I can only apologise it took so long for me to update this, I got on a roll with my other stories and didn't get round to updating this. Anyway, here is the new chapter with Harry safety at Chateau Black.

Just so you are aware, I am imagining the Cassiopeia's chateau to be modeled on the Chateau de Vizille, Grenoble but further up in the mountains.

Just for clarification, Harry is six going on seven in a couple of months, Sirius has been in prison for just under five years. Hope this helps for reference!

Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 5:

The following morning, Harry Potter woke up in an enormous bed that was in the middle of an even more extensive bed. Knowing he wasn't allowed to touch beds, let alone sleep in them, the small six year old clambered off, having to use the bed clothes to lower himself onto the floor, so high was it off the ground. Harry crept as quietly as he could over to the window, slightly wincing as the blood returned to his stiff limbs. Having clambered onto the window seat, Harry looked out through the glass to see a range of snow topped mountains in the distance, whilst below him he could see a large pond and an expanse of gardens. Not sure what to do but knowing he was about to collapse with exhaustion, Harry slid off the window seat and slowly walked over to the lit fire which crackled merrily, the only sound in the large room. Wanting nothing more than to return to the comfortable bed but knowing he wasn't allowed to touch them, let alone sleep in them, Harry quickly curled up before fire to sleep.

Around half an hour later Mipsy, Cassiopeia's house elf, appeared with a crack in the bedroom, wandering over to the high bed, she did not initially see the small child asleep by fire. It was only when she magically created a set of steps so that she could see to the top of the bed that she noticed the child wasn't there. Looking quickly around she saw the small raven haired boy by the fire and tutting all the while, quickly levitated him back into the bed and under the covers. Smoothing down his ruffled hair with a wrinkled hand, the old elf sent a pulse of her own magic though the sleeping form to check his vitals.

When her Mistress had yesterday summoned her to tell her that there would be little one for her to look after, Mipsy had been overjoyed. House elf magic relied on having a bond to a witch and wizard and the more witches and wizards in the family or house then the stronger the bond became and thus the magic that the house elf enjoyed. This symbiotic relationship benefited everyone which was why Mipsy was so pleased to have her new 'Little Master Hadrian' in the house to look after. Having her Mistress was alright but there wasn't much else to do, now that the Masters' Phineas and Marius were here too there was more to do though.

With another crack the old house elf left the room to tell her Mistress the state of the boy.

It was not for another three hours that Harry or Hadrian as he was now to be called woke. It was perhaps fortunate that when he awoke, Marius was sitting in the room reading over a scroll.

"Oh you are awake now. How are you feeling?"

Harry looked at the coverlet and started twisting his fingers together, before whispering, "I am sorry I am on the bed, Sir"

Marius needed to lean quickly to hear the low whisper but working out the gist of the statement he said, "We put you in the bed so there is no need to be sorry."

"But I am not supposed to touch a bed…or sleep in them"

Marius sighed, "Harry, you need to forget all the rules that you were taught at your aunt and uncle's (and I use those terms very loosely). You can sleep in the bed here, you can eat as much food as you want and you will not be some sort of servant. Understand?"

"But how do I earn my keep" Harry asked before quickly covering his mouth with his hands and whimpering as he tried to lean away from Marius.

It was times like these that Marius wished he had magic so that he could go and curse those Dursley's from here to Timbuktu. "Harry, you know you can ask questions don't you?"

"Not allowed to" the boy muttered.

"This isn't Privet Drive and I am not a Dursley. However, I am related to you, my name is Marius. I am a relation on your father's side and you are now going to be living with my sister and me."

"But my father is a drunkard who didn't have any relations who could be burdened with me."

"Harry, we have already decided that the Dursley's are less intelligent that pigs" Marius was relieved to hear a small giggle from the boy "So it therefore stands that they don't know what they are talking about. So I am your family, we can show you how later but are you hungry or anything?"

Harry looked rather shocked up at the man who simply sighed once more before saying, "Harry, as I have said, if you are hungry then you can eat. Now, are you hungry?"

"Why are you doing this?" Harry whispered once more looking at this hands

"Because you are family and that, to us, is the most important thing."

Harry thought about this for a second before nodding slightly.

