Chapter 64

Stepping onto the platform at Kings Cross, Harry's eyes darted around the station in search of threats or familiar faces. He had been fortunate enough to link back up with his friends, who gave Andi questioning looks as they departed the train, but no one raised further issues with the girl, in attempts to respect her privacy. Elaina had given him a strange look, but he offered her a bright smile, and he hoped that Andi looking more at ease than before bought her some relief.

As Frank stepped to Harry's side, he could feel the tension in the teen next to him. Harry could tell that Frank was expecting some sort of confrontation, but none came. Aurors were still stationed around the area like last time, but the contingent was larger than the previous go around. After what they had seen in Hogsmeade however it didn't seem like enough.

Unlike last time, however, Charlus and Dorea were there, and near them were dozens of photographers all trying to get photos of something that Harry couldn't quite make out. As they came closer to his family, his jaw dropped at the sight that greeted him. Arcturus Black was standing tall looking increasingly annoyed by the questions, and flashes of photos that surrounded him, until his eyes landed on Harry.

The teen could hardly comprehend the fact that he was still moving towards his godfather in this world. Arcturus had really become someone he had greatly respected after their hours of training together over the summer, and Harry had missed the Black Lord greatly. He was thinner than the last time he had seen the man on his feet, slightly pale even, but the pride he held in standing tall was apparent. Harry could hardly believe his eyes, and when Arcturus offered him a nod of respect, he was given just enough willpower to close the distance between the two, pushing people out of the way when necessary. His mind jumped back to Andromeda temporarily, knowing the girl must be more worried now than ever, but he wouldn't allow that to lower his spirits at the sight of the man back on his feet.

Elaina spoke sharply at him, "How long do you think he has been awake?"

Shaking his head, Harry could only keep his eyes on the dark features of the man thinking he was in some sort of dream, or experiencing some type of illusion, "I can see why they kept it quiet. So many people thought he was just another victim of the Dark Lord, to see him standing here among everyone else like nothing happened is powerful."

Frank, next to him let out a breath of relief before speaking in a delighted tone, "It's about damn time we got some good news. Some of the Purebloods are going to wet themselves."

Trying to fight the crowd to get to his family, Harry kept on moving forward, praying the man would not disappear before his eyes. Instead of greeting his parents, he stopped in front of Arcturus, dumbfounded, while the man offered him a neutral expression, "Ah, Godson, congratulations on completing Hogwarts. I hear you have been busy in my absence."

It took everything in Harry's power to stop himself from surging forward to embrace the man in relief. The cameras were flashing with increasing intensity, and Harry knew his godfather would not appreciate a display of affection here. Instead he just offered his hand to the man, "It is damn good to see you, Lord Black. I think we are about to make a lot of people very nervous."

The man chuckled, taking Harry's hand firmly, "It's about time someone made these shit stains sweat. I take a six-month nap, and the country goes to shit."

Reporters were scribbling his words down as if they were planning to quote the man, and his Arcturus voice dropped to something Harry only heard, "I hear I have you to thank for avenging me."

"I'm only sorry it took me as long as it did." Harry replied with a tinge of steel in his voice.

"I am sure you did everything you could, lad. We will talk more about all that at Potter Manor." Arcturus said with finality.

Swallowing hard, Harry nodded while Arcturus waved his hands in exasperation towards the reporters, "Well? Don't you piss ants have something better to report on? Go harass the pigeons in King Cross you tossers."

This led to more chuckles than Harry expected, as the group of reporters began to thin out. Lord Black was infamous for his temper, and it seemed the reporters didn't have the audacity to try and get a statement from the man who already appeared short on patience.

Turning to his parents Harry offered his Mum and Dad each a soft smile. For them, he held no quandary in embracing the pair with one arm going around each. Dorea and Charlus chuckled as he squeezed them together feeling lighter than he felt in months with the sight of Arcturus Black. Frank was right, this was a much-needed win for their side.

After separating from his parents, they each took turns embracing Elaina while shaking hands and exchanging greetings with Harry's friends. After promising to write to each other, Harry's friends departed to their own families, and Arcturus turned his eyes to Andi and his hard expression softened, "Ah, granddaughter. You are a sight for sore eyes. Are you well?"

Andi looked pale, as she approached the man, "Yes my lord. Much better seeing you on your feet."

Harry could tell her enthusiasm was forced, and apparently, Arcturus could as well as he raised an eyebrow, "Well I look forward to hearing about your final year at Hogwarts. I am sure my godson made it plenty interesting for you. You should run home to your mother though. It is unsafe to be lingering about these days. I will be back at Grimmauld Place in a short while where we can catch up."

Andi looked shaky but nodded her head as she crossed the barrier into the muggle world disappearing from their line of sight in an instant. The man then jerked his head in the direction of the apparition point, and grunted out once they were all out of earshot, "Where's my Heir?"

