Chapter Six: Black Flames.
"KREACHER!" Sirius shouted at the top of his lungs, the wards he erected would stop the noise from leaving the area around the cave but the House-Elf would hear the call of its master.
A loud 'crack' rang through the air, Buckbeak looked up at the loud noises.
Kreacher was an old House-Elf with large floppy ears, dirty white hair and bulging blood shot eyes. His tea towel was dirty and ragged, he looked sickly and barely alive.
"Merlin Kreacher." Sirius said with distaste.
"Filthy Blood Traitor, Why has he summoned Kreacher away from his Mistress?" Kreacher had a bull frog like voice that croaked and cracked with each word.
"You will not talk to your master like that, Elf." Sirius stated with a firm voice, laced with venom.
Kreacher mouthed something but found the words wouldn't become vocal. To which he just glared at Sirius.
"Kreacher" Sirius said in a composed voice. "What happened to you?"
"What is he talking about? Happenings to Kreacher." The Elf croaked.
"Kreacher" Sirius stated with a firm voice.
Kreacher grumbled "No masters for Kreacher to serve…All Mistress does is scream or cry….no one to order Kreacher around…no drive for poor Kreacher…" He said in a sad voice.
Sirius bit his lip, it was fairly common without any orders for a house elf to fall apart, especially one that was abused. He knew that Number 12 was trashed and most likely in the same shape as Kreacher. Sirius pinched his nose for a second "Kreacher." He said in a calm voice "Would you go and get Mistress Walburga's Portrait from the hall? I need to speak to her."
Kreacher rose a white fluffy brow at him, Sirius did not order this time he asked. "Why does he needs to speak to Mistress?" He stated with a snarl.
"I'm in need of help from my Mother, please go a get her." He said with a look of pain on his face.
Kreacher grumbled a little and vanished, a few seconds later he showed up with a portrait of a woman. She had crazed black hair, wild silver eyes and sharp features, her background was a mudded black color and the frame was that of Black Walnut, he recalled it was the same wood as her wand.
Walburga looked around in a state of panic "PUT ME DOWN!" She screamed.
"Mother."
Walburga looked up at saw Sirius, she took a moment to think "FILTHY BASTARD! TRATOR OF THE FAMILY."
"SHUT UP" Sirius yelled back.
Walburga jumped a little and looked at him with confusion on her features.
"You think I left the family of my own will?" He snapped "You and Orion basically threw me out! All because I didn't want to follow a mad man, I wanted to be the Gryffindor! I wanted our FAMILY to walk in the LIGHT." Sirius shouted.
Walburga remained frozen.
"Orion beat me, when I did wrong as a child. Did you expect me to follow blindly like Regulus?" Sirius continued "I need help, and you are the only one who can help me."
Walburga snarled "And why would I help you?" She snapped.
"Because, I am your son and I need to lead this family." He said with a calm smile "Or would you prefer a Malfoy, become Lord of this House."
Walburga recoiled like she had touched something hot "What do you need." She growled.
"Where are the family rings?" He said simply.
"Gringotts"
"Brilliant. Any idea how I can get a fair trial?"
"Fair trial? You already had one didn't you?" Walburga sneered.
"Do you think I could murder a bunch of Muggles and my friend in cold blood?" He snapped.
That made Walburga bite her lip "Er…Well….I have known you for all your life…" She mumbled "You'd never hurt a fly without just cause or off the Quidditch pitch." She said calmly.
"Peter did it. He betrayed the Potters, I went after him after making sure Harry was alright and then he framed me. The Rat is long gone now, I don't know where to start." Sirius said with distaste.
"Ah yes, the Potters scandal. All the people knew was that they had been killed by the Dark Lord. I however knew they went into hiding, someone had to betray them." Walburga sneered.
Sirius sighed "Answer my question."
"Well, being the Lord of Ancient House should at least grant you an audience of the Courts, Minister or Head of the Aurors. So you'll need to become Head of the Family, meaning you'll need the Ring, Scroll and have to earn the trust of the Raven." Walburga explained.
Sirius frowned "Scroll?" He asked, Orion never mentioned a Scroll. The Raven he knew was the family symbol, the way to earn the trust of the symbol was to submit yourself to the family. As far as he was aware he could only contact the symbol through a ritual.