Marius stood slowly from the chair, careful not to startle the child, "I am off to get some food, you stay here, and I will be back in a minute." Knowing that Harry would most likely not be able to cope should Mipsy suddenly appear in the room, Marius called her once out of the room and had her retrieve a tray of food, something she was most happy to do. Re-entering the room, the old squib was unsurprised to see Harry looking lost on the large bed.

"Here we go, scrambled eggs, bacon, black pudding, toast and some fruit. No, just stay in bed, there is a tray so you can have breakfast in bed." Reaching under the bed, Marius retrieved the bed tray and placing it over the thin legs of the boy, then placed the large tray of food onto it.

"You don't have to eat everything but just as much as you can and want, okay".

Harry did not look convinced but his hand slowly went towards a piece of toast as if expecting Marius to stop him and tare his hand away as part of some sick joke. Marius did neither and watched his sadness at the boy's state mixed with relief and happiness that he would now actually have a childhood. It did not take a while for Harry to eat as he ate quickly as if it was going to be taken away if he didn't, he tended to stick to the plainer foods which was probably for the best as he was not likely to be able to eat the richer foods without being sick.

Once the boy had finished and sitting back more relaxed on the cushions but still very much aware of his surroundings, Marius said, "Right, now that breakfast is finished, would you like to meet my sister?"

Harry, knowing it would be rude to refuse only but still scared about meeting anyone new answered with a small, "Yes…?"

Knowing Harry's fears, Marius smiled reassuringly before picking up the half-full tray of food from Harry's lap and walking towards the bedroom door once more. Calling for Mipsy once more, he had her remove the tray and then tell his sister that her new protégée was awake. Having done this, he returned once more to the room and sat down at his seat beside the bed and smiled once more at the boy.

His sister seemed eager to actually meet and speak to the boy and after a curt knock at the door, quickly opened it. Rising from his chair, Marius decided introductions were in order.

"Cassi, this is Harry Potter….Harry, this is my sister Cassiopeia but you can call her Cassi, it is easier to say after all"

The elderly witch looked at the small boy on the bed for a moment before walking closer.

"It is lovely to meet you Mr Potter." Cassiopeia said, offering her hand out to shake which Harry did so rather clumsily.

Nodding briskly, the lady drew her wand and with a flick of it created an upright chair. Marius tensed up slightly, they hadn't quite got that far in explanations, gently trying to explain the existence of magic to the abused teen was the better way rather than basically slapping him round the face with it. He wished his sister had more…situational awareness about these type of mattes sometimes.

"What was that?" Harry said more than a little shocked.

"Magic" Cassiopeia said nonchalantly, "Really what have you been talking about all this time Marius?"

"You can't say that word..." Harry fearfully exclaimed.

"Why not?" Marius asked gently

"It is a bad word, they didn't like it."

"Harry" Marius said, "Their rules aren't ours, we are magic therefore we can say 'magic'."

What followed was a rather quick and simple explanation of magic.

"So m-m-magic exists…and I have it?"

"Yes Harry. Magic has existed for thousands of years and has been hidden for a long time because people didn't like us because we have it."

"So Aunt Petunia hated my Mummy because she was m-magic?"

Cassiopeia's voice was softer than Marius had ever heard it, "Yes, but we are magic too so we don't hate you."

"But I am a freak"

"Then we are all freaks together, we are all like you to some extent." Cassiopeia did not want to explain Marius' status as a squib at this point as she thought it would likely confuse the poor six year old.

"What will happen to me?"

"Harry, I am your great aunt, which means that for as long as you need and I am alive I will look after you. We will teach you, help you and guide you, you have never deserved what has happened to you during the past five years, now you will have the opportunity to be a child."

"Really?" Harry whispered, "You will love me?"

"If that is what you want then we will", Cassiopeia was more than a little astounded to find a small body flung into her own as Harry hugged her quickly. She now understood what Phineas had said about little boys' being adaptable and whilst she did not think for a moment that Harry was now recovered, it was a start. She was well aware she had little experience with children, they had always been one of those things that were necessary but not for her. It seemed she would be learning on the job.

