Revival

by BuckeyeHunter

What happens when Harry dies in the chamber, and meets Death? When Harry has a destiny that can't be stopped, and when he was born to be Riddle's true equal? Voldemort might be strong, but did he make a major mistake targeting the Potters? Lords, Ladies, and MOD!/Powerful Harry Manipulative but Good Dumbledore. Rating is T with some M aspects (Hiatus)

23. The First Summer

Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.

A/n: Something I wished to clarify before this chapter, and correct me if I am wrong, but in this story, I never established that Malfoy was the one to give Ginny the Diary, as Harry was in the hospital wing. So in the matter of second year being Malfoy Sr.'s fault, Harry won't see that, as it was never figured out, or at least on Harry's side. It's not a plot hole, it's intentional. However, if I did clarify this, please tell me where so I can alter this chapter slightly to fit.

Chapter 23: The First Summer

July 2nd, 1994

Potter Cottage

Sirius sighed, listening to what Harry dealt with on the train. "Are you certain this is legitimate?"

"Truthfully? I could care less. If they aren't after me, it's one less thing I have to deal with. Not that I'll drop my guard, but I certainly won't attempt to worsen things between the houses. As for the Malfoys? Well I don't know the elders enough to form an opinion of my own, but Ron swears they are dark and snakes through and through."

"Have you had to deal with the elder Malfoys at all?" Sirius asked.

"I met Lucius, if you want to call what it was a meeting, in Flourish and Blotts before second year. He and Arthor got into a fistfight." Harry said, thinking about it deeply. "I got the impression that besides the fact he was possibly dangerous, he was also pompous and self centered."

Sirius smiled. "The man will do anything to save his own neck. Something I believe he is currently doing. He was a Death Eater during the war, and was almost put in Azkaban for it before he claimed he was under the Imperius Curse. He wasn't, but no one could prove otherwise, at least not openly. After he was freed, he started making large donations to both the Ministry and different organizations, probably to provide doubt that he was a Death Eater, or to build up good standing. He whispers in the Minister's ear constantly too, something important to know." Sirius explained.

"So basically, he will flock to whoever can protect his status quo the best, and betray them if it suits him." Harry replied.

"Exactly." Sirius replied.

"What about… Narcissa is it?" Harry asked with a frown, "I have yet to meet her."

"Narcissa is my cousin, one who is sister to the Tonkses and to Bellatrix LeStrange." Sirius said. "Narcissa, she was not far from Bella as a child, but more mentally stable, less angry outbursts, and far more loyal to my grandfather than the other two."

"So perhaps there is truth in Draco's words." Harry commented absently.

"Certainly. Narcissa has already written to me once, congratulating me on my freedom and hoping I was alright. It's a courtesy before reaching out for a meeting." Sirius replied, "No doubt, Draco will follow her too, if he is smart. Narcissa might be loyal to family, but she is a Black. She is cunning, intelligent, and one of the few semi-respectable members in my family. I might not trust Lucius, but I trust her to be honest."

Harry sighed and reached up to rub his temples, "Things can't just stay simple, can they?"

"Nope." Sirius replied. "Things are never simple."

Harry let out a small chuckle, "No they aren't. Dueling has even gotten harder. Filius has pushed even harder recently, ensuring I can win even though I never beat him anymore. He explained that it was for my confidence first, but now there is pressure to win."

"What did Dumbledore want to meet about?" Sirius asked suddenly. Harry hadn't told him the purpose for the meeting.

"He explained himself and his behavior, apologized for leaving me with the Dursleys, and then told me how Riddle is still alive." Harry replied casually.

Sirius narrowed his eyes. Did he… no, he couldn't have.

"Is this something for your grandparents?" He asked. Harry nodded, and they moved rooms, where Harry updated the three on Dumbledore's meeting. The instant Harry said Horcruxes, both Sirius and Charles hissed.

"Of course the darkest lord would have made them." Charles said. "I don't know much about them unfortunately. It wasn't my part in the department. I could ask some questions about them though?" He offered.

"For now, no. Sirius?" Harry asked.

"I've heard of them." He replied absently. "My grandfather… he got pissed, far more pissed than I ever have seen him, when my brother was caught glancing through a book and had been reading the subject in the Black family library."

"They are disgusting, aren't they?" Charles asked.

"Very." Sirius replied. "Harry, you didn't seem worried about them when you told me. Did Dumbledore explain them?"

"Yes. Not in depth but I know what they are." Harry replied.

