A/N:
AU Changes: We're introducing Gaelic spells because it's Britain. They should have celtic along with latin magic popular in this region of the world. Also Subjects such as Magical Theory & Runation (Like ancient Runes but the modern practical version).

The Tragedy of Harry Potter

By. Momento Virtuoso
A/N: I do not own Harry Potter unlike J.K.

Chapter 4

The Ancient and Most Noble House

Albus Dumbledore stared down at the parchment in front of him about the mysterious man who had appeared on the grounds a few days ago.

Harry Evans (Redacted)
Age: 17
Parents: Unknown (Redacted)
Grandparents: Unknown (Redacted)
Familiar Lines: Unknown (Redacted)
Titles: (Redacted)
Business dealings: Opened an account under his name at Gringotts with no current deposits.
Purchased an eleven-inch Holly wand with a phoenix core at Ollivander's wand shop.
Enlisted the use of an official Ministry portkey to the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic.
Enlisted to undertake his O.W.L. Examinations at the Ministry of Magic.

There was little to no information sent from the goblin bank on the young man, nor from the ministry where he had submitted his version of the letter for the testing that would conclude in a few days time. The only information that Dumbledore could gleam from his glance was the presence that it was in fact there but being hidden by the black un-dispellable bars covering much of the parchment.

Dumbledore had hoped Mr. Evans was ignorant about the fine print and accepting the Letter of Recognition, he was also ignorant to the fact that the pureblood who granted the letter was sent daily updates about the person's business. After all, they were out and interacting on the word of the letter's endorser.

It was a handy way to track someone through a paper trail Albus had to admit. The Malfoy's were geniuses for pioneering this custom centuries ago. It made blackmail all the more easier to obtain, especially since it came through an official owl, ironically enough.

The only real things of interest were the young man's wand purchase and sudden trip to Bulgaria of all places Albus noted.

Looking up at Fawkes, his phoenix familiar.

"He has your tail feather within his wand my old friend," Albus chuckled at the bird. Fawkes simply puffed up and shook his feathers.

"But however, we both know who has the other feather you gave Garrick all of those years ago…" Albus whispered.

Could it be a possible connection of some kind? Dumbledore never put much stock into Divination but he was never one to look away from coincidence.

Harry Evans would definitely be a student he'd have to keep a close eye upon when he entered Hogwarts.

With a flick of his wand, Harry silenced the bell over the door as he entered the infamous curio store of Borgin and Burke. All the old artifacts that Harry had seen in his timeline were displayed on shelves. It made Harry wonder how the old men even stayed in business, but he was aware of the nefarious buyers who frequented the store like the Malfoys.

Approaching the front desk, there was an old man who was hunched over a tome. The book in question appeared to be written in blackened blood. Looking up from his work, his eyes sharpened by glasses took in Harry's features.

"Too young. Get out of here boy before you know what's good for ya," one of the owners growled.

"Are you Mr. Borgin or Mr. Burke?" Harry asked, ignoring the order from the store owner.

The old man growled at Harry's nonplussed demeanor
"I'm Burke, and you should be gone," the store owner insisted again.

"Mr. Burke, there is a locket that you would have purchased in the mid 1920s. You or Mr. Borgin would have sold it to a witch known as, Hepzibah Smith." Harry asked, once again ignoring the cranky owner and getting onto the point of the visit.

Mr. Burke now fully glared at Harry behind his glasses.
"Is this an official interrogation for the Ministry again? I told those aurors all I knew years ago when they came poking around. The damn elf did it," Mr. Burke said with a finality.

So the murder had taken place years ago, Harry summarized. That meant the locket was potentially already in its place in the cave surrounded by a lake of Inferi.
"And you've known elves to kill their masters often?" Harry asked, hoping to keep the man in conversation on the topic.

"It admitted to poisoning the tea cakes. House elves go barmy sometimes. Some mutter and putter about but others kill their masters…," Burke said questioningly.

"Did the aurors ever ask you about Tom Riddle? He would have worked here around the time," Harry stated. Harry eyed the man for any misgivings, the question was a loaded one that could potentially spur even more of the old man's ire upon him. However, Harry needed to know more to the story than what he and Dumbledore had witnessed in the Pensieve.

"They did. Cleared the boy. But he was a weird one…useful and charming but cold. Don't know what happened to him afterwards. He stopped coming into work. Figured he ran off and made better of himself, he was a smart kid ya know?" Burke responded.

