Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: I do plan on making something a touch more adult…I'll do it as tastefully as I can. But as always I will post a **WARNING** nonetheless when appropriate. I also will be making this chapter a little bit longer because I want to cover some of Hogwarts.
Wow, y'all are so motivational with y'all's reviews! And, I want to be sure I credit Nanchih for their contribution in correcting my attempt of the 'Carbon Copy' charm as 'Gemino.'

Ch. XXXIV: Marriage Contract Part I

Sirius smiled at his godson with such fondness before he bade a sleepy Harry goodnight. Shutting the door quietly behind him he murmured a command to the House to notify him of Harry's wellbeing and to awaken him immediately should anything happen.

The wizard slowly trudged up three flights of stairs without much thought for them as he mused over his heady, eventful day of a lifetime.

I wonder how Kreacher and Séraphine are faring? He thought, crinkling his brow slightly as his Master Suite door opened to reveal his large bedchamber.

Glancing at the clock on his secretary made him wince.

I'll definitely hear about keeping Harry up too late. Sirius rolled his eyes and shrugged out of his clothes leading to a much deserved bath.

"I can't believe I'm going to be marrying a teenager." Sirius muttered. "Even if she's technically centuries older." He sunk into his bath and sighed.

I'll deal with it tomorrow. He told himself firmly before finishing his bath and preparing for his equally intense day. When he glanced out his window facing the courtyard he was stunned to see Séraphine busily revamping the overgrown courtyard with Quidditch chaser hoops. I didn't think she cared for Quidditch…is this for Harry?

Blinking, the wizard did the only prudent thing: practically fell into his bed.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore muttered archaic profanity in his office.

"Just where the devil is that phoenix?" The old wizard swore. "And where the bloody hell is Harry James Potter?" Angrily, Dumbledore flicked his wand and several files with one bespectacled boy arranged itself haphazardly across his desk.

White, craggy brow furrowed he scanned his reports.

"Dobby." He commanded softly.

"Yes Headmaster, sir?" The demure House-Elf asked, large green golfball-sized eyes glancing at the files.

"Where is Harry, Dobby? I've noticed he's not taking his meals with either Mr. Weasley or Miss Granger?" The old wizard looked down his crooked nose behind his half-moon glasses at the childlike House-Elf.

"Young Master Harry Potter sir is recovering from a nasty fever sir, Headmistress McGonagall said he needed four full days of rest before returning to Hogwarts."

Dumbledore seethed.

Blast that flea-bitten bastard. Dumbledore thought, his mind racing.

"Kindly have Professor McGonagall report to me as soon as she wakes up." He commanded, placing a grandfatherly charm over his very real rage. He decided he would peruse his obligations to the newly adopted waif…and perhaps visit a certain Muggle family.

"At once, sir." Dobby bowed, not glancing as the clock struck 3 a.m.

Well at once as soon as I tell Her Ladyship.

Finishing her pruning session, the House-Witch surveyed her work.

"That'll have to do until I can get the Young Master's opinion." She muttered, before rolling her shoulders back just as an anxious House-Elf Apparated near her.

"Why hello there, Dobby." She greeted him pleasantly before taking in his carriage.

"Let me get us some tea before we begin." She announced as she led him to a stone table and chairs. Nothing like a moonlit picnic. Séraphine thought dryly.

Pouring tea for two she listened avidly at Dobby's recounting.

"Well, now we know he feels threatened." She mused aloud, before glancing at Sirius' window. "You're going to have to do as he says regarding McGonagall." Her mouth twisted into a sly grin. "Of course, McGonagall doesn't have to know she's being spied on…since I have Lady Hogwarts' permission, I too, will go along for the ride."

The House-Witch dusted herself off and replaced their impromptu breakfast in the Kitchen. She left a message to Kreacher on the table before reaching for Kreacher's hand.

"Please take me directly to the Receiving Room." The House-Witch asked.

Apparating away to the once majestic Receiving Room, both House-Elf and House-Witch bowed and curtseyed respectfully.

A loud gong appeared as all House Ghosts appeared.

"What is it, Your Ladyship?" Nearly Headless Nick asked, glancing at Dobby before focusing on Séraphine.

