(a/n): Thanx folks for the reviews

Hermione did get off light in canon. Though we never see the trip to Australia and how that turns out. Twins for Ron? Of course, they do run in the family! I used the kids' names from canon. Didn't even check the facts on them, just made them twins.

Ginny? I didn't much care for how JKR wrote her in DH. And HBP movie did a horrible job with her. Some dream seductress. I was really looking forward to the Quidditch kiss! I'd rather her a 'real' person. Cheers to the Go Ginny crowd ;]

Dumbledore on Sirius? A good question. Before POA I assume there was nothing to do because he accepted Sirius' betrayal of the Potters. After, I agree. Manipulative Dumbledore kept him nicely under thumb. The idea of Harry declaring Kanly on the Light Lord is interesting, but Harry (or Susan) does control Dumbledore's votes in the Wizengamot. For now, they need each other, publicly anyway. In private, they'll be worse than ever.

Interesting point about Harry's knee. But, while his missing eye is a handicap, the knee has proven useful. Can you bat-bogey hex a fool to death? I'd imagine those creatures would eventually pull grey matter out.

Arthur? I think isn't as henpecked as he necessarily appears. Percy's almost Slytherin personality came from somewhere. He might just reserve his assertiveness for when it's really needed. As I finished that thought, it occurred... If he really is a wuss in canon, then for purposes of SBPOA finding himself a new career in Finance gave him the confidence he lacked in canon.

A personal note. I'm moving, so that'll be taking up lots of time. Next update probably around Xmas.

29 – Harry of House Potter

Babies removed from the room full of hot emotions, all wands confiscated, and utterly against all Healer recommendation, but in her room at Hermione's insistence. Having just gone through the birth of the twins, Hermione was quite worn out. But fury carried her "Everything Potter!" she sneered "Look what … stupid crush gets you."

"As Head of House Potter that's where my first loyalty was." Ginny countered.

Molly scolded her "It is a matter of judgment and reason. A 15-year old girl does not have the capacity to – to understand the consequences of her…your decisions."

"Sixteen isn't much different, Mum." She argued "And that's how old Ron and Hermione were when they decided to sleep together. And Harry's not yet seventeen, but he's one of the richest wizards in the country. What about you and Dad? Still in school when Bill was conceived?"

Arthur silenced his wife with a look, and turned to his daughter "Parents hope their children learn from their… I won't say mistake… because we love all of you. We are not, however discussing us, Ron, or even sex for that matter. How much thought did you put into this course of action?"

"If you mean that it could hurt us as a family? Yes I figured that." Ginny admitted, and added regretfully "That it might mean Hermione wouldn't want to be my friend anymore? I think that was the hardest."

Michelle Granger cut in "I fail to see how you are so stupid to side with this murderer!"

"You know nothing about him!" Ginny snapped "All that money he gave your daughter! He killed a Basilisk! Do you know what that is? A monster. Could swallow any of us in a single bite! Why? Just because I was his friend's little sister."

Dumbledore ordered, in his usual way of suggesting "The matter can easily be settled. Harry, you are older and of course wiser. The impetuousness of youth can excuse many things. As Head of your House you may simply over-rule your, inappropriately selected if I may say so, former Head."

"Only because it totally bollixed everyone's plans to empty Harry's vaults, you mean." Ginny offered "Madam Bones' letter explained it. Answer us this. Why did you really keep Harry from getting treated?"

Molly protested with a hiss "Ginny! The Headm – umm - Minister is not answerable to you!"

"It's a good question, Mrs. Weasley." Said Susan, but she was staring at Dumbledore "Records can be altered. We could have obliviated that Muggle Healer. What was her name?"

Dumbledore ignored her and fixed Harry with a look "It was in the best interests of the Wizarding World. We must all act for the greater good. Now, surely, Harry you see it's in everyone's best interests for Mr. Granger to be fully healed. I really must insist."