"Did you know before he told you what a Horcrux was?" Dorea asked.

The question made Harry freeze. How…

"How would I have known before?" Harry asked in return. "They are one of the darkest arts."

"You did then." Dorea surmised. Harry cursed mentally, thinking quickly as he took a deep breath, before sighing.

"I did." He admitted.

"How?" Sirius and Charles demandingly asked at the same time.

"I… I can't tell you yet. In the future, I promise I will, but I am not allowed to mention his name. He is an old family friend though. He gave me a lot."

"Is this the same in your private chambers at school?" Sirius asked, getting a confused look from Harry's grandparents. For a moment, he wondered what would happen if he told Sirius about Salazar, and the rituals he was doing, including the one from earlier in the day, but banished the thought just as quickly.

"No, though that source was helped by the same person." Harry replied. "I can't say any more. I'm sorry. But yes. I knew. And though Dumbledore doesn't know, I've already destroyed one more."

"How?" Charles asked. Harry flicked his hand as the Sword of Gryffindor appeared.

"It's laced with Basilisk Venom. A quick stab to a locket at Grimmauld Place and it was destroyed."

"They make a lot of noise when destroyed." Charles said. "How did you not hear it Sirius?"

Sirius just looked at Harry with a smile, "You used a silencing charm, didn't you?"

"Sort of. Kreature helped." Harry said, "Apparently, it was Master Regulus', whoever that was. His last order was for Kreature to destroy it, but the elf hadn't been able to."

Sirius started, knowing Harry had no idea. "Regulus?"

"Yea. The elf seemed to revere him." Harry replied with his brow furrowed.

"Regulus was my brother." Sirius said. "He joined Voldemort back in 1979, the year he got out of Hogwarts. He died in the war. No one knows what happened to him."

"Kreature might, if he was the last one to see him alive. Perhaps ask him later." Charles said. Sirius nodded. "Harry, are you certain this was one of Riddle's?"

"100%" he replied.

"Then there are only going to be so many left. Hopefully they can all be destroyed before he returns. From what I know, if they are, he just fades from the world." Charles said. "That's as much as I know about them. I was a part of a mission to destroy one, and we got the basic briefing."

Harry nodded as his stomach growled. "Perhaps we could take a break? Food sounds amazing right now." He commented.

"Of course Harry." Sirius and Dorea replied together.

"Get a good meal Harry." She encouraged him. "Your grandfather and I need to have a chat."

July 9th, 1994

12 Grimmauld Place

Harry climbed out of the fire, and it took him a moment to realize he wasn't at the same place. He looked around astounded at the changes to the old and decrypt house, now looking clean and nearly new. Sirius came through behind him and gasped.

"Bloody hell. Did Kreature do this?" Sirius asked aloud, causing said elf to appear.

"Lord Black has returned. Kreature makes House of Black worthy of House Black." Kreature croaked out.

"Why did you do all of this?" Sirius asked.

"Master Regulus would be disappointed if House Black fell into disrepair. House Black must be strong. Can Kreature get Lord or Heir Black beverages?" Kreature asked.

Sirius shook his head as he replied, "No drinks. We will have guests soon. Ensure the Parlor is ready. There will be three."

"Kreature will ensure it is ready." He said, disappearing once more.

Sirius stepped into the hall, and Harry followed. "I haven't seen this place so clean in years."

"It looks like things have been replaced." Harry commented. "The floor and wallpaper at least."

"Agreed. Some doors as well. That one had a gouge near the door handle from my mother." He chuckled. "I had said something to upset her, insulting Slytherin I think."

Harry couldn't believe the differences in the house. What was dark and musty rooms and furniture, with peeling paint and wallpaper, rusting and tarnished door knobs and fixtures, and dust and grime covered most surfaces, minus what Sirius had cleaned.

Now, there was a dark brown wallpaper, with a light sanded and stained wood floor, and silver accented trims and door knobs with the House of Black crest were in place of the old bronze. In the hallways and larger rooms, new gas fixtures were hung with clean glass, and all new windows were in place, clear of grime and dirt.

"This is amazing. I mean, I planned on doing something like this, but I hadn't expected Kreature to clean so much, or put so much work in." Sirius said, astonished. "Why though? He was always a hard worker, but he was a pain in the ass when I was last here."

"When were you last here?" Harry asked as Sirius entered the drawing room, tracing his fingers across the family tree.

"The day of my trial." He replied.

