Now that the Chamber of Secrets plot has been completed for this story, it's time to move on to the Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm really excited about this year. Actually, I'm excited about every year that I have planned but this one in particular gives me good reason to be excited so I hope that you guys enjoy what I have planned.

Family Madness

In the aftermath of everything that happened at the end of her fifth year, Ursa was more than ready to go home and relax for the rest of her holidays. Although for Ursa, relaxing generally meant finding a nice book and a quiet spot for herself to read in peace. Ursa was a simple person like that. It was ironic, considering she had all of that money at her disposal and could do anything with it, but Ursa preferred to enjoy the simple things in life. Besides, Ursa only ever used her money when her parents used it for her when they travelled. And Ursa hadn't left the country since before she started Hogwarts.

The only country that Ursa had ever been to was France, and that was to visit her cousins when her father actually allowed her to see them. Things between her father and her aunt were tense, Ursa knew that much. There was a lot about their relationship that Ursa didn't quite understand, but there was enough to help her form her own theories as to why her father disliked his older sister so much.

Throughout the break, Ursa stayed in regular contact with Hermione through their letters. At one point, they had made an agreement for Ursa to try and get away from the Manor for a day so that she could spend it with Hermione in the muggle world. The idea of being with Hermione in her domain was certainly an appealing one to Ursa, since she had spent next to no time in the muggle world. Of course Ursa had read all about it and learned as much as she could in Muggle Studies, but there was nothing quite like having firsthand experience.

So in the last month of her holidays, Ursa was able to slip away from the Manor with permission from her mother. Little did her mother know that her daughter would be stepping foot in the muggle world for the very first time. Even though her parents had tried to drill into her that the muggle world wasn't a place that she wanted to go to, Ursa had always wondered what it would be like to go to a place where magic didn't exist. So according to their arrangement, Ursa had left Diagon Alley through the wall and entered the muggle world for the very first time.

"Well, here I am," Ursa muttered.

"Ursa!" came a yell.

Turning to her left, Ursa saw Hermione heading towards her with a large grin on her face. They had arranged for Ursa to exit Diagon Alley through the wall and for Hermione to be waiting for her on the other side. One thing that wasn't part of the arrangement was a surprise that Ursa had waiting for Hermione.

"So, you didn't have any trouble getting by?" Hermione commented.

"None at all," Ursa replied.

"Excellent," Hermione grinned. "So, what do you have there?"

"Well, do you remember how I told you that my cat was getting fat?" Ursa stated.

Hermione nodded, "I remember you mentioning that in one of your letters."

"Well, as it turns out, my cat wasn't just fat. She was pregnant," Ursa said.

"Really?" Hermione gasped. "So she had kittens? Aw, that's adorable!"

"They were. But unfortunately, my father wouldn't let me keep any of them so we had to give them away," Ursa explained.

Hermione pouted, "Well, that's not fair."

"It certainly wasn't, but I had to sit by and say goodbye to my kittens as they were sold off. I had certainly grown attached to those little buggers by the time they were taken away," Ursa said.

"I could imagine," Hermione remarked.

"However, there was a bit of a problem. My cat had six babies, and she must've cross-bread with one of the kneazles that we have around since the kittens came out part-kneazle," Ursa stated.

"Your kitten certainly got around," Hermione joked.

"She certainly did. So, we were able to find quick homes for them. But there was one kitten that nobody didn't seem to want because he wasn't as… attractive as his brothers and sisters," Ursa continued.

"Aw, that's terrible," Hermione frowned.

"So, I've been trying to find this little guy a home for the past few weeks but nobody seems to want him because he's not your general beautiful cat," Ursa stated.

"Well, if you want, I could take the cat for you," Hermione offered. "I've always wanted a cat, and my parents said that I could get an animal this year."

"I'm glad that you said that, Minnie. Because guess what I have with me now," Ursa grinned.

Hermione's eyes widened as her gaze landed on the box that Ursa was carrying, "Oh my goodness. Is that him? Is he in there? Can I have him now?"

"Well, I did put him in a bit of a magical sleep for the trip over because he is a bit of a rambunctious cat and hard to tame," Ursa replied.

"Didn't your parents notice you leaving with a box?" Hermione wondered.

"My mother is under the impression that I have gone to Diagon Alley to take the cat to the Magical Menagerie and that I will be spending the day there to entertain myself," Ursa answered.

"Well, I will certainly be entertaining you for the day!" Hermione exclaimed as she grabbed hold of Ursa's hand and dragged her off.

Although Ursa had been looking forward to spending time in Hermione's world, she did have to admit that she was a bit apprehensive about this trip since the last thing that Ursa wanted was to get into any sort of trouble that would get her parents involved. The first thing that Hermione did was drag Ursa to the underground subway, which had already confused her since she was under the impression that a subway was a kind of restaurant.