"Dr. Carter Sue. As I see it, Judge" said Harry "it would be against at least Magical Custom for me to throw out Ginny's actions. How about you just take back your order keeping me from getting proper treatment?"

Issuing his sternest expression, he said "As Minister of Magic, Harry, I am giving you a direct order. Allow St. Mungo's to treat Mr. Granger."

"Only two people could get me to obey. Ginny's one." Harry countered. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat.

She saw eyes flicker her way, and Ginny immediately shook her head "Don't look at me. I resigned as Head of House Potter."

"Enough of this!" Mrs. Granger bellowed "I want my husband healed! Are your doctors familiar with the concept of Malpractice!"

Harry glared at her full of cold hate and said "Just following the same law he imposed on me."

"I don't get what you're trying to accomplish." Said Ron with a frustrated tone "I really thought we … you were getting y'know…better again."

Hermione half woke up and muttered "He's just scum." Her barely open lids shut again.

"See that?" Susan waved a disgusted hand at the sleeping woman "Of course she's not Harry's friend. Here, he saves the whole school from a monster, helps her get unpetrified. Gives her enough money to establish herself in the Wizengamot!"

Dumbledore cut in "You are becoming entirely too emotional, Miss Bones."

"Don't interrupt me when I'm talking!" she snapped. Again directing a dirty gesture, this time at Hermione's mother "And you! If it wasn't for Harry, you wouldn't be around to - You should be on your knees thanking him! As Muggles go, you're about as rotten as the Dursleys!"

Chuckling, Harry trapped both her hands in his and forced her back into her seat "Merlin's Beard she roars like a Gryff! So, what about it, Judge? A simple trade, his arm for my eye."

"That you would resort to blackmail, Harry." Said Dumbledore, shaking his head "James and Lily would be most disappointed."

Harry choked back fury and barely whispered "Yes? Or no?"

"Mrs. Granger, please accept my apologies for this affair." Dumbledore bowed his head to her "Your husband may have a couple of difficult days ahead, but-"

Ginny interrupted, shaking her head and waggling a finger "Ah-ah-ah. Harry first."

"Ginevra Molly Weasley!" her mother shouted "Stop this at once!"

Harry looked down at his lap, thinking, then said "Mrs. Weasley, you've always been great. The first woman who showed me what a mum should be. But open your eyes! If Dumbledore would've let Mungo's treat me, we wouldn't be here now! Up to you, Old Man. I'm not saying another word."

"I had always planned to allow treatment, eventually, Harry." Dumbledore said in a lecturing voice "You are too important to the Wizarding World. Even if only as a symbol. So be it."

What he thought would be a route back to the young wizard's good graces had exactly the opposite effect "Fuck you Dumbledore!" Harry growled "You just don't know when to shut up, do you? What was it? Some sick joke? I'm gonna ki - Avad!"

"Harry, remember what Auntie said." Susan said, fearfully. As just then the nearby window shattered, fortunately outward. A real feat for accidental magic in a building full of magic.

She received a glare in return "Give me one reason!"

"Well, you don't have your wand … for one." She offered, softly. Then, in Harry's ear, for him alone "And I saw you use it once. Not again, not now."

After a deep trembling breath, Harry stood clenching and unclenching his fists. His voice shook when he finally spoke "Right. What's been said here doesn't leave this room while Voldemort lives. Two things, my price just went up. Ginny used a good chunk of Potter money to pull this off. She's right though, I never would've done it myself. You're repaying every last Knut … I don't even know what to call you anymore!"

"Minister is my current title, young man." Dumbledore retorted, stonily.

Harry stared right back, continuing his train of thought "I need you right now. But, after this is over, … it won't be money." After another series of deep breaths, he addressed his friend "Ron, I don't imagine this is how you thought you'd celebrate. Congrats, mate, I really mean it. And… uhh…sorry."

x

Dumbledore delayed almost a week. Whether he was being truthful about having to raise cash, or not, Harry stubbornly refused to go near the Hospital until that happened first. Doing so would have fulfilled the Oaths Ginny required of the Board Members and freed them to treat Ian Granger.

