Chapter 10

The sisters

The next day, while Harry was working hard on his homework Sirius had two visits, one expected and wanted, another, not so much.

Andromeda Tonks and her husband were shown into Sirius's study up on the first floor, followed by a very pink-haired Tonks who was looking around taking it all in as it was her first time in the official House of Black.

'Meda! Ted! It's nice to see you again!' Sirius said a genuine smile on his face as he hugged his cousin and shook Ted's hand.

'Siri, how on earth did you pull all of this off? When I read the article in the Prophet I almost didn't want to believe it. And then Nymphadora tells me that she knew you and that you were indeed innocent. So you better explain what you got my daughter wrapped up in, and it better not be one of your pranks or I swear to Merlin and Morgana both that I will hex you back to Azkaban!' Andromeda was ever a force to be reckoned with.

'Now dear.'

'Don't dear me, Ted. You don't know my cousin as I do. He's up to something and it's bound to be something dangerous.'

'She's right Ted. What I'm up to now, isn't safe. And definitely not for Tonks, or for you two for that matter. But doing nothing isn't an option anymore. So, I would like you to take a seat and I will explain what is going on to the best of my abilities.'

Andromeda looked weary. Tonks sighed, this was the moment her parents found out about her being in the Order and all hell would break loose.

'I believe you're familiar with what Dumbledore has been saying for the past few months.'

'That he's back. But…No, you can't mean the old cot isn't going senile.' Andromeda stated agitated.

'I'm not sure if he's going senile or not, but the fact is true, Voldemort is back.'

'Why hasn't he come out in the open yet?' asked Ted

'Simple, he can solidify his position better from the shadows, especially with a moronic minister who refuses to admit the man is back and they need to take action.'

'If that's the case, then the wizarding world won't stand a chance.' Andromeda said.

'Where's your faith in your head of house dear cousin?'

'You? You're fighting him again? After what happened last time? After you were wrongfully imprisoned?'

'Of course, I'm fighting against him. You know I'll never be on his side Meda, and taking a neutral stance won't work in the war to come. Some might hope they can remain neutral…' he thought of the letter from Smith that he received that morning stating his house's neutrality. 'But it won't last for long, if Voldemort wins, there won't be any excuse that will hide anyone from him.'

'Didn't you give enough in the first war, Siri? You fought for the ministry, and you almost died, not once, but four times and they still sent you to Azkaban. I'd say you did your share, let others do the fighting now.' She had been the only blood relative to visit Sirius in St Mungo's after he landed himself in the emergency ward because of some really difficult missions for the Aurors. Twice he had been accompanied by James Potter, but then James had to take a leave of absence because of his parents' deaths and then he had to go into hiding after young Harry was born.

'Who?' Sirius's question snapped her out of her reverie.

'What?'

'Who will do the fighting? Meda, I can't leave it to someone else. He's after Harry and I won't let Harry's safety and happiness be in another person's hands. Not after the fiasco with the Dursleys.'

'Then take Harry and leave.'

'And you think us moving to…America will help? Voldemort won't be stopped by borders, and I refuse to let that kid live his life in fear.'

'Sirius, don't tell me you've re-joined the Order? Dumbledore may not be senile but he's old, and he doesn't have support anymore, you'll end up in Azkaban again, and then what will happen to Harry?'

'I said I won't leave Harry's life in another person's hands, Meda. That includes Albus Dumbledore. This time, I'll fight, but as Lord Black.'

'Y-you can't be serious?' Andromeda went white.

'I am.'

'Will someone explain what this means to us mortals who weren't raised Black?' asked Ted but Meda ignored him.

'The House of Black hasn't gone to war in over 800 years. And last time we almost spilt a sea of blood over Scotland.'

'I know.'

'Sirius, the house of Black was strong back then, we're barely a handful now. And I'm not even in the house anymore. Grandfather disinherited me.'

'I know. This is why I won't reinstate you.'

