By The Light of the Dark BOOK ONE - How to Raise Wolves

by SpringFire1994

What if one orphan became two brothers, and two brothers became three friends, and those three friends became the five children, Fate had decreed would save the world? This story is about a hero and a father. This story is about the largest gambit Fate had ever attempted. This story is about a man named Sirius Black, and his quest to raise wolves. Light of the Dark - BOOK ONE.

6. An Unkindness of Ravens

Just making some slight adjustments to the Longbottom names and Melania's account of their history. Nothing big, but it's setting up a larger explanation of their name in a later chapter.

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In the Light of The Dark

How to Raise Wolves

Chapter Six – An Unkindness of Ravens

The portkey unceremoniously dumped the small group into the formal Floo room of Black manor, and Remus unconsciously reached out to grip his mate's wrist. Their relationship troubles aside, they were pleased with how Wednesday's meeting had gone and now, four days later they were back in the imposing manor waiting to be greeted once more, by Arcturus. It was a surprise then, when the door opened to admit his wife; smiling and dressed to the nines in silver and pale blue robes. Melania was a true beauty, Remus thought. Small and slender; with mousy brown hair down to her hips, eyes the colour of cornflowers, soft cheekbones and a dimpled chin; her rich McMillan ancestry was clearly visible. They bowed low to the Lady of the house and Sirius stepped forwards to greet his grandmother.

"Toujours Pur my Lady. May I thank you on behalf of my entire company here, for your invitation to dinner." He bowed once again; straightening only when her dainty hand came to rest on his cheek.

"You look well grandson." She said softly, her voice; just tinged with a Cornish accent. "If a little worn. Has the babe been keeping you awake?" She turned to Harry who was safely ensconced in Remus's arms and her expression immediately melted into something Remus could only describe as 'aww'. "May I?" She asked, her blue eyes snapping to his and he shot a look at Sirius before nodding and handing over Harry. The boy gurgled, smiling brightly at his grandmother and he began to babble something to her before pointing at his godbrother with a sound that was half surprised and half commanding. Within five seconds he had well and truly wrapped his grandmother around his little finger and she laughed in delight, fetching him over to where Neville was in his mother's arms so that the boys could start to babble away to one another whilst the adults continued their greetings.

"He's been quiet since Samhain." Remus said softly, replying to Melania's original question. "This is the most active we've seen him." She hummed in something akin to satisfaction before swiftly moving her attentions to greet the Longbottoms. Remus could see that her and Augusta were going to hit it off immediately and with the inevitable introduction of Minerva, the three women would become a force to be reckoned with.

The greetings over; Melania led them through into the main section of the manor, starting a running commentary over the various portraits they passed for the Longbottoms. It gave he and Sirius time to compose themselves and seeing as Harry had yet to be surrendered from his grandmother's arms it gave him leave to grip his mate's hand. Sirius nodded to show that he was okay and they glanced over at Harry in unison. The dark-haired boy was still gurgling on to Neville and seemed content and curious. It was as if the clock had been turned back three weeks and he was the energetic, bubbly baby they had known before the horrific events of Halloween.

They reached the formal lounge and Remus almost stumbled at the sight of a full room. Arcturus was there, as well as the Malfoys and who he could only assume were Narcissa's parents, but it was the sight of the tall, slender man standing by the mantlepiece that had given him the biggest shock. He could only guess that this was Pollux Black, Arcturus's cousin and second eldest Black male. His indifferent mask would have been perfect if it wasn't for the disdain glittering in his dark grey eyes and Remus felt a shiver down his spine. Pollux Black could have been a character out of any child's nightmare; his pointed chin, high cheekbones and long black hair were all characteristics of a spook, but it was the maliciousness that sold it for Remus. Here was a man they really didn't want to have to get to know.

"Grandfather." Sirius greeted; bowing low to Arcturus. He copied his greeting and actions in Pollux's direction, his bow just an inch or two from being regarded as an insult. Remus could see damage control was going to have to be done in the near future. Sirius was too volatile to be around Pollux's famous temper for long. "Thank you for your invitation this evening, on behalf of my entire company here." Arcturus smiled warmly and Remus could see genuine fondness in the Black Lord's eyes as he looked to his grandson.

