My favourite chapter so far (though chapter six gives it competition), as it introduces one of my favourite OCs.

Over the next few days Harry was very busy. The N.E.W.T.s began in ten days' time. The date had certainly crept up on them. Harry was dividing his study time between Hogwarts, Blossom House, Willowwood (where another full moon night had come and gone) and Potter House with the others. To Hermione's chagrin, the elves worked hours to make "refreshments" for them as they studied – Winky following Harry to Willowwood when she could.

On the Monday a week before exams began, Harry was studying at the House. Muffy (who still visited Potter House every fortnight as part of her time off) had instructed him to come by today. There had been a mysterious glint in her eye as she told him which made Harry extremely curious.

After a morning of hard work, the boys went to the kitchens for lunch. They had received exam timetables by Hogwarts owl that morning. On Sunday afternoon, they were expected to arrive at Hogwarts for up to two weeks (Mon-Fri) of exams. Theory in the morning, Practical in the afternoon. Both boys had Defence, then Herbology, Transfiguration, Potions and finally Charms. They'd only be at Hogwarts for a week.

Ron and Harry were talking about this as they began to eat. Today the elves had prepared bacon scrolls and vegetable soup.

It was nice, as always.

As they were about to go back to the study area after thanking the elves (something Harry had made a habit of doing), Winky stepped forward.

"Master Harry?" she said tentatively, "Can Winky talks to you for a bit?"

Harry blinked. "Err, okay."

As soon as he agreed, the other elves signalled to Ron and crept out of the room.

Harry crouched to Winky's level. Up close, he noticed Winky was considerably plumper than when they'd last had a long conversation. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed she was putting on weight. "What is it?" he asked kindly.
She sighed. "Tis about Dobby. We is more than just bonded, Lord Harry... Winky be not entire truthful last time. Dobby be gone, but Winky carry his elfkin." she placed a hand on her belly. "Due August."

Harry gaped at her. Finally he said, "I'm very happy for you, Winky. Thanks for telling me. New life is good. Take care of yourself until then, okay?"

Winky nodded. "Miffy and Muffy be making sure of that, sir. Thanks you."

Harry nodded. "Now, I'd better get back to studying..." he sighed.

Winky smiled. "Yes. With all the hard work you be putting in, I is sure you be fine come Monday!" she said, then bustled off.

Harry smiled before heading back to the Potter study to 'knuckle down' again.

The last few days before exams flew by quickly. On Sunday morning, Harry had been instructed to come by Potter House, to be quizzed by his elves and his parents' portrait before returning to Blossom House (or Blossom Burrow, as the Weasleys had rechristened it – they'd kept muddling the two names up so had joined them) for lunch, where he'd be prepped by Molly. The night before, he would converse with Remus, Tonks and Andromeda about the tests.

On Sunday afternoon, as Harry walked from the study to the kitchen fireplace (they'd finally got the Potter and Blossom Houses reconnected to the Floo network) he bumped into a cabinet, causing a door to pop open.

A jewellery box, several scrolls of parchment and a few objects looking as though they'd come from Alastor Moody's office fell out.

As Harry crouched to examine them, Miffy popped into the hallway. "Lord Harry – oh, you has found the Hideaway Cabinet!"

Harry blinked. "The what cabinet?"

"The Hideaway Cabinet sir. Tis very useful idea of long-ago Lord Potter. A special spot in every desk in the mansion be linking to this Cabinet. If Lord or Lady be wishing to hide something, they is just placing it in special space and – click, there it go."

Harry glanced at the items. "So these would be...?"

"The jewellery be your grandmother's, Miffy is thinking, or maybe great-grandmother's. The Dark Detectors be – Charlus Potter's. He be an Auror before he die..." he frowned. "I is not knowing about the scrolls, sir. Mayhap I take them and - ouch!"

Miffy sucked her burnt fingers. "Hmmm... Miffy take all but that one. You has it, methinks."

