So...it's been a wee while! Sorry about that. This is mainly fluffy ramblings I'm afraid, I needed something to ease me back into this one. I promise actual plot in the next chapter!
Justus grinned as he watched Adhara run after Walter, her tiny legs barely keeping up with the rambunctious puppy. Rigel was engrossed in a miniature farm that Alphard had uncovered while hunting through the attic for beds after a week where at least one of the children had fallen off their toddler bed at least once a night because both they and the puppy felt the need to share. Despite the bumps, none of them could be persuaded into their own beds, so they'd given up trying and opted to provide a bigger space. Anything for an uninterrupted night's sleep, Alphard had reasoned.
"Master Jus, Master Alphie's Uncle." Moxie announced, interrupting his wandering thoughts.
"Ah! Sorry Marius! I lost track of time." Justus exclaimed, looking startled as he glanced at the clock.
Marius laughed, his eyes scanning the room and landing on the children. "It's fine. Hello you two!"
"Hello," Rigel offered quietly, his eyes immediately darting towards his sister who hurtled towards her great uncle, puppy in tow. "Hi!"
Grinning, Marius scooped her up. "Have you ever met a person you do not like, Princess?"
Addy tilted her head as if she understood before shaking it with a grin of her own, making Marius laugh again, ticking her. "Oh I can't wait until I've one of you to spoil! You're delightful! And who's this?"
"Puppy!" Addy squealed, looking down at the bouncing Walter.
"She's called Walter," Justus replied with a sigh, "Alphard's doing."
"She?"
"Yes. Don't ask. Stubborn dog has a mind of her own."
Marius snorted, "She'll fit in well here then, won't she?"
Justus laughed, "Miranda's having a girl?" he asked, registering what Marius had said.
The other man shrugged, "I honestly have no idea, but I think I'd like a granddaughter, especially if she's anything like this one!"
Addy beamed back at him before staring at him very seriously, "Down, now." she demanded. Marius looked momentarily startled before complying, "Knows what she wants doesn't she?"
"You have no idea," Justus replied wryly. "Wally should be here shortly. I should warn you though, I think she's bringing the boys. She seems to believe Sirius is better with company to tire him out; most of the time he makes Addy look docile."
Marius' eyes widened as they flew to Adhara who was back to running about with the puppy, squealing with delight in between giggles. "I see," he replied faintly.
Justus barely concealed his laugh, "I'd say you get used to it but quite honestly, I'm not sure you do."
"Miss Wally." Moxie announced, interrupting them.
"Addy!" Sirius screeched, pulling on his mothers hand until she released him, barrelling after Adhara, joining in the chaos that she'd created with Walter.
"My eldest, Sirius." Walburga said wryly, smiling at her Uncle, "This is Regulus." she gestured to the baby who was wriggling to be put down, "I genuinely fear he'll be as wild as his brother. How are you Uncle Marius?"
Marius blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sheer volume of noise Sirius had brought with him. "Well." he replied faintly. Walburga hid her smile as she placed Regulus down, the boy automatically moving to crawl after his brother.
"That's going to end badly isn't it?" Justus commented lightly.
"So far, Sirius seems to have a knack of not being tripped up by him. He just wants to join in, which, quite honestly, is terrifying. I might not survive two. And then what will you do?"
"Me?" Justus replied, startled.
"Alphard is Sirius' godfather. They'd come here." Walburga stated like it was obvious.
"Are you trying to kill me, Wally?" Justus whined, making her laugh.
"No, but I'm relatively sure they're trying to kill me." Walburga muttered.
Marius blinked for a moment before he laughed. "Maybe I'm not as prepared for becoming a grandfather as I thought."
Walburga smiled at him, "We can always let you borrow them?" she volunteered.
"Ah that's…very kind, dear." Marius hedged, as Addy stomped her foot, almost growling at Sirius when he stepped in front of her to corral her into another area, "But perhaps I'll learn as I go?"
