"Pleasure," Amelia Bones shook Artorius' hand firmly. Some of the wizards around her eyed him with hostility but it was Barty Crouch that voiced their thoughts.
"A Black you say?" He sneered. "Will we see any of your lot in with them?" He jerked his chin towards the downed death eater garb wearing wizards.
"I wouldn't know," Artorius shrugged but Amelia caught the steely glint in his eyes. "I only just took up the mantle but you may know more than I - considering the fact that your mother was a Black, and that your son was a Death Eater." Artorius kept his face pleasant but the glint in his eyes became more pronounced.
The air seemed to grow cold at his comment and Crouch started to lift his wand until Bertram placed the tip of one of his swords under his chin.
"Put that down and we can talk like grown up's," He said coldly and Wilfred's form shifted. "Or keep raising it and I'll beat your ass into the middle of next week."
"I hope that a fight is not about to break out," Thomas commented as he and Tanya walked over to the group, weapons still in hand. They had handed of the Omega blade to Esmeralda who was making sure that it was secure. Several wizards opposite them, including Amos Diggory, started to tighten their hold on their wands. "But I'm not tired so I could go another round. What about you my love?" He glanced briefly at Tanya before he continued to stare unblinkingly at the group of magicals.
"After the barely there challenge we had, I don't see why not," She murmured and swung her sword in a fancy pattern before letting it rest at her side, blade pointed down.
"Theatrics don't scare us girl," Barty Crouch curtly told her.
"I am a woman; not a girl." Tanya shot back. "There is a difference."
"And we don't need theatrics to be intimidating." Thomas rumbled as the rest of their group descended upon them. "We have more than enough power to back that up. Can you say the same Mr. Crouch?"
"Stand down." Amelia barked at her aurors who complied but the hit wizards didn't. "I said stand down."
"We fulfilled our end of the bargain," One of the hit wizards spoke up. "We don't need to listen to you anymore." He turned to Tabitha and smirked. "How you doing there princess?" He chortled and there were several growls though only some people heard them. "You busy later tonight? Because I'm sure I could it worth your while." He elbowed the wizard next to him in glee; thinking that he had scored.
"Even if I weren't engaged," Tabitha began coldly as she raised her hand to show her engagement ring. "I would rather chew glass than go anywhere with you."
"As if that's real," The wizard gestured to her ring and rolled his eyes. "If there is anything that annoys me more than woman who can't take a compliment; its women who lie to decline an offer. If you didn't want to say yes; you could have said no." He spoke slowly to Tabitha as if she were a small child. "You didn't have to embarrass yourself like that though my manliness has been known to make women feel flustered." He winked at her and looked suggestively at the other women.
Thomas narrowed his eyes and looked at the people in his group.
"Make em hurt." He told them.
A diagonal column of rock surged from the ground and struck the wizard in the groin. Before he could cry out he was hit with a ball of water which caused him to choke. A strong gust of wind knocked the wizard and his companions down to the ground. They started to raise their wands but they dropped them as they began to burn.
"Still think you're a man?" Tabitha asked the downed wizard who was cupping his groin. "Not that it is indicative of being a man but I doubt you'll be able to sire children. Good thing too; wouldn't want the world to suffer from dealing with whatever you spawned."
"You talk as if he would be able to get it up again." Collin drawled then grimaced. "I'm actually kinda surprised that it hasn't fallen off yet given how much I put into that."
All the men present grimaced as well but Thomas turned to Embry.
"Get rid of them." He said to his second who lifted the hit wizards up and threw them across the field. The group that left to investigate the mark came back at that moment and stared in surprise.
"What did you find?" Amelia asks her men, trying not to openly gape at everything she just saw, though that was beginning to be difficult. They all have wand-less powers, She thought. That shouldn't be possible!
"A wand and an elf," Dawlish murmured as he held up a wand and the auror next to him pushes an elf towards the group.
"Winky!" Crouch hissed as Amelia said, "That's the minister's wand."
"Oh, I'll hand this to you then boss," Dawlish continued murmuring, holding the wand out to Amelia. "I'm sorry Mr. Crouch, didn't know she was yours but its probably just a coincidence that she was there." He says as Amelia took the wand from him.
