Once Regulus was handcuffed and sedated up to the gills by Nurse Poppy, Harry and Nasrin began to explain the whole, crazy year over again for the Hogwarts staff, including Hermione's Celebi and a future that never was, which was a whole tangled mess.
They were nearly done when Madame Bones had arrived, getting just as much of a shock at the living Black brothers, and the story was started over again for her benefit.
This time, Harry was going over the Battle of Le Fay's Landing when Minister Fudge and his staff arrived, babbling about an attack on Hogwarts, and what patience Nasrin had left to hold them back evaporated.
"That's it!" The Potter snapped, startling everyone. "We're only telling this story once! So you'd better get everyone who needs to hear it now!"
Which was how they ended up in the grand audience hall of the Pokemon League, finishing the tale to the Elite Four, the entire Hogwarts staff, the Council of Gym Leaders, the Prime Minister, the department heads, and Cammi, who was accompanied by more Crystal Gems than Harry had expected, with a crowd of reporters, prominent businessmen and foreign dignitaries.
Sitting, Nasrin watched as the adults began to bicker over what to do next, rubbing tiny circles into Mulan's tight back as Hedwig leaned into Harry's head, feathers ruffling without Robin there.
Sirius was insulted when Regulus was to be sent to The Monmouth's Tower rather than Sevii, warning that Johto would not take such a move kindly, but his status was a much easier issue, reinstating his citizenship on top of becoming Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, with the manor and Gym this entailed.
The big issue, however, was his position on the Council of Gym Leaders.
When the Potters and Blacks were thought gone, the Malfoys and Parkinsons had taken their place, and with Harry's eventual return already threatening their power, Lucius quickly suggested a 'preferable' solution.
"The Black Family is one of the oldest Gym families in all of Avalon, and I think we can all agree that our region will benefit greatly from their return. Also, considering the news that we have just heard in this chamber, I believe that a shake-up is needed, so that we might eliminate those that would bring shame upon us."
Harry and Nasrin realized quickly his aim was to remove the Weasleys as an enemy while also weakening his opposition, and Cammi tilted her head to Sirius, eyebrow quirked.
"Honored Gym Leaders, what you say is true." The new Head of House Black replied, giving Lucius a hard stare. "I do long to return the Ancient and Noble House of Black back to its glory days. However, I would be doing Avalon no good if I stepped into that role right now. I'm simply not mentally prepared for such a task."
Sirius placed a hand on Harry and Neville's shoulders, squeezing gently.
"But in only a few years, we will see these two young boys come of age and take their rightful places as Gym Leaders. Would it not be better to have me wait? Why not give me a few years to reconcile what happened to me, and then, in one fell swoop, the three of us can join your ranks while allowing you all time to come to conclusions on who must go."
The other Gym Leaders applauded, but Nasrin could feel Lucius' sour mood even from that distance.
"The mutt is rather clever when he wants to be." Professor Snape admitted, whispering just for her and Harry. "No one will deny you your spot. The Potters are institutions, and Avalon would be insane to deny Lily's Heir his spot. Even if Lord Malfoy manages to remove the Weasleys, he'll have to eliminate himself or Parkinson. The Longbottoms and the Lovegoods will be united, and Neville would block any attempt to remove Xeno. Greengrass is a snake like Malfoy, and won't be crushed under his heel easily, and the others are too ingrained for him to attempt a coup. And even if he can eliminate one of them, he'll have a voting block of Potter, Black and Longbottom. The rest will clamor to you, and you can have him and Parkinson driven out. Look at him. He knows he lives on borrowed time."
"But a cornered Pokemon is sometimes the most dangerous." Harry voiced, earning a flash of parental pride from his uncle.
"Yes. Yes, that is true."
With his new power as Head of House Black, Sirius gleefully made Harry his heir through his paternal grandmother, Dorea Potter nee Black, snatching another prize from the Malfoys.
Then he declared Remus and Professor Snape as Honored Friends, including a few Sons of Johto, before instating Jack and Jonas Kenway as Regents of House Black, all of which caused quite a stir.
