Moria sighed as she leaned against the desk, looking at the clock attached to the wall. She rubbed her forehead, looking up as the fireplace came alive with green flames. Seconds later, Sirius stumbled out, patting away some soot.

"Typical Black…" she teased as he noticed her and walked over, "always just on time."

"You love me still." He teased, kissing her quickly. She snorted.

"Of course." She said before sighing. Sirius looked at her, concerned.

"So what's the first thing we're doing?"

"First is the Wand Weighing Ceremony."

"...that's stupid. Why do they need that?"

"It's just to make sure that the wands aren't defective so they don't wind up...you know...dead."

"Don't have Ollivander hearing that."

"He's going to be there. Besides it's just a ceremony."

"And they need it because…?" He asked trailing off. Moria shrugged.

"Tradition."

"Yeah…well…it's a stupid tradition. Probably a way to get the press into the school." Sirius grumbled. Moria made no comment, but merely smirked, kissing him lightly.

"Perhaps. But we'll just have to see right?"

"Right." He replied deadpan. She snorted lightly and they exited the office.

"How has everything been here?" Sirius asked. Moria sighed.

"All in all, it's been...as good as it could be. Harry's been spending most of his free time practicing spells with Hermione, Ginny, the twins, Geoffrey, and Max. I think Moody is teaching him in secret."

"I noticed you haven't said anything about Ron."

"Well...I think they had a fight right after the whole tournament and Harry being involved in that. It's been rather...strained between them."

"They're supposed to be best friends." Sirius said angrily. Moria offered a gentle smile.

"And they are. Even best friends have spats every now and then. And he's hurt, because he thinks Harry didn't tell him and actually managed to get his name in the goblet."

Sirius frowned, folding his arms in front of him.

"Anyways, they aren't any closer to finding out who put Harry's name in the goblet, so we still need to train him."

"We, which means me, right? My lovely wife who is pregnant with twins?" He added and she snorted.

"Yes you. But first the ceremony. Come on." She said and dragged Sirius down the halls.

A few minutes later, Sirius and Moria entered the classroom where the wand-weighing ceremony was to be held. When they entered, they spotted Dumbledore having a word with Ludo Bagman. He smiled as he turned and spotted the two of them.

"Moria, Sirius. I'm glad you could join us."

"Wouldn't miss it." Moria stated easily, glancing at Ludo Bagman curiously. "We weren't interrupting anything, were we?"

"Not at all. We were just discussing the ceremony." Ludo said as Moria glanced around, trying to spot Harry. She frowned when she realized that while she could locate Cedric Diggory, Victor Krum, and Fleur Delacour, Harry was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Harry?"

Ludo smiled sheepishly, almost apologetically. "Rita asked if she could borrow him for a few minutes. She wanted to get his interview done."

"Rita...as in Rita Skeeter?" Sirius clarified.

"Er, yes. She's one of the reporters who requested-"

Moria had already pivoted on her foot and stormed out of the room, Sirius not missing the dark look on his wife's face as she passed by him.

"Oh bloody hell." He muttered and then he was chasing after her. He saw in his peripherals Dumbledore following as well as the other contestants. Why they needed to come along was anyone's guess, but he ignored it. It didn't take long for him to hear Harry's voice coming from inside a broom cupboard around the corner.

"I have NOT got tears in my eyes!"

Moria pulled the door of the broom cupboard with a loud bang, the sound reverberating against the wall that echoed down the hall. Harry looked up from the blond reporter as Moria's eyes narrowed.

"Harry. Out. Now." Moria said in a clipped tone and quickly the teen hurried to where she was. Rita stood, glaring at her in annoyance.

"Do you min-"

Her expression changed to delight as she recognized Moria and Sirius as he arrived to her side.

"Why, is it isn't Moria Black and...Sirius Black! In the flesh! How lovely! I was wondering if my letters were not being delivered, as I never got a response from you or your wife."

"I burned your letters." Moria replied.

