Divorce

Chapter 1: Sirius

Padfoot woke up first. He was curled up on the forest floor. Wet leaves and grass mated his fur. He walked over to the tiny hut. Remus was sleeping on the mattress turning restlessly in his sleep.

Sirius tried to stop this behavior, but Padfoot would always comfort a pack mate in trouble. He curled his fluffy body around Remus. The werewolf's hands automatically came around him and his fingers dug into the fur.

Padfoot wiggled more comfortably and closed his eyes. When he woke up the next time, he already shifted. The mattress was empty too, so Remus was probably up.

Sirius bought the hut and the land around it a few years ago, since they started coming here every full moon. Remus would probably be uncomfortable if he knew, but Sirius needed to be sure this was a safe space for him.

Remus was indeed outside. He was checking for damage as usual. No matter how many times he shifted with no incident, he never shook this fear. He was returning now, so he was most probably done with his rounds.

"Everything in order?" Sirius asked. He ran his hand through his hair and found some leaves there; he must have looked terrible.

"Yeah," Remus said looking away.

"Ready to get back home?"

Remus nodded. Usually, even if he was physically okay most of the time, his magical core was still drained and Sirius was the one to apparate them home.

"You hungry?" Sirius asked when they landed on the street.

For security reasons, they made the house a non-apparating zone. So they had to walk a few steps to the house.

"Not really. Didn't we hunt last night?"

"Yes, we did, but a rabbit is not enough."

"Some toast and coffee then," Remus yawned.

"You still haven't slept enough. I do not understand why you always wake up so early."

"I had a nightmare" Remus said simply.

"Every time?"

"It's not easy…. not knowing what you did last night."

"I am always there; I will always make sure we only kill Thumper… and Bamby that one time, Prongs never recovered"

"I will ban you from watching Disney," Remus sighed long suffering.

"You already took Jasmine away."

"I didn't even catch that reference."

"You are getting sloppy into your old-age, Moony," Sirius rolled his eyes.

Sirius made breakfast and bullied Remus into eating it. While he left Remus to sleep, Sirius went to get the mail. A few letters from family, some former students writing Remus and a sealed letter from Hogwarts.

Sirius turned it upside down, it looked official. He had a bitter taste in his mouth.

He knew it was a violation of privacy and the little rational part of his brain – that sounded awful lot like Remus – was screaming at him, but he broke the seal and peeked inside. Sirius scanned the letter.

Dumbledore had written personally to Remus to offer him the Defense against the Dark Arts post. Sirius's blood ran cold.

On reflex, like his muscles were spasming, he crumbled the letter in his palm. The fire was dancing merrily in the foyer's fireplace. Sirius's hand shook with the desire to watch the parchment burn and crumble. He walked to the fire.

Remus would never know. It could be a perfect crime and it would never get back to him; owls could get lost. He was debating this with the letter dancing over the open flame.

"Hey, Padfoot, did you see my…" Remus asked from behind him.

Surprised, Sirius dropped the letter. He cast a freezing charm over the fire, before it got to consume the parchment though.

Remus stepped closer. "What do you have there?"

Sirius kneeled and picked up the letter. Only a corner was burned.

"A letter" He said.

"From who?"

"Hogwarts."

"Were you given the Defense against the Dark Arts job?" Remus joked.

Sirius remained silent.

Remus walked over to him and snatched the letter from his hands. Sirius couldn't look at him as he read.

"You wanted to burn it?" Remus's tone was so cold that it sounded emotionless.

"I was debating it," Sirius said still looking down.

"Why?"

"I know you will take it. I do not want you to go."

"You are emotionally safe, you don't need me anymore," Remus's tone was gentler then he deserved.

"But I still need you…"

"You know, some people told me this is unhealthy, that we clung to each other in time of trauma as a coping mechanism…" Remus trailed on.

"I am in love with you," Sirius's statement brought silence.

"No, you are not," Remus said after a few long minutes.

Sirius looked at Remus this time.

