Petunia had bought a new swimsuit and was nearly scandalized with herself. Tomato red, the only red shade that didn't turn her sallow, a bikini, with much less fabric than anything she'd worn since college. It was made of a silky fabric, the kind that was unforgiving of any pudginess. Which, she was happy to see, she did not have. Her hip bones and collar bones were no longer prominent, and her neck seemed more swan-like than giraffe-like. She was at the weight and shape she remembered from her college years, not the skeletal thinness of the years on Privet Drive. She had a matching cover up robe to go over the suit.

It had cost the earth. Narcissa was definitely a bad influence.

Or maybe she was genius.

It was almost time to meet Arcturus. Silvi had put her hair up in an attractive, softly curled updo, so it wouldn't get wet in the new pool.

Should she wear heels? Was that too much? She pulled on a pair of bone white ones and paced the room. No, she would wear the cute woven sandals. She paced around in those for a bit. Nervous energy!

Her energy level had always been high as a girl, as had Lily's. The potions had taken that energy away, but now it was back. Good thing, too, with two active boys, and an adorable toddler, plus a complete Wizarding education to master. She had started walking briskly around the gardens early in the day, and thought she would add jogging to that in the near future.

Petunia adored the little house elves that helped her with the children. In the past she had been so afraid of magic, but now that fear was gone. If one of the children did some crazy magic, the house elves and others could help. Her own education had not progressed that far, but the house elves loved her children and were so strong!

"Silvi, it's time." Silvi popped in, grinned at her, and took her to the new balcony.

The balcony glowed softly, with an occasional sparkle of some magical flower or plant fairy.

"This bees the new balcony, Missy Petty. Wispi did most of the work but I did some helpsies. Have funsies with Lord Arcturus. You know, he would make pretty babies!" Silvi popped away, grinning broadly.

Petunia could feel her face heat in the soft darkness.

The new balcony had a large cushioned swing overlooking the garden, and a crystal table already set with refreshments. Strawberries, chocolate cream, whipped cream, tiny cakes. Cherry wine, an ever-hot tea kettle.

A small willow tree with softly glowing white bark filled the back of the platform. The undersides of each leaf had a bit of soft sparkle. Under the willow was pool, steam wafting into the air, with a small waterfall on one side. Flowers grew around it and soft lily pads glowed pale pink and lavender.

Arcturus popped right behind her, startling her. He laughed and pulled her into his arms. "Sorry about that. Glad I didn't knock you into the pool!"

She smiled at him. He was wearing a robe similar to hers, but open. His hard chest and stomach, with a nice bit of crispy hair, was intoxicating. "The pool is lovely, so I wouldn't have minded. Silvi might be upset though, if my hair got messed up."

"Merlin forbid!"

"Indeed. When it comes to my hair, Silvi has taken complete charge. I suspect she'll have it down to my waist by Christmas. So she has more to work with."

He laughed again, brushed a kiss over her lips. "Let me help you into the pool and then I'll get the wine."

Petunia really didn't need help down the white marble stairs, but it was comforting that he cared for her safety. She left her robe on the swing, as did he.

"That is a lovely swimsuit, Petunia."

"Not too shocking? It is pretty bare."

"It is a perfect adornment." He helped her into the warm sweet scented water and went to get the wine.

Adornment. It flashed through her mind that Vernon hadn't had such a word in his vocabulary. Arcturus handed her a crystal wine glass. She sighed happily. Intelligent, well-mannered, handsome, caring. He'd be a tender lover.

"I'm so happy we were able to arranged sometime here," she said.

"I feel the same. I think we should make it a regular occurrence. No reason we can't save the Family Black and still have some moments of pleasure for ourselves."

He sat close to her so their arms and thighs pressed together. She leaned against him., enjoying his strength and scent.

"What did you do this afternoon?" She asked.

"Amelia Bones came over and watched the penseive memory again. She was a bit disturbed about how the ward was broken. Her manor has similar wards, and she and her niece are the only ones left of the Bones family,"

"Oh, no."

"Yes, I called my account specialist and ordered a ward upgrade for her. After that she wanted to see Sirius and Bellatrix. Narcissa had taken a break from potions and had the babies at the beach where Draco and the children were playing. She introduced Antares and Adhara. Amelia did a charm that revealed who they were at birth. She was astonished that no potions were involved."

"Those babies are so cute. I do remember Sirius, I thought he was too handsome and charming, and a bit wild."

Arcturus nodded. "This time around he will grow up with loving mother. He won't be such an idiot."

