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

A/N: Wow! Loving the reviews. I've been thinking how to make this scene tasteful and hope y'all agree. I will get back to Hogwarts. Writing multiple scenes a challenge but this deserved to be split in two parts. I will label **WARNING** where appropriate.

Ch. XXXV: Marriage Contract Part II

Sirius was really trying not to panic.

Calm down, man. He thought frantically. A part of him wanted to laugh at the bitter irony. As a former ladies man he would have been like, "When and where?" after all, every witch he slept with never complained of being displeased in the bedroom.

Now…things have changed. For the worse.

Sirius cannot stand to be touched outside of hugging Harry.

Because Harry's bloody innocent and my child. He thought, trying to desperately self-manage and remain nonchalant.

Séraphine did not know how she felt about this.

On the one hand, she knew Sirius had some issues regarding proximity. However, her hurt struck deeper than she realized.

Well bloody hell. She thought irritably and insulted. I haven't been Human in centuries and no one bothered about me and my feelings or my body or any some such nonsense since Master Arcturus. Do you see me bloody complaining? I'm just as broken and traumatized as you are!

Blinking back traitorous tears she waited a beat to compose her voice.

"Well, I know it's not what's planned." She began diplomatically. "Yet, the marriage contract demands an Heir. Since we already have an Heir, I still need to have some of your…essence of Humanity. I can do this taking a bath with you until the bathwater turns silver. There will be plenty of herbs for modesty's sake."

"Essence of Humanity?" Sirius frowned, trying desperately to compose himself and focusing on the more professional aspect of their discussion.

"Yes," Séraphine answered. "As a part-Ghost I have most of my body still intact. I won't be able to go through walls anymore as part of the contract to House. With your Humanity bleeding into me as it will, I can change my appearance."

"What's wrong with your appearance?" Sirius demanded, furrowing his brow deeper.

She blushed lightly.

"I cannot be truly myself, Lord Sirius." The House-Witch explained. "Essentially, I'm creating a new identity and appearance the House can accept. Magically, my core is the same but without a Servant's veneer over it."

Sirius blinked. "Oh," was all he said. "Which means you won't be able to do much legally or magically unless you're appointed to Lady status."

Pleased he understood, Séraphine relaxed a touch.

"Speaking of legality," Séraphine began, eying the wizard carefully.

"Yes?" Sirius asked slowly.

"I want to represent Black and Potter interests as proxy or Regent." She said quickly. "This way I can safeguard us and make appropriate decisions while remaining visible. Political ties are very important while you're working as an Auror and," the House-Witch straightened, "it's only on a bimonthly basis which would be OK since I'd otherwise be regulated to Housewife."

Generally speaking, only the widowed or those with Hogwarts-aged children attended the Wizemgamot proceedings. In this vein, Séraphine hoped to secure power in her own right and work to making deals to benefit both Houses while Sirius was out being an Auror championing safety. She would remain respectable as a Pureblood Lady with all the trappings but not in the shadows.

The wizard stared at her.

"You've really thought this through, haven't you?" He asked her, stunned.

Séraphine frowned a little at him. "Well of course I have." She said affronted.

"I, er, meant no disrespect, Séraphine." Sirius immediately backpedaled. "It's just…what are you possibly getting out of this? I mean, I'm grateful and all for you, especially in regard to Harry―and I think it's a bloody brilliant idea to delegate the Pureblood duties to you and all," he realized he was making more of fool of himself than he already was but could not seem to withdraw his foot from his ever-gaping mouth. "But why would you go through all of this trouble?"

It only just occurred to him that he insulted the only woman who would deign to 'sleep with him,' without being a profit or status beneficiary.

Bollocks, he swore quickly surmising Séraphine's earlier thoughts and suspected he had made an extreme ass of himself. He could just imagine his 22-year-old self actually punching him in the face.

The House-Witch blinked at him, her eyes suspiciously bright.

