I own nothing
I've limited myself to end this story at chapter 30
My next story will be a Pokémon one I always wanted to start. I don't really have any more ideas for Harry Potter that's not already been done before. I'm sure I'll eventually think of one, maybe a Master of Death one because I've not read one of those I truly liked yet
I was asked in my PMs about my favourite fanfics I've read. I'm not sure I'm allowed to link them so I'll just list my top 6 in no particular order (I couldn't leave the last one off ANY list);
Emperor by Marquis Black- basically James/Lily survive Voldemort's attack and leaves with Harry. He joins the military as an FU to the wizarding world and wages war on the magical and muggle world. He's very OP. It's not complete yet but its long, very long
Do Not Meddle in the Affairs of Wizards by Corwalch- Harry is sent to Azkaban, is freed and then ruins the lives of everyone who sent him there in the first place because Dumbledore forces Harry to return to Hogwarts. complete
Amalgum- Lockheart's Folly by tkepner- Death tricks Harrys soul into being sent back in time and it inhabits Lockheart's body. complete
A Black Comedy- by nonjon- Harry falls through the veil years after beating Voldemort to find Sirius and ends up in another world. This had me screaming in laughter at times. I'd love to be able to write funny stories like this one. Also, a very interesting take on how to deal with the Horcruxes. complete
Basilisk-Born- by Ebenbild- Harry's soul gets forcibly sent back in time to before the founders, and lives time again in a linear way for over 2000 years and builds his own legacy. It's an amazing story, very long (72 chapters) and also complete. I re-read this story at least 10 times a year as it's that bloody good
Make a Wish- by Rorschach's Blot- after learning the prophecy Harry decides to travel the world before he has to fight Voldemort. It's serious, it's funny, complete and it's very bloody good. If I had to choose I'd say this is the best Harry Potter fanfiction story I've ever read and I've read thousands
If any of you have any suggestions, I'd love to read them as long as they're complete, not abandoned or long enough that it's worth it.
Anyhoo, on with the story
Harry
Harry woke up from the chair feeling very empty. He had cried himself to sleep it seems. The last week had been incredibly long, incredibly packed and incredibly draining. It was only now as he was sat down on his own that he realised how relieved he was that Blood Feud was over. While he was very good at giving off a 'can't be arsed vibe' it was still a mask of sorts. Looking back, he couldn't remember a time where he had truly just been Harry. There was always some form of expectation of him by various people. Even his closest family and friends still expected him to be someone. Oh, they might hide it well but their true colours always shine through. Remus expected him to be a cross between Lily and James like Sirius did, Tonks and her parents expected him to be Lord Black or sweet Harry Potter, Hermione expected him to be open at all times and to never keep anything from her, as though she was in a relationship with him, Dumbledore expected him to be the next Light Lord and was very vocal about how disappointed he was he wasn't following path Dumbledore had set out for him, McGonagall had never been able to hide her frown of disappointment whenever she saw him because she expected him to be in Gryffindor like her favourite students had been and deemed it as a betrayal to her personally, Snape expected him to be as arrogant as his father, the fact he could back it up magically further infuriated the greasy haired man and backed up that view, the wizarding world expected him to be their saviour one minute but reviled him the next. Thinking back, he recalled a situation which turned his life around
His fifth year had been the knife-edge part of his life. He had seriously considered becoming a Dark Lord in that year for the first time. It was only because he was far too irritated by people in general to want to deal with them on a daily basis that stopped him from taking that route. So instead, he dedicated his time to gathering and building up his power so that nobody would be able to threaten him with anything when he showed them who they were messing with. He could pinpoint the exact moment that he'd decided this too. The very first Umbridge lesson when she tried to get at Harry about Voldemort's return and none of the professors stepped in to put her in her place, he realised that the wizarding world were sheep. And that when the truth would finally come out, they would expect him to sort out all their problems again. The fact he was harassed more in general by the population of Hogwarts than his own house cemented his mindset.
