A/N: Oh my goddess! I'm so angry right now!! I was working on the rest of this story on my father's laptop, but I accidentally closed it before I could save it!! I cried so much over it! I spent so long trying to reach my minimum 21 pages, but then I only have five pages saved on my computer!!! At least it's over 1.000 words. ((whimpers and cries))
This half chapter doesn't have much, so when I actually finish it, I'll take this down and put up the completed version.
Thank you for the lovely reviews. I've replied to as many as I could (except the anonymous reviewers who didn't leave an e-mail address). You're reviews were greatly appreciated (and made me feel worse for not updating). To the people who volunteered to be my beta, the completed version will be sent to you, but I don't think this short, ridiculous chapter is worth your valuable time. I'm really sorry for the late update, it goes to show that I shouldn't make promises on when to update. I really wish I could finish it soon though.
I'm so disappointed in myself. I had hoped that not many people would have guessed what Harry is. Yes, he is an elf. Whether it is a forest elf, water elf, or something like that, I don't know yet. The hint where I said a body part of his is pointed, pointed canines were a choice too, so he could've been a werewolf (or something similar) or a vampire. I'll explain why Remus didn't catch up the scent beforehand later in the story. I did, however, enjoy pretending to some people that they didn't guess it correctly (though I never said that outright, I only hinted). Sorry to those people, I was playing around. (Hehe)
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies
Warnings: Hm, slash, AD HG RW MW GW bashing. Other then that, look in previous chapter if I missed anything.
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Molly Weasley shrieked in rage, unfortunate for Remus', Harry's, and the goblins' sensitive ears.
"How-how HOW DARE HE!"
Arthur was still staring in shock, as was his youngest children, Hermione, and Dumbledore.
Andromeda calmly stood up, with her daughter. Turning to Harry and Remus, she smiled. "Why don't we go eat lunch? There, we could properly get to know each other."
Harry nodded, gratefully. Remus stood with him, closely followed by Snape and the Malfoys who wanted to be no where near the Weasley matriarch.
Fred and George quickly followed, staring shamefully at the remaining members of their family.
When Harry reached the door, he was met by the goblins. Nodding in respect for each, he asked, "Will you save the will for me?"
Griphook nodded, solemnly. "Of course, Mr. Potter. What about…?" He waved in the general direction behind them.
"Oh," Harry's eyes darkened, "Strip away their access to my vault and the transfer will no longer be in effect."
Griphook nodded and smiled, albeit a bit sadistically. "It will be my pleasure as your personal manager of your vaults."
Harry smiled and nodded, bidding them good day.
As Harry stepped out into the main part of Gringotts, filled with witches and wizards, and walked toward the doors, Molly Weasley's shrill voice stopped them.
"YOU-YOU BRAT! I KNOW YOU DID SOMETHING! THAT NO GOOD SIRIUS BLACK! YOU'VE BEEN TAINTED WITH HIS DARK BLOOD!" Molly Weasley stomped toward the boy, followed by her children, a still shocked Arthur, and a slightly green Dumbledore.
She yanked down the cap and hood, revealing long dark tresses of hair, which was hidden before, the last time they fell off. Everyone, humans and goblins alike, stopped what they were doing and stared.
The new look of Harry Potter was not so new to the goblins who were friendly with him due to his frequent visits over the past two weeks, but the wizards and witches stared in awe at the boy in front of them.
Harry was, by no means, tall. Due to his malnourishment that began at a young age, lack of sleep, and lack of meals, Harry Potter will never grow as tall as he should have. He was 5'6'' and slim. His messy hair had turned into long, silky, dark locks that fell to his waist. His eyes were slightly narrowed, green eyes sparkling emerald, like a precious gemstone. His skin was pale and delicate looking. His ears, however, were the strangest. They were slightly pointed, and if one were to look twice, it seemed to be growing by the second.
"You…You're…"
Harry smirked. "I'm a what? I have enough of your selfish wants, Mrs. Weasley. I do not wish to have anything to do with you."
"BE QUIET!" Molly Weasley roared, causing several of the people to wince. "YOU WILL NOT COME NEAR MY CHILDREN, YOU-YOU YOU FREAK!" She lifted a hand as if to slap him.
Harry stiffened slightly, but the people around him felt it. Glaring dangerously, Remus stepped forward and growled threateningly. The hand went down and instead of hitting Harry it hit Remus.
Gasps of shock and horror emitted from the lips of the witches and wizards who witnessed it. Later, one of them would comment to the Daily Prophet that, "It's was horrible, what that woman did. She was willing to hit a child, and the Boy-Who-Live, no less. Remus Lupin, I heard he was werewolf, but he was so brave to step forward and take the slap. It had to hurt, it left a red handprint, and even my own cheek started to sting."
As the hand contacted with soft skin, a camera flashed, and that picture would be over many newspapers of the Wizarding world.
