Chapter warning for mention of child abuse (emotional, physical)
Interlude
Sirius loves the Blackthorn Estate.
It's the primary residence of the Baron of Blackthorn. Forty bedrooms and bathrooms; servants' quarters; large kitchen; formal dining room; informal dining room; five separate study-rooms and offices; six separate parlours and receiving rooms; a huge library; an organgey and a conservatory; a small and a large ballroom. Acres and acres of land; woodland, parkland, an actual lake and freshwater stream; farmland. There are two hamlets; one village. All of it is plotless and under magical protection. It is a grand old country estate that befits the Black Knight.
It's the place Sirius calls home.
His first memory is entering Blackthorn as a battered child clinging to his grandfather's hand and immediately knowing he was loved by the magic seeped into every brick.
His grandfather has also always preferred Blackthorn to the castle at Tintagel which is actually meant to be the residence of the Earl of Grimmauld. It had, therefore, been somewhat of a surprise that in naming him heir, Sirius had been given the Blackthorn title and the estate, rather than the more typical Viscount Black which came with the elegant townhouse in London where Sirius had spent his first four years. But then, perhaps his grandfather's decision was in part because he had realised that Sirius's memories of that house are tainted by pain and misery. He has no desire to ever set foot in the place again.
Of course his grandfather is also a wily old wizard and it hadn't taken Sirius long to realise the Blackthorn title carried its own vote in the Wizengamot. By actually naming his heir with the more unusual but perfectly valid title, Arcturus had ended up with another proxy vote at his call.
Sirius isn't too bothered by the political machinations; he's been trained in them once his grandfather had assumed the responsibility of raising him, and he will one day take his place in the Wizengamot fully. But he and his grandfather have a plan and Sirius knows he's exactly where he needs to be; at Hogwarts.
Still…he breathes a little easier as he enters the Blackthorn wards and leads the small gathering of Potters and Blacks through to the formal parlour, along with Minerva who Charlus had invited along. Sirius wishes they could have convinced Harry and Hermione to come with them immediately after dinner, but he can't deny it's probably for the best that the two families discuss things before Harry and Hermione are with them fully. Waiting a night and retrieving their newest members in the morning isn't too long a wait. Sirius is a little surprised that Charlus requested they convene at Blackthorn rather than at the Potter estate but he doesn't let that show on his face as they settle into the comfortable sofas and chairs.
His grandfather calls for refreshments and the next five minutes are spent with the elves doling out drinks. Charlus, Dorea and his grandfather both go for an aged port, Minerva for her usual Scotch. Regina opts for tea and it amuses Sirius that both he and James choose black coffee.
His grandfather clears his throat and gains the attention of the group. "We have a lot to discuss in terms of this evening's events but Charlus, you had something you wished to raise?"
"Yes," Charlus gestures at his son, "James."
James sets his coffee aside and faces them with a determined stare. "Lord Arcturus, I offer my unreserved apology to you and to your heir. During our time at Hogwarts, there was an incident which occurred which coloured my view of Baron Blackthorn and led me to treat him without the respect our positions should have afforded. I recently became aware that the incident was not his fault, and was actually a service to our family. I am deeply sorry for my past actions and behaviour, not least of all advising my father to ignore the rapprochement you came to us with last year."
Sirius can't quite keep his shock out of his expression despite all his training. He has never expected for James to apologise or for Lupin to tell the truth. He wonders what has driven Lupin to inform James after so many years of silence.
"I, of course, accept your apology," his grandfather says and looks over to Charlus. "Under the circumstances, I would request for our rapprochement be reconsidered."
"I agree," Charlus says. "I think it is time for us to set aside all past conflict. I know Dorea has missed her family and cousins since she married me. We can speak later of the Wizengamot announcement on our rapprochement." He pauses. "As much as I am disappointed that we came to this point because of misunderstandings and the truth finally being known by all," his eyes flicker to his son who ducks his head, "I am glad we can come together given the arrival of Harry and Hermione, but we should conclude this discussion before we move on. We owe you a debt of honour and we will make a formal apology."
Arcturus nods. "As it is my heir who bore the brunt of your heir's ire all these years, I therefore suggest James and Sirius agree acceptable terms to make amends there."
