Author note: I took into consideration many reviewers from the last chapter. Especially in terms of Kinsley's personality, I was slowly going to build her up to it but perhaps I was building a bit to slowly so I've pushed up my time line a bit on that front.
I'm also trying a new format style, tell me if its better to read and understand if not I'll try again.
IMPORTANT
Also take note, I am looking for a Beta Reader but will continue to post until one is found. Anybody who wants to try and Beta my work should contact me on the PM!
Thank you!
Chapter x
Standing a bit taller
"What the hell is the meaning of this!? Unhand me this instant you pathetic excuse for a wizard!"
"Shut up you toad faced bitch, we read the charges against you. You weren't listening, not my fault now get in your cell before I stun you and dump your ass in there!" Grunted auror Proudfoot, finally shoving the witch into the cell and slamming the door behind her.
"I am the under-secretary for the Minister of Magic, I demand you release me at once or I will have your job!" shouted Dolores Umbridge yet Proudfoot gave the woman a sneer.
"You're a fool Umbridge, but you won't be the only one, you're here for a reason and it's of your own making so shut up sit the hell down and wait for when you're dragged into one of the interrogation room to spew your sort of drivel." He barked back before spinning on his heel and walking off.
Just before he was to leave though two aurors arrived this time with two people, one was a high-ranking Ministry official that had Proudfoot raising an eyebrow, Albert Runcorn, face stone-cold. The other was Mafalda Hopkirk who looked terrified as the auror led her towards a sell.
As soon as they were locked in, Savage and Williamson returned and shot him looks.
"Two high-ranking officials and one who monitors the use of under-age magic," Savage grunted as they left the cell area. "And that's only a handful of people,"
Shaking their heads, the trio left the holding cell area and returned to their department. Upon arrival, they spotted Arthur Weasley being led into one of the interrogation rooms.
Inside with Amelia and Moody:
"Afternoon Arthur," Amelia greeted while motioning to the chair set on the other side of the table.
"Amelia, Alastor," he greeted in returning doing very well to not show his uncertainty as he took his seat. "I know something is happening, but I'm curious to know what is happening."
"Indeed, Arthur, you are somebody I trust explicitly." Amelia began gazing at the father of seven before her. "You're a hard worker; you've been head of the Office of Misuse of Muggle Artefacts for – 11 years now I believe."
"Yes ma'am, when old Thomas Crabtree left the division I was made Head of Office." Arthur confirmed earning a nod from Amelia.
"You're a talented wizard Arthur, and although I'm sad to do this I have no choice. Everybody is getting the same treatment and I can't be seen in favouritism." She murmured, instantly noticing when the man's back straightened and his shoulders stiffened.
"I don't need special privileges' ma'am. You have a job to do and you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't need to," Arthur answered earning a nod of respect from both law enforcement magicals.
"We need ask you some questions and you need to wear this on your wrist." Alastor grunted while handing the device over to Arthur for him to slip on. "If we find reason, you'll be questioned further under Veritaserum if you will be placed in a cell, then hulled into the wizengamot session and questioned before a full panel of your pears."
Here Arthur paled slightly yet shook his head.
"I will take the questioning here Amelia," he answered earning a nod from the woman.
"Wonderful, let us begin." She murmured before turning to her parchment folder on Arthur Weasley.
"Arthur Weasley, born February 6th, 1950, pureblood wizard in employment of the Ministry of Magic since the age of 17 making it 26 years?"
"Has it really?" Arthur asked startled as he realised how long he had been working for the Ministry.
"Your parents are Septimus Weasley and Cedrella Weasley nee Black and have two brothers, Marcus Weasley and Denver Weasley." Alastor read on earning nods from Arthur.
"You have seven children, the oldest William Weasley who is currently employed by Gringotts as a Curse Breaker and working in Egypt, Charles Weasley working as a Dragon Handler in Romania, Percival Weasley attending Hogwarts as well as Fred and George Weasley, the youngest son Ronald and finally Ginevra Weasley."