"I don't know." She said finally, before turning to leave she placed several leaves of parchment on his desk. "Please review the contents. And let me know when you'd want to proceed. I suggest tonight while Our Heir is asleep. He will need to return to Hogwarts on Sunday since you begin work on Monday." Still not making eye contact but emotionally distraught and distancing herself she gulped. "I believe you'll need to inform him that he's legally adopted, and I'd like to be there when you tell him I'm the new Lady Black…as well as his eyes have changed…but I think Lacie can charm his glasses to be regular glass and place a Glamour Charm of their choosing to hide them until he's ready to come to terms with it."

Sirius stood and started to come to her and then stopped, recognizing her need for space.

"Yes, that's very sensible Séraphine. Thank you." He said, his throat dry.

Nodding once, the House-Witch practically fled the room and headed to her guest room.

She immediately charmed her room for privacy and burst into uncharacteristic tears.

"What the bloody hell do I care?" She demanded from the empty room, temper flaring and eyes blackening. "All I've ever been is either a Servant or an Accessory. Not a Person. Except from Master Arcturus. Why, oh why, did I think I'd be anything special to Lord Sirius? Or to Our Heir?"

Actually, that was not fair.

Harry actually liked her as a Person.

"And he's the only reason I'd ever deign to 'sleep,' with Lord Sirius." The House-Witch angrily swiped her tears. "I'll do whatever I have to in order to protect this Child." She swore resolutely, straightening. She decided to give herself some room for the next hour or so until Lord Sirius or Harry called for her.

Sirius swore in three languages and decided after several minutes of being angry and mortified. He would go to the Training Room first, then to Harry's room to finally tell the lad he was adopted.

"And oh, handy that you've got yourself a new godmother, too." He muttered under his breath.

Making his way to Harry's bedroom the wizard's stormy expression softened a bit before he politely knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Harry shouted.

"Well good morning, Harry." Sirius said amiably as the boy laughed at something Kreacher said and grinned at Sirius.

"Good morning to you too, Sirius." He greeted.

Sirius glanced at Kreacher who nodded.

"Please see to Her Ladyship and have her know that we will proceed with our plans furthering the House along with an affirmative for her correspondence."

Curious, the House-Elf nonetheless obeyed silently and Apparated to receive new orders for the day from her regarding the Dursleys.

Returning to Harry, Sirius looked suddenly nervous.

"What is it, Sirius?" Harry asked quietly, trying to gauge the mood.

"Well," Sirius began, clearing his throat, before sitting down and taking Harry's hand.

"Kiddo, you've been formally adopted." He said without preamble. "We didn't want to tell you earlier because we weren't sure how the proceedings would work or if there was some stupid loophole. And there were but nothing the Goblins or Our House couldn't handle."

Harry's jaw dropped.

"You mean that?" Harry whispered. "You're not playing me are you?"

"Absolutely not!" Sirius straightened, affronted. "I would never lead you on about something like that! Séraphine's actually getting the paperwork copies for us to keep in the event something stupid happens." Among other things.

"So I can live here…and not at the Dursleys?" Harry pressed, serpentine eyes staring a hole at Sirius and making him slightly uncomfortable.

"That's correct, kiddo." Sirius said slowly and solemnly. "This is Our Home."

The House actually brightened and swirled magic around them to convey Its full agreement.

"So I get to live with you, Lady Séraphine, Kreacher, Malthus…and the Raven?" Harry asked, awed. "Actually, what is the Raven's name?" He asked distractedly.

"You know, I have absolutely no idea." Sirius muttered before calling the Raven.

It appeared and bowed with Its wings flared before Its Lord and Heir.

"I beg your pardon," Sirius asked courteously. "But what is your name?"

The Raven Cawed and Sirius shared a deadpanned look with Harry before having an idea.

He turned himself into Padfoot and asked the same question in…dog.

"Eirvyn." The Raven Cawed.

"Eirvyn?" Sirius asked. "Why can't you answer me as a human?"

