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Chapter Text

Transcript from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:

(I do not own it...this belongs to J.K Rowling)

"And — oh, Mrs. Longbottom, are you leaving already?" Harry's head spun round. The curtains had been drawn back from the two beds at the end of the ward and two visitors were walking back down the aisle between the beds: a formidable-looking old witch wearing a long green dress, a moth-eaten fox fur, and a pointed hat decorated with what was unmistakably a stuffed vulture and, trailing behind her looking thoroughly depressed — Neville. 

With a sudden rush of understanding, Harry realized who the people in the end beds must be. He cast around wildly for some means of distracting the others  so that Neville could leave the ward unnoticed and unquestioned, but Ron had looked up at the sound of the name "Longbottom" too, and before Harry could stop him had called, "Neville!"

Neville jumped and cowered as though a bullet had narrowly missed him. "It's us, Neville!" said Ron brightly, getting to his feet. "Have you seen? Lockhart's here! Who've you been visiting?" 

"Friends of yours, Neville, dear?" said Neville's grandmother graciously, bearing down upon them all. 

Neville looked as though he would rather be anywhere in the world but here. A dull purple flush was creeping up his plump face and he was not making eye contact with any of them.

"Ah, yes," said his grandmother, looking closely at Harry and sticking out a shrivelled, claw-like hand for him to shake. "Yes, yes, I know who you are, of course. Neville speaks most highly of you."

"Er — thanks," said Harry, shaking hands. Neville did not look at him, but stared at his own feet, the color deepening in his face all the while. 

"And you two are clearly Weasleys," Mrs. Longbottom continued, proffering her hand regally to Ron and Ginny in turn. "Yes, I know your parents — not well, of course — but fine people, fine people . . . and you must be Hermione Granger?"

Hermione looked rather startled that Mrs. Longbottom knew her name, but shook hands all the same. 

"Yes, Neville's told me all about you. Helped him out of a few sticky spots, haven't you? He's a good boy," she said, casting a sternly appraising look down her rather bony nose at Neville, "but he hasn't got his father's talent, I'm afraid to say. . . ." And she jerked her head in the direction of the two beds at the end of the ward, so that the stuffed vulture on her hat trembled alarmingly.

"What?" said Ron, looking amazed (Harry wanted to stamp on Ron's foot, but that sort of thing was much harder to bring off unnoticed when you were wearing jeans rather than robes). "Is that your dad down the end, Neville?" 

"What's this?" said Mrs. Longbottom sharply. "Haven't you told your friends about your parents, Neville?" 

Neville took a deep breath, looked up at the ceiling, and shook his head. Harry could not remember ever feeling sorrier for anyone, but he could not think of any way of helping Neville out of the situation. 

"Well, it's nothing to be ashamed of!" said Mrs. Longbottom angrily. "You should be proud, Neville, proud! They didn't give their health and their sanity so their only son would be ashamed of them, you know!"

"I'm not ashamed," said Neville very faintly, still looking anywhere but at Harry and the others. Ron was now standing on tiptoe to look over at the inhabitants of the two beds.

"Well, you've got a funny way of showing it!" said Mrs. Longbottom. 

25 December, 2005

"Oh, would you shut up, old woman. You're giving me a bloody headache." A voice suddenly said, making Harry and the others jump.

Just as the four teenagers were about to ask Neville, who seemed to be holding his laughter in, who had spoken, a woman with wavy raven-black hair and stormy grey eyes that were shining with suppressed humour appeared from behind a couple of closed curtains. She was wearing muggle black ripped jeans and a white t-shirt with the words 'I'm right. You're wrong. Shut up.' written on the front, tucked in the jeans, a black leather jacket and black ankle boots.

"Carina, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, respect your elders, young lady." Mrs. Longbottom reprimanded the woman, sighing loudly in exasperation. "You are a Lady of an ancient and noble house, act like it."

"Apologies, Madam Longbottom." The woman, Carina, said sarcastically in a posh accent, smirking. "I'm afraid I was raised by a psychotic old hag that had no manners."

"You were also raised by your grandfather, who taught you proper pureblood etiquette." Mrs. Longbottom said slowly, like she was speaking to a child.

" Sorry Aunt Augusta." She apologized, seriously this time, before immediately turning to the youngest Longbottom in the room. "Oh, Neville, darling. There you are. Come give me a hug." The lady that Harry thought weirdly resembled Sirius Black said, opening her arms expectantly.

"Hi, Auntie Carrie" Neville said softly, hugging the strange woman.

The other teenagers in the ward were just watching all of this unfold, looking on in curiosity.

After the two broke the rather long hug, Neville seemed to remember the presence of his friends in the room, and went to introduce them to his honorary aunt. But before he could do that, Carina noticed them first, and was subsequently shocked at what she saw.

"OH MY MERLIN!" She screamed, shocked. "You're Jamie's son. You look a lot like him." She said, pointing at a shocked Harry. "You are either a Weasley, Prewett or both." Pointing at a confused Ron. "You have to be related to Lily." Pointing at a curious Ginny. "And you look like a young Marlene, with slight differences." Pointing at an inquisitive Hermione.

The first one to talk out of the four was, as expected, Hermione. "Who do I look like?" she asked, confused.

"Marlene McKinnon. She was a Gryffindor in my brother's year. Oh, I apologize, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Carina. Carina Black."

"Black? Like Sirius Black? And who's Jamie?" Harry asked, finally getting over his shock.

"Ah, yes. That would be my younger brother. And, oh yes, Jamie is James Potter." She answered casually.

"You knew my father?" Harry asked, shocked. He didn't know there were people, other than Sirius and Remus, that were so close to his father that they called him 'Jamie'.

"Knew him? Oh no, darling. I practically took care of him while he was at Hogwarts. I practically raised all the Marauders, their friends and some other younger students I had taken a liking to when they came to Hogwarts. I had already been raising Sirius and our other siblings, so I just took the rest of the Marauders in as my little siblings subconsciously. I taught them everything I knew." She said passionately, with eyes that showed how much she loved her siblings and honorary siblings.

Before anyone could say anything else, the door to the ward opened and Remus Lupin, himself, walked in. "Ah, there you guys are. I've been looking for you."

"Hello, Remus. Didn't expect you to be here." Carina said absent-mindedly.

"C-C—Carrie?!" Remus stuttered, mouth agape in shock.

"Yes?" The aforementioned woman asked tilting her head innocently, but everyone could see a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

"How- what? I thought you had died?" he asked, shocked. Dumbledore had told the order that she had died duelling you-know-who. They had all mourned her loss, especially the marauders who were all devastated by the loss of their older sister. And a week later James and Lily had died and Sirius was sent to Azkaban.

"Oh, Remus." She said, shaking her head and sighing sympathetically. "I didn't die, I've actually been here for the past fourteen years. It's been frustrating. I only get news from the old nurse that takes care of Alice and Frank, the doctors that rarely pass by or when Aunt Augusta and Neville visit. I only found out that Siri was sent to azkaban and had escaped by accident. But, I don't blame you for not visiting, I imagine Dumbledore told you I had died and you believed him. And to prove I'm really me, when you were a first year, because you were so bad at potions, you came to me and asked for secret tutoring lessons. You told me not to tell anyone, because you thought if your friends found out, they'd think you were lame and not be friends with you anymore." When Remus was still standing awkwardly in front of her, she sighed again and opened her arms invitingly. "Stop being an idiot and come give me a hug."

At that, he ran into her expecting arms, embracing her like his life depended on it. He was silently crying into her shoulder, releasing the pain that had built up and settled in his heart.

Carina was also emotional. Having one of her cubs in her arms after so long of not seeing any of them was surreal for her.

The teenagers in the room were surprised. They had never seen the usually calm and composed ex-professor break down like he had just done. Augusta was watching all of this unfold with a fond smile on her usually stoic face.

-

After Remus and Carina separated from their emotional hug and wiped their tears, Carina started explaining some very important things to the five teenager, Remus and Augusta. "Alright. We don't have much time before the nurse comes and tells you visiting time is over, so listen closely. First, Dumbledore was the one who sent me here, to get rid of me. And before any of you object to this, know that there are a lot of things you don't know about. Just don't trust him blindly. Remus, there are a few things I need you to do for me." When she had blamed Dumbledore for her incarceration, Remus, Harry and Ron had started to protest until she told them to listen first.

Harry and Ron stopped their protests when they saw Hermione and Ginny hadn't joined and were listening to the older Black with thoughtful expressions on their faces. Remus, on the other hand, listened to her because he knew Carina Black always had an explanation to any request she had, and nodded obediently when she said she needed something from him.

"I need you to get Sirius, the Weasley children, Hermione, Harry and yourself to Gringotts, get magical inheritance tests and purges. I also need you to get my younger brother here. I need to talk to him and explain a few things to you both. Hermione," The girl jumped, not expecting she would be addressed, but nodded for the older woman to continue. "The library in Grimauld place is divided in a certain way. The bookshelves are divided by subject, there is a bookshelf that is full of books about the British and French wizarding worlds' cultures and traditions. Pull out the book with the title 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard', you'll find something interesting. Oh and have the Marauders Map with you, it'll help." Even though Hermione was confused by the vague order, she nodded obediently anyway, curious about what she might find.

"Ok, we have five minutes left and there is one last thing I need to ask." At their nods, Carina continued. "Why the bloody Hell are you guys at St. Mungo's anyway?" she asked exasperatedly, pointing at the five that weren't in the ward for Alice and Frank Longbottom.

"Oh, Arthur was attacked two days ago and we were here to visit him." Remus answered simply.

"Arthur? Arthur Weasley? One of my closest friends, Arthur? That Arthur?" She asked, surprised.

"Yes, that Arthur, Carrie." Remus said, rolling his eyes at her dramatics. Before Ron or Ginny could ask how she knew their father, they were interrupted by a nurse coming in. "I'm afraid visiting time is over for today." She informed them kindly.

"Of course, we'll see you soon, Carrie." Augusta said as she hugged the young women, then went to hug her son and daughter-in-law goodbye.

"Bye, Auntie Carrie." Neville said sadly.

"Bye, darling." She said, hugging the younger boy. After releasing him, and he went to say goodbye to his parents, Carina stepped forward to hug Remus goodbye. As he went to pull away, she pulled him closer and whispered in his ear. "Go to Gringotts as soon as possible, tell no one of what I told you today except Sirius. Get him here as soon as possible. Make sure the teenagers don't say anything to anyone, and don't leave them alone with Dumbledore or Molly. Listen to me closely Remus, trust no one except the people in this ward and Sirius. I mean it." At his nod, she let him go and went to say goodbye to the four confused teenagers.

As she came close to them, she leaned in and whispered three words that had them on guard. "Trust No One." Loudly she said "It was really nice to meet friends of Neville's. I hope to see you again."

Hermione was the first to get the message, 'stay cautious, play along.', and answered accordingly "It was nice to meet you as well, we'll try to visit again before we go back to school." The others also caught on and nodded along.

"I'll be waiting."

As they left the ward, they all knew that their lives would not be the same again. And they all had things that they needed to do.

Hermione was going to the library in Grimauld place and doing what Carina Black asked of her.

Harry was going to tell Sirius and ask him about his siblings, especially Carina Black.

Ron and Ginny both thought the same thing, they needed to talk to their older siblings, but their parents weren't going to be informed of anything that happened with Carina Black.

Remus was already thinking of ways to sneak the teenagers and Sirius out of Grimauld Place without anyone asking questions.

Augusta and Neville Longbottom knew that everything, from this moment forward, was going to change.

In the Janus Thickey Ward

"That was bloody painful. Having to pretend to be mentally unstable, when we're obviously not." A male voice said, sighing dramatically.

"Oh, stop being such a drama queen Longbottom, it wasn't that bad." A female voice answered, sounding exasperated.

"But, you have to admit that the moment was awful, right?" another female voice asked.

"Yeah, it was painful being so vague with my answers. I wished I could explain everything, but I couldn't." The first female voice replied. Then they turned to a man who had just appeared out of nowhere. "Peter, report."

"I have two out of five of the objects you asked for." A voice, Peter, said covertly, knowing the people in the room understood what he was talking about.

"That's great. Good work, Peter." The first female voice complimented. "How is he mentally?" She then asked, concerned.

"To be honest, not so great. He's been torturing people in the outer circles and some people in the inner circle." Peter said, wincing as he remembered being tortured himself.

"Oh, god. He's gone completely insane." The first male voice said, groaning in annoyance.

"Yeah..." the second female voice sighed."Setting that aside, we need to plan how we are going to go about helping from here."

Chapter Text

25 December, 2005
12 Grimauld Place, Borough of Islington, London.

As Carina Black was in the Janus Thickey ward talking to a supposedly dead Peter Pettigrew, and a supposedly insane Frank and Alice Longbottom, the group of four teenagers and werewolf had joined up with Molly and went back to Grimauld place.

Upon entering the house, Hermione rushed to the library to look for 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' and see why Carina asked her to look at it.

Harry and Remus, on the other hand, went looking for Sirius to talk to him, while Ron and Ginny went to the twins' room to tell them about what had happened that day.

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With Hermione

Hermione went into the library and started looking for the book she was recommended. Finding it surrounded by books on wizarding culture, like Carina had said it would be, she pulled it out, but instead of the book coming off of the bookshelf, it just returned back to its place. There was a click and the bookshelf opened like a door. Curiously, she opened it and went in, and what she saw was not what she was expecting. It was a hidden library inside the bookcase. There were ebony bookshelves all around the walls, filled with books of all shapes and sizes. In the middle, there was a grey couch and two grey armchairs surrounding a black coffee table.

Going around and looking at all the books, she saw a bookshelf full of journals of different colours. As she went through the journals, she saw that they had names on them, some she recognised, like Sirius Black and James Potter and others she didn't recognize, like Rosalie Lestrange and Fabian Prewett. She saw that they were also numbered and guessed that that was the order they were supposed to be read in. Pulling out the one with the number 1 on it, she saw the name Marlene McKinnon on it and remembered that Carina Black said she looked like this woman. So, she took the book out of the bookshelf, sat down on the couch in the sitting area in the middle of the hidden library and opened the journal. Curious about what she might find, she started reading.

-

Entry one:

9 November, 1985

My name is Marlene Margret McKinnon, heiress apparent to the Ancient and Most Noble House of McKinnon. I am a member of a group known as the Order of The Dark Wolf. I am a part of Gryffindor house at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. Everyone in the order has a nickname, mine is Aphrodite as reference to my family name, McKinnon, which means love in Gaelic.

Our leader/older sister, Carina Black, A.K.A Morrigan, tasked everyone in the group to write a journal each on a specific topic. I chose to write on the importance of keeping the wizarding world hidden from the muggles, and why people like Albus Dumbledore, who think it's a good idea to reveal the magical world to the muggles, are idiots that could destroy our world with their ideas.

These journals are numbered, and are to be read in the order they are in.

At the end of each journal, you, whoever is reading this, will find every person's opinion on the upcoming war, and what side we, the OTDW (order of the dark wolf), took. I will be writing this journal through the rest of my years at Hogwarts, and maybe after that.

Now that basic introductions are over and done with, let's get started.

You might think that my opinion might be inaccurate or biased because I am a pureblood. Let me squash that thought before you dwell on it. Yes, I might be a pureblood, but my parents are open minded and made sure that my sister and I were aware of the happenings of the muggle world. They took us on trips to a house we owned in muggle London, where we would stay for a few weeks, living like muggles. That meant no magic in any way, shape or form. Our transportation during our trips was either a car my father had bought, the bus or the underground. As for meals, mum and dad either took turns cooking, took us out to eat or we ordered take out, as we couldn't have the house elves with us if we were living like muggles. We still take this trip to this day, and I plan on continuing this tradition even after I graduate.

So, I understand the difference between the magical and muggle worlds, I also understand how revealing magic to muggles would be beneficial for both worlds, the exchanges and advances that could happen would be extraordinary, but I also understand human nature. Humans are fickle creatures, they get scared of what they don't understand, and when they get scared their natural instinct is to attack. Revealing magic to muggles will result in a war between the two worlds, it is not even a possibility. It is a fact.

-

And as the journal went on, the entries started getting more detailed, with references from books, both muggle and magical, guesses and theories, and even interviews with some muggle-raised and wizard-raised students about their opinion on the topic. There was also a detailed recount of one of the trips that she took with her family to muggle London. But, there were also signs that it was a journal that belonged to a teenage girl, as there were games, homework reminders, and even doodles in the margins. All in all, it was both informative and detailed, but at times it was quite random.

As Hermione got absorbed in the book, she completely forgot about everyone and everything outside what she was reading. She forgot about what had happened earlier in the day, or that she was in a hidden part of the library and her friends might get worried and go looking for her, and might not find her.

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With Harry, Remus and Sirius

Harry and Remus had found Sirius in his room, meditating. They didn't know if they should wake him from his trance or wait for him to finish. But before they could ask each other, Sirius had already noticed their presence and opened his eyes.

"Oh, you guys are back. How is Arthur doing?" He asked calmly, not even fazed by their sudden appearance, he was used to worse surprises.

"He's fine, but that isn't important right now, there is something-"but before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a voice that suddenly shouted "Why didn't you tell me you had a sister?"

Harry couldn't hold his question in any longer, don't judge him, he was a naturally curious child that has spent way too much time around Hermione. A very bad combination.

"I-I beg your pardon?" Sirius stuttered in shock, falling back to the pureblood speech pattern he was taught as a child and had been trying to suppress for the longest time.

"Harry!" Remus exclaimed reproachfully.

"Sorry, I just couldn't hold it in. I'm really curious, ok!" Harry exclaimed defensively.

"I-I-I just-I never thought about telling you." Sirius stuttered, not knowing what to say. "How did you know I had a sister anyway? Remus, anything you want to explain?" Sirius asked, looking at Remus suspiciously.

"I didn't tell him anything, I solemnly swear." The other man said, putting his hand over his heart in an all too familiar manner. "But, there is something we have to tell you."

And with that, he and Harry started telling him the events that happened in the hospital. Harry started as he was the one there when he and his friends had first met Carina Black.

"So, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and I were looking for the tea room, when we came across Lockhart, our second year DADA teacher, who had lost his memory and was administered to St. Mungo's. Anyway, we were talking with his nurse, while she was leading us to the permanent spell ward, where we met our friend Neville, who was visiting his parents with his grandmother." At that, Sirius asked "The Longbottoms, right?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"We know Frank and Alice, Neville's parents. They were our friends from our Hogwarts years. Alice was in our year, but a Hufflepuff, while Frank was a Gryffindor, but two years older than us. Alice was actually one of Lily's closest friends" Sirius explained to the curious teen.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Well anyway, Neville was arguing with his grandmother about him not telling anyone about his parents, when a woman, that looked a lot like you, came from behind a curtain and interrupted Neville's grandmother. It was actually pretty funny, she was like 'would you shut up, old woman' and then Neville's grandmother started reprimanding the other woman and after they had stopped their argument, the woman noticed Neville and told him to give her a hug, and he did and called the woman 'Aunty Carrie'. When she noticed us, she started shouting about how I looked like my dad, but she called him Jamie,"

"She called him Jamie?" Sirius asked, interrupting Harry, starting to get suspicious.

"Yeah." At Sirius' hum of acknowledgment, he continued. "Anyway, she also shouted about how Ron and Ginny looked like they were either Weasleys, Prewetts or both and how Hermione looked like someone called Marlene McKinnon. Who are the Prewetts and who's Marlene McKinnon?"

"She said Hermione looked like Marlene?" Sirius asked, surprised. Who the hell was that woman who apparently knew James, Marlene, the Weasleys and the Prewetts personally?

"Yeah." Harry answered, still very confused about that sentence.

"Now that you've said it, Hermione does look like Marlene. They have the same unruly, brunette hair, the same face shape and they share some facial features." Remus murmured contemplatively, thinking out loud. "But, anyways, Marlene McKinnon was a Gryffindor witch in our year and a good friend of ours. She was one of the smartest in our year as well. She was a badass who didn't take anything from anyone, and a true genius when it came to ancient runes. She was deadly when any of her friends and family were in danger and knew a rota of dangerous curses, for defence of course. We used to call her Aphrodite, because her last name meant love and boys used to fall for her all the time, but she always rejected them."

"Wow, she sounds awesome and a lot like Hermione, now that you've said it. What happened to her?" Harry asked, as he noticed Remus using the past tense when describing the woman.

"She died during the war, like most of our friends." Sirius said bitterly.

"Oh." Harry said, sadly. "Then, who are the Prewetts?" he asked, trying to distract the others.

"The Prewetts are a pureblood family. Molly was originally a Prewett, but she was the youngest of four, she has three siblings, and I must say she is very different from them. The oldest, Elaina, was six years older than us and a hufflepuff, then there was Fabian and Gideon, who were twins two years older than us and were in ravenclaw, and had become Co-Lords of the Ancient and Noble House of Prewett upon their majority, as per tradition in their family."

"Wait, isn't the oldest supposed to take the lordship of a house, whether their male or female? And how can there be two lords to one house?" Harry asked, confused. That was what Neville had told him, when he was giving him wizarding etiquette and wizarding culture lessons.

"Normally, that would be the case, and good job for knowing that." Harry beamed at the praise. "But in the Prewett family, magical twins have priority over other heirs in the house. That basically means that if there were magical twins born in the family, they automatically become the heirs apparent and then immediately become the Co-Lords of the house when they come of age." Sirius explained. "Anyway, we were friends with the Prewett twins when we were at Hogwarts."

"Huh. Well, shall I continue my retelling?" At their nods, Harry continued. "So, after she said that, she apologised for not introducing herself and said her name was Carina Black-"At that, Sirius suddenly jumped and exclaimed "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

"That was what I was trying to tell you. It was her, Sirius. I saw her with my own two eyes, she even told me a secret I had only told her. It was definitely Carrie." Remus said, staring at his friend with suppressed emotions in his eyes, wanting Sirius to believe him.

"So, she's-she's alive?" he asked, hesitantly, hope and desperation shining in his eyes and voice.

"Yeah, Siri. She's alive" Remus told his friend, smiling brightly.

"Oh, thank Merlin." He sighed, relieved. His older sister, the person that basically raised him and his siblings, was alive and well.

"So, is she really your sister?" Harry asked impatiently.

"Yes, Harry, she is. My parents, begrudgingly and by accident, had four children. The oldest, Carina, was a Ravenclaw two years older than me. Then there was me and my twin sister, Cassiopeia, or Cassie for short. We were both Gryffindores, and I was the older of the two of us. And finally, the youngest of my siblings, Regulus, was a Slytherin, a year younger than me and Cassie."

"What happened to them?" Harry asked in a whisper, afraid of the answer.

"Well, Carina, as you already know, is in St. Mungo's, but everyone thought she had died in the last war. Cassiopeia and Regulus are both missing, presumed dead. But I don't know how to find out if they're both dead or not?" Sirius explained, sorrowfully.

"Isn't that tapestry of your family tree self-updating? I remember Carrie once said something like that." Remus asked, remembering a distant memory of a conversation he had with the aforementioned Black.

"You're right. How could I have forgotten?" Sirius asked in exasperation, face palming. He then led both men to the family room, where there was a big tapestry with the black family crest on top. Getting closer, you could see names and pictures of members of the Black family, with their dates of birth and death, if they had passed away, underneath. But there were some pictures that were blackened out, blasted of off the family tree by an insane Walburga Black.

As they stood in front of the tapestry, Sirius seemed to be thinking of something before he nodded to himself, put his hand on the tapestry and said "I, Sirius Orion Black, scion and heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, oldest son to Walburga and Orion Black, Grandson to previous Lord Arcturus Black and younger Brother to Lady Carina Melania Black, current head and Lady of the House of Black, do hereby order this tapestry to renew and update, removing all marks made by Walburga Black, so have I sworn, on my name as a member of the House of Black, so mote it be."

With a flash of bright light, the tapestry renewed and cleaned itself, updating itself in the process. After a moment, the magic settled. Where there was previously a tattered and dirty blackened tapestry, in its place there was a clean tapestry listing every Black family member and their descendants, disowned or not, and that included members and their offspring who were obliviated.

Searching intently, Sirius was the first to find his sibling, but what he saw in that area shocked him.

"When the hell did my brother marry Marlene McKinnon and have a kid with her?" he asked out loud, shocked.

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With Ron, Ginny, Fred and George

At the same time Harry was talking to Remus and Sirius in Sirius' room, Ron and Ginny had followed the twins to their room and entered. The twins were surprised, Ron and Ginny rarely, if ever, wanted to talk to them privately.

"Could you erect a privacy ward around the room? There's something important we want to tell you." Ginny asked seriously.

Nodding their heads in unison, the twins drew their wands. Fred put up a privacy ward while George put up a silencing ward.

After they did that, Ron and Ginny retold what had happened at the hospital.

After they told the twins everything, the twins looked at each other, having a conversation with just their eyes, made a decision, and nodded to each other.

George went to the extra trunk they had bought with their saved up money, opened it and started looking around. Ron and Ginny were sitting on one of the twins' beds, looking at them confusedly while Fred sat on the other bed, waiting for his brother to find what he was looking for.

He pulled out two pieces of parchment from the trunk and went to sit beside his brother.

"You already know we want to open a joke shop, right?" at Ron and Ginny's nods, George continued "Well, we decided to start setting up this year. We already had some money saved up from over the years, and Harry helped us a bit. But we needed a bit more money to set up a shop and a lot of other thing, and we knew Mum won't let Dad help us because, in her words, our dream is a lost cause." he explained, saying the last part in an angry voice.

Fred continued while his brother regained control over his emotions. "So, we decided to ask for a loan from Gringotts. When we went in and asked a teller, he told us basic procedure for a loan was to take an inheritance test, to check and see if we had any money in the bank. We knew that the Weasley family didn't have enough money in the bank and that we didn't have access to the vault anyway, so we did it, not expecting anything different from what we knew. But what came out of the inheritance test was not what we expected, not at all."

At that, George handed over the two parchments in his hands to the younger two, and what they saw on them, changed everything.

Chapter Text

26 December, 2005

Janus thickey ward, fourth floor, St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Carina Black was a woman on a mission. She had a foolproof plan, she just had to figure out when to execute it, and apparently luck was on her side. As she heard the healer coming towards the ward, she got the perfect idea and readied herself. She put on her most innocent expression, thanking the heavens above she had learned the puppy dog eyes from her brother, waited for the healer to enter, and then she struck.

"Healer Goldstein?" she asked in her most innocent voice, internally cursing the old goat for putting her in that position.

"Yes, Miss Black?" the healer, Goldstein, answered in a voice someone would normally use with a child.

'It's Lady Black, you twat' she thought to herself, but loudly she said. "I was wondering-you see, a friend of mine was administered into St. Mungo's a few days ago, and I was wondering if I could go visit him in his room, just for a little bit." She said, scratching the back of her head self-consciously, as if expecting the healer to refuse her request, while on the inside she was frustrated with her situation. 'Ugh, look at me, the Lady of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, begging. Oh, how I hate having to pretend to be weak and unstable. If only I had a wand.'

"And who might that friend be, Miss Black, and how do you know him?" the healer asked, surprised. She had been informed Carina had little to no friends, and the woman never getting any visitors only reassured that fact, but maybe that was false.

"He was my mentor while I was at Hogwarts and his brothers -in-law were my best friends..." she pretended to trail off as if she was reminiscing, sticking to the act of being unstable. "Oh, sorry. I didn't answer your second question, did I? And his name is Arthur Weasley."

"You know Arthur Weasley?" Goldstein asked, surprised.

Carina nodded, then asked "So, May I go visit him?"