Walburga laughed as Justus moved swiftly to intervene before one of the toddlers lost control. "Alright Princess, that's enough of that." he murmured, lifting her up onto his hip.
"Down, Daddy." she replied plaintively, watching Walter running about at their feet.
"In a minute, you can't growl at Sirius, Princess. It's not nice." She pouted back at him, hiding his grin Justus crouched down, calling for Sirius. "Right, little man, you can't just force Addy to go where you want her to, she doesn't like it. She'll make your hair pink."
Sirius' small hands flew to his head as he shook it vigorously. "Addy, no!"
Clearly deciding he was forgiven Addy smiled back at him. "Ri play puppy!"
"Yes!"
Justus sighed, releasing his daughter, "How long until one of them does something to the other?" he asked quietly once he'd reached Walburga and Marius.
"Sirius will learn the hard way that she's more stubborn than he is." Walburga shrugged. "And perhaps you and Alphard will remember it when you're coercing the boys into keeping an eye on her at school. Annoying her is not going to end well for any of them. I'm almost excited to see it, especially once Aunt Cass has finished with her."
"Do they fight often?" Marius asked, watching the children.
"Increasingly." Justus sighed, "Rigel and Sirius are….quite protective and Adhara hates being caged in. She definitely inherited the Black temper."
Marius laughed, "Well then, let's hope those boys learn quickly. Black women are terrifying when they're angry."
"So I'm beginning to realise," Justus muttered, "At this rate we'll never survive her teenage years."
"Nonsense." Walburga dismissed, "That's why you have the vineyards and why we send them to boarding school. Her temper will be Minerva's problem for most of the year and if ever there was a witch strong enough to handle the Black temper, it's that one. "
Justus laughed with her, ignoring the sharp pain that appeared at the thought of not seeing his children daily, vicious temper and all. "Now shall we have a look at these prospectuses?"
Marius nodded, picking up one of them. "What am I supposed to see?"
"Ah school information mainly, if you see any mention of magic though, you're seeing the real version."
Marius nodded, skim reading the book in front of him. "I can see the real one. If you don't mind I'll take one home and see if Anna can see it, how is it meant to work?"
"Hopefully, those immediately linked to someone with magical blood can see it. The fact that you can is a good sign. Anna shouldn't be able to. I don't know about your children though?" Marius nodded thoughtfully, "For children not biologically related to their parents or if they live with someone else, the muggleborn or one of us should be able to show them as long as we're touching it. We'll need to test that out with someone. Anna maybe? If we got one of the kids to touch it, to see if that works? It might need a certain strength of magic, we're not sure….." he trailed off not sure how to voice the rest of his thought.
Marius quirked an eyebrow, "However if I can see it with no magic, then we should be alright?"
Justus looked at him shrewdly, "We don't know if you can see it because you're from a direct line or….there is a theory that squibs are not without magic exactly but perhaps not enough magic to wield a wand. We're going to look into the idea that muggleborns are directly descended from squibs, and if that turns out to be true, then surely the magic has to be somewhere?"
Marius blinked at him owlishly, "Good god, that's….an interesting idea. Do keep me informed."
"Of course. Is there a time we can visit if Anna can't see the prospectus?"
"Tonight? We should probably get moving with this if we're going to get to the Muggleborns for the upcoming year."
Justus nodded, "You're right, of course. Eight?"
Marius nodded, "I'll see you then. No need to see me out, I cannot imagine what would happen if you did." he indicated to the children who were now rolling on the floor with the excitable puppy, a bemused Regulus watching on.
Justus laughed, "I can have Moxie take you back home?"
"Actually, if you wouldn't mind." Marius grinned, "It saves the commute."
Justus nodded, calling for the elf and bidding Marius goodbye.
"Have you considered what will happen if your theory on squibs is correct?" Walburga asked once he had gone.
"Yes." Justus sighed, sinking down onto the sofa. "It scares me. We both know there are issues with conceiving in our world, I'm worried families will just take the children to bolster their lines. The other option is, of course, that the muggleborn is killed off because they prove their line had a squib in the first place and they can't deal with the embarrassment."
