A/N. Hi all, hope you're enjoying the story. I received a review from someone who said they didn't quite like the way I'd changed the way protego and incarcerous worked, so I just wanted to elaborate. Sure, with the protego, I'd taken a bit of liberty to change it a little for the story, though I need to remind you that this is fanfiction and that the way spells work is often changed. How often have we read about solid Patronuses that can destroy Dementors? It also felt like the original depictions in canon didn't make complete sense to me, a shield charm sometimes having been written to be able to knock someone off their feet, when it's literally a shield. Not only that but in Hogwarts Legacy, a game which JK signed off on, the coloured bubbles around enemies were often incanted with protego, and that's a completely different depiction from the books as well. Remember, there are often changes between canon and fanfiction, hence the term, "head canon."

With incarcerous, I edited a few lines to make it clearer. I wanted to get it across that Harry had to channel it constantly as the magic of the Greengrass curse, which syphoned magic, would have made the conjured ropes disappear if magic were not consistently fed into the spell. Hope that clears everything up.

Now, on with the show! Please R&R.

Chapter 4 - Promises and Plans

"Oh, for Merlin's sake." was Harry's first thought as the regrettably familiar ceiling of the hospital wing swam into view. Of course, this was accompanied by a big sigh.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, my boy. I think that's the first time the need for you being here was caused by something you did when you were in this very room, well done."

Harry pushed himself up on the hospital mattress to look at Albus Dumbledore, sitting at his bedside. Curtains were wrapped around his bed area, and Dumbledore's almost ridiculous orange robes were in stark contrast to the pale sky blue of the curtain fabric.

"Guess you heard what happened then," said Harry.

The aged headmaster nodded his head and smiled, his eyes twinkling. "You did a very brave thing today. I don't think there is anyone else in the castle apart from me that could've done it," he said.

Harry frowned in confusion.

"Really? Surely if Madam Pomfrey didn't have to create the potion, couldn't she…?"

"I'm afraid not. It was a miscalculation on her part, and we were very lucky that you arrived to pick up your potions when you did. The ailment that the youngest Greengrass suffers from isn't for me to discuss with you, it's only her business and that of her family, but it was something far more insidious today than we had anticipated."

"Of course, sir."

"I have to be off in a moment, I just wanted to check in on you, and ask about that necklace. Madame Pomfrey tried to take it off your neck and I'm afraid she found herself with a rather nasty burn. I want to give you the benefit of the doubt after what's happened. Please tell me you haven't been dabbling in Dark artefacts, Harry."

Harry reached up and noticed that while he was dressed in the standard Hogwarts hospital gown. The silver snake pendant and chain weree still hanging around his neck. He gulped. Should he tell the truth? Surely it would be okay to tell Dumbledore, right? How else would he explain it away?

"No one else can hear us within this bay can they sir?"

"No, my boy. I cast the privacy ward around your bedside myself."

Harry exhaled steadily and tried to weigh his words. "It's… it's the Lord's necklace of the House of Slytherin, sir."

If there was one thing Albus was expecting him to say, it certainly wasn't that. In fact, he just stared at Harry for a second, and it took him a good ten seconds before he said anything else.

"And where did you get it?" Dumbledore said, calmly. He didn't sound angry, but Harry felt strangely nervous not having a clue what the elderly headmaster was thinking. Would he get in trouble?

"Well, sir, I'll be honest…" Harry said, "After…the graveyard, I was feeling utterly beaten, and weak…and…well…I was talking with Neville and he seems to think that I'm the one that's destined to beat Voldemort. I've faced him so many times, and with what happened when my parents died…"

He trailed off and with a sad smile.

Dumbledore's eyes shone a little more than usual.

"Go on," he said.