Shaking his head Harry shrugged, "Celebrating with his friends in Hogsmeade."

Grumbling, the man squared his shoulders before saying, "Very well. Let's get back to Potter Manor, there is much to discuss."

In agreement, Harry nodded while his godfather apparated away. The rest of the group followed suit, but not after Harry took a final long glance at the platform. This could be the last time he stepped foot onto it for a long time, and he swallowed the pang of memories that threatened to overwhelm him, before following his family to Potter Manor.

Once the group had arrived at Potter Manor, Charlus stated that Harry and Elaina should get settled, and then join the family in the Common area. It didn't take long for the pair to do so, and when they re-joined the family, Harry was pleased to see Arcturus holding the hand of his wife at the table.

Melania looked much better than when Harry had last seen her. The bags were beginning to fade from the bottom of her eyes, and the woman actually held a soft smile on her lips that Harry had not seen since his godfather had gone down on New Year's Day. As Harry glanced around the room the absence of his grandmother was apparent, however, and his stomach dropped a bit at what the woman must be going through.

At first, Melania and Euphemia were something of kindred souls. Both had lost their husbands to the early onsets of the war, but now Melania was given hers back, while nothing would be bringing back Fleamont. His heart ached for the woman, but he steeled his nerves as he came face to face with his family.

Harry and Elaina joined the family by taking a seat at the table while Charlus offered the two a smile, "As you can see our family has been fortunate. I know you are both wondering, but we don't know for certain how Arcturus suddenly woke up. It happened right before the two of you took your exams, and we kept it quiet to send a message to the Dark Lord today. I think he will be furious, and I am delighted in that fact."

Elaina shook her head, "There must be some suspicion of how/why Lord Black woke up? He hadn't shown signs of life or progress in months."

Dorea shook her head, "Mellie and I have been sitting by his side at all hours of the day and night for the most part. I suspected something like this could happen after Harry killed Bellatrix. Oftentimes curses that leave patients comatose can lose some of their effect when the caster is killed. It took some time, but it seems that my brother was meant to rejoin the land of the living."

Arcturus snorted, before his eyes turned to Harry, "It doesn't matter why I woke up, only that I did. If I am being honest I am right pissed about what has happened. Those sacks of shit corrupted my sons, my granddaughter, and then had the nerve to use them against me in my home. If I could do it over again I would've shredded them to pieces with my wards, but I couldn't take the lives of my children without knowing how deeply they were involved. I didn't think any of them would actually have the ability to take me. I am older than I like to admit, but that doesn't excuse the fact I failed. The fact that these bastards took old man Longbottom's life on the same night, in the lord's home, lights a fire in my stomach I haven't felt in a long time. He deserved better than that after all he did for this country. Cowards the lot of them."

Arcturus stood to his feet and began pacing the room, as the group just watched, allowing the man to seeth, "I intend to bring the full might of Black fortune upon these bastards. He turned members of my own family against me, my own children, and I intend to make him suffer. Already I have begun hiring hitwizards and bounty hunters to begin targeting people we know are Death Eaters. This is strictly off the books, and I fully believe it will be unsuccessful, but if a war is going to be waged then I intend to be cruel to our enemies. The death of Fleamont Potter was the final straw. This Heir of Slytherin is lucky I was not there. One more wand and we would've turned the tide, I am certain."

Harry wasn't so certain about that. Voldemort looked indestructible in his path of rage. Harry was beyond exhausted by the time Voldemort had downed him, however. Had Charlus, Arcturus, and Dumbledore been able to attack him, perhaps things would have been different.

"It is time for all of us to give these Death Eaters a taste of their own medicine." Dorea said bitingly, "They have taken enough from us without penalty. It is time for us to strike back."

"We can't even allow them a moment of peace. Not unchallenged." Melania said, surprising Harry and Elaina.

"Now that the two of you are out of school," Charlus began, "I have devised some targets that I would like us to pursue. People who we are going to have to get to for information. High-value targets. With the Horcruxes possibly scattered to the wind we are going to need this information. Otherwise, it will be like trying to fight a war blindfolded."

Arcturus grunted in agreement, "I am told that the Rosier's little shit stepped out of whatever hiding hole he has been in. After seeing the memory it can't be denied the boy is talented. He should be eliminated as soon as possible. Another few seconds and you would have had the boy's head on a platter, Harry. The decision to go after Rookwood and Malfoy needs to be acted upon as well. As much as I hate to see it, we are going to have to spill a lot of Pureblood to win this. Nott, Avery, Macnair, heirs, and lords will need to be targeted."

"If we are caught we will go to Azkaban. If we are defeated on the field of battle we can't expect our enemies will take mercy upon us. We will need to take safeguards to protect one another." Dorea supplied.

