Three updates coming at you. For that of the story they fit better before the hogwarts winter term.

Chapter 15

The Daily Prophet collectively lost its mind over theannouncement that Bellatrix Lestrange had been ritually disowned from the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Providing no room for speculation, Sirius, flanked by Andromeda and Narcissa Malfoy, publicly stated that Bellatrix'sremoval from the Black Family Magics was directly in response to irreversible actions she committed against the British Enclave in service to You Know Who.

"Terror has no place in our community," Sirius said, speaking from the conjured podium on the Ministry steps while flashbulbs went off in the three Blacks faces. Neither Andromeda nor Narcissa broke their composure for a moment as questions were shouted, and accusations against the Malfoys were hurled towards the two witches.

"It is our duty as upstanding members of the British Enclave to call out and denounce such atrocious behavior even within our own families," Sirius said. "Ignoring the choices of those closest to us only permits old wounds to fester and is a detriment to our society."

Harry and Hermione had been grateful they'd been given leave to spend the afternoon with Hermione's parents during the press conference. Rather than address the public, the two students spent the day running errands in Muggle London with the Grangers. They're absence, however, did not go unnoticed by the press.

Spurred by the public interest, the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly began digging into each action Sirius had undertaken since re-establishing his reputation. The articles which followed speculated more wildly than the one before it. While Rita Skeeter, penned articles praising Lord Black for leading by example, and reinvigorating the community responsibilities of House Patriarchs, other journalists opted to question the perceived altruism on display.

Opinions ranged amongst the public from blood purists who were privately outraged and publicly bemoaned the loss of family, Dumbledore Loyalists who believed Sirius' actions were nothing more than a power grab, to crackpots who insisted Sirius Black was angling to be the next Dark Lord.

The speculation grew so rampant and incorrigible that Augusta Longbottom finally stepped forward to confirm not only that she had witnessed the ritual with her own eyes, but that she fully accepted Sirius' Black actions as a step towards atonement to the atrocity inflicted upon her family. While it certainly quelled several of the more outlandish articles, it proved to stir even more gossip, including that there was a potential alliance between the Blacks and Longbottom families.

The evening the Black Family held the ritual, Augusta Longbottom joined them, escorted by their grandson. Despite the solemnness of the evening, Neville couldn't help admitting he was interested in seeing what magic was involved in the ritual.

"Removing a family member from accessing the Family's Magic is akin to ripping a limb from your body," Neville explained to Hermione and Harry while watching Narcissa, Andromeda and Sirius prepare for event. "Even if you're just removing a Squib. I don't think any family has used it for generations, much lesshave been willing to announce they've done so to the public."

"That sounds painful," Harry commented with a slight wince.

"It's supposed to be," Neville said. "At least for the person having their connection to the Family Magics broken. I am surprised to see Draco's mum participating. I wouldn't have thought she'd be willing to remove her own sister."

"From what she said," Hermione responded, "I don't think she considers Bellatrix to be the sister she once knew and based on what they told us she did to get into prison, she doesn't sound exactly human or sane."

"Still, it makes you reconsider how much freedom she has married to Malfoy," Neville commented. "Think he even knows she's here?"

"Would Lucius really prevent her from being here?" Harry asked looking perplexed.

"Gran never did believe the tripe about him being under the imperious curse when working for You Know Who. Can't imagine him enthusiastic about hurting one of his Death Eater buddies," Neville answered with a shrug.

"He did slip Ginny that possessed book," Harry muttered to Hermione. "Imagine giving that to a first year."

"I think it's more telling that he orchestrated a giant serpent to be let loose in a school that his son attends," Hermione pointed out. "Regardless, I don't envision anyone having the ability to twist Narcissa's arm."

"Aunt Narcissa," Harry corrected Hermione with a grin. "Remember you and Draco are second cousins now. Sirius said it's tradition to call his cousins aunt or uncle."

"I will hex you," Hermione snarked back before tilting her head. "Do you think she knows about what happened during our second year?" The three students looked at the adults before glancing back at each other.

"Wouldn't Lucius have bragged about setting up the Weasleys or rant when his plans were foiled?" Harry asked, as the three studied Narcissa. "He wouldn't have withheld that information from his wife, right?"

"I think the better question is what would Narcissa Malfoy do to protect her only child," Neville answered, a shiver running down his spine at the very thought.

"She did say Black witches are ruthless when protecting those they love," Hermione reminded Harry. "Remember she complimented me when Sirius told her I'd inherited the Black stubborn streak?"

"I know Dumbledore didn't exactly make a public announcement about Riddle setting a giant basilisk on students," Harry said, "But wouldn't he have been forced to explain what happened to the Board of Governors? They removed him for a brief time that year."

"Gran would have lost her mind if she'd learned about the basilisk," Neville said shaking his head at Harry. "If the Board of Governors knew about a basilisk, she'd have come home screaming about bureaucratic incompetence and Dumbledore's inability to accurately run Hogwarts."

"What's she got against Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked curiously, before Hermione elbowed him and he looked abashed. "I mean, not that it's any of my business."

Neville, however, waved him off, "Gran doesn't like to talk about You Know Who. Not that I really can blame herconsidering what happened to mum and dad. I presume Sirius told you two?"

"Yes," Hermione admitted with a look of empathy. "It's one of the reasons he invited you and your grandmother to witness the ritual."

