Here I go playing in JKR's sandbox again

Serpentine family and Firebreathing friends

Dumbledore Intervened before matters got out of hand. "You said you were here for family? If not Draco Malfoy then whom are you here to see?" The answer would shake the wizarding world and Arcturus knew it. With a sinister smile he answered. "Why the grandson of my cousin, godson of my grandson, Harry Potter!"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^############^^^^^^^^^^^

"What!?"

Too many people screamed it at the same time, but nobody was more confused that Harry himself. He had been told the only family he had left was the Dursleys. Then Sirius was discovered. Now someone else was claiming to be family. Dumbledore tried to intercede but while the two old men were arguing, the sword-wielding wizard approached Harry.

"Greetings cousin. I am Hunter. Hunter Sirius Black, Heir Primary to Noble and Most Ancient House of Black." He introduced himself. "Scion Potter, it is my honor to offer my services to you in your time of need."

Harry was not sure how to handle this situation. What he did know was this man had just dropped Draco, and almost cut off Snape's head all before calling the headmaster to the carpet. He saw the extended hand and in an instant decided to take a chance. He grabbed the hand and began to shake it. "Thanks! Help around here is in short supply to House Potter as of late." Harry glared at several Gryffindors as he spoke.

When most things settled down, Harry, Dumbledore, Arcturus and Hunter had a discussion in the ante-chamber where the champions had congregated after the Goblet chose them. Snape tried to enter as well but Hunter's blade ended that issue. With Dumbledore unable to assist Harry due to the rules of the tournament, Harry quickly accepted the offer from the House of Black. Since there was little more than a week before the task, the trio had their work cut out for them.

First thing was Harry almost ceased attending his classes. Arcturus and Hunter were going to cover his education differently than he had ever experienced. Second was getting Harry healthy. The years with the Dursleys were going to take time to correct, so they needed to move quickly. If their plan held out, they would have him almost right, by the summer holidays. The big question was what they were going to do for the first task. The strange gleam in Hunter's eyes told Harry that there was a plan.

While discussing the regimen that Harry was going to go through, Harry was pleased to hear that both men wanted to get Sirius cleared. Arcturus was extremely upset with the handling of his grandson and explained it to Harry.

"When Sirius was imprisoned, I sought to get him his trial. Even years later, I was ignored. Fudge would not hear me, Dumbledore refused me, and Crouch" Arcturus almost spat the name. "… was drunk with power. If it had not been for Hunter, I would have died and you would be the heir to House Black."

Harry was stunned for a moment, but confusion became understanding, then fear, then anger. Arcturus saw the change and corralled the young Gryffindor. "Much like Hunter often did, you let the blind rage take control. Damned Griffindors! You must embrace the Slytherin within you, and focus your revenge properly."

The next week went very similar to what Hunter remembered. The big exception was Harry trained and learned privately as opposed to with his classmates. On the 22nd, Harry was asked to meet Hagrid late and then he had his meeting with Sirius via the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room.

Sirius was more than shocked at the revelation that Arcturus was even alive, let alone helping Harry. And that there was another Black Heir and he was also helping Harry floored the Marauder. Harry had just explained their intent to clear Sirius when Ron showed up and cut the conversation short.

*********************** The First Task **********************

Unlike when Hunter experienced this task, Harry was relaxed. Yes he was concerned, especially when he pulled the damned Horntail, but the House of Black had given him a plan. Yes he had taken Moody's suggestion of flying on a broom to heart, but Hunter had a far better idea. Parsletongue.

Hermione who was still trying to redeem herself, came in to wish him luck. Rita and her photographer got the picture when Hermione jumped on and hugged him. Fortunately, Krum ran the reporter off. Each champion had to pull a miniature version of the dragon they would have to face. Harry drew the Hungarian Horntail. 'Of course, I would have to get the worst of the bunch. Cause I'm Harry Potter.' He thought to himself.

Clad in black and lined with silver, his outfit paid homage to who he was representing as the crests of both House Potter and House Black were on the lapels and the phrase 'The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black' adorned the back. Harry waited his turn and strode to the arena with determination. Determination born from a solid strategy, and true support of what he was realizing was family.

Slowly he approached the Horntail and bowed. Close enough to be seen, but not to be a threat. He spoke in Parseltongue announcing he came in peace, but there was no reaction. He thought he was too quiet so he cast a sonorous and tried again. " Please noble dragon. I mean no harm. I come in peace. " The Dragon seemed to understand and replied. " You talk strange, but I hear " It was just like Hunter told him. Apparently Parseltongue and Dragonspeech were similar. Like Spanish and Italian. Key words were similar but there were many differences. Harry tried to keep it simple, sounding like a child who hadn't learned to speak properly, but he was able to explain that one of the eggs was fake and that he would take away the fake. She thankfully agreed.

Harry took the egg and raised it to the crowd, and then he went back to the dragon to thank it. The Horntail asked if Harry could get her food. Harry didn't know what she ate so he asked and found she wanted a cow. Harry called for a house elf and had him bring a cow for the horntail which the elf did very quickly. The Horntail thanked Harry and he kissed the dragon on the snout and just said " friend " Then he left, and the dragon ate the cow.

Harry ignored the scores but couldn't ignore Charlie Weasley who was acting like Hermione, asking questions on how he spoke to the dragon. Harry explained the Horntail could understand simple Parseltongue and for an hour Harry played translator between dragon and handlers.

Harry finally made it back to the common room and found the party in full swing. The twins were carrying him on their shoulders in a flash. The group was cheering him as if he'd caught the snitch and won the cup, but Harry had changed in the last week and a half. More than people would expect. His family had made him look hard at who he could count on, and these people were not among them.

Harry stared the group down. First he stilled the twins and told them to stay put. Then he grabbed Neville and Ginny, and led them to the twins. Looking around, he saw Hermione and Ron had entered. He took Hermione over to the three gingers and Neville. Then he called the Creevy brothers over.

Now Harry glared at the remaining group. Each felt his eyes as if they were being weighed, measured, and in the end, found wanting. One by one they lowered their heads in shame.

"For the last month just about, you have all called me cheat, liar, coward, or otherwise shunned me. 'Your house is like your family' well you certainly matched my muggle relatives didn't you?" Harry spat. Now that I'm a winner, you cheer me and want to be my friend. Well where the hell were you when Malfoy was slandering my name? Or that lying bitch Skeeter? No, you were all for treating me like dirt. Some of you even took those ruddy badges and wore them." Heads bowed even lower and some began crying.

"Even my supposed best mate turned on me." Ron went a shade of red most couldn't understand. It was a mix of shame for his betrayal, and anger at being called out. Harry ignored him. "So you all can sod off for all I care. My family stands behind me, both in this room, and in my training." Harry turned and nodded to his friends. "the rest of you are dead to me." And with that, Harry went to his dorm and began to pack. Shortly thereafter Harry, under his cloak, with all he owned, was entering the guest quarters assigned to Lord Black. "I was just as you predicted." Harry sighed to his elders.