A/N: Sorry that it took so long to update. Job hunting sucks. Anyway, on to better things…

Sirius arrived at Potter Manor at eight in the morning. To his surprise all occupants of Potter Manor were up, dressed and finishing breakfast.

"Good morning." Sirius declared.

The twins and Ron replied with a groaning growl.

"I know how you three feel about getting up early in the morning, especially when on vacation. Just look at the bright side."

"Bright side? What in the name of Merlin is the bright side to this Harry?" Ron growled.

"We don't have to take the Night Bus this time."

"Some bright side." Mumbled the twins as Ron gave a nod of some sort.

In the next half hour they agreed to apparate just inside the clearing where the Estate's should be this time. Again they agreed that Sirius would take the twins; Remus would take Ron and Hermione; and Harry would take Ginny.

Just as all eight were situating themselves to go something important came to Hermione's mind.

"Wait. I'll be right back. Trust me it's important." Hermione said as she sprinted up the stairs.

"What's with Granger?" Asked the twins.

"Probably had to get a book to read." Ron softly grumbled.

"No not a book but these. If you all would rather I can put it back and all we will see in the clearing is the same thing as last time…absolutely nothing. These files contain the exact location of the Evans and Granger Estates. The last owners had performed some kind of disillusionment charm similar to the Fidelius Charm and everyone that knew of the locations are deceased so the only way is to read the addresses contained in these files. I think the rest of you should read that page, Harry and I already have. It's best that we don't take the files with us, the files are safest here."

"Hermione thank you. I do not want to bring the files with us. The rest of you read the addresses and then we will go once the files are safely stored again."

As the rest of the group read the addresses Sparky popped into the entryway of the Manor.

"Master."

"Yes Sparky?"

"The safest place for documents such as those would be in the small study, or more commonly referred to as the Masters' Office. Sparky know how to open and close things. Former Master always trusted Sparky with such matters."

"Thank you Sparky. When Ron has finished reading what he needs to read you can take the files from him and put them away."

Ron finished reading both pages and handed the files to Sparky. As Sparky headed off to the small study the group of Witches and Wizards apparated out of the Manor and reached their destination within seconds.

Both Estates were fairly large in size. Both were of a Victorian style and at the distance the group was in both Estates looked identical including how each was individually surrounded by some sort of metal and tall gates made of the same materials, more than likely magically enforced. No one moved for a while. Harry was the first to move closely followed by Ginny and as each realized Harry had walked off quickly followed. The properties were both fenced in with what looked like wrought-iron with a good eleven feet in between the properties. They walked a fair distance before stopping, nearly walking into Harry and Ginny. On either side of them was a gate, on the right above the gate words arched from one side to the other and read: Evans Estate. On the left above the gate words arched from one side to the other and read: Granger Estate. Harry turned to the right and stood there with a blank yet strange look on his face, his eyes were a little glazed and his breathing was a bit fast.

"Harry?" Ginny asked with concern in her voice.

"Hmm."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm…just give me a second."

"Sure."

"So now what? How do we get inside?"

"How nice of you Ron to ask the obvious." Hermione said sarcastically.

Harry took a deep breath and walked up to the gate. He was within touching distance of the gate when a shimmer rolled the length and width of the gate. He could feel the magic radiating off the gate. Though, Harry was not sure how to proceed he took a chance and reached out to touch the gate. As Harry's fingers curled around one of the bars in the gate, the gate swung open slipping out of his fingers.

Harry stood still in the same spot for a while. Ginny walked up to Harry, stood on his right and took his hand in hers. Ginny kept her eyes on Harry's face watching for signs of anything. About a minute later Hermione and Sirius approached Harry. Hermione stood on Harry's left while Sirius stood behind Harry and placed a hand on Harry's right shoulder. Shortly after Hermione and Sirius approached Harry the rest walked up and surrounded Harry. No one said a word.

"Harry, are you ready to do this? You don't have to right now." Sirius said softly, supportively.

"Yeah I'm ready. I just…I just needed a minute. I expected something similar to Potter Manor at the least. It just seems too simple to be honest and…I don't know I feel like something bad could happen."

