AN – well here we go Chapter 3! This is the last part of the Prologue. The story will continue in Chapter 4 and follow along with the usual Plot for a little while with some subtle changes. Thank you so much for all your responses! I'm so glad people enjoy my interpretation of the characters. I'm hoping to get Chapter 4 up after the Bank Holiday weekend!
Thanks everyone, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3: Prologue Part 3:- When others contribute to Failure
The first week was the hardest for the young man and the small girl. Although an extremely intelligent child Aurora did not fully understand the reason that she was not with her family. She would sit in relative silence during the day, watching her temporary guardian attempt to entertain her. Sometimes she would smile but Sirius knew deep down she was simply humouring him.
In their second week together, Sirius decided it was time to introduce her to his friends. He had agreed to meet James and Lily at Hogwarts with Harry to give them a day away from their secret kept home. He helped Aurora dress in her favourite set of robes and waved his wand over her head, making sure her hair was styled beautifully. Narcissa had ensured he knew all manners of spells to keep her daughter clean and looking beautiful, she had made him promise that he would make sure she looked perfect before leaving his home.
"She still has an image to uphold, whether she is seen as a Malfoy or a Black!" she exclaimed at his impatient huff.
Aurora was becoming an independent child, realising that she could walk and certainly take herself anywhere she needed. It made his journeys a lot slower, so when he appeared at Hogwarts gates she immediately wriggled to be released. He sighed and shook his head.
"You're trouble, do you know that?" he said to her. Her face scrunched up and she shook her head indignantly.
"I not," she answered. Sirius smiled and took hold of her hand, walking at a slower pace beside her.
"You are, all Blacks are trouble," he stated. She shook her head again.
"I not Black, I Malfoy," she told him. Sirius laughed and tugged on her arm slightly.
"You are half a Black. When I name you my heir you will be a full Black little miss," he explained to her. Aurora remained silent but kept her smaller hand within his own. Sirius looked down at her and found a frown settled on her face. He sighed and stopped, crouching to her level. "I know you don't understand darling, this is really confusing for you but I promise that it will all make sense when you're older." He attempted to explain to her in a way that she would understand but her indignant little face showed that she did not understand and did not agree with him.
Sirius sighed again and lifted her into his arms, throwing her slightly into the air to make her squeal.
"Siri! Down!" she exclaimed. Sirius shook his head and quickened his pace to the Castle.
"If you walk my dear we will take all day. You want to meet Harry don't you?" he asked her. Aurora shrugged but dutifully placed her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder.
Her eyes widened however and her head sprung up when she first laid her eyes on the magnificent sight of the castle. Sirius caught her wide eyes expression and gave a chuckle.
"Don't worry Aurora; it won't look so big when you attend as a student. It will still look as grand however," he said to her quietly.
As he began to ascend the front steps the large front doors opened automatically for him. He quickly stepped through and made his way towards the Great Hall where he could hear the faint sound of his friend's voice.
"Sirius!" James' voice rang across the hall as he stepped into the candle lit room. The hall was empty apart from the few professors and guests sat at the head table. Sirius offered a hand to wave as he made his way up the centre isle towards the group. Aurora hid her face in his neck with sudden shyness, causing him to rest his hand on her back with a slight chuckle.
As he approached the table his friends began to notice the small figure he held in his arms and watched him questionably. Sirius took a seat beside his friends and settled his ward on his knees, laughing again as she buried her face into his chest.
James cleared his throat.
"Sirius, it seems you have an extra part with you today. Care to explain?" he asked. Sirius patted Aurora's back comfortingly before answering thoughtfully.
"This is my ward Aurora. She will soon become my Heir on the Equinox and returning to her family, I am just watching her until then," he explained vaguely. James frowned and Lily leant forward to look around her husband. Sirius grinned when he met the green eyes of his Godson. The small dark haired boy gave a grin when he found his Godfather and squealed, reaching with his arms to him. Lily wrapped her arms around her son's small waist.
"I wouldn't have thought you'd have named a perfect stranger your legal heir Sirius. I thought you couldn't do that, didn't your mother remove you from the Black family?" she asked. Sirius shrugged.
"It seems that since my brother passed my Mother has been rather neglectful with her responsibilities. It seems she hasn't formally removed me as heir to the family," he explained. James frowned.
"How do you know that? I can't really imagine that she's written to you to keep you informed," he asked his friend. Sirius shifted uncomfortably, finding his next words difficult to produce.
"I was told by family," he gave another vague answer. James bristled defensively.
"I was always under the impression the only family you had were in the same position as you; abandoned and none the wiser." Sirius sighed and shook his head.
"Andromeda has told me that since my Mother has barricaded herself within Grimauld Place she has been reached by her Parents and her sister," he explained. James frowned in confusion but Lily took another glance at the blonde haired child and gave a nod.
"The child is your Cousin's daughter isn't she? Andromeda's younger sister married Lucius Malfoy. I remember seeing the announcement in the Daily Prophet," she explained. James' gaze darkened and he hissed.
