He was feeling all his years nowadays. Tom had regained his body only six month ago, and already he felt as if the war had started again for years. Even with a body sustained with the elixir of life, wondering if the world you have been working for nearly a century would be destroyed in a couple of years was taking a toll on him. The stone... stopped him from aging. It didn't make him young again. He had known that, seeing as Nicolas and Perenelle were rather decrepit, and already were when he had himself been a young man but it was still frustrating that someone as powerful and intelligent as him could not enhance the elixir. And he did not dare ask Severus for help.

He felt a pang of guilt at the memory of his old friends. They were gone now, without the stone to sustain them. They had agreed it would be the most ideal solution to destroy the stone when he had... wondered out loud if it would be best. That they were ready to go on their next adventure. They had trusted him to destroy it... and he never could persuade himself to do it. He needed it, for the world to change in the correct way, and he could not die yet. And he didn't need the financial help of Order members anymore. Which was good since the Longbottoms and the McKinnons were gone, the Potters nearly ruined, and Sirius wanted nothing to do with the Blacks. It was already nice to have that house, despite it being...resisting their efforts to clean it. Even Sirius had started recovering the priceless books and heirlooms Molly wanted to throw away and he refused to let them access the Black blood restricted section.

At least, with Arthur attacked yesterday, it confirmed the interest Tom had to obtain the complete prophecy. He had begun to doubt himself since Tom was never usually this patient. And Arthur would survive, he trusted Severus. So in the end, the plan to make the orders members to "guard" the entrance had been successful. He knew he was right now, and had not lost anyone.

Sadly, it seemed to be the only thing working as intended lately. Since that damned trial, things were more difficult, in all fronts.

He sighed and took a lemon candy to calm himself.

The Prophet who enjoyed attacking Harry, and allowed him to retain his popularity somewhat unscathed, despite his war with Cornelius, had made a complete turnover. Harry had been the 'Boy Left Alone', 'The Boy we have Failed'! The press enjoyed itself far too much for his liking. Cornelius reaped the benefits, even when he had been played by that Tonks man! He and Harry had played the Wizengamot beautifully, he had to admit. And even within the Order, people questioned him now. Alastor in particular was becoming troublesome. He probably would take the boy's side if he had to chose between himself and Harry. It had been a severe miscalculation to let the Dursleys run free so much. They had played their part perfectly for thirteen years, only to blow it up at the worst possible moment.

And Harry... yes, Harry was his biggest worry now. If it was still Harry that is. What a mess. The boy was a mystery this year. He had expected that Sirius would make him a bit more carefree, to allow him one more reason to fight for this world, and to die when he had to. He also hoped Sirius would make him even more reckless. Instead... they certainly had bonded, but they both became more cautious. Sirius openly said he didn't trust him anymore, and Harry... he didn't know.

He didn't dare approach him in case Tom was looking through his eyes. He had observed the boy ignoring the looks of pity when he returned to school. Observed him fight his anger and frustration to Umbridge. And when Harry had fallen into coma he had feared the worst. Was Tom taking over? Or the horcrux maybe? And Harry recovering his complete abilities was only adding problem to this! He could not allow a second Dark Lord to emerge. But at the same time he needed Harry to face his destiny.

So many possibilities... and he was completely in the dark right now. If the horcrux had taken over Harry, did the Prophecy still applied? Would Tom-Harry face Voldemort? It was possible, it wasn't in Tom's nature to share power.

He thought again at the wand's problem the boy suffered for about a month. When Harry had bought his wand, the wand had probably reacted to Tom as well. And Harry's magic was so repressed, it may have reacted more to Tom than to Harry, which would explain the problems Harry had for a month. The magic was mostly Harry's. But if the soul shard had slowly worked to take over, the magic in its entirety should feel like Tom to the wand now, and would explain why he could use it again, and become a 'genius' so suddenly, like Minerva had said.

