Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its characters do not belong to me. If they did I would be a very rich woman.

Innocence Lost

Chapter 2

August 2nd, 1991-Diagon Alley

Harry smiled happily as he and his Uncle Regulus made their way to Gringotts for a withdrawal to get the things Harry needed for his upcoming year at Hogwarts. He walked close to the older man who he knows was keeping stock of everything around them while he examined the shoppers and stores around him in wonder. He had been to Diagon Alley a few times before, but he really wasn't allowed out among the public as much as he would have liked. He loved his family dearly, but they were all paranoid, though that might be because of who they were and who he was.

Soon enough they stopped in front of the golden double doors that lead to the bank itself and he felt a strong hand land on his shoulder that guided him inside and before a goblin. The goblin was busy shuffling a few papers around on its till before it finally looked up at the two wizards lowering a small pair of spectacles on its nose, "How may I be of service wizards."

From the minute amount of interactions Harry has had with the goblins he knew they were mostly an unpleasant sort and he kept his mouth shut letting his uncle do all the talking. The man kept on a neutral bored expression that matched his tone of voice as he fished out a golden key, "I wish to make a withdrawal from my accounts."

The goblin looked down at the key then back at the wizard, "Very well Lord Black. Follow me and don't dally."

The hand gently guided him quickly after the goblin where they sat down amongst the carts that lead to the vaults. Harry held on tightly to the bar, he hated the goblin carts they always made him feel sick. A whirlwind ride later and they were at the Black Vaults; Harry stood back while Regulus moved forward and filled two bags with gold, silver and bronze coins. Soon enough they partook in another whirlwind ride and they were heading outside the bank, both tinged slightly green. Soon enough they made their way through the shops, the first stop was to get his wand.

They entered the old building and Harry took note of the many boxes that lined the shelves. Regulus stood back ushering Harry towards the counter where a little bell sat innocently. Slowly he lifted his hand and rang the bell. A man seemed to materialize out of nowhere, he had wispy silver hair that seemed to be alive with static clinging to it, his eyes seemed to be open wide, unseeing yet seeing everything at once. Harry was slightly unnerved by his eyes, the iris's so pale they almost blended into the whites.

The man stared back at him, a knowing smile graced his face, "Ah, young Mister Potter, I had been wondering when I would be seeing you." He then swept towards him, studying him closely, "You know I remember when your parents first came here to get their wands." He then moved towards the shelves staring at them, inspecting each box closely, "Your father's wand was Mahogony, eleven inches, perfect for transfiguration which from what I remember he excelled at. While your mother favored a willow wand, ten and a quarter inches and it was excellent for charms. Such a shame what had happened."

He then pulled down a few boxes and turned towards Regulus, sparing him a quick glance before grabbing a couple more boxes, "How rude of me, greetings to you as well Lord Black. Your wand if I remember right is eleven inches, vine with a dragon heartstring. A very fine and unusual wand. I hope you are treating it well."

Harry saw his uncle shift slightly and finger his left arm where Harry knew his wand was held by the holster under his robes. Not giving Regulus time to answer Ollivander turned his attention back to Harry holding out an open box, "Here Mister Potter give this one a wave, ten inches, mahogany with a unicorn tail hair."

With a shaky hand Harry grasped the wand, a feeling of wrongness entered him and one of the glass displays shattered, he quickly set the wand back in its box. Instead of anger he feared would be on the strange mans face he was instead met with a chuckle, "Well then that combination is ruled out. I wonder if it was the wood or the core." With a flick of his wrist three of the piled boxes including the one he had in his hands flew back onto the shelf. He then grabbed another box and opened it and held it out to Harry, "Mahogany wood with a dragon heartstring."

Harry hesitantly grabbed the wand a warning spark shooting down his hand and he quickly released it shaking his head. A thoughtful expression crossed Ollivander's face and with another swish of his wand several more boxes were placed back onto the shelves, "Well that rules out Mahogany. Maybe you are like your mother and favor willow."

He then grabbed a box from the significantly smaller pile on the counter holding it out towards Harry, "Willow, nine and a half inches, unicorn tail hair. Go on give it a try." Harry grabbed the wand giving it a wave and several boxes fell from the shelves. Ollivander gave a tut and waved his wand yet again sending the boxes back and several more left the pile, "Not Unicorn hair then. Very tricky customer Mister Potter." A very thoughtful expression crossed his face and he glanced at the scar that lay on Harry's head before moving to the back of the shop.

Once he was out of view he looked over at his Uncle who was smirking, "Giving the old man a run for the money, Hadrian. I can't wait to tell Sirius he will wish he had come."

Harry felt his cheeks flush knowing the teasing that he was sure to experience from his other uncle, glad that he hadn't come. The exuberant man probably would have found a way for one of his pranks and then he was sure when they came home his grandmother would have screamed herself hoarse yet again at her oldest son. She always seemed to know when Sirius had landed himself in some form of mischief, normally dragging Harry into it and she would then claim he was corrupting him. She would then send Sirius off to his room pouting as though he was an overgrown toddler.

