Chapter Three
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
When Remus Lupin had received the message of Albus Dumbledores' death he thought the worst had happened. Not only for his small family but for the world. There was no one else who Voldemort feared. No one else could truly fight him. Not even Alastor Moody or Amelia Bones would be able to hold their own against the powerful dark wizard.
As he traveled back to Britain he was already forming and reforming arguments in his head to convince James and Sirius to take their family and run. Maybe to Australia, possibly America, perhaps Canada. Anywhere out of Voldemort's grasp. He doubted it would take much to convince Lily and Peter would follow where the rest of them went. He knew his biggest argument would be Ivy's safety. It was a card he hated to play but it wasn't untrue. He knew both James and Sirius would do anything to keep that little girl safe as he would himself. The trick would be convincing them that they wouldn't be enough. It would be a bitter pill for the two Aurors to swallow, but it was one Remus would have to force them to accept. Without Albus, the danger to Ivy had increased threefold. Not that he didn't trust Sirius and the Fidelius Charm but getting out of the country seemed to give them the best chance of surviving.
He knew however as soon as he flooed from the Leaky Cauldron in London to the headmaster well headmistress's office of Hogwarts and saw Professor, Headmistress McGonagall's face that something more had happened.
It was several hours later before Remus entered the hospital wing where Sirius and Ivy had evidently been staying for the last few days. McGonagall had told him that Ivy had been mildly dehydrated and had a curse wound that had been looked at by not only Poppy but Andromeda Tonks and Professor Slughorn. According to them, it was mysterious but harmless at least for now. Something that would have to be watched and maybe at a later time seen to by a Cursebreaker or Unspeakable but wasn't causing her any harm at the moment. Sirius had chosen to stay at Hogwarts for a bit longer for the protection the wards granted. The Aurors were still searching for Peter and his freedom posed a problem as he was keyed into most of the Potter estates Sirius had access to as well as Sirius's flat and there was no way he was going to take his precious goddaughter to his own family homes. Only Merlin knew what his mother Wallburga would try to do to the toddler who'd defeated the Dark Lord. Especially considering how badly her already precarious mental health had suffered after Regulus's disappearance the year before.
When Remus entered the hospital he immediately saw Sirius asleep in a reclining chair Ivy sprawled across his chest asleep thumb in her mouth. The sight nearly broke Remus's heart. Ivy had stopped sucking her thumb a month ago but he supposed it was a comfort thing and would probably be the least effect of the trauma she'd been through.
He approached them quietly and knelt by the chair reaching out to put a gentle hand on Ivy's back. He knew if he woke Sirius first he'd jerk and jostle Ivy likely upsetting her. He'd wake easier if he woke from her moving around. She blinked her big green eyes so like her mum's and looked over at him.
"Moo'ey." Ivy squealed and her eyes darted to look over his shoulder. Looking for James. Expecting that her father would be with him. "Moo'ey want dada." She said her eyes filling with tears at not seeing him. Remus looked up to met Sirius's eyes now opened and just as red and puffy as Ivy's.
"Hey, sweetpea." Remus said softly and held out his arms. "Can I have a hug?" Ivy immediately leaned into his embrace her little arms going around his neck. He held Ivy with one arm and reached out with his other hand taking Sirius's hand. Sirius took his hand holding on tightly for a moment then Sirius slid out of the chair onto the floor and embraced both Remus and Ivy.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
"Peter is keyed into the wards of EVERY Potter property?" The annoyance in Andromeda Tonks's voice was obvious her eyes narrowed at Sirius as if blaming him personally. But then she probably was as James wasn't there to take the blame.
"We wanted to make sure Peter would have a place to run if You-know-who caught on that he was the secret keeper." Sirius replied to his cousin then his eyes went back to the window. He could see Ivy with Hagrid at the edge of the Black lake throwing slices of oranges at the giant squid. When McGonagall had first suggested the kindly half-giant take her to the lake so they could talk strategy Sirius had balked. He was still paranoid enough not to want Ivy to far away even though he knew Hagrid would do anything to protect her and although he liked dangerous things he did understand how delicate a toddler was. Not to mention Ivy wasn't used to strangers and Sirius wasn't sure how she'd take to Hagrid but the little girl had seemed fascinated by him straight off. After a stern word from Andromeda about not being over-protective he'd allowed Hagrid to take her as long as they stayed where he could see them from the window.