"It is my pleasure Sirius. Please take a seat and we'll start with introductions, shall we?" The group seated themselves on the empty armchairs and settees around the room and Remus winced when Frank ended up sharing a settee with the Malfoys in order for Melania and Harry to sit with Alice and Neville. His eyebrows rose at the small child resting on Lucius's knee and the blond lord gave him a cold look in return; causing him to swiftly turn his attention elsewhere. Sirius easily handled the introductions and Remus dipped his head at the Arcturus's regard when the older man gave him a soft smile. He and Sirius had seated themselves in armchairs close to the fireplace; their backs to Pollux and facing Arcturus almost directly, showing their respect for the house Lord and their disregard for his cousin. They were toeing a dangerous line in regards to Pollux but Remus knew that his mate had a plan on how to deal with his younger grandfather.

Pollux, unlike his cousin; had made his fortune illicitly, through dealings with the Dark Lord and the Deatheaters; in return for his Dark Mark. Remus had heard the rumours of who had been supplying the majority of Snape's potion ingredients, and it was an open secret that Pollux was the shadow owner of a small and deadly apothecary in Nocturn Alley.

"Down to business then I think." Melania said, lighting up the room with a smile and breaking through Remus's musings. "Please enlighten us on how this evening is going to go Sirius."

"At half past eight Remus, Frank and Alice will travel to Privet drive under disillusions whilst we prepare the ritual and adoption potion for Harry. At exactly nine o'clock they will blow the wards on the house and cause an explosion through the gas mains, instantly incinerating what we hope will pass for four bodies."

"You have the sheets?" Arcturus asked with a raised eyebrow and Sirius nodded.

"An elf is ready with them when you are my lord."

"Good, please continue Sirius."

"The 'bodies' will be placed around the house in the perfect positions to be destroyed and we perform the blood adoption simultaneously with the explosion, therefore, killing Harry Potter whilst Harrison is born into the family."

"What about the Potter vaults?" Pollux sneered from his place behind them. "Surely you do not think Dumbledore stupid enough to believe the heir is dead if the vaults remain open?"

"James was my blood brother." Sirius replied, more to Arcturus than Pollux, he had no intention of stroking the younger man's ego. "He made me heir apparent for if the worst was to happen, the idea that; it would eventually pass to any children I had." The Black lord nodded, content to leave the subject alone for now, and satisfied that Dumbledore would be none the wiser.

"So, you'll become the new Lord Potter?" Melania asked with a raised eyebrow. Apparently, she was not of the same mind as her husband, and her famous thirst for knowledge wouldn't allow her to gloss over the matter so easily.

"No, I plan to take up an almost stewardship like role instead. Convince Dumbledore that I will set the accounts in order to eventually pass to a new heir."

"Harrison." Arcturus stated rather than asked.

"That depends on what Harry wants to do." Sirius replied. "I'll not force him into taking the Potter headship if he doesn't want it, and I certainly won't make him heir until we've assessed how much danger it would put him in. It will be a few years yet before any of those discussions take place."

"It would be better to concentrate on the task in front of us." Arcturus agreed with a nod. "But before then, I think we should meet the young man in question."

O_o_O_o_O

Minerva was pacing. She didn't even try to deny it. She was pacing her office, wringing her hands and wondering what the bloody hell was going on at the Black manor. Sirius had informed her of their plans and had fought to pull her out of the school for the evening. They were worried about Dumbledore. They were worried about what the old man could and would potentially do.

A knock at her door solved her pacing issue and she forced herself to sit behind her desk in order to build a semi calm façade. She pulled a stack of papers towards her and a quill and started to shuffle through the parchment.

