After making sure his Nasty Master was tucked into bed Kreacher set about starting his plan to help the man. Scowling at the filthy man dirtying everything he touched, including the letter from Master Regulus, the house elf decided he should first make sure his Nasty Master wouldn't die while he was out. With a snap of his fingers, Kreacher had his Nasty Master cleaned and put into clean clothing. He scowled at having to do this for the man, but he knew Master Regulus would have wanted it.
After making sure the man didn't smell any longer, Kreacher popped to the kitchen to make his Nasty Master food. He wasn't sure how long he would be gone, as Master had only said get help and Kreacher needed to do the rest of planning himself. Inconsiderate Master making the poor elf's job that much more difficult. After a small, easy to eat meal had been fixed, the house elf made sure to put it near enough his Master that he would find it and put it under a house elf warming and stasis charm to keep it perfect.
Grumbling about ungrateful Nasty Master who didn't deserve such wonderful brothers like Master Regulus Kreacher finally deemed his Nasty Master ready to leave alone. With a snap he left the room, Sirius not even moving at the noise.
When Kreacher popped away he knew right away where he was headed. Since Nasty Master needed help with his brain, the house elf was going to the best brain wizard he knew. Master Regulus had mentioned the man once or twice before, as a friend and since the man was a friend of Master Regulus surely the man could help Nasty Master find Master Regulus' baby, right?
House elves, always knew where the people they wanted to find where. That's not to say that they knew where everyone was, just the people they wanted to find. Of course, the people had to be able to be found, otherwise like with Master Regulus' baby they couldn't find them. Finding the brain wizard was easy, he was in the wizard school, in his room. Kreacher popped in easily startling the wizard enough to make him drop his drink.
Kreacher sneered when the wizard when for his wand. Stupid wizard, Kreacher was old enough and strong enough to stop him. The house elf snapped and greasy, brain wizard was frozen. "You are brain wizard, Master Regulus talked about." He stated glaring at the frozen wizard. Kreacher unfroze the man's mouth so he could answer.
"Release me now, elf!" The frozen man shouted trying thrash about but unable to. The house elf watched unamused and repeated his statement. "Yes, yes you blasted creature. I knew your Master. Now release me!" Snape roared.
The house elf nodded and snapped his fingers again, still ignoring the swearing wizard he had frozen with his magic, with said magic, Kreacher popped himself and his passenger to his next destination. When they appeared, this time in a foyer of what appeared to be a very large and well kept house, Kreacher waited until another house elf appeared in front of him.
"What can Dobby, for yous?" The younger house elf, asked old Kreacher. Dobby ignore the frozen wizard behind the house elf, he had honestly seen stranger in his Master's home.
Kreacher scowled at the other elf. "My Master is wanting to see Mrs. Malfoy-Black." Dobby nodded and popped away to get the lady of the house. It only took a moment before Dobby reappeared.
"Mistress see you now. You wants Dobby to be watching yous wizard?" The young elf asked Kreacher , who nodded and popped away to see Narcissa Malfoy. Leaving little Dobby with the frozen Severus Snape. Looking to the left and to the right, the house elf reached out and gave the wizard a tiny shove. The frozen wizard wobbled and to Dobby's amazement fell to the ground.
"Oops."
Kreacher bowed low before Lady Malfoy and waited until she allowed him to speak. "Speak elf, I do not have all day."
"Yes, Lady Malfoy, Kreacher has message from Lord Black-"
"Lord Black? I did not know another had been appointed." Narcissa interrupted, but she recognized the elf from the one her aunt Walburga had in service so she knew it had to be true.
Kreacher gave the witch a nasty look but continued not answering her question. "Lord Black, requires your presence. It involves the good of the House of Black." The old elf knew that no matter what Lady Malfoy was going to accompany him, he had spoken the magic words. 'Requires you,' and 'For the good of the House.' While she had married into a new line she was still a daughter of the House owed the House of Black.
Narcissa knew that well enough, "Immediately I assume?" It wasn't much of a question and she rose to her feet. "I must attend my son and then I will meet my Lord Black at the Black family home." Kreacher bowed low and waited for the Lady of the House to leave the room before popping out to retrieve his frozen wizard.
Kreacher said nothing when he found the young elf standing over his frozen wizard that had somehow found himself face down on the floor. The older elf just smirked and popped away without a word. He still had work to do before the Lady arrived.
Depositing the still frozen brain wizard into an unused room, Kreacher turned his attention to his Nasty Master. He quickly popped to his room and found Sirius still asleep and Kreacher grinned nastily to himself. He snapped his fingers and a stream of cold water hit the sleeping wizard.