"My prides and joys all of them," Arthur whispered making Amelia's lips twitch up into a smile.
"Your qualifications are –" yet here Amelia froze, her eyes widening a fraction as she spotted the scores her long time college had received on his N.E.W.T's.
They were quite impressive, and she was hard-pressed to believe she had never known about this. The scores were good enough for Arthur to have joined the Auror programme back when they were looking for aurors during the first war. She was curious to know why Arthur hadn't been considered for the programme when they had done a sweep of the Ministry for candidates.
"Arthur why did I not know this?" Amelia asked startled as she looked at her long-time friends N.E.W.T results. "Defence Against the Dark Arts = O, Potions = E, Charms = E, Transfiguration = O, Muggle Studies = O, Arithmancy = A and History of Magic = E. You had the qualifications to be an Auror Arthur why didn't you?"
"Amelia, to be honest I'm not a man who likes to fight people, I am happy helping others when they need help but in different ways. Muggles have also always interested me." He answered before sitting back. "I also have seven children, I couldn't become an auror. What if something had happened to me and Molly was forced to raise all seven on her own. I couldn't do that to her."
"You're a family man," Moody grunted earning a nod from Arthur.
"We also didn't have much in terms of money, attending a further three years of schooling without pay wouldn't have been possible," Arthur admitted earning a sad nod from Amelia.
She had been attempting to get her auror trainees pay for the last few years, at least a student style pay yet had been stopped on my levels.
"I understand," she murmured before looking at the file and continuing on. "You married your wife, Molly Weasley nee Prewett. During the first war you faced some casualties in the family, both your brother-in-law's Gideon and Fabian Prewett were killed when five Death Eaters attacked them."
"Fought like hero's they did; good aurors as well. What's worse is that some bastards got away." Moody grunted anger taking over his features.
Only four of those involved in the attack were put away in Azkaban, one escaped, and they still had no idea whom it was.
"No marks on your record bare one — relatively knew, in the form of a flying Ford Anglia. Of course, it wasn't technically against the law to have it." Amelia remarked with amusement earning a blushing smile from Arthur.
"You have no other dents against you and we have no reasons to question you Arthur. Your record speaks for itself not to mention character witness' from several of my trusted aurors as well as myself."
"Thank you, Amelia," he whispered.
"You're a good man Arthur, like I said."
...
...
As days of summer slowly began to filter bye, Kinsley slowly got used to her new self-more and more. It was hard, she was raised as a boy and really taking the form of a girl was more than - no it was fucked up. To make things worse came the dresses and skirts she was forced to wear during her lessons with her Aunt Cassy.
The woman was nice and all but - the dresses were going to drive her insane, and she didn't know how to tell them.
"You look frustrated." Came Susan's voice making Kinsley turn around to find the girl standing there a look of concern on her face.
"That's because I am," she grumbled before motioning to the frilled dresses she was forced to wear during her meetings with her aunt. "I hate them,"
"Right -" Susan whispered eyes running up and down the older style dresses. "I don't blame you on that one; your aunt is a bit old-fashioned."
"A bit, Susan these have bows and frills. I'm not a bow person!" She exclaimed before running her hands through her red hair and letting a frustrated grumble leave her lips. "I hate wearing the damn things; nowadays a woman can wear pantsuits and stuff and still look good. I am, shit, why do I have to wear something like that!"
"The Blacks are known for their traditional views," Susan began while walking over and picking at the dress, looking a bit hesitant. "Maybe - as the future Lady of the Black Family you can change that. Bring the Black Family into a modern age,"
For a moment, Kinsley considered it before letting a grin slowly form on her face.
"Just be yourself, Kinsley, that's all you should do." Susan declared before noticing the gleam in her cousin's eyes.
"Susan - I need to go shopping," she declared making her cousin's eyes grow wide in surprise. "You're right I do need to be myself."
"Uh - good thing Aunty didn't buy you too many outfits," Susan mumbled, unsure what to say about the turn of events and clearly nor did her aunt.