Flashback
He was incredibly angry with people but funnily enough the person who calmed him down the most was the portrait of Salazar. He had sat patiently through Harry's rant about Umbridge and the behaviour of the Hogwarts student body and then simply said "enough Harry. I've listened to your whining for far too long now. You are Slytherin! You are powerful! So be cunning, show them the scope of your ambitions in defending yourself and make yourself untouchable. My house will not be able to contain themselves either but remember the Slytherin golden rule Harry, what happens in Slytherin stays in Slytherin. The weak always try to hold down and vilify those who have such power. The amount of times Godric and I battled some idiot from a clan who thought they could make us submit ourselves and Hogwarts to them would take at least six hands to count on. We had the luxury of being able to openly display our power and we did so frequently, to the point Hogwarts became an unassailable fortress. You, at the moment don't have that luxury but there will come a time when you will have to, so use this time to build up your power, turn the other cheek in public but retaliate when you won't be seen and make a statement when you do. My heir is far too arrogant to stay in the shadows for much longer so use this time wisely. Become your own fortress, become a giant of the magical world and become unassailable. The world will learn soon enough" with that Salazar departed and left Harry to contemplate his speech.
Salazar had never sounded so passionate. Yet he was right. He would be left alone for long parts this year due to being a pariah. So, he would use this time to practice his magic. And that's exactly what he did. Ironically Salazars prophecy about Slytherin came true just a few days later, and it was the same moron who started it. Draco had come flouncing in with his lackeys hanging off him. Harry was doing his homework in the corner; it was his favourite place as it had full view of the Slytherin common room meaning no one could sneak up behind him when Draco spotted him and made his way over, clearly intending to start something. "Still alive Potter?" Draco asked loudly taking the seat opposite him while the others gathered behind him "we're taking bets you see on how long you will survive this year" causing his followers to laugh
"A lot longer than you will Draco" Harry said still scratching away "if you don't pick up your gelled, pampered arse and leave" which stopped the laughter
"I don't think you realise the position you are in Potter" Draco responded maliciously slamming his hand down on Harrys essay "The Dark Lord wants your head; I don't think he'd mind who it is that sends him it, in fact he may even reward them"
"Tut-tut Draco. I would think Voldemort would be more interested in you right now Draco" Harry said putting his quill down and finally looking up seeing Draco's puzzled face which quickly paled when he continued "seeing as how he's ordered his minions to try and keep his return quiet and here you are loudly proclaiming he's back to the entire common room. I wonder what he will do to you during Christmas break when he finds out that his right-hand man's son is telling the world that he's back when Lucius is doing his best, throwing money around left, right and centre to make sure the world remains ignorant? I mean for all you know I could be broadcasting this conversation to the rest of the wizarding world without you knowing via recording orbs"
"You're bluffing Potter" Draco said with fear evident on his face "you don't have the balls to do that. You're powerless now that Umbridge has put you in your place"
"You forget Draco that there will quickly come a time where I will be vindicated because we all know I'm telling the truth. I simply have to play the waiting game. I'll tell you what, we'll see how right I can be shall we? You've convinced me" Harry said with a smile on his face "I'll send Voldemort a note letting him know about your behaviour. I know a few of his lackeys that have children in this school and I'll just sign it from them. Do let me know of how much he rewarded you won't you?" with that Harry picked up his quill and carried on with his essay
Pulling out his wand he pointed it at Harry "what's stopping me ending you right now Potter?"
"The lack of a wand hand Malfoy" Harry said finally having enough and disarming Draco wandlessly with his off hand while releasing his wand into his right-hand "the lack of power" he said standing up and launching Draco across the room with a curse where he hit the wall above the fireplace with a sickening crack and slid down the wall. Stalking over to him he said "the lack of a spine Malfoy". Kneeling down to a wheezing Malfoy he whispered into his ear "remember this moment Draco. This will be the last time that I will put up with your crap in this house. Heed my warning" standing up he turned to the room at large and said "I do not care whose side you support, or whose allegiance you have. Not just yet at any rate. But there will come a time very quickly where you're either my ally or my enemy. I want you to think very carefully about your choices. Outside these walls you can say what you want about me, I really do not care but be warned should I hear of it, inside these walls you will be punished. Remember the Golden Rule, what happens in Slytherin stays in Slytherin. If you are daft enough to forget that then I pity you" Harry strode across the room and sat down and carried on with his essay while the rest dispersed
Draco had indeed come back that Christmas with a very noticeable twitch. He overheard from Parkinson that Voldemort had been very unhappy with Draco and punished him severely. Not only had he put his plans of staying in the shadows at risk but he'd also lost the Slytherin common room and therefore Slytherin leadership to Harry. Recruiting the students had been made much harder after Harry and Draco's tet-a-tet when they saw Harrys obvious power. Harry wondered who had told Voldemort as it hadn't been him, but he was more than happy to take credit for it, giving Draco sly smiles knowing he could do nothing were good enough to power Harry's patronus at times.
