Harry Potter and The Black's Family Legacy

 

Harry Black stared out of the window of the Hogwarts express as a flurry of snow whipped past. Hermione, thankfully, was leaning against his shoulder. The teen felt he would always be in Neville’s debt for rescuing the pair before they were too far gone. But the once-shy plant-loved has ignored all of Harry’s thanks. Harry’s thoughts had turned back to the last several weeks since he and Hermione had returned to Hogwarts. The funeral for Hermione and Ceph’s parents had been especially hard. He had been there to support his little brother and girlfriend, lots of tears had been shed. 

Then two days after their return from being purged the Weasel had once again come sniffing around Hermione causing Harry to threaten the taller boy. The pair had gotten into a tousle only stopped by Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. They had been awarded a three-week detention and fifty points removed each. By the weekend Harry had received a letter from his dad admonishing him, but also telling the teen Sirius and Andromeda had had a meeting with Dumbledore.

“What are you thinking about?” Hermione asked drawing him from his thoughts.

“What makes you think I am thinking?” Harry grinned.

“We can hear the gears whirring in your head,” Neville piped up. The dark-haired teen glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You have been spending too much time with Draco.”

“Ha! Whose fault is that!” Neville threw back in his face.

“So, what were you thinking about? You had your brooding face on,” Hermione asked once again.

“I do not have a brooding face,” Harry replied appalled.

“Yes, you do,” a voice drawled from the door. Draco joined them closing the door behind him. With a sigh Harry looked at Hermione.

“I was thinking about Andi and dad’s meeting with Dumbledore,” the boy returned.

“Dumbledore cannot do anything, he has too many people hemming him in now,” Hermione replied.

“I am not worried about me,” Harry scoffed, “but I do not want to see anything of you hurt or the family.”

“Nothing will happen, Dumbledore is all hot air,” Hermione reassured.

“Now that the Weasley’s have been cut down with Weasel’s arrest, Dumbledore is running out of allies,” Draco spoke up.

“It was not really the Weasley’s though,” Hermione suggested.

“How do you mean?” Neville asked curiously.

“Well, Bill Weasley is an ally of Harry’s father. Charlie is dating Tonks and they are both in America now to help her recover from her coma. The twins have always been on your side,” Hermione reasoned.

“What about the dad and that Percival guy?” Draco asked.

“I am not so sure about Percy, but Arthur has always been on Harry’s side,” Hermione answered. “That leaves Molly, Ron, and Ginny. Molly is a Prewett and both the youngest have taken after her.”

“I have heard rumours for years, the Prewitt’s were descended from Mordraut,” Draco considered.

“But the family have worked hard this last century to dispel those rumours,” Neville argued.

“Yet they still remain,” Draco muttered.

“Mordraut?” Harry asked.

“A dark wizard around in the time of King Arthur and Merlin,” Draco waved him off. Hermione looked eager to know more but she fought her natural inquisitiveness.

“It still remains that most of the Weasley family are on Harry’s side thus Dumbledore’s allies are limited,” Hermione returned.

“Are you looking forward to the ball?” Harry asked trying to distract them all from thinking about  Dumbledore.

“I cannot wait, I loved the Yule ball last year despite the incident with the Weasel,” Hermione said, “I am just sorry we are missing the ball at Hogwarts.”

“I am not, the Black Ball will be so much better if everything I have heard is right,” Draco replied. Before Hermione could ask anything else, there was a knock on the door. It slid open to reveal Ceph, Mark Evans, and Danica Selwyn. The latter seemed to be a little uncomfortable, either because of the Gryffindors or because of the older students.

“Hi, we wanted to come by and visit,” Ceph said.

“Come and have a seat, we do not mind,” Harry suggested. Neville moved up and the three firsties took a seat on the opposite bench. Harry and Hermione shared a look when they saw how close Ceph was to Danica.

“Are you looking forward to going home for Christmas?” Hermione asked the youngest Selwyn.

