Albus Dumbledore observed the two boys sitting at the end of the
Ravenclaw table. Dylan Lestrange's appearance was a complete
shock to him, but a quick check on the Book of Admittance of
Hogwarts had gotten the information he had needed. He had never
expected Rabastan to have sired a bastard child. As soon as he
found out about it, he had rushed to the Ministry to find out
everything possible. If the boy was anything like his father or uncle, it
would be disastrous. The threat of Voldemort and to an extent, Harry,
was bad enough and he didn't need anymore. But Sirius had already
moved ahead. He had gained custody of the boy.
He had conflicted about that. On one hand, Sirius taking custody of
the boy was better than someone like Lucius Malfoy or Aiden Avery
or even Theodore Nott Sr. But the problem was that Sirius Black was
anti-Dumbledore and Albus couldn't have that. The entire
Wizengamot also was up in arms over the issue. The traditionalists
were against the boy because he was an illegitimate half-blood child.
The Lestranges were pureblood fanatics and they couldn't have that.
Sirius, however, was right. They couldn't stop Dylan from claiming
his heritage. Line-theft was serious business in the magical world.
The heir ring on the boy's finger only proved who was right.
The centrists were not that powerful without support from either side,
so it didn't matter what they thought. The liberals, on the other hand,
under the 'light' banner wanted to get rid of the boy. Augusta
Longbottom had been the most vocal and the fight she and Sirius
had in the Wizengamot earlier this summer was legendary. Albus
was happy about that because Sirius had lost some support with the
liberals even though he was Regent Gryffindor. Unfortunately, that
did not mean Sirius was any less powerful – he was now Lord Black
and the Regent of Houses Potter, Gryffindor and Lestrange. He
controlled four important votes, but Dumbledore had been in the
political game for a century. Sirius was still a newbie.
He needed to have Dylan Lestrange under his control. It would be a
great asset in the war against Voldemort if he could convince the boy
to spy on the Death Eaters for the Order; being the son of a very
high-ranking Death Eater would certainly have its benefits. Albus
was sure that whether it was five, ten or twenty years, Voldemort
would rise again and they would have to be ready for it. He would
have to talk to the boy and get him out of Harry's influence. He did
not need Legilimency to see the pure hero worship in the boy's eyes
every time he saw Harry. No, until Harry could be firmly placed with
the light, he was dangerous. Albus was still working on his plans to
redeem Harry and get him to change his view on Muggles. It was
very important. After all, the path of Grindelwald and Voldemort had
started with Muggle domination; that was the root cause of it all and
it was imperative that Harry did not take such a path in his life.
Once the feast was done, Dumbledore got to his feet. "A few start-ofterm
announcements," he said happily. "I would like to mention two
staff changes this year. First, please welcome Professor Remus
Lupin, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck,
Professor."
People clapped politely, but some were less than impressed with
Lupin's worn and faded robes. Remus bowed slightly and resumed
his seat. Snape was glaring at him.
"Since Professor Kettleburn decided to retire this year, I am pleased
to announce that our new Care of Magical Creatures teacher is none
other than Rubeus Hagrid!"
Harry raised an eyebrow as people at the Gryffindor table cheered.
He knew that Hagrid knew a lot about creatures, but did that mean
he was qualified to teach? Knowing something and teaching it are
different. Just look at Snape! He was the worst teacher anyone could
have in Potions, but no one could doubt the fact that he was brilliant
at the subject.
"That's all for tonight. Pip, pip!" said Dumbledore, dismissing them.
Harry led Dylan to Ravenclaw Tower, showing him useful shortcuts
along the way. Once they entered the common room, he followed the
boy to his room. It was quite tiny and simple, just like the rest.
"Well, it's better than the orphanage," said Dylan, examining the
room. "I'm happy that I get my own room."
"What's your favourite colour?"
"Green," said Dylan promptly. Harry smiled slightly. Maybe some
things were genetic, after all. The Lestranges were proud Slytherins,
or maybe it was a coincidence?
