When most people thought about one Lord Sirius Orion Black there were often three main thoughts that came to mind immediately. First was his status as the last full blooded Black male which made him a target for greedy witches who wanted a part of him for his money. It was too bad for them that even as much as a womanizing playboy he was, he recognized a gold digger when he saw when and would not have any part of it. The second thought to come mind, it was irrelevant now, was that he was the adopted father of the Potter scion. This had innundated Sirius' study at Black manor with betrothal contracts for, then publicly recognized, Harrys hand to marry their daughter. Sirius had burned these to cinders when he received them and when it came out after their return from America that Harry Potter was actually Alexandria Potter the betrothals doubled in volume with families trying to get their hands on the Potter fortune for themselves. Those contracts were taken to a special permit required, not to think about the helfty cost of it was almost a thousand galleons, Ministry site that allowed the use of Fiendfyre and were destroyed with prejudice. Last but not least, considering the blowout with Dumbledores actions most knew that he was far more than just barely competent with a wand unlike most of magical Britain.
It was this last thought the counted for much of anything as he glared venomously down at Draco Malfoy pinned to the ground by his booted foot and his wand aimed between the boys eyes. "Say that again you arrogant ponce. Because last I checked your actions constituted assault on the heiress of an Ancient and Noble House. More than that, said heiress is my daughter" he said with a dangerous snarl.
Not too far from where Sirius and Draco were Alexandria spit the blood from her mouth as she glared at the blonde ferret who was technically her cousin. The moments leading up to this had been relatively mundane. She and Natasha had been studying in the library with their kids when Draco had stormed in making a big fuss about something she had apparently done that made Snape enraged against his snakes. She had made a silent hand gesture and gotten a nod from her wife before the kids & redhead were already moving away from the scene. Fighting back, first with words telling him to grow the fuck up and accept responsibility like a true man instead of a daddy dick riding little ferret he was was, had not been her smartest idea that day. Moments after her words had gone out an overpowered blasting curse caught the ground in front of her sending her flying into a bookshelf. Whatever he said was obviously funny to him as he laughed and looked smug before a cracked filled the air though initally she paid it no mind as she felt a small amount of blood trickle & fill into her mouth. "Toujours Pur." Her eyes glowed with a darkness as she stalked forward.
Sirius looked over to Alexandria and saw the inky darkness radiating from her eyes. Oh no, that was not a good sign. Being blood adopted and accepted by the Black family magic, well more accepted since the Potters and Blacks had mingled family trees, made Alex more of a true Black daughter & that meant bad things for family who sought harm against family. "Pup let m-"
"This is my fight father" Alexandria said icily. "Let the ferret up and let me deal with him."
Sirius shuddered internally as he stepped back and Draco coughed a few times getting air back into his lungs. The fight was not fair from the get go. Every spell Draco sent Alexandria swatted away with a flick of her wand and wailed on him with a combination of physical heavy handed strikes & bone breakingly overpowered curses. By the time Dumbledore and Minerva emerged into the library at a dead sprint with Filius in tow Alex had broken far more than a few bones in the blondes body. Dracos nose was broken, his collar bone was shattered to pieces, the bone of his arm broke through the skin of his arm & was exposed to open air and Sirius would bet a healthy amount of galleons she broke at least a handful of the boys ribs.
"What is going on here!" Dumbledores booming voice demanded.
Alexandria ignored the bearded wizard and grinned malevolently down at Dracos broken form. "Toujours Pur, the motto of the Black family. You are not Pure Draco, your father descends of goat fucking French immigrants who were deported by their native country for their perversions of beastiality. Your actions have deemed you worthy of the House of Blacks highest punishment" she said as her tone turned a relatively giddy and sadistic that was almost reminiscent of Bellatirix. Tendrils of black colored flames formed orbs at her fingertips before she gripped hard at the boys throat.
"Interfere in House Business and you both will be remanded to Azkaban til your trial" Sirius said noticing both adults going to help the grievously injured Malfoy heir as a scream to wake the dead erutped from him. "He publically demeaned and assaulted my daughter without provokation, the hiding witness will attest to that. As the heiress of House Black she is doing her duty and dealing with him for his trangressions. Do not take another step unless you wish to suffer the consequences not even your powers can keep you out of Chief Warlock" the Black lord said spitefully.
