Unpredictable
Harry supposed grounding was not an immensely terrible punishment as he slowly let his magic wash over the perfectly frozen ice block in front of him.
He had food, plenty of space to roam around his home and many things to do that kept him occupied so that he did not die of boredom. And he also had the feeling Sirius was simply gleeful at the prospect that the two of them got extra hours to spend together for three days, which was heartwarming to know.
But in all honesty, not swimming was slightly agonizing.
It had startled Harry just how much he had become used and dependent on the ocean after being forced to stay away from it. And the fact unsettled him slightly if he were to be honest.
He had to stop himself from spending a few hours in his bath – which the goblins had helpfully turned into a pool – just so that Sirius' grounding did not become useless. The man was really trying and Harry did not want to ruin their chances at being a real family simply because he could not swim for three days. Besides, it was only the first day and Harry would lose his prank streak against Sirius before he would admit that not being near the ocean was affecting him terribly.
He would survive through this three-day ocean-ban if it was the last thing he did.
His magic inspected the frozen cube curiously while it infused itself bit by bit into the frozen state of water. The process was slow but Harry was glad something was at least happening rather than nothing. Bit by bit, he could feel the faint connection had with the ice cube strengthening. He coaxed his magic gently, encouraging it to continue its slow fusion with the ice.
It was really satisfying to see some success after so long of failure. He supposed he should have thought of this method first instead of trying to freeze water according to will. If he succeeded in connecting himself to the solid form of water, he should have an easier time manipulating water to become ice at his will.
He felt Sirius shift beside him on the couch but did not turn to look. He knew the man was either watching him or continuing to read his books on transfiguration – Mastery level. Harry had asked Sirius exactly what he planned to do after gaining freedom – and Sirius would get freedom, Harry would make sure of it – and the man had realized he had spent so long bent on thinking to catch the rat and recovering for Harry's sake that he had not thought of his own future. For now, he planned to resume the Mastery he had considered to take some time before the war tore his life apart. Sirius was not sure he still wanted it but it was a good place to start than anywhere else. Thankfully, the man had had no trouble revising his previous material and picking up where he had left of before his stay in Azkaban with the goblin healers and tutors help.
Harry felt it when his magic gave a contended buzz as it connected fully with the ice, swirling about, becoming a seamless part of the unassuming block of ice. A pleasant coldness washed over him at the success. Harry sighed, slouching onto the couch, a little tired but happy nonetheless at his first success with ice. For a cube so small, it certainly drained his magic to sync with it. He would have to do it a few more times before he could do the process as well as he does with water in its liquid state.
"Got what you were hoping to do?" Sirius asked. Harry turned to see the man flip a page in his book, looking slightly distracted as his brain tried to read and converse at the same time.
"Yep." Harry raised his hand, drawing Sirius' attention to him and the ice block which was raising itself slowly from the ground and twirling and dancing about.
"Wandless levitation?" Sirius asked. He was not surprised anymore at Harry doing magic without a wand after learning the truth.
"Nope. Not a levitation spell but simple connection with the ice particles," Harry stated happily.
"You've got it!" Sirius smiled.
Harry nodded. "A bit more practice and I can say it's in the bag confidently."
"Good job pup."
The ruffling of his hair brought a smile to Harry's face. Then the two returned to their own matters, focusing on their tasks each.
"Honestly, grounding is not that terrible," Harry thought as he focused back on mastering his magic.
"We've found the new wards that settled onto your home."
Harry settled the drinks he brought over onto the coffee before settling next Sirius on the armchair to face Griphook and Barknas – the goblin chief of the group of warders that helped fortify the wards on his cottage.
"What are they?"
"Blood wards."
Harry tensed. Sirius placed an arm around him in an attempt to comfort. Sensing Harry needed time, he took over the conversation.
"How? He's not living with anyone of Lily's blood in this house."
Barknas stared at Sirius. "But Lord Potter lives with you and your blood runs in his veins."
Harry's eyes snapped up from where he was staring at the coffee table. "What?" He turned to face Sirius, who was looking confused himself, with an enquiring look.
"I don't quite get it either pup, unless…" Sirius sat up straight. "I've done a ritual on Harry before when he was three months old with Lily and James as the witness. It was to bind myself as his godfather by magic's creed. There was a part where he and I exchanged three drops of blood."
Harry made a face at the description.