"We would like permission to spy on Dumbledore and McGonagall regarding Our Heir." She answered courteously before raising her eyes. "It's been brought to our attention," the House-Witch continued, signifying her loyalty to Lord Sirius, "that he wishes to discuss his health to Headmistress McGonagall…we believe due to recent guardianship Dumbledore oversteps his bounds as merely a Hogwarts Headmaster and impugns wizarding and Goblin judgment of moral character upon My Lord and Master."

For a moment, Lady Hogwarts weighed Séraphine's magical core to gauge the severity of the situation before quickly surmising she was telling the truth.

"Lady Hogwarts appreciates you keeping Her up to speed on your comings-and-goings upon her realm." The Fat Friar said agreeably. "And gives you permission. She will not allow Headmaster Dumbledore to know your whereabouts as your mission is to safeguard Her Students and even the Centaur foal you rescued."

At the House-Witch's surprised expression and slight silver blush, the Bloody Baron chuckled. "The Centaurs approached Lady Hogwarts offering to help you on your mission to safeguard foals and students and bespoke of a pact to hunt down this spider-speaking monster."

Bristling slightly, Séraphine curtseyed lower. "I shall endeavor to succeed and would ask that aid be granted when requested."

"Granted." The Grey Lady said softly.

The gong resounded and Dobby remained bowed as he took Séraphine's hand and Apparated to Dumbledore's office whilst he went to collect a prickly Scotswoman bothered before reasonable hours.

Don't envy that servant. She thought with a grimace. Her attention riveted with her magical training as a House of Black Servant.

So, she thought darkly as she perused the oval-shaped office, being careful not to touch anything. It appears that our 'Light' wizard has been practicing some very Dark spells.

Not wasting any time before Dumbledore appeared from his Floo networked office she quickly drew a layout on conjured parchment from the House of the office and wandlessly cast "Gemino," to carbon copy several spells the House of Black practiced and invented.

There is something beneath the floor…I know it. But what? Receiving a tug on her conscious the House-Witch Willed the parchment to Sirius' desk and stood as still as a statue in a corner of the office as a grumpy McGonagall dressed in her usual Hogwarts robes came from the gargoyle stairs.

"Oh this had better be good." She said under her breath, her dark green eyes fairly shooting sparks. "Thank you, Dobby." The Scotswoman said sincerely, before glowering at her employer's office.

"Albus?" She called. "Albus?"

"Coming Minerva," Albus greeted as he walked out of the flaming Floo.

"Would you tell me what's this about?" She demanded without ceremony.

"Actually, I could ask you the same thing." Dumbledore said leading the witch to two squishy armchairs and tea as an olive branch for such an early morning.

Arching a brow at him, Minerva waited impatiently.

"About what, Albus?" She asked.

"About Harry Potter and why I was not informed of his whereabouts." Albus said equally impatient.

Minerva set down her teacup.

"There's no need for you to know." She said affronted. "I'm his Head of House and he needed to return home because he had a terrible spat of fever. I certainly don't think he needed anymore the Hospital Wing and Lacie Thaxton is a St. Mungo's-trained Healer agreed that the boy needed care away from Hogwarts was the best remedy after all the excitement of his newly instated family―."

"His new family?" Albus demanded, setting down his teacup. "I'll have you know that I don't appreciate this―this Lacie Thaxton woman telling me that Poppy can't do a fine job and he needs to be away during school. He's missing too much as it is."

Minerva's cool gaze raked over him.

"What's gotten into you, Albus?" She demanded. "Why does it matter if the boy needed familiar care or not? I think special concessions could be made considering the circumstances the boy's found himself in."

Albus could not take it anymore.

Wandlessly, the old wizard Memory Charmed Minerva McGonagall and froze her with a Petrificus Totalus Hex before utilizing an Imperius Curse.

"You will do exactly as I say Minerva." He said in a low, crooning voice. "You will make Harry Potter return to Hogwarts and keep a closer eye on him. You will find that you distrust Sirius Orion Black and will back Albus up on any of his accusations regarding the House of Black and the boy's care."

Canceling the spells he sipped his tea.

"Why yes, Minerva," he said affably. "I do believe Ireland will win this year against Bulgaria."

Minerva shook her head to clear it partook in conversation until it was time for her first class.

Well I've seen all I need to see. Séraphine thought hatefully. She immediately respected Minerva based on Sirius' assertion of his Hogwarts' days and her sound defense of her charge.