There was also the possibility that Harry was effectively rid of the horcrux, but so much magic being free at the same time would need a focus or it explode completely. The infirmary was still intact, so Poppy had to direct it somewhere. He didn't know where and it may have been to the horcrux even if he doubted it. But it didn't explain why Harry was working out his wand again if he had destroyed the horcrux..

No, Harry being possessed, either partially or completely was the most likely situation. Him being so openly distant with his true friends, and approaching young Neville, a member of an influential family screamed Tom and the building of a political alliance. If Tom-Harry somehow managed to build an alliance, like Voldemort had done on the other side of the war, it could be disastrous. He would have to observe this.

Harry also made great use of his cloak this year. He disappeared for long period of time, and nobody could track him. It irked him so much. The map of his father probably helped him a lot too. What terrible tools at the disposition of someone so potentially dangerous... He had hesitated to confiscate them, but it's most likely the boy would have straight up refused and hid them in the chamber of secrets where he could not access. And where he suspected Harry went so much. He had placed an alarm if the entrance in the bathroom was opened, and it had been triggered once recently, which confirmed somewhat his suspicions. Harry probably had found an other entrance to go in undetected.

So, he had taken a risk. He needed to know, or to at least assess the danger. He had summoned the boy after breakfast, and he was waiting for him.
Soon, the ward on the gargoyle alerted him of someone coming up, he prepared himself and said "Come in." while putting up his best gentle face.

"Good morning Harry, come in. Tea? Sherbet lemon maybe?"

"No, thank you sir, I just ate." The boy answered.

"Very well. I won't take long I know you still have classes. I would like to know where you were yesterday night my boy. Surely you know Arthur has been injured now. I tried to wait for you, but I could not do it for long, I had to respect the Weasley children in that situation."

Harry looked at him curiously. "I'm not sure I understand professor. Even if I was present when you announced the attack, it would not have changed anything."

"Harry, I wanted to send you to headquarters with them. The Order can't afford to wait for you deciding to show yourself when we need you immediately. You have put me in a most difficult situation."

There, he would see if the boy felt guilt or not. He knew Harry would be embarrassed at hearing such disappointment.

"Oh. Yes Hermione told me, but I was with Hagrid actually, I came back a little later than I planned but it's not like I was hiding. And I'm sorry professor, but I would have refused yesterday. I still have things to do. Surely you can make me a portkey just like you did when you sent Ron and the others?"

Refuse? He blinked. That is weird, it is unlike Harry, but Tom would never be so blunt...

"Ah, Harry, portkeys are regulated you see. I only did it yesterday because it was an emergency. Besides, are you not worried for Arthur?"

"Of course I am sir! But I'm not family so it's not really fair if I get to leave school before the end of term. And I told you, I have things left to do before leaving."

He saw a bit of annoyance in Harry's eyes.

Interesting. So he consider these 'things' more important than his family...

"Nonsense Harry. You know Molly and Arthur consider you their son. I'm sure Arthur will be disappointed not to see you when he wakes up." And he gave him a sad look.

The boy shrugged. So he doesn't really care. Hmmm, worrying.

"And what are these things you are talking about my boy? Can I help you?"

He was wondering if he should probe his thoughts. But if Tom had really taken over, he would know, and he could not afford the mistake of allowing him to know he suspected about the possession. Harry wasn't aware about his seat of the Wizengamot, but Tom would be. And he needed the political power for now. When the war would resume to open warfare like he was sure it would in a year or two, political power would become less vital.

"I'm sorry but that's personal. I'm sure you remember what you were at my age, we don't like to talk about these things."
"I'm not sure I understand Harry. "
"Oh come on professor, I'm sure you dated at some point in your life?" He asked with a shy smile.

Albus nearly choked. That is a surprise. Well played, I don't believe it but it is indeed a good excuse.

"Very well. I will leave you to return to your class. Enjoy your Christmas break Harry."

Harry nodded but for a moment he was sure he had seen... something in his eyes when he said Christmas. Then he remembered the Dursleys, and the orphanage and that was the only thing that made sense.

It would annoy either Tom or Harry. Not your best choice of partings words Albus. He lectured himself.

