The next day the House of Black was a flurry of movement. The two house elves had been instructed the night before that they were to finish cleaning the house that had been empty since the death of Sirius' mother and to tend to Draco. Lucius and Severus had risen early to begin their task, between the two of them they had managed a portkey for Kingsley and Lucius had a meeting with the minister at 11 am. It was Lucius' hope that they would be able to get the support they needed as soon as possible. At nine Severus bid the Black's and Malfoy farewell and flooed back to Hogwarts to be ready when Lucius arrived.
Narcissa was doing well with her tasks as well. She had found a law that would allow Lucius to demand a trial for Sirius under the guise of trying to get Draco to be the Black heir. The pureblood woman was beginning the paperwork over mid morning tea, when Sirius joined her at the table.
"Lucius and Sev already leave for the day?" He asked looking as if he hadn't gotten any sleep at all the night before. Narcissa nodded and continued her work. Sirius just shook his head and started on the small meal that the house elves had placed in front of him.
The two Blacks sat in silence each focusing on what was in front of them for a long time. It was Narcissa who finally broke the silence, never once looking up from her papers, "I have arranged for a healer to come to Grimmauld this afternoon to see to you." It wasn't a, 'cousin will you allow a healer to see you.' Or a 'you need a healer', it was instead a firm, 'you need a healer and I found one. Deal with it.' Sirius honestly wasn't very surprised he had thought it would take her more than just day for arrange one but he had been expecting it.
His cousins had been brought up strong women, each knowing that they would be married off and expected to produce heirs. It was their father that insisted that they be brutal tacticians and powerful witches, because of that the Black sisters were some of the best witches that had ever attended Hogwarts and everyone knew it.
"I knew I never should have allowed you partial access to the wards." Sirius groused into his food. He missed the smirk on his cousin's face before she continued speaking.
"I expect you disappearance from Azkaban will be noticed sometime soon." It was only lack of guard/prisoner interaction that allowed his escape to go unnoticed for so long. "When they announce you have escaped, we will begin the process of having you freed. Right now there is no reason for us to use the law, since we have not already done so. It would be suspicious if we tried before they announce your escape." Narcissa explained to Sirius. Sirius nodded, he didn't like it and he wanted to be free now, he had never been a patient man.
"Sirius." Narcissa gave her cousin a stern look, "This also means we cannot attempt to get your children before you are freed." She ignored his heartbroken look and continued. "I am sorry, cousin, but it is safer this way. For everyone."
Suddenly his appetite was gone. While realistically he knew that she was right it wasn't something he wanted to think about. He had been without his family for five years, why did he have to wait even a second longer to get them back. It wasn't fair. Sullenly the man abandoned his food and retreated up to his childhood bedroom. It was time to start that letter to Remus anyway.
Lucius felt terribly smug. Everything was working perfectly thus far. After a quick meeting with the minister he had been granted permission to see out the Hogwarts Book of Names. In fact he was asked specifically to look for any unnamed heirs of lines that supposedly died out during the last war. It was just as he had planned. After saying his goodbyes to the minister he quickly made his way to Hogwarts.
While he hadn't expressed it to Black like his wife, Lucius was indeed furious. He could remember that night much clearer than Narcissa could. It was only the exposure that Draco had gotten when announced him Lucius' heir that kept him from being stolen away like they had his daughter.
Lucius had awoken the moment the wards detected an intruder. He did not even have to wake his wife to jumped to her feet, wand in hand, ready to defend her house and family right along side her husband. The two purebloods were more than ready for anyone who attacked them. With the Dark Lord only a few months dead and with their friends and family members still disappearing and dying all around them, they knew they could not be too careful.
"I will be with the children. You take care of the intruder." Narcissa said softly, Lucius nodded and they split up each with their own task in mind. The wizard easily confronted the intruder, his memories were clear up until he came face to face with the person that stole his daughter away.
"What are you doing here?" He shouted, seeming surprised. The intruder spoke but Lucius could not hear them. A lightning quick spell had him writhing in agony on the ground. Cruciatus curse, his nerves felt as if they were on fire and it seemed to go on forever. For a split second his mind flashed to the Longbottoms, would he share their fate?
When the pain faded, Lucius found himself alone in the entryway of his home. Shaking and almost unable to move he pushed himself to get to his children's room, to his family. The blond wizard scrambled to pick up his wand when he heard his wife scream.