"The Scroll is the family's way of keeping track of the Lords, Heads and Counts." Walburga explained "Without that scroll anyone can write their name in there and take over the family, so long as they share some blood with us. Being that all Pure-Bloods are related in some way, that means anyone can do it."
Sirius bit his lip "And the Scroll?"
"In Number 12, attic. Kreacher." Walburga snapped, the Elf looked up with watery eyes "Fetch me the scroll. Now." Kreacher bowed deeply, his nose almost touching the floor. With a small pop he was gone.
Sirius glare over at his mother "I hate you, you know that?" He snapped.
"Oh I hate you too, I would rather my own blood be head than some lesser being." She said without a care in the world.
"Bellatrix and Narcissa will likely be kicked out of the family." He said crossing his arms "And Andromeda will be brought in, with her daughter." He looked down at his fingernails "Harry will become my adoptive son."
Walburga had a tight lip, almost scowling "Bellatrix is fine. She has dishonored the family. Narcissa has done nothing more than follow the contract her father set for her, as for Andromeda, I have no comment."
Sirius sneered as the small 'pop' sounded in the cave. Kreacher was holding in both hands a wide scroll, with dark iron metal tips in the shapes of Ravens. The Seal was that of the Black family. Sirius opened the scroll slowly and saw the last entry was that of his father, it was written in dried blood and had his index print on the page.
Lacking a Blood Quill at the moment, Sirius resorted to more direct means of getting his blood on paper. He pulled a small dagger from his waist, being the wand he had only worked a good fraction of his true power, he kept it on him. The Black heir slit into his index finger and used his slightly over grown nails as a tip to write with.
'Sirius Orion Black' It took him a few seconds to write it out and then he pressed his index finger under the name like his ancestors.
Walburga smiled at him "Show that scroll to the Goblins at Gringotts and they'll let you in." She said with peaceful look "Now, may I return home?"
Sirius nodded blissfully "Kreacher." He stated hoping the elf would know what to do, before the Elf could leave "Kreacher, also take care of yourself. Take a bath and clean your towel." Black said softly.
Kreacher grumbled a moment then was gone.
Sirius ran a hand through his hair, he wouldn't be able to walk bold face in the Ministry. Lord or not, they would take him down and then he would be at square one. However as Lord of the Ancient House of Black would allow him so connections, including a property near Hogwarts that shouldn't be in too rough of shape. So long as the Elf there was still alive.
XX~XX~XX~XX
Sirius walked through Diagon Alley with his hood up, this plan was stupid and he knew it but it was so stupid he knew it would work. No one was looking for Sirius Black: Mad Man and Killer in Diagon Alley, as far as the public knew he was in Northern France and heading south.
He didn't dare Apperate here, so he used Buckbeak, disillusioned of course. The Hippogriff should still be invisible and quietly munching on a dead fox in an abandoned warehouse, a few blocks away.
So long as he kept his hood down and didn't look up to often, he should be fine.
Sirius took a back alley behind a building to avoid traffic, without looking up he slammed into something. He heard a small squeak of surprise and then a thud. He looked up from his hood a little, it was a woman. A few years younger than himself, she had mid back length chestnut colored hair, a sharp face and glasses which covered almost sparkling pink eyes.
Sirius cursed himself, he was staring. "I'm sorry." He said softly, keeping his hood down.
The woman shook her head "No, No it's my fault…it's what I get for trying to read and walk." She said dully, collecting her book.
Sirius held out a hand for her, she took it and he helped her up. He was about to turn and leave, heading for the bank. She stopped him "I'm Jennifer. What would your name be?" She asked softly, straighten out her button up shirt.
"I'm sorry, Jennifer but I have an appointment with the Goblins. You know how they are." He said calmly, still looking down, keeping his hood up.
Jennifer nodded in understanding "Well, I hope to see you around sometime. I work at Flourish and Blotts" She said walking off "Oh and Black, take care of yourself."
Sirius' head snapped around at her parting words but she was gone. It could be a trap, or it could be a supporter. He didn't have time for it at the moment though.