"You want to go shopping in Diagon Alley alone," Amelia Bones remarked while looking at her daughter who had her arms folded over her chest and a small glare on her face. "For clothes,"
"I can't wear those dresses!" The teen exclaimed while pulling a face of disgust. "Listen, I know I'm a girl but - it doesn't mean I like what other girls like. I grew up a boy and I'm way more comfortable in trousers and stuff. Maybe if I get a few fancier outfits from Madam Malkin's for Aunt Cassy she wouldn't take a huge fit about me not wearing a dress. Plus, we're in a new era! Please," the girl pegged, her emotions running from anger to almost pleading as she looked towards her mother. "Please - mum?" she whispered, and that made Amelia cave.
Years as Head of the DMLE, as an auror facing Dark Wizards and the moment her daughter called her mum and gave her those adorable puppy dog mint eyes — whoever taught her that was going to pay — she caved.
"Oh fine!" Amelia exclaimed exasperatedly before drawing a sigh. "Susan goes with you, however, and I don't want you to leave Diagon Alley. I trust some of those lessons from Moody, and you are quick with a wand. If anything happens, you know what to do."
"Brilliant!" Kinsley exclaimed before rushing forward and wrapping her arms around her mother's waist shocking her with her act of physical contact. "Thank you!"
"It better be appropriate at least," Amelia whispered, heart, swelling as she returned the hug and looked at her niece who was smiling broadly at her.
"It will, we'll leave now!" Kinsley exclaimed before pulling away and before Amelia could think about money the two girls were gone.
Diagon Alley was a hive of activity, even with Sirius Black out and about people felt safer in groups. That was why nobody looked twice when Susan and Kinsley arrived in Diagon Alley. Both were dressed for the summer weather, Susan wearing white short and an orange tank top while Kinsley was dressed in tan harem-style pants and a long-sleeved white shirt.
With a wave to Tom, they hurried through the Leaky and entered Diagon Alley without trouble.
"Alright, what sort of style are you going to go for?" Susan asked as they hurried towards their destination.
"I'm hoping for a more comfortable style really," Kinsley remarked a thoughtful look on her face. "More pants, pants are safe and easier to move in."
"You can't just wear pants, Kinsley," Susan laughed yet Kinsley gave her a smirk that just screamed try me.
Entering the store, the two girls were instantly welcomed by a smiling Madam Malkin.
"What can I help you both with dear?" the woman asked while Susan shook her head.
"I'm the one that needs your expertise actually Madam Malkin, you see I have a dilemma that needs a fine needle to fix." Kinsley declared sounding confident as she approached the counter. "As an heir to an Ancient and Noble family, I find myself in need of appropriate wear, the trouble remains, - I don't like skirts and dresses."
"I see, that is a bit - different for the Heir to the Ancient and Noble family. Would you be looking for custom-made orders and if I may, exactly what house?" Madam Malkin asked, "For the colours, each house has their own set of colours they direct themselves to the most."
The look of hesitation both girls gave had the older witch realizing the young girl before her was perhaps not just simply a normal heir to a family.
"The Ancient and Noble House of Black," Kinsley answered and with that, the witch rose to her feet and moved to the door.
With a quick turn of her sign, she locked the door and shut the curtain before returning to the two girls before her. The Black Family was a notorious one, but they were also exclusively customers of her practice. She had long since designed clothes for the Black family.
"You've come to the right place dear; I've designed clothes for the Black Family since this shop was opened. Come let us go into my office, and we can discuss what can be done about your little problem." She offered while leading the way to the back of the shop.
The back of the shop was vastly different from the meticulously clean and organized front of the shop. The back though held rolls of fabric, hundreds of needles, thousands of pins and buttons. There were magical mannequins off to one side some with articles of clothing already upon their figure.
"Sit dears, would you like some tea?" She asked while setting up a tray and returning. "We'll be here for a bit,"
"Thank you," Kinsley murmured while accepting the cup of strong earl tea, two sugar cubes, and a splash of cream in it. Susan did the same although hers held more sugar.
