Hey everyone,
I'm going to be honest with all of you; I had almost NO inspiration to write these chapters this month. The first half I worked on editing To Read Into The Universe and I got about 10 to 15 chapters in and after that a story idea that had been bugging me all month kept my attention for almost another week. I wrote 11 chapters in just three days, just to get the whole thing out of my head and even then I just wanted to write on.
I was actually planning to just write first page previews for all of these stories – bar Harrison and Harry, The Fidelius Kept Secret and The Unspeakable Escape Program which had chapters pre-written – and just promise you guys two chapters for next month alongside posting the 11 chapters of my new story this month. But I decided on the 22nd to just see how far I could get with all these stories and go from there.
Wish me luck,

Venquine1990
PS. Due to time restraint, I am going to do Just Hermione's bit, though I also have a plan that will make it quite interesting. Hope you enjoy.
Shout-Out To:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-Star


Chapter 52
An Interesting Lesson

15th of August 1995
Personal Office, Potter Place
Sirius' POV

I am about to lead Hermione, who is tearful with a need for a break, away from the Arena when a sudden thought strikes me. "I keep forgetting about that meeting with Narcissa, but now that I am healed from the Heartstamp Spell, I am better able to handle that meeting than ever before. And Hermione will really learn a lot when she sees a Lord at work." Yet because I know I need certain things to get this plan to work, do I whisper:
"Give me a sec." The girl nods tentatively, her eyes showing a clear sign of confusion and I rush back to James and whisper in his ear: "I'm going to give Hermione a practical lesson in what it means to see a Lord in Action. I need your permission to use my family magic to have a meeting with Narcissa. I'll use my family ring to create a portal. You know, like a Floo-call, but without the need to crouch." At this James smiles and whispers back:
"I, James Christian Potter, give my mate by Destiny, Sirius Orion Black, permission to use Black family magic upon Potter ground for the sake of a meeting between him and the daughter of House Black, Lady Narcissa Malfoy née Black. So I have stated, so shall it be done." And I feel the magic of his ring connecting with mine, making me smile at him. I quickly kiss his cheek in thanks and then head back to Hermione, putting a hand on her back.

I lead her inside the house and over to the office I met Albus in a few days ago to tell him about my plans to move my family to the other Universe once the two timelines realign themselves and say: "Go sit over there, Hermione. And whatever you do, don't talk. This is going to be a practical lesson. I know you already read some of the book, now you get the chance to see those chapters be put into action. Do you understand?"
The girl nods and goes to sit in the far corner away from where the head desk is set, but within a chair that still allows her a perfect vision of what I am about to do. I smile at her to reassure her and then take my own seat in the chair. I raise my fist, with the ring aimed forward and focus my magic within the gem that is at the top of the ring. It starts to glow and a glob of mist seeps out which I direct into a large cloud to appear in front of me.

"Narcissa Black, your Lord Father demands an audience." And while I can actually sense the magic of the trans-connector (As the first Pureblood who created this method dubbed it) actually almost bounce off of the Malfoy wards, angering me as it proves that Lucius thinks his line above mine, do I push just a bit more magic within the next ring of cloud and this makes it break through. And a short minute later the inside of the cloud takes form.
A fancy looking woman appears, but she seems to look to the side in confusion. I roll my eyes, already knowing what is going on and say: "Lord Malfoy, stay out of this. This is an official meeting between a Lord father and a Daughter of his House. Trying to intervene in that is a sign of bad decorum. And regardless of my opinion of you, I know you were not raised to show such. And do not dare to mention those wards. I will use 1764 against you, if you do."
From the side I notice Hermione tilting her head in intrigue at this, but she keeps quiet and I see Narcissa nodding at something before she says: "Lord Black, it's an honorable pleasure to speak with you face to face. May I enquire as to the reason?" I lean back, making sure she can see my seat and say "The reason, I am sad and displeased to say, Daughter Black, is the behavior of your Heir. It appears to have bad decorum written all over it."
"SAYS WHO, YOU –!" A voice shouts from the side, but Narcissa snaps Draco's name, interrupting him. I roll my eyes and say: "My point exactly. I know you, Daughter Black, so I know you taught your Heir not to voice his personal opinion in official meetings. Perhaps you moving yourself to a more private location is preferred." And while I can hear both her spouse and son voice their objections, does Narcissa nod.

She stands up and I smile as it actually looks a little amusing to watch her background move alongside her, showing Lucius appear in the side and glaring at the screen, while Draco seems to gape at his mother. Yet the look of hate and disgust that I spotted in Lucius' eyes as he glares I suddenly notice isn't aimed at the screen, but at Narcissa herself. This, combined with those wards, worries me and makes me decide to bring this up later.
I wait patiently as Narcissa moves herself through a couple of hallways and pathways and up two stairs before she seats herself in a very nice looking chair in what I can only assume is her own office. "We may speak freely, Lord Father. What else do you have to discuss with me?" The woman asks, yet I decide to address this latest issue first as I noticed something as she moved up the staircase. And so I state sternly:
"Narcissa, you and I both know that physical abuse breaks the contract. And do not dare to lie to your Lord Father, Daughter Black, I noticed the fading bruise just underneath the right side of your chin when you walked up. And considering how little has happened since my family's reunion and the trial of my Heir, do I just know that Lucius had no reason – wait, did he abuse you, because I proved him I wouldn't bow to his intimidation?"