Harry stared in shock. He couldn't believe that she had the nerve to! His brain kicked into action as he moved to steady the older man, with the help of Snape. He gasped at the blood trickling from the man's mouth.
"Remus…?"
"I'm fine, cub; I just bit my lip," he replied.
Harry, although furious, beamed; it was the first time Remus called him cub. Then his smile turned cruel as he stared at Mrs. Weasley who looked too angry to regret her actions. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Arthur were shocked but the former three were still angry.
"You'll regret that, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said.
"ARE YOU THREATENING ME?" Molly shouted.
Harry lightly shook his head. "No, but there'll be a lot of people who are quite angry with you. If you can't get it through you're thick skull, I'll have to find something else. Then you'll see that you shouldn't mess with my family." With that said, he walked away, an arm linked through Remus', and the rest of his group following.
That night, the Weasley matriarch would find a pile of Howlers sitting on her kitchen table.
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"Are you sure you're okay, Remus?" the boy asked, as he fussed over the werewolf.
Remus chuckled. "I'm fine, Harry, honest. Now, how about some lunch? I'm pretty sure, after all that, everyone will be hungry."
The Malfoys shared a glance. Lucius, in all his white-haired glory, stepped up. He nodded in acknowledgment towards Andromeda, who nodded back, and held out a hand to Harry.
"I believe, Mr. Potter, that we started off on the wrong foot," his deep smooth voice calmed the ruffled feelings of several witches and wizards in his presence.
Harry gave the Malfoy Lord a long, searching look before nodded his head, as if confirming something. "Yes, I agree. If you would please, I would love it if we started over, Lord Malfoy."
Lucius nodded, already liking this new attitude of Harry Potter. "If you don't mind me asking, which title are you planning to take?"
Tonks, Remus, and the twins looked confused.
Harry thought for a moment. "For now, I'll be Sirius' heir." He closed his eyes and smiled peacefully. "I want to be able to do the things he might've not been able to do as a Head under Dumbledore."
He felt a soft pressure on his head, as if someone was patting him, but when he opened his eyes, the feeling was already gone.
Lucius gave the young lord a smile. "You will be a great leader, Lord Black. We'll see each other soon and maybe after better circumstances." And maybe we can talk about what is most important…
Harry only nodded, as he felt overwhelmed by being called 'Lord Black'.
They watched as the Malfoys and Snape leave after saying their farewells. Andromeda watched her new lord and smiled. The Black Family was in good hands.
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Before choosing a place to eat, Harry and Andromeda were properly introduced by Tonks.
"Mum, this Harry Potter. It's probably the first time you've met him right? I don't think you've met before. Kind of strange, isn't it? But I guess it's because you're not in the Order. Whoops. Am I allowed to tell you that? Oh, hold on, the Order was mentioned during the reading wasn't it? No, I don't think so-"
"Nymphadora, dear, you're rambling."
"Sorry, mum!"
Harry chuckled. Since it was a hot day and they already knew, he decided to pull his long hair into a low ponytail and swung the tail over his shoulder. It was like a burden lifted off his shoulder. There was no point in hiding the inevitable, right? Besides, better to get the questions over with. Remus was probably burning with them.
"Harry this is my mum, but I know you knew that."
Harry smiled. Tonks was one of his favorite magical-cousins, just like Andromeda was Sirius'.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Tonks," Harry gracefully said. He elegantly bowed and brought Andromeda's offered hand to his lips for a chaste kiss.
Tonks burst into giggles with the twins and Harry smiled.
Andromeda's dark eyes showed obvious amusement.
"You are definitely fit for the title of Lord, Mr. Potter," she said, "And please, call me Andromeda. Mrs. Tonks makes me feel old."
Harry's eyes twinkled, brighter then the Headmaster at his best. He was sure he heard Tonks whisper, "Daddy calls you that all the time."
"Only if you call me Harry," he shot back.
Everyone smiled. Formalities were now officially over.
- - - - - - - - - -
When they sat down at a muggle restaurant (as per advice from the twins, after seeing that everyone was wearing relatively muggle clothing, that a non-magical restaurant would be the safest place to talk, after all, the happenings at Gringotts would no doubt be reaching the ears of many magical folks within the hour), Harry was delighted to hear that Andromeda and Remus have been friends since they attended Hogwarts, despite the age difference (Andromeda was two years older then Remus' year).
A female waitress, with a huge smile and pink manicured nails, sauntered up to the group of people. Her smile, which showed way too much teeth, made the more magic-used-to members of the group squirm uncomfortably.
"May I take your order?"
Lunch was finished with light, cheerful talking and not too much probing of Harry.
No one mentioned the fact that Harry only ordered water, besides the multitude of choices of delicious meals. All and every single one of the others had noticed this, but kept shut about it (despite the twins', Tonks', and Remus' deep concerns) and filed it away for later.
When they all parted later that afternoon, it was with full stomachs, and curious towards what the future would hold for them.