"The boy in intelligent and has the capacity to be clever if he is taught right" Cassiopeia said thinking back to her conversation with the child.

"He shall be taught right but that is a conversation for another time I feel cousin" Phineas said.

Marcus, who was sat at a large desk surrounded by a multitude of parchments and scrolls, looked ready to jump out of the tower window. "Speak for yourself, might be more interesting than this lot" he muttered.

"How goes, brother?" Cassiopeia asked as she sipped a small glass of sherry before lunch.

"How goes? How goes? I thought muggle law was confusing but this lot takes the biscuit. You know that if after five years a criminal hasn't been tried or convicted he has to be freed, whether or not he is still a threat?"

"Really?" Phineas asked

"Yes, it is a law from 1694… I wouldn't recommend using it, you need him to be publically freed if he is innocent and publically tried and sentenced if he is guilty, otherwise he will just be seen as a criminal and the House will suffer. At any rate, you could sue the Ministry and Wizengamot for failing to give Sirius a trial."

Cassiopeia's eyes lit up like Dumbledore seeing a lemon drop, "Oh, really…well that is interesting wouldn't you say?"

"Cassi" Phineas said warningly, "We can't afford to play around at the moment…"

"Oh don't be boring Phineas, we need some fun and suing the Ministry sounds like fun…"

"'Sounds like fun' she says" Marius said almost in hysterics, "When people say 'fun' they tend to mean golf, reading or chess…not bally well suing the government."

"Well most people are boring…" Cassiopeia said matter of factly.

"More like most people aren't trying to be Dark Ladies" Phineas muttered before looking at the ceiling to avoid the glare he received from his lady cousin.

Standing in the outer chamber of the Wizengamot, both Cassopeia and Phineas Black stood with their pureblood mask masking the turmoil of their thoughts and emotions. Pretty much every plan and every manipulation relied on basically forcing the Wizengamot to force a trial of Sirius. Without it, they would be back to square one for, whilst they had Harry now, there was little they could do to ensure they could keep him if his location was ever compromised, nor could they ever formally induct him into House Black. Just then one of the doors into the Great Chamber was opened and a junior assistant to the Wizengamot entered.

"They will receive you now."

Phineas looked at Cassiopeia quickly, both breathing a prayer to Magic, hoping that people like Malfoy and Dumbledore wouldn't cause too much trouble. Cassopeia scoffed, a Malfoy not causing trouble was like a Hufflepuff not looking for food, never happened. As a show of unity, the two Black's entered together, into a tiered Chamber. Unlike official trials, petitioners to the Wizengamot were received in the Great Chamber, where all the laws and bills were discussed. Amongst the fifty or so members of the Wizengamot nearly all of the Sacred Twenty-Eight were represented as were many of the other great families of Wizarding Britain (and what Cassopeia happily termed the lesser families such as Dumbledore).

The reaction to seeing two Blacks' together was instantaneous as silence enveloped the room, ever since the fall of the younger generation of the House, many had expected the older members to go into exile to an extent and die far away from Britain and the reputation their name had. However, the older members of the Wizengamot were well aware of who particularly Cassiopeia was, when she was younger many had tried to court her but she had declined all, eventually settling in France and if rumours were to be believed, making a rather lot of money and building up vast stores of blackmail material. (The fact that these rumours were entirely true was neither here nor there). The younger members of the Wizengamot had no such wariness of the woman and, particularly the light block, sneered at the pair having seen the Black crest on the robes of the man and woman. The Minister sighed slightly, it seemed like it was going to be a long day; many had tried to claim the Black seats since the incarceration of Sirius Black yet none had been able, it seemed just as unlikely that this pair would manage anyway. Dumbledore was troubled, as an older member of the community, he knew that to believe Cassiopeia Black was a weak, elderly woman was similar to saying Minerva McGonagall was a weak, elderly woman and she was dangerous, as well versed in politics and manipulations as any Slytherin and Black. He did not know much about Phineas Black but he had heard rumours of his work in mainland Europe, an unknown entity was almost always worse than a known entity.

Standing from his seat as Chief Warlock, Dumbledore asked, "What would you bring before the Wizengamot?"