Harry flicked his wand to his hand, idly noting that his spells had
become more powerful since the addition of the basilisk fang ivory in
the wand. Waving his wand in a long fluid motion, he expanded the
room to a large size. The walls turned from stone to green and beige
and the closet expanded. All in all, it was quite luxurious for a
student.
"Wow! I love magic!"
Harry chuckled as he ruffled the boy's hair fondly, just like Sirius did
to him. "I'm glad you like it. Remember, if you need anything, you
have your mirror with you and you can call me. My room is two floors
up and you are welcome there anytime, got it?"
"Thanks, Harry," said Dylan with a bright smile. "Good night!"
"Good night."
The next morning, Harry got up early as usual and went out for his
morning run. Two hours later, he came back pink and sweaty and
went to take a bath. Ensuring that he was impeccably dressed as
always, he gracefully walked down the stairs, not noticing the
admiring looks the girls in third and fourth years were giving him.
Entering the Great Hall, he sat down at the Ravenclaw table and
began helping himself to food. He had to clear his schedule with
Professor Flitwick after breakfast and start his N.E.W.T. classes. He
was just finishing his breakfast when Daphne and their friends
arrived. When Professor Flitwick left the hall, Harry kissed Daphne
goodbye and rushed after him as the other sixth year students left as
well.
Dylan Lestrange came down to the Great Hall too. He had just seen
Harry leave and he was on edge. He knew that nobody would want
to talk to him, but he should try, right? He carefully sat down near a
group of Ravenclaw first years, helping himself to food. Five minutes
later, he realised that it was going to be more difficult than he
thought. Dylan closed his eyes in frustration and misery. Even in the
magical world, he was still a freak!
A few older years were watching Dylan with barely concealed
scowls.
"That's Rabastan Lestrange's son, right?" asked seventeen-year-old
Tony Wallace.
"Yes," snarled Kevin Taylor. "The Lestranges murdered my
grandparents! I think it is time we taught him a lesson! He's probably
the same as his father – a murdering, bloodthirsty lunatic!"
"And a bastard to boot," said Tony darkly.
Harry was immediately cleared to continue with Ancient Runes,
Arithmancy, Charms, Herbology, Potions, Defence Against the Dark
Arts and Transfiguration. His first class was Potions and he
proceeded to the dungeons along with the sixth years. Snape
entered the classroom in a dramatic fashion as always.
"You are now N.E.W.T. students," he began. "I only accept the best
of the best in my class so I won't handle anyone blowing up
cauldrons here. If I feel that you are not up to the mark, I will ensure
that you are not sitting in my class, so be well prepared before you
enter my classroom."
Snape's lip curled when he spotted the thirteen-year-old boy
amongst the sixteen-year-olds. "So, Potter, you managed to get into
my N.E.W.T. class. Tell me, how many people did you bribe to get an
Outstanding in your O.W.L.s?"
"None, Professor," said Harry calmly. "There are anti-cheating quills
used by students and evaluators as you very well know. There are
also other measures taken that prevent such fraud. Why, Professor
Snape, do you doubt the competence of Madam Marchbanks and
her team?"
"Ten points from Ravenclaw for your cheek, Potter," Snape retorted
automatically. "Today we will be preparing the Draught of Living
Death. This is the most complicated potion you have come across till
date. Be warned; any mistakes you make could make the drinker
enter a state of coma from which he can never recover from. It may
also lead to death so be careful with what you are doing."
He saw a few people gulp and Snape mentally smirked in
satisfaction. He saw the impassive face of Harry Potter and decided
to test him again.
"Let's see how much our resident prodigy knows about the potion,"
he said silkily. "Potter, what are the two main ingredients for the
Draught of Living Death?"
"Powdered root of asphodel and an infusion of wormwood,
Professor," Harry replied immediately.
"What is the last step before which the potion would be complete?"
asked Snape.
"The last step is to add a small piece of Valerian root," he answered,
"after which the potion turns very pale and transparent."
Snape's lip curled as he stared at the boy. "The instructions are on
the blackboard. You have an hour and a half. You may begin."