"Isn't telling other people how they feel unhealthy as well?"

"Not as much as saying anything to get your way"

Sirius looked at Remus, surprised and offended.

"I am not saying it for…"

"Sirius, don't!" Remus raised his voice.

"Don't what? Express my feelings?"

"Don't play with mine," Remus said. "I am taking the job."

"I do not want you to."

"That is not your decision to make!"

Remus's door shutting upstairs felt like a gong in the unusual still house.

Sirius didn't go up to Remus's room. He knew it was better to let Moony calm down and process it before he could plead his case. He had to stop himself a few times from going up the stairs and barging into the room.

By supper time, he considered Remus had enough time and walked up the stairs. He knocked on Remus's door, but didn't get an answer. So he opened the door.

The window was open; the curtain was blowing into the lazy summer wind. The room looked normal, but Remus was not inside. Sirius stepped in. On a closer look, some books from the little bookshelf were gone, the glasses from the bedside table, clothes… everything that was Remus's.

Sirius rushed down to the Floo; he first called Lily, of course. Harry answered him.

"Hello, puppy," He said smiling at the sight of his godson.

"Hi, Padfoot," Harry grinned.

"Is Remus there by any chance?"

Harry looks panicked to the side.

"Is he okay?" Sirius asked.

Lily's face replaced Harry, she didn't seem as happy to see him.

"I only want to know if he is okay," Sirius said.

"He is," came Lily's curt replay.

"Rose, I just… I do not want to live here alone."

"Then get a Kneazle," Lily said abruptly and interrupted the Firecall.

Sirius remained dumbstruck in front of the fireplace. He couldn't believe this was happening. Like a bad dream he would wake up from if he tried hard enough. He didn't know how much time has passed, but when his Floo lighted up with a fire call he picked it up eager.

"Remus!?"

On the other side he was greeted by Andromeda's worried face.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Dora let us know before it will be tomorrow in the paper. You should come through to Narcissa's."

"Is someone hurt?"

"Everyone is okay… It's about Lucius, he got out of Azkaban."

"I will be right there," Sirius's tone shifted, his cousin needed him. He ended the call and stepped into the Floo instead.

Andromeda was waiting for him in the parlor. Narcissa moved out of Malfoy Manor as soon as the divorce papers had been signed. She stayed with her mother for a while and then inherited the Black family townhouse.

"Draco?"

"He is at Parkinson Park, we asked them to keep him away from any newspapers at least for a few days," Andromeda said.

"Trust Death Eaters," Sirius grimaced.

"I trust Pansy more than her parents," Andromeda said.

"Cissy?" Sirius asked.

"Library," Andromeda said. "Be warned, she is distraught."

They walked to the library. Narcissa was on a chair by the fire nursing a wine glass, an empty bottle laid by her side on the table.

"Sirius!" She said voice shacking slightly.

"I came as soon as I found out," He said. "How? He was supposed to be there for life"

"New evidence in his case. What could they even find after 12 years?"

"Did he contact you?"

Narcissa shook her head.

"He just got released a few hours ago," Andromeda said. "Dora called as soon as the order was issued."

"Who worked the case?" Sirius asked.

"Williamson," Andromeda said.

"He is not the one issuing the order... Do we have someone in the Ministry?" Sirius asked.

"Peter… Ask Peter," Narcissa said.

"He must know something… I will try. For now, Draco is the Black Heir, he can't touch him."

"You know Lucius, he won't stop," Narcissa said.

Sirius didn't Firecall beforehand, he just apparated near the Pettigrew home. Peter lived in his family home, once an imposing house it fell to ruin in the later years. With Peter failing to form a strong marriage connection, it would probably stay that way.

The light was on, so Peter should be inside. His parents both died and he was the only resident at the moment. Sirius knocked on the door.

Peter opened it after a few long agonizing minutes. He looked like he lost weight; his face was pale and his blond hair made him look ever more translucent.

"Sirius," Peter said surprised.

"Peter," Sirius smiled.

