Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: Always a big thank you to my reviewers. Y'all's constructive/encouraging commentary keeps this story alive and well. Please keep it up! We'll be diving deeper into the Dark Witch/Gorgon Arc. OMG we did it! Finally at Ch. 40 (discounting Author's Notes, Timeline Clarifications and Prologue). I really am determined not to go longer than a month between postings. I have so much planned for this story and honestly don't know how many chapters it'll be. So thank y'all so much!

Ch. XL: Introducing Lord & Lady Black Part I

Lady Serena Helena Black escorted her godson to his Head of House.
There were several surprised murmurings and gasps as the attractive, stately 30-year-old Pureblood Lady led the way toward Minerva McGonagall's office.

Lightly knocking, the door opened to reveal the Scotswoman grading papers.

"Professor McGonagall," Séraphine and Harry politely greeted.

Minerva arched a brow and stood from her desk as she gestured for her guests to sit at the armchairs facing her fireplace before joining them.

"I hope we're not intruding," Séraphine said sincerely, her manner respectful. "Sirius had to rush for Auror business this morning and I wanted to ensure Harry made his way back to Hogwarts."

"Indeed," Minerva said. "May I inquire as to who you are?"

"My apologies," Séraphine demurred. "I am Harry's godmother, Serena Black. Harry has been unwell due to Dragon Pox and Healer Thaxton said he is unable to use magic until tomorrow. However, we did not want Harry to miss further schooling." Her hazel eyes regarded Harry, who blushed and nodded.

"I did get all of my homework done thanks to Hermione's notes," Harry said quickly. "I just couldn't practice magic but I worked through the theory, Professor."

Minerva's eyes softened a touch.

"Dragon's Pox is nasty business…I take it you've never had the exposure or the antidote?"

"No ma'am." Harry answered. "But I heard once you get it you don't get it again."

Bother Séraphine and Minerva nodded sagely.

"I don't want to take up anymore of your time, Professor." Séraphine said. "May I escort Harry to Gryffindor Tower and I will take my leave from there?"

Minerva's eyebrows rose.

"Did you attend Hogwarts, Mrs. Black?" She asked curiously.

"Yes ma'am." Séraphine answered easily. "I was in Slytherin. I knew Sirius through Reggie."

Minerva's expression saddened. "Indeed, I will let you pass this once, Mrs. Black. If only because of the no-magic rule for Potter."

"Thank you, Professor." Séraphine and Harry rose simultaneously.

Harry stayed close to Séraphine and she smiled tenderly at him, knowing full well they were being watched by the Gryffindor professor.

The boy straightened his posture once they left with Séraphine allowing him to lead the way.

Very good, Mrs. Black. Minerva thought as she sipped her tea at her desk.

Séraphine merely nodded to Draco who paled and looked away.

Good. Séraphine thought darkly. Narcissa has done her son a service then.

Harry cleared his throat as they approached the Fat Lady.

"Prickly lanterns." He said the newly changed password courtesy of Hermione.

"Really?" Séraphine asked curiously.

Harry shrugged as the Fat Lady curtseyed to Séraphine who inclined her head.

"May I enter as well? I've never seen Gryffindor and certainly would like to meet Hermione and the Weasleys."

Harry nodded, blushing.

The Weasley Twins beamed at Harry.

"He's back!" They chorused.

Séraphine smiled.

The Twins glanced at one another and to everyone's surprise declared, "My Lady," as they respectfully half-bowed from a lower Pureblood ranking would.

"My Young Masters," Séraphine greeted in kind with an inclination of her head.

Harry frowned curiously and noted anyone from Pureblood background followed suit. Ginny looked lost but awkwardly curtseyed to match her elder brothers.

"It's a pleasure to meet you…Fred?" She correctly identified. "George?"

"Yes ma'am." They beamed.

"Where are the famous Ron, Hermione and Neville I've heard so much about?" She turned to Harry and offered him a sweet smile. "It's good to see you have such loyal friends."

"Er, yes?" Harry stammered. Fred winked at him behind Séraphine's back in a clear I'll-explain-all-after-she's-gone look.

"Ron's a little put out, I'm afraid." George offered courteously.

Neville lumbered in sadly with Hermione.

"Why the glum faces?" Harry asked walking toward them.

"Harry!" Neville exclaimed, delighted. "Good to see you're doing well, I hope?"

Harry gave him a lopsided grin. "Yeah, probably no Quidditch until Friday but otherwise, yeah, I'm on the mend."

Neville caught sight of Séraphine who smiled warmly at him.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Neville." Séraphine said smoothly.

