Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.

To everyone planning on celebrating National Bacon Day, I wish you an enjoyable cholesterol raising holiday. And to everyone else I I hope you enjoy the fact that it is National Resolution Planning Day as the New Year is almost here! Hope everyone has a good end to 2024 and is in store for an amazing New Years. Also if there are any resolution suggestions let me know as I'm really bad at making them.


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Author Note 1 – This ended up being a slightly smaller, more manageable chapter length as when I had been writing it the chapter actually ended up ballooning into something huge, to the point where I decided that I needed to cut it. In the end chose to cut it at this cliff-hanger-y point (Sorry!). But even with the cut the next chapter will end up being quite large! Looking forward to seeing how many people correctly guess who the next chapter is going to be about.


Author Note 2 - To everyone who prefers to read the story on Ao3 I will have started reposting the story today and hope to have all my stories caught up to where they need to be by New Years Eve - sort of a start the new year off gift to everyone. Enjoy!


The soft hum of parchment and quills filled the Ancient Runes classroom as Harry concentrated on his translation work. Professor Babbling had assigned them a particularly intricate Norse inscription, and while the runes seemed straightforward, their layered meanings demanded precision. Harry's quill scratched the parchment, his notes crisp and clear, reflecting the countless hours he had poured into mastering the subject.

Across the room, Hermione glanced at him with a small smile. And despite the increased amount of work he had put into his subjects this year, Harry couldn't deny that her encouragement was a significant part of his recent improvement. However, the truth was, that he found himself genuinely enjoying the process of learning new things and that showed in his classes.

As the lesson wrapped up, Professor Babbling addressed the class. "Wonderful work today, everyone. Remember, your translations and interpretations are due next week. Dismissed."

Harry leaned back with a satisfied sigh as he looked over what he had managed to complete so far in class.

"You did good today, Harry," Daphne said as she packed her belongings into her satchel. She glanced at him, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "I think even Professor Babbling was surprised when you answered her question on growth runes. I … might need to borrow those notes later to fill in things I might have missed while we're working on our project."

Feigning shock, Harry gasped. "You're serious about still getting together? I thought it was a jest, I didn't think you were actually planning on following through with it. This will be five evenings in the library with me now. What will the rest of the Slytherins think?"

Daphne rolled her eyes, a trace of amusement on her face. "And here I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave. Guess I was wrong." She shook her head, her tone dry. "Well, it's been a joy, Potter. Truly. I'll see you tomorrow—try not to be late … and don't forget your notes."

As she turned to leave, Hermione walked up, a curious expression on her face. Daphne paused briefly, looking at Hermione with mock sympathy. "He's all yours, Hermione. If you think you can survive the pain, that is."

Hermione chuckled, giving Harry a sidelong glance. "Oh, I think I'll manage."

"Better you, than me. Best of luck," Daphne said with a laugh, heading out the door and leaving them alone.

Harry started packing up his things, but before they could leave, Professor Babbling called out, "Mr. Potter, could I have a word?"

Hermione gave him a curious look as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'll see you in the Great Hall for dinner," she said softly.

"Alright," Harry replied, watching her leave before turning to face Professor Babbling.

The professor smiled warmly, gesturing for him to approach her desk. "Mr. Potter, I wanted to commend you on your work in this class. You've quickly placed yourself among the top handful of students, and that's no small feat considering you've had to catch up on so much from the previous year. You've been an absolute delight to teach."

Harry felt his face heat up. "Uh, thank you, Professor. I've just been ... trying to do my best."

"Well, your best is certainly showing," she said with a nod. Then, her expression shifted to something more serious. "But that's not the actual reason I asked you to stay behind."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Professor Babbling leaned forward slightly. "Professor Dumbledore has requested that you join him in his office after class. He said it was important."

Harry's stomach flipped. "Important?" he repeated, his mind immediately jumping to Horcruxes. "Right. I'll head there now. Thank you, Professor."

She chuckled lightly as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Best not keep him waiting, then."

Harry barely heard her as he hurried out of the classroom, his thoughts racing. Another Horcrux hunt? he wondered, heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread. He sprinted through the corridors, his footsteps echoing off the stone walls, earning curious glances from each and every one of the students he passed.

Reaching the stone gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office, Harry barely paused to catch his breath before speaking the password.

The gargoyle leapt aside, and Harry took the spiral staircase two steps at a time. Bursting through the oak door at the top, he found Dumbledore seated behind his desk, his twinkling eyes looking over half-moon glasses.

Dumbledore chuckled at the sight of Harry, flushed and slightly out of breath. "Ah, Mr. Potter, a sight I seldom see—students running towards the Headmaster's office."

Harry smiled sheepishly, wiping his forehead as he tried to catch his breath. "Professor Babbling said you needed to see me. Are we going after another Horcrux today?"

Dumbledore's expression softened, and he shook his head. "Not exactly. The aftermath of our last venture has left me a bit ... weary. I believe I'll be ready for our next outing by the end of the weekend. Today, however, concerns something equally significant."