Harry nodded, "Probably because of the locket then. Perhaps the dark magic affected him, and it slowly faded?" He mused aloud, "Wait, isn't it akin to torture to give an elf an order it can't fullful?"

Sirius stopped his evaluation of the family tree, "Ye-Oh! Regulus ordered the locket destroyed, and Kreature couldn't do it. You finished the order, helping his mentality. Though he probably still hates me, because of you he is probably being a bit better."

"Lord Black should not be considering trashing family history." Kreature said, appearing in the room and eying Sirius warily.

"I wasn't going to. I might hate some of my family, but it still matters." He replied carefully. "Was my assumption right? The one that I just suggested?"

"Lord Black is intelligent as always. Heir Black would make Master Regulus proud, and maybe Lord Black is redeemable." The elf croaked thoughtfully

"What happened to Regulus?" Sirius asked.

"Master Regulus is dead." The elf said quietly. "He died in a cave off the coast, taking something the Dark Lord left. Rotty things took him under water."

"How did you survive?" Sirius asked.

"He ordered me to go home and destroy the locket. Heir Black did this, and freed me of my failed order." Kreature croaked with a grin, "Kreature feels young and motivated again."

"Hm. Very well. Go await at the front door, and let the Tonks' in once they're here." Sirius ordered, though there was a slight quiver in his voice, "And thank you Kreature. Regulus would be proud."

The elf bowed and disappeared, and Harry watched as Sirius walked and sat on the couch, before placing his head in his hands. Harry walked over and sat down next to him. While he had no experience with crying family, he wasn't going to let Sirius be alone.

Sirius leaned into the hug, speaking quietly, "He disappeared about two months before the night your parents died."

Harry didn't say anything, waiting for the man to continue.

"No one knew what happened to him. The Death Eaters never took credit, and his body was never found. I had assumed he ran, and was killed, or perhaps he was killed for a failed order. I spent a few days with James looking for him, but there was nothing." He said, his voice only breaking a whisper.

"My brother was important to me. I never cared for most of my family, half of them being insane anyways, but I cared for my brother. We were close until I was sorted into Gryffindor, and slowly we drifted apart. We fought some, and even crossed wands a few times, but we both cared about the other."

"I'm sorry. He died doing something good though, and hopefully he will see that it wasn't for nothing." Harry said quietly. "We will make sure it wasn't for nothing."

"We will. I had always hoped he would change sides. My father never would, too loyal to my mother, and when Andi left, and Cissy followed Grandfather's orders to marry Malfoy, I only had James left as family, and you." Sirius said, before looking up.

"Promise me something, promise me you won't go too."

"I won't. I promise." Harry said. They heard the doorbell ring, and Sirius was quick to wipe his face clean.

"Thank you. Let's go enjoy our guest's company though, and leave the dark memories to the past." Sirius said with a smile. Harry nodded, and they made their way to the parlor.

Entering, Harry saw two women and a man. The older woman, who was most likely Andromeda Tonks, had nearly chocolate brown hair with warm brown eyes and a pointed aristocratic face and nose, with smooth high cheeks and fit form. She was truly beautiful, though too old for Harry. The man next to her was clearly her husband, Ted, with light brown hair and warm blue eyes, and a smile on his face. He had a slightly round belly and glasses, though they were most likely fakes.

The girl, Harry guessed to be Nymphadora, looked familiar, despite her vastly different appearance. Despite the several similarities to her mother, with her father's eyes and smile, her hair was short and bright bubblegum pink, with clearly muggle-influenced robes that looked like they belonged at a rock concert. It had small metal studs and was pitch black with leather. Though she looked vastly different, he vaguely recognized her from his first year.

And despite the time that passed, and the different appearance, she was still quite gorgeous.

"Andi!" Sirius called, having continued to walk into the room. "How are you?"

"I am just as well as I was a month ago. Overworked and very tired." She replied, wrapping him in a hug. "You look better. You're putting on more muscle."

"I'm doing my best. Ted!" Sirius greeted, shaking his hand before turning to the younger. "And little Dora. Oh how I remember you breaking things at Lily and James's the last time I saw you. You were six, weren't you?"

"And now I am an Auror in training and will gladly hex you." She laughed. "And look at little Harry!"

Andi was the first across the room, quickly pulling him into a hug, "My god you do look like James and Lily, and Sirius too."

"Little Harry, all grown up." Dora grinned, "Well perhaps you will be up for a duel soon. Mum told me that Sirius said you were attempting the Minor's league?"

