The Bonds That Tie
The room was eerily silent after Harry, the person who never lost his temper and was generally always a happy kid, lost it with Albus Dumbledore and blamed him for everything he's gone through since his parents died, even Sirius's death back in June. Harry seemed to have gotten angry when Albus called him boy and actually yelling with a power surge when Albus claimed he was Harry guardian. No one knew what to say or do, but all their senses told them to stay quiet and not interfere or they would be next on Harry's scolding list. Nobody wanted that, so they stayed out and only watching. Draco was worried, so were Lucius and Narcissa who had never expected a floo call from Remus Lupin, the person that Lucius knew Dumbledore stepped into revoke his ability to take Harry in after Sirius died, and tell them Severus was asking for them at the Order headquarters because Harry was losing it in a rage. Of course, the Malfoy family anticipated, much like Severus had that Harry's anger was escalating not just because of Albus's interferences in his life, but also the hunger Harry had mentioned several times that he needed and things kept getting in the way.
"Go, son…Calm him down," Narcissa gave Draco a light shove forward.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy!?" Ron rose to his feet.
"Mind your tone, youngest of the Weasley juniors," Lucius said. "It's nothing that concerns you. Go ahead son," He urged Draco.
Draco stepped forward, closer to Harry with his hands up. "Harry…" The vampire's attention drifted to the new voice that spoke; it was Draco. However, only Harry's eyes had shifted to him, seeing his friend and brother through the red haze. "This isn't you. Not normal you, at least…I need you to power down and try to relax." He stated.
"He wants proof that he's nothing to me and I'm more than happy to give it to him." Harry growled. "He needs to see his mistakes and since it's centered around me and that blasted prophecy. He cannot simply be allowed to continue believing that he's a bloody god with the power to control everything around him."
"And we agree with you, Harry," Lucius said.
"But in order to ensure his crimes against you are seen, sweetheart, you need to calm down with a clear head." Narcissa offered. "Go on now with Draco and relax." It was a hint at him needing to step back to feed.
Draco got his hands on Harry's shoulders and pulled him away. "Come on, let's leave for a little bit." He suggested.
Harry, reluctantly, allowed Draco to pull him away from the meeting room. As soon as they were out of the room, Draco found them a quiet place to sit against the floor and Draco pulled his sleeve back and offered it to Harry. "You need it." He said lightly. Harry held Draco's wrist and his fangs extended down and he bit down. Draco winced for a moment, and then the pain from the fangs piercing his flesh vanished. Harry was still angry, but he had needed to eat; he had been losing control.
"I'm going to go check on Harry," Remus stated.
"Harry will be fine, Lupin," Severus stated. "He needs to feed and would have before if we didn't get dragged back here for this meeting."
"They why aren't you feeding him?" Minerva asked.
"Draco is." Severus stated. "I lied before; I haven't been the one doing it since the holiday. Draco has."
"So he did attack a student." Kingsley mentioned.
"No. Harry never attacked Draco. Not once." Lucius said. "My son found him trying to get out of the castle so he could hunt and wasn't able to, so Draco offered himself to help Harry. The two weren't even friends at the time, but Draco saw a classmate desperate for help, and he gave it. Draco set up an entire schedule from April to June in a hidden spot where they would meet up and Draco would let Harry feed from him."
"We're Harry's friends." Ron claimed.
"And yet…You knew nothing of what Harry was going through." Severus remarked. "When it was mentioned here that he needed human blood, none of you stepped forward to help."
"We didn't want to be turned by accident. We didn't know if Harry knew how to control his abilities." Hermione looked down.
"Draco has been feeding Harry all this time and not once has Harry turned him. That shows me you have no trust in the one you call friend." Narcissa commented.
"You have no reason to be here, Lucius, nor your wife or son. This place is for Order members only." Albus said.
"I sent for them," Severus scoffed. "I knew Harry needed to feed and Draco is the only person he feeds from. Lucius and Narcissa know of Harry being a vampire, they've known since Harry showed up at their house and Draco recognized the signs of Harry needing to feed. Draco granted Harry permission to come see him anytime at the house, so when he showed up and we realized what was going on; we accepted it and have been trying to help Harry the best way possible."
"Then you've known where Harry was all this time?" Albus eyed the man.
