-3 WEEKS BEFORE-

Sirius stumbled as his feet came into contact with the ground. He growled, his thin, malnourished figure swaying after the terrible spinning of a Portkey.

A goblin was waiting for him, and he straightened as much as he could, desperate to find out what his godson had arranged for him at Gringotts. Ever since the letter had been delivered to him about 2 weeks ago, Sirius had been extraordinarily impatient for October 14th to arrive. And now that it was here, a small stream of nervousness had taken to flowing through his veins.

"Heir Black, we have been awaiting your presence. Please follow me, I will show you to Goblin Manager Ragnok's office. He has taken to dealing with this case personally."

'What case?' was the first question that floated into Sirius mind. The next was, 'How did my godson get the Head of the Gringotts Establishment to meet with him?'. Then again, his godson had always been impressive, breaking through the normal barriers for a wizard. 'Like casting the Patronus Charm at 13 after only 11 lessons.'

Sirius shifted as he walked, his limbs spasming awkwardly from his time in Azkaban. His animagus form had only protected his mind from most of the effects, leaving much to be desired about his physical state. It happened often times when he was active for a long time, forcing him to travel in short spurts and rest for longer than he would have liked too. It was also the reason why his letters were so sloppy looking, but he would write to his godson, even if it meant re-writing his letter a million and one times to get it legible to most humans.

His godson had yet to complain about it so he must be doing a pretty okay job at writing.

The Goblin, whose name he had yet to learn, (it was rude in Goblin etiquette to request a name; it can only be given of free-will. He didn't know why but didn't question it) turned to him and gave him a once-over. "A spare set of clothes has been set in the room on the other side of the door. I will be waiting for you once you have finished. Do feel free to scrub the dirt off your face. Also, no shoes are proper." The goblin gave a half-bow before turning away from him.

Sirius opened the door, and didn't even spare a glance to the marble, white gold, and colorful stone adorned room. On a black cot was a folded set of robes and a cloak. He shrugged off his rags, grabbing a black cloth from the linen closet.

He dampened it and began scrubbing, giving himself an impromptu bath. A pair of shears was in the drawer and twirled his tangled hair into an easy ponytail then cut it all off in one easy snap. Placing the shears back, he stared at the brush next to the shears. Then he looked at his newly cut jaw length hair, with impressive knots in it.

The brush was tested and put to good use.

When he came out in white and gold robes covered in a black cloak, his hair was much better, his skin was paler than usual but clean, and he didn't look so much like the wanted convict in the posters.

The goblin waiting outside nodded in approval. "Much better, Heir Black. (There was that phrase again- he was near positive he had been disowned and disinherited so why was he being called this?)

He followed the goblin through the rest of the corridors, valiantly keeping up with the fast-moving short legged being with his continually spasming and locking limbs and digits. Finally, they stopped at a large set of wooden doors. Sirius panted silently before taking up a polite stance when they received an approval of entry.

An older goblin sat behind a desk, filing through all the papers that littered the decently sized desk. "Heir Black, please pardon the mess. Bloodtooth, you may take your leave." The goblin, Bloodtooth apparently, gave a low sweeping bow before leaving. "Take a seat please. We have much to discuss- or rather, I have much to inform you of." Sirius took a seat, sinking into the soft cushy chair.

"Now, your godson has arranged for you to undergo a few select healing rituals as well as a thorough examination to reverse any physical, and mental, effects left by the Dementors. It is to be done by a Specialist from the Brazilian Gringotts Branch; All is to be covered by your godson, he has refuted any attempt by us to have the House of Black pay for any of the bills. Though, we do have a stack of compensation contracts that may suffice as a proper substitution." Sirius lip curled up at the suggestion, amused by the way the Goblin easily decided to go around his godson's insistence. He would sign the papers after.

"Now, you are to be taken to our healing chamber and then after all has been done, you will be relocated to the Goblin Healing Facility located in Cumbria. If you are concerned about your status as an escaped convict, deranged mass murder-" Sirius snorted at the sarcasm. "-secrecy contracts have been mandated and your assigned healers have all signed them, with blood of course to placate your rather protective godson. Again, all charges are to be covered by him, but the compensation contracts seem to also cover those charges by generality. You are to spend an undecided amount of time at the Facility, you will have a guardian or proxy almost, to watch over you while you are there to make decisions that you may not be allowed due to your state. You may choose or have us choose one."