Harry waited for everyone to finish gathering their ingredients while
he prepped his workstation. He charmed his rods, ignited a magically
controlled flame, cast enchantments around the cauldron that would
prevent accidents and then went to gather ingredients.
He had prepared this potion beforehand. As always, the ghost of
Alfred Potter was quite happy to tutor Harry again. He also used his
mother's notes to a great extent. Lily Potter had really been a genius
and he was quite proud of that fact. He took his silver knife and
crushed the sopophorous bean with the flat side of his dagger,
ignoring the instructions in the book.
Harry also added a clockwise stir after every counter-clockwise stir.
He remained calm as he watched Snape frown, walking towards
him. Harry quickly flicked his wand as a sample of the potion was
filled in a phial.
"Potter, what is this?" asked Snape angrily.
"The Draught of Living Death, Professor," said Harry casually.
"Tell me, Potter, can you read?" snapped Snape. Harry heard
someone snickering in the background. He was not oblivious to the
people in the school who were jealous of him. Harry still had many
people who disliked him. Sirius had explained that it was mainly
resentment because they felt Harry had everything while they didn't.
He had the money, the good looks, the fame, a fiancée and was in
the accelerated program. Who wouldn't be jealous? Of course, none
of them truly knew the extent of Harry's suffering; but jealousy was
not something anyone could reason with.
"Of course, Professor," said Harry, not falling for the trap to rile him
up, though as always, he did retort with a cheeky reply. It would have
worked if Snape hadn't tried it a hundred times before over the past
two years. "I would never have been allowed in this class if I had not
learnt how to read or write."
"Five points from Ravenclaw," the Potions master snapped. "Read
the seventh line of the instructions for me, Potter."
Harry simply looked at the board. "Cut the sopophorous bean and
pour the juice in the cauldron."
"Now read the tenth line for me."
"Stir counter-clockwise until the potion turns as clear as water. I don't
see the problem."
"Don't you?" said Snape dangerously.
"No, I don't," said Harry quietly. "I know exactly where you are going
with this, Professor Snape, and there is no reason I need to follow
those instructions when there are alternate ones available that
provide better results. You don't follow the same instructions when
you brew the potion but you somehow feel that I shouldn't use the
alternate instructions which every potions master uses."
Snape loomed over him dangerously as he whispered, "I am not
someone who is impressed with my students cheating in my class,
Potter. I don't know where you got these instructions from but you
will not use them in my class!"
"This textbook is not the only source of reference, sir," said Harry, his
eyes cold as the temperate dropped in the dungeon slightly as both
wizards released some of their magic in anger. "As any good student
would do, I researched the properties of the changes and applied
them. The changes I used were confirmed by a certified potions
mistress. Do not call me a cheat."
Harry and Snape stared at each other, anger displayed on both their
faces. "How dare you use those instructions?" he snarled quietly, his
face turning red in anger.
"Why would I be asking you permission for a method that is used by
several potions masters around the world?" asked Harry haughtily.
"You and my mother were not the only ones to discover it. Following
my mother's instructions is hardly something to be frowned upon.
Didn't you do the same? You both altered several potions together
after all."
"Enough!" barked Snape, before leaning closer to speak in hushed,
harsh tones. "Fifty points from Ravenclaw and detention with me,
Potter! Don't you dare talk about Lily! Class dismissed!"
The rest of the class hurried out but after packing his bag, Harry
remained, looking at Snape with an unreadable look on his face.
"What are you still doing here, Potter?" spat Snape. "Get out!"
"First shut up and listen to what I have to say."
"What did you say?" asked Snape dangerously.
"You have some nerve even mentioning my mother's name when
you are the reason she is dead!" hissed Harry. "I have put up with
enough hippogriff shit from you over the past two years, Snape, but I
have reached the end of my tether. I don't have unlimited patience.
You treat me like crap because of what my father did to you during
your school days but you don't realise that you are exactly what you
hate most – a bully!"