"I very much doubt that," Crouch muttered under his breath but only so many people heard him. He glared at Winky, "Did you see anything elf? Well, did you?" He snapped when she didn't immediately respond.
"I do believe she has a name," Artorius commented lightly as he knelt down to be level with the distressed elf. "Now Winky, did you see anything?"
"She is my elf so I will ask her questions," Crouch snapped and Artorius gave him a blank look.
"As I am Lord Regent of house Black, and since your mother was a Black," Artorius began flatly. "I am allowed to talk to her because, by extension she is mine as well. Also, since you and Millicent Bagnold both decided to ship a member of the family, who is an innocent man, off to Azkaban without trial; I have seized control of your house effective immediately."
"You can't-" Crouch was cut off by Bertram slapping a piece of paper to his chest. "What is this?!" He clutched the paper in his fist and waved it at Bertram who sneered.
"Well if you read it, you might know." He snapped as the wizards around them frowned in confusion at Artorius' words though madam Bones was no slouch and she had a pretty good idea as to who they were talking about.
Merlin help us if they are talking about Sirius Black, She thought as she watch a red face Crouch pale as he continued to read what was in his hands. I wonder what that's all about. She mused to herself.
"This - This cannot be correct," Crouch sputtered and Bertram smiled thinly.
"Due to you and Bagnold lying about the guilt of Sirus Orion Black," There were several protests here but Bertram paid them no mind. "You are considered persona non grata by the Goblins and they will imprison you the second you step on their land." That caused all those protesting to shut their mouths. "They'll question you on whether or not you intentionally sent an innocent man to prison or if it was a genuine accident. Depending on how you answer will either see you free, or see you imprisoned indefinitely. It'll be more than you ever gave Sirius in any case."
"If you don't believe us madam Bones," Artorius said to the stern witch. "then you can check in the hall of records for the trial transcripts; or rather, the lack of transcripts or anything really."
"Believe me regent Black, I intend to." Amelia responded crisply. She eyed Crouch beadily. "What is to happen with Barty?"
"He can keep his job if he wishes," Artorius replied. "I have no intention of denying him the chance to work though..." He paused before shaking his head. "...given how your minister acts I doubt Mr. Crouch here will be able to keep his position as department head though he will be allowed to take part in the Triwizard Tournament since he signed a binding contract to be a representative for your ministry."
"How do you know about that?" One of the aurors asks suspiciously.
"A lot of people involved with that don't know how to keep quiet; with anything, in any capacity," Artorius said dryly as Ludo Bagman apparated into their clearing, cursing up a storm. "I rest my case," He added, his tone still dry before looking at Winky. "Did you see anyone Winky?" The elf shook her head at his question, her bat-like ears flopping. It wasn't a lie since Crouch JR. was under an invisibility cloak. "Do you recognize that spell?"
"Master Barty be saying that it was used to summon the mark of the bad one," Winky said with a solemn nod. Artorius was grateful that Crouch had given his son the same name as himself otherwise they might have been in trouble.
"Did you recognize the voice? Did it sound familiar?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked and Artorius tensed for a second before glancing at Thomas. When he saw Thomas' lips quirk slightly, he relaxed.
"No, Winky is not recognizing the voice," It was true, Crouch had spat the incantation with so much anger that his voice was warped to the point where Winky did not recognize who was speaking.
"But she was found with a wand," Amos Diggory protested but stopped when Thomas narrowed his eyes at him.
"Your point?" Thomas asked him coolly. With no answer forth coming, Thomas turned to Dawlish, "Auror Dawlish, was she found holding the wand, or was she just near it?"
"Just near it," Dawlish replied. "She didn't touch it either because I checked for elf magic and I found none. She didn't recognize it either."
"Does that satisfy your curiosity, Mr. Diggory?" Thomas still kept his tone cool and polite but his eyes were still narrowed. Amos Diggory nodded his head though there was a flush to his cheeks.
"You're wrong about Black," Amos began in an attempt make himself look better but the cold look in the eyes of Thomas caused the words that formed in his mind to die in his throat.
"How would you know that Mr. Diggory?" Amos flinched at the dark tone that Thomas was using. "Were you at the scene of the crime? No? Then perhaps you have information that was not readily available at the time? No? Then perhaps you might want to stay silent." Thomas finished sharply. He took no pleasure in being harsh with a man who could still lose his son if they failed but he was really starting to get on his nerves.