"Yes, I have and I kept it hidden to protect him…As I've done all these years." Severus claimed. "Unlike you."
"Do not push me, Severus…" Albus warned. "I have protected Harry."
"You took Harry away from his legal guardian when James and Lily died. Sirius was innocent and hadn't gone after Pettigrew yet; he only went because Hagrid assured you were placing Harry in a safe home to protect him from Voldemort." Severus stared, his tone unchanging. "You placed Harry with muggles, under protection of blood wards through the aunt…You only assumed he would be safe and they were beating him his entire childhood. Beating and starving him." Many members gasped. "Harry told you this just moments ago and you denied he was being hurt. Acting as if it couldn't have happened when you had no idea because you weren't checking in." Severus stated. "You promised us Harry Potter was safe and he was not."
"Albus, is this true?" Alastor asked. "Did you refuse to allow Sirius Black to take his legal right over guardianship of Harry when the Potter's died?"
"And it's true that he refused to let me live elsewhere when I told him at the end of every year that I didn't want to return to the Dursley's because they hated me and were mean. Maybe I didn't spell it out that there was abuse happening, but I thought a child asking the person he looked up to, at the time, would be enough that things weren't right where he lived." Harry remarked, returning to the room and calm, though he still had his red eyes. "Severus Snape has saved my life many times over the years. He muttered the counter-curse to Quirrell jinxing my broom during the quidditch match in first year. He showed up in third year after I attacked him, still putting himself between Remus as a werewolf and me, along with Ron and Hermione. Professor Snape has always been here for me and that's saying something considering I thought he despised me."
"Never you, Harry. I disliked your father, and how you occasionally acted like him…But I have never hated you." Severus reassured. "More times than not, you showed me how you were like your mother."
"Harry, are you alright now?" Remus asked hopefully.
Draco came beside Harry, a hand on his shoulder and a smile. "He's better, but still mad and with good reason." Draco informed.
"I knew Sirius was not the secret keeper for Godric's Hollow, and when it was revealed Peter had given up their location; I knew Sirius wanted revenge. I was never told he was there that night." Albus said calmly. "It fell on me as Harry's guardian after Sirius was found guilty of murdering thirteen bystanders and Peter Pettigrew and sent to Azkaban."
"Found guilty?" Harry commented. "Sirius never got a trial. He was just thrown in Azkaban!" He glared.
"Harry, settle yourself down," Lucius stated.
"Yes, sir," Harry replied. "Sirius never killed those bystanders. My memory should have served as proof in my third year to free Sirius of all charges. Even Hermione, Ron, and Remus's memory could have served as proof of what happened that night. Pettigrew caused everything, but maybe Sirius wouldn't have gone after Peter if you had let him take me like he was legally allowed to. Maybe I could have grown up with someone who loved and cared about me if you hadn't interfered."
"But things went as they did and now with your parents gone, and Sirius as well; your guardianship falls on me." Albus said.
"That's where you're wrong." Lucius stepped forward now, a piece of parchment in hand.
"As it currently stands, Harry Potter has been blood adopted by the Malfoy family with Severus Snape as both the brewer of the potion and witness." Narcissa said, setting her hands on Harry's shoulders.
"You'll find that it has been recognized as a legal course of action in the eyes of Gringotts," Lucius slid forward the inheritance sheet towards the group. "Harry Potter is recognized as a Malfoy through blood adoption."
"Why does his name also reveal Black?" Arthur questioned.
"The parchment has informed that Black obviously blood adopted Harry in the time that Hagrid showed up to take Harry at Dumbledore's urgence. The blood adoption was accepted, approved and in effect the night the Potter's died." Lucius said. "Such actions have ensured Harry Potter was considered Sirius's heir, so Harry carries the Black last name to carry on that line. It also shows that we have blood adopted Harry." He informed.
"Peverell is a very old family, and the Potter's descend from Ignotus Peverell. Harry, as the last Potter for the Peverell brothers on Ignotus' side has become the sole heir to Ignotus Peverell." Narcissa stated gently.
"And…Slytherin?" Molly stared.
"I thought Tom Riddle, or Voldemort now, was the heir of Slytherin?" Hermione mentioned.
