Harry Potter and The Black's Family Legacy

 

Remus Lupin, a one-time friend of Sirius and James Potter, looked between them before laughing his head off. Then, when he realised, they were not laughing, he looked at father and son with astonishment.

“You cannot be serious. The love between James and Lily was known by everyone,” Remus gasped, “It would take a mass Confundus in the water to make me believe James and Lily were not in love.”

“Actually, I have proof,” Maglugg stepped up, making the three look at him shocked, “View the memories after you finish the letter, but I have a birth certificate.”

“I’ve seen Harry’s birth records at the Ministry,” Remus interrupted.

“Our records cannot be tampered with, neither can valid birth certificates. However, a true copy is buried in the ministry, hidden by someone.”

“Why the hell wasn’t anything said before?” Sirius stared at the goblin.

“We were under oaths, Your Grace. Duggat and I are the only ones that knew. We were to inform the right people on Harry’s 15^th birthday,” Maglugg shrugged his shoulders as if it were of no consequence to him.

“Read the rest of the letter,” Sirius suggested softly.

 

 

Harry could not help but stare at the letter once again. Never in all his years had he expected to discover Sirius was his father. He passed the missive off to Sirius, turning to look at Remus.

“She seems to think you knew about Sirius and her dating,” Harry told the man.

“James and Lily dated in the seventh year but never did Sirius and Lily date,” Remus told the boy, surprised.

“Do you think Remus might have suffered the Memory Charm?” Harry asked, looking at Sirius, who had just put the letter down.

“If I’ve been obliviated, then I can certainly believe that Remus has been wiped too because I don’t remember dating your mother,” Sirius spoke sadly.

“We will have a look at the memories. They might be able to jog something,” Harry suggested.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Remus added.

“Have you got a Pensieve?” Sirius looked at the goblin.

“We have one for your use,” the goblin looked at him before going to a cupboard behind him and pulling out a grey bowl made of stone. Engraved on it were images of fighting goblins. Around the edges were runes.

“So, do you want to do this?” Sirius asked his son.

“I want to see if what you and mum had was real,” Harry answered. Sirius picked up the first vial before tipping it out into the Pensieve.

“Are you coming with us?” the man asked his best friend.

“You bet,” Remus replied firmly. The three looked at each other once more, and then each touched a finger into the memory. Harry felt himself falling before finding he stood on the edge of the lake of Hogwarts. The trio was next to Lily Potter; she had thick dark red hair that fell to her shoulders and startlingly green almond-shaped eyes- Harry’s eyes.

“Impedimenta,” a young Sirius shouted, pointing his wand at a fifteen-year-old Severus Snape, who was knocked off his feet halfway through a dive. Harry looked around to see others had begun to watch the young marauders taunt Snape. Lily was now observing them. Snape was on the floor panting as the pair advanced on him, wands up. Harry noticed James glancing over his shoulder, looking in their direction.

“Obviously, James liked Mum,” Harry muttered as Wormtail edged around Lupin to get a better view.

“How’d the exam go, Snivelly?” said James.

“I was watching him; his nose was touching the parchment,” Sirius crowed viciously, “There’ll be great grease marks all over it; they won’t be able to read a word,”

“You were nasty to him; no wonder he is like he is,” Harry commented as several people watching laughed. Adult Sirius hung his head in shame; he never wanted the teen to see him like this. Harry realised Snape must have been unpopular. Snape tried to push himself up, but the jinx must have still been operating on him; he was struggling as though bound by invisible ropes.

“You…wait,” he painted, looking at James with an expression of pure loathing, “You-Wait...”

“Wait for what?” Sirius asked the boy coolly. “What're you going to do, Snivelly? Wipe your nose on us?"

 

Snape let out mixed swearwords and hexes, but nothing happened with his wand being ten feet away.

"Wash out your mouth," said James coldly. "Scourgify!"

Pink soap bubbles streamed from Snape's mouth at once; the foam was covering his lips, making him gag, choking him-

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily Evans marched toward them, making the three Watchers follow her. Fifteen-year-old James and Sirius looked around. James’ free hand jumped to his hair.