It doesn't hurt their political standing at all if the next Earl of Gryffindor were to owe them a favour, muses Sirius. He nods at his grandfather to acknowledge he will take care of the matter and do the best for the family.
Sirius won't deny that there's a tiny sense of satisfaction from seeing James so uncomfortable as Charlus agrees to his grandfather's suggestion. He allows himself a moment to revel in it because he has endured years of torment; of outright hatred, insults and pranks (although he foiled most of them and had come to consider them a way to keep his instincts fresh by the time he'd left Hogwarts as a student).
James though takes it on the chin like a true Gryffindor and bows his head in acknowledgement before turning to Sirius himself. "Perhaps we can stay back when the rest of our business is concluded?"
"Of course," Sirius says smoothly.
His grandfather gives a satisfied huff and motions at Charlus. "We shall move on. We all agreed a separate discussion about Harry and Hermione needed to happen outside of the walls of Hogwarts. The floor is yours, Charlus."
"First things first, thoughts on our two new family members?" asks Charlus.
Dorea sighs. "They seem like a lovely couple who have been through more than most should ever experience at their young age."
"She's his strength," Minerva offers. "He looks to her even when he speaks for them, she is his constant thought. He was distraught when they arrived and she was so injured."
Regina nods. "But if she is his strength, he is hers. She gains confidence by having him at her side."
"They are a formidable pair," his grandfather states with unusual bluntness. "He has the power to carry both the Gryffindor and Grimmauld legacies; she clearly is his partner in all things and she is as smart as a whip."
"The family magic adores him," Charlus agrees. "In all honesty, I'm grateful he's so willing to settle for a simple title while he is with us."
"As though there is anything simple about the Peverell title," his grandfather counters.
And that's true. Peverell carries a certain cache in their world but Sirius doesn't think magic would have settled for anything less.
"James, Sirius?" Charlus invites them to comment.
James glances at Sirius and Sirius nods at him. James has rank and he is a guest in their home for all his grandfather is allowing Charlus to effectively lead the discussion.
"He's clearly been abused," James says. "His stories…" he shakes his head, "no child should have had to have gone through his experiences. Where in Merlin's name were the adults in that world?" His hand rubs at his chest in a telling gesture which gives away how much he is affected.
"I can't say I didn't think the same thing," Minerva comments dryly.
"It's something we should consider as we move forward with them," Charlus states. "He is used to dealing without family; without the help of a more experienced adult who has his best interests at hear. While he is with us we must provide to him the sanctuary and comfort he did not receive in his home world."
"And then we send him back," Dorea sighs. "Something about that just makes my heart break."
"Let us cross that bridge when we come to it," Charlus takes her hand. "From the discussion at dinner, breaking the spell may take many years."
"Albus believes it will take almost seven," Minerva reports. "But then in his plan, only he and Hermione will actively be working on it."
"Why wouldn't we refer the spell to the DOM?" asks Charlus crossly.
"Albus prefers to keep control," Minerva says. "I am certain had I not pointed out and reminded him that the family magic was bound to have already alerted you to Harry's arrival that he would have attempted to have kept the origins of their presence here a complete secret."
"Well, the spell will be referred and we will wait to see if his estimate is confirmed," Charlus says. "Sirius?"
Sirius considers what he wants to say and what he should say for a long moment. "There is a myth from the time of Arthur..." he can see James visibly restrain himself from jumping in or more likely complaining, "...it is said that Merlin travelled through a crystal cave and found himself in another world. He lived a lifetime there with another Arthur, another Guinevere, another Morgana."
The others were silent allowing him to tell the tale.
"When he returned to our world, it had been as though not a day had passed," Sirius says. "And so Merlin lived again and used his knowledge of what had happened in the other world to steer Arthur here; to embody our family magic with an intent to protect and love so it would be the greatest dishonour to act against its wishes and guidance."
"You believe our pair are from this other world?" asks Dorea quietly.
"Perhaps," Sirius shrugs lightly, "or they may be from another. But their experiences…they look at us as if we are ghosts..." he pauses and allows himself a small sigh. "He struggles to look at some of us at all."
"He said Dumbledore was dead in their world and he did tell us he had lost the rest of his family," Minerva says thoughtfully. "It may very well be that many of us are dead in their world."
"A sobering thought," Charlus says. "We should take care to consider that in our interactions. If he is grieving still…he will hurt no matter."
