The next couple of weeks at the Leaky Cauldron were some of the best weeks Harry could ever remember having during the summer. Not only was he away from the Dursleys, but he got to spend time in Diagon Alley; where everything was magical in some way. Not a day went by that he didn't see something magical that he had never seen before. He got to spend all the time that he wanted going through Quality Quidditch Supplies, and Flourish and Blotts. Florean Fortescue was very knowledgeable about History of Magic and helped Harry with his summer homework.
Then there was his new roommate.
As a necessity of being the only two thirteen year old boys in an area filled with mostly adults, Jim and Harry spent a good deal of time together. Jim even helped Harry with a good bit of his summer homework, which Harry found a bit odd, until Jim mentioned that he had been homeschooled up to this point. After that first night Jim had spent most of his time with Harry; asking questions about Hogwarts, about Ron and Hermione, and about how classes had been for the first two years. Not once had Jim asked Harry about his scar, or bring up anything even closely regarding Voldemort. For one of the few times that he had been in the wizarding world, Harry Potter felt like just Harry, and he found himself appreciating his new friend.
Jim was something of an enigma to Harry though. Despite his claims of homeschooling, he displayed an almost Hermione level of knowledge; which might have been believable, if Harry had ever seen Jim reading a book. Harry felt that Hermione was so smart because she was constantly learning things, Jim however didn't seem to read at all. In fact, it had taken Harry a few days to notice that Jim didn't even have a trunk in their room. When he questioned Jim about it though, he merely smiled and patted his pocket.
"Shrunk it," he said, "never know when I might need something."
Harry couldn't fault his logic, but worried about why his new friend might think he needed his belongings on him at all times.
Then there was that odd watch that Jim never took off. Harry had never seen anything more than a black face on the band, and Jim would sometimes ask the time without consulting the device. When Harry has asked about it, Jim had smiled and held the watch reverently against his chest.
"Oh," Jim said, " time was the only thing we couldn't get this to do."
Nothing more was explained, and Harry dropped the subject seeing his friend's eyes losing focus the way they did when Jim seemed to get sad.
Both boys would stay up talking many nights, but it didn't matter how late they stayed up, Jim was always awake and out the door before Harry even moved. Then he'd come back in about an hour later, drenched in sweat. Harry barely paid this much attention though, because he would just be waking up when Jim came in.
Altogether, Harry found his new roommate to be quite odd.
That didn't mean that he didn't come to consider Jim to be a friend. A close friend in fact; Jim knew when to talk to fill the silence; when to pop off with a joke to change the mood, and when to quietly slip away so Harry could think.
Not that every day with Jim had been wonderful. There had been the day when Jim, who apparently was a pureblood, had straight up asked Harry why he wore hand me downs when he was one of the richest wizards in Britain.
That had started off a day with Harry first going to Gringotts and learning about all the money his parents had really left for him, not to mention all the gold obtained through families who had no heirs and had decided to gift the boy-who-lived with their family names. Finding that he was too young to get his Head of House ring yet, or even touch the Potter Inheritance, he still had more than enough gold to live comfortably for a long while. That day, Jim had insisted on taking Harry to several stores both in the Alley and in the muggle world. By the end of the day, Harry had a completely new wardrobe full of clothes that fit, as well as a satchel full of nutrition potions to help combat the years of malnutrition suffered at the Dursley's.
He was quite surprised to see Jim buy a satchel full of those potions as well.
Harry found himself looking forward to introducing his new friend to Ron and Hermione. He would have to be careful with Ron, as the other boy tended to get jealous when Harry spent time with anyone other than him. Truthfully, he wasn't certain if Jim would get along with Ron at all. Jim hadn't seemed to like Ron from the stories that Harry had told, often gently criticizing Harry for how Ron acted around him.
As for Hermione, Harry knew that she and Jim would get along great. In fact, Harry worried in an insecure moment, that she might just completely forget about Harry for his new friend. Not that Hermione would do that, Harry knew that he could trust her to continue being his friend.
Three days before the end of August, Jim left early in the morning, like he always did. However, when Harry pulled himself out of bed two hours later, Jim still had not returned.
