The Half Blood Prince Revealed

Summary :

Harry's summer before sixth year is no different from the others. Around every corner surprises, good and bad, and adventure of all kind await. And it looks like the gods have finally granted Harry a possibility for a nicer life. What will this mean for his 6th year at Hogwarts ?

General Disclaimer :

I am just playing in the sand of JKRowling's literary produced beach and am attempting to build my own sandcastle for others to enjoy.

07 A Bit of Black History

Mr Black first started by giving Harry a bit of background on the Black family history before explaining about the wards around the Black properties.

"It all started a long time ago when a man who had come into some money decided to build himself a castle as was the habit at the time. It offered protection for himself and his family and they lived there for a long time. As with so many old wizarding families, and indeed a lot of the old royal muggle families today, the entire estate and all the money was always handed down to the eldest male in the family, with the understanding that he be responsible to provide his siblings and other family with allowances.

Black castle is situated way up north and by the time I inherited the estate upon the death of my father I was just 18 and living in the castle with my mother and two younger sisters and a young aunt with her two little children. When the time came for me to get married my wife asked for another residence as she herself was from the south of the country. We found this plot of land and built ourselves a new home. My wife and I moved in and by the time our children started to talk about marriage living in the country was out of fashion so we bought a plot of land in London and built them a house now known to you as 12 Grimmauld Place. We also bought an island in the Pacific and built us a replica of this house as my wife started getting aches and pains and the doctor recommended warmer climates. So in the course of just one generation the family was living all over the country and Grimmauld Place became sort of the centre for all family gatherings.

By the time my 190th birthday came around several generations of my descendants had passed away already and the next heir unfortunately had been raised by his maternal family as his father had fought in the Goblin War and been killed when the boy was very young. As this family had strong Dark connections I decided to protect the estate with the inheritance charm.

After managing the estate for just over 170 years not many people even in the Black family were aware of the true size of the estate. So my scheme worked wonderfully well.

Succession would follow the time-honoured tradition but only a true heir, an honour bestowed to only one worthy of the entire estate, would regain total control. The others would inherit the best-known residence, Grimmauld Place, together with some funds and a few items in the family vault. And they might, to some extent, be given access to the other residences if they were Light at heart. All of them got the result of their 'test' as you have so that no one else was able to read it. It gave each one the option of inviting whom they deemed worthy. In most recent years for instance Sirius' dad never told his wife about this residence and it was where he met with his favourite sister Andromeda and her daughter Nymphadora.

The secret behind this Inheritance Charm is actually the Black family book. It is a self updating book recording the Black family history and family tree and is linked to the tapestry in Grimmauld Place."

Harry had been listening very attentively and some of it was indeed very familiar. History lessons from muggle time schooling had mentioned the succession rights for royals and the rich in bygone days. And he knew about the Island as Sirius had stayed there for some time between his own third and fourth year at Hogwarts.

Mr Black continued explaining about the Book.

"It started out as a simple charmed book recording the happenings within a particular family but for the inheritance charm to work I added a few extras. Among the extras was basically a mind to think for itself."

Harry gasped at this. It sounded familiarly close to Riddle's diary and Mr Weasley's warning to never trust something that has no visible place to store its 'brains' rang loud. When he told the story of Riddle's diary and voiced his concerns Mr Black replied with a smile on his face.

"Your Mr Weasley is indeed correct to warn you but you need not fear this book Harry. You can see where it stores its knowledge albeit in a bit of an unusual place."

Harry's mind went into overdrive and suddenly, as if a missing piece had been provided it all fitted. "You are where it stores its brain, that's why you are so lifelike. That's why the result of my inheritance test was written as if you wrote it because that's actually what happened."

"Indeed Harry. From what you told me Riddle used the diary to feed of its user with an end result of a live 'diary' and dead user. The Black book does something similar but rather than feeding off the current heir it copies his magical strengths and beliefs. That's why the estate is so different from heir to heir.

All the previous heirs had no control whatsoever over the book and thus could not alter the protective charms on the residences. It is why Grimmauld Place did not close down when Sirius inherited. Now however you are in complete control and will be able to alter any set up to the estate, residences and monies. That is why your headmaster and guardian could not enter Grimmauld Place even though Professor Dumbledore is its secret keeper.

