Special Thanks to Serious Serious Fan for the quill idea and the Cumulus Snivellus prank. LittleMissPadfoot for the robe, slipper, cap and duck idea as well as the 'Row your Boat' rhyme.

EDITED BY: dreamsofinnocence

Chapter 14 - Family Matters

Hermione Granger marched up towards the boy's dormitories, determined to tell off the three idiots for sending a kelpie to pull off that stupid prank. She muttered lowly. "Subconciousness indeed, I can't believe I fell for that." As she turned the corner, she heard the Deputy Headmistress' voice.

"I wonder about you, Mr. Black. No student in their right mind would pull the things that you do."

"Dear Lady, I plead insanity in my case…"

"This is no trial Mr. Black. I would only like to understand…"

"… because I'm crazy about you."

Hermione Granger held back a groan. Only Sirius Black would be insane enoughto try that corny pick up line in a middle of a lecture about his psychological state.

"Mr. Black! You are trying my patience!"

"I will never stop in trying to win thy heart. O most noble and wisest of ladies, I will wait patiently for you."

Harry was a bright shade of red as he pushed his face deeper into his pillows in an attempt to contain his laughter.

-0-

"Mate, that was priceless!" Fred laughed and clapped Sirius at the back.

Sirius pretended to be upset. "The love of my life turned me down and all you can do is laugh. Some friend you are."

Hermione stood by the doorway and shook her head. "You're lucky she didn't throw the book at you."

Sirius laughed. He suddenly stopped in mid-laugh and jumped up, his alarm was evident in his eyes. "Book!"

All other occupants of the room looked at one another and wondered at Sirius' sudden panic.

"Sirius? What's wrong."

Harry watched as his friend started to empty the contents of his soggy book bag.

"The Black Chronicles was inside this bag..."

George gaped. "Didn't you say that it's a family heirloom?"

Sirius threw aside a few of waterlogged rolls of parchment papers, a couple of soggy quills, and the soddened remains of a packet of Berty Botts Every Flavoured Beans.

Ron's eyes widened. "Black, those History notes that I borrowed from Hermione which I asked you to …"

Harry picked up one of the wet rolls of parchment and handed it to a very shocked Hermione.

"Ron Weasley! You addled-brain twit! How could you give my notes to Sirius Black for safe-keeping!"

"My bag looked as if it was going to fall apart soon. I thought it would be safer in Black's."

Fred shook his head sadly. "Forget about the notes. Sirius ruined some more important things."

George nodded. "The sacrilege."

Fred raised his arm to his forehead. "The wastage."

Both boys stared despondently at the extremely wet and ruined remains of a few dung bombs, filibuster fireworks and an assortment of other Zonko'sproducts.

Harry does not have anything that once belonged to his father, but knew that he too would be distressed if anything happened to the gift due to his own carelessness

"Sirius, maybe if we take it to the Headmaster, he can..."

Sirius gleefully pulled out a fully dry and intact leather bound book. "Still ok. I've got to hand it to Nathaniel, he did a goodjob in ensuring that this book survives the passage of time and other unforeseen events."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I don't see what's so special about some dumb old blank book and why you had to lug it around all the time."

Ron gave Hermione a puzzled look. "Blank?"

Hermione nodded. "Neville told me that when he found the bookon his bureau and opened it. There was nothing written on thepages."

Sirius smiled. "That's because he was not meant to read it. As far as I know, only I can read it."

Fred shook his head. "Doesn't make sense to create a book where only one person can read it."

George rolled his eyes. "That book is definitely not going to make it on the best seller's list."

Sirius showed his friends the Black Family ring on his finger. "All heads of the family wore this ring. This ring and that book has been with the family for over a thousand years."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Who are you kidding? I highly doubt that they have leather-bound books more that a thousand years ago"

Sirius sighed. "The Black Chronicles only took its present form as a leather-bound book during the 14th century through the hands of Nathaniel Black. This ring not only enables a person to read it, but also copy the wearer's essence. Thus, when Patriach leave this realm, a reflection will be left in this book to guide future generations."

Ron thoughtfully studied the book. "So it's a primitive form of a portrait?"

