A/N: Thank you for still reading this! My timeline when I mentioned Marius comes from his siblings birthdays on the official Black family tree on the Lexicon. Somebody else mentioned how gay Sirius was Rial's father with a very female Lily. Answer to that, I need to go back into Midnight Sun and fix a few things. Like the fact that Sirius is actually bi. This update is nice and long, keep telling me anything you find, just make it constructive criticism. Enjoy! MILD LANGUAGE!
Chapter Eighteen- Christmas Part 2
Draco Malfoy looked around the snowy grounds of Black Manor with a smile. The old family estate looked just as beautiful as always. He was glad his father had decided to accept Sirius' invitation, even more so that he would be able to have a sleepover with his friends. He was walking a few paces behind his father and watched the older Lord talking with Remus Lupin with an indulgent smile.
Draco knew his father had been unhappy in his arranged marriage to Narcissa Black and he welcomed the presence of anyone who made his father as happy as Lupin had. Of course, that wasn't to say he wouldn't cause Lupin all sorts of trouble if the man treated his father poorly. Somehow he had the impression that wouldn't happen however. The two were infatuated with each other, smiling and talking with heads bent close together.
Draco stepped around the happy pair and rapped sharply on the heavy double doors with his knuckles. The door swung inward the moment he stopped, the black and silver uniformed image of Kreacher the house elf bowing low. "Welcome to the manor of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, Heir and Lord Malfoy. Welcome also, Master Lupin."
The elf was on full formal duties today, taking their winter cloaks and gloves and disappearing with a pop. He reappeared seconds later and said in his gravelly voice, "Master Regulus arrived just moments ago. Follow me and I will lead you to the sitting room."
Draco followed the elf, listening to the sound of his shoes clicking on the marble floors. The hallways of Black Manor were very grand, the floors a swirling pattern of black and white. The paneling depended on the hallway, most were oak, with some mahogany, ash and pine thrown in for depth or lightness of color. Paintings lined the hall, along with priceless vases and urns bought from collectors or in a rare case, originally owned by the family.
When they reached the sitting room, the decorations immediately caught Draco's eye. Everything was done in shades of white, silver and blue. The tree was the only source of green in the room, decked out with fairy lights, glass-like bubbles and charmed with everlasting snow to frost the unadorned branches. The gifts underneath were colored in paper of silver with thin, elegant black traceries.
Of course, the next thing that caught Draco's eye was Rial. Sitting casually in a comfortable chair near the fire the teen wore black velvet slacks, a silver and blue mandarin collar shirt with ¾ sleeves and a beautiful dark blue silk robe with platinum fastenings. His hair was styled the same was as school, the casually messy, just out of bed look that most could never match.
The teen saw them and his eyes lit. He stood and said, "I am glad you are here! This winter is beautiful and most certainly one to be spent with friends."
Draco's father smiled at the teen and said, "We are glad to be here as well, Rial. Black Manor always has looked exquisite during the holiday season. Are you enjoying your time off from classes?"
"Yes, Lucius. I still get up about the same time; however, there is much to fill my day with here. Father gets up even earlier than me; his day is often a very busy one. But I am glad to be here and be able to spend time with him."
Sirius had stood and was warmly greeting his best friend. There was a sparkle of happiness in grey eyes as he took in his much-improved appearance. His time at Malfoy Manor had corrected much of his nutritional lack and the steady Wolfsbane Potion had taken the ragged exhaustion, even with his most recent change having been the night before last. In general, Remus Lupin was happy, healthy and in danger of becoming spoiled rotten by his indulgent lover.
Rial turned to him with a grin and gave him a spontaneous hug, smiling happily as he led Draco over to his spot near the fire. Regulus smirked up at his cousin and said, "Hello Draco. It's been a while, the last time I saw you was Rial's birthday this summer. How are classes treating you?"
"Well, cousin. And your work in the Unspeakables Department?" Draco asked, curious.
"Well," Regulus answered with a knowing grin. He knew Draco was curious about what his Department was like.
"To change the subject," Rial said, a mischievous grin on his face, "I was wondering if I could get your assistance on something Regulus and I are working on."
"What might that be?" Draco asked.
"Getting my father and Sev together over the holidays," Rial answered promptly.
Draco blinked. He hadn't expected that, but it would be entertaining. Rial wasn't the only one who'd noticed Sev's preoccupation with his father, apparently. Regulus was grinning as he said, "My brother can be so damn oblivious to something right in front of his face, a talent Sev tells me you may have as well, Draco."
Draco was unable to stop the faint flush from spreading across his face at the reminder of his recent blunder. Rial smacked his uncle playfully on the arm and said, "Leave him alone, Regulus. I think he got the point finally. I do have to admit, I didn't mean to get angry enough to punch you, Draco."
There was an embarrassed smile on Rial's face as he looked at Draco. Draco smiled and said, "I think we both were a little beyond irritated at that point. Let's ignore that little fight, shall we?"
"Gladly!" Rial laughed.