Harry gingerly took the scroll. It didn't burn him. He glanced at it, then remembered he had to get to Blossom Burrow. With a sigh he helped Cookie clean up then straightened and continued walking downstairs, putting the unopened scroll in the back pocket of his jeans.

Within three hours, Harry was standing with Ron and roughly two hundred other hopefuls at the gates of Hogwarts. As part of the program, students aged over fifteen could take their O.W.L.s and leave school. A seventeen-year-old or older student took their N.E.W.T.s and left. There were also a set of exams for students who were planning to go back to Hogwarts in the autumn but wanted a refresher. Hermione had been relatively pleased when she found out about those (a month before they started).

Carriages took them to the doors. Then the group split into houses. Harry was pleased to see each House was represented.

He paused at the Honour Roll. So many people... His eyes sought out the names of his parents, Sirius, Snape and Dumbledore and he vowed he'd do them proud.

Then his eyes found another name. Andrew Thomas... Now why was that familiar? Kingsley had spoken for the man, as he'd had no known family. He'd been a pureblood working at the Dept. of Magical Transportation when, roughly a year before the first war had ended, he had disappeared. His mutilated body had been found some months later.

An errant thought crossed Harry's mind. He remembered words spoken by his classmate Dean Thomas. "I never knew my dad... I don't know if he was a wizard or not..." or something like that anyway. That couldn't be it, could it?

"Something on your mind, Harry?"

Harry jumped and half-drew his wand before realising it was Kingsley, who apologised for startling him. "I'm still extremely twitchy, so I should have realised you'd be even more so."

Harry nodded absently. Kingsley repeated his question. Harry paused. "Just wondering about something. Kingsley, you spoke for Andrew Thomas, didn't you. Do you... Um... Are you sure he has no family?"

Kingsley sighed. "No. Actually, I'm fairly certain he does. I knew him, sort of. He was about a year married...he might've had a kid, I think."

Harry frowned. "What happened to them?"

Kingsley sighed. "When he disappeared, they did too. And... We couldn't track them... She was a Muggle and he must have hidden them purposefully, I think."

Harry looked at Kingsley. "Was he black? Could the boy have been about my age?"

Kingsley looked puzzled. "Maybe... Why?"

Harry sighed. "I have an idea of who they might be."

Kingsley listened to Harry's explanation and promised to look into it. Harry turned to go up the marble staircase after saying goodbye. Kingsley called him back. "Don't forget about that scroll in your back pocket, will you?"

Harry remembered the scroll and took it out sheepishly. "Thanks." he called back.

Later that day as the sun set, Harry sat with Ron in the Common room, playing chess to relieve their nerves. Tomorrow would be a big day.

After losing spectacularly to Ron twice in a row, Harry called it quits. He stretched and then took out the crumpled scroll.

He'd been rather busy all afternoon, but maybe now he'd see what was so special about it. Harry carefully unrolled it. From the feel of the parchment, it was unbreakable and possibly waterproof. Harry thought this was slightly odd. It had been tied with a red ribbon. What was so important about this scroll?

Then he got it fully unrolled. There were five sheets of parchment. All three looked like... certificates of some sort? Or copies of them.

His parents' marriage certificate... Hmm, Frank and Alice Longbottom's (she'd been a Prewett?)... As well as birth certificates for himself and Neville. The final sheet of parchment made Harry pause however.

Name: Samuel Sirius Black
Date of Birth: 1st of January 1981
Parents: Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon

Harry stared at the scroll. This certainly put a new light on things. He wondered if Remus knew... Pettigrew probably hadn't, or Voldemort (and all his little minions) would've known. Had Dumbledore known? Minerva? And what had happened to him?

Harry sighed. This was making his head ache. "I'm heading to bed," he said, a bit louder than necessary and stood up, taking the scrolls with him.

After putting the scrolls in his bag, he got changed and lay back in bed. He needed sleep. But even after he'd tried to clear his mind several times, it was a long time in coming. So many questions and so few answers.