"It was a necessary part, pup," Sirius explained, "A sort of blood adoption where I see you are acknowledged to be my family, granting you with the status equivalent as my son and your parents grant me the status equivalent to theirs. It was a fail-safe we had to ensure there would always be someone to look after you. We did it with your godmother too, Alice Longbottom. And your parents returned the favor of the same ritual with little Neville since your mother was godmother for him."
Harry stayed silent. He knew Neville's relation to him. The potion he took had been clear. He had done his best to find out about Neville's parents after that. And the answers he found at the medical ward in St Mungo's still haunted him. His godmother's actions of handing him a sweet wrapper – which was something he had learnt she only did when Neville came around – had only served to further tighten the horrid feeling that had coiled around his chest.
Harry had left immediately afterwards. He was sure he would have cried then and there if he had to stay, despite the fact that he had never cried in front of others in years (if one were to mercifully ignore the panic attack incident in front of Griphook this summer).
The fact that Neville most probably felt the bitterness and unfairness of the situation a hundred times worse than him had done nothing to brighten his mood.
Harry forced his mind back to the present. He could dwell on somber truths when he was alone.
"I suppose magic judging the ritual has a greater importance in the ritual if the Ruehmhtana potion only stated you were my magic-bound godfather and not blood bound. But if you sort of blood adopted me, how come I don't have any of your features?"
Sirius shrugged.
"It is a unique way of adopting, pup. As much as I would have loved to adopt you as my son, Lily would have had skinned me alive if I had done that and then tossed my remains for James to take care of."
Sirius shuddered.
"That particular ritual does the same as all other blood adoptions but does not complete the last aspect to seal the adoption fully which is changing your features to reflect my family line's so that you can integrate well into the family. However, it is unique in that it still grants me the same legal guardianship over you as it would have if I had adopted you the common blood ritual. Obviously, we can do it now if you want but I reckon you don't want to lose your mother's eyes and nose or the rest of your father's face you seem to carry."
"Huh." Harry sank back into his part of the couch at the news.
"But would that affect Harrison's magical abilities?"
Sirius turned to look at Griphook who had spoken. "As in?"
"You mentioned the adoption does everything but change the features of the child. He has your blood even if he is not your son and he is your magical heir in all rights since the Black ring accepted him. Would your family magic influence his abilities in the future?"
Sirius shrugged. "I have no idea, Griphook. But I doubt it considering I exchanged took in his blood too as part of the ritual and I do not have Potter family magic of any kind."
"But your intent was focused on giving. Giving Harrison a home with you if needed as part of your family. Not joining his family by integrating yourself into it. That can complicate matters. There is a reason only the child undergoes changes in an adoption done through magic."
"We can ponder that later," Harry interrupted. "I have enough new abilities to juggle with right now. What I would like to know, is how that affects the blood wards that have currently settled into our home?"
"I only have theories, unfortunately."
"That is fine, Barknas. A theory is better than nothing," Harry stated.
Barknas nodded.
"You have mentioned that you remember your mother researching into ways to protect you and the family approximately about a month after you were born, correct? I believe she did more than research the spells and knowledge. She tinkered with them too to fit your circumstance so that you would have the best protection."
Barknas took a sip of his drink.
"Since you, Lord Black, adopted Lord Potter by blood and would be the next best candidate to house and protect her son, I believed she tweaked the sacrificial magic from the ritual she used to protect Lord Potter to work on any home Lord Potter and you would call home, effectively protecting her son and her son's caretaker from harm from those that wish either of you harm."
Sirius whistled.
Barknas sipped his drink again. "Yes. A brilliant piece of magic. And if Lady Potter actually managed it within less than a year, it is very impressive. For now this is the only explanation I can think of without any evidence of the actual set of runes Lady Potter used. The structure and readings from the current wards settling in your home corroborates with it."
Harry's mind was in a whirlwind. "Is it likely to have had any other implication? Her changing of the blood that the magic was to tie itself to. Would that not mean the eleven years I spent with the Dursleys were just a waste if the magic did not hold itself with Petunia's blood?"
Barknas shrugged. "Once again, it is a guessing game, Lord Potter. The wards on Privet Drive have shattered and if they were weak, which is the most likely case considering your relatives attitude towards you, the residue magic from it is sure to have vanished by now. So we cannot fathom anything from that. And I would rather not take Albus Dumbledore's words when it comes to such matters despite his accomplishments. Her tweaking may have rendered it impossible for you to have good blood wards while living with your maternal aunt or it may not. But at the end of the day it does not matter, does it, considering in both cases your living there would not have paved way for good wards with how your relatives' act towards anything magic?"
