Good morning everyone. Chapter 20 is up, hope this gives people hope that i am not quitting. I have been reminded that a few things that I talk about in previous chapters have stopped popping up, I apologise its just been so long since i started I cant keep up. Please review or let me know if I've missed out things I should have added already i.e. Harry's animagus training! Thanks and enjoy!

Sitting at one of the round tables in Gryffindor tower, Neville was bent over his Herbology homework; eagerly scribbling down his opinion and new information he'd learnt from his research into a little green notebook that his Gran had given him when he'd left for his fifth year. Hardly any of it would actually end up in his homework, he felt no need to show any of his work to Professor Sprout after her actions however that didn't mean he would hide his talent. Herbology was the subject the was most passionate about and therefore he would get an O just like he had on everything other piece of work he'd turned in. It was as he was double checking the spelling of one of his seeds that a soft thump had him looking up in surprise only to see Fred and George (he had no idea which was which) now sitting opposite him.

"Whaaaaaat?" He asked slowly, eyes narrowed in suspicion as their innocent expressions.

"Nothing, everything –"

"Is grand."

Then they both simply sat there, smiling at him. Neville glanced between them with an annoyed look and set down his quill with a sigh.

"Alright, I'll bite. How are you both today?"

"Oh isn't that nice of him, Gred?"

"Absolutely Forge, such a gentleman."

"And such a gentleman requires a gentlemanly response."

"We graciously thank you for your kind regard, and in response we will say its been a rather tough week –"

"McGonagall has been riding us pretty hard, we have to deliver an fifteen inch-"

"Essay on the dangers of human transfiguration."

"Terrible thing, dreadfully dull really –"

"But it does give us some ideas on new products and ways we can manage our mischief."

"That'll be good for you then, to develop something new." Commented Neville.

"Yes something new, different-"

"Because life is getting rather dull –"

"And we would dearly love some excitement."

"I can understand that…" Neville said hesitantly as a sinking feeling got into his stomach.

"We thought you might, didn't we brother."

"Indeed we did, after all you have had quite a lot of excitement this last year."

"And we decided we wanted to get more involved."

"What are you talking about?"

"We know that something –"

"Is happening with Harry, we know its something –"

"Serious and we understand you probably can't tell us, correct?"

"Correct." Said a voice causing all of them to jump in surprise. Harry slumped down in the seat next to them, green eyes alight with amusement and interest. "So you thought you'd waylay my right hand man?"

"Well we thought he-"

"Was less scary that you."

They delivered with perfectly sweet smiles that had Neville scowling at them as Harry laughed.

"Well you're right, something is going on and no I'm not telling you. So what other excitement do you think we can provide?"

"We know that your-"

"Little group are doing higher level spells, have been –"

"Since at least the second task. We want to humbly request entry."

There was quiet as the other two looked at each other in surprise.

"You want to join our study group?" Neville asked, a little amused.

"Yep." They both answered simply.

"You know we don't really have one, right? We just do homework and stuff." Harry said.

The twins snorted and leant forward, mindful of the few students still in the room.

"We know you can do the patronus charm and several other-"

"Spells that are renowned to be harder to grasp. Plus-"

"We saw you do wandless magic last week." One of them finished with a smirk.

"So you want to join us in learning more advanced magic? Can't you do that yourselves?"

"Believe it or not we've tried –"

"We've made our way twice around the library but there are somethings that books don't teach you and we need that extra thing. You know who is back and –"

"We want to protect ourselves and our family."

They were looking more serious than Harry had ever seen them.

"Alright you can join us, but this is just focussed on studying and magic, alright?"

"Deal."

"Okay, for practical stuff we'll meet in the classroom along the sixth floor. One along from the old charms classroom, Binns uses it to 'sleep' in but apart from that its usually pretty quiet." Harry eventually said after exchanging a look with Neville.

They grinned and left with a nod.

"A classroom?"

"Hey I trust them but I don't even want to know what they'd do with something like the Room of Requirement at their disposal." Harry said while stretching and Neville took a moment to consider the possibilities before shaking the terrifying possibilities from his head and concentrating on his work.