They sat there, planning and plotting the afternoon away under the amused, relaxed supervision and assistance of Rial's uncle.
Ought to be entertaining at least. I'm still determined to tell Severus he's just going to have to act like a Gryffindor and SHOW my brother how he feels, Regulus thought, shaking his head at his brother.
-D-N-S-D-
Sirius leaned back in his chair, smiling at the sight out of the corner of his gaze. Rial and Draco were avidly talking about something, Regulus listening in with obvious amusement. All of a sudden Remus snorted quietly in laughter, covering his mouth with a hand to muffle the sound. He'd forgotten the werewolf had advanced hearing, which could come in handy.
"I know you won't give away what they're doing, Remus, but please tell me it isn't some Slytherin prank," Sirius pleaded, turning grey puppy eyes on his best friend.
"It's not," Remus managed to choke out. Amber eyes glinted with humour as he shook his head a little.
Lucius Malfoy was looking at Remus with a little smile on his face, fondly regarding the laughing lycan. Sirius may have had his initial doubts about Lucius when Remus had mentioned they were seeing each other, but watching them together greatly settled his worry for his friend. Remus was comfortable, happy and healthy. By his own words Lucius tended to spoil him a bit with things he enjoyed, a major pair being books and chocolate.
The Floo in the next room activated, spitting out two more current Slytherins. At the sight of Blaise and Pansy Rial jumped out of his chair and briskly walked over to greet his friends. The two remembered their manners and greeted the adults as well before Rial dragged the four of them off somewhere.
Regulus moved to a single chair close to the others and with a flick of his wand levitated the empty chairs back to their original positions. That left the settee Remus and Lucius were sitting on, the chair Regulus occupied and the smaller settee for two that Sirius was sitting on.
"Since the only remaining adult is Severus, I figured we could move the others back," Regulus said with a grin. Remus looked like he was about to laugh and whispered something to Lucius. A smug grin crossed the pureblood's face and he snickered softly.
Severus Snape stood just inside the grand double doors of the Manor, taking in the grand old building with a smile. Handing his cloak and gloves to Kreacher he informed the house elf, "I am here often enough to find my way to the sitting room. I'm sure your duties are numerous."
Without waiting for a reply he strode away, confident he could find his own way. It seemed he was here at Black Manor more often than at Spinner's End or his father's estate. Old Lucien had been delighted to receive the gift from Rial, which turned out to be a marvelous old first edition copy of A Guide to Wizard Mythology by A. Hermitt.
Since Severus was away from the school, he'd broken away from his traditional black high-collared robes. The ones he wore currently were of dark green silk with a crisp white shirt and black pants. Hey, just because he'd give up a black shirt didn't mean he'd given up the colour entirely. Away from the school he was also able to leave out the special shampoo he used that caused his hair to not accumulate the odors of the lab.
Severus always tended to walk at a brisk pace, even when relaxed. Thus, it took him only a few moments to reach the sitting room. He took a few seconds to admire the decorations before looking at the four adults already there. Remembering Rial's comment from before the holidays he looked at Lucius and Remus Lupin. Shaking his head he resisted a laugh at the teens' observation skills. Body language screamed the pair were together to one who understood it as well as Severus.
Regulus was chatting with his brother, who was seated on a settee that had the only open seat unless one brought a chair over from near the 12 foot Christmas tree. Severus made a bold decision and walked over to claim the seat, dropping carefully into it as he greeted Sirius. Regulus' pale blue eyes were sparkling with laughter. He wouldn't have bet against the fact that Regulus had arranged the chairs like they were. It was something the sneaky Unspeakable would do, especially after he'd noticed Severus' crush on his brother.
Severus could only hope that his attempts would remain subtle. The last thing he wanted was a blunder that would ruin his chances with the clever pureblood. He remembered all too well what could happen if he made a mistake and pissed off the ex-Gryffindor.
Rial was very happy to see Draco. Away from the school, they could drop the dignified status of Slytherin house and simply be themselves. His bed was wide enough for the four of them so they collapsed in a happy heap, Rial tossing his formal outer robe over a chair. On one side he had Draco; on the other were Pansy and Blaise.
"I'm so happy the holidays are here," Draco said with a sigh. "It means this year is half-over already. I can't wait for summer."
"I know what you mean," Blaise agreed. "Did you see that article in the paper?"
"The one about James Potter?" Draco groaned. "Who didn't?"
Rial exchanged a look with Pansy and they said in unison, "We didn't, apparently."
"They've given James Potter a new title at the Board of Governors. He is now the official 'High Inquisitor'. He has the Ministry backing necessary to do anything from sack a teacher to vote on expelling a student."
Rial paled. "If Severus is sacked," he whispered, horrified.
"Then Slytherin house will be for the dogs," Blaise confirmed grimly. "He's the only instructor in the school who fights for us, without him we'd be open game for the teachers and students. Some of the Ravenclaws are our friends, but most of them side with Zachary and his father."