Looking at Phineas quickly before turning to look at the old headmaster, Cassiopeia answered almost nicely, "Oh just a small matter I assure you…We came to sue the Ministry and the Wizengamot."

There was an uproar of noise as everyone stood yelling at the pair. Minister Bagnold and Dumbledore regained control off about thirty seconds later with sparks from their wands.

"Madame Black, would you explain yourself" Minister Bagnold answered, more than a little wary and angry about the words of Cassiopeia.

"Simply put" Phineas answered, "We come before you because you have placed out family member and only possible regent of House Black in Azkaban without a trial"

"WHAT?" Crouch yelled from his place in the stand "EVERYONE KNOWS HE WAS GUILTY!"

Phineas and Cassiopeia appeared unfazed by the yelling and the latter sighed, "It does not matter whether everyone knows he is guilty, the fact is that you have placed Sirius Black in Azkaban without a trial, ergo we cannot have a new Paterfamilias of House Black which brings me to another matter. You placed a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, an heir of the Twenty-Eight to be tortured illegally…I use the word illegally as if there is no trial then there is no conviction."

"But…" Crouch started to say but was quickly interrupted

"Oh be quiet you irritating man and get your wand out of your arse. Anyway, we can sue as to have a trial, even if he is guilty, is a basic right of every member of the British Wizarding community and has been for nigh on five hundred years. Since you have failed in this most basic of rights, House Black has been unable to vote in this body as well as the Hogwarts, Beaubatons and Durmstrang boards as well as countless other things. We have also been unable to write any more betrothal contracts, marriage contracts nor even expel certain members of the family for their actions in the last war from the House and its magics. It does not matter what you and your Houses may feel but this House rather feels that it is time to tear down the malign and start to rebuild, for we have been denied this ever since you threw a man in prison without due concern and behaviour." Cassiopeia was rather pleased with herself, even for her she was on a roll, "So what we need to happen is a short trial, you know, Sirius Black is brought in, Veritiserum administered, a few questions asked and then he is actually given a conviction and we are all happy. Family magics are rebalanced, House Black can find itself a new Paterfamilias or Heir and the Ministry does the right thing…"

Phineas added on, "Just be lucky we didn't wait until next year to point this out…the laws that you all follow say that people can't be held for more than five years, even if a legitimate reason is give, without trial and sentencing. After that they are free to go whatever happens…just imagine how that would have gone down in public, a convicted killer set free because the Ministry and Wizengamot failed to pour some Veritiserum down his throat." Phineas sighed theatrically, "Well I suppose you still have to deal with the reaction that this will receive anyway…if the son of one of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses and a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight can't get a trial, what would that mean for the average witch or wizard. Ah well, such is the fickle nature of the public."

After Phineas finished there was silence for a while as the Wizengamot realised exactly what the reaction would be out in the street if they failed to give a trial. Cassiopeia was surprised that Malfoy did not say anything, instead it was a dumpy woman, dressed in pink who looked considerably like a toad.

"I do not see why the Ministry and the Wizengamot needs to trouble itself with such a case as this…it is unnecessary and I believe that House Black likely wants to rebuild its following, everyone knows the type of House they are."

Cassiopeia looked over at the woman like she was something on the underside of her shoe, "And you are?"

"Dolores Umbridge, advisor to Cornelius Fudge"

"Umbridge…Umbridge…I know that name from somewhere" Cassiopeia mused

The squat woman looked smug, "I am a distant descendant of the Selywn line"

"No that's not it" making a show of snapping her fingers, Cassiopeia looked up, "Oh, I remember, I met your father once or twice" As though she wasn't noticing the other woman paling considerably, she continued, "Yes…he worked here at the Ministry…a cleaner I think, wasn't it? And I don't think you mean the Selwyn line, Madame, I have known that line for nearly a century and they made no mention of ever marrying into a House with a cleaner as its head."

(The fact that this information concerning Dolores Umbridge came from the infamous Black Book was once again, neither here nor there.)

There was considerable suppression of mirth throughout the Chamber as members tried to smother their laughter at the humiliation of the woman that the light hated for her anti-creature laws and the dark for her poor breeding and manners. The woman in question though was as quick to sit down as Fudge was to distance herself from her.