"And I explicitly remember sending you a message back that I'd rather be run over by the Knight Bus, hit by the Hogwarts Express and bring my mother back to life before I would do an interview with you." Sirius added, hearing Harry snort under his breath.

Rita barely blinked.

"Oh? I don't seem to remember that."

"That huge ego of yours at work, I assume." Moria replied dryly. "Anyway, may I ask why you had my godson in a broom closet for an interview. Not exactly professional."

"You must understand I need all the quiet I can get for my interviews. To think."

"Oh, I understand. The lack of brain cells would make it difficult to think up questions as well as remind yourself to breathe a few times a minute if there are too many people around you."

A slight twitch of the jaw was the only response Moria received.

"Congratulations on your child, by the way." Rita instead replied, sickly and sweet. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

"It's an Oompa Loompa actually." Moria replied nonchalantly. Harry glanced back and saw Cedric looking at Moria in awe and amusement, while the others seemed stunned. Dumbledore seemed the most amused.

The reporter's face hardened. "People have a right to know."

"About my pregnancy? No, they don't. On a side note..." Moria said with a flick of her wand, sending the scroll and quill to her, her hand clutching around it tightly.

"Excuse me! What do you think you are doing?" Skeeter hissed angrily

"Did you know that it is illegal to interview an underage wizard without a guardian's consent?" Moria asked the blonde woman pleasantly.

"Oh, please, that is just a formality," Rita said dismissively, waving her hand. "Nobody ever cares about it."

"Oh but they do. And seeing as my husband and I, nor did any of the staff here consent to the interview, this conversation…" Moria said, the parchment and quill bursting into flames and becoming nothing but ash, the blood leaching out of Rita's face, "is over. Actually, did you get anyone's consent before interviewing them?" She asked and the blonde woman began.

"You! You! You can't do that!" Rita shrieked.

"I most certainly can, you blonde harpy. What are you going to do about it?" Moria replied, taking a step forward, and Rita stumbled backwards. Her glare deepened and she puffed her chest out, trying to look large even as her back pressed against a wall.

"Do not tempt me, Black. I wouldn't want to hurt such a fragile woman."

The air seemed to still as every gaze turned back to Moria who was staring at the woman with a blank expression as the words seemed to echo. Then she smiled sweetly and Sirius knew one thing…that face was the precursor of the reporter shitting herself.

"Fragile?" Moria repeated. Suddenly Moria slammed closed fist into the wall right next to Rita's head, a loud crack echoing throughout the room and several small chunks of stone falling to the ground, her fist embedded into the stone. Rita's face turned pale and then green as Moria looked at her, her eyes seemingly golden now.

"I think I can handle you." Moria said, before pulling her hand out of the wall, turning and dragging Harry away. The others parted away from them while Sirius joined the group

"Are you alright?" Harry asked as he stared at his godmother's hand.

"I'm fine. Unlike last time, I actually put magic between my fist and the wall. I barely felt it." She replied.

"Last time? When was this?" Sirius asked with a smirk and Moria rolled her eyes

"I'll tell you later."

"Anyway, thanks for intervening. She's bloody crazy! Even if I did answer the questions truthfully she wouldn't stop embellishing." Harry exclaimed.

"Well I doubt you're going to have to worry about her. If she does bother you again, just tell me. I'll snap the quill in half and then shove the ends to where the sun doesn't shine."

"I pity the quill."

Moria grinned and the three reentered the room for the ceremony.

This year couldn't get any worse, could it, Harry thought to himself as he walked down the halls. If it wasn't because of the whispering and pointing, the pins were becoming a growing nuisance. And now he knew that they were going to be fighting dragons for the first task. He sighed, shouldering his bag as he headed down the hall, grunting softly as he bumped into a

pair of students. Hufflepuff students.

"Watch it!"

"Sorry…" he muttered

"If you aren't careful, Potter, you'll-"

"Be in everyone's way?"

The group squeaked and jumped to the side. Charlotte and Luna walked up to them.

"Hello, Harry!" Luna said cheerily, as the others shifted uncomfortably under Charlotte's gaze.