Sirius sat up with a start, at first he thought he was back in Azkaban, with the guards waking him with his weekly 'bath.' "You bastards!" He yelled lurching himself into a sitting position eyes flashing wildly, teeth bared ready to fight.
The vindictive house elf squawked and threw himself backward avoiding the dangerous wizard. "Kreacher sorry Master! Sorry, Master!"
It took a moment for everything to sink in, but eventually Sirius came back to himself and glared at the house elf. " Do not ever do that again." His voice was so dangerous and so cold that even Kreacher took his Master seriously.
"Yes, Master. Never again. Forgive poor old Kreacher!" The house elf wailed still fearful for his life.
Sirius glared at the elf but after several deep calming breaths managed to cool his temper enough to speak normally. "You are never to do that again." The house elf nodded again and began bashing his head on the floor, until Sirius' voice stopped him. "Stop that, stupid elf. You aren't to punish yourself. If I think you need punishment I'll take care of it." The animagus took another deep breath before continuing. "Why did you wake me?"
Kreacher eyed his Master wearily. "Master told Kreacher to get help, last night during his fit. Kreacher does as Master says. Kreacher a good elf."
Sirius snorted and looked around, "I don't remember asking you to get me anything, elf." He raised an eyebrow when he noticed the food but when his stomach rumbled painfully he quickly gave in and grabbed the plate. When he felt the warmth of the plat both eyebrows shot to the top of his head. Never had Kreacher treated him so well, for a moment he worried it was poisoned but then he remember Regulus' letter from the night before. The wards protected the Lord of the house. "Tell me what you have going on."
Kreacher bowed slightly to his Nasty Master and explained. "Nasty Master is needing help. Kreacher is getting it. Brain wizard for his brain and Black witch to find Master Regulus's son."
Sirius paused, mouth full, when he heard the sentence. "Kreacher who have you brought into the House?"
"Brain wizard. Black witch will be here soon. Nasty Master has to be ready!" Kreacher said hurried. He snapped his fingers and an outfit appeared at the foot of the bed. "Nasty Master's Lord Black clothes."
Sirius stared at the house elf confused. "When is she going to be here?" Just as the words left his mouth the doorbell rang loudly, echoing throughout the house. "Go stall her, I'll get ready." Kreacher nodded left the room before Sirius could ask the most important question. Just who Kreacher had invited?
Sighing, Sirius finished up his food quickly, rubbing a hand over his face he winched at the beard he had grown during his imprisonment. He didn't have enough time to properly groom himself, so he changed into the robes that he was sure once belonged to his father. Feeling like a fool, Sirius left his room, feeling weak and grumbling about stupid elves that needed to learn to listen.
It didn't take him long to find his elf and guest, the reason it didn't take long was the horrible scream that echoed throughout the house. Sirius ran toward the noise, finding them just inside the door. Where he had fallen when he entered the house the first time. "Kreacher ! What's wrong with her?" He yelled crouching down next to the woman, who he recognized as his cousin Narcissa, the one who married Lucius Malfoy.
"Kreacher knows not, Nasty Master." The house elf said over the pained screaming, wringing his hands.
Sirius swore and could do nothing as he sat there and let his cousin scream in pain. After what seemed like hours she stopped screaming and just laid there eyes closed, and breathing ragged. Sirius came to a decision. "Kreacher, get her the same potions you got me. I'll take her to the drawing room." Even with his diminished strength, Sirius was able to scoop his cousin up and after a second of wobbling he managed to walk up the staircase and into the drawing room.
Just as Sirius got Narcissa onto a very dusty sette, Kreacher appeared in the room clutching the same potions that he had given Sirius the night before. " Make sure she take you're done, get us refreshments." Without watching his elf help his cousin Sirius instead turned to the family tapestry that covered the whole wall across from where he had placed Narcissa.
Sirius found his spot on the wall easily, next to Regulus there was a burn spot that his mother had gleefully made when he ran away from home to his boyfriend's parents house. Sirius' eyes didn't linger on his own name but instead traced the three lines that came from his name and lead to those of his children. It seemed that after she blasted him off, she didn't take much care about keeping his children off the tapestry. It was with bated breath that he finally looked upon the names of his twins. Frederick Sirius Potter-Black and George Remus Potter-Black. As soon as he looked at their name memories of his twins swarmed him. He remembered their first bath, he and James had been soaked. Their first accidental magic, they had turned their poor run down parents orange and purple. Sirius felt tears pool in his eyes as he remember his last memory with his babies, all of his babies.