Sirius didn't take long to enter the Bank, he walked up to the nearest available teller "Excuse me." He said politely.
The Goblin looked down from his desk and paperwork "Yes?" He asked with a raised brow.
"I'd like an audience with Durik." He said in a calm manor, hoping to not attract too much attention.
"Sirius Black….you have some nerve to walk through Diagon Alley into this bank." The Goblin stated with a smirk "I like it, follow me."
The Goblin lead Sirius through the back lobby, down hallways with name plates on each door. The further he was led the more ancient names he saw. 'Potter, Bones, Greengrass, Longbottom.' Then finally his family's door, it was a dark wood most likely Black Walnut with a Silver handle and a Green metal name plate 'The Ancient and Noble House of Black: Family Accountant Durik the Sly.' With that the Goblin left Sirius.
Sirius knocked loudly once, he waited for only a few seconds "Enter!" Was heard from the other side.
Durik was a feral looking goblin with beady black eyes and slicked back white hair, he had a scar across his cheek leading up through his eyebrows. The room was dark, very dark the furniture was a dark color with forest green padding, walls were a deep black color with throwing of green underneath. Any metal was either dark Iron or Silver.
"Well, Well…The prodigal son returns at last." Duirk said in a harsh voice, obviously recalling how he acted in his youth.
Long story short he pranked the Goblin in his second year and ended up with a severe beating for that one, it was totally worth it.
"Nice to see you too, Durik." He stated as he sat down, placing the scroll on the Goblins desk.
"Is that?" He stated looking at it before opening it slowly, seeing Sirius' name on the parchment. "Well…I would assume you'll need the Rings and the Alter to summon the Raven?"
Sirius nodded once.
"Very well Mr. Black."
With that the Goblin pressed two buttons on his desk. In a few seconds two Goblins appeared, both were fairly young and looked eager to please. "Talof, go down to the Records Room and get the Black family Rings." He stated to one, who took off after ordered "Riva, fetch me the Ancient House's Alter."
Sirius sighed a little, the Black Manor or as it was called in its day Ravenwood. During the war years ago back in 1298, a Dark Lord spawned from the Black house and then the Light Leader at the time destroyed the family home, all items included. What was spared was then sent to the Vaults, and then sometime later a town was born from its ashes with the same name.
"What made you deiced to return?" Durik asked with a raised brow, curiosity in his eyes.
"Harry Potter." He stated calmly "I need to care for my ward, which is hard being a criminal. But as Lord even as a criminal I have some reach."
Durik smiled dangerously "Nice to see your stay in Azkaban has done you well. More Mature."
"I can prank you if that will bring back some nice memories."
"No thank you, I quiet like my Office the way it is." He said with a glare "It took them weeks to get the pink off this place."
Sirius snickered "Just a suggestion."
Riva returned bearing a stone shrine, it had runes covered all over it and a bowl. Durik stood slowly, handing him a box with emblems on it "Have a pleasant journey, Mr. Black." He said leaving the room, with the other Goblin.
Sirius sighed dimming the lights with a wave of his wand, he walked over to the altar. Kneeling down in front of the dark stone runes, he used the dagger on his hip to slice open his palm. Draining it down into the bowl. Inside the box he threw in some powder and a raven feather. "I Sirius Orion Black, summon the Raven of House Black. Hear my call." He said in a drawn voice.
The runes started to glow a deep black color with a dull. The bowl then lit on fire, the fumes started to lift around him. He closed his eyes and let himself getting lighter, his vision slowly got darker.
"Well, Well what do we have here?" A female voice whispered from the shadows, a birds flapping could be heard "Sirius, Sirius, Sirius, Lost little puppy return home. It's almost a tale for children." She chilled.
Sirius looked around for the bird, in truth it was starting to annoy him already.
"So…why should you lead the House of Raven?" She chilled softly, when he was about to speak "You do not need to speak, I know it all. Sirius."
The Black heir looked around and then was face to face with the black bird, it held violet colored eyes. The bird looked at him with an amused look in her eyes and started to caw.
