Chapter 4
Evening, 3 days after Iris had been left at Blackmoore Cottage, the official name of the house Sirius had inherited, the Elves in residence gathered around the kitchen table while the young mistress slept. The fire had burned low and the few candles lit were set upon the battered wooden table leaving most of the room in darkness.
"Libra is Garden-elf, does not have knowings for Nursery-elf"
Pisces sighed, he was a Head-elf and didn't have the knowledge of a Nursery-elf either, none of the 3 elves did. As Head-elf Pisces knew how to care for and maintain the Home for Master; cleaning organising and being on hand for any needs an adult wizard may need. A child especially one as young as Mistress Iris needed different care and without the knowledge and training to do so the elves were left frantically worrying how to complete Master's orders.
"Cancer could speak to her Dam, Seely is Nursery-elf"
Pisces nodded, that was a good idea, Nursery-elves knew all about young children, they were more educated then other elves so that a child can learn from the elf and the elf had the capabilities to make decisions based on the child's needs and not wants.
"How long Cancer need?" Pisces was worried that if Cancer was gone too long then Young Mistress Iris would wake and food would not be prepared for her, Kitchen-elves were notorious for their territorial tendencies with 'their' kitchen and it wasn't unknown for a Kitchen –elf to cause injury to another elf they felt had invaded their kitchen. Cancer was a nice elf but Pisces would not risk it, he was quite happy in one piece, thank you very much.
"Cancer be back before Young Mistress wakes. Cancer hopes her Dam has knowings."
With a nod from Pisces Cancer popped out. Libra made a humming sound as he twisted one of his long bat like ears in his hand. Pisces knew that was Libra's thinking face so he waited patiently for his old friend to reach the conclusion of his thoughts.
"Great Mother said teach the Young Mistress but Libra only knowings elf magics. We teach Young Mistress elf magic?"
That was an interesting thought. The Great Mother had given these elves an order for the Young Mistress too, protect train and teach. Protection was easy with elf magic but to teach and train a wizard Wasn't Done. But an order from the Great Mother was not one that could be ignored.
"We teach Young Mistress like elves teach elves, Great Mother says, elves do." There was a note of finality in Pisces voice and he knew as head elf he would not be questioned again. A pulse of magic spread through the room filled with a feeling of Pride and Gratitude and Pisces knew he had made the right decision.
Magic drew away from the kitchen and slipped upstairs to the only occupied bedroom. Thick heavy drapes covered the window blocking out all light, bar a small slip of moonlight that had managed to slip through a gap, illuminating a thin strip of the bed and its small occupant. Small whines and snuffles could be heard, showing that the sleep was not as restful for the child as it should have been. Red hair, spread out along the pillow, moved as if being tenderly stroked and the noises softened into gentle breathing. Magic was pleased with how her creatures had cared for her childe but knew that everything was not as it should be yet.
Drawing what little strength she could from the corrupted ley lines in Britain, Magic prepared herself to further push her agenda forward. Her childe would be protected this time, not like the last time. This time her childe would grow without corruption, without the manipulations, without the secrets. This time her childe would live free even if Magic had to use all her strength to achieve it. Even if Magic had to beat Fate she would do it. Too many times had Fate taken her Children and broken them under his trials. Not this one, not this time, Magic knew with the corruption spreading across the world that she would not have the strength to bless another. This childe was her last and Magic would die to protect her because Magic knew she was dying anyway, it was too late for her but her childe would live on, she would make sure of it.
An Alarm started blaring into the Auror's bullpen.
"Magic use detected in a Muggle area. Cerberus team to respond."
Captain Travis gathered his team together around an empty drinks carton and once everyone had a finger touching it, he activated the portkey and his team was whisked away in a swirl of colours.
Upon landing the team snapped into formation, wands at the ready as they took in the situation. It looked like a warzone; half the street had been blown apart, muggles lay scattered around and on his knees, hysterically laughing, was the key witness from the Potter case, Sirius Black.
Captain Travis indicated to his team to contain the scene and start assessing the muggles laying on the floor. Wand drawn Travis slowly approached the prone wizard, who had gone from laughing to rocking himself muttering something Captain Travis could not hear.
"Mr Black, I'm Captain Travis of the Auror Department. I'm going to need you to surrender your wand and accompany me to the ministry."
Sirius did not respond directly to the Captain, he continued to rock himself. As he approached Captain Travis began to heard the wizards mutterings;
"My fault….i killed them…all my fault"
"Mr Black?" Black jumped startled and swung round to look at the Captain. "Mr Black, I need you to surrender your wand and accompany me to the ministry."
"What?" Clearly disorientated Black stared at Captain Travis clearly uncomprehending. Slowly Captain Travis crouched down until he was level with Black.
"Mr Black, you're wanted at the ministry for questioning as a witness in the Potter's murders and I suppose whatever has happened here."
Comprehension appeared in Black's eyes as his mind made the connection between what was being said and the red robes of the Auror force. Black nodded. Both men stood up and Black handed over his wand.
"Am I being arrested?" Black looked and sounded resigned.
"Not at the moment sir, it's a war time safeguard to remove wands from any potential dangers and with you being a fully trained Hit-wizard I'm sure you understand our precaution." Black nodded. "now if possible could you please tell me what's happened here."
"It was that Rat bastard. I finally caught up with the traitor and he goes and blows up the whole street! Screaming about how I betrayed them, I didn't, I couldn't, not like the rat. Was all my idea, I encouraged them to swap, nobody would think of Peter. I felt so clever, one more prank on everyone, keeping them safe. But it didn't, they weren't safe. The rat went running straight to his master, betrayed us. It's my fault they should never have swapped, I killed them…all my fault"
As Black dropped into muttering again Captain Travis activated his communicator;
"This is Initial response team Cerberus, Captain Travis reporting. More men are needed to contain the situation and an obliviation team to deal with the muggles. Sirius Black is currently in voluntary custody and I'll be moving him to Ministry care as soon as another senior officer arrives to relieve me."