Joshua Black and the Prophecy of the Chosen One

Chapter 1: Moving Under the Fidelius

It was warm windy day in the country of England. A lone boy with black hair and grey eyes sat atop a hill, looking out into the country. He sat with his knees inches from his chest and his arms resting on his knees. He looked out seeing more hills, behind him, a forest, but ahead, a two-story house next to a small pond surrounded by a wooden fence. This house was the boy's new home, and it was different from what he was used to. What he was accustomed to living in the city around others, but living out in the country, in solitude, though around a few others, was better. Living out here, the things this boy had been through, made them seem small and unimportant. He loved it out here as it made him feel content and normal, though this boy wasn't ordinary, he was magical. He was a wizard. He is Joshua Black, son of accused murder and Azkaban attendee.

Josh looked out into the world. His summer so far had been decent and okay, and living with the Tonks' family had been a great experience. But it was good as he wasn't alone in this. Since he had gotten back from School, Josh had a roommate, another cousin named Draco Malfoy, who all but abandoned his family who followed the now resurrected Dark Lord and his views. Views, Draco didn't and won't support anymore.

Josh stretched out, his hand hitting a newspaper, the Daily Prophet. He had been reading it a lot lately, looking for any clues on what Voldemort and his death eaters could be doing, but there was nothing, nothing he could make out. Josh thought Voldemort and his followers must be lying low for now. Also next to the newspaper were a few letters from his friends. All from Blaise, Daphne, and Hermione, all asking the same and checking to see if he was alright. He was, and he told them time and time again that he would be alright, and that he was done mourning his grandfather. Though they hadn't found a body, a funeral was still held a week after he left Hogwarts and a grave put next to Josh's grandmother's grave.

But, things still weighed down on Josh. All because he was different, related to Slytherin, and supposedly powerful, it was the reason as to why his Grandfather was dead. Other things that weighed down on Josh were the awful things he did or nearly did. He nearly tortured an older Slytherin student his third year, nearly tortured an unarmed muggle, he tortured his own cousin, and he nearly joined Voldemort's cause. Each of these decision's was worse than the next, and to Josh, his decisions were becoming more and more violent, acting one the worst decision possible. He was afraid was next horrible thing he might decide to do next, and if his theory was right, whatever it was, it was most likely going to be worse than joining Voldemort. And Josh couldn't help think that it was murder or killing a person; that's what his strange dreams seem to lean close to.

That was another thing that bothered Josh; his dreams. They seemed to be getting weirder and weirder. When they had first started, he had dream of his stepfather doing something horrible to his mother, which happened to be true. The next dream was when he was in a graveyard with Lord Voldemort, and that dream too had come true. And now, he had two different kinds of dreams. One was a dream of his best friend Blaise and a wizard dueling. Josh was there, and he witnessed his best friend being shot down by a green curse. Josh couldn't help but be worried about that dream as it seemed vivid and real. His other dream was the one about him facing down an unfamiliar Dark Wizard, pointing their wands at one another, both waiting for the other make their move.

Josh couldn't help but think these dreams would come true like his last dreams, so he did other things to keep his mind off of them. He did his school work and he began a secret project, Animagus training. Since his father was one, Josh decided that it was time that he should become one too, as it had its advantages. Though he had only begun reading more about Animagus training; he hadn't started on the magical transformation part, not yet.

"Josh!" shouted a voice. Josh looked down towards the house to see Draco running from it, towards him. Within a couple of minutes, Draco reached Josh, breathing heavily. "Josh," He breathed out, trying to catch his breath. Josh watched Draco bemusedly. "Josh, he's here!" Draco said.

Josh quickly got up, grabbing the Prophet and his letters. "Come on," he said, and began running towards the house. Draco sighed heavily and reluctantly followed Josh.

A minute later, Josh and Draco were entering the Tonks' home, their home. They entered through the backdoor which was in the kitchen. Josh tossed the letters on the table, where Draco sat to catch his breath, and made his way towards the sitting room, where he heard voices. Josh stopped at the closed door and listened.

"I hope everything with Josh is going good?" said a familiar voice.

"Well, he is doing better than when he came from Hogwarts," spoke Andromeda's voice. "But he does spend half his time alone, either in his room or outside on the hills." Josh caught his breath and walked into the sitting room.

"Well, hopefully moving him back into society will do well for him – "

The conversation stopped when Josh had entered. "Joshua." Josh smiled as he looked at his father, looking a whole lot better, as if he had never went to Azkaban.