Harry's brow furrowed in confusion. "Equally significant to the Horcrux hunt?"

Dumbledore reached into his desk drawer and retrieved a small, ornate jar made of orange and brown ceramic, its surface etched with intricate patterns. He slid it across the desk to Harry.

Harry picked it up, turning it over in his hands. "What's this?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Tap the top twice, and you shall see."

Following the instruction, Harry watched as the jar's lid seemed to melt away, revealing a fine black powder inside. His eyes widened slightly in recognition. "Floo powder?" He asked in confusion as he looked up.

"Precisely," Dumbledore said, gesturing to the fireplace. "I thought it best to avoid unnecessary walking today. We shall travel by floo. Or at least you shall travel by floo immediately and I'll join you shortly."

Harry blinked, still uncertain. "Where are we going?"

"That," Dumbledore said with a smile, "is a surprise."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "But don't I need to say where I'm going for it to work?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "The benefit of being Headmaster is that one's fireplace can be ... customized. Simply throw the powder into the flames and step in. The destination has already been set."

Harry hesitated, glancing between the jar and the fireplace. "You're sure about this?"

"Quite sure," Dumbledore assured him, his voice calm. "And I believe you will find this journey … enjoyable."

With a final look towards the Headmaster, Harry sighed realizing he probably wasn't going to get anymore answers. Looking back down to the jar he pinched a small amount of the powder, tossed it into the flames, and stepped into the now green fire. The spinning sensation of floo travel overtook him, and less than a second later, he stumbled out of the fireplace and onto a polished wooden floor.

He looked up, brushing soot from his robes, and his breath caught. The drawing room he stood in was painfully familiar. Its dark, heavy curtains and serpentine motifs brought back a flood of memories.

Grimmauld Place.

Before Harry could process this fully, a voice broke the silence. "Bit ungraceful there, mate. Thought you'd be a little more respectful when you came to visit."

Harry's heart swelled as he spun around to see Sirius standing in the doorway of the dim drawing room. He looked far better than the last time Harry had seen him, with more color in his face and a spark of life in his eyes.

"You're looking much better, Sirius," Harry said with a smile. He meant it, too. "I'm serious."

"I thought I was." His godfather said with a laugh, before attempting to wave the compliment off with a grin. "And, don't make me blush, kid. But yeah, I feel better, and that's saying something, considering I'm staying ... you know, here." He gestured vaguely around the gloomy room. "However, as much as I might complain, things are better, or at least ... most things are."

Harry tilted his head. "Having trouble with Kreacher?"

Sirius froze for a moment, blinking, before he nodded. "Actually, yeah. How'd you know about that sorry excuse for a house-elf?"

Harry froze as his mind raced. Brilliant, Potter. Real subtle. He cursed inwardly, realizing his slip. He paused, debating how to recover without revealing too much. Finally, after taking a steadying breath, he cleared his throat and said, "Hermione. She's been doing some research on your family. It came up back when we were talking about where you were going to move to—you know, when we were worried about where you'd stay after you left it. Apparently, the Black family is, uh, quite famous in the wizarding community. She found this book that listed house-elves attached to certain wizarding families. The name stuck with me because, well ... Kreacher … Creature? That's ... not exactly the most flattering name, is it?"

Sirius stared at him for several seconds, his piercing gray eyes searching Harry's face. Then he nodded slowly. "All this time with Hermione is rubbing off on you, huh? Not sure if I can fully support this. You sound like a walking library." He smirked, but the humor didn't fully reach his eyes as he looked back out of the room as if he was looking for Kreacher. Seeing no one he sighed as he looked back to Harry, running a hand through his hair as he led Harry out of the drawing room and into the dim hallway. "Kreacher wasn't always this bad. Like for sure he was still miserable and foul when I was a kid, but manageable. Now? Years of isolation have turned him into a raving lunatic. The little git hates my guts and he's downright insufferable."

Harry nodded sympathetically, knowing from experience how awful Kreacher could be, especially towards Sirius.

"For what it's worth," Sirius added, "I'm not that fond of him anymore, either. However, despite everything he's still more tolerable than that blasted portrait in the hallway, but that's not saying much. Anyway," he shook his head as if brushing away the thought, "let's not ruin your visit already by showing you that. Come on, let's head to the kitchen. We can chat properly there."

Harry followed him through the dark hallway, suppressing a laugh at Sirius's muttering about the state of the house. "I might actually have a way to help with Kreacher," Harry offered as they descended the stairs.

Sirius barked a laugh. "If you're about to suggest giving him clothes, I've already tried. Got as far as trying to hand him a sock, but the bugger just apparated away before I could finish. Gave up after that—pretty sure Kreacher wouldn't last a day on his own and unleashing him on the world would be a much worse crime than the actual one I was accused of. And honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, he probably knows more Black family secrets than I do. No way I'm letting him out there to start spouting off Merlin knows what, better those secrets die with him."