"Yes, you can. I'll go ask the receptionist for his room number, then I'll come back and get you, alright?" the healer said, hoping that meeting an old friend of hers, will help Carina recover.

"Oh, thank you so very much, healer Goldstein." She said happily, smirking inwardly. 'She bought it, ha. And I'm supposed to be the stupid one.'

The healer went outside and returned thirty minutes later, ready to escort Carina to Arthur Weasley's hospital room.

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26 December, 2005

First floor, Dai Llewellyn ward, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Arthur was surprised when a healer he did not recognize entered the ward he was in on the afternoon of Boxing Day. What surprised him even more was that when she entered, she was holding the hand of a female he would recognize anywhere, even though it had been years since he had last seen her.

"Carrie?!" he exclaimed, shocked. Everyone had been told she had died, fourteen years ago, how could she be here, right in front of him?

"Artie!" she said happily, but her eyes told a whole other story, she was frustrated and angry, oh so angry.

And at that moment, when he saw the emotions in the eyes of the woman in front of him, he knew, as miraculous as it was, that that woman was indeed Carina Black.

"Ah, so you do know my patient Mr. Weasley." At his distracted nod, he was still staring at his long lost friend, she continued. "I am Senior Healer Audrey Goldstein, the head mind healer of the Janus Thickey ward. And, I think you already know my patient." She said, motioning to her patient.

"Hello, Healer Goldstein. And yes I do know your patient, she is a dear friend of mine, but I didn't know she was at St. Mungo's, so it's been a while since I've last seen her. So, if it's not too much, could you give us a few minutes of privacy? I would like to catch up with her." Arthur requested, a split second decision he hoped wouldn't backfire on him, and when he saw his friend's eyes shine with relief, he knew he had done the right thing.

"Of course, I'll be outside. And if there is anything or when you're done, just call for me." She accepted the request happily, hoping this will help her patient.

"Of course healer Goldstein, and thank you."

The healer nodded to him and left the room.

As soon as she closed the door behind her, Carina's eyes flashed a bright purple, a blue force field, a silencing ward, flashed around them and she sighed in relief.

"That was bloody torturous. Oh, what I'd do to escape this stupid place." Carina said dramatically, then she smiled "Hello Artie, sorry about that," she said, indicating the door where the healer had just left "but I had to, keeping up pretenses and all that."

"Where have you been, young lady? We were all told you had died." Arthur said, with hard eyes. "And don't call me Artie." That sentence was said in a tired breath, indicating he had said it one too many times.

"First off. I've been here the whole time, Dumbledore kidnapped me and made everyone think I was dead, then administered me into the Janus Thickey ward. The healers here think I have psychological problems from over exposure to the cruciatus curse. I, apparently, am mostly mute because I keep having 'flashbacks' of the time of the 'awful' war." She said all of this in exasperation, over enunciating some words in a sarcastic manner, rolling her eyes at the end. "I mean, yeah, I've been over exposed to the cruciatus curse, my childhood alone was full of 'exposure', but I'm definitely NOT insane." She explained determinedly. "I'm just pretending because it benefits my plans that they think I'm out of commission, makes them underestimate me." At that, she smirked devilishly.

"And what are your plans, exactly?" Arthur asked after letting the woman rant, he knew from experience not to interrupt her while she's ranting, especially when she was annoyed. He also shuddered at her expression, he knew no one should underestimate Carina Black. She might've been a raven, but she was also a Blacks and Blacks were known to be powerful and cunning, with a little bit of inherited insanity thrown into the mix.

"I can't tell you until you look directly into my eyes." She said vaguely, knowing he would understand.

And Arthur did understand. Carina Black was a natural legilimens, looking into her eyes when she asked would mean giving her access to your mind, she never used her powers on the people she trusts without asking first. If he did what she asked, it would mean he trusted her with his mind and everything in it. So, the question was, did he trust her that much? The answer was really simple, yes. He trusted Carina Black with his life, and had had to on some occasions in the past, so giving her access to his mind was nothing.

Making his decision, and wasn't that an easy decision, he looked directly into her eyes and nodded his head in reassurance. Carrie nodded back in thanks and then stared back at him, maintaining eye contact. Her eyes flashed a royal purple, a sign that she was either using legilimency, wandless magic or accessing the Black family magicks.

At that moment in time, she was using legilimency on her friend and mentor, trying and succeeding in retrieving and returning years of obliviated memories.

With that, Arthur Septimus Weasley remembered everything, and the normaly calm man exploded at what he saw. "That manipulative, jealous HAG. And Dumbledore, oh when I get my hands on them, I will-I will..." he shouted, speechless with anger.

"You can't do anything reckless, even though you are a Gryffindor and that is literally Gryffindor's motto." Even though he was angry, he laughed at her exasperated expression. "I have a plan, I just need you to be patient and continue playing along. They need to still think you don't remember anything except for what they want you to remember, so they continue to trust you." She explained, urgently.

He nodded understandingly, calming himself down. He trusted Carina to have a satisfying revenge plan. She was a Black after all, Blacks liked their revenge sweet, slow and very painful. "I understand, and I'll follow along. I just need you to tell me two things, what the hell are you planning, and where the bloody hell is my wife?" The man that practically never swore, asked in frustration, hoping nothing had happened to the woman he truly loved, his kind wife.

"Elaina Prewett-Weasley, and a lot of other supposedly dead people, were kidnapped from their homes and hidden in an unknown location. They aren't dead, I know that for sure, but they have been administered the draught of the living death. So, they're in a forced coma of sorts." She said, trying to comfort her worried friend. After he had calmed down enough, she started explaining her plan to him, getting his opinion on a few details.

Half an hour later, Carina was leaving the ward Arthur Weasley was in with a satisfied smile on her face. One step in her long and complicated plan was done, and she couldn't wait for the time when all of her friends and family members would be together and safe under one roof, but she knew that she still had a long way to go for that to happen. 

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With Harry, Sirius and Remus

25 December, 2005 (a day before Carina met up with Arthur.)
Family room, 12 Grimmauld place, Borough of Islington, London.

"When the hell did my brother marry Marlene McKinnon and have a kid with her?"

That was Sirius Orion Black's reaction to the tapestry hanging in front of him.

While Harry had been in the middle of his retelling of the events that had happened at St. Mungo's, from seeing his old professor to meeting Carina Black, his godfather's sister, Sirius had expressed his doubt about his siblings' deaths, because if one could be alive, why couldn't the others be. So, Remus, being the good friend that he was, had reminded Sirius of an old self-updating tapestry of the Black family tree in the family room of 12 Grimmauld place, the house they were in at that moment.

And that was where the three of them were, standing in front of the newly cleaned and renewed tapestry of the Black family tree, Sirius and Remus gawping at the information in front of them.

The tapestry showed every single Black family member, disowned or not, their dates of birth and death, if they had already passed away, and a drawn mini-portrait of said members.

What had surprised Sirius so much to elicit his reaction was that, his brother's name and picture was connected to that of Marlene McKinnon's, even though her name wasn't even supposed to be on the tapestry, and both of theirs was connected to a person by the name of Hermione McKinnon-Black. This basically meant that Regulus and Marlene were married and that this Hermione person was their daughter.

From what both Sirius and Remus remembered, Regulus hadn't married anyone, and definitely not their friend Marlene, and hadn't had a child, but what they knew was obviously wrong. The tapestry was never wrong, its magic wouldn't allow that to happen.

Trying to make sense of that, they tried distracting themselves by looking at Marlene and Regulus' dates of birth and death, as that at least was something they knew, only there wasn't any date of death, for both of them, but everyone knew that they had died during the first war. What was going on?

"Hey look, my dad's on there, but that's weird. It says here he married someone called Rosalie Lestrange, isn't my mum Lily Evans?" While Sirius and Remus were standing in shock, Harry had been perusing the tapestry when he had come across the name of Charlus Potter, who had married Dorea Black. Tracing that branch of the family tree, he had found his father's name, but instead of the name Lily Evans next to it, as he had expected, he saw the name Rosalie Lestrange.

If the tapestry was right, that would mean Lily Evans wasn't his mother, as everyone had told him, but this Rosalie Lestrange person. He checked, and right under the names of James Potter and Rosalie Lestrange, the name Henry Potter appeared to be connecting them both.

While Harry was deep in thought, he hadn't noticed how his question had affected the two men with him. As they heard the names James Potter and Rosalie Lestrange together in one sentence, something inside them broke, something they had been unconsciously fighting for a long time, and an onslaught of memories bombarded their minds. Memories of a time they had been forced to completely forget, a time of family, friendship, companionship and romance, and the last memory they saw was of Albus bloody Dumbledore using the 'obliviate' on them. They were very angry, but they knew their revenge had to wait a bit. First they had an older sister to visit, and a few teenagers to take to Gringotts.

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Fred and George's room, 12 Grimmauld place, Borough of Islington, London.

With Ron, Ginny, Fred and George

After Fred and George had finished explaining the reason behind them getting inheritance tests to Ron and Ginny, the twins handed the two papers for them to read, and what they saw was not what they had expected, not at all.

 -

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name:  Frederick Gideon Pollux Prewett-Weasley

Acknowledged Name:  Fred Weasley

Birth date:  1 April, 1988

Age:  17

Magical core level:  78

Mother:  Elaina Bree Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Father: Arcturus 'Arthur' Septimus Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Siblings: William Arcturus Prewett-Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Charles Septimus Prewett-Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Perseus Ignatius Prewett-Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

George Fabian Prewett-Weasley (younger magical twin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Other direct relatives:  Septimus Weasley (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Cedrella Weasley nee Black (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Bilius Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: deceased]

Cletus Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: alive]

Allen Prewett (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Madalyn Prewett nee Max (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Gideon Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Fabian Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Margret 'Molly' Prewett (maternal aunt) [status: alive]

Ronald Black-Prewett (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Godparents:  Andromeda Black-Tonks [status: alive-under memory charm]

Benjy Fenwick [status: alive-captured]

Fabian Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Godsiblings:  Nymphadora Black-Tonks [status: alive-under memory charm]

Ronald Black-Prewett [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Titles:

• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black (reaffirmed by marriage to soulmate after she comes of age)
• Scion of the Most Ancient House of Weasley
• Co-Heir Apparent of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prewett

Magical abilities:

• Wandless magic (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Magical twin connection (60% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (100% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:

• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett-partially broken due to mistrust 
• 45% block on magical core-completely broken by magical majority 
• Hatred to Slytherins - broken by friendship to Slytherins 

Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore-broken due to mistrust, rebellion and natural mischief 

Memory block on memories from 1988 to 1991.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows signs of physical, mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Healer and a Mind Healer.

-

George's inheritance test was the same except for a few differences.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name:  George Fabian Castor Prewett-Weasley

Acknowledged Name:  George Weasley

Birth date:  1 April, 1988

Age:  17

Magical core level:  78

Mother:  Elaina Bree Prewett [status: living-captured]

Father:  Arcturus 'Arthur' Septimus Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Siblings:  William Arthur Prewett-Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Charles Septimus Prewett-Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Perseus Ignatius Prewett-Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Frederick Gideon Prewett-Weasley (older magical twin) [status: alive-under spells/ potions/blocks]

Other direct relatives:  Septimus Weasley (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Cedrella Weasley nee Black (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Bilius Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: deceased]

Cletus Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: alive]

Allen Prewett (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Madalyn Prewett nee Max (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Gideon Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Fabian Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Margret 'Molly' Prewett (maternal aunt) [status: alive]

Ronald Black-Prewett (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Godparents:  Andromeda Black-Tonks [status: alive-under memory charm]

Benjy Fenwick [status: alive-captured]

Gideon Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Godsiblings:  Nymphadora Black-Tonks [status: alive-under memory charm]

Other blocks/potions/spells:

• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett-partially broken due to mistrust.
• 45% block on magical core-completely broken by magical majority.
• Hatred to Slytherins - broken by friendship to Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore-broken due to mistrust, rebellion and natural mischief 

Memory block on memories from 1988 to 1991.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows signs of physical, mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Healer and Mind Healer.

-

Ron and Ginny were shocked. Molly wasn't the Weasley matriarch and light witch she portrayed herself to be, she wasn't even a Weasley. Ron and Ginny weren't Weasleys either. Ron was apparently a Black-Prewett? And Ginny didn't even know who she was anymore, because, from what the tests in front of her read, she wasn't even directly related to the Weasleys.

"You can't tell anyone, we don't know who's on our side and who's a blind Dumbledore follower, whether freely or because they're under spells and potions. We need to keep acting like normal until we have a chance to go to the bank and find out everything." Fred warned them both, snapping both Ron and Ginny back to reality, who were still stunned about everything.

Once they nodded in understanding and had promised they would help continue the act, George continued for his brother "and from what you told us, this Carina person seems to know a lot and also seems to be on our side, so maybe we should talk to her."

"Remus said he was going to see her, we could ask him if we could come along?" Ginny suggested.

The three other boys nodded and all four of them continued to discuss what they found out and what they would do with that information.

Chapter Text

After what had transpired on that fateful Christmas day, everyone settled into a routine that they followed for the rest of the week.

That day, in front of the tapestry, Remus and Sirius told Harry all the information that was obliviated from their minds and they had gotten back, including who his mother really was and what had really happened during the first wizarding war.

He, in return, had continued his retelling of what had happened in the Janus Thickey ward.

The days after these events, they started gathering in the family room to discuss what they would need to do next, under silencing charms, of course. They had soon found out that the twins, Ron and Ginny knew some of the lies as well, as they had seemed to be hinting at something to Harry when they were hanging out. After asking the four teenagers about what they knew and realising that they knew about a lot of secrets that were hidden, Sirius, Remus and Harry started including them to their daily meetings, all of them exchanging the information they knew and helping each other plan.

Hermione, while she had noticed Sirius, Remus, the twins and her three friends were hiding something from her, had been distracted by the information trove she had found. She spent most of her days in the hidden library of Grimmauld place, taking advantage of all the books and personal journals she had at her disposal. She was still reading Marlene McKinnon's journal and couldn't wait to start reading the other journals. The amount of information in that one journal alone was rocking her world to the very chore, everything she had thought she knew about the wizarding world and the wizarding war was a lie, a very well laid lie, but a lie nonetheless. She was stumped, wary and very suspicious but excited nonetheless. This was turning out to be a very interesting Christmas holiday.

And even though they weren't sharing their secrets with each other, they knew, even if deep down, that they had to keep what they found out a secret from everyone they knew, especially Molly. So, with that in mind, they had taken to pretending everything was the same, acting as normally as possible to not attract any unwanted attention to themselves.
-----------------------------------------------------------

31 December, 2005

12 Grimmauld place, Borough of Islington, London.

The afternoon Arthur Weasley was supposed to come home from St. Mungo's, New Year’s Eve, Ron, Harry, Ginny, the twins, Remus and Sirius were discussing the best possible way for them to go to Gringotts without inciting any suspicions. As they were discussing their situation and how they would need to take Hermione with them as well, Fred asked a question that had been on the back of everyone's minds "Where is Hermione anyway? We've hardly seen her all week outside of meals."

"Didn't Sirius' sister tell her something about a book, she must be reading that and got distracted. What was it called again?" Ginny said, vaguely remembering a book Carina Black had mentioned to Hermione on that fateful Christmas day.

"The tales of something, I can't remember exactly." Harry said contemplatively.

"The tales of Beedle the Bard?" Remus and Sirius asked at the same time, sharing a look. They knew exactly what Hermione was doing.

"Yeah, that's the one. How'd you know?" Ron asked, confused.

"We know where she is, follow us." Sirius said, indicating himself and Remus, as they both walked to the door and opened it, motioning for the teenagers to follow them.

They followed Sirius and Remus to the library on the third floor. After all of them were inside, Sirius closed the door and tapped his wand to the handle, locking it wordlessly.

Striding to a shelf on the left side of the room, Sirius stood next to it and gestured with his hands dramatically in its direction, looking at Remus "After you, dearest Moony."

"Why thank you, Mr. Padfoot." Remus replied, bowing with a flourish. He then stood in front of the shelf, looking at all the books until he found what he was looking for, The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Making a small sound of triumph, he pulled the book out, but instead of the book coming off of the shelf like the teens had expected, it returned to its place with a small click.

The bookshelf then opened like a door, and the teenagers just stood there, staring, as Remus pulled it open and gestured for them to get inside.

When he noticed their gawping, Remus said, gesturing with his arm in an over-dramatic way, "Welcome to the Marauders' Library, the official headquarters of the Order of the Dark Wolf."

Still in shock, they went inside and what was inside was not what they were expecting. Inside, they saw a giant library, almost as large as Hogwarts library, with a sitting area in the middle of it all.

And there, sitting on a chair, reading what looked like a journal was—"Hermione??!!" the five teenagers shouted, shocked.

"AHH!" The aforementioned girl screamed, startled by the unexpected loud noise.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, surprised to see his missing friend inside a room he didn't even know existed. They had all thought she was just studying for her OWLs in the Grimauld place library, not in some secret organization's headquarters, reading.

"The real question is, how in the hell did you find this place?" Sirius asked, astonished. He and Remus hadn't told anyone about the hidden library in his family's old house, and if he was being honest, he had completely forgotten about the library in the first place.

"Well, your sister told me to check out the Tales of Beedle the Bard in the Grimauld place library, when we met her, and I just found the library from there." She explained in a confused voice. She had thought they had heard the woman tell her to check out the book.

"So, she's the one who told you about the Marauders' Library, huh." Sirius muttered to himself contemplatively as they all took their seats around Hermione.

As they got comfortable, Remus noticed the familiar book in Hermione's hand, and wondered what she might have chosen to read from the treasure trove of books that had been at her disposal for the past few days, knowing the girl would be excited to read everything in the library with her passion for learning and reading, and so he asked her exactly that. " Hey Hermione, what are you reading?"

"Oh, I'm reading this journal that was written by someone called Marlene McKinnon, it's really interesting. It changed my views on a lot of things. I'm planning on reading the whole series of journals. Oh, I saw your and Sirius' names on two journals in the series, do you know everyone that wrote these?" Hermione explained, then inquired in curiosity.

"Yeah, we know all of them. The Golden Marauders, Remus, James, Peter and I, were a subdivision of the Order of the Dark wolf. There was also the Silver Marauders, les maraudeuses d'or, or the golden female marauders and les maraudeuses d'argent, or the silver female marauders. There were also a lot of other Sub-groups in the order but that isn't important right now. All you need to know is that all the marauder groups were formed of students that were at Hogwarts while we were there. In fact this library was named the Marauders' library in honor of all the marauders." Sirius explained to them all, as this was the first time any of the teenagers were hearing this information.

"Who were in each group, and what were the names of the other groups, and who were in them?" Harry asked in curiosity, everyone else nodding along to his questions, also wanting to know the answers.

"We have fifteen minutes to get downstairs, so we'll tell you really fast and you can't ask questions until tomorrow, alright?" Remus explained, looking at the clock on his wrist, and at their nods, he continued. "The members of the silver marauders were Severus Prince-Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Rabastan Lestrange, Regulus Black, Bartemius Crouch Jr., Anthony Evans and Rigel Potter.

Les Maraudeuses D'or, French for The Golden Female Marauders, was composed of Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon, Cassiopeia Black, Alice Fawley, Dorcas Meadowes, and Mary Macdonald.

Les Maraudeuses D'argent, The Silver Female Marauders in French, consisted of Narcissa Black, Rosalie Lestrange, Adeline McKinnon, Belladonna Zabini, Serenity Avery and Pandora Malfoy.

Then there was Carina Black, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, Amelia and Edgar Bones, Bellatrix Black, Frank Longbottom, Dominic Wood and Rodolphus Lestange who called themselves The United Founders.

And, last but not least, there was the oldest in the order, but they didn't have a name for themselves. They were Arthur Weasley, Elaina Prewett, Brianna and Ian Abbott, Benjy Fenwick, Caradoc Dearborn, Cassius Nott, Gerard Greengrass, Ted Tonks, Andromeda Black and Thomas Riddle. And don't ask about the last part, because we have to go. Now." Remus explained rapidly, herding the clearly confused and distressed teenagers out of the hidden library and down to the entrance hall to welcome Arthur back.

After that day in the hidden library of Grimauld place, Sirius and Remus decided that instead of gathering everyone in the family room, they would gather everyone in the Marauders' hidden library, where they could talk freely without being afraid of anyone walking in on them. They explained everything they had discovered to Hermione, and started including her in their talks. And as the days went on, and the day of the teenagers' return to Hogwarts got near, the more anxious everyone became, waiting for the chance to be able to go to Gringotts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 January, 2005

12 Grimmauld place, Borough of Islington, London.

That chance came two days before the teenagers' departure to Hogwarts. There were no order members in the house, Bill and Charlie, who had come to check up on their father and had decided to spend the rest of the winter break with their family and then return to their respective jobs after the teenagers had left for Hogwarts, were the only uncommon residents in the house. Molly had announced at breakfast that she would be doing some errands in Hogsmeade, would be returning in the afternoon, and that she trusted Remus, Bill and Charlie to be in charge while she was away for the day, conveniently forgetting that Sirius was actually there, an adult and the owner of the house they were in.

Once she had left, with a last warning for everyone to behave, and Arthur had also left for work, Remus started herding the six teenagers upstairs to change, Sirius following behind them, going up to change himself.

"What's going on?" Bill asked Remus, confused, sharing a look with his slightly younger brother.

"We all need to go get inheritance tests at Gringotts, but we've been waiting for Molly to leave the house so we could go. You might need to come with us as well."

"Inheritance tests?" Charlie asked, surprised and still very much confused.

"Yes, just come with us and you'll see for yourselves." Remus told them hurriedly as he put on his outer robes.

At that, the teenagers came down and waited in front of the fireplace, all of them waiting for Sirius to come down. Once he came down and had transformed into Padfoot, they all started flooing to the bank, Bill and Charlie following after a second of standing in confusion.
-----------------------------------------------------------

4 January, 2006

Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London, England

At Gringotts, a group of six teenagers, three adults and a dog flooed into the bank, and they were quite the sight to see.

As they stood in a line in front of a teller waiting for their turn, Bill got out his Gringotts ID. As they stood in front of the teller, Bill showed him his ID and greeted him with a bow of his head "May your gold ever flow, Teller Algor"

"And may your enemies die at your hands, Curse Breaker Weasley. How may I help you?" the teller, Algor, said in a gruff voice.

"The people with me would all like to get inheritance tests, myself included." Bill said, motioning to the group standing with him.

At that, Remus moved forward and got something out of his pocket, showing it to the goblin and saying "We would also like to go to Accounts Manager Silverblade." What he was showing the goblin was a piece of metal the size of a hand-held mirror with the Black Family crest engraved on it.

The goblin was shocked, but didn't show it, instead he grunted and called for another goblin to take them all to Account Manager Silverblade, he would deal with them.
-----------------------------------------------------------

4 January, 2006

Account Manager Silverblade's office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London.

And that is where they found themselves, in front of the Black family Account Manager, Silverblade, explaining everything to him, Bill and Charlie, as it was the first time they were hearing about anything, and requesting Inheritance tests for all of them.

After he had heard everything, Silverblade nodded to himself, called a younger goblin to get him everything he'd need for the inheritance tests and then turned to them for the first time since they had entered, except for greetings, and said "I must say I'm not very surprised by this. Oh, and Mister Black, if you would transform back into your human form, that would be much appreciated."

It was a clear sign that the goblin had shocked him, that Sirius did listen and transformed back. The others were also gawping at the clearly amused goblin.

"I must admit, your faces are quite amusing. As for how exactly I know this, well Lady Black and I have been in contact through letters ever since she was administered into St. Mungo's, and she informed me in her latest letter that you all would come and request inheritance tests and that you would also need purges, so I was prepared. She also wanted me to inform you all that she would pay for all of them, so you don't have to worry."

At that, the goblin came in with everything, set it all on the account manager's desk, bowed to all of them and left.

"Now then, who would like to take their test first?" the goblin asked the group of stunned humans in front of him, motioning to the knife on his desk.

Chapter Text

4 January, 2006

Account Manager Silverblade’s office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London. 

“Now then, who's going to do their test first?” the goblin asked the group of humans in front of him, motioning to the knife on the desk in front of him.

Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, the twins, Sirius, Remus, Bill and Charlie were currently in the Black family account manager’s office, finally getting their inheritance tests.

After some discussions among themselves, they decided that Bill and Charlie would go first, then Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Harry. The twins wouldn’t be getting ones as they had already had theirs done and had gotten purges the same day, they would however need to visit the Prewett Family account manager, as they hadn’t gotten to do that when they’d visited the bank last.

With that, Bill took the knife handed to him and looked at the goblin for instructions. “All you have to do is cut your hand and let three drops of blood fall onto the parchment in front of you.” Silverblade explained, in a surprisingly patient voice, to the still confused and slightly worried redhead.

Bill did as he was told and handed the knife to Charlie, who did the same thing on another piece of parchment.

Their results were definitely not what they were expecting. They were shocked, and very angry.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: William Arcturus Crux Prewett-Weasley

Acknowledged Name: Bill Weasley

Birth date: 29 November, 1980

Age: 25

Magical core level: 87

Mother: Elaina Bree Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Father: Arcturus ‘Arthur’ Septimus Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Siblings: Charles Septimus Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

              Perseus Ignatius Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

              Frederick Gideon Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive]                                   

              George Fabian Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive]

Other direct relatives: Septimus Weasley (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Cedrella Weasley née Black (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

 Bilius Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: deceased]

Cletus Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: alive]

Allen Prewett (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Madalyn Prewett née Max (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Gideon Maximilian Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Fabianus Allen Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Ronald Arcturus Black-Prewett (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Margret ‘Molly’ Prewett (maternal aunt) [status: alive]

Godparents: Caradoc Dearborn [status: alive-captured]

 Brianna Greengrass née Abbott [status: alive-under memory charm]                                                      

God-Siblings: Daphne Greengrass [status: alive]

Titles:

• Heir Apparent to the Most Ancient House of Weasley
• Scion of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prewett
• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
• Senior Curse Breaker for Gringotts Bank
• Master in study of Ancient Runes and Warding

 Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (60% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (60% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Mage sight (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:   

• Block on natural Affinity to Study of Ancient Runes and Warding – partially broken due to nature of work and mastery in the subjects.
• Memory alteration to memories from 1980 to 1991
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett—partially broken due to mistrust and working with Goblins.
• 45% block on magical core—completely broken by magical majority.
• Hatred to Slytherins – broken by friendship to Slytherins and working with Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust and working with Goblins.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows signs of mental and emotional abuse. Recommend seeing a Mind Healer.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Charles Septimus Draco Prewett-Weasley

Acknowledged Name: Charlie Weasley

Birth date: 12 December, 1982

Age: 23

Magical core level: 85

Mother: Elaina Bree Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Father: Arcturus ‘Arthur’ Septimus Weasley [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Siblings: William Arcturus Prewett-Weasley (older brother) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

              Perseus Ignatius Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

              Frederick Gideon Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive]                                   

              George Fabian Prewett-Weasley (younger brother) [status: alive]

Other direct relatives: Septimus Weasley (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Cedrella Weasley née Black (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

 Bilius Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: deceased]

Cletus Weasley (paternal uncle) [status: alive]

Allen Prewett (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Madalyn Prewett née Max (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Gideon Maximilian Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Fabianus Allen Prewett (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Ronald Arcturus Black-Prewett (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Margret ‘Molly’ Prewett (maternal aunt) [status: alive]

Godparents: Cassius Nott [status: alive-under potions/memory charm]

                      Amelia Bones [status: alive-under memory charm]                                        

God-Siblings: Theodore Nott II [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Titles:

• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.
• Scion of the Most Ancient House of Weasley
• Scion of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prewett
• Senior Dragon Tamer at the Romanian Dragon Reserve
• Master in Care of Magical Creatures and Dragon Care

 Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (60% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (60% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Animal speech (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:   

• Block on natural Affinity to Care of Magical Creatures – partially broken due to nature of work and mastery in the subjects.
• Memory alteration to memories from 1982 to 1991
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett—partially broken due to mistrust.
• 45% block on magical core—completely broken by magical majority.
• Hatred to Slytherins – broken by friendship to Slytherins and working with Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Mind Healer.

