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

A/N: Hello! Thanks for the reviews as always. They certainly keep me motivated and I'm thrilled y'all like where it's going so far. A few reviewers don't have PM enabled so I'll try to answer some points: The Dark Witch wants to own the Gorgons (including Harry as the Serpent) and Spider and Scorpio got the short end of the stick with Madame Jocelyne—more on all of that to come. Basically, they want revenge on Harry for being 'lucky,' when they weren't and misguidedly blame him for all their suffering.

Ch. XLI: Introducing Lord & Lady Black Part II

Harry did not like where this was going.

Nope, not one bit.

Hermione was in tears and Ron was nowhere to be found.

The raven-haired boy quickly surmised there had been tension between the best friends while he was healing and that he was going to have to mend fences.

But what if I can't? Harry thought, stressed.

The Twins exchanged a dark look and shook their head behind Harry's back as Hermione made up some excuse to go up to the girls' dormitories.

Fred and George beckoned Harry to them as they exited Gryffindor Tower and made their way to an empty classroom.

George quickly placed Silencing Charms and others Harry did not recognize as he wait expectantly at his friends.

"Alright mate." Fred said, blowing a breath and raising his eyebrows. "Ron's been a right prat to Hermione and we honestly don't know what his problem is."

"So we knocked him after a particularly rude day to Hermione and Gin's writing to Mum about his behavior." George cut in.

Now Harry was really confused.

"But they're friends…?" Harry asked slowly.

Fred and George looked at each other before shaking their heads at Harry a little fondly.

"They're friends because you're the glue, mate." Fred said kindly.

George sighed. "And we like Hermione but don't want there to be further tension." Rolling his eyes, the redhead said morosely. "After all Mum would kill us for disowning him since he's our brother."

"But," Fred added. "You're an honorary Weasley and technically so's Hermione…we'll let you sort that out."

"For now," George said meaningfully. "Tell us about your godmother."

Harry blinked slowly at the sudden topic change.

"Well, she's French and amazing…she's…I can't really describe her, actually." Harry admitted. He knew he could not very well tell the actual truth of Séraphine's history or influence.

The Twins nodded in unison.

"Well, we want to show you this first." George said.

"And tell us what you think as soon as you've read it." Fred interrupted.

With a flourish, the George handed him a crumpled up copy of the Daily Prophet.

Curious, Harry smoothed it and read:

SIRIUS BLACK ACQUITTED, MARRIED, AND HARRY POTTER'S GODFATHER?!

BY RITA SKEETER

Two weeks ago Lord Sirius Orion Black was acquitted of the 1981 murder of 13 Muggles after being framed by Rat Animagus Peter Alec Pettigrew (for details, see p. 3 TRAITOR). He received 12 million galleons in restitution from the Ministry along with several awards for his service during the Blood War. Notable among them are Order of Merlin, First Class. The newly instated Lord of the House of Black was sworn in to resume his Martial Mage training when he fought as an Order of the Phoenix member. Lord Black has 27 confirmed Death Eater kills on his résumé and will no doubt make a fine Martial Mage Auror for the upcoming Auror exam this month.

The Lady Serena Helena Black is of French origin and dated Sirius sometime after graduating from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before falling madly in love with Lord Black. Lady Black is a stunning 30-year-old who graduated from Slytherin House and is rumored to represent both the Noble and Most Ancient Houses of Black and Potter interests. She will represent the House of Black while Lord Black is legally barred from serving his House while under the Ministry's defense. As for the House of Potter she will remain Potter Regent until Harry James Potter-Black reaches the age of majority and takes his rightful place as the last living descendent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. Lady Black will be one of the few witches represented in the Wizengamot despite progressive reform for more witch representation.

Harry James Potter-Black is magically, legally, and genealogically-related and adopted as godson by Lord & Lady Black dating from his friendship with Lord James & Lady Lily Potter from Hogwarts (see p. 4 ADOPTION for details). Lord Black stated he will not have Harry go by Potter-Black as an homage to the Potters. At the Prophet, we are very happy for Harry and his newfound family and the Blacks' successful endeavors!