"Good night, my little Marauder!" Sirius said nuzzling little Harry's nose as he leaned down to kiss the 15 month old good night.
"Paddy, Paddy! We want kisses too!" Little Freddy said bouncing his in baby bed, little George nodding and chanting too.
James laughed and swooped down to kiss his twins, " I see how it is. You love your Paddy more, fine I'll just go love on Harry he loves his Daddy, don't you baby?" James pressed a light kiss to the nose of the sleepy toddler.
Paddy grinned and eagerly traded places with his husband he scooped his twins up into a hug and grinned at his husband. "Aww, don't be like that boys, be nice to your Daddy." Sirius happily gave both of his boys a kiss and settled them under the covers swiftly.
James met Sirius' eyes and Sirius could feel the love and happiness pouring from his husband. This was the kind of nights he lived for, he loved bedtimes and bath time and family time. Sirius thrived as a father and as a husband. With tiny little eyes closing as they drifted off to sleep, Sirius and James left the room giving their boys one last look before closing the door. "Happy Halloween, love." James whispered nose to nose with Sirius.
"Master, Lady guest is awake." Kreacher said breaking his memory and bringing Sirius back to the present. Shaking his head, Sirius turned to give his cousin an expectant look. He wasn't sure what she had remember but he didn't want to be at the end of her want when she learned who did it.
"Welcome back, cousin. Aren't you glad you came?" He asked mockingly.
Narcissa hissed as she pushed herself upward, her hand quickly going for her wand. Kreacher noticed too, with a quick snap the witches wand was firmly grasped in Sirius' hand. The wizard shot the elf a quick look but quickly turned his attention back to his cousin.
"Who are you? What have you done to me!" She hissed furiously. Sirius noticed she was slightly unstable and if she was feeling anything he had last night, she was more than miserable.
"Just relax and let the healing potions kick in fully. We can talk after that." Sirius said. He no longer felt like standing and carelessly flopped onto the ground in front of the sette, Narcissa's wand still clasped in his hand. The blonde witch scowled and glared daggers at the seated man. "Kreature go check on the other guest. I'll talk to 'cissa." The house elf left without a word leaving the cousins alone in the drawing room.
"Tell me why I'm here! My husband is very influential and you will pay for the tampering you did to my mind!" Narcissa said firmly, expecting the man to start talking as soon as she threatened him.
Sirius snorted and laughed, "Really? Really 'cissa? You have to threaten me with ol' Lucius? When we were kids, you were enough of a threat for most people." In both sets of memories he and his cousins hadn't really gotten along as children, not counting Andromeda, it wasn't until after Hogwarts when the twins were born that he and Narcissa had started really getting close.
Sirius watched as his cousins face twisted in confusion before recognition hit her. "Sirius?" She asked softly.
"In the flesh, cousin. Are things making sense now?" He asked eagerly. The woman took a moment to really assess herself before shaking her head.
"Nothing makes any sense, Sirius, and if you do not start explaining, I will make dear, Bella, seem like the kind one." Narcissa's threat was not idle. While Bellatrix was well known as the crazy one, even as children Narcissa was the one to watch out for. No one ever expected her.
Sirius held his hands up, her wand still dangling mockingly, "All right, all right. Calm down, come here 'cissa, I want you to see something." Pushing himself up he dusted off his backside and walked over to the tapestry that he had been admiring minutes before. Instead of going to his to his own name, he instead went to Narcissa's. He waited for his cousin to join him. He said nothing about her weakness when she wobbled nor her slow pace as she took the few steps to stand next to him. Not meeting her curious gaze, he instead tapped her want on her name and let her eyes do the rest.
The blond witch's eyes followed her wand to her own name. There was a line connecting her to her husband, Lucius and from them a line to their son Draco, it was the second line coming from her and her husband to a second child, that caught her attention. Cassiopeia Lucille Malfoy, born August 29, 1981. A gasp escaped her lips and her eyes stared unseeingly at the name of her daughter. A daughter that until she stepped into the House of Black she didn't remember.
"How is this possible? Until I entered this house, I-I did not even remember her name." The poor mother sounded heart broken and Sirius knew he had a new ally.
"I don't know, 'cissa. At least you still had Draco, who ever they were they took all three of my boys." His voice broke half way through the sentence and his cousin's eyes darted to his face before searching out the three names that were her cousin's sons. "Regulus' son is missing as well. Whoever did this didn't limit themselves to us though, I know too more families that are broken and missing children."