Walburga nodded, "Yes, maybe…maybe we need that research to be kept quiet for a while?" Justus nodded, "Probably."
Walburga hummed, "Well, Aunt Cass does love to be busy."
Justus huffed out a laugh at her. "If we give your Aunt Cass any more work she'll never sleep."
"Nonsense, it looks like the prospectus has worked, therefore she's one project down. This is the perfect time and it should hopefully curb the time she has to build her army."
"Or it gives her a ready-made one in the form of squibs and their magical descendants?" Justus laughed.
Walburga paled slightly. "Right. Maybe not Aunt Cass." she replied faintly.
Justus almost laughed at her, well able to picture Cassie drilling unsuspecting eleven year olds until they were up to her standard. Turning slightly to check the children he stilled. "Holy fucking Merlin." he breathed.
Walburga startled next to him, her eyes going wide at the sight of her youngest son and Walter bouncing gleefully through the air, Rigel, Adhara and Sirius watching them with matching expressions of concentration.
"Puppy fly, Daddy!" Addy announced with a grin when she saw him watching. Both Jusutus and Walburga moved quickly, startled out of their stupor, spooking the toddlers badly. Both the puppy and the baby started falling quickly towards the floor. They stopped them with a spell just as all three toddlers burst into tears.
Lowering a wriggling Walter to the floor, Justus knelt in front of his children, his heart hammering as he pulled them to him. Beside him Walbura was doing similarly, Regulus squawking his displeasure at being back on the ground.
"It's alright, it's alright." Justus chanted, trying to get his breathing under control.
"Do I want to ask?" Alphard's voice sounded behind them. Justus shifted, settling the children on his knee as he turned to look at his husband.
"They were working together to levitate Regulus and Walter," he croaked.
"They were….." Alphard gaped, his eyes flying to his sister who nodded in confirmation, tightening her hold on her sons. "Holy fuck." he breathed. "Is everyone alright?"
"We startled them but caught Regulus and Walter before they hit the ground."
Alphard nodded, scooping a still sniffing Adhara off Justus' lap and hugging her close. "Moxie? Tea please, probably with brandy." The elf looked startled but didn't argue as she popped away. "Right now, little star, you're alright. Daddy and Aunt Wally didn't mean to scare you."
"Bad, Papa?"
"You, little star? Never!" Her lip still wobbling, Addy burrowed into his chest.
"Daddy just got a fright, Princess." Justus smoothed,moving to sit beside Alphard. "Are you alright, Spaceman?" Rigel nodded reluctantly, reaching over to grasp his sister's hand. "You can't use magic on Regulus." Justus murmured softly, "You could have hurt him."
"Baby fly, Daddy."
"Yes Princess," he sighed, wondering how much she truly understood, "but babies aren't supposed to fly."
"Baby no fly?"
"No. Regulus can't fly and you can't help him."
"Oh."
"Make puppy fly, Daddy?" Rigel asked, raising his small face to look Justus in the eye.
"No Spaceman, puppies shouldn't fly either."
"No flying?" Sirius' pitiful voice sounded from his mothers lap.
"No flying unless you're on a broom or an Abraxan."
"And with an adult." Walburga cut in.
"And with an adult." Justus agreed, knowing it was likely pointless and none of them really understood what was being said. They'd all just need to keep a closer eye on them in the future.
Sirius sighed, "ok, Mama. I go play now?"
Walburga let out a long sigh, before she released both her sons. "Both of you stay on the floor!"
Rigel wriggled down moments later, pulling Adhara with him, as they warily moved towards the farm, darting little glances back at their parents as if they weren't sure what was allowed now.
"That was fucking insane." Justus breathed.
Walburga was still pale, clutching her laced teacup like a lifeline. "They should not have that control." she muttered.
"No. And individually they probably don't." If anything Walburga paled further.
"What are we doing about that then?"