"He was, but heirship transfers with that Slytherin to the ones who defeats the current heir. Harry defeated Voldemort as a baby, as well as in his first, second, fourth, and fifth years. Consecutive defeats caused heirship to transfer to the one who defeated the old heir. Likewise, Salazar Slytherin himself descended from a Peverell brother, Cadmus…And Tom Riddle descended from Salazar too. Heirship has, in this case, stayed within the family." Lucius explained calmly. "No matter on the specifics. The point is that Albus Dumbledore has no claim to guardianship of custody of Harry Potter, now Malfoy. The paper gives you all you need as proof. My adopted son would like to request a full investigation is launched into mentioned crimes of kidnapping, impersonating, neglect, and endangerment. Whatever else should come up, added as well." Lucius set his hand on Harry's shoulder now.
"Harry, I want you to understand you are making a formal claim against Albus Dumbledore in various areas that would suggest illegal actions taken against you. You understand there will be a full investigation into everything, and likely a trial?" Kingsley stated calmly.
"More than aware and fine with it." Harry nodded.
"Very well. I will report this to the minister and things will begin. For the time being as the investigation proceeds, Albus will remain headmaster of Hogwarts. Actions will be taken as the investigation unfolds and a case built." Kingsley stated firmly. "Harry will return to the Malfoy home with his…Adoptive family."
"No, Harry needs to return to his relatives for protection against Voldemort. I can speak with them about not harming Harry further." Albus argued.
"You have no claim to send Harry anywhere, Albus. It's there on paper, magically through Harry's blood. Harry Potter was legally adopted by the Malfoy family. The blood adoption was accepted; they are his guardians." Minerva stated. "The law is very clear about magical guardians and one cannot fight blood magic. It's forever binding." She reminded.
"Harry, what I said before hasn't changed with all this. This family loves you and you're always welcome among us…If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask." Arthur informed.
"Same for me, Harry…" Remus assured. "No matter where you are or…What you are, you are my cub. Keep in contact?"
Harry gave a small smile and nodded to them, not looking at Ron or Hermione; who still seemed angry and shocked. Harry assumed that he'd lost them for good, so he simply looked over to the Malfoy's. "Can we leave now?"
"Of course," Lucius nodded.
"Come along dears," Narcissa guided Draco and Harry over to the fireplace. "Harry and Draco, you go through together."
Harry and Draco both grabbed some of the floo powder. "Ready?" Draco asked.
"One more thing before we go," Harry looked at Albus. "You are not welcome here, Albus."
"What?" Albus asked.
"I spoke clear english for you. You are not welcome here at Grimmauld Place anymore." Harry gave him an emotionless look.
"But Sirius-This is Order headquarters and I am head of that group." Albus argued.
"And the rest of the Order members are welcome here, but you are not." Harry stated. "Sirius had control over this building when he was alive, but since he's gone now and I inherited everything as Sirius's heir. I now control the house and who is within its walls. I override you as secret keeper of the Noble House of Black being the owner. You are not welcome here. I'll not allow you to have control over anything regarding me or what I own. So get out willingly or I'll have the house throw you out. Don't believe for a second I don't have the power to make that happen." Harry remarked. "Now we can go."
Draco and Harry stood in the fireplace. "Malfoy Manor!" They threw the powder down together and were gone in the green flames.
"Now, let's be on our way home. It's been a long day. Severus, will you be joining?" Lucius asked.
"I'll be along soon." Severus nodded.
"Wonderful, and you must stay for dinner!" Narcissa beamed.
"How can I deny you, Narcissa? It would be my honor." Severus bowed his head.
Narcissa and Lucius stepped into the fireplace. "Malfoy Manor." They were gone next.
"Such an eventful evening." Molly sighed. "I suppose we'll need to find a new headquarters?"
. . .
Returning to Malfoy Manor, Harry still felt weak as he only fed enough to calm down but not anything that would be considered full for a couple days to a week. Draco had caught Harry coming out of the floo and moved him as his parents were next through.
"Come on, Harry…Let's take you to rest." Draco suggested. "Maybe eat a little more?"
Harry didn't argue with him, so Draco led Harry away to Harry's room. "I assume there were problems at the meeting?" Voldemort asked.
"Dumbledore and his usual antics, my lord." Lucius replied. "But Harry handled it very well besides the unruly anger that everyone felt."