Harry mused that that was indeed a god point. Even if there had been blood wards present, they were probably weak and useless since Petunia had no love to dish out for him.
"Are you saying Harry has probably been living with no protections whatsoever for eleven years?" The silent anger simmering in Sirius' tone sent chills down Harry's spine and he was happy his godfather's anger was not directed at him.
The goblin shrugged again, unaffected by the Black Lord's anger. "Yes, if you mean protection on the house – that is the blood wards – were useless. However, Lord Potter has always and will always retain his mother's protection in his blood. That is a reason why these blood wards have been able to create themselves over your current home."
Harry perked up in sudden curiosity. "Wait, if they simply create themselves, are you saying that Dumbledore had virtually done nothing to aid in their creation? They just form themselves as long as the right conditions are met?"
Barknas nodded. "These are sentient magic works. They need no aid in casting unless requirements are not met. Your mother already did most of the work, Lord Potter."
Harry put his head in his hands. "That's not what Dumbledore said."
The three other occupants in the room exchanged looks. "Elaborate please."
"He said during the meeting that Petunia taking me in sealed the charm he placed on me when I all but demanded he explain himself to me or I'd bring his deeds to the Wizengamot."
"You threatened Dumbledore?" Sirius asked with a look mixed with concern and awe.
"I was rash, angry and young and therefore foolishly courageous," Harry stated with a blank face before turning back to Barknas. "Please tell me he did not mess up more."
Barknas meanwhile had descended into silence, mulling over the information. "Are you sure he said that?"
"Positive."
"Well, that's extremely foolish of him then."
Harry repressed the groan he wanted to let out.
"You have to know, Lord Potter. Magic is a complicated matter that is very much sentient in its own right. Such things like blood protection wards are things that occur naturally and strengthen naturally depending on the conditions required. Usually it takes about a few days for the wards to form naturally if the bond between the person being protected and the family member who chooses to protect is strong. In other cases like yourself and Lord Black, where you are still getting to know one another, it will take a little longer but would not exceed for more than say a week as long as there is true care and concern in the heart of your protector who lives with you.
Dumbledore's method of invoking is not wrong per say, just not advisable. It rushes the magic to place the wards before magic can do her own judgments. Such invoking only happens when the person being protected is in terrible danger and they do not have the luxury of time to let the wards settle in."
Harry frowned. He did have to wonder why Dumbledore invoked the protection if what Barknas mentioned was true. Because despite what Dumbledore said about him being in danger of having found out by Death Eaters while he was young, Harry knew that most of the Death Eaters had been reeling too much from the shock of their Master's death and trying to find ways to ensure their status and escape ways were secure to have had actively gone to search for him. His research so far into the night his parents were murdered and the resulting chaos going around the wizarding world told him that much. He would have had at least a week before any goo Death Eater had started to hunt him down to kill him. And even then he knew enough now to speculate that most of the wizards and witches intending to find him would have searched within the wizarding world first before even thinking that the Boy-Who-Lived may have been shipped off to live with muggles. Which meant there would have been plenty of time for the blood wards between him and Petunia to form and strengthen after Dumbledore had left him at the Dursleys' doorsteps.
So Dumbledore really had no need to invoke those protections immediately.
"Unless he knew already that the blood wards would not likely form in the house with Petunia as your guardian," his inner voice laid out the likely truth bluntly.
Harry clenched his teeth as a bitter taste filled his mouth.
"But that certainly answers one of our questions," Barknas drew back his attention to the conversation, unaware of Harry's silent anger, "If he had indeed cast a charm and felt it being sealed with your maternal aunt taking you in, there had indeed been blood wards in that house. Not strong proper ones, but still. Better than nothing."
Harry could not keep from grumbling under his breath.
"By the way," Sirius interrupted. "I couldn't help but notice you mentioned the wards were settling when you first mentioned them. Why have they not yet settled finished?"
"It seems Lord Potter considers the woods surrounding this cottage to also count as home for the two of you. Therefore the wards have anchored onto the house and are currently spreading their influence over the woods."
"But that is an entire island!" Harry exclaimed.
Barknas shrugged. "Magic is an unpredictable matter, Lord Potter. It is limited yet it knows no bounds."
"But seriously –"
"You are the one considering it home, fish," Griphook, who had so far quietly sipped his drink, interrupted.
Harry scowled, and then blanched as a new thought came to him.
"What is it?" Sirius asked, glancing in concern at his godson's worried face.