"Come in." She was surprised and somewhat relieved to see Severus. Here was the one person in the school who would understand her edginess. "What a pleasant surprise Severus." She said with as big of a smile as she could muster. "Shall we move to somewhere more comfortable for this discussion?" He nodded and she instantly got the message. He'd sorted his memories. She stacked the papers, dowsed her candles and led him through to her chambers offering him an armchair by the fire and a glass of single malt. He took it with a nod of thanks and she poured herself a large measure.

"I have done as you recommended." He said with a nod. "There were more gaps than I thought there would be and I find myself unable to continue my employment here."

"Please don't be so rash Severus." Minerva tutted. "I have a proposition for you instead."

"One of your contacts I presume?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in question.

"They feel that it would be beneficial for the pair of us to continue on at the castle. There are things happening at the moment that would make it extremely difficult for you or I to leave."

"Dumbledore is plotting then."

"Indeed." She clicked her tongue on the roof of her moth as she tried to assess how much to share. Sirius had given her his blanket trust to do or say whatever she needed to get Snape onside, but there was a lot of information she didn't think she would be able to trust the young man in front of her with. "My contact feels that we could be mutually beneficial to each other if we stay here, and I agree. I have no intention of stopping teaching however I'm not the young woman I used to be so I propose an alliance."

"You want someone to protect you."

"And you crave information about the events of Samhain and what is happening in the wider world right now."

"What kind of information are we talking here?" Minerva smiled rather predatorially and she knew that he'd fallen into her trap.

"I have information regarding Lily's son, and I also have some of her journals, detailing why they went into hiding."

"We already know that part." Snape sneered.

"I also have her school journals. The ones she and Alice wrote together. There are some rather interesting insights into the wolfsbane potion in there, as well as some projects I believe you worked on together. I have information on what happened to the Dark Lord and I know what is going to happen in the dark sect politically over the course of the next few months."

"You have someone on the inside."

"You aren't the only spy Severus." She said coyly, neither confirming nor denying his suspicions.

"So, in return for my protection you are willing to do what exactly?" He asked with a sneer. "Give me a leg up in politics?"

"More than that my dear. I have a potential position for you within my contact's court."

"A way out of Hogwarts then?"

"Not exactly. A more of a side project which will allow you to realise your true potential and give you access to a few items you need to complete your current research."

"I never thought I would see the day where Dumbledore's right hand would offer a deatheater illegal substances." He said with a wry smile. He held out his hand expectedly. "You have a deal." She nodded and shook it, pleased to have secured her own ace in the hole. It seemed she was better at this politicking stuff than she gave herself credit for.

O_o_O_o_O

"Have you chosen a name yet?" Narcissa asked from her place beside Alice. The young woman was sandwiched between the Malfoy Lady and Melania at the end of the grand dining table; all three of them feeding a young boy in their lap. Harry had been passed around the group and had surprised everyone by gurgling and grinning at them all, with the exception of Pollux. The man had taken Harry into his hands as though he was nothing more than a dog, and Harry had turned quite red, frowned and started babbling in what could only be described as an angry fashion. He looked quite put out to be in the old man's arms and Pollux had sneered a 'brat' at him before passing him to his wife. Harry went back to being all smiles and Arcturus had chuckled at the fact that the young boy seemed to already have the measure of his cousin.

"For who?" Alice asked dumbly, her mind still half on trying to spoon mashed swede into Neville whilst avoiding his waving arms.

"Your son. For when he is adopted."

"We're keeping Neville." Alice said firmly with a frown. "It is what we chose for him when he was born."

"Won't it raise suspicions?"

"By the time Neville is adopted, Dumbledore will be too busy chasing Sirius in the political ring to bother about a supposed dormant house. The heirship has been temporarily passed to Sirius and he has yet to attempt to draw the ring, we want Dumbledore to remain oblivious for now, however once the games start Sirius will quietly adopt Neville and pass heirship back to him, keeping the house dormant until Neville takes his ring at eleven."

"Just before Hogwarts."

"Yes. The ring will keep him safe from legilimency attacks from the old man."

"Even so it would be beneficial to give him something new, a good strong name with meaning. It would throw old-beard if nothing else."

