She hated traveling by Floo. The only thing she hated more was the fact that she wasn't entirely sure where she was going. Sure, Charlus had told her where to go but, as he told them, Potter Manor had five different fireplaces that were connected to the Floo. James' bright idea was for her to be tied to him, so she'd come out of the right gate. James, of course, knew exactly where he was going, so they traveled faster than she'd ever gone on the Floo. Finally, thankfully, she felt the rope between her and James go taunt, meaning James was finally leaving the Floo system. Her relief was short lived, however, when she collided with James' solid form in the sitting room, sending them both crashing to the ground.

"Mione, have you ever traveled by Floo?" James asked, laughing.

"I bloody well have, but never that fast!" she exclaimed, standing and brushing herself off. "Did we have to basically fly through there?"

"Not necessarily," James said, smirking. "I thought it would be fun."

"Jamie, we have very different ideas of fun," Hermione deadpanned.

Finally, the rest of their motley crew came through the Floo, with Sirius leading them, and Alastor bringing up the rear.

"James, did you forget that we closed all of the other fireplaces until Hermione gets used to stopping at this gate?" Dorea asked, delicately brushing the ash off of her robes, and then doing the same for Charlus.

"Er, dear," Charlus said, smiling. "I may have forgotten to tell James."

"Charlus!" Dorea said, smiling. "You didn't have to traumatize poor Hermione by making her Floo with James! Hermione dear, just remember its the first gate on the Potter network that'll bring you here. The second takes you to the library, third is the kitchens, that's mostly used by the elves. Fourth leads to Charlus' and my wing and the fifth leads to the wing you'll be staying in"

"Thank you, Auntie," Hermione said, smiling. "Jamie, Siri, Remy, why don't you three show me around, so I can get some of these items out of my bag and into the proper bedroom?"

"I'll catch up with you," Regulus said, setting his trunk down. "I want to make up for lost time with Char...er...mum and dad."

"Of course, Reggie," Hermione said, smiling. "Jamie, can you grab his trunk? We'll put it away for you, Reg."

Regulus smiled at them as he settled into a seat, getting acquainted with his parents.

Three days later, Hermione was passing out the letters that had arrived for everyone at the breakfast table.

"Al, this one is from the Auror force, Kings, same for you. Uncle Charlie, this one's from Gringotts, Auntie Hope, Molly's written," she said, passing them out. "Strange."

"Strange that Molly Weasley's written Hope?" Sirius said, shoveling egg into his mouth. "Not likely, I think Molly writes to Hope more than she speaks to her husband."

"No, not that," Hermione said, solemnly. "This. It's addressed to 'Ms. Granger, Mr. Lupin, Mr. Potter and Mr. Potter'."

"Who's it from?" asked Alastor, looking up from his letter.

"The Ministry," she said, opening the letter.

Hermione, Remus, James and Sirius,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Edgar Bones. I am Head of the Auror office, as well as a member of the Order. I'm writing to inform you that the trial for Peter Pettigrew, Bellatrix Black, Rodolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, and Lucius Malfoy will take place in two weeks' time, on Friday, August 20th. The trial will be held in courtroom C of the Wizengamot.

With the official business done, I wanted to personally thank you, Hermione, for not only saving the life of my most decorated Auror, but the lives of my family. The night Pettigrew, Black, Malfoy and the Lestranges plotted against you, several more marked Death Eaters arrived at my home. Had you not spoken to Charlus and Dorea, my family would not have been protected, and my daughter, Amelia, most likely an orphan just before her final year of Hogwarts. The Bones are indebted to you.

I also wanted to inform you, as I have informed Alastor and Kingsley, that you will have permanent Auror/Order protection until the madman is dealt with. Please do not think this is an inconvenience to them, both Alastor and Kingsley have written to me expressing they both see great potential in the four of you, along with Regulus. Consider it a live-in mentorship, if it helps your conscience. Alastor also told me what you did for him, creating his prosthetic. Again, I thank you humbly.

Yours,

Edgar Bones
Head of Auror Office
Senior OOTP Member

PS, I am aware of Remus' time constraints around that date, and I assure you, this matter will be dealt with swiftly, with enough time to return back to Potter Manor safely before moonrise.

"The head of the Aurors knows I'm a werewolf and won't arrest me?" Remus said, amazed.

"Tha' would be my doin'," Alastor said gruffly. "I've met plenty o' werewolves in me time, yer the only one I'd sit an' have a cuppa with."

"Thank you, Al," Remus said, reaching across the table to shake his hand. "You have no idea how much that means, coming from you."

Alastor just nodded and returned to his breakfast.

"Are you lot sure you're ready to face Peter at trial?" Dorea asked suddenly. "Hermione, you and Remus are going to have to testify that the only reason you knew he'd betray you was because of the Oath."