The Ocularium Potion required 14 hours to work. And during that time, the patient must be kept in a dark room and remain absolutely still. It was in short a great opportunity to sleep, or think, actually both. As he looked back Harry realized he'd been running with hardly a break since BEFORE he'd gone to Azkaban. The total black of his surroundings blurred the barriers between awake and asleep, eventually throwing out his perception of time.

"Harry Potter!" a sharp voice imposed itself. Male and with a heavy Irish accent "Healer Harris here. I gave you your dose of potion. The Muggles did a good job protecting your eye socket. I want you to keep both eyes closed as I remove the bandages. When I tell you, and only when I tell you, slowly open just your right eye. Understood."

Halfway through, the words finally made sense to Harry. He nodded "Susan?"

"It is currently 4AM, sir. The young lady is asleep, which I am professionally in favor of." The Healer said, brusquely "This treatment, as I explained, either works or does not. There is little benefit to yourself, or your friends, in anyone staying awake for hours worrying about something over which they cannot control. Right. Let us proceed. Open your eye, sir."

Harry obeyed, using muscles that had been removed in the surgery performed last year. He found himself laughing joyously. Then sobered by the realization he still was not seeing.

"Being Muggle raised, you are familiar with computers? Yes?" the Healer asked. To his patient's nod, he continued "They must learn to talk to each other, your brain and new eye. We will slowly raise the light level, increasing the input … if you will … Do not be alarmed when the images do not seem normal to you. Take slow, easy breaths, remain calm."

Harry's ears directed his new eye to the sound of the Healer's voice. He gave the annoyed order "Just do it." But by then he was smiling at the simple act of moving the eye. And as the Healer gradually brought up the lights, foggy fuzzy shapes resolved themselves into furniture, walls, and a door.

"Lumos Maxima!" Healer Harris cast, several times. The tip of his wand flashed on and off.

And Harry was immensely pleased to be able to see again. What annoyed him, was the lights dimming again, and the Healer making him repeat the process with both eyes open. There were difficulties. They had to work until sunrise to get both eyes working together again, but it was finally done.

x

Susan Bones was sprawled across three of the chairs that sat outside the room Harry was treated in. Notable was the fact that, had she been in school uniform, she would have been very exposed. Her head dangled, unsupported; hair half covered her face.

"That's gonna hurt." Harry commented with a wince. He'd woken up similarly in his cupboard at the Dursleys' He cupped her cheek and eased her upright.

Roused by the movement, she yawned, flinched, and realizing it was Harry smiled "It worked."

"Uh-huh" he acknowledged "Careful of your neck. You were sleeping in a bad position. You know, you could've gone back to school. They'd've called you."

Susan snorted "As if-"

"But I'm glad you didn't." he interrupted "I like it the first thing I saw was your pretty face."

She gave a confused look and asked "But what about the Healer? You can see … can't you? From both eyes."

"Yep!" he replied happily "It's like a whole different world. Things seemed … different. I … it's hard to explain. Flat. Now…" he just trailed off.

Susan reached up, hesitantly asking "Can I? You know I loved you … didn't care about how you looked … But to have you perfect again. And happy. OH Harry!"

"That tickles!" he protested, not at all minding her fingers tickling his eyelashes. All the reflexive twitching made him laugh. Susan's delighted reaction was cross-contagious. They broke into fits of giggles.

A hospital security guard approached, coughing discretely. A common non-noble member of the Wizard world "My Lord, My Lady, forgive the interruption. A Muggle who claims to know you requests a meeting. One Ian Granger."

"Very well, give us a moment of privacy." Answered Susan as a polite superior. When the guard turned his back, she looked up at Harry "You don't owe him anything."