"I think we should also consider they're not from our time," Sirius says. "We're a similar age but neither James nor I were mentioned in stories as contemporaries. He doesn't mention his lineage, his parents' and his godfather's names were not stated, intentionally I think. He may be from a future generation yet born here."
"Your reasoning is sound," his grandfather says and Sirius knows his grandfather has probably had the same thoughts.
"It's not just that. He talked about the rise of the Dark Lord," James comments, "although they said it happened in their nineteen-seventies." He raises his cup at Sirius. "There are rumours here now of the same which also made me wonder about the timeline of our worlds."
Sirius wonders at just how much James' attitude has changed with the truth of what had happened with Lupin acknowledged. He focuses back on the discussion. "Rumours?"
James grimaces. "The DOM picked up chatter about Romania about twelve months ago. A part of the countryside had gone dark."
Dark.
Sirius' mind whirls. Dark meant that someone had enacted a magical lockdown. Nothing in and nothing out.
"There was an unsubstantiated report that the Romanian vampire clan and a feral werewolf pack was on the inside when it went dark," James continues. "About eight months ago, local children nearby went missing with their families slaughtered; seven girls of magical lineage."
"Dear Merlin!" breathes Dorea with horror.
It's an echo of the horror inside Sirius' own head. He knows of only two rituals which use female children in that way and both of them are horrifically evil.
"Six months ago the countryside suddenly opened up again," James says. "The area inside was…desolated. The found the bones of the seven girls in the old ruins of a casting circle."
"Why hasn't the Wizengamot been informed of this?" asks Charlus, his eyes glittering with anger.
"The ICW sealed the events under a classified status for a long time," James tells him. "The DOM didn't even brief the Auror Corp until three months ago and that was only because seven muggle children were taken and slaughtered at Stonehenge on Halloween."
"Muggles?" asks Minerva sharply.
"Magical children are too monitored in the UK," James points out. "The authorities would immediately know of a threat."
"So this monster preys on muggles who are not well-watched," Charlus comments with disgust.
"I would repeat Charlus' previous question; why hasn't the Wizengamot been informed?" asks his grandfather.
James shrugs. "You'd have to ask Director Bell and the Minister," he waves a hand. "The reports are no longer classified."
"I shall make enquiries," his grandfather replies.
"That's not the end of it though, is it?" Sirius prompts, his eyes watching James' expression.
James shakes his head. "Two weeks ago, we had a report of a unicorn being slaughtered in the protected Shire in Cornwall. Moody's had us performing a surveillance on the herd in Hoggle Forest since."
"And?" asks Charlus.
"Seven magical people apparated into the forest last night and tried to slaughter one of the unicorns. The centaurs responded to the threat and came to the rescue just before my team and I could intervene ourselves," James finishes.
"Seven," his grandfather murmurs.
Charlus sighs. "Arcturus?"
His grandfather shifts his weight before replying. "You remember Riddle?"
"Riddle?" Charlus's eyebrows rise. "Hard to forget the Head Boy of our year, Arcturus."
Sirius watches as James' eyebrows shoot up. Clearly the younger Potter hadn't realised his father had been at school at the same time as Arcturus. But then perhaps James hadn't put together the historical scandal of his mother marrying a Potter against the wishes of her family with his parents' difficulty in conceiving an heir.
Sirius has done the math and knows the conception happened within a month of the previous Earl of Grimmauld's death. He figures his great-grandfather had done something to curse Dorea and it had been lifted upon death. It's a huge stain on their family magic. His grandfather has worked tirelessly since to mend fences and their honour, and Sirius is glad that they're finally able to establish the rapprochement.
"Riddle had a thing about the number seven."
Charlus sucks in a breath. "Arcturus, you don't mean to say…"
"He left England after Hogwarts to travel. He might have been Dippet's favourite but he didn't get offered the apprenticeship from Dippet he was expecting because the school governors stepped in."
Sirius stares at his grandfather. "You think he's this Dark Lord."
"I think he is a candidate," his grandfather corrects. "It needs more investigation."
"Which is why the Aurors are investigating," James stresses.
"But also why the Wizengamot should be informed," Charlus corrects James firmly in the same way Sirius' grandfather had just corrected him.
