In the Light of The Dark

How to Raise Wolves

Chapter Seven – Keeping it in the Family

The bright lights of the St Mungo's corridor where starting to strain his already tired eyes and he rubbed them for what felt like the fifth time in as many minutes. How in the name of Morgana had everything gone to shit? They'd been happy, the house magic was happy, hell even his grandfather looked pleased with the proceedings of the adoption and now? This.

They should have expected it really, he mused. After Samhain and the failed attack on the Longbottoms, Bella was bound to be wound tighter than a spring, but the reports they had received from one of Melania's contacts in France told of destruction in Paris, Dieppe and Calais. She was completely off her head.

He mused back to his childhood memories of her; his older cousin. She had been a regular visitor to Grimmauld and had quickly become the daughter his mother never had. She'd fed from his mother's psychotic tendencies and the result had been a woman who was dragonshit insane with a malicious streak; a mile wide and, homicidal tendencies to match. She'd been the perfect candidate for the Dark Lord. A shining example of what his death eaters should aspire to be. He'd groomed her to perfection, praising her for the most heinous of crimes and turning her into his most rabid attack dog.

"How is she?" Sirius asked, getting to his feet as Arcturus shut the door to the private room behind him. There had been a split second to register what Cassiopeia had said before her eyes had rolled into the back of her head and tremors had racked her body. The doctors had called it a seizure and the immediate outlook had been grim when they'd initially made it to St Mungo's.

"Not good." The Black lord replied heavily. Despite his almost perfect mask; Sirius could see the strain around his grandfather's eyes. It had been a long night. "Better to speak of this elsewhere however." And Sirius nodded in understanding; the Blacks didn't air their laundry in public. "They aren't expecting any change in her condition so you should go back to the manor and get some rest." He nodded again; not knowing how else to respond and glanced over to the apparition point.

"Tonight, was supposed to be a good night." He said with a sigh. "Tonight, was supposed to be the start of something new. Something better."

"And it will be my boy." Arcturus said softly, placing his hand on his grandson's shoulder in comfort. "This transgression will not go unpunished but, you should focus on your son and your mate. We're getting old, all of us and soon; this house will be in your hands. Focus on what is to come, not what has happened."

"Toujours Pur." Sirius said with a grim smile.

"Exactly. Now go and get some rest. We have work to do come the morn."

O_o_O_o_O

Edward Tonks rushed to the front hall when he heard his wife crash through the door and shout for him. He came face to face with a grey faced, black haired, silver eyed Andromeda who proceeded to almost collapse into his arms. He gently removed her cloak and with the help of a little wandless magic managed to get her situated in an armchair in their living room. His wife seemed almost catatonic so he summoned the brandy and poured her a large, four fingered measure.

He hadn't seen his wife in her base form since their wedding, and the fact that she seemed to have reverted to it now meant that something big had happened within the family. Though her core was almost completely cut of from the Black's family magic; he that knew she could still feel large events through the few strands left, deaths, births and the such all affected her, but he'd never seen her this bad.

"Talk to me my love." He said softly, brushing her black hair away from her face and cupping her cheek tenderly. "What's happened?" She shook her head and downed her drink, passing the glass back to him for a top up, which he immediately granted. A few minutes and some small sips later and she nodded to tell him she was okay.

"Great Aunt Cass was brought into the hospital." She said stiffly. "The word around is that Bella was involved. They say she might not make it through the night."

"Has Arcturus…" Andromeda shook her head, cutting off his question.

"Asked specifically not to contact me. They told him I was on duty but he refused my presence." That stung; Ted thought darkly. He knew how close to her great aunt his wife had been. Cassiopeia was the Black family's polymath; she knew everything about most things and everything else about everyone, she was someone his wife had looked up to as a child and the thought of anything happening to her was obviously tearing Andromeda apart.

There was a knock at the door and she instantly jumped to her feet, swaying slightly through her still lingering shock and the eight fingers of Napoleonic brandy she had just consumed. He kissed her on the head before moving to answer the door, praying to whatever deity came to mind that this wasn't bad news. His eyes widened as he opened the door to reveal Narcissa of all people; dressed in a simple but elegant and obviously muggle dress and more importantly; alone.

