AN: This first author's notes is a summary of the events before this chapter for those who are coming to this story and want to skip the edited portion.

Book 1 was the first 5 chapters of this story dealing with the introduction of the original character Benjamin Altair Black, known as Ben. That part introduced him and had him start changing the story in minute ways, appearing about as often as Neville did in the original text. Book 2 is the remaining 17 chapters, which deal with the summer after in which Harry visits Ben's house and he meets his family, which will occasionally be mentioned. Dobby doesn't manage to intercept as much mail and Ben recovers it by disarming Dobby. The Weasley's car is not taken to Hogwarts, although it still appears there. Ben does advanced spellwork and discovers Peter Pettigrew this year, causing Sirius to be released from prison. Luna is taken under Ben's aegis before he and Hermione are petrified. Ben suggests that the person opening the Chamber may be possessed. Harry and Ron inform Professor McGonagall about the Chamber and its secrets, causing her to call some Aurors in. Everything else is about the same.

With that, let's get on with the fic!

Harry walked through the doors of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place with a bit of trepidation. From what Sirius had said of his house, it was full of dark magic still. When Ben asked further about it on the way here, Sirius explained exactly how dark their family was. Ben was silent in disapproval and disappointment for the remainder of the time.

As Harry looked around, he could see the signs that this was at one point a darker house, at least in color scheme. The walls were decorated by new wallpaper, although there were still some areas that had the old, peeling wallpaper. The carpeting was an inviting, if neutral, color, contrasting the serpent shaped chandelier and candelabra, the latter of which was on a nearby rickety table. Further in, there was a large umbrella stand that looked as though it was made from a severed troll's leg.

Sirius stepped in behind Harry. "Welcome to my home. It's not the best, but it'll do. Remus should be about here somewhere."

Ben looked around for a moment before nodding at Sirius and asking, "Which room should I put my stuff in?"

"I'll get Kreacher to drop it off, you'll be in your father's old room at the top of the house, straight off from the stairs. Harry, I put you in my old room, is that alright?"

Harry nodded, unable to speak due to his emotions running wild. Ben seemed to be deeply touched by Sirius's gesture as well.

"KREACHER," Sirius bellowed.

"Master called?" Kreacher asked as he popped in front of Sirius.

Ben knelt to Kreacher's level. "Could you please take my and Harry's belongings and put them in our rooms?"

Kreacher stared at Ben, wide eyed in surprise. "Of course, Master Benjamin."

Ben smiled at him. "Thank you, Kreacher."

Kreacher's eyes started to water as he disappeared with Harry and Ben's luggage. Sirius stared at Ben in slight shock. "I think I'll have you order Kreacher if that's his response."

Harry frowned. "Has he not been treated kindly?"

"Our family hasn't always been kind to house-elves," Sirius stated. "Kreacher himself used to help my parents in tormenting me, so I'm not as kind to him as I usually am to other house-elves. He's also not happy that I managed to remove my mother's portrait from the first floor landing."

"Ah," Ben stated. "He was devoted to her then?"

"Yes," Sirius said. "He's not been happy that the house was cleaned, but as soon as I explained that you were coming here, he seemed to instantly tone down his hostility. He only requested that we don't throw out artifacts. Thankfully, Remus and I stumbled across a ritual that'll remove the dark enchantments from them. I got a few things from my cousin's vault that had dark enchantments on them after I kicked her out of the family that are also getting cleansed before they're being sold. Now, let's go eat."

Sirius led the pair of boys into the kitchen. The trio then set about preparing a meal to feed themselves. Harry noticed that Sirius seemed to do rather well at preparing a meal while Ben needed to be pointed to some directions, then would take off, being as exact as he could be.

After finishing their meal, they heard Remus's voice calling through the hall "Is anyone here?"

"We're in the kitchen," Sirius and Ben said at the same time, startling each other.

Remus walks in, carrying a couple of bags. "I've got the supplies."

Ben looked at him, eyes gleaming, "Could we watch?"

Remus and Sirius look at each other. "I think that should be fine. Just stay out of the way."

Harry and Ben nod. The quartet traveled to the drawing room, where a variety of trunks were positioned in the center of the room.

Sirius pointed to some chairs at the side of the room. "Sit over there and touch nothing, this will take a minute."

The boys nod and proceed to sit in the chairs. As Sirius and Remus prepare the ritual, Ben bombardes them with technical questions that go over Harry's head. Remus answers each question calmly and precisely, which Harry can kind of understand. Remus notices this as he and Sirius finish up the ritual preparations and says, "I'll give you a better explanation, later, Harry."

Harry nods at Remus. Sirius and Remus start chanting in a language that sounds similar to the spells that Harry knows. As the chanting increased in volume, Harry noticed Remus's voice straining and face scrunching in pain. Before Harry could ask anyone about it, his scar throbs violently with pain. He rubs his head, trying to alleviate the pain, which does nothing as the pain increases. He notices Ben turning to him, lips moving, but Harry can no longer hear him as screams start filling the air, one seems to be coming from his scar. As the chanting and screaming reaches a crescendo, a light flashes throughout the room, and Harry passes out, as his scar feels like it burst.

AN: Okay, book 3 starting. Sorry about the cliffhanger. I hope you still enjoyed it, regardless. Please review, favorite, or follow if you liked it.

Uploaded Sep 4th, 2020