"All right, Evans?" said James, and the tone of his voice was suddenly pleasant, deeper, more mature. Sirius gave her a quick, shy smile that no one would notice if they had not been looking for it. But Harry's eyes were on Black like a hawk.

"Leave him alone," Lily repeated. She was looking at James with every sign of dislike. "What's he done to you?"

"Well," said James, appearing to deliberate the point, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean...."

 

Harry looked around as the other teens laughed, including Wormtail. Lupin, intent on his book, did not appear to join in, nor did Lily. He also noticed Teen Sirius had abruptly gone quiet.

"You think you're funny," she said coldly. "But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."

"I will if you go out with me, Evans," James tried quickly. "Go on...Go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again." 

"He really was a dick," Sirius commented as Harry noticed teen Sirius flushed with anger. He was not happy with James asking Lily on a date. But, behind James, the Impediment Jinx was wearing off. Snape was starting to crawl toward his wand, spitting out soapsuds.

"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," Lily shouted.

"Bad luck, Prongs," Sirius told his mate, but he had a slight grin. Wormtail suddenly shouted.

"OY!" But too late; Snape had directed his wand straight at James.

"That never happened. I was the one that called out," Older Sirius muttered as a flash of light and a gash appeared on James's face, splattering his robes with blood. James whirled about; a second flash of light later, Snape was hanging upside down in the air, his robes falling over his head to reveal skinny, pallid legs and a pair of greying underpants. Many in the crowd cheered, James and Wormtail roaring with laughter. Teen-Sirius eyes were darting between Snape and Lily.

"Come on, James, I think that's enough now," Sirius attempted to say.

"You're going soft," James snapped back.

"Let him down!" Lily thundered, his face aflame with anger.

"Certainly," replied James, and he jerked his wand upward. Snape fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. Then, disentangling himself from his robes, Snape got quickly to his feet, wand up, but James once again beat him to it. "Petrificus Totalus!" and Snape keeled over again at once, rigid as a board.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted. She now had her own wand out, which James and Sirius eyed warily.

"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," James told her earnestly.

"Take the curse off him, then!" James sighed deeply, then turned to Snape and muttered the counter curse.

"There you go," he said, as Snape struggled to his feet again, "you're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus-"

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"

"Fine," Lily blinked. "I won't bother in future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."

"Apologise to Evans!" James roared at Snape; his wand pointed threateningly at him.

"I don't want you to make him apologise," Lily shouted, rounding on James, "You're as bad as he is...."

"What?" yelped James. " I'd NEVER call you a- you-know-what!"

"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid quaffle, walking down the corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can-I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head of yours. You make me SICK." She turned on her heel and hurried away.

“Evans!" James shouted after her, "Hey, EVANS!"

But she did not look back.

"What is it with her?" said James, trying and failing to look like this was a throwaway question of no real importance to him.

"Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate," Teen-Sirius told him, though James missed the small smile on his face. By then, the three Watchers were pulled along suddenly as Lily must have gone out of earshot. They followed the girl as she walked through Hogwarts, as tears began rolling down her eyes.

"We really were horrible back then," Sirius commented as they walked alongside her until she found a disused corridor and settled on one of the window seats overlooking the Quidditch pitch. It seemed like it was maybe fifteen minutes before they heard the noise of boots scraping the floor. Lily quickly wiped her tears from her eyes as Sirius rounded the corner. She gave him an angry look making him stop some five feet away.

"If you're here to apologise for James, I'm not accepting it," she snapped.

"I'm not actually," he rubbed his head awkwardly, "I'm here to see if you're OK after what Sniv-Snape called you,"

"I, uh, I hate that word," she broke down in tears again, so Sirius approached her like she was a wounded animal. He slowly placed his arms around her and embraced the young redhead.

"Why does he have to be such a jerk?" She cried into his chest.

“He can’t help it; he’s an only child,” Sirius tried to make her laugh; he got a watery chuckle out of her.

“I know you go along with him sometimes, but you’re semi-decent,” her muffled voice returned.

“Thanks, I think.”

 

The scene dissolved, and the trio found themselves back in Maglugg’s office, looking at one another.

