DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$ from this…
A/N: Sorry for the delay getting this one up.
Some have asked: how can there be no magic that can stop a bullet? They have shield charms and such? They can conjure things? True, but:
1. Shield charms are not indestructible.
2. It takes time to conjure something and time is a luxury one does not have when the bullet is already on the way, but:
3. I always wondered why the Statute of Secrecy was passed in 1692. True, it was the year of the Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts Colony. But the Treaty had been in negotiation for two to three years BEFORE then. Why then?
The Salem Witch Trials were the last major witch hunts. By earlier standards, it was a minor event. The Burning Times in Europe, which had ended over a century earlier, made Salem look insignificant. Tens of thousands had burned. And yet the Magical world goes into hiding in 1692 when a handful were hung?
Something else must have scared the wits out of the wizarding world. Something that a flame freezing charm could not prevent.
What?
Firearms. Well, not just firearms. The matchlock musket had been in use for well over 200 years. Nope. Cheap, reliable and abundant firearms! The flintlock was invented between 1620 and 1640. The last major war where firearms were not the predominant weapon of armies was the English Civil War of the 1640's or so. The two sides were mainly armed with swords and pikes. Yes, there were muskets, but they were few. By 1692, pikes had given way to the flintlock musket. Flintlock pistols replaced the complex and incredibly expensive wheelocks sich that they were common place. Any Muggle could be armed with a weapon that could kill an unsuspecting wizards and a muggle army was unstoppable. The Muggles had finally found the means to deal with the magical world, so it went secret…
Remember, unlike arrows and swords, you cannot see a bullet….
Thanks for the reviews.
CHAPTER THIRTY: HOME SWEET HOME?
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1988 - 12 GRIMMAULD PLACE, LONDON, U.K.
It was a three block walk from the nearest Underground station to Sirius's family home. He had taken the children for the day while both of the Granger's were at work. Remus was with them. Sensei had told them the exact location of one of the Horcruxes and Sirius was not about to let this opportunity pass them by. True, it helped that Harry was rather insistent on getting this thing into a place of safe keeping. There was a small vault in the basement of Potter House that seemed an ideal place to store it for now and until they learned how to destroy it.
Sirius was dreading this trip nonetheless. He had not been home since the Christmas Holidays his fifth year. That was twelve years ago. He knew this trip was going to bring back bad memories of his past and really would have preferred not going at all. But he knew the house was filled with dangerous objects and these kids, while bright, were still kids. There was also the problem with his mother. His dad had died in 1979 not long after learning of the death of his younger brother. The circumstances surrounding the death of Orion Black, the last Heir apparent to Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, was always suspicious. The gossip was he went off and declared a blood feud on Lord Voldemort and was done in by his own cousin.
Walburga Black was his mother and there was no reason to believe she was not still alive. True, it was said she had sunk into a form of madness following the deaths of her husband and beloved son, Regulus, but she would be sixty-three and that was barely middle age by wizarding standards. Sirius had hoped he would never have to deal with her again. She was one nasty piece of work even before she went mental. Still, it could not be avoided. They needed to secure this horcrux and he did own the house and everything in it. She could rant all she wanted to and there was nothing she could do about it. A part of Sirius hoped she would. Nothing would give him greater satisfaction than casting her out of the family and as she was a Black - she and her husband were second cousins - Merlin that's sick, Sirius thought - if he disowned her, she would be left with no family whatsoever.
Sirius could sense that the kids were nervous. Even when he was a kid, Grimmauld Place had not been a nice neighborhood and it certainly looked as if it had gotten worse over the years. They were soon standing in front of his "family" home. Sirius frowned.
"Open in the name of the Heir Apparent," he said in a firm voice. They all could hear the sound of deadbolts moving and Sirius took hold of the doorknob and turned it. He was worried that maybe it would not work and they might have to break in. Fortunately, the knob turned and the door opened. The inside was dark. The only light coming from the now opened front door. Interesting, Sirius thought.
"Heir apparent?" Harry asked.