The end of that year proved to be both brilliant and horrible to Harry. After receiving his vision Harry simply called Sirius on the mirror and found out it was false. Together they came up with a plan to ambush the Death Eaters, unfortunately his friends had overheard him and demanded to come along. It took Hermione convincing him that they'd been training in secret behind his and Umbridge's back all year, and the time constraints to help plan the ambush for Harry to cave in. But first they needed Umbridge out of the way. Together they came up with a plan where Umbridge would 'overhear' Harry talking with Albus that the 'weapon' was safe in a clearing in the forbidden forest. Umbridge demanded Harry take her to it at wandpoint, not realising how proficient Harry was in wandless magic. He led her into a clearing where he quickly disarmed her, tied her up and strung her up in a tree. Pulling out his cloak he made himself invisible before sending a blasting curse at a nearby tree causing Centaur scouts to come upon Umbridge screaming at them to get her down. Funnily enough making demands of 'half-breeds' didn't endear her to them. The last he saw of her they were carrying her away to their herd. Sending the group a patronus he met them outside Umbridge's office and used the floo to go to the ministry where they emerged in her office. Taking the lifts down he met up with Sirius and the limited members of the order he could get in that time.
Using himself as bait while they waited for the Death Eaters to turn up wasn't a well-received plan until Harry silenced them all and told them that it would happen whether they liked it or not. They all made their way to the prophecy room where they fanned out and waited. It was the longest two hours of their lives but finally Lucius and his friends turned up where after a bit of verbal jousting Bellatrix opened fire on Harry which he parried into the prophecy causing it to smash. Realising it was likely something that was vital information to Voldemort he began smashing all the rest surrounding the orb so that no one could decipher anything. This started an all-out war when the Order, his friends and the Death Eaters battled their way through the ministry. He quickly lost sight of his friends as he cut his way through the Death Eaters. It culminated in a visit to the Veil room where Sirius was battling alongside Harry against Lucius and Bellatrix. They traded opponents for a while until he heard Sirius taunt Bellatrix instead of cursing her. He had just stunned and bound Lucius when he turned around to see Sirius fall through the veil. He knew immediately that Sirius had died as the heir ring turned into the Lord's ring on his hand. That could only happen if the current Lord died. Harry had frozen, Bellatrix looking around seeing she was the only one left of the Death Eaters fled.
Harry took some time to come around, most people thought it was because of shock when in reality he had been arguing with the Black Lord ring about his suitability as the new Lord. Only him releasing his full magic shut the ring up and accepted him. The others around the room were quickly pushed aside as Harry chased after Bellatrix. Catching up to her in the atrium he cast the cruciatus for the first time. He had read the theory extensively in a few books but they didn't make sense to him. Supposedly the unforgivable curses only worked if the caster wanted to control the opposer, wanted to cause severe pain or hated the opponent enough to power the killing curse. That made no sense to Harry. He had seen the unforgivable curses thrown around like normal curses by Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Surely, they couldn't hate their opponents that much, they must barely know them. It caused Harry to have an epiphany of sorts. If you focused your hatred with a particular person in mind rather than the individual opponent it would power them. Easily. You just needed to mean it. And Harry focused on the one person that had set his life on the course it was now on. Pettigrew. His betrayal had caused all this. First his parents had been killed because of his actions, then Sirius had been imprisoned which meant he had to grow up with the Dursleys whose tender care caused him to become a Slytherin. Then the man brought Voldemort back using Harry himself as part of the ritual's ingredients. Someone had told Voldemort the prophecy, Harry and Sirius knew that much from what Dumbledore had said about a supposed reformed Death Eater regretting what they did, Harry had a suspicion of who but it no longer mattered, Voldemort acted a year later on that information but Peter was the one who enabled the plan to go ahead by giving up their location.