The return by train was so far uneventful. He was sitting with Neville, Luna, who was becoming closer to Neville recently, and Hermione. She had told him the day before she was coming to Grimmauld Place too, so in a show of good will he had said he would be civil to her but only to respect the Weasleys. She was withdrawn lately, and probably had good reasons to. Her life was full of people showing her she wasn't as smart as she liked to believe.

Harry had been conflicted during these last two days. On one hand, he was impatient to go back to Grimmauld Place, to see Sirius and the adoption! And then he would go to fucking Egypt and wasn't that glorious? And he would finally have a wand, hopefully two that felt natural again for him.

On the other hand...That meant nearly ten days without Blaise before, and thinking about it made his heart hurt.

That would also means spending his time with all the Weasley family, who hopefully would be in a decent mood if Arthur got better. And the ritual... as much as he was excited, he was also afraid. Knowing his luck something would go wrong. And he dreaded his trip at Gringotts, he feared so much what he would find there Sirius had to reassure him, and told him that he would get all the Black inheritance anyway. Not that money was what worried Harry, it was more knowing for sure that Dumbledore had interfered.

Malfoy had tried to pay them their usual visit but Harry had closed the door wandlessly and even wordlessly. It was the first time he showed non verbal spell in front of others, he had done it without thinking, but Hermione despite dying to ask had said nothing.

They had left the train, to be quickly apparated by Nymphadora and Remus, and they were now pushed on the house.

"Hey kiddo! Hello Hermione, how was the train?" Sirius greeted them.

"It was fine, usual Malfoy being the clown he is but that's it." Harry answered.

"Yes, and Harry doing non verbal magic. Without a wand. The usual." Hermione added, a bit briskly, and he rolled his eyes.

Ah. It was too hard for her to not mention it I suppose.

"Yes well, it's Harry, he's mad you know, the usual." Sirius teased. "Hermione, I will let you go to the kitchen alone, your friends are there. I need to speak to Harry if you please." Hermione looked at them suspiciously, but nodded and left.

"Come Harry, I will show you a room reserved to family members."

Ooh, I didn't know this house had one except the library.

"Where is it located?"

"Well, it's actually the whole fifth floor. As you know, the fourth floor was dedicated to the main family bedrooms, that's where I had my room, and you have yours, which was Regulus's before. The master suite is warded to open to the Lord only, that's why we can't even see the entrance right now, there is just no Lord."

They climbed an impressive number of stairs and when passing half the stairs towards the fifth flood, Harry felt magic washing over him, touching him, and then it stepped back.

"If you wanted another proof that you're a Black... If you didn't you would have been unconscious by now. It's not dangerous, it just give you a mental shock until the owner of the house can see who tried to enter.

Now come. The ritual needs a lot of blood. I've already stored mine, but I will need yours too."

Now, that made him interested. Tom was very knowledgeable about rituals, and he knew the theory and the potion behind it. And it didn't need the blood of the future child, only that of the parent the child needed to absorb.

Sirius passed him a ritual knife, and a vial. "It needs to be filled. I would like you to do at least half of it. Maybe all of it if you feel up to it. Like I told you before, the ritual can be exhausting for the child, so if you already are tired because of blood loss..."

Yes, it made sense.

"Now, you have been reading about runes for a while. You should know that there is no right translation, nor meaning for one rune." Harry nodded. "Yes, they are tools, they help direct the magic, kind of like a wand we use to be more precise when we cast. It's all in the visualization really. You could create your own runes and if you were precise enough it would work. That's what Goblins do, and why Gringotts is so secure, we just don't know how they protect themselves."

Sirius was speechless. His jaw wide open. Oops, It was maybe a bit too much. People generally don't realize that you could draw whatever sign as long as you know what they mean for yourself.

"Well, I'm impressed, you certainly did your homework. Honestly, it takes people years to understand how runes really work usually. You probably should ask McGonagall to try your OWL, you could perhaps manage it." Sirius mused.