He shrugged and answered "Curiosity."

x

"Harry James Potter, say hello to Hugo Rupert Weasley." The proud father declared.

Harry shook his head in gentle amusement "I have met him before, Ron." He gently pushed his finger into the tiny fist and felt a grip he thought was amazing.

"So?" Ron retorted "I just never get tired of saying it. Any more than I do of Rose Emma Weasley. Oochiewoochiecoochiecoo! Oochiewoochiecoochiecoo!"

Harry emitted a scornful sound and quipped "I thought you were an idiot before. Now I'm sure of it."

"Stop it Harry!" his girlfriend swatted his shoulder, lightly "Ron was telling his son how handsome he was."

Ron began a shrug, then turned it into a nod "O-of course I-I was." He picked up "Couldn't you tell? Hugo understood me perfectly well. See how he's smiling."

"Means he's got gas." Harry countered with a smirk. "So when should I get him that broom? 1st birthday? 2nd?"

Ron rolled his eyes "You know Hermione would be furious."

"Eh… she hates me anyway." He countered. To his friend's disappointed sigh he apologized "Sorry, Ron, but it's only the truth. Besides you know someone will. If not me… Fred or George for sure."

The door to Mr. Granger's room creaked open in a way that made Susan shiver "I have a baaad feeling about this."

"Just needs some oil." Harry told her.

Ron put himself between the couple and the door "Look, Harry, I can see your point about Mum and Hermione. But, Dad he's different. I really think he's just looking for a little peace?"

"Mum? Dad?" asked Harry with a raised eyebrow.

To which Ron answered "The Grangers are my wife's parents. What else would I call them?"

"Well, let's get this over with." Harry said, sullenly.

And if anything, Michelle Granger was even more displeased "I could not agree more. The less we have to do with this murderer the better."

"Enough posturing, woman!" an irritated man with an immobilized arm snapped "When Hermione married Ron we all became connected. Now, we'll see if I can't bring some sanity to this whole affair. I would like to speak with Harry privately."

Harry was at once annoyed and amused "As fun as watching you fight is for me, I really don't feel like being on a first name basis with any Granger."

"I have no intention of leaving you alone with this bastard, Daddy." Declared Hermione, wand out though not specifically pointing anywhere.

Susan's raised hand interrupted Harry and she offered "It is well documented that the Potters were definitely married when Harry was born. It is rather simple math to prove that they were even when he was conceived. Never seen any proof in your case Granger."

Ron fought with a guffaw, winning due to the notion of sleeping on the floor. Harry had no such inhibition, slapping palms with his girlfriend.

"I intend to have a civil exchange with your former friend, Hermione." Mr. Granger said "And what just happened proves it is impossible with you in the room. Now, abide by my wishes. Please."

Harry found her expression amusing, but inadequate. He actively hated the woman that had ruined his eye. That it was healed now was irrelevant. "I'm willing to talk with you, but she leaves too."

"I absolutely refuse to leave you alone with my husband." Michelle Granger said, adamantly.

Harry shrugged "Fine by me." He extended a hand to his girlfriend and added "Shall we? Can't wait to get back to school."

"Wait!" insisted Mr. Granger "It's important to me! How about just the two of us? No disrespect intended … Susan, I believe your name is. And, Michelle, I seriously doubt he's in any shape to harm me. He just got treated himself."

Ron offered "I could stay."

"No, son. Not even you." Was the kind, but definite, refusal.

Hermione walked right up to Harry and demanded "Wand!" holding out her hand, palm up.

"I don't bloody think so!" he rejoined with a disgusted snort.

Susan wasn't about to let her threaten him while he was still weak "Get away, Granager! And if anyone's gonna hold Harry's wand… it's me!"

"More than I needed to know, Sue." Ron said with a look of half loathing, half humor.