So, when he cast it upon Bellatrix, he felt hatred come easily to him. He wasn't the golden Gryffindor hero that people expected of him. Bellatrix obviously never expected him to be able to cast it and let it hit her, which she regretted immediately. Disarming her and then casting it again was immensely satisfying. He was quite prepared to drive her into insanity when he felt Voldemort's presence and looked up. Trading words with Tom was satisfying, especially when he heard that out of the forty Death Eaters that had come tonight Bellatrix was the only one left from his Inner Circle. The battle that commenced afterwards was tremendous. They completely decimated the entrance hall of the ministry. The magic being thrown around would soon pass into legend, or it would have done had Albus bloody Dumbledore not interfered and pinned Harry from behind with the centaur from the fountain. It took Harry a short amount of time to blast it away but it was enough time for Bellatrix to regain her consciousness, grab her wand and cast a killing curse at Dumbledore before portkeying away. Tom noticed he was now at a disadvantage and apparated away but not before Fudge saw him.
Harry was seething. He knew he could take Tom in that battle. And he let Dumbledore know it in front of the assembled crowd what he thought of his actions. He could have cost Harry his life interfering like that from behind. Calling Cornelius Fudge an incompetent bellend to his face was very satisfying too. The gasps of outrage from the crowd were soon silenced when Harry gave them his death stare. Turning back to Fudge he said "Your good friend Lucius Malfoy is down in the veil room, in full Death Eater regalia, if he should mysteriously be pardoned then I will have your head Fudge" as he went to leave, he felt an object strike him in the back and the next thing he knew he was being whisked away and landed in Dumbledores office.
He was very tempted to destroy the office in retaliation but Phineas noticing his ring halted his rage by asking about Sirius and how a Half-Blood had become Head of a pureblood house. Hearing Harry's reply he went to leave but not before Harry ordered him to say nothing to Albus. Deciding to hear what Albus had to say he waited in the chair. It wasn't long before Albus appeared. The first thing he did was apologise for basically kidnapping Harry but he needed removing from the situation before he said something he may have regretted to the assembled crowd. The following conversation was very enlightening. Hearing the prophecy changed nothing in Harrys eyes. He suspected what it was about when Sirius first told him of the Order and what room they were guarding. Sirius was very sneaky when getting around the oaths of silence Dumbledore forced on the Order. Getting up and preparing to leave he left Albus with a parting shot "should you ever interfere in a duel between myself and Tom again I will hurt you Dumbledore. And I will not feel sorry for doing so. I could have taken him out tonight and the world would have had one less prick in it but you helped him by distracting me. To my mind you aided and abetted in his escape. It puzzles me as to why. And every death that occurs by his hand after this will be on your head"
The following summer Harry refused the order guard and apparated away to Grimmauld Place. It was now his after all. Calling Kreacher he demanded he take down the picture of Walburga and burn it, he also demanded every dark item in the house to be placed in a box in the attic for Harry to go through, no exceptions. He called Dobby and asked him to help Kreacher to clean the house so that the House of Black Manor could become a house befitting its lord. His last order was to ban anyone but Remus from entering the house. Making his way to the Lord's office he went to the ward stone and took control of the wards. This was his house now. Remus called on him a few days later finding Harry going over several scrolls. Harry swore him to secrecy before telling him about becoming the new Black Lord and feeling overwhelmed, how he felt unable to grieve properly because of the responsibilities he now had and told Remus about what happened at the ministry.
Remus advice about requesting Andromedas and Ted help was a stroke of genius. The entire summer then flew by as Harry took a crash course on Wizarding politics, pureblood traditions and laws that he would now be affected by. Sirius will being read was a private affair. He knew Dumbledore would want to know what was in it but Harry banned him and the Order from attending under the guise of the new Head of the Black family. As Dumbledore assumed it was Narcissa Malfoy working as regent for Draco until he came of age, he was desperate to get into Grimmauld place to retrieve Order documents but as it was now under a new fidelius he couldn't remember where it was located. Harry put any bequeathments to the order in a separate vault, they would be given out when Harry publicly declared himself as the Lord.