Harry's jaw dropped.

"So…what does this mean?" Harry sputtered. He felt so woefully ignorant of the wizarding world much like he did when Hagrid brought his to Diagon Alley for the first time.

"Well," Fred stated slowly. "It means one does not mess with House of Black and by extension, you."

"And," George muttered. "Your godmother is going to be one of the most influential witches since, well, ever."

"But, why?" Harry insisted.

"Do you know what Martial Mage is?" Fred asked. At Harry's blank look, he nodded. "A Martial Mage is the singular most powerful wizard—or witch—to work for the Ministry. They are a group of elites. They do everything from Defense, Runes, Dark Arts even. Actually, I don't know all what they do…but Bill might, come to think of it. Or Charlie…" Harry figured after this conversation the Twins would be writing to their elder brothers and learn loads more than he would.

"They're like, better than Aurors, mate." George explained eagerly. "Think of someone below an Unspeakable. They go after really terrible criminals and are often called to go after things that go bump in the night so us blokes can sleep easy."

"But…did you bow to my godmother?" Harry pressed. He would definitely discuss this with Sirius and ask Hermione what her thoughts were.

Since she's the only one who can understand how dumb I am and explain it to me the Muggle way.

The Twins cast Harry a sheepish look. "Well, it's a Pureblood thing…and we get that you don't understand the significance…but, as a Pureblood, we can sense the strength of other Purebloods' magic." They said half-heartedly together.

Black brows furrowed together. "Well, why can't I?" Blushing at Fred's look, he quickly added. "I mean, I'm a Half-blood so, what's this about?"

"It's like she's a queen, mate." George said simply. "We wouldn't dare cross her. She obviously is powerful in her own right without having to rely on the formidable House of Black."

"Certainly adds to it, don't you think?" Fred asked George.

"Absolutely." Fred said sagely.

"But what was that bit when she acknowledged Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Oh well it would declare she's accepted Hermione as a Muggleborn and essentially it gives Hermione further protection from any…mean prats." George explained, shrugging before each Twin clapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Let's head back," they said offering Harry a smile. "We know it's a lot to take in and you've had a rough go of it lately."

Subdued in his thoughts, Harry followed the redheads to the Common Room before turning to the boys' dormitories.

He desperately needed to sort it out and knew he could not before his next class.

Anything but Potions. Harry prayed, sighing.

Sirius could feel a tic in his jaw forming.

Of all the bastards I could've wound up with as a bloody partner. He swore, sizing John Dawlish in much the same vein. I would've taken an upstart any day of damn week.

The clock chimed precisely as Alastor Moody's wooden leg thunked from the Auror Department's door.

"Inside." The grizzled wizard commanded, jutting his chin forward as they made entered.

"Sit," he griped as he went to sit at his desk as Sirius and Dawlish warily sat beside each other across from Moody.

"You two have been paired based on your talents and capabilities." Moody said flatly. "And you two girls don't have kiss and be friends but you do need to respect each other enough to get the job done."

The wizards glanced at each other and nodded once.

"So," Moody continued. "I want to evaluate your skills together. It will be a duel starting in 20 minutes."

Dawlish shrugged. "I won't go easy on you, Black," he said. "You're bound to be rusty after being in the can for a dozen years."

Sirius gave him a slow, cold grin.

"By all means, whatever delusions you have you can keep."

Séraphine hid a smirk as she entered the Wizengamot's austere doorway. It was common practice to for a Pureblood Lady to be escorted by a House-Elf when her husband was not around.

Oh, I'm definitely going to love this.

Everyone turned to look at her as she made her way to the wand checkpoint to ensure her identity.

Shortly before their choreographed machinations with the Prophet and the Bank, Sirius suggested a visit to Ollivander's was in order.