When Jim had still not returned by noon, Harry asked Tom if he knew where Jim had gotten to. Tom said that Jim had originally paid up until the first of September, but had mentioned early on that he may be away from the Alley for a couple days at a time, and not to worry.
Feeling slightly mollified, although still worried for his friend, Harry returned to his lunch
Three days later the Weasley's along with Hermione descended on the tavern. For the first time since Jim had disappeared, Harry allowed himself to not worry and spent the rest of the day in the Alley with Ron and Hermione.
That night Hedwig delivered a note from Jim, which confused Harry a great deal. Hedwig had never delivered letters for any of his friends before, unless they had asked Harry first. This time though, he knew that Jim had not asked, and had not even interacted with Hedwig in any way before he left.
Shaking his head, and digging an owl treat out for his favorite girl, Harry read the note.
Harry,
Sorry for disappearing on you the other day. I had a few rather important errands to run before I got stuck in school until Christmas. I've finished everything, but I have decided that I am going to stay where I am at for tonight. I'll be on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow though, so I'll see you then. Tell Hermione I said Hi, oh, and the Weasleys as well I guess.
R. Jim Locke
Harry breathed out the last of his tension. Jim may have been a new friend, but Harry was short enough of actual friends as it was, he didn't want to lose any of them.
Happy that Jim would be on the Express tomorrow, and he could introduce his other friends then, Harry got dressed and ready for bed. It wasn't until he had burrowed himself deep under the blankets before he wondered; how did Jim know Hermione and Ron were there?
During his morning run, three days prior, Jim had decided that it might be a smart idea to take care of a couple of the horcruxes before he started school. He had meant to do that much earlier in the month, but he had found himself having a lot of fun with his younger counterpart. Not that it had all been a blast. Taking Harry and making him spend some of his fortune on clothes and nutrition potions had reminded Jim exactly what kind of people the Dursley's were.
Anyway, Jim had decided to tackle the horcrux at Grimmauld Place first.
Thankful that Dumbledore hadn't yet had a chance to place the Fidelius Charm on the house yet, Harry apparated straight to the front step of number twelve. Hoping against hope that the house would still recognize him as a relative of the Black family, Harry grasped the door knocker and stated, "I, Raleigh James Locke, once called Harry James Potter, request asylum within the house of Black."
The magic of the house washed over Jim as it studied his connection to the Black family. As Harry, the oath sworn godson of Sirius Black, and the grandchild of Dorea Black, he would have had instant access to the home. As Jim, he hoped that the protections were still the same.
An hour later, or only five minutes (it was hard to tell when the possibly violent Black magic washed over ones' skin), the door under Jim's hand clicked open. Releasing the breath that he hadn't realized he was holding; Jim pushed the door all the way open and stepped inside. Twelve Grimmauld Place looked exactly as Jim remembered it looking his first time. Dingy, dirty walls, elf heads on a plaque, and a huge portrait of an angry looking unattractive woman.
Jim placed himself before the portrait of Walburga Black and bowed deeply while trying to remember every bit of pureblood etiquette that Luna had mentioned in his past.
"Welcome in to the House of Black Mr. Locke," Mrs. Black said, "from whom are you seeking asylum?"
"Good morning Lady Black, and thank you for your welcome," Jim said as he rose from his bow, "I come seeking asylum from our shared enemies, those who have done their best to see the great House of Black extinct. I come seeking allies in the fight against the dark lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters."
Jim was gambling here, hoping that maybe Sirius' younger brother Regulus Black had informed Walburga about his defection. Although there was really nothing that a portrait could do against him, Jim knew that having the Lady Black on his side would make convincing Kreacher to give up the locket that much easier. Of course, Jim's luck was never that great.
"I'm afraid you have been misinformed," Mrs. Black said, "the House of Black has long stood as allies of the dark lord. You have sought asylum from the wrong house. As a child of the Black Family, you should know this."
Jim cursed under his breath as he regarded the portrait, time to see if he could pull on the old lady's nonexistent heart strings. "Please forgive me, my lady, for contradicting you, but even though Narcissa and Bellatrix Black had joined the dark lord in his quest; I know for a fact that your own children opposed his evil ways."