"Any time. What's being an auror like?" Harry asked.

"A hitwizard with more paperwork!" Sirius yelled.

Everything devolved from there, as conversation started freely flowing. Harry was surprised at how easily topics changed, between politics, work, Dora learning hard lessons from a master auror named 'Mad Eye Moody'. While Andi was a healer at St. Mungos, Ted, it turned out, was a solicitor, and apparently one of the best. Not only that, but he also worked as a solicitor in the muggle world, and was a muggleborn.

Harry almost laughed at the fact that some of the most staunchest purebloods happily worked with him or hired him, as he was good at his job. Ted almost reminded him of his aunt's neighbor, who grilled out a lot though, with his cheerful attitude and always smiling. Dora, it seemed, was an open flirt and was happy to do something to get in trouble, or simply fall or drop things. She was also a metamorphmagus, something Harry was very jealous of.

"The real downside is that constantly shifting my physical appearance decreases my balance. So I constantly trip, knock into things, and make messes." She said with a laugh.

"And she can't dance either." Andi commented, getting an indignant 'Hey' in return.

"So there is a reason, besides just catching up, that I wished for us to get together for." Sirius said, garnering the room's attention.

"Kreature, could you bring me the file I left in the floo room." He said. Once he had the file, he held it out to Andi, who took it and quickly flipped it open.

"Sirius?" She asked, looking up. Everyone ignored Dora's question of what was on the papers.

"It's already done, everything is restored within Gringotts and the Ministry." He said. "And no. I'm not undoing it."

She was quick to drop the file on the table and engulf the man in a hug. It took her a minute to calm down, and answer Dora's ignored question.

"He reinstated us into the family, and in doing so, our position in the ministry." She explained. Ted frowned in confusion.

"Why is this a big deal though? We are still respected in our society." He asked.

"Because the purebloods are missing some marbles." Sirius replied, "But in all seriousness, it means that none of you are overlooked because Andi was disgraced and dismissed from the House of Black."

"So it means?" Dora asked, still confused.

"You can take the name of Black. Technically, when any daughter of House Black married, unless under contract or as a last of line for the other house, the man took her name, but because Andi was dismissed for disobeying Arcturus, she took Ted's name. Admittedly, you could keep the name Tonks, or go by Tonks-Black like I do with Potter-Black, but that's your own choice, well, Andi and Ted's actually. If they change their names, yours follows." Harry replied.

She nodded, but then asked a followup question, "How come there aren't more Blacks then?"

"They died out. Killed in several wars, age, and a lack of children. Phineas' generation had nearly fifty living Blacks, but only three lines, including the central line, had children, and only two each. Dorea and Arcturus were the main line, and only three more were born from them." Sirius explained.

"Grindelwald was pretty bad for our family. Several joined his side and died, and a few were against him and fell to the same fate. Grandfather fought too, and alongside Charles, they both lived." Andi added. "Ted, what about our names?"

He shrugged. "I'm a muggleborn, and besides, I have several cousins and names in the muggle world don't matter in the same way as they do here. I'd only have to do some paperwork for the change, and some company paperwork for the Law Firm to update the name to reflect it. It isn't much. If you want your name to be Black again, I'm happy to change, as long as you're happy with the outcome." He said with a smile.

By the end of dinner, Andi decided they would take up the name of Black again, and Dora seemed cool with the decision, though she did spill the gravy when she wasn't paying attention. Of course, she intended on having a duel the next weekend, and made plans for the next weekend. Not that Harry really cared, as the girl was a good laugh and friendly enough.

It was late in the evening when they finally left and the two returned to Potter Cottage, excited to finally sleep.

July 10th, 1994

Potter Cottage

Harry groaned, feeling the pain and soreness of another rough practice. As always, the violent and cru- the dueling master had put him through his paces. It was something that Harry would be glad to be done with in a week's time. Hebwas counting down the lessons.

He stopped all though as he felt a tingle, the wards alerting him to a presence. "Sirius? Did we expect any company?"

"I don't believe s-" He started, seeing Harry almost to the door with his wand drawn, an unfamiliar wand at that. "Harry?"

He ignored the older man as he looked out the door and saw Remus, and was quick to slide his Basilisk wand back into its holster as he opened the door. "It's just Remus. Hey Remus!"

"Hey!" The werewolf responded with a smile, "I thought I'd stop for a visit before I took off for the week."