“I love Yule time, I am quite close with my sister and that’s the only time I get to see her other than the summer,” Danica’s forest-green eyes seemed to come alive as she talked about the Yule period. Her usually stoic expression was completely gone and looked very pretty, Hermione thought. The tween’s honey blonde hair fell to her shoulders smoothly moving with everybody turn.

“I did not realise you had a sister, I met Lady Alwyn over the summer,” Harry supplied.

“My mother. Seraphina goes to Durmstrang, she is sixteen already,” Danica explained.

“So, you two have become friends now?” Harry looked between Ceph and the tween girl. Cepheus blushed as Hermione tried not to laugh at him.

“Well, yeah, erm, like you said it does not matter what house you are in,” the boy said rubbing the back of his neck. Hermione wanted to coo but she did not want to embarrass her brother. Luckily, Mark spoke up.

“Harry, I have been telling mum and dad all about you. Do you think we are related?” Mark asked excitedly.

“Maybe, cousins or something,” Harry suggested trying to temper the boys’ hyperactivity.

“Mum and dad want to meet you, thank you for rescuing me from Dudley. Did you know he has gone to St Brutus's Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys?” Mark asked. To the tweens surprise Harry burst out laughing. It took him a good ten minutes to get his breathing under control.

“Oh Mark, that is hilarious. Such Irony!” Harry wheezed. Mark had a good idea now why Harry found it funny, grinning himself.

“What is so funny about that?” Neville and Draco looked confused.

“While at the Dursley’s, my reason for disappearing every September was explained as going to St Brutus’s,” Harry explained, “they even told Marge that was where I went. A lot of the kids feared me in the Summer of ’92 before I was locked away.”

“None of the kids wanted to go near him,” Mark added. 

They all chatted happily after that until the Express slipped into London and soon settled into Platform Nine and three quarters. Harry grabbed his backpack and slung his arm over Ceph’s shoulder. The Duke of Cumberland, Cyrus Greengrass was with his wife Evelyn waiting for Daphne and her sister Astoria. The imposing Regent of House Longbottom, Augusta was also there. Then Harry found his own family; his dad Sirius with Narcissa and Remus. The only one missing was Aunt Andi and her husband, but she was at the school until Christmas day. Harry rushed off the train and into Sirius’ arms.

“Welcome home kiddo,” the man said. 

~

Christmas had been a wonderful affair with the whole family except Nymphadora who was in America with Charlie. Harry had managed to pull Hermione aside into one of the rooms to talk to her.

“Are you all right? After everything that has happened?” Harry asked, knowing this would be Hermione’s first Christmas without her parents.

“I have been better. Though I have to hold back on punching the Weasel every time I see him, I am glad he has been arrested,” Hermione replied fiercely. Harry burst out laughing.

“You are definitely a Gryffindor,” Harry told her. She grinned back at him before they lapsed into quiet.

“I am sure you did not ask me in here just to see how I was,” Hermione stated looking at Harry who was fiddling with some loose cotton on his robe. The teen seemed to make a decision and began to kneel in front of her. He held up a box with a ring in it, engraved with ravens with a black diamond cut to look like an eye set in black Rhodium. “Oh, Harry, it’s beautiful.”

“It is a family ring, worn by my great grandmother. It will hopefully protect you against some potions and some minor mind magics. We will have to start training you on Occlumency,” Harry said. “I would like you to become the true Lady Black, I am still trying to break the other contract, but your parents signed the betrothal contract before they died.”

“Yes, Harry, I love you,” she took the ring in trembling hands and placed it on her left ring finger where it resized to fit her. She looked at the green-eyed boy as he stared right back into her brown eyes. Time seemed to stop as she moved closer, then her petal-soft lips touched his. Harry threw himself into the kiss, tightening his arms around her.

“It is about time you put that ring on her,” a voice drawled, breaking their kiss. Harry pulled back slowly, reminded of their first kiss, glaring at the blond. The pointy-faced youth was smiling with his hands on Cepheus’s shoulder. Neville was looking over Draco’s shoulder.

“You are always spoiling the moment; that is the third time, Ferret, that you have interrupted me. Jealous of Hermione?” Harry asked, joking with his cousin.