"Dumbledore is preparing the Order of the Phoenix, just like last time." Harry informed the group, "I have also brought him into the fold on my past. He may be able to feed us information."

"Dumbles would never approve of the type of war we are going to have to wage." Charlus said dismissively.

"I agree and we don't need him." Arcturus added.

"Not until it's time to actually confront the Dark Lord." Harry agreed, "But if they could feed us some information on our targets it could make a big difference. We need spies, and all the intelligence we can find."

The group seemed to contemplate his words, while Dorea sighed, "He is right. The only advantage we have is that most of the known Death Eaters Harry will be able to identify. Particularly those closest to Voldemort."

"I stood over my brother's grave and said we would uproot these bastards by the stem, and I meant it. Whatever it takes." Charlus said gravely.

"This work we are about to do, it won't be for the faint of heart. You both are even younger than we all were when we went to war. We need to know you two are ready for this. Killing on the battlefield is one thing, this will be something entirely different." Arcturus said with an even expression, his eyes locked on Harry and Elaina.

Harry swallowed hard and glanced at Elaina who only seemed to sit up a little straighter at their words. She took Harry's hand and glanced at him. The two held each other's eyes for only a moment before she nodded her head.

Looking at Charlus, Harry took a breath, "Like dad said, whatever it takes."

Arcturus nodded approvingly as he leaned back in his chair and pulled out his pipe, but before he could light it Dorea snapped her fingers in his direction taking it right from his mouth, "Don't even think about it Arcturus! Not in my living room! I let it go one time, because I had not seen you in years, but not this time. You shouldn't even be smoking in your condition."

Harry and Elaina both laughed, lifting the tension from the air, while Charlus and Melania shook their heads. Arcturus sighed in defeat as he eyed a glass with dark brown liquid in it, and he raised an eyebrow at the woman as his eyes flitted back and forth between the glass and his sister. The woman looked at him with disbelief at first, before sighing and turning her head towards her son, "How are your trainees coming along?"

Arcturus grinned in triumph as he reached for the glance and took a long sip, leaving Harry to answer the question, "All of them are a force to be reckoned with. James, Sirius, and Frank, have made the biggest improvements though. I am proud of the whole group. As long as it isn't against Voldemort I like their chances against most Death Eaters."

"We will put each of them through the paces this Summer." Charlus said with amusement in his eyes. That amusement vanished quickly however when he turned to Elaina, "That will have to be after we visit your grandfather. I have plans for us to be in Austria next weekend for July 1st as the Austrian Minister requested."

"For the record, I think it's a shit plan." Arcturus said.

"But we understand why you feel the need, dear." Dorea defended looking to chastise her brother.

Elaina swallowed and clenched Harry's hand tightly, "So they told you about my heritage?"

Arcturus nodded, taking another pull from his drink, "Don't worry lass, I don't think any less of you. I'd just as soon claim you into my own family though before I agreed that seeing that bastard is a good idea. We can send you all the Christmas cards you want."

Elaina seemed flattered by the comment, and Harry knew the girl had always had the approval of his godfather in this world. Knowing that she was a half-blood likely made that approval a lot easier on the man's heart, and Harry knew it. Elaina however defended her decision, "I appreciate that sentiment more than you know, Lord Black. I just need to know. At the very least I want to know who my grandmother was. Perhaps her family is something I can be proud of. Surely someone who appreciates legacy as much as you, Lord Black, can understand?"

The man took a deep sigh holding his drink firmly in his hand before nodding at the girl, "Aye, I suppose we can agree on that. I won't hold my breath on Charlus not gutting the bastard once you all arrive though."

Releasing a breath, Elaina nodded, "After all the bad blood between our families I am just thankful for the chance to speak with my grandfather. If Charlus saw the need to avenge his father after I have what I want to know I would hold no ill will against him."

Arcturus nodded in appreciation at her honesty, "Just be careful with the man, lass. My brother and father were very cunning and ambitious wizards, yet he managed to sway them to his side. The man was as persuasive as he was powerful." Turning to face Harry, Arcturus said, "I trust you will look after her?"

"With my life." Harry said, placing his hand on top of the girls.

Grunting, the man shook his head in amusement, "Young love…it's awful!"

This caused the group to chuckle while Melania slapped the man on the arm gently, "I remember not so many years ago when you were that way with me, Arcturus Black."

"I was young, dumb, and hormonal back then!" Arcturus defended.

Melania allowed a grin to fall across her countenance, "Well since you intend to give your godson such a hard time about his affections for his better half, I think you should show him how it's done. Many years ago I was promised a renewal of our vows in front of our friends and family. After you made me sit by your bedside for six months I believe it's the least you could do."

Arcturus had been sipping his drink when she said this and the old Lord nearly spit it out, as he went into a coughing fit, "Merlin women, you were serious about that?"