"Amelia and Alastor will find him Sirius I'm sure of it. You know all three of you are welcome to stay here until then." McGonagall offered.
Sirius shook his head. "It could take months if not years and the school isn't set up for family living. Ivy needs to get back into a routine in a place that can become familiar to her. She needs stability so she can feel safe."
Andromeda looked impressed for a moment then Sirius finished. "Remus said so."
"Oh, course." She glanced over at Remus. "You will be staying with them right?"
"For a while at least," Remus replied with a nod. Sirius gave him a hard look but didn't speak. Remus knew good and well that despite his 'furry little problem' Sirius wanted him to move and stay with him and Ivy where ever they went. He wasn't at all confident that he could be everything Ivy would need.
"You are all welcome to come and stay with us. It would be a bit of a squeeze but you would be with family and I'm sure Nymphadora would love having Ivy around. She's always wanted a little sister." Andromeda offered.
"I appreciate it. Frank and Alice offered to. I'm considering taking her to Longbottom manor. No offense but if the death eaters get any ideas about coming after us I'd rather be behind the Longbottom wards." Sirius told her.
"Wise. The wards on our home are nothing to sneeze at but the Longbottom wards and strong and ancient. Not to mention no one would want to face down Frank, Alice, and Augusta even before you add in yourself and Remus." Andromeda admitted.
"Black wards would be stronger and you would be able to control them to an extent as the heir." Horace Slughorn said. The man had been oddly quiet since he'd arrived his face lined with grief.
Sirius looked over at the Potion master and teacher in surprise. "You can't be suggesting I expose Ivy to my mother."
"No. Have you spoken to your grandfather lately?" Slughorn asked Sirius scowled leaning back arms crossed over his chest.
Arcturus Black as far as Blacks went wasn't bad but that was like saying a Grindylow wasn't as dangerous as a Horned water serpent. They both caused damage. He still believed in Pureblood supremacy even though he hadn't joined you-know-who but over that, he believed in Black supremacy. It was the reason he hadn't disowned Sirius when his mother had tried to demand it. He could accept Sirius moving out as the home he was moving to was that of his niece Dorea Potter. He'd even deemed James an acceptable friend for Sirius as he still had Black blood. How he would react to Ivy the daughter of a muggle-born however was the question. Sirius only vaguely remembered his grandfather as a shadowy quiet figure who in general left things like child care to his wife before she passed away then his daughter-in-law unless it interfered with important family matters. Sirius was still technically his heir but that didn't mean they were close or even that they talked.
"I haven't spoken to my grandfather since before I left my parent's house," Sirius growled. "Neither of us has anything to say to the other."
"Your grandfather is getting to an age where he's starting to realize how important family is and you are his heir. I suspect you and your new little one will be more welcome than you might expect." Slughorn informed him in his best wise professor voice. He didn't pull it off as well as Dumbledore always had.
"I can't trust him." Sirius said. "Yes I'd have a connection to the wards as heir but he is still the head of the house. He could overrule anything I did. As Ivy is my heir he could even claim guardianship."
"He could try." Andromeda corrected. "He isn't named in the will and every guardian they did name would be willing to speak out against him. To say Ivy is better off with you."
Sirius looked at her in surprise. He'd thought Andi would think Ivy should be with herself and Ted or the Longbottoms.
Andromeda let out a dramatic sigh proving Sirius wasn't the only drama queen in the Black family. "Sirius all of us know that Lily and James put you first on the list of guardians for a reason. You and Remus have been there for Ivy since she was born. She loves and trusts you and the two of you love her. Most of all you both knew her parents better than any of the rest of us. You know what they would have wanted for her. You will undoubtedly make mistakes but the rest of us will be there for you. Your not alone in this." Minerva and Slughorn both nodded in agreement. Sirius felt something in his chest that had been clenched in panic at the thought of trying to raise Ivy alone or even with just Remus for support relaxed.
He wasn't alone. He had Remus. He had Andi and Ted, Minerva and Slughorn, and the Longbottoms... Just as he had the thought the fireplace blazed green. "Minerva, Andromeda, there's been an attack at Longbottom manor. Come through quick."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Not going through the floo with Minerva and Andromeda had been one of the hardest things Sirius had ever done. Even more than not going after Peter as Remus was now here and could protect Ivy. He wasn't as close to Frank as James had been but he was a friend and Alice was Ivy's godmother, but once again being Ivy's primary guardian took precedence. It was starting to sink in that his whole life was going to have to change. For one thing, his career as an auror was over. It had been different for James because he had Lily but if something happened to Sirius Ivy would lose another family him and Remus.