Last of all, he called up Andromeda Tonks nee Black before welcoming her back into the family, the pretty lawyer breaking down in tears as she, her husband and their daughter were reinstated and replaced under her cousin's protection before the entire region.
"Like anyone would ever think of crossing them now." Ginny whispered. "The Lord of Sevii, the Head of House Black, and one of the commanders of the Sons of Johto? Sirius might be the last man anyone in Avalon would want to cross!"
Harry silently added being an Honored Friend of the Heir of Rose Quartz, but knew that went unsaid.
Nasrin loved Tonks, as she did all her friends, and anyone who wanted to cross her after what Regulus Black had done would not have the chance to walk away.
There was just one last matter to attend to.
Standing in Godric's Hollow, school behind them, Harry and Nasrin faced the statues of his parents and their Pokemon that had been erected in the main square, a plaque naming them and their Pokemon while proclaiming the pair Saviors of Avalon.
Now, Remus and Sirius pulled down a sheet to reveal a new addition.
And there was Peter Pettigrew, just as heroic and noble, with the words In Honor of Peter Pettigrew, Who Gave His Life In The Name Of Brotherhood And Friendship etched underneath.
"For too many years, Avalon thought the worst of one who deserved nothing but our praise." Remus began, swallowing back tears. "I'm as guilty of this as the rest of you. But today…Today, we make amends for this terrible mistake. Today, Peter Pettigrew at long last joins with the greatest heroes of Avalon…And in their mighty company, he shall feel no shame."
Applause erupted from the crowd, teary-eyed, and the pair of Third Years joined the remaining Marauders and their headmaster by the statues as that crowd eventually dispersed.
"It's a fine statue, my boys. I'm only sad it took such dramatic events to bring the truths to light."
"I think many truths have been lost to the ages, Albus." Remus noted. "Today, at least, we managed to drag one back."
"And hey, just imagine how great my statue will look up there!" Sirius bragged.
"Too bad you'll be dead and won't be able to admire it." Harry and Nasrin teased, Hedwig hiding a smile behind her wing as Mulan snickered at the man's pout.
"Tell me, my boys, what are your plans now?"
"If you're asking if I'm going to be moving back into 12 Grimmauld Place, then the answer is no." Sirius answered easily. "Haven't been in that horrid building since I was a Fifth Year, and I have no plans to do so any time soon. No, I think I'll have it torn down and build something new, a bit more cheerful and bright. That should get the old bloods upset."
He wrapped an arm around each teenager, giving a shake that loosened some laughter.
"Until then, I think I'll use some of my new wealth to purchase a home next to Remus' and keep an eye on Pronglet and Nugget here!"
"A fine idea." Professor Dumbledore agreed, stroking his beard contemplatively. "Though, as I think upon it…"
"What is it, professor?" The young Gryffindors asked.
"Oh, I'm just thinking that it's simply unfair that you haven't seen what the other regions have to offer. With Sirius as a Son of Johto, perhaps a journey to that region would be in order. Perhaps when the World Gauntlet Championship is taking place?"
"Please, can we?" Harry asked Remus, Nasrin adding in her best pleading eyes.
"Thank you, Albus, thank you…" The Gym Evaluator groaned good-naturedly. "Now I have to say yes if I want to avoid a summer of Harry and Nasrin whining."
"Harry and Nazz?" Sirius added. "If you don't say yes, then I'll whine!"
Professor Dumbledore laughed, placing a hand on the Marauders' shoulders.
"My dear, dear boys. When I think of where we were three years ago, I can scarcely believe I'm not in some wondrous dream. So much has returned to us, and for that I'm eternally grateful."
His mood dimmed a touch.
"Though it seems that the scales of fate are continually adjusting themselves. Voldemort has returned twice now, and this year saw Regulus Black revealed for what he truly was. I fear what other things will be dredged up from the darkness that is our past. What new nightmare now lumbers towards Avalon, waiting to be born?"
"But if the scales must be balanced…" Harry started.
"Doesn't that mean light will also come?" Nasrin finished.
The headmaster fixed them with a sad smile.
"Never lose your ability to hope."