"Hi Luna. Charlotte."

"How has your day been?" Luna asked.

"It's been...fine." He said, glancing at the other witches who were staring at Charlotte nervously.

"I see…" Charlotte remarked, her white pole tapping the one girl on the foot, the girl jumping. "Perhaps it is not Potter who should be careful."

"You...you don't scare us!"

Charlotte slowly turned and stared blankly at them, before taking a step towards them.

They squeaked and took off.

Harry glanced at the group as they hurried away from them, before looking at Charlotte, who was standing there, glancing at him.

"Um...what did you do?"

"Every person has electric waves running through them. I just tweaked it to send them running. Besides, I frighten them, because I just stare without really seeing them, so they stay away from me."

"Charlotte, you don't have to."

"Max is my friend. One of the few ones I can call a true friend. You are her brother."

"So?"

"So, I do not mind."

Harry blinked and then sighed, laughing slightly.

"Thanks."

Charlotte offered a smile. Harry glanced around.

"Um…"

"We must be off, we're heading over to the kitchens." Luna chirped brightly, holding Charlotte's hand. "Have a nice day, Harry."

"Yeah. Sure. Thanks." He said waving slightly as Luna hurried away. He stared at them for a little while longer. Max certainly made the stranger of friends, but he couldn't deny that they were probably a good set of friends. Even Nysa.

"Harry!"

Speaking of Max…

He turned and grinned as she hurried over to him, waving. In her hand was a book.

"Hermione got me this. She thinks there should be some good spells to look at and consider."

"Anything that will make dragons as domesticated as Merlin?" He asked, gesturing to the cat resting on her shoulder

"Afraid not."

"Brilliant." Harry groused and Max smiled sympathetically.

"...have you told Cedric yet?" She asked as they made their way through the courtyard.

"Yeah. This morning."

"Good. I wouldn't want him to be the only one who didn't know." She replied and he sighed.

"Yeah...I know."

"And have you talked to Ron?" She added and his mood darkened.

"Yeah."

"And…?"

"And he's an utter git." He snapped. Max frowned, flipping her braid over her shoulder.

"Harry-"

"Why so tense Potter?"

Max and Harry turned and glared at Draco as he lounged in the courtyard tree, his friends just under him. He sneered. Max paused, glancing at Harry who was glaring at the blond wizard.

"Harry...come on. Mum said we can use her classroom." She said, pulling Harry by the arm.

"Running away? Classic Potter. Only brave when you need to show off. But other than that, you hide behind your fake-sister."

"Harry, come on." Max said, sensing danger and tried to tug Harry away again.

"You can't do that in the tournament, Potter. And my father and I have a bet, you see. I don't think you're going to last ten minutes in this tournament." Draco continued as he jumped down from the tree. "He disagrees…He thinks you won't last five."

Harry spun around while the other Slytherin's laughed, yanking his arm out of Max's grip.

"I don't give a damn what your father thinks, Malfoy." Harry snapped, "He's vile and cruel, and you're just pathetic."

He turned around and Max went to follow him, but looked back quickly as she saw movement in her peripheral vision.

"Harry!"

He felt Max shove him and he staggered just as a light flashed in his vision. He spun around to see her stumble, her braid falling limply to the ground.

The courtyard seemed to go silent.

Draco at least looked surprised that she had been the one hit, but it didn't stop Harry from pulling his wand out, red flooding his vision.

"Oh no you don't, sonny!"

Suddenly Malfoy vanished, shrinking and there in his place was a small white ferret. Max and Harry blinked, looking over as Mad-eye limped to them, wand pointed at the small creature.

"That'll teach you to attack someone with their back turned!" He growled, flicking his wand, sending the small creature up and down in the air.

"You stinking...cowardly…"

Harry glanced at Max, who had covered her mouth with a hand, her eyes following the ferret as it bounced up and down. Students around them laughed and cheered, watching the spectacle before McGonagall came hurrying through the crowd, staring at Mad-eye with a stunned expression.