Crossing her arms and glaring at the man, Arcturus grumbled, "I suppose something could be arranged."

Charlus patted the man on the back, "It will give us something to celebrate. Besides, we all have fond memories of our weddings. It is only fair that your wife gets them too."

"Hit me with the broomstick harder, Potter!" Arcturus roared out, making Harry and Elaina erupt into laughter, all tension from before gone.

Harry was grateful for the moment. Having Arcturus back seemed to lift a weight from Charlus' shoulders that Harry had noticed each time they had met after Fleamont passed. Harry did wonder what the return of the Black Lord would mean for Andromeda. The man would not be pleased that she had become pregnant out of wedlock, and even less so when he finds out it was a muggleborn. Harry could only hope he could reason with the man when the time to tell him came, and he would certainly warn his parents about that beforehand. He did not wish to cause a rift between them by housing Andi, but Harry had little doubt that Dorea would for the sake of her niece.

Arcturus stood to his feet and his wife followed, now looking more amused than angry, and the dark-haired man spoke, "If anyone else would like to run me over I will be at Grimmauld Place. I need to meet with my grand-daughters, and summon what is left of the family. They will all know by now that I am back among the land of the living, and will want answers."

Dorea rose to her feet, "I will join you. I have been assisting Alphard with the running of the family. I am sure he will be a little disappointed that he was not informed as the acting Lord of the family."

Arcturus shrugged, "We needed the reaction to be genuine. I stand by what we did. Regardless, your presence would be welcome. Charlus you ought to come too. I don't expect any further hostilities, but-"

"Say no more." Charlus said in understanding, "I will spectate."

The man looked at his oldest living friend in appreciation before nodding, "Very well. Lad, Lass, stay out of trouble while we are gone."

"There is a party we were going to go to tonight anyway." Harry said, "The Bones' family is throwing one for graduation. We will be here for the time being."

Charlus nodded, "Call for us if you need something. Training begins again tomorrow, so you two don't overindulge."

The group exchanged goodbyes from there, and before Harry knew it he was alone with Elaina in the Potter Manor entryway. Harry looked at his girlfriend admiring her for a long moment before he grinned at the girl, "Well well, looks like we have the house to ourselves for a bit. Nowhere we need to be for at least an hour or two."

Elaina turned to face him with a mischievous smile on her face, "Oh, what do you propose we occupy our time with?"

Grinning Harry snaked an arm around her waist and brought her close enough that their bodies melted as one, "Oh, I have a few ideas. Probably shouldn't say them aloud out here though. I would hate to scare the house elves away."

The girl chuckled as they met for a kiss, and pushed him away with her hand, but then began dragging him toward their rooms. Harry was kissing her again by the time they made it to his room, and when she kicked the door closed behind her Harry had his hands on her sides and pinned her to the closed door with a wicked smirk on his face.

"What's gotten into you, Harry?" She asked with a mischievous smile that he could tell faltered when he moved her dark hair behind her shoulder and began kissing on her neck, "You do that too well."

Between whispers, he muttered out, "We just haven't had a lot of alone time since our last date. With all that's going on, I think I neglected you."

Harry was holding each of her hands now in his own as he continued down to her collarbone. When she gripped his hands tightly he lifted them above the door, and raised to his full height making her look him in the eyes. Those blue and green eyes were the first thing he ever noticed about the girl, and as she looked at him with desire he nearly lost what little restraint he had left.

Quickly she seemed to realize the effect she had on him, and she just raised her eyes challengingly. Harry had never felt so warm in his life. His stomach had so many butterflies, and the look she gave him was one of complete trust.

Harry's hands dropped to her sides again as he leaned in for a kiss that sealed the silent agreement. His hands traveled down to her butt now and squeezed gently causing the girl to moan into the kiss that was becoming heated. With her mouth open he slipped his tongue in and began teasing her while threading her ass with his hands.

With a pull, Harry lifted the girl and placed her right back against the wall and Elaina's hands cupped his face now enjoying the effect she was having on him. Just as she released Harry's cheeks they dropped to the side of her shirt, and Harry's heart soared in anticipation.

Before Elaina could even begin to move her shirt a blinding white light entered the room. This caused Harry to quickly put Elaina down and draw his wand thinking they could be under attack, which was impossible considering the magnitude of the wards around them. The answer came in the form of a doe that began prancing around the room before stopping right in front of Harry speaking in the voice of Lily Evans, "Harry, I need you in Hogsmeade. The Marauders are dueling with Severus on the outskirts of Hogsmeade by the Lake!"

(A/N) More conflict on the rise! Join me on Discord and read through Chapter 83 for free. Just find "The Hunters Lounge" or add me on Discord OrionB15. You can also read through the end of the story for just 1$ on Pat(reon).

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