"Sirius," Josh said, and then two moved closer, hugging one another.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Sirius said, letting go of his son. "I just got back from a meeting with Dumbledore." Josh nodded, looking around the room seeing that Sirius wasn't alone; Remus Lupin was her was well.

"Remus," Josh greeted with a nodded. Remus smiled and nodded. Andromeda and Nymphadora were there as well, but Ted was still at work. Josh turned back to Sirius just as Draco entered, holding a butterbeer. "So, what's going on? Who's moving where?" Josh asked.

"Well, you and Draco are," Sirius answered, looking a bit worried. "We're going to take you to a, well, a safe house in the city."

"Why? We're perfectly safe here," Josh replied, sitting down on the couch next to Nymphadora.

"Yes, you are, Josh," Andromeda said. "But we thought that you might want to be closer to father; live with him in his family home." Josh looked at Sirius who nodded.

"But I like it here," Josh said. "Why can't Sirius stay here?"

"Well, there are some things that we can't really discuss, but it's best that we move you and Draco to my family home," Sirius spoke.

"Why?" Josh asked.

"Can't we just tell them?" Nymphadora asked.

"Tell me what?"

"I don't want to worry my son," Sirius replied.

"But he needs to know or he'll be wondering why all of sudden he is attacked out of nowhere," Nymphadora said.

"Nymphadora!" Andromeda hissed.

"What are you talking about?" Josh asked as loud as he could.

Sirius sighed. "We're moving you because we think that you, and not just you, but Draco, will be a target to Voldemort and his followers," he explained.

"What? Why?" Josh asked.

"A few reasons," Sirius said.

"Which are?"

"Because you're friends with Harry," Remus answered. "And Draco is a target for leaving his father and alliancing himself with someone like you."

"Someone like me?" Josh repeated, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Sirius and Lupin looked at one another. "Tell him," Remus said.

Sirius sighed, but nodded. "Voldemort thinks you're a threat just as much as a threat as Harry," he said reluctantly.

"What?" Josh said, confused.

"Look, Voldemort doesn't like that fact that there are two Heir of Slytherins, especially when there is one who is more pure-blooded than him," Sirius explained. "He also believes that you are another who can take him down because he believes you're a powerful wizard."

"Why? Because I'm the stupid Heir of Slytherin?" Josh said, standing up. "What about Silus or Cyrus or Rina?" He said. "They're all related to Slytherin too."

"None of them can speak to snakes," Remus said. "Only you can, since you are the one who can, besides Harry, you are a threat to Voldemort."

"That's stupid," Josh said, sitting back down.

"We know," Sirius said. "But we're still moving you and Draco to my family home. Don't worry, we will be safe. The house is protected and unseen from nearly everyone."

Josh sighed. "When are we leaving?" he asked.

"In the morning," Sirius answered. "We're leaving you tonight to pack, and then we'll come back and take you to the safe house."

"What about Nymphadora?" Josh asked, and felt an elbow nudge his shoulder. "I mean, I thought she was my guardian? Is she going with us too?" Over the beginning of the summer, Josh had grown quite close to Nymphadora. She had become quite the big sister type to him, which he didn't mind. He actually liked having her around. She was fun, humorous, and caring. She helped Josh heal from the death of his grandfather.

Nymphadora shook her head. "No, I won't be staying with you guys," she said. "But I'll be around a lot, for protection and well, to visit my cousin," she said, wrapping her arm around Josh's shoulders.

"Don't worry, Josh, you won't be alone," Sirius spoke. "All your friends will be there. Harry, Ron and the Weasleys, Hermione, and Blaise and his mother. It's going to be a very full house."

Josh nodded, but then looked at his father. "Wait, what about Daphne and Tracey?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah, about that," Sirius said, looking away and at Remus. "Well, Remus, what was it that the Greengrass's said?"

Remus sighed and looked over at Josh. "Yes, well, it turns out since you have been outed as a target by Voldemort and his followers among, well; the patriarch of the Greengrass family thinks that you may be a bad influence on their daughter, and they don't like you to put her in harm's way."

"What?" Josh said, "But – "

"Josh, I know you would want her there with us," Sirius spoke. "But we have to respect Mr. Greengrass's wishes; at least for now."

"But what's their deal?" Josh asked.

"Well, the Greengrass's are a particularly neutral family," Remus explained. "And well, because –"

"Because of what?" Josh asked, looking between Remus and Sirius. Remus then pulled out a newspaper and handed it to Josh.