As Dracos scream died down to a raspy cough Alexandria stood and looked down at the grey colored orb in her hand. "Pitiful" she spat looking at the blonde motionless boy. He was still living but to say he'd be out of comission for a decent amount of time was an understatement. "You inherited so little of the Black family magic." Her eyes turned to Sirius as the magic zoomed to him and absorbed into the man. "He is by magic no longer considered of Black descent even if the family magic still recognizes his mother." She glanced back to the runes that now were carved so deeply into his neck. "Know your betters Malfoy, the next time you attack me I won't hesitate to kill you where you stand" she said before spitting one last time on the boy and passing by the adults.
Albus reached out to grab Alexandria to reprimand her for grievously injuring another student like that when Minerva shook her head at him stopping him in his tracks and mouthed to him about picking his battles. The law was on Sirius and Alexandrias side on this one. With as many witnesses in the library telling the same thing about Draco coming in and attacking the Potter girl not even the nearly over the top violent measures used to subdue and beat down the blonde hair boy could be punished.
"Sorry you all had to see that. Black family magic has a violent side to it that is quite visible at the worst of times when the creed our family swears by is violated. You girls and guy ok?" Alexandria asked looking to the first years. The triplets nodded their head though they were more than a little shaken, Karen was slightly better than the triplets though you could tell from the look in her eyes she was shaken too. Michael and Jane seemed to literally plant themselves in her sides the moment she sat down and began to fret over her, Jane with the cuts & bruises she could see while Michael took one blood stained and squeeze it gently.
Natahsa watched the scene with the sharp eyes of a moma wolf protecting her den as the six kids fretted over Alexandrias brusied form in their own ways though the brother-sister pair were the only one to be close enough to do so physically. "We need to get you out this school. Get them out of this school" she said as her eyes met her wifes own.
"Already ahead of you on that" Alexandria said as she tried to calm Jane with a soft look. "Jane I promise you on my honor as your older sister" in her head she said mother instead of sister though she wouldn't ever say it out loud for obvious and slightly less so obvious reasons "I'll be ok. I'd say you should see the other guy but that might give you bad dreams. A few potions to speed up the healing processes and get rid of the bruises & I'll be good as new."
" promise?" Jane asked as she dabbed a long slightly deep paper cut above Alexandrias brow lightly with her robes. "Sorry, just trying to help" she said apologizing as the elder raven haired witch winced a little.
"I promise and its ok. I know you're trying to help and I appreciate it, I appreciate all you trying to help by fretting over me but don't worry. I'm no porcelain doll that'll break so easily, trust me" Alexandria said freeing her hand from Michael and ruffled the boys hair.
"Too bad, thats what family does. We stick together, we worry about each other and when one of us is hurt we all pitch in to help who is hurt. You have to deal with us fretting over you sister" Karen said defiantly with a hand on her hip.
Amidst all this Natasha smiled a little to herself. Loyal to a default like Gryffindor values but the heart of a Hufflepuff badger for them, they had done well choosing them. 'No, Alex chose well. I can't take credit for us taking them under our protective paws' she thought. "Come on you lot, lets get the big brave conquering hero back to a soft bed and some potions to ease up on her pain" she said gently prying Jane free from Alexandrias side and helped the raven haired girl to her feet.
Jane, Michael, Karen and the triplets followed behind the two closely.
Back with Minerva, Dumbledore, the motionless but living Draco and Poppy Pomfrey Sirius looked down with disdain at the blonde boy being treated. "If things were truly just he would be left to suffer" the Black lord said with a dark look.
"You can't be serious! Draco is a boy-"
"Who openly and recklessly attacked my daughter witbout disregard for the laws or any innocent bystanders who could have been just as or worsely injured! Could you imagine the headlines now deputy headmistress? 'Headmaster Dumberledore and Deputy Headmistress ousted for failure to to protect students! "Hes just a boy" claims former deputy headmistress'. Listen to yourself and think without sucking off the old faggots bottle of rhetoric!" Sirius shot back with an equally loud tone of voice. "The Aurors will be called. I will have Draco arrested and brought to court for his crime. Count on that." Before Minerva or Dumbledore could stop Sirius disappeared through the library fireplace.
In their quarters Alexandria groaned as she was forced to drink a muscle relaxing potion, a bruise healing potion and a blood replenishing potion under Janes puppy dog eyes. "That look should be illegal" she said after swallowing the last foul tasting potion.