"Y―yes ma'am." Neville stammered at the beautiful witch before him.

Hermione looked ready to cry, deeply concerning Harry.

"H―hello Harry and Mrs. Black." She said softly.

"Why hello to you too, Hermione." Séraphine said gently. "I don't want to keep anyone from their classes and such."

There was a collective gasp from the Common Room and Harry bristled.

"What's so strange about my godmother?" Harry snapped, irritated at the atmosphere and knowing he is missing something important.

Séraphine fought a smile.

"Well, having been a Slytherin girl myself," she gave everyone a courteous smile. "I was happily indulged by all of you and Harry to seeing what Gryffindor Tower looked like."

She turned to a red-faced Harry and squeezed his shoulder lightly, inclined her head to Hermione and Neville before exiting with Fred and George stepping aside.

"Oh and Fred? George?"

"Yes ma'am?" George asked for them.

"Padfoot sends his regards," she winked at them as she made her way toward the Great Hall with Dobby at her side, causing them to gasp.

"Mistress Black comes with Dobby nows." The little House-Elf held his hand to her and simply Apparated her to Diagon Alley.

"Thank you," Séraphine said simply. "Please keep an eye on our favorite lion and lioness?"

"Absolutely." Dobby declared as he nodded to Kreacher entering from her left.

"Phase one complete." She mentioned to the Black House-Elf in French undertones, making him chuckle as the pair Apparated to Gringotts.

They did not wait long as the Black Account Manager approached them.

"Mistress Black?" The young Goblin verified smartly. "I am Bloodsnout." He gave her the customary half-bow and was most pleased at receiving a half-curtsey causing a stir from the stunned public eying a Black Pureblood Lady not looking down her nose at Goblin.

"May gold be ever-flowing and profits eternal." She greeted sincerely. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Master Bloodsnout. This is our House-Elf Kreacher."

Blinking, the Goblin led her to his office on the third hallway to their right where she sat across from him and Kreacher remained standing, pale eyes alert.

"How may I be of service to you, madam?"

"His Lordship and I would like to open two accounts, please." Séraphine announced. "One with Muggle money and, er, credit cards, in our names using our initials—no middle names."

Tactful and professional, Bloodsnout hid his surprise well. "And the other?"

Hazel eyes sparkled slightly at him. "We would like to take His Lordship's earnings and convert it to an account in my name only."

"Indeed," Bloodsnout said.

"I have a letter from His Lordship along with Master Flameclaw's signatures." Séraphine continued, opening her purse, and passing him the legalese detailing what they wanted.

"I shall have this for you in the next two business days, Mistress Black." Bloodsnout said after looking through the papers easily seeing is Top Client and Friend to the Nation via Harry James Potter-Black.

"You have our gratitude, Master Bloodsnout." Séraphine demurred.

Bloodsnout felt the peculiar sensation of Black Esteem.

"My Lady," He said quietly as they rose in tandem and he escorted them to the door where he discreetly handed her a Gringotts bag filled with 200 galleons and ₤30,000 per her written request.

She inclined her head and took Kreacher's hand once they exited the building.

Shame I can't see Lacie today. She thought wistfully. Especially considering what's about to take place in two hours' time.

Once arriving at the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, the witch went straight to the Master Suite and rummaged through her newfound closet.

"Perfect." She muttered, taking out the black-and-silver feminine battle robes while the House added embellishments.

Séraphine put her hair in partial up-do and tied a House of Black sash around her waist with their emblem at the hip.

Applying subtle make-up and turning around at the trifold mirror in her closet with a critical eye and last-minute adjustments.

Her appearance would convey a witch not to be messed with in battle robes. But, with the Pureblood clean-cut design to appeal to the straight-laced Wizamgamot members coupled with a decidedly feminine Pureblood Lady flounce.

It was decided she would make a few public appearances before heading to their House seat and proclaiming Potter Regent and Lady Black representation, thereby gaining two seats.

"More my style anyway," she muttered. "I shall make myself a worthy Black in the eyes of my dear Master Arcturus." Nodding to herself, the witch grabbed her wand and and laughed before summoning Kreacher.

I've only waited centuries to be out in the open and here I am going before schoolyard children, politicians, and later the Auror Ball.

Sobering, she looked at Kreacher.

"It's all rather silly and important, isn't it?" She asked him rhetorically. "Please keep me informed of Our Heir. I'm using everything as a distraction from missing him so."

"Yes, My Lady," Kreacher answered steadily.

To arms, then. Séraphine thought shrewdly. For My Lord and Heir shall be safeguarded.