“Well, that’s not what I remember happening,” Sirius and Remus spoke at the same time.

“What happened?”

“I shouted out about Snape, then once Lily was gone, we proceeded to hang Snape up again. I never went after her,”

“I definitely remember Sirius laughing at Snape a second time, though it almost seems foggy to me,” Remus added.

“Let’s look at the next one,” Sirius suggested. So, they scooped the previous memory back into the vial before pouring the second into the Pensieve. This time they found themselves in a darkened corridor.

“I remember Lily telling us about this. This was about a month after the other incident,” Remus commented.

“I’m sorry,” Snape pleaded.

“I’m not interested.”

“I’m sorry!” Harry could hear the raw emotion in Snape’s voice now.

“Save your breath,” Lily replied coldly; she was wearing a dressing gown and stood with her arms folded in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady at the entrance to the Gryffindor tower. “I only came out because Mary told me you threatened to sleep here.”

“I was. I would have done that. I never meant to call you Mudblood; it just-“

“Slipped out?” There was no pity in Lily’s voice. “It is too late. I have made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends- you do not even deny it! You do not even deny that is what you are all aiming to be! You cannot wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?”

He opened his mouth but closed it without speaking.

“I cannot pretend anymore. You have chosen your way; I have chosen mine.”

“No-listen, I didn’t mean-“

“-to call me Mudblood? But you call every one of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?” Snape struggled on the verge of speech, but with a contemptuous look, she turned and climbed back through the portrait. Harry caught one last glimpse of Snape’s completely destroyed face before the magic pulled him into the Gryffindor Common room. Harry thought it had not changed much over the years before he was drawn to the scene in front of him. The Common Room must be empty, so it must have been near curfew.

“Are you alright?” Teen-Sirius asked. Lily nodded before she completely dissolved into tears. Then, the boy again took her into his arms, holding her as she sobbed. They remained this way for several minutes before they sat at the fireplace, staring into the fire.

“You know someone is going to come down and check the common room,” Sirius nudged her. She leant into him, laying her head on his shoulder.

“Let them, I’m a Prefect!” she spoke like that would change everything. Sirius chuckled at her.

“You’re such a kneazle sometimes.”

“What?” she looked at him, confused.

“Fiercely loyal, a definite handful and dangerous as hell. But put a piece of string in front of you, and you go loony.” She laughed at him pretending to slap him but she lost her footing and ended up on top of Sirius, her lips touching his. They remained that way for a couple of minutes before she slowly backed away. Sirius was looking at her wild-eyed as his hand stroked her auburn locks.

“I really like you,” Sirius admitted.

“Shh,” She told him, then kissed him purposefully. Harry noticed a shadow in the stairway that looked suspiciously like James Potter.

 

The room dissolved again before the trio found themselves on solid ground in Gringotts.

“I think I would remember a kiss like that,” Sirius looked panicked, “What the hell did that goat-sniffer do to me?”

“Calm down. We cannot just go accusing the headmaster willy-nilly,” Remus told his friend, trying to hold onto the last vestiges of his loyalty to Dumbledore.

“You’ve seen everything he’s done, all the charms on Harry and me to the Obliviate,” snarled Sirius.

“He is right; we cannot just accuse him of anything. We must play the long game, Dad.” That one word brought Sirius back down to earth; he looked at the boy, his son.

 

They spent the next hour going over the memories until the last one cut off just before Sirius and Lily had sexual relations. Harry came out of that one looking green, but luckily, he did not see his parents naked. Oh wow, now he was thinking about them as his parents. Sirius was sitting in his chair looking into nothing, his mind going over everything.

“Here is Harry’s birth certificate,” Maglugg handed over the piece of parchment, which was sealed with magic, to Remus and Harry. The pair perused it, looking for any tampering.

“Harry’s real name is Harry Antares Black,” Remus commented, pulling Sirius out of his funk.

“I have a son,” He laughed aloud, then hugged Harry, swinging him around the room, “How are you feeling about this?”

“Confused and surprised. I have been dreaming about this for years; when I was locked in the cupboard, I dreamt of my mum and dad coming to get me.”  