"Um, is there a limit to how far these wards can go?" Harry squeaked, momentarily distracted from all of his previous morose thoughts as a new, random (and somewhat ridiculous but terrifying) thought flitted into his mind.
"It is limited to the entire area you consider home and the area should be firstly unclaimed by anybody else and secondly must be directly accessible from where your house stands, Lord Potter," Barknas replied. "Say if you consider that magic school of yours – Hogwarts – your home, it will not extend the wards to the school since your home and this island is separated by much distance and land that you do not consider home."
Griphook stared at the paling countenance of his client. "Why are you curious about that fish?"
"Because I'm pretty sure that I consider the ocean a part of my home and its right next door to the forest and within walking distance from my house," Harry replied.
Sirius sprayed the tea he was drinking in shock and Griphook and Barknas both grew identical smirks.
"Please tell me that won't actually happen, right?"
Barknas shrugged while Griphook continued smirking. "We'll never know. Just wait and we'll find out."
Harry had a feeling they knew and were simply keeping it secret so that he would feel bad.
"Mean goblins," Harry muttered under his breath.
"Well if that is all, we should be getting a move on. Oh and Lord Potter, if you are not against it, can you send me any memories where you were able to get a good look at whatever your mother researched, over to me? I may be able to figure out what she did if possible. The chances are low considering you were a youngling then but it would be good to try."
Harry nodded. "Before you go, though, would these wards affect the creatures living near the woods? I do not wish for any of the animals to be displaced or disturbed by the new magic."
Barknas thought it over. "Not likely. This place itself is soaked in latent magic from the presence of magical creatures over so many years and the wards will not affect any creatures since they are more specific for evil intending wizards, especially the Dark Lord and his followers. If you are in harm from a creature, the original wards have measures to protect you and Lord Black from them."
Harry nodded. "Alright. Thank you. I'll send you the memories, if any, within two days. Good day, Master Barknas."
"Good day, Lord Potter."
Harry watched the goblin leave via the Floo before turning to his unusually quiet guest.
"Well, Griphook. How can I help you? You've been unusually quiet."
Griphook shrugged. "I am in no hurry to return and I've heard your mutt –" Sirius scowled at the description, " – has an Occlumency session with Fradgrot today. I cannot say no to entertainment."
Harry laughed as Sirius' face paled at the reminder.
"Well, you are welcome to stay," he said brightly, ignoring Sirius' pout at his "betrayal", as he cleared the coffee table of all the drinks except for Griphook's and went to the kitchen to make lunch.
"I hope you like eating fish for lunch, Grippy."
"I don't understand why you insisted on coming, pup. I'd rather you stay home, safe."
Harry shrugged, even as he curiously gazed at the sight of two houses shifting aside to reveal an unknown house.
"Really, pup. There are still people who knew I lived here and can come looking or me if I do not change the wards quick enough."
"Well, then it is all the more better I am with you since if they wish to capture you, I can whisk you back to home with my ring."
"You can't portkey inside the house. It'll rip you apart, the wards," Sirius warned as he lead them to the porch of the grim looking house quickly and discreetly.
"Then I'll just have to freeze the people coming after you. I can do that better now."
Sirius shot his godson a scandalized look. "Pup no. Remember how long you wallowed with freezing that shark?"
"That was accidental and I had reason to feel guilty. That shark did not have to die and thank magic it didn't! This is different. We would be fighting to keep each other safe and if it really comes down to it, I'd rather have those people chasing after you to probably have you kissed by a Dementor harmed than having to see you gone," Harry stated firmly, signaling the end of the topic.
Sirius squeezed his shoulder slightly. "OK, pup. I got it."
They entered the house, staring in silence at its terrible state.
"Wow, when you said it will be bad, I didn't think it'll be this bad."
Sirius sighed as he dropped his disguise as soon as the door creaked shut behind them. "Welcome to my hell hole. Be careful about the noise you make, my mother's portrait is nasty."
It seemed the portrait had been waiting for those words, however. The sound of curtains opening a few feet ahead of them was all the warning Harry got before an ear-splitting shriek tore across the entire house.
"WHO DARES ENTER THE NOBLE AND ANCIENT HOUSE OF BLACK?"
The portraits' eyes landed on Sirius and Harry who had by then walked further into the house. Despite Sirius' hatred and very biased description of his mother, Harry certainly could not manage to see a monster in the woman's painting. If one paused to look, they could clearly see that she must have been a beautiful woman in her youth, especially, what with her high cheekbones, full lips and obsidian eyes.
But the shouting certainly was unappealing, considering it botched up her whole face in a gruesome manner.