"Why you little –"
"You leaked the prophecy to Voldemort, do you deny it?" snapped
Harry, making Snape stop in shock, his wand still pointed at Harry,
the tip glowing. "You're the reason my parents were targeted. You're
the reason my parents were killed. You're the reason I am an
orphan. You are the reason I wound up living with Petunia and
getting the shit beaten out of me every day for being a wizard. Don't
act as though you are all mighty, Snape, because you're not. I know
that I don't stand a chance if you choose to attack me right now, but
know this. My influence in this country, especially after the Chamber
of Secrets fiasco, is not something I am unaware of. I'm Heir Potter-
Gryffindor, and that holds sway in the government. I'm the Boy-Who-
Lived. You may have Dumbledore, but I have the entire magical
population under my thumb. A former Death Eater won't stand a
chance. Don't push my buttons or you will regret it!"
With that, Harry walked out of the class, slamming the door shut.
Snape gripped the handle of his wand tightly. Someday, he would
get his revenge on Potter. He would make sure the boy suffered for
mentioning Lily. It was not his fault that Lily had died; not really. If Lily
had never married James Potter and married him instead like she
was supposed to; if she had never had a child with Potter, then none
of this would have happened. It all came back to Potter again; it was
always about James Potter and the bastard's son was just like him!
But it was only a matter of time, of that Severus was sure. He would
watch as Potter cried. He would make sure the boy lost everything
just like he had lost everything when Lily died.
The next two weeks at Hogwarts went on without much of a fuss.
Harry had been irritable for the first few days, but some quiet time
with Daphne had managed to calm him down. He also began
spending more time in the Room of Requirement, duelling against
the practice dummies, his spells getting more violent by the day. He
would not be weak. He knew that if Snape had chosen to attack him,
Harry would have had arse handed to him. He was not stupid.
The Defence class was better than Harry expected. Professor Lupin
began teaching them about curses and how to counter them. Since
Harry studied ahead, he knew the theory, but the practical portion
was good as well. His classmates were struggling with the spells
because Lockhart had not taught them anything the previous year,
but Sirius and Amelia had ensured that Harry was taught the subject
well. He found himself helping those who were struggling in class
and that was met with surprise from everyone. Professor Lupin did
not acknowledge Harry as anything other than a student and Harry
was perfectly fine with that.
With all that was going on, he hadn't had much time to interact with
anyone except Daphne and a few minutes with Dylan every night. So
when he entered the Great Hall for lunch during the end of the
second week of school, he frowned when he saw no sign of Dylan.
Harry had not come to the Great Hall much over the last two weeks,
having a house-elf provide food for him in the Room of Requirement
(being Lord Gryffindor had its perks, even if he could not use that
title outside Hogwarts until he was seventeen) as he studied and
practised magic. His notice-me-not charm was still active so he
stood back and observed after casting a disillusionment charm on
himself.
HP*SAVIOUR OF MAGIC*HP
Dylan Lestrange was not having a good time at Hogwarts. This place
turned out to be as bad as the orphanage. He thought Harry would
be there for him, but the older boy was not always around, having a
full schedule of classes, but he was touched that Harry had made it a
point to talk to him every night despite being so busy. Astoria was the
only one in his year who spoke to him. No one seemed to want
anything to do with him. Daphne and her friends were alright and
were quite nice to him, but they were older. Sure, Harry was older
too, but it was Harry and there was a difference. Then there were the
bullies.
It had started off small on the second day of school. A trip jinx, jelly
legs, something like that. But slowly, especially over the past week, it
had become worse. He didn't want to go to the hospital wing in fear
of retaliation so he hid his injuries under his robes and acted as
though everything was fine; the biggest problem was hiding it from
Harry every night, but he had somehow managed. He had to remain
strong if he was going to survive here. He didn't want to let Harry
down or Uncle Sirius and Aunt Amelia for that matter.
But the worst part was that for the past three days, the older
students weren't letting him eat food in the Great Hall. None of the
teachers noticed because the students were quite subtle. They used
a variety of spells to ensure they were not caught. Dylan would
barely be able to grab a few slices of toast before he was forced out.