So the trail went fully cold from here just like Harry had expected.

"Thank you for that, and now for my second piece of business. I would like to inspect the vanishing cabinet you have on show here," Harry asked. Pointing at the triangular box standing near the cluttered wall. It looked like it hadn't been touched since the day it was moved inside.

Burke nodded his consent. Harry approached the cabinet, and inspected the magic upon it with his wand. He could tell there were a few enchantments resting upon the object. Opening the inside, Harry poked his upper body in and looked around, taking a moment to trace a run that he had memorized before his trip over.

It was an old Celtic rune that roughly translated to 'malfunction' . Inscribing the rune on the bottom corner with his wand, with a single tap the rune glowed blue before disappearing in the wood.
Satisfied with his work, Harry backed away and closed the door.
"What a shame, I was hoping it was linked to another that I knew about but appears not," Harry lied smoothly. It surely wasn't going to be linked to the one in Hogwarts now.

"Thank you for your time Mr. Burke, I'm sorry for any hassle," Harry said.

"Good Day to you Mr. -?" Burke asked but Harry was already leaving the store with the door closed behind him.

Upon leaving the cursed curio store, Harry traveled down Knockturn Alley. Most of the occupants of the degrading alley were usually tied to less than savory business. A few witches tried to entice Harry over to them while a few wizards eyed Harry warily from the shadows themselves.

Harry suddenly stopped in his tracks at the sound of a raised voice.

"You Black bitch! How dare you whore! You're to be my future wife and you will not act like such some mud mongering whore," a voice yelled out followed by a girl's cries.

The accusation soon followed by what sounded like a fist striking flesh and a further torn off cry of a young woman.

Hurrying around the corner of the building to the entrance of an off-shoot alley, Harry saw a young man pressing a dark haired girl, perhaps a year or two younger than himself, to the wall by her throat. The culprit stood over the body of a young man who was rigid and still as a board. A body-bind curse, Harry thought grimly.

The young man was bleeding profusely from his face, and despite being bound was glaring daggers at the man holding the girl still.

"You should know better than to affiliate yourself with such filth Andromeda, my dear," the young man whispered to the girl. Pressing his face against hers, suddenly forcing his lips upon hers, capturing the struggling girls in an embrace.

Harry had seen more than enough, with a flick of wrist Harry's wand's blackened tip was bearing down upon the man forcing himself on his victim. "Depulso," Harry shouted the banishing charm sending the offender flying against the opposite side of the alley.

Rabastan Lestrange cried out as he was flung from his betrothed-to-be. Andromeda Black, being released from his tight hold, dropped to the ground as she slid against the wall.

Picking himself up, Lestrange drew his own wand and silently cast a hazy blue spell at Harry with a snarl.

Like he saw the Unspeakables perform with his own spells in the Department of Mysteries, the tip of his gorgon wand caught the blue spell. Harry tossed the offending magic above him to dissipate in the air above the alley.

"You really should have minded your business bastard," spat Rabastan Lestrange. Harry cocked an eyebrow at the man. He would recognize the tone of voice anywhere. He was fighting a Lestrange but which brother in his youth, Harry couldn't tell.

"You assaulted a man and woman in public. A woman of noble birth if I dare to say Lestrange," Harry accused. He had heard the girl be referred to as an Andromeda, which meant she was Sirius's cousin, a black. The girl bore remarkable resemblance to the woman Harry had met in his flight from Privet Drive to the Burrow.

"You might want to leave before you're worse off than this mud blood filth!" the entitled Lestrange warned, swinging his foot out to kick the magically bound man.

"Teddy!" Andromeda cried.
Like a switch had clicked within Harry's head, his green eyes became steel. He remembered the kind man Ted Tonks had been while on the run, protecting his family. With his wand held before him, having to restrict himself to spells with smaller effects and casting areas to protect the future parents of his auror friend from being caught by them as well.

Harry immediately casted two bone breaking curses, and a cutting hex at the man who would become a Death Eater in his time.

Rabastan Lestrange was no slouch though in combat. Sidestepping one bone curse and deflecting the second. Lestrange received a superficial wound on his side from the cutting hex that damaged his robes more than his body.

With his wand pointed expertly at Harry, the future death returned spell fire with a widely cast bludgeoning curse. The spell tore up the street tiles in front of Harry as it barreled towards him, barely missing Andromeda and Ted in its wake.

