Hello everyone. Sorry for the month long silence. Was busy with a couple anime conventions with my friends so didn't have a lot of time to update. However, as an apology here is the next chapter and I'm planning on doing a second update hopefully this week.

If you celebrate it, I hope you all had a fun but safe 4th of July.

All rights to the Harry potter characters belong to J. K. Rowling.

Hope you enjoy and remember to leave a review on what you thought.

Is The Dark All Dark?

Chapter 16

Harry released a small groan as he opened his eyes, briefly glancing around the room without moving his head too much. His body felt stiff, but the softness of the blanket and pillows seemed to help ease some of the tension. The young male released a small wince as he managed to roll over onto his side, further attempting to take in his surroundings. A flash of black fur suddenly appeared in his face, Padfoot shoving his nose against Harry's chest as he released a low whine.

"Hey Padfoot." Harry muttered as he slowly moved his hand, carding his fingers through the soft black fur for a moment, closing his eyes again. He attempted to remember how he had ended up wherever he was, but the last conscious members were a blur at best.

"Hey, look who's finally awake. I wondered what had Padfoot so excited." Tonks stated, walking into the dimly lite bedroom. Harry simply released a low groan, managing to jerk his arm up to shield his eyes just as Tonks raised her wand to open the curtains. Bright sunlight assaulted his senses for a moment as he regained his bearings. Padfoot released a low growl as he glared at Tonks before jumping up on the bed, curling up against Harry's back.

"What happened? Where exactly am I?" Harry muttered after several silent moments.

"Apparently you were hit with a nasty charm." Tonks stated.

"And as for where you are, you're at Malfoy Manor. Your father and I brought you here after you passed out at the restaurant before dinner yesterday. We had our family healer check you over since I don't trust anyone at Hogwarts to do it without causing you further discomfort." Narcissa added, stepping into the room. Harry glanced at her for a moment as he returned to looking around the room. He didn't fail to notice how the room was decorated in Gryffindor colors, giving him a clue that this wasn't just a normal guest room.

"What charm was used?" he finally muttered, turning his attention back to both of the witches.

"We're not completely sure right now. I haven't found it in any of the books we have here, but it would have to be something common for basic potions to work on it right?" Tonks questioned, glancing at her aunt for a moment. Narcissa simply frowned, refusing to answer for a moment. Harry continued watching them, figuring there was something Lady Malfoy wasn't saying. He groaned as he pushed himself up, moving to push the blankets aside.

"I have to get back to Hogwarts. I was supposed to meet with Daphne and Blaise in the library today to work out what the next task could be." He groaned, ignoring the protest his body gave at the sudden movements.

"Harry wait. They'll understand. You're still sick and need to rest." Narcissa objected, moving forward with her hands raised in an attempt to stop him from getting up. Padfoot released a low whine as he moved around to sit in Harry's lap. Harry stubbornly ignored them, trying to push the heavy Animagus from his lap.

"Harry will you please listen? You can't push yourself right now." Tonks pleaded, holding out her hands in an attempt to block his path.

"Sirius talk to your godson." Narcissa finally snapped before she turned and walked out of the room, ignoring the three identical looks of shock. Sirius slowly allowed his magic to shift him back, sitting on the bed speechless. Harry couldn't help nervously glancing at Tonks, unsure if he should trust his mother. After several awkward minutes of silence Sirius finally shook his head, turning his attention to his godson.

"Can we just go please? I don't want to be here any longer than needed and I really need to keep looking for ways to decipher that stupid hint for the next task." Harry muttered, reaching up to rub his eyes. Sirius could clearly see the dark circles under them, feeling horrible for missing the signs of just how much everything was effecting the boy he saw as his own. The young wizard gasped when he was suddenly pulled into a hug, wincing at the sudden movement as his body jerked.