"Or you'll do what?" Amos demanded with false bravado.
"My wife and I just went toe to toe with a vampire elder and came out unscathed; do you really want an answer to that question?" Thomas retorted with raised eyebrows and an incredulous tone before turning to Artorius. "We should head back cousin and check on the others at the house."
"You'll not be going-" Bertram's fist once again connected with Crouch's face.
"Blow it out of your ass you moron," Bertram snapped before his swords were in his hands and pointed them at the opposite group. His family followed his example before any wands could be raised. "Don't." He snarled at them as they reached for their wands. He moved one of his swords toward Crouch without even looking at the man.
"Madam Bones," Artorius started without looking at the witch. "We will be leaving now for we have duties that are far more important than having to put up with abuse from two department heads or the hostile looks of the group before me. Do not think that I have forgotten about one of your men trying to stun my cousin but be grateful that I haven't demanded satisfaction."
"Of course Lord Regent," Amelia said solemnly as she silently cursed the people in her company. These people were marginally different than any of the previous members of the Black family, and they were almost pushed into a fight by some of her own people. "How may I contact you?"
"Through Gringotts," Artorius replied. "Ask for account manager Ironfang and give him the message. He'll notify us as soon as he can."
"Why Gringotts?" One of the aurors demanded but flinched when Amelia glared at him.
"That's none of your concern," She said but Artorius smiled slightly.
"King Ragnok has named us friends of the Goblin nation along with the house of Potter," He said, his smile never leaving his face as the auror who asked the question slowly started to pale. "They handle all messages between anyone from here and us but please don't make contacting us a habit; you'll annoy the goblins immensely for doing so."
"Then why not give us a direct way to contact you?" Scrimgeour asked.
"Because none of you have earned that right," Artorius said coldly. "And I will not allow anyone from your Ministry, especially your leader, to try and manipulate that privilege for their own personal gain." He paused and smiled slightly at Amelia. "Not that I include you in that declaration Madam Bones since all I have ever heard and seen about you has been nothing but positive." Amelia nodded her head in thanks. "Let's go," Artorius said to his group before looking at Winky. "You best come along as well; I have a task for you Winky."
The elf nodded her head but glanced at Crouch who glared harshly at her while still clutching his nose.
"We'll be in touch Bartemious." Artorius commented as he noticed Winky's stare.
"Are you planning on leaving that up?" Derek asked Amelia while gesturing to the Dark Mark. When she shook her head he shot a blue beam of light from his hand at the offending mark. The mark dissipated till there was nothing left and Derek dropped his hand. He nodded to Amelia just as Artorius snapped his fingers and they all disappeared.
"Right then," Amelia said as she glared at those around her. "Time to clean up boys and after that I want all of you in my office first thing tomorrow. We shall be having a discussion on some of your appalling behavior." She glared at the majority of her men. "Now move out!" She barked and they scrambled away. "Shack, you're in charge." She said to the dark skinned auror who nodded. Scrimgeour looked at Amelia in askance. "I need your assistance with him." She gestured to Crouch who stood up and began to fix his nose for the second time. "Come along then Barty, we've a lot to talk about."
Taking one look at Amelia's face, Barty knew that he was in for along night.
"And why are you still awake when you should be in bed?" Thomas asked his daughter who slammed into him and Tanya as soon as they appeared at the Black ancestral home. "Why are any of you still up?"
"Oh come on dad," Tristan rolled his eyes and so did the other younger hybrids. "Back home its still day time."
"That is true," Thomas said calmly as he picked his daughter up. "it is also the reason why none of you have been aging since we got here; but you still need to go to bed."
As far as their bodies were concerned, it was still the day that they left despite the time travel so they currently remained the same. Something that the children felt the need to point out whenever they were told to go to bed. Said children were now pouting.
"Ah ah, no pouting," Tanya wagged a finger at her children along with the other mothers who did the same with their kids. "Bed." She pointed to the stairs that lead to the rooms in Black manor. The house had been mostly cleaned out by some of the magic users since Kreacher, the Black family elf, had refused to listen to Artorius and subsequently died for lack of obedience due to fighting the command.