"It's the evening edition, and we were just as surprised as you were," Remus said. Josh looked at the newspaper in shock. The headline said:

Joshua Black: Traumatized by the Tournament! Shouting Lies of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!

"They can't be serious!" Josh growled out, tossing the paper to the ground. "I mean, I'm not lying! I saw Voldemort come back! So did Harry and my grand…"

"Josh, we know," Nymphadora said, squeezing Josh's shoulders. "But they're not just calling you a liar, but Harry and Dumbledore as well."

"And let me guess," Josh said, standing up. "Daphne's father believes whatever is written in the Prophet."

Sirius nodded. "I'm afraid so," he said. "As well as Tracey's mother."

Josh sighed. "I'm going to go pack," he said and left the sitting room. Draco followed a second later and both entered their shared room. It took some time for Draco to adjust to normal and poorer situations. Since he left his family, he was cut off, and only had a little money he had been saving up on his own, so he had to limit to what he could buy. He didn't mind sharing a room as he had shared a room with others at Hogwarts, which was what he was used to. But the biggest uncomfortable thing was when Josh or the Tonks' would lend or just give Draco money for clothes or other necessities. He was used to being handed money and buying things, but things changed and he traded work and chores for the money he was given.

"So much for the first impression on Daphne's parents," Josh said, plopping onto his bed.

Draco began pulling his clothes out of his closet. "I'm sorry, mate," he said. "Maybe when they learn the truth, they'll warm up to you."

"Yeah, right," Josh said, pulling his trunk from under his bed and opened it. It was filled with mostly school junk.

"What, don't like to throw away old notes and homework?" Draco said, moving over to Josh to look at his trash-filled trunk.

Josh shrugged. "Not really," he said. "It comes in handy sometimes when I need to make a quick sickle and some second year needs notes on something we've already learned."

"That's not a bad idea," Draco said getting the idea, and then noticed something else in Josh's trunk. "What's this?" he asked, picking up a small unwrapped present.

"Give me that!" Josh said, snatching the gift from Draco's hands.

"Sorry," Draco said with a raised eyebrow and watched as Josh pocketed the small present. "But what is it?"

"It's the last gift my mum gave me before she was taken to Azkaban," Josh replied, digging through his trunk. Draco nodded and said no more, moving over to his trunk and began to empty it for new things.

The next morning, Draco and Josh were woken up very early by Mrs. Tonks. The two boys entered the kitchen, yawning, and seeing that both Remus and Sirius were there drinking coffee.

"Good morning boys," Remus greeted. Draco and Josh both mumbled their responses and sat down at the table where Mrs. Tonks gave them a plate of breakfast. A second later, Nymphadora entered still in her night clothes and stopped in her tracks at Remus and Sirius, and quickly closed her robe.

"You're early," Dora said as she her cheeks were tinged with pink. Draco and Josh looked at one another then back at Dora wonder what could make her blush.

"Couldn't sleep," Sirius answered as he smiled knowingly.

"Dora, dear, why aren't you ready?" Mrs. Tonks asked her daughter.

"Yes, you're right mum," Dora said, pointing at her mother. "I will go do just that," she added and then left the kitchen.

"So, how are we getting to your home?" Josh tiredly asked his father.

"Well, can't really floo there," Sirius said. "And flying would be a bit long, so," he said, holding up an old and torn leather glove. "It'll be portkey."

Josh stared at the glove. "But –"

"Josh, I know," Sirius interrupted. "But it's the safest thing at the moment. Don't worry; it'll take right outside the house, alright?" Josh reluctantly nodded. Since the tournament, Josh didn't trust portkeys anymore, unless he knew exactly where they were going. "Go ahead and get your things then," Sirius said. "We'll be leaving in half an hour." Draco and Josh nodded, finished their breakfast, and then left to go get their trunks and owl.

Half an hour later, everyone was in the sitting room surrounding the leather torn glove except Mr. Tonks who had already left for work and said his goodbyes to the two boys last night. Mrs. Tonks was there, but she was only saying goodbye to Josh and Draco. She hugged both boys tightly, which was a surprise to Draco who was unfamiliar to it.

"Oh, you boys be careful, will you?" Mrs. Tonks said, letting go of Josh who nodded.

"Alright, everyone grab on," Remus said, and him, Sirius, Dora, Josh, and Draco touched or grabbed the portkey.

Josh felt the familiar feeling and felt the tug just behind his navel and had been suddenly jerked irresistibly forward. He could feel himself leaving the home of Mrs. Tonks and was speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling color; and then, his feet slammed into the ground, this time able to keep to his feet. Everyone did, except Draco who staggered to the ground.