In the morning, the boys woke up and headed down to breakfast. After they'd eaten, an officious-looking elderly man made them all line up to be marked off. Why this hadn't been done yesterday Harry didn't know.

After everyone had been checked off, Harry and a few others were asked to stay behind. Harry's problem was fixed easily – someone had mistakenly marked Harry as taking the CoMC exam and Harry just had to say he wasn't.

The boy a few people behind Harry had a more delicate problem it seemed. As he argued with a boy beside him about it in low tones, Harry wondered why he looked so familiar. He thought of the scroll upstairs, as he watched.

Then the boy's name was called. "Samuel Burbage?"

He stepped forward. The man continued, "Hufflepuff, would be going into your seventh year but doing this to get into the fast-track Auror program instead, correct?"

He nodded.

"Then why did you need to change something? What is it?"

The boy gave him an imploring look, but 'Samuel' ignored him.

"My name, sir."

The official stared at him. "You mean you're not Samuel Burbage?"

Samuel – or whoever he was – looked around. Only the other boy, Ron, Harry and a few teachers remained in the Hall.

"My first name is correct." Samuel began, "But my last name – regardless of what it says in the school records – is not. Um…My grandparents were Burbages. When the Fiasco – uh, that is, when certain things happened at the end of the war – I was…hidden. My mother is Marlene McKinnon."

Harry froze. But that would mean...

"My father was Sirius Black. So my last name is Black-McKinnon. I am Samuel Sirius Black-McKinnon."

Harry gaped at him. The others looked similarly shocked. Samuel smiled a little sheepishly. "Sorry I couldn't say anything earlier. I've been wanting to for ages, but I promised Mum I'd say nothing until Voldemort had kicked it."

Harry snorted, realising Samuel was talking mainly to him. "You say the name, Samuel." he noted.

Samuel nodded, then made a face. "Hard not to, considering my parents." he said, "But please, call me Sam. Samuel is just...too official."

Harry grinned. "Okay... Sam."

Sam glanced around. "Everyone else looks gobsmacked. I was expecting you to be one of the most shocked, but – you're not?"

Harry pulled the scroll from his book-bag. "I would be, except I found this at my House." he showed Sam the scroll. "Gave me a bit of warning."

Sam grinned. "Ah, now that makes more sense!" he said, slightly over-dramatising it. Harry blinked. The expression on his face – and that tone of voice – was oddly familiar...

He shook his head to clear it. Then Ron said, "But that does only explain part of it, you know." he raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Sam smirked. "And now the fun part."

He was about to explain when the officious man cleared his throat. "Ahem. Your exams do start in half an hour. I suggest you leave this... interesting explanation until tonight."

The boys glanced at each other, sighed and nodded. Sam said, "Thank you sir. Could I just ask that this information be kept within here? I don't want everyone to know at once – I just wanted to ensure my NEWT results would be addressed to my real name."

Minerva agreed, "Certainly Mr – ah – Black-McKinnon."

Sam gave that crooked smile. Minerva blinked. "Although now that I know, I can't see how I missed it."

Sam nodded. "You missed it because – to quote Mum when she was explaining it – you didn't expect it so didn't look for it." he said, "The fact she reckoned I started off looking very Burbage- or McKinnon-ish and grew more and more Black-ish also explains it." The officious man was frowning at them, so they took their leave and walked out of the Hall.

The Defence N.E.W.T. would start in half an hour.

The boys found out the set-up was exactly the same as their O.W.L.s — except the questions were a lot harder. Harry did find that he went well. Given the unlikely battle situations he'd been involved in and his other experiences, he could be fairly creative in his answers.

At lunch (which went for an hour) Sam, Ron and Harry sat together. Not wanting to be side-tracked, they didn't talk about Sam's past – yet.

For the practical, the set-up was also exactly the same as the O.W.L.s. They also had to cast spells non-verbally. Sam was called first (as "Burbage" – though Professor Flitwick's voice did sound a bit odd). Then, it was Harry's turn.