"Did she make it home okay?" She asked, stepping into the house despite Ted's lack of invitation. "I was worried about her apparating." He nodded, vaguely aware of the sigh of relief the statuesque blonde seemed to let out. She towed off her black stilettoes on the hall mat and wandered through to the living room where Andromeda was still stood in front of her armchair. Narcissa wasted no time in enveloping her older sister in a hug and she guided Andromeda back down into the armchair, taking the glass and sniffing it with an approving look. "I'll bring another bottle next week." She promised with a smile. "I came to talk about Aunt Cass."

"Was Bella really involved?" Andy asked, reaching out her hand to her husband who appeared in the doorway with another glass for their unexpected visitor.

"From what we know Bella went on a rampage through three major French cities earlier tonight." Narcissa replied honestly. "It seemed just unfortunate that Auntie got caught in the crossfire. Because Bella is a Black; the wards around the Chateaux Noir's annex allowed her curses through. Auntie had just finished dining with some friends, and was about to Floo back to the main house when the room exploded around her. Grandfather Pollux has gone to assess the damage and Arcturus has not left her side."

"Except to deny my wife the right to see her Aunt." Ted said coldly. "He managed that alright."

"There's things going on right now that could become a political disaster for the house." Narcissa responded, speaking to her sister rather than her husband. "Uncle Arc is just trying to keep things as down low as possible. I've come to take you to see her."

"It's almost midnight." Ted protested. "Our daughter is upstairs and we both have work tomorrow."

"I'm going." Andy said, standing once more and striding through to the hall, pulling her cloak back on and stuffing her still black hair under the hood. "I don't care what time it is; Aunt Cass was always there for me when I needed her." Ted huffed at that; it still stung that his wife had been cast out of the family over their marriage, but he had to admit that the pay-out she had been given by Arcturus was sizable. It wasn't common knowledge that his wife had been contracted to Lucius before they had fallen in love, and he wondered whether Narcissa felt any bitterness towards them in having been offered as a substitute for her older sister. This clearly wasn't the first time the blonde had been to their house; she'd found the living room easily enough, but it was the first he knew of it. Obviously, his wife wasn't as cut off from her family as she seemed. The two women strode out of the door without even a glance over their shoulder and he knew that it was time to contact his own sister.

This was news she needed to hear.

O_o_O_o_O

Sirius pulled on his old jogging bottoms and slid under the sheets, facing his mate and sandwiching Harrison between them. Remus had quite clearly fallen asleep some time ago with his arm slung over their son, who was quite contently sucking on a thumb and looking painfully adorable. Sirius turned to reach over into his night bag on the bedside table and pulled out a dummy, gently removing Harry's thumb and replacing it with the soother. The dark-haired boy didn't even much as frown and a smile crossed his lips at the peaceful expression on his charge's face. He'd not slept well since Samhain. He'd not cried either but still, on the nights Sirius had failed to find sleep he'd checked on Harry only to find a pair of sad green eyes looking back at him. Those eyes were long gone now, burned away by the potion they had fed the babe, and he questioned again whether he'd done the right thing.

If Sirius Black had known what was taking place at his Oxford flat at that moment; he wouldn't have had these thoughts running through his mind. If he'd known who was poking around, getting more and more frustrated, he would have no second thoughts about his actions. But as it was, he was tucked up in a huge bed, in the guest room of the manor, clutching his son to his chest and watching his mate sleep soundly.

O_o_O_o_O

Amelia frowned to herself as she signed the paperwork that would seal her decision. With the disappearance of the Longbottoms she felt she had no choice but to take over her family seat for good, forfeiting the position she had been fighting for these past years. Alastor had told her time and time again that she would make an excellent head of the department, and she had thought that it was what she had wanted, but with the political landscape in the state that it was; she knew that she couldn't afford to let another grey house fade into obscurity.

