Hermione wished she had time to talk to Henry before her first class. Unfortunately all muggle-born students were required to take an additional class called Introduction to the Wizarding World. In order to fit it into their schedules they were forced to get up an hour earlier to attend the class.

What happened at the sorting was not normal. She'd never read of anything like it happening in any of the books she'd gotten at Flourish and Blotts. She'd asked everyone at the Gryffindor table if something like that had happened. The older students had confirmed that at least nothing like had happened during their school years up till now.

Henry seemed shaken and confused by the whole thing. Clearly he didn't know what had happened either. She wanted to press him for details but that would have to wait for now. He's my first real friend, there must be something I can do to help.

"Welcome to Introduction to the Wizarding World," Professor Dankworth greeted the class. "This class will cover a variety of important topics for one entering a completely different world from the one you're familiar with. The wizarding world has its own holidays, traditions, and culture as rich and complex as the muggle one. It's important for you to become familiar with them to properly integrate into our world."

So much to learn and not enough time to do it in, Hermione thought frantically. I've got to catch up. No matter what it takes.

For the first time in her life Hermione was behind other students in class. That had never happened before. Her parents had been pressured by her teachers for years to move her up a few years in school because she was so much further ahead than everyone else her age. Something her mum and dad had been very reluctant to even consider.

Hermione knew her parents didn't like all the attention she'd garnered throughout her childhood. They probably wished she could just be a normal girl. But she wasn't and now she understood in part why she never would be. She was a witch. All those strange things that had happened whenever she had been upset or angry were the result of magic.

Finally it felt like she had a place where she truly belonged, with people like her. Though it had taken a lot for Professor McGonagall to convince her parents to let her attend Hogwarts at all. But she had and Hermione was determined to succeed in this new, strange, and exciting world of magic. Whatever it took.

"Gryffindor, huh? Interesting." These were the first words Sebastian spoke when he approached the Gryffindor table where Henry was sitting that morning for breakfast.

"It was kind of a surprise," Henry admitted. "But…I don't know how to explain it, it just feels right to me."

"I think we all get that feeling after being sorted. It's only natural."

"Well I'd hope I'd feel satisfied with my house after all that happened last night."

"It was quite the spectacle. What exactly did happen?" Sebastian asked, clearly curious.

"I don't really know," Henry answered, not wanting to reveal the details. Not until he got to the bottom of what was really going on. "I think the old hat must've finally cracked or something," He continued, hoping the lie was convincing enough for a Slytherin.

"Or something," Sebastian said skeptically. "Right. Well whatever happened last night, you should know it's unintentionally drawn a lot of attention on you. And that's never a good thing."

"Why not?"

"Ah, so there's the Gryffindor in you. Guess the hat did place you right after all," The older boy smirked briefly before growing serious again. "People are rightfully wondering just what to make of you. You're adopted from a muggle orphanage by a magical family and you just happened to turn out to be a wizard as well? Then you put that hat on your head and everything goes completely mad. Next thing we know, you're being rushed to the hospital wing and Dumbledore personally follows behind you to make sure you're okay? I don't know what to make of any of this, I doubt anyone else does either. But it can't possibly all be a coincidence."

"I don't disagree with that," He admitted. "I'm trying to figure out the connections myself."

"Good. Seems you haven't lost your brain after all then—despite being sorted into Gryffindor."

"Dumbledore was a Gryffindor," Henry pointed out.

"Not all of us idolize Dumbledore, kid. Enjoy your lessons." With that he strolled away, back to his own table with the other Slytherins. Henry could only stare.

What's that supposed to mean?

"Lumos!" Hermione demonstrated proudly with a flick of her wand.

"Well done Miss Granger!" Professor Flitwick praised. "10 points to Gryffindor for your marvellous display!"

Hermione was glowing by the end of class. She and Henry walked together back to Gryffindor tower.

"I can't believe you've mastered it on the first day!" He exclaimed.

"Well I did practice the wand movements and pronunciation after reading through my spell books at home before coming to Hogwarts. Even though I couldn't actually perform the spell itself I figured it'd be a good start at least."

"You did? Wow! That's really impressive. Wish I'd thought of that. It took everything in me not to start using spells at home after I got my wand."

Hermione's cheeks turned pink at his praise. "I'm just trying to catch up to everyone else."

"Well you're off to a great start then."

"You really think so?"

"Absolutely!"

They were interrupted when Hedwig came swooping in through the window, dropping two envelopes into his lap. Finally, a reply, Henry thought. He'd been waiting all day for letters from his family.

He glanced up at Hermione who was looking at him curiously. "If you'll excuse me for a second," He said, taking the envelopes and heading for the stairs to his dorm.

"O-of course."

He hoped he'd handled that all right. He didn't want to look like he had anything to hide but at the same time he needed privacy. Once he was alone in his dorm, he tore open the first letter. He immediately recognized his mother's handwriting.

Dear Henry,

We're so happy to hear you're settling in all right and that you've already made some friends. Congratulations on making Gryffindor! Your dad had been hoping for Hufflepuff but I told him that Gryffindor is a wonderful house and you should be proud to have been sorted there. Though I hope you won't get into too much trouble as the house is known to be a bit rowdy. Keep your head down, work hard and you'll go far.

The handwriting then changed to his dad's.

Gryffindor is a great house and I know it's the best place for you if that's where the hat sorted you. Your sister says the spot for Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team will be empty now that Charlie Weasley has graduated. If it remains vacant by next year then I know you'll have no trouble making the team. Which might not have been the case if you had been in a different house. But to repeat what your mum said, stay out of trouble. Quidditch players have to be good students too.

The handwriting then switched back to his mum's.

