Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it probably does not belong to me. Everything else is mine.

A/N: This took a while to get out as I have had several consuming issues in RL. My grandmother was ill and passed away this summer. I'm sorry if anyone has been anxiously waiting for the next chapter. Anyway, I haven't really proofed this chapter so I apologize for any grammatical errors. :)

Chapter 4: Familiar

Sitting quietly in the warm, musty stable, Harry stares intently at the creature Sirius has given him. Unblinking black eyes stare back at him, unfazed by his scrutiny. Harry has to admit to himself-albeit with great reluctance-that the newest acquisition to his stables is beautiful in an otherworldly sort of way. If Umbra had been anything but what he was, Harry would have gladly welcomed the little creatures presence. But as things stand, he cannot help but wish that Sirius had brought him anything else-even a marriage proposal would have been preferable.

The eerily intelligent eyes almost seem to sparkle with amusement. Harry narrows his eyes angrily. "Stay out of my head."

He receives no reply to his heated remark but then, did he really expect one?

With a frustrated sigh, Harry rises to his feet, ignoring the tingling sensation in his feet-a sure indication that he has already spent far too long in his staring match. Of course, it had not been his intention to do so but the moment he had locked eyes with the creature, he had felt such an irrational anger that he had not been able to help himself. Some of his anger has stemmed from the fact that he can no longer gain the same sense of comfort that he once had from visiting his horses.

Shaking his head at his own foolishness, Harry exits the stable quickly. He squints slightly in the early morning light and grimaces. It has been a long time since he has been up and about so dreadfully early in the day.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long Justus." Harry grunts at the guard, running a hand carelessly through his hair.

Justus moves quickly to Harry's side from where he had been leaning casually against the outer wall of the stable. The guard shrugs at Harry's statement and smiles.

"It was no bother."

"Come on then," Harry sighs, "I want to take a walk."

At Justus's nod of easy agreement, Harry stalks off away from the stables towards the back gardens. As the two pass by servants toiling in the vegetable gardens, Harry forces himself to return the calls of greetings. He quickens his pace, trying not to appear as though he is in a hurry.

At last, Harry reaches the last of the gardens and he feels an instant surge of relief. Situated at the edge of the back wall, this garden is empty save a couple errant butterflies. All sound of humanity is dim and almost nonexistent in this place and Harry lets some of the tension ease out of his body.

"I didn't realize there was a flower garden here." Justus remarks looking around with interest clearly written on his face.

"An ancestor of mine felt that as a noble family, there should be at least one on the grounds." Harry tells him quietly. "My mother ordered the gardeners to maintain it and they continue to follow her wishes even now."

"Ah." Justus looks slightly unnerved at the mention of his deceased mother.

Shrugging, Harry turns from the guard and walks slowly down one of the many paths that crisscross the garden like delicate strands of a spider's web. He lets his hands brush the delicate petals of several roses as he passes. It is a familiar sensation that calls up the ghost of a memory. His mother used to bring him to the garden every day after his first birthday. Sirius told him once that he had taken his first steps in this place.

Harry finds one of the many stone benches littered throughout the garden and sits down heavily. He tries to ignore the way his body shakes with exertion. After lying in bed for so many days, his endurance has dropped considerably. But it is so hard to force himself to care enough to leave his room. With Sirius back, he has to put on the appearance of stability even though he feels far from it.

Without a word, Justus joins him on the bench. Harry is grateful for the guard's reticence. If it had been Sirius with him, he would have been forced to listen to the man's incessant chatter. Not that he usually minded but he couldn't stand the look of pity that Sirius could not always hide. Or the specter of the party that loomed heavily in the horizon and inevitably ended up in every conversation they had together since the man had returned.

"We used to hide here from Sirius." Harry remarks abruptly. "When we were supposed to be studying with the tutor, Merlin and I would sneak out the servant's door and race to see who would get here first."

The guard shifts minutely but Harry does not spare him a glance. His attention is focused on the bush across from him as it is rustled by a breeze. If he closes his eyes, he can almost hear the high pitched giggles of two boys and feel the wind of their bodies as they dart past.

"Come on Harry!" A dark-haired boy yelled, his bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

Following nearly at the other boy's heels, Harry growled angrily. "Merlin! You cheater!"

Weaving expertly around a servant carrying a basket full of vegetables the two boys ducked around the edge of a garden fence. They both put on an extra burst of speed as they spotted the willow tree that marked the edge of their destination. Harry fell panting against the side of the tree moments after Merlin.

