the magical world.
That was another thing Harry wanted to know, why hadn't he grown up in the magical world? Who took him away or who had the right to place him anywhere besides the magical world? James had mentioned in passing about His mother's will on the way back on Saturday. Harry wondered if his parents had any witnesses from their Will that were still alive. Harry wondered if Sirius had been the only witness or if someone else had witness it also. Harry had about a million and one questions. He wondered if he would ever have all the answers to them.
Harry looked up from his parchment when he heard someone sitting in the chair next to him at the Library. It was just Neville. He arranged his books around and looked at Harry, leaning a tiny bit closer to Harry.
"Harry, James wants to meet right after breakfast tomorrow." Nev whispered, looking around making sure no one heard or was watching them.
"Okay. I'll be there. What are you working on?" Harry asked, quietly.
"Potions. I wish Draco was here, he could easily help me." Neville said, looking worried.
"Draco's the top student in Potions right? Doesn't Professor Snape favor him?" Harry asked, not really believing it was true so much anymore.
"No not really, Snape doesn't really favor him. Only in classes he does because he has too." Neville said, pulling his potion's book closer and opening it.
"Has too?" Harry said, confused. Harry started writing his Herbology essay.
"Yes, has to, it wouldn't look good to the death eater children if he didn't favor the Slytherin's. He was a spy in the last war, not many know that or believe it. But it's true. My Gran believes the Dark Lord might come back. So Snape can't change his way if he is still willing to spy." Neville said, quietly lowering his voice when someone passed by.
"Really? A Spy?" Harry said, his head down writing slowly, keeping his writing neat.
"Yes, he was spying on both the light and dark for the neutral side. Same with Lord Malfoy, he was spying on the dark side." Neville said, writing a note down in his book.
"Wow, I didn't know. Is that why Snape picks on the Gryffindor's?" Harry asked, looking up from his parchment to Neville.
"Yes. Harry you still have loads to learn but remember it's not your fault. Snape doesn't actually hate you. He couldn't and I'll tell you why later but he just can't show that he isn't favoring Slytherin. Okay?" Neville said, looking at Harry. Harry nodded.
Harry still had a lot to learn and he wouldn't judge anyone or thing until after he had some answers.
It was finally Saturday, all Harry had to do was wait for breakfast to be over with and to escape from Ron who had been stuck to him ever since Harry had talked to Neville in the library. Hermione knew that Harry was planning something that had nothing to do with Ron so she nodded when Harry looked at her for help. Harry knew that would cost him quite a bit, but he was willing to do anything for her later. Harry was pretty sure what that anything was, but Harry would make sure to ask before leaving James, Draco, and Neville.
Someone tapped on Harry's shoulder and Harry looked up seeing Neville. Harry started getting up with Ron looked at them and opened his mouth.
"Where are you two going?" Ron asked, looking between Neville and Harry.
"Neville is going to help me with my Herbology essay." Harry said, lying easily. Those years at the Dursley's helped him lie easily.
"Why doesn't Hermione just help you?" Ron said, watching Neville.
"Because Ron, Neville is top student in Herbology." Hermione explained, slowly for Ron. Ron shot her a dirty look.
"Also Ron didn't you want to copy my essay today from potions?" Hermione off-handily said, and it made Ron change his mind since it nearly never was offered by Hermione. Since she hated cheating, Harry really knew he owed her now.
"OH yes of course" Ron said, turning around and kept eating. Harry and Neville escaped quickly after that.
On the way to the spot by the rocks Neville explained why Snape couldn't hate him. Harry was curious because everyone knew Snape hates Harry with a passion.
"Snape is from a long family line of purebloods, but his mother fell in love with a muggle. They got married and had a baby, Snape, The Princes didn't disown her but they didn't approve of her choice also. Snape grew up as a pureblood. The Princes were a neutral family, their close to the Black's and Malfoy's. Snape grew up with Sirius and his family basically. Only thing that was different was Snape didn't live in a castle or manor, he grew up in a muggle neighborhood." Neville paused and took a breath. He looked at Harry to make sure he was keeping up. Harry nodded for him to continue.