Narcissa had gone back to staring at the name beside Draco's longing evident. She had longed for a daughter but after a healer told her she could no longer have children she had thrown away the dream. To find out that she had a daughter, out there somewhere, that had been taken away from her, made her Black blood cry out for revenge. "I remember her now. She was the sweetest little girl. Even when the man took her, she didn't cry." The identity of the man who had stolen her daughter escaped her, all she could remember was the heartbroken look on daughters face as she softly cried out for her mother.
"I need your help, Narcissa. I want my boys back." Sirius said softly, his fingers resting lightly on their names. "I've lost five years with them. My eldest are eight now, they'll be off to Hogwarts in three years. I have to get them back."
"We will get them back, Sirius. All of them, and when I find out who took them they will pay." She met her cousins eyes, no longer caring if the memories she had conflicted and if what he proposed was far fetched and a little crazy. She was a mother looking for her daughter and she would do anything to get her back. "Give me my wand, Sirius. We need to see who else your elf brought here."
Sirius sighed but handed over her wand, after the letter from his brother he trusted the wards to protect him and his cousins drive to get her daughter back. "Alright, come on. There is no telling who he dragged in here. All he told me was 'brain wizard'." Sirius looked his cousin, suddenly worried about her health. He had felt horrible after his memories returned to him. "Are you okay, 'cissa? I had a rough time after the wards tore up my head, how are you handling it?"
Narcissa smiled tightly, "I am fine Sirius. Unlike, you, I did not just escape the most secure prison in the world. I can handle a little head pain." As if to prove it, she walked now steadily to the door of the drawing room and looked back to her cousin. "Coming Sirius?"
The black haired man rolled his eyes and followed his cousin, "Kreacher !" The elf appeared in front of the two Blacks. "Where did you put our other guest?" The elf quietly lead them to a room down the hall and disappeared with a low bow.
"Do you have any idea who he brought?" Sirius asked his cousin, unwilling to open the door. It obviously wasn't another Black, as they were all either dead or in prison at this point. Plus Sirius would have bet they would have been screaming in pain the same and he and Narcissa did. The blond shook her head and opened the door carefully.
Sirius groaned dramatically when he saw the familiar dark greasy hair and sallow face. There asleep on the floor was Severus Snape. Not the man he wanted to see without his memory unblocked. Sirius could easily pull up the fake memories of his interaction with Severus. It was nothing good. In fact, Sirius was sure that if the man woke up and didn't let them explain he would be dead before you could say Avada Kedavra. "Well, since I am not a face that he will want to see when he wakes, why don't you explain what's going on and I will go-"
"No. You will be here." Narcissa said, in a no nonsense voice. "Now stand back, he's stirring." Sirius eagerly scuttled back and left only Narcissa in Severus' line of sight. "Wake up, Severus, wake up."
The potions master groaned softly before jerking to attention. His memories quickly caught up with his waking mind. His hand that he never had a chance to draw against the house elf, was quickly pointed at the Lady Malfoy with a snarl etched across Severus' face. "You have twenty seconds to explain yourself, before I make you explain yourself."
Narcissa didn't even blink. "Severus Snape, you will remove your wand from my face or I will make you do so. This is my home and I will not be treated like this here." Severus' wand didn't move. "Severus, I will make you lower your wand. Do it now." The two Slytherins stared each down, neither giving until finally Severus lowered his wand. "Thank you. Now we can discuss this like civilized people." With a quick flick of her wand Severus found himself bound and wandless. Narcissa tossed her cousin Severus' wand and tucked her own away, all the while ignoring his angry hisses and curses.
"Sirius, do we have a plan on how to convince him?" Narcissa was as cool as ice, ignoring the thrashing and angry wizard all of her focus on her cousin. Sirius looked thoughtful for a moment before he had an idea.
"Kreacher!" the house elf appeared as soon as his name was called. "Get my pensieve." With a snap the elf was gone and Narcissa simply raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. A moment later the elf reappeared with the basin. "Thank you Kreacher , please prepare a...whatever meal this would be. I'm sure we could all use refreshments after this." The elf bowed and disappeared with another light crack.
Sirius turned to his cousin and 'guest', "I have a memory that will be the perfect proof. We simply need to do some explaining first." The dog animagus waved to his cousin. "Go ahead, you've got this 'cissa."
The Malfoy smiled mockingly, both free people still ignoring the angry shouts of the their guest. "I think not dear cousin, after all I still have not had everything 'explained' to me." With a wave of her wand, Narcissa silenced the angry potions master and primly situated her on one of the sturdiest looking chairs to room held. "Go on, cousin."