"To what do I owe the honor?" Peter asked letting Sirius in.

"I wanted to ask about Malfoy's release"

"And you chose me for that?"

"It's your department."

"I hardly run it," Peter said.

"Not what I heard," Sirius smirked.

"I do not take all the decisions. It was an anonymous call about some facts in his record; the Aurors had to follow the request and in light of recent development decided to let him go"

"You sound like the Prophet"

"It was out of my hands. Did you even consider he may actually be innocent?"

"He was a Death Eater that killed 12 muggles," Sirius deadpanned.

"Not according to the Aurors."

Sirius plucked himself down on a chair in the hall.

"So you do not know anything?"

"I would have let you know if I did."

"Has he been in contact?"

"No," Peter said. "I would assume he will try Narcissa first."

"He has no sway over her any longer," Sirius said darkly.

"Maybe, but the heir is still his blood."

"He is my blood as well," Sirius said fierce.

"You know there will be a trial."

"I am afraid so…" Sirius sighed defeated.

"I suggest you tell the boy before he finds out from a news stand."

"Thank you, Wormtail," Sirius's voice sounded tired.

Peter grimaced.

"Haven't heard that name in years."

"Maybe you should have hung out more."

"Maybe… I heard about the house, you and Remus are doing well."

"He left for Hogwarts," Sirius said in a defeated voice.

"On the cursed position?"

"You know, how he was always made to be a teacher."

"Yeah, it will be awesome for him," Peter said distracted.

"I should go and talk to Narcissa. Keep an ear on the ground for me, okay?"

"Of course, Sirius."

Sirius apparated again to Narcissa's house. Andromeda was still there talking to her sister quietly in the library.

"Peter doesn't know anything," Sirius said.

"Our first move should be to tell Draco," Andromeda said.

"He should be here tomorrow," Narcissa said staring into the fire.

"We will get through this."

"In most muggle cases the mother gets custody if a divorce is to happen," Sirius said. He sounded so much like Remus that he stopped himself.

"We are not muggles," Narcissa pointed out.

"No, but in wizarding cases the kid goes to the parent that belongs to the oldest house," Andromeda said.

"The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black finally can do us some good," Sirius broke from his trance.

"He is not the blood heir," Narcissa pointed out again.

"He is the heir appointed by the Pater familis in his will. And is not like I can have biological babies."

"Technically you can…"

Sirius glared at Andromeda.

"If it would help, I can go in front of the Wizengamot and proclaim I am gay."

"No… but you accepting the old seat we have there may help," Andromeda chewed on her lip.

"Do we even have that?" Sirius asked amazed.

"Well… The Blacks were always into politics, wouldn't hurt to ask a few questions" Andromeda said.

"But they were not exactly on the winning side of the last war," Naricssa said.

"The Malfoys were not either," Sirius hissed.

"He was exonerated. Pleaded to be under Imperius too from what Dora told me."

"How could they prove that after 12 years?" Narcissa fires up.

"A witness… Someone testified for him," Andromeda said.

"Can Dora find out?" Narcissa asked Andromeda.

"She doesn't have access to the files since he is close family."

"He is not!" Narcissa said darkly.

"Cissy, she is not the one you want to go against," Sirius placated his cousin calmly.

Narcissa deflated and stared back into the fire.

"Do you want me to stay here tonight?" Sirius asked.

Naricissa nodded.

"I will show you to your room, it's late enough," Andromeda said.

"I can stay with…"

"You had a full moon last night, must be exhausted. Go, I will call on you tomorrow," Narcissa said.

"Okay," Sirius said and yawned.

Andromeda led him down the corridor. The house was smaller than Grimmlaud place, just 3 bedrooms , not nearly as old, so they had to ask the house elves to prepare the guestroom for him.

"Will you stay with her?" Sirius asked.

"Of course," Andromeda smiled kindly.

"Shouldn't you let Remus know you are here?" Andromeda asked.

Sirius gulped, he really didn't want to load on Andi, especially now.

"He knows."