"Well I'd been thinking about ways that he may have become powerful because surely I'll have to be powerful to beat him and that led me to think maybe he'd found something in the Chamber of Secrets, so I went back down there. It turned out he hadn't found anything apart from the Basilisk, which turned out to actually be a guard to defend his family library and Voldemort had never been able to access it. It was placed into the Chamber to protect Slytherin's secrets while his family line was dormant as until the House of Slytherin's line was active again the full strength of the library's wards wouldn't be activated. When I went down there I met the portrait of Slytherin, who named me the new Lord and gave me access to his family magics and he's going to help me beat Lord Voldemort. He hates him for apparently corrupting the basilisk and turning it against the school!"

"Holy Merlin," Dumbledore said, eyes wide. "Harry, dark magics aren't to be dabbled with, my boy, Salazar Slytherin -"

"Has been completely misunderstood by history, sir. We discussed it. He wasn't dark, he didn't hate muggleborns. He just wanted to take muggleborns away from their families because of the witch hunts that were happening at the time. Lots of them were dying so he wanted to keep them safe."

"This…this is unbelievable my boy. And you're absolutely sure it's safe? Dark powers can twist the mind and make one believe the most reprehensible of magics are much less…evil than they are." Dumbledore said, leaning forward and looking deep into Harry's eyes.

"Of course, sir, if you conjure a flask I can provide you with the memory. I promise you I will not access the Chamber again unless you agree."

This seemed to satisfy the old wizard and he once again leaned backwards in his chair.

"That's a very generous offer, Harry," Dumbledore replied, and with a short wave of his wand, he transfigured a water goblet on Harry's bedside into a small crystal vial. After a few moments of instruction on how to extract a memory, the vial now filled with the ethereal silver essence of Harry's memory was tucked into Dumbledore's pocket.

"And you are sure there is nothing I should be worried about? Did he provide you with anything else I should be checking over?"

"He provided me with two books, one was about parseltongue and its origins in healing magic, sir, and the other on the laws and procedures of the Wizengamot."

"I see. I think we will have to revisit this at a later date, Harry. You realise what this means for the Wizengamot, and how you will now need to present yourself before them at the next full gathering."

"I'm beginning to. I'm going to have a talk with Neville later, see if he's willing to correspond with me a bit more over the summer."

"A good idea. I will have a word with Augusta Longbottom. Perhaps we can discuss the idea of you spending some time at Longbottom Manor during the summer, though I'm afraid you will need to revisit the Dursleys. The protection it provides you is invaluable."

"I understand, Professor…and would be nice, thank you," Harry replied.

"Very well," Dumbledore said before getting to his feet "Right, my boy, I must go and speak to Professor Snape, Miss Greengrass' parents will be arriving soon. I believe Astoria wanted to speak to you, bear with me a moment."

He got up and poked his head through the curtains to Astoria's bedside.

"Harry's ready for you to speak to him now if you are ready?" Harry heard Dumbledore ask?

"Certainly, Professor," Harry heard an exhausted, posh-sounding voice say. "Can you extend the privacy ward around both of our beds?"

"Of course."

"Can I get dressed, first sir?" Asked Harry, "I'm feeling much better."

"Certainly."

Dumbledore stepped outside the curtains for a moment while Harry changed out his gown back into the clothes he'd been wearing. After a quick call to Dumbledore that he was ready, the headmaster reentered, and with a swish of his wand the curtain between Harry and Astoria's beds disappeared, leaving only the curtain around the perimeter of both their beds. A quick farewell to both of them and Harry was left alone with the third-year Slytherin. She looked a bit like her sister, Harry thought. Her same honey-coloured hair was quite lank and sweat-ridden, but she had brown eyes and a slightly upturned nose. While clearly very tired, it was good to see that she seemed to be recovering as she picked up a grape from a small tray on her lap and popped it into her mouth.

The pair sat in silence for a moment before either of them spoke.

"I suppose I should say thank you," said Astoria, looking at him evenly. "I'd come and give you a hug but I'm too tired and I think my mother would say it was inappropriate."

"Don't worry about it," Harry replied, "Just glad I was here to help."

"Me too" she replied, though not looking like she meant it. Harry frowned.