“Really? I am jealous of you. Hermione is quite the steal,” Draco winked at Hermione, who grinned at him.

 

Now his mind turned back to today as he and the three other boys sat around waiting for one young woman and Andromeda to finish getting changed.

“What time will your gran be there?” Harry asked his sandy-blond friend.

“I expect it will be soon, but I figure your father is going to have you ‘fashionably’ late,” Neville sniggered.

“I have never been to a ball except for the yule ball, and we all know how that one went,” Harry deadpanned. “What are they like?”

“The first hour or so is people being introduced; if it is the Black Balls of old, there was a herald that introduced everyone as they entered. After they had entered, the Black’s would come through another door, then there would be dancing and nibbles,” Neville explained.

“Also, lots of deals and alliances get made, then everyone usually leaves by midnight,” Draco added.

“Well, I hope we will have some gracious young men to escort us to the Ball,” Andromeda spoke up from the door. Harry turned to look, his jaw-dropping. Hermione looked phenomenal; she wore a light green dress that seemed to float around her, the black ring glittering on her finger. The bookworm wore the necklace that Harry had got for her, which showed off her creamy neck. Her hair had been done up like the yule ball in their fourth year, but she looked stunning.

“Wow, everyone is going to be so jealous,” Harry announced with a smug grin.

“Why is that?”

“Because I’m going to be on the arm of the most beautiful witch in the room,” Harry returned, hearing a little harrumph from Andromeda, but when he looked, the older witch was smiling at him.

“Come on then, gentlemen, we must be going,” Andromeda led them to the parlour where she picked up a frisbee. Everyone took hold of the object, waited for what seemed like five minutes, then were jerked almost off their feet as they were transported to an antechamber at Gaderscipe Nest. Sirius was already there with Amelia Bones; Narcissa waited for her son. Ted Tonks smiled at his wife, giving her a little kiss. Neville said a quick goodbye before being escorted by a house-elf to the Hall.

“You are looking lovely,” Amelia commented as Remus stepped into the room. Also wearing formal robes, he had the crest of the Black House on his arm.

“Right, we are all here,” Sirius spoke. Narcissa lined them up; Sirius was to be the last out. Hermione and Harry before them. Remus and Cepheus, then Andromeda and her husband, with Narcissa and Draco going first. When they were lined up, Narcissa knocked on the door, which promptly opened.

“Announcing the arrival of the Daughter of Black, Narcissa and her son Draco.” Narcissa strode out on Draco’s arm, who was only slightly shorter than his mother now.

“It is going lowest to highest in the House,” Harry explained, seeing Hermione’s question face.

“Announcing the arrival of the Daughter of Black, Andromeda and her husband, Edward,” was the following announcement.

“I have never done anything like this before,” Hermione said nervously, clutching Harry’s army.

“Me neither. Remember, I only found out six months ago who my father was,” Harry whispered back.

“Announcing the arrival of Lord Black, Cepheus, and Steward to the House of Black Remus Lupin.”

“We are up next,” Harry whispered as they took their place at the ornate door. It opened after a few minutes, and Harry was able to look down the stairs they were standing at the top of. The Hall seemed extensive, with hundreds of people all looking at them.

“Introducing the Twelfth Marquess of Rendlesham, Harry Black and his betrothed, Miss Hermione Granger.” So, they were announced a little differently, Harry thought, as they descended the steps. He could see men and women all dressed in formal robes, whispering to their neighbours.

“Welcoming back, His Grace, the fifteenth Duke of Anglia, Sirius, and the Regent Bones, Amelia.” The pair looked stylish as they stepped onto the top of the stairs overlooking the crowd.

“Welcome, my lords and ladies, Sir’s and Dames, Gentleman, and their wives to the Black Yule Ball. It has been many years since the last such ball, but I hope it will be the first of many. I wish you all a wonderful yule and peaceful winter solstice,” Sirius looked every bit the pure-blood lord, worlds-away from the escaped prisoner from Azkaban. As Sirius descended the stairs, that was the signal for the party to begin. The noise level grew, and people started mixing. Harry had been trained in these situations for several weeks during his Saturday etiquette lessons with Narcissa. He knew to stay by his father, at least for the time being. His summer had consisted of him learning to dance, so Harry knew he would have to dance eventually.

