A/N: Hey all, so this is my first fanfiction here, but hopefully not my last. This story came to me after reading to of my favorite fics. "His Angel" by durararaaa, and "White Knight, Grey Queen" by Jeconais.
This chapter is a bit short, but chapter will hopefully end up being in the neighborhood of 3.5-5k at least.
I am looking for a beta so feel free to PM me if you are interested.
Disclaimer: The HP universe belongs to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing but the plot and any OC's I may develop.
Harry Potter was currently outside pulling weeds from a rose garden in front of Number 4, Privet Drive. At first glance appeared to be an average 13 year old boy. Sure he was a bit short for his age and rather scrawny, but the neighbors on Privet Drive merely attributed that to the fact that he went to St. Brutus's School for Incurably Criminal Boys.
In reality the truth was much different. Harry was did not attend St. Brutus's, he attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the fact that he was short and skinny was more due to the abuse he suffered at the hands of his Uncle, Vernon Dursley. Vernon consistently beat him, in an attempt to rid "the boy" of his "freakishness", otherwise known as magic.
Harry grimaced as he leaned over to pull a particularly stubborn weed. Just last night Vernon had come into his room and laid into him about how much of a freak he was, and how his Godfather was coming to save him. Fortunately for Harry, it was quick due to the fact that the Dursley's were having guests over the next day, and they wanted Harry to clean the yard the next day.
Had they not wanted him to clean the yard, Harry suspected that he would be suffering from much more than the two broken ribs he believed he was suffering at the moment. Sure, Vernon hadn't tried to use a belt on Harry's back ever since he had received his letter, but he had been hinting about using it again.
Finally getting the weed to pull out, it came out so quickly that Harry fell onto his back, and gasped at the pain that shot through his chest from the unexpected movement. Taking a moment to regain his breath and let the pain fade away. Harry looked at the sky hoping for a sign of the owl that would be his deliverance.
'Come on Sirius, you promised me you would send me an owl with a way to get out of here' thought Harry. Sighing at the sight of no owl coming to rescue him, he let his mind wander, and soon though back to the day he discovered his Godfather.
Flashback
Harry couldn't believe how rapidly his life had been changed. Just 6 hours ago he had thought that his Godfather was a traitorous bastard who had betrayed his parent's to Voldemort and caused their death.
Then, as Ron, Hermione, and he were returning from a trip to Hagrid's with a newly recovered Scabbers, a giant black dog had taken Ron and Scabbers through the passageway under the Whomping Willow, prompting Hermione and him to chase after them. As they emerged into the Shrieking Shack, Sirius Black had disarmed them and then began to tell them an unbelievable tale.
Over the next hour the trio listened as first Sirius, and then their Professor, Remus Lupin told them of how Sirius, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew became animagus's in order to help Remus with his transformations into a werewolf during school and how Sirius had convinced the Potter's to change their Secret Keeper to Pettigrew because Sirius was the likely choice.
After an interruption by Snape, (who was currently lying on the floor unconscious) Harry watched as Remus forced Pettigrew to change back into his human form. After preventing his Godfather and honorary Uncle from killing Wormtail for his crimes by convincing them that it was better for Pettigrew to stand trial for his crimes.
As they walked back to the school, Sirius offered Harry the choice to live with him, and Harry immediately accepted, joy filling his heart at the realization that he wouldn't need to live with the Dursley's anymore. However, that joy soon turned to horror as he watched Remus transform at the sight of the full moon, Pettigrew faint, and then themselves faint as they were saved by a mysterious patronus.
Harry's horror grew even more as when he woke up he was informed that his Godfather was going to be administered the kiss. Then came the trip back in time with Hermione, and the rescue mission to save Sirius.
Now Harry stood in the courtyard as Sirius prepared to leave on Buckbeak, his heart breaking as he realized he would have to go back and endure yet another summer of the Dursley's. So wrapped up in the dread and misery of returning to the hated Number 4, Privet Drive, Harry missed what Sirius was saying.
"HARRY" barked Sirius, startling him out of his reverie, "I asked if I can I talk to you alone for a minute?"