Sirius gave his friend an indignant look. "This book is way better than a foggy old portrait."

"But with a portrait you can converse with it directly. You usually just write on that thing." Ron argued.

Sirius smirked. "Would you guys like to meet Nathaniel?"

Hermione smiled enthusiastically. "The Renaissance artist? The one you mentioned to have painted the ceiling on the Great hall?"

"The one and only."

Hermione took the book from Ron and handed it to Sirius. "I'd love to ask him about painting techniques and the way of life during that era, as well as..."

Fred and George looked at each other. "Sounds boring."

Hermione glared at the Weasley Twins.

Harry gave Sirius a curious look. "How are we to meet him if you're the only one who can read that book?"

Sirius grinned. "We are paying him an unannounced visit into the realm of this book."

Harry's eyes widened. "How will we manage to transport ourselves there? Moreover is that possible?"

Sirius shook his head. "Physically we'll still be here. However, our minds will be linked to this book, at least Nathaniel's section of it."

Hermione frowned. "Are you sure it's safe?"

Sirius shrugged. "I tried it before and I did a little research. I think I can brief everyone in easily."

Ron eyes studied Sirius suspiciously. "Think?"

"Well I haven't done it with a large group before."

Ron Weasley took a step back. "No way Black! If you think I'll be a willing guinea pig, you're nuts."

Fred smirked. "Me thinks wittle Ronnikins is scared."

George placed his fists near his armpits and started to flap his arms about. "buckbuckbuck… buckbuckbuck..."

Hermione glared at the two once again. "Cut it out you two. At least he's displaying a bit of common sense, unlike some people around."

Harry shook his head as Ron and Hermione chased George around the room. George ran about and sang repeatedly "Ronny and Mione! Sitting on atree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Fred, on the other hand, had an arm around Sirius. "Sirius old mate, forget about those wet blankets. George and I are up for this little adventure."

Harry thought deeply on this. On one hand, Ron and Hermione were correct in assessing that Sirius' plan was reckless as well as pointless. On the other hand, Harry was curious and Sirius did say he'd done this before ona certain level. "I'm in too."

Ron and Hermione stopped on their tracks and stared at Harry.

"Harry, are you nuts? Stupidity, I expect from Sirius and those two, but I thought you had more sense in you."

Beside her, Ron nodded. "I don't mind a bit of fun, but Black has no idea of what he's doing, and we don't know anything about that book either."

Harry shrugged. "If we get into trouble, you two can go get help."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "We're not getting into trouble."

Ron grumbled. "Coming from you, those words hold no credibility what so ever."

-0-

Harry looked about in wonder.The ceiling of the place was almost identical to the one in Hogwart's Great Hall. There were plenty of semi-finished portraits and landscapes around the room, as well as earthen jars which contained paints and brushes.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Nathaniel doesn't usually like it when I drop by. Most of the time, he just throws me out."

Harry and the twins groaned.

"You are stubborn as well as reckless. I see that your friends are equally so. Although I am a clairvoyant, I need not be one to see that trouble will follow you and your friends wherever you go."

Sirius grinned at the man who stood by the shadows. "Hey Nathaniel, glad to see that you're in a good mood today. These are Harry, Fred and George. Everyone, this is Nathaniel."

The man's steely gray eyes studied each of them. "Did he not warn you about the dangers of doing this?"

Harry looked nervously about. "Yes, but he said that you're trustworthy and we trust Sirius."

Nathaniel sighed. "He has a good heart but, I would advise that you do not trust his judgement so easily."

Sirius frowned. "Hey! I happen to be standing here. Do you not think that I should at least be out of the room before you discuss me?"

Fred and George snickered.

Nathaniel shook his head and sat on one of the stools scattered in the studio. "So. What is the purpose of this visit?"

Sirius grinned. "I thought we'd hang out."

The ancestor's jaw dropped. "Hang out?"

Sirius nodded.

The artist glared at the boy. "Give me one good reason as to why I should not throw you out as I always do."

Sirius looked at Harry in panic. Harry in turn just gave him a blank look.

"Nathaniel ... I was only kidding..."