Pushing himself more than he ever had before Lucius reached the nursery where his children had been sleeping. He snarled when he saw his beautiful wife on the ground writhing in agony like had been only moment ago. "Reducto!" He shouted pointing his wand at the intruder.
The intruder easily blocked Lucius' curse and send one right back. Lord Malfoy dodged and sent a slashing hex at the threat to his family. It connected and the blond man took the chance, he cast incarcerous then watched helplessly as it was redirected back at him, Lucius found himself trapped up his own curse.
It took a moment for the intruder to quickly tie up his wife who was glaring at the threat. Lucius could see furious tears begin to pool in her eyes and felt them in his own. He was helpless. He had failed. His children!
The Malfoys watched helpless as the intruder carefully placed a hand on Draco forehead before the child fell into a deep sleep. Turning his attention to the other child, Lucius shouted and snarled as the stranger plucked his sniffling daughter out of her cot. Cassiopeia wasn't crying, but her little arms stretched out to her mother. Begging with her eyes to be taken away from the stranger. Narcissa let out a heartbreaking cry as she struggled to get to her baby.
"Please, not Cassi, please. We will give you anything! Just leave her alone. Please!" Narcissa begged squirming and struggling to get to the child held in the arms of the intruder.
"Anything, we will give you anything. Just leave my children alone!" Lucius rasped, his voice raw from screaming. He knew it was hopeless the intruder had come for his child and would leave with her. "I beg you!" He tried one last time, his only answer was a wand pointed at his face and a burning pain.
Lucius exhaled sharply, his eyes burned and he tightened his grip on his cane. Never again would he or his family be reduced to begging for their child. He was going to get her back and he was going to do it, as soon as humanly possible. It was easy to get from the apparition point to the Hogsmade. Lucius wasted no time in the little village, it appeared to be just after three judging by the sun and Lucius smiled. He should have his daughters location by supper. Narcissa would be overjoyed.
Severus had spent his morning packing away his rooms. His potions were carefully stored for pick up via house elf. His few personal effects were shrunk and carefully placed in one of his many pockets. He had already made his excuses to the headmaster, as far as hogwarts was concerned, Severus Snape was spending the rest of the summer abroad looking for rare potions ingredients. It was an excuse that he used when needed, he did of course go out and collect rare potions ingredients not nearly as often as he claimed too.
The morning had passed long ago and it was nearing mid afternoon and Severus was still awaiting Lucius, if the mission was unable to be completed that day the blond wizard was expected to send some sort of note so Severus remained ready for when his blond friend would arrive.
Using his free time to continue to reorganize his Severus set about reordering his real and fake memories. His mind was still a mess, the two different memories had merged in some places and it make it slightly difficult to make sense of them. It seemed who ever had placed the mental blocks had wanted him to forget about his friendship with any kind of non-Slytherin.
They had left his friendship with Lily alone but had made sure to cut it off before anything could really happen. His friendship with Remus had been completely wiped out and replaced with memories of fearing him and nearly being eaten or changed. The competition between himself and Sirius had been escalated to pure hatred. They hadn't even left his relationship with Slytherins alone. He had Lucius had been close since the older man had taken him in under his wing during Severus' first year. Lucius had been like an elder brother and a mentor, throughout his school years and the man had even paid for Severus to complete his Potions Mastery.
Oddly enough they had left the memory of the life debt that Severus owed James Potter, though they changed the circumstances behind it. Instead of a rogue bicorn that had mysterious made its way on Hogwarts ground their sixth year, it was Remus that Potter had saved him from. Who ever it was had gone to great lengths to make sure Severus hated the Marauders and more importantly would hate Potter and Black's youngest son.
The sound of his floo activating brought him out of his mental work, easily. Severus answered the call in a slightly irritated tone. "Yes, Headmaster?"
"Severus! I am glad to have caught you! It seems Lucius Malfoy would like to request your presence, he has been tasked with using the Book of Names by Minister Bagnold and would like you to assist him." Dumbledore did not look overly happy but Severus could not tell if it was because he was being asked to use the book or if it was Lucius himself that was irritating the man. Instead of commenting on it, he simply nodded. "Fine, I will step through momentarily."