Finding the locket in a box in the attic was concerning. He had felt that magic before and knew it needed to be destroyed. Putting it in a lead box he placed it inside his top drawer and warded it. He would need to take it to Hogwarts to destroy it like he had with the Tiara he had found that year in the Room of Requirement. Hearing the story from Kreacher had Harry crying. He was determined to do something to acknowledge Regulus' sacrifice but couldn't think what to do. It was only a passing comment from Andromeda that gave Harry the idea of what to do. Running it by Remus, who teared up he called Dobby, gave him specific instructions and then called Kreacher to him. Getting Remus and Kreacher to follow him he made his way to the back garden and used his ring to open up a passageway that was connected to the house. Leading his way down a steep staircase he led them both into the Black Family Crypt.
It was a huge circular room with various tombs engraved on the walls. There in the middle of the room lay two coffins with the Black family emblem embossed on two sheets with separate nameplates underneath. On the nameplates read Regulus Black and Sirius Black III. Turning to Kreacher he said "Kreacher, due to your exemplary service and devotion of trying to complete Regulus last task, I Harry Potter-Black give you permission to come down here whenever you like to tend to your master and mistress' graves. I would request you provide the same level of service to Sirius tomb as well. I'm aware there are no bodies to take care of so I will create golems to lie inside the coffins. Hopefully it can provide us all with some closure. Remus you have permission to let Andromeda and Nymphadora know should they wish to pay their respects too. They will need yourself, Kreacher or Dobby with them though. I will explain why later"
Later on that night he explained that Sirius left Remus the house in his will but Harry was holding off on handing it over until he'd gone over all the information on the Black Family. He still needed full access to the library and Lords rooms "do not tell her this Remus but I'm planning on making Nym the next Head of House Black but to do so I need to double check I can safely do so. Transferring Headship of a Patriarchal house to a woman is a pain in the arse. I'm having to erase a lot of mania and prejudices against women inherent in the Black Magic so that she can safely take possession of the ring. It may take me encasing a piece of my own magic into the ring to suppress some of the Black Family Magic to do so. But I need to check all the past accounts of the previous lords to see if there's any precedence. You will get the house in the next year I assure you. I just need it for now. So, if there's any changes you want made tell Dobby and Kreacher. I've ordered them to obey you as if the directions were coming from me when it concerns this house" Luckily for Harry, Remus had no problem with it after Harry threatened to give half of the Black money to him as well if he didn't agree with Sirius leaving him the house as long as Harry kept him up to date with any progress
The remainder of the summer you would barely see Harry out of the Black library and when he was, he was at Gringotts ordering various projects to be actioned. The main one was a house for himself when he gave Grimmauld Place up. He had already found a plot of land at Godric's Hollow. It was located at the opposite end of the town to his parent's house, but it was where his ancestors grew up so he felt an immediate connection to the place. It wasn't a massive opulent manor house like he knew Malfoy had, nor was it a five-story building like Sirius had. It was a modest five bedroomed house with three floors, the top floor was purely an exercise room that would have the very best wards available so Harry could practice his magic without fear of bringing down the house, the second floor had all the bedrooms and the ground floor had the rest of what would be in a normal house with the exception of the library being off to the side of the living room. Making sure this was able to be constructed took up a lot of time due to the amount of magic resistant stones that would be needed to wall inside the house. They cost a fortune as each brick had to be warded separately to imbibe as much protective magic as possible. Even the mortar had to be mixed in a special mixture. But given how much he was paying he expected the best.
Going back to Hogwarts saw Harry contemplating for the first time in his life on whether Hogwarts was worth it. He was an adult in the eyes of Magic so he could take his tests whenever he wanted. And he could learn much faster not being held back in classes he was already far ahead in. The lack of distractions that others would bring would also be a distinct plus. The only reason he decided to go back was because he knew he was a foil against the worst of the Slytherins and their actions to the rest of his friends. At times he wondered whether or not he actually was a Gryffindor at heart.