He was pulled from his musing at the arrival of Mister Ollivander who held out another wand towards him. The same thoughtful look on his face that sent a shiver down Harry's spine. Harry slowly reached towards the wand as Ollivander spoke, "Eleven inches, holly and phoenix feather an unusual combination."

Harry grasped the wand and it was instantaneous, a feeling of rightness surged through him and a he lifted the wand giving it a slight wave and golden sparks immitted from the top. A knowing look seemed to cross the strange mans features, "Curious, how very curious indeed. You see the phoenix that gave that feather gave only one other and that feather lies in the wand that gave you that scar."

He heard an inhale of breath from his Uncle as he stepped forward a comforting hand resting on his shoulder. A curious feeling crossed through him, he didn't feel fear or ashamed. He knew Regulus was a Death Eater and that his Grandmother supported the Dark Lord even though she herself didn't join his cause. He knew the man killed his parents and that they along with Sirius were neutral in the war. He also knew of the false prophecy that was spilt which they believed was the reason the man targeted him, though he also knew from Regulus and the Lestranges that it was odd that he would since the man never held such regard for divination in the first place.

He looked over at his Uncle who gave a small shake of his head and he knew once they returned home that they would have a family discussion. Regulus turned back towards the wand maker, "How much for the wand?"

The man stopped staring at the boy and focused on the man that was behind him, "Of course Lord Black. Seven Galleons as is the standard price."

Regulus pulled out one of the pouches and pulled out seven of the gold coins and the man grabbed them and he quickly led Harry from the shop. Harry looked up to his uncle who gave his shoulder a squeeze and then led the way down the street where the stopped in front of the book store. He then pulled out the list that came with Harry's Hogwarts letter, "Alright Hadrian, let us grab your books. There are a couple not on this list though I would like you to have as well. You are to study those, outside of your studies, we can't have your other areas fall flat because you cannot take them yet at Hogwarts or they are not part of the curriculum."

Harry found no fault at that after all he did enjoy learning as his family encouraged it. Sirius would sometimes play at complaining that reading was boring but would then give him a pointer towards a book in the expansive Black Library that held an interesting spell or potion that was great for pranks. Sirius then would tell him he must have gotten his love of books from his mother because his father had a hard time following books unless they were for quidditch or transfiguration.

Harry smiled happily as they left the book shop, having gotten the ones on the list and quite a few others that sounded interesting to him and that his uncle wanted him to study in his free time. They made their way to the other shops where he gotten his robes, quills, ink, parchment, potions supplies, and several other things that he would need throughout the school year. Soon enough they were in front of the Menagerie where he was to pick out an owl to keep in touch throughout the school year. He stopped in front of a beautiful snow owl, her eyes held an intelligence in them and he felt the draw towards her. He smiled at her and held out his hand pushing his fingers through the bars in her cage. She stared at him imploringly before gently moving her head against his fingers where he felt the soft down of her feathers.

Smiling happily as they left the shop he held the owl cage in his hand staring at the beautiful snowy bird that he deemed, Hedwig. His uncle had shrunk the supplies like all his others and placed them in his pocket. He smiled softly at his adoptive nephew and lead him towards a café, "Let's get a bite to eat before we head home."

August 2nd, 1991- Grimmauld Place, London

Hadrian and Regulus had returned from their shopping a few hours earlier. Hadrian had been happily organizing his purchases in his brand new multicompartment trunk that had several enchantments weaved into it to give it more space and protections. Having finished putting away his new belongings he was now happily lounging on his bed reading one of his textbooks, "Hogwarts a History." His Uncle Regulus had him pick up several history books stating that, "Binns is a useless professor that only drones on about the Goblin Wars and you need to be more well rounded in the subject." Of course, one of the books was on the Goblin Rebellions but Hadrian was more focused on learning more about the school he was about to attend.

Harry was pulled from his reading from the sound of a small pop he looked over and saw the elderly house elf that served his family, "Mistress sent Kreacher to tell Master Hadrian he is wanted in the second floor sitting room."

With his message delivered the house elf popped away and Hadrian marked his current page and set the book on his end table. He quickly stood making sure his robes were straight and his hair was as tame as he could get it before heading down to see what it was his grandmother wanted. Soon enough he found himself inside the informal sitting room and he gave his grandmother a short bow to show respect, not wanting to be on the end of one of her stinging hexes for the lack of propriety and went and sat next to his Uncle Sirius who had a spot open on the loveseat he sat on.

His Uncle Regulus sat in one of the armchairs next to his grandmother and he saw all of them had serious expressions on their faces. His grandmother looked at him a calculating expression on her face, "Hadrian, Regulus told me your shopping went well. I hope you were able to grab everything to satisfaction?"