Harry had a little smirk. "Oh Sirius, that was already my intention. I expect an easy 'O'. Runes come to mean naturally it feels, the only disadvantage I have is learning all the meanings but I'm not worried about this. Will you explain the ritual to me then? We have time while I'm bleeding myself out."

"All right, but tell me if you feel it's enough. So...here the big part, I wrote everything to you on a parchment. The Black family actually did a lot of adoptions in the past, mainly on minor lines, when they found orphans. They were not always about that blood purity bullshit, which surprised me a lot. I actually feel quite proud of my ancestors, it seems it's mostly the last two generations who went crazy.

Anyway, they found out that using a basic ritual was really painful for the child to accept the changes in the body and magic. At one point, they modified the ritual to integrate Celtic runes, in addition to the classic futhark. Before, it was a one step ritual with three based runes, and the parents would fuel magic into the child to trigger the potion.

Now, the Celtic Runes are way more tuned to nature, since they are named after trees. One of my ancestor decided to change the ritual into a three steps ritual, with three sets of anchors. Two runes circles, and three family members acting as a human circle. It is said that the child will still be exhausted, but the pain was minimal. The only problem of this ritual is that the child must be old enough to manipulate roughly his magic to pour it into the blood of the rune, and then to trigger the potion inside him at the end. The first part of the ritual and the last one are always the same whoever is the child, but the Celtic runes are different depending on the child. That's part of the reason we couldn't do it this summer, I had to work on it, since it is supposed to be me who pick them, not you."

Harry was opening his mouth to asks details when the door opened, and Nymphadora barge in.

"Heya. Not dead yet Harry? Woah, he must fill this entirely?! Glad it's not me." Her hair took a sickly green color.

"Shut it! So you will be there tomorrow I take it?"

"Yep, I bring mom and dad too. Dad can't take part in the ritual, but he is curious and he liked you so he wanted to celebrate a new family member." She smiled at him.

"Do you still want to be reinstated as rightful members?" He was curious about this. He didn't know if he would forgive the family that had shunned them out, in her place.

"Yep. It's not like the new Lord will be an asshole right?" She teased him. "You are a half blood too, to be honest Mom and me, we are quite excited to be part of this. And family reunions will be so fun with the Malfoys!"

Eeew. It nearly make me regret it thinking about these family meetings. At least I will be in a position of power...

"That's enough Harry, you can stop. Can you heal him Nymmie please?"

"Sure! You alright there? No dizziness?"

"What do you think?" Harry groaned. "So Sirius, can i see the detailed version please?"

"Yes, here." He passed the paper and Harry began reading it.

"So that's why you want my blood. Making the crushed wood soaking in it is supposed to create a connection and that is what should ease the pain. I found this strange, I get it for the potion, it needs my blood as base so that the potion can differentiate what's from me, and you, so I can get only what would... better me?" Sirius nodded. "Yes, for example if you hadn't corrected your eyes, you probably would get my perfect vision."

But then he paused. "Shit, will you lenses pose problem? If your eyes ARE corrected, and you have the lenses on top of that..."

Oh, that's a good point.

"Nah don't worry. They adapt to the need of the person. And even if something goes wrong, Mom's a healer, she can take them off, so it's all good." Their cousin intervened.

"That is good to know. Do you have other questions?"

"Did you really bought phoenix feathers to ignite the second circle? It must have cost a fortune!"

"Hey, calm down. When I was thinking about what combustible I should use, Fawkes actually appeared in front of me. and gave me three damn feathers. I asked him if I should use them for the ritual and he chirped and I took this as a 'yes'."

Harry was bewildered. In the meantime, he had often wondered if the Phoenix was loyal to Dumbledore or the school. And Tom's memories had added to that. It seems Fawkes had been seen in the company of Armando Dippet before, and some other headmasters too. He wasn't always there, mostly when the school was potentially in danger. But knowing about the ritual... were phoenixes able to see in the future? Or did Magic guided him?

"That's... good I guess." Then he yawned quite a lot.