She told herself that she was doing this for her niece, who was quite happily sleeping in the nursery upstairs with numerous monitoring charms placed on her; but at almost one in the morning and with three fingers of scotch warming her stomach, Amelia could be honest with herself. She just didn't want to see another two votes go to waste. She didn't want Albus Dumbledore to gain more power than he already had.

The sight of Privet Drive burning had ignited a fire inside of her. One she hadn't even realised was smouldering. She was livid that the saviour of their world had been dumped into the care of muggles. Oh, she had no problems with them, but even she could see that they were ill equipped for raising a magical child. The orphanage she was a patron of was proof of how muggles could treat their magical children as more times than not, the matron was called to St Mungo's to collect children who had been rescued from abusive homes on the other side of the magical barrier. Children whose only crimes were random bursts of accidental magic.

The fact that Dumbledore thought that the Dursleys were adequate carers for the wizarding world's saviour was horrifying. The fact that Harry Potter had been found in the cupboard under the stairs, rather than in the second bedroom, just compounded the error in his judgement. She wondered what had happened to the Potter will as surely, Lily would rather have had Harry go to his godfather than her muggle sister.

As she stamped her new head of house ring into the grey wax on the parchment, Amelia knew deep in her soul that she was doing the right thing.

O_o_O_o_O

An arm was needed to quickly steady her sister when Andy caught sight of their Aunt. Cassiopeia's head was wound in bandages and her grey pallor and shallow breathing displayed; quite clearly, what condition she was in. They weren't certain if she was going to make it through the night, and even less certain about the state she would be in if she did.

"Come and sit my child." Arcturus said softly from the other side of the bed, conjuring a pair of armchairs. Andromeda looked to her sister before realising that it was her Arcturus had meant the endearment for and Narcissa nodded, reassuring her that it was okay to approach the head of the Black family. Her great uncle looked old, worn even; though his posture had lost none of the authority it commanded. She hesitantly approached the chair next to him and sat, flinching unconsciously away from his hand as he went to touch her shoulder. His expression grew pained, and it wasn't until Narcissa had taken the seat next to her and had gripped her hand tightly that she thought to nod to the Lord and offer the customary greeting of their house motto.

"How is she doing?" She asked, before he could comment on her skittishness. In her defence; she was tired, and the last time she had seen her great uncle had been at her disownment.

"She suffered a great head wound my young Nova." He replied softly; her childhood nickname slipping past his lips before he could stop himself. "They say that she may sleep for a long time." He glanced at his youngest niece, sat on the other side of her big sister and gripping her hand as if clinging onto life itself. He knew that the two women had been in contact; Narcissa dropping off a bottle of something from his own personal stores every three months or so. Though it was a comfort that Andromeda hadn't been completely alone; it still didn't lessen the pain of the decision he had been forced to make nearly a decade ago.

He started as the door to his study was flung open and Pollux dragged in his youngest granddaughter by her long, brown hair; moving around the desk and dumping her at his feet, where she fell heavily; broken sobs leaving her body. He felt fury rise in his chest at his cousin's treatment of the child and would have lashed out if his worry hadn't surpassed his rage.

"Tell him." Pollux spat nastily, nudging her side with his boot. "Tell him of your disgrace." She lifted her head to meet his gaze; her wet, brown eyes melting away into the silver of her base form, her hair lengthening and darkening; as it always did in his presence.

"Get out." He snapped at his cousin; who sneered and went to grab hold of Andromeda's hair. "Not her." He barked sharply. "Just you. Out of this study before I force you out." Pollux sneered again, this time at him; before the younger man's sense of self-preservation kicked in and he strode out of the study.

When the door had slammed shut, he reached out to grip his niece's shoulder; hoping to help her up and into a chair; but his beloved Nova flinched violently away from him and all but fled to the other side of the room. He reached out with his magic and locked the door, trapping her inside the study and he stood up from his desk, his hands outwards in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. She looked a mess. Even from his position he could see the large bruises starting to appear on her arms and face, and a split in her lip had dripped blood onto the front of her blouse.

