Chapter 2:
Charis Stays For Tea
Marius is currently at his wits end. Leonis refuses to sleep alone even weeks later. He really is a perfect child otherwise. If it wasn't for the house elves, Marius is pretty sure he would be as mad as Walburga at this point. Sirius' trial happened a couple of days ago and it still galled him that the Wizengamot were looking at any excuse they could to throw him back in Azkaban. The absolute nerve! It had taken everything Marius had to get them to use Veritaserum. All of a sudden he was a pureblood again and they just couldn't make him. Conveniently Marius, as Head of the Black Family could insist and did. Sirius is currently in the other room with his son Leonis. Leonis' continuous laughter makes it all worth it however. He swears sometimes that the boy could charm a dementor. Since the trial he has had nothing but owls day and night. Boggard, Marius' personal house elf, helped tramendously by screening his owl post. Poor Archimedes, Marius' bespectacled owl, is in a huff about all the mail being received and not being used to return any. Marius found himself begging the owl to be patient and he would probably be gone for weeks with all the letters he was writing; he was going to send him on one long trip to the owl post office in England. This only seems to make Archimedes more upset that he wasn't going to be delivering them personally. Bantsy, One of the many house elves Marius had purchased, was learning basic household potions and if it wasn't for Boggard; the apartment building would be gone several times over. Why do Wizards and Witches not train their house elves more properly; it is the twentieth century for Magic's sake. "That would probably be due to Wizards fearing us because of that incident two centuries ago Master." Boggard says in response. "I was thinking out loud again Boggard, but of course your right. I am sorry old chap, I was truly trying to get you more help and I have just added more to your burden. How is Jinxy and Bantsy doing?" Marius returns in genuine concern for his lifelong elf and friend. "Bantsy is trying a new recipe today and I think she finally has the hang of the laundry. Bantsy is restricted to the Solarium today considering your cousin Charis visiting today." Boggard returns. "Hopefully she brings Hag along; I know it has been years since you have seen your brother." Marius says. Boggard smiles and nods. "Would you mind if I have him help with Bantsy sir? He was always better at explaining potions." Boggard asks hopefully. "Yes, Magic bless you Boggard I don't know what I would do without you." Marius praises. "I will finish with the tea sir." A loud boom could be heard from the room Sirius and Leonis are in. "And check on the children, and Kreacher... he still seems to be moping about his mistress; he also refuses to speak properly. Master Sirius isn't helping with his comments, I am sure he hasn't done anything harmful however. He truly loves Master Leonis. He would never endanger him. Sirius yes... I am pretty sure he would kill him if he could. Best order him not to sir." Boggard responds and is gone in a small pop. "Doxy." Marius calls out. "How can Doxy help Master Black sirs?" Marius pinches the bridge of his nose. Why are grown elves talking like three year old toddlers he wonders. "Doxy dear, will you please bring Leonis into the sitting room please? Then please help Dementa and Boggard serperate Sirius and Kreacher. If they are going to act like children then they can be treated like them. Please have them sit in opposing corners of the room. They can sit there until they stop mumbling slurs at each other. I will not have Leonis repeating such language." Marius asks. "Doxy be doings what Master Black wishes sirs." Doxy says softly and is gone in a pop. Marius is glad he has at least one of the new elves that can at least speak properly. Dementa seemed relieved to have a decent master this time. He paired her with Sirius thinking some of her maturity would pay off. He was certainly happy to have Sirius here with Leonis; he could also understand living with Walburga couldn't have been easy. But why did he have to act like a petulant child? Isn't adversity supposed to be a character builder? Whoever said that should be Avadakadavaraed.