The Headmaster cut the connection and Severus readied his floo powder and quickly stepped through, saying the password as he did. Severus arrived to a fuller room then he had expected. Lucius, Albus and Minerva were waiting for him. The potions master offered his colleagues a short greeting and clasped hands with Lucius like they hadn't seen each other in months.
"Now what is this all about? I have a timed portkey to go off in less than two hours." Severus said in his normal blunt and callous style. Dumbledore smiled and motioned for everyone to sit. Lucius did and Severus followed suit. Minerva simply pressed her lips together forming a hard line and moved closer to the headmaster.
"It seems, the minister has tasked Lucius with identifying any heir to the families that were decimated by Voldemort and his followers during the last war." It took only a moment for Severus to understand. Albus was implying that Lucius was a death eater. Shock rocked through him, neither Severus nor Lucius had ever taken the dark mark. Who ever messed with their memories had planted memories of joining the Dark Lord. Keeping his face schooled Severus risked a look at up at Lucius' face and saw that he had made the same conclusion.
"Now because of the bylaws that the founders put forth for running the school, government and school business using the book are to be strictly separate. The book lack it's normal location function and instead only show family lines." Albus looked at Lucius sternly. It was an old law that the book could be used for this exact purpose but the headmaster did not like it and it was obvious. "I will grant you an hour and a half, as Minerva and I partake in a late should be more than enough time to complete your task and it will allow for Severus to make his portkey with time to spare."
After assuring the headmaster and deputy headmistress that he would indeed, make sure the book was not used for nefarious purposes the two heads, Dumbledore holding the Book of Names, escorted the two Slytherins to a small unused room just feet from the statue guarding the headmaster's office. Before he left the two to their work, Albus asked for a moment of Severus' time.
"Severus I hope that you keep the schools best interest in mind, and not just your godson." The headmaster's blue eyes twinkle as they met the strong dark brown eye of Severus.
The potions master inclined his head, "Of course headmaster. After all, my godson is not a student just yet and I am acting as a Hogwarts Head of House." Severus said smoothly, soothing the worries of his boss who left with a small spring in his step closing the door softly behind him. Severus wasted not a moment. With a wave of his wand the door was locked and several silencing and monitoring spells washed over the door and room. Thankfully there were no portraits in the room but rather safe than sorry, Severus cast a charm of his own creation, "Muffliato." After a moment he sat down at the provided table ready to work.
"Lets get to work," Lucius said beginning to flip pages wanting to find his daughter as soon as possible.
Severus stopped him, "Lucius, stop, there is a better way." In between packing, Severus had done research on how to properly use the book. While there was nothing in that covered only the Book of Names specifically, Hogwarts, a History did offer a small section covering the use and it hinted at a type of search feature. Taking his wand Severus tapped the index and said firmly, "Rosemary Jane Snape." He was just as eager to find his child as Lucius.
Both watched as Rosemary's name was appeared at the top of the index with a number next to it. Lucius raised an eyebrow at his friend's proficiency with the book. "How do you know how to do this?"
Severus smirked, "I read Hogwarts, A History
."
Lucius groaned, "Not even your wife or the werewolf, liked that book. I do not understand your fascination with it."
"You should be glad that I did, now turn to page 3498, we have only a short time to do this. Do not forget that we also have to complete the line check when he are done."
The blond man nodded and began to turn the page. "Take this down Severus."
Sirius hated healers. The one Narcissa had come in was rude, pushy. The man muttered under his breath the whole time and used more force when necessary. The only reason the man left the House of Black on his feet was because as distasteful as the man was, he was competent. Sirius felt better than he had in years, he no longer ached nor did his chest rattle when he breathed deeply. His head didn't feel as if he had been hit in the head with a bludger and with all the potions he was supposed to take for the next several weeks, he was sure to fill out and begin to look normal again.
After the healer had been properly memory charmed and send on his way Sirius went about his business finishing the letter for Remus and setting up a room for the man when they collected him. When he finally wandered back down stairs, he ignore the smug looks from his cousin who knew that even after not wanting the healer to see to him, Sirius felt better.
"Have we heard from Severus and Lucius yet?" Sirius asked, knowing the answer already. Playing along, Narcissa shook her head. Draco was once again at his mother's feet playing with his toy dragons. Instead of focusing on the wait for Severus and Lucius, he watched his little cousin play with a heavy heart.