I would suggest, Harry, that you take your time in reading the Black book to familiarise yourself with its general workings, and after that I'll help you with your first entries.

From anywhere within the Black residences you can call for the Black Book and it will come to you."

"Just ask for it, sir ?"

"Yes, Harry. It works very much like the Black Box. If unattended it returns to its proper place and it comes when called. The only difference between the two is that others can see and touch the box but not open it, no one but you can even see the book. "

As to Grimmauld Place you have two choices really. You could set the property free so to speak. It will no longer be considered a Black residence and leave the place completely unprotected. Albus could resume being its secret keeper and set up his own set of protective charms.

Alternatively you could create an incantation specifically for Grimmauld Place and give someone else the temporary custody. This warden would be able to grant others the right of entry. But all the usual Black protection would still be in place making it a very safe place. Then when the need to have an Order HQ is no longer required, the custody would be revoked and the house would return to a full Black residence. I think this would be the safest option. It will still repel any unwanted beings to a very high level but at the same time it will be flexible enough for the needs of the Order.

To correctly implement your choice of these two options will take a little time as you'll need to familiarise yourself with the workings of the Book. But fortunately there is a quick solution that can be activated now and when the time comes can easily be incorporated in whatever option you choose.

Do you have any questions so far Harry ?" asked Mr Black.

"I have several, sir, but most can wait. The one question I would like to ask though concerns the house elf at Grimmauld Place. What can be done to him for betraying his master ?"

"Harry, can you elaborate on what happened ?"

So Harry told the story of how Kreacher had tricked him into believing Sirius was indeed at the Ministry, while in reality Kreacher had hurt Buckbeak to make sure Sirius was not in the neighbourhood when Harry was to call and how Kreacher had somehow been able to give some secrets away to Sirius' cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa.

"Well Harry, the first thing you do when you arrive at Grimmauld Place is say "I, Harry James Potter, true heir of Sirius Black, last of the Black, want house elf justice." No matter where Kreacher is, he'll be punished the house elf way. And from what I hear, he'll no longer be able to cause damage to anyone."

The next half hour Mr Black told him how to set Grimmauld Place temporarily free and set it up for whatever choice Harry made for it later. It was now well past midday so Harry and Mr Black went to the kitchen, thinking they'd find the other two men there. But only Blythe was about.

"Something smells very good, Blythe. Will it be much longer before it's ready ?"

"It be ready to serve now Harry"

"Wonderful, I'll just go to the library then. I'm certain the two will be popping their eyes out over some or other book." chuckled Harry, and indeed when he entered the library, Professor Dumbledore was sitting in one easy corner and Remus in the other, both with their heads buried in a large tome. "Gentlemen, lunch is served, and it smells divine." Both men looked up, smiled and reluctantly put the books away. "Not to worry, you have all summer to go through the books. Unfortunately you cannot take them away, but when I'm here you're always welcome to browse to you heart's content." Both men chuckled at that. How well Harry knew them.

After a meal of French fries, a rich dark beef stew and salad on the side with a light fruit-and-cream dessert, the trio said goodbye and left for Grimmauld Place. As per Mr Black's instructions he said in a loud clear voice "I, Harry James Potter, true heir of Sirius Black, last of the Black, want house elf justice."

Mrs Black's portrait in the hallway let out a blood curdling scream and Harry walked that way, thinking to shut the curtains. But when he arrived at the portrait, it was no longer up on the wall, but lay smashed on the ground.

"Well that explains things," Professor Dumbledore said. "It was held up with elven magic."

Harry returned to the Tapestry room and said. "I, Harry James Potter, true heir of the Black, give temporary custody of 12 Grimmauld Place, Black residence in London, England to Professor Albus Dumbledore, Head of the Order of the Phoenix for use as Order Headquarter. It shall be known to them as "Lilly's Haven" and said incantation is the only one to be recognized."

Harry turned to Professor Dumbledore and said to him : "Professor, you'll need to say the names of all order members out loud while in this room and then tell them that there's a password before they can enter. The only way in is for the members to say "Lilly's Haven" and it'll be just like apparition. Even if somebody overheard and tried to follow them they won't get in. For non-magic people, like Mrs Figg, she just has to say it at the front door and it'll open for her. People under polyjuice or invisibility cloaks won't be able to pass over the threshold. Could you maybe test it out with Mrs Weasley. Just to be sure, professor ?"