It is five past one when Charis politely knocks at the door. "Welcome to my home cousin. It has been too long." Marius says. "It is rather charming Marius dear; I was rather worried where Arcturus sent you all those years ago. But when I saw you in your debut as Lord Black at Sirius' trial; I don't know why I lost faith in old Archi. You know he was named after Father. Should have known everything would turn out all right in the end. You do have a plan darling?" Charis Lysandra Crouch née Black says rather rapidly in one breath. Marius is struck dumb momentarily before he answers. "Lord Arcturus had a rather extensive plan in place; it hasn't covered everything, but I will do my best to insure this family gets back on our feet. I was rather shocked to see you at the trial. Your supposed to be dead to the public." Marius states with a wry grin. He can't blame his cousin; it is awful living in shadow for such a long time. "Well, with Walburga the sanatorium... Mind you I never thought I would see the day the ole mad woman would be put away... and the Dark Lord's demise; I didn't see the point. Once your were seen out and about using magic; I figured now would be as good a time as any. I contacted the others and figured we could all plan to come back together. Hopefully it will give you enough time to get things together while the public gossips. I hope you don't mind that I invited Callidora, Cassiopeia, and Cedrella. They should be here in an hour. Gives you plenty of time and then we can get things planned on our reappearance. Callidora is ever so worried about her great nephew living with her nephew Algie. Never played well with others that one. You know his mother was a Burke. I found it awful suspicious how Wendel, Harfang... he was named after my late husband you know... and Algernon's father's first wife... That would be Generva Longbottom née Smith.. was killed and then married to Paulownia Longbottom née Burke less than a year later. Suspicious." Marius coughs a chuckle. "No need to hide your amusement dear. We are family after all. Cedrella has an even more desperate situation. You know Authur; sweet Authur. He was always a dear one. He ended up with Molly... lungs of a fish wife that one... sweet in a smothering kind of way. House FULL of children and not ONE house elf. Something about blood traitors not being allowed to inherit. Just awful! Cedrella would have went full gray if it wasn't for the color potions. That traitor Pettigrew was staying with Author's poor family as a PET. House was in the papers. Shocking. Did you know they live in a restored chicken coop? All because Septimius' request to be removed from Nature's Nobility if the Potters weren't in it. I MEAN! Everyone knows that the Potters are Most Ancient. It was such a scandal before you were born. Budrow Potter, everyone called him Buddy, just laughed it off and he didn't get called a blood traitor because his sir name wasn't in it. Then to have them left despot. Sad really. I have of course saved the best for last." At this, Marius perks up. What could be worse? "The Crouch's have their own issues. You know Barty, he did ever so well in school. He seems to have found himself in a jam. Everyone knows that his wife passed a few months after my Grandson was sent to Azkaban. Well, supposedly, Barty Jr. died around the same time. However, my tapestry says he is still living. I asked to stop by the other day and Barty made excuses of being too busy. Who is too busy for their mother? He's up to something; a mother knows these things. Cass is fine, she has had her research and experiments to keep her occupied. She however is living in a flat on Nocturn Alley. I mean REALLY?! It used to be full of clubs and parlors; a few good restaurants. Now, with all the limitations on DARK creatures it is a cesspool. Hags on the streets, HAGGS!" Charis screeches. "Yes, misses?" Hag, Charis's loyal house elf asks? "Oh, I am sorry dear. I was talking about the hags in Nocturn again darling." Charis apologizes. "Stronger tea then I think, be back in a moment." Hag says and is gone in a pop. "So what do you think you can do Marius? We are at our wits end here." Charis asks exasperatedly. "Let's wait on the girls. I would like to introduce you to someone in the meantime. Boggard, will you bring Leonis in to meet Charis?" Marius asks. Boggard pops in with the emerald eyed Leonis and Charis is at once distracted and enraptured by his Heir.
Marius uses the time to fully digest the astonishing amount of information he has just been given. He had planned on getting the old Black Manor rebuilt in a couple of years. Walburga had burned it down a few years before he was sent away. Accident his arse! His flat is just too small for the amount of family he needs to shelter. He looks over quickly to make sure the child isn't in too much of distress with cousin Charis; but notices that he is cooing and delighted by the attention. Going back to his thoughts he mulls them over until a nock is heard at the door.