"My Grandfather is Lord Black, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. I am the oldest son of his only son. As my Father is dead, that means I'm the Heir Apparent. This house is the traditional home of the Heir Apparent. Black Manor is the home of the Lord. Granddad's a decent enough man, even if he's a bit of a Pureblood nutter. Never supported the enemy either in word or deed. My Father, though, was a right nasty git."
"I thought he disowned you," Remus said.
"Father did," Sirius replied. "Grandfather did not. Had father become Lord Black, it would have been a done deal. But, as he never did and Grand still lives, I am now Heir Apparent."
"What about your Mum?" Hermione asked.
"Even though my Granddad is fairly decent, he does maintain certain Pureblood traditions. My mother is allowed to live here, but she inherits nothing."
"That doesn't seem right."
"You will find much of magical Britain is hundreds of years behind what you're used to."
"Think she's home?" Remus asked.
"Given the state of things, fair bet she's dead," Sirius said without emotion. "The dust on the floor would have driven her spare. Come on." Sirius waived his wand and several gas lighting fixtures flickered on giving them at least some illumination. A narrow stair led up to their left and a narrow corridor ran down to the right. It was obvious all the rooms were off this corridor.
Sirius turned to the children and kneeled down so he could look them in the eye. "Now what did I tell you?" he asked.
"Not to touch anything," Harry said.
"Why?"
"'Cause this was the home of Dark Wizards and there's dangerous stuff here."
"Very good. Sensei said the thing is on a book shelf either in the Drawing Room or the Library. That's up stairs so follow me." Sirius said as he stood and began climbing.
"What's that?" Clarice asked with a shocked tone. She was pointing to several heads of strange beings with bat like ears that were on the wall of the stair.
"Former House Elves," Sirius said in disgust. "I had an ancestor he felt this was the appropriate way to dispose of them when they got too old."
"That's so mean! Why would anyone do that?"
"Yeah. Can't see doing that to Darla or Toby," Harry said. Those were the names of the two House Elves who maintained Potter House.
"Not all witches and wizards are nice people," Sirius shrugged. "My family for the most part was right nasty. There are notable exceptions, not the least of which you two."
"You're our godfather," Harry said. "Does that make you family too?"
"Actually, I'm your second cousin once removed on my mother's side and third cousin once removed on my father's side. My mother and father were second cousins."
"Eeeew!" Clarice said.
"My parents and their parents believed in blood purity. Pity they practiced it. But it's hard to remain a Pureblood without the occasional cousins getting married. Fact is, most Purebloods are at least distant cousins. Come along. Drawing room first."
They followed him into a small drawing room. One whole wall was covered with a tapestry that seemed to show a tree but on closer inspection it was covered with names.
"What's that?"
Sirius sighed. "For better or worse, that is my family. This," he said, "is Phineas Nigelus Black, from who all blessings flow," Sirus added with sarcasm. He's my Great-great grandfather and the least popular Headmaster in Hogwarts history. Even Slyterhins hated him."
"What are the burn marks?" Clarice asked.
"Ah. Those are my ancestors and relatives who Mother thought were an embarrassment to the family because of their Muggle loving tendencies. This one here?" he pointed to what would have been one of Phineus Black's siblings, "her name was Isle. She married a Muggle and Mother zapped her. Great-Granduncle Phineas got zapped for being a huge supporter of Muggle and Muggle Born rights. Granduncle Marius was zapped because he was a Squib as in born without magic. Cousin Cedrella was zapped for marrying Septimius Weasley. The Weasleys have always supported Muggle rights. Mother zapped me when I failed to come home after Fifth Year."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"I could not stand my parents, Harry. You're father's family offered to take me in, so I never came back. Not until today. Mother considered me a humiliation because I refused to be the nice Pureblood prince, marry the woman they picked for me and become a nice Death Eater and kill people they considered beneath contempt, such as Muggles. I always hated their view of the world and goodness knows how many hidings I received for telling them so. Mother was the worst of the two. I know my Father had a heart somewhere. He died not long after my younger brother Regulus was killed. Mum was proud of him. Bragged about how her 'only' son had died in the Great Cause to rid the world of impurity. Bint!"