"Because Master Arcturus decreed so." Eirvyn answered, giving the avian equivalent of a shrug. "According to the Curse he placed upon Our House, none were to know Our Names and we were overrun as the Servants. The Curse affected us all and he was sorry to have done so. Thankfully you and he were both Animagi."

"Seriously?" Sirius asked, surprised. "What was he? A cobra?" It would certainly behoove the wily Slytherin former Lord Black to be so.

"Very good, Lord Sirius." Eirvyn answered. "However, only you can know my name as the only Animagus. Further, I will be more tied to you than anyone else since I am the outward symbol of the House of Black as opposed to Malthus is more affiliated with Our Heir."

"Because the Heir must survive at all costs which is why you'd put a Basilisk with him." Sirius barked a laugh at all the symbolic irony. "I'll definitely have to read Grandfather's diaries…I confess I've been rather busy with the whole 'Trial of the Century,' and Harry, and well Harry's adoption. Also, do we have to only communicate where I can understand you as an Animagus?"

"Yes Lord Sirius." The Raven answered promptly. "The diaries will explain much, sir."

Changing back, Sirius huffed wondering what was wrong with him and repeating informational facts. Well I've been a fool all day so may as well continue.

"Thank you." He said dismissing the Raven.

"So?" Harry prompted watching the exchange with amusement.

"Precisely how I feel when I watch Malthus conversing with you." Sirius said wryly. "Unfortunately, I cannot tell you his name, kiddo…you're not an Animagus and no I won't allow you to become one until you're older."

Seeing Harry bristle he sighed. "Harry," he chastised. "My situation was to help Moony and my core had sufficiently developed. You're not there yet, kiddo."

Slightly mollified Harry wondered if Sirius would allow him to become an Animagus.

I bet I can convince Séraphine and she'd help me. He thought suddenly before refocusing on the task at hand.

"How long do I have to remain in bed?" Harry asked, a slight whine shaming him, causing Sirius to chuckle. "And where is Her Ladyship?"

"That's a question for her, actually, since she spoke with Lacie." He called for her and Séraphine appeared in swirls.

I may as well do it as often as I can. Something told her she could not just 'swirl' into dramatic view if she became Human again.

"Yes?" She asked, a little surprised at the intense look Harry gave her.

"When can I get out of bed?" Harry gushed curiously.

"Oh, she said tomorrow is fine with her. Provided," she said giving Harry a stern look which reminded him acutely of Mrs. Weasley. "You don't overextend yourself and behave with the food she said for us to cook you and you rest often."

"Yes ma'am." Harry readily agreed, sharing a glance with his godfather.

"Then, may I suggest we eat outside in the courtyard?" Séraphine asked, softening.

"You have a courtyard?" Harry asked curiously, straightening in his pillows as Séraphine proceeded to tell him about the layout of Their House.

"For now," the House-Witch decreed. "You need your rest, Young Master."

Pouting slightly, Harry settled into his pillows and blankets. Pausing for a moment, Séraphine gestured for Harry to give her Merlin and she created a fine cloak from her time period around Harry's doll.

Beaming, Harry quickly thanked her.

"I figured he'd be cold, and that really is what Merlin wore the last I saw him." Séraphine added, before taking her leave with Sirius offering a 'Sleep well,' to Harry and following her out.

"Séraphine." He said softly once the door clicked shut to Harry's bedroom.

"I've made preparations for Kreacher and Malthus regarding the Dursleys, Lord Sirius." The House-Witch interrupted, maintaining professional distance. "Kreacher had a wonderful idea―I'd see to Petunia and you'd see to Vernon on a private chat. Malthus is gathering the Snakes as a present for Our Heir before he leaves and―."

"Séraphine." Sirius said her name more firmly, making her frown.

"Yes?" She asked uncertainly, and slightly annoyed.

"We definitely need to talk about all of this and I wanted to apologize for being a complete bastard." He said in a rush.

Before she could think up a reply, a bloody Kreacher Apparated kneeling before them.