No one was under any illusions about why Remus wasn't named in the will. The Wizenmagot would never stand for a werewolf being given custody of a young witch especially not one who was the heir of two families. Sirius was her best protection. Well him and the Longbottoms. Both the Blacks and the Longbottoms were powerful and wealthy families who if were pushed could and would fight for custody. Andi had been disowned by the Black family and Ted was a muggle-born they had neither the political nor financial power to ensure Ivy's protection. Professors McGonagall and Slughorn were both from established families and were personally respected with lots of friends and favors they could call on especially Slughorn who had built a vast web of supporters. However, if someone rich and powerful enough tried to challenge for custody, especially someone with a blood tie it could get ugly. Sirius had heard that Malfoy was already wiggling his way out of being prosecuted by claiming imperio what better way to rehab his reputation than raising The Girl Who Lived.
The Girl Who Lived. Just the thought of the new title The Prophet had bestowed on Ivy made his blood boil. He wasn't sure who had started the rumors that Ivy had somehow vanquished you-know-who. Amelia was almost more angry about it as he was. Mad-eye had reported to him with glee how she'd raged around the Auror department almost literally ripping a strip off every Auror who'd been in the Potter home that night almost three weeks ago now. None of them would admit to being the one to start the rumors. Sirius wanted to believe them. He wanted to believe the men and women who had been his friends and coworkers would never put James's daughter at risk like that. But he also didn't think anyone at Hogwarts would have done it. He was determined that one day he would find out and someone would pay. As soon as things settled down he would set his solicitors on the Prophet he decided. He leaned over and added it to the list of things he needed to do.
The first two things were already in progress as Remus and Slughorn had gone back to Godric's Hollow now that the Aurors were done to retrieve Ivy's things, close down the house, and search for Jinx Lily's cat. Sirius hoped the black feline was still alive. Ivy adored the fluffy bad-tempered creature. He would undoubtedly be a comfort to her.
The fireplace roared with blue light again and Sirius turned as Minerva returned her expression filled with grief and anger that she hid at the sight of Sirius.
"That bad?" He asked his voice gruff.
Minerva paused then nodded. "It was Bellatrix and several men according to the house elf. Probably the Lestrange brothers. They evidently thought Frank and Alice would know what had happened to you-know-who. I imagine they didn't believe the reports of his death and believed he was being held somewhere. The house elf was able to hide with Neville but they tortured Frank and Alice for..." She shook her head. "I have no idea how long but the damage is extensive. Andromeda transported them to St Mungos. The healers are running tests but aren't sure how long it will take them to recover or if they ever will."
"Bella," Sirius growled. "How did he get through the wards?"
"Only the regular wards were in use, not the war wards it was easy enough for a witch of Bellatrix's power to break it," Minerva answered.
Sirius took a deep sigh rubbing his eyes. "If I had taken Ivy there...Maybe Remus and I could have made a difference but if Bellatrix had found Ivy..." It would have been a nightmare. His insane cousin would have undoubtedly murdered the toddler who was being lauded as the vanquisher of her beloved master, and it would not have been a quick or easy death.
He raised his eyes to Minerva's. "There are no normal wards for The House of Black. It's war wards all the time. Even with a blood tie, there's no way Bellatrix would be able to break them, even as an animagus no way Peter would be able to creep in."
"Talk to your grandfather Sirius," Minerva said softly reaching out and putting a hand on his shoulder. "It can't hurt."
"Oh no, it could hurt. It could hurt a lot. I just don't see any better choice."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
AN- I think Ivy is going to be more well-rounded than Harry. She's going to have Slytherin influences from Andi, Slughorn, and Arcturus. Hufflepuff influences from Nymphadora, Ted, and Amelia, And of course, Gryffindor influences from Sirius, Remus, and Minerva. I need to bring in some Ravenclaw friends. Maybe the Lovegoods? Or the Boots does anyone know if Terry Boot was a pureblood? I hated having the Longbottoms fall to their cannon fates but I think being orphans (or close enough in Neville's case.) and being raised by relatives will be a bonding point between Ivy, Neville, and Susan. Hugs and kisses to you all. Any suggestions in reviews are much welcomed and will be seriously considered.