"Language!" Hermione said.
"Sorry."
"So we're cousins?" Harry asked.
Sirius nodded. He pointed to another name. "This was my Grandaunt Dorea Black. She was Mother's Aunt. She married your Great-grandfather Charlus Potter so she's your great-grandmother. Or rather she was. They were killed by Death Eaters in '77. Pity. I actually liked her. Surprised mother didn't zap her as well. Then again, Dorea knew how to keep a low profile and did an amazing job of steering clear of the nastier Blacks. She was always proud of me, I remember," Sirius sighed.
"So do Purebloods always marry Purebloods?" Hermione asked.
"No. Some families do. The Potters have married for love for ages. Just so happens a fair few were purebloods. Then again, considering they met their wives in Hogwarts, I guess that's not too surprising. About a third of the students are Purebloods."
"Why does this matter?"
"It shouldn't Hermione. Yet to some narrow minded fools it does. Magic is magic. Goodness knows how many witches were forced to marry into poverty or worse because their husband was a pureblood. It's silly, if you ask me."
"And what about you, Sirius?" Clarice asked.
"Sophie is a Muggle Born and I don't care. I like her a lot and if we get that serious, well her family history does not matter to me."
"She's you're girlfriend?" Harry asked.
Sirius nodded.
"Gross!"
"Harry!" Hermione shot back.
"What? It's different between us."
"And how so?"
"Cause - cause you're my best friend too and we don't snog and…"
"You kiss each other," Sirius said, "a lot."
"Not snogging," Harry protested.
"Hold hands all the time, snuggle…"
"NOT SNOGGING!"
"Fine." Sirius looked at Remus.
"Whipped," Remus said.
"I'm still your girlfriend," Hermione teased.
"But not snogging," Harry maintained.
"WHO ARE YOU TO TRESPASS IN MISTRESS'S HOUSE?" a voice yelled.
"Kreacher!" Sirius shot back. "You will address the Heir Apparent in an appropriate tone!"
"He shame's Mistress and then begs Kreacher's respect?" the old house elf mumbled. "Friend of Mudbloods and Blood Traitors. Poor Mistress."
"Kreacher!" Siruis yelled. "YOU WILL NOT USE THAT LANGUAGE IN MY HOUSE!"
"Filthy little…" Kreacher began.
"Where is your Mistress?" Sirius asked.
"Mistress be in a painting now. She is free from the shame of her …" Kreacher could not finish.
Sirius looked at the tapestry. "Damn!"
"Language," Hermione scolded.
"What is it?" Remus asked.
"Dear old Mum did us a favor and passed away three years ago. Kreacher?"
"Yes, Master Sirius," Kreacher replied mumbling what were probably insults under his breath.
"I am master of this house."
"As you say."
"I want my mother's portrait removed from the walls and burned, do I make myself clear?"
"Master cannot! Cannot ask such a thing!"
"I am not asking. I will not have this house fouled by her filth! Remove it, burn it! Then burn all her things. Understand?"
Kreacher burst into tears, but walked away.
"Think he'll do it?" Remus asked.
"Has to," Sirius said. "If he refuses an order from the master of the house, he will die. Then again, I never liked the little devil."
"That was mean!" Hermione pouted.
Sirius nodded. "Should have killed the toe rag," Sirius said. "Father lacked the bile to hide me as a lad. Kreacher on the other hand…"
"He - he beat you?" Harry asked paling.
"When Father or Mother told him to," Sirius nodded. "Merlin I hate this house. Let's find that thing and be gone."
They looked through the drawing room and found nothing. Sensei had said it was a locket with an "S" on it and what few objects that were in the room were not even remotely like it.
"Library then," Sirius said. He led the others into the large library and Hermione was immediately enthralled. Potter House had a huge collection, but apparently so did this Black property. Fortunately, her reputation preceded her. "We will take the books," Sirius said. "For today, let's find that object, okay?"
"I guess," Hermione sulked momentarily.