Janes pouted at that and looked away. It wasn't supposed to guilt Alexandria into it but Karen was right, being concerned about family meant doing everything to help them. "So-sorry" she said quietly feeling a little guilty now.
Alexandria felt bad now hearing the guilt tinge Janes words. She didn't mean to make the girl feel bad by saying that. The girl was too adorable, too hopeful of this new world she was in and looks like the one Alex had been given would lead to a lot things being done to the blonde witch she wouldn't wish on the girl she hated most. "Jane.. Come here" she said patting the bed beside her. When the girl climbed up on the bed she pulled the younger witch close and wrapped her in a warm embrace as she let her chin rest on the girls head. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad saying. Its just... I care about you kids a lot. Its my job to worry about you and your siblings ya know" she said as her fingers ran lightly through the blonde locks relaxing the younger witch. "When you look at me like you did it does two things to me. One, it makes me more protective of you. But just as much it makes me worry more about you Jane" she said in a soft tone.
"Why does it make you worry more?" Jane asked as she snuggled into Alexandrias soft frame.
"Because there are people out there, a lot of people, who would abuse the trust and faith you show when you look at me, Natasha or your siblings that way. You're a sweet gentle soul and thats one of the things we all adore about you but the magical world is a cruel place in some parts of the globe, particularly here in Britain when it comes to womens rights. Though none of your siblings, myself or Natasha would abuse that faith in us you look at us with, far too many would in a heartbeat" Alexandria said as she nuzzled the fine golden threads that tickled her nose
From the doorway to their bedroom Natasha half listened to the quiet conversation while keeping a watchful eye on the other kids in the common area who were doing bomework. Though it was happening sooner than planned, they had planned on having this talk with Jane. They needed her to understand that as much as she wanted to believe the magical world was a new exciting adventure she had to treat it with an extreme helping of caution more than the mundane side of the world. "Hey Michael, come here for a second could you?" she asked making motion with her finger.
Karen and the triplets raised an eyebrow before motioning him to go.
"Whats up?" Michael asked as he stopped beside Natasha.
"I wanted to feel out what your sister might think about Alex and I offering you two something that will better protect you two in this side of the world" Natasha said keeping an eye on Alexandria and Jane as they talked.
"Why ask just me then? If it involves us both why not ask us both directly?" Michael asked raising an eyebrow.
"Number one" Natasha pointed through the doorway to the bedroom "Alex and Jane are having another conversation that had to be had, one about her hopeful nature about this side of the world and how not everyone is like us or the girls" she said gesturing to the triplets and Karen who were laughing at some joke. "Number two, you're her twin. Her confidante, one of her best friends. You'd have the best idea of knowing how she'd react. Most importantly, it would change a few things permanently."
Michael looked up with a completely serious and equally suspicious gleam in his eyes. "What do you mean change a few things permanently?" he asked.
Natasha drew one of her wands and erected a privacy bubble. "Look, we know you two have told us all your mother is dead and you never talk about your dad so that means you never knew him or you became wards of the state because of something he did. If neither of you wants to say, thats fine as far as Alexandria and I are concerned. We don't and won't pry where painful memories may or may not lie" she started saying as she raised a hand in motion for him to let her say her piece. "Alex and I studied a lot of different magics over the summer before we came back here. Its obvious she adores all you kids but particularly you and Jane. She has broached to me us offering to you and your the chance to undergo an adoption ritual. Theres two kinds, one is a Sibling Adoption where we would truly become your sisters in not just sentiment but blood."
Michael blinked in shock at that. "And the other?" he asked.
"That one.. Well its a little more involved. I won't lie to you to Michael, it kind of started as a joke. After she offered us up to be big sisters to you guys I jokingly called you all our kids the next morning when we were getting ready to meet you all for breakfast. She was shocked at first and did a double take on me but I swear to god I saw her eyes light up." Natasha paused for a moment before continuing. "Even though we call you kids and treat you like younger siblings while watching over you I know the thought has stuck with her. At least in part. I know Alex loves me and she adores the other girls but you and your sister? She treats you like her own children. Dotes on Jane, tries to contribute as much to giving you the books you need to be a better wizard. I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled you both aside one of these days for a very similar conversation."