It was certainly a unique experience as they boarded the mechanism and travelled underground. Ursa did have to admit that she was nervous about that part, since as far as she was aware, the ground could just collapse on them and bury them alive. That, and the subway was hardly something that Ursa felt comfortable travelling in. The space was crampy and there was a distinct smell that was just… unpleasant.

"So… this is what a subway is. I didn't realise that it would be this… putrid," Ursa commented as she covered her nose.

"So, you've never travelled in a non-magical way?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione, I'm a witch. The only way that I have travelled before is through Floo powder and portkey. We don't use cars or planes," Ursa replied.

"But you said that you visited your cousins in France when you were younger," Hermione pointed out. "I thought that it was unsafe to travel internationally using Floo powder."

"That's what portkeys are for. Sometimes my parents took us through apparition," Ursa said.

"I suppose it is an easier way to travel," Hermione mused.

"Plus, it also limits the kind of pollution that you get with muggle travelling since you can't really do that much damage to the environment travelling the magical way," Ursa added.

"Huh, I guess I never really thought about it that way," Hermione commented.

They continued the rest of their journey chatting about anything and everything, although there was one point when this rather greasy and disgusting looking man came to sit near them so Ursa naturally scooted as far away as possible from him. The whole time, Hermione never gave away what it was that she would be getting Ursa to do while they were in the muggle world together. The prospect of being spotted by someone that she knew certainly crossed Ursa's mind, so she was a bit nervous about getting caught where she certainly wasn't supposed to be.

"Would you stop worrying, Ursa? Nobody that we know should be around here," Hermione said at one point.

"That doesn't do anything to ease my nerves considering I wouldn't put it past my parents to send someone after me," Ursa muttered.

"If someone was following you, then wouldn't they have exposed themselves by now?" Hermione pointed out.

"Not if they were under orders to remain hidden," Ursa said.

"You're just being paranoid," Hermione dismissed her concerns.

That certainly didn't ease Ursa's worries, and she didn't feel particularly safe until they had arrived at Hermione's house. The first thing that Ursa noticed was how it certainly wasn't like what she was used to at the Manor, but then again, she supposed that this was how most muggles lived. Hermione had told Ursa that her parents would be gone for a while and that they would have the house to themselves. Ursa watched as Hermione gleefully opened her cat carrier and the part-kneazle kitten made its way out. The kitten stared at Hermione for a few moments, almost as if it was checking her out. Then the kitten made a move towards Hermione, brushing its head against her hand.

"Aw, he's such a cutie!" Hermione gushed as she adored the cat.

"And, he likes you," Ursa added. "That was part of the problem when it came to finding him a home. People just didn't like him because he wasn't the prettiest of cats, he just didn't seem to warm up to anyone while his brothers and sisters were more friendly."

"Well, I feel honoured to have his approval," Hermione grinned.

"So, what do you do around here?" Ursa asked somewhat uncomfortably.

"Well, I watch TV or sit outside. I could turn it on for you if you'd like," Hermione replied.

"Why not?" Ursa shrugged.

After Hermione turned on the TV, they started entertaining themselves by making use of the board games that Hermione had in her house. Surprisingly, Ursa had heard of most of them but one that instantly caught her attention was the Scrabble board game. What followed was a rather intense game of Scrabble between Hermione and Ursa, with each of them trying to one-up each other with their words. It wasn't until Ursa found her attention grabbed by the TV that she turned her focus away from their game of Scrabble.

"If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of escaped convict Sirius Black, they are encouraged to go straight to the authorities. Remember that this man is dangerous and potentially armed and we recommend approaching him with caution," the news reporter said.

Ursa immediately lost all colour in her face. Unless there was another Sirius Black, this escaped convict was non other than her mothers cousin who had been sentenced to Azkaban twelve years ago.

"Ursa, it's your turn," Hermione stated.

"Oh, right," Ursa mumbled as she made her next move. "Hermione, have you heard of that escaped convict before?"

"I first saw him on the news last night in a breaking story. He's the first escaped convict that I've ever heard of. I wonder what prison he escaped from," Hermione replied.

Ursa sighed, "I do. He escaped from Azkaban."

"but that's our prison!" Hermione gasped.

"It is," Ursa nodded.

"But I thought that Azkaban was inescapable," Hermione pointed out.

"It's supposed to be. But apparently Sirius Black found a loophole," Ursa said.

"Are you sure that he escaped from Azkaban?" Hermione asked.