"He grew up a street over from your mother. Snape and your mother were in the park one day when he noticed her doing magic and she got scared. He ran over and showed her he could do it as well. He explained it all to her. He introduced her to Sirius and his brother. They became close. Once they started Hogwarts everything, sort of changed though. Sirius met your father and they were instant best friends almost brothers. Snape and Lily stayed best friends, but James became in flamed with your mother. It was love at first sight for him." Neville told, smiling a little when he saw Harry was hanging off every word. Neville knew Harry didn't know much about his family and he was starved to hear more about them.
"James and Sirius then met Remus and Peter. They then become a pretty tight group, loved pranking and what not, but I'm getting away from why I'm telling you this. Snape loved your mum like a sister tried to protect her then He fell in with the death eater crowd. Called her a mudblood and regrets it. He made an unbreakable vow to Remus to protect you no matter the costs after your mum and dad were killed." Neville finished, watching for Harry's reaction. Harry looked down.
Truth be told Harry didn't know how to react to that. Snape promised to protect him because of his mum. What do you say or do with that knowledge. Especially with said man that shows his hatred for you in front of all your classmates. Harry was just confused.
"What's an unbreakable vow?" Harry asked, curious.
"It's where the one that breaks the vow dies." Someone said behind them. Harry and Neville turned around and noticed it was Theo that said it. They saw James had brought Theo along with him and Draco for the talk. Harry guessed they would talk about his family as well then.
"Hello Theo." Harry said, stepping close and shaking his hand. Harry noticed James and Draco had a shocked look on their faces. Harry smirked and Theo did also. No one knew this but Harry and Theo had been owling each other ever since that candle lighting. Harry wanted to get to know him. Be able to consider him a friend. Theo had also taught him some things about his family. Not much but a few things.
"You two are on good terms then?" James said, passing by with a raised eyebrow, heading towards to the rocks and they followed.
"Yes, we've been owling each other. I wanted to get to understand his family and him. I want to consider him and you all friends." Harry explained, looking around and not at them. Theo clapped him on the back.
"You can call me a friend Harry." Theo said, nodding.
"Me to Harry." Neville said, sitting down and leaning back against a rock.
James and Draco looked at each other. And nodded to Harry smiling.
After that they all sat around uneasily, no one really wanting to start anything. They were waiting for Harry also to ask the questions so they could answer. James cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow at Harry. Harry nodded and took a breath.
"Before I ask anything, I was wondering about my parents Will, who witnessed it?" Harry asked.
"I only know Sirius and Neville's parents witnessed each other's Will's along with your parents. But I do know Dumbledore always pushed himself into those things also. I'd take a wild guess and say he was in there also." Neville said, looking at Harry.
"So if say Dumbledore did witness it, he would know where I should have been placed right?" Harry asked, carefully.
"Well yes why Harry?" Neville asked, looking at him then turning and looking at everyone. It looked like Draco and Theo were a bit lost while James knew where this was going.
"You think he placed you with your muggle relatives." James said, stating it not as a question, he lowered his eyebrows thinking.
"He could right? He's Chief Warlock. Could he seal a Will or something?" Harry asked.
"He could. But let's talk about something else we can't do much about that until you are 13." James said. Harry nodded slowly understanding.
"Okay tell me more about the Black's?" Harry asked, he was curious he wanted to know as much as he could.
"What would you like to know first?" James asked, curious about his answer.
"Who's the Black Family allied too?" Harry asked after a moment of thinking.
"That's a good question Harry. The Malfoy's of course as family, the Potter's, and The Longbottom's, are the big ones. Since we are too young we can't form official alliances yet. Once we reach 17 or in your case 15, you can and I'll be able to at 17." James explained.
"Okay, how am I a black again?" Harry asked, forgetting if they had talked about that or not.
"Well One your grandmother was born a black and Married your grandfather a Potter. That's how the Black's and Potter's started their alliance. But my father blood adopted you about two months after you were born." James said.
"Why?" was all Harry asked?
