Hope everyone is having a good March, enjoying the last few weeks of winter before hopefully we have a good spring. My family has already started to plant our little flower gardens.

I do NOT own any of the rights to the Harry Potter Characters or series.

Enjoy and remember to leave me a review on any thoughts, likes or questions. Though I am always open to any story requests and ideas.

Snowbeam12

Is The Dark All Dark?

Chapter 12

Harry released a deep breath when Griphook reentered the office with another wizard, biting his lip as he glanced at Sirius.

"According to the magic linked deep within the bank Mr. Potter is indeed considered an adult by wizard standards. That being said, there is several pieces of paperwork that I would like to fill out and submit to the ministry that will recognize you as such." Griphook explained, lying two thick folders on the desk in front of them. The wizard sat in the chair that had appeared beside the desk to Harry's left, continuing to sit in silence.

"You do understand that by signing this paperwork to be recognized as an adult, you will also be recognized as a Lord and a member of the Wizengamot." Griphook continued, flipping the first folder open. Sirius shifted slightly when the account manager flipped the papers around, holding out a quill for Harry to sign with.

"You also must understand that by signing all this you will have no other options to attempt to get out of the Tournament, correct?" The wizard stated, catching their attention.

"It's…not just because of the tournament. There is several things that have led us to this meeting sir." Harry explained before taking the quill from Griphook. He signed each paper where directed, feeling like there was a weight lifted off his chest, knowing that neither the Malfoys nor Dumbledore would no longer have any control over his life. Once the last paper had been signed Harry felt a rush of magic flow through him, causing him to gasp at the remarkable sensation. Sirius chuckled, remembering the same feeling when he accepted the Black Lordship.

"This next folder is a detailed list of all finances, stocks owned by the Potters, and properties. It's something I'm sure both Lord Black and Lord Malfoy could help you with." The wizard stated. He tilted his head in confusion when Harry suddenly jerked back like he had been slapped.

"What does Lucius Malfoy have to do with any of Harry's properties?" Sirius questioned, frowning at the young man.

"Lord Malfoy was in here a few weeks ago, requesting on behalf of Lord Potter, to know the current standings of the Potter accounts." The wizard explained, glancing at Griphook.

"Rest assured Lord Malfoy was not able to access anything that isn't already public record." Griphook quickly assured, giving the young male the stink eye. Harry managed to nod his head before he reached, picking up the folder. Sirius leaned over his shoulder, reading the page he'd opened to.

"Mr. Potter, this is your lord ring. Once you put it on, only you will be able to remove it. There are several charms placed on it that will protect you in your day to day activities." Griphook stated, holding out a ornated blue box that had a stag on the top. Harry couldn't help but smile, thinking about his Patronus. He reached forward, carefully opening the small ring box. Inside sat a black ring with a red stone perfectly nestled between what looked like two antlers.

"Thank you Griphook…for this and for meeting with us today." He whispered, offering the goblin a kind smile. He slipped the ring on before standing from the chair, bowing his head in respect before slipping out of the office. Padfoot walked at his side, glancing around the bank as they walked towards the entrance. Once standing outside Padfoot nosed him towards the Leaky Cauldron, figuring his godfather was trying to tell him it was time for lunch. He offered a small smile, letting himself be led towards the pub.

"Afternoon Harry. What brings you in today?" Tom questioned, smiling at the young boy.

"Just figured I'd stop in for some lunch before getting back to my lessons with Mr. Lupin." Harry lied, sitting at one of the tables.

"I'll get that right out. What something for your friend there?" he questioned, gesturing to Padfoot. The black dog rapidly wagged his tail before he laid under the table at his godson's feet. Harry sat in silence, taking small bites of his lunch as he flipped through the folder.

"I thought I'd find you here after learning you'd been to the bank." Lucius Malfoy stated, sitting down at the table across from his son. Harry stilled, staring wide eyed at the older wizard. Padfoot released a deep growl, shifting so he was sitting up properly, acting as a barrier between Lucius and Harry.

"Why doesn't it surprise me that you would have people watching the bank?" Harry snapped, glaring at his father.

"That's…I didn't have people watching the bank. If you could kindly call off your attack dog so we can talk?" Lucius sighed shaking his head. Harry couldn't help frowning for a moment before he reached down to card his fingers through Padfoot's fur in an attempt to get his godfather to back down.

"What do you want? Because as of nearly an hour ago, I'm recognized as a legal adult in the wizarding world. You have no control in my life and nothing you even attempt to say is going to convince me otherwise." He explained, crossing his arms in an attempt to show he was going to hold his ground.

"I already know. I felt the family magic shift. But I'm not here to fight with you. I genuinely just want to help you and get to know you. I know this is whole new territory and you don't fully grasp just what being an adult in the wizarding world means, let alone what being a Lord means." Lucius attempted to explain. "Your mother and I just want to get to know the son we lost. Attempt to have some form of relationship with you. Something that we thought we'd lost the chance to have." Harry glanced down at Padfoot for a moment, biting his lip as he attempted to debate on what he should do. He knew that he needed to learn a lot if he didn't want to completely fail and give Dumbledore a chance to convince the minister that he wasn't ready to be on his own. He didn't know the first thing about what being a Lord meant, or what exactly needed to be done with all the properties and accounts.