"Why are you doing the Malfoy's a favour?" he asked sharply. Sirius sighed.
"Narcissa is my family, this extends to her daughter. I may have been removed from the family by my mother but my Aunt and Uncle believe she is wrong and this view is shared by Narcissa. I am bound by my family James, they are in trouble and they needed my help," he explained gently, keeping his tone quiet as not to upset the children. He felt Aurora grip his robes and he bounced her slightly on his knee.
James shook his head with a sneer on his face.
"They can't be trusted Sirius, you should know what they're like. Voldemort's right hand and probably trying to lead you into a trick! If they're in trouble it's their own fault for fraternising with that evil bas-" James was abruptly interrupted by his wife.
"James! That is enough! You are basing your assumption on rumours we have heard of the Malfoys. Sirius wouldn't do anything without a good reason or have you forgotten how much of a grudge your friend can hold?" she asked sharply. James huffed and crossed his arms.
"Fine...why don't you tell us why you're throwing your life away over Death Eater scum?" he asked snidely. Sirius frowned and his hands tightened on Aurora's body when she stiffened, turning her head slightly to cast an eye on the dark haired man.
"Now James," Dumbledore's calm voice floated over from Lily's other side, "Allow Sirius to give us his side of the story. I'm sure a full explanation will shed light on the situation," he explained, glancing over the rim of his half-moon glasses at the younger man.
Sirius sighed and leant back in his seat, preparing himself for a long explanation.
"Aurora's life has been threatened. To cut a long story short, her Grandfather Abraxas did not agree with his son producing a female child, not to mention a female child with the birth right of the Malfoy's heir. He granted a proposal to his son; he either allows Voldemort to accept her as his own heir or he and Narcissa dispose of her. Obviously, they don't want either to happen so we came up with a plan to protect her. Once she is my heir she will be free to be returned to her family and Malfoy Sr can't do anything about it," he explained.
"You do realise that they'll ruin the name of Black once they get their hands back on her? With her being your legal heir they'll teach her how to most likely kill you and then Voldemort will have control over two of the most powerful Pureblood families in the entire Wizarding World," James told him. Sirius sighed and ran a hand through his hair, beginning to feel irritated.
"Are you being deliberately obtuse? Don't you think I have considered that?! You weren't there James; you didn't see how worried Narcissa and Lucius are. You should know how they are feeling, after all; Voldemort is potentially hunting your son as well!" he exclaimed in anger. James frowned at his best friend in frustration.
"I am very aware of how much danger my family is in Sirius. I however, rely on myself to keep them safe and protected. I imagine Lucius cannot protect his family and relies on others to do the job for him because he has allied himself with the wrong wizard!" James shouted.
Sirius felt Aurora stiffen in his arms and he stood quickly, bobbing her in his arms in an attempt to calm her. She was well known for her anger when her family was insulted.
"It's all right Aurora," he whispered to her.
"Siri angry?" she asked quietly. Sirius shook his head.
"No darling, James and I are just having a loud discussion," he explained lamely. She whimpered in his arms.
"Want my Daddy," she cried. Sirius took a deep breath and rubbed her back in a comforting manner. It had been the first time that she had asked for her parents when upset. He scowled at his wards tears, angry at his best friend's inconsiderate words. He turned to the dark haired man.
"I don't need to have your personal support in this James. If I remember rightly it had to take me openly showing distaste for a Slytherin before you openly accepted me as a friend and completely trusted me. I am not willing to do that again for the sake of my family. I like to think I've grown up a bit more since then," he told him. James frowned but remained silent. Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat.
"Sirius, you must understand what your liaison with the Malfoy family means to the Order. It has potential to endanger not just yourself and the child but those whose secret you keep," he said gently. Sirius felt white hot anger race through his veins at the meaning behind the headmaster's words. He took a step forwards, biting the inside of his cheek and forcing his hand into a fist to stop himself from taking his wand and cursing the old man.
"Do you mean to Imply Headmaster, that I would allow the safety of my friends to come into question?" he asked quietly. He knew that when he decided to become more involved with his family that he was more vulnerable for attack so he and James and Lily had made the decision to change Secret Keeper at the beginning of summer.
"Sirius we all know that wouldn't be possible," Lily answered gently, attempting to sooth his anger, "I think James and Albus are simply concerned for your safety because of your involvement with them," he explained.
"Well they needn't be. I trust them with my life," he stated. James shook his head and sighed.
"You're putting your trust in the wrong family Sirius," he said gravely. Sirius shrugged.
"If I cannot trust my Family James who am I meant to trust?"
Silence followed his statement. He took a deep breath and released it, turning back towards the doors of the Great Hall.
"Sirius, please don't leave!" Lily exclaimed. He closed his eyes when he heard Harry cry out for him and almost stopped to turn back but Aurora's arms gripped his neck tighter.
"I'm sorry Lily. I'll have to arrange another time to see Harry. I need to ensure Aurora is not further upset after today," he told her before making his way out of the hall.