"Beat you again." Merlin gasped, a triumphant smirk on his cherubic face.

"Just 'cause you cheated." Harry grumbled. The other boy laughed.

"It's not my fault you tripped over that rock."

"Whatever." Harry muttered with a half-hearted glare at Merlin. Straightening, he brushed clumps of dirt and grass from his once crisp, white shirt. "So what did you want to show me anyway?"

A big grin spread over Merlin's face and he jumped away from the shelter of the willow. "Come on. This way."

Still grumbling to himself, Harry followed dutifully after Merlin as the other boy led them deeper into the garden. A few rabbits were startled into fleeing down the paths but Harry followed Merlin's example and ignored them. No matter how much he wanted to go tearing off after their fleeing forms.

Finally, Merlin paused before a small pond overshadowed by the looming wall. A few golden colored fish swam sluggishly in the murky water and Harry wondered if he could catch them with just his bare hands.

"You have to watch, Harry." Merlin interrupted his thoughts. "But you have to promise you won't tell Sirius."

"I promise." Harry whispered solemnly, trying to hold back the giggle that was tickling the back of his throat.

"You promise what?" Merlin persisted with a glare that would have been more intimidating on someone who was taller than three feet.

"I promise not to tell Sirius no matter what." Harry swore, eager to see what his friend had to show him.

Without another word, Merlin turned to the pond and crouched down next to it. Slowly and with great care, he held his palm out over the pond and lowered it until it almost touched the surface.

Harry watched in awe as Merlin raised his hand up and the water in the pond followed. The surface bulged, forming a small bump on the otherwise smooth surface that gradually grew larger and larger as Harry stared. When Merlin had raised his arm as high as it would go, he stood and the water followed. It formed a perfectly rounded ball and separated from the rest of the pond.

"That…that's amazing!" Harry shouted leaning towards Merlin in excitement. Merlin jerked at the loudness of Harry's cry and the water-ball fell back into the pond with a loud splash, throwing water all over the two boys. They were both still for a moment before Harry started giggling.

"I can't believe you did that!" Merlin yelled, tackling Harry to the ground. They fell in a tangle of legs and arms, wrestling in the dirt. Trying to shove the other boy off him, Harry rolled them straight into the water. Spluttering indignantly, Harry managed to slip away from Merlin. Looking at each other from several arm lengths away in the pond, they burst into laughter. The water-ball forgotten, the played in the pond, their laughter echoing around them.

"Harry?" The gentle voice of the guard brings Harry's mind back to the present.

With a start, Harry realizes there are tears streaming down his face. Hastily, he wipes the moisture from his cheeks and tries not to look at the guard. A single tremor runs through his body that Harry does nothing to repress. It passes quickly and he draws a deep, shuddering breath.

"I miss him so much." He whispers raggedly. "His smile, his laughter. He was my best friend and my brother. It is impossible that he is gone forever."

Justus shifts on the bench but remains silent. His silence fills Harry with an irrational anger and Harry turns to the guard suddenly, grabbing his arm in a tight grip.

"What did he ever do to anyone!" Harry shouts angrily. "What was so terrible about Merlin that he had to be hunted down like a rabid dog and put to death?"

Looking completely unruffled, Justus places a hand over Harry's where it grips his arm. "He was a witch. You loved him, which is admirable, but it doesn't change what he was. He might not have ever hurt you, but the same cannot be said for others."

Harry stares at Justus, unblinking, for a long moment. Then he relaxes his hold on the other man's arm. "Forgive me for accosting you. That was extremely rude of me." He says stiffly.

"There is no need for you to apologize to me. I should apologize to you if what I said offended you." Justus replies quickly looking nervous and unsure.

Harry hesitates only for the barest moment. "Never be afraid to speak your mind Justus." He sighs loudly then smiles sadly. "It's part of the reason I chose you for my guard."

"Oh." The guard makes a startled noise.

"Besides," Harry grimaces, "I will no doubt hear worse things in the coming weeks. I had best be prepared to handle them. My fellow lords and ladies will make worse comments, subtle though they might be."

Justus does not reply and Harry can see that the man is still afraid that his words have angered his lord. But Harry's anger has passed, the full force of it never truly directed at the guard but rather at the ones who held the true responsibility for his friend's death. He had known before he had specifically requested Justus as his personal guard that the man had a tendency to speak his mind more often than not. It is this quality which Harry finds reassuring. He would rather have a guard whose thoughts were voiced freely than one who guarded his tongue and said only what he thought his lord wanted to hear.