"We can always come back later today or tomorrow."

"Thanks Sirius, but we're already here. I can do this." Harry said not convincing anyone while remaining in the same spot.

"Harry, you don't have to go inside the house at all. We can explore the grounds for a while and come back another time to explore the house." Ginny said soothingly.

"Wha…" Ron begun but was stopped by Fred and George each casting a silencing spell at Ron.

"Seriously Ron, you're going to be selfish? It doesn't matter if we arrived here and turned right around and left without seeing anything. We are here to support Harry." Hermione said tersely.

Ron rolled his eyes and grumbled something that was not heard by anyone.

Fred and George stepped a short distance away from everyone so they could talk without being heard. Once they agreed they returned to the group and modified the silencing charm they had put on their brother. Now Ron could speak but if he were to attempt to say anything that was insensitive or selfish it would not be heard by anyone. Ron not knowing what exactly his brothers had done was afraid to say anything, knowing it was Fred and George there was no telling what could happen if he uttered a sound.

Harry finally found the strength to move forward. All eight made their way about five feet inside the grounds when the gate shut with a soft clang. Another five feet inside the grounds they were stopped by a house elf, the elf looked as though he was near death.

"Who's is all you? Able demand knowing."

"Hello Able. I am Harry Potter…"

"That spose to mean something? How's you in here?"

"I touched the gate and it opened."

"Rubbish. Only a descendant…no possible. How's you knowing of grounds? How's you seeing grounds?"

"I went to Gringotts and had them check if there were any inheritances there that are mine and…"

"How's possible?"

"My Aunt and my Mother…"

"Names?"

"My Aunt was born Petunia Evans and my mum was born Lily Evans…"

"Able is sorry sir. Able not knowing. Where are they?"

"My Aunt is in the process of moving and well…my mother…she…um…"

"Lily is no longer with us, Able. It is difficult for Harry to speak of his parents."

"Able is sorry. What happened? Able knowing Lily, Lily not knowing Able. Able only saw Lily a few times when she a baby. Who's everyone with you?"

"This is my Godfather and my one of my parents best friends Sirius Black, Remus Lupin another one of my parents best friends. The rest are my best friends, Fred and George Weasley, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger."

"Follow Able. Able show all you's house."

Harry kept his eyes on the house elf as he followed behind, it was all he could do at that point. He knew there would be plenty of opportunity to truly check out the grounds in the future. Though it felt as though it took forever to reach the staircase leading to the porch it also felt as though it took no time at all. Harry kept telling himself, silently, to put one foot in front of the other as he climbed the stairs.

Once on the porch it was impossible to not see the crest on the door. Recessed into the door was an oval gold plate, in the center was a Lynx sitting as though it was watching whoever was there. The Lynx had what appeared to be a gold collar with an emerald gem that would hang or sway if the animal was real and moving. Harry had barely comprehended what the crest was when the door swung open to reveal a large space with only a staircase in the middle. Once inside the house to the left through open double doors you could see the dining table, on the right was the living room that could be seen through two archways. Further in, behind the staircase, along the wall was three archways showing the library. Able informed them that all the bedrooms were upstairs.

Harry was feeling a bit overwhelmed and did not know what to do or say. He really didn't feel anything as he was numb. He didn't want to look like a complete dunderhead standing in the middle of the open area staring through one of the archways into the library so he followed Hermione into the library.

"Harry this is amazing. The library at the Manor is more extensive the one here, though the library at Hogwarts doesn't even compare to this one. A lot of these books would not be approved for students to read or learn from. Hey, is that door? Look at the back wall, in the middle of the wall. Doesn't that look a door?"

"I…uh…sure."

"Harry do you feel alright?"

"Sure. Just fine Hermione."

"You don't sound or look like it." Hermione said softly.

"I'm fine. Overwhelmed."

"Of course you are and Hermione I think you are right. It does look like a door. Should we find out or ask Able? My vote is to ask Able. To do anything else would seem disrespectful." Ginny said.