"Again I must say that you are wrong Mr. Locke. Regulus joined the dark lord as soon as he graduated Hogwarts, and as far as I was aware was faithful up until he died in a raid. My son Sirius, although as a youth he made it appear as though he opposed the dark lord, he made it very clear where his loyalties lie when he betrayed the Potters. He sits in Azkaban to this day for his loyalty."
"Forgive me my lady," Jim said, "but I am afraid that you lack some information on both of your sons. Sirius was Harry Potter's magically sworn godfather, so even if he had wanted to he could not have betrayed the Potters. He was actually carted off to Azkaban without a trial and has recently escaped. AS for Regulus, he WAS faithful to Voldemort until he learned that the Dark Lord was delving into the darkest of magic. If you would summon your house elf Kreacher, he would be able to prove what I am telling you, as he was there the day that Regulus died in his last act of defiance."
Jim stood silently and watched amazed as Mrs. Black's portrait displayed none of the madness he had known her for in his previous time. She calmly called for Kreacher, who popped in immediately, and ordered him to tell her about Regulus death and how he had opposed Voldemort.
After Kreacher's story, (filled with tears and lamentations over poor Master Regulus), Walburga ordered the locket to be brought to her.
"I believe your story Master Locke," Walburga said after examining the locket that Kreacher held, "in return for asylum within the House of Black, I would charge you Raleigh James Locke to continue my son's mission and destroy this abomination, and further continue his work against the man who betrayed my house."
Jim calmly bowed low as he inwardly jumped for joy. This was going to make his mission SO much easier!
"Of course, my lady," he said, "I gladly accept this mission. As for destroying the locket, I have the means to do so, however, I will not be able to access these means until I return to Hogwarts in three days' time."
"That is acceptable," Walburga said, "Now, while Kreacher prepares a room for you, I think that it's time that you tell me where you come from and how you know such things as you do. Perhaps you can start with the reason you are no longer called Harry Potter."
Jim grimaced while he considered his options. On one hand, having a pureblooded lady on his side, even if she was only a portrait, could only help his cause. However, on the other hand, if he told her everything, then there was always the chance of her telling someone else who may come into the house. Which at this point would only be Sirius, but Jim wasn't certain he was ready for anyone living to know his tale yet.
Finally, after debating with himself long enough that Walburga began to scowl and tap her foot, Jim decided that if nothing else, he could always burn her portrait down if he thought she was going to betray him, and it could only help him for her to know his full story. So, with a small sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair and began telling her everything about his life up to this point.
An hour later, the portrait was thinking while Jim was sipping from a glass of water that Kreacher had provided.
"It seems as though your girls thought of nearly everything," Walburga finally said, "although there are a few problems that I can see from here."
Jim cringed and set his glass on a nearby table, if there was some kind of problem that even Hermione hadn't been able to fix, then he was certain that it would be something he would have overlooked completely.
"What kind of problems are you thinking my lady," Jim asked.
"First, there is the matter that although your eyes and your hair have changed color, you could still pass as Harry Potter's twin. I imagine he has nearly the same mannerisms as you, and you yourself said that you are in the same body you had at thirteen. We'll have to do something about that. Another thing, although you have taken the Locke name, as is your right considering they left it to you, you obviously know nothing about the Locke family. You only know what it was like growing up with Muggles, so I am certain you know next to nothing about a pureblood upbringing, although you have comported yourself well during our conversation. For another thing, I know that Jewell Locke was a Potions Mistress; if you had been her child she would have taught you much about potions. I hope for your sake that you have a better than passing knowledge of that subject. As your cover story has you as a homeschooled child, then it will be easy for you to say that most of your knowledge in other subjects came from that.
You obviously know all the people who are friends with Harry Potter, so you will have to be careful when it comes to interacting with them. The Locke's were a poor enough family that they would not have been expected to attend any of the social gatherings that would have been required for your peers, so no one will expect to know your face. That will be a good thing. However, considering your mission, I believe that it would be a good idea for you to attempt to insert yourself among your peers as someone of good standing. I have an idea as to how to do that, I will have to think on it for the evening."