"I know you are scared sweetheart." He said softly. "But I promise that whatever it is you need to tell me, I won't hurt you. Have I ever given you cause to doubt me?" After a minute or two she shook her head. "Then won't you join me over here so that I may tend to you?" It took a while but finally she managed to force herself over to him and he took her into his arms, rubbing her shoulder and calming her down with words of comfort. Merlin she was only fifteen. He thought, and set to marry that Malfoy slime as soon as she left her schooling.

She finally calmed herself down and sniffed, drawing back from him and wiping her eyes. She nodded to let him know that she was okay before her mask went up and she moved to sit in the armchair opposite him.

"I have failed you my Lord." She said meekly, fidgeting in her seat despite her expression of forced calm. "I will accept my punishment as you will it."

"Tell me, my sweet Nova." He said softly, but brokering no room for excuses.

"I have fallen in love with someone." She almost whispered. "Bellatrix caught us kissing." And wasn't that hypocritical of her sister she thought bitterly. Bella had been contracted away to one of the LeStrange twins at the age of thirteen, yet had been involved with so many boys and girls during her school years that she'd lost track of her elder sister's dramas.

"Well that isn't so bad." He said with a smile. "If he is of decent blood, we can renegotiate our contract with Abraxas."

"He's of no blood." Andromeda replied, her eyes filled with guilt and shame. "He is a muggleborn and a Hufflepuff, and he is the person I want to marry." Well that changed things; Arcturus thought weakly.

"Who else knows of this?"

"Just about half the school since Bella decided to declare it in the great hall. We fought in the courtyard. Our Parley hadn't meant to come to wands!" She started to rush her words out, the sordid tale spilling from her lips like a horror novel. "I only wanted to speak with them uncle, I wanted to explain but Bella cursed me with words and then her wand. I had no choice!"

"Were any of you hurt?" He asked; his mind racing to keep up with his niece's stilted story. This was bad. A Parley coming to wands in Hogwarts was publicity the house didn't need, not even counting the fact that his beloved Nova seemed Hel bent on running off with a muggleborn.

"No. We wouldn't hurt each other my Lord you know that!" Tears were running down her cheeks and disappointment and guilt for what he knew was going to come next wormed their way into his stomach.

"You truly love this boy?" He asked tightly, feeling the house magic respond to his need for an honest answer and concentrating itself around the child in front of him.

"Yes uncle. He is the one I am going to marry." He sighed before swearing under his breath. Andromeda snapped to look up at him with fearful eyes and he waved her panic off.

"It is not your fault Nova." He said softly. "I know that. But recompense will have to be made here if you are going to live your life with the one you love."

"Will you cast me out?" She asked, scared. "Grandfather said you would. That you wouldn't want my disgrace to taint our name and our family."

"You will not be abandoned my child." He said softly, his heart breaking at the hope in her eyes. "But I fear that neither of us will get much of a choice in the matter. The Malfoys have started to wield some serious political power in the last years, and Abraxas will not let this go without something done."

"So, its true then?"

"I'm afraid so my sweet Nova." He said sadly, moving around to crouch down at the side of her chair. "But I will make it as painless as I possibly can, and there might be a way to make sure the family magic doesn't leave you completely. It will require great concentration from both of us though."

"I won't lose my morphing?" She asked fearfully; the hope in her eyes painful.

"I don't know sweetheart." That at least was an honest answer. "I really don't." She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Does this boy of yours have a family you can go to?"

"He has parents and a younger sister."

"Is she magical?" Andromeda shook her head and he cursed inwardly. "Do they know you?" Another shake of her head. "Do you know where they live at least?"

"London." She whispered. "In Crawley I think."

"Is there anyway you can contact him?"

"I can send an owl but it will take a couple of days." He nodded and smoothed her hair, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"You are staying here until then." He said softly. "I will not have you go back to your grandfather for him to put you in this state. Now why don't you go with Nip whilst I deal with him?" The elf in question appeared with a crack as soon as its name was called and Andromeda nodded, taking hold of the elf's hand and disappearing with the creature.

Once they were gone, he sagged behind his desk and held his head in his hands. He knew that there wasn't going to be another way to fix this and almost seventy years' worth of curse words echoed through his head.