She glared at him, then blushed. Harry just blinked. But he managed an impressive spin, offering it to her handle first. Had she not been Ron's wife, a rather brilliant remark would have done a nice job of embarrassing Hermione. But he let the thought go unvoiced. To say everyone was happy with the arrangement would be a gross exaggeration but Harry found himself alone with Hermione's father.

"The women in my family are hot tempered and cannot see what is in front of their eyes." Ian Granger offered as an opening.

Harry, who had no desire to sit especially close to him, sat in the visitor's chair that was beside the window across from the foot of Mr. Granger's bed. "What is it you want?" he asked, pointedly.

"A clearing of the air." The patient answered "Ideally, peace. More realistically, at least a cease fire. I am even willing to make the first gesture. I was in the Royal Army during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and know enough to recognize a terrorist operation when I see one. You don't negotiate with kidnappers. Thank you for getting my wife and I out alive."

That stunned Harry and compelled him to respond in kind "You're welcome, and I do regret the deaths of your friends."

"Appreciated." Mr. Granger acknowledged "We knew Dennis and Julie for many years. At least their children were all grown. As chance would have it, your assault collapsed part of our ceiling right above where they were sitting. They died instantly."

Harry, naturally, had known that. Hearing it brought equal waves of relief and regret "No one else was supposed to even get hurt. I was only after the people who murdered Madam Bones."

"Your Daily Prophet ran quite a few articles on that. Strange to have your girlfriend's Aunt as your guardian." Ian commented.

Harry snorted "I wouldn't use The Prophet for toilet paper! You want more of the truth, especially about me, read The Quibbler."

"Hmm." Ian contemplated, then tried for his daughter "Hermione used to write quite a lot about you. To be honest, Michelle and I wondered …as she grew up… whether you, or Ron, would catch her heart."

Harry's expression spoke volumes of what he thought of that notion. "To be frank, the only fantasies I had about her happened while I was in prison. And after what she did at my trial, they mostly involved blood."

"Fathers do not like remarks like that about their daughters." Was the cold response.

To which Harry shrugged "You asked for the truth. After four years of friendship she stabbed me in the back at my trial-"

"And if you had seen the anguish in her letters." interrupted Ian "Harry must hate me she said. It got worse as Ron's arguments began to work on her. Oh Mum Dad he was cleared. That letter was smeared with tears. Then, well, she drew this on herself not being more honest about events at Hogwarts … But when you shared that prize money with her, I truly think Hermione was happy as the day that first letter came."

Expression cold, voice hollow, Harry reminded him "Remember the wedding? What did my generosity get me? Your wife thought it would be fun to ruin my eye."

"That incident…" Ian replied "was the worst example of a misunderstanding, bad timing, and an accident that I have ever been a part of. Your Madam Bones took Michelle to task about it. My wife, Harry, never intended for you to be so wounded. I might point out your actions hardly followed the tenets of the squared circle. Cost me several months of therapy and a potential child."

Harry's appreciation for what began as an apology turned to anger by the end "First, you forgot what I said before. I don't much care to be on a first name basis with any Grangers. And you know, I did feel horrible about the baby. Until they pointed out to me she could hardly have known she was pregnant. Something else, dueling …and boxing… have rules. Fighting for your life doesn't. As far as I'm concerned, everything that happened THAT DAY is her fault. Want someone to blame for your back? Blame your wife!"

"To change the subject, a last topic I am concerned about." said Mr. Granger. He'd refused to even think such thoughts for the sake of his marriage, nor was he willing to pursue the topic "This thing of life debts?"

Harry sneered "Don't worry, they only work between magicals."

"Part of my concerns yes, thank you." Replied Mr. Granger "But … I am also wondering, is it true you have the actual ability to control someone that owes a life debt?"

Harry frowned "Maybe your daughter can suggest a book on the subject. There are a lot of rules."

"Let me be specific. Hermione has expressed concerns that you were misusing the power you have over her sister-in-law." He stated.