"Okay then," she opened the door to the guest room. "Sleep well, Siri."

Sirius waved at her and collapsed in the bed. Today had been one of the worst of his life… not the worst; the worst days were all marked by Death.

He thought he wouldn't be able to sleep, but he only fluttered his eyes closed and slumber overtook him.

The three adults were in the living room, agitated and spinning in circles like vultures. The Parkinsons would be dropping Draco at the front gate. The grandfather clock in the parlor sang for 8 in the morning.

Narcissa fidgeted by the window. She left the pretense she was staring at the gate about an hour ago. Andromeda was carrying the breakfast tray in; she decided to cook it herself as a way to do something with her hands.

Sirius was pacing up and down the room. From time to time he was muttering to himself, no doubt preparing some sort of speech. Andromeda put the tray on the table and sighed at the sight of her nervous family.

"Everything is going to be fine."

Narcissa bit her upper lip. "You can't possibly know that."

"Well, you can't know the outcome either so till then anything is a possibility."

"Schrödinger's cat," Sirius said suddenly stopping.

The two women stared at him.

"Its… a muggle thing… exactly what Andi said, for now anything is possible."

"Why cat though?" Andromeda asked.

"You know… muggles and their weird naming stuff," Sirius gulped.

"You spend way too much time with Remus," Narcissa smiled happy for the distraction.

Sirius had to turn his eyes away from them at the mention.

"The young master has arrived," A house elf announced quickly.

"Thank you," Andromeda nodded to the house elf.

Narcissa jumped and took a seat at the table. Sirius rushes after her, both flushed and out of breath, but seated at least.

Andromeda rolled her eyes and took her seat as well. After a few minutes, Draco walked into the room.

All the adults were staring at him.

"Good morning," He said taking his own seat.

"Good morning," The adults chorused.

"I didn't know we had guests," Draco said to his mother.

"Something came up and I needed the family here," She answered.

"Did it?" Draco asked cold.

Sirius stares at his nephew. He knew.

"Was it the newspaper?" He asked.

Draco turned his cold grey eyes to him, "The Prophet is distributed at 6 in the morning"

The quiet that followed could be cut with a knife, a very sharp one.

"Draco…" Narcissa started, but Draco interrupted her.

"Imagine my surprise, when I had to see his face for the first time in a gossip magazine."

"I… we …decided it was better to tell you that… he was there for life," Narcissa said.

"You didn't think… It was a miracle no one came and told me before… Everyone knew!" Draco raised his voice.

"You… there is a spell… harmless, but even if someone tells you, you won't hear it… We didn't think about the printed part," Narcissa said.

Draco's eyes widened.

"Is that even legal?"

"It is for traumatic situations… You have to understand, Dipper, your father… he is not a good man," Sirius said rising from his chair.

"And you are!?" Draco spat. "I did some digging last year after Severus let something drop in my freshman year... I read about you."

Sirius frowned.

"About your little gang of bullies, about Potter and Pettigrew… You were horrible… And then I went to Severus and made him say, what you did, humiliated him, you made him go after Remus when he was transforming and someone else had to save him. Are you a good person, uncle?"

Sirius looked on like he had been slapped.

"You couldn't have decided that… take that choice away from me!"

"We only wanted to protect you!" Narcissa pleaded.

"From an innocent man!? You all left him there, for 12 years!"

"Draco, he is not innocent," Andromeda stepped in.

"Not what the Aurors said!"

"Listen to me…." Narcissa started.

"I am done listening!" Draco spat.

"Draco!" Narcissa jumped from her chair.

"I will be in my room, I really do not want to see any of you!" the teen said and stormed out of the room.

Behind him, the adults all looked like they had been thrown into a particularly nasty tempest and not survived it at all.

Sirius returned home only a few days later. He didn't get to talk to Draco after all. Narcissa did a bit, but nothing was resolved. He still insisted on seeing his dad.