"Okay, that's it we're done for today. We're doing this at ten tomorrow morning. You can't eat breakfast, and you will have to be perfectly clean. I also prepared underwear for you since it's the only thing you will be able to have on you. And they must be non magical, so I took no risk. Are you ready to come down? You need to eat."

Harry was a bit anxious at the idea of seeing all the Weasleys. He entered timidly the kitchen and he found them talking like usual and eating around the table. They greeted him before Molly Weasley went all motherly on him.

"Hello Harry dear. You look a bit pale, are you well?"

"Yes Mrs Weasley, I just need to eat and a good night of sleep don't worry. I hope Mr Weasley is better?" And he really did. Arthur was one of the few adults who didn't feel like a hypocrite to him.

"Yes, he is stable now. But they have problems with the venom, it stops them to close the wound." She pinched her lips, trying not to show her concern.

"Well, I've heard professor Snape is working on the antidote, I'm sure it's a matter of days now." Harry said with a definitive tone.

"Pfuah! What's stopping him to let Dad die huh? I don't trust him one bit!"

"Ron, Snape might not be the nicest person to be around and he is a shitty teacher" "Harry!"-Hermione couldn't help herself- "But if one thing is sure, he is a genius at potions. If anything, just trust in the fact that he won't let his pride let him fail, even if it's voldy's snake."

No one expected Harry to give this kind of answer and they stared at him like he was a stranger.

"I guess you might have a point." Ron grumbled finally.

"So, what did Sirius need to talk about that couldn't wait?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione... he told you to leave us alone for a reason you know. What make you think I would tell you now?" He was amused. He could tell she was insanely curious, and she hated secrets. "It's a Black Family matter Hermione, it has nothing to do with you."

"What could the Black Family have anything to do with you dear? There's nothing good with that wretched family." Molly Weasley intervened.

"My, Thank you Molly, I feel appreciated." Sirius teased. Then to Harry. "Nymmie just left, she will be back tomorrow morning. She is quite thankful you let her participate."

"Participate?" Ginny talked for the first time since he came in the kitchen.

"Yes, she is a Black too after all, even if currently disowned through her mother." Sirius explained.

"What's the need for secrecy? You're not doing something illegal I hope?" Sirius rolled his eyes.

"No Molly, Nymmie is an auror, remember?"

"Then why not tell us?" She insisted. "I'm not sure Albus would agree to whatever you intend to make Harry .."
"Albus has no say over my house, nor Harry." Sirius cut her sharply.

"Very well. Harry, we are going to see Arthur tomorrow after lunch, are you coming?"

Uh oh. He didn't know if he would feel up to. He glanced at Sirius asking for help.

"Actually, we have something planned tomorrow morning. It depends on how Harry will feel after this."

"I'm sorry Mrs Weasley, but we planned this for a few weeks already, we can't reschedule." Harry tried to ease the tension.

"Fine!" And she left.

"That went well." Harry commented.

He woke up the next morning, brushed his teeth then went down to greet the Tonks family who was scheduled to arrive by portkey in ten minutes. Once again everyone was in the giant kitchen. Molly Weasley offered him breakfast, but he declined, saying he could not eat for now.

"Why not?" Hermione asked. Harry ignored her but he saw the suspicious eyes of the Weasley matriarch. However he was saved by a familiar noise and three people were suddenly in the entrance of the house.

"Wotcher Harry, are you feeling well?!" Nymphadora inquired, her usual cheery self.

"Yep. Thanks again for doing this for me Dora, Mrs Tonks." And he bowed a little.

"Dora?! No way!" Her mother had a little laugh and kissed Harry on the cheek. "Call me Andromeda, or Dromeda if you wish. it is nice to meet you Harry. Nymphadora told me a lot about you and Ted was quite impressed after the trial." Then she turned to her daughter. "And you should let him call you like that. He will be our future Lord after all. Then he could call you like he wants..."

With a knowing smile, he played along with her to tease the young auror. "Yes, after all Nymphadora is such a nice name, I heard you like it a lot..."

"Argh! Dad, can I kill them both?!"

They all laughed, but were interrupted by a shouting contest.