Getting one up on Draco the night he went back was also a big plus. I mean seriously, he had duelled Voldemort to a standstill right after dealing with Draco's dad. Did he really think he scared Harry? The arrogance of purebloods will out it seemed. He had no idea what Malfoy had planned but he knew he wouldn't do it to Harry's face. It was pure luck he overheard the conversation. He had been looking at the map for the last few weeks on the off-chance Malfoy was somewhere he shouldn't be. Harry had seen him, Crabbe and Goyle visit the seventh floor a few times. What would Draco need in the Room of Requirement? Harry knew that unless he read Draco's mind, he wouldn't know so he'd have to play it by ear. During that time Harry trained in the Chamber and read over the various accounts of Salazar. Chatting to the portrait helped him put certain issues into perspective. He wasn't a bad person; it was his descendants who were into the pureblood mania. They used his name though to push through various agendas and centuries later its Salazar who gets the blame.
Spotting Malfoy with all his entourage heading to a barely used classroom in the dungeons piqued Harry's interest. Getting there to hear the last part of the conversation Harry knew his life was in serious danger, but without proof he wouldn't be able to do anything. Especially as Snape protected them at every turn. Creating and placing the golem was easy. He had long since learned how to create them to substitute the dummies he destroyed while training. Leaving the wards off his bed would entice them further. And it did. And yet again Snape stepped in to deny Harry justice. Well, he had had enough. Reading a particular scroll in Salazars library had given him an idea. He knew after all the documents he'd gone through in the summer just what his role now was in the wizarding world. And he also knew the laws that protect Malfoy would also protect himself, Narcissa being a daughter of House Black meant he as her Lord superseded Draco and Lucius as head of family. He had Primacy over Lucius. It was one of the reasons he had tried to claim the Black name for Draco. With him as Draco's father primacy would go to him regardless of Draco taking the Black name. So, reading the scroll written by one of Salazars grandchildren gave him the idea of Blood Feud. It was ironic, Harry thought that the Malfoys would be under two Blood Feuds. It had never been done before but by the middle of the next week he should have ended the Malfoy name.
Putting Snape in his place was delightful. Making sure he knew he was partly to blame for his godson's imminent death was a bonus. Dumbledore pulling his finger out was too-little too-late as far as he was concerned. Introducing him to Gellert was strange. The man was a murdering arsehole who showed no remorse for what he had done to magical Europe. Having heard Albus' story of his misspent youth just showed Harry how full of shit he was too. And the hypocrite had the audacity to try and make Harry feel guilty. What utter crap. His guilt at taking Albus' arm off lasted less than twenty-four hours when he tried to pull that nonsense with the Weasleys. Ending the lives of the Death Eaters was very satisfying. Knowing he had saved people from them being broken out of prison to go hunting again helped ease his mind.
Meeting Dee was really nice though. While she confused the hell out of him, he also felt that he had found someone who was just as lonely as himself. While he knew he had friends he also knew he was different. He was created to do a job, at times he felt like he was created to die at the correct moment. He certainly felt like that was Albus secret endgame where he was concerned. He was very grateful for Snuffles' company. Seeing Dee again today at the Blood Feud duel had provided Harry a moment of clarity. He knew what he wanted to do now. And while he knew some would be mad at his decision, he also knew it was his life to lead. He just wondered on how he could pull it off. The next time he saw her he would have to ask her for her help. Looking down at Snuffles asleep in his lap he nodded to himself. He would go ahead and do it the first chance he got.
Hearing a noise from upstairs he realised he had been in this spot for several hours now. Gently setting Snuffles down on his seat he made his way to the kitchens where he spotted Dobby preparing tea for them all when a thought popped into his head "Dobby? I may need your help but I'm not sure if you're able to do so"
"Why would Dobby not be able to help Master Harry?" Dobby asked puzzled. He'd always been able to help Harry. But when he heard the request, he knew why it would be hard. It would be very difficult to do it. Searching his magic, he felt a faint pulse back. Nodding at Harry he said "Dobby can, it be very faint but it still be there Master".