Next to him, Harry also pulled out his potions textbook and started to reread one of the chapters and make notes for the homework that had been set. Apart from a few comments when one asked a question or prompted a small discussion they kept a companiable for silence for some time before Colin Creevy suddenly called over from where he was playing exploding snap with some friends.

"Hey Harry, isn't that your owl?"

Looking over to the window that the younger boy was pointing to has Harry standing up hurriedly.

"Yeah, thanks Colin."

Walking over and opening the window Hedwig immediately hopped up onto his shoulder chirping loudly, sitting back in his seat she dropped two letters onto his books. Opening up one, he read the note with a raised eyebrow before sucking in a breath sharply. Neville immediately glanced up in surprise without saying a word, Harry passed the letter over.

Heir Potter,

This is a letter of formal notification to announce that Lord Black is invoking Judgement onto Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black on the 2nd November 1995.

Sincerely
Hunteroff

Accounts Manager
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black

Neville placed the letter down gently and took a deep breath. He knew exactly what calling judgement would do and although he wasn't looking forward to it, he couldn't say he was sorry.

"You alright?" Harry asked gently. Sirius had told him that he would be doing it soon but not a specific date.

"I'm going to get some air, I'll see you later." Neville said standing.

"Leave your stuff, I'll take it up when I'm done."

Watching as his friend left, Harry was startled out by Hedwig nipping sharply at his ear.

"What? I don't have any bacon."

The majestic owl glared balefully first at him and then down at the table, he glanced down and blatantly realised he had yet to open the other.

Harry, this is say that Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore has returned 12 pieces of art, 32 books and 6 pieces of furniture to the main Potter vault. We know these items were withdrawn after 1981 and therefore we are sure they are the only pieces that were taken in the first place. He is still paying back the monetary values to you.

Griphook

The same hot rage swept through him quickly before Hedwig shuffled slightly and hooted lowly.

"Don't worry, I'm not about to go and find him. I just can't believe he still is treating me like a little kid when he's been stealing from me."

Hedwig bobbed her head against his.

Taking the comfort his owl offered he slipped the letter into his bag and turned back to his work. It took only a few more minutes to set out his essay and he decided he could finish it tomorrow, after packing up he retrieved a small plain black notebook and turned to a clean page.

If the Twins were to join their study groups from now on then he would have to draw up some new plans. He knew roughly where they were in terms of ability but he and the group had managed by themselves for the last year perfectly, they could work in sync and knew how to listen to each other and talk over things. The group had stuck to the same schedule that they had been practising last year and he didn't want that to be disrupted.

He worked steadily on a lesson plan for their session, trying to gage where they would be and how to test their boundaries. It was only when he felt his satchel buzzing that he realised the time, Sirius had said he'd call today.

Hurriedly gathering his papers and jostling Hedwig who glared but followed him up the stairs to the dormitory, he got the mirror out and set it on his bedside table as he started to clear the papers and put them in piles.

"There you are Prongslet! Wondered if you'd forgotten about little old me."

"Sorry Padfoot, I did get distracted. The twins are joining us for our study sessions and I wanted to get a vague plan down. How are you?"

"Man alive, I have been so busy. Meetings galore and reports to read and write, its exhausting. And you?"

"Well the studying has begun piling on but we've managed to keep it tamed so far. Daph is still talking things over with Olivander but they're both going slow and not trying to rush through with the excitement. Theo still hasn't plucked up the nerve to ask Miss Addams out but according to Tracey there has been some very interesting looks between them and Neville and I had just started going over our homework when Hedwig arrived with a note from Gringotts."

"Ah, how is he?"

"I'm not sure to be honest, he wanted some air and it was clear he didn't want company so I'll ask him tonight but not sure how far to push."

"Sensible, and if I may humbly suggest, don't. He will talk when he wants and over something like this, he needs to handle it his own way but he knows you're all there and that's enough."

"Thanks Sirius, are you doing okay? I mean with the decision and all?"