Tagging behind Minerva, she placed her fingertips lightly behind the witch's temples as they waited going down the gargoyle staircase.

«You are protected by the House of Black. No harm shall befall you from Albus. You will disobey all of Albus' commands regarding distrust of Sirius Orion Black, his associates and Harry Potter.» She commanded in High Latin using Legilimency.*

Satisfied at the startled expression of Minerva McGonagall she immediately returned to the House.

Séraphine checked on Harry once, noting the House cataloged whom came and did what to Lord Sirius' notebook on his nightstand.

She blushed silver remembering the Bloody Baron's veiled accusation that she, a House of Black Servant, was getting soft.

But I cannot lie to myself like I can lie to the world. The House-Witch thought as she watched an angelic boy sleep peacefully clutching Merlin and murmuring about pancakes.

Stepping from the bedchamber she closed and told Kreacher what she found along with serving pancakes for their charges.

"Definitely want to bring Dumbass to the dungeons." The House-Elf swore as he finished garnishing the pancakes.

"You and me both." Sirius said jovially. "What's the bastard done this time?"

"Much." Séraphine said her eyes turning platinum.

Kreacher immediately served Sirius at the Kitchen table, muttering how improper it was for him to sit there and not the Dining Room, before going to his Young Master's side.

Sirius grimaced and at her look, he took a bite of the delicious pancakes, slowly chewing to hear her tale. He tried to speak and choked, forgetting he had food in his mouth, and Séraphine immediately went behind him.

Wrapping her arms around his waist and chest she inserted her hand into his throat, pulling the food down esophagus and making him sit in front of her as she got him milk to coat his throat.

"Are you alright?" She asked concerned as the man gaped at her.

"How the bloody hell did you do that?" He demanded before taking a swig of iced milk.

Sirius did not how he felt about this.

Blinking at him, the House-Witch shrugged. "You needed, I provided Lord Sirius." She answered simply. "I couldn't use a Vanishing Charm lest I ruin your good looks."

She immediately blushed silver and turned away from him, embarrassed.

"So you think I'm handsome?" Sirius could not help teasing, feeling a measure of his old Marauder Padfoot again.

The House-Witch arched a brow over her shoulder.

"Like you need any help stroking your ego." She recounted, before gasping at her familiarity.

Sirius gulped.

Stroking your ego. Her words echoed in his mind, before he cleared his throat.

"Speaking of stroking egos," he said, his voice cracking a little, embarrassing him as she stared at him. "Uh, well about that Marriage Contract…?"

"Er, yes…it's in the Study. Perhaps we need to review it in all haste to give it to Lawyer Flameclaw and I'll…need to speak with you about something as well." She said, wondering if she would silver permanently.

"Indeed," the wizard said awkwardly as he scurried to return his plate and follow her up to the Study.

Several parchments appeared from a sealed drawer and she brought the House of Black Marriage Contract to the forefront.

"Right then." Sirius said clearing his throat. "What do we need to do?"

Oh bloody Merlin's balls. He thought wildly. What do you do Sirius when you get married?

"Ah, well, you see Lord Sirius." Now it was her turn to internally swear as she cleared her throat. "two things must be done. I need you to sign here." She indicated to the left of her signature as both Séraphine Marie-Hélène Beaufort to Serena Helena de Fleury, beneath it.

Grateful he had something to do, the wizard immediately penned his name and rank at the appropriate spots.

"Serena is pretty name." He said meaning it as he sounded lame.

No bollocking game.

"Thank you." She said sincerely. "I felt it was the closest to my real name in the event there are slip-ups. Further, I decided on keeping the French origin because I don't doubt that I'll slip-up and Lady Hogwarts fudged the records for me to be placed in Slytherin as a First Year while you were a Fourth Year making me 30 years of age."

"Indeed," Sirius murmured. You for damn sure don't look 30. "What was the second thing?"

"Well, after I Will this to the Goblins you and I will have to," Séraphine forced herself to face her new husband as a Pureblood Lady. "…take a bath."

"Come again?" Sirius sputtered, immediately weak-kneed and sitting on the desk.

References:

According to Harry Potter Wikia, legilimency: is broader than mind-reading and that Voldemort ruins people into madness with his twisted lies. So I thought why not project the truth into someone's mind? Sort of a reverse veritaserum.