'What?'

'Well, I did want to, I still do, but if I do, then you would be caught in this mess, and well, I guess what I'm saying is I'm giving you a choice. When I win the war, I'll reinstate you then, but it might take some time, although I hope not too much time.'

'You can't do that!' Meda was on her feet.

'Er, Meda, dear, calm down.'

'Shut up Ted, don't you see? He's going at it alone!'

'I can see that. But what can we do to help? Neither you nor I have any great power or skill.'

'Theodor Tonks! Even if I were a Squib I wouldn't let this idiot fight alone. He may be brilliant but he's a hothead and he needs someone to knock some sense into him. You will reinstate me now, and I won't hear another word about it!'

'Er, mum, isn't he like…lord or something?'

Sirius chuckled 'Don't worry Dora, your mother was always like this, she almost screamed my ears off after I put exploding candy in Grandpa Pollux's drink at one Christmas dinner, the old geezer almost had a heart attack.'

Sirius continued in a more serious tone 'Take your time to think this through Meda. You know what war means for a family like ours. You also know what Voldemort is capable of. Talk to Ted, decide if you want to take part or not, if you don't, I suggest you leave the country and go into hiding. You could make use of the Chateau in France.'

'And if you lose the war? Will the Chateau in France be enough to hide us from Bella?'

'No, but I won't let Bella live in this war. Should she be freed from Azkaban and raise her wand against me or Harry I will invoke the Black family magic and strip her of everything that the Black family gave her. Another thing you should consider if you are to be reinstated. You might cross wands with both Bella and Narcissa.'

Meda frowned but didn't say anything else.

'Sirius is right, love. You can't make a rash decision. We'll need to talk about it. Think about what it will mean for Dora. She is an Auror, she'll have to fight once the Dark Lord shows himself.' Ted, ever the voice of reason said.

'Another reason why I should smack you over the face with a boiling jinx Sirius!' Meda said angrily.

Sirius frowned confused and Dora blushed.

'Mom, he has nothing to do with that!'

'Of course he does, you got this Auror business in your head because of him. If you hadn't charmed my baby girl, she wouldn't have gone and gotten herself in the Auror department like her favourite uncle Sirius.' Sirius's eyes grew big looking at a fidgeting Dora. He had babysat the girl when she was small, but he never thought he had such a strong impact on her.

'Who else would have been her favourite uncle?' he said after recovering from the revelation 'Malfoy?'

Ted snorted 'Lucius Malfoy wouldn't have been caught dead inside our home.'

'Besides mom, when I became an Auror Sirius had already been labelled a mass murderer and was in Azkaban, granted, you did escape one year after that…and it was great to find out you weren't a mass murderer lunatic.'

'Thank you, Nymphadora.'

'Don't call me that!'

'It doesn't matter anymore. My baby girl won't have anything to do with the war! You will have to resign from the department.' Meda said.

'Mom, I can't! And besides, you want to help Sirius, you said it just moments ago. You want to be reinstated. What will you do with me? Send me to France alone while you and dad fight this war?'

'I won't have you fighting! You're too young! So many young people died in the first war, I won't have you be one of them! I'll fight, but not you!'

'I'm older than Sirius was when he joined the Order!'

'What does that mean?' Meda narrowed her eyes and Dora realized she spoke too much.

'Nothing, just that I am old enough to make my own decisions!'

'Oh don't you dare think me a fool, Nymphadora Tonks! You've done something stupid haven't you?'

'No I haven't! I've done what I know to be right! And yes, that means I've joined the Order, there happy?'

Meda and Tonks were glaring at each other with Ted looking lost at who to knock some sense into.

'Tia.' Sirius said softly

Two pops later Tia returned with calming potion and some refreshments for Ted and Sirius. Meda took the calming potion and waited for its effects while her daughter looked at her mother apprehensively. Andromeda Tonks nee Black had her maiden family's temper, but when she became quiet, that was when you had to be really scared. Minutes passed until Meda got up from the armchair and turned to Sirius.