"Dead sure. I know I'm not mixing him up with anyone else because unless you muggles have your own Sirius Black, that escaped convict is from Azkaban," Ursa insisted. "He's also my first cousin once removed."

Hermione gaped at her, "Really?"

"He's a Black, Hermione. In case it's slipped your mind, I am also a Black. His mother Walburga was my grandfathers sister. She married their second cousin, Orion, and had two children, Sirius and Regulus," Ursa explained.

"But then wouldn't that make their sons their cousins as well?" Hermione pointed out.

"In some way," Ursa replied. "I did tell you that a lot of ancient pureblood families like the Lestranges, the Gaunts and the Blacks resorted to inbreeding in order to keep their bloodline pure."

"That's… disturbing," Hermione commented.

Ursa shrugged, "It was how things worked."

"What did Sirius Black do to get sent to Azkaban?" Hermione wondered.

"A lot of things," Ursa mumbled.

"Like?" Hermione pressed.

"Hermione, I need you to promise me something," Ursa said.

"What?" Hermione narrowed her eyebrows.

"What I am about to tell you, you can't talk to anyone about unless they bring it up. Especially to Harry Potter," Ursa stated.

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"You're gonna need a bit of context to this story," Ursa started. "So, you remember how I told you that a part from me, all Blacks have been in Slytherin?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded.

'Well, Sirius Black is also an exception to that tradition. He was sorted into Gryffindor house where he befriended James Potter," Ursa explained.

"Harry's dad," Hermione gasped.

"Yes, Harry Potters father. As you would imagine, Sirius' parents weren't pleased about him being a Gryffindor. I had the displeasure of meeting my great-aunt Walburga when I was young and I can still remember that she was hardly a pleasant woman. At one point, Sirius left his home and his parents disowned him. I think he was sixteen at the time," Ursa said.

"Where did he go?" Hermione asked. "He couldn't have just stayed at Hogwarts."

"He didn't. He went to live with the Potters. Based on what I know, James Potter and Sirius Black were as thick as thieves. They caused quite a lot of trouble at Hogwarts, and I suspect that their behaviour is part of the reason why Severus Snape is so harsh towards Harry," Ursa explained.

"Harry's dad and Snape went to school together?" Hermione clarified.

"They did. James Potter was a Gryffindor, and Snape was a Slytherin so they naturally didn't get alone. But James Potter was I guess what you would call a bit of a bully, so that only made Snape dislike him even more," Ursa replied.

"So Snape only hates Harry because he hates his father? That's just ridiculous. But I suppose it makes sense as to why Snape was harsh on Harry before he had even properly met him," Hermione commented.

"Anyways, because Sirius was so close with the Potters, they had no problem with allowing him to live at their house. At some point, I suppose that James Potter must've become less of a jerk since he became Head Boy and married Lily Evans. Then they had Harry, but were forced to go into hiding once Voldemort discovered the prophecy about Harry," Ursa said.

"That much I know," Hermione interjected.

"What you probably don't know is the fact that the Potters had been protected by a Fidelius charm and they had been given a Secret Keeper. Only the Secret Keeper would know their location," Ursa revealed.

"But obviously they were betrayed…" Hermione trailed off.

"It is believed that Sirius Black was given the job of their Secret Keeper. I can't say that what happens next is for sure, but Sirius Black allegedly betrayed the Potters to Voldemort by revealing their location. I'm sure that you know what happens after that," Ursa said.

"You-Know-Who kills Harry's parents," Hermione murmured.

"Sirius Black is said to have gone on a rampage after that, even going as far to murder one of their best friends, Peter Pettigrew. All that was left of Pettigrew was his finger. And that's not all either. Twelve innocent muggles were caught in the crossfire," Ursa explained.

"That's horrible," Hermione gasped.

"It certainly caused a bit of a mess," Ursa agreed. "After that, Sirius Black went ballistic and confessed to the murders and was thrown into Azkaban without even having a trial."

"He didn't get a trial? Isn't that kind of mandatory?" Hermione pointed out.

Ursa shrugged, "Apparently his confession was enough for the Ministry."

"That's just horrible," Hermione whispered. "Harry would be devastated if he discovered this. How do you even know this?"

"Let's just say that I've heard plenty of conversations that I wasn't supposed to overhear," Ursa answered.

"It's just horrible to think that you could think you know someone, only for them to turn around and betray you like that," Hermione said.

"Mhm," Ursa mumbled.

"Ursa, what are you thinking?" Hermione asked.

Ursa sighed, "Well, I don't think that Black is entirely guilty."