-

That was definitely not what Bill and Charlie were expecting.

As they were brooding and thinking, Ginny and Ron had gone towards the desk and did the same steps for their inheritance tests. Ron’s was partially expected, they had guessed as much from Fred and George's tests, but Ginny’s was definitely not.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Ronald Arcturus Black-Prewett

Acknowledged Name: Unknown

Fake Name: Ronald Bilius Weasley

Acknowledged Fake Name: Ron Weasley

Birth date: 1 March, 1990

Age: 15

Magical core level: 81

Mother: Cassiopeia Lycoris Black [status: alive-captured]

Father: Fabianus Allen Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Siblings: None

Other direct relatives:

Allen Prewett (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Madalyn Prewett née Max (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Elaina Bree Prewett-Weasley (paternal aunt) [status: alive-captured]

William Arcturus Prewett-Weasley (paternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Charles Septimus Prewett-Weasley (paternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Perseus Ignatius Prewett-Weasley (paternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Frederick Gideon Prewett-Weasley (paternal cousin) [status: alive]

George Fabian Prewett-Weasley (paternal cousin) [status: alive]

Gideon Maximilian Prewett (paternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Margret ‘Molly’ Prewett (paternal aunt) [status: alive]

Orion Regulus Black (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Walburga Irma Black (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Carina Melania Black (maternal aunt) [status: alive-forced to St. Mungo’s]                                     

Sirius Orion Black (maternal uncle) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Regulus Arcturus Black (maternal uncle) [status: alive- captured]

Hermione Aquila McKinnon-Black (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under potions/spells/blocks]               

Godparents: Lillian Marie Sayre-Prince née Evans-Sayre [status: alive-captured]

                       Anthony Wood [status: alive-under memory charm]                                                                       

God-Siblings: Ginevra Sayre-Prince [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

                       Oliver Anthony Wood [status: alive- under memory charm]                                                            

Titles:

• Scion of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prewett
• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
• Scion of the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw

 Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Natural Occlumency (100% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Pyrokinesis – through access to Black Family Magicks (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (100% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:  

• Block on natural Affinity to transfiguration.
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett—partially broken due to mistrust.
• 50% block on magical core.
• Memory charm on memories from 1990 to 1991.
• Hatred to Slytherins – broken by friendship to Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.
• Glamour to resemble a member of the Weasley family.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Mind Healer.

-

Ron was shocked. The man he had thought was his uncle was actually his father, and his mother was a Black, Sirius’ twin sister at that. And what the bloody hell was ‘pyrokinesis’?

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Ginevra Eileen Sayre-Prince

Acknowledged Name: Unknown

Fake Name: Ginevra Molly Weasley

Acknowledged Fake Name: Ginny Weasley

Birth date: 11 August, 1991

Age: 14

Magical core level: 79

Mother: Lillian Marie Sayre-Evans [status: alive-captured]

Father: Severus Tobias Prince-Snape [status: alive- under spells/potions/blocks]

Siblings: None

Other direct relatives: Tobias Snape (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Eileen Prince-Snape (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Johnathan Evans (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Jasmine Marie Sayre-Evans (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Petunia Jasmine Sayre-Evans (maternal aunt) [status: alive-Squib/forced marriage (broken)/ under spells]

Dudley Anthony Sayre-Evans (maternal cousin) [status: alive-forced squib-under spells/potions/blocks]

Anthony Bernard Sayre-Evans (maternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Godparents: Marlene McKinnon-Black [status: alive-captured]

                       Lucius Malfoy [status: alive-under memory charm]                                                                                                   

God-Siblings: Hermione McKinnon-Black [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks] 

Draconis Black-Malfoy [status: alive-under spells/blocks]                                                           

Titles:

• Heiress Apparent to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Sayre
• Heiress Apparent to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prince
• Scion of the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin
• Scion of the Most Ancient House of Peverell

 Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (80% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Natural Legilimency (100% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Parseltongue (100% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (100% blocked by Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:   

• Block on natural Affinity to Potions and charms.
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett—partially broken due to mistrust.
• 50% block on magical core.
• Hatred to Slytherins – broken by friendship to Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.
• Glamour to resemble a member of the Weasley family.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Mind Healer.

-

Ginny was equally as shocked as Ron, if not more so, her real mother was Harry’s supposed mother, Lily Evans, and her real father was her potions professor, Severus Snape, who, from what she had observed of him at Hogwarts and their interactions in lessons, didn’t even remember her.

As Ginevra Sayre-Prince and Ronald Black-Prewett were re-reading their inheritance tests, still reeling from the information they were given, Hermione and Harry had gone forward and taken theirs as well. And the results didn’t really shock Harry as much as they shocked Hermione.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Hermione Aquila Madeline McKinnon-Black

Acknowledged Name: Unknown

Fake Name: Hermione Jean Granger

Acknowledged Fake Name: Hermione Granger

Birth date: 19 September, 1989

Age: 16

Magical core level: 83

Mother: Marlene Margaret McKinnon [status: alive-captured]

Father: Regulus Arcturus Black [status: alive-captured]

Siblings: None

Other direct relatives: Orion Regulus Black (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Walburga Irma Black (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Carina Melania Black (paternal aunt) [status: alive-forced to St. Mungo’s]                                     

Sirius Orion Black (paternal uncle) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Cassiopeia Lycoris Black-Prewett (paternal aunt) [status: alive-captured]

Ronald Arcturus Black-Prewett (paternal cousin) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Sullivan McKinnon (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Aubree McKinnon née Schneider (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Adeline Bridgett McKinnon-Lupin (maternal aunt) [status: alive-captured]

Godparents: Rosalie Lestrange-Potter [status: alive-captured]

                       Severus Sayre-Prince [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]                                                                                                     

God-Siblings: Henry James Lestrange-Potter [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

Ginevra Eileen Sayre-Prince [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]                                                            

Titles:                                                              

• Heiress Apparent to the Ancient and Most Noble House of McKinnon
• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
• Scion of the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw

 Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (80% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (80% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Telempathy-through access to Black Family Magicks (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Natural Legilimency (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:

• Block on natural Affinity to Potions, Charms and Ancient Runes.
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett—partially broken due to mistrust.
• 50% block on magical core.
• Hatred to Slytherins – broken by friendship to Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.
• Glamour to resemble a member of the Granger family [extinct].
• Memory charm on memories from 1989 to 1991

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Mind Healer.

-

Hermione was more than a little shocked. She wasn’t a Granger or even a Muggleborn. She was a Black, Sirius’ brother, Regulus’ daughter to be exact. She was also Marlene McKinnon’s daughter. At least now she knew where she got her complicated mind from, or at least she guessed that was from her mother. From what she had read in the journal, she had deduced that Marlene McKinnon was an intelligent witch.

“So, you’re the Hermione that was on the Black Family tapestry.” Harry gasped in realization, after Hermione had finished reading her inheritance test out loud, like everyone before her had done, finally understanding that part of the tree that no one seemed to remember, due to the memory charms on everyone.

“How come the Grangers are listed as extinct Hermione? I thought you lived with them.” Remus asked, worried about his niece.

“They died a few years ago and I’ve been living with Harry and the Evans’ ever since, well I guess Sayre-Evans’.” Hermione replied.

“Not the Dursleys?” Sirius asked, sharing a confused look with Remus, not noticing the dark looks that crossed the teenagers’ faces. Bill and Charlie were just sitting quietly and listening to everything happening around them, trying to connect everything they knew with what they were learning that day.

“Oh um, after mine and Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, which was about the time when the Grangers had died,” Hermione started explaining, before she was interrupted by all her friends sighing “Thank Merlin.”, which had her smiling fondly and rolling her eyes in amusement. “Okay guys, we’re all glad they’re dead but let’s not vocalize it, alright?” she said in exasperation, and at their reluctant nods and pouts, she chuckled quietly and continued “Anyways, at that time, Harry got a letter from…who was it Harry? I can't remember the exact name of the sender.”

“It was a person named Morrigan I think.” Harry said, vaguely remembering the contents of the letter.

“That’s Carrie.” Sirius and Remus said at the same time, getting more and more confused. There really was a lot they didn’t know about these kids, but they were trying to rectify that as much as possible.

“Yeah, I know that now, but at the time, we didn’t know. So, the letter basically said that Vernon Dursley worked for Dumbledore, and that Petunia was forced into marrying him, also that Dudley was actually a wizard. It also gave us instructions on what we had to do to help them both. Like the potions we needed to make to break the spells they were under. After we succeeded in getting them back to how they were supposed to be, we called the Police, that’s the muggle aurors, on Vernon, as the letter also had evidence on the crimes he’d committed, like him being a thief, a forger, and a lot of other horrible things. And that was how Harry and I changed life in the Sayre-Evans household. The End.” Hermione finished her explanation like she would have finished a story, which had everyone laughing lightly in amusement.

“Why are you guys glad that the Grangers are dead though?” Remus asked, still concerned about Hermione.

“Let’s just say they weren’t the best parents and leave it at that.” Hermione said simply, but a snort from next to her told everyone that what she had said was a very big oversimplification.

While the adults were processing the information they were just told, Harry took his inheritance test and started reading it out loud. And the results weren’t as big of a shock to everyone as the others’ were, but they were still surprising.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Henry James Marcelo Lestrange-Potter

Acknowledged Name: Harry Potter

Birth date: 31 July, 1990

Age: 15

Magical core level: 84

Mother: Rosalie Scarlette Lestrange [status: alive-captured]

Father: James Charlus Black-Potter [status: alive-captured]

Siblings: Lucille Dorea Lestrange-Potter [status: alive-captured]

Other direct relatives: Charlus Henry Potter (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Dorea Ursula Black-Potter (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Rigel Marius Black-Potter (paternal uncle) [status: alive-captured]

Harvey Radolphus Lestrange (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

 Genevieve Scarlett Lestrange née Rosier (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Rodolphus Chancellor Lestrange (maternal uncle) [status: alive-illegally incarcerated]                                     

Rabastan Kurtis Lestrange (maternal uncle) [status: alive- illegally incarcerated]

Godparents: Sirius Avery-Black (Blood adopted Godfather) [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]

                        Alice Fawley-Longbottom [status: alive]                                                                                               

God-Siblings: Neville Longbottom [status: alive-under spells/potions/blocks]                                                            

Titles:

• Heir Apparent to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter
• Heir Apparent to the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Gryffindor
• Heir to the Most Ancient House of Peverell
• Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Lestrange
• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
• Scion of the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw

 Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (80% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (80% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Hydrokinesis-through access to Black Family Magicks (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Natural Occlumency (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)

Other blocks/potions/spells:   

• Block on natural Affinity to Transfiguration, The Dark Arts and Study of Ancient Runes.
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett—partially broken due to mistrust.
• 50% block on magical core.
• Glamour to resemble a member of the Sayre-Evans family.
• Hatred to Slytherins – broken by friendship to Slytherins.
• Submission to Margret Prewett and Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore and Margret Prewett)

Medical history shows physical, mental and emotional abuse. Recommend going to a Healer and Mind Healer.

-

“When will we be able to get these purges you mentioned before, and is there a way for us to be able to find the people that are missing?” Harry asked the goblin in front of them quietly, the only person in the room coherent enough to be able to talk, even though inside he was reeling. He had uncles and a sister, a sister. And while this information was already there on the black family, now that Harry thought about it, he hadn’t really noticed the name next to his or the name next to his father’s name on the tree when he, Sirius and Remus were there that fateful Christmas day.

“One moment and someone will come to take you and your friends to the purge room, Heir Lestrange-Potter. As for all the missing people, I believe Lady Black has a plan for that, I would suggest visiting her as soon as possible.” Silverblade explained as he pressed a button on his desk.

A goblin came, bowed to everyone in the room and then looked to Silverblade for his orders.

“Heirs Prewett, you have already been purged, correct?” Silverblade asked the twins in clarification and at their nods he turned to the goblin and said “Alerton, please take Heir Lestrange-Potter, Heiress Sayre-Prince, Heiress McKinnon-Black, Scion Black-Prewett, Curse Breaker Prewett-Weasley and Dragon Tamer Prewett-Weasley to the purge room.” The goblin, Alerton, nodded and beckoned the aforementioned people to follow him.

As they got out of the room, all with various degrees of bewilderment still all over their faces, Silverblade turned to Sirius and Remus and spoke “Lady Black also requested that you two get inheritance tests, so if you would step forward.” He said, motioning to the blade and two pieces of parchment in front of him. As he heard them start to protest, he put his hand up to halt any words coming from their mouths and said “Lady Black also wanted me to inform you both that it wasn’t a request.”

That shut them both up. They knew never to disobey Carina Black. Even if she was in hell itself, she would always find a way to get them to do what she wanted. So, with these thoughts in mind, they stepped forward and took their inheritance tests.

Sirius was the one to do his first, Remus following shortly after.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Sirius Orion Alphard Avery-Black

Acknowledged Name: Sirius Black

Birth date: 3 November, 1969

Age: 36

Magical core level: 91

Mother: Walburga Irma Black [status: deceased]

Father: Orion Regulus Black [status: deceased]

Siblings: Carina Melania Black [status: alive-forced to St. Mungo’s]

Cassiopeia Lycoris Black-Prewett [status: alive-captured]

Regulus Arcturus McKinnon-Black [status: alive-captured]

Spouse: Serenity Charlotte Avery-Black [status: alive-captured]

Other direct relatives: Arcturus Hesper Black (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Melania Black née Macmillan (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Alphard Arcturus Black (paternal uncle) [status: deceased]

Lucertia Melania Prewett née Black (paternal aunt) [status: deceased]

Pollux Black (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Irma Black née Crabbe (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Cygnus Pollux Black (maternal uncle) [status: deceased]

Andromeda Druella Black-Tonks (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under memory charm]

Nymphadora Elena Black-Tonks (maternal second cousin) [status: alive-under memory charm]

Bellatrix Irma Black-Lestrange (maternal cousin) [status: alive-illegally incarcerated]

Narcissa Cassiopeia Black-Malfoy (maternal cousin) [status: alive-under memory charm]

Draconis Lucius Black-Malfoy (maternal second cousin) [status: alive-under spells/blocks]

Godparents: Alphard Black (Blood-adopted Godfather) [status: deceased]

              Dorea Black-Potter (Blood-adopted Godmother) [status: deceased]              

God-Siblings: James Black-Potter (Blood-adopted Godbrother) [status: alive-captured]

 Rigel Black-Potter (Blood-adopted Godbrother) [status: alive-captured]

Titles:

• Scion of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
• Scion of the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Ravenclaw
• Scion of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter (through blood-adoption)
• Scion of the Exceedingly Ancient and Most Noble House of Gryffindor (through blood-adoption)
• Scion of the Most Ancient House of Peverell (through blood-adoption)
• Scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Avery (through marriage)

Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (40% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (40% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Electrokinesis-through access to Black Family Magicks (100% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Natural Occlumency (75% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Animagus transformation

Other blocks/potions/spells:   

• Block on natural Affinity to The Dark Arts and Defence Against the Dark Arts.
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore —partially broken due to mistrust.
• 40% block on magical core.
• Memory charm on memories from 1981 to 1991 and memories from 2003 to 2005—mostly broken due to emotional trigger.
• Submission to Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore.)

Medical history shows signs of overexposure to dementors, malnutrition, physical fatigue and physical injuries. Recommend going to a Healer and a Mind Healer.

-

Sirius already knew most of what was on his inheritance test, but it also explained some things that had been on his mind ever since he had gotten his memories back. ‘So that’s why I couldn’t use the Black Family Magicks when I tried.’ He thought to himself in realisation. ‘Damn you, old goat’.

As for Remus’ reaction to his test, it was very similar.

-

*Inheritance Test*

Birth Name: Remus John McKinnon-Lupin

Acknowledged Name: Remus Lupin

Birth date: 10 March, 1970

Age: 35

Magical core level: 78

Mother: Hope Lupin née Howell [status: deceased]       

Father: Lyall Lupin [status: deceased]

Siblings: None

Spouse: Adeline Bridget McKinnon-Lupin [status: alive-captured]

Other direct relatives: John Lupin (paternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Olivia Lupin née Carrow (paternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Lincoln Howell (maternal grandfather) [status: deceased]

Faith Howell née Smith (maternal grandmother) [status: deceased]

Godparents: None

Titles:

• Scion of the Ancient and Most Noble House of McKinnon (through marriage).
• Scion of the Most Ancient House of Carrow.

Magical abilities :

• Wandless magic (40% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Wordless magic (40% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Natural Occlumency (due to lycanthropy) – (15% blocked by Albus Dumbledore)
• Wolf transformation and traits (enhanced senses of smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing. Enhanced speed and agility.) (due to lycanthropy) – (partially blocked due to unacceptance of wolf, resulted from memory charm)

Other blocks/potions/spells:   

• Partial Block on Affinity to all types of Magic except Defence Against the Dark Arts.
• Loyalty potion to Albus Dumbledore—partially broken due to mistrust.
• 30% block on magical core.
• Memory alteration of memories from 1981 to 1991 and memories from 2003 to 2005—mostly broken due to emotional trigger.
• Submission to Albus Dumbledore—broken due to mistrust.

(All the following was done by Albus Dumbledore.)

Medical history shows signs of malnutrition, physical fatigue and injuries due to unacceptance of lycanthropy. Recommend going to a Healer and a Mind Healer.

-

As the two men finished looking at their tests and decided on getting purges after the others were done, the twins finally decided to ask about what they’d actually come to the bank for. “Would we be able to see the Prewett Family account manager now?” George, the bolder of the two, asked Silverblade.

“Yes, of course.” He said, calling for yet another goblin to come and take the twins to their account manager.

They waved goodbye to the two men and goblin in the room, thanked Silverblade for his help, and followed the goblin to where they needed to be. They knew, deep down, it was going to be a very long day.

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Account Manager Adrog’s office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London. 

“Ah, finally. Welcome to my office Heirs Prewett-Weasley. I have been waiting for you both.” Was the first thing the twins heard when they entered their family’s account manager’s office.

“My name is Adrog, and I am the Prewett family’s account manager.” The goblin, Adrog, said, welcoming the twins into his office and gesturing for them to take a seat.

“Thank you for having us account manager Adrog, may your gold ever flow.” The twins said in unison, bowing their heads slightly in greeting, as is custom in goblin culture.

“And may your enemies die by your hands, Heirs Prewett.” Adrog replied in shock as he didn’t expect the young ones in front of him to know goblin customs, it seems this was going to be an interesting day. “Shall we begin then?”

At the twins’ nods, he got out all the information he had on the family assets and started the meeting. “Now the, the first thing you two need to know is that the Prewetts have a number of vaults and properties, a few partially or fully owned businesses. Until your uncles are found and deemed mentally stable enough, after everything they had gone through, to be able to take over their responsibilities as Lords to House Prewett, you two, as the Heirs Apparent to the house, will have to take over all tasks the Lords of a house are expected to do for your uncles. Are you okay with this?” At their eager nods, he continued. “Now these tasks include, but are not limited to, maintaining the finances of the house, checking over the properties and deciding if you’d like to sell any of them, assigning the house elves under your care with their jobs, and checking on the businesses under the Prewett Family. I know this is a lot to take in, but we have no time for you to digest all of this fully I'm afraid.”

“We understand. We’ve already had the time to digest our new positions as much as we could, and we came here knowing there would be a lot for us to do. Where do you suggest we start, though?” Fred asked, looking to the goblin for guidance knowing of his experience in these matters.

“In my opinion, I would suggest starting with sorting out the finances, as they are….not in the best of conditions.” Adrog said hesitantly, trying to ease the information to the twins, as he knew what he was about to say to them will surely anger them.

“Why would there be a problem? We’ve never used money from these vaults, our brothers and father didn’t either, as none of us knew until now that the Prewetts had any money in their vaults.” George said, sharing a confused look with his brother.

“I'm afraid there was one person that knew of this and had access to one of the vaults.” At these words, the twins’ eyes widened in realization at who the goblin was talking about, and they were angry.

“Molly Prewett.” They said at the same time, glaring at the ground angrily.

“Yes. I'm afraid she had access the family vault, as she unfortunately is of Prewett blood, and has taken advantage of that multiple times. She comes to the bank multiple times a week to take money out of the part of the vault she has access to. She sends some of it to a vault under the name of the Order of the Phoenix, and the rest she takes with her.” The goblin continued his explanation in a grave voice.

“Part of the vault?” George said in a questioning voice, trying to latch onto the only good thing in that whole sentence.

“Yes, as the Family Vault can only be accessed fully by the Lords and Heirs Apparent of the house. She only has access to a small part of the vault, and the goblin taking her to and from the vault always makes sure she only takes money from that part.” The goblin informed them, to their immense relief. They’d thought she had completely drained the Prewett family Vault from all its content.

After thinking for a little bit, and talking to each other through their twin mind link, they came to a decision. “That is good to hear. Are we, as acting lords of the House of Prewett, able to stop her access to the family vault?” Fred asked the goblin in front of them.

“Yes, you can.” Adrog said simply, starting to understand what the twins were thinking about.

“We would like to do that to Molly now, but that would raise suspicion, and we’re still waiting to go public with our titles. So until the time, we would like for you to decrease the size of the area she has access to, and discreetly remove all the money she put into the order and add it to our own personal vault, if we have one that is.” George said, telling the goblin the plan they’d come up with.

“Every member of the Prewett Family has a personal vault, aside from Molly who emptied hers a very long time ago, so you do have one. As for your request, it is very possible, I’ll personally make sure it happens.”

“Thank you.” They both responded at the same time.

And as the topic changed, and the meeting proceeded, they completely lost track of time, and forgot that the others were probably done with their purges. Lucky for them, though, the others that had come with them also had a lot of things to sort out for their own fam

Chapter Text

4 January, 2006.

Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London. 

As the Prewett-Weasley twins were talking to their account manager and sorting out everything related to the Prewett family, the others had come out of the purge room and were taking in the changes that had happened to them. The first thing they noticed was the obvious change to the magic flowing through their veins, they felt the power that had been sitting dormant and had finally been released. It felt refreshing and relieving to finally be able to feel really like themselves. There was always this feeling of discomfort present in their everyday lives, like their magic knew that they weren’t living the right life, but that was completely gone now.

The second thing they noticed was the change in how they looked, as Remus had conjured a mirror for them to see what they really looked like. These changes were present in some more than others. For the two Prewett-Weasleys, nothing really changed. Their hair had just gotten a little darker, and Charlie’s eyes were a little lighter, other than that there was no obvious change to how they looked, as fortunately for them, or unfortunately in some cases, their mother and Molly were sisters. As for the four teenagers, well, that couldn’t really be said.

For Harry, his eyes had completely changed, instead of them being green like they were before, they were now a dark hazel with a few specks of grey, his hair had become a dark brown instead of being jet black like before with blonde streaks going through it, and his features became sharper, he was also a little taller. All in all he was looking every bit the heir he was, except for his clothes, but that would be changed soon.

As for Ron, his hair was a much darker red, with black streaks through it. His eyes were a dark grey, due to his Black blood finally showing. He got a little shorter and his frame filled out more, and his features became sharper, even his eye shape was different.

Hermione had also changed a lot, she grew a little taller, her hair wasn’t the bushy mess it was before, instead it cascaded down her back in tight curls, but it was still the same brunette colour it was before but now it had black streaks going through it. Her eyes had completely changed as well, now being a light grey with brown specks. Her features had sharpened as well, all of theirs had.

Ginny’s hair got a darker red, with black streaks through it, her eyes were a mesmerizing dark green colour, and her nose got a little sharper, her cheekbones a little higher and sharper as well. She was a little shorter than she was before, but her hair had gotten a little longer.

“Look at you four, if we didn’t know who you guys were, we would have never recognized you.” Sirius said half-jokingly, shocked by the change one glamour spell could do to a person’s features.

“How do we hide this from the order?” Remus asked everyone in the room, worried that people would find out what they were doing.

“I have a solution. The bank has especially enchanted pendants that hide appearances and show people what the wearer wants them to see. I can get you four of them, for a fees of course.” Silverblade said helpfully.

“We’ll take them, and please take the money out of my personal vault.” Bill said, protests quickly following that statement. But he shut it all out by holding his hand up and saying “Consider it repayment for helping me and Charlie discover the truth, and involving us in your plans.”

“Then let us tell you a few things you will need to know so that you are fully prepared for what’s about to come.” Remus said, voice serious but eyes grateful.

And with that the others started telling them everything they knew, from the Order of the Black Wolf to what had happened on Christmas day. The two Prewett-Weasleys were shocked by everything that had happened while they were working, and were ready to help in any way they could.

“What can we do?” They said at the same time.

“Bill, you need to visit the Weasley family account manager, check on everything and sort out anything you find out isn’t right.” Bill nodded, a little confused by the request but ready to do what he can.

“Charlie, I think the twins would appreciate your help, why don’t you go help them with the Prewett account.” Charlie nodded, following the goblin that had come in to take Bill to where he needed to be, who would get him to the twins as well.

After the two had left, Hermione turned to the others “Harry.” The boy mentioned turned to Hermione at being called. “You, Ginny and I need to go to our respective family account managers and sort that out.” She said, nodding to Silverblade who called another goblin to take them.

“Sirius, Ron. I think you two are due for a trip to Carina. Tell her everything that has happened until now and see what she’s planning.” The two nodded their heads and left the office, not before Sirius transformed back into his animagus form of course, going to the fireplace at the end of the hall they were in and flooing to St. Mungo’s.

“Remus. Umm, can you….?” Hermione hesitated, unsure if she should ask what she wanted to or not, but it seems that Remus knew what she wanted and instead offered “Do you want me to come with you?”

“Yes Please.” She said, nodding her head rapidly before calming down.

And with that, everyone headed to where they needed to be.

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4 January, 2006.

St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, London, England.

As the others were sorting out their accounts, Ron and Sirius, in dog form, were making their way through St. Mungo’s.

“Welcome to St. Mungo’s Hospital, how may I help you?” The receptionist said in a dull voice, not even raising her head and continuing to read the newspaper in her hand.

“I would like to visit Carina Black.” Ron said, looking behind him to make sure Sirius was still there.

“Carina….Black…ah yes, fourth floor. The Janus Thickey ward. Are you a relative of hers?” The receptionist asked, curious and slightly suspicious, finally looking up at who was in front of her.

Ron, thinking quickly, and oh wow he finally felt like he could use his mind to its full capacity, as he had felt like he couldn’t think freely before hid purge, he removed the Weasley glamour on him and showed how he really looked, and the resemblance between him and his aunt was very obvious.

“Oh. Didn’t know she had a nephew.” She murmured, before letting him and Sirius pass.

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Janus Thickey ward, fourth floor, St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

“Look at you, Roni, you finally look like a Black.” Was the first thing Ron and Sirius heard when they entered the ward from none other than Carina Black.

“Auntie Carry.” Ron said, going over and hugging the woman who he finally remembered, even if slightly.

“It’s been a confusing day, huh Roni. It’s okay now.” She said reassuringly, rubbing her hand on his back in a calming manner.

“You can turn back now Siri.” She heard Frank tell her brother, still concentrated on her nephew.