Alphard watched the children shrewdly. "I think we use it."
"Pardon?"
"I think….not now, later, we use it. We get Aunt Cass to get them working together. You're right they shouldn't be able to control it and yet together they did. We knew their bond was unusually close, so we teach them how to work with it."
Walburga let out a shaky exhale. "Fine. Speak to Aunt Cassie. We had been discussing how she needed a new project."
Justus let out an incredulous bark of laughter, "Gods I'd prefer it if we were just letting her loose researching squibs."
Settling down on Marius' sofa after what had felt like the longest day in history, Justus sighed, "Right, so Anna can't see it? But Miranda can." he asked, raking a hand through his hair in confusion.
Marius nodded, "Gareth cant either. We checked. Nor can Sophie."
"So your children can't see it but your muggle daughter in law can? Gods I don't understand."
Alphard cleared his throat slightly, wincing when everyone turned to look at him. "There is one explanation," he hedged.
"Is there?" Walburga asked.
"Miranda's pregnant." Alphard said simply, wondering if he'd have to be more specific.
"We know. It's rather obvious….oh." Justus turned to look at Marius, an astonished look on his face.
"What?" Marius flinched, fear flooding his face.
"We think that a child's magic is enough to allow their parents to see the prospectus as long as long as they're directly related," Justus said slowly.
"But….but…oh my god." Marius breathed, his face paling dramatically.
"Is someone going to explain?" Walburga demanded snippily.
"I…fuck, Wally, we think the baby might be magical. It's the only thing that makes sense. Although…I'm not sure why Gareth couldn't see it if that's the case. Unless it's just because the baby hasn't been born yet?" Walburga looked at him as if he'd gone insane before the colour drained from her face.
"But….but… surely a Black at Hogwarts would have been noted! They'll be the year below Regulus!"
"Would you have allowed them to send a magical baby to Hogwarts with the name Black?" Alphard asked his Uncle shrewdly.
Marius blinked, clearly unsure as to why he was being asked "I…no." he stated, a look of confusion on his face, "No I probably wouldn't have."
"What name would you have chosen?"
"I have no idea. Miranda's maiden name maybe?"
"Which is?"
"Cattermole."
Alphard stilled. The name was familiar although he wasn't sure why. Justus was frowning, clearly it meant something to him too.
"Do you know what they're thinking of naming the baby?" he ventured, wondering if a first name would jog his memory.
"I believe Reginald or Lionel if it's a boy and Dorothy or Florence if its a girl."
"Reginald Cattermole." Justus breathed, understanding finally clearing his face.
"What?" Marius asked exasperatedly, his eye's landing on Justus. "Will someone please explain!"
Alphard and Justus shared a horrified look as they realised what they'd almost given away.
"Sorry Uncle Marius, speculation and musings. Reginald Cattermole is a lovely name, not that its any of my business. I think I like Dorothy best of their girls' options." Alphard deflected. "Will you allow them to use the name Black this time around?"
Marius looked momentarily stunned, his eyes narrowing on his nephew making it clear that he was not fooled by his poor deflection. "No." he said finally, "No i don't think that's wise."
Alphard nodded, his heart hammering as he finally placed Reginald Cattermole. "Maybe by the time your grandchild's going to Hogwarts things will be different."
"I doubt that very much." Marius responded stiffly. They made their excuses moments later.
"What on Earth was that!" Walburga rounded on them the moment they reached Black Hall.
"Reginald Cattermole was mentioned in Hermione's diary." Justus said softly.
"What?" she barked.
"The Weasley boy apparently used polyjuice to transform into him. It was a disaster, his wife was up against the…hell what was it called?"
"Muggleborn Registration Committee." Alphard supplied.
"Yes that. The day they broke into the Ministry"
Walburga's jaw dropped before she straightened her spine. "Well that won't be happening. Although you are going to have to apologise to Uncle Marius and come up with a better explanation than the one you gave."
Alphard winced, "We know."