"Sirius has gone with Cadmus for Harrison's middle name. It was almost Regulus."

"Cadmus is good." Narcissa replied with a smile. "The first hero of Greek myth, turned into a snake by Ares, builder of cities and appointer of Spartoi. I like it."

"You're good at that." Alice observed. "Did you ever think about doing a History Mastery?" Narcissa smiled somewhat melancholic.

"I didn't need to. I had an arranged marriage to a good house; all I have to do is raise Draco." Alice frowned at that. It seemed like a waste. From what she had seen, the blonde was a keen observer and political lioness, she could do a whole lot better than housewife to a peacock like Malfoy.

"I know what you're thinking." The woman in question said with a smile, breaking through Alice's musings. "But the great thing about the house of Black is that it is the women who are the secret powers behind the men, we are the ones to work in the shadows, Uncle Arc wouldn't be half the man he is without Auntie Mel."

"That's right my child." Melania piped up, pausing her conversation with Augusta and Irma. "And you can bet your husband's small fortune that I never let him forget it either."

"I thought the Malfoy's were wealthy?"

"Oh, my dear Alice." Melania said with a chuckle. "The Malfoys are wealthy in terms of the newer houses, but the house of Black is one of the oldest in the Wizengamot, along with the Longbottoms, Potters, Bones' and the Peverells. The Malfoy wealth is just a drop in the ocean compared to ours."

"The Longbottoms aren't considered to be particularly wealthy." Augusta chipped in with a frown.

"Not right now, no. However, with your move into the Black family, I imagine your potential wealth will soon come to be realised."

"How so?" Alice asked.

"There is a vault for each house that has married into the Blacks." Melania explained. "The house of Longbottom married into the house of Black long before Harfang and Callidora. It was told to them then, that the vault existed for their use, but they felt their own small fortune was enough. Upon marrying into the Black family, a bridal price is paid and placed into a vault to grow into a nice little egg nest for when that family may need use for it. Call it a long-term investment rather than a payment of marriage."

"How long ago are we talking here?" Alice asked, genuinely interested in the history of the family in to which she had married.

"Well Callidora and Harfang married in the very early 1930s." Irma answered, introducing herself into the conversation smoothly. Pollux's wife had surprised Alice with her insight over the course of the evening. She'd assumed any wife of the horrid man would be cowed and mouse-like; but the former Crabbe heiress was sharp as a tack. "I remember their wedding was very simple and elegant. They were married in the rose gardens at Caddington Hall. It was a lovely day."

"They married in 32." Augusta chipped in, cutting off the other woman's reminiscing. "I've heard Mother was considered old to be getting married at 17. I suppose times were different back then."

"So that was only fifty or so years ago Augusta." Melania tutted with her tongue. "Some of us had borne two children by then." The small cluster of ladies chuckled at her dry wit before the topic was steered back onto the matter at hand. "The Black Archives stretch further back than the 1930s though, all the way to the very beginnings of our house, when Morgana bore a son to a Druid called Dubh at some point in the sixth century. Unfortunately the exact date was lost a couple of hundred years ago when we had a small manor fire but that is neither here nor there; there is a record of marriage for the fourteenth century for one Richard Longboteham to a Charis Noir, from the original French branch of our family and so the bridal price would have been paid around that time."

"Your records stretch back to the sixth century?" Alice asked, shocked beyond measure at the idea of so much history. Melania chuckled at her surprise.

"They used to stretch back further. There wasn't much for our ancestors to do back them apart from document the world they lived in. Our records are extensive but it is rumoured that the Peverell Archives stretch back to even before Camelot."

"I can't imagine having that much history." Alice said with a shudder, unnerved at the thought of being beholden to her ancestors in such a way. "It's kind of creepy." She finally said, provoking chuckles from the three Black women and a knowing nod from Augusta. Harry, Neville and Draco all giggled along with the ladies and Alice raised her eyebrow at the three boys. "They've been very active tonight." She said, looking towards her son and Harry in particular. "Neville has been a quiet baby and Harry has been subdued since Halloween."