"Gryffindor, Bold, Loyal and Courageous. That boldness has caused you mistakes, the loyalty has caused you pain and the Courage you wield, makes you different." She started "A Trickster, well versed in Magic of both Dark and Light, you've come from a Dark background and thrive to live in the Light…Cocky, Playful, Curious, Secretive, Protective, Mysterious and Unpredictable…..All qualities of the Raven…" She whispered, in a soft motherly voice. It was almost lulling.
Sirius was holding his breath slowly and then he let it out "Who are you?" He whispered.
"It has been nearly five hundred years….since a Black has asked me that…I was part of this family, a daughter, a mother and a wife…in life I was the Half-Sister to a King….I was Morgan Le Fay." She whispered softly "Sirius Orion Black, Son of Walburga Venus Black and Orion Taurus Black….I deem you worthy of this House…Welcome Home." With that the Raven slowly faded like it had never been there.
"Thank you Madam Le Fay, I shall not fail the house again." Sirius said with a bow of his to the altar.
"Silly boy, you've never failed this house…this house was born from the shadows…but like a Raven, they must learn to walk in the Light. Farewell Sirius."
Sirius stood slowly, his shoulder started to burn and the knife wound on his hand was gone. Glancing at the flesh from under his shirt was a small black bird in flight, a Raven.
Durik reentered his office when Sirius opened the door, in his hands was a small wooden box. "By claiming this ring you take on the title of Lord Black, any dealings with any families must be honored wither debts or marriages." He explained opening the box, showing a silver ring with an onyx raven in the center, surrounded by green emeralds.
"I know." He said picking up the ring "But I have more riding on the next few days than ever before."
XX~XX~XX~XX
"Fleur you're going to love the Three Broomsticks, it's the best place in Hogsmead to get a drink or something to eat." Harry said excitedly as he led her through the village.
At Beauxbatons, they were able to do something very similar but during their fourth year. From what Hermione told her, Harry wasn't able to go much last year other than sneaking around due to not having permission. Which she didn't feel comfortable with, being his Relatives had to sign it. She needed to have a chat with Cedric about someone who could help.
The small group of her, Harry, Mindy and Hermione were gathering a couple of glares. Harry was gaining most of them, he had gotten a letter a few days ago from someone and he was holding his head up. Of course he was still getting into a couple of scraps with his House-Mates but it wasn't anything serious anymore.
Hermione was gaining some glares as well, mainly from the Ravenclaws who disliked her for being such a Brain Lion. Mindy went largely unnoticed which annoyed her to no end and Fleur was trying to avoid the stares.
The Three Broomsticks was cozy and lightly packed with students. Hermione and Mindy left to order food and drink, leaving the pair alone. Well at least until some Ravenclaws showed up, one Harry knew well.
"Beat it Potter, I'd like a word with this wonderful flower." The Leader snapped, he had short cropped black hair and sky blue eyes, he was well built and looked full of himself.
"Who is he?" Fleur asked in French to Harry.
Harry just grinned "Roger Davies, Ravenclaw Captain Chaser." He said casually, lately he had been looking through his French to English book and had gained a better understanding of the language.
"He just called me Flower…do I look like a Flower?"
"Yes and No, Beautiful like one but about a hundred times deadlier…" He responded with a shrug.
"So you think I'm beautiful?" She asked with a bright smile.
"Hey! I said Beat it Potter!"
"I hate brutes." Harry said to her then turned to Roger "I am so sorry Davies, but we were talking before you came over demanding like a bloody Gryffindor or Brute. How about you come back when she'll actually talk to you, which would be never."
Fleur giggled softly, it was blunt and to the point.
Roger looked like he had just been slapped "I don't have to take that from you Potter!" He snarled, his face becoming red with rage.
"Roger, take two seconds to think this over. You are about to attack me in a public place, surrounded by people and some of my friends." Harry said in a cold, emotionless voice.
Roger ground his teeth slowly, then without warning he turned to leave.
"Smooth." Fleur said softly, as Hermione and Mindy came over. Hermione with the Butterbeers and Mindy with chips and biscuits, both started asking what had just happened.
While Fleur explained the situation, Harry noticed Hagrid and Professor Moody walk into the Pub. They stopped at the bar for a second and the Hagrid sat down next to them, carrying a rather large mug. Moody of course drinking from his pocket flask, which he noticed wasn't when he was thirsty….it almost seemed like clockwork.
