Disclaimer: I don't own HP, I only own Evan and Iris Potter.

Please excuse the reference to 'madness' in this chapter. I don't want to insult anyone, I suffer from depression myself, but the Wixen World is not up to date with mental illness from the way it's' described, and this is set in the early '90s. Again, please excuse my wording. I mean no offence.

10-5-2023

Chapter Two

Daily Life at Black Manor

Aludra stirred, confused at the heavy weight of someone's head resting on her chest. She blinked herself awake, memories of the evening prior returning to her sleep-fogged mind. She glanced down and sure enough, Iris had adjusted herself in her sleep so that her head was lying on Aludra's chest while her legs were tangled with Evan's, to judge by the shape of the duvet. The sound of shifting floorboards drew Aludra's attention to the door, where she saw her father, dressed in a plain black day robe with their family crest, a pair of wolves on either side of a crest with two white stars and a sword set against a black background with 'Toujours Pur' written beneath it, on his breast. There was a sad expression filled with regret and wistfulness on his usually stern face, but it disappeared when he saw that Aludra was awake. Aludra sighed in sympathy for her father. She knew losing Evan had hurt him, just as losing Iris had hurt Remus, who was her godfather, all because James and Lily Potter were prats.

She struggled to slip out of bed, holding Iris' head up gently and pushing a thick pillow beneath her to keep her from waking. Her father chuckled softly in amusement at her struggle, and she shot him a face. To her pleasure, he smirked, his eyes lightening a bit as his unhappiness eased. There was still something bothering him, though. She knew her father better than anyone and the tension in his shoulders and jaw spoke of something at work. She hoped it was just another minor disagreement with Fudge, and nothing to do with Evan's case.

Once she was free, Iris mumbling and grabbing the pillow in her sleep, Aludra tugged on her dressing gown and slippers before joining her father. They shut the door behind them to give Evan and Iris some privacy and began heading towards the kitchen for breakfast.

"What happened?" Aludra asked him point-blank as they walked. Bluntness was the best way to go with her dad. He was fully capable of being a slippery Slytherin when it came to politics, but he preferred to be forthright.

Sirius sighed and reached out to rest a hand on her shoulder, rubbing her shoulder with his thumb. Aludra moved closer, hoping to comfort him with her presence. Her father always laid a hand on her shoulder like that when he was reminding himself why he bothered with the Ministry or the Wizengamot.

"You're too observant, you know that?" He said to her. She gave a cheeky smile at him.

"Well, you may not know this but my father is a Senior Auror," she informed him with mock-solemnity. "I picked a few things up."

"Oh, is that so?" He teased her, poking her side and making her giggle from the tickle. "He must be a pretty good Auror, then."

"Ah, he's alright," she replied with a grin.

Sirius let out a soft laugh and gave her a side hug, tugging at her fuzzy sleeping braid. "Merlin, what would I do without you, Ally?" He asked sadly. "I don't want to think about a life where I didn't adopt you."

Aludra wrinkled her brow, wondering what brought this bout of melancholy on, though she was used to her father's mood suddenly going downhill. Her father struggled with depression and the occasional bout of mania, his own version of the Black Family Madness. Usually there was a trigger for it though. Aunt Meda had her own version too. There were days when she became hysterical to the point of accidental magic over the tiniest thing and had to be given a Calming Draught and put to bed. So far there was no sign of Aludra showing any symptoms, but she knew her whole family kept a careful eye on her. They did it for Dora too, but she hadn't shown any signs either.

"You don't have to worry about that, Daddy," she assured him. "You did adopt me, and I'm glad for it."

"Yes, you're right," he agreed, his eyes lightening a bit. "Best not to contemplate 'what ifs'."

"So, what's wrong?" Aludra prodded him patiently. "It isn't about me sharing a bed with Evan, is it? It was my idea, not theirs. I thought it would be okay because Iris was there too. They were frightened after the whole thing with Dobby and having to leave their home so-"

"No, it's not that," Sirius assured her. "You're a good girl to help them out, though tonight I'd prefer them to stay in their own beds. No, I'm just frustrated. Scrimgeour pulled me off the case and gave it to Proudfoot. I'm on protection duty for the kids instead."

"What?" Aludra gasped indignantly. "But you're the best investigator the department has! Why would he hex himself in the foot like that?"

"PR," her father said wisely as they entered the dining room. Millie was serving up a full English breakfast and bowed to them as best she could over her swollen stomach. Sirius briefly turned to their elf and smiled at her. "Good morning, Millie. Thank you for the breakfast, it looks wonderful. Why don't you get off your feet and rest for a bit?"

"Millie is needing to be cleaning up, Master," Millie squeaked. "Master is kind to offer, but Millie is not being an unable elf just because she is being pregnant."