"I don't mean to pry but…that thing... What happened to you? That seemed a bit unusual for someone casting a nasty jinx at you between classes or…"

"No nothing like that," she interrupted, "It's a family matter."

"Okay I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I just wanted to see if there is anything else I can do to help."

Harry remembered distinctly from Neville's book that Greengrass was one of The Most Ancient and Noble houses, and even that family magics were held in utmost secrecy, and very rarely discussed between families.

"No, it's okay, you can't. No one can." Astoria replied.

They were quiet for the moment.

"Is Daphne okay?"

"No, she's very worried," Astoria said, tears beginning to well up chocolate eyes. "She blames herself for not being able to help me."

"But she's doing her best isn't she?" Harry said, trying to smile encouragingly "She was out last night picking the fluxweed for you."

"Yes. She tries her best, but she's got it in her head that she's going to cure me. It's…I can't bear to watch her, watch anyone go through it anymore."

"I see."

Astoria was crying in earnest now, which left Harry decidedly unsure of what to do with himself.

"Don't cry, you're okay now." Harry

"But I'm not okay, am I? Now I've got to go through another six months not knowing if they will be my last. Six months of my family worrying, of Daphne killing herself trying to fix me, even though twelve generations have tried and failed to remove the curse. I wish…" Astoria said, pausing as her breathing and sobs got heavier and heavier, "I wish you hadn't been here and I'd just died."

"Don't say that!" said Harry, earnestly.

"It's true, if I was gone they wouldn't have to worry. They could get over me, and…and I wouldn't have to see Draco all the time and know that we can never be together."

Astoria descended into sobs again and Harry, deliberately choosing to ignore Astoria's choice of romantic partner, did the only thing he could think of. He got out of the chair at her bedside, sat next to her on her bed and rather awkwardly wrapped an arm around her. Instantly she fell into his arms and cried into his shoulder. And cried. And cried. After ten minutes she was all cried out and timidly her red eyes met his and she gave him a weak smile.

"I'm okay now…thanks." pulling away slightly from the embrace.

"You aren't, but I get why you're feeling that way. I hate it when people worry about me and well you, you've got it worse than anyone I know. If you ever need to talk about it, to someone who isn't involved, come find me. I mean it."

"Th…thanks," she replied, hugging him a bit tighter. "You know, you aren't how Draco says you are."

"Draco only sees what he wants to see. I only wish I could do something to help." Harry said. It was true. Even though Harry didn't know the girl he really felt for her and he couldn't shake the look in Daphne's sapphire eyes that haunted him, as she begged him to keep going.

"You can't. It's a bloodline curse. Exactly 77 days before the equinox it comes. Magical convulsions, something called eclampsia they said. A spirit or something makes poison build up in my body until either the seizures kill me or an antidote is administered, but the poison builds up faster and faster every time. There hasn't been a Greengrass who's had it who lived past being 17."

"I'm sorry," Harry said, chewing his lip.

"Don't be. It's nothing to do with you. I shouldn't even be telling you about it. Even if you did save my life."

With that, her eyes went wide in recognition.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"My family, we owe you a life debt," she said, quietly.

"A what?"

"A life debt, enforced by magic. You saved my life, my family owes you anything you desire. Unless we save yours."

"Don't be silly, I don't want anything."

"But you have to want something, magic won't be satisfied until you request something equal to the life of a child of the family, you…you are entitled to Daphne's hand in marriage. Shit, my Dad's not gonna be happy."

"I don't want that, and I think you're Dad would prefer to have his daughter alive."

"But you will have to ask for something before I'm gone, or my family will be cursed with bad luck for seven generations! Please, Harry, Daphne will understand, or you could ask for my dowry's worth of gold from our vault?"

"I don't need your money and as beautiful and kind-hearted as she seems, I'm sure Daphne will want to marry for love. I've heard how many boys want her hand, and I'm well…me. She doesn't need that attention and marrying me will only put her in danger. You know Voldemort has returned."

Astoria flinched but didn't complain, and said "Then what do you suggest, unless you want to forgo the debt completely and swear it on your magic but you'd have to be mad. You'd be saying no to an insane amount of gold or having your house being linked to a house of my standing."