So Professor Dumbledore was heard to say "Molly Weasley" just before he apparated away. A few minutes later both Mrs Weasley and Professor Dumbledore were standing in the Tapestry room. "It works Albus, so that's good. Now can you tell me when Harry can come to the Burrow ? He really shouldn't be left with those muggle relatives you know."

"Hello Mrs Weasley, don't worry, I left the Dursley's already. And actually, I planned to send you a letter later today, so I'll do it in person now. Sirius left me a nice house in the countryside with lots of wards and safety procedures around. So I wanted to invite Ron, Ginny and the twins, as well as Hermione, Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood over as of this Thursday for the remainder of the summer holidays. Remus will be there too to keep an eye out on things. But I was hoping both you and Mr Weasley would see a way to come out too. Mr Weasley could apparate to work from there no problem, could he not ? You could check with Professor Dumbledore but he will agree that it is very safe there. And Bill, Charlie and Percy are most welcome too. And it will be a bit of a holiday for you, Mrs Weasley as the house comes with a house elf. Unlike Kreacher, Blythe is a very nice and lovely elf." Harry looked pleadingly at Mrs Weasley, knowing full well, she'd have a hard time to say no to him. And Mrs Weasley smiled back at Harry and then turned her attention to Professor Dumbledore and asked him if he was sure about the safety. When he'd said it was better protected than Hogwarts, she said "Very well Harry, we will all come. What do we do to get there ?"

"If you come at 10 am, just keep your hand on your trunk and all just say "Harry's Haven" and you'll arrive in the hall of the house. When Mr Weasley is done for the day, all he needs to do is go to any apparition point and say the same and he'll arrive at the same place. I'm looking forward to this summer, Mrs Weasley, even more so now you'll all be there."

"Oh Harry, don't be surprised by their reactions, I will only tell we're moving out for the summer. That will be a nice surprise for them too. Well I'll better go home before the twins destroy the place. See you all Thursday then." And with a small pop, Mrs Weasley was gone.

Harry, Remus and Professor Dumbledore had a good look round the house now that they were back at Grimmauld Place and Harry was feeling sad that the house hadn't been like this when Sirius had had to stay here last year. Surely his 'confinement' would have been easier to bear ? Indeed all the order members would be mighty surprised the first time they would enter as it looked nothing like before. The ugly umbrella-stand and house elf heads in the hall were gone along with the portrait of Mrs Black. The walls were painted a soft yellow and rather than the threadbare carpet a pale wooden floor was gleaming as if recently polished. All the rooms were no longer recognizable when compared with their state last Christmas. The place now looked anything but gloomy and would make a lovely family home one day.

"What will you do once school starts up, Remus ? Will you be our DADA teacher again ?" asked Harry hopeful while they were inspecting the rooms.

"No Harry, I'll stay here and work for the order, but I'll meet you on your Hogsmead's weekends to warn you against sweets and butterbeer. And I'll come and see the Gryffindor Quidditch games too. And since you now have a home to go to, we could maybe spend Christmas together too."

"That would be lovely, Remus, but I doubt you'll be able to persuade me about the sweets and butterbeer, you know."

When they were back in the tapestry room the three apparated to Hogwarts, and it wasn't until he stood once again in the Headmaster's office, that Harry realized, he had apparated without the aid of an incantation.

"Professor, I app… How did I… ?" Harry stuttered.

"It's simple really, Harry, you didn't think. You believed. You'd done it before so why not now. As muggle raised you have no preconceived ideas of what can and cannot be done with magic. People like Ron and his family have grown up with the notion that apparating is difficult and needs lots of learning when in reality it is not. Just test it. I'll see to it to have your school lists sent out a bit earlier so you can come to Diagon Alley to shop when it's less crowded. Tell your friends they need to say some silly incantation with Diagon Alley in it, and they'll believe it's a real one and they'll apparate. Well maybe not make it too silly or Hermione will catch on, but you'll see it works."

"But we're underage, won't we be in trouble ?"