He didn't hear from his best friend for weeks following their argument in the Great Hall. He had always known James was stubborn and that he had a firm hatred of anyone or anything not associated with the light. He hadn't expected to be on the receiving end of his friend's stubbornness and for once he felt incredibly guilty for assisting him with his plight against Slytherin's when they were in school.
He kept himself to his flat, entertaining his young ward as much as possible. Andromeda agreed to watch her young niece whilst he went to work, emotionally taking her in her arms when Sirius suggested it.
"I can't stay away from work; that would look too suspicious. I'm sure Narcissa would agree you are the best and next inconspicuous person who can have her for a while," he explained to her. Andromeda was thrilled to meet her niece and she was even more thrilled to introduce her to her daughter. Nymphadora had just turned eight and was coming into her powers as a metamorphous; she took her time entertaining the smaller child.
Lily had written to him, asking after him and his ward. She was the more level headed between she and her husband and he appreciated that she hadn't forgotten about him in her husband's anger.
She sent constant updates of Harry and James, telling him how frustrated the older man was becoming. Sirius, although sympathetic, refused to comment. He knew how frustrated his friend had become and he also knew that frustration contributed to their argument. It didn't stop him from feeling slight betrayal that his friend couldn't trust his judgement with his family. It made him realise what blind faith he had in the bespectacled man, as had the tables turned he would have followed James no matter what.
By the third week of September he and Aurora had bonded nicely. He believed that their relationship would help towards naming of his heir on the Equinox. Every night when he picked her up from Andromeda's home and apparated to his flat, he and Aurora would eat dinner and then dress for bed. He had left a cot in his small spare bedroom, comfortable enough for the younger child. She had stared at it with a look of distaste when she first moved into his home, but had soon become accommodated with her temporary bed.
With only a week until the Equinox, Sirius had laid her down to sleep and was sat before the fire in his lounge with a small glass of firewhiskey. He sighed and stretched out his long limbs, resting his head on the back of the couch when his fire flashed green and gave a roar. His eyes snapped open from their relaxed state and he stood abruptly, pointing his wand at the figure stepping out of the fire.
He released his held breath when he found the ruffled dark hair and glasses of his friend.
"Great Merlin James! You frightened the life out of me!" he exclaimed. James gave a quirk of his lips but remained silent, brushing down his robes. Sirius waved his wand and frowned at the time it displayed, "James, it's starting to get late. Why have you left Lily and Harry alone at home?" he asked.
"They aren't alone, Remus and Peter are with them," he told him. Sirius shook his head.
"You know our suspicions with Remus...why take the risk?" he snapped. James frowned and drew his wand.
"Because I don't want to believe that any of my friends would turn against me like that! To be honest Padfoot, out of the three of you the only one that has had actual contact with Death Eaters is you," he stated. Sirius watched him, his body stiffening in caution. He gave an inconspicuous flick of his wrist, feeling his wand slide from his sleeve and into his fingers.
"What are you trying to say James?" he asked quietly. James sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"You haven't been yourself Sirius. You used to say you'd dedicate your life to the cause, to fighting Voldemort. Now it seems you're only interested in risking your life for the Malfoys and their brat! Where is your loyalty?" he asked sharply. Sirius shook his head.
"I am loyal to you James, I always have been! I haven't even spoken to Aurora's parents because we felt that it was safer that they not see her until it was safe to! You are the head of your family James and you have a duty to protect them, which is your right. I am still the head of my family whilst my Mother is refusing to co-operate and I have a duty to protect them!" he exclaimed.
"Even if that means going against what you believe in!" James shouted.
"What am I possibly doing that is against the Order James? I am caring for a 16 month old child! She is not a threat to you or the Order! She's the same age as Harry for Merlin's sake!" he argued. James shook his head.
"Why can't you see that you are placing her in a position of power? If you make her your heir and then send her back to her family you are doomed. All your secrets – revealed. Where does that then leave us? Are you being deliberately stupid?" he shouted. Sirius growled and flicked his wand at the insult, sending a silent jinx to his friend. James blocked it skilfully and ducked behind the nearest chair, knowing that whilst he was skilled with his wand he couldn't out duel his friend.
"You are being deliberately Stupid Prongs if you think you can come to my home and insult me like that! I'm doing what I think is best for my family and I trust them completely. Why can't you see that!" he exclaimed.
James did not reply, but instead pointed his wand at the nearest window.
"Reducto!" he shouted. The window smashed, and with the force of the spell the frame was destroyed, falling out into the street below. Sirius ducked and covered his head to avoid the shattered glass.
The sound of the explosion made Aurora startle awake and she gave a cry of shock and fear. Her cry was head through the door of her bedroom, momentarily distracting her guardian. James took his chance whilst his friend was distracted and pointed his wand at him from behind the chair.
"Impedimenta!" he shouted.