Sirius raised his hands in surrender and nodded. "I never meant to imply that Millie," he said soothingly.

"You're the best elf we could have," Aludra assured her. "You and Timmie both." They were family, just as much as the Lupins or the Tonks were.

Millie smiled and thanked them before she disappeared to clean up the kitchen.

"But you'd have it solved in a few days," Aludra told her father loyally as they settled in to eat, continuing their conversation. "Proudfoot's not half as good as you."

"You're biased," Sirius snorted affectionately. "Proudfoot's a good Auror. He's got a solid track record. They wouldn't have given such a high-profile case to him if he wasn't good enough to solve it. Too much bad publicity. Though he's not as good as Shacklebolt. I'm thinking of poaching him for my new team."

Sirius, on telling Aunt Amelia and Scrimgeour about seeing Voldemort, had been assigned to form a small taskforce of Aurors to find and (permanently) defeat the Dark Lord. There was also a group of Unspeakables, working on figuring out how he could have survived and how to counter it.

"I like Shacklebolt," Aludra said thoughtfully. "He's talented. He took down Williamson in under five minutes at that demonstration two years ago, and Williamson's good."

Sirius nodded. "He's got a solid success rate too, and he knows how to keep a cool head no matter what happens," he agreed. "I just want to feel him out, see if we can work well together before I make any official decisions."

"Aunt Amelia said she wants the taskforce up and running by the end of September," Aludra reminded him.

Sirius nodded again. "I know, and I have a few other names I want to speak with. I need some of the best, but the department can't spare everyone, so I have to choose carefully. I'm hoping to have everything sorted out by mid-September."

Aludra nodded. The door opened and Timmie came in leading Evan and Iris, who was scrubbing at her eyes while Evan stifled a yawn with his hand.

"Good morning children," Sirius greeted them. "I hope you slept well."

"Yes Sir, Lord Black," Evan said nervously, glancing quickly at Aludra, who smiled at him reassuringly. Sirius made a face.

"Oh, are you still calling me that?" He sighed. "I must not have said to call me Sirius. 'Lord Black' is for the Wizengamot. Just Sirius, please. To both of you."

"Uhm, alright Lo-Sirius," Evan replied.

"Did you have a good night, L-Sirius?" Iris asked tentatively as the siblings took seats at the table.

"I did, thank you Iris," Sirius answered politely, something Aludra knew was an out-and-out lie.

The children began tucking into their English breakfasts, though Iris slipped her mushrooms to Evan, who passed her his tomatoes. It made Sirius chuckle.

"Still hate your tomatoes, huh, Evan?" He asked fondly, a reminiscent look on his face. "I remember when you were a toddler, Lily tried get you to eat some tomato soup and you made the whole thing explode with your accidental magic. It made James roar with laughter at the look on her face, tomato soup all over her and you."

"I didn't realize you knew us when we were little," Evan said in surprise.

"Uh-huh. Remus and I were very close to your parents back then," Sirius stated, his expression growing tight. "Anyway," he said briskly, changing the subject before anyone could say anything. "I have been moved to protection detail for the two of you. Auror Proudfoot is investigating the case. He's a good Auror. It turns out that there's no record of a House-Elf in England named Dobby, so he's beginning to check the other parts of the Isles."

Evan looked startled and pleased at the update, but Iris bit her lip.

"What if they can't find any record of him?" She wondered nervously.

"In that case, Proudfoot will investigate the Black Market and see if the Elf-dealer there knows anything," Sirius explained calmly. "Having an unregistered Elf is illegal, so it would give us more evidence against whoever owns Dobby. And you mentioned Dobby isn't treated well. Elf-abuse is illegal, so again that's another reason for us to bring in his owner."

"He seemed like he was there by himself," Evan said thoughtfully. "He kept punishing himself when he was warning me."

"Well, I hope it will make you feel reassured to know that Albus is taking the warning seriously," Sirius told them. "He's having the wards updated at the school. They're usually updated every seven years, but the last time was three years ago, so they'll be extra strong."

"Thank you, Sirius," Evan murmured. "I really appreciate this."

Sirius waved him off. He looked at Iris, who was picking at her breakfast unhappily.

"Is something wrong, Iris?" He asked gently.

"I didn't think people treated their Elves like that," she admitted. "Mum and Daddy always say that your Elf is your family, your responsibility. Why would people hurt their family?"

Aludra clenched her hands around her cutlery, glancing warily at her father who had gone stiff at the question. Abuse was a sensitive subject for him, after the cruelty from his parents, especially Walburga. He exhaled slowly and scrubbed at his cheek, looking strained.

"That is, a tough question, kiddo," he said eventually, voice solemn. "And one people have been trying to answer for decades, if not centuries. To tell the truth, I just don't know. I hope I never understand the thoughts that would lead somebody to harm an innocent person, especially one who relies on them. All I can say is that some people just have evil in their hearts and minds, and that's something that has never changed throughout history."