After making sure he was calmer, she pulled away and let him be pulled into a hug by Alice, turning to her brother who was already running to her so fast that she barely had time to open her arms before she was being embraced by a hysterical Sirius Black.

-

After the tearful family reunion, the Blacks sat on one bed while the Longbottoms sat on the bed opposite them, Sirius started explaining everything that had happened, with Ron giving his input on a few things but mostly just sitting quietly next to Carina, who was rhythmically running her hand through his hair.

“Okay, so we’re on track.” Carina said, nodding to herself and thinking of the plan she had come up with.

“And what exactly is the track we are on, Sister dear? Because we don’t know anything, and I think all of us would like to know how you plan to bring back our missing family and friends.” Sirius said, sounding a little harsher than he meant to, but he was frustrated and he knew his sister understood that, probably more than anyone.

“I’m working on that. The problem is that Alice, Frank and I are stuck in here, and everyone who is actually here that can help has lost his memory. You and Remmy are the only two of the Order that can help, but you two are tied by Dumbledore and making sure the kids are safe. I can't risk any of you, and I only have one spy. He can't do everything in the world, he’s already being pulled thin.”

“Peter.” Sirius said in realization, feeling nervous to see his old friend once more. After the purge, his memories of what happened during the war had returned and he remembered how Peter had never betrayed them in the first place, he felt guilty for all he’d done to his friend two years ago and didn’t know if he was ready to confront him yet, but it seems he didn’t have a choice. As soon as Sirius said his name, a voice that was definitely Peter’s responded “You called Padfoot?”

“Wormtail.” Sirius said, turning to the direction the voice came from, and finding his…-bestfiend?-in front of him, looking like an older version of how he looked during the first war, not the disfigured face he had seen in the shack two years ago.

“I’m sorry.” They both said at the same time, the others in the room watching the interaction quietly. “Why are you sorry?” They said together again, laughing after that at the irony of the situation.

“Okay” Sirius said after his laughter had stopped. “I’m sorry for everything that happened in the shack. And for almost getting you killed, multiple times…” Sirius said, scratching the back of his head nervously.

“You thought I’d killed James and was going to kill Harry. I don’t blame you, I would have done the same. I'm sorry I didn’t try harder to break the memory charms, and for…uh…saying the things I said in the shack too, and for running away. As for the stuff during school, I’ve already forgiven you for that. I just hope you forgive me too, for also almost getting you killed.” Peter said quietly, also feeling remorse for that had happened between them.

“Of course I forgive you, and I understand. You were scared and confused, something bad was bound to happen. So, we’re good?”

“Yup. We’re good, Pads.” Wormtail said, popping the ‘p’ and pulling Sirius into a hug. They had missed each other.

“Okay, so you two are friends again. That’s great and all, but could you come sit down so that we can continue explaining the plan.” Frank said, getting impatient. Alice hit him on the arm and scolded him. “Let them have their moment Frank, they haven’t seen each other in a while.”

“Missed you too Frankie.” Sirius said cheekily, earning a laugh from everyone but Frank who scowled “Don’t call me Frankie.”

“So…What is the plan?” Ron asked, everyone getting back to the serious atmosphere they were in before.

“Okay, so Peter has been spying on both Dumby and his fried chickens and crazy voldy and his psych munchers. He’s managed to bring back dear Luci, Cissa, Bella, Donna, Cassius, Gerard and Brianna. I’ve managed to bring back Artie, so you can include him in your meetings from now on. You will need to help Sev though, either bring him here or to the bank, getting him to the bank will probably be easier.” Sirius nodded at that, already making plans to help Severus. “Ronni, you can tell the Slytherins about everything. Draco already knows, the same goes for Neville and Luna. You can also include them in your plans, but just them for now.” Ron nodded at what his aunt told him, relieved that he could tell his friends about his real identity.

“Someone, probably Remus, will need to go to Amelia. Whenever that happens, probably after school starts again, she needs to come here, we’ll need her help to free Frank, Alice and I.”

And with that they continued to plan, while the others in the bank sorted out their family’s accounts and stopped some, very annoying, people from accessing them.

Chapter Text

Interlude: 28/06/2002

28 June, 2002.

Minerva McGonagall’s office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Highlands, Scotland.

Hermione was sitting in Professor McGonagall’s office, being told that her ‘parents’ had died in a car accident a week before, and that the school had waited to tell her after her exams were over.

On the outside, Hermione was showing a mask of sadness and pain, but on the inside she was ecstatic. She was finally able to get away from the monsters. There was only one problem that stopped her internal celebrations, where would she stay now?

“Of course, we can contact a relative of yours and tell them about magic, so they will be able to take care of you.” She heard her head of house say, snapping her out of the thinking stupor, as Harry would call it, she was in.

“NO! I mean, no, I don’t have any relatives to take care of me. I’ll just find a way to take care of myself until I come of age.” She stopped McGonagall short, no way would she go to her ‘relative’s house’, they were even worse than her supposed parents.

“How would you do that, Miss Granger? You are only twelve years old. I can have you stay with a person I trust if you would like, or maybe a family that is willing to help. There are a few that would be willing to take you in” McGonagall said, worried about her best student.

Coming up with a vague idea of what she would do, not wanting to be at her professors mercy, she said “No need, professor, I can stay with a friend for a while. If I need any help, I’ll be sure to tell you, but I think I can do this on my own, so please don’t worry.”

“If you are sure Miss Granger.” McGonagall said, still worried for her student, but willing to let her do what she wants for the time being.

“I am sure, thank you Professor. If you’ll excuse me.” Hermione said, getting permission to leave the office, as it was starting to get a little suffocating.

At McGonagall’s nod, she stood up and quickly left the office.

And as she walked towards Gryffindor tower, her thoughts a jumbled mess, only one thought stood out the most, ‘what am I going to do now?’

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Gryffindor Third Year Boys’ Dorm, Eighth floor, Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts Castle, Scotland.

“So, they’re dead?” Fred said, as he, George, Hermione, Harry and Ron sat together in the twins’ dorm room, Hermione telling them about the conversation she had had in McGonagall’s office.

“Yeah…” Hermione said, sighing. “And as much as I am relieved by that, I don’t have a place to stay.”

“You can come stay with us.” Ron said, knowing it was a stupid offer but saying it anyway in an effort to be helpful.

“You know I can't. You guys don’t have the space, and your mother follows Dumbledore.” Hermione said softly.

“How about Draco? He’d never say anything about you staying with him.” George said thoughtfully.

“He wouldn’t, but his father definitely would. You know what Draco says about him, he hates non-magicals.” Hermione said, reminding them of the conversation they had had before with the young Malfoy.

“So what are you going to do?” Fred asked worried about his friend.

“I don’t…” she started but was quickly interrupted by Harry “Why don’t you stay with me? I can convince aunt Petunia to let you stay and we can tell Vernon it’s an order from Dumbledore, forge a letter or something, we know Verny’s scared of the old goat. That way you have a place to stay and I have someone to help me.”

“It’s not a bad idea, but what is the difference between her old house and yours Harry? I'm sorry to say but your relatives are as abusive as the Grangers were.” Ron said, the twins nodding in agreement while Hermione was sitting quietly, thinking.

“It’s not as bad, aunt Tunia takes care of me and Dudley isn’t bad anymore, now that he understands everything going on. Only Vernon is abusive, but it’s easy to evade him as he’s always at work anyway.” Harry said, trying to make all he’d gone through seem slightly insignificant.

“Okay.” Hermione finally said after staying quiet while they were talking, surprising everyone.

“Okay…?” Harry repeated in a questioning manner, confused by her answer.

“Okay. If you can convince Petunia to take me in and if we can convince Vernon he has to take me in, then I’ll come and stay with you this summer. If it’s possible for me to stay until I come of age, then that would be great, if I can't, then I’ll just have to find a place to stay next year. I’ll just cross that hurdle when I get there.”

“Okay. I can do that.” Harry said, nodding his head. The three Weasleys looked at each other in concern but agreed that this was the best decision for now.

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4 July, 2002.

Number 4, Private Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, England.

It was four days after Harry and Hermione had arrived that a weird letter arrived by owl through the kitchen window.

At this point the vacation was surprisingly going well. When they had arrived at platform nine and three quarters they had noticed Petunia and Dudley standing there, with no Vernon in sight. After questioning Petunia about that, the answer they had gotten was that Vernon was on a business trip and would be back on the afternoon of the fourth. That had brightened their day significantly, as both children were worried about Vernon making a scene or causing trouble.

The days following that were fun and relaxing, something that Hermione did not expect to find in the Dursley household, and something that Harry hadn’t ever felt.

But the dreaded day had come, the day Vernon would be returning. No one was looking forward to how he would ‘welcome’ Hermione.

The letter was not something they had expected to recieve. At first they had thought it was from Ron or the Twins, or any of the Slytherins they had befriended, but after further inspection, they found the contents of the letter was something else, something way more important. The only problem was that they didn’t recognize the name of the sender, but they chose to worry about that later, they would concentrate on the contents of the letter for now.

-

Dear Harry J. Potter,

It is imperative that you read this alone, and that no one beside yourselves, Petunia and those you trust infinitely know about it.

This letter contains everything you need to know about the Dursley family and how to help Petunia and Dudley out of it.

The first thing you need to know is that Vernon Dursley works exclusively for A.P.W.B.D and that he is getting paid to abuse Harry in any way he sees fit. The second thing you need to know is that Petunia Sayre-Evans was forced to marry him and conceive, but I wouldn’t tell Dudley that until he’s a little older if I were you.

The third, and most important, thing you need to know is that both Dudley and Petunia, and you two for that matter, are under spells and potions, and that Dudley is actually a magical.

There is an easy way to counteract those spells and potions on Petunia and Dudley, but you two will need to wait.

You will need a book called Moste Potente Potions and Magical Drafts and Potions. In them you need to find the cures for the obturans veneno magicis, obturans potionem memoriae, and potio obstrepat. (Magic blocking potion, memory blocking potion, and glamour potion.)

You will need to give the magic blocking potion and glamour potion cures to Dudley.

Petunia needs the cure for the memory blocking potion and the glamour potion only.

As for getting rid of Dursley, well here is a list of all the crimes that Vernon Dursley has committed through the years, with evidence of course. It’s in the other page of this letter.

You will need to plan this very carefully and make sure that Vernon doesn’t find out anything, or else he’ll report to old Dumby.

You will still need to get Petunia and Dudley purges, but you can wait for these. You will also need to start teaching Dudley how to control his magic after it is released, or else he might hurt himself and those around him, and secretly get him a wand as well. He, unfortunately, can't go to Hogwarts at the moment, so his magical education will be your responsibility I'm afraid.

With all these things you need to do, you will be very busy, but I have faith you will be able to do this.

Ego sum ego levavi manum meam ut non in bonum.

Morrigan.

-

The next page of the letter had a detailed list of the crimes committed by one Vernon Dursley and instructions to give it to the police at the right time. The list of crimes included forgery, child abuse, child endangerment, thievery and many more.

As much as Harry and Hermione were confused by most of the letter, they knew they wanted to help as well, so they followed what was written and hoped it would do something.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Throughout the next few days, they would go to diagon alley and buy everything they would need. Vernon was happy they weren’t in the house but was also very annoying when he did see them, he would make fun of magic and the magical world, mock them, and he would order them to do very taxing chores that would leave them gasping for breath and sweating buckets. He even tried hitting Hermione one time, but that was quickly stopped by Harry threatening to use magic on him.

They were relieved when the potions were finally completed. They gave them to Petunia and Dudley after they had Petunia read the letter and were relieved when the potion started working almost immediately and had the two falling asleep an hour later, which gave them the time to call the police and give them the paper that came with the letter.

Within twenty four of Harry and Hermione finishing brewing the potions, Vernon was arrested, Petunia had regained her memories and Dudley was looking healthier than he ever had, and was finally feeling his magic flowing through his veins. In the next few months, Petunia had divorced Vernon and was using her maiden last name, Dudley had changed his name officially, and magically using a spell Hermione found, to Oliver Anthony Sayre-Evans. He was also learning magic and doing well in the lessons he was given.

After that, Harry and Hermione’s stays at the Sayre-Evans’ household were always calm and fun, with lots of visits from their friends. They were happy with what they’d done and were very grateful to the letter that saved them from a lot of hardships.

-

Due to these events, the twins and Ron never had to rescue Harry that summer, Harry never ran away in the summer before his third year but he still learned about Sirius Black from his aunt, who warned him and told him about Sirius and his father’s friendship, and how Sirius was his godfather, so he was never surprised by these facts and actually had the time to think these things through and accept them, even though the whole betrayal thing turned out to be false in the end, he was also never expelled, as he’d never run into the dementors in the first place during the summer before his fifth year. All in all, Harry and Hermione’s stay at the Sayre-Evans household was a calm one. Even if Harry wasn’t related to them, they were still very much a family, just not blood related.

Chapter Text

4 January, 2006.

After making sure that Sirius and Ron had made their way out of the hospital, Peter nodded to the residents of the Janus Thickey ward and apparated, leaving the hospital and going to where he needed to be.

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Draco Malfoy’s room, Second Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England.

“So the Boss Cousin is back in action, huh.”

“Shush Bella, she is not our ‘boss’ as you say, she is our head of house, and the co-leader of the dark sect. Show her at least some modicum of respect, please.”

“You’re so strict Cissa. I'm joking. Besides, I’ve always called her Rina, that’s not gonna change just because she became ‘head of our house’.” Bella said sarcastically, mocking the woman that she called Cissa, who huffed but stayed quiet in agreement.

“Does that mean I can finally tell my friends what’s been happening on our side?” A young male voice asked curiously.

“Yeah Draco, you can tell them everything, they probably know a few stuff anyways. The boss has given her go to.” Another male voice, Peter, told Draco, while Bella pointed and said “Aha, told you she was the boss.”

Draco nodded to Peter before turning to the final person in the room and asking “When will this lockdown the Dark lord has on the manor be over father?”

“I’m not sure Draco, let’s just hope your mother’s cousin is able to snap him out of this mad streak soon, or else this is going to be a very long year, even longer than the last one.” Draco’s father, Lucius, answered, sighing tiredly. It had been a long few months, after the dark lord was resurrected, he was on a mad hunt for ‘Harry Potter’, seeming to have forgotten everything that had really happened in the first war, which they remembered, thanks to Peter.

“She just needs to talk to Amelia, after that Carrie should be able to get out of that hospital along with Alice and Frank, without Dumbledore noticing. Which brings me to why I'm here, other than to tell you that Sirius, Remus and the kids are on our side now, Carrie needs you, Lucius, to go to Amelia and convince her to go to the hospital.” Peter explained, looking at the blonde male expectantly, who was looking back at him with a raised eyebrow “Me? You do realize that I am the last person Amelia Bones trusts right now, yes?”

“Exactly, make her suspicious that something will happen in the ward so that she’ll go. Use your Malfoy charms to get your way, like you always did in school.”

“Ugh, fine. I’ll try my best, but no promises.” Lucius answered hesitantly, still not believing the plan, but he learned from experience to try not to doubt Carina Black.

“That’s all I want to hear Luci.” A voice said out of nowhere, startling all those in the room except Draco, who was holding a mirror in his hand that showed the image of Carina Black in all her glory, smiling at them in happiness. “It’s good to see you safe Bella, missed you madness.”

“Aww, I missed you too Black Star.” Bellatrix Black Lestrange answered, smiling at her cousin warmly, who was one of the only people who saw that smile from her.

“’I’ve missed you as well, Cissy.” Carina said, smiling at her other older cousin, who smiled at her as well and nodded in acknowledgement, not the best at expressing her feelings, but Carina understood.

“Missed ya too Luci.” She said, smirking at her cousin’s husband and laughing at his disgruntled expression. “Please stop calling me Luci.” He said, sighing in exasperation but knowing that it won’t matter, as the Black siblings had the habit of using annoying nicknames for those they cared about and never deterring in using them, except in serious situations of course. And his thoughts were confirmed when the reply he got was “Never.”

And so that’s how time went by, the conversation flowing from teasing to more serious topics seamlessly, with Alice and Frank joining in when they had an opinion, or when Frank also wanted to tease Bella and Lucius.

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And after that day, when everyone had discovered at least some of the truth, and after the long conversation that was had in the Janus Thickey Ward, the meetings Sirius, Remus and the teens had in the library increased, as Molly wasn’t really paying attention to anyone that week, and included Arthur, Bill and Charlie. Arthur was caught up to what had been happening and went to the bank to get purged as well.

Those meetings were filled with journals, books and a lot of plans. They even got a list of properties of the Houses they were under, seeing if there was a place they could go to when they were finally open about opposing the order, or possible places the missing people could be hidden in. Charlie had even managed to get the memory charm off of Tonks, who had had a very emotional reunion with Sirius. They were also planning on visiting Andromeda and Ted after the teenagers went back to Hogwarts.

They were going all out, including the six teenagers in their plans until the time came for them to go back to Hogwarts.

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7 January, 2006.

Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, King’s Cross Station, London, England.

“Everyone got everything they’ll need?” Remus asked the six teenagers, as they made their way through the platform, which was as busy as it had always been. The teenagers all nodded, looking for an empty compartment or two for them to be able to sit and talk without being disturbed, and they found two beside each other in the Slytherin side of the train, where they saw their friends waving to get their attention. They quickly waved goodbye to the adults and Padfoot, and made their way there, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny going to the Slytherins who were standing with Neville and Luna while the twins went to their own friends on the opposite side of the train.

“We need to talk.” Draco and Harry said at the same time, nodding to each other in silent agreement, they got into the compartment and locked it, Hermione putting up a silencing ward after.

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“So, your names aren’t really…your names?” Pancy said questioningly, after Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione had explained what had happened to those in the compartment, while Blaise and Theo were absorbing everything, Draco was thinking deeply and Neville and Luna were sitting there for silent support and to tell them what they knew, already knowing all of this.

“I mean yes and no.” Hermione said in explanation. “Our first names are the same, it’s just our middle and last names that are different, as we discovered that the families we were born to were not the families we thought they were. Except Harry, though.”

“Yup.” The afformentioned boy said, popping the ‘p’. “I’m still the son of James Potter, it’s just that my mum isn’t Lily, but Rosalie Lestrange, my name isn’t actually Harry, its Henry and apparently I have a sister who’s missing.”

“Well you’ve had an interesting Christmas holiday. But you still haven’t said why you left earlier than everyone else.” Luna said in her normally whimsical voice, eliciting curious looks from the Slytherins and Neville, who looked to the others in the compartment for an answer.

“Oh. Well Arthur was attacked by Voldy’s snake and Harry saw it, he told the old man who got us to Grimauld place and helped get Arthur to the hospital.” Ron answered for the rest, starting to get used to not calling Arthur dad like he used to.

“You saw it happen?” Blaise asked, the first thing he’s said since they met up, not quite understanding what he meant by that.

“Yeah, Dumby says I have this connection with voldy because he tried to kill me.” Harry explained, not sounding that convinced with his answer.

“That doesn’t sound very accurate, does it?” Pancy said, everyone agreeing with her statement.

“Yeah, a connection to voldy would mean much more than just seeing visions or your scar hurting Harry when he’s close. There has to be more to it than that.” Hermione said, agreeing with Pancy, it just didn’t make sense, there had to be something else Dumbledore wasn’t telling them.

“It’s part of Dumbledore’s plan, he connected Harry and Voldemort’s souls together the night his parents disappeared so that Harry thinks he has to kill himself in the end to kill the insane dark lord. It’s a superficial connection though, if the dark lord gets back his insanity he could cut the connection easily. Or a powerful magical could cut it, a Black perhaps.” Luna explained, voice sounding far away, like she was daydreaming, or seeing a vision.

“But…why would he want me dead?” Harry asked, shocked by the information he was just given.

“He wants your fortune.” Draco said, gasping in realisation.

“My…fortune?” Harry asked, confused. He knew he had money, especially after his latest visit to the bank, but he still couldn’t fathom the fact that someone wanted to kill him and his family for money of all things.

“Maybe not just your fortune, your titles, your wizengamot seats, your influence in the wizarding world. There could be a lot of reasons for him to want to…you know, get rid of you and your family.” Blaise explained helpfully, trying to ease Harry’s confusion. And with that they continued to talk and discuss everything that had happened during the holidays, not paying attention to their surroundings as time passed by and they got closer to Hogwarts, the school that was once like a second home to them but was now a place where they felt they were being watched, where they had to be careful of everything they did and said, or else their worst enemy might find out something that he wasn’t meant to know.

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12 Grimmauld place, Borough of Islington, London.

“Snape.” Severus heard a voice calling him as he was getting ready to floo to Hogwarts for the dinner banquet, he turned to see Black and Lupin standing right behind him, looking at him with unreadable expressions on their faces.

“What do you two want?” He asked in a rude tone, not in the mood to talk to the two that aggravated him the most in the world, aside from Potter and his two prison guards that is.

“Nothing much, just wanted to tell you something.” Black said in a polite tone, which confused Severus. Since when did Black talk to him in any way other than with hatred and annoyance?

“Well, spit it out then.”

“Restituere omnes memorias” (Translation: restore all memories.) Sirius said quietly, eyes flashing maroon as he accessed his Family Magicks. “Oh, I’ve missed being able to do that.” He said quietly, relishing in the feeling of the magic flowing through his veins, as he and Remus caught Severus, whose eyes were completely blank as he slumped forward.

They quickly sat him on the nearest chair, waiting for him to regain consciousness, while Severus was slowly relieving all the memories he had lost.

As he slowly came to, he heard two voices speaking quietly on either side of him, he recognized them as two of his close friends’ voices.

“Siri, Remus.” He said, opening his eyes to see the aforementioned men looking at him with smiles on their faces.

“Look who’s finally back to normal.” Sirius said, laughing quietly while Remus just smiled happily and said “Good to have you back Sev.”

“I have my memories back, but my magic doesn’t feel right.” He said in confusion, still not sure what actually happened to him.

“Those would be the blocks, you’ll need to make a quick visit to Gringotts to get those removed. It was the old man, he did this to all of us, except to Carrie he just stuck her in St. Mungo’s, because he knew he couldn’t erase her memories.” Remus explained to Severus, who had started to pace around. He suddenly stopped and swore. “I bullied my daughter and my friends’ children.” He said, sounding heartbroken.

“You were under spells and potions to alter your personality, Sev, plus you didn’t know she was your daughter. Your memories were erased. She’ll understand, so will the rest.” Sirius said reassuringly.

“What about Lily? Is she really…” he trailed off, not able to continue his sentence.

“She isn’t, she was kidnapped, but not killed. For now, Lily’s safe Severus.” Was the reply he got, eliciting a sigh of relief from him. His wife was safe… “For now?”

“Oh Sev, you’ve missed a lot.” Remus said, beginning to explain to the confused man all that had happened while he wasn’t…available.

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8 January, 1996

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

“Miss…Weasley, if you would stay behind a moment.” Severus said at the end of his fourth year Griffindor/Slytherin class, thinking of how he would start his first conversation with his daughter.

“Yes, Professor Snape.” Ginny replied, waving her classmates off before turning to her father and waiting for everyone to leave. Once they were completely alone, Ginny asked “How may I help you Professor?” trying her hardest to pretend that she hadn’t found out that he was her father.

“Well you can start by not calling me professor, and possibly giving me a hug. If you’re willing to of course.”

“Dad?” Ginny asked, sounding close to tears. Her father had his memories back.

“Yeah, Gin.” He said, opening his arms as she ran to him and hugged him tightly. They fell to the floor in a heap of robes and tears, not believing that they finally had each other, there was just one piece missing from their puzzle, but they’d make sure she was back with them in the end, for now they had each other.

“You’re all grown up now, I can't believe I’ve missed it all.” Severus silently cried, morning the lost years where he hadn’t been able to see his only daughter grow up to be the powerful young woman in his arms at the moment.

“You have me now. I’m not going anywhere.” Ginny said reassuringly, her father pulling her in that much closer at those words.

As they pulled away, they realized that a lot of time had passed and that Ginny had to get to her class, so they said their goodbyes and Ginny promised to come back after dinner, as they had a lot to discuss.

Ginny left the classroom extremely happy, she was finally starting to get her real life together, if only they knew where her mother and her friends’ parents where.

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Unknown Location.

“Everything is changing.” A Blonde says, with glazed eyes, seeing something the others around her couldn’t.

“We have to get out of here.” A red-head says, starting to pace around while his twin tried to calm him down.

“We can’t on our own, we need help form the outside.” A Raven-head replies wisely, looking around at those trapped with her.

“My sister will come, she is already working on something. I know she is.” Another Raven-head says with conviction.

“Let’s hope she does come. I don’t know who else will be able to help us.” A red-headed female says. “But there is one thing I can’t wrap my head around.” The others looked at her questioningly, wondering what was on her mind. “Of all the times we could have wake up on, why now?”

Chapter Text

8 January, 2006.

Madam Amelia Bones’ Office, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Level 2, Ministry of Magic, Whitehall, London, England, Great Britain.

Amelia Bones was quietly doing her paperwork for the day when there was a knock on her door.

“Come in.”

“Madam Bones.” Kingsley Shacklebolt said as he came in, looking confused and on guard.

“What is it Auror Shacklebolt?” She asked, wondering what could have had him coming into her office.

“Lucius Malfoy is outside asking to meet you.”

“Lucius Malfoy?” She asked, confused. She hadn’t seen Lucius Malfoy outside of Wizengamot meetings in years. What could he possibly want from her?

“Yes. He says that he has an important matter to discuss with you.” Shacklebolt replied, just as confused as his boss. “Should I let him in?”

“Yes, let him in. Let’s see what he has to say.” Amelia answered. So, Shacklebolt exited the office and let Lucius in.

“To what do I owe this…pleasure lord Malfoy? Please have a seat.” Bones said, pointing at the chair in front of her desk.

“Look, Madame Bones, I’m not here to play the whole politics game with you, so let’s leave the pleasantries aside, yes?” Lucius answered, shocking Amelia by his bluntness as Lucius Malfoy was known for always using word-play and fake compliments to get his way.

 “…Yes of course. What is that you needed to see me for?”

“I am here to tell you that you need to go the Janus Thickey ward at St. Mungo’s as soon as possible. There is something there you need to see. That is all.” He said in a pleasant voice, surprising her even more. St. Mungo’s?

“And why exactly would I go to St. Mungo’s of all places? What is there for me to ‘see’?”

“That’s not mine to tell, you’ll know when you go there. And besides, do you not want to see Frank and Alice? They’re there you know.” Lucius said, trying to entice her into going.

“Are you saying this has to do with the Longbottoms?” She asked, worried about her disabled friends, even though she’s been trying to not see them ever since they were administered into the hospital, afraid of how she will find them.

“I can neither confirm nor deny anything.” He said, getting up to leave. “If you’ll excuse me Madam Bones, I’ll take my leave.” He excused himself, turning his back to her and going to the door, smirking to himself.

“Wait, Lucius…” She said, trying to get more information out of him, but he had already closed the door behind him.

“Damn it!” She swore, banging her hand on her desk, before nodding her head in determination, standing up, putting her coat on, and leaving her office, shouting a hurried “I’ll be back soon” to her co-workers and going to the nearest fireplace. She threw floo powder into it, entered and shouted “St. Mungo’s.”

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Janus thickey ward, fourth floor, St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

It was easy for Amelia to get through the reception and get directions to where she needed to be, being the head of the DMLE had its perks after all, what shocked was the sight that she was greeted with when she entered the ward.

There, sitting on the floor, were Alice and Frank Longbottom, Lady Longbottom, Peter Petegrew and Carina Black…playing a game of cards.

“What…weren’t you…wasn’t that…what…huh?”