"And how do I do that? Forgo the debt?"

Astoria stared at him now in utter incomprehension.

"Are…are you sure?"

"How?" Harry asked firmly.

"I'll…I'll have to write it down. I need parchment and a quill. Hold on a sec."

Shakily, she reached to her bedside table and pulled out the required items. After a moment of scribbling before sliding over the parchment, she said "So you read this, holding your wand, and at the end say, "so mote it be.""

Harry took the parchment and went back to his bed, where he saw his wand laid on his own bedside cabinet.

"I'm going to do this, Miss Greengrass, but I need your word that you will not tell a soul about what you hear to anyone outside your family until it is public knowledge. Especially not Draco. Can I trust you?"

"Harry if you're going to do this you could tell me you're Merlin and I wouldn't tell anyone. Plus, my parents will be picking us up in an hour from here and portkeying us straight home."

"Okay." Harry nodded, before holding his wand in the air and intending "I, Lord Harry James Slytherin-Potter, hereby consider all current life debts between myself and the house of Greengrass fully satisfied, so mote it be."

A small flash from his wand signified the vow's acceptance.

Astoria just stared at him.

"How…you… what?" she spluttered.

"Miss Greengrass, you need to keep it a secret until the next Wizengamot session. You promised. If you must tell your father, tell him I would be more inclined to help him with votes in the future should he keep the secret." Harry said, with a warning look.

"Yes, my Lord. I won't tell anyone," she replied, eyes still half-glazed.

"Good. Now do you know where Pomfrey is?"

"She went to see Dumbledore and said to call her via our House Elf if she was needed."

Harry smiled "Great, I'm feeling better so I'm gonna shoot off, tell Daphne I said hi and tell her if she needs help with any more defence over the summer, just to owl me."

Astoria scrunched her eyes in confusion for a moment at Harry apparently having had contact with Daphne before, but smiled and nodded before saying "Oh okay, see you later. And thanks again Potter, er, my Lord, er."

"Just Harry, Miss Greengrass.'

"And it's Astoria, then."

Both smiled at each other.

"Bye Harry."

"Bye Astoria."

"So, you're telling me that we owed him a complete life debt for you, and he just vowed it away as if it was nothing?" Cyrus Greengrass asked in shock, "He didn't want anything in return?"

The four members of the Greengrass household were in their Manor, three days after their return from Hogwarts for the summer, taking tea and biscuits in their drawing room. Daphne's mother Ellanore had forbidden anyone to talk of what had happened until Astoria was feeling better, but this morning she had announced she had recovered enough and so an impromptu family meeting was called.

"Nothing at all, I even told him he could have Daphne's hand in marriage but he just said she's beautiful and kindhearted and should be able to marry for love."

"This is…unheard of. And you're sure he said he was Lord Slytherin…and that he wasn't lying."

"He made a vow and everything. The magic worked, I saw it."

"This will change everything Cyrus," Ellanore said under her breath, "Dumbledore's man, Lord of Slytherin, it will upset the balance."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Father." said Daphne, taking a sip of tea and swallowing before continuing, "He told Tracey and me he wasn't on the best terms with Dumbledore."

"Did he now?" Cyrus said, stroking his pointed beard in thought, "And when was this?"

"The other day, he offered to help us in the library with our Defence projects and taught us the theory behind protego. He said he wasn't happy with the way Dumbledore didn't protect him this year, and all but confirmed the Dark Lord's return. He taught us stuff that was more cohesive than what was in our books actually. He was also the one that cast it against Dumbledore in the class demonstration, it was twice the size of him."

"Hmmph, showing off I presume," Cyrus replied with a sneer.

"Barely, he didn't even seem to be breaking a sweat. I don't think he really understands how far above just powerful he is. You should've seen him against the curse father. His eyes were…glowing…and he nearly shattered the windows."

"You're smiling when talking about him, Daphne, you haven't done that since your Christmas break in first year about that Zabini boy." Ellanore nodded towards her.

