GENERAL DISCLAIMERS:
I do not own the Harry Potter universe nor anything related to the Harry Potter universe. If I did, I do not think that I would be struggling to pay off college now nor would I be working two jobs. Any resemblance to ideas, names, thoughts, theories or situations in another story written on any fanfiction site is purely coincidental.
As this is a work of FANFICTION, I lay no claim to the benefits, fame or monetary compensation owed to Warner Brothers, and JK Rowling.
This is an alternative universe (AU) writing. I understand that the portrayal of characters that I offer up for your reading is not cannon. I humbly ask that you keep that in mind when you are reading my work.
I would also like to state that this is an answer to a challenge put on by the last of the pendragons at FFN.
Chapter 11
Harry Potter and the Lords Lament
Grimmauld Place
Black Family Library
Sirius and Andromeda sat in the Library watching over a transcription quill as it made copies of the books on the last shelf in the room. As the books passed each of the Black cousins they cast a series of spells designed to harm and persuade any and all that opened the books. They were counting on Dumbledore's need to control knowledge for him to be the one to break the charms on the library. Their last step was to casually mention the secret tomes that were kept in here while they were downstairs, hopefully Snape would carry the information back to both of his masters. Sirius placed an additional charm on most of the books; the wording of spells and potions contained a few lines or words of nonsense. Every tome they thought was ancient and full of dark magic was now full of nonsense. The books to be left behind were worthless.
Once the pair had finished copying, shrinking, and storing everything in the Library in a large steamer trunk, they would change rooms in the house. Andromeda conjured dishes and decorations to replace the priceless family artifacts that she had shrunk and placed in a trunk compartment. Purposefully, none of her conjurations looked the same as their original. In the place of the family crest was an emblem containing a fried chicken and a black hat. She covered the dining room, both parlors and the kitchen during a brief period where the whole house was empty. Sirius went from bedroom to bedroom in the upper floors removing anything that the previous occupants had left behind. Everything was copied and then the originals were floated down to Andromeda to store in the trunk. At last the pair stood before the passageway to the heart of the house, the ritual room where the ward stones were kept, along with the smaller passage to the Black Crypt.
"We can't remove any of the objects because of the enchantments." Andromeda said, her eyes travelling the cases and shelves in the room.
"I know. But, what can we do?" Sirius rubbed his chin.
"Let's ward and spell the room from the inside out. Start in the crypt and work our way back to this spot." Andromeda suggested, waving her hands around.
"Sounds good." Sirius pressed his hand against the wall. "Remember, no magic near the stones."
Andromeda nodded, her father saying the same thing echoed in her head. When they had turned seven the Patriarch would drag them from the safety of their beds into the ritual room. He would take a dagger and cut their palms in an x, letting the blood flow onto the ground and into a vial. As Black blood flows, this child renews their oath to protect and serve the House of Black. May they join the generations of the faithful, completing their tasks before joining the beloved in the Black Crypt. Andromeda had never thought about the words her Uncle had spoken that night. As she walked through the ritual room toward the door to the crypt she noticed that the black spot on the floor seemed to be too light to have been the place where generations of Blacks spilled their own blood.
"Sirius, something is wrong." He turned to look at her. "The stain on the floor should be darker and larger than it is. I wonder…" She was cut off by a guttural growl coming from deep within the crypt. Without thinking Andromeda pulled Sirius toward the cabinet in the corner where the family had kept the ritual objects. She pulled a dagger from the drawer and handed it to Sirius. "You never claimed the Family Seat. Do it Sirius."
Sirius walked to the center of the room, his hands shaking as he held the dagger. "I, Sirius Orion, do hereby claim the title of Patriarch of House Black. " He ran the blade over the faint lines on his hand, letting blood drip from his hand to the floor. "As Black blood flows, I renew my oath to protect and serve the House of Black. May I join the generations of the faithful, completing my tasks before joining the beloved in the Black Crypt. May I protect this House from a darkness that seeks to destroy us." Andromeda watched as a ring of fire rose around the room, the howling in the crypt stopped before a black light flared out of the center of the room. When she could see again Sirius looked like he had never spent a day in Azkaban.
"Sirius, are you okay?" Andromeda asked, blinking to clear the spots from her eyes.