“Oh, Amelia, didn’t expect you to come so soon. Close the door behind, please.” Carina said casually, motioning to the door without taking her eyes off of the game. Alice, Frank, and Peter looked up from their game to wave at her before turning to the game quickly so that Augusta or Carrie didn’t have a chance to cheat.

From the shock she was in, Amelia did exactly as she was told, not even protesting or speaking a word.

“How is this possible?” she asked quietly, very confused by all of this.

“Well sit down and let me explain.” Carina replied, scooting over to free up space for Amelia to sit, which she took gratefully.

“How is this possible? You two” she said, pointing at Carina and Peter “are supposed to be dead. And you two” she said, this time pointing at Alice and Frank “are supposed to be unstable.”

“Well as you can see, we are neither dead nor are they unstable. We are perfectly fine.” Peter replied easily, making his move in the game.

“’Melia, eyes.” Carrie says simply, looking at Amelia and waiting for her to make eye contact. Amelia couldn’t remember what that meant but she knew it was important and was going to help her understand what was happening, so she trusted her guts as always and made eye contact with the powerful witch sitting next to her with purple eyes. Her world went blank for a second before she started relieving a lot of forgotten memories.

“Well, that’s done. Shall we continue?” She said, getting a nod from everyone and Frank making his move.

Fifteen minutes and three games later, Amelia woke up less confused than before but still confused.

“So, what exactly happened?” She asked, wanting to understand more.

“Dumbledore.” They all said at the same time with anger in their voices, even Augusta was sneering in disgust and anger, but at least tried to hide her expression, unlike the others.

“That…actually makes sense. He always was too controlling for his own good. So, how do I help?”

“We need you to help us get out of here. We need to be released and deemed stable enough to be able to take over our seats in the Wizengamot.” Carina explained.

“So you plan on taking down Dumbledore politically?” Amelia asked, understanding their request.

“It would be the most effective way, while also taking down his support from inside out. Turn his order of chicken against him, take Hogwarts, turn the masses against him, there are a lot of things we can do, but first we need to get out of here and rally everyone. And that is where you come in, Melia. You convince the healers that we are stable, they examine us and see that we are ‘back to normal’, they’ll let us out of here and release a statement to the public through the Daily Prophet. Dumbledore finds out and starts to get us ‘back’ to his side.” Frank explained to his long-time friend.

“I can do that.” Amelia agreed, surprising those in the room.

“Well that was easy.” Peter muttered, surprised.

“We might also need your help with Peter and Sirius’ cases.” Carina said sheepishly, scratching the back of her head.

“And I will. Just give me a warning beforehand and I’ll help as much as I can. I'm on your side.” Amelia said in determination, getting grateful smiles in return.

“So, let’s go over the details, yeah?” Alice said, smiling at everyone around her.

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A few hours after Amelia, Augusta and Peter had left the ward, Healer Goldstein came in to see her three patients sitting on the floor, playing a game of cards and laughing.

“How…is this possible? I thought Madame Bones was hallucinating.” She said quietly, voice full of astonishment.

“Oh, hello Healer Goldstein.” Alice greeted, giving the gaping healer a smile.

“Hello Mrs. Longbottom.” The healer said quietly, still gaping.

“Oh, you were right Carrie, she really is oblivious to the happenings in the wizarding world.” Frank said to Carina, who nodded in agreement.

“What do you mean by that?” Goldstein said, slightly offended by the sentence.

“It’s just that you aren’t calling us by our proper titles. And that either means that you don’t know what they are, or you’re trying to offend us, which wouldn’t be a very wise choice if that was your intention.” Carina explained in a kind voice, but with undertones of a threat lingering in her words.

“I apologise, Lady Black. I did not mean any offense. I didn’t know you had become the lady of your house before you had been admitted here.” Goldstein said quietly, bowing her head slightly in submission. She knew it was the best idea to offend the head of any of the ancient houses, especially not the Blacks.

“Apology accepted, Healer Goldstein. Now I believe you came here for a reason.” Carrie said, tilting her head slightly in question.

“Ah, yes. Madame Bones came to tell me that you three were back to your old selves. I, of course, did not believe her. So I came here to check on you three, but it seems she was right, however much of a miracle it is.”

“Yes, well. Seems like we are back. Now can I go and see my son please.” Alice said, acting as if she was in a hurry.

“Not so fast Lady Longbottom. I first need to make sure that you are able to function properly in the outside world. Now, do you know what year it is?”

“Yes, 2008. Our minds weren’t completely blank, we could see and feel everything around us, but we just couldn’t completely control our bodies. So we couldn’t communicate or control our magic properly.” Frank explained.

And with that the test continued with the three giving false answers that they knew would satisfy the healer enough to be comfortable enough to release them from the hospital.

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“Finally. We’re free.” Carina cheered loudly, taking in the fresh air, as she found herself in front of Longbottom Manor three hours after the healer came to examine them. Beside her were a grinning Frank and a cheering Alice, who were holding hands and looking like they were going to burst from pure joy.

“If you’re gonna kiss, do it when I'm not around.” Carrie teased as she made her way to the front door of the Manor, where she was greeted by a smiling Dowager Longbottom. ‘It’s good to be back.’ She thought in glee. “Let’s get this party started.” She said to Augusta, Frank and Alice, who had made their way to the front door after sharing a loving kiss, getting nods and glee filled smiles in return.

Chapter Text

9 January 2006

Severus Snape's Private Office,

Severus Tobias Snape was in his office relying on muscle memory to correct his students' homework while his mind was elsewhere. He was processing all the information he had gotten the last day from his daughter, his daughter. And wasn't that a shock and a relief, to remember his daughter and know she is alive and safe, for now, his treacherous mind helpfully supplied. He knew that it would take a while for everyone to be fully safe and he knew that he still didn't know all the information, as his time with his daughter had, unfortunately, been cut short by curfew and his own patrol duties, and he hadn't been able to talk to Sirius or Remus since the time they helped him due to his Hogwarts responsibilities, but he did know that all that he had remembered before his purge was a complete lie and that he needed to know all the puzzle pieces for him to be able to fix his past mistakes, even if they were due to the potions he had been under.

"Which is exactly why you don't need to fix anything, if anyone does it's dumbledore." A voice said, coming out of nowhere. Turning around, he saw a person he hadn't seen in years, and had thought died.

"How are you alive? How did you know what I was thinking? And how the hell did you get into my office?" he said, trying his hardest not to stutter from the shock of the situation.

"Did you miss me Sevie?" Carina Black said, smirking in satisfaction from shocking Severus Snape himself. "I never died. You were talking out loud. And I flooed from Longbottom manor, which is where I have been staying since a day ago, before that I was stuck at St. Mungo's with Alice and Frank."

"Explain, Carrie. Please. And start from the beginning." Severus managed to get out after processing her words for a few seconds.

"Gladly." She said, smiling softly at one of her favourite Slytherins. She then started explaining exactly what had happened at the end of the first war, recent events and told him exactly what her plans were, both to get him up to date and to get his opinion on everything.

-

10 January 2006

4th Year Girls' Dorm Room, Ravenclaw Tower, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

At 2 in the morning of the same day, a whimsical blonde was having an interesting dream, or should I say a vision.

'The blonde found herself in an all to familiar room that had two rows of beds on either side, but no one was asleep in their beds like she had expected to see, as that is what she had always seen when she had had that particular vision before, instead she found that all the residents in the room were huddled together on the floor in one big circle, talking among themselves.

As she got closer to the huddle, she could clearly hear what they were talking about.

"There has to be another way for us to get out of here, we can't just stay here doing  nothing , waiting for someone to find us and free us." She heard who she recognised from photos as Rosalie Lestrange say in frustration, while she was gently running her hand through her husband's hair to calm herself.

"I think there may be a way for us to get a message to our loved ones outside here." A voice that she could recognise from anywhere said.

"How?" The man that she recognised as Regulus Black asked, with a note of hope and desperation in his voice.

All the woman did was point at the girl in front of her that looked so similar to herself and said "Hello my little moon." Smiling brightly at her only daughter.

"Hello mum." Luna Lovegood said just as brightly as her mother, wishing she could hug her but knowing she cannot in this corporeal form she was in.

"Little moon." Regulus said, smiling brightly at his Goddaughter.

"Hello Uncle Reggy. Hello everyone." She replied, waving at the people gathered, who all waved back and smiled at the girl as well.

"Now, Little moon. We need you to be our messenger as you are the only one who can get to us who isn't stuck here, would you be willing to do that? I know it may be a little hard on you, and a big responsibility but-" before James could continue, he was cut off by the blonde who smiled and said "It would be my pleasure to help you. It's the least I can do. And I want to see all of you with my own actual eyes and not in this ghostly form I'm in, so this may help hurry the process a little."

They all smiled at the kind-hearted young lady in front of them and nodded at her, promising themselves that they'll give her the biggest hug once they escape, especially her mother who was proud of who her daughter came to be, if not a little sad that she couldn't be there as she grew up.

"Now, the first thing they need to know is that Lucille isn't here with us, you'll need to find her. You'll also need to find out exactly where we are, as all we know is that this is a building owned by my family." James Potter said, trying to help as much as he is able, to go and see his two children and nieces and nephews.

"I'll send a letter to Carina with all of this. I think she'll be able to help the most right now." Luna replied, thinking of the words she'll need to write to her mentor.

"That's a great idea little moon. Also tell my sister that the last thing she's been looking for is with the creature I trust the most." Regulus said vaguely, needing to get the message to his sister without letting his goddaughter understand anything, to not alarm her.

While Luna was confused by the message, she understood the need for secrecy and let it pass over her head and nodded.

At that she sensed that her time with them was coming to an end and from the sad smiles on all their faces, they also knew that she was waking up.

"Take care of yourself little moon, we'll see you soon." Fabian and Gideon Prewett said in unison, as the rest waved goodbye and her mother blew her a kiss. With those lasting words, Luna felt the world around her blur and disappear.'

She woke up next in her dorm room, surrounded by her housemates who were all asleep. She got out of her bed and went to her desk. She had a letter to write.

-

10 January 2006.

Longbottom Manor, Birsay, Orkney Islands, North-east Coast of Scotland, Great Britain.

"Kreacher!" called a very surprised Carina Black, after reading the letter she had just received. A pop was heard and a very relieved house elf appeared.

"Mistress Carina, Kreacher is missed you. Kreacher knew you is okay but master Sirius say not to go to you now. But there is blood traitors in black ancestral home."

"And Sirius is right Kreacher, to not attract attention from the old man and his lackeys. But I called you here because there is something I need from you, before you go back to Grimauld Place." Carina said sadly to her favourite house elf, wishing he could stay with her but knowing it was not possible at the very moment.

"Anything for you, mistress." Kreacher said loyally, bowing his head in submission.

"I need you to get me the locket that Reggy gave you, I need to destroy it. And before you ask, Regulus and Cassiopeia are both fine. We're looking into finding them as we speak." At her words, Kreacher teared up and jumped up and down happily before he apparated with an excited "Yes mistress. Thank you, mistress."

He popped back in a few seconds but this time with a black locket held carefully yet cautiously in his hand.

"Here you go, mistress. But be careful, it dangerous." Kreacher said, voice full of care for one of the only people that treats him properly.

"Thank you Kreacher. Now take care and make sure none of the blood traitors do anything to the house, yes? As soon as I can, I'll tell you to leave and come to stay with me, okay?" Carina said, voice full of the same care for the only creature that took care of her and her siblings growing up.

With that, Kreacher bowed and popped back to Grimauld place, but not without the promise of coming as soon as she calls him for anything.

As soon as she saw that he has left, she held the locket at arms-length and aimed her new wand at it, the one she had gone to knockturn alley in secret to get as hers was probably destroyed, and whispered one word "fiendfyre". A raven made of fire came out of her wand and engulfed the locket with its destructive flames, before returning to her wand in one swift motion. Being one of the only magicals alive able to control the cursed fire came with its benefits after all.

Being done with that urgent task, she turned back to the letter that she had to use the marauder code to unlock, on her burrowed desk in Longbottom Manor and started re-reading it again.

'Dear Morrigan,

I am writing this letter to you, my dearest mentor, in the hopes that it reaches you well and that you have gotten out of hospital safely. I have been able to come into contact with our friends who have been asleep for a while and would like you to know that they are awake and in good health. They wanted me to inform you that Lucille is in a different place to them and that they are in one of the Potter-owned buildings, but they are not sure which. They request that you find the Potter heiress and find them as soon as possible, as they are getting restless. Your brother also wanted to let you know that the object you have been looking for is with the creature he trusts the most. That is all I was able to get before I was awoken from my slumber.

With hopes that you understand their messages and are able to fulfil their wishes, and that I was able to help, if a little, with your plans.

Your student,

Little moon."

The girl didn't know how much of a help the letter was, but Carina will have to tell her as soon as she can. Because of the letter, she was closer to bringing back a sane Tom, and narrow down the places she needed to investigate to find her remaining friends and family.

With that thought in mind, Carina started to write her reply to the Lovegood heiress before she left for Gringotts. She had two account managers to see after all.

-

Account Manager Silverblade's office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London.

"How good it is to see you, My Lady." Silverblade greeted with a bow as soon as Carina had taken off her hood after entering his office.

"It is good to see you as well, Silverblade. Now, there is no time for pleasantries, where do you suggest we begin?" Carina greeted with a bow as well, smirking a little at her long-time friend and mentor.

"Have a seat, Carina. There is much to discuss." The goblin replied with the same smirk mirrored on his own face. This was going to be a very fun meeting.

-

Far away from everyone else, deep inside Malfoy Manor, a man had just woken up from a deep slumber and he was beyond angry. His thoughts consisted of two things, destroy Albus Dumbledore and find Carina Black.

Thomas Marvolo Riddle was beyond angry as he knew exactly who to blame for his insanity, and he wasn't going to rest until the man behind it was destroyed.

-

In a completely different place, a young girl that looked to be about fourteen years old had also just awoken from her slumber, but instead of being angry or revenge driven like the man, she instead had only one thought in her mind. She had to find her brother, no matter what. With that, she clutched the necklace around her neck tightly and whispered the activation spell. Not knowing where she'll end up being but know that she'll be with her brother. She disappeared from the place she had been asleep in for many years with a silent woosh, leaving nothing behind to suggest anyone had been there previously.

Chapter Text

Potions Classroom, Second Floor, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

Professor Snape was, fortunately enough, in the middle of explaining the steps to make the Anti-paralysis potion in his fifth year Gryffindor/Slytherin class when there was 'pop' sound and a that seemed to be his daughter's age appeared in the middle of the room. He could recognise the girl immediately even though he hadn't seen her since she was a baby. "Lucy?" he said in confusion and slight shock at the person in front of him.

At the sound of the nickname, the brunette turned to look at the familiar face and a bright smile appeared on her face before she ran and hugged the man, shouting to the whole classroom "UNCLE SEV!"

That shocked all that were in the room as they knew that Severus Snape was an only child and thus did not have any nieces or nephews. But one Gryffindor recognised the girl from a photo he was shown during the holidays, and he immediately had tears in his eyes.

"Lucille?" He asked quietly, but was heard by everyone in the room and everyone except two other students were confused as to how he knew the weird girl.

"Harry!" The girl, Lucille, said before running over to the boy and hugging him tightly. Harry returned the hug just as tightly with a stunned look on his face.

The reunion was short-lived however, as they were in the middle of a classroom after all. So, with a cough from Draco, they separated but still held onto each others' hands to keep contact as much as they could. Harry then turned to his friends and introduced the young woman with him. "Guys, this is my sister, Lucille." He said, with Lucille waving shyly to the people around her.

"Well, its nice to finally meet you, Lucille. I'm Hermione." Hermione said, sticking her hand out to shake her hand, but the girl instead pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear "It's nice to meet you Mione, thank you for taking care of him for so long."

"You don't have to thank me. It's the least I could do for my best friend." Hermione replied, smiling at the girl as they pulled away.

"Now, Lucy." Severus said, catching the attention of the students and the girl in question. "How did you manage to find yourself here, no one can get through Hogwarts' wards, especially not a fourteen-year-old who has never learned magic in their life."

"I don't know uncle Sev, but I do know one thing. Everything is changing, and I don't know if the wizarding world is ready for what's to come."

-

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England.

At first glance, nothing seemed different about the Dark Lord, but if you looked close enough, you would be able to see the complete change the man went through in one night. There was determination and a large amount of intelligence glinting in his eyes that hadn't been seen in a very long time. The real Thomas Marvolo Riddle was back, and ready to take back all he lost. He first, however, needed to regain his followers' trust and find his right-hand, wherever she is.

He entered the lounge and found his closest friends and greatest supporters sitting together in mid discussion when the noticed his presence and stood to bow.

"Don't. Rise, my friends, for I do not deserve your loyalty after everything I have put you through during my time of insanity. And yet you are still here, and for that I am eternally grateful." He said, bowing his head in apology.

The others in the room were shocked and relieved by his words. The Tom they know and believed in was back.

"Welcome back to the land of the sane, Tom. You've missed an impressive number of changes." Lucius said, smiling at his friend.

"And I'd like to be updated about all these changes. But first, I need to know one thing." At their nods, he continued. "Where the hell is Carina?"

-

Account Manager Silverblade's office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London.

Carina Black was in the middle of sorting out her finances when there was a knock on the door and a goblin came in followed by a very familiar face.

She stood up as quick as she could. "Tom?"

"Hello Darling." He said, smiling softly at the woman that had stayed with him through everything. (*Note: I've decided, as the author, to make Tom five years older than Sirius Black. Why, you may ask? Welp cause I want him to be for 'research purposes'. Also, I know there are a few timing issues but I honestly don't really mind them and don't really know what they are to correct them, so just role with it please. And thank you for the people that have been loving this story and commenting positive stuff, you guys give me the motivation to continue this thing. Back to the story.)

She ran to him and hugged him tightly. "Your back." She whispered in relief and happiness. "I'm back." He whispered with a smile on his face as well.

"Now," they both said at the same time as they released each other, laughing quietly at their unintentional unison, "Where were we?" Carina asked her account manager, as she pulled Tom to sit next to her.

"You don't mind if I sit in on your meeting?" Tom asked her in curiosity.

"I don't." She said, smiling at him and continuing her conversation with the goblin, with occasional input from the Dark Lord.

-

And so, with the Dark Lord back in action, they started progressing with their plans in a faster speed than they had previously. And the day finally came, the day where The Article would come out. You see, after they got out of St. Mungo's, Frank and Carina contacted two journalists, Rita Skeeter, the girl they dreaded talking to when they were in Hogwarts due to her nosy personality, and Xenophilius Lovegood, their dear friend and the father of Carrie's student, Luna.

They asked the both, through coercion by ways of a large compensation for Miss Skeeter, to write an article to announce their return to sanity and their desire to get back to their positions in the Wizengamot. In the article, they also included a written statement by Madam Amelia Bones as evidence to the fact that they were completely healed and could do anything normal wizards could.

-

14 January 2006.

Level 9, Ministry of Magic, Whitewall, London, England, Great Britain.

A day before the article was planned to be released, Frank and Carina were making their way through the Ministry of Magic in their most expensive robes, to have a little 'chat' with the minister.

As they were walking, they came across a certain someone that Carina had been meaning to talk to.

"Croaker! I've been meaning to speak with you. What a coincidence it is to see you here." Carina said, smiling brightly at the head of the Department of Mysteries.

"Well, I'll be. Carina Black. You aren't as dead as they say you are, then?" Saul Croaker said, smiling brightly at his favourite Black, after Arcturus of course.

"Didn't know you thought so lowly of me, to believe that I was dead. I still have some fight to give you know." Carina replied, smiling at her grandfather's closest friend.

"Knew you did. Didn't believe the old coot for a second when he said you were dead, and by the dark lord's hand no less. He was as delusional as ever." Croaker said in annoyance.

"Good. Now, I need your help with something." She said and leaned closer to whisper in the man's ear.

After she was done, she bid him goodbye and joined Frank, who was talking to Lucius quietly, and all three of them made their way to Amelia's office to pick her up before going to Fudge's office.

They entered the DMLE and were greeted by the sight of a shocked Scrimgeour and Shacklebolt. Both stood straight at the sight of their previous training officers, who the had never thought they'd get to see again.

"At ease Rufus." "At ease Shacks." Carina and Frank said in unison respectively, not forgetting their auror training one bit.

"Well, I'll be. Black and Longbottom. Never thought I'd see you two back here." A voice that neither of them could ever forget said, just as the owner of the voice appeared in front of them.

"Moody." They said at the same time, straightening up their posture in front of their old mentor and teacher.

"Did I hear the word---" there was a gasp and a scream before a pink haired female ran through the men and jumped into Carina's arms and hugged her tightly. Nymphadora Tonks tried her best to hold her tears in front of her bosses as she held tightly to her cousin, who everyone had thought died.

"Missed you too, Dora." Carrie said as she held onto her cousin just as tightly.

"How are you...?" Dora started before Carina shushed her and whispered "I'll tell you later, just visit your mother in three days at three o'clock. I'll be there to explain everything, but in a more private setting."

At Dora's nod, she pulled away and turned to her mentor and student. "It was to see all of you again, but I'm afraid we have an important meeting to get to. If someone could get Amelia, we'll be off."

"I'll go get her." Shacklebolt said after breaking his hug with one of his mentors.

"Thanks Shacks." Frank said in gratitude, as Carina pulled her own Auror student in for a hug and told him something in his ear.

She pulled away when he nodded and said "It was good to see you Scrimge."

"You too Boss." He said, smiling in acknowledgement for her whispered words.

"Are we ready to go?" Amelia said as she came out of her office, smiling at the people in the middle of the department before raising her voice and saying "Alright people, show's over. Get back to work."

"Yes Ma'am." All the aurors said before getting back to their tasks.

"Shall we then?" She said as she hooked her arm through Carina's and nodded at the two remaining men standing.

"You seem to not be surprised at all by their appearance Amelia. Anything you want to share with the class?" Moody asked sceptically, staring at the four that were about to leave with unhidden curiosity.

"Not at the moment, no. But if you pass by my office in three hours, I might just tell you something." She said, smiling at her mentor in secrecy.

"Fine, I'll let you go. But you will tell me soon Madam Bones." Alastor Moody said, with the same voice of authority he used to use on them when he was head Auror.

"We'll see sir. Now if you'll excuse us. We need to go. Rufus, you're in charge." At his nod of understanding and with a lingering look from Moody, they turned and left the department, chatting quietly between each other. This meeting was not going to be very pleasant.

Chapter Text

14 January 2006.

Level 10, Ministry of Magic, Whitewall, London, England, Great Britain.

They walked towards the Minister's office together and were a sight to see. Everyone who saw them immediately took a second look and then stared in complete shock at the sight of the head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones walking alongside Lord Lucius Malfoy and the presumably deceased Baroness Carina Black, Lord Frank Longbottom, and Lady Alice Longbottom, who were both supposed to be at St. Mungo's.

They came to a halt in front of the secretary of the Minister of Magic, where the others took a step back and let Carina be in the front to speak to the secretary and the Minister first.

"We're here to see Minister Fudge. If you'd inform him of our arrival, that would be greatly appreciated." Carina said in her most polite voice as she tried to ease the terrified young lady.

"A-A-Ah. Y-y-yes of c-course. D-do you h-h-have an ap-p-pointment?" the secretary stuttered out, afraid of the intimidating figures in front of her.

"No. But I don't think the minister will mind, will he." Lucius said with a sharp smile so that the secretary would hurry.

"N-n-n-no. of-f-f course not. I'll inform h-h-him now." She said and immediately hurried into the office in nervousness.

"You didn't have to scare the girl, Lucius. She's just doing her job." Frank said to the man next to him, looking at him with disappointment.

"She was just going to stutter her way through a rather long list of instructed responses Fudge had given her if I hadn't done that. I didn't think you would've wanted to bore yourself with that. Goodness knows I've had to listen to one too many times." He replied in a drawl, looking rather bored by the interaction.

Frank didn't have time to respond as an angry voice was heard shouting "If you're lying, Crista, you're fired." And a whispered "My name is Christine, sir." from the minister's office before Fudge himself came out of the room in an angry huff and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the group if front of him.

"L-l-l-l-Lady B-b-b-Black. What an honour it is to see you again." Minister Cornelius Fudge greeted stuttering. "And Lord Longbottom. I hoe you've been well after your release from St. Mungo's, although I hadn't been informed you've recovered." Fudge was confused. He didn't understand how the people standing in front of him were, well, standing. Lady Black has been presumed dead for years and the Longbottom couple were in the hospital and everyone had said that they'd never recover. He just knew that this meeting wasn't going to end well.

"I am doing well minister. And me and Alice didn't want anyone to know as we wanted some time alone to process everything without attracting unwanted attention. But that isn't why we're here. Mind if we come in?" Frank said with as polite a voice as he could muster.

"A-A-Ah, yes of course. Come on right in. Lucius. Amelia." He greeted the other two in the group with a nod of his head before he motioned for the party of four to come into his office.

As the door closed behind them, Carina cast a wandless silencing ward and turned to Cornelius Fudge with her famous Black smirk. "Now the Minister Fudge. Shall we get started with our meeting? I believe you'll come out of it with a lot more...knowledge." She said with fake politeness as the others turned towards the man as well and took seats around his desk. The man addressed gulped nervously and waited for the inevitable conversation to start. The others smirked at each other and let Carina start.

-

After two hours, they came out of Fudge's office, looking rather satisfied with themselves. They had had a very interesting conversation with the man, who was infuriating but easy to convince, as long as nothing affected his reputation negatively, he was rather amiable.

The three visitors turned to Amelia to greet her farewell, before they turned and walked towards the Floo, which they used to leave the rather dull building.

-

16 January, 2006.

La Pasticceria Reale, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, London, England, Great Britain.

La Pasticceria Reale was one of the oldest patisseries in Diagon Alley, built by The Zabini Family when they first set foot in the British wizarding world. It is now one of the most popular restaurants in diagon alley, known for the privacy it offers to its customers and its rich and delicious pastries and sweets, it is almost always inhabited by purebloods or those that are well known in the wizarding world who look to it as a place to have lunch or dinner at without the bother of reporters swarming them.

This is where William and Charles Weasley found themselves, in one of the private rooms in the patisserie. This was their first time being in a place like this, as their family never appeared to have enough money to indulge in such eccentricities. Now here the were, waiting for probably one of the most powerful witches in the world, who they also happened to call their honorary aunt.

"Sorry for being late boys, I've been swamped with things to do ever since I came back." Carina Black said as she sat down in the seat opposite the two.

"It's alright Aunt Carrie. How have you been?" Charlie said as he smiled at the woman who gave the two her full attention once she had sat down.

"I've been doing great. We're not here to talk about me though, we're here to talk about you two. I know you must have a lot of questions and I thought I'd be able to answer them. Now, what do you have for me?" she asked them with a warm smile on her face.

And so, their conversation went on smoothly, melting from seriousness to laughter naturally that by the end of it both young men were confident and comfortable with the information they had gotten and knew exactly what they needed to do. Carina felt happy in the knowledge that she had helped ease the men's worries. She also knew that she now had two new allies from inside the Order that were more than happy to help her.

-

Potions professor's chambers, Second Floor, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

"Mind if I drop in?" Carina asked as she apparated inside Severus' chamber as he was having tea with his daughter Ginevra and Lucille Lestrange-Potter. While Ginny and Lucille both jumped at the sudden voice in the room, Severus didn't show any signs of surprise as he gracefully took a sip of his tea and drawled "Well you're already inside my chamber, so there was no need for the request. Tea?"