"YOU!" It seemed, Sirius mother returned Sirius' hatred with equal intensity. "YOU UNWORTHY, MUGGLE-LOVING SCUM. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO STEP BACK INTO THIS SACRED GROUNDS OF THE HOUSE OF BLACK, YOU TRAITOR – "
What else the woman had to say, Harry never knew since the curtains were forcibly closed by an agitated Sirius. The man turned to him with a tight-lipped smile, gesturing towards the living room silently. Harry followed him.
"Well, you've met my mother, pup. That was Walburga Black, loving mother of Regulus Black but tormentor of your godfather's childhood."
Harry patted his godfather's arm in comfort, having no reassurance to give the man. He could make out faint hurt in Sirius' expression despite the emotion being well masked. He could not really blame the guy for still being affected by his mother's rejection of him, despite all the abuse he had probably endured under her. It was his mother. Sirius had the right to feel hurt, even if the hurt was diminished and fading with the years to be replaced with hatred and disgust.
"Well, I thought you mentioned there was a house-elf here? Is he sick? I think the poor thing must be if the house is in such a state," Harry tried changing the topic.
But it seemed everything Black seemed to bring Sirius unhappiness.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Kreacher is as bad as my mother. He probably left the house in this state to spite me on the off chance that I did return."
Harry raised his eyebrows. Well. That was certainly not very House Elfish.
"Kreacher!"
A pop signaled the arrival of the Black House Elf, dressed in a dirty old tea towel.
"Master," the elf bowed. Harry narrowed his eyes at the show of respect that clashed with Sirius' description of the elf. His suspicion was answered soon enough.
"Traitor son, come back to soil my Mistress' home with his mudblood friends. Oh if Mistress were to know…" the elf muttered under his breath, unaware that his voice carried across the silent house.
Harry's brows rose again, disbelief at how insane the elf must be to be in this state. Still hearing the insult to his family blood made him boil slightly nonetheless.
"Kreacher!" Sirius snapped, breaking both Harry and the elf from their reveries. The elf looked at Sirius with obvious hatred though Harry seemed to find its eyes seemed to glaze over now and then for no reason. Uneasiness settled into his gut. The elf really needed help, in his opinion.
"If you ever insult my godson again, you'll regret it you senile little idiot. He is you Master as much as I am and you better respect and obey him as you should."
If Harry had heard Sirius words, he was sure to have been grateful for the defense on his behalf but he was too preoccupied with the elf in front of him.
At first glance, he had been willing to dismiss Kreacher's behavior and insanity with the obvious lonely life the elf had led for more than twelve years with only the crazy portrait of Walburga Black for company. But the purple link he found connecting the elf and him worried him. It was not only faded but something twisted around it sinisterly. Something that the elf seemed to have found a way to keep away from him but Harry wondered how long the elf had been battling the thing to have come to such a state.
Sirius seemed to have more things to say to elf. Harry drowned out the conversation between elf and Master as he inspected the link closer, sending a tiny tendril of his magic towards the sinister magic draining the elf ever so slowly.
He regretted the action as soon as his magic came into contact with the thing.
White light burst around him in a circle as his magic threw itself out around him. A searing hot pain lit up his scar. Harry clutched his forehead with his left hand while he waved his right desperately to ensure Sirius and Kreacher were not affected by his magic's unexpected lashing out. A white dome came around the two mere seconds before his magic passed by them with how close they stood near him.
Harry fell to his knees.
"Pup?" Sirius rushed over as soon as the magic stopped its destruction and the dome around him fell.
Concern filled the man's entire being but Harry was not in the right mind to notice. Dread and anger were filling him at a quick rate. He knew all too well exactly who and what made his scar react in such a manner.
"Get the goblins here," Harry said after regaining his breath from the unexpected assault in his head. "We need their help."
"But you –," Sirius started, not willing to leave Harry alone.
"I'm fine Sirius," Harry stated as calmly as he could. "That was not the first time this thing happened to me. I need the goblins here now and you are the only one who can invite them over."
Harry stood up. Seeing Sirius' hesitation he sighed in frustration. "NOW. Please."
"Well come with me."
"No," Harry said sharply. Sirius looked shocked at his refusal. "I have things to clear with this elf that I'd rather not put off any longer, considering how insane he's already gotten. I am not leaving Kreacher alone right now."
Sirius looked confused.
"Please Paddy. Trust me. Get Griphook and Wardmasters over. Tell him I think I found him a focus. He will understand." Harry pushed the man to the exit, waving a hand to change Sirius' features to a new disguise. "Now go."