Quick on the take, Harry spun his wand in motion, "Protego"! The shield charm held against the bludgeoning curse. Harry immediately moved onto the offensive in the duel.

"Stupefy!" Harry banished several of the road tiles misplaced by Lestrange's spell to cover the track of the stunner. The tiles were carefully aimed to strike the man to avoid damage to the two non-combatants.

Lestrange tried to avoid the tiles, but a few clipped his body to inflict heavy damage. However, his keen sense of danger led to him narrowly avoiding the stunner which tore into the wall behind him.

Glowering, both wizards stared each other down for a moment. Each one's hand gripping and relaxing around their respective wands.

The first to flinch would have an array of spells cast their way and both knew that the timing of the moment was critical.

"Heh, Gotta hand it to you bastard. You're pretty good for being a nobody. Not even my brother Rodolphus can last this long against me," Rabastan chuckled.

"Well I suppose that's to be expected from an inbred filth like yourself Rabastan," Harry said, now knowing exactly which brother he was dealing with.

Two Death Eaters in less than two days…Harry was either lucky or a higher power was trying to out him now.

Between the two, Rabastan flinched first. The man lunged out with his wand, a sickly green spell shooting from the tip. Harry, in his haste to defend himself, called out, "protego!" once more.

Harry's first mistake of the duel was not taking down his opponent first thing when he had his back to him.

The sickly green spell clashed with the hasty shield charm that Harry summoned forth. The future Death Eater's spell pierced through the shield, clipping Harry on the shoulder knocking him to the ground. Immediately Harry's vision and mind was on fire. Every time he tried to make a conscious thought, it was like a knife was plunged between his eyes.

His body was fighting itself it seemed. Harry's mind was in agony and his neurons were not complying. Trying to get his bearings, Harry managed to get off the ground onto all fours, his wand still gripped tight in a spasming hand.

"Suathadh de lobhadh!" a stern but shrill voice cried out from the entrance to the small alley. Harry's blood went cold. He knew that voice. It had haunted his nightmares since his fifth year. "I Killed Sirius Black!", followed by a mad cackle played over and over.

Standing almost over him, Harry was saved by the last person he ever thought would. Bellatrix's gnarled walnut wand was aimed down at Rabastan Lestrange, who was now clutching his wand arm. The limb looked deathly pale like it was in a state of necrosis.

"I should have expected you would have been too excited by the match with my sister to keep your hands to yourself…much better an engagement prospect than the pigs you've always been besotted with," Bellatrix growled.

"Now run home to mommy and daddy for the counter curse before that arm of yours falls off for ever touching my sister."

Rabastan scurried away with a sounding pop of disapparation.

Bellatrix looked at the mess in front of her. Andromeda, her younger sister, was crying over the boy she had been in secret for the last two years. Said boy, Ted Tonks was trying to comfort Andromeda while holding his bloody nose. Behind Bellatrix, her baby sister, Narcissa was more interested in the aftermath between Lestrange and the wizard who had come to their sister's aid, who was poorly trying to collect himself still under the effects of the curse by Rabastan.

"A tortured mind curse," Bellatrix thought grimly. Watching its effects mangle Harry. The power of the spell varied depending on the person it was casted on. Clearly the boy before her had some cowboys running around in his head. Sometimes it would leave the victim flinching constantly, shaken up, or a muttering mess. However it had seemed to take out most facilities from the wizard in front of her.
Yet, he was surprisingly fighting and slightly overcoming the effects via pure will. "A stubborn one for sure," she thought.

Kneeling down in front of the wizard, Bellatrix grabbed the boy by the chin. Bringing his face up to hers to administer the counter curse but she paused and was slightly taken aback by the look about him.

Harry held a death glare for Bellatrix. Eyes boring into her like a thestral rampaging. His nose was flared and jaw locked in a glowering expression. Bellatrix imagined that if he had proper use of his jaw, he'd bite her hand for offending to even touch him.

This was the look of someone who wanted her dead. She knew that kind of look, she'd seen it often enough on a few unsavory people's faces.

"Listen you, I'm going to do the counter curse for this nasty headache of yours. Be a good boy and don't bite me now dog," Bellatrix giggled with a smirk. However dog seemed to be the wrong word for her to use as it made the wizard lock his joints and push himself almost into a kneeling position. His green eyes were dark pits.