"Wonderful, now then the trouble of skirts and dress' can be put aside rather quickly. In these modern days, there is the fashion in the muggle world that provides more - uni-sex clothing for formal occasions while also keeping a slight feminine flair." Madam Malkin declared before pulling some drawings from inside a drawer and setting them before the two girls.
Looking at the numerous drawings, both girls swiftly noticed that a good portion of them were done with pants. Some even had pants with what looked like skirts attached that flared out or where the top was longer flowing down in elegant ways.
"That is - perfect," Kinsley whispered, already seeing many things that she could learn to like instead of the fluffy, frilly dresses she was forced to wear.
"Wonderful, now then for a bit of traditional speak, the Black Family's colour schemes are as followed," the tailor declared before reaching into a cabinet. After digging through various files, she shot back up, placed it before the two and opened it.
When the folder was opened the contents inside saw the light for the first time in many years. The colours were mostly darker colours like black, grey, rich purple's and blues, greens and silver.
"Are there changes that you want to be made?"
"I think we'll be making many changes in the Black Family," Kinsley answered while looking up at the seamstress, "for now though I'm just a growing teenager so some of these clothes won't fit for long,"
"Understandable, may I suggest most of the clothes being made of cotton and wools for more daily use and for finer occasions perhaps silks, velvets and acromantula silk?" Madam Malkin offered, looking curiously towards her client.
"Colors should change, I'm a redhead I don't always look good in darker colours," Kinsley remarked sadly, mourning her lost black locks. "Whites, golds, purples, blues and greens are a good idea. Some black would be okay."
So it continued, Kinsley insisted Susan help her in all aspects, especially considering she didn't have much knowledge of fashion. After things were hashed out between the three witches, magic helped in the creation of various outfits.
Kinsley was quite pleased when she left Madam Malkin, vowing to return to the tailor for future orders. Already heading home, she has three outfits she could wear to her Aunt Cassy's and feel okay wearing. She didn't know if the older witch would approve, but she could really not care overly much.
...
...
"What are you wearing?" was the question that first greeted Kinsley as she arrived at Château Black.
Looking down at herself, Kinsley smiled. Gone was the frilly dress that her aunt insisted she learn to wear, instead she was dressed in a pair of form-hugging black cotton pants with flats on her feet done in blue velvet and decorated with golden stars and constellations. Over it, she wore a long flowing top that was held tightly at her waist with a gold star belt. The top had long flowing sleeves and was made of silk. The bottom went to her ankles at the back.
The outfit was one of her new ones and although still feminine, she felt much more comfortable in it, especially with the pants. For her hair, she had left it loose revealing its curled state.
"I'm wearing some of my formal clothes like you wanted me to. You said that there would be guest's present for a lunch," she answered before looking up at her aunt who had a raised eyebrow.
"I see and why did you choose to wear this?" The older witch questioned her tone neutral.
"Because its time the Black family comes into a more modern age, I dislike dresses and skirts and up until a few months ago, I was a boy. Expecting me to wear dresses and skirts as though I was raised into it is expected too much. Already I'm in a world that's vastly different for me the least that I can do is take some control in the aspect of the fashion I can wear." She declared ton firm and intentions clear. She was tired of being meek and soft, she wanted to be heard, and she was going to do things her way.
"A modern age," Cassiopeia murmured, eyes moving up and down her niece's attire.
She took in the hints of Black family accents here in there before giving a nod, the girl before her was to be her future Lady Black. Perhaps the modern age would be what would bring the Black Family back into prosperity, although she liked her traditions she could agree that certain aspects could be changed without earning dislike from their traditional allies.
"I am proud that you have spoken out; I should have taken into consideration that you were indeed raised as a boy, you grew up as a boy. It was wrong of me to expect you to wear dressed and skirts and like it. For that I apologise Kinsley." The apology was a surprise to the young Black Heiress, yet she felt happy. Nobody ever really apologised to her, not with a tone of respect like the one her aunt had just done.
"Thank you, Aunt Cassy,"
"You look beautiful dear and you'll certainly make a statement. The friends we're having for lunch this evening are actually - members of the Black family I thought you should meet with."