Sirius glared at his cousin and not willing to risk the rickety chairs like Narcissa, he flopped back on the floor. Years of Azkaban made it so he could get comfortable anywhere. "Where to begin." He pondered aloud. "I guess I could start at my wedding." Sirius laughed at the look on Severus' face. "Yes, Sev. My wedding, on January 3, 1978 I married James Charlus Potter, the love of my life." Sirius laughed at the face, the potions master pulled. " Then on April 1st that same year James and I welcomed the first two members of our new family. Fred and George Potter-Black, beautiful twin boys that I love with all I have." Sirius paused and took a deep breath. "I also have another son, little Harry James, and until I escaped Azkaban and entered this house I hadn't remembered them. In fact, I found that I had forgotten a lot of stuff. I forgot some of my best friends, I forgot my family and that is not acceptable."
Severus was now sitting still and even without the silencing spell, Sirius knew he would be quiet. "The reason you are here, is I guess, because my house elf figured you would be helpful with the memory issues we are all having. Even my elf had heard of you mental magic skills. That's something, Snape!" The captive wizard didn't move or react, so Sirius continued. "So that's it. Someone, we aren't sure who destroyed all of our lives and we," he motioned to Narcissa who looked grim. "Are not willing to sit by and let it continue."
Sirius walked toward the basin that Kreacher had left and quickly replaced the memories in it back into his mind and after a moment of thought, he placed one back in their place. Turning back to his audience, Sirius smiled grimly, "This is why you should care Severus. You are a master occlumens so you can tell when someone tampers with a memory. Watch this and when you come out, we will talk."
Narcissa twitched and the bonds released the wizard and knowing he really didn't have a choice he cautiously, stepped up to the pensieve. "Go ahead, Sev. We will be in the kitchen when you are done. Call Kreacher and he will take you to us." The two Blacks watched as the potions master unwillingly dived into the memories.
"Come on 'cissa, Sev will not want us here when he comes out." Sirius said tugging on his cousin's arm gently. Narcissa nodded her agreement and followed Sirius to the kitchen where Kreacher had a light meal on the table ready. As they sat, the house elf, eagerly poured them tea. "Thanks, Kreacher ." Sirius said tiredly. He had only been out of Azkaban a few days and he was seriously feeling the effects. "What time is it?" He asked taking a drink of his tea.
"Ten after four in the afternoon, Nasty Master." Kreacher told his master. Sirius ignored the amused look from his cousin and instead focused on his early supper/late lunch.
Narcissa calmly sipped at her tea looking the picture of pureblood perfection. "Sirius, I am moving my family into Grimmauld Place." She paused for barely a moment. "I will not risk my family again. Grimmauld Place is the safest place for them, after all Cassiopeia was taken from the mansion." Sirius saw the emotion cross her face and he honestly couldn't say no. "You will also be seeing a healer, as you have just escaped Azkaban, you are obviously in need of one." Her tone left no room for argument.
"When can I expect them?" Sirius asked starting on his food. Kreature had kept in mind his rather delicate state and kept the food light yet filling.
"After I finish my tea, I will returning to the mansion and retrieving my husband and son." She saw the look on Sirius' face but didn't comment, instead she just took another small drink of her tea. "Lucius will understand the situation and after Severus is more amenable we will have him help Lucius with his mental blocks."
As much as he didn't want Lucius Malfoy in his home, he had never really gotten along with his cousin's husband. "Fine. I know that I won't be able to change your mind." Sirius took a drink from his own cup and nodded. "In fact, I think it's a good idea. Better safe than sorry. Reg did say this place was the safest place to be."
"You've heard from Regulus? I thought he died after his son was born?" While her memories were not all in order she could remember what had happened to her youngest cousin.
Sirius shook his head, "No, he left a letter, that I wish I would have found before the whole mess started. I wish I would have found the bloody letter before the idiot took off." He felt his irritation at his brother cross his face. "I never paid much attention to my father but Reg, did. He reminded me that the protections the old man put up are some of the strongest outside of Hogwarts and Gringotts."
The two sat in silence for a few moments before a roar of rage broke the stillness. Sirius winced, knowing that Severus had undone his own mental blocks and was more than furious. "Go, I'll deal with Sev." Narcissa gave him a doubtful look but instructed Kreacher to ready the floo and left Lord Black to deal with his angry friend.
When he reached the door Sirius almost wished that he had left with Narcissa. Severus had always had a nasty temper and only Lily had ever been able to go toe to toe with him when he was like this. Of course if Lily was here then there would not even be an issue. Steeling his nerves, Sirius left the potions master's wand outside the door and entered it, knowing that he was going to get a very angry welcome.