"So you are planning on having your coming of age party after all?" Justus breaks the silence that had fallen over them making Harry blink in surprise.

Frowning, Harry stares blindly at the dirt beneath his feet. "It is, unfortunately, inevitable." He says at last.

"I gathered from your conversations with your guardian that you were opposed to the idea." The guard states carefully, the question evident in his voice.

"I am, but to not have the party would undoubtedly raise suspicions and that must be avoided at all costs." Harry replies grimly. "I will not have my people suffer any more than they already have because of my selfishness."

His answer seems to stun the guard and Harry shrugs his shoulders irritably. "How could I allow my people to be questioned and possibly hurt for something that they have no part of? They are my responsibility and as such I must do all that I can to ensure that they are safe, or as safe as they can be. If the witch hunters were to suspect me of being a witch, their ire would affect me as well as all those associated with me."

"But," Justus protests suddenly, then looks hesitant.

"Yes?" Harry prods encouragingly.

"But isn't there already suspicion about you?" The man asks, averting his eyes.

A small, bitter laugh escapes Harry before he can stop it. The harsh noise draws the guards gaze back to him and Harry can read the astonishment in the man's eyes.

"Of course there is." Harry tells the man gently. "How could there not be with the circumstances being what they are. But I am a lord and as such that affords me with certain protections. However, should I give them reason to doubt me further that meager protection will not hold out."

"I see." Justus nods slowly, understanding dawning clearly on his face. "So by having the party as most would expect, you are hoping to alleviate their suspicions. You are showing them that you are not afraid to be seen."

"Precisely." Harry is pleased at the man's logic.

"But that does not mean I enjoy the idea of having this party. I will have to pretend that Merlin's death means little to me. Or, at the very least, I will have to ignore the idea that he ever existed." The very thought of it fills Harry's mouth with a bitter taste. This is the reason he has attempted to avoid the subject with Sirius. He has not wanted to contemplate the façade that he will have to present to his peers.

"You can do it." Justus declares firmly. "Your…friend would understand whatever it is you will have to do to keep your people safe."

Harry blinks at the guard, something like shock coursing through him. This is the first time someone has said something like that to him. Even Sirius has been tip-toeing around the subject, seeming to think that if he ignores the whole situation it will just disappear. Unbidden, moisture gathers at the corner of his eyes, blurring his vision.

"Thank you." Harry whispers, desperately attempting to blink away the threatening tears.

"Harry," Justus begins, looking embarrassed, "I might not understand your feelings towards…your friend, but that does not make your grief any less real."

"Thank you anyway Justus. Your words mean a lot to me." Harry touches the guards arm briefly in gratitude.

"But now, I believe it is time we returned to the house so that I might discuss the upcoming party with Sirius. I'm sure he'll be overjoyed at my decision." Harry gives a wry smile.

"Of course." The guard replies, rising to his feet.

Ignoring the hand that is offered to him, Harry struggles for a moment to rise. His legs tremble as he finally manages to lift himself from the bench and he takes a deep breath closing his eyes. He can feel Justus beside him but the man makes no other moves to assist him. Letting the quiet and stillness of the garden wash over him, Harry forces all the conflicting emotions that fill him to subside.

"Alright." He opens his eyes and takes a determined step forward only to freeze. There on the path before him is a patch of solid ebony that would be more appropriate on a dark, moonless night.

"Umbra." Harry mutters the creatures name almost involuntarily.

"Isn't that the pony that your guardian brought back with him?" Justus asks curiously.

"Is that what it is?" Harry whispers, his anger rising once more.

"Pardon?" Justus asks quietly moving to stand beside Harry.

"Nothing." Harry replies, averting his gaze from the creature. "Come."

Quickly, he moves himself around the creature and strides down the path.

The guard hurries after him casting a questioning look in Umbra's direction. "Should we take him with us?"

"Ignore him." Harry commands sharply.

With a nod, Justus falls into step beside him. The man says nothing as they move closer to the house and Harry is grateful. He does not have to look behind him to know that Umbra is following them. The feel of eyes on his back makes him stiffen but he does nothing else to acknowledge the creature's unwelcome presence.

"Harry!"

The sudden shout startles Harry and he looks around wildly. To his right, Sirius hurries towards them, a look of frustration clear on his face.