He got into the big and empty house and had a sudden feeling that he didn't get home after all, that he was still in a stranger's house. More of Remus's things were gone; he probably took them while Sirius was away, avoiding him of course.

Sirius was too tired to have dinner so he just dragged himself to bed. Kreacher stared at him from the kitchen, shaking his head in disappointment, but didn't comment thankfully. The house was tricky, every time he opens his bedroom door, he got into Remus's. By the fourth time he said fuck it and slept there.

A few days went by without news from Draco or his father. The Prophet showed Lucius, thin and shaking after his release, but nothing since then. Sirius didn't like the quiet.

Lily decided to take Harry to their muggle relatives for his birthday this year. Sirius sent his present already, but he would have liked to hug the kid in the flesh. He got to get Draco his present and hug him at the begging of summer, before this started…

He actually bought both of them two new brooms, Firebolts. Remus almost had a heart attack when he checked the prices on them. His face got all red and…

Sirius took a deep breath and walked to the kitchen. Inside, he found Lily smocking. Lily hadn't smocked in years and even when she did it was only when she was very stressed.

"Is Harry ok?" Sirius asked panicked.

"He is fine," Lily answered taking a long drag of her smoke.

"Remus?" Sirius's heart stopped.

"Everyone is fine," Lily rolled her eyes.

"You are not a smoker, Rose, what happened?" Sirius asked.

"I went with Harry and Remus to my parents."

Sirius nodded for her to continue.

"And my sister and her family were there and her husband asked his sister to come as well. Dudley is born a few days before Harry and we could make a joint celebration."

Sirius took a seat.

"So we went in, she gave him a horrid present as usual. We gave her son, a football or something."

Sirius urged her to continue.

"And then we all sat down for dinner. Then this horrible woman asked about Harry's dad… Since she is a muggle, Petunia said he died differently..."Lily took a deep breath "Anyway, she said something insensitive, Harry got mad and his magic… just lashed out… He blew her up like a balloon."

Sirius tried very hard to keep a straight face.

"Of course, I helped her down, said the counter-charm, but we had to Obliviate her. In short, we had to leave and from now on, Harry is not getting even a toothpick."

"You Obliviated her?"

"Remus did."

"That is illegal," Sirius said.

"Well… so should be being so vapid and insensible."

Sirius grinned widely.

"Well, if you think you had a worse week than me, let me tell you," He said recounted about Lucius and Draco.

"And what about now?" Lily asked at the end.

"We expect Lucius to take hold of his assets."

"You do not refer to his house, do you?"

"His heir. Purebloods are pretty weird about that. He can't win in any trial against us," Sirius said.

"But what if Draco insists to see him?"

"I know it's his right, but Lucius… Lucius is not a good person."

"Who even is after the War? We Obliviated muggles."

"To not get your teenage son into trouble with the Ministry."

"I am pretty sure that doesn't stand in court," Lily said extinguishing her cigar.

"Well, hopefully we won't get to that, one trial per kid at least," Sirius joked.

"How… how are you holding up?"

"I am so far, but I have an emotional breakdown in my calendar."

"I tried talking to Remus… He is taking the job."

"I assumed he would," Sirius said in a small voice. "The full moon is on the 26th."

"I know," Lily said. "I should go… Take care," She said.

Sirius hugged her. "Take care, Rose."

And, as if Sirius's summer was not bad enough, another news hit the Prophet that week. A prisoner escaped Askaban and not anyone – Belatrix Lestrange.

This time the sisters invaded him. Narcissa looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown. Andromeda was not looking better either.

"How could she even get out?" Narcissa asked.

"This is not a coincidence, that she got out straight after Lucius," Sirius threw the newspaper across the room.

"I changed all the wards in the house," Narcissa said.

"Dora said they sent Dementors after her as well," Andromeda stepped in.

"Dementors?" Sirius asked.

"They can work like blood hounds, they said. They also put a permanent team stationed at Hogwarts,"

"She wouldn't go after Harry or Draco, would she?" Sirius asked worried.

