Lucius was a bit wary about taking his brother back to the UK. He had assured his little brother it was safe, but he was still a bit wary himself. He knew his brother deserved to know where the powers came from. There was a chance Viktor pointed out, if it was from the Malfoys, Draco or his kids could have the powers. Nick would remain the heir, able to claim the title, as his brother wasn't. If Draco's children ended up having the powers and Nick's kids didn't, then it could revert back. Nick had to wonder, he had looked at the family tree of the Blacks. Orion had an older sister named Lucretia, who was the mother of Molly and her brothers. It was in the family laws, a daughter could be over looked for a title, denied it for the sake of a younger brother. If a Lord only had daughters, then the daughter would inherit. Sirius could not be denied the title, because he was male, though the estate itself he could be as long as his brother and nephew lived. Lucretia had been denied the title Lady Black, but if she was also not an elemental, than she could not claim Lady Hufflepuff either. If it was Malfoy, Lucius was the rightful heir to Lord Malfoy, but as he wasn't an elemental, he couldn't claim Hufflepuff.

They eventually headed on the 30th to London for the bank. Lucius had a portkey which would take them right into the manager's office there. He had been in contact with the head goblin about what they wanted. The manager didn't seem surprised, and was happy to set an appointment.

Lucius helped his brother into a chair when they arrived. 'We're here, how are you feeling?"

Nick sunk down into the chair. "I guess there is one up side to being blind, I don't get so dizzy from portkeys."

The manager handed him some water. "I believe you are Domenic Regulus Black-Malfoy?"

Nick turned towards his voice. "I am. I have reason to believe I am the Hufflepuff heir. I am told you can tell me if this is true."

The goblin nodded. "You are indeed. Your name appeared on our records a day ago, when you exhibited your powers for the first time."

Lucius understood. "You have a family tree for his line, but it must keep record of those who have the powers."

The goblin took out a book from his desk which had two crests on it. One was the Hufflepuff crest, and while Nick could not see it, the other was the crest of the Black family. Lucius was somehow not surprised; he would have thought his dad would have told him if they were the heirs. It was possible Abraxas had not been an elemental, but the family would still have known, at least in the direct line he thought. Him talking to the cat must have been the fever and wanting to feel close to his late husband. And he must have been trying to tell Lucius about Regulus.

Nick of course could not see and had no idea what had happened. He had heard the movement of something, but could not see the book on the desk. He would have recognized the crest, he knew the Black one well enough.

The goblin touched the book. "I am not supposed to speak to anyone of this other than the heirs of Hufflepuff, unless they choose."

Lucius offered to go. "I will wait until you're done."

Nick managed to stop his brother as he could hear him. "You don't have to, I choose to let you hear as well."

The goblin spoke when Lucius sat down. "On the seventeenth birthday of Orion Black he was brought to the bank, after exhibiting powers."

Nick understood. "My grandfather was the heir? Did my father show any of the powers, or my Uncle?"

The goblin explained the powers usually came out at seventeen, a rare time earlier like Adrian and Viktor. Nick's powers only showed because of the potion, when he was so young. The Black family tree showed all members, those who were elementals their names turned green, those who were not elementals and were seventeen or older turned red. Molly and her children who were all of age were red, but it didn't matter. Lucretia had been red, meaning she inherited neither Hufflepuff or Black. That sexist law Nick planned to change, if he had a daughter first, she'd be Lady Black and not over looked. The Malfoys had changed that generations back.

Nick was handed two rings, one which was his automatically, and the other his now he had the Hufflepuff powers. He had become Lord Black days after his birth. He had wondered why Sirius was never Lord Black, he assumed his godfather could not claim it while on the run.

Lucius had to ask. "If he was replaced by another heir, would Voldemort have been told of the identity."

The goblin shook his head. "No, it was not a clause in the founder's will, but a personal one for Salazar. He feared competition in his line."

Lucius saw his brother's confusion. "An older brother might fear a nephew or niece with the powers, may wish to kill him, to claim the title."

Nick understood. "So Voldemort was told he had lost his title, but not who would have had a claim to it. Can I see the records, as an heir?"

The goblin shook his head. "No, none of the heirs are permitted to know who the other is, so they can't betray each other."