Hagrid leaned over while the girls chatted "Arry…I need ya to come out to me cabin round midnight, can yeh do that?" He whispered in a gruff voice, leaning back into his seat and taking a deep drink of most likely Fire-Whiskey or Mead.
Harry nodded once and flashed Hagrid a smile, Moody winked at him a little which seemed off for such a grizzled warrior.
After a while the group left the Pub and headed for the Shrieking Shack.
"I 'ear this is most 'aunted place in the area. It seems strange no? I mean 'Ogwarts is full of ghosts." Fleur stated with her hands behind her back.
Mindy nodded "I thought the same thing. Very strange."
Hermione looked at Harry and nodded her head a little.
Harry smirked "Well in truth, it's not really haunted." That caused the two French women to look at him strangely "You see all the screaming and yelling, then the roars and howls were because a student at the time was a Werewolf, let's just call him Moony for the moment." Harry smirked widely "See Moony was bit at a young age and dreamed of going to Hogwarts but to protect the other students he needed a place to transform every month. The Shrieking Shack, was perfect."
Fleur rose a brow "Ow do you know any of this 'Arry?" She asked with a curious glint in her eyes.
"Well, like the text books say the Transformation is rather horrible and brutal on the body, especially alone. So his three friends let's call them Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail, trained to become Animagus. Prongs was their leader, Padfoot became their go to man, Moony their information and Wormtail the spy." Harry explained with a slow grin "Let's just say, I'm close friends with Padfoot and Moony, Prongs sadly passed on before I knew him and Wormtail is up in smoke." Harry started to laugh at their expressions, Hermione knew exactly who he was talking about, Fleur more than not had an idea and Mindy was completely clueless.
"So the most 'aunted place in Brittan, is nothing more than a Werewolf changing spot?" Fleur asked.
Harry pointed at his nose "Winner."
Fleur shrugged a little, only Muggles were scared of ghosts. "Can I come with you for the training with Andromeda?"
Harry shook his head and looked at his watch "Sorry, She doesn't want anyone but us. I'll see you guys later, I've got to go." With that the Raven took off like a shot, not wanting to be late.
XX~XX~XX~XX
"Mr. Potter." Andromeda said with a smirk, the woman had long slightly curly black hair and bright violet eyes. "So glad you could make it."
"And I would miss it?" He asked with a casual smile.
"Too true, I dare say you'll need some Elemental help during this Tournament." She said softly.
Harry nodded "That was my thoughts as well."
"This is nothing you can learn over night, I started my training at the age of eight and I am not a Master of the Lightning Element, Water is easier because it flows and bends. Light does not." Andromeda started, sipping from a cup of tea. "That is the element we shall start with first Water. To master Water you must let yourself go, flow with the water and yourself. Blissful, Easy going and Relentless."
Harry nodded listening intently, the place was dark, all he knew is that it was a cabin of sorts, near Hogsmead.
She waved her hand around lighting the place, it was cozy and worn out from years of use. "Do you know where we are?"
"Not a clue"
"This is the Black family cabin, normally it was for us Blacks to meet with our parents in secret." She explained "Sort of like now, I meet this scruffy black dog earlier and if I didn't know any better. I would say it was my cousin." She went to the door, and let the dog run in.
"Padfoot!" Harry shouted as he got mauled by the large Grim like dog.
XX~XX~XX~XX
Hello Hello, So ends another chapter. Cruel yes as I end it right when Sirius shows up for Harry and his Elemental training begins. So what did you think? I'd like to think it was well done, I know some people claim that Gringotts shouldn't have all that stuff but remember it is a bank. A lot of people in our world but an important thing in Safety Deposit Boxes, and Gringotts is Neutral grounds being part of the Goblin world, so they can do what the Heads of Houses as criminals cannot. 'branchkk' I do not know who you are but you my friend are an amazing thinker, I think your idea is brilliant and I will use it somehow in my story.
So till next time Ladies and Lads, I bid thy farewell and respectfully ask for your ideas or suggestions. Love, Hate it all helps in some way- So sign with Regards 'The Demon'