"Professor Moody! W...what are you doing?"

"Teaching."

McGonagall stared at him for a brief moment before understanding crossed her face, quickly replaced by horror.

"Is that a...is that a student?!"

"Technically it's a ferret." He said as he strode forward, grabbing Goyle by the pants and shoving the ferret in there. Goyle began to scream, shaking his leg until the white ferret slid out of the bottom of the trouser. A quick flick of McGonagall's wand and Draco was sprawled on the ground. He scrambled into standing, glaring angrily at Mad-Eye.

"My father will hear about this!"

"Is that a threat!" Mad-eye snapped rushing towards the boy who ran away. "I could tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair boy! It doesn't end here!"

"Professor Moody!" McGonagall snapped, standing between Draco and him, the Slytherin bolting out of the courtyard, face a bright burgundy color. McGonagall's gaze was alight with anger.

"We never use transfiguration as a punishment, surely Dumbledore told you that." She said evenly. Mad-eye looked almost chastised, but there was a look of humor there as well.

"..."He might've mentioned it." He muttered.

"Well you will do well to remember it." She replied before turning and heading out of the courtyard. Mad-eye glared, sticking his tongue out, before looking at Harry and Max.

"After you check on your sister, I want to have a word with you."

Harry nodded and watched the professor limp away.

"Woah...Mum and Dad weren't kidding…he's wicked." Max muttered and Harry snorted.

"Yeah. Now...are you okay?"

"I'm fine...That's one way to get a haircut." Max said, playing with her now short strands. "He didn't make me bald did he?"

Harry turned her around and was quiet for a few moments.

"...Well…"

"WHAT?! Oh you've got to be bloody kidding me!" She snapped, feeling around the back of her head, only to turn around and see Harry trying not to laugh.

"You...you jerk!" She said, smacking his arm as he burst out laughing.

"You make it so easy."

She smacked his arm again, though there was a smile on her face.

"Does my hair look bad?"

"Not really. It's a bit weird seeing you with short hair though. I think the last time was when you were what...two?." Harry commented. She huffed.

"Probably. I mean, it's just hair. I'll-"

"What the bloody hell?!"

The pair jumped and turned to see Moria and Sirius walking over to them. Harry heard Max mutter a word he was sure she had learned from Nico before her parents were upon her, and Draco was a distant memory.

The darkness was all consuming, oozing out like pus from a gaping wound. She stared down at it, sinking closer and closer to it. She reached out, but a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her away. She spun around, staring into grey eyes.

Magdalena.

And suddenly the darkness was gone, replaced by a sparsely furnished flat, spiderwebs in the corners, dust and soot thick in the air. She coughed, looking at the other woman who was staring at her, a melancholy look on her face, fingering the heart pendant around her neck, her other hand resting on the swell of her stomach.

"Are you ready, little one?"

At first she thought it was directed to Magdalena's unborn child, but she realized that she was staring at her. She went to the door and grabbed the doorknob.

She hesitated for a moment, nearly jumping out of her skin as Magdalena's hand rested over hers. She looked at Max, eyes boring into hers, as though questioning her. Was she ready to go further into the unknown?

She swallowed and grabbed the doorknob and turned it, the door opening to a bright light. It felt like a goodbye. Swallowing, she took a step and found herself in a different house. The design was different...it looked older.

She turned at the sound of footsteps and she stumbled backwards as a young woman walked past her, long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. She paused at the door, before turning to stare at Max.

She had the same grey eyes as Magdalena and her.

"Wait...who are you?"

The woman didn't answer, instead walking out of the room. Around the corner, she could hear yelling and the sounds of fighting.

"Eva!"

She ran towards the fight. She probably couldn't do anything to stop it, but she could try-

But the moment she rounded the corner, all she could see was black, and then she was falling into the abyss below.

Max awoke with a start and she stared up at the ceiling of her dorm, clutching the blanket tightly to her.