"I agree Ginny."

"Oh come on. This place is Harry's. Doing that blood thing at Gringotts resulted in two files belonging to him through an inheritance."

"Ron there is still something called respect. Obviously the elves have been keeping the place spotless and shining, I am sure that no one has been here in many, many years and the house elves deserve a lot of gratitude and respect." Hermione said sternly.

"I like her." Able said with a big smile on his face.

"Able, what is on the other side to that door? Hermione and I were wondering?"

"Master of house study."

"Would I be able to go in and look?" Harry asked curiously.

"Is you oldest child of last descendants?"

"No, my cousin Dudley is a little older than me. Just a bit more than a month older."

"Might be okay for you to open door. Try, if it opens at the touch of your hand then you can go in. If not…"

Harry shrugged then slowly crossed the distance to the door and stopped. Nervously he reached out and closed his hand around the doorknob but nothing happened.

"Able is sorry sir."

"It's okay. I wonder…could I try something?"

"You's not thinking 'bout using magic?"

"No, not what I believe you are thinking. No wand or spell use."

"I spose it be okay."

Harry took a few deep breaths in an attempt to steady his nerves. He wasn't sure if it would work but felt it was worth a try. Harry had a thought that if what he had done about Potter Manor would work though wording it differently.

"I, Harry James Potter, a descendant of the Evans line, my mother was Lily Evans until she married my father James Potter before they both were murdered, I declare partial claim to the Estate on behalf of my Aunt Petunia Evans and her son, my cousin Dudley with intent to hand over ownership or Head of House to my Aunt and or her son."

A warm sensation filled the library, a soft breeze ruffled every one's hair. This lasted only a second. Harry shook off the odd feeling he had and tried the door again, this time it opened for him.

"I can't believe that it worked." Harry said softly with a tone of surprise.

"Ron do not say it. Give Harry a moment." Fred and George warned.

"I…"

"Knowing you…well we know what you were about to say." Said Fred.

"Have some patience little brother." Said George.

Harry ignored what was being said, he focused on gathering his Gryffindor courage. He wasn't sure if he could walk through the door but tried anyway. As he entered the room light illuminated all around the room. Harry expected to be in a small study but instead found himself in an immensely sized room. The room contained a decent desk with chair, a comfortable sofa, several armchairs, quite few file cabinets and what appeared to be unending portraits lined up against walls that were bare and void of everything else.

"Whose there? Hello?" A soft, muffled, female voice emitted from the portraits on the floor leaning against the wall.

"Um…where are you?"

"Who are you first?"

"Harry Pot.."

"Harry!"

Harry froze where he was standing. Though he could not recognize the voice, he did recognize the, muffled, excited tone of voice.

"Harry its okay. Search the portraits. I am not sure exactly where I am in this mess."

"Who…"

"You'll see."

Harry shrugged his shoulders and began to search the portraits though he was not sure what portrait he was looking for. About halfway through all the portraits he froze, warmth washed over him as he found a portrait of a beautiful woman with his eyes beaming up at him.

"Mum?" Harry barely whispered.

"Yes. How are you?"

"I'm fi…overwhelmed a bit."

"I'm sure you are. The first time I found myself in this frame I was really confused. I was alone, your father is unable to follow me to this portrait. I was pretty shocked when I found out that I actually have a long line of relatives that are or were indeed of the Magical community. I know this is a lot to take in sweetheart, but I have a favor of you."

"Anything."

"Could you please try to find Severus Snape and…"

"I know where he is. He teaches Potions at Hogwarts."

"Potions? Huh? Oh, yeah my favor. Could you please take this portrait of me and send it to him. I know it sounds strange honey, but he was a friend of mine when I was at school…"

"Yeah I know."

"Yes I was a horrible friend to him. How do you know what happened?"

"It's a bit of a story. In my current position it would as though the rest of my life passed by."

"Sorry."

"Its okay. Maybe when I get back to Potter Manor I'll explain it to you and dad."

"Sound good. So…"

"I…okay, but I won't give it to him at school. I'll send it to his residence."