"Where ya running off to?" Sirius asked with a grin.

"There's a hiking trail for some mountains in Scotland, actually not terribly far from here. I feel like I'm overdue for a good outing, and I have the spare money for it. It's been different, having reliable income for once." He replied, "Truthfully, I appreciated Dumbledore's offer, and I'm surprised I made it through the year, or that I am returning next year."

"Because of your condition?" Harry asked.

"Yea. I figured Severus would have leaked it, but he didn't. Oddly, he seems to be slowly calming down."

"Bullshit. He hasn't changed any. I'd know. Neville and I are fan favorites for being picked by him. Not that it bothers me any." Harry replied.

"Snivilius better leave you alone." Sirius said with a growl, "The fact the slimeball teaches is astoundin-"

"You assume he teaches." Harry cut in. "The man doesn't teach. Putting instructions from a book on the board is not teaching. An evaluator might be a better term, but he doesn't teach."

"Really?" Remus asked. "He is a genius at that art."

"And a garbage teacher. I've learned everything from the book." Harry replied. "And honestly, he is testing the ability to be much of anything. One day he is going to say the wrong thing to me, and I will lose any patience I have."

"Harry." Sirius said warningly. "If anyone will commit homicide, it will be me." He said firmly.

"It's not homicide if it's done legally." Harry returned. "And I could definitely make it legal."

"Still, he is dangerous. He is extremely knowledgeable in the Dark Arts and a cunning fighter. Not to mention that he has the power to back it up." Sirius replied.

"Perhaps a different subject than Snape." Remus interceded. "I'd like to hear about your dueling instead."

"Oh Remus! You have got to see him duel. He is amazing. He could've taken all of us back in our fourth year, probably fifth too, though near the end we really were training some." Sirius said enthusiastically.

"Really? I remember him destroying the charms classroom and some accidents, but I hadn't been sure of his progress." Remus replied.

"Hey!" Harry said indignantly. "I'll have you know I am perfectly capable of dueling well!"

"He really is brilliant, Moony. Hell, even now he is making it a challenge for me to win. Harry might not see his progress as Flitwick always makes him lose, but he really is excelling." Sirius cut in.

"Well, after the championships and the full moon, perhaps we can go a few rounds in two on one. I used to be really good myself, though James was always the best fighter. Him and Lily were fierce, whether they were against or with each other." Remus said with a laugh.

"Remember the time where they dueled and James animated all of the common room furniture?" Sirius asked.

"Yea, she overrode it and used it against him." Remus laughed hard, "We came back into the common room to find him stuffed in between a couch and a fluffy chair, with the end tables pinning his legs down. It took us forever to undo whatever Lily had done to the furniture. Her ability in charms has always outstripped our group."

Harry was laughing at the mental image of his father with a couch and chair on top of him, something that actually wasn't hard to believe. Some more stories were passed around as lunch was served, before Sirius randomly became… Well, serious.

"Harry." Sirius said. "I have a question for you, and I want you to answer it honestly."

Harry frowned, confused at why the man had shifted so much. The tone, for a moment, reminded him of his uncle when he saw Harry after being in a good mood. "Yes?"

"What was the wand that you had drawn earlier? I know your Cherry wand, and that wasn't it." Sirius said. Remus turned towards him with a frown.

"What wand?" Harry asked, masking his panicking as much as he could. I really don't need people knowing about that.

"Harry," Sirius said in a warning tone. "Don't play dumb with me. I saw the wand, and it was dark brown, nearly black, but identical to your Cherry wand."

Harry took a deep breath, knowing he fucked up. Admittedly, I did this to myself. Perhaps I will think before I act next time.

Snapping his wrist slightly, they watched as the Cherry wand landed in his hand. "As you both probably know, after my second year, my Holly and Phoenix wand was damaged, or so Ollivander claimed. Admittedly, it was burnt some, as I had been forcing it to work for a while, but it was no longer meant for me. This was the second of two wands that were made, Cherry and Great Targaryen Dragon Heartstring."

"Bu- No. Impossible!" Remus exclaimed. "Those dragons were only rumored to exist!"

"Ollivander said they had been hunted to extinction before Merlin." Harry replied, "His family only had fifteen heartstrings, and this is number three. What I found later was that the particular breed of dragon was actually the second most dangerous alive, with one of it's kin being more powerful. Ollivander said the core is often more powerful towards any form of offensive or defensive magic, and excels with any fire-based magic."