Harry felt he did rather well, though he did wonder if his examiner (Professor Tofty again) added in a couple of extra things, to stretch him. Unlike his sixth year, thanks to the practice accrued during weeks (of boredom) on the run and during the cramming sessions recently, he had little trouble with non-verbal spells, except overcasting once. Harry was surprised at this and made a mental note to look into it later.

The boys studied before dinner. Afterwards, however, they decided to let Sam tell his story. Sam invited them back to the kitchens. They accepted and went there quickly. On the way, Sam showed them the entrance to Hufflepuff House. To get in, you had to tap the right barrel in a stack in a particular pattern, then crawl through. Sam had fun showing them what would happen if they didn't and explained (after clearing the vinegar off Ron) why he didn't show them the real one. "No-one from outside our House has seen the inside for about a thousand years. It's tradition to keep that record. I'm stretching the loyalty rules just by showing you the entrance." he grinned at them, "Though the interior would be very similar to Gryffindor except in yellow and wooden. I think. Very cosy."

They sat on stools near the kitchen stove and Sam started, "Well, I'm six months and a day younger than you, Harry. Mum and Dad got together in seventh year. Only a year later, they pretended to split up. Dad hadn't wanted to risk any of his Dark family finding out, and with the spy in the Order… When I was born, things became more difficult, but they managed. That's how your parents found out, Harry. Mum…" he sighed. "Everyone thought Marlene McKinnon died with her parents and siblings in July of 1981. But she didn't. She just pretended to, to everyone bar a select few. Which, fortunately or unfortunately, included my first cousin once removed, John Burbage – and his wife Mary. John helped Mum re-invent herself as his sister Charity."

Ron and Harry gasped, recognising the name. Sam nodded. "Yeah, that's right – you knew her. But I'll get to that. See, Mum didn't know about The Switch – as I like to call it. When the night I like to call 'The Fiasco' happened, Mum was devastated. She didn't believe Dad could have done what he was accused of. In my opinion, John took advantage of that. He had never liked Dad; he believed him guilty. He also had very…particular…views on what sort of environment a child should be raised in. He didn't buy into the pureblood elitist talk, but on other things he was – and still is – quite prejudiced. Long story short, to 'protect' me Mum was convinced to give me to him and Mary; she pretended to be my aunt for the first ten years of my life, gaining a job at Hogwarts."

Harry winced. "That would be hard." he muttered.

Sam nodded. "It was, and it might've even been longer except I overheard Mum talking to Mary and John about it. That didn't go down so well." he sighed, "Anyway... When I went to Hogwarts I was Sorted into Hufflepuff due to my unshakeable, if childish, belief that Dad just had to be innocent. So I found out everything I could about what had supposedly happened. Which is to say practically nothing because of the no-trial idea." he made a face.

"When Dad escaped, I wondered... Because you'd think, if he'd been coming after you, Harry, wouldn't he have come after me and Mum, too? Yet it was only 'he' mentioned – not 'they'. Or so I thought at the time – after all, I was twelve and a little desperate." Sam continued, "At the end of the year, Dad wrote me a letter explaining all the stuff and had it delivered by a slightly wacky owl that I had to throw back out the window – so it could get your letter to you, Harry."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "Pigwidgeon? He became my owl."

Sam nodded. "Mmm, well... When I got home, Mum gave me a Firebolt Dad sent. He'd hinted at it in the letter." he glanced at Harry. "Was your codename in letters Snuffles?"

Harry nodded. "Yours was too?" he asked.

"Yeah," Sam continued, "I sent him food and visited him that Hogsmede weekend as well. That was when it got explained face-to-face." he sighed, "We exchanged letters. I saw him for a week in early July 1995 before the Order moved to Grim Old Place properly. Wasn't allowed to see him much after that. Once on Christmas Day – when everyone else was visiting your Dad, Ron. Harry, did you get a mirror?"

