Well my wonderful readers! So glad to hear that you are enjoying this story, I do worry that you might like a few of the time skips but I tend to eliminate boring time so I apologize for that! Well then I've gotten many wonderful reviews which in turn means another chapter, I won't keep you waiting!

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Mistress Slytherin

WARNINGS:

VIOLENCE

LANGUAGE

HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP

QUESTIONABLE MORALS

Let me know if I missed anything.

Chapter 6

Hesper Black seemed to accept him well enough; she merely rolled her eyes as Lord Black told her the tale of Darleen Potter so Harry guessed that the woman wasn't too surprised by her husbands infidelity. All she had to say on the matter was:

"At least he's a pure blood." Before going back to doing whatever it was she did in those back rooms surrounded by books. Harry had never been to one of the Black estates, Grimmauld Place had been the only house he'd ever visited that belonged to the Black family and that had been enough of an experience to keep him away from any of the others. But the Black family's main house- or mansion really, wasn't quite as frightening as Harry had remembered Grimmauld place being. It could have been his change of perception after all he'd fought dark wizards during the war that were capable of things that would make the trinkets hidden about the mansion pale in comparison.

Harry had been given an entire suit of rooms the moment he'd arrived. With none of his children about and his grand children a rare visit Lord Black seemed to have nothing better to do than to make Harry's life hell. First it was the new robes, then the tutors, the dance instructors, the etiquette classes- Merlin the list went on and on. Harry would have refused but it really did seem to be the only joy in old Lord Black's lonely dotage. The man adored Harry though it wasn't as if Harry was trying to be adored, it seemed that Harry could do no wrong- which was a first in Harry's experience.

So Harry went along with it, and before he could snap his fingers his summer had ended.

Lord Black offered to have him home schooled but Harry had insisted on returning to Hogwarts. He'd promised Hermione that he would finish his schooling and he would do his best to fulfill that promise.

So he returned to Hogwarts, and for the first time he allowed himself to really look at her and to see her as she was now, before two wars, before everything died. The year sped by long hours of peace interrupted only by studying and the occasional quidditch game and before he knew it, it was Christmas.

Harry looked down at the invitation and sighed. Lord Black insisted on throwing a Yule Ball, Harry knew that it wouldn't be as simple as all that, not when the man sounded as excited as he did in the letter but he didn't really mind he was becoming fond of the cranky old man not that he'd ever say it out loud. It didn't help that this Sirius Black bore a striking resemblance to the Sirius Black he knew.

He leaned back and rubbed his hands through his hair in a frustrated gesture. Why couldn't he live a peaceful life? He was just starting to get used to the monotony of every day life here at Hogwarts, homework, class work, some extra work thrown in here and there when it drew his interest, and hours of peace…he'd even read a few books like Hermione had suggested.

"Come on Harry, relax it's just a party, you can handle that right?" Ha! First person that lays hands on him is going to get shot. He sighed again and folded the invitation.

He really did need to get a new gun.

He glanced down at the letter in his hands. No one said he had to go to this party without being bribed…

"A muggle gun?" Lord Black said raising his eyebrows.

"I had one on the streets, I became used to using it but it was stolen from me, I don't feel comfortable without it." Harry said pouring himself a cup of steaming tea. He was dressed in stiff elegant robes and his hair had been slicked back and tied at the base of his neck. He thanked the giggling girls of the Slytherin dorms for being able to tame it at all though apparently there was a trick to it, which had him wondering how many of them secretly had wild untamed hair.

"I must admit I had hoped that your first request of me would involve something a bit tamer Hadrian but if you want a muggle gun I daresay you'll get one." The man said smiling faintly. Harry frowned, what was that supposed to mean? The man must have read his expression; he was fond of doing that said that Harry was much like his mother in his way of expressing himself. "You never request anything of me, you never rely on me Hadrian, I know that you have had a hard life and I respect that you might never be able to see me as a father, but I would like it if you could trust me enough to know that no matter what I will support your choices." He said solemnly. Harry stared at the man for a moment before nodding.

"I'll try." He said nearly choking on the words. He didn't know if he could rely on anyone else any more but he could try and that had to count for something right?

"That is all I ask, now-" Lord Black said tapping his cane on the floor before using it to stand with and giving Harry a shrewd look and nodding. "Yes those robes do suit you, and your hair makes you appear older, even if you do still look like a fifth year." He said amusement evident in his voice. Harry scowled at the man. "At least you've filled out nicely. Good food can do wonders on a body you know." He said adjusting his coat. Very well then I suppose we've kept our guests waiting long enough." He said a glint in his steel gray eyes. Harry frowned.

"The invitation said that the Ball would begin at six thirty I doubt anyone is here yet-" He caught the look in Lord Black's eyes and snorted. "My invitation had a different time didn't it?" He said half amused half annoyed.

"A quick introduction I promise Hadrian." The man said gleefully. Harry snorted but followed the man anyway.

"Very underhanded." He said smirking.

"You expected me not to be? Heavens I must be losing my touch." Lord Black said smirking. Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes and his breath caught in his throat as they stepped into the main hall and hundreds of sets of eyes turned towards them. Of course…Lord Black would throw the Ball of the season, in one move he was introducing Harry to quite literally every notable person in Great Britain. Wonderful.