"How could you say that?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Just hear me out, Minnie," Ursa reasoned. "Think about it. Sirius Black and James Potter were the best of friends. Sirius even lived with James after he was disowned by his own family. I find it highly unlikely that he would betray his best friend when James Potter would've been the only family he had. And besides, Sirius Black would've been hysterical. Wouldn't you be hysterical if your best friends were just murdered in cold blood? He didn't even get a fair trial either."

"I suppose you do have a point," Hermione agreed. "But if he is innocent, then how come he's spent twelve years in Azkaban? Wouldn't he have said something?"

"I don't know. But I suppose that spending that long in Azkaban is sure to mess with your head. I shudder at the thought of what my Aunt Bellatrix would be like now after spending the same amount of time in there," Ursa said.

"Is it really that horrible there?" Hermione questioned.

"Azkaban is probably the worst place you could ever go to. It's guarded by the Dementors who are truly disgusting creatures. The Dementors Kiss is the worst punishment that you could get. They are truly fowl creatures that are said to be unforgiving when it comes to showing mercy," Ursa replied.

"You said that your Aunt Bellatrix is in there… why?" Hermione wondered.

"Well, after Voldemort first fell, a couple of his followers were rounded up and put in prison. My Aunt Bellatrix was one of those after she, my Uncle Rodolphus and his brother were caught using the Cruciatus Curse on the Longbottoms," Ursa explained.

"You wouldn't mean Neville's parents, would you?" Hermione asked.

"I do," Ursa nodded. "They tortured the Longbottoms into insanity and they are now permanent residents at St Mungo's."

"That's horrible," Hermione gasped. "Poor Neville. No wonder he never mentions his parents…"

"I wouldn't mention that around him unless he brings it up. Surprisingly, not that many people know what is exactly wrong with the Longbottoms. People just know that they live at St Mungo's. I only know because my mother knew," Ursa said.

"Was your Aunt Bellatrix always insane?" Hermione enquired.

"Based on what my mother has told me, Bella was always a lot more… unhinged compared to her and Andromeda. Bellatrix had a blatant disregard for authority and was always doing crazy things that got her in trouble with her parents. In some ways, she was much like a Gryffindor. I think that they had hoped that once Bella got married, she'd tone it down a bit but she never stopped. As soon as Voldemort first started to gain more popularity, Bellatrix immediately signed herself up to the cause. She was always a dark type of witch, but working with him has only exploited her darkness and insanity even more," Ursa answered.

"And Azkaban has probably only made it even worse," Hermione added.

"Azkaban certainly isn't a place where you'd want to be. It's said to… change people during their time there," Ursa said. "I'm just glad that she and my Uncle Rodolphus never had any children. The Black and Lestrange families have quite a history of instability and any offspring of them together would be a recipe for disaster."

"Just when I was hoping that maybe this year wouldn't be as crazy as my first two at Hogwarts," Hermione sighed.

"Trust Hogwarts to always bring attention," Ursa remarked before her face turned serious. "Hermione, I'm going to need you to be careful for me."

"Why?" she wondered.

"Because we don't really know where Sirius Blacks allegiance truly is. If he is actually working for Voldemort, there's a good chance that he might try to come after Harry. If he's innocent, he might still try coming to find Harry and that could only bring trouble. This is just a danger that I don't want you getting mixed up with after last year," Ursa said.

"You know just as well as I do that I can't make any promises to that," Hermione stated.

"But please, try for me, at least," Ursa pleaded. "I'd hate to see you get hurt again after last year."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "You blame yourself for me getting petrified."

Ursa sighed, "Can you blame me for that? If I had looked out for you more, you wouldn't have been at risk of getting hurt. If I had just listened to you, you wouldn't have been petrified."

"How could you listening to me have changed anything?" Hermione asked.

"Well, my logic stopped us from solving the mystery sooner. I disregarded the fact that the monster could've been a Basilisk while you argued against me when the clues were right there. If I had just listened to you and given your arguments more thought, we would've solved it sooner and you wouldn't have been petrified," Ursa explained.

"Ursa, you're a Ravenclaw. It's part of your identity to be a logical person. In your mind, there was no way that it could've been a Basilisk," Hermione argued.

"Still, I should've done more to keep you safe," Ursa muttered.

"Well, we wouldn't have been able to figure anything out without each other. Our brains certainly make quite the team," Hermione smiled.

"And it looks like they'll be doing some more work this year," Ursa stated.

With thoughts of what lied ahead of them for the following year, all Ursa could do was hope that she and Hermione would be able to handle them and figure it out together. So as Ursa left Hermione's house with those thoughts on her mind, she could only do her best to prepare herself for what was to come.

And so PoA begins. I've got plenty install for this year, with a few changes of my own already planned like how I've done them already with Hermione getting Crookshanks from Ursa instead. This is only just the beginning of what will be another action-packed year for our two girls.