"You had no right, Sirius Black! This puts us all in danger!" Molly yelled.

"I have every right, this is my house! And first, they won't be able to come back once they leave because they don't know the secret. Second, don't you dare imply they would betray us! Ted is a muggleborn for Merlin's sake!"

"Albus will hear about this!" "I don't care Molly! I made it clear to Albus that I would not obey him like a puppy!"

Andromeda murmured in his ear that he should go take his shower while the shouting contest kept going.

Ten minutes later he emerged from his bathroom, and found the black boxer Sirius had prepared for the ritual. He then entered the ritual room, and found Sirius and the Tonks already there. He felt quite a bit embarrassed being nearly naked, but at least his body wasn't the thin and underfed one he had a few month before. He wasn't vain but he liked what he could see in the mirror now.

"Oh my, I never realized you had such a nice body Harry." Dora winked at him.

"Must. Not. let hormones control me!" Harry murmured. Probably not low enough because she obviously heard him and teased him even more. "And a very alert teen I hear. it would be such a shame if you lost control of your... man thing, right Harry?" And she morphed. Into one of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Sirius laughed at this. "Sorry Nymmie, you chose the wrong type of model."

Harry glared at him. "Sirius! Can't you wait until the ritual is over and I have clothes on me before giving her ideas?!" Could she even morph into a man? Maybe not the complete anatomy but probably her face...

Sirius was grinning. "Sorry kiddo, I don't think it would work anyway, from what I've seen you are so obsessed with him, no one could take your attention away."

Harry blinked at this. "Sirius. I'm a teenager. It doesn't matter what my mind think, my body has a mind of its own." Andromeda had a musical laugh while Ted gave Sirius a 'He got you there' and finally Dora processed the information.

"Wait, Harry has a boyfriend? Why did no one tell me?" She pouted. "What does he look like?"

Sirius opened his mouth but Harry spoke before. "That is MY business. Sirius if you speak again, I will neuter you." And said man closed his mouth.

"So, is it Sirius or Harry who will be adopted? It seems Harry acts like the father to me..."

"That's mean Dromeda! I'm just enjoying teasing my godson! It's the last time I can!"

Harry began to worry when he heard that. "What do you mean? I'm not dying you know." He frowned.

"Hey relax, I was joking, I only meant this because after you won't be my godson, you will be my son." He answered softly.
"Oh." Harry felt relief all over his body and nodded.

"Shall we begin?" Andromeda suggested.

"Right!" Sirius gave him three bowls with Holly, Apple and Elder wood crushed like dust, a bowl with the phoenix feathers powder, and the vial of blood he filled yesterday. "You just have to follow what is drawn on the ground. You make the circle with the phoenix powder. Then you mix the blood within each of the bowls so the wood can absorb it. Then you draw the runes."

He began, the circle was quickly done, he now had to draw the runes and he focused the more he could. A little mistake could have very dangerous consequences.

Tinne with the holly wood. A vertical line and three horizontal ones.

Quert with the Apple wood. A vertical line and five horizontal ones.

Ruis with the Elder wood. A vertical line and five oblique ones.

He looked at Sirius who was nearly finished too. Drawing a full circle in blood was more time consuming, but the runes were more easy to drawn.

Opala, Kenaz and Berkana. Separation, Beginning, Rebirth and growth. It was roughly summarized but close enough. He then put seven drops of his blood by cutting his finger in the potions, and Sirius did the same with three drops.

"I think we are ready. You both know your part?" Sirius asked the two women.

Nymphadora nodded eagerly. "Of course. Harry, it is time to drink the potion."

"Wait." Harry said. "We didn't discuss this. What about my name?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "What about it? You want to change it?"

"Well I don't know. I thought Blacks had a tradition to name their children after stars or constellations."

"That is true... you know what? We will discuss it later, either you can rename completely, but it will be a bit against our plan to hide the adoption. Or I can give you either a third name, but it would still be risky, or ... maybe an unofficial name? Just between the two of us?"

Yes, Harry thought, that last idea had appeal.