"Kreacher!" They exclaimed, each kneeling before the House-Elf and quickly taking him into a nearby guestroom.

Séraphine quickly began bandaging the poor House-Elf.

"What in Merlin's name happened?" Sirius demanded, double-checking the House wards around his child so as not to disturb him.

"There've been new wards in place, milord." Kreacher gasped as Séraphine all but snarled at her fellow Servant's mistreatment.

"There's no way to breach it." Sirius muttered. "Now that Dumbass knows."

Nodding to Séraphine he placed a gentle hand on the House-Elf. "Your orders are to heal and rest so as not to worry Harry or the rest of us. You will remain here and we will attend to you."

Kreacher nearly choked. "That's unseemly, Lord Sirius!" He moaned, clutching his injured head.

"What's unseemly is frightening Harry and making him worry." Sirius corrected, his grey eyes sparking. "I'll make sure Dumbass pays; but if he's onto us then that means we'll have to delay Dursley vengeance for another time."

He could see how put-out his Servants were and sighed.

Malthus arrived a moment later, hissing in distaste.

"No luck with the Snakes―the same thing happened." Séraphine verified.

"We'll just have to table it." Sirius muttered, shaking his head. "Both of you are ordered to rest and make a full recovery. Ideally before Harry has to return to Hogwarts."

The rest of the day centered on Harry's happiness and making certain he did not know anything regarding his favorite Servants.

Once evening became night and everyone was sent to bed with the House placing specific 'Do Not Disturb' lockdown wards except to the restrooms the adults arrived at Sirius' Master Suite.

Telling himself to be respectful and not awkward or silly, Sirius entered his bedroom unsurprised to see Séraphine preparing a huge bath filled with herbs and spices and something clearly ancient.

The House-Witch paused for a moment's hesitation and added a few more to the steaming bath capable of fitting three people.

Why, I don't want to know. Sirius thought internally shuddering at some of the sickness his ancestors partook.

He cleared his throat unnecessarily so that Séraphine would acknowledge him.

Closing her eyes briefly, she turned to look at him over her shoulder.

"It's ready, Lord Sirius." She said simply.

She stood slowly, and eyed the wards from Their House with satisfaction.

Unless a bomb exploded within the House of Black the two would not be disturbed.

**WARNING**

Telling herself not to be silly or awkward the young woman, shrugged and her medieval grey-and-black dress fell to the floor. She unlaced her ankle-high boots and removed her chemise. Her clothing of the past several centuries felt like her armor now made her soul bare in too many ways.

Still, she thought with grim awareness, this is no worse that Servant girls serving her lord at home or any other such abuse before the newfangled servants' rights in the 20th Century received.

Sirius' eyes bulged for a moment.

Her body was lovely minus the very real lacerations, bruises and the axe wounds she received before her untimely demise.

Following suit, although not as carefree as Séraphine, the wizard disrobed.

He noticed she watched him from the corner of her eyes and appreciated the silvering blush across her otherwise stoic face.

You're not sleeping together. He chanted repeatedly. She is beautiful but she isn't for you.

She motioned for him to appear on her side and she took his hand.

He was ashamed to admit he was nervous and the trepidation was high.

Aren't I supposed to be the confident lord in all this? He wondered as he mirrored her actions submerging their knees into the water.

Séraphine flinched once the water touched her skin, causing concern to Sirius.

Her façade gone.

Séraphine looked downright terrified.

Carefully, Sirius took her arm and said, "It's going to be OK, Séraphine." He told her, his voice oddly gravelly.

"Is it?" She whispered as they sat down. "You need to f―face me at all times and chant this spell in High Latin." He plucked the summoned parchment and began to read it before doing so aloud.

"Merlin," he said finally, grasping at the full extent to what sort of agony Séraphine would undergo.

"Yes," she said her voice still in a whisper.

"I won't let go of you." Sirius swore.

The House-Witch gave him a wan smile and silently told him to go on with it.