"Who knows anymore… The Longbottom kid is still there as well, she may want to finish the job," Narcissa said darkly.

"Frank and Alice… I haven't thought of them in a long while…" Sirius's face looked hurt.

"Lily visits them quite often," Narcissa said.

"I used to go with… I used to go too," Sirius gulped.

"Speaking of that, where is Remus?" Narcissa asked.

"He… he got a job at Hogwarts and left for it."

"There are still a few days left till the year starts" Andromeda remarked.

"Kreacher, bring some of the good wine," Narcissa said and stormed to the library.

Everyone else followed her.

Sirius was not at the train station on September 1st. It was the first time since the boys started school. But Draco didn't want him there and Remus was taking Harry.

Lily called a few days ago to let him know. It was after the full moon. Remus got hurt, worse than he had been in a long while. Lily treated him, but the wounds scared her.

Sirius couldn't sleep that night, worrying over Remus. He would have Flooed to him if only he knew where to find him. But he hadn't talked to Remus in a month now. All the information he got were through the grapevine from Lily or Narcissa.

Lily left Harry with him on the Full Moon and the next morning. It was nice to have the kid over again; Sirius could feel even the house was happy about it. When he didn't have people over, sometimes Sirius turned into Padfoot and ran around the big empty house. He always found it easier to get through stuff in his Animagus form.

He curled on the sofa in the library in his dog form when Lily barged in. The train for Hogwarts had left that morning and Lily had been at the station. Sirius jumped down suddenly alert.

"Bloody Minister!" Lily swore loudly.

Padfoot turned his head at her confused.

"I asked last year to protect the school better since the first two years have been a mess," She explained and jumped in one of the armchairs by the fire.

"So, what do you think they did? They employed fucking Dementors to roam the grounds. Dementors? Since they are the best security around, according to the Ministry. And they attacked Harry! In the train to Hogwarts, thank Merlin Remus was there to chase them off!"

Lily stopped and took a big calming breath.

"And when I asked, they said something like Harry lured them in. Like my son is at fault! Hiring Dementors!?"

For the first time she looks over at the sofa and Sirius.

"Have you been Padfoot the whole time?" She asked confused.

Padfoot nodded.

"It's much better, a good listener," She said.

Padfoot barked and wiggled his tail.

Lily pated him.

"I have to go and write to the Ministry again. Take care!"

Lily left as sudden as she appeared. Padfoot stretched and napped on the couch.

Sirius woke up a few hours later. He jumped from his place and straight to the library to write Harry. He was half way through composing his letter, when Hedwig tapped on the window. Harry got to him first.

Dear Padfoot,

I and everyone else are fine, do not worry. Remus helped me. He cast a Patronus Charm, his is so cool. I asked him since the Dementors are covering the school grounds to teach me the spell as well.

We will start some tutoring session later this week. I think he misses tutoring only one person since he didn't do it this summer. Everyone is excited about having him as a teacher, some of his last students talked about him a lot.

Someone said Snape will be grumpier this year because he wanted the job, but I think he likes Potions more than Defense.

Some people are mean to Draco again, but what is weird is that some he never talked to him before are now, something about family bonds being tied up. Is this about his father? Can we talk about him now?

I should end here, I have mum to write to as well.

Take care and know I am good.

Love,

Harry.

Sirius read the letter again and wrote a quick replay to send it back with Hedwig.

Dear pup,

I am glad you are okay. Do write Lily and ease her worries.

Remus is a very good teacher, but the Patronus Charm is very advanced, so do not beat yourself up if you can't master it. Not a lot of people do anyway.

I am sad to hear about Draco. The Malfoy name can't bring him anything good; just keep an eye on him.

What there is to talk about his dad? He was better off dead.

Love,

Padfoot.

He sent the letter and starts writing a different one for Draco. He wrote Remus one as well, but didn't send it. He locked it in the office, where it would stay for the foreseeable future.

Sirius woke up to one of the Black sisters screaming his name downstairs, so this was going to be one of those days… He jumped out of bed and ran down to greet his kin. It was Naricssa, which made the screaming all the more troublesome.