He watched as Sirius reluctantly left, hurrying his pace to get back quicker. Once he felt Sirius' presence vanish completely from near him – the perks of being able to sense bonds – Harry whirled about to find the Black House Elf.
Kreacher was still where he had first appeared, rooted to the ground in shock. He supposed something happened to Kreacher when his magic touched whatever was twining around the elf.
Harry checked the link, to confirm his suspicions. Indeed, the black thing twining around the elf was faded. Still there but faded.
Harry let his mind run, thinking on the best way to approach the matter. He doubted the elf was purposely guarding the Horcrux if it had been fighting it at the same time. But the only way Kreacher could have been influenced by the vile thing was if he had kept it close to him all the time.
Harry frowned, wondering how to phrase the questions before his brain reminded him that Kreacher had to obey him no matter what since he was heir to the Black line.
"Kreacher," Harry called out, bringing the elf's attention to him. "Care to tell me where exactly you are keeping something that belongs to the Dark Lord?"
Harry rolled the frozen orb he was holding around his hand, staring at the golden locket trapped inside it. He was not sure if it amounted to anything but he had really detested the idea of touching the thing directly. Who knew what may happen.
And as his eyes glanced over to the sniffling elf at the corner, he could not regret his action. Trapping the thing had helped diminished the hold it seemed to have over Kreacher immensely. The elf's purple link with him still had a faint glimmer of black and the poor thing was still looking as haggard and dirty as ever but the crazed look in its eyes were almost gone completely.
He certainly had respect for the elf now. To have fought the influence of the horcrux simply due to his strong wish to finish his dead master's last wish for so many years spoke much about the elf's will and love for Regulus Black.
He stared at the being. Its sight really made him pity it. It was clear it had been through a lot, despite being alone for a long time. Watched his beloved master Regulus die, was forbidden to tell about the incident to its mistress, which in turn left it to watch his Mistress die in grief slowly over the years and he could do nothing but again watch.
For a being that lived on serving and taking care of the family it was bonded to, Harry was certain Kreacher found the experience torturing.
The presence of his godfather returning entered his subconscious, distracting him from his musings. Letting out his magic, he found the presence of Griphook and Jadeclaw, along with at least three more goblins he was not very familiar with.
"We are in the kitchen, Griphook," Harry informed his account manager. He returned his attention to the elf in front of him as soon Griphook acknowledged him with a reply telepathically.
"Kreacher," Harry waited for the elf to look at him. "You did you best, alright. It couldn't be helped that the means to destroy this thing was beyond your knowledge. I've asked Sirius to bring people over who can help us remove the vile thin within this locket, just like your Master Regulus wished, alright? Your Master's last wish will be fulfilled. Don't worry."
He was surprised to find himself being hugged by the old thing.
"Young Master is so kind. Thank you. Kreacher thanks you a lot. Thank you, thank you, thank you…"
Harry patted the wailing elf's head gingerly, unsure as to how to comfort it. Physical assurance was still something he would admit he was a novice at.
"Er –"
Harry looked up to meet Sirius' confused gaze as a group of goblins flanked about him.
"I'm missing quite a bit of context, aren't I?" Sirius asked.
Harry nodded.
Griphook whacked him over the head.
"Ow," Harry cried, rubbing the assaulted spot.
"Next time, fish, follow your godfather and come find us like a good kid," Griphook snarled. "You do not have the experience to deal with the Horcrux if it had chosen to attack, especially since there are no Basilisk fangs around to help you!"
"I was not leaving Kreacher alone for even one moment. Have you looked at the elf? He was dying slowly! I'm amazed he was not possessed after so many years."
"Elf magic is different. He would never have fallen into the horcrux's possession for he would never betray his master's commands, even if said master is dead."
"So what? It was still draining him. Maybe slowly but I'm sure over the years, no matter how long the years, one day Kreacher would have simply not been able to fight back. He has had no Masters that have initiated the bonding correctly with him for years. He is living off on pure will and the magic in the house which would not have lasted long. He was dying, Griphook!" Harry replied back agitated. "Slowly, very, very slowly but still dying. I was not about to leave that creature alone for one more second to be alone and to increase the Horcrux's influence on it," Harry stated firmly.
Griphook sighed exasperated. "Then bring the elf along, next time, fish!"
Harry blinked. "Huh. Why didn't I think of that?"
Griphook lost all sense of dignity and simply slapped his palm to his forehead.