"So, Amelia isn't going to be a problem?"

"No. I think she might study her own family Grimoires. The Bones family might pick up a few members that way." He took a sip. "Perhaps not. Their family magic was a type of Necromancy. Magic of the dead. Illegal, though not for her, if she uses Family Magic."

Petunia shivered. "That seems so ...unlike her persona of a head police officer."

"So it does. Family Magics have fallen out of favor for many families in these modern times. Too wild."

"What are some other families with magic?"

"The Longbottoms, magical plants. Even the most delicate thrive on their estate. The Greengrasses, animal husbandry, which they have all but abandoned in favor of their import business. Pity. The Weasleys, fertility magic. If they reached out to others with their skills, there would be no population problem in the Wizarding World. I have hopes Arthur will be able to lead his family back to the prominence they once held. I'd like to see him take his seat on the Wizengamot. Only finances have held him back, and I expect those to be repaired within the next year. Wizengamot members can't have heavy load of debt. Which Arthur inherited from his great grandfather."

"Amelia was also quite impressed with the horde of children at play. I invited her niece Susan and a little friend, Hannah, to come for a few days. They can floo home at night, or stay over, which ever they choose."

"I'm glad she won't be a problem."

"Not for us. Dumbledore, on the other hand…" He grinned and got up to refill their wine glasses. "Oh, and she wants to visit Black Bay village in a couple weeks. By then I hope to have fealty vows from our prisoners and a village with residents."

He got back in the water and placed their wine on a small floating dish. "But enough family business. I think we should talk about us, Petunia. I think we have something that is growing. Something special, between us."

It was time for honesty, Petunia knew in her heart. "I think so as well. But I worry my judgement is suspect. After the years with Vernon…"

Arcturus looked deep into her eyes. "You have healed so much. So have I. Who knows where we'll be in a month or two?" He slid an arm around her waist, and she circled his neck with her own. They kissed, a long, heated kiss, making her both languid and exhilarated.

Arcturus broke the kiss. "What about this? We keep as we are, meeting in the moonglow frequently, with an occasional date in the muggle world. Act as we have been around the family. Especially Narcissa. Then, come your birthday in early November, if we want, we could make a more formal arrangement? Does that feel rushed to you? It doesn't to me. I think mainly public sentiment and custom are keeping us apart."

She smiled and traced his lips with a finger. "If only we lived in more squash buckling times. I like your plan. Moving too fast could make something lovely seem too complicated. And our lives are complicated enough."

"You are right about that." He kissed her again.

Minerva couldn't sleep. Amelia Bones had dismissed Albus' worries about Harry, and she would be at Hogwarts later this week, after the teaching staff returned on Thursday. Why ever would she need to speak with the staff?

She had enough to deal with! Albus couldn't stay awake for more than ten minutes, and all he talked about was Harry. Had he lost his mind? Amelia Bones had dismissed his concerns, saying Harry's guardian Petunia Dursley was staying at Black Towers, and they all seemed healthy and doing fine. That Petunia was a caring aunt and Harry and his cousin where close as brothers.

Forty students has sent letters of nonattendance. Forty! Muggleborns, halfbloods, and Purebloods. How did the muggleborn first years even know about hiring a tutor?

That revenue loss was going to hurt. She would have to talk to the kitchen elves about smaller, cheaper menus for meals. They could have porridge and fruits some mornings for breakfast instead of a full English breakfast. Soup and sandwiches at lunch. Garden salad. Fewer sweets, She sighed. The change might seem small but could cause much ire among the students.

Tomorrow she would make an appointment with Petunia Dursley. One did not just drop-in on anyone at Black Towers.

Amelia Bones arrived the afternoon after the staff returned, with two aurors, an Unspeakable, and a healer. "Please gather your staff. We are in the midst of an investigation."

Minerva had the staff meet in the teacher's lounge, which was larger than the Headmaster's office.

Severus Snape walked through the door, complaining loudly. His eyes widened when he saw the aurors and Amelia Bones. He whipped around to leave and was stunned by one of the aurors.

"Good job, Auror Linus," Amelia said. She had spent an hour yesterday on the Black's beach, talking to the children while her niece and Hannah played with spudunkers with Neville Longbottom and Dudley Dursley, Harry's cousin, Draco Malfoy and Luna Lovegood.

Harry had refused to leave Milly Bulstrode's side and was quite adorable in his small boy fierceness. "Milly will be going to school here with me. Where she will be safe!"

"Is that true, Miss Bulstrode?"