"You know, if all it takes is a Dusknoir attack to get us our own private train-with no Draco, mind you-then I say let them come again next year!"
"Don't even joke about that, Ron!" Ginny snapped. "I'd personally take a thousand Dracos over one Dusknoir."
The cabin filled with laughter, and Nasrin looked over the assembled group fondly as Ariel relaxed across her shoulders.
Remus, Sirius and Tonks had joined the assembled Gryffindors for this ride back to Galahad Station, the others teleporting to their next destinations, and the trip had been full of mirth.
But now Sirius pulled out his trainer bag, and Harry turned to look over the pair of Marauders suspiciously.
"What are you up to?" They asked, Hedwig ruffling up her feathers.
"So mistrusting of your godfather!" Sirius mock-gasped. "You act like I'm going to do something horrible to you!"
"Considering the last hour has been filled with stories of you pulling pranks on 'friends'…" Nasrin pointed out, Mulan rolling her eyes.
"You're going to feel so embarrassed for doubting me once you see what I've got here."
"What do you have, Mister Black?" Neville wondered.
"Well, it occurred to me that I have about twelve birthdays to make up for, and since for Harry's first birthday, I got him a Ball, it would only make sense to get him another one."
With a flourish, Sirius showed a Poke Ball with an H engraved on the lid.
"But then I thought to myself, 'Sirius, you magnificent man and sex god to all female trainers everywhere, Harry wouldn't be happy to get something in front of his friends'. So, I decided to share the wealth."
At that, he pulled out seven Poke Balls, each with first initials engraved on the top, and a Love Ball similarly marked.
"Mister Black…" Neville voiced in shock, catching the one tossed his way. "This is…"
"Exactly what you deserve." Sirius finished softly, looking to each of them before settling on Nasrin. "Not only did you help avenge Peter and Lily and James, all of you were there for Harry when I couldn't be. Spending some coin and calling in some favors to get these guys is the least I could do."
Smiling, Sirius rubbed his hands together.
"Come on, come on, let them out!"
"You'd think you were the one receiving the gift." Remus teased, though he leaned forward to see better.
"Ginny, you go first." Harry offered.
With a nod, the youngest Weasley tossed the Ball up as Sirius began to explain.
"I tried to pick out a Pokemon that fit each of you. I know Lily-Flower is your idol, Miss Weasley, and what an idol to have, but I hope that in lieu of a Torchic-"
"He's perfect!" Ginny squealed as the Chimchar instantly leapt into her arms. "Oh, thank you, Mister Black, thank you!"
"Now, Miss Lovegood." Sirius continued as Luna released hers next. "I thought at first about trying to get you a Fire-type, too, but when I found this guy on the market, I knew he'd be perfect for you."
"That he is!" The half-Veela agreed, holding up her new Chespin. "I shall call him Neville Junior!"
"Can we…not name him after me?" Neville tried, admitting defeat at her head-shake.
"It's the Circle of Life!" Luna and Nasrin sang. "And it moves us all!"
Neville took the chance to toss up his, and his annoyance was replaced by a smile at the Turtwig that appeared, immediately calling out Flora to meet their new teammate.
The Ivysaur inspected him before giving a gruff nod of acceptance, though she bumped him to remind Turtwig of the pecking order, though he just happily tugged on her leaves.
"Alright, Mister Weasley, you're up!"
Ron was vibrating so hard he nearly fumbled the Ball as he tossed it, lighting up at the Tepig that ran around his feet, snorting up a storm.
"Now, unlike the others, this little guy was already given a name. Personally, I think Pigwidgeon is a mouthful-"
"Not for us, Mister Black!" Ron assured, petting his new friend. "Ain't that right, Pig?"
"You're next, Hermione." Harry and Nasrin nudged, and Hermione swallowed back tears at how far they had come before following orders.
"Oh…Oh my." She gasped, stroking the Fennekin's soft fur so the Fire-type rumbled. "Thank you, Mister Black."
"Your turn, Nugget." Sirius prompted, and said rosette tested the Love Ball in her hand before pressing the button.