He was quite hungry. He knew that he had to tell Harry about it, but
he didn't know how much sway Harry had over them. From what the
older boy had told him, Harry's popularity had taken a massive
beating the previous year. What could a thirteen-year-old boy do
against a dozen seventeen-year-olds from all four Houses? Dylan
had been called a bastard so many times over the last two weeks, it
had already become routine for him. He had just traded one word for
another, but he wasn't sure if being called a bastard instead of freak
was any improvement.
Just as Dylan entered the Great Hall, he quickly made his way to the
Ravenclaw table and grabbed a few slices of toast.
"Hello, Lestrange," said a voice quietly.
Dylan stiffened and turned towards the staff table. The boys were
disillusioned as always. "Tell the teachers anything, Lestrange, and
we'll make you regret it," growled a voice. "Now get lost. We don't
want murderers in our school! Go back to the orphanage where you
came from. No one wants you here!"
Dylan clenched his fists. He had heard that phrase too many times
growing up. The anger had long since faded away. Each time he had
been angry, he had been punished badly. He didn't have the strength
to feel anger anymore. Just as he was about to leave the Great Hall,
someone put their hand on his shoulder. He stiffened.
"Look at me," said Harry quietly, lifting the boy's chin with his hand.
Harry looked into the boy's eyes and what he saw made his blood
boil, his green eyes darkening.
"Well, if they don't let you sit at the House tables, we'll have to make
ourselves comfortable on the floor!" said Harry with a dark smirk.
"What?" asked Dylan, still in a daze at seeing Harry at the Great
Hall.
In response, Harry flicked his wand. A thick picnic mat appeared in
the middle of the Great Hall. With another flick, comfortable pillows
appeared as well. Everyone had stopped talking now and was
staring at them. Supremely unconcerned, Harry sat down gracefully
on the mat.
"Well, what are you standing over there for?" asked Harry with a
teasing smile on his face. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Harry –" said Dylan uncertainly, his face flushed.
"Sit," said Harry firmly. "Trixie!"
A Hogwarts house-elf appeared in front of him. The Great Hall was
silent as a grave. It was a very good thing that Dumbledore was
away at some I.C.W. conference.
"What can Trixie do for young Master?" asked the elf.
"Trixie, could you please provide us with some food? A chocolate
cheesecake too, for dessert, if you can manage it. It's Dylan's
favourite."
"At once, Master Harry!" said the elf, beaming at him before it
disappeared. When he saw Harry staring, Dylan flushed with
embarrassment as he sat down next to Harry on the floor.
"Mr Potter, may I ask what you are doing?" asked Professor
McGonagall angrily.
"Well, there are several students here who are denying Dylan to eat
at the House tables or even eat at the Great Hall at all for that
matter," Harry replied with a fake smile. "So, I thought something
should be done about that. If they don't want Dylan there, I'll simply
create another place for Dylan, simple as that!"
Snape was very tempted to say something, but he held his tongue.
The incident two weeks ago was still fresh in his mind.
"Not allowed to eat?" repeated Professor McGonagall, her eyes
flashing, hands trembling in anger. "Explain!"
"Why don't you ask Wallace and Taylor, Professor?" asked Harry,
turning towards them, eyes burning with fury. "I'm sure they'll know
more about it. In the meantime, Dylan here has not had a proper
meal in three days. I need to do my duty as his older brother and
ensure that he's well fed."
There was a collective intake of breath when Harry said that and
Dylan's jaw dropped in shock as well. Trixie appeared in front of
Harry, leaving delicious food all over the mat. Harry cut a piece of
Shepard's Pie and put it on a plate for them both. When he was
serving, a knowing smirk formed on his lips as another person sat
next to him.
"Oh good, you have all my favourites," piped Daphne as she helped
herself to food.
Dylan just gaped as Daphne began eating, not at all bothered that
she was sitting on the floor amidst hundreds of students staring at
them. He was startled to see Astoria sitting on his other side.
"Pass me a plate, Harry," she ordered.
"What do I look like, your waiter?" asked Harry with a mock frown.
"Wait, don't answer that! I know what you'll say."