Harry rolled his eyes "And you think we could be friends again? Hmpf! Besides, is it any of your business?"

"I rather think it is." Mr. Granger answered, annoyance creeping into his tone "It has always been my family's custom to consider all of a married couple's family as just that - family!"

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him "Ginny is a member of my House. That's all you need to know. By your logic, I guess that means I'm somehow related to your wife. Frankly the thought sickens me."

"I suppose we didn't really settle anything this afternoon, did we?" Mr. Granger sighed "There was a time Hermione cared the world for you. For the record, though, thank you for rescuing us from those Death Eaters. I'd call us even on the arm and the eye."

Harry nodded "Fine by me. Guess you're not too bad … for a Granger… I'll never forgive your wife. Hermione, I can see making peace with, someday… mostly for Ron. But the next move is hers. I'm done trying." He noted the man yawning, so he simply got up and walked out.

x

"Is my husband alright?" Michelle Granger all but accosted him.

Harry had barely opened the hospital room door a crack when it was snatched out of his hand. He snarled at her "Heh! No Granger! Thought I'd get a good laugh. So I stabbed him in the eye. Lovely bloody fountain."

"That was cruel Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. She was unable to involve herself physically as she was burdened by a bundle of infant. She was actually nursing.

He gave that a curious glance, then smirked at her "And that should bother me, because?"

"Come on, Harry." Said Susan with a kind, but firm, hand guiding him away "You can tell me about it back at Hogwarts."

x

Sirius Black was held pending what was publicized as his re-trial before the Wizengamot. House Potter had declared sole jurisdiction over the prisoner. A minority of the wizard legislature protested. However, Harry had pledged his life to produce the criminal on the appointed date. And there was the fact that no one could find the feared Death Eater anyway. The Headmistress of Hogwarts had acknowledged that, yes, he was in the castle but did not know where. Aurors conducted several searches, failing to locate him. Everywhere, even a certain bathroom, had been investigated not once … but many times.

"Quite impressive, Duke Black. You know if you pull something like that, they might just convict you anyway." A voice echoed in the large room.

Looking every bit the feared wizard of his reputation, Sirius spun around demanding "Who's there?"

"Just your loving Godson, who's hurt you don't remember." Replied Harry with a faux-sob.

Sirius flicked his wrist, causing his wand to vanish. He embraced the on-rushing boy. "What you get for leaving me with that trove of goodies. Dobby!"

"Master Sirius, sirrrrr!" the elf popped in and bowed. Hermione's opinion, and the actual behavior of the Malfoys, and others, towards their servants notwithstanding this particular elf flourished in his current role. He was dressed in Potter finery and took great pride in his place as Harry's chief servant.

Sirius gestured grandly and ordered "Drinks, refreshments, for our honorable guests!"

"Sure you two don't wish to be alone?" asked Susan, blandly "I'm really quite jealous at the moment."

Sirius threw his head back and laughed "Well he is in the arms of the prettiest human in the room!"

"You dare!" she demanded "Such an insult must be avenged! Reducto!" The spell deliberately shot past them.

Sirius grinned wickedly and stepped away from Harry "As My Lady wishes. First Blood, then?"

"Your terms are acceptable." She replied, then quickly firing two more Reductos.

Sirius dodged the first, but it put him right in the path of the second forcing him to shield. "Not bad … for a girl, that is." He taunted her. Then banished a chair her way.

"Now you've got nothing to sit on." Countered Susan, as she deflected it into a snake statue "That the best you got?"

The opponents stopped talking as the fight intensified. Sirius smiled in acknowledgement of a good block-counter attack by Susan. He dodged a stunner that had a green color to it, meant to simulate a Killing Curse. A second, he intercepted with a stone. He then sent two pieces of the debris at her at high speed, a third just moved around the room in a slow lazy arc.