Sirius silently cursed as the spell hit him and sent him across the room. As he landed he felt his body refuse to move against the spell. He gritted his teeth and forced his head up, staring at his friend in anger.
"You...Bastard..." he said through gritted teeth. He knew the spell would not last long, James' curses rarely did. He could already feel the magic around his head weakening, allowing him to watch his friend make his way to the smaller bedroom.
He heard Aurora's cries increase as she was brought out of the room in James' arms.
"What're you doing James?" he asked sharply. James ignored him and made his way to the fireplace. Sirius' heart thumped in his chest at the implication "James!" he shouted again.
James stopped and sighed.
"I'm doing what's best for everyone Padfoot. If you want to keep her safe then there is a better place for her where she can't be influenced by anyone," he explained vaguely, "Dumbledore knows what to do with her," he stepped towards the fire. Sirius struggled against the magic, feeling his shoulders loosen.
"Don't do this James! I will never forgive you if you do this to me!" he screamed. James stiffened and turned to his friend once more.
Raising his wand he gave him a sad smile, "You won't need to forgive me Sirius. You won't even remember that it was me who took her," he said gently. He waved his wand and whispered "Obliviate," followed quickly by a "Stupefy," knocking his friend unconscious. He sighed and shook his head, "I'm sorry Padfoot."
Reaching into his pocket he took a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fire, allowing it to swallow him as he stated his destination.
When Sirius woke he felt stiff and confused. He stood cautiously, patting his body down to ensure that he was not hurt. Flexing his finger around his wand he looked carefully around the lounge of his flat, frowning at the disarray of his furniture.
Suddenly, he noticed the door to Aurora's bedroom was wide open. His breath caught in his throat as he launched himself at it, stepping into the room and checking every corner of the empty cot.
"Aurora," he whispered, feeling his limbs begin to tremble. He checked every inch of her room, calling out her name in terror.
"Aurora!" he shouted around the flat, feeling tears leave his eyes at the realisation that she wasn't in his home. He tried to recall the events of the night before but found them fuzzy and was unable to recall them. He sat on the couch and ran a hand though his hair in frustration. His eyes landed on the overturned bottle of fire whiskey and his heart clenched in shame. Had he been drinking the night before? If so, had he drunk so much that he couldn't defend himself and his ward as they were attacked? Guilt erupted through his body and he rested his elbows on his knees, burying his fingers into his hair in despair.
He couldn't bring himself to tell Lucius and Narcissa. He had promised them that he would keep their daughter safe and couldn't bear the thought of their disappointment and hatred of him. He silently searched for the child, casting all manner of spells on her spare clothing in an attempt to locate her. It had certainly narrowed his search; the locator spell showed him that Aurora was in the Greater London Area, so really not far. It was impossible to pinpoint her exact location; spells had been put in place to avoid that from happening.
He took to wandering around Muggle London in his dog form, appearing as a large stray. He kept his magic open, waiting to feel the familiar magical signature of his ward. He searched for four weeks with no success.
He'd quietly mentioned his concerns to Lily when he went to visit her and Harry. He was still angry at James for their argument at Hogwarts and refused to be at Godric's Hollow when the dark haired man was present. Lily usually sent James out flying when Sirius was expected. She was rather surprised to see James so lenient to following her instructions, making his way to the back garden with a sad expression on his face.
She was surprised and slightly suspicious that someone had attacked, left Sirius alive and kidnapped the child.
"It doesn't make sense Sirius. Death Eaters wouldn't have simply stunned you and taken Aurora, not without leaving a letter requesting information. It doesn't seem like their normal behaviour," she reasoned. Sirius sighed and shook his head.
"I'm running out of options Lily. I tried to go ahead and name her as my heir on the equinox but it failed. It shouldn't have failed! The only reason it would have failed is if she is either no longer seen as one of my family or she's..." he left the sentence open, unable to complete it as his throat closed in pain. Lily took his hand and squeezed it in comfort.
"Your locator spell wouldn't have worked if she'd have passed. She is still alive Sirius," she whispered.
"Then what am I meant to do? I don't even know where to start with explaining this to Lucius and Narcissa. I am meant to be a Gryffindor but I can't seem to find my courage," he told her. Lily frowned.
"Surely you cannot be blamed for this. It is certainly tragic but it is no fault of yours that you were attacked at night!" she exclaimed. Sirius sighed and shook his head, the familiar guilt eating away at him.
"I can't remember what happened Lily. I didn't feel the residue of an Obliviate so something obviously has helped me to forget. I think...I think I may have been drinking that night and that's why I can't remember," he whispered, closing his eyes in pain. Lily frowned.
"Sirius, you haven't drunk that much in the last 12 months! If you have had a drink it was only one and that was after a stressful night at work. Of which you have had plenty no doubt! I don't believe that you would have gotten so drunk, especially whilst you knew you had Aurora to look after!" she exclaimed.
Sirius wiped at his eyes, clearing his throat and shrugging.