"Most likely we'll know if Severus is sacked. I know for one my father won't let me attend Hogwarts if he's not there," Draco said. "Theodore Nott, the Greengrass girls, Bulstrode, Tor and the three of you, of course. We're the most likely to get pulled quickly if Severus loses his position there."
"I wasn't thinking of us," Rial murmured. "Think about it, Severus is a spy for Voldemort. If he has to tell the Dark Lord he's lost his little position of influence in the school, can you bet what would happen?"
Pansy went white. "He'd be killed or severely injured. His status in the ranks is falling anyway; my father thinks the Dark Lord suspects him of treachery."
Rial leaned into Draco's shoulder. "I don't want to lose him," he said.
Draco's grey eyes resembled steel as he said firmly, "We won't lose him. We'll have to help him make sure Potter has no reason to remove him from the school. He can't fire someone based on the fact that he dislikes them."
"James Potter doesn't dislike Sev, Draco. He loathes him. If he had the chance and couldn't be blamed he'd outright murder him."
"He never will get the chance," Draco said softly, placing a kiss on his silky hair.
-D-N-S-D-
Lily Potter stood just outside the doors of Black Manor, hesitating. For one thing, the manor was imposing and overwhelming. It reeked of old power and pureblood lineage. Second, she was terrified of doing this. Sirius had every right to refuse to help her, even more so after the way she'd treated his son. He was apparently close to Severus as well and Lily had ruined her chances with her old friend years ago.
Finally she rapped twice on the heavy ebony doors. It swung inward without a sound, revealing a house elf dressed in black and silver. If she recognized him, this was Kreacher, head of the Black family house elves. "Hello Kreacher," she said timidly. "Is Sirius here?"
"Master Sirius is in the sitting room with company," Kreacher answered curtly.
"May I speak with him for a moment?"
The house elf gestured her inside and shut the door. "Wait a moment, Lady Potter."
With a crack the house elf disappeared. Lily took a few deep breaths to calm herself and waited quietly. It didn't take long for Kreacher to reappear and the house elf looked unhappy. "Follow me."
Lily accompanied the elf down the hallway, in awe and intimidated by the grand building. She had never seen the interior of the manor; James had been here once for Sirius' confirmation as Lord Black 18 years ago. Kreacher reached another door and bowed a little to her. "Through here," he said.
She pushed on the door and gulped quietly. Seated in a small, intimate semi-circle were Lucius Malfoy, Remus Lupin, Regulus, Sirius and Severus Snape. The last stared at her through cold ebony eyes, as unmoving as a statue. Remus had a hand entwined with Lucius Malfoy and watched her with wary amber eyes.
She had no more than stepped forward and taken the empty chair indicated when a hard, cold voice snapped, "What is she doing here?"
Lily looked up and froze. Har-Rial stood in the doorway, his Slytherin companions watching her with open disdain. His eyes were crackling with anger and resentment. Rial had every right to be looking at her like that, she winced at the thought but it was true.
"Rial," Sirius spoke for the first time in a mild tone of voice. "Come and sit and we shall find out. Treat her politely, please."
"If she does," was his reply. He pulled an ottoman over from by the tree and sat between his father and Regulus, who was watching her with a curious expression.
"My son does have the pertinent question however, why are you here?" Sirius asked mildly.
She lowered her eyes and gathered her courage. "I need legal help. I wish to break my marriage to James."
"Why?" Severus' dry, acerbic tone was a little harsh.
She looked up, eyes bright and angry. "Because I am tired of living in a wood and silk prison," she replied. "I have never been allowed to complete my schooling nor attempt at my own career. I was scheduled to enter Healer training at St. Mungo's and a month later, big surprise, I turn up pregnant. I do not wish for custody of Zachary, he's turning into as much of a jerk as his father."
Rial snorted. "You are just now noticing that?"
"Rial," she spoke softly, "I know it will never be enough, but I am sorry."
"You're right," he said coldly. "It never will be enough. I've suffered for 16 years under your treatment, your comments about my lack of intelligence. Sorry is never enough when I've been treated like an extension of the shadows since I was born. I can never control the circumstances of my birth but I can sure as hell make sure my parentage never shows your name. I have no mother and you are getting back what you've paid. Karma can be a bitch and you're meeting that side of it now."
He shoved himself off the ottoman and strode out with a curt, "Good day to you, Lady Potter."
By halfway through his little rant Lily had lowered her gaze to her hands, which were trembling. "I have totally messed up my life," she whispered.
Looking up, she just caught Regulus and his brother exchanging quick glances. Regulus was finally the one who spoke. "I have friends in the legal department who may be able to help you. I will have one of them contact you after the Order meeting on the 27th."
"Thank you," she whispered. "I'm sorry for interrupting your holiday, I'll leave now."
Kreacher escorted her back to the front doors and she proceeded to walk along the snowy path toward the end of the wards. The anger and hate she'd seen in Rial's eyes was frightening. If that was the way he felt about her, what about James? She shivered, determined to stay out of his way. She could respect his wish to avoid contact, which was the least she could do to ease the tension.