"Lets say I do actually trust you. What's truly in it for you? How do I know you won't trick me and turn me over to Voldemort the first chance you get." Harry questioned, frowning. Lucius couldn't help the small chuckle, shaking his head at the thought of his own godfather. While he wanted to tell his youngest the truth, he knew that right then wasn't the best time to drop that bombshell on him.

"There isn't anything I can say that will convince you that I won't so you'll just have to trust me when I say that's not something you have to worry about." Lucius assured. Harry remained silent for several more minutes before he shifted around to the chair next to his father, pulling the folder between them. Padfoot released another growl before lying back down against Harry's leg, positioning himself between his and Lucius' chairs.

The duo sat in the pub for several hours, Lucius enjoying getting the chance to teach his son about what to expect from each account and explaining how to check each of his properties. Harry couldn't help the small smile that managed to slip onto his face as he listened.

"Lucius I was beginning to wonder where you had vanished to. Severus said you received a floo call and left in a rush. Tipsy told me you had been here for the last several hours." A female voice stated behind them. Harry jumped back, glancing over his shoulder, catching sight of his mother walking towards them. Narcissa was dressed in emerald green robes that complimented her husband's, making Harry himself feel self-conscious about his own robes. Narcissa faltered for a moment once she'd caught sight of her youngest blonde and blue hair, recognizing just who her husband was with.

"Hello Harry." She offered softly, standing behind Lucius, offering him a calm smile.

"Hello. Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you for so long. Thank you for your help sir." Harry quickly stated, reaching to gather all the papers that had been spread across the table. Narcissa quickly stepped forward, her mouth open in an attempt to stop him from leaving. Padfoot quickly stood up when his godson pushed his chair back, standing up.

"You…you don't have to leave so soon." Narcissa finally managed to object, carefully grabbing her son's hand.

"Actually Harry, you'd mentioned wanting to look for robes that were more befitting your standing. Your…Narcissa would be the perfect person to help you with that." Lucius offered, glancing over his shoulder at his wife. He offered her a small smile, knowing she wanted to spend a little time with their son if given the chance.

"I…I don't know. I'm sure Remus and Tonks are already worried since I wasn't really supposed to be gone this long." Harry stuttered, reaching up to run the back of his head embarrassed.

"I can have one of our house elves inform them you're with us? Or…or they could join us?" Narcissa quickly offered. Harry shifted slightly, biting the inside of his lip as he attempted to figure out what to do. On one side he did wanted to spend a little more time with the Malfoys but on the other he was both nervous and terrified about getting to close to them, either because of Dumbledore or Voldemort. Padfoot released a low whine, clearly seeing the distress his godson was feeling, knowing the poor boy was at war with himself. He sat up, butting his head against his leg in an attempt to gain his attention. Narcissa couldn't help but frown slightly at the action, having a small guess as to just who the dog that was so attached to her son was.

"I…I really do need to get back…I…I have studying and lessons." He stuttered, taking another step back.

"It's okay. We can plan to meet up again soon? We can have a few more lessons and continue looking over everything?" Lucius offered, standing up. He placed his hands on Narcissa's shoulders to silence her objection. She looked up at her husband with a defeated look.

"I think…I'd like that. I just need a little bit of time. Thank you…for today though." Harry offered before he slipped out of the pub without another word. Izzy popped into view once they were in the alley they'd chosen as their meeting place. The female house elf looked at her young master, seeing the confused and distressed look on his face. She held out her hand for his, carefully taking a tight grip on Padfoot's fur.

Remus glanced up when they walked back into the tent, closing the book that he had been reading. Sirius wrapped his arms tight around Harry, pulling his godson into a tight son.

"Why do I feel like I'm betraying Lily and James because I'm…letting myself get close to the Malfoys." Harry whispered, his voice sounding broken. He balled his hands into Sirius' shirt, attempting to hold the tears that wanted to fall back.

"What happened? You guys were gone for quite a while. What did the goblins say at the bank?" Tonks questioned, glancing between the three males.

"Everything at the bank went fine. Harry is officially considered an adult and has claimed his Lord titles. But afterwards we stopped at the Leaky Cauldron so he could get lunch and we ran into Lucius Malfoy. Which went surprisingly well." Sirius explained, glancing at his cousin.

"I feel like I'm betraying the two people that gave theirs lives up to raise and protect me." Harry whispered, burying his face further into his godfather's embrace.

Well I hope everyone has enjoyed the newest chapter. Harry is finally starting to allow the Malfoys some interaction but of course the poor boy doesn't know how to feel about everything. Keep any eye out for the next chapter within the next few weeks.

Remember to leave me a review on what you thought. However, flames are not appreciated. But constructive criticism always is. Hope to post again soon.

Stay safe, Stay warm and Dream big

Until next Chapter,

Snowbeam12