Ariel whistled in surprise when a Litten materialized, yawning cutely even when showing fang, and Nasrin's heart melted.
"Hi, there." She greeted softly, offering a hand. "I'm Nazz, and I want to be friends. How does that sound, Bagheera?"
The cat-like Fire-type only thought for a moment before hopping up onto her lap, bopping noses with Mulan and purring as soft fingers rubbed right behind his ears.
"Your mum was thinking about getting you a Litten as your House Pokemon in your Seventh Year." Sirius admitted. "But she agreed this little guy was just right."
"He's amazing." She agreed, already excited for him to meet their brood.
"Think you did rather well, Sirius." Remus noted, patting his friend's back.
"I just had the ideas. Jack was the one that did the negotiating for all but Turtwig and Chimchar. Said Drayden owed him a few, and, well, Jack and Cynthia…"
"Yeah, yeah, name-drop all you want on your own time!" Tonks whined. "Harry and I've been waiting long enough, Sirius!"
"Well, you can wait a second more." The Head of House Black replied, turning serious even as he smiled.
Rising, he strolled over to the pair, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"A few weeks ago, I corrected a great wrong and brought you under the protection of my House. Tonks, your mother's birthright was stolen from her. Harry, you are a Black both through my love for you and your blood. My…My brother was wrong about many things, but the status of the House of Black is not one of them. The Blacks have fallen into ruin. Regulus is jailed, Bellatrix mad and imprisoned, and too many of my family dead because of the war with Voldemort. I may be the Head of our House, but it will not be I who repairs House Black. That task falls to you two. In you, I place my hopes of not just raising House Black, but making it something better, something stronger. To do that, you each need a Pokemon. A Pokemon that will prove to the world that you are the future of House Black."
Nasrin sniffled as Tonks held out a trembling hand, hoping and praying as the pair of Balls opened-
And crying when that hope was rewarded.
"Blimey." Ron whispered. "Piplup."
"The Piplup is the House Pokemon of House Black. These two have been waiting a very long time to be claimed, and I give them now to you."
Sirius pointed towards the one now belong to his cousin.
"Apus, the Bird of Paradise. A happy little guy."
Then, to Harry's.
"Orion. The Hunter."
Remus jerked up, startled.
"That's…"
"My father's name was Orion." Sirius told his godson, sadness and pride mingling. "When I told him I would not join Team Nocturne, he could have easily killed me there. The rest of the family would have applauded. But my father-My father…"
Here, he had to pause, chest shuddering.
"He told me to run to the Potters and ask for sanctuary. He covered for me, gave me the time to make my escape before my mother and the rest of the family found out. I'm alive today because he, above all other members of my family, saw me for me and not as a pawn on the chessboard. I name your Piplup Orion to carry on my father's spirit."
Harry nodded firmly, a hand slipping into his.
"And I swear I'll do you and House Black proud with Orion II."
Then a pause, hand turning, and Nasrin blinked as he turned to face her, free hand dropping Orion's Ball into a pocket before retrieving a small box.
"Nazz…I wanted to wait for the right moment, but…"
"Harry?" She breathed, the others falling quiet as the clasp lifted to reveal a beautiful silver ring, the outer curve fashioned like curling ivy to swirl around the tiny, round stones embedded along the surface.
Amethyst, garnet, pearl, sapphire, ruby, lapis lazuli, peridot-
"You've been with me since the very beginning, no matter what, and I can't imagine a life without you in it." He began, shoulders straight and sure. "This is a promise. One day, when everything is truly settled, when there's no danger lurking out there for us to fight…I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If you'll have me."
Tears welled up in dark eyes, and Nasrin smiled in the brightening light of her Gem, pulling him in to bump foreheads.
"Oh, Harry…Of course I will."
And that's the last of the rewrites!
I'm still working on the next one, 'Tournament of Souls', so it won't be out right away. I have work, volunteering, and soon school to worry about, so my writing is going to slow down a lot.
Add in Pokemon Let's Go! and that's...that's pretty slow.
Know that I'm working on it when I can, and thank you all so much for the support! I hope you'll all enjoy the next one just as much!
Love,
ChibiLover123