They reached the kitchen, and it was just as Harry remembered: dark, gloomy, and barely clean. Sirius motioned for Harry to take the least grimy chair while he busied himself at the counter. "Anyway," Sirius added, his tone lightening, "I ended up giving up, because my ego couldn't handle Kreacher throwing the sock back at me or pretending I'd just asked him to do the laundry."

Harry laughed, shaking his head. "No socks. If you are able to wait a little while and hang in there, there is something that might honestly change Kreacher's opinion of you. I just need Dumbledore's help."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, his grin faltering slightly. "Dumbledore, huh? If Dumbledore's involved, I guess I'll force myself to make it until then. Still, color me intrigued." Sirius poured them each a drink and sat down at the head of the table. After sitting down he was quiet, studying Harry with an expression that made him slightly uncomfortable.

"Alright, Harry," Sirius said finally, reaching behind him. "I wasn't planning on bringing this up so soon, but I need you to be honest with me ... care to explain this?" He slapped a copy of the Daily Prophet onto the table. On the cover, a photograph of Harry receiving kisses from both Hermione and Fleur was plastered front and center.

Harry's face burned red. "It's not—"

Sirius leaned back, laughing so hard he had to wipe his eyes. "Merlin's beard, Harry! You take after me more than your poor father. James was so smitten with your mum he wouldn't have dared something like this. Although even me? I never managed to pull myself a Veela. You've got to tell me—how in Merlin's name did this happen?"

Realizing it was pointless to argue, Harry buried his face in his hands and groaned before joining in Sirius's laughter. They joked back and forth, with Sirius offering increasingly ridiculous advice about handling "multiple girlfriends" until Harry finally told him the full story about Fleur and Hermione.

As they talked, Sirius told Harry how he was doing and in return, Harry filled Sirius in on everything from the Second Task to the dinner with the Delacours—and endured yet another round of teasing about Fleur. The kitchen's gloomy atmosphere seemed to lift as they laughed, and Harry found himself wishing they could spend more time like this.

Eventually, however, Sirius glanced at the clock wiping away tears from the corner of his eyes and frowned. "Wow, time flies. She'll be here soon."

Harry raised an eyebrow as he looked between the clock and his godfather. "She? Mary? Should I leave? Need some alone time?" he teased, waggling his eyebrows.

Sirius laughed before he rolled his eyes. "I wish!" He paused before looking back to Harry with a look of surprise on his face. "No, not Mary. It's—? Wait, didn't Dumbledore tell you why you were coming here?"

"No," Harry admitted. "I didn't even know where I was going until I stepped out of the fireplace. After seeing you, I thought maybe this was just a visit."

"Well," Sirius said, his tone growing serious, "I've really enjoyed catching up, but no. The actual reason you're here is—"

Before he could finish, two things happened at once. The first was Dumbledore stepping into the kitchen, his eyes twinkling. "Good to see you, Sirius. I must say, your fireplace is one of the more pleasant ones I've used. The rest of the house, however ..." He trailed off, glancing pointedly at the grime-covered window.

And the second thing was the doorbell rang, its sharp chime echoing through the house. All three of them turned to stare toward the front hall.

"Well," Sirius muttered, pushing back his chair, "I'm not even a little surprised that she's right on time."

Kind Regards,

FavoriteAuthor


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Story Note 1 – Poor Harry! Got so excited to be off on another Horcrux hunt, but I imagine that visiting with his godfather was a decent condolence prize. And feel the teasing was an appropriate reaction for the interaction.

Story Note 2 – Ring ring. Whose there? Who could it be? Any guesses?

Story Note 3 – As long as the next chapter isn't too intense I wonder if despite being still worn out from dealing with the last Horcrux Harry would be able to convince Professor Dumbledore to take a small walk through the house … possibly to look a shelf of various curios …


Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly.

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Ep, Guest x 2, Lucy Elizabeth Dawson, jkarr - Thanks for the feedback and I hope you continue enjoying the story as it progresses!

Hands Off MY Wolfie - I'm glad you like the portrayal in the story, it felt that it fit with the way I've built him so felt appropriate, this is something that will be looked at a little more but glad its working so far!

KYKid942 - I guess we shall see what's in store! But certainly there are plenty of things that will pop up later and some that just don't get looked into otherwise this story would have been much longer.

skotos07 - Thanks for the review! As for Harry he will be the last horcrux to be dealt with.

Fenrir070 - Haha you and a lot of others. And I can certainly see it which is too bad. Because the concept of Dumbledore's character is such a great idea. So I tried to write it as I would have. A character that still obviously has flaws (as everyone does) but more willing to listen to others, rather than just manipulate everyone as he thinks he knows better than everyone. Had a great Christmas! And looking forward to the New Years, hope Santa was good to you!

Monkey D. Conan - I guess we will see but sure hope that fake Moody is not around next year simply because they got rid of the Diadem! If you like Narcissa storylines you are in for a treat as she will not be ignored!

littleemberlou - So glad that you liked the chapter. It was honestly a lot of fun to write!