Harry gave Sirius a puzzled look. The twins looked at one another equally confused.

"I .. uhh... wanted to ask if you have any idea about Aris' Legacy and what this prophesy of yours is."

The artist sighed. "I know not which prophesy he meant, for I had many. As for Aris, I believe you can understand better if you understand his life."

"Are you going to tell me?"

The artist grinned. "Better. I'll show you. My other studio is a bit far, hop on." All four boys were surprised when the man before them changed into a horse.

George's eyes widened in shock. "You're a kelpie?"

The horse changed back into a man and laughed. "No. Animagus."

Sirius smiled. "Nathaniel of the horses... so that's what Aris meant."

Harry was now confused. "Who's Aris?"

Sirius grumbled. "A dope of an ancestor who likes to confuse me by giving riddles all the time."

-0-

Ron stared at his four friends who are in a trance-like state, beside him Hermione sighed. "Maybe we should have come along. I would have loved to meet this Nathaniel."

Ron nodded and looked at Hermione thoughtfully. "You read a lot on famous wizards, don't you?"

"Yes. This is a whole new world for me. I really love to find out as much about it as I can."

"Have you come across the name Nicholas Flamel?"

Hermione searched her mind and answered. "Not that I remember. Why do you ask?"

Ron began to explain his suspicions to the girl. "You remembered that three-headed dog that we encountered? Well Harry and I.."

-0-

The painting showed Aris as he stepped down and thrust the torch into the altar. He then watched the fire consume his father's body.

Four boys and a man stood beside the pyre but remained unseen by the crowd. The four boys listened raptly as the man explained. "Asceplius revived a man deemed by all the other healers to be dead. These healers began to view Asceplius as a threat to their practice. Aris knew that these men murdered his father and that it wouldn't be long before he became a target. He therefore made a deal..."

Fred frowned. "How come he didn't just expose these men?"

George nodded. "Or maybe get even by avenging his father's death."

Nathaniel laughed. "I myself would have done just that. However, Blacks in general are more cunning than they are brave. Our Family do not get themselves involved in conflicts until the very last minute, just to support the winning side. Of course there are exceptions but these occasions are rare."

George made a face. "Sounds Slytherinish."

Nathaniel nodded. "Most of the Blacsk who attended Hogwarts are usually sorted into Slytherin. Salazar Slytherin himself has descended from the Black line."

All four boys stared at Nathaniel in shock. The man gestured towards the next painting wherein Aris approached the leader of the local healers guild.

"Hello Aris."

"I know of the act that you and your men had performed,
In your malicious little brainstorm.
I offer a simple solution
For you to accept by your own violition."

Sirius laughed. "He really does speak weird and here I thought he's only doing that to irritate me."

The other gestured for Sirius to shut up for they wish to listen to the exchange.

"What do you want?"

"My mother and sister are not to be harmed.
In exchange I will leave the city, even our farm."

Nathaniel then led them into the next room where the four boys found themselves in the middle of a rocky plain with approximately a dozen black horses. This plain was enclosed within a high stone wall and the horses moved about restlessly.

"Nathaniel? Where are we?"

"This depicts a fortress built by Lord Aruna located in the ancient city of Surya. These creatures was mythically referred as the sun god's horses, but we know them as Hinoemas. Hinoemas were highly coveted magical creatures and it was believed that only decendants of the sun god are allowed to own them."

Fred watched the creatures and turned towards the artist. "Surya? And aren't Hinoemas mythical creatures that knights are said to hunt down before facing dragons?"

Nathaniel looked sadly upon the horses. "Surya is located near Mesopotamia. The Middle Ages had been hard on the Hinoemas. Knights sought them out to either capture them or eat their meat, for Hinoemas are naturally fire resistant. Riding them or through ingestion, is a way to temporarily transfer this ability. These creatures now only exist in the Isle."

Harry and the twins looked at one another in confusion. "What Isle?"

"Black Isle, we'll get to that later." Sirius tried to touch one of the horses and felt the flat plaster wall. "This is a painting? Those horses look so real and restless."

"Yes, this is one of my favourites. Hinoemas were always sought out by men who aimed to domesticate these creatures, but Hinoemas has always valued freedom and wide open spaces."