"The events of Samhain would have affected him." Narcissa answered with a grimace, Melania having turned back to her previous conversation with the other two women. "He would know that something is different, and he's more than likely feeling the loss of his mother." Alice snuck a surreptitious look towards Lucius; which didn't go unnoticed by Narcissa. "It's okay to be nervous around us." She said softly, lightly touching the top of Alice's arm. "We ourselves didn't know what to expect tonight, and I'm certain you didn't count on this being a full family gathering. It will take some time for us to get to know one another, we've been on different sides for so long, it will take some getting used to." She also snuck a look over to her husband, who seemed to be in deep conversation with Pollux; a dark look on his face. "For all of us."

O_o_O_o_O

To his relief, everything seemed to be running smoothly as he glanced around the table. He should have expected that his grandfather would pull something like this. The man was far too cunning for him to keep up with sometimes. Nevertheless; Alice, Narcissa, his grandmothers and Augusta were holding court at the bottom end of the table; their charges in their laps and all chattering away merrily, Lucius, Pollux and Cygnus sat to their left, potions being their topic of discussion, his mate and Frank were entertaining Druella to their right which left him to deal with his grandfather. Arcturus had grilled him on some of the finer details for the night and he'd thanked Circe that he'd gone over the plan several times with Remus before they'd left Oxford.

"I'm not sure I want you returning to your flat after tonight." Arcturus said with a frown, once they'd gone through the adoption vows. "How quickly can you be packed up to move?"

"We'll need at least tomorrow." Sirius replied. "But I'm certain we can be ready to move by the beginning of the week."

"You have full use of the elves to make that happen." Arcturus said with a nod. "You'll be moving into The Orrery."

"Caddington Hall?" Sirius confirmed in surprise. He knew that Arcturus himself had grown up in Caddington and the manor was much larger than he had expected to get given.

"The boys will enjoy the Planetarium and it will be nice to have the old place inhabited again." Arcturus answered, smiling at his grandson's shock. "The elf team is sizable and friendly and they'll be at your disposal from tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you to the senior elf before you leave for Oxford."

"I don't know what to say." Sirius muttered. "Thank you, my Lord, for your generosity."

"I must admit that it is a purely selfish move. I'm hoping you will allow me a visit or two to see the old place again?"

"You are welcome any time my Lord." Sirius said with a small dip of his head. "In fact, I was hoping to talk to you about employing your services as the boys get older. I know the basics but it would be good for the boys to learn their politics and house law from one of our world's most powerful political members."

"You have them Sirius. I am also offering to teach you everything I know. You'll be in my position one day and it will be good for you to build your skills now as opposed to diving in blind when I'm gone. We can start whenever you are ready and we'll build you up to attending Wizengamot sessions as my heir."

"It would be an honour sir."

"Would it?" Arcturus asked with a raised eyebrow and he held his grandson's gaze with steely eyes. "You vowed never to follow house protocol again Sirius. When you left, I was in danger of casting you out therefore, you are very lucky to be sat here this evening. You told me to my face that you didn't wish to be associated with us anymore." Sirius knew that this was the make and break moment of his life, their meeting had glossed over his abandonment of the old ways and he knew that if his grandfather wasn't pleased with the next words out of his mouth, this whole situation would stop dead in the water and they would be back to where they were three weeks ago.

"When I came to you all those years ago, I wanted nothing to do with my parents." He said truthfully. "I was an angry teenager who continued to make stupid decisions over the years that followed. I fully understand what I did that day and will accept any and all punishments you wish to prescribe, but I am not lying when I say that it would be an honour to be considered for your tutelage. You have always held strong in your belief that it is family before all else and if you weren't in the position you are now, I wouldn't have even considered coming back. I approached you because you are a just Lord, and I know that you will do what is best for this family, whatever may come of it." Arcturus took a moment before nodding his acceptance and Sirius let out a breath, he hadn't even known he was holding.