"Unless there are already members of the Wizengamot compromised," Sirius points out.
James sends him a quick look filled with gratitude which almost distracts Sirius as his grandfather notes that Sirius' words have validity and perhaps they need to proceed with care.
"We'll leave the political machinations to you both," Dorea tells Charlus and his grandfather. "Let's talk more about the plan for Harry and Hermione."
"An excellent idea!" Minerva raises her glass in support.
"Hear, hear," Regina says. Her face is pale and Sirius makes a mental note to check in on her later.
"Tomorrow, Charlus and I will go to pick them up," Dorea instructs. There is steel in her voice; a daughter of the House of Black who expects to be obeyed. "We'll take them back to the Potter estate. We'll let them settle in." She pauses and gestures at the two older men. "At some point tomorrow, you and Arcturus should go to the Minister and the Chief Witch; bring them into the loop." She waits until they both acknowledge the order before moving on. "We'll all eat dinner together, of course."
Sirius sighs inwardly while he registers James' more obvious wince. He doesn't know what James had planned but he'd promised Frank Longbottom a night out of the house away from the domestic war between his grieving mother and his new wife. It would have to wait. Frank would understand; the Longbottoms knew family magic and its duty.
"I propose we go over the plan with them then," Dorea says.
An elf pops in and refreshes the glasses.
"It may play better with the both of them if we include them in the planning," Minerva says dryly.
"We can suggest a plan to them," says Sirius, "and allow them the final decisions."
Dorea's eyes flit to his. She has the same silver hue as his; family stamped indelibly on them. "A good suggestion," she allows.
"What are we suggesting then?" asks Charlus with a hint of mischief in his tone.
"Shopping," Regina suggests. "They need to be completely outfitted."
"Health checks with our healers," Dorea taps her wand and a parchment appears with a quill and begins taking notes. "Ariana and Poppy are wonderful but I'd feel better if Healer Albright takes a look at them too."
"An introduction to Bagnold and Marchbanks," James says out loud.
Minerva and Dorea each raise an eyebrow at him and James flushes.
"I mean, Minister Bagnold and Chief Witch Marchbanks," James hurriedly corrects.
Sirius is beginning to admire his cousin and how she clearly has established her rule within her family.
"Another dinner?" suggests Regina. "They'll be able to meet them in relative private then."
"We'll also need to spend some time preparing him for the Wizengamot presentation," Charlus adds. "We can do that on the same day."
"New Year's Eve is the Ministerial ball," Dorea muses with a frown.
Charlus sighs. "I don't believe putting them under that kind of scrutiny before the presentation is a good idea."
"But I don't want to leave them alone in the house either," Dorea says.
"So I can stay with them," James says. "All I had planned was a night out with the lads."
His grandfather looked pointedly at Sirius.
"I can also make myself available," Sirius confirms. In all honesty he's pleased to get out of the ball. He hates the damn things.
Regina's lips twitch as though she can hear his inner dialogue.
James looks slightly discomfited but Sirius isn't too worried about that.
"Good," Dorea murmurs. "They can have a relaxing night at home with the both of you."
"We'll bring them here for New Year's day," his grandfather suggests. "We can all have lunch together perhaps and you are all invited to stay." He turns to Minerva. "Including yourself, Minerva, of course."
"Thank you, Arcturus," Charlus says, "we will be honoured to attend."
"But unfortunately, I will have to decline." Minerva says with genuine regret. "I will be needed at Hogwarts."
"Oh, come on, Aunt Minnie!" James protests. "You can ask for a day release surely?"
The eyebrow thing happens again and James seems to sink further into his seat.
"Perhaps, I can request a pass," Minerva allows once she's enjoyed seeing James squirm for a moment. "If nothing else the Headmaster will see the benefit of having as many moles at the table as he believes he has cultivated."
Her eyes flit to Sirius and he looks impassively back at her. He has spent too many years forging his relationship with Dumbledore to fall at the hurdle of giving himself away to Minerva.
"Actually," Minerva says, her eyes glinting with barely hidden amusement, "I believe Sirius and James should take leave and spend the holidays with Harry and Hermione."
Sirius almost admires her gumption.
"Now that is an excellent idea," Charlus says.
"WHAT?!"
Sirius has to check for a moment that it was James who uttered the protest and not himself.