Josh looked around. They had landed on a patch of unkempt grass in the middle of a small square. It was a little warm and humid, and the sun had yet to come up. As he looked around, he felt the grimy fronts of the surrounding houses were not welcoming; some of them had broken windows, glimmering dully in the light from the streetlamps, paint was peeling from many of the doors and heaps of rubbish lay outside several sets of front steps.

"Where are we?" Draco asked, back on his feet; but Sirius said quietly, "In a minute."

Remus was rummaging in his cloak. "Got it," he muttered, raising what looked like a silver cigarette lighter into the air and clicking it. The nearest streetlamp went out with a pop. He clicked the unlighter again; the next lamp went out; he kept clicking until every lamp in the square was extinguished and the only remaining light came from curtained windows and the sickle moon overhead.

"What is that thing?" Josh asked.

"It's a Deluminator," Remus answered, pocketing the item. "We borrowed it from Dumbledore; it'll take care of any Muggles looking out of the window. Now come on."

Draco and Josh grabbed their trunks while Dora had Josh's owl, and Remus led the group from the patch of grass, across the road and on to the pavement. The muffled sound of a very loud TV was coming from an upper window in the nearest house. A pungent smell of rotting rubbish came from the pile of bulging bin-bags just inside the broken gate.

"Here," Sirius whispered, handing a piece of parchment towards each of Josh's and Draco's hands. "Read it quickly and memorize it." He said, holding out a lit wand towards the two boys.

Josh and Draco looked down at their pieces of paper. The narrow handwriting was vaguely familiar. It said:

The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London.

"What's the Order of the -?" Josh began quietly.

"Shush!" Sirius shushed. "Wait till we're inside!" He pulled the piece of parchments out of Josh's and Draco's hands and set them fire to it with his wand-tip.

As the message curled into flames and floated to the ground, Josh looked around at the houses again. They were standing outside number eleven; he looked to the left and saw number ten; to the right, however, was number thirteen.

"But where's -?"

"Think about what you've just memorized," said Remus quietly.

Josh thought, and no sooner had he reached the part about number twelve, Grimmauld Place, that a battered door emerged out of nowhere between numbers eleven and thirteen, followed swiftly by dirty walls and grimy windows. It was as though an extra house had inflated, pushing those on either side out of its way. Josh gaped at it. The TV in number eleven thudded on. Apparently the Muggles inside hadn't felt anything.

"Come on, let's go," Sirius said, prodding Josh in the back.

Josh walked up the worn stone steps, staring at the newly materialized door. Its black paint was shabby and scratched. The silver doorknocker was in the form of a twisted serpent. There was no keyhole or letterbox.

Remus pulled out his wand and tapped the door once. Josh heard many loud, metallic clicks and what sounded like the clatter of a chain. The door creaked open.

"Come on, boys, get in quick," Sirius whispered, "but don't go far inside and don't touch anything."

Draco and Josh stepped over the threshold into the almost total darkness of the hall. They could smell damp, dust and a sweetish, rotting smell; the place had the feeling of a derelict building. Josh looked over his shoulder and saw the others filing in behind him, Sirius, and Dora carrying Shadow in his cage. Remus was standing on the top step releasing the balls of light the Deluminator had stolen from the streetlamps; they flew back to their bulbs and the square glowed momentarily with orange light before Remus backed inside and closed the front door, so that the darkness in the hall became complete.

"Now stay still, everyone, while I give us a bit of light in here," Remus whispered.

Josh couldn't help but have an odd feeling of foreboding; it was as though they had just entered the house of a dying person. He heard a soft hissing noise and then old-fashioned gas lamps sputtered into life all along the walls, casting a flickering insubstantial light over the peeling wallpaper and threadbare carpet of a long, gloomy hallway, where a cobwebby chandelier glimmered overhead and age-blackened portraits hung crooked on the walls. Josh heard something scuttling behind the baseboard. Both the chandelier and the candelabra on a rickety table nearby were shaped like serpents. It looked as if no one had been here in ages.

"Anyone else here?" Josh asked Dora.

"No," she answered. "You guys are the first to witness and see the most noble and ancient house of Black."

A/N: A short chapter. More will come. A lot of new things. Not only is Harry a target but so is Josh cause of the Heir of Slytherin. Basically, like the Highlander, there can only be one! Yes and there will be more surprises here hopefully and more awesomeness.