"Yes please." She said as she sat down on a loveseat, repaired the girls' cups, set them in their hands, and prepared a cup of tea for herself, all without raising a finger, except to hold her cup and take a sip. "Mm, Jasmine. Hello ladies."

That seemed to get the girls out of their shock, as Lucille ran towards the woman and hugged her, shouting a happy "Aunt Carrie" as she did so.

As Carina hugged the girl back and whispered comfortingly in her ear, Ginny leaned into her father's side and waited for them to break apart so that she could greet the woman as well.

As they broke the hug and Lucy settles at her side, Ginny went over and hugged Carina in greeting then went back to sit next to her father.

"So, what brings you to my chambers, Lady Black?" Severus asked in a dramatic voice.

"Well, if you must know, Lord Prince. I am here to answer any questions you three may have and to check on the dearest Heiress Lestrange-Potter." Carrie replied in the same voice. They all then burst into laughter at the over-dramatic way they had their conversation, before Severus asked the question that has been on his mind for a while and turned the bright atmosphere into a serious one. "What have you been up to, Carina Black?"

"To be completely honest with you, a lot." She then proceeded to recount the events that had been happening ever since Arthur was admitted to St. Mungo's.

-

27 January, 2006.

As the days went by, events started to unfold one after the other. While the residents of Hogwarts were busy with their lessons and didn't feel what was happening outside except for the letters they got, changes were happening a lot more drastically outside of the school's walls, as Carina Black's presence was revealed slowly by the actions she was taking, whether herself or those that supported her plans. A day before the Wizengamot meeting that happened each month, which gathered all the heads of the sacred 28 Families and the heads of ministry departments together, the daily profit arrived as usual to all that were subscribed, but this one held an article that attracted the attention of all those who read it, and even those that don't. Written by the famous journalist Rita Skeeter, who had had a rather interesting conversation with the Head of the House of Black herself about her rather overzealous articles and had been given specific instructions on what to write, was the article that flipped the wizarding world on its head for the first time since the 'Dark' Lord's presumed death.

Back to life or just free?

I, Rita Skeeter, have managed to get the biggest news of my career, and have the owner of bestowing this news on you, my wonderful readers. I have just found out that Lord Frank Longbottom and Lady Alice Fawley-Longbottom have completely recovered and are sane mind and body. If you don't know what happened to this lovely couple, they were tortured to near insanity at the end of the wizarding war and were administered to St. Mungo's' Janus Thickey ward, where they received the latest magical treatment, but apparently nothing was working, until they suddenly seemed to come back to sanity a few days ago. After further examination by the mind healers, they were deemed completely fine and Lord Longbottom is even expected to attend the next Wizengamot meeting tomorrow. We feel happy for the return of the beloved couple and would like to extend our congratulations to their son for their return.

But they weren't the only ones to return to the world from the casualties of the war. War Heroin and Lady of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Baroness Carina Black was also found out to have been in St. Mungo's Hospital alongside Lord and Lady Longbottom, recovering from war trauma has also miraculously recovered and was seen by several people throughout the past few days. As I researched more and found a way to talk to Baroness Black herself, I found that the information we were all told was completely false.

The Heroin who we all thought had died an honourable death duelling against You-know-who, had not actually died. When I asked Lady Black what her thoughts were on people presuming her death, she laughed and said that it wasn't the first time magicals had believed the death of someone off word of mouth without seeing actual evidence. When I asked her to elaborate, this was the response I got my dear readers was this. "I mean, there is no obvious evidence that most of the heroes that people presume died in the war actually died. There were no bodies ever found in the places hey were last seen in. I mean there's The Prewett Twins, who were presumed to have died on duty when no body was ever found in the place of the crime, then there's the McKinnon sisters, the Bones', Benjy Fenwick, Caradoc Dearborn, Anthony Evans, Rigel Potter,  Dorcas Meadowes,  Mary Macdonald and Rosalie Lestrange. I mean there weren't even bodies found for your supposed saviors James Potter and Lily Evans, who weren't even married but people just assumed they were. You all say that Harry Potter is the 'Boy who lived' but the only evidence of that is a scar on his face that could have come form anywhere. I mean, you all believed Albus Dumbledore when he said I was dead, but I'm not a ghost talking to you right now am I?" Coincidently enough, all the people she had mentioned in her list of presumably dead people were said to have died by Albus Dumbledore himself. How true can his word be if the woman he said had died by the hands of you-know-who was standing right in front of me, sharing a rather nice cup of jasmine tea. When I inquired her upon her thoughts on the matter of her brother Sirius Black, all she told me was "I'm not going to believe anything anybody says about my brother until I either hear it from his own mouth or see clear evidence of the matter, a cut finger doesn't define someone as murderer or defines someone as murdered." Does that mean she also doesn't believe in the death of Peter Pettigrew, I didn't get the opportunity to ask before Lady Black was called for an important matter to take care of.

I can assuredly say that the conversation I had with the Baroness has enlightened me to a lot of the happenings of the wizarding world, and what was true and what was not.

Before she left, I managed to ask her one last question and her answer left me shocked silent for a very long time.

RS: "What do you think about Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore saying that you-know-who is back to life and how we should be cautious as the second war is nearing?"

LCB: "while I would believe anything Heir Henry Potter would say, as I trusted his father explicitly and Potters are known to be truthful by nature, I have come to realize that not everything said by Headmaster Dumbledore. While I would never want another war, as the previous one was awful enough, I'm inclined to believe that something is coming. While I hope with all my heart it is not as gruesome as the war fifteen years ago, I will make sure that the side I am on is the best for the wizarding world, even if I have to make my own to ensure that."

Safe to say, that whatever side Lady Black is on, I will be following as well. I feel she knows what was is happening more than we do, let us hope that whatever happens isn't another war. For the betterment of our world, and the safety of our children.

This is a very curious Rita Skeeter, signing off.  

Chapter Text

27 January, 2006.

The Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraftand Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

The ripple of shock that went through the great hall of Hogwarts was one that hadn't happened since Harry Potter was chosen to compete in the Tri-wizard tournament. The students and teachers were shocked by they had just read, except for a few of them who had expected the article and had already known everything.

Severus snape was trying to hold in his amusement as much as he could, the expressions on his fellow staff's faces were priceless. All were shocked and relatively happy by the news that one of Hogwarts' most popular alumni was actually alive and well, except for one man who was trying to cover his anger at what he had red, and while he thought himself successful, the anger was a stark contrast to the happiness on everyone else's face, and was obvious as the sun shining on all of them. The man looked constipated, and was the biggest reason for Severus' amusement, it seems he wasn't expecting his prisoner to escape and reveal her mistrust, especially not so publicly or so subtly.

Albus Dumbledore was in, as was apparent on his face, seething. 'How had that insufferable woman escaped?' he thought to himself, he had thought his plan to be impeccable, and no one would know she was still alive. But she just had to escape and make his life more difficult. The woman had always been the bane of his existence, and now he knew she was going to be even more insufferable. He had to find a way to take her out before she riled up the wizarding world against him.

While Albus Dumbledore was lost in his own head, he missed an important conversation happening next to him. The staff had noticed the unperturbed look Severus Snape was giving the newspaper and were looking at him in exasperation. It was a well-known fact among those that had met Severus during his years as a student that he was a very close friend with Carina Black and the fact that he was so expressionless only meant one thing.

"You already knew, didn't you Severus?" Minerva McGonagall was the one to voice everyone's thoughts.

Severus looked to her, and with a very serious face said "Of course I did."

His face twitched as he fought back an amused smile at her expression. Then he stopped as he thought of the interrogation he was going to get from her, Flitwick and Sprout after breakfast. He was not looking forward to that.

Below the staff table, at the Gryffindor table to be more specific, everyone turned to Neville Longbottom after reading the article, looking shocked at what they had just found out. They had also noticed that those that sat around the boy weren't at all shocked by the news. Through all their shock they hadn't noticed a certain blond approaching their table until he cleared his throat to attract their attention.

Draco Malfoy stood in front of them, bowed his head to Neville and said in a voice that most of the Gryffindors sitting near where he stood had never heard out of him "Heir Longbottom, I would like to offer my formal salutations on the return of Lord and Lady Longbottom, and hope through their return that our relationship changes somewhat positively."

"Thank you, Heir Malfoy, I am sure our paths will collide more now that our fathers will be working together on the Wizengamott. I would also like to offer my congratulation on the return of your aunt and mother's Head of House." Neville replied politely and bowed his head as well. His housemates were shocked by the display, and when they turned to him questioningly after Malfoy had returned his thanks and left, all Neville did was shrug his shoulders. What his housemates didn't know about was that it was both an act they had planned to show the 'beginning' of their friendship and to educate them about pureblood culture and etiquette. They were awfully ignorant about the matter and it was high time they found out that wizarding culture was coming back, while not as intense as it was in previous years, it was still going to make an appearance soon.

"I would also like to give my formal congratulations, Heir Longbottom, on the return of Lord and Lady Longbottom. And hope that the Ancient and Most Noble House of Longbottom will continue to support House Potter." Harry said formally to his friend, but was smiling warmly at him all the same.

"Thank you, Heir Potter, and may the return of my mother be able to bring us closer together, God Brother." Neville said, returning the smile with one of his own as he felt their God-Sibling bond warm at the recent strengthening of their bond and friendship.

The people around them startled in shock, they hadn't known the resident hero of their house and Longbottom were Godbrothers and Heirs, to very powerful houses as well. Those that had called Harry a liar were starting to regret their actions as more information started being revealed.

"Umm, sorry for calling you a liar, Harry." Seamus Finnigan, the leader of the 'Harry Potter is a liar' campaign, apologized as he finally realised the depth of his actions. He had called the Heir of The Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter a liar, which was one of the greatest mistakes a wizard could make, especially to a Potter, who were known to be some of the most honest wizards in England.

All Harry did was nod his head in acknowledgement to the apology but otherwise didn't respond, as what Seamus had done was a slight to his honour as a Potter, and he couldn't forget that easily.

As the conversations around the great hall grew louder and more normal, one table went unnoticed by the others.

The King of Slytherin house turned to his fellow students and they shared a smirk of triumph and excitement. "It has begun." Draco Malfoy, the resident king of Slytherin House, said as he turned to the others around him, who shared the sentiment.

Things were about to change, and the Slytherins couldn't wait for it.

-

Llanthony Priory, Vale of Ewyas, Monmouthshire, Near the Black Mountains, Wales, Great Britain.

At the same time as the British Wizarding World was being spread with unsettlement, Carina Black and her party of close friends were walking through Llanthony Priory, towards the biggest of its arches. They stood before its glory but before they could activate it, an owl flew towards them at top speed, heading towards the woman herself.

"What is it?" She asked the owl that had perched himself on her shoulders, who extended his claw out for her to take his delivery from him.

"Thank you." She said to the owl before it flew away. As she unwrapped the rolled-up piece of parchment, she noticed that it was a copy of the daily profit and knew exactly what it was. With the newspaper there was a short letter from the author herself.

"I did as you asked, Lady Black. I hope my loyalty will help me in the future.

Yours sincerely,

The Beetle."

"Well, that was unexpected. I didn't think she'd actually do it." Lucius said, looking impressed as he took the newspaper and started reading the awaited article.

"I might have slightly threatened her and reminded her of who exactly she was talking to." Carina said, smirking at her companions who laughed at her expression.

"Still, this article will be changing a lot of things. It was a good idea; the wizarding world needed a little shacking." Tomas said as Lucius finished reading the article aloud to those that were there.

They continued walking and talking about the consequences of what was released, but stopped when they reached their destination and looked at it in awe.

They had come to a halt behind Carina, who pointed her hands, palms up, at the opening, but instead of her hands going through the arch, a wave of magic went through it and a portal opened.

One of the Black Family's biggest secrets was the location of Black Manor, the residence of The Head of The House of Black. Only a Black accepted by the Black Family Magicks is able to open the gate to their ancestral home and enter it, or give others access to it. The house had been in stasis for a long time, waiting for the time when the Blacks and their closest friends would return to roam its halls once more.

When the group went through the gate that had opened, they looked around in awe at what they saw. They were surrounded by luscious green land and acres of trees, plant life, and flower beds that littered the grounds. They were in the middle of Melania Black's legendary garden, the garden that she had spent most of her life nurturing with care and magic until her last days. Her house elves had been maintaining and caring for her work, on orders from the woman's grandchildren. It was a beautiful sight to see, but what was really spectacular was the great castle like manor in the middle of the garden, the unrivalled Black Manor.

"Welcome to Black Manor, everyone. This will be our base of operation from now on. Shall we go in then?" Carina said with a smile on her face, happy to be back to the place she had called home for a long time of her life, the origin of her family's magic. What the others didn't know was that they weren't in Wales anymore, they had been taken to Blackmore, the ancestral land of the House of Black, where the first Black had settled many millennia ago.

As they arrived in front of the manor, a house elf opened the door and greeted her mistress enthusiastically, and the Manor's magic greeted the group like a warm embrace. They were ready for the next step in their plan, and couldn't wait for what was to come.

-

30 January, 2006.

Defense Against the Dark Arts' teacher's office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

As Dolores Umbridge made her way into her office, the door moved on its own, pushing her inside and closing with a thud. Umbridge was shocked by the sudden action and as she turned to investigate, she came face to face with a person she had never wanted to meet again.

"Hello Dolores." The dark voice of Carina Black sounded, the woman was sitting on Umbridge's desk, using her wand to change random items in the office from their ghastly pink to black. "It seems we need to have a little chat about your attitude."

"I-I d-did nothing to you." The woman stuttered in fear as she spoke to the person she feared the most, the woman that knew all her dirty secrets and darkest crimes.

"Not to me, no. But you did do something to someone under my protection. Harry Potter." Carina said, smiling viciously at the tremble in the woman's stance, she was like a lioness assessing her pray.

The woman's silence was all the confirmation Carina needed to get down from the desk and start stalking towards her pray. "I told you never to touch those under my protection, even if I was actually dead, which I'm obviously not, I would have found a way to take you down Umbridge. This is your last warning, if I ever hear you messed with someone that is on my side again, I will release every little dirty secret I have on you to the daily profit. I'll ruin you and your family, you'll be disgraced, and it'll take you centuries to be able to return even a semblance of your reputation. Take heed Dolores Umbridge, or else you'll find yourself buried alive, with no one around to save you. You've been warned." Carina said calmly but threateningly, before disappearing in a cloud of Black, with no evidence of her ever being there except for the traces of black on the walls and the trembling woman in the middle of the office.

Dolores took a moment to compose herself before she left her office and headed towards the great hall for dinner. And if Dolores Umbridge disappeared from sight the next day, packing all her belongings, quitting her job at the ministry and was never seen in England again, well that was between her and Lady Black alone.

But her disappearance did, however, cause chaos though all of Hogwarts, as there was no one to teach DADA for the rest of the year. The question on everyone's minds was, who would Dumbledore hire now?

Chapter Text

31 January, 2006.

Board of Governors' Gathering Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

Albus Dumbledore found himself in a difficult situation after the unexpected departure of Dolores Umbridge. While he was happy about the nasty woman leaving his school, he found himself without a defence teacher, and he didn't have a substitute in mind at all. He didn't want to ask the board of governors, but it seems they had taken it upon themselves to call for a meeting to discuss the situation.

Headed by Lord Lucius Malfoy, the Hogwarts Board of Governors oversaw the running of Hogwarts school, and were a constant source of annoyance for the headmaster. But this meeting there was an addition to the board, sitting next to Lord Malfoy was none other than Lady Alice Fawley-Longbottom, or well that is people thought her title was, they were in for a surprise that day though.

"Alice, my dear. What brings you to our meeting?" The old man said, disregarding all politeness and the fact that Alice had never given him permission to call her by her given name, which was a clear sign of disrespect.

"I'm actually here to oversee this meeting as Lady Hufflepuff, Headmaster. Lord Malfoy was kind enough to invite me to this meeting, so that I may take up my responsibility as the descendant of one of the Founders." Alice said, smiling at the shocked expressions that surrounded her, staring at her in disbelief. It was known by every wizard in England that the Founders' lines haven't been seen in a while now, for Alice Longbottom to claim to be a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff, was a surprise to everyone.

"It is true. Lady Hufflepuff showed me a copy of her inheritance test to prove who she is, you will all find in front of you a copy as well." Lucius confirmed. He waited for everyone to read the paper and absorb its content before he said in his usual drawl "Shall we start the meeting then? We are here to discuss the recent departure of the defence against the dark arts teacher, and her prompt replacement."

"I have a person in mind for the defence teacher." Alice offered to those in the room, and while all seemed interested, Dumbledore looked to be trying to hide his annoyance and failing to do so.

"And who might that be, Lady Hufflepuff?" Lady Belladonna Zabini said, sharing a small smile with her old friend, who she had reunited with at the latest Dark Sect meeting.

"My husband, Lord Frank Longbottom. He was an auror during the previous war and has on hand experience in defence against the dark arts." Alice suggested, as part of their plan to induct someone into Hogwarts.

"I had a different idea." Lucius offered. "Why not Lady Black?" he said suddenly, surprising everyone in the room, even Alice and Donna. "She has on hand experience, she is one of he most powerful witches in our country, if not worldwide. She was a Ravenclaw, which means she must have a lot of knowledge. And she was known to have tutored a lot of students in various subjects during her Hogwarts days. I think she would make a wonderful teacher."

"I agree." Severus Snape, the last person anyone expected to speak up, said. "I am not ashamed to say that I was one of the students that she took under her wing while I was at Hogwarts. She was also the person that managed to mend my rather strained relationship with James Potter. I would trust her with my Slytherins." The other heads of houses nodded their heads in agreement.

A lot of the members of the board also agreed to the decision, but some were still hesitant about a Black teaching their children.

The final thing that sealed the nail on the proverbial coffin was Professor Filius Flitwick saying in a rather proud voice "Lady Black has always been a student that cared for those younger than her. I remember many instances when I entrusted her with the tutoring of younger students, and her lessons never failed. I have never regret choosing her as Ravenclaw's prefect or as head girl, and while teachers are not supposed to pick favourites, I will proudly say that it was a pleasure being her head of house and that she is by far one off my favourite students."

"Then it is decided then. Lady Black will be offered the position of Defence against the dark arts teacher?" Lucius asked everyone for confirmation, and when he got nods from all around the room, except the headmaster, who couldn't believe a Black would come to teach at his school, he replied "Then I will send her a letter today and await her response, I am, relatively, sure she will accept and that we will have a teacher by the end of the week." The hopefully went unsaid but those that knew the woman in question knew that it was implied.

-

31 January, 2006.

Black Manor, Blackmore.

"YOU DID WHAT?"

Carina's voice reverberated through the manor as she shouted in exclamation. Lucius had just informed her of the conclusion of the Hogwarts board meeting, and the reaction was definitely...louder than expected. Carina was so focused on the news that she had just been told that she hadn't heard Alice whisper a quiet "I told you she wouldn't take it well" to Lucius, who looked at the woman with an unimpressed expression.

"I knew you'd be amazing in the position, that is why I suggested it. And everyone agreed. Also, they wouldn't have agreed on Frank and you know it. They wouldn't trust that he is still stable, no offence Frank." Lucius explained his actions as best as he could, even though he knew deep down that it was a spontaneous decision based on the thought of the woman's experience in teaching and his wishes for her to teach his son what she had taught the marauders so long ago.

"None taken." Frank replied casually, knowing the man was probably right.

"And they trusted me? I was there as well. And I'm a Black! We're known for being slightly mentally unstable." Carina responded in exasperation, still not believing that someone wanted her to teach at Hogwarts.

"With all due respect, darling, Frank wasn't known for taking in over a dozen students under his wing and taught them everything he knew. You did, though. You were known through all the houses to be an overprotective dark witch who only took select few under her wing, but when you did you cared to the fullest, taught to the fullest and protected to the fullest." Tomas said, knowing that he was right and that Carina would understand how much she fit the position.

"You agree to this?!" She asked loudly, even the person that knew her the most agreed to these preposterous ideas.

"I do, yes." Tomas confirmed with a nod of his head. "We need someone inside the castle to both protect the students and collect dirt on the old man. And while you might not agree to this, I and those here agree that you would be perfect for this. You are just and kind, with a touch of darkness to you and a willingness to spread a fraction of your knowledge to those around you, especially the younger generation. And with your hidden position as Lady Ravenclaw, you will be able to know all that is hidden in the school through you connection to Hogwarts' magic."

"UGH! Okay, fine. I'll do it. But just until we take down the goat, after that I will see what I want to do." At her agreement, they all cheered loudly. Lucius sent a letter to the school confirming her agreement to the position.

This was going to be an interesting year for all, especially those students who hadn't met the enigma that was Carina Black.

Get ready Hogwarts, as those there didn't know what was coming their way.

Chapter Text

31 January, 2006.

The Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole, Devon, West Country, England, Great Britain.

Molly Prewett found herself in a very tight spot that she didn't know how to get out of. After the return of the teenagers to Hogwarts, Arthur had informed her that he would be staying in the guest bedroom for the time being, when she had asked him why, his response was that he didn't feel the love he had for her when they had gotten 'married' and was only staying because of 'their' children. If that hadn't been an alarm of something being off, Bill and Charlie's avoidance of her was definitely one. When asked if they were avoiding her, their response was that they just had a lot of things to do while in England and didn't have time to see her. Ron and Ginny hadn't sent her anything since they had left as well, which wasn't that weird but still something she took note of. When she had asked Albus, his only response was that she was overreacting and that everything was fine. She tried using love potions on Arthur again but he wouldn't eat what she would cook, which told her that he knew she had used them before.

The last straw was the article that came stating that Carina Black and Frank and Alice Longbottom were alive, she knew that must mean that they were onto her, Carina Black wouldn't have revealed herself without Arthur knowing she was alive, and if he knew she was alive then he must also know that she wasn't actually his wife or the mother of his children, those that were his anyway. She was afraid to say anything so she kept quiet for four days, but couldn't hold it in anymore.

When he came back from work that day, she confronted him with the news.

"You know everything, don't you?" She said as he took off his coat and hung it on the rack.

"I don't know what you're talking about Molly." He said calmly as he turned to face her.

"You know about Elaina." She said quietly, bending her head in shame. As the world around her changed, Molly had come to realize what she had done and regret her decisions from the past. She felt mad at her younger, jealous self, who had decided that her brother and sister had too much and took everything from them. She had decided in those weeks of loneliness that she would try and repay for what she had done, but hadn't had the courage to face the backlash of her actions. The article had given her the chance to confront the man for what she had done and rewrite her wrongs once and for all. She would not be Dumbledore's puppet any longer.

"DO NOT say her name with your guilty mouth." Arthur said in anger, finally showing the fact that he knew everything she had done.

"I apologize, Lord Weasley, for everything I have done through the years. I know that my words won't be enough to earn your forgiveness but I have come to realize the mistakes I have made and want to fix them." Margret said formally in apology, bowing her head in shame but knowing that it wouldn't earn her forgiveness.

"How do I know that you actually regret your actions, Margret Prewett? You were so jealous of your sister that you not only helped to take her away from her family, but stole her husband and children from her, all with the crazy thought that you were doing the right thing, because Dumbledore had told you it was right. How do I know you won't go to Dumbledore and tell him that I'm not under his control anymore? How can I trust you anymore?" Arthur said with such raw emotions that she started crying from finally realizing the amount of pain she had caused him. Contrary to what people thought, she and Arthur were friends at one point, and even though he had fallen in love with Elaina, he had still thought she would be his friend no matter what, realizing he was wrong was painful.

"I, Margret Lucertia Prewett, promise, on my Magic, that I will not go to Dumbledore or tell him anything. I promise I will never follow his orders ever again and that you will have my full loyalty from this point forth. In repayment for all the crimes I have committed against the Ancient House of Weasley, I will follow all orders made by Lord Arthur Weasley until the day he forgives me completely, so have I sworn, so mote it be." Margret vowed, her body shining and magic tying her to the House of Weasley. At Arthur's gasp of shock, she knew she was doing the right thing. What she didn't know was that Bill and Charlie had come to visit their father that day and had seen the whole transaction between the two.

"Margret. You.... It might take a while for me to forgive you, but I now realize that you are regretful of your past actions. I appreciate your apology." Arthur replied quietly but truthfully. It would take a while, but Margret's actions showed him that he might be able to forgive her in the future.

"I think that applies to all of us Dad." William said, causing the wo to jump at the sudden voice and turn towards William and Charles, who were standing near the entrance of the house.

"We'll be sure to mention your actions today to the rest, Miss Prewett." Charles said, nodding in acknowledgement to her vow of service.

While it hurt that he talked to her so formally, she knew she hadn't earned the right to be called aunt by them, yet, she reminded herself.

"I would appreciate that, I want everyone to know that I am at the Weasley Family's service, and only follow the Head's words." At their nods to her words, she continued. "There is something I need to tell you but I was forced to take a vow not to say anything, so you will have to force me to tell you."

"What is it?" Arthur asked seriously at her words.

"You need to ask me about Elaina's loc..." She couldn't continue her words, as the vow compelled her to not reveal what she knew, but they understood exactly what she wanted to say and held their breath as Arthur said "Margret, I order you to tell me exactly what you know of Elaina's location and what exactly happened to her."

Margret's face went blank as the vow she had just taken came into effect and started saying in a dull voice. "I do not know of Elaina's exact whereabouts but I do know that she is hidden, along with others, in one of the Potter Family estates. Dumbledore had transferred them from Hogwarts' basement after the war when he took control over the Potter Family estates. That is all I know."

William, Charles and Arthur looked at each other in shock over the information before Charles ran to the floo and shouted "Black Manor."

-

Black Manor, Blackmore.

As soon as the owl had left for Hogwarts with the news of the new DADA professor, a floo call came in that shocked everyone from the casual conversation they had been having.

They saw Charles Weasley's face in the fire and from the expression on his face, they knew something had happened.

Carina moved to sit in front of the floo and asked the young wizard in worry. "What is it, Charles?"

"We have a clue on where they are." He said rapidly, attracting everyone's attention, they all knew exactly who they are. "They're in one of the Potter estates."

"Frank, go tell Amelia to narrow her search even further, and tell her I'll get Harry or Lucille to write her a letter giving her access to their estates." Frank ran to the other floo to do exactly as she said.

"I'll go send Harry a letter to do exactly that." Alice said, as she took a quill and parchment and started writing a letter to her Godson.

"Thank you, Alice." She said before turning to the floo and asking Charles "How exactly did you get this piece of information?"

So, he started explaining what had happened and while Carina knew that she'd never really trust Margret ever again, she felt happy about having a person that deep in Dumbledore's ranks be on their side.

"How about making her our spy? That way we can get the information that he only tells his most loyal and she can repay her debt to your family." She suggested to Arthur, who had joined the call along with William while Margret busied herself in the kitchen.

"That's actually a very good idea, Carina." Arthur said, nodding his head in agreement.

And with that, they said their goodbyes and closed with the floo with satisfaction, knowing that they were that much closer to finding their missing loved ones.

-

3 February, 2006.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

The Friday after Carina Black was asked to be Hogwarts' DADA teacher, she arrived at the entrance of the school and was promptly greeted by Professor Minerva McGonagall herself.

"It is very nice to see you again Lady Black." Minerva said, smiling at one of her favourite Ravens. While Minerva McGonagall was on Dumbledore's side, she was always a polite witch who respected pureblood culture and wasn't bias when it came to houses. That was why she was Carina's second favourite professor, coming after her head of house, Filius Flitwick.

"It is nice to see you as well, Professor." Carina replied, smiling as she followed Minerva through the grounds toward the castle.

It was a sight to see, she had missed the castle and its warm magic that surrounded her like a mother's hug.