"Well its odd, she is my cousin but you know…also a psychopath. A part of me is a little disgusted with myself…I'm essentially killing her or at least she won't live long after this. But another part…well it will stop her from hurting so many more innocent people. It will bring peace to those she has already harmed but then I think…is a life mine to take? I am satisfied with my decision and am comfortable with it I just have to become used to it. And it forced me to talk to Narcissa which is suppose could have gone better."

Harry waited for his guardian to gather his thoughts, watching as the emotions played across his face.

"I sent her an official notice to meet Lord Black at Gringotts. I didn't want to simply send a note to her about the Judgement and I knew this would be an interesting conversation to have. And I know all your questions are just about to burst from your tongue so yes I will tell you." Sirius said with a grin and Harry quickly sat down to pay full attention.

"I had some investment talk with Hunteroff scheduled so I was already there when she arrived perfectly on time. I had Hunteroff arrange a smaller room for us, she was very defensive from the get-go but not rude. I knew she would understand her position but she had a few tells that let me know she was slightly scared. I brought up Lucius and his following of Riddle, she was adamant that although she believed in the whole pureblood way she was not a supporter of killing innocents; she also does not have the dark mark and after making her swear on family magic…she said she had absolutely no idea of her husbands actions during your second year. In fact, she was rather upset when I told her how much he had to do with it."

"I can imagine." At Sirius' inquisitive look he clarified. "She is still a mother and her only child was at Hogwarts, if she had known that a dangerous 60 foot snake that could kill with a glance was going to be released there is no way Malfoy would have been at Hogwarts that year."

"Huh…I hadn't actually thought of that. Well anyway, we discussed a little more about Lucius' seat and what it meant and I laid out her options in terms of what I was expecting from her and her son going forward." He took a deep breath. "And then I told her about Bellatrix, she wasn't surprised. A touch sad but not surprised, she knew that with the connections I've been making as well as the war brewing that it was an option I would have already considered."

"Does she want to be there?"

"Yep and so does Andromeda."

At the mention of that, Harry suddenly found his fingernails very entertaining which Sirius founded very amusing and let out a bark of laughter.

"I don't mind Prongslet, I was just surprised. When did you start talking to Andi?"

"I haven't really. I sent her a letter a couple of weeks ago, asking about her and introducing myself. To be honest quite to my surprise she got back to me immediately, used Hedwig on her return flight. Turns out she was delighted to hear from me and was wondering how to get in touch with you. We sent maybe two or three letters back and forth and then I told her to use Hedwig to send to send the letter to you. How is she? Do you guys get along? What's she like in person?" Harry asked eagerly.

"She is exactly like she was like when we were younger, mature and likable. Very eager to please the adults but still quiet and responsible. She asked about you and Remus and even the Farm. Very on it in terms of political alliances and what I was doing, we met up just yesterday for the first time in over 13 years and it was great. Really great."

Harry smiled at the look on his face, he was always happy to know his guadian was reaching out to people and talking. But he also knew how hurt Sirius was when none of his family were there and how he struggled after he was released and declared innocent. To know that Andi was making such an effort to connect with her cousin again, it made him happy too.

"So you're going to meet again?"

"Yes, I told her about calling Judgement on Bella and she also wanted to be there. But we're also going to have dinner tomorrow night with her husband."

"That will be good for you."

"Yes I think so too, Remus is going to be here to which will be nice. He's been so busy with everything, so we can have a proper catch up, not to say that we don't talk frequently but its different to see him in person."

There was a pause before Sirius face changed.

"There's something else we need to talk about. Are you secure?"

Harry drew the curtains on his bed and also cast the privacy charms he was now able to do wordlessly.

"I had a note from Vexmoor today, Killick has destroyed the ring."

"What? When? How? Why?" Harry demanded, the words bursting from his throat with no restraint causing Sirius to laugh again.

"Slow down, unfortunately I can only answer a few of them." Sirius paused as he tried to remember his meeting. "Killick sent me a patronus something she'd never done before…"

Flashback starts.

Sirius slipped down in his chair, rubbing his hands over his face as he took a small break from writing out an agenda for the next meeting of the Black/Potter Alliance. They were attempting to give the DMLE an increase in budget by using the fines taken from the convicted Death Eaters, something they knew the dark side would definitely object to and perhaps several of the light.