"Only if it doesn't endanger your life, Dobby!" Harry said sternly "if you cannot do it then don't feel guilty about it. If you can then do as I asked and let me know"
"Dobby will do it Master Harry" Dobby replied before popping out. Several hours later Dobby popped back into the study Harry had retreated to looking exhausted but no worse for wear "Dobby managed it Master Harry. But Dobby be very tired now"
"Go to bed and rest Dobby" Harry said kindly standing up "You've done me a great service today, Dobby. House Potter-Black owes you whatever boon you should ask for. Now, take the rest of the day off. Kreacher and I can do the rest of your duties for today" walking out he went to the dining room where he found the Tonks family, Remus and Narcissa sat eating. Narcissa looked heartbroken, but then again, she had just lost her son. Looking up at his arrival Harry asked them all to follow him. Puzzled they all stood up and did so as Harry led them all to the Black Family crypt. There in the very middle lay a few coffins all with sheets and the Black family crest on them. Only this time there was a third at the side of Regulus Black and Sirius Black III. The third read Draco Malfoy-Black. Turning round he saw Narcissa collapse to her knees staring at the coffin. Looking up at him she tried to find the words to ask what was going on but could only make a series of noises
"I was going over my memories of the last few months" Harry began "from when I took over the Black family as Lord until this evening when I awoke on the chair." looking at the third coffin he continued "I had misgivings over doing this Narcissa. He's been an active member of Slytherin house that's been a thorn in my side for six years now. He actively tried to kill me a week ago. And he proved his cowardice today by not being honourable enough to turn up and face me, even at the last he was defiant to his true Lord. But despite that he was still a son of house Black, just like you are a daughter of house Black, as such he has a right to be interred in the family crypt. You should know that while it was my idea it was Dobby, an elf you actively participated in torturing over the years that risked his own life to find Draco's body, apparating through Voldemort's wards to retrieve it from under his very nose-less face and return him here. I'm doing this as a way of saying that while I'm not sorry he is dead I am sorry for him dying, and you as his mother deserve the right to have a body to grieve over. We will leave you to it. You have my permission to come down here whenever you like but you must tell either Remus, Dobby or Kreacher before doing so. If they tell me you're not looking after yourself to come down here I will remove this privilege Narcissa so be aware" nodding to the rest they all except Andromeda left Narcissa alone to grieve over her son's death, the sounds of her sobs followed them up the echoey passageway as they all returned to the dining room in silence. Harry checked on Dobby while he was passing the elf's bedroom and found him asleep in his cocoon suspended in mid-air. It was a great surprise when he found out how Elves sleep. They cocoon themselves in the houses wards magic and recharge themselves.
Down in the Crypt Narcissa's sobs had died down as she stroked the coffin. "I want to hate Harry for what he's done" she said suddenly, turning to her sister "but I just can't. Draco had far too much of Lucius in him and I failed as a mother to put just as much Black in him. He should have grown up knowing his role in our world, knowing the history of the Black family and what it meant to be a Black. Instead, he learned and idolised his father and did everything he could to emulate him. Lucius could do no wrong in Draco's eyes and rejected all lessons on house Black. I failed him Drom. I failed my son. I look at you and cannot help feel envious you know? You never rejected house Black, just our mother's twisted way of thinking about things. You, the 'family disappointment' became the best of us. I'm very envious. You have everything I ever wanted but you earned everything I ever wanted" turning back to the coffin she continued bitterly "I wanted to have what I'd been brought up to believe I was owed. And for what? For nothing. I had a husband, now dead at the whims of a madman, a son, dead because he wanted to prove he was as good as his father rather than being himself and no home to speak of. I have nothing Drom. Nothing"
"You have me Cissy" Andromeda said "and you have Harry. He's a good Lord. He can't show emotions very well due to his upbringing and he can be very blunt but his heart is in the right place. You just need to give us all a chance"
Drawing herself up she turned to leave giving the coffin one last glance. Turning to Andromeda she said "He is a good Lord. He brought me back my son. I will be forever grateful" with that the two sisters left the crypt and joined the rest at the dinner table. No one said a word, what could be said? Each left to go their separate ways and reflected on what had been a rough week for everyone in vastly different ways. Remus was worried about Harry but equally as happy at how his relationship with Nym was progressing, Nym was the same, Ted was exhausted after all the paperwork he'd done for Harry in the last week, Andromeda was glad Harry had come away from this relatively unscathed but also glad that she had got her sister back, Narcissa was upset at the death of her son but happy that she had a support system to help her through it. Harry was knackered. Both mentally and physically. He was doing nothing for the next few days. He had decided. He was done with the nonsense for a while. Going to bed he realised he had still not told his family about what happened with Dee yesterday. He had plenty of time he mused. He wasn't going anywhere after all