There were only a few things to handle now; mainly the dealing with whatever dark artifacts that remained in the house and rearranging the portraits. The first was easy enough but Kreacher had placed many in certain places that only an elf could get to without having to resort to tearing the house down which was something that Sirius was rooting for. Thankfully the soul anchor was not among them and they already ripped out Walburga Black's portrait along with the wall but they didn't want to destroy the rest of the house.
The children stopped pouting as one by one they started to yawn. It started with David and Henry then the others followed though the older children tried to stubbornly quell their need to yawn.
"Read to me, daddy?" Minnie widened her eyes at her father; an imploring expression on her face. Thomas smiled softly and nodded his head.
"Go pick something out. I have to shower then I'll be there." He kissed her cheek and set her on the floor. She bounced away; grabbing her brother -who grumbled- and began to lead them to the stairs. Sasha grabbed the younger hybrids by the hand and lead them to the stairs.
"Goodnight!" They called out to everyone who returned the gesture. It had been hectic when the kids used to hug everyone goodnight but since there were so many people, they simply said the words and headed to bed.
Tanya noticed the slightly wistful look on Hermione's and remembered a conversation she had with the woman.
"Hermione," Tanya murmured to the witch who glanced at her. They had been observing the others train after briefly playing with the children. They sat by themselves under a privacy ward to have a chat but had gone silent for sometime now. "May I ask you a question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to." When Hermione nodded, she continued. "Is there a reason why none of you have children?" She asked carefully while watching Hermione's reaction; seeing if she took offense.
Hermione smiled; but it was a smile that was filled with sadness.
"Its quite simple really," Hermione said softly. "We were afraid. We were afraid that our children would suffer from the poison that was our society." She paused as her voice began to croak and Tanya grasped one of her hands, something that gave Hermione strength to continue. "The people did not agree with my marriage to Harry and it was only for fear of his wrath that no one directly commented or did anything to me."
"But you heard things none the less." Tanya murmured again and Hermione nodded.
"There were plots to either have me killed or have my baby killed if I were pregnant." Tears welled in Hermione's eyes but she didn't let them fall. "There were plots against everyone and for various reasons. It was hard to deal with by ourselves; we didn't want to bring children into it. So we decided to hold off on having children; until we could be sure that nothing would happen. We did not have that reassurance until we came here and now we have a chance to try and correct things if possible." She finished with a somewhat happy smile.
There was a short pause that was broken by Tanya.
"I'm sorry," She said but Hermione shook her head, still smiling.
"Its fine; you were just inquisitive," Hermione began but stopped when Tanya slowly shook her head.
"Not only for that but for the fact that you and your family had to deal with such things," Tanya explained. "No one should."
Hermione said nothing but squeezed Tanya's hand to let her know that what she said was appreciated.
The only ones who knew about what were said were the women and their husbands. No one else asked because they knew they would receive no answer; not even Daphne or Tanya's siblings and children.
"Come my love," Thomas murmured. "We need a bath."
His words were heard by all and each person involved in the battle headed to the nearest bathroom or to the study to get a drink. As everyone dispersed, Artorius turned to Winky and told her to fix the damaged wall near the other portraits and put the portrait of Arcturus Black in the empty spot. He also told her to look for any dark artifacts that may have been hidden and put them in the basement. After he was finished she disappeared with a pop and Artorius went to join those in the study.
"Phobos! Deimos! Get your worthless hides out here!" Ares bellowed towards a cave in the realm where his sons remained hidden. Two figures, one with glowing purple eyes, the other with glowing orange eyes, stepped out of the cave.
"Father," Phobos inclined his head towards Ares, his purple eyes sharp and his expression curious. His voice held an echo to it that could either be seen as captivating, or incredibly annoying. He and his brother - who also inclined his head but said nothing- shared their fathers tan skin and dark hair but they were far more handsome than he. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"I need your assistance," Ares said; barely able to hide the contempt in his voice. Of all his children, these two disappointed him the most as neither shared his bloodlust though they were not without talent. "And maybe you should start talking to the other minor gods after this." Ares mused.
"What do you need our help with?" Phobos spoke again and Ares growled, still disgruntled to having to talk with them.
"I need your help to insure that I get what I want."