"Not this time pup. You need to eat something, and you need to rest. And I'm going to stay right at your side to make sure you do that." Sirius stated softly, gently ruffling his blonde hair. Harry only released a groan of complaint before he finally laid back down, curling up on his side. Tonks couldn't help but smile at the annoyed look on his face, for a moment looking and acting like the 14-year-old he was. It had bothered all three of them how fast he'd been forced to mature with everything that had been shoved onto his shoulders.

"Mistress Malfoy send Dawn with soup for little master." A house elf stated, popping into the room with a tray. She snapped her fingers to settle it on the bed while preventing it from spilling. Harry released another groan as he moved to pull the blanket over his head, his stomach churning just at the thought of food.

"It's under a warming charm so you don't have to eat it right now. But you do need to try after you get a little more rest." Sirius commented before he allowed his body to shift again. He settled against Harry's back again, resting his head on the boy's hip comfortably. Tonks watched the duo for a moment before she slipped out of the room, walking down the hallway. Narcissa was sitting in one of the sitting rooms with a stack of books settled on the couch at her side. The Metamorphmagus figured she'd chosen the room closest to Harry's so she could be close to him.

"He's just about fallen back asleep but…Sirius…is going to stay with him just encase he tries to do something stupid." She stated as she walked to her aunt's side, picking up one of the books. She frowned slightly, seeing that she was reading healing magic that had been classed as dark magic.

"You think Harry was affected by one of these charms? But it…doesn't seem likely since it clearly happened at Hogwarts." She questioned; confusion evident in her voice. Narcissa glanced up at her for a brief moment before returning her attention to the book she was currently flipping through.

"Those books can be found in the restricted section at Hogwarts because dark magic classed as healing is a large grey area. They're still used but it's not as commonly studied." Lucius explained as he walked into the room. He waved his wand to transfigure a table at his wife's other side so the seat at her side was free. Tonks watched as the Malfoy lord sat down, leaning back with a sigh. She knew that he'd been just as worried about Harry as everyone else, clearly seen the concern when she'd arrived.

"Harry isn't going to want to stay here once he wakes up again." She finally stated, hoping to clear the air before her little cousin woke up. Narcissa glanced up for a brief moment before looking at her husband as if hoping he would offer some form of objection other than the ones she'd voiced already.

"Darling you know she's right. We can't force Harry to stay. Plus he is sadly one of the champions for the tournament and I agree that he needs to be coming up with ideas for the next task." Lucius sighed, shaking his head. He knew is wife wanted nothing more than to cast a bubble charm around the boy and keep him locking in the manor for his own protection. He personally wanted his son as far away from Dumbledore as possible but that's something that was currently out of the question. When Draco had told them at the beginning of the school year that Harry wasn't in attendance at first he had been both worried and furious but the more he thought about it wherever he had been was thought to be far safer than Hogwarts at the time. Tonks glanced between the two of them, watching as they had a silent discussion between each other without any words. Narcissa finally sighed, bowing her head.

"Very well. However, you will not be returning to that tent you've been staying in. While I'm sure it's nice, ours are far more comfortable. I'll have it delivered with one of our house elves who can also help you set it up." She stated the tone in her voice clearly leaving no room for argument. Tonks quickly nodded, figuring that she had to at least meet her half way. She turned to make her escape, faltering for a moment at the door.

"Lady Malfoy I do have a question. How did you know Padfoot was Sirius? He didn't change at all yesterday and he rarely changes when we're outside the safety of the tent." She questioned, glancing over her shoulder.

"I went to school with the Marauders. They weren't always as sneaky with some of the things they did as they thought, Miss Tonks. I spotted my cousin and James Potter getting up to many antics near the Forbidden Forest in their animagus forms. And a Grimm is not a sight I will soon forget." Narcissa replied, shaking her head as she thought about her school days at Hogwarts.