Waving her wand over Harry's face, Bellatrix muttered the counter spell for the tortured mind in Latin. Almost instantly, Harry felt his head clear and regained control of his body. Immediately his wand was up again and pointed against Bellatrix's heart. His free hand firmly grasped the wrist which held her gnarled wand.

"Woah now, killing me would be a poor way to say thank you wouldn't it?" Bellatrix placated. Raising her other hand up to show that she was non-threatening.

Curiously, Bellatrix moved her eyes away from the boy's face where she noticed he had a scar from dark magic and down to the wand pointed at her beating organ. She was fascinated by the black marks branching off from the tip like an electrical burn. It spoke of a tortured existence. "Corruption. That wand has definitely seen a dark spell or two, scarred by dark magic just like he was somehow," Bellatrix thought. She knew next to nothing about wands but she knew the price of dark magic when she saw it. She knew the wand had to be old then at least older than the trace and inhibiting enchantment laws. So the wizard who had her at his mercy was fully capable of casting a curse that'd kill her.

"Please sir, it's ok. She's my sister," Andromeda called out, supporting Ted Tonks with an arm over her shoulder. Harry's eyes snapped to the two, away from the girl who would become the maddest witch alive. He saw their daughter, Tonks in that moment but he also saw the concern Andromeda held for her sister, Bellatrix.

Harry's gut twisted at how anyone could care for a malady prone witch like Bellatrix Lestrange. But she wasn't Bellatrix Lestrange…at least not yet, she was still a Black at the moment. Harry slowly pulled his wand away from Bellatrix's chest. The captive girl released a breath she had been holding back, and the younger sister of hers, Narcissa, was still watching warily.

Backing away to get some distance between her and the wizard. "Jeez, next time I'll let your mind go to mush if you're going to threaten to blast a hole in my chest," Bellatrix sneered. She was slightly disturbed by the crazed look in his eye when he had her under his gaze.

"I'm sorry, it was a trigger reaction. I didn't mean to threaten you," Harry lied. It was a knee jerk reaction that led to him pointing his wand at Bellatrix but he had definitely meant to threaten her.

Taking in her appearance, Harry looked over Bellatrix Black. She wore long dark robes like the ones she had when he knew her, but these were more conservative. Covering more of her chest and arms. Her dark hair fell to her mid back in curling locks with no streaks of gray or white marring its luster. Bellatrix's face had the high cheek bones and slender neck that many in the Black family had been blessed in but what captivated Harry's attention most was her dark eyes. They held no sign of the madness that her later self would be infamous for…Harry almost considered Bellatrix to be a beauty.

Turning his face away from Bellatrix, as his face began to flush red. Harry looked at Andromeda and Ted Tonks.

"Are you both ok? I was passing by and saw what he was doing," Harry asked the pair.

Ted nodded at Harry with a smile on his face. "Aye, we were taking a moment to ourselves after doing some errands," Ted scratched the back of his head with a grin on his face. "And well, Lestrange got the jump on us. I knew his family was in talks with Andy's here for betrothal but I didn't think it was a legitimate thing yet?" the muggle-born asked, looking at the Black sisters.

The three sisters all held different looks. Andromeda looked ashamed, Bellatrix wore a look nearing one of sickness, and Narcissa held a far-off almost dreamlike state at the thoughts of their pending engagements.

"Yeah, yeah. Me and Andy are to be engaged to those two dipshits. Can we just forget about that?" Bellatrix growled. Clearly not happy with the turn of conversation.

Andromeda looked towards Harry, "Thank you sir, I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't turned our way. Can we do anything to repay your aid…um Mr.-?" Andromeda ended slowly in question.

"Harry, Harry Evans. And it's ok, really you don't need to repay me. I'm always happy to put someone like Lestrange in their place," Harry said.

Andromeda's head turned in question, an odd questioning look in her eyes. "How exactly did you know he was a Lestrange by looks alone? You don't look familiar so you must be a muggle-born like Ted…which year in Hogwarts were you in?"

Bellatrix wanted to know the answer as well. Harry Evans looked like he'd be around her age in Hogwarts but she had never seen him in a year above or below her own. Wizards just didn't pop out of thin air in this insular society.

"Actually I'm half-blood, I'll be attending my seventh year in September. I'm uh…a transfer student of sorts," Harry lied quickly to make a cover story. Harry had never heard of a transfer student attending the school except for those who attended for the Triwizard Tournament.