"I got it this morning," She said and threw a piece of parchment in his arms. Sirius scanned it - addressed to Narcissa Black-Malfoy, from Lucius Malfoy, a citation for a custody trial over his blood heir. The screaming was entirely appropriate, Sirius felt like howling himself.

"What are we going to do?" Narcissa asked agitated.

"We will go to the custody meeting with grandfather's testament where Draco is pointed out heir. That should clear it."

"But he doesn't want only the heir, he wants his son."

"He can't have it," Sirius growled.

"We should talk to the family lawyer," Narcissa pointed out.

"The meeting is for tomorrow; I will grab the will and you should write to the Black lawyer. We will get through this."

Narcissa took a deep breath and nodded.

The lawyer agreed to see them that afternoon. Sirius remembered the office from when he was disowned – stuffy, full of papers and dark. Even if the lawyer was not the same, the office and the atmosphere were.

"It's from my understanding that young Draco is the Black heir?" The lawyer asked. A woman this time, probably related to the previous one. Dark hair, glasses, hadn't seen enough sunlight.

"Yes," Narcissa answered.

"There were any blood rituals preformed?"

"No," Sirius replied short. He had enough of those to last a lifetime.

"And the clause "if no other offsprings are born" they can use that to their advantage," The lawyer pointed on the old will. She had yellow bony fingers.

"I have no kids and no intention of having any," Sirius said.

"Are you… incapable of it?"

"No," Sirius replied tight. "Just not inclined towards women"

"Can you declare that in court?"
"Of course."

"Do you have a partner?"

Sirius gulped. "No."

"Any previous lovers?"

"Do I have to prove I am gay?" Sirius's tone was higher than he expected it to be.

"Yes, if we want to use that in our defense."

"What about my word?"

The lawyer read over the text again. "Technically, the Prima Natus law can apply in this case, considering Mister Black's inclinations. As long as they take your word for it, they can't claim forcefully Draco as Malfoy heir."

"Can they do it not forcefully?" Narcissa asked.

"If Draco himself chooses to and preforms a blood ritual."

"Why the heir claim though?" Sirius asked. "They must know that Black blood will win."

"It's most likely for the custody battle they want to start."

Narcissa hand tightened in his after the lawyer's last words.

"And assuming they will start a custody battle what chance do they have?" She asked in a small voice.

"Against the mother that is a Black? Unless they can provide evidence of mistreat, abuse or neglect, not a lot."

The Blacks breathe a sigh of relief.

"But they will most likely get visiting hours," The lawyer said.

"There is any way for us to stop him from ever seeing Draco?" Sirius asked.

"Prove the meetings would affect Draco negatively, physically or mentally. That Lucius has a history of abuse and violence or a criminal history."

"He was in Azkaban," Sirius said.

"He was exonerated, we can't use that I am afraid."

"I understand. Thank you for your time" Sirius rose from his chair and shook the lawyer's hand.

"My pleasure," She gave them a tight smile.

The morning of the trial, Sirius went to Narcissa's as soon as he woke up. Andromeda was already there in the living room. Both her and Narcissa were restless, buzzing around the house like agitated bees ready to strike.

Nimphadora was in the library with Ted, both watching the mayhem awed and a little scarred. Sirius retreated in their nook.

"I am confident that there is nothing Lucius can do," Sirius said.

"From what I heard in the ministry, he is spinning in a lot of circles," Ted said looking over to the women.

"I can't believe the Imperius stuff worked," Dora huffs.

"He is not stupid, but true, many Death Eaters tried to use that one after the war."

"I did try to find out who opened the case, but Moody himself didn't have access to it," Dora complained.

"It's fine, we do not want you to risk your job," Sirius said.

"Do you think this is part of something bigger?" Ted asked looking up at Sirius.

"I hope not… But every year it seems like the Dark Side makes a move of some sort."

"What happened last year?" Dora asked.