"Ladies and Gentlemen" He said as though he didn't in fact have every gaze focused on him. "Before we begin tonight's festivities I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my family." He stepped to the side and Harry gazed coolly at the room filled with people. He had long since lost his nervousness when speaking to large crowds of people. He'd spoken at too many funerals, arranged too many peace talks to be nervous at such a trivial thing as this. "This is my youngest son Hadrian Black, now, I find myself mildly ashamed to admit that he was born out of wedlock. Due to the muggle war his mother Darleen Potter took herself and her unborn child and attempted to flee to safety, unfortunately after Hadrian was born she was lost to the Blitz. I tell you this because while I am mildly ashamed of what transpired between Darleen and myself, I am not ashamed of Hadrian!" He announced clearly. "In these troubled times adding a family member to my family tree is much preferred to loosing one due to muggle carelessness!" He said slamming his can against the marble floor and causing the dull thud to echo throughout the room. "With that I would like to introduce to you my youngest son Hadrian Black!" He said holding out his arm towards Harry who let a small pained smile cross his lips as he tilted his head in recognition of the applause. "Now, I've had my shocking revelation for the evening, I should like to invite you all to enjoy yourselves and to have a blessed Yule!" Lord Black said causing another round of polite applause as the music started up as he turned to Harry and spared him a wink.

"Father." A tall slim man with cropped dark hair and intense dark eyes approached them with a grim expression. Beside him, with her hand tucked in the crook of his arm was a lady who reminded him of Narcissa Malfoy as she gazed down at him in obvious distaste. Harry smiled coolly at her knowing that it would unnerve her.

"Arcturus," Lord Black greeted proudly. "Melania my dear girl you are looking as stunning as ever." He said bowing slightly to the lady. "Hadrian this is your eldest brother and his wife-"

"Father forgive me but this is an outrage." The man said sharply. "He's younger than my children- your grand children!" He said stiffly. Harry was surprised to feel his heart sink at the blatant rejection, what had he been hoping for? A family? Dark eyes caught something though when Lord Black glanced at him. Harry watched as Lord Black's expression hardened and grew darker his gaze cruel and cold as it turned on his eldest son.

"Get out of my sight." He said softly dangerously. "Before your children lose their father." He added softly. Arcturus became pale and thin lipped.

"It is a disgrace." He hissed. "You are dragging the noble name of Black through the mud without a care! I'll not stand for this father mark my words I'll not let you ruin hundreds of years of reputation-"

"But you'll do it yourself won't you?!" Lord Black hissed. "You with your rebel groups, did you think your little meetings were a secret?! Did you think that I would not know?! You stand here all high and mighty but behind it all I know you've been planning to start something terrible something that could destroy us all!" He seethed. "Now get out of my sight you disrespectful fool! If it weren't for Lycoris and Regulus choosing to remain unmarried I would take you from my will this instant! How dare you turn your tongue on me!" Lord Black whose face had steadily become more and more red his voice rising as his anger grew stood proudly his head held high as he stared down his son. Arcturus had staggered back and was white like a sheet of paper, his wife looked terrified. The entire room was watching them and Harry was stuck in the middle of it. This was an entirely different kind of battle than what he was used to and he had no idea what to do.

Then Arcturus turned sharply and stormed out of the room dragging his wife with him.

Harry let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

"Don't let old Arcturus' words bother you Hadrian; you're just as much a part of this family as he is." Lord Black said lifting his chin. Harry bit his lip feeling slightly guilty.

"I'm not though." Harry said softly. "I appreciate that you are trying but I'm not a part of this family, I'm…well I'm your son but that's it. Hesper tolerates me, and the others, they are ashamed of me." He said calmly. "I've never had a family, and frankly I'm a bit tired of being let down every time I see the possibility of one. I appreciate what you are willing to give me, but I don't expect anything of anyone else." He said softly before stepping back a destination in mind.

The bitter cold streets of Knockturne Ally surrounded him with familiarity and for a moment he simply stood in the shocking cold and breathed. When Lord Black turned around Harry would be gone, Harry hated to do it but it was too much, the Ball, the announcement, the drama- he needed peace that's why he'd come to this time, to heal, not to be broken all over again.

Harry took a deep breath and started to walk.

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Hadrian,

I am truly sorry; I fear that I have pushed you too hard too soon. Please understand that my actions only reflected my true joy at having found you my son. I understand if you are not ready for the steps I have been pushing you to take, and I shall try to understand if you never wish to take them at all. Believe it or not my quiet Hesper was the one to make me see that I have been asking too much of you, despite her distance towards you I believe she is rather fond of you. She says that you have never known family, she says that for a boy like you who has as you mentioned previously had been let down time and time again that it is only natural that you should need space. And my son, whatever it is you need, be it space or time, you shall have it, but please remember this because I fear that I have not said it as often as I should have to any of my children; you are my son, and I love you. Merry Christmas.

Your Father,

Lord Sirius Octavian Black

Harry put the letter down numbly. Attached were two gifts. One, the deed to one of the buildings in Knockturne, already warded against war and the ministry it's self, the second- a muggle gun of the newest make. Harry leaned his head back and stared at the cracked leaky ceiling.

A…father huh?

A secret part of him ached the way it hadn't done for years.

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