Hogwarts – 2 Days Later

Harry was silent as he sat outside the tent, his head leaned back as he enjoyed the cool morning breeze. The sun shining on his face helped him to relax as he worried once again about asking Daphne to the Yule Ball. He took a deep breath, opening his eyes slightly as he glanced at the dark green cloth of the new tent from his parents. While he was thankful for it since it far warmer and more comfortable than their previous tent, he wasn't used to having so much space.

"There you are. We were wondering where you vanished for nearly four days." Daphne's voice suddenly sounded. He jerked up straight, glancing around. Daphne, Blaise and Theo were walking towards them, still dressed in their Hogwarts uniforms giving him a guess they were all three on their free period.

"I was off campus with a nasty sickness. But I'm over it for the most part now." Harry stated with a shrug, attempting to show no signs of weakness. Blaise crossed his arms as he watched the ex-Gryffindor for a moment.

"If I had to guess that's what we heard Weasel and Granger 'whispering' about in the library about the other day." He stated, glancing at his two friends. Harry frowned slightly as he glanced at Daphne, confused by what they meant.

"We were studying for a potions exam when Weasley and Granger stormed into the library being loud as usually. Granger slammed some book down on the table next to ours that honestly looked like something that shouldn't have been taken out of the restricted section. They were talking about how some charm clearly failed and they had to figure out something else." She explained, shaking her head. She hadn't been able to get a better look at what the book was to even try to figure out just what they were trying to do. Harry only frowned as he attempted to think on whether or not he had seen Hermione or Ron outside that morning by the lake, but still drew a blank because his back had been turned before he'd gone tumbling into the water.

"Well at least we know it didn't have the affect they were hoping for. But now I know to keep an even closer eye on them than I had been." He commented, shrugging.

"Hi young masters and lady. I thought I be hearing Master Harry speaking." Izzy stated, stepping out of the tent. The house elf offered a smile as she wiped her hands on the apron she wore around her waist. Harry offered a smile at the house elf that had changed his life so much, thankful for Lily's forethought to send him a message. She gave him a chance to get away from the Dursleys and basically gave him a chance to make his life far better than it had been.

"Hello Izzy. I hope Harry's been staying out of trouble." Daphne stated, a teasing tone to her voice as she glanced at him.

"Master Harry always attracts some trouble. Would you all like snack?" she questioned, looking between the four young magic users. Blaise and Theo shared a look before glancing at Daphne, leaving the decision up to her.

"Sure why not? We're on free period right now. Though be prepared for Draco to make an appearance. I know he's been pretty worried about you since your little disappearing act." She stated. Harry simply nodded, biting his lip as he debated letting his twin into the tent. While they'd been getting along a little better since the last task, he wasn't sure about spending long periods of time with him. It was one thing to spend time in public with their parents, it was another thing when it was with someone who had tormented him for the last three years in his private space.

"Izzy make a picnic outside for Master Harry and friends." She stated, dropping into a small bow before she disappeared back into the tent.

"Daphne…there was actually something I have been meaning to talk to you about." Harry muttered, stopping her from walking with the other two Slytherins. She stood in front of him, crossing her arms as she waited for him to say what he needed to say.

"Heiress Daphne Greengrass…would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the Yule Ball as your date?" he questioned.

"I would be honored Heir Potter. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to ask me or if I was going to have to break decorum and ask you." She teased, offering him a smile.

Harry finally asked Daphne to the Yule Ball. Read the next chapter where Harry gets to have a fun night to be himself outside of being a Triwizard Tournament Champion.

Remember to leave me a review on what you thought. However, remember that while questions and constructive criticism is always welcome, hate and flames are not. Already working on the next chapter so keep a close eye out for the next update.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.

On a side note, I am currently looking for a couple people to read my original story Heirs Stolen Throne to give me any feedback. If this is something you are interested in please either leave a review so I can reach out or send me a private message. Hope to hear from you all soon.

"You can't fool your own heart no matter how many lies you tell." – Escanor (Seven Deadly Sins)

Until Next Chapter,

Snowbeam12