"Andromeda Black Tonks, you have not done right by your daughter. You have provided neither a daughter nor a son to the House of Black." Sirius said before shaking his head. "Daughter Andromeda, I deny your dismissal from the family. You are hereby reinstated. This reinstatement also applies to any and all children you may have had while you were dismissed from the family. House Black has spoken, so mote it be."
"So mote it be." She whispered.
"Sorry Dromi, the House had a demand of you." Sirius hung his head.
"It's alright. Lord Black, I will fulfill my oath. I will bring my Nymphadora to you." She said formally. As she spoke the black light from earlier filled the room once more.
The cousins walked away from the ritual room toward the crypt. As they passed a blank wall the image rippled and a case was revealed. Sirius pulled the glass door from the case and was stunned to see small copper plates with the names of generations of Blacks written on them. Below each plaque was a round hole with a wax-capped vial in it.
"Well now we know where he put those vials he collected when we were seven." Andromeda joked, trying to put a smile on her cousin's face.
"Not really. The blood is taken at birth, ages seven, eleven, and seventeen. Most members of the family renew their oaths once they finish their masteries, get married, and have children and then the Patriarch takes the last vial when you are on your death bed. This case holds the collective blood memories of every Black that has ever walked the face of the earth."
"Blood memories?" She questioned, wracking her brain for information.
"It's a blood magic rite that was outlawed by the Ministry two centuries ago. Basically, our family history is not maintained in the books we copied from the library. It is down here, in the blood of our ancestors. Say you wanted to know what the potion masters of the family had accomplished, or what spells some of the crafters created but never published. A drop of their blood mixed with wine and drunk would pass on their talents to you, for a brief time. Normally long enough for you to write most of it down. To mix it with you blood in the ritual room would pass their talents on to you completely. You would have it for the rest of your life. Blood to Blood."
"That is a little creepy." Andromeda said, eyeing some of the vials. "Let's get a move on. I want to make it to see Nym before dinner."
"I agree." Sirius nodded.
They continued on down the passage past the tombs of their stasis kept relatives. At the end of the tunnel they saw that someone had been down there removing some of the bodies from their tombs, cremating their remains and then placing the sealed jars of remains in the alcoves along the walls. The oldest body that remained was from the sixteen hundreds and each alcove held twenty five jars with copper plaques bearing the name, occupation, and birth and death date of the occupant. Against the back wall was a single, immaculate, green and black marble tomb. Jet Arsenis Black, the first Patriarch of House Black. Above his tomb was a scroll, most of it taken up by an ornate coat of arms, but beneath it was a description of the first patriarch that caught Andromeda's eye.
"Jet Arsenis Black, commander of the forces of the raven, raised in the Keep of Anasirone, fostered as birth brother to the heir. Rode into battle against the enemies of Anasirone numerous times, Patriarch of Anasirone petitioned the Roman government for the family to be risen to noble status. Took many mistresses from the willing women of Anasirone. Oath-bound to aide the Clan Potter in anyway the clan requires." Andromeda translated the Latin as she spoke.
"We need to talk to Harry as soon as possible." Sirius cast as many protection and warding spells as he could over the crypt as they walked backward toward the ritual room. Once they had reached the ritual room again they sealed the door leading into the main house, covered it in layers of wards, illusions and spells before turning and heading to the entry hall. "Kreature." The old house-elf popped into the room. "Take this trunk. We are moving the household to the Keep of Anasirone. We have copied everything in the house and the originals are in the trunk. Collect anything you fear we may have forgotten." Kreature nodded, grabbed the trunk and disappeared. The pair stood silently in the center of the hallway for a minute before they too disappeared.
Aldo's Ristorante
Mason Street, London
Just before noon
Harry sat, nervous, in a small Italian restaurant, waiting for his Uncle to arrive. As it neared the agreed upon time two men in black entered and were ushered back to him by the Maitre' D. Without a word to him both of the men stood behind his booth. A few more minutes passed three men entered, two dressed in black and a tall red haired man with green eyes. Harry stood and offered the approaching man a small bow.
"Good afternoon Harrison."
"Baron Davenport." answered Harry as he rose from his bow.
"Have you ordered?" Jackson Davenport motioned for Harry to sit.
"No sir, waiting for you." Harry fidgeted with the napkin on his lap.