Bellatrix looked at Harry critically, trying to discern who his magical family potentially was. Like all purebloods, she had been made to memorize all the Ancient and Most Noble Families, even a few of the new half-blood prominent families who recently made influence for themselves.

Bellatrix couldn't shake how Harry looked almost like cousin Sirius's friend, Potter but he also had the looks of a Black about him. However no one in their family or Potter's had green eyes. Bellatrix had peeked at the Black family tapestry after her meeting with Grandfather. She knew there were currently no bastards running around from the Black family at least.

"So you'll be in Bella's year then," Narcissa said, finally making herself known to the whole group. No longer standing off to the side. She, too, was looking at Harry oddly however she wasn't curious about his lineage but why he would provoke a fight with a pureblood family like the Lestrange if he knew who they were.

Harry turned to Bellatrix, his eyes in shock. He hadn't realized she had been in his father's and mother's classes.

"I guess we'll be seeing each other a bit then…" Harry hesitated.
Bellatrix adopted a feral smirk upon her lips. "Well don't try to sound so glum about it," she chuckled.

She was mildly interested in the wizard before her.

If it wasn't for the cheap spell by Lestrange, he would have probably overpowered him and won the duel without her interference. However, even after being dropped by such a spell. Harry Evans still had a fight within him. Bellatrix may not have thought highly of the half-blood before her but she could admire spunk when she saw it.

"Andromeda, say good-bye to your boy toy. We need to head back soon before father sends a search party for us," Bellatrix said. Nodding farewell to Harry. "Keep out of trouble Evans. It'd be a shame if you end up a stain in an alley before you get to Hogwarts."

With a twirl of her robes, Bellatrix strutted away followed closely by her youngest sister. Andromeda kissed Ted on the cheek. Turning to Harry she smiled, "Thank you again Harry, please if you need anything just let me know," Andromeda said running up after her sisters.

Harry stood there for a moment with Ted Tonks. The muggle-born turned to the half-blood and held out his hand.

"I don't like admitting this, but without you. We'd been toast. I appreciate you helping out me and my girl against that git. Like Andy said, if you need anything - just let me know too," Ted said, taking Harry's hand in a firm shake.

Harry could see the ghost of the future Ted Tonks within him. Smiling and nodding at the young man, Harry returned the handshake.
"The pleasure was mine Ted. It's up to half-bloods and muggle-born like us to show those kinds of gits that they aren't untouchable," Harry said in mirth.

With that, the pair parted. Harry left Knockturn Alley and returned to the Leaky Cauldron. He had some O.W.L. exams to prepare for soon.

Charlus Potter sat across from his lifelong rival and friend, Arcturus Black in the other man's study, with a dram of fire whiskey sitting between them. The pair had attended Hogwarts together and were leaders of their respective houses Gryffindor and Slytherin. They had joined up in the conflict against Grindelwald together, fighting and struggling to survive. They were currently Lords in the Wizengamot together and the respective leaders of their political blocks. However, sitting across from each other, neither man was sure they were really lords anymore.

Arcturus had his family ring about his neck on a chain while Charlus still wore the Potter family ring on his finger.

Charlus knew that the man had trouble with his ring, it was a devil of a thing. He was thankful that the Potter ring had no magic that would actively threaten the proxy if they did something the current lord would be against.

"Proxies? Are you sure about this Arcturus?" Charlus asked, taking a sip of the fire whiskey before him.

The Lord black nodded at his colleague. His face held a look of grim acceptance. Inside thought, Arcturus was seething at the discovery of his demotion from the family head. It was a bitter pill for both men to swallow.

"Aye, it's the only conclusion I could come to. Upon visiting my account handler at Gringotts today all but confirmed it. We are now acting as proxy for the current lord or lords of House Black and Potter," Arcturus spat. Throwing his now empty glass at the wall, the crystal shattering to pieces. With a wave of his wand, the glass was repaired and summoned back to his hand.

"The goblins didn't tell you who assumed the position though?" Charlus asked glumly. Swirling what was left of his drink in its glass with a twirl of his wrist.

"They insisted that they could not reveal the identity of said person due to goblin law…the spiky-eared little hob-shits they are. What use are they if they can't even manage our family accounts safe from an occurrence like this," the now Proxy-lord Black snarled.