"So this second option would be us-"
"Theoretically accepting the fact of becoming mine and Alexs adopted kids, yes" Natasha said finishing the sentence for the stunned boy. "Michael, neither Alex or I ever want to replace someone who you loved so fiercely but the magical side of the world is a cruel place. Britain is one of the worst offenders for women and muggleborn witches or wizards. If you two went either way theoretically you would have a system that is rigged against you from the start suddenly kowtowing to your whims because in theory you would be a Potter, one of the oldest families in Britain and the political power tied to the name as well as its wealth would scare off most who would try to bring either of you harm & think they could get away with it scott free."
Michael was silent for a good whole nearly five minutes as his eyes drifted between the redhead and the bedroom where his sister lay curled up with the raven haired witch. "Theoretically speaking, what would we have to do for the second option?" he asked once his thoughts settled.
"Not much. A few drops of blood, a ceremonial ritual and signing a few pieces of official perwork with Gringotts" Natasha said. "Are you sure thats what your sister would choose?"
"Look at them." Michael pushed off the wall to the shimmering edge of the privacy bubble. "I know that look on my sisters face Natasha. I haven't seen her like that in a long time. That happy that someone other than me cares enough about her to be gentle but brutally honest with her about the world around us" he said peering at them as Jane nuzzled into the hollow of Alexandrias throat. "She treats Alex like she used to treat mom too, talks about her the same way too. Same awe, same loving respect and admiration that Alex is so strong but wise despite her age." Chocolate eyes softened as he gripped the doorframe. "No one can or ever will replace mom but I think two strong women who decided to take us under their wings to guide us and help take care of us have shown more than enough strength of heart and depth of care to be given that chance to be something my sister already treats your beloved like." His eyes turned to look over at Natasha once more. "I'm not just certain, I know it for fact. Just don't expect me to call you or her mom right away after all is said or done. I've gotten used to thinking of you both as the big sisters you were offered to be."
Despite the seriousness of it all Natasha laughed as she pulled Michael to her and gave him a light hug as she ruffled his hair. "I wasn't going to expect you to. Like I said neither Alex or I want to replace her. We just want to protect you kids" she said tightening her embrace just a touch. "Hell, I wouldn't even expect you to call me mom if you didn't want to. If you wanted to come up with something unqiuely for me, thats fine. You just want to use my name or even Nat like Alex does most of the time, thats fine too. Just knowing you two are protected out of harms way from some asshole wizard who has this notion his pure wizarding geneology going back x number of generations automatically makes him better than you and your sister is all the peace of mind we want for ourselves & you two."
Michaels body loosened in the embrace as he closed his eyes. If he was honest it was a rather attractive idea on the surface. Alexandria amd Natasha were already filling the position of being a mom quite well. They kept a closer eye on him, Jane and the other girls than any older sisters would & their willingness to go the extra mile made it clear they cared not just for their safety but their happiness too. "I'd prepare for Jane to squeal and try to hug you two to death" he said chuckling lightly leaning into the hug.
"Already thougbt she might."
Karen and the triplets raised their eyebrows looking over to the pair. The words were obscured by some charm so they didn't hear the conversation but the subject seemed to be solved pleasingly enough. "So anyone want to go ask what all that was about?" the asian witch asked finishing her charms essay with a flourish. Three resounding head shakes was her answer. "Yeah, you three are right. If its inportant they'll tell us later." She closed the reference book and set her essay aside so the ink could dry before pulling out her roll of parchment and measured out sixteen inches for her History of Magic essay before carefully removing the section with an box cutter that Alex and Natasha kept around for opening mail.
Down in the infirmary Poppy Pomfrey flitted too and fro gathering the necessary potions to treat Dracos injuries. "Albus, young Mr. Malfoys injuries will heal up fine but this" she grimaced as she pointed to the runes in his neck "refuse to go away no matter what potion or spell I try to use on it. Do you know what Mrs. Potter did to him to leave this behind on him?" the frustrated healer asked. It wasnrare for her to be at a loss for how to treat an injury and she was not particularly happy to be in situations like this.
"Unfortunately Poppy, that is not something a Healer like yourself can remove or treat. Not to my knowledge anyways" Dumbledore said as his lips drew into a grim line. Even being unable to keep Sirius from explaining, demanding an explanation everyone else around him would no doubt say, he was able to come up with a theory based on the look of the runes and what Alexandria had said.