"Thank you. I so wish that things turned out differently. I would so much like to…"

"Me too." Harry said choked up.

Harry stood up all the way and stretched out his back before leaning back over and carefully removing the portrait of his mother from the horde of portraits. Though Harry wanted to keep this portrait of him mum for himself he was going to follow through with sending it to his Potions Professor. He did have the portrait of his parents at Potter Manor, it wasn't the same as having one of just his mother, but it would have to do. Harry carefully handled the portrait as he left the study with it.

"Harry…"

"I think it's okay if I leave with this. Where is Able, I need to ask him…"

"Harry it's okay, I made the request that you remove my portrait."

"Correct." Able said as he reentered the library.

"Able, I need…I want to send this portrait to a safe place and it has to be sent safely and protected against damage. It's extremely important that when this portrait arrives at its destination that there is no damage to it."

"You are so kind my son."

"Able take care of it sir. Where is it to be sent?"

"I'll tell you before I leave."

"Very well sir." Able said as he took the portrait from Harry before leaving the library.

"Where are you sending the portrait of your mum? Since you didn't say Potter Manor it's easy to come to the conclusion that you're sending it elsewhere." Hermione said.

"I am sending the portrait where she wants me to send it."

"And where is that?" Asked Ron.

"Where she wants the portrait to be sent." Harry said with a smirk on his face.

"Smart ass Harry."

"I'd rather be a smart ass then…"

"I get it. But seriously though…"

"Professor Snape."

"WHAT?"

"Oh calm down Ron, she and Professor Snape were friends when they were in school. He said something that really hurt her, he didn't mean it he wasn't thinking straight. My mum wasn't being understanding, she was hurt. She regrets it and so does he. Though I think that he is punishing himself for what he had said and blames himself for…well things that are and were out of his control. I think she wants to let him know that she doesn't hold anything against him. And probably to tell him to stop blaming himself for things that were and are not his fault in anyway."

"You really think so?" Asked Ginny.

"Yes I do."

"Then why wait any longer?" Asked Ginny.

Harry nodded before going off to find Able.

"Sir?"

"Able is the portrait ready to be sent?"

"Yes, sir."

"I would like to attach a note before it's sent. Once I attach the note I'll let you know where to send it. Shit!"

"Whats the matter?"

"I have something else that I want to send but I don't have it with me. It doesn't matter. I'll just send the other thing later."

Harry quickly wrote his note and attached it to the package containing the portrait. He then told Able where to send it. Able nodded and promised that he would send the portrait right away. Harry made his way through the house to find everyone else. He found them in the living room. The only thing that Harry really took in from this room was the Family Tree Tapestry on the longest wall. He spotted his parent's names as well as his and then he thought of the Granger Estate and Hermione. He was suddenly engulfed with wanting to check out the other house with Hermione, preferable alone regardless of the outcome. He knew that she wouldn't want everyone there if it turned out that she was not related to the Granger's that owned the house. He was fairly sure that she wouldn't want at least Ron to be there if it turns out that she indeed is related to them, if she didn't quite react how Ron would think or expect her to…well he knew it wouldn't be good. Now he just had to find a way to talk to Hermione and make it over to the other house.

A few minutes later everyone jumped, slightly as Able and another house elf appeared out of nowhere in the living room.

"Able sorry. Elsa sorry too. We thought you's like lunch."

"Thank you Able and Elsa." Sirius said thoughtfully.

While everyone was eating Harry took this opportunity to talk with Hermione. He quietly told her what he wanted to do. Hermione agreed and they both casually left the living room, out the front door and made their way to the gate. As they approached the gate swung open to let them leave. They walked across the path in between the properties and stopped just shy of the other gate.

"Harry are you sure about this? We don't have to check out both houses today."

"I'm sure Hermione. Go on."

"What? No. You."

"No, you do it this time. Either the gate will open or it won't."

"But…"

"Just do it already, the suspense is killing me."