Charlus nodded at his friend's accusation. A troubled look on his face.

A hostile takeover of a family just wasn't possible. It'd require conflict with the family head, which no one in the family with blood ties would do because of the magic protecting them. The rings would kill an usurper the moment they touched them. However, it wasn't possible for someone not of blood relation to even swingle the goblins into aiding them to go against current wizarding laws. It'd mean another rebellion or goblin cleansing.

"I've checked the Black accounts though. Nothing has been taken, touched, or even looked up. It was all perfectly normal as of the last audit. I'd suggest you do the same for Potters," Arcturus suggested.

Charlus nodded once more his consent. "Not even a knut?" he asked his fellow.

Arcturus shook his head negatively.

"Then they aren't after our wealth. That's a relief at least. I'd suppose we'd just have to keep this quiet and between ourselves to save face with the other lords. No need to show our hand that we're proxy lords unless the new lord Black or Potter show up for a Wizengamot meeting," Charlus started chuckling, beginning to see the hilarious nature of the current event.

Arcturus grumbled, pouring himself more whiskey.

"So who do you think could have done it supposedly or hypothetically?" Charlus asked his friend.

A picture of Walburga Black entered both of the older men's minds for the Black family. However, there was no one in the Potter line who could have done such a thing.

"Doesn't matter. They'd need to be blood relations and not one through marriage. Direct line or else the family magic would have told them exactly where to stick their wand," Arcturus cursed. "Walburga may have been born a Black but that girl is just another blasted Crabbe like her mother as far as I'm concerned."

"Well at least you don't have to worry about her sinking her teeth deeper into family politics and business. Your boy, Orion will never be lord now unless you find the current one and somehow indirectly kill 'em," Charlus said with a chuckle.

Arcturus smirked at the thought of his daughter-in-laws face when she would realize the news that she'd never be Lady Black upon his death. However, this ruined his plan for Sirius to take over the family. The boy had a good head on his shoulders and the attitude to be a good Lord Black.

"If we were lesser men and married to lesser wives, I'd point a finger at a potential bastard either of us had. But Melania and Dorea would have murdered us before we could even commit the act of consummation," Charlus laughed with a slap to his knee.

Arcturus broke out into a grin and offered his glass in a toast to the joke.

"Aye, We'd be right up there on the wall with the old house elves," Arcturus chuckled.

Two Days Later…

Harry reported early in the morning at the opening hours to the Ministry of Magic for his O.W.L examinations with the Wizarding Examinations Authority. Wearing some of the new clothes, Harry was dressed like a muggle almost with trousers, a button up shirt, but with an open burgundy wizard robe over them. His wands were tucked into two magically hidden holsters, with his gorgon on his right forearm, and the phoenix on his left leg underneath his pants.

Drawing his phoenix wand in advance, he submitted it for testing. Harry felt the need to keep his gorgon wand a secret for a moment. Though, he thought that having a second wand was probably an open secret among many wizards during this tense climate.

Griselda Marchbanks, an official for the Wizarding Examinations Authority, was already waiting for Harry when he entered the hall where he was to be tested. Marchbanks was a stern looking witch, with robes of deep blue, and a small flowered hat upon her head. Her face was wrinkled with middle-aged and what appeared to be strong laugh lines.

"Hello Mr. Evans, my name is Griselda Marchbanks, and I'll be your examiner for your written portions of your O.W.L.S. You've elected to take Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, History of Magic, Care for Magical Creatures, DADA, Magical Theory, and Runation?" Marchbanks questioned.

Harry nodded, sitting down at the desk before him. There was already an exam paper and a quill that Harry suspected was enchanted against cheating.

"Yes ma'am," Harry confirmed. Marchbanks gave him a nod and gestured for him to begin his exam.
"You'll have exactly nine hours for all the exams, please use your time wisely. Best of luck Mr. Evans," Marchbanks said.

Harry looked down at the exam for Potions and began. He had already taken the majority of these exams before in the future, how hard could it be this time?

Glad that he had studied Professor Snape's old potion book in sixth year, many of the answers came easily to him.

'Q: Which is a possible side effect of Pepperup Potions?'

Harry wrote down how steam would come out of the ear of some who took the potion.

'Q: How long should a Polyjuice Potion stew before usage?'

Remembering how long it took for them to brew it during second year, Harry wrote down the answer for one month.