Suddenly he felt the wards twinge, after Harry had returned to Hogwarts they had shifted the Potter Manor wards to Sirius' control. A moment later a flicker of light burst into his study, the crow patroni settled on his desk and cocked its head at him.

"Sirius, I urgently need to see you at once. I will meet you in the lobby of the Ministry, get your butt there now!"

Rising hurriedly, he didn't bother dressing fancily but merely threw on the cloak that was hanging on the door, locked the wards down and flooed to the lobby.

Spinning quickly and stepping out with ease he took a glance around and immediately spotted Killick who was standing near the fountain and scouting the area. Almost as soon as Sirius began to make his way over, he was spotted by the Unspeakable who gestured with her head and also started to move.

The two silently made their way through the lobby, only briefing stopping by the welcoming desk when Killick waved the guards away with a shake of her badge and then into the elevator. It was only when they were safe underground that she started to speak as they walked to her office.

"A few weeks ago I managed to make a breakthrough on the ring, I found some runes on it that explains the compulsion charm strength. I've only just found the translation, it was old, old magic. I had to call in several favours to get the tome from Egypt, and they were not easy about letting it go."

"So you wanted to talk about the runes and what they mean?"

"No, I wanted to show you this." She replied simply and opened the door to usher him in.

The office was quite large, very well lit and square in structure. There was a desk shoved in the corner with only a few papers placed on top, meanwhile the floor was covered in various parchments. Large boards stood around all the walls with scribblings on, some in English but most in a multitude of language. There were several boxes places against one side of the wall, looking particularly non-descript which made Sirius instantly suspicious of them.

Killick made her way to the door opposite them and opened it, it was another storage unit full of papers, folders, a couple of colourful bowls, vials, a magnifying glass, a stuffed rat and several other things that had Sirius frowning in confusion. She closed the door and placed the item on her desk.

It was the same little chest that they found in the Gaunt shack containing the ring. Seeing it brought back the memories of Harry lying on the floor, seizing.

"Sirius? Are you alright?"

Shaking his head and breathing deep, reminding himself that Harry was safe and happy now.

"Yep, please carry on."

"Well several nights ago I managed to get my hands onto basilisk venom."

Sirius started, that was not cheap but seeing the blank look on Killicks face made his realise there was no point in asking any questions.

"We know that the venom works but I wasn't sure how it would affect the ring in such a way."

For the first time since they had known each other, Killick looked slightly uncomfortable.

"I'm afraid that last night I found myself getting a little frustrated at my lack of progress and decided to just do it. I placed the ring in a secured container and then let one drop of venom fall directly onto the stone. I knew there a possibility of harming but I didn't think you'd mind too much."

"Thought quite correctly." Sirius muttered darkly knowing that even Remus with his love of historical artefacts wouldn't have cared if the bloody thing dissolved completely.

"I was under protective shields of course and some runes that would stop any spirit from trying to enter me or escaping before you think about that."

Killick opened the chest and stepped back to allow Sirius to view the contents.

"Turns out, one drop was more than enough."

Inside the chest was a twisted metal circlet, it was almost recognisable as a ring with a base for a stone but not anything else. The gold was black and the delicate curves had eroded away leaving thin cracks in the sides and slightly chipped, like it had been melted and the metal couldn't hold. The black stone was next to the metal band, gleaming sharply in the light and perfectly circular, a strange symbol carved into it that Sirius was sure he had seen but could not place.

"The stone, as you see it unharmed. Can't figure out why yet but the ring is completely gone. When the drops hit it, the metal immediately reacted; curling in on itself as you can see but apart from that no other sign of a spirit leaving it. However all of my spells have come back negative and no one feels any evil emanating from it unlike before. It is now a perfectly normal ring."

Sirius nodded slowly, fierce satisfaction that they had got one more bursting through his veins.

"The symbol, my grandfather showed that once. It stands for the Deathly Hallows doesn't it?"

"Yes, I was surprised by that too, again I'm not sure what it means but I feel it is important. I would like to investigate a little more to try and understand it, I have a few contacts that I believe would be important, it will mean I take a step back from the hunt."