As she entered the school, she was flooded by memories of her and her friends' escapades through the halls, the flood of nostalgia that she experienced brought her warmth and sadness at the same time. Warmth because of the happiness that came with her memories, and sadness due to the fact that most of the people that were with her in those memories around with her at the moment. Soon, she thought, they'll be with us soon.

Deep in her thoughts, she didn't notice that McGonagall had led her towards someone until familiar hands stopped her from walking into him.

She hadn't noticed McGonagall talking, but she did catch her last sentence. "I'll let Severus take you to your quarters then. I'll see you at dinner, Professor Black."

"Thank you, professor. See you at dinner." She said as she regained herself and smiled at Minerva.

"Thanks for that, Sev." She said quietly to her friend as she followed him.

"You're welcome, Carry." He replied before they dissolved into casual conversation, nothing that Dumbledore would want to know of course, as even the walls had ears. When they reached her assigned quarters, they turned around and went to Severus' quarters, where they elected silencing wards and started actually talking about what they wanted to with Lucille until it was time for dinner.

-

The Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

A few hours after her arrival, Carina found herself sitting at the teachers' table in the great hall, which was a surreal experience for her, as she was used to being at the Ravenclaw table which was ways bellow her.

After everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hand once to silence the students, eliciting a quiet "Show off" from Carina, and started speaking. "About a week ago, as most of you may already know, Professor Dolores Umbridge, unfortunately, vacated her position as Defence against the Dark arts professor in pursuit of a different career." Which was a lie, as most knew she had run away, but no one commented, however all cheered when it was confirmed that she had left permanently.

He continued his speech, purposefully ignoring the cheers. "While we thank Miss Umbridge for her help at Hogwarts, we had to look for a person to take her position for the rest of the year. And so, with great pleasure, I welcome Professor Carina Black to our staff as the new DADA teacher." Most of the students gave slightly confused applause, except for the whole of Slytherin and those who knew the woman personally, who gave a large round of applause and the twins even howled loudly. "Professor Black, if you'd like to give a few words to our students."

Carina stood up at that and started speaking "Thank you Headmaster. I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity, to give what I know to the next generation of wizards and witches. I hope you take care of me and that I may be able to help you all as much as I can. I was a student just like you, once upon a time, even if you may think that was a century ago." At that, all the students loosened up and laughed at the offhand comment. "So, I hope you can confide in me. I won't say the cliché comment of 'I'm like your older sister' because I feel way older than that." Another bout of laughter ensued, even the teachers joined in as well. "But if you have any questions, even if they aren't related to DADA, I'll be happy to answer them." She smiled warmly at the students then sat back down.

"Thank you, Professor Black. Now then, you may all go back to your dorms." Dumbledore finished his speech, and as the students were leaving the hall, they all quietly talked about the new professor among themselves. One thing was common though, they all thought that the rest of the year was going to be very interesting with Carina Black around.

Chapter Text

4 February, 2006.

DADA Classroom, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

"Welcome to your first Defence Against the Dark Arts class with me. My name is Carina Black, as you all probably already knew, and I look forward to working with you all. The first thing we need to establish are some rules." This was how Carina started her first class of the day, and of her career, which happened to be the fifth year Gryffindors/Slytherins. The students were all looking at her with a mix of awe, surprise, and respect as she wordlessly and wandlessly made books float to their desks and papers arranged themselves on the teacher's desk.

"First of all, no fighting between houses, I'm saying this especially in this class because I know how serious the Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry can get, even if I never understood it, being a Ravenclaw and all." She stopped for a minute, knowing that that would elicit questions. And sure enough, a Gryffindor raised her hand to ask, "I thought all Blacks were Slytherins?"

"Well, Miss...?" "Brown, Lavender Brown" "Well, Miss Brown, that is a common misconception. While yes, most Blacks have coincidently been Slytherins, a lot of Blacks were also Ravenclaws. In fact, the first Black to attend Hogwarts was a Ravenclaw. Also, my younger brother was a Gryffindor. So, it it's not necessary for all members of my family to be Slytherins." At the students' looks of understanding, she continued. "Secondly, if you have any questions, even if they aren't about DADA, you can ask me any time, I'd like to have a good relationship with my students, as I said in the great hall yesterday. But if it's a question unrelated to the class, please wait till the end of the class. And lastly, have fun! DADA is meant to help you protect yourself from anything you may face, it doesn't have to be boring or just for studying, you will use this stuff when you graduate. With that in mind, let's start with the first lesson. Who knows what the Patronus Charm is?"

A few students raised their hands, most of the slytherins, Harry, Hermione, and surprising to the students in attendance, Neville Longbottom. "Yes, Mr Longbottom?"

"The Patronus Charm is a spell conjured by thinking of good memories and solidifying them into an animal or creature that represents the caster, it is used to dispel Dementors."

"That is correct Mr Longbottom. Five points to Gryffindor. As Mr Longbottom said, the Patronus Charm is used to dispel and protect one's self from the effect of dementors. The incantation is 'Expecto Patronum'. The tricky part is how to cast it. You need to think of your happiest memory to be able to expel the negativity that dementors usually use against you. There are two types of Patronuses, an incorporeal Patronus, a Patronus with no shape and that is usually very week, and a corporeal Patronus, a Patronus that takes the shape of an animal or creature that best represents you, or an aspect of your personality, which is commonly known as a guardian. Today, you will be learning how to cast a Patronus. One by one, each of you will come up and try to cast the Patronus, now I know some of you already know how but this will be a practice for you, and a lesson for those who don't know."

She first started explaining the origin of the charm, and how it's cast, which took about thirty minutes, with the students writing notes along. Then they all stood up and Carina wandlessly moved all the desks to the side.

"Alright, then. Now that we've got the boring theory out of the way, let's get to the good part. The implementation. First, I'm going to show you how to correctly cast a Patronus, then you'll stand in a line and try one by one to cast it." At their nods, she took out her wand from its holdster on her wrist and pointed it at the space in front of her. "Expecto Patronum" she said and a bright blue light came out of her wand before it took the shape of a Morrigan bird, the creature associated with war and fate, her marauder name. It took a lap around the classroom before landing on her shoulder, when it sensed nothing amiss, it disappeared in blue mist.
The class was stunned by what they had seen and sped to stand in a line to try it out.

They spent the rest of the class trying to successfully achieve a corporeal a Patronus, some, like Harry, Hermione, Ron and, surprisingly, Draco Malfoy, were already able to create one. Others, like Blaise Zabini, Neville and Theodore Nott were able to create incorporeal patronuses and spent the class trying to achieve a corporeal one. The rest were beginners that started from the beginning. By the end of the class, some of them had acheived a corporeal, while most had only acheived an incorporeal patronus.

"Alright, everyone. That's it for today, we'll continue in the next class. Congratulations to those that were able to achieve a corporeal Patronus. Any questions before you need to leave for your next class?" Carina said, clapping her hand to get their attention.

"What do you think about the war, Professor?" Dean Thomas asked in curiousity, getting everyone's attention.
"Well, I do think we should stay vigilant and prepare for the worst, but I'm sure everyone will make sure that you students don't get involved, or at least we'll try our best." She said calmly and expertly.

"Yeah, but do you think another war will start, like last time?" Seamus Finnegan asked bluntly, not known for his tact.

"That isn't a question I can answer with certainty. I don't want another war, I was in the middle of it last time and it was one of the worst times of my life. We were surrounded by betrayal and dishonesty, you didn't know who to trust or who was lying to your face. It was a time where even siblings turned against each other, and no one was right in the end. While I would never want you to live in a time like that, I can't say it isn't possible. All you can do is prepare for the worst and not take things for granted." That was as good an answer as she could give them, and fortunately for her, the bell rang signalling the end of the class. " Well, everyone. I'll see you next class. Of you go "

They all left in groups, discussing the class and their new teacher, no one noticed the group of unlikely allies that were talking quietly to each other about the class.

"Never knew you could cast a corporeal Patronus Malfoy." Harry said to the blonde that was walking next to him.

"I had aunt Bella teach me in the last Christmas break. I thought it would help. Let me guess, Professor Lupin taught you Potter?" Draco answered in the same tone, they didn't want 5o show their friendship to outsiders, but still wanted to talk.

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"Pretty obvious, to be honest."

"But I have to say," Hermione said, attracting their attention "Carina is a better teacher than Remus. It showed from just one class, but she has this kind of aura to her that has students unintentionally listen to her."

"I have to agree on that. I talked to aunt Carina a bit during the break and she was very patient with me. It's like she just naturally takes a teaching role when she's around those younger that her." Draco said quietly, peeking their interest.

"You're right. But you do realise that she's not gonna let our obvious lack of basic knowledge slide right?" Ronald said, getting nods in return.

"I wish the old man good luck. He's gonna need it." They laughed at Draco's off hand comment, continuing their way to potions, in a calmer state than they were before the Christmas break. The presence of Carina Black gave them a sense of safety that they hadn't felt in the castle in a while.

-

A Potter Household, Unknown Location.

"She's in Hogwarts." James Potter said to those gathered, getting their attention.

"How'd you know, Jamie?" Marlene McKinnon asked her childhood friend.

"She speaks to Her heirs. The castle has been telling me updates since we woke up. This is just the latest one."

"Yeah, but who's in Hogwarts, Lucille or Carina?" Fabian Prewett asked, even though the answer was obvious.

"Both." Regulus Black was the one to answer, smiling in obvious happiness and malicious delight.

"Oh. It's gonna be real interesting. The old man won't know what hit him, and by the time we get out of here, he'll have no choice but to surrender." Rosalie Lestrange-Potter said, laughing at the irony.

The rest followed suit, imaging Dumbledore's face when all his plans crumble in his face.

-

Miles away, in Hogwarts school, the headmaster sneezed suddenly, as he was looking over his plans. He was blissfully unaware of the fact that in a few months, everything he had worked hard to build would crumble in front of his eyes, and he won't be able to do anything to stop the wrath of the Order of the Black Wolf.

Chapter Text

10 February, 2006.

Level 2, Ministry of Magic, Ministry of Magic, Whitewall, London, England, Great Britain.

The Wizangamot, the council of Britain's richest and most powerful witches and wizards that has been gathering since the times of Merlin the Great, where it was the knights of the round table that came together, was gathering in the meeting room at the Ministry of Magic, as they did every month.

Lady Carina Black made her way through the assembly hall to her assigned seat at one of the highest points in the room, where descendants of Camelot sat, in a table resembling that of the knights they were descendant from. They sat in the same order that their ancestors sat in, and Carina, as the House of Black descended from Sir Lancelot du Lac, King Arthur's most trusted knight, sat to the left of the head seat, which was empty as the Head of the House of Potter, the descendants of King Arthur Pendragon, was absent from the meeting. Alice Longbottom, who was descendant from Sir Lionel through the House of Hufflepuff, sat on another seat. What was a surprise to everyone, especially Albus Dumbledore was the entrance of Severus Prince-Snape, who sat at the table as well, as the House of Prince were descendants of Sir Gawain. And last to enter was a man dressed in robes of a deep green with the Slytherin Family crest shining proudly on his chest. Everyone, except a few who already knew who it was, were shocked to see it. Thomas was lucky enough that his crazy self hadn't publicized the fact that he was the heir of the House of Slytherin, so he was able to claim the title of head and join the Wizengamot without any suspicions of his...previous activities, except from Dumbledore, but the man would be dumb if he told everyone he was the dark lord, as no one ever really knew his actual name, so there would be no evidence to back his claim. He walked gracefully through the room and came to sit next to Carina, as the House of Slytherin descended from Sir Percival. No one, or more specifically Dumbles, could claim they weren't supposed to be there, though, as the seats would have ejected anyone who wasn't worthy or wasn't meant to sit at the ancient round table.

Everyone took their seats and the meeting began with the usual introductions by Fudge and Dumbledore, as the Minister of Magic and chief warlock of the Wizengamot respectively. After that, Dumbledore introduced the new additions to the Wizengamot, whether they were heads of newly discovered houses or the next in line for recognized houses, which was a more common occurance as people rarely took inheritance tests anymore, and then he had to do what he was dreading, introduce those that were siting in the Wizengamot's version of the round table.

"Also, as you all might have noticed, some seats in The Round Table that have been empty for more than a decade are now being occupied. Please welcome back Lady Carina Black, Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, who has taken up her seat after almost two decades of being unable to attend. Please give a warm welcome to Lady Alice Fawley-Longbottom, Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Hufflepuff, and Lord Severus Prince-Snape, Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Prince. Umm..." At the next name on his list, Dumbledore paused, before he continued nervously "Let us also welcome The Head of The Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin, Lord Thomas Riddle-Slytherin."

The dark sect all erupted in elegant cheers at that, the grey sect joining in with polite applause, while the light sect were looking at the man, that looked like a king sitting on his throne more than anything, with shock. The House of Slytherin was back, and they didn't know how that will play out. Dumbledore was fuming on the inside, he couldn't publicly accuse Tom of being the Dark Lord, or else people will call him mad, more than they already did, but he wasn't privy to that bit.

Carina stood and said "On behalf of the members of The Round Table, I'd like to thank you all for welcoming us back into the Wizingamot, while some of our colleagues are not able to be here, including the head of our table, Lord Potter, we will do our best to do what is best until the table is complete. There a few things that we have noticed have changed in the time we have not been able to be here and were...otherwise preoccupied. First and foremost, is Hogwarts and the education of the younger generation. Through my work as DADA teacher for the past week, I have noticed that the students are not being taught the necessary things for them to be able to survive the world outside the castle's walls. They don't know basic charms, all they learn in history of magic is about Goblin rebellions, which will make the goblins hate us if they ever find out or if students interact with them, they don't have any of the electives that were available when I was in school like Spell Crafting, Ghoul Studies, Magical Theory and the multitude of languages that were once taught in Hogwarts' walls, and Muggle Studies hasn't been updated in three decades, so its no use to the students in the outside world. How are they expected to survive, if they aren't learning the basics of our world, especially those of them that don't have magical parents? They don't even know wizarding history, and those of them that are heirs to ancient houses don't know anything about how they should act.

I also spoke to some of the students, and the things they told me had happened are appalling. They told me that their DADA teacher four years ago was apparently an incompetent coward who stuttered a lot, which isn't a problem for a normal job, but as a teacher, the students had a hard time understanding what he was saying. Three years ago, there was a basilisk roaming the halls of the school, petrifying students and parents weren't told, a year ago the tri-wizard tournament had four champions, which in and of itself is unheard of, but what was even worse was that the fourth champion was a fourteen-year-old. And please don't give the, I'm sorry for my language, crap about him being some hero or dark wizard slayer, Heir Potter is just like any other child that needs care and protection. Just because he did something no one even saw, you all just believed some bullshite that was said by word of mouth with no actual evidence, doesn't mean that he deserves to be put in danger every year with no help from the adults around him that are supposed to protect him not the other way around. There needs to be a change in how the school operates. After what you just heard, you all can't possibly be satisfied with the education the future generation is getting, can you?" People nodded their heads, looking horrified by what they had been told. Parents of students had thought their children were just exaggerating about a harmless prank, but for it to be said by a Lady of The High Court was something else. And the things that she said about Harry Potter, the court all looked at Dumbledore and Fudge with disgust on their faces.

"I must say, I agree with Lady Black." Lord Lucius Malfoy said. "When my son Draco had told me about those events that she had mentioned, I must admit I thought he was exaggerating, but then I researched into those things and found them to be true. I have also had the pleasure of talking to Heir Potter personally and have to say that the boy has a large amount of burden on his shoulders than a normal fifteen-year-old should have, and that is very inhumane, there needs to be a stop to the mistreatment of young Heir Potter, this is not the Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter should be treated. He will soon join our ranks and I fear he will not trust us to make good judgements on behalf of the Wizarding World, and he will have the power to override our votes and laws. We should be treating him properly, not like a, and I apologize for what I am about to say, pig getting ready for slaughter."

"I agree Lord Malfoy." William Weasley said, entering the room and ultimately shocking everyone there. "I apologize for being late, I'm afraid a prior meeting kept me from being able to be here on time."

"No worries, Lord Weasley, apology accepted." Carina said, smiling at the young man, taking charge of the room instead of Dumbledore, as the old man was coming to the realisation that his plans were crumping all around him. "Everyone, Please welcome to our ranks Lord William Prewett-Weasley, Lord of the Most Ancient House of Weasley, and Proxy of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prewett on behalf of his younger twin brothers, the current Lords Prewett." William bowed to The Round Table and then made his way in his assigned seat next to Lord Longbottom. How this development of events happened is simple, while everyone was distracted by the return of Carina and The Longbottoms, William had talked to his father and they had decided that he would take the title of Lord Weasley and represent his family in the Wizengamot, to help bring back his family's honour by showing that the Weasleys were still among Purebloods and were thriving. So, he had gone to Gringotts, taken the title, worn the Head ring, and then gone into Diagon Alley and gotten himself expensive robes with his family crests to show that the House of Weasley were what people thought them to be, not what Dumbledore and Margret had forced them to be.

Everyone was shocked, first by the fact the Weasleys weren't in fact a disgraced family, his immaculate robes, and the way the young Lord had just confidently stridden towards a seat with Weasley on it's back, like all the other seats in the room, that no one had noticed before and sat on it with the grace of a pureblood lord, was a clear sign that they were all wrong, and second by the fact that a Weasley had just agreed with a Malfoy.

"I think that the way Heir Potter has been treated until now has only shown him that we are all weak-minded fools, no offence, but this isn't how he should view our world. And I also agree on the fact that Hogwarts's education system is very flawed. When I graduated and had gotten into Gringotts to start training as a curse breaker, I realized that the amount of knowledge that my peers from other schools had that I didn't was a lot. If it weren't for the fact that I had applied to self-study and take my OWLs and NEWTs in other subjects that weren't available in Hogwarts, after I was recommended to do that by Professor Snape, I wouldn't have gotten into the program at all. It astounds me that my siblings are learning so little compared to other students their age form other countries, but I've never had the opportunity to voice my opinion until now. I had thought that Hogwarts was supposed to be one of the best magical schools in the world, but soon realized I was wrong, and that was confirmed to me by my co-workers, who told me that Hogwarts was once viewed as one of the best, if not the best, schools in the world, before Headmaster Dumbledore took over that is. Now it is now as one of the worst. People are saying that the headmaster is trying to dumb us down. Is this true, headmaster? Are you trying to make England's next generation of wizards dumb and easily manipulated?" As soon as William had ended his speech, everyone turned to Dumbledore with questioning and shocked looks, waiting for his response to these ultimately very horrible accusations.

Dumbledore was beside himself; he hadn't known that his plans would all come back to bite him in this meeting. While all the accusations were in fact true, he'd meant to keep the British Wizarding World as blissfully ignorant and dumb as possible to make it easy for him to manipulate them, he couldn't possibly say it out loud, he'd be in Azkaban before he could say Quidditch, so he tried to play the innocent old man card. "Of course not. I was just trying to keep the darkness of the world away from the young students as much as possible, to preserve their innocence. It wasn't my intention to, as you put it, dumb them down."

Liar, was the common thought throughout the whole hall, especially in the dark and grey sects.

"Then," Lord Slytherin said, speaking for the first time since he'd entered the meeting, "you will not mind if you slowly return Hogwarts to what it was before, so that by the beginning of the year it will have returned to how it was during Headmaster Dippet's time. And that someone will be monitoring your progress and overseeing everything happening at Hogwarts from now on, until we see that you can be trusted to be responsible for Hogwarts again." (Hello! Author here. Again. Just wanted to say that in my story, Dumbles didn't become Headmaster until after the Marauders had all graduated. So, at about 1988? That's it from me, happy reading everyone!) Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, they'd feel more comfortable if someone they trusted would oversee Hogwarts, as it seemed as though Dumbledore wasn't doing his job like they had thought he was.

"Is that really necessary?" At the looks he got from the members, he sighed and nodded his head in apparent surrender. "Fine, if that is what the council sees fit, I agree to what Lord Slytherin has just said. But, who will you pick to oversee the school? Might I make suggestion?" He said, trying to turn this in his favour, but failed when Lady Black stood and said "I have an idea as to who we may pick. May I suggest Lady Longbottom? As an heiress to Hogwarts, she has complete control over the castle and is also a mother of a student at the school, and a member of the school council. She seems to be the best choice for this. We may add members as we see fit, but I believe she will do great in that position."

"I second this. I also trust Lady Fawley-Longbottom to take care of this task." Lord Malfoy said, nodding to Alice as a show of trust, who nodded in return.

"All those in favour." Amelia Bones, who had been silent this whole time, letting her friends dismantle the Dumbledore's plans and awaken the wizarding world slowly but surely, said, and everyone raised their glowing wands in unison.

"Then it is official. I hope that with this, we can start to bring back the British Wizarding World to its formal glory as the origin of all magic. There are other things that should also be addressed, but I will leave these to the next meeting, which will not be next month, I'm afraid, but in two weeks' time, as there is a plethora of things we should talk about. But I will leave you all to go and process all of this, as I know it has been a very packed meeting as it is. I hope you all have a wonderful day." Carina said, closing the meeting instead of the chief wizard, who had been doing it until now, as no one from the Round Table was there to do it, as was tradition for the Head of The Round Table to do it, but now things were going to change, and they were looking like they were changing to the better.

Chapter Text

10 February, 2006

Level 2, Ministry of Magic, Ministry of Magic, Whitewall, London, England, Great Britain.

As Carina and her party made their way towards the floo to leave, they were approached by the one person they didn't want to talk to, Albus too-many-bloody-names Dumbledore.

"Carina, how good it is to see you out and about again." He said with that too sweet, but obviously fake smile, causing one of the biggest faux pas in pureblood culture by calling her by her given name without her permission.

"It is good to see you as well Albus." She replied, emphasizing the use of his name.

"I was wondering if I could have a word." He said quietly, thinking she'd step back to speak with him privately, but she didn't.

"Well then, go ahead." She said I her bluntest voice, looking at the man pointedly.

"I was wondering if you would be able to attend the next order meeting. I believe your presence will help strengthen the side of the light in getting rid of the threat that is Lord Voldemort." He said, looking accusingly at Tom, who was standing silently beside his right hand.

"Ah, I apologize Albus, but I'm afraid I'm a little too busy at the moment to attend a meeting, with my job and my Position as Head of House Black I'm a little tight on time at the moment. I'm sure the order can work without me; they have for years now." She said, almost mockingly, knowing that the order hadn't done anything important since the end of the first war.

"What about your...brother...don't you want to see him. I know where he is." Albus said quietly, try to persuade her to join using her dearest younger brother.

While on the outside Carina showed a mask of shock and contemplation, on the inside she was seething. That sleezy old man, trying to join his dying cause by telling me about Sirius. She projected these thoughts to Thomas, whose mental reply was a quiet chuckle and a promise We'll get him my dear, don't worry, and then his cause will be truly dead.

"I...Fine, send me the date and time of the next meeting, and if I'm free ill be there." She said quietly, as she couldn't reveal the fact that her brother was in fact at their ancestral home, reading peacefully in the library with Remus.

"Wonderful. I'll send you the details soon. Good day, my dear." He said, before he turned and apparated away.

"Well, he's as manipulative as ever, glad that didn't change." Thomas said with a smile on his face.

"Oh, you have no idea how it's evolved through the years. Now he's obvious about it." Severus said with a grimace on his face, making the rest laugh.

And with that, they flooed to their headquarters to regroup and tell those that weren't there what had happened in the wizengamot.

-

15 February, 2006.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

Things at Hogwarts were going surprisingly well, Professor Black was killing them with work, trying to make sure they could finish a whole year's worth of lessons in a few months, Dumbledore was surprisingly silent and the students were looking forward to the remaining year. But things couldn't last like this forever, this is Hogwarts we are talking about.

During one eventful morning, people finally got to see the true power of the House of Black, or more specifically, the house's Head.

"Miss Black please, let me explain." Dumbledore was spluttering, trying to calm the angry witch in front of him to no avail.

"NO, I WLL NOT LET YOU 'EXPLAIN'. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU LET MY TWELVE-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW FIGHT A BLOODY BASALISK! AND IT'S LADY BLACK, NITWIT." Carina was seething, her magic was swirling all around her, her eyes were glowing a dark purple, there were balls of pure power surrounding her clenched fists, and she was slightly floating above the ground.

"Lady Black then, it's a very...simple story, that can be explained if you would just calm down." For the first time in the students' lives, they saw Albus Dumbledore afraid, some couldn't help but relish in the fact that their annoyingly arrogant headmaster is afraid, while others were staring in awe at the witch that was causing such a reaction from their headmaster. The students that were staring included the Prewett-Weasley twins, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Draco, Neville and even Luna.

"SIMLE?! HA. Wow Dumbledore, you make me laugh. He was TWELVE, Albus, TWELVE. Who in their right mind would leave the lives of kids to a twelve-year-old? I can't believe you. You are the most irresponsible man I have ever met in my life. You are arrogant, senile and clearly mad. And if I EVER hear that you have gone anywhere NEAR MY nephew, Albus Dumbledore, I will KILL YOU, and NO ONE WILL EVER SEE A TRACE OF YOU AGAIN. Am I clear?" Carina said in such a scarily threatening way that even the other professors and students were shacking in fear, but Dumbledore was dumb enough to try and talk again.

"Lady Black, if you would just let me speak, you'd know that I had..." But he didn't get to continue as Carina raised her hand and repeated in the deadliest calm voice imaginable, "I said, am I clear?"

"Y-Yes." Dumbledore said quietly, surprising everyone by stuttering.

"Good." She said, immediately going back to her normal self, and walking towards the Gryffindor table, where she pulled Henry into a hug and whispered into his ear "We'll be talking about your...escapades later mister, but for all it's worth, I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks auntie Rina, and I'm sorry." Henry said quietly, trying to hold back his tears at bay at her caring tone. While his aunt had become a much better person after he and Hermione had gotten rid of Vernon, he had never really been able to see her as anything more than his aunt, and while he had gotten comfortable around, he had never really been able to tell her about his adventures and near deaths, afraid that she'd pull him out of Hogwarts, as she didn't really understand magic, so for someone that had become so close to him in such a long time, and had proved to him that he could trust her to show that she cared and would do anything for him, even kill Dumbledore apparently, it made him feel loved in a way that he had never before, he hoped his mother was like this as well.

As they pulled away, Carina turned to Ron and Hermione, smiling calmy and told them the same thing she had told Henry before turning towards the staff table, pulling at Severus's robes, and whispering something in his ear, before she sat next to the man and motioned to the students to start eating.

As the students sat down to start eating, the only topic on anyone's lips was the obvious power and control their DADA teacher had, and how their respect for her had grown at her actions.

-

The same day in her fifth year Slytherin/Griffindor class, Blaise Zabini raised his hand to ask a question. "I hope you don't mind me asking professor, but what was that powerful display of magic that you did during breakfast?" That seemed to capture everyone's attention, as they were all curious to see what that was and if they could also so it.

"Well, Mr Zabini, that display was simply me using the Black family magicks at my disposal. Only Blacks of direct blood can access it easily, like myself or Mr Malfoy for example, someone like Mr Potter, who is related to the Blacks through his grandmother so that his Potter Family magicks are more prominent could learn it, but it would interfere with his Potter blood. Mr Malfoy, if you'd like to demonstrate to your classmates a little bit of what we Blacks are capable of so that we can get back to class." She said, motioning to her nephew to stand in front of the class. Draco gracefully got up from his seat and made his way to the front. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, magic started glowing around him and when he opened his eyes again, they were a light blue, almost white, and they could see the similarities between their friend and his aunt when she stood next to him.

Once Draco had retracted his magic and returned to his seat, they continued their class like normally, but the students all made a note to themselves to never mess with a Black.