Jadeclaw chose the moment to join the conversation with Barknas. "Well, Harrison was right that the elf was indeed in a fatal situation. Did anybody realize the elf was the one in control of the house's wards?"
Sirius, who had so far stayed quiet while Harry had been arguing with Griphook answered the question. "I suspected it. We came here to have control over the wards so that I could check the conditions for the place."
"Well it seems Kreacher has been subconsciously redirecting the Horcrux's influence onto the house so as to ensure it did not possess him completely, though I doubt the elf knew he was doing it. From what he has been willing to tell, he only recognizes evil magic from the locket but he doesn't know what it is entirely."
"You mean the house could have been under Voldemort's soul's control?" Harry asked aghast.
"Not entirely, no. He cannot control the important main wards considering he was not a Black. Family magic is too strong to be thwarted that way. But he was able to influence other things like the wards controlling lights and some portraits. What I'm saying is that his influence on Kreacher, which Kreacher pushed into the house, is what is resulting in this house being so grim and gloomy," Barknas explained.
Jadeclaw nodded. "It is a very complicated thing. Kreacher refused to let the horcrux possess him due to needing to complete his master's last wish but he kept throwing his magic in at the locket to try and destroy it. The horcrux absorbed his magic and could use it a means to latch onto Kreacher who did not know the consequences of his actions but Kreacher's magic refused to let the soul piece possess its owner as it saw that as an act of betrayal against Kreacher's master. House Elf's are very devoted to serving and honoring their family and their masters, you see. But the soul piece did latch onto Kreacher. So it could still somewhat influence it. I suspect once it couldn't possess Kreacher, it went on to influence Kreacher with the Dark Lord's pureblood supremacy notions, using the redirection Kreacher gave it to latch onto portraits and the like, especially the portrait of your dead mother, Lord Black."
Sirius drew in a gasp. "You mean…"
"I'm sure she believed in the pureblood supremacy and all that, Lord Black but I doubt your mother was a person who acted like a screaming banshee, loudly proclaiming her thoughts and opinions. Though I suppose the screaming was simply to distract and deter people who come about the house so that their chances of finding the horcrux was low. And influencing the portrait of your dead mother would have certainly helped in influencing Kreacher who the soul piece wanted control of. We have been told by the elf that the portrait only screams when there are people in the house other than the elf."
"We've checked on all the affected things within the house," Barknas supplied. "Your mother's portrait especially is no longer doing any screaming and seems very much mortified that something has been controlling her in her own house. Since we've removed the influence from Kreacher, everything here seems to be returning to normal. The Horcrux is no longer controlling anyone or anything. You are going to have to work to refurbish this entire house, however."
Harry squeezed his Sirius' hand, sensing refurbishment was the farthest thing in his godfather's mind. "Go talk to her, Sirius."
Sirius shook his head. "She may not be a screaming banshee anymore but I doubt she would like me anyway. She's never liked me since I made it into Gryffindor and she's always followed the Dark Lord."
"So she's liked you once before you went off to Hogwarts," Harry pointed out.
Sirius shrugged.
Harry sighed. "Look, your different beliefs tore you two apart but I think you owe it to the woman who is your mother to inform her how and why your little brother died. Her second son. She may be a portrait that is only a shadow of the real person but she deserves to know. And for all you know, she may have thought about you over the years after her husband died and Regulus vanished. The last living family she had."
Harry turned to the house elf that was in a corner of the kitchen, wrapped in a blanket and sitting on a stool.
"Kreacher." The elf looked up. "Follow your Master Sirius and talk to your Mistress' painting. You are going to tell her about how and why Master Regulus died, along with Sirius."
Harry looked at his godfather. "Go on Sirius. I'll look after all the other matters. Try to connect with your mother. Your mother need not change her beliefs overnight but I think it's quite wrong to let her continue to have blind belief in a man whom she doesn't realize killed one of her sons."
Sirius silently left the room with Kreacher.
Harry focused back on the goblins who were waiting politely for him.
"I want to have Kreacher checked and healed afterwards. And I'm not leaving him here even with the Horcrux gone."
Griphook nodded. "We can arrange for Jadeclaw to check over him more thoroughly back at Gringotts. Right now, we need to have the wards in full and correct control of the Head of House so as to remove the Horcrux's lingering influence if there are any. Once the Head regains control, the wards would reset themselves to their original state and power."