Harry sighed and recounted a quick version of how that had gone – but also how helpful it proved in the end.
Sam sighed. "Stuff like that just happens sometimes I guess." he muttered, then went on, "Well, I had one that connected Mum and me. After The 2nd Fiasco, my time with Mum was a bit restricted – due to the war and everything." He swallowed. "Mum died because, well… she'd been trying to get a book published about Muggles and things for years, but she'd faced roadblock after roadblock. In the confusion over Dumbledore's death, it took her a week or so to realise that someone in the publishing team had finally allowed it and ensured its publication. The week was enough for her to be unable to do anything about it. She was captured, and…we don't really know what happened, except that she died."

Harry winced. "Yeah," Sam said, "then I had to pretend really hard that my cousins were my parents. I joined the DA and kept my head down. Until now." he glanced at both of them. "So, that's about it."

Harry smiled. "Glad you could tell us now."

Ron asked, "Why did – that guy, uh, your…second cousin?… not want you to tell?"

Sam looked uncomfortable. "The more people I tell, the harder it'll be to keep the secret. Certain people – that is to say, John and Mary – believe I should put off telling people – revealing the secret – as long as possible. After all, there are still Death Eaters out there. Tim has often taken the role of peacemaker in disputes with John. And...John will be angry about this. But I wanted my last exams to be under my real name."

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance then Harry promised, "We won't tell anyone unless you say so."

Sam nodded. "There are only a few more people I think ought to be told. Quite apart from the need to tell the other Weasleys, I can't wait to see Moony's reaction." he smirked.

Harry laughed. "We'll see them all Saturday." he said, then frowned slightly. "It won't be as powerful as it would be if you'd told Remus a few months ago though." He quickly explained the circumstances to Sam.

But even with that caveat, it would certainly be interesting...

The rest of the week flew by. Harry got tripped by an armful of mischievous vines in Practical Herbology, but was otherwise fine there; in Charms and Transfiguration he managed to get along nicely; Potions was... interesting.

Harry had been unable to retrieve Snape's old book. When he'd wandered by curiously to check, he found the Room had sealed itself and would not open; strangely, there was now a solid mark on the wall there. Every so often it changed into something different - wood and plaster doors, brick and stone archways and the like. Harry hoped it would be able to fix itself. The Room had been useful.

Even if Harry had been able to retrieve the book, he wasn't sure if even using it for revision constituted cheating. It had helped him though. Snape had not been a very good 'teacher', as such, as he'd only had patience with those who were naturally at Potions. Even then it hadn't gone far. He hadn't really taught them through example but through a fair dose of intimidation and making them work it out themselves.

Still, Snape's old schoolbook had oddly done the opposite. When Harry had read over his notes and completed a few practice potions with Ron, he had caught himself looking at the instructions differently. Twice, he had spotted cases where sophorus beans could possibly be crushed rather than cut to release better juices. Even more common were the instances where a counter-clockwise stir could possibly be added to seven or twelve clockwise ones, or vice-versa, to influence the process. In the practical study they did, he shared the techniques with Ron and Sam, with explanation.

Sam was rather surprised but said, "I overheard Mary say something about that once. In higher grades, N.E.W.T.s, she said it has to be more about following your own initiative and less about following instructions to the letter."

Harry felt reasonably confident during both parts of the exam. Afterwards, they had dinner and spent one last night at Hogwarts. They would receive their results by the end of July.

During breakfast the next morning, Minerva announced the rebuilding of Hogwarts would start on July 1st, with the aim to complete them by September 30th; the school would re-open to students on October 1st. An article was also published in the Daily Prophet saying the same thing. Minerva was looking for helpers.

The boys signed up for a couple of weeks at least, to help while waiting for their results to come.

Before they could go to the carriages, Minerva came running out to them. "Harry – wait a moment. Just this morning, the teachers and I discovered a… situation. We considered dealing with it ourselves, but given that that would mean killing it, we reconsidered. Can you help?" she asked.