The rest of the written potions exam was easily done. Harry proceeded to easily cover and answer his exams for transfiguration, charms, DADA, Care for Magical Creatures, and Herbology. History of Magic was a difficult exam for Harry since he couldn't remember all the dates and locations for the various events he was being asked about.

Finishing the majority of his exams almost hours in advance. It wasn't until Harry got to Magical Theory and Runation that he began to stumble in his testing.

'Q: Which languages are prominent for spells in Britain?'

Harry was stumped. He knew Latin for sure but he was vaguely aware that the spell Bellatrix had used the other day in the alley was surely not that. Harry wrote down Latin and Old English, hoping he was right.

'Q: Does a spell change its magical nature when cast in another language by someone who is not fluent?' True or False.

Not knowing which to put. Harry simply circled false for his answer.

'Q: What is the starting que for nonverbal magic - is it the motion of the casters wand or the physical manifestation of the thought for the spell before casting?'

Harry mimed a spell with his quill. Thinking over his answer. He wasn't really experienced in nonverbal spells, and that was something he now realized he had to overcome. Deciding that the thought of a spell was more important since it required concentration and mental discipline alone, Harry remembered from his sixth year with Professor Snape.

After hours sunk into his magical theory exam. Harry finally moved onto Runations.

'Q: What is the difference between Enchanting and Inscription for Runes?"

Harry had briefly read up on the topics. He knew that enchanting had to do with directly placing the runes upon the object for the desired effect, like he had done with the Vanishing Cabinet in Borgin & Burke's. However it often led to a weaker result than Inscription.

With Inscription one could stack multiple runes on an object through a different medium such as parchment or tablets. A higher quantity and quality of runes could be done on one object with inscription than enchanting.

'Q: What is the most powerful source to write a Rune in?'

Blood. Harry answered simply. Blood runes were some of the most powerful and dangerous runes in existence he had discovered during his small time reading.

'Q: How many runes are used in tandem to create the magical properties in wards?'

Remembering his lessons about magical numbers from Hermione. Harry knew that there was power in three and with seven being the most powerful magical number, often the number of runes used in tandem depending on the power of the ward. However, Harry had also read about directional and elemental wards which possessed four runes each.

Finally after finishing his long written exams, Examiner Marchbank collected his papers. Looking them over quickly.

"Very good Mr. Evans, however I must remind you that there are actually three prominent languages in Wizarding Britain with them being Gaelic, Latin, and Sanskirt," Griselda said. "I must say other than your last two exams. I believe you've done quite exceptionally for the written portion."

Harry sighed in relief. He had been worried that he would flunk the majority like he had almost done last time. He was glad he wouldn't be receiving any Trolls with his results.

"If you would please remove your wand, we'll begin the practical portions of your charms, DADA, transfiguration, and Runation exams upon Professor Tofty's arrival," Marchbank explained.

Almost at his mention, an old bald man with large round glasses entered the testing hall. He wore drab brown robes and was slightly hunched over due to his elderly posture.

"Hello! Hello! I heard my name so here I came! Please just call me Tofty though. I haven't been a professor since young Albus was a third year," the old examiner chuckled.

Tofty looked Harry up and down. "Mr. Evans I presume? I talked to Albus about you dear boy, he's very excited you know to see how you perform," Tofty revealed with a smile.

However the knowledge that Dumbledore was looking into him sent a grimace down Harry's spine. He could already see the old headmaster putting his nose where it didn't belong, however this was granted a part of his job since he needed Harry's test results.

Pulling out his phoenix feather wand Harry prepared himself for his practical's.

It couldn't be said that Tofty wasn't a task master when it came to his duty. The old man kept Harry moving through the exams at a streamlined pace. Harry had been transfiguring whatever object had been placed in front of him and even turned a mouse back into a wooden spoon without knowing its origin.

His charms portion was spent casting back to back. From levitating charms, heat charms, light, and even a bubblehead where he had to transfigure and fill up a tank of water. Finally Harry said that he could perform a corporeal Patronus charm. Tofty's eyes widened in excitement and the man urged Harry to cast the spell with a wave of his hand.

"Expecto Patronum" Harry called out, casting with a flick of holly phoenix wand. The silver stag burst from the tip and pranced about the room to the examiner's amusement.

"Oh bravo! Simply magnificent. There are very few wizards your age who could manage an incorporeal let alone this!" Tofty said excitedly. "I think that definitely deserves a bonus on your examination."