"Now then," Carina said, clapping her hand to grab their attention. "Who knows what the reducto spell is?"

-

Far away from where Hogwarts was, the two Blacks who were thought to be dead suddenly found themselves accessing their Family magicks after they were unable to for a while, Regulus's eyes were glowing a dark green while Cassiopeia's were glowing a bright yellow, they were both grinning widely at the others and Cassie said "I think I know a way to get out of here." The others looked at the siblings with newfound hope and awe at their power. They weren't going to wait for the others to find them, they were going to escape themselves.

James smiled and nodded, he closed his eyes and started feeling the magic of his house around him, calling to him, it was the first time he could since they had woken up in his mansion. Up until this point, they had been unable to access any of their magic or even feel it, they didn't have any wands on them, and those with powerful Family Magicks couldn't access it, due to the wards around the property, but it seems like the wards were weakening or were destroyed, as they could all feel their magic again.

"Let's get out of here." Rosalie said, smiling at the happy look on her husband's face, and pulled a relieved Cedric Diggory into a side hug, he was the youngest of them after all, they needed to protect him.

So they all raised themselves to their full height, accessed their magic and disappeared from the Potter Mansion in Ireland, leaving once and for all.

Chapter Text

15 February, 2006.

Far away, away from all that was happening in England, two men were walking around in Rome, Italy, talking quietly between each other, when they suddenly staggered and were bombarded with an onslaught of memories that they had never known existed until that very moment.

As soon as the memories had ended, they looked at each other in silent agreement and apparated from the street simultaneously.

Before that moment, Rigel Potter and Anthony Evans had been studying as English exchange students, who were now working on their masters on Ancient History and Modern Art respectively, at 'The Sapienza University of Rome', living their lives normally, not remembering anything about magic or their siblings, only remembering that they were childhood best friends who had gone to the same prestigious boarding school. Now though, they remembered everything, and they were angry.

They appeared again in their shared apartment, while Rigel went looking for their wands, Anthony sat on the couch in shock. "Rig, can you believe Dumbledore stole everything from us for fourteen years?"

"I do not, Anthony, but I am inclined to think that we were screwed over, as the muggles put it." Rigel said, relieved to hear that his speech pattern had returned to what it had been since he was a child, instead of the casual way he had been talking in while under memory charm.

"I mean we knew he was a bit unstable, never knew he was able to do all this though. You think the others are okay?"

"AHA!" Rigel shouted, attracting his friend's attention, who looked towards the blond.

"What?" Anthony asked, looking over the couch's back at Rig.

"I found our wands." The Potter Heir said, holding the two wands in his hand, he went over to the couch and put Anthony's wand in the man's awaiting hand. They both relished in the feel of their wands in their hands again, while they hadn't really known there was something missing, that didn't stop their magic from yearning to connect to a wand again.

"And to answer your question, I do hope they are. While I know us staying in Rome for fourteen years with no one finding us means that our siblings and friends were probably out of commission for a while, that does not mean that they are not alive, as I can feel the bonds with my brother, niece and nephew."

"I hope Tunia and Lils are okay. And Gin and Sev and"

"You do not have to list all of your friends and family Anthony. They are probably fine, I hope." Rigel interrupted, rolling his eyes at his overexcited friend.

"You know, for being so mean, I have missed your bluntness." Anthony said with a smile on his face, pulling his closest friend into a side hug, who returned the gesture reluctantly.

"And I have, unfortunately, missed your bright personality." Rigel said, whispering the last few words, but unfortunately for him, Tony had heard him anyways.

"What did you say, Rig, did you say you missed my brightness?" Tony said, laughing at his friend's annoyed grunt, who then cracked up as well.

And as the two laughed together, they forgot about the problems that they'd have to face in the coming days, and just enjoyed each other's company.

-

12 Grimmauld place, Borough of Islington, London.

At the same time as one Potter reunion was happening, another was as well, but instead of the Potter reuniting with an Evans, he was reuniting with a Black.

The group that had just escaped all appeared in different places, so many different reunions were occurring at the same time.

As Sirius was sitting alone in his kitchen while the others were off doing who knows what, he was stuck there alone overseeing Kreature cleaning the place. He was reading a book about instinct magical creatures when he heard a pop sound. He looked up slowly expecting Remus to have been back from his errand, but oh was he in for a surprise.

"Hey, Moony. How did it..." He trailed off as the person in front of him wasn't Remus but was "JAMES?!"

"Hey pads." James Charlus Potter said, smiling at his friend warmly, he had missed his partner in crime. "Are you just gonna gape like a crazy person or are you gonna give your old friend a hug?"

That was all the prompting Sirius needed before he stood up and launched himself at his brother in all but birth parents. They both fell to the ground in a heap of tears and laughter.

"Oh, you two are like an old married couple who were reunited after war." Another, this one so very familiar, said, and Sirius could practically hear her eye roll.

"Serenity?" He said quietly as he separated from the hug and looked at the love of his life who was right in front of him.

"Who else would it be?" She said bluntly, but a smile was threatening to overtake her expression as she looked at her Husband, tears also threatening to spill from her eyes at the darkness that was still present in his eyes from his years in Azkaban. While she knew he was not the same, he was still her Siri.

He moved towards her slowly in shock, before collapsing into her welcoming embrace, crying his eyes out as the lose of the pain that had been all encompassing through the fourteen years of them being apart left his heart. He had his Serenity back.

They stayed like that for a while, and were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't notice James giving them a warm smile before he turned on his heal and disapperated quietly to go see his own family.

-

Lupin Cottage, Glen Affric, Cannich, Highland, Scotland, Great Britain.

Remus was at the cottage he had been left by his parents, sorting through his small library there, when he suddenly heard the tell-tale sound of apparition. He took out his wand from its holster and turned slowly towards what he thought was either an attacker or a friend, but he was faced with his mate's smiling face instead.

He dropped his wand from shock, which made Adeline laugh quietly at her husband's reaction. "Glad to see I still shock you enough to drop your wand."

"Addie." He whispered before he ran towards her, sweeping her off her feet and into his arms, both crying at being reunited after a very long time of being away. Moony was rejoicing at the return of their mate in his head.

"I've missed you, my love." Remus whispered in her ear as they sat together on the couch after their tearful reunion.

"And I as well, my wolf." Adeline McKinnon-Lupin replied, smiling at him in pure joy.

-

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

Luckily for Rosalie, the youngest Black siblings, the Prewett twins and Marlene McKinnon-Black, they found themselves in a classroom with Carina Black at the head. They turned around and saw the students there gaping at them in shock at their sudden appearance, except for three, who looked to be holding back their tears.

Rosalie walked forward towards where her son was sitting, but before she could open her mouth to say something, she found herself with an armful of Henry, who was crying silently into his mother's shoulder.

The same thing occurred to Cassiopeia and Fabian, where they were hugging Ronald like their lives depended on it, and Regulus and Marlene were also clutching a crying Hermione and whispering comforting words in her ears.

Gideon went up to the front and hugged Carina, who whispered a quiet "missed you Gid" before she turned back to her class.

"Please don't be shocked everyone, these people were missing for some time and have finally found their way back to us. This is Gideon Prewett. The others over there are Rosalie Lestrange, who is Harry's mother, not Lily Evans, my brother Regulus and his wife Marlene McKinnon, who are Hermione's real parents, and my sister Cassiopeia and her husband Fabian, who are Ron's real parents. Anything that I've said today cannot be told to anyone outside these walls and I hope you respect that for the moment no one is supposed to know about any of this."

The students all nodded their heads in agreement, promising to not say anything. They all looked at their friends being reunited to their parents and knew that this year would be different. They quietly slipped away out of the room after getting permission from Professor Black, leaving the families to be reunited in peace.

-

Potions professor's chambers, Second Floor, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

Severus was sitting in his chambers' living room, talking casually to his daughter, who had a gap and came to visit him, and Lucille, who had come to visit him from Black Manor, when a red-head suddenly appeared in the middle of the room, shocking everyone.

"Hey, Sev." Lillian Sayre-Prince said, smiling at her husband, who was still staring at her in shock alongside her daughter, while Lucille, who hadn't really been affected by the appearance that much as she'd seen more surprising things happen, jumped up from her seat and went to hug the woman with an exclaimed "Aunt Lily!".

That seemed to snap Ginny out of her stupor and she immediately went to hug her mother, who had pulled away from Lucille.

"Mum!" She said, sobbing into her mother's shoulder in relief to have her back with them again. Severus shook his head to clear it before he moved towards the two women he loved the most, and hugged them with shacking arms, also shedding a few tears at them finally being a complete family again.

Lucille looked at the reunited family with a sad smile on er face, while she was happy that they were finally together, it made her miss her parents and want her older brother with her.

"Looking for someone, little light?" She heard a voice behind her say, which made her jump at the sudden noise before she registered what he had called her, and as she turned to look at the intruder, her theory was confirmed.

"DADDY!" She shouted, jumping into her father's awaiting arms and hugged him like it was the last time she'd seem him, who hugged her with the same vigour.

At the girl's shout, the family of three, who had been talking quietly amongst themselves, turned to see what the commotion was about and found James Potter himself there, hugging his daughter tightly.

James looked over his little girl's shoulder at his friends and their daughter and sent them a warm smile, happy to see Severus and Ginny again.

He then turned on his heal for the third time that day and disapparated away, to go find the last two members of his family, leaving the Sayre-Prince family alone to catch up.

-

James reappeared in what looked like a DADA classroom, he had just been following his bond to Henry and hadn't known where he was, next to Carina Black and Gideon Prewett.

"Hey, Rina." He said, smiling mischievously at his honorary older sister, who turned towards him with an eye roll and a fond smile.

"Hello to you too, Jamie. They're there, by the way." She greeted him, pointing towards his wife and son, who she knew he was looking for.

"Thank you, dearest Morrigan." He said with a smile, heading towards Rosie and Henry with Lucy still in his arms.

As soon as Rosalie had seen her husband approaching with their daughter in his arms, she quickly turned her son towards them, and as soon as James was close enough, they exchanged places. Henry found himself in his father's arms, who was whispering quietly in his ear about how proud he was, while Lucille was being hugged tightly by her wheeping mother, who relished at the feeling of finally having her two children at arm's reach.

She didn't even notice Cedric had slipped silently towards Gideon and Carina until she looked over her daughter's shoulder and saw him talking silently to the two adults and laughing silently at a joke Gideon had made, she smiled warmly at the child she had taken care of while he was with them before she returned to whispering quietly to her daughter.

-

As soon as the two had finished reuniting with their children, and making sure they were completely okay, Regulus Black and Cassiopeia Black-Prewett turned towards their older sister and quietly approached her.

Carina didn't notice anything happening, too busy in listening to Gid and Cedric recount their time in the Potter Mansion, until she suddenly found herself being crushed by two very excitable Blacks.

"RINA!" They said at the same time, hugging their older sister tightly, who hugged them just as tightly. She had missed the two.

They released each other, and the two smiled at their sister mischievously before they apparated to Grimauld Place to do the same to their brother.

Carina laughed fondly at her younger siblings' actions, and shook her head in exasperation.

All in all, the day was turning out to be a very good day, and they all temporarily forgot about the chaos the missing people's arrival would bring.

As James and Rosalie were introducing themselves to Ronald and Hermione, who smiled at their best friend's parents warmly, Lucille couldn't help but side-hugging her older brother tightly as they looked at their parents happily. "They're okay, Lucy. We're not alone anymore."

Pandora was also happily being reunited to her daughter and nephew in the library, who had come from his DADA class to the library to sit with his cousin when he found her hugging a woman who he immediately recognised as his long-lost aunt Pandora.

-

Black Manor, Blackmore.

Thomas was sitting quietly in the library, reading a book about wizarding politics, when he heard a pop sound in front of him. He looked up at the sound and was faced with a smiling face and another blank one, both he could recognise easily.

He smiled warmly at the two before saying, "Welcome you two. There is a lot you have missed.".

"Oh, we know, Tommy. That why we came here as soon as we could." The smiling man said, his smile turning form generally happy to mischievous.

"Do not call me Tommy, Anthony." Thomas said in annoyance, drawing a pout from the aforementioned man.

"Lord Slytherin. We would like an explanation, now if you would." Rigel Potter, with his iconic blank expression said, conjuring two chairs for him and Anthony to sit comfortably beside the man.

"Well, then." Thomas said, taking a deep breath. "This is going to be a very long story."

"We have time." The two said seriously, getting comfortable. They had been waiting for this for a while.

Chapter Text

15 February, 2006.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts Castle, Highlands, Scotland, Great Britain.

Throughout the reunions happening, Albus didn't know anything that was going on. Carina had waited with apprehension for the man to barge into her classroom demanding answers, but after three hours of sitting together and nothing happening, she quickly realized that Hogwarts was protecting them from the old man. They had been joined with Pandora, Draco and Luna an hour after the class had left, who were soon followed by the Prince-Snapes. She sighed in relief, but then remembered that she had to separate the children from their newly returned parents.

"Come on, everyone. The adults need to leave and you guys need to go get ready for dinner." The children all looked sad, before bowing their heads in resignation and getting up to leave. Their parents made sure to give them deep hugs before letting them go with frowns on their faces as well.

As soon as the teenagers had left, the adults, one teenager, and one child, all made their way through a portrait to Carina's quarters, and then towards the floo, where they all went their way to Black Manor three at a time.

-

The burrow, Ottery St Catchpole, Devon, West Country, England, Great Britain.

While everyone was at Hogwarts, Elaina Prewett-Weasley was busy reuniting with her three eldest sons and her husband. She was sad she couldn't see her twin sons or her twin brothers as soon as she had returned, but she promised she'd try her best to.

After a tearful hug, and giving a kiss to each of the four men's foreheads, she turned to her sister, who had been looking silently at the reunited family with sadness and regret.

"Elly, I...." she said before quieting down again, staring at her suddenly very interesting slippers.

"Look, Molly. While I may not know the extent of the things you have done while I was gone, I do know one thing though. You're my sister, Mols, and I can't stay mad at you. I know that you're trying to repent for your past mistakes, and that is enough for me." Elaina said, smiling at her sister, before bringing her into a hug. Molly collapsed onto her sister, crying silently in guilt and relief.

-

Black Manor, Blackmore.

Minutes later, they found themselves in the sitting room of the manor, where they found Thomas sitting with the only two that hadn't been trapped with them in the mansion.

"Rig!" James exclaimed, running towards his younger brother and bringing him into a bear hug, at the same time as Lily ran towards her older brother as well and brought him into a tight embrace.

As much as Rigel didn't like physical contact, he knew that he couldn't, and wouldn't, stop his brother from chocking him with his hug, for as much as he would deny it, he had missed his brother.

"Hello Jamie." Rigel said calmly, tentatively returning the hug. His best friend, however, was happily returning his sister's hug just as tightly, having missed Lily just as much as she had missed him.

After a much-needed reunion, and everyone had sat down, including Sirius, Remus, Serenity, Adeline, Frank, Alice, Arthur, Elaina, Bill, Charlie and Percy, who had joined them in the hour along with Lucius, Narcissa, Bella, the Lestrange brothers, Peter, Barty, Belladona Zabini, The Abbotts, The Notts, The Greengrasses, The Tonks', and Amelia Bones. Unfortunately, not everyone had survived the years, whether dying during the war or years afterwards. They weren't complete, but they were as complete as they could get.

"Now then. Let us start this meeting, my friends." Thomas said, smiling at his friends as he sat at the head of the long dining table, where everyone sat after reuniting, with Carina sitting to his right as always.

-

Far away from everyone, in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts, the same situation was happening but with students instead of adults.

"Now then. Let us start this meeting, my friends." Henry Potter said, from the head of the long table ha and friends sat at, subconsciously repeating the same words Thomas Riddle had said to his own followers.

Chapter Text

These events were all just the beginning of the fall of the great Albus Dumbledore. All around the man, people were conspiring against him, and he had no idea what was happening until it was too late.

At Hogwarts school, the place he thought he controlled with an unnoticed iron fist, was slowly being turned against him by teachers and students alike. Severus and Carina started turning their lessons into what they thought were appropriate, disregarding Dumbledore's rules, while encouraging the other teachers to do so as well, unintentionally turning them against the old man as well.

Most of the student body, led by Henry Lestrange-Potter, Hermione McKinnon-Black, and Ronald Black-Prewett, were all convinced of Dumbledore's manipulations, and trying to both stop it from happening to them and convincing the other students that didn't know, or didn't believe that it was true, of the facts that were there all along.

Outside of the great castle, and away from its many inhabitants, the Dark Order, led by James Potter and Thomas Riddle, were trying to convince the light sect of Dumbledore's many wrong-doings. They managed to get most of the sect on their side, with Dumbledore feeling anything out of order.

Arthur Weasley, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black were trying to slowly, but surely, instil doubt between the members of the order, by mentioning inaccuracies, having them notice some mistakes in Dumbledore's conduct, and all in all showing them the lies they were being fed for so long as what they actually are, lies.

While it was not, fortunately enough, a war in its literal meaning, it was very much a political battle, and the Dark side were winning on many levels.

-

24 February, 2006.

Level 2, Ministry of Magic, Ministry of Magic, Whitewall, London, England, Great Britain.

It was finally the day that the Dark Sect have been awaiting with batted breath, the day that, hopefully, they would finally defeat Dumbledore once and for all.

Everyone was present and sitting in their respective seats five minutes before the meeting was set to begin. Everyone, that is, except the Heads of the Houses of The Round Table, as they had come to be called. Everyone was making idle conversation between each other, waiting for the meeting to begin, when suddenly the door to the meeting room opened, attracting the attention of all in the room.

There stood the Heads of The Houses of The Round Table, all of them this time, in all their glory, headed by none other than Lord James Charlus Potter, of The Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, the descendants of the Great King Arthur Pendragon, on either side of him were his most trusted allies, Lady Carina Melania Black of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, descendants of the great knight Lord Lancelot Du Lac, and Lord Thomas Marvolo Riddle, The head of The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Slytherin, descendant of Sir Percival.

They walked in with an air of confidence and pride that they left everyone in awe, taking their seats gracefully as well, showing their status as they just captured the attention of the room by simply walking in.

Dumbledore was simmering with jealousy and anger, the jealousy as he had never been able to capture people's attention like that, having to resort to wearing bright robes to be able to get even a glance in his directions, and anger at the fact that those he had captured and imprisoned had escaped.

"HOW ARE YOU HERE?!" The old man shouted, unable to contain his anger.

"Oh, we'll get to that very soon." James said, as he took a seat at the head of the table, facing the whole room.

"Now then, everyone, please have a seat, as this is going to be a very long meeting." Everyone sat down silently in shock, even Dumbledore begrudgingly sat down and awaited the inevitable.

James snapped his finger, and, in a demonstration of the immense power he had under his fingertips, a folder full of papers appeared in front of every single attendant.

"Hello everyone, if you don't know who I am, I am Lord James Potter, the man who was presumed to have married a different woman, the man who was presumed to have died fourteen years ago, and most importantly, the father whose son was taken advantage of in many different ways, while I was not there to protect him like I should have been." James said the last part quietly, sounding sad, shameful, and very angry.

"Let's start with the first one then, in front of you is a folder full of evidence that proves everything that will be said today. In the first sheet, you will find my marriage certificate, that indicates that I was not married to Lillian Evans but to the love of my life, Rosalie Lestange. The next pieces of paper in the folder are the birth certificates of my two children, Henry Lestrange-Potter and Lucille Lestrange-Potter. As you can see, my son's name is not named Harry Potter, as people seemed to believe. As for my presumed death, well that was staged by a man we had all trusted, a man we had all thought to have been great, Albus Dumbledore." Everyone gasped in shock at his statement, looking towards the man in question, who was looking like he had swallowed a particularly sour lemon.

"If you all would look to the front, you will see a projected memory of the night of July 31st 1991, verified by Madame Amelia Bones." The Head of the DMLE nodded at the statement. Then the room grew dark and a memory, viewed like a movie of a sort, was being projected for all those in the hall. What most didn't know, however, was that it wasn't just one memory, it was a series of memories from different people of the same night.

The first one was of the Lestrange-Potter family. It showed James Potter holding his daughter, while his wife Rosalie was holding their son, they were both making their way to the babies' rooms in black manor when the front door suddenly blew up and, in the doorway, stood a very familiar figure. Albus Dumbledore.

"What are you doing?!" Rosalie exclaimed in shock and anger, handing Henry to her husband before pointing her wand towards the threat.

"Rosalie, my dear, I'm just doing what's for the greater good." He said, smiling insanely before he started a duel with the woman, but he underestimated her as she was overwhelming him completely. Unknown by most was the fact that Rosalie was an internationally acclaimed duellist, with multiple trophies from different competitions. Dumbledore however, got out a second wand and cast an unfamiliar spell, taking Rosalie by surprise, she didn't have time to react before she was hit and disappeared. James stared at where his wife was moments before, then ran as fast as he could with the two children in his arms.

Dumbledore followed at a more sedated pace, having confidence in his plan.

James closed the nursery door shut behind him, setting his two children down on Henry's cot before turning towards the door, cooing lowly at the two to calm them down as he took out his wand and pointed it at the closed door, waiting for the enemy with bated breath.

The door opened with a bang, and before James had time to use the spell he had in mind, he disappeared form sight as the light green spell hit him, the memory turning black for a second before it refocused on the nursery. Dumbledore took his wand and used it to carve a lightening shaped scar on Henry's head and smiled evilly before he took both children and dissaperated.' The crowd didn't have time to process what they had just seen before they were shown another memory. They were shown how Carina Black was hit with the Cruciatus Curse to the back, how both Ginevra Prince-Sayre, Ronald Black-Prewett and Hermione McKinnon-Black were taken from their homes and sent to the Weasleys while their parents were either kidnapped or had their memories erased. How Sirius Black was framed for something he didn't do, and how Dumbledore convinced everyone of his guilt with no evidence. How Elena Prewett-Weasley was taken and replaced in everyone's memories with her sister, how people's minds were toyed with, how lives were ruined and childhoods were destroyed. And it was all done one man and the people he manipulated, Albus Dumbledore.

After the memories were all viewed, the Wizengamot took a minute to process everything, before they turned to James Potter, waiting for him to speak.

"I know this is all quite a shock to everyone here, but we've been gathering evidence against this man for months, even years now. It's time something happens. It's time we do something about this horrendous war. In the name of all magical beings in Britain who have been wronged by this man, I call for the arrest of Albus Dumbledore." The man said with conviction, wanting to finally get this over with and get the man who had ruined all their lives into the darkest cell in Azkaban.

At that moment there was a commotion near the door and when they all turned towards the sound, they found aurors trying to restrain Dumbledore, who was trying to get escape.

"My dear boy, you must not believe the lies told by the dark, they are trying to turn you against the light." He said trying to get people to sympathise with him and his side.

"The only person who has been lying all this time is you, Mr Dumbledore." Carina said, smiling viciously at the sight of the man's offended face at being called such a simple title as Mr. "You've tried so hard to get people to be by your side, to follow you blindly, yet you never saw the betrayals that were happening all around you for what they were. It is your actions alone, that are the reason you will be behind bars for good this time." Carina Black said, hatred and anger lacing her every word, and everyone watched with slight satisfaction as the aging man was pulled out of the room, screaming a crazy spile, by the aurors towards a holding cell.

After that, the meeting went on about more relaxed topics, they discussed who would take over Hogwarts, which was a very...interesting conversation.

"I think Carina would do well in the position, she's always been the nurturing type." James Potter said, getting a nasty glare from the woman in question.

"I'm quite satisfied with my position as DADA teacher, so I'll have to decline. What about Severus, he's been at the school for a very long time." Carina said, also getting a nasty glare in return.

"I think being Potion's professor and Head of Slytherin is quite enough for me, thank you very much."

"You guys are forgetting one important person who would be great for the position." Frank Longbottom said, sharing a smirk with Lucius Malfoy.

"Minnie!" James shouted in exclamation, completely forgetting about his Head of House and Godmother, which had him smacking his head lightly in punishment for his stupidness.

While most of the Wizengamot looked to their head in confusion, those who knew the man personally or had gone with him to Hogwarts knew who he was talking about.

"I agree, Minerva McGonagall would be a great headmistress, she has survived the marauders' madness, after all." Thomas Riddle said, laughing quietly at the offended look he was given by said marauder.

"Then it's settled, Minerva McGonagall will be the first person to be offered the position, we'll discuss further if she refuses." Alice said in finality, closing the discussion.

The discussion that followed was a more sensitive one, yet it was done in less time.

"The people who are currently on the run..." But Minister Fudge didn't have time to finish his sentence when a very loud voice cut him off.

"My brother and Cousin are both innocent!" Lady Carina Black said loudly, cutting off anyone who dared to accuse her darling brother or her fierce cousin of any crime.

"Yes, they are. And the memories we just showed you all prove that very thing." James said, and with that all who were accused of being death eaters were exempt form all crimes, and all news outlets would release the statements as soon as the meeting was over.

-

It took the wizengamot a few more hours to clear everything up, as the whole wizarding world was in disarray because of Dumbledore.

As soon as the meeting was over, the varies journalists that wee there got to work to release the articles, and everyone left to inform their families of what had happened.

It was a new start to the wizarding world, and all were excited of the outcome.   

Chapter Text

After that eventful meeting, a lot of things changed in the wizarding world.

The first, and most prominent, thing was that Albus Dumbledore was formally trialled and found guilty of more than anyone had thought possible. He was set to Azkaban Prison soon after his trail. The man had murdered tens of people, aided in the murder of hundreds, kidnapped a bunch of people, and had been the cause of the two wars that had happened in the last century. Both Grindelwald and Voldemort were his doing, and people finally believed that Albus Dumbledore was the villain in this story, not the saviour or the hero. That meant he was stripped of his title of Grand Sorcerer, that Lucius Malfoy was given the title of Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the international ambassador of the French Wizarding world, Jules Allard, was assigned the title of Supreme Mugwump, and Minerva McGonagall accepted the position of Headmistress of Hogwarts school. He would slowly descend to insanity before being found dead in his cell a year and a half later, having died of old age and loss of magic.

All of Dumbledore's followers either lost their loyalty to the man after his actions had come to light, or had fled the country for good, never to be seen again.

It also came to light that there was no organization known as the death eaters, and all accused of being part of it were formally pardoned. That meant that Sirius, Bellatrix and all the others were able to live their lives normally, and Peter Pettigrew was able to give his testament of everything that had happened and was declared a free and living man, no more would he have to hide behind his fake death.

Those who were thought to have died, but hadn't and were just kidnapped, were officially recognized by the world of having returned, and their story was publicized to the British wizarding world, so that everyone now knew who are together, and who their children were.

And so, this story, the story that has been going on for over sixteen years, is finally coming to an end.

-

1 March, 2006

Black Manor, Blackmore.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Thomas Marvolo Riddle asked his closest confidant, the one who had been with him since the very beginning.

"I suppose, we settle down now, darling. And search for a less dangerous adventure to pursue." Carina Melania Black said as she settled into the man's arms, who responded with a smile and they kissed each other to seal her words.

-

And so, after all the pain that everyone had gone through, we find ourselves here, on Platform nine and Three quarters, where the war heroes were waiting for children to depart.

Said children were standing near the train, looking at the family the finally had back and staring in happiness at what they had finally gotten to have. The future was looking very bright for them.

Each ran to their own parents, reuniting with hugs and kisses, and they departed the platform together, feeling peace finally settle into their souls, it was done.

Chapter Text

Trying to see what people think of this now, after years of it being finished.

Do you think I should rewrite it/ write another story inspired by this one?