"For the record, you are what I say you are, so deal with it," Astoria
smirked challengingly as she took a bite of her salad, ignoring the
playful glare being sent her way.
"Budge along," said Fred and George as they sat down. "You really
know how to throw a picnic, Harry!"
"I can't believe I'm doing this," muttered Blaise under his breath as
he Tracy and Theo sat down as well. "You could have conjured a
table, you know."
"Now where's the fun in that?"
"Any more room?" asked Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott and Padma
Patil, taking a seat.
"Feel free!" Harry replied. He then looked at the stunned face of one
Dylan Lestrange. Leaning forward, he whispered in the younger
boy's ear, "I promised you that I wouldn't leave you alone. I will
honour my promise, little brother."
Biting his lip to control his tears, Dylan opened his mouth only for
Harry to feed him a spoonful of his favourite chocolate cheesecake.
A privacy charm ensured that they didn't have to listen to
McGonagall yelling at the group of sixth and seventh-year students
at the top of her voice. Harry mentally smirked in satisfaction.
No one messed with the people he cared about and got away with it.
A wink from Fred and George got the confirmation he needed. The
twins would take care of them now.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry demanded angrily.
"I-I thought I could handle it," Dylan cringed. Madam Pomfrey kept
muttering about immature teenagers.
"I can't believe what this school has come to," spat Madam Pomfrey
angrily as she healed Dylan's injuries. "A dozen seventh years
picking on a first-year is utter cowardice, I tell you!"
Five minutes later, she finished. "You'll be fine, Mr Lestrange," she
said. "Next time, don't be stubborn and actually come to me if
something is bothering you. Merlin, why people are treating you like
this is beyond me! I remember your mother and she was one of the
sweetest people I have ever known!"
"You knew my mother?" asked Dylan in surprise.
"Yes, a very sweet and soft-spoken girl actually," said Madam
Pomfrey with a sad smile. "She was a Hufflepuff, but she stuck to a
very small group of friends. She used to spend a lot of time here
because she had desired to become a Healer. But she left in the
middle of her sixth year after her parents were attacked ..."
There was a momentary silence. "I don't know much about her
personal life, Mr Lestrange, but I can tell you everything I know. If
you are interested, you can come to my office this weekend. A few
memories are better than none," she said quietly.
"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey!" said Dylan excitedly. Once done,
Harry led the boy to the Room of Requirement.
"The next time something like this happens, I want you to tell me
immediately, got it?" said Harry firmly. "I won't have them treating
you like this."
"I don't want to be a burden," said Dylan fidgeting.
Harry sighed as he sat down next to the boy. "Dylan, you are not a
burden," he said quietly. "We have known each other for a few
months now and you have already managed to break the ice with
me. When I look at you, I see myself and trust me, that is not
something I want to see in anybody. But I also care about you and I
want to see you happy."
"Did you really mean that?" asked Dylan hopefully. "When you called
me your little brother?"
"Of course I meant it," said Harry honestly. "Not many people can get
close to me, but you succeeded in a short amount of time. You may
not believe it and quite frankly I'm finding it hard to understand
myself, but yes, I do consider you family."
Dylan threw his arms around Harry, hugging him tightly. Harry
stiffened in panic but wrapped his arms around Dylan slowly too.
"Then you're my brother too."
HP*SAVIOUR OF MAGIC*HP
On the twenty-second of September, Harry, Andromeda Tonks,
Susan and Susan's parents were in St Mungo's Hospital, waiting for
Amelia to give birth. After waiting for two hours, the door opened and
Elizabeth Greengrass, wearing her Healer's robes and looking
slightly worn out beckoned them in.
"Everybody, I would like to introduce to you the newest member of
our family," said Sirius, beaming with happiness. "Meet our son,
Rigel Sirius Black, the new Heir Black."
Harry looked at the baby with a smile on his face. The baby was in
Amelia's arms and he cuddled up to his mother, his hair turning from
black to red.
"He's a Metamorphmagus!" exclaimed Susan in awe.
"It's a trait that is dominant in the Black family," explained
Andromeda with a smile. "Dora started changing her hair colour
when she was born too."