Harry blinked. "What sort of creature…." He began to ask, then paused. "Oh. Look, if – if it's some sort of snake, let Professor Slytherin deal with it – I…I haven't – I can't access my…abilities in that regard since I got rid of the you-know-what."

Minerva sighed. "I asked Professor Slytherin. He seemed to believe….anyway, could you come up and talk with him about this?"

Harry sighed irritably. Ron cleared his throat and said, "Don't worry about us, Harry. We'll stick around…maybe visit the kitchens or something. You go off and do…whatever it is you need to do."

Harry followed Minerva to the Head's office. Once inside, he turned to Minerva again and said, "Look, Professor, I understand your thinking, but I can't use parseltongue anymore. That was taken away from me with my – connection – to Riddle."
"Can't or won't?" A voice asked. Harry turned sullenly to see it was Professor Slytherin who had spoken.
Harry scowled. "Can't."
"Have you tried?"
"Yes!"

"Forgive me, but…how hard did you try?" Slytherin asked softly, "Intent is a factor in these sort of things, Harry, given that parseltongue is a magical language."

Harry took a deep breath to calm himself. "Professor Slytherin," he said wearily, "I can't speak parseltongue; and nor do I want to, given what it represents to me – a connection with Riddle, as I already said. I have no desire to test whatever theory you have – not now, not ever. Especially not when we've got someone who can do whatever needs to be done sitting right here – you! Do you understand?"

His tone had got sharper and sharper as he spoke, and Professor Slytherin winced at the end. There was a pause, during which Harry all-but-glared at the portrait, and Slytherin exchanged glances with the other founders. "I…will try to. Forgive me." He said at last, "I'm so used to enjoying speaking parseltongue that I…forget that some others….dislike it."

Harry's shoulders relaxed. "It's all right," he said gruffly, "But, ah, what is the problem, if you don't mind me asking?" Curse his curious nature...

He glanced around at Minerva, who frowned. "It has been discovered," she said, "that Amycus Carrow was attempting to hatch basilisks in his quarters during the year. Twice, he attempted it, and Severus prevented it. I…we were doing a sweep of his quarters the other day, and discovered that a third attempt had been made, possibly beginning just hours or days before the battle. Severus did not have a chance to stop it, and by the time we realised the danger, just yesterday, one had already hatched. It is a female, like the other one was. We were going to kill it, but the founders – Salazar in particular – convinced us otherwise. At least for now."

Harry had paled. "A…basilisk." He breathed. He blinked several times before sighing and saying, "Well, Professor Slytherin, you controlled the last one – I suppose you'll have to control this one. Hopefully, this one will be able to be taught what a threat is and isn't, and who or what to trust and not, so a repeat of my second year doesn't occur." He straightened, then finished, "If that is all, then I think I'd best be going. Good day, Professors…and good luck."

Then he turned and strode out of the office. The idea of another basilisk…well, he supposed the first basilisk had been bewitched by Riddle. But still…it had nearly killed him. Having it sprung on him like that, and talking about parseltongue, brought back memories.

He collected the others and they went out to the carriages. He was pulled from his thoughts by what they were saying.

Sam was nervous. Ron reassured him. "They'll be fine with it! Just answer the questions honestly and give them the explanation you gave us." he suggested. Harry got the feeling Ron was rather excited about his family's reaction.

They Apparated to Ottery St. Catchpole and walked the short distance quickly. Harry was surprised Sam had known exactly where to go – he'd been under the impression he hadn't been to the village before. When prompted, Sam only said mysteriously, "It's a story for another time."

The first at Blossom Burrow to spot their return were Hermione and Ginny. Ron and Harry were met so quickly that Harry thought they must've been watching from the window. He didn't mind though; it just meant he could kiss Ginny quicker. Ron appeared to have the same idea with Hermione.

