"That was Nymphy." Sirius grinned.
"Don't call me that." He heard an angry shout, "Don't bother to come help Siri, I'm just fine."
"Moony will help you Nymphy." He said with a wink at Volans.
"Thank you Remus." The voice sounded calmer, "You are a gentleman among dogs."
"Thanks I think." Remus' voice held definite amusement.
"You two should really stop torturing the poor girl." Ted pointed his fork at Sirius, "One of these days…"
"Pow right in the kisser." Sirius finished with a small laugh, "Lily loves the old stuff."
"Never the less it still holds true." He chuckled.
Volans was totally lost so he assumed it was some muggle or light side joke. By this time the last two had arrived. Volans turned to greet Remus when he noticed the girl had bright pink hair. On closer inspection he noticed her clothes were torn in spots but she didn't seem to care. She winked at him and when the eye reopened it was a different color. Two can play at this game he keep his face straight at he winked back and changed the color of the eye. The girl nearly fell out of her chair when she noticed.
"You're a metamorph." She pointed at him with her eyes wide.
"I guess it takes one to know one." Sirius laughed.
"She usually does that eye color change to freak out new people." Ted sighed.
"It works." Volans chuckled turning both eyes the new color.
"How much do you have?" she asked as she changed her hair to bright blue.
"Not much." He changed his to the dark blond and grew long, "Eyes and hair four color variations and height three inches either way. What about you?"
"Basically I can change everything except I'm always a girl." She shrugged, "It was murder to get under control. I couldn't be near muggles until I was six."
"I've not been near a muggle since I was a year old." Volans tilted his head, "Before then I don't remember so it doesn't matter."
"Where have you been?" she asked with a smile, "Under a rock?"
"Dora stop." Andromeda chastised, "He was kidnapped and raised by your Aunt."
"Narcissa?" she asked.
"No the other one." She patted the boy's head.
Shock was the only thing on her face when what her mother had said registered. After the shock he noticed horror began to overtake her features and her mother again interrupted her gaping.
"He was able to escape yesterday."
"Sirius did Headmaster Dumbledore decide who I am yet?" Volans changed the subject.
"No, but he wants us to go to Gringotts and see if they can tell us anything. They have ways of knowing who an heir is without us telling them. So we're hoping they'll work their magic on you."
"Moth… Bellatrix always said they were dirty vile animals. So I'm guessing they're probably fluffy bunnies." Volans commented.
"Not quite fluffy bunnies, but I wouldn't call them dirty, vile or animals. They are a magical race." Ted corrected with a small grin.
"You've never been to Gringotts?" Nymphadora asked.
"Before yesterday I don't remember ever being away from Lestrange manor." Volans shrugged, "Before they took me I was somewhere else but I don't remember anything."
"I can go check on missing person cases." She turned thoughtful, "You're eleven?"
"Yes." He replied.
"The only ten year old case I know is Potter." She scrunched up her face, "But I imagine that one would have eclipsed most anything else."
"It is possible my parents gave me to her." He responded, "I've heard them threaten to make other kids disappear if a debt isn't paid or something isn't done."
"That's terrible." She gasped.
"But not unheard of." Remus wouldn't look up from his plate.
"No one holds it against you Remus." Nymphadora patted his shoulder, "If they do they aren't worth your time."
"Does everyone here know?" Volans asked, "About your furry problem I mean."
Remus looked up and smiled slightly, "Yes everyone here knows I'm a werewolf. How do you know?"
"I heard many complaints about the 'stupid werewolf Lupin' at the dinner table." Volans grinned, "I was concerned about meeting you in the office because Greyback is the only other one I'd met. Headmaster Dumbledore assured me you were nothing like him and I'm glad to report he was very correct."
Remus chuckled at Volans' antics as they went on about eating breakfast. It was near the end of breakfast that Nymphadora sunk back into auror mode.
"Question for you Volans." She pointed her fork at him, "Is that your un-morphed look?"
"No, I've got my hair a bit short from its natural length." He responded, "It's normal length leaves it messy. Mo… Bellatrix hated it. One evening, I was about two I think, she got so mad at my hair that she took scissors and cut it all off. I was practically bald. The next day it was back to its normal look. That was the day we began my metemorph training. I had been scheduled to meet Draco that day and they put it off for about three years while I trained. She never let anyone outside herself and Rodolphus see me in my natural state. I walked right by Draco yesterday and he didn't recognize me."
"Can you show us?" she asked.
He lengthened his hair, "There that is the natural state."
"Oh." She looked at Sirius who nodded.
"You recognize me too." Volans stated regaining her attention, "Headmaster Dumbledore said not to say anything so I don't get my hopes up."
"Who else is going into Gringotts with you?" Nymphadora asked Sirius.
"Just me, why?"
"I think us two metamorphs better get a look that's similar and I'll go as his mother." She told him eyeing Volans' hair again, "They should know by now that he's gone and everyone knows you don't have any kids of your own. If anyone asks you can tell them you're helping me with the boy as a favor. Do you think you can act the part Volans?"