Jim nodded as Walburga spoke, his unfamiliarity with the Locke family HAD been a worry for him, and he was glad that it wasn't a problem he had overlooked. He stated as much to Walburga before adding, "I had planned on trying to hide my knowledge while in school. I'm sure that Hermione even at this age will be ahead of everything that I may know."
Walburga laughed, "I wager that it would take no more than a month before you're bored to tears and ready to give your schooling up. You forget that you are actually twenty-six and as such probably use more advance magic in your everyday life than you would be taught in small classes with your peers. No, I propose that you go in and 'accidentally' display your knowledge and play it up as being homeschooled well."
Jim agreed with the portrait, it did make sense.
"Another thing," the Lady Black said, "you believe that you will be able to get into Gryffindor with your younger counterpart. Have you given thought to how much you have changed since you were that age, and the fact that you may no longer fit into that house? The sorting hat may choose to place you elsewhere."
Jim rocked back on his heels. No, he had not given that any thought, although now that he did, he remembered the sorting hat originally wanting to place him in Slytherin.
"You need to think about the things that define you," Walburga said, "You appear to be a very brave individual, as evidenced by your coming into my home and facing magic that could very well have ended your life. Not to mention how you've accepted your situation in this time period and moved to better everything. You have advanced knowledge in many subjects, which would make you ideal for Ravenclaw. From your tale I can see that you are cunning, which would put you in Slytherin. Finally, you are very loyal to your girls and your young counterpart, a Hufflepuff trait. As you embody all these traits, perhaps we should make plans on how to best use each house you could be in."
"I agree with you my lady," Jim said, "and may I just say that I am glad I came to your home before I went back to Hogwarts. I am afraid I may have made a mistake too early in the game."
"Indeed," Walburga said, "I believe that it may be best that you put your mission for the other Horcruxes on hold until later. For today, perhaps you could retrieve Regulus' third year school books and review the best you can until the first. Kreacher should have your room finished by now, and I believe that he would grant your requests until your return to school. Tonight I shall think over some things that may assist you in your endeavor. Tomorrow we shall speak again."
Jim thanked Walburga, and after getting Kreacher to show him to his rooms, he asked Kreacher to retrieve Regulus' old school books, which the elf happily complied with.
Settling in with the books, Jim reviewed for the rest of the day, with little breaks here and there for snacks and dinner that Kreacher graciously provided.
Jim was up early the next morning, and after getting assurances that he would be able to reenter Grimmauld Place, he went for his morning run.
Regular exercise had been very important in his previous timeline. One never knew when they would either be running from Death Eaters, or dodging spells. Therefore, Jim had focused on being as quick as possible. Coming back in time and returning to his younger body, Jim had lost much that he had gained, and he was determined to return to his older self's abilities as soon as he could.
Returning to his temporary home, Jim was surprised to see Kreacher waiting anxiously by the door.
"Master Locke was gone ten minutes longer than he said he would be," Kreacher began, "Kreacher has set proper clothing out for master once he washes off the stink of sweat. Breakfast has been prepared in the dining room, after which mistress has requested master's presence."
Jim nodded, "Thank you Kreacher," he said, "I shall be as quick as I can"
Kreacher seemed shocked at first about being thanked before he turned and walked away, "young master thanks Kreacher," he said to himself, "Kreacher thinks that young master will be a good heir to the house of Black."
Jim stared after Kreacher for a moment confused. As far as he was aware, Harry and Draco were the only Black heirs, and Harry's spot was only just barely due to being Sirius' godson.
Shaking his head, Jim gave a quick bow to Walburga's portrait before taking the stairs to his room. After cleaning up, and putting on the robes that Kreacher had set out, (which were a dark blue, almost black in color, with the Black crest on the right side of his chest), Jim returned to the dining room where Kreacher had laid out a simple breakfast of fruits and oatmeal.
After thanking Kreacher, Jim sprinkled some cinnamon on his oatmeal before cutting up some strawberries and a banana into it. Jim ate quickly, but properly; no reason to channel Ronald Weasley in this house. After eating he presented himself to Walburga's portrait again.