So it wasn't just Magdalena…

She sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead as she tried to calm herself. Distantly she wondered exactly what these dreams were telling her.

She looked over at Ginny who was still asleep. She knew she promised to tell Ginny when she had a dream, but she was sleeping right then. Sighing, she sat up and grabbed a nearby journal and began to write the dream down, scribbling to remember what the newest woman looked like. She bit her bottom lip.

Something was going on...but she didn't know what.

She wondered if she wanted to find out.

Something was bothering Neville, Moria mused as she taught her class. The Gryffindor student was quiet...well quieter than normal. She glanced at him during class, frowning as he stared at his parchment without actually writing anything.

"Mr. Longbottom, I'd like to see you after class." She finally said and he jerked up in surprise, before looking away, face red.

"Yes Ma'am."

Moria's worry didn't abate. He seemed better after talking to Mad-eye, and the retired auror had even given the boy a book about herbology. But now all of a sudden he seemed to always get quiet around her almost as though he was worried about something. Finally class was over and all the other students filed out, leaving Neville there.

"Neville, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He said.

"...Are you sure? You seem really quiet. Is someone bullying you? Malfoy? Anyone from a different school?"

"No, no...not at all."

Moria frowned, before turning around to collect some papers.

"Neville, I know something is bothering you. You can-"

"Professor Moody said you knew my Mum and Dad."

Moria froze, before sighing.

"I did, yes. More so your mother than your father."

"He...he also said you were my godmother."

Inwardly Moria cursed the retired auror as she sighed, exhaustion taking over as she turned to look at him.

"I am." She said, leaning against her desk. A myriad of emotions crossed Neville's face before finally settling in a mixture of confusion and hurt. He looked down at the ground.

"You never said. Did you…I mean, were you embarrassed by me? And that's why-"

"No."

Neville looked up as Moria grasped him by his arms.

"I could never and will never be embarrassed by you, Neville."

"Then why didn't you say anything about you being friends with my mum? About being my godmum too?" Neville asked and Moria blinked, before swallowing roughly.

"It was never anything you did Neville." She promised softly. "It was all on me. Look...with Lily and James, there is...a finality. They were gone, and even if I had been there...it would have delayed Voldemort, but not stopped it. And yes it hurts like a knife in my chest. But you and your parents? Your parents hurt a whole lot more because they're alive and had I been there, there might have been a chance to stop what they went through, and that hurt, Neville. That hurt so much."

"They wouldn't blame you."

Moria smiled gently.

"Probably not… in any case, I'm sorry it made you feel like this. And that I never told you."

"...is that why you never visited or sent letters?"

"Not exactly. To keep custody of Harry, I had to promise not to send or try to contact anyone in England when he was younger and we were in Italy. That included you." She explained. "By the time I came back...I figured it would be...awkward if I dropped by. I didn't know how to explain why I just got up and left." She admitted. "You had been raised by Frank's family and I...I didn't know if I would even be welcomed in."

Neville was quiet, looking at the ground.

"I understand if you don't-"

"What was my mum like?"

Moria paused.

"Gran...Gran can tell me a lot about my dad. But not my mum. Only what she knew when Dad introduced her to the family. You knew her longer. So...what was she like?"

Moria blinked several times, her eyes suddenly burning and she didn't know if she could blame hormones on them this time.

"I...have pictures." She finally managed, and Neville perked up. "Loads of them. Would you...would you like to see?"

The smile he gave was blinding and so much like Alice, her heart ached.

"Yeah. Of course."

"Alright. Give me a few hours." She said after a moment and he nodded, waving goodbye. She stared at the door as it closed and swallowed roughly. She rubbed her face and let out a shaky sigh. Thirteen years...she would be able to make up that.

She would...even if it killed her.

The one problem he hadn't counted on, but honestly he should have known, was that with the influx of people, there were less places to relax, or wait for his wife or Harry.

Sirius sighed, flopping onto an empty bench, letting out a sigh. He had read more defensive books than he had ever planned on ever since he had been freed. Still if it helped Harry in the long run...