"Yes. I already have my own room on the family floor. Harry, Dudley, Neville and I all have rooms on the same floor with Harry's Aunt. Draco stays in his family suite, and so does Luna. Pansy will either go home at night or live in the dorm."

"Same with the Greengrasses and the muggleborn girls. They will go home at night to their families," Harry said.

"And the Weasleys."

The younger children knew enough about rapes in Slytherin House to send her on to Marcus Flint, which led her to Paulus. She retrieved memories from him, and then visited half a dozen other Slytherins.

Now she needed to see how complicit the staff was.

"Crimes have come to light that have taken place at Hogwarts in the past five years. I have memories from several older students and recently graduated students. I will need each of you to see Healer Maldon before I can question you. Minerva, do you have a room nearby he can use? While we wait for each of you to see the healer, you may have a house elf bring your paper work or a book to read."

Minerva unlocked a room and the healer and Unspeakable disappeared into it.

Poppy Pomfrey was called and was gone for nearly twenty minutes. Snape awoke, began yelling and was stunned again.

Poppy returned, pale and red eyed. Amelia received parchment. "Minerva, you are next."

Pomona Sprout tried to ask Poppy if she was all right but Poppy just shook her head.

It took almost three hours for the healer to get through the staff.

"Everyone except Severus Snape is dismissed. No part of this investigation goes beyond these walls. The penalty is arrest for interfering in the investigation of the abuse and assault of a minor. It would end your career."

The staff nodded. Snape looked ill.

"I will speak to each of you individually and confidentially. You may go back to your activities."

An elf popped into the dungeon and walked up to Remus' cell."I bees Mari. I be taking wolfy man and children to a suite. You be cleaning up and putting on clothes in wardrobes. Mari will fix if they don't fit right. Lord Black will talk with you."

"Good luck," Aggie smiled with her shiny white, regrown teeth. The elf popped them to a suite of rooms.

"Please bathe and dress. Mari will have tea ready when you be clean. Missy's room be pink."

Thirty minutes later Remus walked out to the living room wearing clothing that might not be new, but was high quality with little wear. He had on tan trousers, a blue striped shirt and a blue over robe made of cable knit. It was raining hard and was quite chilly.

Davy Demling came out, dressed similarly though he wore a bright yellow sweater, and a dark brown robe.

Lindy Lou Pickens was the last to join them. She wore a pink sweater, blue, pink and white plaid skirt, and a blue robe. She looked younger than her thirteen years, still painfully thin. The scar on the side of her face was barely visible. Andromeda Black did good work.

Mari took him to Lord Black's study. Remus walked with a feeling of dread. It could be execution for him. The Ministry didn't hold werewolves in Azkaban.

Lord Black rose from his impressive desk and held a rain robe out to him. "You'll need this. I want to show you Black Bay Village."

Feeling stupid, when he was generally so intelligent, Remus put on the robe, noticing Lord Black was donning a similar one. "Black Bay Village?"

"Indeed." Lord Black grabbed his arm and apparated.

Remus looked around at a small village square. Down the street he saw elves hard at work repairing roofs and windows. He could smell the sea, quite close. "W-Where are we?"

"This is Black Bay Village. It has been empty for almost fifty years, under a stasis charm. My father and grandfather foolishly sent shopkeepers and fishermen to fight alongside the Walpurgis Knights. Killed them all, killed the village. I have made anew fealty oath to the Black family, one which states you will never be sent to war on behalf of the Blacks. In return, I lease you a home that is yours and your families as long as you choose to live in Black Bay Village. I will find you employment and you will receive a monthly wage."

"What? You are offering me a job?"

"Indeed. I also have farms, about eight of them. The houses aren't fixed yet. We started with the village square."

"I-I don't understand."

Lord Black nodded. "I do not believe you wish Harry any harm. Werewolves and others quite down on their luck are vulnerable to being used, as you were. I am offering you a palace in my village, in an exchange for an oath of fealty. None of you will live in poverty again, nor will you work for my enemies."

Lord Black walked over to a large stone and thatch cottage. "I hoped you would take over guardianship of the two teens. This is a nice three bedroom home. Next door is the village magistrate's office. I thought, having seen your Newts, you might like the position."

Remus placed his hand on the oak table in the sunny kitchen. "Y-you're not turning me over to the Ministry for execution?"

"No. I'm trying to rebuild the Black Family. You, loyal to Family Black, to Harry, add strength."

Remus' legs gave out. He sat abruptly on a wooden chair. "Where's the oath?" Lord Black handed him a parchment and a blood quill.