As you predicted, the Headmaster did write to us last night about what happened to you during your sorting. We were very concerned by this but he has assured us that everything should be fixed going forward. So try not to worry either.

As to your question about the orphanage and your birth parents…well I'm afraid we don't have much we can give you, sweetheart. It was a closed adoption meaning we didn't get any information on your birth parents. Though it stands to reason that they must have some magical ancestry given you turned out to be a wizard.

I know you won't want to hear this, but…your father and I have discussed it at length and we have decided that we agree with Professor Dumbledore on not sharing the traumatic memory that resurfaced in your mind. It will only do you more harm than good right now. Please understand, we only want what's best for you.

We miss you so much already too. Things around the house just aren't the same without you here. We can hardly wait until the time you return home this coming Yule. In the meantime we know you'll be doing your best to learn all you can at school and become the accomplished wizard we know you will be someday.

Love,

Mum and Dad

"That's it?" Henry sighed in frustration, resisting the urge to crumple the letter up and throw it away. As far as he'd known, they'd never kept something like this from him before. He couldn't understand why they wouldn't just tell him? Even if it was painful. He could handle it, he felt sure he could. He wasn't a little kid anymore!

He was eleven years old! Old enough to go to Hogwarts. Old enough to learn magic. And old enough to know more about his past and where he came from.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play here. The thought of that scared him. They'd never acted like this, never treated him this way. Just what was so big about his time at the orphanage that all the adults in his life were determined to keep him in the dark about it all? He had a right to know the truth.

After a few minutes of stewing over the whole thing, he picked up the letter from Tonks and began to read it. He hoped this one would actually be useful.

Wotcher squirt,

So you're a Gryffindor, eh? Congrats! It's a fantastic house and according to Charlie they throw the best parties in the whole school. Just you wait, you're in for some fun times ahead of you! And best of all there's no way you won't make Seeker next year. Even if the position is filled this year, you're sure to make the team even if it's just as a reserve initially. Just be careful to watch your step around McGonagall, she can be scary as a lioness when you're in trouble.

As for the other matter, I've looked into Sebastian Black for you. I'd heard the name before but didn't know much, to be honest. Not like I ever wanted to know much about that side of the family before.

It's true the Black family Legacy is a dark one. Long too. They're one of the oldest, richest, most powerful pureblood families in magical Britain. They're a very dark family and that's not even counting the ones who joined up with You-Know-Who during the war. I never realized just how lucky Mum was to get away from that family unscathed and alive. They do not take lightly to what they consider blood-traitors.

Turns out there's this giant magical tapestry of every member of the Black family. It keeps them connected and protected to each other through magic. Until you do something to cross them. Then the head of the family and house blasts your name off the tapestry, effectively disowning you. It's a permanent action and can't be undone. When it happened to mum—and yes I did have to ask her some questions but I kept your part in my reasons for asking out of it—it ripped away much of her magic. She struggled to explain just what that meant but from what I can gather, it's not good.

You're right to be wary of someone like Sebastian. But from everything I've dug up, he's probably the Black you have least to worry about in that family.

Sebastian is the son of Sirius and Vanessa Black. Sirius is mum's cousin and he seems to keep to himself mostly. He never joined You-Know-Who or even been suspected of using dark magic as far as anyone knows. He stayed out of the war entirely, at least from the accounts I got. Which coming from a member of that family, is pretty significant.

I'm not saying he or his son is safe by any means or that you should trust him. If you really want to give him a chance I'd advise you to keep him at arms length until you're absolutely sure about him. Until then best not mention him to mum. It was hard getting her to talk about her life before she married dad. She carries so many more scars than I'd ever realized.

On a brighter note, this Hermione Granger sounds like a perfect friend for you. Someone who is as much a bookworm as you are? Never thought I'd see the day that happened. And to think you first met in a bookshop of all places! If I believed in such things I'd say it was fate that you two met. I have a feeling you'll be very good for each other.

I hope to hear back from you soon and that you continue to settle in all right.

P.S. I've been looking after Iggy for you for the time being. Don't tell mum yet but I've been looking into getting a flat in the city with a couple of mates of mine. I haven't quite figured out how to break the news to her. I don't think she's ready for me to leave the nest so soon. So wish me luck 'cause I'll need all the help I can get.

Love from,

Tonks

Henry sat there for some time, taking it all in. He'd known mum's old family had been horrible to her, but he never could have imagined this. It made a part of him want to have nothing to do with Sebastian or any Black.

But he'd already decided it wasn't fair to judge someone for their family. And Sebastian didn't seem to hate him for being a Tonks or even for coming from a muggle orphanage. He'd already proved at least a little that he wasn't like his family.

Besides which, if he did turn out to be an enemy then it was probably best that Henry keep a close eye on him. So for now, he'd keep doing what he had been. Follow Tonks' advice. Give him a chance but keep him at arm's length. His thoughts then turned to the end of the letter.

He felt very sad at the idea of Tonks moving out but he could also understand why she wanted to. She'd graduated Hogwarts last spring and now she was planning to train to become an Auror. No matter how much mum and dad wanted to keep her there, she needed to be independent. That's what she'd told him anyway. Didn't exactly make it any easier.

She'd always been there for him. To have fun with, to laugh with, to be listened to, to give advice, to get into and out of trouble with. And now he wouldn't be seeing for nine months out of the year. Even less so if she had her own place.

Things change, He tried to tell himself. She's grown up. And I'm growing up too. You can't change it. All you can do is face it.

A/N: You're probably wondering about the reveal in this chapter that Sebastian is Sirius' son along with the comment that Sirius stayed out of the war. Things between the marauders have gone differently to canon in this AU and the full story on that will be revealed with time. I can't wait to hear your thoughts and speculations on things! Hope you enjoyed!