Draco was only a month or so older than his own youngest son would be. Sirius felt as if his heart was going to rip itself out of his chest. His family had been torn apart and he was still helpless to fix it.
"Did you send your friend the letter?" Narcissa asked, cutting through Sirius' brooding. She hated seeing her cousin brought so low.
Blinking in surprise the dog animagus nodded, "Yeah, before I came down I gave it to Dobby. He will deliver it tomorrow." He felt more than a little cowardly but with everything that was going on, Sirius couldn't risk his friend storming to Grimmauld while they were still trying to sort out the kids
Sirius and Narcissa waited and listened for the floo to flare, it wasn't until almost six o'clock that it did. Sirius jumped up from his spot in front of Draco, the two had been playing dragons while Narcissa continued her work on getting Sirius pardoned. The two rose to their feet, eager to see what the other men had learned.
Lucius and Severus looked horrid. Clenched tightly in Severus' hand was a piece of crumpled parchment. "Lucius?" Narcissa said reaching out for her husband. Lucius took his wife's hand and pressed a soft kiss to the palm. "Is everything alright love?"
Lucius pulled her close and whispered into her hair, "We found her. We found Cassi, darling, we found her." Narcissa smiled and buried her face into her husband's chest.
Severus and Sirius watched the two enviously, they still had each other and their son, while both of their lives had been ruined. Sirius watched as his cousin gathered up their son and retreated up to their room, leaving Severus to explain their finding to Sirius.
"Well?" Sirius asked eagerly. Severus shook his head and sat down, his head in his hands. The parchment crunching when he moved.
"They are together, the twins, Pyxis and Rose are together." Severus said finally. "They were placed in the same family." Looking up at the confused man, Severus handed him the parchment.
Cassiopeia Lucille Malfoy/Luna Nephele Lovegood
-aged 4 years, 10 months, and 3 days
Birth Parents Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black
Blood Adopted by Xenophilius Lovegood and Selene Meadows
Rosemary Jane Snape/Ginerva Molly Weasley
-aged 4 years, 10 months, and 21 days
Birthparents Severus Snape and Lily Evans
Blood Adopted by Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett
Harry James Potter Black
-aged 5 years, 11 months, and 1 days
Birthparents Sirius Black and James Potter
Neville Franklin Lupin-Longbottom
-aged 5 years, 11 months, and 2 days
Birthparents Remus Lupin, Alice Diggory, and Franklin Longbottom
Pyxis Orion Shacklebolt/Ronald Billius Weasley
-aged 6 years, 4 months, and 1 days
Birthparents Kingsley Shacklebolt and Regulus Black
Blood Adopted by Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett
Nerissa Alice Lupin-Longbottom/Hermione Jane Granger
-aged 6 years, 9 months, and 13 days
Birthparents Franklin Longbottom, Remus Lupin, and Alice Diggory
Frederick Sirius Potter-Black/Fredrick Gideon Weasley
-aged 8 years, 3 months, and 1 days
Birthparents Sirius Black and James Potter
Blood Adopted by Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett
George Remus Potter-Black/George Fabian Weasley
-aged 8 years, 3 months, and 1 days
Birthparents Sirius Black and James Potter
Blood Adopted by Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett
Sirius felt all the air leave his lungs, the Black family tapestry had told him his children were alive but to see the names copied out of the book were a breath of fresh air. It took a moment for Sirius to realize the problem that Severus had already spotted. The kids were with a light family, someone who had fought against Voldemort during the last war.
"How could this have happened?" Sirius croaked eyes still trained on his children's names. "How did they? I don't understand." The ex-Azkaban prisoner managed. "Did Lucius notice?"
Severus scoff, "Lucius could not care any less about who has his daughter. He knows where she is, and now he will retrieve her, no matter who he hurts or just who our opposition it." Severus took a deep breath. "You know what this means, correct? This seems to confirm our worst fears in this case."
Sirius nodded, "Yes it does indeed seem that way." The two men sat in silence for a moment. "What are we going to do Sev? If the kids were with any other family I would have no problem stealing the kids away in the dead of night, but I know the Weasleys, they are good people."
The potions master considered his next words carefully, "Black, it would not be too far out of the realm of possibilities that they would be aware of or even behind the plot."
"I know, Sev, I honestly do not want to think about it." Sirius looked at his friend, "What are we going to do Sev?"
"I don't know."