“Your Grace, Lord Rendlesham, I would like to introduce my wife to you, Charlotte.” Harry was pulled back to the here and now as Minister Fudge introduced his wife.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Harry kissed the woman’s knuckles.

“Congratulations on your betrothal, my lord. I have heard wonderful things about Miss Granger,” Charlotte Fudge told him.

“She is special. I am glad that she chose me,” Harry wrapped an arm around his best friend and future wife. They chatted some more before Minister Fudge moved off from his father to talk with someone else. Then Harry felt some tenseness coming from Draco, who was standing next to him. He saw why as Sir Malfoy was approaching. He reluctantly shook hands and thanked him for his words of congratulations.

“Your Grace, thank you for welcoming me to your home,” the man spoke formally.

“Thank you, Sir Malfoy. It is always a pleasure to have a Malfoy here after all our families have been friends for many years,” Sirius replied.

“Yes, we have. Would you do me the honour of allowing me to visit the Daughter of Black Narcissa and her son?” Malfoy asked.

“I am sure something can be arranged,” Sirius told the man, “I will send an owl to you with the details of a meeting in a few days.”

“Fleur,” Hermione called out in fondness, distracting Harry, who found himself looking at Bill Weasley on the arm of his fellow champion Fleur Delacour.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Hermione; it has been too long,” the veela-woman still had a strong French accent.

“Now I know why you wanted to stay in England,” Harry told the redheaded Lord Weasley slyly.

“She enchanted me,” he replied with a loopy smile before becoming serious, “Lord Rendlesham, Miss Granger, please accept the apologies of the House of Weasley in my brothers’ attempts at breaking your betrothal. I had no idea that he was planning this, or he would have been warned.”

“Do not worry, Lord Weasley, the House of Black does not hold you responsible. I take it Master Weasley has been appropriately punished?” Harry danced the dance of formal discussions. He noticed the relief on Bill Weasley’s face; Harry could have easily called a Blood feud on the Weasleys.

“He has my lord; I hope he has learned his lesson in interfering in another Lord’s Business,” Bill had been taught the old formal words. “We are awaiting news on the Trial, to receive what punishment he should receive from The Crown.”

“Good, now there is another problem you may help us with due to your connection with Gringotts and your family. Would you be available for a meeting in two days?” Harry knew Hermione was staring at him now as she had finished talking to Fleur.

“I would be amiable; please send me the details,” Bill nodded and had a quick greeting with Sirius before moving onwards.

“Well done, Harry, you managed that really well,” Sirius laid a hand on his shoulder. Harry felt happiness in the pride his father was showing him.

“What happened?” Hermione whispered, “It seemed to be something to do with Ron.”

“Bill was apologising because Ron’s attempted ‘seduction’ of you is a House sin. We were already betrothed, it had been formally announced, but he still tried to interfere in House relationships,” Harry explained.

“That is a bit outdated,” Hermione replied.

“Not for pure-blood wizards, you had those lessons with me, so you know I could have asked for a Blood feud as the Weasley price for interference with an Ancient and Noble House. I know it is old but what he essentially did was attempted line theft,” Harry blushed as Hermione looked at him. “We are already betrothed, so it is expected we marry, and erm, have children to continue the line.”

“Still old fashioned,” Hermione snorted at Harry’s face.

“Yes, but still expected until the traditions can be changed,” Harry answered shortly. Soon afterwards, Harry and Hermione were free to move around the Grand Hall. They soon found Draco on the arm of Theo, then Neville joined them. The small group watched the adults as they discussed Hogwarts, though they tried to avoid Hermione’s past couple of months.

“Lord Rendlesham, thank you for the invite,” Susan curtseyed as she came over with Hannah and Ernie MacMillan

“Susan, Hannah, Ernie, I am glad to see you here tonight. How is your Yule going so far?” Harry’s face lit up on seeing the heirs.