"Ah, Raleigh," Walburga said in greeting, "I appreciate your prompt attendance."
"Thank you my lady," Jim said, "your advice was well given yesterday and I hoped that you might have more advice to give out today."
"As a matter of fact," she said, "I have some ideas that I hope that you will accept."
"Whatever ideas you may have," Jim said, "I believe that they will be brilliant."
It was an odd thing to see a portrait blush.
"Yes, well," Walburga began, "I have decided to offer you something that will help you in your endeavors. I would like to offer you a prominent place in the House of Black. My plans would place you as the Heir Apparent, with all the titles and responsibility that go along with it."
Jim was floored. It was one thing to claim a distant relation to the house. Harry was only the grandson of one of the ladies of the house, which technically would have had him inheriting nothing from the Black family. Draco Malfoy, being the son of one of the nieces of the lord of the house, would have seen him being next in line after Sirius or Regulus, therefore making HIM the Heir Apparent. How in the world could a portrait make Jim the Heir?
Seeing the confusion on his face, Walburga continued, "The House of Black has always s taken some of the blood of its' children and kept it under preservation charms; just in case the need should arise to place the child in a marriage contract, or even to control the children better. As such, there is a room in this house, where we have stored the blood of my children Sirius and Regulus. What I want you to do is retrieve a vial of Regulus' blood, and we will do a blood adoption."
Jim shook himself. Hard.
"I apologize my lady," he said, "but I have a few questions about this."
Walburga nodded her acceptance and gestured for him to ask.
"Okay," Jim said, "I know that Sirius was never formally disowned, despite your best efforts to do so. Therefore, he is the Lord of the House of Black at this time, correct?"
Walburga nodded, "Yes, after hearing your tale yesterday I am grateful that such is the case."
"Right," Jim said, "so barring Sirius having any children then Draco is currently the Heir and stands to inherit."
Walburga nodded again, "That is also correct. However, if Draco were to inherit, then the wealth of the Black house could go to funding the dark lord, and after hearing what you told me yesterday, I am loathe for him to receive any funding from us. As for Sirius, it is a relatively unknown fact that prolonged exposure to dementors leaves a person sterile, thus he cannot provide any heirs for the House of Black."
Jim grimaced. This was yet another reason to get rid of the dementors.
"Okay, I can understand then," Jim said, "next question: for the blood adoption ritual, doesn't Regulus have to be alive to do it?"
"Normally this is true," the lady Black said, "However, you are already in the seat of power for the House of Black, so all the magic you need to be accepted by the family already surrounds you. Regulus' blood, as well, was taken when he was young and very much alive. As it has been under a preservation charm this entire time, the house magic will accept the blood as valid for the ritual."
"Okay,"Jim said, "fair enough. Final question: why me? I'm sure you know that if I were to obtain lordship of the house, I would change a great deal about the way it is run."
"Yes," Walburga said, "I know that you would. However, from the things I have learned about the dark lord, and how the house was run during his reign; I do believe it is time for the House of Black to stand for something other than the dark."
Jim sighed and ran a hand through his hair. In truth, having a powerful name like the Black family behind his quest, despite their dark past, could only help. That being said, he had been looking forward to staying out of the limelight this time around, and adding Black to his name would put him under great scrutiny. Especially from Dumbledore, who knew the Black family's history. Having the political responsibility as Heir Apparent would be a great hassle as well.
Jim was startled out of his thinking by the appearance of Kreacher, holding a potion out to him.
"Master forgot to take his nutrition potion this morning," Kreacher said, "if Master is to be proper heir, then Master must be healthy."
Jim chuckled while thanking Kreacher and taking his potion like a good boy. On the plus side, having someone to act like family to him would be the greatest help he could get.
"Alright," Jim said, "there's too much benefit from your offer to even think about rejecting it. I accept the offer of adoption into the House of Black and all the responsibilities that it entails."
"Good boy," Walburga said, "Kreacher will show you where the blood is located. He has already prepared the ritual room for your use; as well as every ingredient required is already ready for you. I will see you when you wake… Grandson."