Hermione shook her head with a grimace. It was supposed to be a smirk but it did not come out that way. She nervously, a little reluctantly, reached out with a shaky hand to touch the gate when just as before with the Evans gate, they could feel the magic radiating off the gate and the same shimmer that rolled the length and width of the other gate rolled the length and width of this gate. Hermione began to shake that much more, she held her breath and lightly wrapped her fingers around one of the bars in the gate. She gasped as she felt the bar in her hand slip out of her light grasp.

"You first." Harry said encouragingly.

Hermione sent him a frown.

"Sorry."

As they walked through and had barely passed the edge of the gate it began to close. They continued to walk towards the house, Harry with his eyes on Hermione. Hermione only had eyes for the house just as Harry had for the Evans Estate.

Ron and Ginny had just barely made it through the gate before it closed all the way, Harry and Hermione were half to the house. Ron and Ginny quietly but quickly made their way across the property.

Harry and Hermione were unaware of the two that had followed them as they were entranced by the house. So far it was the same as the Evans Estate. Everything was the same, there were only a few differences that they noticed as they stood on the porch. The Family Crest on the door was just like at the Evans Estate except the colors and the metal. Here it was Silver instead of Gold, the colors were Silver and Topaz instead of Gold and Emerald.

Hermione looked at Harry with uncertainty on her face. Harry gave her a nod of encouragement. Shakily, Hermione reached out to knock on the door when a loud 'POP' was heard just to the left of them. They jumped, turned and saw a little female elf standing there glaring at them.

"Who's is you's? How's you's here? What you's doing here?"

"Calm down, please. We mean no harm, honestly." Hermione said as calmly as possible.

"Answer questions first and maybe Pebbles calms down."

"Pebbles, we were just over there at the Evans Estate. I'm Harry Potter and through inheritances I…my mum was Lily Evans. This is one of my best friends Hermione Jean Granger…"

"You's a Granger? Miss no say so, why?" Pebbles said with eyes open wide making her look like she was wearing Professor Trelawney's glasses and a dash of excitement in her voice.

"Well, as far as I know I am a Muggle born witch. Some of my friends, including Harry here think that I might be related somehow. I'm not quite sure how that can be."

"Which of you's touch gate?"

"She did."

"Well now Miss…"

"Pebbles may we look inside? Particularly the Family Tree…"

"Yes you's may. Follow Pebbles." The elf said excitedly.

Ron and Ginny also followed, no one, not even the elf noticed them there.

All walked through the house and noticed that it was a mirror image of the Evans Estate, except that the library was much, much larger, closer in size to the library at Potter Manor.

When they entered the living room and saw the tapestry their eyes roamed over it and stopped at the names: Lucy and Greg Granger, just below their names was the name Hermione Jean Granger. They could see the faces of each by his or her corresponding name, there was no question, Hermione Granger was indeed a half-blood witch. Harry smiled at this. He looked over at Hermione who was pale, her mouth hanging open in shock. She was blinking rather fast causing Harry to wonder if she could see anything at all.

"I was right. Well sort of. " Ron said as he saw what they were staring at.

Harry flinched at the sound while Hermione did not react at all.

"Ron!" Ginny softly reprimanded.

"What? It's great though. Mione is a half-blood…"

"Shhhh."

"What?"

"Shut it Ron. Give Hermione a chance to comprehend all of this." Harry chided.

Ron huffed as he walked around to Hermione's other side.

Hermione was letting it all soak in, she had quite a few questions for her parents and she really hoped that they could answer them or might know how she can get the answers to her questions. She was aware of Ron and Ginny being there. A smile began to spread across her face, her heart began to flutter like a butterflies wings. An excitement began to bubble inside of her, more than what she felt when she found out about magic and Hogwarts. Hermione turned to her left and hugged Ron. She kissed him square on the mouth before bouncing off to check out the house, she had not realized or comprehended that she had kissed Ron. She had to know everything about her ancestry, for the first time ever for Hermione, school took a back seat.

"So, Harry how does it feel to know that you have a few more relatives around?" Ginny asked whit a smile.

"I don't know yet to be honest. It's kind of hard to wrap my brain around that Hermione is more than one of my best friends, she's my cousin. This is just…"

"Harry what is it?" Ginny asked slightly alarmed.