His grandfather has a small uptick at the corner of his mouth which gives away how amused he is at the turn of events so it's not really a surprise when he agrees with Charlus.
Sirius cocks his head toward his grandfather because Merlin knows it's taken them long enough to get close to Dumbledore but…but Sirius cannot deny he thinks he needs to follow the suggestion. His magic is almost shouting at him.
"I'll speak with the Headmaster in the morning and make arrangements," Sirius says.
James' lips set in a mutinous line but he gives a terse nod. "I'll clear it with Moody."
"You'll stay with us, Sirius, of course," Dorea invites him with the smoothness she undoubtedly learned from her family before she could write the alphabet.
Sirius bows his head. "I'll be honoured."
"Good. Which brings us to January second which will be the Wizengamot," Dorea says as the quill writes rapidly against the parchment.
"You should spend the next day going over their options," Minerva suggests. "They'll need to make a decision on the fourth, and I would suggest if they do decide to return to Hogwarts they'll need the weekend to plan lessons and prepare."
"We should also provide some time for fun," James says.
"You just want to go flying," his mother retorts.
James grins at her cheekily. "Of course."
Dorea rolls her eyes at her son but there's too much fondness in her expression for anyone to be fooled into thinking she's truly upset with him.
"Well, it's the beginnings of a good plan," Dorea taps her wand and the parchment rolls up and disappears.
"Charlus, perhaps we can retire to my office and think about how we can present this to the Minister and Chief Witch," his grandfather says.
Dorea takes it for the hint it is and stands. "I'll head home and leave you to it."
There is a flurry of goodbyes; Minerva follows Dorea, Regina excuses herself to bed. Charlus and his grandfather disappear to the older man's study and Sirius is left with James.
Sirius calls for his elf for more refreshments. He and James both choose something alcoholic. Sirius offers a cigar but isn't surprised when James refuses. Sirius doesn't like the things either and so takes a seat opposite James with only the glass of cognac in his hand.
"What exactly did Remus Lupin tell you?" asks Sirius.
James frowns and swirls the cognac he holds. "That he was involved with Narcissa. Bellatrix attacked them and you intervened. He said you saved them both. You were returning to assist Remus when…when I turned up and misconstrued everything."
Sirius wonders if Lupin told the whole truth or just enough. "Did he tell you that he did most of the damage to Cissy and claimed Bellatrix had him under a compulsion spell?"
He reads the answer from the shock which glimmers in James' eyes for a long moment before the other man can regroup.
There's a tightening in James' expression; he's angry but Sirius thinks it's actually aimed at the right person for once.
"I didn't have time to verify the claim," Sirius continues, leaving out that the reason for that was James turning up and attempting to kill him, "and I don't suppose he informed his healer."
James shook his head. "He would have been embarrassed," he admits. "Remus rejects his wolf so it can cause issues."
"You think that's why his wolf allowed him to be controlled whereas most werewolves shake off the Imperius and the other control spells without issue," Sirius challenges almost gently.
"The control thing is why he couldn't get into the Aurors," James sighs. "He's a reluctant werewolf."
"He was with you when you were watching the unicorn herd," Sirius comments. It had been all Poppy had been able to talk about; that and the arrival of the inter-dimensional travellers.
"Peter, Bertie and I…we don't like leaving Remus out, but having him with us that night was a mistake," James admits. "Our werewolf laws aren't that restrictive but he still struggles to find work and he won't take charity or pity. He has a tendency to retreat to the packs when he gets too down about things."
"His cowardice almost cost you your honour," Sirius points out bluntly.
James winces but he acknowledges the truth with a bow of his head.
They both sip the cognac.
"Why did he decide to tell you?" asks Sirius.
James sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "He didn't. Dumbledore told me to stop holding a grudge against you and to demand the truth from Remus. Remus, well…he told me when I pressed him on it." He sighs and looks over at Sirius. "I assume you told Dumbledore the truth back then?"
Sirius debates his reply for a moment before he shakes his head. "I assume he plucked it out of Cissy's head. She's always been pants at Occlumency."
James blinks at him. "You mean…"
"Dumbledore is a Leglimens," Sirius confirms, raising his glass. He sips the cognac and appreciates its warm tones before continuing. He needs to be careful. He wants to make James aware of Dumbledore's flaws without causing any suspicion. "You should protect your mind better."