'Lord Black.' Her voice was ice cold, 'I wish to be reinstated as a daughter of the house Black. I wish my marriage to Theodor Tonks to be acknowledged and my daughter Nymphadora to be written down in our family tree as a daughter of our Noble and most Ancient family.' She finished.

Sirius regarded his cousin with calculating eyes. What was her game? Meda knew the rules of the house better than he did, what was she trying to achieve with this?

'Meda.'

'Ted, this is what I want. You won't accept it, fine, you are free to go.'

'Are you mad, woman? You know I can't leave you, not for something like this! But I think you're rushing in.'

'I am not!' she turned from Ted and started back at Sirius who sighed.

'I'm waiting for the second shoe to drop. Very well, Andromeda Tonks, your wish is granted. I Sirius Orion Black, head of the house, reinstate you, welcome your husband and your daughter into the house of Black.'

'Thank you, my Lord. I formally request that you put Nymphadora Tonks under the Protection of Lord Black.'

'Er, Meda, she's a daughter of the house of Black, of course, she's under my protection.' Sirius said kindly.

'I know, but if it is formally requested by a parent that the Lord's protection be granted, that means that she is to be housed in the Black Manor and will be given added protection from the Lord himself if he accepts.'

'I am not marrying Sirius!' Tonks jumped up.

'Not like that you silly girl. Although it could mean that too since this request comes with service from the one protected to be given to the Lord.'

'Service?' Tonks looked alarmed.

'Calm down Tonks, your mom isn't pimping you to me. Though it does sound like that, Meda I didn't know you had it in you.'

'Shut up, you perverted dog!'

'Er, I'm confused. Isn't he your- I mean our lord now?' Ted asked failing to keep up with the formal and informal way his wife was addressing Sirius and the fact that the man didn't seem to be the least bit offended by this.

'Don't worry Ted, I'll never get angry at her for speaking her mind. Meda, I understand what you're trying to do, but I won't compel your daughter to leave the Order, it has to be her decision. As such, I will do my best to keep her and both of you safe, but without the official stuff that locks Tonks and you in an unbreakable vow.'

'Thank you, Sirius.' Tonks sighed in relief before glaring at her mother.

'Now Nymphadora, don't be angry at your mother, she is just looking out for you.'

'Don't call me Nymphadora! Honestly, you're doing it on purpose.'

'Cousin Nymphy then?'

'How can you be lord of this house if you're always joking around?' asked Andromeda.

'We all blow off stress in our own way.' Sirius shrugged. 'Now, let's leave the official boring stuff behind and I'll show you around the manor.'

'I know the manor, Sirius.' Meda said.

'You do, but Ted and Dora don't. And you'll meet the people that are here to help against Voldy-shorts.'

'You mean you're not alone?' asked Ted

'I am reckless, but I'm not stupid Ted.' And with that Sirius led the three Tonks around, showing them the various modifications for the practice rooms, the control room where Hughes was having a lovely conversation with Tia (in his opinion, Tia wanted to strangle the guy). They met a few of the men and women from the Swiss cadre stationed at the manor, Runner, Martin, Sora and Kal were off duty and playing strip poker, Sora was the only clothed one to the three men's frustration, the little Japanese woman was just too good.

At the end of the tour, Andromeda was somewhat more relaxed about her decision to re-join the house of Black. Her only unease was Tonks serving with the Order of the Phoenix. But she understood Sirius's reluctance to accept her request. Tying her daughter to her cousin like that may not have been marriage, but it was very binding magic. She just had to make Tonks leave the Order on her own. And by the way things were looking, her daughter was impressed by what her cousin was doing. They were back in the study when Harry's head popped in the two-way mirror.

'Sirius?'

'Harry, anything wrong?'