"It means quite a bit to her," Neville said before smiling shyly. "Me too."

"It's the least we could do," Hermione answered. "Not only for the pain Bellatrix caused your family, but Neville, you were my first friend at Hogwarts. Not to mention you were never a prat about Harry getting thrown into that stupid tournament."

"Ron's been a wanker, hasn't he?" Neville asked forlornly. "Merlin, you'd have to be nuts to honestly think any fourth year genuinely wanted to fight a dragon. Who knows what Dumbledore was thinking by not letting you out of it?"

Hermione and Harry exchanged looks, "Sirius has opinions on that."

"Trust me, so does Gran," Neville agreed with a wry grin, before he faltered. "I get the feeling she blames him for it."

"Is Professor Dumbledore to blame?" Hermione asked, knowing Neville was referring to his parents' attack.

"He didn't cast the curse," Neville answered shrewdly. "I don't know enough about the circumstances to condemn him or proclaim him innocent, only that my parents were Aurors and part of some group led by Dumbledore. Considering Sirius'lack of a trial for murder though, and how little he interferes with the stuff at Hogwarts, I'd say his hands certainly aren't as clean as he pretends."

"My parents have no idea that I was petrified during our second year," Hermione admitted, as both boys stared at her. "At the time, I suspected it was just bias because they're muggles. It's not like they could come to the castle."

"Now what do you think?" Neville asked her.

"I think we need to tell Sirius and your Grandmother about it. The whole second year, including about Riddle possessing Ginny."

"What good would telling them now do?" Harry asked. "It's not like we have the diary anymore. I doubt Lucius Malfoy or Dumbledore kept it."

"Harry, you don't honestly think Professor Dumbledore is going to be content with twiddling his thumbs while Sirius has custody of you, do you?" Hermione asked him.

"All he has to do is find substantial evidence that Sirius is an unfit parent, and appeal the Wizengamot' s decision," Neville added. "Custody disputes can get nasty, and well it's you. People tend to go a bit nuts when it concerns you."

"He could send me back to the Dursleys?" Harry asked, the fear showing in his eyes.

"Yes," Hermione answered. "Honestly, didn't you read any of the speech Andromeda and Narcissa made Sirius prepare for the press conference?"

"Do you see what I've been dealing with?" Hermione asked Neville who smirked. "Harry, as much as removing Bellatrix is to atone for her actions, it's also in large due to your safety."

"Yours too," Harry said. "Wait, my safety?"

"Leaving Bellatrix Lestrange in the family means Dumbledore can argue that Sirius is demonstrating support for her actions. Granted it wouldn't be viable, but it's a preemptive measure to protect you."

Harry's eyes widened, as Neville nodded, "People aren't exactly sane when it comes to You Know Who."

"Clearly," Harry snorted. "Either they're terrified or obsessed with him. I suppose telling them can't hurt, but I just don't want to have Ginny get in trouble."

"Ginny was possessed. It's not like she willingly set loose a giant snake on her classmates," Hermione corrected. "Although, I've no doubt they spun it that way to her."

The three Hogwarts students fell silent as they continued watching Sirius, Andromeda, and Narcissa perform the ritual. The magic the three adults wielded curved around them, combining with the others and targeting the vial of blood centered between the three. It was difficult to look away from the pure magic encasing the three magi, and when the twisted streams attacked the vial of blood a bright light erupted.

By the end, Narcissa, Sirius, and Andromeda each looked as though they might collapse from exhaustion as the house elves fluttered around them. It was when Sirius and August started speaking after invigoration draughts were passed around that Hermione and Harry noticed Neville fidgeting.

"Neville, is everything alright?"

"Hermione," Neville's voice suddenly sounding stiff and formal, "I apologize for my grandmother's sense of traditionalism. While she certainly supports progressive policies when appropriate, there are still certain traditions she refuses to give up."

"Why?" The witch asked, a look of confusion appearing on her face. "Your grandmother has been nothing short of lovely."

"I don't want you to misunderstand," Neville said beginning to stammer, reminding them both of how shy the wizard was their first year. "You're beyond brilliant, especially at magic, not to mention that you are an incredible friend."

"Neville, what is going on?" Hermione asked. "Just spit it out."

"I don't want to marry you," Neville blurted. Hermione stared absolutely gob smacked at him, while Harry, helpfully, erupted into a great peel of laughter. It took Hermione far longer than she cared to admit finding her voice again.

"Of course, you don't want to get married!" She finally hissed at him. "What fourth year is thinking about marriage?! Have you lost your mind?"

Hermione paled rapidly, "Did I do something that made you thought I wanted to get married?!" Hermione yelped as Harry bent over struggling to breathe.

"What? No!" Neville answered serving to elicit another burst of laughter from Harry. "It's not my idea. My gran…she thinks…she plans on speaking to Sirius about setting up a betrothal. Apparently, you've proven yourself a capable witch and she likes you."

Hermione's face had turned a brilliant shade of pink, even as Harry continued laughing next to her.

"Stop it Harry!" Hermione hissed. "Sirius agreed to refuse any betrothals until I'm of age. He's not able to trap me in one."

Neville looked unbelievably relieved at the information.

"Besides, I'd worry more about your Gran's reaction when we tell them about the giant snake."