Jim found that the ritual to perform blood adoption was extremely simple. He was incredibly surprised however, when after preparing everything that would have been Regulus' job had he been alive, that the House magic took over the adoptive father's role. The chalice, which contained Regulus' blood, Jim's blood, and other ingredients to increase the potency of the magic used, as well as enhance the disgusting flavor of the potion, was lifted into the air by the House magic, and tipped as if someone held the cup. The potion, which should have ended up on the floor of the ritual room disappeared into the air as half was poured out. The cup was then floated over in front of Jim where he reached out to it. He nearly dropped the cup as his fingers touched the tendrils of pure magic that held the cup aloft. They felt just like fingers!
The cup was released into his grasp as he held it to his lips, and drank the remainder of the potion. A shudder ran through him as he replaced the chalice back on the stand. The magic in the room was tangible now. White threads floated in the air around him, caressing his cheek, trailing over his back, and even lifting the back of his hair and slipping down his spine. A very pleasant feeling all around. As though being comforted by a parent.
The magic pressed against Jim, until he felt himself lay down on the floor of the room. He felt himself losing consciousness and was confused to find himself saddened when the white tendrils of magic began drawing away from him. Just before the world turned black he heard a deep voice say: "Welcome to the family… Corvus Black."
When Jim awoke, it was to a completely dark room. As he sat up however, several candles flared to life. Standing and moving from the room, he was surprised when the door opened just as he reached for it. He didn't notice as the candles flickered out behind him as he left. He left the ritual room and returned to the entryway to stand once again before the portrait of Walburga Black.
"Ah, Grandson," Walburga said as he approached, "it looks as though the ritual went well. I can feel the Black family magic in you."
"Yes grandmother," Jim said with a smile, "I am going to have to be careful, if all rituals are like that one, I may find myself addicted."
"Yes, that is a danger when it comes to rituals." Walburga said, "It is easy to fall in love with the way the magic interacts. Now, I believe it might be best for you to go get yourself cleaned up before Kreacher provides dinner for you. I am afraid that you and I have much to talk about before you return to your school in two days. We have to train you up as a proper son of the House of Black."
Jim was glad for the chance to clean up and stepped back a few steps with a bow, "Yes grandmother," he said, "I thank you for your instruction, and I shall return shortly."
On his way up the stairs, Jim decided to stop in the library to check the family tapestry to see if his name was now on there as part of the Black family. Again he was surprised as the doors to the library opened before he could even reach for the handle. The lights flickered to life as he stepped through the door. Shrugging to himself, Jim turned to the tapestry to look for his name; a moment later, he cursed.
"Bloody hell," he said, "I'm turning into bloody too many names Dumbledore.
There on the tapestry, with a line connecting his name to Regulus, was his new name.
Raleigh James Corvus Locke-Black.
Laughing softly and shaking his head at the same time. Jim left the room to go get cleaned up. When he paused before the mirror in the bathroom, he couldn't find it in himself to be surprised at the changes his body had undergone because of the ritual. His face was somehow more angular, his brown hair now had streaks of white throughout, and even his eyes now had a hint of silver around the edges. He knew that the blood adoption ritual would change some things about his appearance, but he hadn't realized he would no longer look anything like Harry Potter. He shrugged and accepted just one more strange thing about himself before cleaning up.
After his shower, Jim returned to Walburga's portrait again. Thus with a dinner provided by Kreacher at a table placed conveniently near Walburga's portrait, Jim began his instruction in the pureblood ways of the Ancient and Noble House of Black.
Jim would only get about five hours of sleep that night, as he was roused early to continue his instruction. He would be given meals by Kreacher as Walburga taught him throughout that day. It was only later in the day that he realized that he should let Harry know that he would not see him again until they left on the express. Absentmindedly summoning Hedwig, and forgetting that he should have had no reason to be able to use Hedwig without Harry's permission, he wrote a quick note and sent Hedwig back to her master. He then returned to his instruction with Walburga, wondering all the while if he was really ready for what he was getting himself into.
He would only get about four hours of sleep that night, before he was awakened four hours before he had to be on the express for last minute, very important instruction.
A/N: This was a fun chapter to write. I REALLY hadn't intended on going this direction the Black family. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.