"Enough to remove the fool as Headmaster?" Bellatrix wondered.
"Enough that the ministry is opening a full investigation at Harry's request." Narcissa answered. "There's a lot Dumbledore isn't aware of either, only that Harry was blood adopted by Sirius and us, and that he is heir of Slytherin and Peverell lines."
"I'm heir to Slytherin…" Voldemort stated.
"Actually, my lord…The role transferred to Harry for his many defeats over you," Lucius said calmly.
"No matter, in the past. I do not have a desire to kill him any longer; he's a far greater ally than enemy." Voldemort stated.
"Provided you get him to agree to work with you rather than against," Bellatrix chuckled. Voldemort glared at her. "I'm not apologizing for the fact that he took the killing curse to the chest and laughed at you, my lord. The boy could easily overthrow you…"
"Harry and I are more alike than most would seem. After all, Dumbledore is treating Harry as he once treated me; it won't be hard to join forces to bring the old fool down and fix the world." Voldemort remarked.
"But I advise giving it time, my lord," Narcissa informed. "Harry is beginning school in two days and there is much happening with the investigation. It would work in your favor to give Harry a look into your life so he can see what led you to your decisions, the world you envision and want him to help with."
"I intended to wait to throw it on him," Voldemort said. "Will Severus be returning?"
"Yes, he said he would come when the order meeting concluded." Lucius mentioned.
"He better…He has my trunk." Harry's voice made them look at his figure standing with Draco.
"He will, Harry. Not to worry." Narcissa smiled.
"I hear it was a riot at your godfather's place, Harry," Rodolphus stated with a smirk. "Wish we could have seen you tear Dumbledore a new one."
"Speaking of…I hope Dumbledore left like I told him to." Harry sat down in an open seat, which ended up being close to Voldemort then Draco was sitting on the other side of Harry. "Do you still have my things from the bank, Lucius?"
"I do," Lucius went over to his briefcase and spelled it open to pull out the objects for Harry, then the rings.
"What are those?" Draco inquired when his father handed Harry two rings.
"Harry's lordship rings." Lucius informed. "Now, Harry…If you're not already aware; these rings are more than a piece of jewelry. They're imbued with charms to protect their current lord. Such as attempts to poison or spell you. Your rings will alert you to danger, not that I'm sure your vampire abilities don't do the same. But these are physical notifications that could be used in trial." Lucius explained. "Once you put them on, they cannot be removed until you take them off yourself, or die; in which case they were return to their respected vaults or if you have an heir, to them."
"Alright," Harry nodded.
"You can choose any finger to wear them on, or one on each of your choosing. I wear mine on my right hand," Lucius showed him. Harry slipped the Potter/Slytherin on onto his right hand ring finger. As soon as it was on; it glowed a bright green before dimming out. "That was the ring accepting you as lord to Potter, and Slytherin houses." Lucius stated calmly as Harry fingered the Black ring hesitantly a moment, then finally set it on his right hand's middle finger. Like before the stone went from white to black as Harry saw it return to normal and he could see the Black Family coat of arms inside the stone.
Severus returned with a portrait in his arms. "Why do you have an empty frame, Severus?" Narcissa asked.
"I was told to be quiet and do as I'm told or be haunted…" Severus drawled as he used his wand to get the picture hanging on the wall near the fireplace. "There you go, now leave me be in peace, would you?" No answer. "Stubborn mutt."
"Who are you talking about?" Lucius arched a brow.
"You'll see." Severus stepped aside, arms folded over one another.
"Toujours Pur," Bellatrix stated as she saw the words on the symbol on Harry's ring, and he looked at her as she was closer and admiring the ring. "The old family motto. It means-," She chuckled.
"Always Pure…" Harry nodded. "Sirius told me over Christmas last year…Stating that I deserved to be a Black because even though I wasn't a pure-blood, my heart was pure." He mentioned looking down. "Wonder what he'd say if he knew I was a vampire."
"He would tell you that he still loves you no matter what," Sirius's voice was heard as Harry immediately looked to the frame Severus put up and saw Sirius standing there.
Harry just stared, completely shocked and wanting to cry but couldn't. "S-Sirius?"
"Hello again, pup," Sirius smiled.