"What has this got to do with Aris?"

"After leaving his home and family, Aris travel far and wide. He learned magic that goes beyond the art of healing. It is in Surya that he found a new purpose for his life."

Fred grinned. "What did he do? Steal those horses and set them free?"

Nathaniel sighed. "Yes, I sometimes wonder if the fate of the Hinoemas would have been different had Aris not intervened. Maybe these creatures would have adapted and accepted domestication."

A hidden door was opened and the four boys was led into another gallery. Nathaniel stopped in front of a painting which depicted Aris and a wounded Hinoema. The Greek ancestor carefully extracted the arrow off the fallen horse as it neighed pitifully.

"Raiden was a young Hinoema that Aris saved from hunters. He and Aris eventually started a crusade to free all the Hinoemas from captivity. In the past, Hinoemas group themselves in small herds and were easily overpowered by human or wizards. Raiden, with Aris' assistance, became the leader of the largest and most feared Hinoema herd."

Sirius frowned. "But, isn't it good that Aris' intervention allowed them to be free?"

Nathaniel shook his head and over to the next painting which was covered by red velvet curtains. "Aris continued on with his travels with the eternal gratitude of Raiden and the Hinoemas ..."

Velvet curtains parted and revealed the next painting. The painting showed a burning city with trapped people inside burning houses, children crying on the cobblestone walk, men and women screaming in panic as dark horses ran past the streets with fire beneath their hooves.

"Raiden was a bit overzealous in his attempts to save his kins. Cities were destroyed, the once proud fortresses dessimated into smoky ruins and thus men started to fear Hinoemas. Instead of magical creatures fit only for gods and kings, they are now seen as dark creatures who reveled in chaos and destruction."

The artist looked up towards the ceiling. "Seems your friends who wait your realm are getting restless and worried. We ought to continue this some other time."

Fred frowned. "George, why don't you go back and tell them we're alright?"

"Why don't you go back? I want to stay."

Fred crossed his arms. "Because I'm older and thus get to order you."

George frowned. "Then I order Harry to go."

Harry opened his mouth to protest when he felt an invisible force push himback, he watched as the force dragged them away from the gallery to the white nothingness. They were being pulled towards a light, Nathaniel's gallery was now a mere speck in the sea of white. Harry opened his eyes and saw that they were back in their room.

Ron glared at the foursome. "You guys were in there for over three hours..."

-0-

Remus Lupin smiled as he smelled the clear morning air. "Happy Birthday James. I'm sure you would have loved this one."

Not so far away, James' son was also planning a bit of mischief.

Harry dipped another one of Sirius' 'Zonko's Singing Quill' into the golden solution and handed it to Fred. "Let's hope this works."

Fred grinned. "I assure you the 'Weasley Golden Sledge Solution' will make anything virtually indestructible for 100 hours."

George nodded. "Only a sledge hammer will be capable of destroying the item dipped in the Golden Sledge Solution."

Sirius skipped over to the treated quills and waved his wand over them "Caveo Semper!"

Ron stared at his friend in confusion. "What did you do?"

Sirius laughed. "Can't make it too easy for them, so I placed an evasion spell on the quills." he ran to the other end of the room and opened the window. "Gentlemen, I believe we are now ready to release the quills."

Fred nodded solemnly at George. "For freedom of speech and the press."

George bowed his head and clutched the quills to his heart. "Noble quills, you are now free to sing and write all you want."

Ron rolled his eyes as Harry laughed. The twin threw the quills out the window as all five boys watched them float to ground and hopped toward their prescribed destination.

-0-

Severus Snape growled and buried his head deeper into his pillows as the bird outside the window chirped cheerfully. He didn't know why, but he felt a vague sense of dread for this day. He racked his brain for a reason on this irrational feeling, and remembered what this day used to represent when he was but a student here in Hogwarts. He frowned; the chirps sounded like the birthdaysong. He dismissed this and thought that it was only his imagination.

The Potions Professor was jolted awake when a steady flow of cold water poured on top of his head. He was further confused when he heard a clap of thunder above him, and was suddenly zapped by a jolt of electricity.