That made Kinsley tense, meeting new members of the family wasn't something that she was used to, but the calm hand that was placed gently on the low of her back led her reassuringly through the halls of Château Black.
"There are only a few and I assure you dear they will not harm you," Cassiopeia re-assured her. "It is also time that you meet them, and they meet you. We are family we are there to support each other and to stand beside one another."
"Should they know about - the changes?" Kinsley asked, uncertain of the topic.
"Your mother didn't seem very happy about it, but I believe to gain trust in the family you must be truthful and honest. It is something many of us have learned over the years of destruction of the Black Family." Cassiopeia explained before giving her niece a smile. "They'll be arriving for lunch however, so we do have time to brush up on your skills."
At that, Kinsley wanted to groan, yet she held her tongue for that. Her aunt had accepted her new style of dressing and that was a huge step in taking some control of her life.
Moody's lessons also made it, so she had her wand on her at all times thanks to the leather wand-holster hid given her and Susan. Susan's was newer but hers - hers came from her father. She still remembered the day they got it.
Flashback:/
"Here lass," Moody grunted while handing over a package to the young redhead.
Looking down at it, Kinsley frowned before pulling the paper back. Instantly a leather holster of some sort was revealed. It was black in leather and had an eight-point star on in the centre. Looking up at the man, he gave a snort.
"It's a wand holster lass, which one is second hand actually. Hope you don't mind and don't let Amelia hear this, but it just to belong to your father. You don't have much from him and - I know the man was a Death Eater but hell the kid didn't always have a dark streak to him." The ex-auror grunted before shaking his head. "I need to go now, have things to do get used to it and always wear it."
"Thanks -" she whispered and while the man left, she couldn't help but run a finger over the soft leather.
End of flashback:/
She had never told her mother that the wand holster used to belong to her father; she didn't want that argument that would no doubt erupt between them.
The few hours between her arrival and the arrival of their guest was filled with pictures and knowledge of each member coming today. Those members included, Lycoris Black, Callidora Longbottom nee Black, Cedrella Weasley nee Black with her oldest son, Marcus, the boy's wife Abigail and their children, twin girls Violette and Belvina as well as their older son Ethan. Her youngest son is off in Japan. There is also Charis Crouch Black and her middle daughter, Amber Crouch.
"Cedrella Weasley was cast away from the family when she married her husband, Septimus Weasley who was considered a blood traitor. However, Arcturus accepted her back into the family." Cassiopeia explained before drawing a sigh. "I do have a feeling we may see an argument between Cedrella and Charis. Charis' son Barty Crouch sentenced many of the Black Family to Azkaban. Justly so considering they were seen supporting or actually in the service of the Dark Lord. Sadly that extended to his son, Bartimus Crouch Jr."
"He sentenced his own son to Azkaban?" She whispered earning a nod from Cassiopeia.
"The boy was found guilty of the use of an unforgivable not to mention having the Dark Mark upon his forearm. He was a marked Death Eater and now that I think of it, we may have a scuffle between Charis and Callidora." Cassiopeia sighed, now thinking over why she had chosen to invite Charis Crouch.
"Why?"
"You're unaware of the history between the Crouch and Longbottom Family?" Cassiopeia asked hesitantly and at the confused look she received let a sigh leave her lips. "Bartimus Crouch Jr., his grandmother's sister was Callidora Longbottom making Bartimus and Frank second cousins. The boy took the Dark Mark in his late teens and when the Dark Lord was defeated, he worked with his fellow Death Eaters to search for their fallen master. He captured with Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange after they tortured two aurors with the Cruciatus Curse leaving them insane. Those two aurors were Frank and Alice Longbottom grandson and granddaughter-in-law to Callidora."
"Longbottom, were they Neville's parents?" she asked hesitantly, earning a nod from her aunt.
Looking away, Kinsley felt herself grow angry. Tortured to insanity, how somebody could do that to another human being, she didn't know how but it was clear there was some bad blood inside the Black family and there would be a stigma that will go with it. She was beginning to see that it wasn't going to be easy being Kinsley Black, especially at Hogwarts.