"I think I found it," Harry said almost immediately. Sirius, Remus and the others walks over to a case and saw a locket along with some other objects.
"Don't touch it," Sirius said.
"Wasn't going to," Harry pouted.
Sirius waived his wand over the object and muttered something. After a few seconds, he relaxed. "Okay, this is probably it. It is Dark, much darker than anything else in this room and it does not resonate with Black Family magic, meaning it's not ours. It also is not protected by any curses that I could detect."
Sirius picked up the object with a gloved hand - just in case - and dropped it into a bag.
"That was easy enough," Remus said.
"Sensei did say this was probably the easiest of our tasks this year," Hermione observed.
"Think we should leave," Sirius said. "I really don't want to stick around and reminisce."
"Bad Master!" a voice called from behind. "You is stealing Master Regulus's things! He made Kreacher promise."
The elf looked like he was going to cast magic or something, but never had the chance. Harry, Hermione and Clarice hit him with spell fire first and the Elf was bound in magical ropes.
"What was that?" Remus asked.
"Those ropes contain his magic. Standard O.W.L. level offensive spell for use against opponents capable of wandless attack or defense," Harry explained. "Who stunned him?"
"That would be me," Hermione said. "Suppose we should wake him up?"
"Why bother," Sirius snorted.
"Regulus made Kreacher promise something with regard to that locket," Hermione said. "Sensei never told us how it got here."
"Probably not important at all," Clarice said.
"But aren't you curious?"
"Of course."
"I'll wake him," Harry said. He waived his wand and the elf, still bound, awoke.
"Thieves! Plunders! You will pay!" Kreacher began.
"Kreacher! Silence!," Sirius ordered and the elf went silent. "Should have left him."
"Regulus was your brother, right?" Hermione asked.
Sirius nodded. "Younger brother. He was a year behind me in school. Became a Death Eater before he even finished and died only months after finishing. My Mother was so proud of him. The fool."
"So, how did he come into possession of one of the Horcruxes?" Remus asked. "I doubt Voldemort would entrust it to him. Inner circle, maybe, but not a kid."
Sirius nodded. It did not make much sense.
"Kreacher? Why is this here? How did Regulus come to get it and why is it so important to you?"
Kreacher then began to tell his story. Regulus was the only Black he had liked. Mistress treated him poorly, Sirius was mean to him. Only Regulus cared for him. Naturally, this created a close bond between Kreacher and Regulus, a bond that closed entirely the day Orion Black disowned Sirius. In Kreture's mind, this made Regulus the future Lord Black and his loyalty shifted from Orion to Regulus. His still followed the older Wizard's orders, but only if they did not interfere with or threaten his new Master.
Regulus had indeed become a Death Eater at sixteen after years of pressure from his mother. He never really wanted to be one, but he was not as defiant a son as his older brother. Almost as soon as he took the Mark, he wanted out. What they did to people sickened him. He did not really care about Muggles or Muggle Borns, but what Death Eaters did to them was too horrifying for him. It had to stop. Regulus confided in his only real friend, the lonely House Elf.
Not long after becoming a Death Eater, Regulus was ordered to deliver a House Elf to the Dark Lord for an assignment. Reluctantly, Kreacher was sent. Regulus ordered him to do as he was told, but to observe everything and come home as soon as he could. Kreacher was taken to a cave protected by powerful enchantments, but none that were beyond the ability of the elf. He was ordered to drink a horrible potion that tortured his very soul. The Dark Lord then left the object in the basin that had held the vile potion and left Kreture there to die.
But Kreacher followed his Master's orders and came home. It took weeks for Regulus to nurse the poor elf back to some form of health. He then questioned Kreacher at length about what had happened. Voldemort was not know to be tight lipped, particularly around lowly creatures or people who he was about to kill. He had told Kreacher enough that would allow Regulus to figure out what was going on. Regulus learned the object had to be a Horcrux and that it had to be destroyed if the Dark Lord were ever to be defeated.