"Sorry, I didn't know anyone was here."

He jumped slightly, letting out a groan before sighing.

"Nah, you're okay kid." Sirius muttered, stretching and yawning.

"...You're Professor Black's husband, right?"

"Keen eye kid. You're the first one to say anything about Moria and not about my-" He trailed off as he looked up and just stared at the student standing there.

It was as though he was staring at his brother.

The same hair color, eye color, the same contemplative expression that Regulus always wore on his face. Sirius swallowed, trying to muster up the strength to keep talking, but failing to do so.

It didn't make sense. Regulus was only eighteen when he had been killed. He couldn't have…

"Your first time with Moria was when you were just shy of your 17th birthday." A voice whispered in the back of his head.

But his brother...he was too much of a goody two shoes...he couldn't...he wouldn't…

The boy cocked his head to the side and it was a swift punch in the gut.

Merlin, he looked so much like Regulus it almost hurt.

"Who are-"

"Sirius?"

Sirius jumped and turned to see Moria standing there, a look of confusion on her face. She then looked at the boy.

"Hello Aries."

"Hi Professor Black." the boy said, looking back at Sirius. "...I guess I should go. You're probably going to want to discuss how to help Harry."

"Probably." Moria said, glancing at Sirius, who was still staring at the boy. Aries shifted, clearly uncomfortable, before hurrying away.

"What was that all about?" Moria asked, looking at Sirius who didn't answer. "Sirius, what's wrong? You look as though you've seen a ghost."

"I...think I might have." He finally said, still staring at where the boy had been. "Do you know him?"

"Aries Matlock? He's a Ravenclaw in Harry's year. Why?"

"...Moria, he looks like my brother. Haven't you noticed?"

Moria glanced at Aries's receding figure frowning.

"I've noticed he has similar features, but it's not like Regulus and I were close. Besides, he never mentioned he was related to you, and Regulus was only-"

"Eighteen when he vanished. I know." Sirius said quietly. "Maybe I'm losing my mind. Maybe I'm imagining it. But I'd recognize my brother anywhere and that kid…that kid looks like him."

Moria squeezed his hand lightly.

"You're sure?" She asked. "This isn't just you thinking about him because of what Mason said to you about Regulus?"

"No." Sirius said. "I don't know why, but the kid looks like him."

Moria was quiet, before nodding.

"Let's talk to McGonagall. I'm sure Hermione and the others can help Harry."

Sirius nodded and the two walked down the hall. They spotted the Transfiguration teacher easily, and Sirius hurried over to her. McGonagall looked at him with a raised brow.

"Mr. Black, why do I always feel as though you are going to be up to something?" She asked deadpan and Sirius managed a smile.

"You know me...listen Minerva, is there a place we can talk...privately?" Sirius asked. McGonagall frowned, and glanced at Moria, who shrugged.

"Follow me."

They followed the professor into her classroom, devoid of students and she looked over at them.

"I know you are worried about Harry, but I believe he will be-"

"Do you know anything about Aries?" Sirius asked and McGonagall blinked.

"Aries?"

"Matlock. Aries Matlock. He's in Ravenclaw."

"Why are you wondering about him? He's not causing any problems is he? If he is, that would be a discussion with Flitwick."

"No, no...he's not in any trouble." Moria asked, taking over for her husband. "Do you know anything about him?"

"Why?"

"There…" Moria trailed off trying to come up with an answer. "We have some questions regarding his family background."

"Particularly his father's background."

McGonagall frowned, looking at Moria again.

"I can't tell you much. He is allowed privacy."

"No, we know...just...we're curious."

"All I know is that Aries Leonis Matlock is the son of Cordelia Matlock." McGonagall commented as she looked back at Sirius. "She was a pureblood in your brother's year. Slytherin as well. Quite quiet if I remember correctly, but kind and intelligent."

"Any information about his father?" Sirius asked.

"No." The transfiguration teacher stated. "Aries isn't one to gossip about his childhood, and if he did ever talk about it, it would presumably be to Flitwick rather than to me."