"Don't worry Harry, I've pulled a few strings and you've all been unobtrusively placed on the "allowed" list. For the handful of times you'll actually apparate this summer it will be all right. Just don't start popping back and forth is all I ask. Now shall I call for Dobby ?" Harry nodded but he'd hardly started when the eager house elf had already appeared.

"You asked for Dobby, Sir Professor Sir ?"

"Yes indeed, Dobby. I have a visitor for you." At this Dobby's eyes opened wide and almost popped when he saw Harry.

"Harry Potter sir, such honour Harry Potter sir to come visit Dobby."

"Dobby, I wanted to ask you something. Is Winky doing OK or would she still prefer to work for a family do you think."

"Winky feel bit better but still likes better to work for family."

"That's good news Dobby. Now would you consider working for my family and me, with pay of course ? To begin with it would just be at the house during the school holidays, and Professor Dumbledore says you can come here during school terms. I now have my own house and it already has a house elf, but she's old and deserves some rest. I would ask Winky to come too to help during the holidays. And when we are at school she could look after Remus. "

"Such honour sir. I accept Harry Potter sir."

"Brilliant Dobby, just one thing, please just call me Harry. And Professor, will you call for Winky now ?"

Winky too appeared quickly and said "You asked for Winky, Sir ?"

"Yes Winky, there is someone here to see you."

"Hello Winky, would you like to work for my family and me ? There will be my friends and me for the summer holidays, and during school term, there will be Remus. There is another elf, but she's old and deserves some rest, so both you and Dobby would be there for the holidays, and during the school term, Dobby comes here."

Big tears were rolling from her eyes by now but she was smiling too, and she nodded her reply.

"Very well, Dobby and Winky. Why don't you come tomorrow at 10 am so you can say goodbye to the other house elves tonight. When you are ready you just need to say "Harry's Haven" and when you arrive, we'll show you around."

Professor Dumbledore then asked Phineas to try his portrait in Grimmauld Place out and added to think Lilly's Haven when he did. He returned feeling very happy to be able to return there. Remus and Harry then made it back to the rooms they stayed at overnight to pick up their luggage and from there returned to Black Manor. Professor Dumbledore was going to key in all the order members at Grimmauld Place and tell them about the new instructions. Harry was going to write out his invitations before going on a quick tour outside and hopefully talking some more with Mr Black. There was much Harry still had to learn about his new home.

Upon their return at Black Manor Harry told Blythe about the arrangements he'd made with the two new house elves who would arrive the next day. Blythe had tears in her eyes. Harry was aghast when she told him she'd been expecting to be beheaded soon. Harry was quick in putting her mind at ease : "But Blythe you are my family now and I would never do that. Just look after the flowers and plants and maybe teach Dobby and Winky about them too, so we can have some at Grimmauld Place. But if you feel a bit tired, just sit down and do nothing. Or just look at the flowers and enjoy them. Now I didn't ask yet where your room is and would there be rooms for Dobby and Winky too ?"

"Rooms, you giving Blythe a rooms ?" The house elf stood on shaking legs. "I sleeps in comfy corner in basement, but a rooms. I never had a rooms."

"We'll see about that Blythe. If I get a room, so do you. Please show me the way to the basement" And Blythe led him to a door in the kitchen. Harry started getting ideas it would maybe be like the classrooms in the dungeons of Hogwarts, but in fact it looked remarkably like the kitchen room above. Only the temperature was much cooler, as was best in a cellar. To his right, he saw three small doors, the right height for house elves, and he asked Blythe what they were.

To his astonishment, she answered "I know not, they is new Harry", wonder and anticipation clear in her voice. So Harry, slowly catching on this was a magical house after all, said "Well Blythe, pick any door, think what you would love for your room and open it. That will be your room."

And Blythe opened the door to find a four-poster bed, house elf size, with mosquito net like hangings and the walls covered with all kinds of painted flowers. The one window had a view of the forest and the floor was covered in grass and just like in the kitchen above, it was really warm in the room.

Author's Note :

Thanks for reading. Would love some feedback from you though.

If you enjoyed this (and previous) chapter(s), you might be interested to know the story is a few chapters further along on my yahoo group (for link see profile page).

Have a nice weekend all.

kadedeetje