-0-

Severus Snape marched toward the teacher's lounge and slammed the door open. Professors Flitwick and McGonagall faced the door and were surprised to see a small continuously pouring rain cloud on top of the dripping wet Potions Master.

"Those hooligans have gone too far this time. Now, I know for sure that Potter is part of that insiduous group. I knew that boy is exactly like his father."

Minerva McGonagall blinked and shook her head. "Harry? The boy is more like Lily than James. Really Severus, you're being irrational. Your immense hatred for James is clouding your..."

"Today happens to be James' birthday. That arrogant prat used to pull a prank like this on me to amuse himself. That brat even had the bird sing a birthday song through my window."

Flitwick shook his head. "Severus, there's no need to get overly stressed about this. Let me remedy the situation." The Charms Professor waved his wand and was surprised that the storm clouds to failed to disappear. Instead, his spell transformed Snape's attire. The potions professor now wore a fuzzy pink robe, bunny slippers and a bright yellow shower cap.

"Rain, rain go away
come again another day
Snivellus looks pretty in pink
The guy's such a greasy wimp."

All three professor were surprised to see about 20 quills hopped into the room and half of them surrounded Snape to sing their silly song.

The Potions Professor pulled out his wand and was surprised that instead of awand, he was holding a rubber ducky on a stick. "Flitwick! Reverse that darn spell of yours now, so I can get rid of those damn quills."

The Charms Professor shook his head. "I don't think I can. That storm cloud is protected by a very complicated spell-twisting ward. There's no way for me to predict the effect of any spell that I might throw."

Snape growled and took Flitwick's wand and attempted to reverse the spell himself. He managed to get himself covered with soap and shampoo all over. "Argh! Damn those kids!"

"Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
When Snivellus sees the soap
He began to scream."

Severus growled and threw a hex, which the quills easily evaded.

"Snivellus has a little cloud,
little cloud, little cloud,
And everywhere where Snivelly went
The cloud is sure to go."

The short man frantically tried to calm the irritate Potions Professor down. "Severus, calm down. I'm sure I can figure out how to go around this ward. Just give me a bit of time."

Minerva McGonagall studied both men quietly. "At least we now know that this is not Harry's doing. A ward that complicated cannot be created by a mere first year."

"Minerva the wise
A woman so divine
Pale are the butterflies
Goddess worthy of a shrine."

The deputy headmistress was startled to see 5 quills, which stood upright in front of her singing their praises. Her eyes narrowed as she muttered under her breath. "Sirius Black must be responsible for this."

"An unworthy child
For one such as you
Beauty that cannot be defiled
One that all men will try to pursue."

-0-

Harry held the old paper at hand, unsure whether or not he should read it. Part of him wanted to give in to this morbid curiosity but an inner voice in his head told him that opening this would only serve to stir thecalm waters. In the end, morbid curiosity won over. He unrolled the parchment and began to read.

"Seems that Ron and the twins are too hungry to wait up. Ready to go down to breakfast, Harry?" Sirius just stepped out of the bathroom and looked at Harry curiously. "What are you reading?"

Harry jumped, stared at his friend and began to wonder.

"Harry? What's wrong?"

"Regulus, he's your brother isn't he?"

Sirius noticed the old newspaper on Harry's desk, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Yes." He them walked over to Harry's desk and flipped the newspaper open. "It says right here that my brother was the one responsible for torturing the information of your parent's location from Peter Pettigrew." The paper was thrown aside. "So now you know why people hate my family so much. I for one do not believe a thing written in this piece of trash. Voldemort was a half-blood, I do not think my father in his pure blood fanaticism would willingly serve him. Main question is what do you believe, Harry?"

Harry opened his mouth but he found that he does know what to say or tobelieve.

"When you make up your mind. You know where to find me." Sirius turnedand left.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Black Times is Near
by Rita Skeeter

We had thought that it was over. We thought that we have finally buried the last one of them. Then, one rainy October afternoon, we found that one of them remained the final heir. We dismissed him as a mere child and therefore not a threat. How wrong we were.