Harry looked at the baby fondly when Amelia cleared her throat. "We
have also decided something else. Susan, Harry, will you both
accept the honour of being Rigel's godparents?"
Susan squeaked in happiness as she nodded and Harry was quite
stunned. "Of course, I would be honoured," said Harry with a small
smile.
He pulled Sirius aside. "Can you set up the godfather ritual later on?"
he asked quietly.
"Of course, Harry," said Sirius with a smile. "I did the same for you
when you were born. It is quite simple, actually. Let the rest of them
leave and we'll have it done."
About two hours later, the others had all left and Harry was holding
the sleeping infant in his arms. The boy looked really adorable and
Harry lightly tickled his cheek, making the infant smile in his sleep.
"I don't think I have ever seen anything so beautiful in my life," said
Harry softly.
Amelia smiled. "Wait until you get to babysit him," she said teasingly.
Harry chuckled. Sirius gave him a slip of parchment which had the
words of the oath and Harry took his oath as Rigel's godfather that
he would do his duty to protect him and take care of him. After
spending some more time there, he returned to Hogwarts with a
smile on his face.
Things had smoothened out nicely after the incident in the Great
Hall. Some of Dylan's classmates hesitantly decided to give him a
chance and Harry was happy to see that they weren't actively
shunning him anymore. The boy was also quite close to Astoria and
the two of them seemed to spend time in the library doing homework
or Astoria teaching him about pureblood culture. Of course, people
were still calling him a bastard, but Dylan had learnt how to deal with
that thanks to Astoria's help. If anyone called him that anymore, he
would just raise his hand and showed them the Lestrange heir ring
on his ring finger, signifying his position even if he was born out of
wedlock. That was enough to shut most of them up. The rest couldn't
be helped.
Harry had also been receiving funny looks from Neville Longbottom.
He knew that it was only a matter of time before Neville realised the
truth, so when the Gryffindor boy asked if they could talk privately, he
had no reason not to oblige.
"Harry, what the hell is going on?" began Neville, his eyes wide with
panic. "I-I was told that L-Lestrange was just like his father and that I
should stay away from him. My gran said that it was a mistake to let
him come to Hogwarts and that he will be just like R-Rabastan. But
after observing him, h-he doesn't act like that at all!"
Harry sighed. "Look, Neville, I'm not blaming you for thinking that
way. Your grandmother is too set in her ways and the incident with
your parents has created a block against the name Lestrange. Her
paranoia and anger at Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan have
taken a new target. She has been quite outspoken in the
Wizengamot about not allowing Dylan to come to Hogwarts. What
she doesn't realise is that Dylan is not Rabastan! The poor boy didn't
even know who his parents were until this summer. He was raised in
a Muggle orphanage and trust me, living among Muggles when you
are a wizard is not paradise. Your grandmother, in her anger at all
things Lestrange, is targeting a child."
Looking at Neville, Harry continued. "Tell me, what would happen if
the three of them broke out from Azkaban and found out that there is
a half-blood who now wears the heir ring to their family? How do you
think Bellatrix would react were she to realise that the heir of the
Lestrange line to which she is the Lady of, is a bastard born out of
wedlock? How do you think they would react were they to realise
that he is the son of a Muggle-born?"
Neville swallowed. "He would be killed," he whispered.
"Exactly," said Harry calmly. "Your grandmother needs to stop
blaming a child for the actions of his father. If I had done the same I
would have bloody murdered Draco Malfoy already for his father's
role in Daphne's petrification last term. But I didn't do that. I don't
blame Draco for Lucius' crimes. Why does she not blame Narcissa?
Isn't she the younger sister of Bellatrix? What about Crouch Senior
for his son's role in the crime?"
"I get your point," said Neville. They stayed silent for ten minutes,
looking at the beautiful Scottish scenery outside the Astronomy
tower. "Do you think I can apologise to him?" he asked quietly.
Harry snorted. "Trust me, he will not hold it against you. He's too
sweet for his own good. Daphne and Astoria actually think it's cute Neville snickered as they climbed down the stairs.