"Wow." Remus replied. "To think that you possess one of the most volatile wand combinations."

What?

Harry almost laughed at Sirius voicing the same question. "Well, Cherry wands with Dragon Heartstrings are often very erratic and dangerous. They can be hard to control and unstable without the proper control and mental fortitude. That Harry hasn't had many issues is impressive." Remus explained. Harry frowned, remembering the man saying something similar at the time.

"Well, that is your normal wand, but the other one." Sirius prompted.

"Well, before that, I should also explain that this wand was custom made, as was the other. Both have runes for heat dissipation and strengthening." Harry said, before sitting the wand on the table and snapping his wrist a second time. He relished the powerful coldness that swept through him as the wand landed in his hand again.

"This one is one the Ministry has no record of, and the holster Ollivander gave me hides it from anyone's view, as it is an Unspeakable's wand holster." Harry said.

"Impressive, I can see the runes on it too, but other than it being Ebony, I can't tell much more about it." Remus said, while Sirius was eying him.

"What is it made of?" Sirius asked impatiently.

"Hm. Thunderbird feather and Basilisk Heartstring." Sirius and Remus' eyes widened. "The heartstring was from the same basilisk I killed." he added.

"Wow." Remus whispered. "How did he get the dual core element to work? It is very rare that it does."

"My blood I assume. He didn't explain it to me, but I know both wands have my blood in them, and they will never work for another. I could only guess my blood stabilized the connection between the two cores." Harry replied.

"I think my grandfather also had a dual core wand." Sirius said, "Gregorovitch made his though, Fireball and Aker Serpent Heartstring with Ash, but I never asked why it worked."

"Interesting." Harry commented absently as he slid the wand back in the holster.

"Why hide it from us Harry? Hell, why don't you use that one regularly?" Sirius asked, Remus nodding and listening with interest.

"Well, for one, I couldn't, and still sometimes struggle, to control the power the wand outputs. It is surprising exactly how powerful the wand truly is. I feel no resistance using it, and it even encourages spells. In a classroom, it is dangerous, I could've hurt someone. And I haven't been using it regularly in duels with Filius, as I want better control of it. Don't worry, I am using it plenty in my extra time." Harry explained.

"You didn't answer why you hid it though." Remus commented.

Taking a deep breath, he answered, "I didn't trust Dumbledore, hell, I still don't completely. Along with the fact that almost no one carries a second wand outside of Aurors and Hitwizards, and possibly unspeakables, it makes for an amazing element of surprise if I am ever disarmed."

"Hm. Alright, but Harry, I wish to know these things. I know we haven't had a lot of time together outside of the mirrors, but I still want to try to be a parent, and to care for you the best I can. Lily and James expect it of me, and I expect it from myself." Sirius said, a slight look of disappointment on his face.

"I know you keep a lot to yourself, including your private training done with the time turner, but please know that you can trust me, and that I will do my best to support you, even if you decided to become the next dark lord." he said seriously.

Harry felt a small amount of guilt from keeping it from Sirius, and realized perhaps he shouldn't have. "I'm sorry. I… I am still getting used to having an adult who worries about my wellbeing and care. I promise though, no plans on being a dark lord."

Remus frowned, not quite understanding the first part of the answer, but at least relieved slightly that Harry wasn't intending on being a Dark Lord. Sirius seemed equally pleased, and nodded, "I understand. Just try to keep in mind that you will always be my first priority. I made the mistake once of not making you first, and I won't do it again."

Harry nodded, and mentally sighed in relief even as he felt a warmth in his chest. Happiness, happiness at having a family.

A/n: So there is one thing missing from this chapter, which is the chat with his grandparents about events from the rest of the year. Dumbledore was included, but some smaller details and whatnot were missed. For simplicity's sake, I am going to say it was done at another time. I had already made it to Remus' arrival before I realized I missed it and I wasn't sure how to alter it without shifting chapters slightly. I also realize Salazar isn't mentioned more than once in this chapter, and only in passing. It is intentional, as I am only capable of keeping up with so much in terms of education and creation. Rest assured, Harry is still learning from the founder.

Otherwise, I only have a single other note, and that is that new chapters may come slightly slower, but hopefully one every seven or so days. I'll try to keep it under two weeks, but that all depends on work.

Until next time!

Votes:

Direwolf: 28

Snake (undecided breed): 5

Eagle/Hawk: 7

Black Panther: 4

Sabretooth Tiger: 3

Raven: 8

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