"I just don't know Lily. I don't know what I'll have done anymore. It's a complete blank!" he said in despair. Lily sighed and drew her wand, an idea forming in her mind.
"Sirius, maybe there is a way I can help. I have been learning a little bit of new magic that I remember an old friend referencing when we were at Hogwarts. It's called Legilimency which is a method of navigating the layers of a person's mind. It means that I could possibly access your memory of that night and reveal your attacker," she explained. Sirius looked up with curiosity, his eyes gleaming with a small measure of hope, Lily smiled, "I need to warn you that I am not highly skilled in the procedure. The little I know may be of some help but I can't guarantee it."
Sirius shook his head and sat up straighter.
"I'm willing to try Lily. Anything is better than nothing at the moment," he told her. Lily nodded and straightened her shoulders, pointing her wand at him and concentrated in clearing her own mind in preparation to enter his.
"I need you to stay as calm as possible. The invasion is going to feel strange and unfamiliar but I will attempt to be as gentle as possible," she instructed gently. Sirius nodded and settled his gaze on her familiar emerald orbs.
Lily whispered the spell and felt herself slip into Sirius' mind.
Sirius tensed slightly at the strange foreign feeling within his mind. He fought against the instinct to close his eyes away from his friend's searching gaze and gritted his teeth, gripping his knees and concentrated on his breathing.
Lily took his hand in hers again, rubbing his fingers in an attempt to sooth him. Slowly, he felt his shoulders relax as the feeling of her in his mind began to feel familiar.
As he relaxed Lily slipped further into his mind, concentrating as clips of his memories began to play for her. She skipped past each memory, frowning as she searched for the night his ward was taken from him. Suddenly, she found a slice of memory where Sirius was thrown across the room of his flat. She stopped and dug deeper into that memory, bending her magic so she could see his attacker more clearly.
She watched as her friend struggled to regain his mobility, fighting against the Impedimenta, She frowned when she found a dark shape stand across the room from him. She could clearly see the shape of the male's body but his face and robes were completely blacked out. She realised that her friend had been skilfully obliviated by his attacker.
Gripping her wand tighter she concentrated her magic into breaking the darkness of the image. She felt sweat bead on her forehead as she concentrated. She knew she couldn't break the Obliviate as that would cause damage in her friend's mind, so she bent her magic to showing her the attacker's face for a brief moment. As though casting a 'lumos' into the memory she felt satisfaction soon fall into surprise and horror as she recognised the image of her husband's sad hazel eyes behind his familiar round glasses.
She drew out of Sirius' mind in shock, turning away from him as her stomach threatened to expel its contents. Sirius gripped his head at her abrupt parting, groaning against the impeding ache to his temples.
"That was extremely weird," he commented, rubbing his eyes against the pain. Squinting slightly he cleared his throat and looked at his friend who had turned away from him, "Did you manage to see what happened?" he asked. Lily nodded, shock still leaving her silent.
"Lily?" he asked in concern, "what happened?" her silence forced him to think the worst; "I was drunk wasn't I? It's my fault Aurora's gone," he whispered.
Lily felt anger at his guilt and spun around to face him.
"Sirius I can confirm that you certainly was not drunk! You were attacked unfairly and caught off guard because of your concern for her when she began to cry at the commotion," she explained. Sirius released a breath in relief, closing his eyes.
"Did you see who did it?" he asked sternly. Lily swallowed the lump in her throat, fighting against the urge to tell her friend everything.
"Your attacker obliviated his identity from your mind. This meant that I could see him but I could not see his face. I'm sorry Sirius," she lied. The guilt clenched at her stomach again, forcing her to stand and move as far away from him as possible. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and closed her eyes again against the pain.
"Are you ok?" he asked quietly. Lily nodded.
"I'm just sad that I couldn't do more for you Sirius," she whispered. She heard him stand and make his way over to her, wrapping his arms around her back and pulled her into his chest. She wrapped her arms around his back and buried her face into his chest, feeling tears gather at the anger and guilt she felt.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to him. Sirius gave a soft chuckle, resting his cheek against her head.
"It's not your fault Lil'. You did everything you could," he told her.
Lily nodded and allowed him to hold her for a few moments, drawing comfort from his warm body.
When he left moments later Lily took Harry to bed. She tucked him in with a kiss and a smile, rubbing her fingers through his dark hair and down his soft cheek.
When she stepped back into the lounge she found her husband sat on the couch with a book.
"I thought he'd never leave. It was starting to get cold out there," he said to her. Her lip curled in anger as his nonchalance. She didn't know how he could simply sit there and not tell her what he'd done.
"Sirius and I had a lot to discuss. He's been wandering around London for the last four weeks, didn't you know?" she asked. James looked up from his book with a cautious expression.
"Albus mentioned something about it," he told her. Lily nodded and sat across from him.
"Do you know why he's been wandering around London? Someone attacked him at his home on the 19th of September and kidnapped Aurora," she explained. She watched him carefully to read his expression. His eyes widened slightly and he bit the inside of his cheek, allowing a worried expression to fall onto his face.