The two couples reunited until someone cleared his throat rather loudly. Charlie Weasley gave them an annoyed glance. "Get a room, would you?" he muttered. Harry and Ron laughed sheepishly while the girls blushed. Ginny stuck the tip of her tongue out at her brother.

The crowd at the Saturday lunch today was a big one. All the Weasleys were there, as were Neville and Luna. Remus, Tonks, Andi and Teddy all came, as well as Hestia — Kingsley would be arriving later.

Everyone chatted about this, that and the other, all at once. Harry told the reason of why Minerva had held him back. Ginny reassured him about his reaction.

Some discussed the rebuilding of Hogwarts. Others about Quidditch and how the League was rearing to go after a year of disarray thanks to Riddle.

It wasn't until just after Kingsley arrived that Sam's presence was properly questioned. After Kingsley had explained the delay – it appeared Harry had been right about Dean Thomas' biological father – new conversations began about choices and options (Neville was returning to Hogwarts to repeat the botched year; the catch-up exams would start on Monday). In the middle of it all Molly turned to Sam. "What about you, dear?"

Sam blinked. "Pardon?"

Molly smiled. "Well, I remember that you're Timothy Burbage's younger brother, in Ginny's year. But... You just took your N.E.W.T.s."

Sam nodded. "I'm doing the fast track Auror program."

Molly began to ask why, but Sam headed her off. "Family reasons."

Molly's face softened. "Oh, of course."

Sam sighed. "Although, not quite the ones you're thinking of." Everyone looked confused. Sam's lips twitched upward. "I'm Timothy's second cousin. Through my mum….You knew her most recently as Charity Burbage, true, but..."

Kingsley spoke up hesitantly. "Second cousins…? Most recently…?"

Sam nodded. Harry nudged him. "Stop teasing, Sam, or I'll do it for you." He joked.
Sam smiled. "Oh, all right, then," he said; Harry realised the 'teasing' was probably due to nerves. Then Sam continued. "I'm Samuel Sirius Black-McKinnon." At the stunned looks, he reeled off, "Six months and a day younger than Harry. Mum wasn't killed in the attack on her parents – she wasn't there. For the rest of the war and…beyond…she pretended to be my aunt, thanks to a scheme cooked up by her cousin."

Remus nodded. "Wow." he muttered, "So that was his reason..." His hand made a motion with his hand as though he was flipping through a book, and his brows creased. "Samuel Sirius Black-McKinnon?" he repeated.

"Don't call him Samuel, it's too formal." Harry teased, smiling and attempting to reassure Remus and Sam.
Sam sighed. "How did I know you'd do that?" he muttered.

Several people laughed. Percy frowned. "Say it again, slowly?" he asked. Sam took a breath and launched into the tale he'd told Harry and Ron earlier that week.

The others were surprised to say the least. Percy pressed, "But surely... I mean... Wouldn't it have been picked up? When you came to Hogwarts — or in the legal drivel after, well, your father's death?"

Sam nodded. "The Quill did pick it up, but... That's how Dumbledore found out. Mum had to talk to him quickly after my first letter came." he explained, "As for the will... I'm not exactly sure about that."

Harry broke in. "Dumbledore again, helped by Gringotts' privacy policy." Everyone turned to look at him. He said, "When Dumbledore told me about the will, he chose his words carefully. Everything Sirius owned, in this case, meant everything that was publicly known he owned." Harry had given this a bit of thought over the week. Now, he told the others what Griphook had shown and told him regarding the Black fortune.

Sam nodded. "Whereas I got access to all the private stuff." he remarked, "Which reminds me, I really need to visit Gringotts."

The group talked for a while longer, enjoying each other's company and the warm afternoon sun. Things finally appeared to be settling down (ignoring new things such as basilisks that were not-his-problem), or at least getting back into some sort of rhythm and for now, Harry was content.

Did you really think I'd let Sirius be the lonely Marauder?
And what do you think of the basilisk?