Daphne held her head tall on her slender neck. "He was in his rights to entrap me and he didn't. I'm just grateful."

"And the fact that he's stupidly handsome and as powerful as Dumbledore has nothing to do with it?" Astoria teased.

"No." responded the beautiful blonde ardently, but the blush that bloomed on her cheeks betrayed her.

"So you do think he's handsome then?" Astoria jibed.

"Regardless of Daphne's feelings towards the boy," Cyrus interjected before Daphne could respond past her deepening blush, "That level of power you're saying he displayed hasn't been seen since Dumbledore was at school. If he isn't Dumbledore's man through and through, it might be beneficial to have him on our side. The Death Eaters will come knocking, and I don't know how long we will be able to put off picking a side this time."

"We'd have to be careful, Cyrus," Ellanore said, "You-know-who will be watching, and with what the Ministry is spouting, associating with him will be working against their official position of painting him as a liar."

"I agree. At least for now, we'll need to remain neutral. But if he can be turned towards our side…they say Dumbledore was more Grey than Light when he fought Grindelwald. And you say he's as powerful as Dumbledore now, Daphne?"

"Pomfrey said his incarcerous was just as strong, and I know he can cast a corporeal Patronus."

"And he will soon be officially recognised as Lord Slytherin," Cyrus said, making another brief pause to weigh his thoughts before continuing.

"We need to keep his secret. It wouldn't alienate him before his official recognition at the Ministry. And we need to try and pull him towards the Grey, or at least find out what his political bent is…"

"A party," Ellanore suggested, "Here. For the end of summer and an early birthday party for Daphne. He'll be officially Lord Slytherin by then, and we invite the children in Daphne's year from prominent noble families. If the Malfoys come, that will please the Darker families and the Dark Lord won't be able to suggest we've moved towards the light, just that we are accommodating a Lord of the Great Seven."

Cyrus beamed, "My dear I could kiss you."

Ellanore rolled her sapphire eyes, "Wait until the children are gone, dear."

"You mean I get to see Draco?" Astoria asked excitedly, eyes wide, "Can it be a pool party?"

"So he can see you in your new bikini?" Daphne asked. It was her turn to be the tease now.

"Well it's not like I'll be able to go any further with him, but yeah."

"I'm not sure whether it is proper, Astoria," Cyrus said.

"Well put it this way, Father, if I could foresee a marriage to a member of the Great Seven, it may help to…turn him around to our cause."

"I knew it! You like him! You like him!" Astoria said with a giggle, now up and dancing around the chair.

"I don't really know him, but he is kind and strong and if he has access to Slytherin's magic he could feasibly beat the Dark Lord."

There was silence, bar the chinks of cups hitting saucers.

"You know," Cyrus said, "I think you have a point. Ellanore darling, can you make the invitations?"

"I'll go to Scrivenshafts for the good stationery tomorrow, my love."

Astoria's relentless singsong of "Draco's coming to visit, Draco's coming to visit" was unbelievably annoying for the next three days, until her mother hit her with a langlock jinx.

It was unseasonably cold and foggy on the estate surrounding number four, Privet Drive, especially for mid-July. Harry zipped his tatty grey hoodie all the way up to the top to keep out the cold. This summer, preferring to keep out of the way and study his books in his room, Harry had tried to keep well out of the Dursleys' way, though that hadn't stopped them pestering him to do errands and chores and to "earn his keep" ever since he'd gotten back from Hogwarts.

It was because of this, that he was currently walking steadily back from the local Tesco's, a cold four-pint bottle of semi-skimmed milk in his hand, chilling his fingers. He turned down an alleyway, only two more turns until he was back on the street which he begrudgingly called "home". Sure, it was now twilight, and the sun had nearly completely set, but it had no business being this cold, and yet, Harry pondered, wait…how was the milk getting colder? Harry simultaneously watched the milk completely freeze inside its bottle and felt the now unfortunately familiar hopelessness overcome him that only came with one thing. Dementors. Of course, Harry had his wand with him and even though the two black-cloaked abominations came at him from both ends of the alley, he sent the two Dementors packing with no stress whatsoever.