A soft sob brought him back to the present and he watched as Andromeda practically folded into Narcissa's arms. The youngest of Cygnus' daughters comforted her big sister as apologies left Andromeda at a rate of knots.

He knew that something had happened with his niece that he had yet to understand; rumours of a pregnancy but no child had reached him merely two years ago and his heart had cried out for her pain, even though she was too cut off from the family magic for him to feel it. She couldn't lose her aunt Cass, not after that. He frowned and stood up, nodding at Narcissa who still had her sister wrapped in her arms and he left to find the first healer he could lay his hands on. There had to be something he could do.

O_o_O_o_O

A group of onlookers might have been inclined to call the police. A group of onlookers might have attempted to stop him. A group of onlookers might have thought he was simply a crazy old man, but at well past one in the morning, Dumbledore was left to his own devices as he continued to pace the pavement outside of a darkened Oxford flat, muttering profanity to himself.

This was bad; he thought as he continued to pace, possible scenarios running through his head. If the mutt and his pet wolf had discovered any of his machinations it could spell the end of the war. His prized pawn was dead and the other child of the prophecy was long gone from the shores of Britain, and therefore out of his reach. Had he put too many eggs in one basket, by counting on the child being Harry Potter? He had told the Longbottoms that they would be safe behind the ancient wards of their Yorkshire manor, whilst he'd set the Potter's up as the more tempting target by hiding them behind the Fidelus. He knew that if Voldemort thought he believed the prophetic child to be Harry Potter then the Dark Lord would make Harry Potter the prophetic child. He just hadn't counted on the mutt to up and leave.

A brief worry flitted through his brain that Sirius had returned to his family, before he shook his head at his own stupidity. He'd made sure that the Black heir was firmly in his camp, and had created a firm follower in the werewolf. No, Sirius Black was too impulsive to have the forethought of returning to his Grandfather's side. He'd probably dragged Remus out to chase after his crazy cousins, and they were out hunting the Dark Lord's followers. He'd call back again in the morning to break the news of Harry's death to them, for now he needed a mug of hot chocolate and his bed. He turned on the spot, apparating with a tiny crack.

O_o_O_o_O

Lucius collapsed heavily into his desk chair and sighed. It was far too late for him to still be awake, never mind having to deal with paperwork. He had to concede that Cygnus had a point though, in light of Bella's transgressions that night, Draco would be far better off within the Black family unit. The whole family was about to walk into a political shit storm, and the only thing that had a chance to save his wife and son, was for them to re-integrate themselves with Arcturus Black. He knew that Arcturus had never been his biggest fan, the Black lord didn't even like his father all that much, but he considered himself an asset to the Blacks, especially when dealing with matters concerning Cygnus's daughters.

"You're working late." He jumped; startled at his father's voice. Abraxas was sat nonchalantly in one of the armchairs by the fire; a book in his hand and his silver eyes glinting in the firelight.

"A lot has happened." Lucius replied tiredly; rubbing his eyes and getting up to move to the seat opposite his father.

"How did dinner with the Blacks go?"

"The mutt heir has adopted a boy." Vows taken in haste after the adoption of Harry meant that though he couldn't reveal that it was the Potter brat Sirius had adopted, he could tell people that there had been an adoption. "They say that he is Marius Black's grandchild."

"The squib?" His father asked; his eyebrows raising. "Was he there?"

"He declined the offer to attend. He knows what his return to Britain would say about the family. He knows that he puts their power at risk if they seem to show favour to him."

"They're all mental." His father said, shaking his head. "I regret ever getting tangled up in their house politics. I respect Arcturus enough but, the way he runs their house is strange. You're either a part of the family or not, and even if they disown you, you are still considered part of their fold." He knew of his father's thoughts about the way Arcturus had handled Andromeda's disownment. Though the old Black had cut contact; his wife still spent time at her sister's, often delivering gifts from her great uncle and it had always rubbed Abraxas up the wrong way that despite her transgression; Andromeda was still treated as family.