"My," a gentle voice broke in from the doorway, and they all turned to see Remus entering the room. He looked a bit better than he had the night before. The sleep had done him good. "What a heavy topic for the breakfast table. Why not discuss something lighter? What would you kids like to do today?"

"Aludra said she was learning duelling," Evan stated, glancing at her. "Could we watch?"

"Even better, you can join in," Sirius said. "Either Susan or Neville, or most likely both, will probably be coming over for a few hours to learn too. Those two are always underfoot." His voice was full of fondness and affection for Aludra's best friends. "It'll do you good to learn a few things to help you get out of another situation like in June."

"Iris is too young, Sirius," Remus commented.

"You should tell her some stories, Uncle Moony," Aludra urged. From their chat the evening before, she knew that Iris would be fascinated by the legends and stories Remus wove. Even better, it would give Remus an excuse to spend time getting to know his goddaughter in a relaxed setting. And if Aludra arranged it so that Sirius and Evan were paired off during duelling practice... "I bet she'd love to hear the Legend of Camelot."

As she'd expected, Iris brightened at that. "Oh, would you mind?" She asked eagerly. "History is my favourite subject!"

Remus smiled at her. "I would be delighted," he agreed softly. The two siblings grinned in excitement, and he took advantage of their distraction to shoot Aludra a thankful glance. She grinned and winked at him.

After breakfast and getting dressed Remus whisked Iris off to the library to tell her about Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table, while Sirius took Evan down to the basement where they had their duelling chamber. Aludra, meanwhile, went to the Floo and threw down some powder calling out "The Ossuary!" before she stuck her face in the flames.

"Missy Ally!" The Bones' chief elf and housekeeper, Bibi, squeaked. "Is you looking for Young Mistress Susie?"

"Yes please, Bibi," Aludra confirmed.

"Bibi is getting her now," Bibi stated, disappearing with a loud 'pop'.

"Ally!" Susan came hurrying in with Bibi a few moments later, already tugging on a cloak. "Are we duelling again? Or what's the plan?"

"Duelling," Aludra confirmed. "Daddy's on protection detail for Evan and Iris."

"What? Why?" Susan asked in surprise, so Aunt Amelia clearly hadn't said anything. She might not even have gotten home yet. As Director of the DMLE and Regent Bones, she was even busier than Sirius.

"I'll explain in a minute," Aludra said. Her knees were starting to ache. "Come through so I can see if Neville's coming over."

Susan nodded and told Bibi that she would be home for dinner, then Aludra pulled her head out of the fire and stepped back. The fire flared green and Susan stepped out, using a charm to remove the ashes. She was practically hopping with the desire to find out what had happened, but she stayed quiet while Aludra confirmed that Neville was coming over. Once the two were both there, handing their cloaks to Timmie, she explained about Dobby and the Potters being brought to Black Manor as she led them downstairs where Sirius was waiting with Evan. Aludra was pleased to see that her friend looked much more relaxed around her father than before. Clearly he was growing comfortable.

The basement was huge, being the size of the entire floor plan of the Manor, with five duelling platforms that had runes preventing spells from going astray and a multitude of dummies enchanted to fire several different spells at varying levels of difficulty.

"Ah, there you three are!" Sirius exclaimed. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming!"

"Hello, Uncle Sirius!" The pair chorused.

"What are we learning today?" Susan asked eagerly.

Sirius clapped his hands together. "We're going to work on Stunning and Shielding again, both because I think it's important for it to be instinctual for you all, and because Evan hasn't learned it yet. So, I'm going to take Evan over to the corner and show him what to do, while the three of you are going to trade spells with the dummies. Then later, I'll show you guys some prank spells that are both funny and handy in a fight."

"What level?" Neville asked nervously. He found the dummies, with their blank faces, disturbing, and he had a tendency to fall over his own feet, meaning that duelling wasn't his forte. He was better than he thought though.

"Beginners," Sirius said firmly.

Aludra pouted. "But Daddy," she begged. "What not step up to Average? If we were actually in a fight, our opponents wouldn't just stand and wait while we toss spells at them and let us put up a shield before attacking with a Stinging Hex." Which was how 'Beginners' worked.

"No, Aludra," her father insisted firmly. "The point of this is for you to learn to Stun and Shield automatically when attacked. Then you can move up."

She knew from his tone and expression that he wasn't going to budge, so she sighed and gave in, picking a platform and climbing up. Susan and Neville did the same on either side of her, while her dad took Evan off to a cordoned off corner to show him how to Stun and Shield.