«A child thou once were. An adult thee will become. Earth to flesh, Fire to blood, Air to soul, Water to magic of thine House of Black and Slytherin lineage.»

Séraphine cried out as her body writhed and it took all of Sirius' will to maintain a hold on her slippery arm. Her body began to vibrate from the magic suddenly ensconcing them of black, platinum and emerald.

Her eyes widened and she whimpered. Her agonized expression weighing heavily on Sirius.

«Thou belong to thy House of Black. Thou belong as flesh and blood and soul to Lord Sirius Orion Black.» Reading that made Sirius want to wretch. He did not desire a slave.

Seeing some silver leeched into the water and made his heart clench seeing her fear.

She's always been a slave to the House. He thought grimly. She's never been a slave to just one person.

«Deep thy loyalty runs for thine sacrifice of long ago.»

The young woman before him was forced to submerge into the bathwater and Sirius froze before continuing his reading, cursing himself.

«Earth of the flesh.» Sirius continued.

The herbs actually rushed toward her body. He marveled as her body matured before his eyes and self-conscious could not stop the blush from his face rising.

«Fire of the blood.»

Séraphine gasped for air, her scream emanating the walls and whimpers as he saw her organs regroup and reknit from her chest cavity. The thinnest scar appeared as he saw no silver in her now normally blushing face.

«Air of the soul.»

Her tears made him angry that her pain would not abate.

Merlin, I can't imagine the agony. The description said she is having multiple Cruciatus Curses on her being, and technically being 'bound,' to me is an Imperious. He thought horrified.

The very room gathered weight as an equally fearsome and frightened soul appeared before them.

Séraphine and Sirius gasped at her teenaged form.

Her beauty showcased what a naturally gentle, sweet soul she had been before the House of Black tainted her with Its Dark Magic. Its Revenge, Cunning, Dark Magic, Capability and Esteem seeped into her soul turning it to become a living vessel with centuries' worth of knowledge to benefit Her House.

Sirius' eyes pricked with unshed tears.

I swear I'll be good to you. He saw something like Harry in her once-innocent soul and could not imagine the untold damage she suffered.

Her soul hovered in soft white light above Séraphine and gestured for her body to relax as she slipped inside. The young woman clutched her chest as the picture she had secured from Lady Walburga's closet flew from her and landed outside the bath.

«Water of magic from thine House of Black and Slytherin lineage.»

Séraphine gasped as Dark Magic flooded her body, mind and soul. The Servant's veneer was covered in the privileged Lady Black of feminine swirls in black, platinum and emerald.

She immediately recalled her appearance before Hermione and before Sirius' eyes her entire being changed.

**WARNING'S END**

Her skin was dewy soft, pale with a rose blush with endearing freckles from her girlhood remained splashed across her nose and cheeks. Her calf-length, straight black hair turned to curly waist-length brunette. The woman's age appropriated at 30 while her eyes opened to reveal a light hazel.

Sirius' heart wept for her true appearance.

"You're still Séraphine Marie-Hélène Beaufort to me Serena Helena Black." He told her gently. With great dignity the wizard lifted Serena in his arms bridal-style causing her to blush and immediately use her hair to cover herself as best she could.

He could see her rapid pulse in her neck and carefully stepped out of the claw-footed bathtub filled with silver water and browned herbs.

Sirius murmured Warming and Drying Charms about their personage along with taking the proffered terry robes and wrapped Séraphine's weakened body in the smaller of the two. There it transfigured into the silkiest nightgown she had ever worn in her life and she started at the sudden feeling as a Human-Witch. Sirius kept his gaze firmly on her face and not her form once he put the robe on her and noted with some pride that her blush remained and her ladylike coquettishness revealed she liked what she saw. He robed himself and it transfigured into the masculine equivalent before he scooted her onto his bed, wrapping his arms around her.

"Sleep Séraphine." He whispered, sensing her body's utter exhaustion, while he remained awake.