"I think I'd like that. Having something just between us." Sirius grinned. "Great! I already know your first one. Now, drink the potion and then go in the middle of the circle. Andromeda, Nymphadora, take your position."

The potion had a nice taste, and made him feel completely high. "If being drunk is like that i will never drink." he grumbled. The three adults chuckled and Dora gave him a 'We will talk about it again in a few years' look.

Harry looked at his soon-to-be father, who nodded. He sat, and then took a deep breath. He put a finger on the first rune, Opala, to begin the ritual. He poured his magic and the blood flared. Then the rest of the circle progressively flared, igniting the two others runes at the same time, and finally the circle closed.

Sirius soon did the same with the Tinne rune, and the second circle erupted in flames. It was not planned because Sirius looked surprised, and worried after that. The second circle made a circular wall of flame very impressive. Harry was vaguely aware of it, the potion made it hard to focus.

Andromeda forced a cough, to ask Sirius the last step of the ritual. He understood quickly enough.

"Today, we are together to bring a new child into our family. I ask the magic our family wields since so many centuries. Please accept it and let him be reborn as my son." Sirius began.

"Today, I stand as witness for the family as a matriarch of the Black family. I swear to the magic our family wields since so many centuries, this child is worthy of us, please accept him as a new son of Black." Andromeda said with solemn tone.

"Today, as a daughter of the Black family, I thank the magic our family wields since so many centuries to give him a new son, and I welcome him as a son of the Black Family."

Harry realized the voices had stopped, and that it was probably his part. His searched inside him, felt the strange feeling and asked his magic to interact. And then everything went black.

Andromeda moved slowly towards her cousin who looked ready to jump inside the flames.

"You can't interrupt it. You know that right?"

"Yes! But why did it react like this? What if it hurts him?"

"I think he is safe. Does it seems hot to you?" He glanced at the fire then shook his head. "Besides... I don't think that the fire is what you should worry. Look at his head."

Sirius quickly focused on Harry's head, and what he saw made his heart stop. The scar was flaring exactly like the runes on the ground.

"Sowilo..." He murmured. Andromeda nodded. "We should have anticipated this. It's not unusual to have carved runes in the flesh, and they are known to interact in rituals. We just didn't realize that a scar could act like one... However, that particular rune is often used to make a ritual more effective, to push the efficiency to the maximum."

She paused. "The only consequence I can imagine would be that he would change physically more than planned. With only one parent, the changes should have been nearly invisible. Now...Well let's say it's lucky you are good looking."

But it didn't calm Sirius. "It's bad, if he looks like me, Dumbledore will know. Glamours can only get you so far."

Suddenly, the flames shot down, and there were nothing left on the ground. Sirius ran to Harry, followed by Andromeda. Harry wasn't conscious so she cast diagnostic charms.

"He is physically fine. Magically exhausted, which is weird. But in the end fine. And I can tell at least one thing that changed. His hair. He lost quite a bit of the wildness Potters usually have. But only someone who will look at it will see. That new haircut probably helps, it would be more visible if he had long hair."

Harry moved a bit, and opened his eyes. His green eye and his grey eye.

Sirius held back his breath, and Harry must have sense his discomfort because he could see worry in his eyes.

"Sirius, is something wrong? I feel okay.."

"Yes, don't worry, just something not planned but we will find a solution. Can you see alright or do you need the lenses off?"

"It's... all blurred."

"Are you sure?" Andromeda asked. "If somehow it's only because of the ritual and I take them off, you will have to do the charm once again." Harry grimaced hearing this.

"I'm .. tired. Can't I sleep and we will see after? I really don't want to stay blind for so long once again." Andromeda nodded and cast a sleeping charm. Soon Harry fell asleep against a warm chest. Sirius, holding him off was resigned now that the situation had sunk.

"Maybe an item with a glamour embedded, like an enchantment..."

"Sirius!" Dora shouted at him. "You know these corrective lenses can change eye color right?" He turned his head so fast he actually hurt himself.

"Yes, but he will need to take off this one and place a new one." Andromeda retorted.