Before they could continue however, a house elf appeared and bowed.
"Guests be arriving Mistress Cassiopeia." It squeaked urging the two witches to their feet with a dismissal to the little creature, Cassiopeia led the way out of the sitting room giving Kinsley the time to make sure she was still presentable.
Thankfully, nothing was out of place and as they arrived at the entrance hall, they found a small family being waited on by a house elf. One look at them had Kinsley smiling, especially because of the red hair, which made it easy to identify who had arrived.
At the four front, stood an elderly witch, she had white hair curled into a not at the back of her head, and was dressed in a set of light summer robs of soft blue. Beside her, helping another woman – this one younger in age – out of her cloak was a tall man with red hair slowly balding from his head.
He was also dressed in fine robes, but his were charcoal with a splash of blue to accent it all. The woman at his side had brown curly hair and wore a blue semi-formal dress with mid sleeves and golden heels on her feet. She was pretty and it was clear her son took after her.
Her son stood behind her a roguish smile on his lips. He was tall and bear like with taught muscles and broad shoulders. His hair was thick and long, it would have gone to his shoulders if it hadn't been pulled back into a bun. His beard covered the bottom half of his face, although a thick scar running from his right cheek down his neck gave a long bald patch. He was dressed formally in a pair of slacks and a cream dress shirt, a blue button up vest over it and dragon hide boots.
Beside him were two girls, they looked younger than her. They were also dressed in blue dresses although deeper blues then their mother as they took their fathers hair giving them flaming red curls.
Then came another figure, this one Kinsley did not recognize, yet she knew he was a Weasley. He was tall, thin yet handsome with his red hair wore long and in a ponytail. He had a fang earing dangling from his ear and wore a set of black slacks with a cream dress shirt, yet he wore a deep red waistcoat over it and dragon hide boots.
"Ah yes, Cedrella asked me if she could bring the future Lord Weasley, William Weasley, the oldest son of Arthur Weasley." Cassiopeia began earning a smile from the tall red head. "I welcome you all to the Château Black, to those who may not have met me in the past I am Cassiopeia Black the young lady beside me is the Heiress of the Black Family and the reason we are all getting together, Kinsley Black."
"Pleasure to meet you all," She greeted politely, trying her best not to look too much at Bill. Ron had told her stories about his oldest brother, about how cool he was and how he worked in Egypt, he never told her that he was supposed to be the future Lord Weasley. Then again, it was possible he didn't know.
"Thank you for having us in your home Cassy. It's wonderful to see you again." Cedrella greeted sound happy. "Allow me to introduce my oldest son, Marcus Weasley and his wife Abigail Weasley."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Marcus greeted while taking Cassiopeia's hand and kissing the back of it lightly. He did the same to Kinsley. "Heiress Black, your return was both unexpected yet warming at the same time."
As he stood back, Cedrella continued with introductions.
"My grandchildren, Heir to the McKinnon family, Ethan and my daughter granddaughter's Violette Weasley and Belvina Weasley, and as Cassiopeia observed, my oldest grandchild, William Weasley although he goes by "Bill", he will be the future Lord Weasley." Cedrella accented, yet she gave the boy a found look that he answered with a smile to.
"Thank you for having me into your home," Bill greeted following Marcus' example by kissing both their hands.
"Welcome to Château Black," she greeted warmly while giving him a small smile.
Soon enough the wizard would know just who she used to be. The question was what was going to be done to stop people from talking about it outside of the family.
Author note:
I had this chapter written and everything on Monday then it vanished, so I had to re-write it. Because of that, things changed as you could well imagine. The meeting with the family was meant to take more time than this but I will hurry on the next chapter. The next chapter as you can well imagine will focus on the Black Family lunch together and getting to know some characters.
Note people that this is a Fanfiction and although Rowling declares certain people dead, I have chosen to change a few of those things. I have also added extra members by basing myself off the family tree of the Black Family.