Minister Bagnold shakily got to her feet knowing full well that she was perhaps one of two people most at fault for failing to have a trial for Black, Crouch being the other. She hated to think exactly how much the pair of older Blacks' before her could actually sue the Ministry for, they likely had the best lawyers on retainer and certainly the case was pretty clear cut, it didn't matter whether Black was guilty or not, he hadn't had a trial. At that moment she was seriously considering whether or not just to resign and be done with the whole damn thing. Sure Minister meant having a nice house and all but really the stress of it all wasn't worth it, particularly when the Blacks' were out for blood.

"We will now take a vote, would all those who agree that Sirius Black should have a trial please light their wands…" She paused for a moment, "And all those who don't"

Looking down at the charmed parchment in front of her it was clear to see allegiances, the most extremes of the two blocks had all voted for no trial whilst the more neutral houses had all voted for a trial, interestingly Dumbledore had voted for no trial whilst Lucius Malfoy had voted for a trial.

"Motion carries, by twenty two seats to a hundred and forty-four, Sirius Orion Black will receive a trial as soon as possible. After which the trial of Cassiopeia and Phineas Black against the Ministry and Wizengamot will occur. Case closed."

Unlike the normal sedate chat that occurred after the close of a day at the Wizengamot, this day was full of loud chatter and arguments as people argued the failings of the Ministry and what this would mean. More than a couple were considering who the new Paterfamilias of House Black would be as that would likely cause more than a few political upheavals.

House Black call for trial of their relative after no evidence of trial

Two of the last members of House Black have announced they are planning to sue the Ministry after it emerged that Sirius Black did not receive any form of trial despite being accused of betraying the Potters and murdering fourteen including thirteen muggles. Having petitioned the Wizengamot, the motion for Sirius Black receiving a trial passed 22:144, after this trial, the case for the House Black against the Ministry will start and is likely to be a more laborious trial due to the gross miscarriage of justice and the effect that it will have had on the future of House Black.

Cassiopeia Black released has released a statement after her petition to the Wizengamot, "My family and I were alerted to the situation after we approached the goblins of Gringotts asking for information concerning the Heirship to the family. Whilst we were there it was revealed to us that they could not assist us without Sirius' presence as the only surviving son of Orion Black, the last paterfamilias. As Sirius never received a trial, his vaults and properties were not forfeited to the Ministry. Even if he is guilty then House Black is stuck in limbo as we are not able to claim seats, inheritance nor make any new contracts without a new paterfamilias nor an Heir." She went on to add "Moreover, we dread to think of the effects that this is having on the family magics".

Lady Cassiopeia was joined in her call for a trial by her cousin, Phineas Black, neither have lived in Britain for the past decade or so.

Full transcript of the petition- p.2

Sitting in his office once more Dumbledore was panicking. It all seemed to be going even more wrong. Sure, Sirius Black could potentially be innocent but if he was then he would reclaim Harry or at least try to find where he was and Dumbledore would lose any control. If he was guilty then the new head of House Black would have some duty to the child as Sirius was his bonded godfather, therefore once more the abuse of Harry would come out and he would lose control.

Dumbledore snorted, he had already lost control of Harry when he discovered that the Dursley's were all in prison for child abuse and Harry in witness protection abroad. He had tried again and again to discover where he was but all he had come up to was international laws and personal who didn't like the idea of the aged wizard trying to find where a boy in witness protection had disappeared to. Not even reading the minds of muggle detectives and officials had helped, it seemed he had been sent abroad by airplane, there was a seat booked for him on a flight to Portugal and from there no-one in Britain knew.

He had never meant the abuse to get that far, he had no desire to have a new Tom Riddle on his hands. But a child should be disciplined and it would be easier to control a boy who had seen no magic and was thus amazed by it and finally fitting in. A boy who was spoiled and completely aware of his status both as the Boy-Who-Lived and Lord Potter, would essentially mean having to deal with a young James Potter and that wouldn't help the situation should Voldemort return.

Next time- Harry's point of view of life with the Blacks' and Sirius trial.

Please read and review! If you see any mistakes or any characters you would particularly like to see please do say and I will see what I can do. I have a rough plan but it seems to be forever altering and evolving.