'Er, not particularly. I just thought I'd take a break from homework and eat lunch…but if you're busy…' he looked past Sirius's shoulder at the Tonks family.

'Wotcher Harry.' Tonks grinned.

'Actually, why don't you floo here and we can all eat together. This way you can meet my favourite cousin and her husband.'

And so Harry ended up having lunch with the Tonkses and meeting four new Swiss battle mages but avoided staying close to Hughes in case the man wanted to give him more cognac.

Just as lunch was over and Harry had returned to the Den (he still had homework to do) Hughes interrupted Sirius's goodbyes with his re-joined family.

'Sorry to bother you, but wife of evil Douche is at the front gates.'

'Narcissa?' Sirius frowned.

'Evil Douche is polygamous?'

'There are more evil Douches out there Hughes.'

'Yes, but how many of them have wives who are looking for you? Oh, she's sending in a letter, it's safe the wards don't detect anything dark.'

'Why would Narcissa come here?' frowned Andromeda.

'Would you like to stay and find out?' asked Sirius

'I have to be back at St Mungo's I'm starting my shift soon.' Ted said. Tonks had already left for the ministry right after lunch.

'I'd like to stay. I haven't seen Cissy in a while.' Meda said.

'Are you sure? She wasn't a fan of ours.' Ted asked concerned.

'She won't be able to pull anything off here. And this might give me an idea of what to do with her and her son. Technically she's a daughter of the house of Black. I would appreciate a second opinion, Meda.'

'Then I'll stay.'

'Just be careful.' Sighed Ted before kissing his wife's cheek and going to a fireplace where Sirius had temporarily raised the wards to allow the man to floo to his job.

The letter turned out to be a request to an audience which Sirius granted having Tia bring Narcissa directly in the main study where he and Andromeda were waiting.

'Lord Black.' Narcissa said coldly. 'I thought this would be a private audience.'

'Lovely to see you too, dear sister. It's been almost 20 years.' Andromeda said drily.

'Cousin Narcissa, your sister was here at my invitation, unlike you. Now if you find her presence cumbersome I must ask you to leave, as she is also a daughter of this house and has been here first.'

'A daughter of the house?'

'Yes, freshly reinstated. Sit down Cissy before you faint. You're still holding to that ghastly diet of yours, you're as thin as a stick.' Said Meda.

Narcissa sat down after she glowered at her sister.

'To what do I owe this visit Narcissa?' Sirius asked calmly as Tia came with a tray of tea and biscuits for them.

'I've come for the house of Black's protection, for myself and for my son. But if not for myself, then for Draco. I would be willing to swear him into service to you if you promise to keep him out of whatever vengeance you're preparing for Lucius and myself.'

'I didn't know I was plotting anything vengeful.' Sirius said sipping his tea.

'Don't make light of this, Sirius. I know you know Lucius is on the Dark Lord's side. Now unless you've changed overnight, I'm sure you're still against He Who Must Not Be Named. Which means Lucius is your enemy. But Draco is still a child. He has nothing to do with this!'

'What about you? Do you have anything to do with this?' Sirius asked surveying her with cold eyes.

'I am unmarked, I have never taken an oath to the Dark Lord.'

'But you think that what he's doing is right.'

'Maybe 15 years ago I did think that. But now, I am not so sure.'

'Oh? What made you change your mind?'

'The Dark Lord left my husband an object to safeguard. A diary. I've seen it only once but I researched the name on the front page. Tom Marvolo Riddle. It was not hard to realize the man is no pure blood. I will not follow a fraud even if he is the descendant of Slytherin!'

'I see only petty reasons Narcissa. I may be a pureblood but I am for equality and don't give a damn if a witch or wizard is half-blood or muggle-born. And I won't tolerate that the members of my house take part in actions against these groups.'

'I know that. And I am willing to follow your rules. I will make Draco follow them too, in return for the protection I ask.'