"Sirius, what' wrong?" Harry demands as soon as Sirius is close enough that he does not have to shout.

"They're here!" Sirius gasps as he comes to a halt in front of Harry. "The Witch Hunters are here."

A cold chill travels down Harry's spine. "Did they say why?"

"No, but the head hunter is here and he's asked to see you specifically." Sirius gives Harry a look like a wounded dog. "I couldn't do anything to dissuade him."

"It's…it's alright Sirius." Harry tells him numbly. "Come Justus, we mustn't keep the Witch Hunters waiting."

With steady steps Harry walks towards his house, Sirius and Justus flanking him. He draws strength from their presence at his side. Calm, he tells himself. Confident.

Sirius leads them through the back passages of the house to the large foyer right off the main entrance. As the three of them enter, Harry squares his shoulders and smiles thinly at the five men situated throughout the room. Only one of the men is sitting and it is to this man that Harry directs his attention.

"Head Hunter Arthur Pendragon." Harry nods respectfully.

Standing, the Head Witch Hunter towers over Harry and gives him a shallow bow. "Lord Potter, thank you for attending me."

"It is my pleasure." Harry smiles with a touch of bitterness in the expression. "How can I be of service?"

The man's eyes survey Harry silently before glancing to either side where Justus and Sirius stand in silent support. Then he looks beyond them towards the entrance to the foyer.

"Is that your…pet, Lord Potter?" He asks quietly.

A cold chill of trepidation travels up Harry's spine as he turns slowly in the direction of the hunters gaze. Behind them, forgotten in the imminent dread of the hunters, stands Umbra. The creature stares serenely back at Harry as it eases further into the room.

"I brought him back with me from my travels. He is an early birthday gift." Sirius answers the hunter a note of petulance in his voice.

"I see." The man turns back to Harry. "Does he have a name? I understand familiars generally do."

"Familiars?" Harry tries to keep his voice steady but a faint tremor shows through.

The head hunter smiles almost gently. "A witches closest companion. A source of their unholy powers. Surely you are familiar with these things."

A few of the hunters chuckle at their leaders play on words but Harry finds no humor in the situation. "I am afraid I do not like the direction of this conversation. I can assure you that Umbra is not what you believe him to be."

"Really? His name is Umbra?" The man grins, his slightly crooked teeth flashing briefly in the rooms light.

"Yes. And my guardian presented him to me as a gift just as stated. I have noticed nothing untoward about him." Harry states firmly, the lies slipping more and more easily from his lips. As long as he does not look at the creature, he can maintain an aura of dignified indignation.

"Good, good. That eases my mind to hear." The hunter nods agreeably.

"Now then," the man's face becomes a mask of seriousness, "I have come here to return this to you as the next of kin." He gestures to one of his men who approaches, a small bundle in his hands. Then he thrusts the bundle at Harry who takes it in nerveless fingers.

"These are the only affects that were found on the witches' person."

The only word Harry hears through the roaring in his head is 'witch'. He stares down at the cloth covered bundle that he holds without feeling it. Merlin, he whispers the name in his mind, Merlin.

"You may do as you wish with the items. We have already disposed of the unholy paraphernalia that he had on him." The hunter nods briskly before motioning his men. "Now if you will excuse me, there is much to be done."

Harry shakes the shock from his limbs as the hunters file out of the foyer. "A moment Head Hunter Pendragon."

"Yes?" The man questions, turning back towards Harry.

"I would like to take this chance to invite you to my coming of age celebration." Harry barely chokes the words out but he knows that he must say them. To do otherwise would raise further suspicions.

"You honor me Lord Potter." The hunter bows deeply. "It pleases me to accept your invitation."

"Excellent." Harry smiles thinly."I will send you a formal invitation within the next few days."

"At your leisure." And with that, the man exited the room leaving Harry alone with the others.

A long shaky breath escapes Harry as he stands motionless still holding the small bundle. He looks down as something brushes gently against his leg. Umbra looks up at him with soft black eyes. The level of understanding in the creature's eyes nearly undoes him.

"Harry." Sirius calls his name softly but Harry shakes his head.

With agonizing slowness, Harry unwraps the bundle in his hands ignoring the way his fingers tremble. When the cloth falls open, he stares down at what is revealed. A good sized dagger with a simple, leather hilt rests next to a small wooden dragon.

"Oh Merlin." Harry whispers brokenly, closing his eyes as tears stream unchecked down his face.