Harry looked at Hermione, who nodded and backed away to give him some space as he said "Sure Sirius, what's up?"
"Harry, be honest with me, what's your life like at the Dursley's?" Asked Sirius gently.
A look of terror crossed Harry's face and he immediately clammed up as Sirius said this, and that was all he needed to confirm his suspicions of Harry's abuse. The idea had been growing in his mind ever since he had seen some scars on Harry's back when his shirt had rolled up a little in the Shrieking Shack.
"Harry, you have no idea how sorry I am that I am going on the run and I can't take you with me. I plan to let myself be spotted far away from Hogwarts, so that the Dementors are removed. I just wish that there was something I could do for you, as I know you were looking forward to coming to live with me, and getting away from the Dursley's. However, I promise to help you get away from them as soon as possible" stated Sirius.
Eyes starting to tear up, Harry ran forward and hugged his Godfather hard. "I just wish that there was something more I could do to help you Sirius!" Harry mumbled into Sirius's chest "I tried to convince Minister Fudge you were innocent, but he said you had confounded me, and Dumbledore said that he could do nothing."
Sirius stared at Harry for a moment, a pensive look on his face, before beginning to talk. "There is something you can do Harry, and it would get you away from the Durley's…but I don't know" Sirius said as he trailed off.
"Whatever it is Sirius, please let me do it!" Exclaimed Harry "I don't want to go back to the Dursley's ever again."
Indecision passed across Sirius's face, before it settled into a look of determination, "Okay Harry, if you are sure." Harry nodded immediately, and Sirius continued "I Sirius Orion Black, rightful Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, do hereby name Harry James Potter as my heir, so mote it be!"
A bright flash of light occurred on Harry's hand and a signet ring appeared on his ring finger. Harry looked at it, and noticed that is was grey with the words "Toujours Pur" on it. As Harry looked up to ask Sirius what the ring and the motto meant, Sirius continued on.
"As I, Sirius Orion Black Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black am no longer able to father children due to prolonged exposure to Dementors, I hereby pass Lordship of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black to Harry James Potter, current heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. So mote it be!"
As Sirius finished saying this, once again a white light flashed and when Harry looked down, the ring on his hand had been replaced with a far more ornate ring. The ring now had a grey stone in it with three crows on it.
"Sirius!" shouted Harry "What was with the bright light? What is this ring on my hand? What does it mean that I am Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black?"
Sirius looked at Harry with confusion, "Harry, aren't you currently Lord Potter, didn't anyone explain to you about your house's history, how you are Lord Potter, and the rights and duties that come with it?"
Harry paused and stated with confusion "Sirius, I have no idea what you are talking about, what do you mean-"
Suddenly, Hermione shouted "Harry! We have to go, Dumbledore will be locking the doors to the hospital wing in 10 minutes!"
Sirius looked at Harry and said "Harry, go now and get back to the hospital wing, I'll send a let to you explaining some of what happened and carrying instructions for you on what to do this summer as soon as I can."
Sirius then swept Harry up in a hug before mounting Buckbeak and flying away.
End Flashback
Harry sighed once more, and bent down again to pull up the weeds in the rose garden. After safely getting back to the hospital wing and dealing with Snape and the Minister, the remaining time in the term had passed quickly, and soon Harry found himself on the way back to Privet Drive, where he had now been for two weeks.
As Harry continued to pull weeds, his Aunt Petunia stepped outside.
"Good, you're almost done pulling the weeds, when you finish that, you can go around back and cut the shrubs, then water the flowers" she said"
"Yes Aunt Petunia" Harry responded.
After she turned and left, Harry went back and prepared to resume work, however, before he could he heard a hoot. Turning around he saw two an owl sitting there with two letters. Reaching up quickly, he took the letters from the bird.
Grabbing the one on top Harry noted absentmindedly that it was from Gringotts. Opening it, two sheets fell out, picking up the first one, he read.
Mr. Potter,
Your Godfather stopped by today to inform us of the changes in your status. Let us be the first to congratulate you on your ascension to Lord Black. Mr. Black also informed us of your lack of knowledge about your status as current heir of the Potters and what that entails. The second piece of paper that you received is a portkey. It is currently set to bring you to Gringotts tomorrow morning at 7:30 A. M. sharp, however, you can have it bring you early by activating it with the phrase "may your gold flow freely."