"Hmph, you'll have to try harder than that, Tom," he said aloud as he continued his journey down the alley towards Privet Drive.

The next few hours Harry could describe as nothing short of chaos. Mrs Figg revealing she was in cahoots with Dumbledore and the veritable parliament of owls showing up to expel him from Hogwarts from Arthur Weasley telling him not to surrender his wand was nothing compared to the unmitigated rabble that turned up to transport him to the home of his Godfather at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. How they'd managed to convince Dumbledore that flying brooms through London wasn't a ridiculous risk to the Statute of Secrecy Harry would never know, but he was obviously glad to be well away from Little Whinging.

Grimmauld Place, while obviously dark and dingy, just didn't feel that way when he saw all his friends there to greet them, as fuming as he was for the lack of communication over the summer. He took great care to make them feel as if Dumbledore's deliberate isolation of him was total and that he'd been completely shut off from the magical world just in case he asked, but in reality, for much of the summer, he was the opposite of that. He'd been utilising his portkey function of his Lord's pendant egregiously and when the Dursleys were bound to not ask anything of him, had been spending most of his time in the Chamber of Secrets with the Portrait of Salazar Slytherin.

He'd been wise, the portrait had said, to leave his wand at the Dursleys' as if Dumbledore was tracking his movements, his wand would be easy to add a tracking charm to, as Harry would usually always have it on his person. It had meant though, that while Slytherin hadn't been able to help with his practical casting, he'd been able to train him for his first appearance at the Wizengamot which was due to be held at the next full official gathering, on the summer solstice.

Harry had developed a good working relationship with the portrait of the ancient wizard, who at first believed Harry to be nothing but a powerful but otherwise naive boy, but after they discussed Harry's past, Salazar began showing respect towards him. He told Harry that he believed these experiences proved he was right to give him the Lordship even though he said he was absolutely off his rocker for turning down the guaranteed hand in marriage of a boy that Harry had told him was the most attractive witch he'd ever seen.

So, after all the pleasantries had been exchanged with Harry finally becoming reunited with Sirius and the Weasleys and after it had been decided by the Order of the Phoenix that he wouldn't be part of the meeting, rather than listening through the extendable ears to what was expected from his looming Wizengamot hearing, Harry cornered Sirius at the bottom of the stairs and spoke to him in hushed tones.

"Sirius, I need you to cover for me," he said.

The shaggy but roguish wizard gave a suspicious squint at this and asked. "What for, Pup?"

"I can't tell you everything, but… I've been training with someone…to help me with family magic stuff. I've got a secure portkey to a place Dumbledore knows about it, and it's safe for me to meet with them anytime."

"That's a big ask, Harry," Sirius asked, "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Hundred percent, trust me. I need to see them before this hearing tomorrow. I've got an idea to prank the Wizengamot, Marauder worthy, completely legal. Been working on it for a while with him but with this happening I think I can blow the whole thing up in their faces and maybe even get you a trial."

Sirius exhaled loudly, before just staring at him. Harry didn't dare look away as Sirius sized him up, they'd barely seen each other since 3rd year, except in the Floo, after all.

"Promise me, that if your father were here and he knew everything… Would he let you do this?"

Harry chuckled, "Mum, from what I've heard, maybe not, but Dad, from what you've told me of him, hell yeah."

An easy smile spread upon Sirius' face and Harry thought he instantly appeared younger.

"Okay, Harry," he said "I'm gonna have you room with me instead of Ron, for now. I'll tell them I wanted to spend some time with you, catch up. No one can begrudge me that, and it's my house anyway. Tonight you're going to our room to be alone for an early night because you feel underwhelmed. Don't be back too late. You've got a big day tomorrow."

Harry smiled on his way up to Sirius' room, grateful for his support. With any luck, the Ministry wouldn't know what hit them.