Marius is shocked to find not only Cassiopeia Violetta Black, Cedrella Violetta Weasley née Black, and Callidora Lysandra Longbottom née Black; but also his sister Dorea Violetta Potter née Black, Narcissa Druella Malfoy née Black, Draconius Lucius Malfoy, Andromeda Druella Tonks née Black, Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks, Augusta Marina Longbottom née Parkinson, Neville Franklin Longbottom, and last but definitely not least Amelia Susan Bones with her niece Susan Marjory Bones. "Boggard, we are going to need a lot of tea. Welcome Ladies, Lads, and Lasses. Please follow me to the Sitting room. A quick extension charm and we should have plenty of room." Marius knows this is not going to go very well; but in for a knut, in for a gallion.
Once the party enters the room everyone can see little Leonis' eyes and all Tartarus breaks loose. Andromeda looks confused, Narcissa looks betrayed, and Amelia along with Augusta look to be out for blood. "Ladies, if you would just give me a moment to explain and be seated. This is not going to be a short conversation. Boggard, my personal house elf is getting the tea and will be back in a moment. Cousin Charis has explained most of your plights; but I am assuming this outburst is over my Heir Leonis." Marius says calmly not to be hexed to death making a wrong move or startling the rather powerful women in the room. They do look rather put out, Marius thought to himself. "What is Harry Potter doing here Lord Black?! No matter what, I would recognize those eyes anywhere. Those are Lilly Potter's eyes. I was James' Godmother and was there for the birth of the boy. Explain now!" Augusta states in a rather pinched and very threatening tone. "Then you know that Sirius is his godfather now father. James and Lilly Potter created a will with Gringotts that was sealed shortly after their death explaining that Harry James Potter would become Leonis James Black upon their Deaths and Magically claimed Sirius Orion Black as his Primary Parent. Every adult in this room knows about the blood rights. This makes Leonis James Black a Pureblood and rightful Heir Black. After meeting with his muggle aunt and uncle it was determined that I would be best to raise him. If you would allow me to reach in my pocket, I will provide proof that everything is legal and on the level. I am sorry Madam Bones for not disclosing this previously; but the Ministry would never allow me custody of Leonis if it was known. I had a terrible time as it was with a Madam Umbridge without them knowing. It isn't my fault that they left the child to rot and sealed the wills. He truly is Sirius' son. The fact that he still has Lilly Potter's eyes proves that she was no muggleborn. Blood rights would have cleared her genetics completely otherwise. I have been working on finding out which family she comes from. I haven't had a lot of time to spend on the problem. I do know that it is from her mother's side as there are no pure blood Evens. Her mother's family also have the tradition of naming their daughters after spring flowers. Her sister's name was Petunia and her mother's name was Marigold. The eyes however leave me lost. I have never seen eyes this color before." Everyone took turns looking at the documents and processing the information. Neville, Leonis, and Draconius are babbling at each other and thankfully distracting many at the table. Charis is pinching the cheeks of Nymphadora and blessing Lady Magic that the metamorphmagus ability has made a reappearance in the family. The little girl is cute as a button Marius admits. Narcissa is the one who breaks the calm. "I can tell you that it was of great discussion when we were in school. Nobody said anything out of the Slytherin common room. Andromeda had already graduated, but even she can see the resemblance. Those eyes are just like Salazar Slytherin's." Everyone in the room stares at Leonis' eyes. Leonis shies at the attention but giggles sweetly none the less. "They are. Slytherin that is. Lily had a blood test done before she was allowed to marry James. It would have been in their wills and vaults. It was rather shocking actually. She was technically a half blood, because her father had a muggle father. Most of her ancestors were squibs due to some family blood curse. Her eyes actually come from her Father's mother's side. She was a Gaunt. She was also cleared of the blood curse and it is suspected that her sister's children or theirs will also have magic." Everyone stares at Dorea like she is Merlin himself. "I would know, Charlus and I were there when the contract was drawn up. They needed a witness to the contract and it had to be family due to the war and the further danger it could put them in." Dorea explains further. Gasps and then absolute silence; with the exception of a few giggles from the boys. It was at this time that Sirius walked into the room with his hand magically tied to Kreacher's. this should be interesting Marius thinks.