"I don't regret your decision regarding my wife." And wasn't that the truth? He had always seen the middle child of the Black sisters to be somewhat weaker compared to the fiery temper of Bella and the ice-cold mask of Narcissa, so it had come as a relief when their contract had been renegotiated. "Narcissa and I are very happy, and our son will grow up powerful and respected because of her." Abraxas snorted at that.

"You let her too much free reign in this house. She should remember who she is."

"I rather think that it is you who should remember who I am father." Lucius winced at his wife's cold tone, and he felt her magic brush against his father's. "Or have you forgotten that the house of Black holds primacy in regards to my marriage to your son?" She stepped away from his study door and approached them, kneeling down in front of the fire, her legs tucked underneath her body. That was his wife; he thought proudly; always poised, always elegant and always deadly. "Lucius remains flexible in our marriage because he is a smart man. Are you a smart man Lord Malfoy?" One of her eyebrows was raised delicately and even Lucius had to give her a mental pat on the back.

"I like to think so; daughter of my heart." Lucius winced at that stupid move. Narcissa had called Abraxas nothing but father since their marriage, so for her to use his title, signified her displeasure with the man; something his father seemingly hadn't picked up on. Lucius shivered slightly as Narcissa's magic whipped around the room, and he was sure the temperature had dropped. It was an after effect of their bonding. Arcturus had insisted on a bonding of the old ways, so they had sliced their palms and held hands as they took their marriage vows. The consequence; was that they were completely in tune with each other's magic, and by extension he could feel the Black's family magic, though his sense of it was somewhat limited.

"You insult me, in my own house none the less and then have the audacity to believe you may still call me daughter?" This was not good. He'd been able to feel how on edge his wife had been, ever since she had entered The Aviarium's wards and his father's clumsy, Gryffindor-like approach had sent her way over that edge. "It is currently two in the morning and you are sat here bold as brass in our home, what is it that you want Lord Malfoy?" Abraxas had gone sheet white. Not even he, could miss the amount of magic rolling off of the young woman in angry waves. So, he did the wise thing and beat a hasty retreat, muttering apologies as he slipped out of the study and apparated from the Aviarium with a crack.

"Was that really necessary?" Lucius asked of his wife with a raised eyebrow of his own. He almost laughed when his wife turned to him, fury on her face.

"Your grandfather has a lot to answer for." She snarled. He cracked up at that and held his arms out for his wife, who promptly deflated and moved to sit on his lap.

"How's your sister?" He asked gently, when his amusement had dissipated and Narcissa had relaxed into his arms, her anger slipping away.

"Devastated, angry, shocked and about ready to murder Bella."

"And you're not?" He asked, amusement filling him once more. "Admit it my love, you want nothing more than to run off to France and stab the crazy bitch."

"That is my sister you are referring to." Narcissa said icily and Lucius chuckled again before dipping his head.

"I am sorry."

"No, you aren't." He tightened his embrace on her as she sighed and leaned into his shoulder.

"No, I am not." They sat for a while like that; in a comfortable silence, watching the flames dance in the hearth and their thoughts drifting in separate ways. Lucius wondered as to what business his father had in his study, and his eyes widened as he remembered the book that lay in his desk. He gently pushed his wife up with a curse; ignoring her indignant sound, and stumbled to his desk, ripping open his top drawer frantically.

It was gone.

O_o_O_o_O

"What do you think happens next?" Alice asked quietly. The unfamiliarity of the room, and the fact that the manor all but buzzed with the family magic of the Blacks, had been keeping her awake; and by the sound of his breathing she knew her husband had failed to find sleep as well.

"I expect we'll be moved into this manor by Monday and then promptly forgotten about." Her husband said dryly.

"I meant about Cassiopeia." Alice replied, frowning in the darkness at her husband's tone and the fact that the feel of the Black's magic shifted at his response.

"Why should we care? We're on the outskirts of the family Alice, we won't get to know things like that." The magic around her almost roared its protest and she groaned, her hands coming up to her ears to block out the noise. Thankfully Frank seemed to take her groan as one of annoyance at him, and seemed blissfully unaware of the mood of the manor. She turned over, placing her back and a good hand of covers between her and her husband and closed her eyes, committing herself to at least attempt to get some sleep.