'I won't force you or Draco. I won't accept your request for his protection, it has to come from him. He has to choose and so do you. Choose the side you want to follow, not because it's the way to protect your child, but because you believe it's the right thing to do.'

'Don't play the good guy card, Sirius. I know you won't just accept me and my son in this family without a vow.'

'No, no I won't because that would be foolish on my part and I don't trust you. But that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying you have a choice, and so does your son. You can't speak for Draco, even though he is not yet of age, he is old enough to understand and to choose for himself. So if you truly want the house of Black's protection for yourself, then I will grant it, in exchange for an unbreakable vow that can include your neutrality in this war. I won't ask you to fight if you don't want, what I will ask you is to never betray me, the house or Harry to anyone. The same will go for your son if he chooses to stay within the house of Black.'

'What about Lucius?'

'So we finally come to the heart of the problem, did he send you? Speak truthfully, you're still a daughter of this house.'

'He didn't. But he is afraid. And I did seek you out only after he spoke to me of his meeting you and the lord ring was on your finger.'

'I'm glad you're honest.'

'Can I be anything else?'

'Not in this room, and not with me. But I appreciate that the magic didn't compel you to be honest. So I'll be honest with you now. Lucius Malfoy betrayed the house of Black, so all support, knowledge and aid he ever received from the house will be stripped away from him.'

'When?'

'You know he can't protect himself from the magic Cissy, even if he still has a month until I make my decision final he can't change the consequences of his actions.'

'Grandfather didn't see it as a betrayal. He allowed Bella to join, he allowed your brother to join the Dark Lord. It could be argued that the betrayal you speak of never happened in your time as lord.'

'Did grandfather specifically tell him or Bella or Reg to join Voldemort?'

Narcissa jumped at the name as did Andromeda.

'Afraid of the guy, Cissy? Isn't he your husband's buddy?'

'Not all of us are Gryffindor, Sirius. Yes, I am afraid. A part of my support for the Dark Lord is because of this fear.'

'And yet you educated your son to worship the guy.'

'Draco takes after his father.'

'And you had no say in that?'

'Women have always been weaker than men. Especially in pureblood families.'

'Fascinating, and you follow the pureblood agenda that as you say, makes you weaker than your husband.'

'It was how we were raised! We have power, I know it, but we have to be careful and subtle, and more Slytherin to really succeed in wielding it.'

'Are you afraid of Lucius too?'

'I…of course not! Lucius, I can handle.'

'You always had a sharp mind Cissy, I remember you wanted to go into politics, try for a seat in the ministry. Why didn't you?'

'Being a mother is a full-time job.'

'Really?'

'And it was Lucius who wanted to mingle with important people.'

'So you delegated the proxy of the Black seat to him after grandfather died. Even though you knew a proxy outside the bloodline was frowned upon by even dear old granddad.'

'I had a child to raise!'

'Grandfather died when Draco was 10. One year short of going to Hogwarts. You could have found a way. But you didn't.'

'He asked to have the seat.'

'Asked or demanded?'

'Asked.'

'Then I might consider that a betrayal of the house of Black on your part, I know Arcturus would have disowned you in an instant.'

'If you do this, what will happen to Draco? You will push him right in the hands of Voldemort! Sirius, please, if not for myself then for my boy. He is still a child, yes he is 15 but, he's spoiled and he needs guidance. Take him under your protection.'

'I might be dead before the war is over. If Draco comes under my protection what will stop Voldemort from killing him if he does win the war?'

Narcissa didn't look him in the eyes.

'You planned this with Lucius, didn't you?'

'I didn't plan it with him. It's my plan all along. I would have Draco protected under the House of Black. Under oath to serve you and with his fortune intact. Then I would have gone home to Lucius and present him with the fait accompli. He would be angry, he might kill me, but Draco would be safe, and Lucius would inform Voldemort. If he wins, Draco can still be spared, because he went against the Dark Lord because of his traitorous mother.'

'You would sacrifice yourself?'