Sirius looked at her carefully. His first instinct was to say the horcruxes were more important, but they had Bones' help now and the Goblins had suggested a curse breaker so they did have help.

"Killick, you and the others have graciously helped us with many things. And it isn't actually part of your job description, if you wish to pursue another line of enquiry then of course it is up to you."

Killick nodded.

"I will of course still be linked with the team, Vexmoor knows that I have the most knowledge on this so I will still be in the loop. But something…something I can't explain but I know that I have this strong feeling in me that says this is important."

Sirius looked away, he couldn't say he understood completely but he did understand instincts.

"Alright, anything else I need to know?"

"Nope, that is everything, I will keep the ring here for now and will let you know of any developments, can you find your own way back?"

"No problem." He started to walk towards the door before a thought made him pause and turn back. "I think…I think I might have some notes on them...I can't fully recall right now but yes I think my grandfathers journal mentions it once or twice. Shall I send it over?"

"Yes, that would be good, thank you."

Sirius nodded and left quickly, his mind trying to catch up with itself."

Flashback ends

"And that's how and why and when." Sirius said with flair.

Harry was silent. On the one hand so delighted that another one of those…things. Had been destroyed; on the other it was only one and they still had not much of an idea where the others were.

"How did they get the venom?" He asked, focussing on the easier things to grasp first.

"Oh I think we best leave that unanswered. They are Unspeakables, they have connections that even I can only dream of. I wouldn't be surprised if they have it in barrels deep under the Ministry."

"And its definitely gone?"

"Oh yes, for started the thing is practically melted, the venom almost disintegrating it and for seconds she took it to Gringotts after and had them confirm there was no evil magic in connection with it."

"In connection – what does that even mean?" Harry asked, confused.

"Honestly I have no idea, its what Vexmoor said and I didn't know another way to phrase it."

"So that's another one gone?" He asked hopefully.

"Its another one gone, Harry." Sirius replied gently. "That's three down, we just need to pray that we get however many more are out there before he realises."

His godson nodded, face grace. Sirius hated that he could nothing to alleviate the anguish. He knew it would be a while before he could make it vanish completely. But for now all he could do was help to discard it as much as possible.

"And the deathly hallows are?"

"Its suppose to be a fairy story, think Billy Goats Gruff. To make a long story short, it goes that three brothers challenged Death and won. Death granted them a powerful object each, the eldest asked for a wand; the second, the ability to bring back loved ones from death, and the third for an invisibility cloak. Later the eldest was bragging about the most powerful wand that he had taken from Death, the man who he bragged to waited for him to fall asleep, killed him and stole the wand. The second had a stone that when turned three times brought back his wife, however she wasn't not real but an imitation as she could not truly be returned, the brother killed himself in order to be with her. The third hid himself with the cloak until he reached an old age and greeted Death happily, ready to go on to the next world." Sirius said while sketching the symbol out on some parchment and showing Harry.

"So even though he had been denied them at first, Death claimed them all in the end?"

"Exactly. Like I said however it's a story, these things. They might exist but exaggerated for the stories sake, or perhaps they have never been around. However this mark is considered very dangerous now."

"Why? I mean it's a pretty cool symbol."

"Because it is the symbol that Grindelwald used in his reign of terror."

Harry frowned and dredged up the memory of that history lesson with Remus.

"So it was used to show he was immortal?"

Sirius shrugged.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. But I think the feeling that Killick has, will have something to do with the three objects."

"Do you think they're real?

"I think there is a lot of magic in this world that we are not even a inch close to knowing of. I think that every fairy tale has some basest of truth in it however in this case…Do I think that Death really materialised and handed over his wand, stone and cloak…Well I wouldn't have thought that a twelve year old could stab a 60 foot basilisk in the mouth and lived to tell the tale but there we are." He said with a smirk and wink to his Godson who rolled his eyes but accepted the answer.

"Right enough of that dreary talk. Tell me about the lesson your planning with the twins. Oh and how is the teaching with Madam Pomfrey going?"