"Do it soon." she commanded, "Or we'll lose any goodwill he might have and Aunt Cass will use us all as potions ingredients."
Alphard sighed but nodded as he escorted his sister to the floo.
"Have you worked out what to say to your Uncle?" Justus hedged two days later.
Alphard sighed, his head thumping back on the sofa, "No. What am I meant to tell him, Jus? Your son's wife and your grandchildren are hunted by a bigoted Ministry? That to the best of our knowledge they ran but actually, maybe they were caught and murdered? And we know this because our not yet two year old daughter used to be a fucking eighteen year old soldier who was sent back in time?"
Justus flinched, his eyes drifting over to Adhara who was remarkably calm for once, engrossed in a game with wooden blocks that only she understood. "Probably not the best explanation, no. But we start the meetings with schools next week, don't you think it needs to be resolved before then?"
"Yes. But damn it I have no idea what to say!"
"Why not apologise, tell him that you didn't mean to unnerve him but you thought you'd heard the name before. Explain that for his safety, and that of his family you can't tell him more."
"And if he pushes?"
"Tell him not knowing keeps them safe but that once things are sorted, you'll tell him everything."
"And if he asks specifically about his grandchild?"
"Tell him the truth, They're in no danger, he has nothing to worry about."
Alphard sighed, "Fine. I don't think he'll let it lie but maybe promising to tell him later will help."
"Good." Justus nodded just as Moxie appeared. "Master Jus' sister is here."
"What? Oh fuck."
"Bring her through, Moxie." Alphard sighed, ignoring Justus' panic. Moxie nodded, appearing moments later with a statuesque, dark haired woman. She looked furious.
"How nice of you to admit me, brother." she sneered, her eyes landing on Justus.
"Antonia. You're looking well, sister."
She arched a brow. "I'm surprised you remember what I look like." Justus sighed, his eyes widening when he spotted Addy walking determinedly towards her Aunt, Rigel being dragged behind her.
"Hi."
Antionia looked down at the little girl who was staring up at her curiously, her eyes travelling to the boy that was clutching her hand tightly, a wary look on his face.
"Oh my Gods." she breathed, sitting down abruptly on the nearest sofa.
Adhara tilted her head, "Hi?" she tried again, clearly wondering why she was being ignored. Turning her head, after a few beats of silence, a look of bewilderment on her face, "Daddy?" she ventured.
Justus moved, pulling both his children to him with practised ease. "It's alright Princess, I think you just startled your Aunt."
"Ri!" Addy squealed, looking around for Sirius, both Alphard and Justus visibly winced.
"Ah…not Aunt Wally, Princess. This is Aunt Antonia. Sirius isn't here."
Adhara's face screwed up in confusion. "No, Ri?"
"No, Princess, why don't you and Rigel go and play with your toys while I speak to Aunt Antonia?"
She frowned but allowed her brother to drag her towards the farm once they were back on the ground.
"She has our eyes." Antonia spoke. "It's foolish, I know but I hadn't expected it. And the boy…your son, I can see similarities between him and Osiris in particular. Lucien is all Parkinson." Visibly gathering herself, her face hardening, she looked her brother directly in the eye "Why in the name of Merlin did I need to find out about them from Mother, Justus? I've known for a while, you know? I kept waiting on you to get in touch and….how long have you had them? A year?"
Justus flinched, shame filling his face. "Just over." he confirmed softly. "I….Toni, I'm sorry. I truly didn't think you'd care either way. We're….we've had a lot of relearning to do in terms of family over the last year. I'm sorry I didn't include you in that. After Mother….we'll I'm sure you heard."
Antonia looked at him, searching his face for what, he wasn't sure before she nodded, "I'm still furious. And….hurt. I suppose. I know things haven't been good for years but you were still my little brother and….Gods Jus, you've had children for a year! And I'm not altogether sure I know their names! Your girl, she was expecting Walburga when you mentioned Aunt!"
"I know." Jusust said softly, sitting down next to her, clearly unsure of his welcome. "I…honestly I thought you'd side with Mother."