"After all," Sirius said. "Your wand shouldn't be labeled as truly yours…since we created a new identity and what if the House's enchantments trigger the protections or Dumbledore suspects anything?"

Even the witch had to concede the point.

Therein, she dutifully picked a new wand. Ollivander's mysterious eyes looked at her and he gave her a Cheshire smile before bowing low to her.

He recognizes Old Magic from me. She thought triumphantly.

It did not take much to procure a new wand almost the exact same as her dragon-and-unicorn wandcore. The only difference was the noticeably maternal lilt to it and the sense of family before herself at all costs.

Ollivander also fudged the records for them stating he gave it to her as a First Year student like he did countless others before her and that her name was in fact Serena Helena Black née de Fleury.

An airtight alibi if there ever was one. No one would question Ollivander's wand memory or his reputation.

Remaining politely interested the witch had her wand check out with her identity verified as Lady Black.

In the center of the dais was none other than Dumbledore himself peering down at her behind half-moon spectacles.

I'll find out who you really are. He promised. Something told him the witch before him was not someone who could be easily swayed. Albus believed he merely dealt with an upstart witch with some advantages but nothing so grand as the Great Dumbledore.

And maybe have a roll in the hay while I'm at it. The old wizard thought sizing her up. That'd teach you to use ancient magic you've no business practicing.

Little did Dumbledore realize he signed his death warrant yet again.

For the House of Black senses intent.

Séraphine inclined her head a touch.

Game set and matched, Dumbass.

Séraphine worked the room like a cordial queen. Several members were more than simply curious of this mysterious witch.

Yes, she thought sagely. Do ply on the arse-kissing.

The witch did make her way toward Madam Longbottom.

"Madam Longbottom," Séraphine said respectfully.

"Lady Black," Augusta acknowledged.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Albus' voice echoed using a sonorous. "We have a new member to introduce."

Séraphine waited as everyone stepped away from her.

"My Lady Black," he continued. "Please make your way to your House seat."

The witch did like the pomp and ceremony as she found on the left of Wizengamot a seat which glowed black-and-platinum.

One was dedicated to the Lord of the House. The other was for the Lady of the House. Each had a character to it. The empty seats seemed thrilled to finally have someone in their midst.

The Ladyship seat was elegant and scrolled. The House of Black crest inlaid the backrest. The Lordship was study and much bigger with a matching crest.

"Address yourself." Albus' voice carried into her eardrums.

"I am Lady Serena Helena Black." She answered confidently. And I will kill you slowly.

"How are you related to the House of Black?" He queried.

"I am Lady by marriage to His Lordship Sirius Orion Black." You only wish you had his body.

"Can you tell the esteemed Wizengamot when?" Albus was genuinely curious since he could not find any public document or even met the woman before she just appeared. I knew who Sirius ran with before he was sentenced and I definitely would've remembered this face.

"Almost two years ago." She answered readily. It was not true, of course. She had barely known Sirius for a year since he sought refuge at Their House. However, Séraphine made the snap decision to let the public believe she had been aiding Sirius since his escape. And if I can do that then no one better mess with me.

"Very good, Your Ladyship." Albus said smoothly. "Will you take your vows to uphold the station of Your House at this esteemed fellowship of the Wizengamot?"

"Yes," the witch answered readily. "I promise to uphold the principles of justice, integrity, and of sound mind while respectfully adhering to the laws tying this council of Magic as to uphold the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black to these standards as proxy to His Lordship Sirius Orion Black's interests and vote." Her eyes sparkled as she added. "Further, I promise to faithfully represent the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter as Potter Regent until the Noble and Most Ancient House Heir Apparent Harry James Potter-Black becomes Lord Potter at his age of majority."

Albus bristled.

Yet he could do nothing.

For now anyway.

The Wizengamot exploded into applause and she gracefully sat in Lady Black's seat, decidedly ignoring Albus and presenting the public with beautiful mega-watt smile.

I can't wait to get started on ruining you. Séraphine thought gleefully.