"Before anything else we need to work on your Occlumency shields and your mask. You are projecting so loudly my wife can hear your thoughts from the other end of the table." At the mention of her name, Melania glanced over and shot them a smile, swiftly returning to her conversations with the rest of the ladies. Arcturus smiled fondly before turning back to Sirius. "I accepted you as my heir all those years ago Sirius, and I stand by that decision. You will be good for our house, and you certainly have the balls to pull it off. No wonder the hat painted you a lion." Sirius flushed at that and nodded his head in thanks. "Do not think that because you are here, I have fully forgiven you, nor that I trust you, that will take time to build, but I am confident you will not let me down." A confirmation tumbled out before Sirius could stop it, punctuated by his thanks and reassurances. The Black Lord smiled and nodded, showing that the conversation was now closed. "So, tell me about your choice of name for Harrison." He said, diverting the subject into less dicey waters.

It seemed that it was going to take some time for things to settle into some new kind of normal and he was content in his decision to allow his grandson back into the family. He knew that the word 'Parley' had been bandied about since their discussion on Wednesday and he was honest enough to admit that it wasn't far off the mark. Only time would tell if his grandson and mate were worth the risk; after all it wasn't every day the world's saviour was dropped at your feet.

O_o_O_o_O

Whilst the Black family were dining, preparing themselves for what could turn out to be the most important event of the last century; the eldest of three sisters sat in a barely lit dining room of a French Manor house. They had decided to lie low after their failed attempt to question the Longbottoms, three weeks ago and she was starting to get bored. Again.

Only last week they'd had to take her out for some fun, and they'd ended up barely escaping as the French aurors had descended the moment she'd cast her first AK. Obviously, the French ministry had more of its shit in one sock compared to its counterpart in Britain and her husband, brother-in-law and their fucktoy had decided that they would not go out for fun again.

Bella was a little saner than people gave her credit for. She'd gained a reputation for madness before she'd made her third year of Hogwarts and it was an image, she had continued to cultivate to give herself an edge on the battlefield. It wasn't her fault that the majority of the wizarding public were mice. She'd cast her first Crucio at twelve, her first AK at fourteen and had mastered her control over feindfyre at fifteen. Aunt Walburga had been so proud of her for that one. She'd loved her Aunt and Uncle and she hoped her Aunt was doing okay after what had happened at Samhain. Her mark had felt like it was going to burn right through her arm, and when the pain had stopped the skull and snake had faded to a dull grey colour. She'd panicked, they all had; and the decision to go to Longbottoms had been one made in haste and stupidity. So, now they were camped out here; in some dingy manor in France, waiting for news from Britain and Merlin and Morgana she was so bored.

The three men were arguing again and she knew she wouldn't be able to take much more without snapping and killing them. She stood abruptly, her chair screeching backwards and their heads whipped around to her in shock, as if they'd forgotten she was even in the house.

"You three can stay here and squabble like children, but I'm bored and I need some fun before I end up taking my wand to the lot of you. I'll be back in an hour so be good and go to bed." And with that she flounced off in a swirl of black lace and curls. She'd pulled on her boots and was tucking her hair into her cloak hood before her husband finally appeared in the hallway, and she was not going to be deterred from her goal of having some fun.

"Bella be reasonable." He started, instantly getting her back up. "The aurors here will arrest you before you can get a second spell off and this isn't Britain where we can just pay the Minister to get you out."

"You underestimate me husband." She spat, the gleam in her eyes warning him to back off. "There's more than one way to kill a muggle and if you don't want to be next then I suggest you and your brother take your fucktoy off to bed with you. I'll be back in an hour." She slammed the door behind her and took a deep breath of the cold, late night air. She hated France with a passion, but it did give her the advantage of anonymity. She couldn't move freely in Britain anymore, not since her face had been plastered on posters everywhere. There were even rumours that their photos had been released to the muggles. It was a nightmare.