Ragnok shuffled through a few other papers before nodding. "That seems to be all I can discuss as of now, more will be brought up after your Ritual. I ask that you wait here while I retrieve Opal who seems to have gotten caught up mothering her other patients." A sigh came from the Goblin as he walked out of the room.

Sirius shifted in his seat not even 5 seconds later, tapping his foot impatiently on the ground.

He could not believe that his godson, little Harry, had done all of this. Although, he likely had more of Lily than her green eyes, wasn't this just a bit much. Not that he could really complain. To have Goblin Healing Services was something most purebloods did scarcely and only under extreme duress due to its pricing, and Sirius would bet all the gold and artifacts in the Black Vaults that the total cost was at least over ₲2,000. And if it wasn't than Sirius would eat his socks. Which were really disgusting, and he actually probably wouldn't do it anyways...

He shook out of his thoughts and stood when the door opened.

Ragnok came in a tinier Goblin following him. "Opal will lead you to the chamber. Please listen to her. This is a highly cautioned Ritual, only performed by those with the proper training."

Sirius nodded and allowed himself to be led out of the room and to a room with a place for him to lay.

Following her simple instructions of 'lay down and relax; do not move,' he laid on the cold surface, not even wincing at the temperature. It was far colder in Azkaban.

When all the preparation were done, chanting filled his ears.

And then blackness.

OoOoOoOoO

Sirius paced angrily, muttering obscenities that would've had his mother cursing him if he still lived under her roof.

His mind raced, hidden memories swimming in front of his thoughts.

Lily, the twins, Severus, Riddle.

James. His mind came to a stand-still. Then he swore with vengeance. James was still carrying his child when the attack happened. Meaning something must've happened to the child. He shivered, imaging the reaction Severus must've had if he'd already gone through the purging. As a creature (he wasn't sure, only knowing that it was creature specific to the Prince Family Line), he was sure that something had been destroyed, burnt, severed, damaged, by now. It was only logical really considering just how fierce a protector Severus was; he would've thrown himself into a battle to the death for James and his unborn child, no matter if it meant his life as long as his mate got away.

And Sirius understood that perfectly, he'd protect Remus and his could-have-been child, from danger even if his Alpha swore his soul to the underworld and back. A sigh broke through him, and he rubbed his mid-section, a bittersweet fondness filling him at the memory of his pregnancy.

He'd been nearing 6 months when there was an attack in Hardwash Alley, a common place for purebloods to get high-quality clothing and gifts. It been an attack by some junior Death Eaters who were getting restless, which caused absolute havoc to be wrecked. Having been shopping alone, Sirius was not able to apparate and was nowhere near the floo he'd taken to get there. The stress had been enough to send him into an early labor, which was incredibly dangerous for a male pregnancy. And sure enough, 7 hours later, he was sobbing over the stillborn body of his daughter.

Remus had gone absolutely feral for nearly 3 days, refusing anybody to be around him or the child. Afterwards, he'd been absolutely wrecked with grief and rage. The juniors had been tracked down solely by Remus in his absolute need for revenge and afterwards he'd mutilated the bodies beyond the point of recognition.

Sirius, in all his mess of emotions, had only been angry that he couldn't join in on torturing them but satisfied that they'd been taken care of.

Riddle had been angry at the beginning but had listen to Sirus after he saw that he no longer had a growing stomach. After all had been said, he was in a firm agreement with Remus and him, only wishing that he'd said something at first to publicly shame them in front of all the others.

"Heir Black, are you well?"

Sirius turned quickly, looking down at the little female goblin who was staring at him. "Yes. I'm well. Merely... remembering."

She nodded, though she looked not very convinced. "You're guardian is here and wishing to speak with you." He nodded, righting himself even though there was no denying the odd movements of him limbs.

Walking into the room, he stopped at seeing hastily brushed hair and amber eyes on a heavily scarred face.

"Remus."

The name slipped past his lips, and he froze before striding into the arms of his mate, kissing him with intensity. He brushed his hands over broad shoulder, strong arms, settling them on hips bones with low-riding trousers. Sirius pulled away, unable to hold his breath for as long as he used to.

A nose nuzzled his neck and collarbone, soft noises coming from Remus. He pushed him away with great reluctance, though leaving the possessive hands on his waist. "We have to finish discussing some things Remus. After, we can continue refilling the bond."

Amber eyes looked at him with reluctance obvious in them but they sat together in front of the Goblin Manager, Sirus curled into the warm heat of his mate.

Just where he belonged.