It takes almost an hour for the dramatics to settle down. It really got started when Sirius found out his son was the Heir of Slytherin and made a rude comment. Stupid since most of the people in the room were Slytherins. The man is so much like his father. He was glad that Orion was still being cared for by Gringotts. It could have been much worse really. All is forgiven for a moment when Leonis cries Padfoo' and Sirius transform in front of the Head of the British DMLE. Good thing he had used that secrecy ward earlier. Madam Bones almost went for her wand when that was mentioned. He also has his moments of stupidity he quickly gathered. Kreacher seemed delighted that the Blood Traitor and Shame of his Mother's flesh finally did something right. Thank goodness Boggard, Dementa, and Doxy took care of that before it got out of hand. The two were back in the other room in opposite corners. This delighted the other guests and things calmed down rather quickly after that.
"Now that everyone is calmed down, again, let us discuss some things of importance. I will make getting the original Black Manor rebuilt a priority. This will house all of us until our families can get back on their feet. Cedrella, Authur's family is more than welcome. This includes you and your grandson Madam Longbottom. I am still confused as to why you are here Narcissa, I understand that your husband will be none too please at your whereabouts and company?" Marius states in a calm and understanding manor. "He isn't the man I married. Something is wrong with him and I feel it safer if I were to stay with family until whatever is wrong with him is handled. He was forced to take the mark from his father and he was very suspicious of the Dark Lord until just a few months before what happened to the Potters. I fear for my son." Narcissa says calmly with subtle amounts of shame. She is in good company because her sister, along with most of the women quickly hug the woman with understanding. And now they are crying. How am I supposed to deal with women crying? "We are your family Narcissa and we are happy to have you with us. I have a feeling this has to do primarily with feud wards. Was this around the time that the former Lord Malfoy died?" Marius asks. "...Yes, I actually hadn't made the connection." Narcissa says and then starts making connections in her mind on what she new about feud wards and blood grudges. "Aunt Cedrella, what do you know about the Blood Feud between our two houses?" Narcissa asks in a mostly curious manner. "I know it started before this silly business with being blood traitors over a silly book. It had something to do about a contract and both families having since felt cheated. I also know that it didn't have to do with Septimius' line but it does now apparently; but I do not know how it could be honored by magic though if it was a silly ordeal and feud wards are involved." Cedrella contemplates out loud. "Is it possible to imitate feud wards to make it seem justified?" Narcissa asks the room. She was not that knowledgeable in old curses. "Yes, actually, but it takes some rather dark sacrifices to do so and the price is very steep." Cassiopeia states now interested. "I have a book I purchased twenty years ago that had such a ritual in it that I needed for a side project I was working on. I haven't truly thought about it in years. Nobody would willing do that to start a feud; well, nobody sane." Cassiopeia continues. "Cedrella dear, when did your family start being effected?" Cassiopeia asks. "Around 1950 I believe. That is around the time I was 'disowned' according to Walburga." Cedrella answers. "Who would be able to convince Abraxas of such a ritual though?" Charis adds. It then struck several of the older women in the room. "Tom, the leader of their little gang in school. You remember them Callidora." States Charis. "Yes, Tom Marvolo Riddle. He was a parcelmouth and seemed quite charming on the surface. Most of the house stayed clear of him. All the adults were absolutely enchanted... come to think of it... The Dark Lord's leaders were made up of the same families from The Knights of Walpurgis... Oh for Magical Sakes!" Callidora Longbottom has reasoned out something that many have been asking for year. Who is Lord Voldemort?