James grimaces. "Let's just say I have something in common with your cousin – words I thought I would never say – and leave it at that."
"Your heir ring would give you protection," Sirius points out. He can't remember ever seeing James with the ring on.
"You're right," James sighs. "Maybe I should start wearing it."
Sirius stamps on the impulse to ask James why he hasn't been wearing it; it's really none of his business.
James sighs again. "This is such a mess."
Sirius raises an eyebrow and doesn't stop to consider that it probably echoes Dorea's until James blushes.
"My fault, I know," James fidgets with his cognac before tossing the whole glass back.
Sirius is impressed he doesn't choke on the drink. "You didn't like me before the incident with Lupin. You and your Mischief Makers tormented me from day one."
"You're a Black," James retorts.
"So are you," Sirius shoots back. The Gryffindor legacy is prime in James' heritage but he has Black blood too.
James grimaces and sets the empty glass aside, sitting forward. "I found my mother crying once. It wasn't long before Hogwarts. There was some kind of event and she'd gone and endured a whole day with your family – well, not you but the others. I blamed your family because my mother was crying."
Sirius doesn't say anything. He understands – not in regard to his own mother who had been a bitch and he's still pleased she's dead and gone - but his grandmother had raised him until she had died. He figures if he had found her crying, he would have happily killed whoever had caused her tears. He's the same with Regina. If anyone hurt his sister…
"You were the easiest target within reach," James continues. "I just…I was eleven and someone had hurt my mother and suddenly you were there in front of me." He breathes in. "That first year was all about my mother."
"And the rest until Lupin?" asks Sirius curious.
"Ah, well," James blushes again, "that was because of Evans."
Sirius blinks. "Evans?"
James shrugs and looks bashful. "I liked her. She wouldn't give me the time of day, but you were always hanging out together."
"We were in the same house," Sirius says dryly.
Truthfully, he and Lily Evans have never been friends, but she has also not treated him unfairly either. At school, Ravenclaw had been suspicious of his Sorting since he was the first Black not to go to Slytherin. Lily had become best friends with his cousin Alice McMillan who had also sorted into Ravenclaw, and that was why they'd ended up spending time together at school. It's why they had ended up being best man and chief bridesmaid at Alice and Frank's wedding. They've actually ended up working together at Hogwarts where Lily is the Muggle Studies professor.
Lily's still cool to Sirius though. Probably because Sirius has never pretended to like her friend Severus Snape. The heir to the Prince estate is a socially inept genius with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Earth. The only person Snape seems to like is Lily.
But if Lily is cool to Sirius, she's positively arctic with James. That might have had something to do with James pulling her metaphorical pigtails all the time they were in school – which in hindsight was obviously James declaring his interest with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop.
"So," Sirius says, dragging himself back to the conversation at hand, "you hated the Blacks for hurting your mother, you thought I was a rival for the girl you were crushing on, and that's why you made me enemy number one even before Lupin."
"That pretty much sums it up," James murmurs. "Although to be fair, Snape took that prize in our fifth year."
They both share a look of complete understanding because fifth year had been the year when Snape had been the most obnoxious.
"I am sorry," James says. It's quiet and sincere.
Sirius believes James believes it.
James gets to his feet. "What are your terms?"
Sirius taps his cognac glass and places it on the table. He stands and squares his shoulders. "An honest attempt to build a familial relationship."
James' gaze narrows at him. "That's it?"
Sirius nods. "That's it."
He doesn't say he thinks they're going to need each other; doesn't mention the prophecy sitting on a shelf in the DOM; doesn't tell James that war is coming. But maybe James already knows that.
James breathes in sharply. "Agreed."
They shake on it and there is a flash as their agreement is sealed by magic.
Sirius escorts James to the floo and watches as the other man leaves. He breathes deeply.
Things are changing.
His mind flits to the steady green gaze of a young man not so much younger than himself; the weight of the world in those eyes and the sharp pain of looking at a ghost come to life. He wonders for an instance who he was to Harry to be so loved and so missed.
Sirius shakes off the thought. He needs to sleep. Tomorrow will be a day of dancing with Dumbledore and bringing Harry and Hermione home.
Things are changing, Sirius thinks grimly, and the House of Black will be ready.