“What do you mean cupboard?” Sirius growled.

“It doesn’t matter now, I’m here with you, and that’s all that really matters,” Harry hugged the man closer.

“So, do we announce it? What should we do?” Remus questioned the pair.

“First, as the firstborn son to the Duke of Anglia, you must accept the heir ring,” the Senior goblin told the pair. He had retrieved the box with the rings in; Harry loved the look of the Black Coat of arms on it.

“First-born?” Sirius cottoned on as Harry took up the smaller silver ring slipping it onto his pinkie finger like he noticed his father wore. The ring was resized and fit him perfectly. “Do you mean to say I have another child out there?”

“I cannot tell you this, only that Family magic created a second Trust vault eleven years ago,” Maglugg answered.

“I recommend we do not say anything yet, not least to the ministry or Dumbledore,” Sirius suggested, “Until the hearing, you are missing.”

“I agree, but Sirius, will you be able to go back and forth between Hárasteorra Hall and Grimmauld?” Remus asked.

“Yes, they already think I’m moody for having the Weasleys stay,” Sirius returned, then looked at Harry, “Firstly, you as firstborn are the Marquess of Rendlesham, yet you look like that orphan Oliver,”

“I’m what?” Harry looked at the two adults.

“As my firstborn, you take on one of my titles, in this case, the 12^th Marquess of Rendlesham. I did not know I had taken the title, as my father should have.”

“So, I’ll always be called Marquess?”

“Until you take my title, but in short, you will be called Lord as I’m called Your Grace, etc.,” Sirius answered with a big grin.

“Do I have to call you Your Grace?”

“Between us, you can call me what you like if you are not comfortable with dad or father yet. However, in a more formal setting, it may be required.”

“After we get done here, I’ll take him to Diagon Alley to buy some new clothes and everything he’ll need for next year,” Remus suggested.

“Hey, how do you know what I need next year?” Harry looked at his former teacher.

“It’s pretty much the same as last year, but with fifth-year books,” Remus laughed, “Plus, we need to get you a superior trunk and better clothing and perhaps I’ll treat you to an ice cream at Fortescue.”

“He’s going to need tutoring on etiquette, not to mention all the Houses, maybe some history of the family,” Sirius suggested.

“You mean to tell me I have to have lessons during summer,” Harry whined.

“Also, I’ve heard you’re dismal at Potions; we’ll have to get a tutor for you,” Sirius considered ignoring the teen.

“That’s because Snape is rubbish, and I get stuff thrown in my cauldron,” Harry replied, gobsmacked at the change in the man.

“Come on, Harry, let’s get going.”

“Are you going to put a glamour on him?” Sirius questioned.

“Only his eyes and scar. He has definitely got your face. I will never know how I never saw it,” Remus replied.

“Let this be the first outing for the Marquess of Rendlesham, son of the new Duke of Anglia,” Sirius told them, “Don’t let people know it’s Harry unless it’s the shops, but most of them have oath’s not to reveal their clients,”

“Before you go, Your Grace, I need your permission to allow your heir to pay for things with his ring,” Maglugg said.

“I forgot about that; how much is an heir limit on the accounts?” Sirius asked.

“He can take up to G5,000 a day from his trust account,”

“Remind me how much his account stands at?” the man looked at his son with a grin.

“He currently has G300,000, which has accumulated after fifteen years.” Harry looked absolutely astonished.

“I don’t deserve that!”

“You are my son; you will have the finest items money can buy,” Sirius told him. “Authorise the account; I’ll not miss another fifteen years of presents.”

“Good, well done, Your Grace,”

“What about his other Trust fund?” Remus looked at Sirius.

“How much does he have in there?”

“G5,000 Galleons remain. However, Duggat and I want to do a full audit; as we said, we believe there may have been some fraudulent dealings regarding this vault,”

“Alright, you have my permission to investigate.” Sirius picked up the ledger’s, saying goodbye to the goblins before exiting through the Floo network. Remus shook his head at his friends' antics before putting a glamour on Harry. Remus conjured a cloak, which hid what Harry was wearing and had a hood. Harry had grey eyes like his father, and his scar had disappeared. He looked the epitome of a Black lordling. They bid the goblins goodbye before walking out into Diagon Alley. The rain had stopped, though angry clouds above them promised more.