"That I do not know. All I could think of was to keep you safe if your parents were killed. What myself, Neville and Draco thought was so when the time came my father could claim you and no one would be able to fight it." James explained. Draco and Neville nodded showing that's what they thought and agreed on.
"So basically my parents knew something would happen… they must have expected something like this towards the end then." Harry said, looking up at the sky thinking.
"So I'm second Heir?" Harry asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Yes. I'm the primary Heir, if something were to happen to me, then you would be next in line. After you would be Draco." James explained.
"So we are all cousins?" Harry asked, looking at Draco and James. They both nodded.
"Who are the blood enemies of the House of Black?" Harry asked.
"Prewett Family, and a few minor houses like, Minor Family Mina, Minor house Avery, Minor house Flint, and Minor house Burke." James stated.
"But we will have more once my father gets out of prison." James also stated.
"Who else would we be blood enemies too?" Harry asked curious.
"The Lestrange's of course, but I think Father will also cast out Bella since she is a Black by blood. Also Minor house Crouch, and..." James paused for a second, took a deep breathe. "And House Dumbledore." James finished.
"Okay before I ask about them what did the others do?" Harry asked.
"Well Prewett basically tried to get the Black's to sign a contract that would have tricked them out of their name, wealth, and reputation. Once it was figured out they became blood enemies. The Minor House Mina, they broke an oath the oath to never take up wands against each other. They killed a brother of the Lord about 70 years ago. The Black's haven't taken an oath like that since. We honor the oaths with families we had them from before but haven't made another oath like that." James explained, then looked at Draco and he nodded.
"We are blood enemies with Minor House Avery because of my family primarily, They had challenged the Malfoy's to a duel then cheated after Avery attacked when a Malfoy had his back turned, he didn't kill him but he was disgraced and made an enemy. The Black's had to honor it once Uncle Sirius married my Aunt." Draco explained.
"The Minor House of Flint, raped and killed a Daughter of a Lord Black over 50 years ago. The Black's didn't get justice in their minds and made the oath of Blood enemies. And the Minor House of Burke stole a very old and valuable tome, which had been written by a Lord Black over 500 years ago." James finished after Draco.
"Wow. Those families can they ever be back in our favor as a family?" Harry asked, wondering about the Potter's and the Weasley's.
Harry saw Draco and James share a look, Harry ignored it. He wanted to know if they could at all redeem themselves in the eyes of Elder Potters. If maybe even just the twins could stay close to Harry, He would be grateful to know he was lied to since he came back to the wizarding world. Too know that he'd still have the twins the two he thought of as older brothers, the two that could make him laugh even when he was down in the mud.
"They could, there's a few ways. One and the most common is they Swear service for a period of time to your House. It could be for 6 months or years." James took a breath and looked at Harry.
"Is there a way for say two people to redeem themselves but not the whole family?" Harry asked, staring at James no lowering his eyes.
"Yes, and if you wanted them too, you personally as a future head of the house of Potter would have to formally talk to them. No jokes it would be completely serious. It would have to be in your ritual room at the Potter Castle or at the Gringotts ritual room." James said, shaking his head and smirking. "I will teach you the process of it all soon if you're serious about the twins and maybe Arthur?" James finished. Harry nodded, knowing James would have guessed it. He was pretty smart.
"Okay what about the Potter's history?" Harry asked, curious we had gone over it a little and more with the Black history. Harry wanted to know about the Potter's he knew that they did battle magic, which was bloody amazing.
"Well the Potter's are a Most Ancient and Noble house. They have been around more than a thousand years. When King Arthur first lifted the ban on magic, the Potter's trained the knights to know how to fight AGAINST magic." Neville started, since he knew the most about the Potter's with the blood brothers thing. Neville was the expert on them.
"They were as you know into battle magic and healing magic. The women were taught about the healing magic and the men were taught how to fight with swords and with wands. Some of the greatest wizards and Aurors come from the Potter House. During the middle ages they were the bravest and strongest. They could wield a sword and still cast magic at the same time. Many families tried to marry a daughter into the family to get the Potter secrets." Neville paused, taking a deep breath. "Our History the Potter's and Longbottom's histories will always be tied together. So our histories are quite a bit the same but still a little different. Many people consider our histories together legendary." Neville paused, looking at James and Draco and shook his head.
