A/N: Hello everyone! A few notes for you today:

(1) The past two weeks I have been needed at work late on Wednesdays, so I've posted on Thurs morning (EST) instead- because I'm not sure if this will continue or not, I am going to go ahead and CHANGE the posting schedule. Now, updates will be Mondays and Thursdays (still EST). As per usual, I'll let you know about any disruptions.

(2) Endless appreciation for your reviews, opinions, suggestions, etc! They're the driving force behind this story- any time I've considered slacking, I've checked my email, found a fun comment from one of you wonderful people, and been driven right back to the keyboard. So cheers to you, and I hope Cass and crew keep your weeks as wonderful as you make mine.


January 2, 1982

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, Scotland

While it was normally not hard for FIlius Flitwick to slip out of Hogwarts for a few hours on any given day, winter break of the 1981-1982 school year rapidly proved to be an exception. In addition to needing to keep a close eye on the students who had stayed over break (many of whom had been orphaned, disowned, or abandoned over the past year), Filius was loath to leave Minerva around the Headmaster without alternate supervision. It was, in fact, not until the second of the new year that he was able to send Minerva away for a day in London with Poppy.

With a cheerful wave in the direction of the two witches in the air, Filius glanced back towards the castle and squinted at the Headmaster's balcony. Neither Albus or Fawkes were immediately apparent- though, really, Dumbledore had no reason to be wary of the cheerful Charms professor who had briefly mentioned visiting his mum for tea.

Securing his cloak more tightly around his shoulders, Filius stepped fully through the front gates, turned on his heel, and disappeared.


January 2, 1982

Calderon Castle, Spain

Isla Calderon glanced down at her suddenly vibrating pinky finger as she poured herself a cup of tea. "Tolly?"

Tolly peeked his oblong head around the back of her chair. "Mistress?"

"We've a visitor about to come through the floo- the first wards are ringing. Bring another teacup."

"Mistress isn't going to be exploding or crushing or chopping the uninvited guest?" Tolly looked both faintly surprised and hesitantly relieved. (The baby elf'd been a bit traumatized by Isla's descriptions of the wards capabilities.)

Isla smiled widely. "Don't be silly- this one isn't totally uninvited."

Gulping, Tolly snapped his fingers once and disappeared for the requested extra tea setting. (If nothing else- he would be happy to avoid any coming gorey scenes.)

The fireplace shook madly for a moment, the pictures on the mantle quaking near the edge and then backward, before a sudden loud BONG rang through the room. Isla brought her tea cup up to her lips and watched as her old co-apprentice stepped out in a swirl of midnight blue velvet.

"Why, Filius. You've come for tea? Please, sit."

Filius made a face as he crossed the room and hoisted himself up into the chair opposite hers. "You've been waiting for me, haven't you? I didn't have to dismantle a single curse."

Isla laughed. "As if you'd have been able to in time."

The pair regarded one another with companionable amusement for a long silent moment, during which Tolly reappeared with an extra cup and a plate of shortbread. As Isla levitated the tea pot to pour for him, Filius finally heaved a great sigh.

"It would be a shame for one to forgo using their own eyes and blindly accept the words of others."

Isla hummed in agreement, a slightly more graceful option than I told you so.

"It's quite the puzzle you gave me."

"It certainly seems to be missing even more pieces recently."

Filius huffed out a laugh and swung his dangling feet. "I'm going to be quite frank, and I'd deeply appreciate it if you would be as well- I'm afraid we have very little time."

"Such a Gryffindor start, Filius! I wouldn't have expected it from you." Isla raised one brow consideringly- Filius was on edge. "Well, the first bit of information is always free to an old friend, I suppose. Let's start with this: I happened to overhear a message concerning one Harry Potter from your favorite Gryffindor to the good Headmaster several weeks ago."

Filius sent her a sharp look. "How?"

"Dumbledore meddled where he should not have- namely, with the Black Family tree. He should be grateful the result wasn't more… fatal."

Filius fell silent for a long moment, eyes wandering around the room. "Cassiopeia Black."

"I did tell you she was investigating on behalf of the Potter family."

"Yes, yes- Dorea, I know. Isla, you have a child of your own. A grandchild."

Isla smiled towards the photos on the mantle, inclining her head slightly.

"I don't." Filius said bluntly. "I've never been inclined to settle down, and the closest I ever plan to getting to having children are my students. Toddlers confuse me, and infants are…. Not my cup of tea. But the state that Harry Potter was in when I found him? The place that Albus Dumbledore resigned him to? I would have taken him in myself just to get him away from it all."

Albus, you are needed at once at 4 Privet Drive. There has been a terrible mistake, and it must be remedied at once.

There has been a terrible mistake.

"I trust you wouldn't have left him there."

Filius shot her an affronted look that nearly screamed, How little do you think of me?

"You didn't come today to restore the child to his rightful guardians." Isla reached out to repour her cup, offering Filius the pot afterward. "After all, it's been some time since you removed him- you've had ample opportunity before now. What's changed?"

Filius chuckled bitterly. "What hasn't?"

"Don't dwell, darling. The sun is still in the sky, is it not?"

"Albus was never made aware that I know anything about Harry Potter's location. He has no clue who went with Minerva that night- not for lack of trying. I'm quite certain he's used memory charms on her nearly every day over the past three weeks, barring the evenings I've found excuses for her not to meet with him."

Well now, that was unexpected- Isla would never have expected the esteemed Hogwarts Headmaster to turn on the woman widely known as his guard dog. "Have you any concern that she's given you away?"

"None- otherwise, I'd have likely been memory charmed too." Filius's already-rapid wand tapping on his leg increased its speed. "Albus has a nearly unhealthy obsession with the Potter boy. He's been incensed since he vanished under his nose, and now that he's lost his shoving match with the Department of Magical Law Department regarding SIrius Black receiving a trial, he's even worse."

"It all goes back to guardianship it seems, doesn't it? Or maybe control. We'll need to know why. Filius, how much time do you have today?"

Pulling a golden pocket watch from under his robes, Filius stared at its face thoughtfully. "Likely another two hours."

"Tolly?"

"Yes, Mistress!"

Isla raised a single brow quizzically at her young house elf, who had appeared with his hands over his eyes. "I'd like my traveling cloak now, if you're able to see and find it in that…. Position."

A crack between the long, thin fingers revealed one suspicious eye. "Mistress is just wanting the cloak? She is not being in need of any… special clean up?"

Isla chuckled and beamed brightly. "Not yet. Hurry along now."

The little elf disappeared with a sharp pop!

"Where are we going?" Filius asked, sliding off the chair and draining his cup of tea in one smooth motion.

"Firstly, I'd like to confirm your mind hasn't been tampered with. Secondly… Filius, I think it's time for you to meet Cassiopeia Black."