"Probably."

"I do know that he was raised by his great-grandmother Cornelia Matlock, after Cordelia passed away. She visits the same tea store that I've frequented."

"Thank you Minerva." Moria said, a look of contemplation on her face. She dragged Sirius away, noting McGonagall's expression of worry.

"Well that was a dud." Sirius said and Moria hummed absently. "I guess we can go ask Flitwick about him, I mean-"

"...Leonis."

"It's a star…Alpha Leonis." Sirius responded looking over at Moria who had slowed. "Wizarding folk, especially purebloods, are known for that. I'm surprised she didn't use it as his first-"

"...isn't that star also known as Regulus?" Moria asked suddenly, looking at Sirius who froze. "Aries was born around August of 1980..." She continued after a moment. "Regulus supposedly died in December of 1979, and is known as a probable deserter of Voldemort's followers. And you didn't desert Voldemort and live long after. If my math is correct, that's a nine month separation, coinciding with a full term pregnancy. If Regulus is Aries's father then this was during the height of the 1st war."

"And her newborn son would be in danger because of Voldemort." Sirius finished, swallowing. "Okay...so if that is the case, I can understand her not declaring him to be the father. But I wasn't in Azkaban yet. It was still a year away. She could have told me, I would have protected him or at least looked after him…I need to talk to his guardian. Cornelia, was it?"

"His great-grandmother, yes."

"Right. Let's find out where she lives and we'll go there."

"Sirius. Are you sure you're going to want to know?" Moria finally asked, grabbing her husband by the arm. "There may have been reasons we were never informed…reasons that you aren't going to be happy with."

"I want to know if he is my nephew. And if he is, I want to know why I was never told." Sirius said after a moment. "I want to know the answer. Good or bad."

"...alright." Moria said, following Sirius. "Let's go find a floo connection." She said and he nodded. She reached out, and grabbed his hand, frowning at how it shook.

She hoped they would find answers...but she wondered if Sirius was ready for whatever answer would be given.

The countryside was quiet, peaceful. It would be a good place to raise a child. Away from the world of the cities and drama.

But for Sirius the further they walked, the more his anxiety spiked.

"Sirius...Sirius, I need you to slow down."

He turned and then stopped as his wife followed him. She offered a smirk.

"I can't walk as fast as normal, remember?"

"Right...sorry...I...I just…"

"I know." Moria said softly, resting her arm. "It's like when I found out I had a brother. It's...terrifying. But it's not the end of the world if we end up having a nephew Sirius.

"It's...it's not that."

"I know it's not bad…but Merlin…what if Reg did have a kid?" he asked. " Regulus wouldn't have...I doubt he would even know about him." Sirius said his voice low. Moria sighed.

"I know…Merlin I know…I just wish I didn't. But we'll get answers." She promised as they spotted the house with a golden plaque that read biMatlock Residence/b/i. Moria pressed her hand against the wood and felt a charm dispel. Sirius swallowed and then opened the gate, flinching as it squeaked. They took a few steps in, looking around at the small cottage.

"Hullo?" A voice squeaked and they looked over to see a house elf wearing a simple, yet clean set of clothes, coming from a small garden, the large eyes staring up at them with curiosity. Moria offered a small smile.
"Hello, what's your name?"

"Foply, Missus."

"Hello Foply. Is Cornelia Matlock available? We'd like to talk to her."

"Foply will go see Missus." The house-elf squeaked and scampered away. Moria looked at Sirius, gently taking his hand. He offered a small smile, before looking up at the door as it opened again. An old woman stepped out, followed by Foply.

"Mrs. Matlock?" Sirius called out. The old woman offered a gentle smile.

"Sirius Black. I had a feeling you would come here eventually." She said and Sirius swallowed roughly.

"Yeah...I think we have some things we need to talk about." He replied after a moment, his grip tightening on Moria's hand. Cornelia stared at them, a soft melancholy smile on her face.

"Yes. I believe we do."