"He's never mentioned it," he said. Lily shook her head.
"Well he wouldn't because he felt responsible for it. I've managed to find out tonight that his attacker obliviated him. It would be difficult to see who it was without causing damage to Sirius' mind," she told him. She felt disgust fill her stomach as his shoulder visibly sagged in relief. Righteous anger filled her and she felt her hand curl into fists.
"I used Legilimency on him and pressed as much as I could without hurting him. I actually managed to get a short glimpse of his attacker," she whispered. James eyes widened again in fear and he chose to remain silent. Lily shook her head and stood, "How could you?" she snapped. James sighed.
"Lily-" she interrupted, her anger and disgust at his actions forcing her to speak.
"He's your best friend! Your best friend and you attacked him!" she yelled. She made sure to cast a silent silencing charm at the stairs so their argument wouldn't wake her precious son. James frowned.
"If you watched the memory properly you'd have seen that he sent the first spell at me!" he told her. Lily snorted.
"Of course he did, right after you insulted him. You simply weren't happy with leaving him to his own devices were you! You just had to get involved and ruin everything for him!" she exclaimed.
"He was getting involved with the Malfoys! They can't be trusted Lily!" he shouted.
"How in the world do you know? Have you spoken to them lately? Have you fought them lately? You don't need to answer that James because I know the answer is no! You don't actually know the first thing about them, you've just assumed they must be dark because their Family has a history of disliking Muggleborns!" she shouted.
"I know they are with Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy always used to brag about being in the Bastard's pocket. Blonde hair isn't quite as easy to hide behind those masks either, I've seen him at those attacks," he told her.
"Sirius would have had a good reason for helping them James. In fact when you demanded an explanation from him at Hogwarts he happily gave it to you. It was acceptable enough for me, why not for you?" she asked him.
"Albus didn't think it was appropriate for Sirius to be endangering us like that. He felt her magic when she came to Hogwarts and he knew that if we allowed her to be returned to the Malfoys she would be a force against us," he explained. Lily frowned.
"They are her family James. How would you have felt if Harry was taken away from us for the same reason?" she asked quietly. James scowled.
"Like I said to Sirius, I wouldn't give Harry to another man to protect. No one protects my family but me," he said firmly. Lily sighed and shook her head, her energy suddenly draining.
"What have you done with her James?" she asked.
"Albus thought it best if she was put with a muggle family. He's layered protections on her home and dampened her magic slightly. He erased her memories and placed a strong glamour on her. Not even her parents would recognise her now," he scoffed, "fitting punishment really, A Malfoy growing up with Muggles. Her ancestors will be turning over in their graves!"
Lily scowled and shook her head.
"Is that really what this was about? Punishing the Malfoys?" she asked quietly.
"No, it was about doing the right thing for the Greater Good," he told her. Lily frowned.
"Dumbledore has been saying that a lot lately, now you're starting to sound just like him. We're all becoming chess pieces on his rather large chess board and I fear it will only end fatally," she whispered. James carefully reached forward, holding his hands out in case she lashed out at him again. She watched him and whimpered; her frustration and guilt forcing her to tears.
"Hold me," she whispered, seeking comfort. He released his breath and pulled her into his arms, dropping a kiss on her head.
"It will be all right," he whispered to her.
"How can it be all right James? This war even has you attacking you best friend. It's not right," she told him. James sighed and closed his eyes against the wave of guilt attacking his senses.
"He was falling away from me," he explained to her, "You didn't tell him did you?" he asked her. She shook her head against his chest and he sighed in relief.
"No, I didn't tell him James but I don't know how I am going to manage to keep it a secret from him the next time I see him," she told him. James nodded in understanding, a sad expression on his face. Lily observed him for a moment before cupping his cheek in her hand.
"Although I don't agree with your reasoning I still understand why you did it. You may give me any excuse under the sun about doing this for the greater good but I know that you've don't this because you are worried that Sirius' attentions are elsewhere. You're worried about this because we've changed to Peter as the Secret Keeper and you're worried something is going to happen to him," she explained to him with a small smile. James gave her a wide eyed expression to which she rolled her eyes.
"You really can read me can't you?" he asked her. Lily sighed and ran her fingers through his unruly hair.
"Yes Husband, I can read you. For the sake of your friendship I will not tell Sirius no matter how difficult it will be, however you need to tell me where you and Dumbledore have taken her. One of these days Voldemort will fall and the Malfoys will want their daughter back. Regardless of whether they deserve her or not they still have a right to her," she told him.
James sighed and nodded, taking a deep breath before explaining everything to his beloved wife.
Narcissa grit her teeth as she made her way through the dark walls of Azkaban prison. She was late, it was mid-November but she had not had chance to get away from their home. She had had to fight to keep her family together following the fall of the Dark Lord. The Ministry had quickly swooped down on her husband for being a Death Eater.