“Where are we going first?” Harry asked lowly.

“We’ll go to Twilfitt and Tattings first; they are where most of the Gentlemen go except for School robes, which Madam Malkins oversees,” Remus explained, leading them through the alley until they reached a shop with rich red paint on the outside. Harry had never felt so low despite being incredibly wealthy. The bell tinkled as they entered; a long-legged man came out wearing an impeccably tailored suit. He looked at them with a small amount of disdain, especially Harry’s clothing.

“The long-lost heir of Black has been discovered; his lordship needs a completely new wardrobe,” Remus said for Harry. Immediately the man’s eyes lit up, and Galleon figures could be reflected in them.

“Come this way, we already have another young man being fitted out for new clothing,” the Tailor explained. Harry sighed, betting the other boy was Draco Malfoy, which would just be his luck. But, instead, standing on a box was none other than Neville Longbottom. He appeared thinner than Harry remembered and much stiffer, taller now than Harry by a few inches.

“Lord Grossmont,” Remus offered the boy a bow.

“What did you call him?” Harry asked as Neville spoke.

“Professor, it’s nice to see you,” his face split into a genuine grin. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve bought his lordship in to be fitted some new clothes,” Remus explained, then turned to Harry, “Neville is the son of the Duke of Whitby; he goes by the title Marquess of Grossmont.”

“Lord?” Neville looked at the other boy, taking in the ill-fitting clothes under the cloak, but smiled at him anyway. He wondered why Remus was explaining things to the young boy.

“This is the 12^th Marquess of Rendlesham,” Remus introduced. The Tailor had ushered Harry onto a box and then took measurements, reading out his results to an assistant.

“Pleasure to meet you, My Lord. Are you attending Hogwarts this year?” the once-nervous boy asked pleasantly.

“Erm, yes,” Harry replied as Remus looked around. Then, seeing the Tailor and his assistant were busy, he muttered ‘Muffliato.”

“Go ahead. You can tell him.”

“Nev, it’s me, Harry.”

“What? But you looked nothing like him, except the voice,” Neville looked confused.

“I’ve got a glamour to hide my scar and eyes, but I came into my…legacy the last week,” Harry explained.

“Marquess of Rendlesham, that’s a Black title.” Neville mused.

“I, erm, found out James Potter was not my biological father. Instead, Sirius Black is my real father; he is also innocent of the charges.”

“Sirius Black, is your father?” Neville looked absolutely astonished.

“He has taken up the Head of House Black,” Harry looked to Remus, who nodded, “So I am now the Lord Harry Antares Black.”

“That makes us cousins, like five times removed or something, but my great-grandmother is a Black by blood.”

“Actually, you are god-brothers too; Lily was your godmother, Lord Grossmont. Lady Alice was your godmother, Harry,” Remus told the pair.

“I knew that,” Neville told the pair reverting to his shyness again.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Harry asked.

“You made friends with Ron, then Hermione. Ron made it quite clear who your friends were; there were plenty of people that wanted to be friends with you,” Neville described.

“But I was the Boy-Who-Lived. I did not want friends for my status,” Harry returned.

“All the heirs know each other; we are all similar ages except a few. At the time, you were Heir Potter, the last son of the House of Potter. I know Susan and Hannah wanted to be friends, even Daphne and Draco.”

“But Malfoy is a prick!” Harry answered. He received a frown from Remus but ignored him.

“He is only like that when Ron is nearby, he is jealous, plus Draco’s got his father shoving the dark nonsense down his throat. But, of course, it does not help the Bad heirs all hang around him.”

“Bad Heirs?”

“Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Flint, Carrow,” Neville ticked off, “Though Crabbe and Goyle are Greater houses, beholden to House Malfoy.”

“Wow, this is so confusing,” Harry said. Just then, the Tailor returned to Harry, offering different clothing styles to the poor teen. Luckily, Neville and Remus could help him with colours, the Coat of arms, and the different types he needed. Two hours passed before Harry was dressed in new clothing; Neville had long since gone.