'For my child? What mother wouldn't?'

Sirius took his time to examine his cousin and her motives. She tried to manipulate him, hell she was trying to manipulate him even with her truth. But she was doing it out of love for her son. That somehow rang deep for him. Lily had sacrificed herself for Harry, and this woman, no matter how flawed and prejudiced she was, was doing the same thing for her son, no matter how flawed and prejudiced he was. He sighed.

'Andromeda, what do you think?' he asked the cousin that stayed quiet all this time.

'I think the child shouldn't suffer for the sins of his parents. But I also think that each person has the ability to see and decide for themselves, just like you did when your own family's views were so wrong.'

'Not everyone can do what Sirius did.' Narcissa snapped.

'I'm not that special Cissy. There was a time when you saw that the family way was not what you wanted. You just chose to conform. In the end, it's our choices that define us.'

'So you won't help me and my son.'

'I didn't say that. What I am saying is that it should be also your son who wants to be helped.'

'Draco is still blinded by his father's ideas. He's young and doesn't know any better and I am to blame too, for spoiling him and making him believe the pureblood creed. That is why he won't think he needs help. That's why I'm asking, as his mother, as the person who is at fault for all of this.'

'Now you're exaggerating. Lucius has a part of the blame too, and Draco also.' Sirius sighed 'You trying to help him might end up being the cause of his death.'

'What do you mean?'

'The oath of fealty and servitude that comes to being protected by the Lord of the House of Black will extend to encompass Draco doing no harm to Harry.'

'Why? Potter isn't of the house.'

'But he is Narcissa. His grandmother was Dorea Black, and even if that was not the case. I will want to adopt the boy in the future.'

'You would adopt Potter? But what about if you have children of your own?'

'I doubt that will happen. But even if it did, it doesn't matter. My heir is decided, and no, I won't tell you who it is.'

'You would make Potter your heir?'

'He is a valid candidate, he has Black blood, but the heir's identity will remain a secret until my passing on, don't jump to conclusions.'

'Sirius, why the secrecy about the heir?'

'I was named heir at 11, and it turned my world upside down. Expectations, demands, scrutiny, gossip, envy. I won't have my Heir go through the same thing.'

'So then how will you prepare him?'

'Who says it's a him?' Sirius grinned 'It's not important, at least not to you. I will deal with it when the time comes. And for Draco, it makes no difference if Harry is or isn't the heir. He will still be my son, and the son of the lord is protected by the vows. Narcissa you'll need to think this through some more, and I will also take my time with this decision.'

'How much time do I have?'

'It's the 15th, how about you give me your answer in a week?'

'Until then, how will my family be viewed?'

'You and Draco will be viewed as neutral if you or he won't do anything stupid and betray my confidence. Lucius's position won't change, he will continue to be viewed as an enemy, but his betrayal will be called into effect after the week is passed.'

'Can I discuss this with him?'

'No. You can discuss it with Draco, and Draco alone. Make sure you are not overheard or I will consider that a breach of trust and the die is cast against you.'

'And if Draco speaks?'

'The same result.'

'Very well, Lord Black. Thank you for allowing this meeting.' Narcissa got up and bowed.

'Stay safe Narcissa, and decide what you and your son really want before coming to me one week from now. If you don't come on the 22nd. I will take that as your decision to side with the Death Eaters and we'll meet in less friendly circumstances.'

'Understood.'

'Tia, escort lady Malfoy out of the grounds.'

And with that Sirius was left alone with Andromeda once more.

'So what do you think she will choose?' asked Sirius.

'I'm afraid it's not up to her. It's her son who will choose for her. What will you decide if she and Draco come to ask for protection?'

'I don't know. I'll have to talk to Harry about this. At least we'll have time.'

'One week is enough?'

Sirius grinned but said nothing more.

Well, that is it for updates this week. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I like to play with Black family drama. Let me know what you guys think and have a nice week.