"I've been playing the good pureblood son for the last six years." He stated solemnly, "I believe I can pretend you are my mother. How do you want to be addressed?"
"Mum would be fine." She said thoughtfully, "Any habits that might get us spotted?"
"I get very still when nervous." He replied, "I have to force myself to fidget. But I can do it, I fooled Snape last night."
"So do you know which side he is really on?" she asked.
"No clue." Volans shook his head, "The man is the ultimate Slytherin and doesn't let anything show. Even Bellatrix isn't sure which side he is on."
"Right, well back to the plan." She resumed her previous train of thought, "Remus which is easier to believe, Sirius helping someone because Lily asked or because he found her attractive and is following like a lost puppy."
"Lost puppy." Remus happily stated as Sirius nodded in agreement not the slightest bit embarrassed.
"Right, so what should I look like, keeping in mind we don't want all of Diagon Alley staring at us." She reminded them.
"Blond." Sirius said immediately.
"This is as blond as I can get." Volans showed his dark blond hair.
"I'd say go with brown and I'll do the same." She instructed, "Brown eyes too."
"But I was going to say blue." Sirius pouted.
"I'd rather do hazel." Volans suggested, "She has seen me with brown far too often."
"Ok, what style hair should you go with?" she asked him.
"Very short, she knows I hate short hair." Volans answered.
"You should do a Mohawk." Sirius snickered.
"A what?" he asked.
"This." Nymphadora was sporting a pink Mohawk in just a few seconds.
"That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen." Volans shook his head and chuckled, "And you think we can walk down Diagon Alley with my hair like that and people won't stare?"
"Point." Nymphadora grinned, "I wasn't agreeing with him I was just showing you. Can you do curls?"
Volans scrunched up his face for a moment and soon had a head of short brown curls, "How's that Mum?"
"That's fine dear." She now sported long brown hair that curled on the ends. They looked at each other with matching hazel eyes and everyone laughed.
"And I never thought we'd get any grandchildren dear." Ted chuckled.
"You need to get going." Remus looked at his watch, "He has an appointment in thirty minutes and you know they abhor tardiness."
"Wait, we need a backup plan." Nymphador stopped them from leaving the table, "What happens if she finds us and tries to take him?"
"Other that ripping her head off?" Sirius asked with a slight glare.
"I can apparate." Volans offered.
"We don't need any letters." Remus started.
"He won't get any letters." Andromeda interrupted, "He has been raised as a Black."
"Still we don't want anyone to know you have a wand you can use." Remus pointed out.
"We can call it accidental magic." Sirius shrugged.
"But he's eleven." Nymphadora added.
"Not if I shrink three inches." Volans informed them, "Then I look ten at most. That would also cover why I'm not in school."
"Right, now that all the details are settled can we go?" Sirius asked.
"Good luck." Ted called as the group headed out.
"Is it always this crowded?" Volans asked after they had passed through from the Leaky Cauldron and out into the street on the magical side.
"Sometimes its worse." Sirius confided, "Relax a little bit."
"I never knew there were so many choices." Volans was looking into the quidditch shop.
"No dawdling son, we have a schedule to keep to." Nymphadora stated and gave him a tug to make him face forward and walk a little quicker.
"Sorry Mum." He dutifully turned back but still tried to steal glances over his shoulder.
It didn't take long to reach the bank. Volans tried to keep moving, he was so nervous he just wanted to freeze up but he kept himself fidgeting and looking around. Sirius approached the tellers and soon the three of them were led off by another Goblin.
"Dumbledore's letter wasn't very informative." The Goblin they were meeting with said as a way of greeting.
"We have a delicate matter and we wish to have the upmost secrecy." Sirius explained, "The two with me are metamorphs and they'll now change back to their normal appearance. We're trying to identify the boy. We think we know who he is but we'd like confirmation."
"Why hasn't the Ministry asked us?" the Goblin leered at them.
"Because I didn't go to the Ministry, I don't trust them." Volans answered.
"We can do this for a price." The Goblin sneered at them, "Who is willing to pay it?"
"How much?" Volans asked.
"Two hundred galleons." It replied.
"I'm paying." Sirius spoke before Volans could, "It is coming from the Black family vault."
Volans was about to protest when he had thought, "A Black kidnapped me so a Black should pay for me to be found." He nodded at Sirius who was watching for his response.
"We'll need your blood." The Goblin handed a vial to Volans who took it and turned to Nymphadora for help. After it was full the Goblin continued, "We'll owl you tomorrow of anything we find."
"May I pick it up instead?" Sirius asked, "I do not wish this to be intercepted."
"Be here at noon." The Goblin instructed as Nymphadora and Volans changed back into their disguises.
Upon leaving the bank Volans nearly had a heart attack when he saw Bellatrix coming their way. He pulled in close to Nymphadora's side and tried to watch the woman without looking like he was watching. Once she passed behind them he was hard pressed not to turn around and look. He didn't breathe easy until they were back at Andromeda's house. Nymphadora checked him for new tracking spells before they let him go. Ted then stole Volans away to show him the car in the garage. It was his pride and joy and he loved showing it off. Inside Sirius and Nymphadora explained to the other two what had happened. Two hours later they all gathered together for lunch.