"Too nervous to eat yet?" Harry grinned, but said nothing. "Well I hear the food here is delicious." Baron Davenport waved a waiter over. "Two specials and a glass of Chablis for me, and…" He paused and looked at Harry.
"Ice water with lemon wedge, please."
"So, you are Lilith's son. Did your mother tell you anything about our relationship before she died?" Harry felt that his uncle was testing him. Trying to make sure it was the right person.
"She left me letters and a diary when she died. If she had spoken anything of you I was too young to remember it now."
"How long have you been living in Surrey?"
Someone has been doing their research. Alexian commented.
Glad to see you make an appearance. Harry retorted.
"Since All Saints Day the year I turned one. Roughly fourteen years." Harry said, pausing to get his thoughts together. "I just recently moved to my father's family home."
"Harrison, I want you to know that we tried very hard, for a long time to find your mother. Both when she was taken and again when she stopped returning my letters. I cannot put my family through more pain. I need to prove, beyond all doubt, that you are Lilith's son and are my nephew."
"I understand. What do you need me to do?"
"I would like to run a few blood tests, just to test your DNA to Lilith's and mine."
"Seems reasonable." Harry sipped his water. "When would you like to do these blood tests?"
"My family is due to visit with the Queen at the first of the year. I would like to be able to present you to her at that time. So as soon as possible."
Harry nodded and reached for a small planner that he kept in his pocket. "I have exactly two weeks until I need to prepare to return to school. My only real free afternoon is today. Are we able to accomplish this in one afternoon?"
"Today is fine. We can have the blood drawn and run. The tests should take no more than three weeks to get the results back. I'm having a private lab run them."
Their lunch came and went, with conversation about the family that remained. Baron Davenport spoke of his wife, three daughters and two sons. He told stories about his father, the Duke Seneson, and how he was barely holding on. Harry delighted him with stories from school, little things that had happened this summer that made his home life not look so bad. They left the little restaurant in Baron Davenport's limo and took a small drive to a nondescript building. At the third floor they got out of the elevator and entered a private clinic. Fifteen minutes later the tech was bidding them good day and promising that they would have the results soon. Harry parted ways with his uncle, knowing that the older man would get in contact with him as soon as the results came back. As his uncle was walking toward the limo his cell phone rang. Harry could not hear the whispered conversation but his uncle turned back toward him.
"Harrison, it seems that I am in need of you assistance this fine day."
"What can I do for you?"
"My wife just rang to say that our oldest daughter Amber has received a letter to Hogwarts. Please accompany me home to explain things to my wife." The Baron looked unsure of himself.
"Of course. Let me collect a friend who will be able to help me explain things better." His uncle nodded and Harry smiled. "Dobby." The small elf appeared. "Will you please collect both Miss Tonks and Miss Granger and bring them to my location when I call for you again?"
"Of course, Mister Harry Potter sir." Dobby disappeared quickly. Baron Davenport was stunned, silent. He ushered Harry toward the limo and they sped off to a large house in the Belgravia district of London. Harry was stunned at the size of the Georgian mansions, or at least what he could see past the high gates along the street. They entered a gate and pulled to a stop in front of a stark white mansion, three stories tall with a wraparound porch and six large columns supporting the roof.
"Dobby. Please bring the girls to me." Harry said, confusing his uncle once more. The elf appeared with two young women holding his hands. "Baron Davenport, I would like to present to you Auror Nym Black Tonks, my guardian until I am of age, and Miss Hermione Granger, a classmate of mine from the school you mentioned." Baron Davenport gave each of the ladies a bow. "Ladies, this is Baron Davenport, son of Duke Seneson, probably my uncle, and the father of a new witch."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Baron Davenport." Tonks said, smoothing out her hair. Hermione introduced herself and the Baron led them inside.
"Darling, I'm home." The Baron called up the stairs.
"Have you heard anything about this…" A tall woman with blonde hair turned the corner and trailed off as she saw that her husband had brought home company. "I need to speak to you about Amber."
"It's alright Darling. This is Harrison James, Hermione Granger and Nym Tonks. They are here to help."
"I think she is going to faint, sir." Tonks said, watching as Judith Davenport swayed on her feet. Jackson sprang toward his wife and caught her as she fainted. "We should probably sit down." The Baron led them all into a small parlor. "Ennervate." Judith Davenport awoke.