Kreacher took him to the cave. He ordered Kreacher to feed him the potions and retrieve the locket. Nothing else was as important. He had giving the elf a fake that would replace the real one in the basin. He told the elf that if anything was to happen to him, to take the locket home and destroy it. It was the theft that cost Regulus is life. He was in a delirium when Kreacher was switching the lockets and fell into the lake in the cave. Vile things took him and drowned him. Kreacher, however, followed his Master's final instructions and returned home with the real locket. He tried everything he could to destroy it to no avail, but he would never give up trying. It was his mission in life. Nor would he let anyone steal it. It belonged to his Master.
"Kreacher," Sirius said, "you have kept your promise to my brother as a good elf should, but you have borne this burden long enough. I will take this someplace safe, for it is not safe here. In time, it will be destroyed as Regulus commanded. I promise you."
"Yes, Master Sirius. It must be destroyed. For Regulus."
"It will be. I am proud of you and of him. When I release you, I want you to clean this place up, top to bottom. I shall return soon to check on things. If your work is to my liking, this may become a home again. Understand?"
"Yes Master Sirius."
"And my former orders stand. My mother's portrait and that damned tapestry are to be removed and burned. Far to long have they cast a shadow over this house."
"Yes Master Sirius. It will be done."
"We will be going now so you can be about your work." He pointed his wand at the elf and muttered again. Nothing happened. He looked at Harry.
"Finite will not work on those," Harry shrugged. They will release when the time is up. 'Bout twenty minutes I guess."
Sirius nodded. These kids were full of surprises. "Right then, one more stop then home for supper."
_____________________________________________________________
"I don't like this Padfoot," Remus said as the five of them walked down a long, wooded road. "How can you be sure Harry and the others are safe?"
"Perhaps because I found a book that describes the Wards in detail," Sirius said.
"Enlighten me, then as I seemed to miss that in class."
"Oh, blood wards or family wards are fascinating. Most complex wards there are, which is why they are, rare, illegal and damned hard to get started. But once they do - wow."
"Padfoot! We are walking into a potential lion's den. How can you be so sure? This could go so wrong!"
"While there are many aspects to the wards that are amazing, the reason I know Harry and Clarice are safe is because of the component that protects their secrecy. Nothing really like it out there, although it is somewhat similar to the Fidelius Charm and the Confundus rolled into one. For example, like the Fidelius there is a person that acts as a Secret Keeper - or in this case two."
"Who?"
"Harry and Clarice. They are the only ones that can reveal their true selves to anyone and even then, if that person is neither trusted, nor trust worthy, the Secret remains safe."
"And how, pray tell does it remain safe? I know Sensei said it is as if everyone forgot but…"
"Harry Potter is in danger for three reasons," Sirius said. "First, he's a Founders Heir. We know Voldie was trying to off them all. Second, he's the Boy-Who-Lived who every Death Eater out there would love to kill. Finally, Dumbledore's plans are based upon that damned prophecy which he believes means he needs the lad to become some kind of Martyr. The Confundus aspect means that you can either know who he is or why he is important, but not both at the same time. Harry being the scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter does not put a target on his back. As that Harry Potter he's no more important that any other potential Noble. Harry being the Boy-Who-Lived does make his a target. Unless you are in on the Secret, you can meet Harry Potter, but not the Boy-Who-Lived."
"What about their friends from school? Surely they know."
"I can't say if they do or if they don't. You've seen Harry, though. He doesn't think much about why he's famous so I'd be surprised if he said anything and I know Clarice and Hermione could care less about that. Besides, if they came within two thousand miles of Harry's home, the charm will affect them."
"Two thousand?"
Sirius nodded. "Give or take five hundred."
"And David Greengrass? Mike Evans?" Remus asked.
"David only knows when he's actively working the file. He's not a threat to Harry or Clarice, but as soon as he moves on to another case, Harry and Clarice become his daughters' new friends and are no longer persons of interest to Her Majesty's Government. Mike is a Muggle. It does not affect him just as it does not affect young children."
"And Dumbledore? He has a pensieve, you know."
"And if he were reviewing the right memories, he would remember everything. As soon as he pulled out, it's all lost again."
"And this will last how long?"