“Brilliant, I got some new books,” Ernie enthusiastically spoke.

“You sound just like Hermione,” Harry laughed, getting laughs from the small group of teens.

“Is that a bad thing?” Hermione slapped him gently on the shoulder.

“No, dear, it is absolutely wonderful,” Harry replied, appearing apologetic.

“Oh, you are so whipped,” Draco suggested to more laughter.

“I seem to remember someone else running around trying to make themselves perfect for their date. I think you are whipped,” Harry responded.

“Oh, he is, and maybe soon in chains,” Theo winked at the dark-haired boy who looked mortified.

“Whose is in chains and being whipped?” Harry heard Ceph’s voice. He wiggled past Ernie to lean on his older brother.

“Erm, no one, Theo was making an adult joke,” Harry stuttered, “What are you doing over here anyway?”

“This party is boring; there is no one my age here,” the boy whined.

“You can stay with us for a little while,” Harry answered.

“Where is your cane? I notice you are not limping that much,” Hannah asked curiously. Both Ernie and Susan looked him over, then realising he was not using his cane at all.

“Oh, Andromeda used a spell to keep my thigh stiff tonight, but I doubt I will be able to dance on it,” Harry answered.

“I was hoping for a dance tonight after all are we not the belles of the ball?” Hermione said mischievously.

“Yes, congratulations on becoming betrothed. It has been a while since we last spoke, Harry. You seemed quite distant lately,” Susan commended the couple.

“Yes, sorry, I have had a lot on my plate recently. I am sorry if I ignored you,” Harry answered. Hermione immediately felt guilty as she felt Harry rub his thumb across her hand soothingly.

“So, show us the ring?” Hannah squealed, then the three girls moved away as Hermione showed them the ring.

“I do hope I do not get like that when I get a ring,” an arrogant voice with a tinge of amusement spoke up.

“Countess Kendal, always a pleasure,” Harry told the other teen.

“Harry, we are going to be allies; just call me Daphne,” the girl had let her black hair down, so the silky trestles flowed down her back. Next to her was a mini-me, dressed remarkably similar. Tracey Davis, her friend, had also joined them as well as Millicent Bulstrode. Harry noticed that Daphne was directing his attention to where Sirius and Cyrus Greengrass were talking amicably.

“Quite the party you have got going on here,” Millicent told Harry while looking around.

“Have you been introduced to my little sister, Astoria?” Daphne asked. The mini-me stepped forward shyly curtsying. Harry kissed her delicate hand, earning a small giggle. Harry noticed his little brother staring at the young dark-haired beauty. She appeared to be one or two years older than him. Harry had been teasing his brother about Danica, but perhaps this ‘older woman’ was another reason to tease him.

“This is my little brother, Cepheus; I think you two may get along well,” Harry said, propelling the boy forward, who copied his brother and kissed Astoria’s hand. The young pair seemed somewhat distracted as Harry caught Daphne’s questioning look. He winked at her and gave the girl a smile.

“Playing matchmaker?” Hermione whispered in his ear as she slid her arm around him.

“Who’d want a snake as an ally,” Hannah spoke up, distracting Harry from answering to the shock of her best friend.

“Hannah!”

“I resent that. I am a Slytherin too,” Draco muttered.

“You are a tame snake; you do not count,” Harry joked, getting a laugh from everyone. After that, the group fell into easy banter talking about the upcoming year until Ceph began yawning. “Right, I better get this one to bed.”

“Aww, can’t I stay here with you?” Ceph yawned again in his own discussion with Astoria.

“No, come on. Let us get you off to bed.” Harry thanked the small group for coming and led Hermione and his brother over to Sirius.

               “Before you go, Harry, I’ve got a late Christmas Present for you,” Amelia told him as Narcissa, and Remus were about to take them back to Hárasteorra Hall. She handed him a small amulet, jade in colour; it was circular and looked like an unfurling fern.

               “Thank you,” Harry replied as Hermione tied the string around the back of his neck.