"The Chamber of Secrets was opened, big giant monster," Sirius sighed.

"Why did that info never got to us?"

"The teachers took care of it."

"Of a giant monster?" Ted asked surprised.

"Harry kept it as a pet actually," Sirius said smiling.

The two Tonks stared at him in shock.

"It's a basilisk, can shrink to normal size too."

"Ok, new rule, that is not discussed over the trial," Ted said trying to process the information.

"Harry is so cool, we should talk more," Dora laughed.

Sirius beamed in the corner.

The closer as they got to the hour they have to Floo to the Ministry, the louder the women got. Sirius and Ted watched on worried. Dora didn't seem to be disturbed by it in any way.

The grandfather clock announced the hour to go. Narcissa stopped suddenly like a puppet with its strings cut. Andromeda had to take her hand and drag her through the fireplace.

Ted and Dora couldn't join them, since both worked for the Ministry, but they waved them off from home. Sirius stepped after his cousins into the fire.

The atrium was quite empty for this hour, but Sirius didn't let that disturb him. They met the family lawyer in the atrium and are she led them into the courtroom. The hall was filled with people, all talking in low voices and pointing at them.

In the next box, Lucius and the Malfoy lawyer were conversing quietly. Lucius stopped when they entered and his eyes were drawn to Narcissa, must have been 12 years since he last saw her. She must have changed a lot. She was more slender now; she was always been slim, but now they worried about her sometimes. Her hair got back to the natural black color, she had died it blond when she had started her courtship with Malfoy, but it never looked good in Sirius's opinion.

Lucius looked really bad. Long hair, angular features even more pointed now, his eyes looked sullen, like he hadn't got a good night sleep in a long time. Narcissa didn't look back at him and took her seat in the stand.

The whole court was summoned. Dumbledore was acting as chief warlock and Amanda Bones to his right entered last. The Minister was also attending with some of his followers near. Sirius thought he spotted Peter in the crowd, but he couldn't be sure.

Lucius's lawyer started first, talking about how his client only wanted to reconnect with his son. The Black lawyer mostly focused on how happy and connected Draco was in his current life and how any change could make it unstable, especially such a big one. They focused on Lucius's past and how prolonged exposure to Dementors could affect the mind.

Lucius's lawyer took the stand then and talked about how Narcissa was a recluse, how she only accompanied Draco once to the train station, how she didn't pick him up, how she never came to any of his games.

They talked about the Black family then, how Draco was the heir. Sirius was secretly hoping his orientation would never come up, but of course it did… He was asked to come to the stand. First line of questioning belonged to Lucius's lawyer.

"Is it true that Draco was named heir in your grandfather's will, until other kids are provided?"

"Yes," Sirius answered. The spell they used in court stopped him from giving more than straight short answers.

"So potentially in a few years his position can be revised, since he comes from a secondary line?"

"Technically, but since I do not plan on having children of my own it is not probable."

"Have you thought of adoption?" The lawyer asked.

Sirius closed his eyes; he wanted to stop the words forming at the back of his throat from escaping. "Yes"

"And your children will be automatically named heirs of the Black line?"

"Yes," Sirius said strangled.

"I have no further questions," The lawyer said smug.

The Black lawyer stepped out. As they had talked before, Sirius's sexuality could be revealed if the subject came up.

"Are you in a relationship, Lord Black?"

"No," Sirius said in a small voice.

"Do you plan to be in one?"

"Not in the near future."

"So you only hypothetically thought of adoption?"

"Yes."

"But not of having your own children?"

"I can't have my own children"

"Is it a medical problem or magical?"

"A problem of taste," Sirius said tight.

The whole court erupted in whispers, loud enough that Dumbledore had to silence them. They talked with Narcissa and Lucius and the trial ended with the mention to return for a hearing in a few months.

Till then, Lucius has been granted a chance to meet Draco. Narcissa clenched her fists and Sirius was worried she would hex someone. But she kept her composure. At least till they exited the Ministry. Once they got home it was a different story entirely.