"'Til he enters Hogwarts for certain," Sirius said.
"Why then?"
"He's a Founders Heir," Sirius said. "That won't be common knowledge as it was not before. But as the Heir, the Cunfundus will lift somewhat."
"Somewhat?"
"He will again be The-Boy-Who-Lived."
"You're confident about this?"
"As confident as always."
"And that's what has me worried, Sirius. You never were cautious and this stunt reeks of recklessness."
"This is no stunt, Remus. My Head of House requested this meeting. You know I cannot avoid it."
"Could have left Harry behind."
"He was requested. Grandfather might not know Harry is the Boy-Who-Lived, but he does know that Harry is my Godson and part of the clan. I admit I don't know what he wants, but I doubt it's to snuff the lad."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Blacks prefer plausible deniability when we off family," Sirius said. "My Mother may have been an exception. But most of us thought she was a nutter. If this is a murder plot - well we would not be here. And here we are."
They now stopped before a huge Manor House.
"Where are we?" Harry asked.
"Black Manor. Lord Black requested a meeting and as the Heir Apparent, I cannot refuse. Don't worry, Harry. Gramps can be a bit stiff, but I am sure this is going to be okay."
"Kay," Harry said in a small voice.
_____________________________________________________________
They entered what had to be the largest house Harry had ever seen. It was even larger than the Potter House in London, although no one could really see more than a single door and window on that house from the street. Harry knew it was magical expanded to its true interior size. This house, on the other hand, did not need magic to be huge on the inside.
They were lead up a wide flight of stairs by a House Elf named Ignus and along a long, wood paneled corridor to a tall, carved wooded door. Ignus knocked and a deep voice called them to enter.
"Please come in," the voice said and they entered a huge office or study. An old man was seated in a wingback chair with a pipe in his mouth. He was wearing what had once been called a smoking jacket. His face gave on the impression of someone who could be both stern and pleasant, perhaps both at the same time.
"Ah Sirius," the old man said. "It is good to see you again. I feared I would pass from this world with one of the few descendants of mine I could stand still rotting in Azkaban for a crime I believed he could not have committed."
"Thank you, Grandfather," Sirius said honestly.
"This was to be a family meeting, Sirius. I see you've brought guests?"
Sirius nodded. "Remus Lupin is my best friend and the closest thing I had to a brother for years, Grandfather."
"I would not have objected, Sirius. I know you two and James Potter were close and anything we say here would probably be duly reported to your close friend. I am surprised, however at the children. Care to explain?"
"My godson and goddaughter…" Sirius began.
"Pardon me Sirius, but that's impossible," the old man said. "I may be old and there are many who would argue I'm senile…"
"And they would be fools," Sirius said.
"Indeed. But I do recall now that your Godson is dead. Did I miss a copy of the Daily Prophet?"
"You did not."
The old man thought for a long moment before gasping. "Blood wards?"
Sirius nodded.
"Illegal."
"Quite," Sirius agreed.
"Yet apparently quite effective. Ancient magic that. So I can assume that anything I learn here today regarding the children, I will promptly forget when you leave?"
Sirius nodded. "At least for the foreseeable future, Grandfather."
"I take it the young lad with you is our dear Cousin and your Godson Harry?"
"It is indeed, Grandfather."
"And the young lady with the matching hair is his sister Clarice?"
"Yes."
"And who it this other charming young lady?"
"Their friend Hermione Granger," Sirius said. "They live with Hermione's folks."
"Magical?"
"Hermione is, yes Grandfather."
"I take it from your careful phrasing that the parents are not?"
"Hermione is an orphan, Grandfather. She was adopted as a baby by a muggle couple that knows of our world."
"Do we know her heritage?"
"Indeed. She is from an ancient line."
"But not necessarily Pureblood?"
"Half."
"Good to hear. Keeps magic strong marrying into newer magic every few generations or so. You do know if it were up to me Pureblood marriages would be the exception not the rule."
"You've told me that for as long as I can remember."
"Pity I could not put my beliefs into practice. Oh sure, there were exceptions who did not follow the wrong path. Too few, if you ask me.