Runation however once again stumped Harry. While he was decently read in the subject despite the cramming he had to do for his O.W.L. he had no practical experience to speak of.

Harry sat on the floor drawing runes with the tip of his wand on parchment, wood, and stone tablets. A few of the runes took and several were duds. However, eventually he had managed to pass Tofty's expectations as the examiner marked an Acceptable on his testing form.

"Well Mr. Evans, that concludes your O.W.L. examinations. We will be mailing you and Hogwarts the results immediately so you should receive them tomorrow morning," Tofty said excitedly. The old man had a spring his step since the start of the practical examination. It was almost as if testing new young wizards was this man's fountain of youth.

"Thank you sir, I greatly appreciate the time you and Ms. Marchbank took to see my exams completed," Harry said.

Harry was just glad to finally be done after a whole day of testing. Taking his leave, Harry left the examination hall and the Ministry. Returning to his bed in the Leaky Cauldron where he promptly passed out from exhaustion.

Regulus Black stared up at all the newspapers he had pinned to the wall of his room. Each one while not directly showing so was a victory or act claimed to have been done in the name of the Dark Lord.

Regulus had been fascinated with the Dark Lord ever since he had heard his mother whisper of his prowess in adoration to his father, Orion. His father had not cared much for the pureblood movement that the Dark Lord had taken the helm of but his mother was fanatical about it.

Ever since Sirius had run away at sixteen, unable to cope with the pressure and outright venom from their mother. Regulus only wanted to be a dutiful son and make her proud. Make his family proud. He had been born a Black and that was something he cherished greatly. He had studied his lineage all the way back to the Founders of Hogwarts, it was even speculated that the Blacks had been in Britain before the Norman or even the Saxon invasions.

An Ancient and Most Noble House indeed…

However, in the days after he was pulled aside by his mother before one family meeting. Regulus had been feeling a chill of discomfort and nerves.

Flashback

"You're to be given a task while at Hogwarts, and the completion of such is of grave importance to the family, Regulus," His mother said sternly. Walburga was the very picture of a pureblood lady. Her posture was perfect, dress unwrinkled, and her features closely and coolly schooled to show no giving emotion. However, some of Walburga's beauty had faded after she had banished her first-born son. The woman looked aged beyond her years yet still keeping a youthful appearance in some magical way.

"Yes Mother, I understand," Regulus said dutifully despite not knowing the task given to him yet.

"You'll be contacted by a messenger within your first month back at school. If you complete your task to his satisfaction, then he may deem fit to reward you and honor us highly amongst his circle," Walburga instructed.

"You are not to be a disappointment, boy, not like the other one," his mother almost snarled.

Regulus nodded his consent to the request. He looked up to his older disowned brother, Sirius in many ways but Regulus was very hesitant to ever be like him.

"You'll be a fine lord Regulus, you'll make our noble house proud. You'll be the pinnacle of what it means to be a Black," Walburga said with certainty. For once a smile gracing her stern face which made Regulus's chest bloom with warmth.

"Thank you mother, I shall try for our family," Regulus whispered. Walburga nodded down at her young son and left the room to gather her nieces for the announcements of their upcoming betrothals.

End Flashback

Now, days later Regulus had gone from excited to nearly a nervous wreck. He knew exactly what the Dark Lord did. He had heard of the whispers of what it took to enter his notice at the social events that many of the purebloods attended.

It made Regulus sick to his stomach. His mother was wrong, he wasn't the pinnacle of what it took to be a Black. But oh how desperately he wanted to be so that she could be proud of him.

Sighing to himself, Regulus took out another muggle newspaper dated for today. Pinning it to the wall of the movement that captured his attention for so long. The headline of the article read.

'Family of four found murdered in their home:
No Witnesses to the crime.
Strange cloud formation was seen in the vicinity before being dismissed as mass hysteria.'

A/N: Certain Magic is tied to the places where its culture and influence is strongest. Ex. Latin magic is stronger in London because it was built up by Romans while Gaelic magic would work better in some places like Edinburgh, Greek spells in Athens, Japanese spells in Tyoko etc. To clarify - it's not the same spell spoken in a different language…but a similar if not identical spell that was developed in that magical culture. Why on earth would a wizard from Asia cast a spell in Latin? Or amerindian from the new world? They'd have their own magical spells in languages like Sanskirt or Iroquoian.