And while I spot Hermione's eyes widen from the side, does she still manage to remain quiet and Narcissa sighs as she says: "The – the arrival of your son, Lord Father, the support your House and House Potter now has from the queen and the fact that your other Heir is no longer – as Draco calls it – an open target have set back many of both Lucius and the Dark Lord's plans. The Dark Lord punishes Lucius for this – and he me."
But to this I say: "Lucius does not have that right. It would appear that my incarceration and my parents' passing has given Lucius a sense of confidence instead of grief and concern. Daughter Narcissa Black, you say the word – any word – and I will have a House Elf pack all that you own and bring you here. You will be safe, my family will ensure it." Yet just like I expected, does Narcissa shake her head and mutter:
"I appreciate the gesture, my Lord Father Black, but I cannot. Draco is my son; the only child Lucius allows me to keep and raise as my own; the only sign that, at one time, he actually did care for me, find me, at the least, physically attractive. I – I cannot let go of that." Yet while I can definitely understand her love for her son, am I also easily able to read between the lines of her statement. And I can tell Hermione is able to do the same.

And while it breaks my heart, do I know I need to do my job, keep honor to my role as Lord Father of the House of Black and I use my other hand, my free hand, to write the words Warn James, using wandless magic to banish the note to Hermione. The girl gives me a silent nod and I turn from her to Narcissa, who luckily enough seems in the belief that I am contemplating either her words or my own next move. I grimace at her and say:
"Narcissa, we're reading books; books that describe the events that are yet to come. We're nearing the end of the year and Draco has been committing one foul after another, proving himself not Lucius' son, but his clone. He disrespects the dead, insults whoever he pleases, intimidates where possible, has his lackeys bully First and Second years and even disrespects those above his station and treats them as if they're House Elves.
He may have been birthed by you, raised per chance a bit by you, but he does not respect you, Narcissa. And if you don't think of yourself here and now, right now, he will follow in his father's footsteps. Do you really want that, Narcissa? Do you really want to be a victim of that the next time we take another step to execute our plans against that killer?" The woman looks hesitant and I sigh as I decide to use desperate measures.
"Narcissa, I'm a dead man. There are pictures of the future that show my son, my Harry, and most of his friends close to him – but not me. Luna Lovegood, who is a Wind Speaker, has already confirmed that there is still a 70% chance that I will not make it through the coming school year. Call me desperate, but – I want you to go on where I left off with Sora and Harry, if that does come to pass. But for that, I need you here."

"Who kills you?" The woman shrieks, sounding horrified and I shake my head as I say: "I don't know yet. We are approaching the chapter – or chapter – where it will happen, but we do have a few names of those who are, indirectly involved. Albus, Severus and the killer. I already know how Albus and Severus are involved and I have a pretty good idea of the Killer as well. Narcissa, I hate to say this, but – he's going to break her out, this January."
"And you think he'll let her kill you?" The woman asks, sounding both disbelieving and horrified and I answer: "At the very least, it wouldn't surprise me if he has her ordered to hurt me, perhaps even put me in the same state as Lord Frank and Lady Alice. But considering what the Killer is currently interested in, what room is in there –." I let this sentence hang, still not willing to speak of my own upcoming death in fear I will just further confirm it.
Yet Narcissa nods, proving she understands where I'm going and I say: "Lady Daughter Narcissa Black. Your Spouse has broken every rule in your betrothal contract. He deserves his magic to punish him for it and I have half a mind to do so, if only to show his son what happens when you mess with families above your rank. But I am willing to leave it to a different show of what a wizard should and should not do – if you're willing to help me do so."

The woman sighs and mutters: "And then to think that you never once listened to Aunt Walburga." To which I smirk and quip back: "No, but I always listened to Aunt Dorea and Uncle Charlus. And they were excellent teachers." The woman giggles, proving she still remembers Aunt Dorea for her own incredible reputation as The Lion with the Silver Tongue and I ask: "What do you say?""Get me out of here." The woman whispers and I nod at her.
I then remember everything we've read so far and while part of me wonders if Harry will love or hate me for this, do I look down and say: "Dobby, get your Mistress out of there. Take everything she owns and store it in the room three doors down from my own. Make sure she has her own private quarters and do not let Lord Malfoy spot you or dictate what is and isn't his." And while the little critter had appeared upon called, does he nod.
And a minute later I can cancel the charm of the trans-connector as Narcissa appears before me. I do so, noticing the room that was behind her emptying itself out and the fact that the furniture doesn't show up here makes me know that Dobby is moving it elsewhere. I really hope that James has given him permission to do so by this point and then Narcissa cuddles into my lap and pulls me into a strong, grateful hug. And while I hug her back, do I whisper:

"There's something you should know. Hermione Granger is learning what it's like to be part of our society. She heard most of what we said and went to warn James. I had to get his permission before I could convince you to come here, to bring your possessions over." The woman tenses, but nods in acceptance and then asks: "Do you think –?" And I smile at her, pulling her face so that she can look me in the eye before I wink and say:
"Trust me, she can keep a secret." And the woman smiles, which I suddenly notice is a lot more genuine and carefree than the smiles she showed previous. This both worries and reassures me and I whisper: "I will continue to give her lessons like this, but I promise that only a few of them will concern these issues between you and Lucius." The woman nods and then proves me she is one in a million as she asks: "May I help her?"


Please do, Narcissa,
So yeah, the meeting between Narcissa and Sirius FINALLY took place – and the whole topic with Draco actually got glossed over. But like Sirius says, there will be more lessons and Narcissa will accept that some of her conversations with her Lord Father will be included in these lessons. She will also teach Hermione certain etiquette and why certain titles need to be addressed in situations that require them. Sounds boring, but I'll try to make it interesting.
Hope you enjoy,

Venquine1990