Poppy scowled at that. If the cause of something like this eluded Dumbledore than that was potentially really bad. "Explain yourself Albus. Being unable to treat something this serious could cost me my Healers license since Mr. Malfoy would beyond a shadow of doubt tell his father some tall tale about my refusing to even try helping him and we both know Lucius would be the first one to call for my job to be stripped & my Healers license revoked" she said crossing her arms across her chest.
"In the old days families and Houses had more common cases of people trying to more quickly ascend the power ladder. When this became a big enough problem many of the heads of those Houses or families reaching a breaking point where they created forms of punishment to make the guilty parties suffer. Nowadays the magic is heavily frowned upon and most would call it Black Magic Art that should be punishable by being Kissed" Dumbledore began as he took a seat and rubbed his temples.
"So what? That doesn't explain why the wounds refuse to heal" Poppy said sharply.
"I was getting there" Dumbledore said with a snappy tone. "Many of the families and Houses have either done away with completely or solely used these forms of magic now for the most extreme of slights. The House of Black has the most severe form of punishment magic out. Toujours Pur, Always Pure, is not just a motto and creed the Blacks swear by. I have seen only one other example of this family magic being used on another of Black descent. What has been done to Mr. Malfoy is for all intents and purposes a branding of Draco being labelled a traitor to the House of Black, Mrs. Potter and Sirius are the only ones with the authority to do so as Heiress and Lord of the House respectively. I can only surmise that after physically beating and battering young Draco here with spells powerful enough to break bones she quite literally called upon family magic to brand him a traitor in a way he would never be able to hide & tore our the bit of Black family magic that he inherited from his mother Narcissa. Magic that was absorbed into Sirius as Lord Black."
Poppys eyes widened in shock and disgust. Branding magics were outlawed ages ago and punishable by a stint in Azkaban. "Branding was made-"
"Punishment magic forged and kept record. Old family magic that makes it legal if only just barely" Dumbledore cut off the matron. "More importantly, there are bigger problems at hand. Sirius has sworn to have Draco arrested for his crime and that the Aurors will drag him to see due justice. I highly doubt Sirius will care if the boy is bedbound when they come and take him."
Poppys eyes narrowed at that. She was aware of the no love lost between Sirius and Dumbledore but would the Black Lord really be so callous to not care about the injured state of a boy and drag him to court in such a state? A part of her that was clinciallyd detached, as all healers should be her instructor a career mediwitch at St. Mungos would argue, said yes he would. Alexandria Potter was his daughter and Draco had attacked her openly without care or direct provokation. "I guess that I should make sure he is able to travel by the time the Aurors get here shouldn't I?" she asked rhetorically already going through the motions for a bone mending spell on the unconscious boy.
"It won't come t-"
"You're out of touch with reality if you think you can cover this up and make it go away" Poppy said sharply. "The number of witnesses, the memory evidence that is first hand sight from Alexandria Potter herself, her wife and the first years they were helping study will be damning enough. Add in the other witness statements Albus and if you do try to make this go away hy covering it up I have no doubt in my mind the public will hear about this in the most vicious humiliating way for you leading to you very well looking at a situation where your credibility is shot to the point where I have no doubt people would believe the swill written by Rita Skeeter than a word that escapes your mouth. Not only that but I can very well see that your position as Headmaster here would very surely be in jeopardy." The matron paused in her motions as her eyes locked with the dark blue orbs of the aged wizards. "If no one believes a word you say and you get kicked out of the position of Headmaster here at Hogwarts for attempting to cover up and make go away Draco Malfoy brazenly attacking Alexandria Potter in broad daylight, the Lady of House Potter and Heiress of House Black, it would be short work for people to call for no confidence votes for your position of Chief Warlock in the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump of the ICW. Play this like one of your games you play using everyones lives everyday Albus. Sacrifice this pawn and live another day because despite your bravado about caringnfor all your students equally we both know you could give two heaps of dragon dung less for children of Death Eaters. Don't try to say I'm wrong either, lying to a trained Healer is impossible and even career politicians like you can't slip one past me.. Now get the bloody hell out of my ward."
A/N: wow, talk about kitty having claws and being in a hissy mood. Whats going to happen to Draco? What are our two Lady Potters going to do about the brother-sister pair? How did serious get into Hogwarts when Draco attack Alex? Find out next chapter.