"Reducto!" yelled Susan, blasting the slow stone to dust. She trained her wand on one of the rapidly approaching ones, and missed. But it missed her as well. The second stone, however hit her wrist. She cried out in pain, dropping her wand.

Which Sirius "Accio'd" He rushed over and administered lightning fast magical first aid.

"You alright, Sue?" asked Harry. He conjured a comfortably padded leather chair and gently guided her into it. All the while glaring at his Godfather.

Sirius smirked, unabashedly and said "I've hurt you worse in practices. How's the new eye?"

"Fine, and don't change the subject." Harry grumbled "You could've really hurt her!"

Susan's response was a half-laugh/half-groan. What had been a bleeding cut on her wrist had been reduced to a faint line in her skin that would be gone before the couple ever returned to the main part of the school "He's so protective." She complained lightly.

"I guess I overreacted." Harry admitted, sheepishly "Sorry Sirius."

The older wizard's response was a light chuckle "James was the same." He reminisced "Even before they were dating, even when Lily was spitting mad at him, all she had to do was step on a rock or get a splinter. In Fifth Year the poor girl had to chase him off with a broom. Couldn't let her boyfriend see them getting friendly."

"If you say one word about my Mum and Snivellus-" Harry began.

Sirius held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, bowing at the waist "And remember, my Lord Potter, you have publicly declared our Houses in a blood feud. Careful of your next words."

"Well said, both of you." A nearby voice declared. Neither wizard was particularly surprised, Susan jumped out of her seat and spun around. The voice continued, "You might be annoyed with them. But I chose my own time."

Susan gaped as the entire rear wall of The Chamber of Secrets sank into the floor. What it revealed was staggering. Floating in front, like a guardian, was a full bodied portrait of the man whose face was carved directly into the wall. Standing with the coils of a Basilisk curled about him was a perhaps 60 year old Salazar Slytherin. She instinctively knelt and bowed her head.

"Countess Bones, you need never bow to anyone." The painting replied. And, surprising all of them, knelt as abjectly as the redhead just had.

A perplexed Susan waved her hand and said, regally "You may rise."

"You do not know." Slytherin observed shrewdly "The young Lord, certainly can be forgiven considering his Muggle upbringing. Even the Lady may be excused for her youth! But, given your upbringing, SIRIUS BLACK!"

Sneering at the portrait, he retorted "My dear Mum, oh wise flammable one, was as bad as the worst of your reputation. Most of what she said went in one ear and out the other. But… please … fill us in Sally!"

"Gentlemen!" shouted Susan over the end of Sirius' remark "And I use the term loosely! There is a story to tell?"

The portrait bowed to her and replied "Your Ladyship's lightest request commands obedience. Perhaps your history really only goes back to the time of the castle's construction?"

"And some of that is unclear." She replied.

Slytherin nodded "I see. The time I refer to is the centuries between the fall of the Roman Empire and what was, to me, modern times. You know of Merlin and King Arthur? Of the Knights of the Round Table and Camelot?"

"Yes sir," replied Harry "But, I think it you should just proceed. We wouldn't know anywhere near as much about that as you would."

Slytherin stroked his long iron-grey beard and chuckled "Flatter the Professor! Yes you would have done well! Very well. King Arthur ennobled his Round Table, setting them above the peasants. Among them, one Gaius Bones. I do not know what stories you have today but, HE was Arthur's true right hand!"

"And this has some basis on our lives… howww?" Sirius drawled out.

Susan just looked at him. Long past the nervousness of that first meeting with the wanted wizard, she ordered "Quiet."

"Sir Bones was never quite taken seriously. But, admittedly with the aid of Lancelot, he rescued the Lady Maledisant from Sir Plenorius. Through that, he was awarded the Castle Pendragon and wed the Lady." The painting explained "They had a son, Ahmr. And their son married Arthur's daughter, Morgause."

Harry whispered in Susan's ear "See that. You're a princess." And the hours were full of semi-mythical figures turned to real life people.