- 3 WEEKS LATER - NORMAL TIME -

Lily stumbled into her little side room, clutching her portkey in hand. She always did hate magical transportation, bar self apparation. Sadly though, she was unable to apparate from Dubai to Esher.

Filing through her flat, she blinked at the multiple letters waiting for on her table, most having a Gringotts seal on it. Rifling through them, she found that exactly 36 of them were from the bank and 8 of them were from Ravan, the last 4 from business makers that she was in contact with to help the vaults under her care.

She picked up the nearest Gringotts letter, clicking her tongue at the usually neat, messy scrawl. Opening it, she found herself freezing as her mind took in the words.

19/10/1994

Dear Lady Riddle,

I am writing to you due to the wishes of one Astaron Emilion Riddle, who by blood, is your son.

Missive have been sent before this one, but none seemed to have reached you.

A meeting has been requested between yourself, him, and his twin sister, Amaya Thana Riddle. If you are unavailable, please write a letter to me as soon as you can. If you are available, again, write to me so that you may receive a location for October 25th.

Your child, Ravan Styx Riddle, is permitted to accompany you to the meeting but only with the permission of the Host, Heir Riddle.

Please do not take offence; Gringotts takes great care to ensure the safety of their clients.

I await your letter.

Master Goblin Steeltooth

Goblin Manager

London Gringotts Establishment

Lily lowered herself into a chair, staring at the words on the page. Her heart dropped, desperate to collide with the floor. The parchment wrinkled in her grip, her nails piercing holes and digging into her palms.

A scream built in her throat and she released it with a full sound of a desperate rage.

About 2 hours later, a hawk was flying to Gringotts, the letter inside containing eagerly scratched letters and tear-smeared ink.

OoOoOoOoO

Astaron hunkered into his spot in the library, in the very back away from the watching eyes and noisy whispers.

It had been claimed by him a solid 3 days after his name was spat out of the Goblet. Nobody came this far back into the library, as it was always so dark and dusty, so it was the perfect place for him. The bookshelves obscured him from everybody else and nobody dared come close to him if they did see him, so he figured he was safe.

Due to being forced to be the fourth Tri-Wizard Champion, he was allowed access to all books in the library (including the Restricted Section!) and was allowed to miss his classes. (Except Potions, he figured because of images, because Snape did look concerned when he saw him last) Which was wonderful because he was poring over books and books, and even more books.

Ron and Amaya were terrific, spending their left-over time with him in the library, only dragging him out when it was time for meals, or they thought he needed a break. Which was really when he was staring wide-eyed a book, looking like he was ready to keel over any second. Then Ron went into mother-hen mode, easily putting away his books and prodding him into the Kitchen where he was given some snacks and promptly fell asleep in front of the fire in the back of the room.

Amaya was more in her zone with the research, easily moving through the library with a practiced ease, pulling every book she deems necessary from the shelves.

Astaron went into the Restricted Section sparsely, due to the fact that Dumbledore could easily find out about his visits to that part of the library. He picked up multiple books, mostly about elemental magics and advanced charms.

The book in front of him was explaining the theory behind water element spells.

["Water is a very dangerous due to the availability of the element. Water requires a certain amount of strength from the person, a very deeply and strongly willed person, because this particular element hates to be forced back and controlled. Water is fluid and harsh, bringing life or destruction. There is not in between with it.

There is a certain skill set that comes with trying to control Water, like the ability to control one's emotions.

For example, if you were to try to turn Water into ice, that would take a very acute sense of calculation and loss of emotion, to turn the Water into something so cold and hard.

But if you were to attempt to control Water in its liquid state, the most wild and harsh form it can be in, that takes a complete and total strength and will, a spine stronger than iron. Otherwise, the Water will drown you with its power and wilderness, making your last thought that it is an element that the weak cannot master.

To find if you have the power, the magical core, to control water, you must cast a simple spell... see pg. 159 for the spell and more details on the Water element."]

He sighed, turning the page to see an introduction on the Earth element. Yeah, no. Not right now when it felt like his brain was going to turn to mush. Packing his notes and books away, he stood, deciding to just walk around to clear his head.

Astaron walked out of the library, stepping onto a staircase and weighed out his mind for a destination. His legs moved him farther without his minds thought, taking him someplace that he had yet to figure out. The only hint was a soft tug in his chest that urged his legs forward.

It was only when his nose twitched at a familiar scent of pine, cider, and the faint trail of apples. A rough rumble emitted from him, and he surged forward, brushing his fingers against the silver band on his finger. The dragon ring that he kept in his pocket every day, seemed to burn into his skin, something in him saying it was time for the silver band to adorn his mate's finger.