Of course they knew Adrian and Viktor were the other two heirs. But there was still a question of if Harry was. It was possible Voldemort had guessed it must be a child of his Uncle, and went looking. There had to be records somewhere, and with enough power he could have found out. Catherine dead, he went after her son and grandson, to wipe out any competition for the title.

They were about to leave when Moody made an abrupt entrance. "Lucius we need you, its urgent."

It was the day before his birthday and Harry was actually to have one. He had not had one since he was taken from Aunt Sarah when he was five. Well not officially, Professor Manx had tried to make the last few special for him. He wished he had his relatives and Travis though to celebrate. He knew the twins and the girls were helping him, but they were not family, or really even friends. He had only ever had Travis, but the four of them made it clear they were helping him only for the war. And in the twins' case, as a promise to the decoy as well. He knew the decoy was a victim, but he really was sick of being told that was their Harry and always would be.

He was writing in his two way to Travis, one of the good things the twins had done for him. They had also told him they made it possible, for Travis and Aunt Sarah to send gifts to him, through them. He had been worried about them being traced; he knew it would get Travis in trouble.

The door opened and Hermione appeared in the door. "Molly sent me up to find out what was keeping you."

Harry warded the door behind her. "Was it her or are you snooping again?"

Hermione looked a bit hurt. "I was worried about my best friend. I was worried something was wrong with Har….Nick."

Finishing his letter Harry cast the concealment charm and slammed it shut. "You don't need to constantly remind I'm not good enough."

Hermione stopped him. "It's not like that. Do you know what it's like to have a best friend for five years, and then have him taken from you?"

Harry turned to look at her. "No. I wasn't allowed friends, or a life of my own. Travis was and is the closest thing to a best friend I have had."

He reminded her what he had told them about his life. He had been a happy five year old when he was snatched from his Aunt and Uncle. They had moved recently and he hadn't known why. Aunt Sarah had not wanted to give him up, and had tried to hide him. He grew up in a school, taught fourteen hour days, with no comfort or fun. He didn't even get to play chess until Professor Manx. It was in the official third year, when he was fourteen, when Travis had snuck into his rooms on a prank. They had been friends ever since. Professor Manx made it possible for him to see Travis, and remain in contact with his Aunt over the years.

Hermione slumped down on the bed and she could admit she needed to try. Nick and Harry had both been victims in all of this, both had miserable childhoods. It is just when she thought Harry, she thought the kid she went after the philosopher's stone with, or faced Sirius.

Hermione tried. "I know I am a bit snoopy and I apologize. I'm usually not this bad, well Ron would call me a know it all, but not on a friend."

Harry understood. "Sorry I snapped. I can understand why you love Nick so much, I can. And he can have his life back when the war is over."

Hermione shook her head. "From what the twins said he is as happy as he can be, under the circumstances, in his new home. He'll stay."

Harry sighed. "I guess after all he gave up in my name, he deserves the peace now. But after the war he can claim his old friends back."

Hermione was surprised. "Don't you plan to stay? I know Albus messed with your life, but this is where you were meant to be."

Harry shook his head. "No, my family and only friend are in Boston. When this war is over, I plan to return, have my own life for once."

Hermione stood up as he had. "You'll have to keep in contact. I can see you growing on people."

Harry smiled a little at that and assured her he would, if anyone wanted him to. He had seen how they reacted to the news so far. The twins planned to tell their girlfriends, Oliver and Katie when it was safe. He had to be here for the war, his parents had been killed by Voldemort, and he'd see this war end. But even if this life had been stolen from him, he didn't want it.

Hermione motioned to the door. "We should be getting downstairs, or Molly will send the troops up after us."

Harry brought down the wards on the room. "I wonder if she knows. She keeps looking at me differently."

Hermione shrugged. "She knew he was set up, but about him, I doubt it. I truly believe she loves you."

Harry was about to say something when a loud sound went through the house. Neither of them were sure what it was at first, and then with panic, it dawned on them. They were the emergency wards on the house that were going off. They ran down into the kitchen, just in time to see Fred flee out the hidden passage from the kitchen which led under the orchard into town.

Molly motioned to the other kids. "You need to get into the passage now and stay there. Fred has gone for help."

Keep up the reviews

And now as we have moved deeper, I will make a second attempt on a vote on pairing. It seems by the confusion last chapter of people not knowing who Viktor or Adrian were, the author's note in chapter 1 may have been missed.