“Are you ready to pay, My Lord?” the Tailor asked.

“Actually, I would like my Steward fitted with some new clothes. It is well past time he got something new,” Harry pranked his quasi-uncle, who glared at him; he knew revenge would be coming to him at some point.

 

Another hour later, Remus was dressed in much smarter clothes, with several bags shrunk down to a manageable size. Harry happily paid for the clothing with his new ring. Remus then took him on a shopping spree, getting more books than he could ever need or want to read. He also got a new trunk, which was lots bigger than his last, with many security features. Next, Harry was refitted for his school uniform, but this time with the finest silk money could buy. Finally, after a trip to the apothecary, Remus treated the boy to some ice cream.

 

“Hárasteorra Hall,” Harry called out, stepping into the green fire; somehow, this time, he could step out into the parlour without falling over. However, he did have lots of soot all over him.

“What was that Steward thing all about?” Remus asked the minute he stepped through. Sirius appeared at the parlour's door, flicking his wand to vanish the soot on Harry.

“Steward?” asked a very perplexed Sirius.

“This little brat made me buy more clothes, calling me his Steward,” answered Remus with a grunt.

“Well, I figured the House of Black needs a Steward while Sirius cannot walk down Diagon Alley; also, once he is free, someone will need to keep our affairs in order and work with Sirius. Unfortunately, few people will do that.”

“Hey!” Sirius took a swipe at his son, who dodged out of his way.

“We could also pay him a wage, maybe allow him to live here,” Harry suggested. Sirius led them out of the parlour into the hallway as Remus began to argue, telling them he did not need any charity.

“It is a great idea; Harry is correct. Master Lupin, I officially hire you as my Steward. You shall be paid G5,020, S1 and K10 a year,” Sirius told him, all protests falling from Remus’ mouth, “Now I shall contact my lawyer, and we will draw up a contract.”

“Sorted,” Harry grinned at the older man as he led them up the stairs and to his room. The pair pulled their purchases out and placed them on the bed. Sirius resized them before performing ‘Finite Incantatem’ on Harry. Now the glamour was removed, he looked at himself in the mirror. The teen appeared more mature, though was still woefully short for an almost fifteen-year-old.

“Did you buy all of Diagon Alley?” Sirius looked between the pair.

“Stop looking in the mirror; you’ll freeze like that,” Remus grinned at him just as a chime interrupted Harry from responding. Elkley appeared with a POP!

“Master Black, Lady Malfoy and Heir Malfoy are waiting for you in the parlour,” the elderly house elf told them.

“Thank you, Elkley. We will be down shortly. Please take them to the drawing room and offer them refreshments,” Sirius told the elf. The elf popped away as Sirius turned to Harry. “I know you are not younger Malfoy’s biggest fan, but please do not antagonise him. He is family now.”

“Yes, Sir,” Harry replied cheekily, following his father and former teacher out of his room downstairs to the central living area. Narcissa stood up as soon as Sirius entered, followed slowly by Draco.

“Your Grace, I’m glad you could see us,” Narcissa spoke formally.

“We’re all family here; no need to be formal.” Harry noticed there were some trunks next to the sofas.

“Draco, this is His Grace, Sirius Black, 15^th Duke of Anglia. Yo-Sirius, this is my son Draco Malfoy,” Narcissa introduced the pair. Draco performed a short bow and then shook the hand of the older man.

“Well met, Master Malfoy,” Sirius intoned, “May I introduce you to the Steward of House Black, Remus Lupin, and my son and heir, Harry Antares Black. This is Narcissa Malfoy, my cousin. You already know her son, Draco, I believe.”

“Pleased to meet you, My Lady,” Harry spoke, formally taking the woman’s hand and kissing her lightly. Draco looked at him, astonished.

“What a charming son you have,” her questioning looks met Sirius's eyes.

“What can I do for you, Cissy?” Sirius asked. Harry heard a snigger from Draco as Sirius used the nickname.

“I wish to ask for sanctuary for myself and my Son!”