"This is a conversation that Amber should be a part of." Hermione said remembering Professor McGonagall having this conversation with her parents. A tiny pale girl of eleven with a tight French braid extending to her midback, skidded into the room with a happy smile on her face. The little girl settled between her parents on the sofa.
"Hello Amber." Harry kneeled in front of her. "My name is Harrison, but you can call me Harry."
"Hi Harry." She blushed a light pink and looked away.
"I hear you got an odd letter today. One that your Mum thinks is a joke."
"Mummy took it from me. She said it was a silly joke." Amber scuffed her foot on the ground.
"Can I tell you a secret?" She nodded, a smile on her face. "It wasn't a joke. Amber, you are a witch. An honest to God, spell casting, magic using witch." Amber's blue eyes lit up.
"Really."
"I do not believe that you should be filling her head with lies, Mister…"
"Potter Ma'am. Lord Harrison James Potter of the Keep at Anasirone." Harry bowed to his aunt and turned to his uncle.
"Baron Davenport, if you needed any other truth to my statement earlier, Magic tends to run in families. It is just beginning in yours. Say your sister had magic; her children had it as well. It is not hard to believe that one of your own children would show the gene as well."
"Judith, this is Harry, my nephew." Baron Davenport said, staring at his wife. "He is the son of Lilith, my kidnapped sister."
"But… but… I'm so confused." Judith rubbed her hand across her forehead, trying to ease the blossoming headache.
"Mrs. Davenport, lets handle the situation that we came here for." Tonks spoke up.
"Amber has been offered a space at the highly selective, pretty decent, magic school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Hermione added.
"Auror Tonks has graduated recently from Hogwarts, while Hermione and I are current students." Harry said with a smile at his little cousin.
"Can you show me some magic, Harry?" his Aunt Judith asked.
"Of course." Harry released his wand from the guard on his wrist and gave it a wave. "Avis." A small flock of blue birds filled the room before they dissipated. "Hmmm… not impressed…" Harry thought for a few minutes. "Hermione, your specialty please." He snagged an empty vase off of the table and handed it to her.
Hermione stared at the vase for a second before smiling. "Of course. That should help." She waved her wand and muttered the spell for her bluebell flames, sending a stream of them into the vase.
"That is so cool. Mummy, did you see that?" Amber's eyes were wide in amazement.
"Will Amber be able to do that? Shoot fire out of a stick... Umm… wand?"
"That and many more spells. Amber will receive a good education in all things magical at a boarding school nine months out of the year. Although, I do suggest having tutors here during the summer months will keep her to the educational standards of the Muggle World."
"Will she not be prepared to take her GCSEs when she graduates from Hogwarts?" Jackson asked, trying to remember all that Lilith had said about her boarding school.
"The Magical World is under the impression that once you enter you would never want to return to you Muggle roots. They have no training available in Muggle coursework, they do not report to the Department of Education. There is a laughable course called Muggle Studies, which expresses the wizards' views on muggle society." Nym answered.
"Oh." Judith paused, thinking over the facts they had been given. "Amber, do you want to go to Hogwarts?"
"Will Harry be there?" Amber looked at him shyly.
"Yes little cousin, Hermione and I will both be there." Harry answered with a smile.
"Then I want to go." Amber grinned and dashed out of the room. "I have to tell Tim and Ari." She was gone in a matter of seconds.
Harry met the rest of his cousins and they talked of magic. The Davenports questioned how David did not have magic but his younger sister did. Once they were satisfied with the answer Hermione and Nym questioned them about any magic the younger children may have done. Harry offered to escort Amber and Judith around Diagon Alley to get her school supplies. They decided on the following Thursday and that Nym would accompany them as well for security. The Davenports security team was asked to complete files on each of the three magicals in the room so that they would be allowed access to the property. Harry bid his Aunt and Uncle good night as he called for Dobby and they were whisked away.
Keep of Anasirone
Main Dining Room
Sirius and Andromeda appeared in entry hall just as Dobby brought Harry, Hermione and Tonks back from the Davenport's house. As a group they retreated to the dining room at the insistence of three very eager houseelves. Kiley wandered in a few minutes later, a small smile on her face. Dinner was served and plans were made for the following day's activities. After dinner, Sirius and Andromeda pulled Harry into his office.