"Somehow, I think just one eye blind will be fine to him. I assume he didn't like the feeling of not seeing at all the first time." This made Sirius remember how his... son had actually become intimate with Blaise. Yes one eye should be fine. "Yes, from what he told me, one eye will be fine as long as he can see."

Sirius then took Harry into his bed. Then said good bye to the Tonks with the promise than Andromeda would be on stand by all the week-end in case Harry needed her. Luckily, the Weasley were at St Mungo's and he didn't have to answer questions. He was way too tired for a raging Molly.

Harry woke up, seeing fine. Feeling fine too, only a little bit sore. And so hungry he could eat a horse. He went to the bathroom, took a shower, felt his hair a bit weird but did not think much of it and went to brush his teeth. And then he saw it. The grey eye.

"What the hell?" He washed her mouth to clean the toothpaste, put on some clothes and rushed to knock on Sirius's room.

"Good morning son, how are? You slept quite a bit."

That made him pause a bit. "What do you mean, what time is it?"

"It is currently 9 M in the morning and we are Monday."

"Monday! I know you told me the ritual could be exhausting but I never imagined I would sleep for two days!" Harry hissed.

"Well, it wasn't planned. From what I've read, the child adopted is tired, but he doesn't need to sleep after the ritual, or on the worst cases, only a little nap. Exhaustion stays for one or two days and then it's over. But somehow, you were magically exhausted too, and that's the reason you slept so much I think. We assume it has something to do with your scar."

"The lightning bolt?" Harry frowned, then realization hit him. "Sowilo..."

"Yes. That's what we concluded too. You somehow, powered the ritual, by most likely enhancing the potion with your own magic. I suppose you saw yourself in the mirror and it's the reason you came in with that panicked look?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, and by the way, I see just fine. It was probably the fatigue that made me see all blurry."

"I see. It's good to know. Andromeda told me we could just take off the lens on your grey eye and replace it with a one changing your eye color. Of course you would have to let it closed just like the first time.

Hm. That would do it. He wouldn't panic if he could see.

"When?"

"Well it depends on you. If you feel fine, we can sneak out to visit Gringotts and ask Andromeda to come tonight or tomorrow. If you feel tired I think she can come to eat lunch with us and we will do it then. To be honest I'm nearly going crazy here, they all harassed me to no end because you wouldn't show up, and when I told them you were asleep, I just stated it was a private matter. But you know the girls..." He grimaced. "Between Molly and Hermione, I thought I would snap and actually deserve my title of mass murderer."

Harry grinned. "Welcome to my life. Hermione can be so... suffocating sometimes.
Anyway, you will be pleased to know I feel perfectly fine. Gringotts it is! Wait, no! Eating first!"

"Very well, but first.." He flicked his wand and Harry felt his left eye warming up a bit. "There you go. It's a basic glamour. Quite easy since it's on a little surface. But will only last for some hours. That's why it's not reliable. Now, let's eat and be assaulted by your fans."

Like they imagined, breakfast was complicated. He explained to them Sirius had insisted to do a full check up on him, hence why Andromeda was here, and Nymphadora and Ted were here in case they found something bad. Sirius had looked impressed at his excuse. He also explained why he had to sleep so long by saying he had to give blood, and one of the spell checking him had to rely on his magic. At his point Sirius had a eyebrow raised so high Harry had to contain his smile.

When he left to prepare for Gringotts, Sirius stopped him quickly and with a grin murmured to his ear. "I know you asked for Gryffindor, but right now I wonder how the hat let you out of Slytherin at all, that was brilliant!"

When Harry came back with a cloak, Molly asked him where he thought he was going.

"We have a important visit, we will be back tonight." Sirius declared with his own cloak.

"You can't be serious! It's dangerous to leave the house!" She shrieked. Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Nonsense. No one will know it's us." Then with a wave of his hand, Harry looked like a completely banal teen. "There. It will last until we arrive at destination. See ya!"

They opened the door and closed it hearing the cries of anger of Molly and Walburga Black.