"Right then children. I am Lord Arcturus Black, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Black and Sirius's Grandfather. Sirius is fortunately once again the Heir Apparent and will take my place as head of this house when I pass on, which I regret will be sooner rather than later."
"Grandfather?"
"You needn't worry about me expiring here and now, Sirius. I'm eighty-seven. Old? True. Hardly over the hill, although there are many who think so."
"You always played a delicate political game, Grandfather."
"What my Grandson is saying," Lord Black said to the children, "is I never took a stand on anything. Really was not into the machinations of the political arena, but as I have an ancestral seat in the Wizengamot, I am expected to make an appearance. Then again, my lack of a public political agenda may explain why I am the longest lived Black in the last five generations."
'Why's that?" Harry asked.
"The House of Black has had issues, young Harry," Lord Black said. "We were split in two during the last War. Sirius fought on one side, his younger brother on the other. War tends to shorten life. However the War was a recent thing. Lord Black has an unfortunate tendency to die from unnatural causes. My father was poisoned by a rival. My grandfather was gunned down in Diagon Alley by a Muggle for taking liberties with the man's daughter at Hogwarts. The story for many of my predecessors is depressingly similar. I have managed to live to a ripe age by not rocking any boats. But I asked Sirius here today to talk of the future of this House.
"So, young Master Potter is living with Muggles?" The question was directed to Sirius.
"He is and has been for most of his life, Grandfather."
"And his magical training?"
Sirius told his Grandfather about the Watanabe school.
"I see. And you? Where do you fit in?"
"I am their magical minder. The Grangers have jobs, so I keep an eye on them during the day for now. I am considering certain possibilities, but the Healers have told me to wait about six months before…"
"Ah," Lord Black said. "Yes, Azkaban. You must know how disappointed I was to believe that you were…"
"I was never a Death Eater, Grandfather," Sirius said baring his left arm. "And you never tried to…"
"Given the sheer number of Death Eaters who disgraced this House, what was I to think? Your own brother! With the exception of your Cousin Andy, it seemed all the others either were, were married to one or went out of their way to finance them! I was shocked to believe you were one, given that you're the only Black in generations who saw fit not to get sorted into that den of evil known as Slytherin House. There are only a handful of us who survived that House without leaning towards the Dark.
"Besides, I did inquire! Crouch said the proof was incontrovertible! They had a confession and he said you were marked!"
Sirius nodded. "I figured you would have inquired. I also figured you would not have spent a knut trying to buy my way out."
"You know I never condoned that, Sirius."
Sirius nodded. "And you had to keep a low profile."
"Indeed. And even then it was not low enough."
"Excuse me?"
"Lucius Malfoy has made certain - er - efforts to secure his demon spawn son the position of the next Lord Black."
"A Death Eater? Surely you would not allow that!"
"When you were incarcerated, I named Harry as Heir Apparent. I will not let the family fortune or title fall to a French usurper who's not descended from the male line! Harry, of course, is from a most Ancient House. And his Great-grandmother Cousin Dorea was one of the few Blacks who did not go bad. Malfoy is as bad as they come and would ruin this House were he to get his hands on it."
"Inner circle," Sirius agreed. "He avoided Azkaban."
"At a cost. He covets this House because it is wealthy and appeared vulnerable. He squandered most of his family wealth avoiding prison. And we both know the frog wants a seat on the Wizengamot. Merlin forbid a foreigner!"
"With relatives in key places in the French magical government," Sirius agreed. "at least there were a few years back."
"Still are. The albino would probably consult with his relations regarding any important votes…"
"Giving the French and important and powerful voice in our own affairs."
"You can see my dilemma at the time. Regulus was dead. You were an accused Death Eater rotting in prison. There were only two males in House Black who could succeed me. Harry and the son of a spy. I would not have this House handed over to a Death Eater and a foreign power, so I named Harry your successor. For good measure, should that be challenged by Malfoy, his wife and child will be disowned and cast out."