Turning into a hallway, he saw Draco talking with 2 other boys. Taking a quick whiff of the air, he smelled another on both boys. Ron on the dark one and a faint trail of his sister on the elf. His creature subdued slightly at the smell, knowing that the other two were mated or at least courting another.

He slipped the band off his finger, stuffing it into the pocket of his cloak. The light press of the goblin magic left him and he made a soft sound to his little mate.

Mercury eyes whipped toward him, and pretty pink lips lifted into a smile. Astaron sauntered forward, wrapping his arms around his waist and nuzzling the pale expanse of Draco's neck. Running his fangs lightly against his skin, he nipped it lightly before pulling away; he wouldn't drink from him without consent.

Draco let out a soft whine, his eyes fluttering back open to glare at him. Astaron smiled lazily and landed a firm kiss on his lips. The other two had left rather quickly when they saw him, their scents getting farther and farther away.

Cold blue magic rubbed against him, his mate purring softly as he peppered his face with soft kisses. Slim arms wrapped around Astaron's neck, fingers brushing his shoulder blades with touches lighter than air. "Now, I'm not complaining, but may I inquire what brought on this surprise attack?" Bright eyes flickered over his face as though searching for something that could give Draco a clue.

Shrugging, Astaron held his mate closer, his heart taking on a rapid beating for apparently no reason. "I don't know why I sought you out; I was in the library, and I could not concentrate on the books, so I left and just began walking. Then I caught your scent and followed it." He brushed the soft edges of Draco's hair on the back of his neck, coiling the baby-fine wisps around his finger.

"Oh. I see. I think your creature just needed a reassurance of some sort or you yourself." He hummed, nuzzling his mate in his neck again and taking a deep breath of the warm scent paired with the icy blackberry magic.

Draco shifted and Astaron pulled away slightly with a questioning sound. "I have to get to my next class. Unlike you, Mr. Fourth Champion, I have classes to attend to and I can't skip them without worrying about the consequences of such actions." A protesting sound escaped him before he could squash it, and heat brushed his cheeks in embarrassment. Draco laughed lightly, a messy snorting sound (beautiful really) and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

"I'll see you after dinner, in our little alcove." Astaron nodded and pulled away fulling, slipping his wrist band back on.

He watched as his mate left, leaning on the stone walls of Hogwarts. With a sigh, Astaron pushed himself off, moving to go back to the library to study some more. Footsteps even and measured, he began the trek back to the library, only getting up 2 stairwells before a voice stopped him.

"Serpent Prince."

He turned quickly, finding a tiny blonde with large doe blue eyes and radish earrings. A dazed look was in her eyes and her hair swished from side to side like water as she swayed softly.

"I beg your pardon?"

She hummed. "You are the Serpent Prince, are you not? The other half of the duo stuck and hidden under the power of the Tainted One." Her words made an alarming amount of sense. The little blonde smiled serenely. "Do not worry; the things I know are for my knowledge only. Perhaps also for the ones that would benefit from a warning. What do you think?"

He nodded slowly. "I think that some would benefit from a warning."

"Yes. They would." Her eyes drifted to him and then over him, staring at things that he couldn't see. Or perhaps she was seeing things he could see but knew what they meant.

Astaron moved to turn around when her voice stopped him.

"Do not judge the caged lioness so quickly because she looks happy; she is clawing at her shackles and biting the bars, knowing she may bleed, and her teeth may break. Her masters are careless of her condition, not realizing the state she is in. And the lioness knows, the lioness knows many things, some the born duo can only wish they knew. You must free her or you will most surely fail."

Astaron looked at the blonde, her airy eyes having a steel undertone flaring with a protectiveness he often felt for his mate. "What happens if I fail to save her, what will happen to her?"

All dreaminess and airiness went away in an instant, and there was a delicate sorrow in her eyes, drawn out with a terror. "Her spirit will become listless in her body, and she will welcome Death early." The terror and sorrow left again, this time leaving a hardened iron blade that was covered in blood in her eyes. "And if you do not save her, your plans will fail because you will be no more. I will dance in your blood in the name of Nemesis, and your soul will never pass on until I exact my due justice on those, I feel have wronged min kärlek." Her voice was light and even, dipped in a glistening poison.

He dipped his head in deference to her. "I will do my best to free the lioness."

"Good." The airiness was back, her eyes gaining the other dazed quality.

"We will speak again soon, Serpent Prince."