With a look on his face that suggested he knew exactly what Sirius was doing Harry still dived into explaining his plan.

They spoke for a little more before they both signed off to allow Harry to continue with his weekend.

Putting his work away, Harry decided it was the perfect time to go and annoy his girlfriend. Taking the map out from its hiding spot, he quickly opened it up and searched for Daphne spotting her with Tracey down in the classrooms used for potions.

With a grin, he made his way out of Gryffindor Tower waving at Hermione who smiled in response.

Stopping by the hospital wing to hand Madam Pomfrey an essay on ancient healing recipes and how they were improved or why they proved unsatisfactory that she had asked for, he also confirmed that he would there tomorrow for some on hands experience.

Heading down and feeling the chill as he went deeper, he still felt a flash of heat as he heard the giggle of the Ice Queen. He knocked on the door and opened it to the sight of his favourite female bent over in his stiches while Tracey attempted to look professional while also giggling like crazy.

Knowing he wouldn't get answers now, he merely sat down on one of the desks and waited patiently for the laughter to stop. Eventually Daphne managed to calm herself enough to come up and stand between his legs to place a lingering kiss on his lips.

"Hey love, I know your incredibly disappointed but I won't be telling you about the giggling fest. Instead tell me what you've been up to?"

"Very well then, I just finished talking to Sirius, some interesting stuff have gone up but essentially the ring is gone."

Her eyes lit up with happiness and she grabbed him into a bruising kiss that left his hands on her waist tugging her close, cheeks pink and Tracey coughing madly while looking away.

"Ahem, sorry Trace. And yes its been all checked and the ring is free of the horcrux. One down, four to go!"

"How are you feeling?"

"Good, yeah good."

Daphne glanced at Tracey who took the hint and moved to the back of the room with a book. She rested her hands on his shoulders and asked softly what was wrong.

He sighed and rested his head on her shoulder, loving the way her hands were running along his back and head.

"I don't know, I…I'm glad they got another one, it means we're succeeding."

She hummed softly.

"I just wish, well a small part of me wishes that I was…well."

"There?"

He breathed out and nodded, feeling the soft cotton of her shirt. So grateful that he didn't have to explain to her. They stood quietly for a minute, Tracey hiding underneath her book and paying absolutely no attention to them.

"I don't want to be the hero, and I definitely prefer leaving it to actual adults rather than racing around trying to figure out the clues but…but I just feel like its so out of my hands, I am not able to contribute or do my bit or help out and I feel so much pressure in sorting it out anyway but I know its not my responsibility but I cant help but feel so…so at fault."

Daphne squeezed his arms and kissed his forehead.

"I am not a therapist, but to me it seems that you have taken on the role as the main detective when you are still just a constable. "

His head rose and met her eyes with confusion.

"Huh?"

"See that's what happens when I try to speak muggle. Harry, you don't always have to be the main character, sometimes you can be 'boy on the left'. I know that its because of stuff that has happened here and with the Durselys…you've improved so much since I knew you. You're actually able to talk about your problems and let other people get on with it instead of taking it on yourself, however you are still a Gryffindor, its surely not a surprise that you want to be a part of the action."

His head lowered back to her shoulder and he pulled her a bit closer mindful of Tracey ignoring them.

"Well yeah but I just feel like I want to be apart of it because then it'll be over quicker. Does that make sense at all?"

"I think so, you'd be contributing and therefore another mind that might get rid of him quicker but don't actually feel a need. Is that correct?"

"Sounds about right."

"Well then I think we're on the right track."

Harry grunted.

"I mean that for the first time you don't feel like you need to be there, you don't have to be the one running in and solving the day. The fact that you want to be a part of the team and simply help…well that's all a lot of us want." Daphne said simply, running her hands through his already messy hair.

He pulled away and looked at her, the dark look gone for now and the green shone brightly back to her.

"Thank you for understanding my brain."

She giggled and bent her head to kiss him gently.

"You're welcome, and now we should really pay attention to Tracey. You know what she's like otherwise."

"Thank you! I was waiting for someone to love me." Came the voice from behind them, and they both laughed, turning to their friend who was mock glaring at them from under her frown.