He had managed to keep himself out of Azkaban, telling Amelia Bones that he had been under the pressure of his Father to join the Dark Lord as a Death Eater. She found it difficult to believe but with a nudge from the Minister of Magic (with enough gold lining his pockets) she released him to go home.
As she was accompanied further into the depths of Azkaban she began to feel the cold influence of the Dementors. She shuddered as memories of her son's cries when the Aurors broke into their home echoed around her head. Draco had been so upset and terrified at the spells cast. She had taken him into her arms to shield him as much as possible from their attack. Lucius had surrendered very quickly at seeing his son's fear.
"It will be all right Draco," he said steadily, offering his wand over to Alastor Moody.
Moody sneered and jabbed his wand at the blonde haired man, "Don't bet your life on it Malfoy," he growled.
Taking a deep breath, Narcissa attempted to shake of the feeling of dread and concentrated on her mission. Once she had managed to ensure that Lucius was safe at home she then caught up with the magical news and was shocked to find that Sirius had been arrested. She questioned Lucius liberally about Sirius' position in the war and he denied ever knowing that Sirius was ever a Death Eater.
"If he was, the Dark Lord kept him very close in his pocket," he told her. Narcissa refused to believe it. What worried them was the current location of Aurora. They had decided to leave Aurora with Sirius whilst the Dark Lord made his plans to defeat the 'Chosen' boy. They felt comfortable knowing that Sirius had named the child as his heir so the Dark Lord couldn't take her away from them.
Of course, with Sirius now in prison it left the question of what he did with Aurora before he was arrested.
"Here we are Mrs Malfoy. This is the High Security wing. We've recently included a few new inmates following the fall of You Know Who," the young guard explained to her. She chose to remain silent, observing the shivering and dirty witches and wizards behind the grimy cell doors. A cackle was heard as she stepped past a particularly dark cell, a cackle that brought shivers down her spine at the familiarity.
"Here to visit your precious husband Cissy?" the breathless voice of her older sister echoed from the small space. Narcissa watched her sister carefully as she crawled out of the shadows. Her once luscious dark curls were a tattered mess, already losing their beautiful shine and styled tameness. Her dark eyes were dull and her face was drawn but her lips still managed to twist into the crazed smirk she had recently adopted under the Dark Lord's rein. Narcissa scowled at her sister and remained silent, choosing to move past her cell.
Bellatrix leapt forward, clinging to the bars with dirty hands.
"Narcissa! He's not here is he? He denied knowing anything about the Dark Lord! He's a traitor and he will be punished when the time is right!" she screamed. Narcissa continued forward, ignoring her sister's screams.
"She's been screaming and shouting since she came in here. Thing is, the Dementors are only going to make her worst," the guard commented. Narcissa released a breath.
"She's in the right place," she quietly commented.
The guard lead her further down the corridor before stopping outside another dark cell with a tiny window. She turned to face into the cell, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Turning slightly to the guard she made a shooing motion with her hands.
"You may leave us now," she told him. The guard hesitated.
"I'm not s'posed to leave you Ma'am," he said quickly. Narcissa scowled.
"I wish to have a private conversation with this man. He has been imprisoned for attacking Muggles and betraying the Potters. I am neither so I believe I will be quite safe," she told him. He remained on the spot. She sighed and drew her wand, "Please do not force me to use this sir; I have been given strict permission by the Minister himself for a private conversation with this prisoner. I'm sure you will be in more trouble not acquiescing his request than actually leaving me here," She explained.
The guard visibly swallowed before backing away from the cell and waiting at the end of the corridor. Narcissa sighed and turned back to the dark room. She stared sadly at the silent figure slumped against the bare wall. His knees were drawn to his chest and his elbows were sat upon them, allowing him to bury his fingers into his hair.
"You needn't stick to formalities Narcissa. If I wasn't beneath you before I certainly am now," he said quietly from behind his hands. Narcissa took a deep breath and gripped the bars within her hands.
"I am not here to discuss formalities Sirius. Your Mother is still alive and although you are incarcerated this will not affect your position in the family. You know what information I am here for," she said to him quietly. Sirius sighed and lifted his face from his hands. Narcissa frowned at the look of guilt and failure in his dark eyes.
He closed them for a moment in pain and gripped his fingers into fists.
"Of course I know why you are here. It has plagued me along with everything else ever since I was thrown into here!" he exclaimed. Narcissa snarled.
"Then where is she!" she spat, her anger making her blood boil. She refused to believe the speculations of Sirius' betrayal; he was the most loyal person that she knew. Her anger stemmed from the circumstances they found themselves in because of one dark wizard and his ambition.
"I don't know," he whispered. Narcissa's eyes widened and she remained silent for a moment whilst her mind processed his answer.
"What do you mean 'You don't know'?" she asked, "Surely you made plans for your heir in case something like this happened?" she whispered breathlessly. Sirius scowled.