"Harrison of Anasirone, House Black requests permission to reside within your walls. We believe that our house has come under attack from a lesser house and we are unable to defend ourselves due to our small numbers."
The House of Black is a vassal family to House Potter, since the ancient times. That is why your grandfather allowed Sirius to live here.
What am I supposed to say to that?
If you want to welcome them to the Keep you must say so. If you want to offer them a place in town you must say that. This will extend to any Black that House Black recognizes. You can place restrictions on the welcome though. Normally one would say that as long as none betray all are welcome.
So that would include anyone married to a Black or their progeny?
Yes. So be careful.
"House of Potter welcomes House of Black into the Keep of Anasirone. We wish you peace and safety within our walls, so long as none have a traitor's heart." Light flared and Harry felt the wards around him shift just a bit as to extend themselves to cover the Blacks. "How soon until you would like to move here?"
"Harry, we've emptied the Black House. Dobby and Kreature have brought everything here in storage trunks." Andromeda started.
"Where have the Weasley twins moved to?" Harry asked.
"They are remaining at the house until school starts. After that they will be Hogwarts bound with the rest of you." Sirius said. "How is your training going? Are you ready to be the young noble that your classmates will expect now?"
"I think so. Lady Denissen has been drilling Kiley and I every chance she gets. She seems dead set against us embarrassing her when we get to Hogwarts."
"Is Kiley ready to be thrown into Hogwarts?" Andromeda asked.
"As far as I can tell she is fine. It will be an adjustment but she should do fine." Harry starred off into space before continuing. "My cousin will also be attending this year."
"Dudley?" Andromeda asked.
"No Amber, daughter of my uncle."
"Dudley has a sister?"
"No. My mom was adopted by Aunt Petunia's parents. Her real brother and I have made contact. He has at least one child that is magical. I think all but his oldest is."
"I didn't know Lily was adopted." Sirius searched his memory for Lily ever telling him that.
"She found out after she left Hogwarts, when she and Moony applied to take the GCSEs and the IB exams. She died before she could get everything finalized. Uncle Jackson is Baron Davenport in his own right and the heir apparent to Duke Seneson."
It was late into the night when they finished talking and Sirius was escorted up to his room by one of the houseelves. Harry walked Andromeda to the entry hall so she could floo home. Harry finally made it to his room and sunk into bed around midnight.
Atrium
Ministry of Magic
"Minister… Minister… Do you have any comments on the rumor that you are appointing Hogwart's Defense professor for the upcoming year?" A reporter from the Daily Prophet cornered Minister Fudge as he entered the Ministry of Magic on Wednesday morning.
Minister Fudge squared his shoulders and turned toward the reporter. "As it has recently come to my attention that Hogwarts School has been unable to find a suitable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the coming school year I am apt to aide in their search. Any and all witches and wizards that believe they are qualified for the teaching position should be here, at the Ministry, tomorrow afternoon. We will be interviewing and making our decision after five pm." With that the minister turned and left the atrium as fast as he could.
Conservatory
Keep of Anasirone
Harry sat on one of the benches as his guests began to arrive. It was his turn to host the weekly get together. He was anxious for a reason that was mostly lost on him. Hermione was fluttering around between Kiley's and her suites. They were trying on different outfits and throwing things. Harry had walked away from Kiley's room when the first pair of sandals hit the wall. Tonks came down a few minutes after he did laughing to herself. She gave him a once over and approved of the khaki pants and dark green polo that he was wearing.
The first person to arrive was Neville, with his grandmother in tow. Lady Longbottom settled herself in the front parlor, where she could see into the conservatory, but gave the teens the illusion of privacy. Tonks joined her after a few minutes.
"How are you doing Nev?"
"Good. She is stressing me helping you be ready for the CDB." They paused as Dobby ushered in Susan and Hannah followed by Daphne and Treacy, who had all arrived by floo. Kreature brought in Justin and Seamus followed after a few minutes by Ernie, the twins and Ginny. Squeaks was sent to tell the girls that almost everyone was downstairs.
"I have a small announcement that I would like to make." Harry stood from his place on the bench. "Draco will be joining us today."
"Really Harry? I thought we were the only snakes allowed." Daphne teased.
"I had Kiley invite him. He seems to be taking an interest in her and if they are going to be social I want it under my roof." There was a bell ringing in the background and Dobby appeared at the door.