They practiced duelling until lunch. While eating, Remus and Sirius got into a childish argument that ended in them declaring the Prank War Armistice broken and teams forming, Evan and Aludra with Sirius, the others with Remus. For the next few hours until it was nearing dinnertime, chaos and laughter filled the Manor as the groups chased each other around the place, casting spells and using prank products on each other. At six, Timmie announced that Aunt Alice and Aunt Amelia were requesting their children come home for dinner and they said goodbye after another Armistice was declared and the adults cancelled the spell effects.

Remus had gone to wash the scent of Dungbomb out of his hair and the rest of them were about to go and rest in the sitting room while they waited for dinner when Millie appeared. "Master Guest and Missy Guest's mother be Floo calling to speak with Master Guest and Missy Guest," she announced.

"Thank you Millie, we'll be there in a moment," Sirius stated, his expression tightening a bit. The Potters didn't notice, but Aludra grabbed her father's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. He glanced down and gave her a small smile that failed to reach his eyes.

"Do we have to go home?" Evan asked disappointedly. He and Iris' faces had fallen in dismay at the prospect.

"If that's what your parents want, then yes, I'm afraid so," Sirius acknowledged. "But you're both welcome to stay for longer if they allow it."

"We'll ask Mum!" Iris said, her disappointed expression brightening.

The Blacks followed the siblings into the kitchen, but remained hovering at the door.

"Mum!" Evan and Iris exclaimed, running to the fireplace to crouch before it.

"Oh, Mum it was so much fun! We had a Prank War and I was on Remus' team!" Iris announced, a wide smile splitting her face.

"I was on Sirius' team with Aludra, and we so won!" Evan added grinning.

"You did not!" Iris cried, pushing her brother. "It was a draw!"

"Our team turned their skin neon green with hot pink stars and made them dance the can-can!" Evan told his mother.

"Well, our team transfigured all their clothes into tutus and made them sing Celestina Warbeck's 'Cauldron Full of Love' in opera form!" Iris announced proudly. That had been her idea, according to Susan. It had been a good one at that.

"I'm glad you're having fun," Lady Potter said, voice sounding almost longing, much to Aludra's bemusement.

"And Remus told me about how King Arthur met Merlin, and how he fell in love with Guinevere," Iris added.

"And Sirius taught me how to Stun and Shield, and a few prank spells he says are really good for catching an opponent off guard," Evan informed Lady Potter.

"Sirius," she said cautiously.

Aludra's father tensed his shoulders and stepped forward to see the Lady better. "It was nothing they won't learn this year anyway, Lily," he stated firmly. "I've been teaching them to Ally, Neville and Susan as well. They'll need it if they get caught up in another situation like in June."

"I didn't mean to be critical, Sirius," Lady Potter replied softly. "I was just startled. But thank you, for thinking of Evan's safety." She turned to her children. "I just called to check on you and let you know that we have some Warders coming from Gringotts tomorrow morning, so you can come home in the afternoon."

"Oh, can't we stay a bit longer?" Iris begged. "We're having so much fun."

"Children, Sirius and Remus-" Lady Potter began to say.

"Are happy to have them here," Sirius cut her off. "How about a compromise? I spoke to Albus last night and he mentioned that the letters are going out on Friday. Ally wants to go that same day so she has time to read her books before the start of the year. It's Tuesday now. Why don't we meet in Diagon Alley Friday at, say, half-twelve, and you can take your two to go shopping while I bring the girls and Neville to get their supplies?"

Aludra brightened in excitement. After over a month of begging and pleading and reasoned arguments, her father had finally given in. She was going back to Hogwarts.

"That sounds perfect, thank you Sirius," Lady Potter said after a minute's thought. "I really appreciate it." She hesitated than suggested, "Ally could come over to ours for a few days as well. We'd be happy to have her."

"No, thank you," her father answered quickly and firmly. "And her name is Aludra. Ally is for close friends and family only."

Lady Potter flinched a bit. Aludra supposed she was thinking that if not for her and her husband's actions, they'd probably be included in that group. Though why Lady Potter was concerned with her ex-friend's daughter whom she'd never met, Aludra didn't know.

"Well, if you'll excuse us, we'll let the three of you continue to talk in private," Sirius went on. "Evan, Iris, dinner will be ready in about five minutes, so please wrap up your conversation by then." He turned and hurried from the room, tugging Aludra with him, not that she was inclined to resist. The less time she spent around the Potter parents, the better in her opinion.

"Are you okay, Daddy?" Aludra asked him softly as they headed for the dining room. They stopped at the doorway and he pulled her into a hug, pressing his nose against her hair and gripping her like a lifeline. Eventually he composed himself and pulled away a bit to meet her gaze, looking drained.

"Choose your friends carefully, little star," he advised her tiredly. "Sometimes the people you think you know best, it turns out you never really knew them at all."

She was silent, giving him support through their hug. They only separated when they heard Evan and Iris approaching, taking their seats just as the siblings appeared, shortly followed by Remus.