"Of course I did! She was to be returned to you and Lucius! I don't know where she is because someone took her from me!" he exclaimed. He stood abruptly and stepped right up to the bars of his cell so he could be face to face with her. "She was taken from me and the memory was erased. I don't remember who took and I have spent weeks trying to find her. I failed you Narcissa...I promised that I would keep her safe and I failed you," he explained to her, his voice breaking in emotion.
Narcissa felt her eyes water with shock and pain. She didn't want to believe that her daughter had been taken from her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped a hand across her eyes, leaning her forehead against the cool metal of the cell bars.
"There is a spell that one can use to locate their heir. Surely you have tried to use this spell and it gave you some sort of idea of her location," she whispered. Sirius scoffed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I tried to make her my heir Narcissa, but it wouldn't work," he told her. Narcissa frowned.
"It should have worked. You'd spent enough time together to solidify the bond for the ritual!" she told him. Sirius shrugged.
"I realised that! Narcissa, the only possible reason that this did not work is because she isn't classed as a member of my family anymore," he explained.
"She wasn't classed as a Riddle but that wouldn't have mattered!" she snapped, Sirius frowned.
"That was because Riddle had the permission of her head of house! Our relationship would have been enough along with the magic of the Equinox but someone must have erased that relationship from her mind. That is the only explanation for this," he explained to her. Narcissa felt a tear slip down her cheek as her eyes closed in defeat.
Sirius watched her silently for a moment, feeling helpless and terribly guilty.
"Why didn't you tell me," she cried quietly, her voice breaking in emotion. Sirius sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder through the bars.
"I was so ashamed. I wanted to find her without worrying you Cissa," he told her quietly.
"My baby is gone," she whispered.
"She is still alive. She is in London but someone placed a spell on her to hide her location. I really tried Narcissa. I even asked for a mind healer to try and access my memories but they told me the Obliviate was too dangerous to remove. I'm so sorry," he cried, pressing his head to the bars, "Please forgive me Cissa," he whispered.
Narcissa listened to her cousin beg for her forgiveness through his own tears. She felt her heat break at his sobs, at her own pain for the loss of her daughter. How was she going to tell Lucius that his pride and joy was now missing? How would Draco survive any longer without his twin? She cupped a hand around her cousin's head and thread her fingers through his greasy hair. Although she wanted to curse him for what had happened she couldn't bring herself to hating him. He had promised to care for Aurora to the best of his abilities and she could feel the remorse at his failure.
"You need to be strong here Sirius," she whispered to him.
"I can't. I'm trapped and I can't prove otherwise. I didn't do it Cissa I swear it!" he exclaimed passionately. Narcissa nodded against the bars.
"I know you didn't. There is no way you would betray your friends and I know you would not betray us. I forgive you Sirius," she told him. He let out a pained moan, shaking his head.
"You can't forgive me...she's gone," he cried. Narcissa gripped his hair and gave it a sharp tug.
"She's alive, you said so yourself. We will find her and then we will find a way to have you taken out of here. I promise," she told him. Sirius took a shuddering breath and finally lifted his head from the bars. His eyes were ringed red from his tears, he rubbed them absently. Narcissa gave an affectionate tut and pulled her wide handkerchief from her pocket, gently rubbing his face dry. He gave her a small smile.
"How can you forgive me?" he whispered with a wondrous tone. Narcissa smiled back.
"Because you are my family and I have spent too long hating people who I should love," She explained.
"Lucius will hate me," he stated. Narcissa gave a laugh.
"Yes, he most likely will. I promise that he will do nothing to you though once we get you out of here. I need you to hold on for me and be strong, can you do that?" she asked. Sirius sighed.
"When I am alone it is not so bad. When the Dementors come...Narcissa I relive every little horrible thing I have done. Every mistake I have made is played in my head! I even felt guilty about Snape this morning!" he exclaimed. Narcissa chuckled and reached through the bars, taking his hand and looking deep into his familiar blue eyes.
"They are playing on your emotions Sirius. They are feeding on them. What you need to give them, is a different kind of emotion that they will not understand," she explained, giving him a knowing look. He stared at her in confusion for a moment before realisation brightened in his gaze.
"What other emotions are different than those of an animal?" he asked with a smirk. Narcissa smiled and tapped his cheek affectionately.
"There he is," she whispered, "I was getting worried for a moment there," she chucked. Sirius smiled.
"I really am sorry Cissa," he whispered. Narcissa nodded.
"I know, and I understand. You were attacked and then obliviated. You did everything that you could. The war is over now and The Dark Lord is gone. This gives us enough time to find her and fetch her home," she explained.
Sirius nodded and stepped away from the bars, taking a quick look out of the small window.
"The moon is beginning to rise; the Dementors will be here shortly. You need to go now," he told her. She nodded and stepped away from the bars. This prompted the guard to quickly make his way up the corridor.
"I will try and get you out of here Sirius, I promise," she told him.
"Find Pettigrew," he whispered. Narcissa frowned but nodded before silently following the guard back down the corridor and out of Azkaban.
Thank you for reading my lovelies, until next time...