"Pity," Sirius said. "I liked Cissy once. Why she married…"
"She saw what happened to Andy, Sirius. I never ratified the disowning of her. She is one who is not a blemish on the House. I have offered Cissy an annulment, but the poor girl has rebuked me."
"So what family issues do you wish to discuss Grandfather? You already seem to have made Harry a designated successor. Not that I wanted to be Head of House."
"Are you seeing anyone, Sirius?"
Sirius nodded.
"Is this serious or another one of your indulgences?"
"I am Sirius," Sirius replied with a smirk, "and I hope this is the one, Grandfather."
"Good. A chance for a pure heir…"
"She's a Muggle Born, Grandfather."
"I did not mean Pureblood, you cad! I meant avoiding the violence over a struggle for succession between Malfoy and the closer relations! I have barely been able to leave this Estate these past few years. Malfoy cannot get me here, but it seems he or his allies try whenever I leave! For the good of this House and Country, he must not be in a position to name or challenge my successor."
"And the fact that should I have a son, he will not be a Pureblood does not bother you, Grandfather?"
"Unlike your father, my father grandfather and others before me, I know what our family motto originally meant, Sirius. It's here in the House Library. Tujours Pur was not a blood status thing. It originally meant Pure of Heart! I need not tell you the number of Blacks that real motto has applied to in the last two hundred years can probably be counted on two hands with fingers to spare! I will not allow this House to fall completely within the control of the Enemy's former fellow travelers!"
"And what is it you want from me, Grandfather? Not that I don't enjoy your jaded view of our family and it's petty if lethal squabbles."
"Before you arrived today, I was going to recommend you take our House Seat in the Wizengamot."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Oh joy," he said sarcastically. "I would so love that."
"You're hatred for Pureblood politics is precisely why I want you there. Now, you do not have to attend every session. Many not many at all. Vote as you see fit. Although I will remind you of votes that could have an adverse impact on our finances."
"Heaven forbid we vote our way out of a fortune," Sirius grumbled.
"I was also going to strongly suggest you take a wife. There are thirty-two open contracts for marriage that have not been withdrawn…"
"Not interested, Grandfather. Already got a girl for now."
"But she's not yet your wife, Sirius."
"Emphasis on 'not yet.' Bloody hell, Grandfather. Thirty-two? I was an all but convicted murderer stuck in Azkaban for who knows how long and I still have thirty-two?"
"Arguably none of them are the pick of any litter."
"More like they couldn't get laid in a Navy port."
"Laid?" Harry asked.
"Grown-up term, Harry," Sirius said.
"For what?"
"For something we'll talk about some years for now."
"Oh."
"Right, Grandfather. Like I'll accept those if for some reason no real woman will have me. Now you said something about Harry?"
"Indeed. I designated him as my successor and heir in the event of my death some time ago. That was, of course, before everyone believed he went off into the great unknown ahead of me. I would like that designation to stand, Sirius. Just in case."
Sirius nodded.
"In fact, I think it might be best to divide the Black money from the Black politics."
"In what way, Grandfather?"
"Should you have a Son, and I pray you do Sirius, he will inherit the Estate. But the titles and political stuff? Split them. Name Harry as the next Heir Apparent. As the next Lord Potter, he is in no need for money. As Lord Potter, our House political intrigues would not affect him…"
"You don't think Malfoy would have a go at him?"
"I do not."
"Why not?"
"Even Malfoy is not stupid enough to attack the Head of another House. He can come at me without raising the ire of law enforcement. But to attack an unaffiliated House? He knows he would lose everything and then his life, even if he succeeded and that git is too selfish to risk his effete little neck in a Blood Feud. And our money without the political backing is not as interesting."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"It was a pleasure meeting the three of you," Lord Black said to the children, effective ending the very strange meeting. "And Sirius?"
"Yes Grandfather?"
"Even though I might not remember these children later, please feel free to bring them round for a visit now and then."
"I'll try, Grandfather."
________________________________________________
The five returned to Potter Manor. Harry left terrible confused by the encounter. But the Horcrux was recovered and now sat safely in the vault in the basement. One down and five more to go.