"Having fun looking over Dad's baby?" Nymphadora asked him.
"It is fantastic." Volans grinned, "He promised to take me for a ride later."
"Good to see you smiling again." She teased, "I thought you were going to have a seizure when we saw her in the Alley."
"Me too." Volans agreed, "She looked normal though so either she doesn't know I'm gone yet or HE doesn't know I'm gone yet."
"There were no attacks last night." Sirius threw out, "I wonder what they're planning?"
"I wish I could tell you." He answered as they dug into their lunch.
"Is everyone going for a ride after lunch or is it just me and Volans?" Ted asked changing the subject.
"I'll go." Nymphadora agreed as did Sirius.
"Whoa." Volans jumped as they backed out of the garage, "This feels weird."
"Weird but awesome." Sirius agreed, "The first time I was in a car was at the Potter's house. After a few times I loved it so much I made plans to buy a muggle motorcycle. It is MY pride and joy."
"Can I ride?" Volans asked.
"Sure." Sirius agreed, "But you may change your mind after seeing it."
"Why would I do that?" he asked grinning as they sped up, "Can this go faster?"
"It can." Ted laughed.
"Have you ever flown a broom?" Sirius asked.
"Every day of my life practically." Volans threw back.
"Well then you just might like my bike." Sirius answered.
"Who taught you to fly a broom?" Nymphadora asked sometime later.
"I don't know." He laughed, "Mother loves to tell the story how she couldn't find me one day. She had the elves look all over the house for me but I was not to be found. Finally Father looked out one of the second story windows as I flew by, evidentially laughing loud enough that he heard me inside. I was in trouble for going out without asking but not for flying."
"How old were you?" she asked laughing.
"She said I was two." He answered, "I don't really remember it."
Nymphadora turned in shock to Sirius, the other occupant of the back seat. His face showed only pride in the boy. Meanwhile Volans was in the front seat urging Ted to go faster.
"Andromeda would skin me if I did." Ten said, "We'll be back home in a few moments anyway."
"Can we go again tomorrow? What about your bike Sirius?" Volans was obviously excited.
"We'll have to get permission from Andy." Sirius said, "Or Dumbledore. That might be the easier option."
"By then you should know who his parents are." Ted added in, "We'll probably have to ask them."
"If they care." Volans said as they pulled back into the garage.
"I think they will." Sirius added with a positive note, "I think everything is going to turn out fine."
"Good you're back." Andromeda met them at the door, "Sirius, you need to get to the Potter's. Remus has already left. They've just heard about what's going on and they're getting overly excited."
"I can go with you and fix that curse now." Volans stated, "Then you will only have to calm them down about the boy being alive somewhere. I wish I knew where but they never said."
"Thank you, but Dumbledore said you were to rest this afternoon." Sirius put a hand on his shoulder, "You ran away yesterday and gave blood to the Goblins today. You should recover."
"Not really much to recover from. It was stressful running away but not really hard." Volans shrugged.
"Even so we'll do what the Headmaster says." Andromeda added, "It will probably be less stressful on the Potter's to learn about it today and deal with it tomorrow."
"Ok." Volans nodded in agreement, "I guess I've had a lot more time to process everything."
"Good lad." Ted patted his head, "Why don't you go get cleaned up and we'll see what we can make for dinner. Dromeda did make breakfast and lunch for us."
"Ok!" he replied with more enthusiasm and pelted up the stairs. Several minutes later he returned to find Sirius and Nymphadora gone, "What are we making?"
"My specialty is spaghetti." Ted replied, "Do you like Italian?"
"Don't know, never tried any that I know of." He shrugged, "What do you want me to do?"
By his bed time Volans was ready for it. As Andromeda tucked him in he yawned, "I guess it's a good thing I didn't go with Sirius. I'm Exhausted. I have no idea how tired that spell will make me."
"Tell me about the spell she used on Lily. I mean Mrs. Potter." Andromeda stated. Volans explained the spell, what it did and what the counter spell was. Andromeda nodded, "I remember that spell. Mother taught it to us. She was very much like Bella without the crazy."
"After meeting Aunty Walburga I wondered if there were any sane Blacks at all." Volans grimaced, "Bella showed me how your names were blasted off the family tapestry. I knew then if I ever left I wanted to meet you and Sirius. If they didn't like you then you had to be good people."
"You are good people to." She chuckled, "You remind me of myself after I was at Hogwarts for a few years. I was actually stupid enough to believe the pure blood drivel until Hogwarts opened my eyes and my heart. I was clever enough to hide my new view until I could escape too."
"Sirius seems like he's clever enough." Volans yawned again, "I wonder why he didn't hide it better?"
"He could have." Andromeda sighed as she left the room, "He chose not to hide it. I asked him why once and he said to show us all it could be done. I still think he brought unnecessary trouble onto himself."