"Because we're so close?" she said wryly.
"If you're not your acting is far better than I gave you credit for."
She hummed, "I tell her what she wants to hear on the odd occasion I see her. I'm sure Father mentioned that that's not often. I gather from Mother that you're now back in touch? You're not the only one who vividly remembers our childhood, Justus. Mother visits, occasionally. Lets not pretend she's truly interested in her grandchildren. The children know the rules when she does. It happens maybe once or twice a year outwith birthdays and Christmas. I write in between, telling her all the things she wants to hear from me in terms of their education and training so she can brag to her society ladies. It keeps her away. I haven't seen Father in years."
Justus sighed, "I really am sorry, Toni. Father…he apologised, actually. It was, well it was as strange as I'm sure you're imagine it would be but he's trying."
His sister glared, "I imagine you will be. Perhaps I should go and visit this new and improved Father I apparently have. Gods know that its been long enough that the boys could walk past him in the street. However, I could say the same about you. Are you actually intending to introduce me to my niece and nephew?"
Justus flushed, meeting Alphard's eyes from across the room. "Ah. Rigel Severus and Adhara Hermione. Addy, Princess, why don't you come and meet Aunt Toni."
Adhara looked at her Aunt warily before she stood, reaching for her brother before she moved.
"Interesting names." Antonia murmured, watching as the toddlers made their way towards her, "Bossy little thing isn't she?."
Justus laughed, "You have no idea."
His sister hummed, "Hello, little miss."
"Hi!" Antonia smothered a smile at the guileless grin her niece sent up at her. Behind her Rigel was still watching warily.
"And hello to you too."
"Hello." he responded softly.
"I'll have to bring your cousins to meet you." Antonia mused, "Lucien in particular is fond of small children, I have no idea where he gets his patience from."
"Book?" Adhara ventured.
Alphard snorted softly, unwilling to interrupt, bossy little thing indeed.
"You want me to read you a book?"
"Yes! Ducks!"
Antonia looked amused. "Very well demanding Miss, bring me this book about ducks."
Both Alphard and Jusutus had to work hard not to let their jaws drop. "Oh honestly!" Antonia spoke scathingly, "Do you think I've never read to a child? I have two of my own!" At that she picked Adhara up, settling her on her knee before turning to Rigel. "Are you coming to hear this story too, young man?"
Rigel studied her for a moment, his tiny face serious, before reaching out a hand, "Yes. Read the ducks."
"Please?" Antonia prompted with a slight arch of her brow.
"Peese?" he tried. Smiling slightly she pulled him up, watching with slight amusement as he grabbed his sister's hand before curling into her side.
"That was fucking surreal." Alphard murmured, wary of disturbing his sleeping children.
"That's one word for it." Justus agreed.
"Do you think it'll last?"
Justus shrugged, "I can believe that she wants to do things differently from Mother. Neither of us had a particularly pleasant childhood. I…I want to believe it Alphie but I guess we'll need to wait and see. I'm not rushing to tell her any secrets but she was surprisingly good with the children."
"She was." Alphard mused. "Will we ever run out of family members we misjudged, do you think?"
Justus turned to look at him, "Well we have to run out of family members eventually."
Alphard laughed, jostling Rigel who gave a slight whine of displeasure. Both Alphard and Justus held their breath, exhaling slowly as he settled back down to sleep.
"Lets put them down before we wake them, if nothing else, today has been so fucking odd we deserve a drink."
Justus snorted, hugging Adhara tightly to him for a moment, revelling in her babyness in a way she no longer allowed when awake. "Five minutes." he whispered into her hair.
Alphard's look was knowing. "I didn't expect the demands for independence to come so quickly," he murmured, running a hand down her back.
"No. Me either. So give me five minutes and then we'll sort that drink."
Nodding, Alphard settled back down, snuggling Rigel to him as he gave in to Justus' whims, knowing they wouldn't get away with cuddling their babies to sleep for much longer.