               “It is Māori. I picked it up in New Zealand. It is called Koru; it symbolises personal growth, positive change, and harmony,” the witch looked at Hermione with a glint in her eye. “It also has charms on it so that you can call my Aurors and me to your location since you seem to have a habit of being attacked.”

               “Thank you, this will be great. It is also beautiful,” Harry looked at the green gem.

               “Hopefully, Harry will not need it,” Hermione made the group laugh before they said goodbye heading off home. Cepheus was yawning as they reached the bottom of the stairs to the rooms, and Draco could not hide his own yawns. As the two adults ushered Draco and Cepheus away, Harry turned to Hermione.

“I really do love you,” He gave her one last kiss as he escorted her to her room. Harry took his leave, then returned to his own room, getting ready for bed. He slipped between the crisp sheets.

 

Harry dreamed. At first, he was back in the courtroom, like he was in August, facing Minister Fudge, Madam Umbridge and Professor Dumbledore.

“Hermione Granger is to serve life in Azkaban for being a filthy Mudblood,” Umbridge sentenced his future wife. He turned to look at her, she was wearing a dress of some sort, but it was dirty and stained. Her face had tears streaking down them.

“Harry, do something!” She yelled out, but he was rooted to the spot.

“I object, please. She is my betrothed,” Harry tried to yell out, but nothing seemed to come from his mouth.

“I will take her to Azkaban, my Lord,” Draco’s voice echoed as Harry looked up to find Voldemort stood behind the three officials.

“Do what you will with her. Mudblood’s do not belong in our society,” Voldemort told the teen, sounding bored. “Next!”

“Sirius and Cepheus Black, sir, traitors to the cause,” Theo had his hands on Cepheus, who looked so small in his prison uniform. His face was all bruised, and blood oozed from his nose. Sirius looked worse than he did when he was in Azkaban before.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Minister Fudge said lazily.

“You serve a monster; our magic should be free to all those that have it,” Sirius shouted as Harry watched Lucius Malfoy pour golden Galleons into the Ministers pocket.

“Professor Snape, you have the right to do what you like with Black and his spawn,” Minister Fudge proclaimed. Severus Snape stepped from the shadow, and with two quick ‘Avada Kedavra’s.’ the pair were dead. Harry fell to his knees, crying for his dead father and his brother.

“Your honour, I would pay for the Granger girl to be my slave,” a voice spoke up.

“Oh no, Ron, please do not tell me you are a Death Eater,” Harry said aloud, but the redhead completely ignored him.

“As you are one of my most loyal servants, you may have her,” Voldemort dismissed the boy. Harry was afraid of who would enter next, but his dream seemed to shift until he stood in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic or thought he was standing, but he seemed to be much closer to the ground. He could see the Fountain of Brethren as he slithered? Harry was sure that he was some kind of snake in his dream, but he did not know what. His body felt smooth, powerful, and flexible. He was gliding between shining metal bars, across the dark, cold stone. . .. He was flat against the floor, sliding along on his belly. . .. It was dark, yet he could see objects around him shimmering in strange, vibrant colours. . . He was turning his head. . .. At first glance, the corridor was empty . . . but no . . . a man was sitting on the floor ahead, his chin drooping onto his chest, his outline gleaming in the dark. . .. Harry put out his tongue. . .. He tasted the man’s scent on the air. . .. He was alive but drowsing . . . sitting in front of a door at the end of the corridor.

Harry longed to bite the man . . . but he must master the impulse. . .. He had more important work to do. . ..

But the man was stirring . . . a silvery cloak fell from his legs as he jumped to his feet. Harry saw his vibrant, blurred outline towering above him, saw a wand withdrawn from a belt. . .. He had no choice. . .. He reared high from the floor and struck once, twice, three times, plunging his fangs deeply into the man’s flesh, feeling his ribs splinter beneath his jaws, feeling the warm gush of Blood. . .. The man was yelling in pain . . . then the man fell silent. . .. He slumped back against the wall. . .. Blood was splattering onto the floor. . .. His forehead hurt terribly. . .. It was aching fit to burst. . ..