He knew the question for what it really was. That they had held themselves in such a manner that was befitting of their house and that he did gather everything needed because she would not like a second trip for irresponsibility. He smiled at her charmingly before answering, "Yes Grandmother, we got everything that was required on my list. We even grabbed more books on other subjects, so my home studies will not lack."

A pleased look crossed her face, "Good, very good. Now," a slight scowl crossed her features before they once again became neutral, "I had heard what had happened at the wand shop." Harry flinched slightly hoping he wasn't in trouble. He felt Sirius put a reassuring hand on his lap, "You are not in trouble Hadrian." She gave him a knowing look, "A brother wand is a powerful thing and the fact you have the brother to the Dark Lord. Well, I feel it is best you try to hide this information towards ears that may try to use this for their own gains."

He knew exactly whose own gains his grandmother was referring to and he held back a sneer at the thought of the man and his manipulations. He looked at her, "I will guard it to the best of my abilities."

"Good, very good. Now, you know that we were very contemplative on where you should take your studies. As you well know we were originally planning to send you to Durmstrang, though in the end since as long as the school has been around we have been attending Hogwarts." A sour look crossed her face, "Even though it has become tainted by upstarts, we felt that it was better for you to attend there. Because of the dangers though, we have safety precautions in effect."

He looked over at his uncle who was squirming excitedly in his seat his grandmother gave him a quick disapproving look and a yelp from the man caused him to sit still. She then turned back to her adoptive grandson, "Your Cousin Lucius is on the school board and was able to work a few things in our favor. He managed to pull a few strings and Sirius," she shot him another look, "will be taking over transfiguration. The former teacher was proclaimed to have too many duties as deputy headmistress, head of the Gryffindors," she said the word Gryffindor with a sneer and a glare at her oldest son, "and as a professor. So, he proposed Sirius as a replacement for one of the duties. This is also to keep an eye on you and make sure the Headmaster keeps his boundaries."

Harry smiled happily at that news and looked at the man next to him who beamed happily at him. His grandmother was silent for a few moments before she spoke again, "Even though Sirius will be at school with you, you are to still send weekly letters home to both Regulus and myself. Also make sure to keep at least a monthly letter to Rabastan Lestrange, as to keep contact with your betrothed. We will limit the monthly meetings to when you are on breaks at school."

With the information and warnings, she had wanted to give the woman then stood. Giving each of her sons and her grandson a kiss on the head, she then walked out of the room, to take care of things that the Lady Black needed to take care of. All three men fully relaxed now that the severe woman was out of the room and Sirius smiled happily at his Godson throwing an arm around him purposefully messing up his messy locks of hair even further. Harry smiled happily excited for his first coming term at Hogwarts.

August 2nd, 1991- Hogwarts

While Harry was busy shopping with his adoptive uncle the wizened Headmaster of Hogwarts sat at his desk seething. In front of him was an elegant letter by the Hogwarts Board of Governors. He stared down once more at the offending piece of parchment.

Headmaster Albus Perciful Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,

To the current Headmaster of the fine institution of Hogwarts we are writing to inform you of some changes that as the complete board have agreed upon regarding the establishment. First and foremost, we have come to realize that the Deputy Headmaster/Headmistress is taking on too much responcibility for any one wizard/witch. It has come to our attention that Minerva McGonagall is both teaching and is the Gryffindor Head of House. We have come to the conclusion that regardless of her expertise that with the duties required of the Deputy Head, Head of House and teaching is unfair for any one person to have to juggle between and through our investigations it has caused lax in each of those responsibilities.

To ease the stress, we have decided that she is to be removed from the position of Gryffindor Head of House and will only be teaching Advanced Transfiguration to NEWT level students of the sixth and seventh year classes. We have found a replacement for the lower level introductory and OWL level classes to help you with the short notice in replacing her. Sirius Black will from this point onward be your new Introductory and OWL Transfigurations instructor and with his history of being a Gryffindor the new head of house.

Also due to some disturbing rumors that have reached our ears we have decided to put you on probation. Lord Malfoy will be taking precedence in Hogwarts to hold a complete inspection over the school to make sure everything is running according to the charter's expectations. If there are any concerns Lord Malfoy will be arriving August 23rd and will be staying during the school year and is welcome to assist you. We hope everything will be up to satisfaction and wish you a pleasant year.

Hogwarts Board of Governors,

The old man glared hatefully at the parchment, balling it up in his fist before throwing it into the flames behind him. This had Malfoy all over it. The man had been trying for too long to get him thrown from his last point of power and even though there was no evidence he knows that he was helping support Lord Voldemort's cause. Of course, most of the killings that he had pinned on the man were his own, to try and keep the public on his side. He rubbed his temples knowing that the Potter Brat's death was going to be harder to orchestrate now. Though his plan was already in motion, he would just have to be careful about how he went about in participating in it. The stone was already sequestered away, and he already knows about Quirrel's little secret, yes, he can use that to his full advantage indeed.