"The Wizarding Community. Or more the Ministry of Magic. How could they not know? Hermione has been through a lot of shit. I mean everyone, including her, thinking and believing that she is a Muggle born…the day the Magical world finds out…oh the look on so many faces."

"Harry they didn't know because of not being on top of the detection of young witches and wizards thing. So when do you think Hermione will want to tell everyone? Aside from those that are here anyway."

"I don't know. Whenever she feels like it."

"As soon as possible of course, Hell probably shout it out as soon as she steps outside. I mean I would."

"Ron that's you not Hermione. If she wants the world to know that she is a half-blood she will."

"Seriously, everyone should know and then they'll stop being so…"

"Ron as far as anyone being told about this, it's up to Hermione."

"What's up to me?"

"Hey, Mione we'll help you spread the word."

"Spread what word?"

"That you are a half-blood witch and not a Muggle born."

"NO YOU WILL NOT. Seriously Ron you better not tell a single soul or ghost a thing about this. I don't even know if my parents are aware that we are from an old magical family, a strong magical family. If anyone that is not me says one thing about this to anyone…it's for me to tell and right now I don't want many knowing. I have to talk to my parents…everyone that came out here with us knowing is fine with me. Harry its okay if you tell your Aunt and Cousin…they are family after all, but…"

"We promise Hermione. We promise to not tell anyone we don't have permission to tell." Harry quickly interjected before she got on a roll.

"Yes we promise. Ron…"

"Fine I promise not to say anything to anyone about this. I don't understand why you don't want to tell the world the news. It's great."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley…"

Whatever Hermione was going to say was never heard as Able appeared at that exact moment.

"Able is everything okay across the way?" Harry asked worried.

"Yes. All fine sir. They's wondering where you's went. Able though he check over here. Godfather ready to go. Worried 'bout Marie and Violet."

"Oh yeah. Thank you Able. I can guarantee that we will be back. I can promise that there will be a witch and a wizard in the Evans Estate and soon. My Aunt and Cousin are going to…I don't know what they'll do actually."

Able smiled happily and brightly at the thought of having beings to serve.

All four children quickly made haste through the house, the grounds and out the gate to find Sirius, Remus and the twins standing in front of the gate to the Evans property.

"Sorry we disappeared on everyone…" Harry started to say.

"Harry and I are family, in other words…half-blood witch here."

"Not surprised Granger. Not that Muggle borns aren't intelligent but…" Said Fred.

"Uh…thanks. No one is allowed to tell anyone. My parents have the right to hear this first hand from me and possibly Harry."

"Sure thing Granger. What a secret to keep. It's up to you who knows or doesn't know and when if every to inform them." Said George.

"Thank you. Ron seems to think that I should put a notice in the Daily Prophet."

"Hey, that's not a bad idea, that way you wouldn't have to say it million times over."

"Ron! I strongly advise you to remember your promise to me." Hermione said firmly.

Harry wedged himself in between the two, Hermione was glowing and it did not feel like Ron was in a safe situation. Harry understood Hermione's position on the situation but he also knew that Hermione would feel horrible if she hurt Ron, even if he deserved it.

"Ron shut it. Hermione please calm down. I will personally make sure that Ron doesn't say anything before you're ready. Hermione I really feel that if you don't calm down and soon you may accidently hurt someone that you don't want to hurt…like me, your cousin."

Hermione let out a huff, turned around and walked off towards road. Remus quickly followed behind Hermione, he could only imagine what Mr. and Mrs. Granger would do if they lost their only daughter.

One everyone was at the edge of the dirt road and the main road, Sirius held on to the twins, Harry and Ginny held on to each other, Remus had a firmer hold on Hermione than he had on Ron. The three groups turned on the spot at the same time and seconds later found themselves in the middle of the entry at Potter Manor. Sirius apologized to the group, promised Hermione that in the next day or so he would escort her to her parents and help explain everything. He also got her okay to tell Marie and Violet before leaving to Grimmuald Place.