Author's Note: This omake is based on the "Black Bond" chapter where Narcissa and Andromeda have a custody battle for Acquila. When I first started writing this fic, I hoped I could adapt the chapter into the story but Sirius being cleared earlier stopped that. I'm still wanting to see Regulus in that battle so I'm writing this omake but there's no need to read it to keep up with my fic. If you're reading the "Black Bond" fic and still haven't reached that part, you might want to skip this.
Chapter 18: Omake
A three way-custody battle was about to begin for the underage witch known as Acquila Black. Regulus Black versus Narcissa Malfoy née Black versus Andromeda Tonks. "Regulus Black, why should we grant you custody of your niece?" Minister of Magic Cornelius Oswald Fudge asked.
"With no available godparents or direct ancestors, I am her closes relation available, Minister." Regulus explained. "Also, the other relatives requesting custody seem to be under the impression her own father would kill her if given an opportunity."
"He killed her mother, remember?" Andromeda asked. Narcissa wouldn't say anything after all the time she and her husband Lucius pretended to think Sirius was guilty.
"My brother was accused of ordering her death and sent to Azkaban for this and other crimes without a trial." Regulus argued.
"Sirius Black was denied a trial because his guilt was obvious enough." Fudge said.
"The law says everyone should be allowed a trial and I still believe you and your predecessor were wrong about making an exception of this case." Amelia Bones said and then turned her attention to Andromeda. "Mrs. Tonks, I still believe you should be ashamed of yourself for refusing to defend your cousin's right."
"The evidence is unquestionable." Andromeda declared.
"Only in the sense that the Ministry forbids people from questioning." Regulus replied. "The lead investigator in charge of Athena's death lied about Acquila being killed with her and kept my niece's inheritance until the truth was revealed. Instead of worrying about keeping my niece safe from my brother, we should be worried about keeping her safe from Alastor Moody."
"He should sue you for defamation." Andromeda commented.
"Having a good reason to believe the accusation is a valid defense." Amelia said. "Now may we get back to the topic of this hearing?"
Narcissa took it as her cue. "Minister, I must remind you that Andromeda used to be too close to Sirius Black and Regulus seems to be under the impression that the escaped convict is innocent. Neither of them can be trusted with Acquila's safety."
"I object to the way she described my brother." Regulus protested. "My brother was never tried and therefore never convicted for any crimes."
"Sustained." Amelia Bones replied before any of the others presiding the hearing said anything.
"My point that Regulus seems to be under the impression that Sirius is innocent remains, Madam Bones." Narcissa argued.
"The evidence against my brother is so weak Crouch had to deny him a trial to keep him in Azkaban." Regulus said.
"How dare you?" Crouch angrily asked. "I denied him a trial because there was no need to waste time with the obviously guilty!"
"You didn't mind 'wasting' time with your son and his friends." Regulus replied.
"Crouch was merely playing favorites, Black." Fudge argued.
"What?" Crouch asked in shock.
"How else do you explain the different treatment?" Fudge asked.
"There was time to waste back when Junior and the Lestranges were arrested, Minister." Crouch answered while cringing at calling Fudge 'Minister'.
"Focus." Amelia Bones demanded.
"Minister, Sirius Black died to me when he ordered his wife's death." Andromeda said. "Also, if Acquila is sent to someone who believes Sirius Black was a victim of a miscarriage of justice, she might end up believing she'll have to become a Death Eater to have a chance to avoid being imprisoned as one."
"I agree with the last part but I'm afraid we cannot trust my sister with her feelings regarding Sirius Black." Narcissa argued. "For all I know, she wants to hand Acquila over to him so he can kill her. Allow my husband and me to protect Acquila so Sirius will only kill her over our dead bodies."
"You wouldn't be brave enough to say it if you really thought Sirius wanted to kill her." Regulus declared.
"Are you insinuating my husband and I are merely pretending to think Sirius is guilty?" Narcissa asked while she faked being offended.
"You and Lucius want to be in the good graces of people who either have ulterior motives to have my brother declared a criminal or are too biased against our family to accept the notion that Sirius is innocent." Regulus accused them. He was also staring at Andromeda while saying the 'biased' part.
"How can you make such an accusation?" Fudge asked.
"Minister, your predecessor was so biased against my family she played along with Dumbledore's plan to fake my niece's death just so she wouldn't be raised by any of us." Regulus explained.
"Your mother and your grandparents would have raised Acquila to become the Death Eater her father was!" Fudge replied.
"Here's the bias again." Regulus commented.
The court session was then interrupted by a Patronus message from Sirius Black saying he wants Andromeda to raise Acquila.
"He probably said that because it increases his chances to kill her." Narcissa argued.
"Or it's reverse psychology because he doesn't want me to protect Acquila from him." Andromeda counter-argued.
"Or he genuinely believes Andromeda is the best option for Acquila and doesn't know I'm the only one in the family defending him." Regulus stated.
In spite of Amelia's objections, guardianship was awarded to Narcissa and Lucius. "Narcissa, if you really expect Acquila to marry Draco, make her realize her father is innocent and she needs proper connections to stay safe from his fate." Regulus advised his cousin.
After they left, Andromeda approached Regulus. "Why are you trying to give Acquila false hopes about her father?"
"They aren't false, Andromeda." Regulus explained. "I genuinely believe Sirius is innocent and the Malfoys merely pretend to think otherwise."
Having grown tired of Regulus' 'crazy theories' about Peter Pettigrew being alive, Andromeda left.
After taking Acquila home, Narcissa told her the truth. "Are you saying my father is really innocent?" Acquila asked. "Then who killed my mother?"
"I don't know." Narcissa admitted. "Probably it was either Moody to get her inheritance and we'll have to protect you from him or Dumbledore to prevent her from rescuing Harry Potter from those muggles."
"What?" Acquila asked and then thought about it.
End omake.
Author's Note 2: I initially called this an interlude but I'm renaming it based on a reader's observation.