"Heir Malfoy is here."
"Thank you Dobby. Please tell the girls to hurry." Harry left the conservatory and headed for the entry hall. "I see you made it alright." He said as the front door opened and Draco Malfoy stepped over the threshold.
"Thank you for inviting me, Potter." Draco seemed to force the statement out of his mouth. Harry could tell that the young Malfoy Scion was angry that he had to 'play nice' with the people in the house.
"Malfoy I want you to remember one thing. Nothing that is said or done within these walls goes back to either of the sides of this war. Nothing gets to Voldemort unless you tell him and no one here will tell Dumbledore anything. I, we, are trusting you to hold yourself true to that line. No oaths necessary. Just your honor as a person."
"Who all is here that you would hide it from Dumbledore?"
"You'll see. We are gathering in the conservatory this morning. Follow me." Harry led Draco on a circular route to the conservatory, passing through and near many of the main floors rooms.
"Draco, you came." Called a voice from a side room causing Draco to spin around. Kiley had pulled her hair back in two waist length braids with pale white flowers tucked into the crosses.
"Kiley, of course I came. You asked me to." He held his arm out for her. Kiley stepped from beside Hermione and placed her hand on Draco's arm. Hermione joined Harry and the four walked toward the conservatory. Once they had joined the group, Hermione pulled a small notebook out of a side table and sat beside Seamus. Harry returned to his bench and settled between Daphne and Treacy.
"What is our plan for today?" Justin asked.
"We had decided on practicing in the dueling chamber but it is too hot to do so. Any other ideas." Hermione read a page in her notebook, trying to not look at Kiley as she spoke.
"If it's too hot, then let's go outside." Seamus said as he leaned toward Hermione. "How about the amusement park?" Seamus' suggestion was met by cheers from the muggle raised.
"Amusement park?" Treacy asked, drawing attention to herself.
"It's a muggle park filled with rides, games, rollercoasters and food." Hermione stared off into space for a minute.
"How much fun can a muggle place be?" Draco asked.
"Hush Draco." Kiley elbowed him lightly.
"I don't think we can swing leaving Anasirone today. Besides we have a visitor today. Let's just stay around here." George eyed Draco distrustfully. The group decided to play in the pool until lunch time. Tonks and Lady Longbottom moved to the veranda in order to supervise. While Hermione and Kiley had bathing suits in the latest muggle fashion the others had When Kreature and Squeaks called the group in for lunch they were joined by Lady Longbottom and Tonks. As a treat Squeaks had made Hermione's favorite type of pizza, Canadian bacon with extra cheese.
Since Harry had started having guests to the Keep they had come to the decision that each person would introduce something that was familiar to them to the group. The Patil twins brought Indian food and Bollywood movies. Justin, Hermione and Harry were in charge of introducing their new and old friends to the real muggle world. Fred and George taught them tricks, and the ins and outs of sneaking around Hogwarts. Seamus tried teaching them to draw, both with magic and without, but some of them failed miserably. Harry taught them how to cook for themselves, while Neville showed them where their food came from and how to care for plants that weren't taught at Hogwarts.
After lunch they separated into small groups or pairs. Kiley, Draco, Fred, George and Tonks headed toward the Library to talk while reading. Harry, Treacy and Daphne were joined in the back garden by Seamus and Hermione. The remaining four were led away to the greenhouse by Neville.
"Harry can we walk the maze?" Daphne asked, leaning on the garden wall. Harry was leery of entering the maze, as the last one he had been in had led to the death of a friend. He could not deny Daphne anything, so he straightened his back and ushered the group toward the towering maze.
"Sure." At the entrance to the maze the boys turned opposite directions, separating the group into two smaller ones. Hermione grinned and followed Seamus around the right hand corner. "Let's go this way." The girls walked side by side through the maze with Harry following behind them. The Potter Maze was three mazes wrapped around each other. The two smaller ones never crossed paths, each branching left or right from the entrance. The main maze ended in a large gazebo that was raised to oversee the whole maze. The right hand maze dipped toward a private swimming pool, reminiscent of a mermaid's grotto. The left hand maze curled around itself multiple times, and within those curves was tucked away a small spa, complete with a hot tub, a roman bath, steam houses and low chaise lounges.
AN: The next chapter is almost done... should be up tomorrow afternoon.