Harry nodded. "That can be done once Sirius comes back with Kreacher. In the meantime, may I employ some of your brilliant curse breakers to help us de-curse this entire house? I don't want anything thrown out but I want anything harmful to become harmless. The throwing out, I will do with Sirius and Kreacher so that nothing of importance is accidentally discarded."
The goblins nodded.
"I will arrange it," Barknas promised.
"Talk the fees over with Griphook then," Harry said tiredly. "I'm going to take a break until we go back to the bank before I even ask you guys about the horcrux."
Harry slumped down onto the kitchen counter, mind running a mile a minute as he pondered on many things – a primary one which included writing an urgent letter to a certain redhead.
Who knew visiting an old, disintegrating house would bring about so much trouble and worry?
Thankfully, the next few days were certainly better.
The talk with the painting of Walburga Black had done both Sirius and Kreacher good. Teaming up to make the portrait understand why the Dark Lord was not worthy of her support and belief by what he subjected the heir of the Black line to do had made them both realize that the other was not entirely bad. And their love for one Regulus Black – because despite what Sirius complained about his brother, he had always loved his little brother Reggie – paved a way for both elf and wizard to find truce.
Sirius mother, meanwhile, came to her senses and had grudgingly apologized for her rude behavior to all of them afterwards – even the goblins. And she had immediately dropped any allegiance and support she had had with the Dark Lord once she heard just how her beloved Regulus died from Sirius. (Kreacher, of course had to confirm the tale to make her believe.)
Kreacher recovered rather quickly once the horcrux's influence was completely removed from him and both Sirius and Harry had bonded with him to feed him magic. Once he was healthier and had fully comprehended his Master Regulus' last wish would be completed, Kreacher had had quite the behavior change. He had bounded over to Harry and Sirius and promised to never fail them both and promptly started doing housework.
Of course, Harry had to draw some lines when the image of Dobby flashed across his head at Kreacher's enthusiasm. He had to take a leaf out of Sirius' book and lay ground rules with the elf on how things ran in the cottage.
Sirius had been quite amused while Kreacher had simply been aghast when he learnt that he was not allowed to cook any meals unless it was his turn to do the duty that week and that he would be treated as an equal in the family – which to the poor elf's horror included dining together with his Masters at the table and other such perplexing notions. Harry had had to let the elf have an off day simply to let the poor thing's mind comprehend the rules. And after his initially shock and confusion had faded, Kreacher had simply accepted the changes Harry and Sirius imposed on him and adapted with little resistance. Harry personally though the elf enjoyed receiving care and attention in more than just words and praises.
But of course, the good times came to an abrupt halt quite quickly for Harry.
"What do you mean, it's not acting as a focus?"
Harry frowned at the crystal orb in front of him. The only thing that he liked about it was a faint glow of blue that seemed to swirl around its inner walls in an orb-like shape, acting almost as if it were another crystal orb within the actual orb. The rest of the fog-like darkness inside the center of the orb, which he knew was the horcrux that had been transferred from the locket, was not something that brought him joy to see.
"It seems Lord Voldemort was even more paranoid than we assumed. Not only did he split his soul to defy death, but he also took precautions to ensure nobody could use one of his horcrux to search for any of his other horcruxes," Barknas, who had presented the crystal orb containing the horcrux explained.
Harry scowled, not liking the answer. "Can it not mean that there are simply no more horcruxes?"
Griphook, who had been watching the exchange shook his head. "No, fish. If there were no others, the protections he has placed on this one to prevent us from using it as a focus would fall naturally."
Harry's scowl deepened. "Is there no way to break that particular set of protections?"
Griphook exchanged a glance with Barknas. "Yes. It will take time, of course. A few months at the very least if we are lucky considering the Dark Lord's extensive protections."
Harry tore his eyes away from the swirling blue magic within the orb to give Griphook and Barknas a puzzled look. "Oh. Then why did you call me over, Griphook? If you already have a solution to the problem?"
The two goblins exchanged looks again.
"Your magic is doing it again, Harrison. Being its usual unpredictable self," Griphook supplied.
"What?" Harry asked, confusion deepening.
"You see that blue colored magic surrounding the horcrux?"
Harry nodded.
"That's not anything from the Horcrux or our magic, Lord Potter," Barknas started. "It is your magic from when you froze the locket that contained the horcrux. It transferred over when we removed the horcrux from the locket."
"And currently, it shows providing additional protection to the horcrux by enhancing its protections by giving it magical support," Griphook finished.
Harry stared at the goblins before in him in horror, even as a vague sense of déjà vu washed over him at the conversation.
"WHAT?!"