She set off down the dirt track that led from the manor to the main road before apparating at the edge of the wards. Landing in the centre of Paris, she set off a few bombardas before apparating to her second location. She ripped through the centre of Dieppe before moving to her final target; Calais. Half an hour later she was tucked up back in her bed at the manor with a smile on her face.

If she'd realised what her actions had caused, Bellatrix LeStrange might not have fallen asleep so happily. If she'd realised what her actions were about to cost her, Bellatrix might have feared for her life. They say that you should never let the lamb see the knife, as it spoils the meat. The shitstorm that was heading for the LeStranges and their stowaway would have no such compunctions. The end of the LeStrange line was growing near.

O_o_O_o_O

There was a huge clang as the instruments monitoring Privet Drive literally exploded on his side desk, shocking the residents of his office. Minerva and Severus stared wide-eyed at the destruction before turning that shock to him as one hundred and twenty years of learning curse words was put to good use.

"Please excuse me I have somewhere else to be." He muttered before grabbing for Fawkes and flaming out of the room in a ball of fire.

"The Potter brat?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow and Minerva nodded faintly; her nerves on end as she prayed that Sirius's plan had worked.

Dumbledore landed on the street to see the house already engulfed in flames and his heart lurched in his chest. He hurried towards the burning building, not even bothering to change his robes into something more inconspicuous.

"What the hell happened?" He shouted at the first person he saw; a woman who was running out of the house next door, shepherding her husband and two kids.

"An awful explosion." she shrieked back before shouting after him as he ran into the house, casting a flame freezer and a bubblehead on his way through the door. The inside was wrecked already, flames billowing over the roof and the door to the under-stair's cupboard was hanging off and mangled. The remains of what looked like a child where already starting to blacken and casting an identification spell had his worst fears becoming realised.

Harry Potter was dead.

O_o_O_o_O

Sirius let out a relieved laugh when the magic settled and his new son smiled at him and held up his arms to be plucked from Augusta's grip. Sirius tossed Harrison into the air with a joyous laugh and the babe's giggles were music to the ears of the room's occupants. There were three cracks of apparition and Remus, Alice and Frank landed in the informal lounge with satisfied expressions.

"The bodies have burnt and the wards have been blown. Dumbledore should already be on the move." Remus said, looking towards Arcturus as he gave his report. His attention soon changed however when Sirius dumped a black haired and silver eyed child into his arms and his wolf immediately cried out to its new cub. Harrison Cadmus Black was the most beautiful child Remus had ever laid eyes on. His hair was silky and now brushing past his ears in soft waves, his eyes were a stormy silver and even through his puppy fat you could see that he'd inherited Sirius's cheekbones and chin.

"Say hello to our new puppy." Sirius said with a huge grin.

"You make it sound as though you've bought a dog." Melania tutted as she stood and reached out to take Harrison into her own arms. "You are a beauty little Raven." She said, kissing him on the forehead before depositing him back into Remus's arms. "I have a feeling he's going to change our world." The knowing look in her eye would have concerned the new parents if it wasn't partnered with a large smile.

"You need to sign the documents Mr Lupin." Arcturus said from his armchair by the fire. He held out a black quill, made no doubt from a feather from one of his two ravens and Remus wasted no time in dropping Harrison into his mate's arms to take the quill and sign his loopy signature on the heavy parchment. Arcturus dripped some black wax onto the bottom of the form, pressing his headship ring into it and nodding approvingly when the parchment turned gold and disappeared. "Everything is in order so all that is left is for me to wish you my congratulations." He stood up and held out his hand before another crack of apparition had all of them turning in the direction of their unexpected guest.

Cassiopeia Black was already dripping blood onto the carpet by the time Pollux reached his sister. It was the first time that night he'd shown any form of emotion that evening; other than disdain, and he steadied his younger sibling as the blood loss got to her.

"Who did this to you mon Violette?" He asked frantically once he'd sat her in a chair so Melania and Druella could start to seal her head wound.

"The Chateaux is breached." She slurred back.

"I can see that Cassie. But by who?"

"Bellatrix LeStrange."