The second letter that we sent you is one that your Godfather wrote and requested that we send with you.
We at Gringotts look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
May your enemies cower before you.
Bloodfang
House of Black Account Manager
Harry reread the letter before putting it away and carefully opening the letter from Sirius.
Pup,
Sorry it took me so long to write to you, it took me awhile to reach somewhere safe. I hope that you are doing okay at the Dursley's and promise that I will have you out of there as soon as being possible.
On to some pressing issues, to say that I was disturbed to discover that no one had educated you on your standing in the Wizarding World is downright disturbing. Dumbledore should have educated you about this or had someone educate you about this, and that he didn't makes me question how much we can trust him.
I also feel I must apologize to you Harry, I assumed that you knew of your status, and that is why I went ahead with making you Head of the Blacks. Had I known you had no idea what I was doing, I would have waited until you were educated before relinquishing control to you. There will be a few surprises about the House you will discover when you meet with the Goblins.
However, that is in the past now, but in order to help educate you I left several books on politics and head of house duties with the Goblins to give to you when you meet with them, I also asked them to do a medical checkup on you.
Make sure you take along all of your stuff with you when you leave with the portkey, as you won't be coming back. Once you are done with the Goblins and have settled into your new home, please send me a letter to let me know where you are living.
Finally Harry, there is no easy way to say this, but I think you should be careful of Ron. I know he is your best mate, but Crookshanks has told me he has been pouring something in a vial into your drinks, every few weeks while at school. I don't know what it was, but the Goblins should be able to determine what it was when you get your checkup.
Sincerely,
Your Loving Dogfather Sirius
P.S. I know you are young, but I can see how much you care for Hermione, and I'm pretty sure she cares for you the same way. Just something to consider.
Harry set the letter down and thought about everything he had been told. Ron was giving him potions? Harry loved his best friend, but the fact was that Ron seemed jealous of Harry. He was careful to keep it hidden while around Harry, but several times Harry had caught him glaring at him, or heard him complaining about how Harry had everything.
The more Harry thought about it, the more he wondered, why he hadn't ever said anything to Ron about it. He decided to wait until he found out what was being given to him before making any decisions.
The only other thing in the letter that immediately stood out to Harry was Sirius's comment about Hermione. Harry did care deeply for Hermione, and she hung out with him a lot, but she didn't care about him that way, or did she?
The more he thought about it the more he realized that she did care for him. Even when she did things like turn over his Firebolt to Mcgonagall, she had only done it to keep him safe. Then there was the way she signed her letter to him, it was always "Love, Hermione". Resolving to write her as soon as he could, Harry returned to weeding the garden.
Later that evening after finishing his chores, and grabbing a meager sandwich on his way to his room, Harry grabbed his quill and parchment and set to writing to Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
Hi! I hope your summer is going well. Sorry I haven't written to you before now, but the Dursley's have been keeping me busy here.
Anyway, I wanted to apologize to you, I treated you terribly over the Firebolt, and I realize you didn't deserve it. You were merely looking out for me like you always do and I ended up shunning you. I hope you can forgive me, but if you cannot I understand.
I got a letter from Snuffles today, he got the Goblin's to send me a portkey so I can meet them tomorrow. Apparently there is stuff that I should know because I'm the last of the Potters, and they can enlighten me.
Your friend,
Harry
Harry sealed the parchment and turned towards Hedwig, and asked her "Hedwig, can you take this to Hermione for me please?" Hedwig hooted and stuck out her claw, then once the letter was tied on she swiftly flew out the window and began to wing herself towards Hermione's home.
Sitting back down, Harry began to gather his stuff, and soon was finished packing. Putting his stuff under his bed to keep until the morning Harry turned to his bed. Taking his glasses off, he laid down and as he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but think.
'I wonder what tomorrow will bring'
A/N 2: Well there's the first Chapter, hope you enjoyed it. Look for another Chapter either tonight or tomorrow!