Recent events in Hogwarts, showed that this child does not only have the capacity to wield dark magic, but also dark creatures. He used a kelpie to capture and imprison innocent civilians and Aurors. Even the Minister of Magic himself and Hogwarts Headmaster were not spared. Furthermore he used a dark unicorn to curse the whole population in Hogwarts all the way to Hogsmeade. And lastly blackmailed the Hogwart's Board of Governors and the Ministry to give the lake to his dark familiar.

Sirius Black is dangerous and far more cunning than all the other Black before him. Hogwarts is not a place for such a child. Would you allow a child like that to attend school with your children? Do you not fear that they may be slowly corrupted to join this next dark lord in the future war?

-0-

Sirius sat by the window in the now familiar bridgeway. He grumbled about gits and stupid reporters.

"Sirius."

"What do you want, Draco?"

"Nothing really, but to inform you that dad's allowing you to come home for Christmas."

Sirius snorted. "I thought you all wanted to have a nice little family Christmas for a change."

Draco crossed his arms and drawled. "Like it or not Sirius, we are the only family you've got. Legally and biologically speaking, you are part of our family."

Sirius glared at the blond boy in front of him. "You people don't want me around. I don't want to be there either, so let's not even go through this charade."

Draco smiled. "My father read the article and thought that it's not fair for people to treat you that way and we ought to support you as family are expected to."

Sirius narrowed his eyes suspiciously towards Draco Malfoy. "What do you people want from me?"

"Really Sirius. Whatever gave you the idea thta we have any ulterior motive beyond family support. If you decide to accept our invitation, you know how to contact any one of us."

Sirius watched Draco's retreating back. He leaned back unto the window sill, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply.

End of Chapter 14-

A/N: For those who do not have ff(dot)net account but want to be informed of updates I created a 'Update Alert Mail List', the link can be found in my profile's homepage link.

Question: Should Sirius spend Christmas in Hogwarts with Harry and the Weasleys or should he spend it with the Malfoys?

Note: Surya is not an actual city but, the name of an Indian sun god and Aruna is his son.

Replies:

Blackmamuth, Joou Himeko Dah - thanks

maya100 - I could think of something worse ... Crabbe and Goyle Sr. as the Minister and the Deputy (lol) Aren't P.P. and D.U. the perfect couple? (snicker) Nope Remus won't remember yet.

SeriousSiriusFan - (L) Because if Fudgie dies than Peter will be in charge (shudder) Now you do get to read about Snivellus getting zapped. Good Luck on those exams ... I wonder how people survived in earlier times before they discovered the wonders of coffee...

Padfoot n' Moony - Rita? obviously 'No Good'

rhea8 - Rita wrote a very Rita-ish (Is that a word?) article (L) You guessed that correctly. BTW used your suggested name for Aris' Hinoema

SugarGirl - Glad you liked it (always happy to hear from new readers). No need to spam the new chapter is here.

(---) - That's a good question ... and I agree with you.

shazia)Riavera - Thanks. That kelpie would be spying around and be bothering Hermione whether she likes it or not. (snicker - yep its a hint of things to come)

rockpapersirius - Thanks. I'll get to that more serious Sirius. Glad you liked the kelpie, although he's not in this chapter, he'll be messing around in human affairs again in the future.

Madam Whitbrook - Sorry about that, but I don't like to follow the convention. The italics are there to assist me. If I force myself to follow others then I wouldn't be happy. Readers would also have an even bigger headache in reading my work due to confusing tenses and total lack of descriptions. I just need some sort of concrete 'guides' to write properly.

Nercia Genisis - They say laugher is the best medicine ... but I guess they don't mean this in the literal sense. Hope you're better... I always tell people that 'Hot Spanish or French Chocolate drink works better than chicken soup. (Of course people rarely believe me)

Kyra2 - Draco can be tricky ... (L) Or maybe the Headmaster and Moody are just smarter than the rest.

dreams of innocence - I'm sure Fangs or any of Hagrid's beast would appreciate that a lot (lol). Posted it over thanks

LittleMissPadfoot - I used that idea of yours already (lol) it just fitted so well with the singing quills and storm cloud prank. Thank you.