"Because it is legendary, Nev." Draco whispered, smirking towards Neville.
"Anyway, some say or like to believe the Potter's and Longbottom's had someone there when King Arthur was killed, that they bonded over loyalty and the loss of the greatest king of their age. Of course no one knows the real truth, no one in either of our families wrote down anything at all." Neville finished, looking at James. Harry turned towards him expecting him to start talking now. James coughed and straighten up.
"So the Longbottom's and Potter's have always been blood brothers. Throughout history it has become known that your two families are stronger together than apart. It showed the night that our families were all apart from each other. James and Frank were taught to fight together, since they were ten years old. They knew each other like the back of their hands. It was like they could read each other's minds. It's known to everyone even the Darkest wizard of all time AND our great headmaster knows also." James said, then slowly smirked. "One more thing your family Harry is cursed." James said as Draco fell down laughing. Harry's eyes went wide. Neville just kept shaking his head.
"What do you mean cursed?" Harry said sounding a bit worried.
"You're cursed to fall in love with a red head. Your mum was a redhead, your grandmother was a redhead, and you can check this out at the Potter Castle if u don't believe me. The last 10 generations have had a Lady Potter redhead." James said, smirking and looking close to laughing.
"Why is that funny? Maybe I will break the mold." Harry said, frowning and watching Draco roll around on the ground.
"Draco just likes to say you're cursed that's all." Nott said, we jumped because we forgot he was there. He'd been quiet.
"What? I'm learning just like you Harry. I don't know much about the Potter's either. If I'm to be a good friend that can help I need to know the whole story also." Theo explained, smiling.
"Well since you've decided to talk now why don't you tell Harry about the Nott's?" James said, glaring at him for scaring them. Theo laughed, nodding.
"Okay. The Nott's as you know are a Most Ancient and Noble house. The Nott's were Dark in origins but we neutral in most of the wizarding wars. We also hate politics. We have many business men, healers, and potion masters in our family history. We've never been good at fighting and haven't had many leaders in our past, so that should explain my father also. We tend to be followers and advisers." Theo said, pausing and taking a breather.
"We only have to major blood enemies, The Minor house Flint and Minor House Parkinson." Theo said.
"Why does your family have them as blood enemies?" Harry asked, curious.
"Flint's killed an heir of my family about 100 years ago. We never got true justice for it. And Parkinson had a contracted and married into our family, well the wife had decided to have an affair which isn't uncommon back then but she got pregnant, it broke oath and it killed her and the baby. My house decided to make them blood enemies as well." Theo explained.
"My turn!" Draco sang, sitting up straight, grinning like a maniac. Every shared looks thinking he was insane. Draco pouted. They started to laugh at him.
"Okay Draco tell me about the Malfoy way family please." Harry said, trying to catch his breathe.
"Well of course we are a Most Ancient and Noble house, he were and still are mostly Advisers to powerful people, like minsters, Lords and Ladies, and when Camelot still stood tall to King Arthur and Merlin. We are most closely related to the house of Black but also related to the Potter's and Longbottoms. We really only have two blood enemies until Lord Black is released, Minor House of Lestrange and Minor house Avery." Draco finished, with a little bow. Harry raised his eyebrows and smirking and shaking his head.
"Always knew you were dramatic Draco." Harry said, laughing.
"Your Welcome Harry." Draco said, smirking.
They went quiet for a few minutes everyone thinking about what was said and what to say next. Harry thought it would be the perfect time to apologize to Theo and Draco for judging them so quickly.
"Draco, Theo I wanted to apologize for judging you two so quickly when I didn't even try to get to know you first." Harry said, Theo and Draco were shocked.
"You don't have to apologize. Everything we've learned this past week, we know it wasn't your fault. So don't worry about it we understand. And you're forgiven." Theo said, looking at Draco, Draco nodded agreeing with what he said.
"Thank you."
***Super sorry it took so long to update this story, it's one of my all-time favorites to write. Enjoy this longer chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!