"The Oath isn't illegal though," Remus said thoughtfully. "It's not even considered dark, it's more grey, and seldom used."

"How are you going to explain your knowledge of it?" James asked, genuinely curious.

"Simple," Hermione said between bites. "Remus and I are lovers of knowledge. I did read about the Oath in a book that I found at the Keep. I had previous knowledge of it from before, but I won't be lying if I say I read it at the Keep."

"Not to mention," Remus added. "It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to say that I've read every book at the Keep, which I have."

The group settled into a comfortable silence at that, each of them deep in thought, finishing their meals.

"Mione," Sirius suddenly said. "How did Bones know about my name changing?"

"It's recorded in the ministry, I'd imagine," she said, looking at the aurors. "It is, isn't it."

"It is," Kingsley said, his deep soothing baritone reaching them all easily. "There's also a section in the Prophet detailing marriages, divorces, births, deaths, adoptions, and name changes."

Sirius went white at that. "Alphard, Orion, and Andromeda have all seen it by now," he said, his food forgotten. "What if they just think I just gave up the Black name? What if they don't know I was stolen from you?"

"It's a good thing I sent out a letter the morning after we came to the manor then, Siri," Hermione said, smiling. "I wrote them all, explaining what Walburga did, and where you're staying now if they want to see you."

Sirius leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You're amazing, you know that?"

Hermione blushed. "You would have done the same if it was me."

Dorea caught Hermione's blush but chose to say nothing.

Then, three owls flew through the open window, all landing in front of Sirius. "I can tell by looking at the owls. The two bigger ones are Black owls. The barn owl is Andi's."

"So read the letters, Siri," Hermione said softly. "The owls came to you, they're addressed to you."

Sirius opened the owls from the Black men first.

"Alphard's letter is formal, which is normal for him. It basically says he still cares for Reg and I and he'll always support us in what we choose to do. Da...Orion's says the same, with the addition that he and Alphard want to come see Mum and Dad and speak to them." He then opened Andi's letter. "It would be easier for me to read this one out loud to you."

Siri,

Of all the harebrained schemes I have known Walburga to pull, kidnapping and line theft in order to stay in a loveless marriage to cousin Orion was not one of them. I am truly sorry for all of you to have gone through this. Please know that our relationship does not end there. We are still family through Dorea, and Ted and I still need my little cousins to witness our wizarding wedding (we had our muggle wedding a few years ago, I always wanted the two of you there, and now that I can, we're finally doing it!).

I love you both, Siri and Reggie. I always have, and I always will. I can't begin to express how happy I am that you're both away from that harpy. Oh! I doubt Orion has told you, but he's divorcing Walburga finally, and Alphard has offered him a wing at Black Manor!

Send my love to everyone!

Love,

Andi

"Huh," Regulus said, scratching his head. "I didn't know Andi and Ted were married already."

"I don't think you were to know," James said softly. "Ted's muggleborn, right? Imagine what would have happened to Andi if she had sent a muggle wedding invitation to you while you were still living with Walburga."

Sirius and Regulus shuddered, dozens of scenarios going through their mind. "Point proven, big brother," Regulus said, grinning at James.

"Did you just call me big brother?" James whispered, looking between Sirius and Regulus.

"Well, I mean," Regulus stuttered. "You are, you're the oldest of the three of us, making you our big brother."

"I-I guess it didn't hit me until now," James said, grinning. "I'm a big brother!"

Dorea smiled at her sons, "It took you this long to realize it?"

"Well, Sirius was supposed to be the oldest, even Hermione knew that he was born in November fifty-nine," James said, looking at Hermione. "Did you know any of this before?

"No, James," Hermione said, smiling at her friend. "Just the letter I found that I showed you all. Like I said, we didn't have a way to test it since we didn't have access to Sirius and Regulus."

"Missy Mione," Mipsy suddenly said, causing the teens to jump. "There be's two Misters Black waiting in the sitting room. Theys said you invited them."

"Alphard and Orion," Dorea said, looking at the boys. "We'll all join you. Kingsley, Alastor, Alphard and Orion are the only two Blacks, save for Andi that I trust with the children, why don't you two finish breakfast and head outside, the sun will do Al some good."

Hermione and Dorea led Sirius and Regulus into the sitting room, where two sophisticated, yet friendly wizards sat, waiting for them.

"You must be Hermione," the older of the two men said, rising. "Alphard Black, at your service and in your debt."

"There are no debts among friends, Mister Black," Hermione said, shaking his hand. "This is Remus Lupin, my cousin, and Hope Lupin, my aunt. I believe you know everyone else."

"Lupin?" Orion said, rising, looking at Remus intently. "Didn't your father work at the ministry?"

"He did," Hope said, answering for Remus. "His work there is what caused Remus' condition. We haven't spoken to him since Remus was accepted into Hogwarts, he's the one that started the campaign to prohibit lycanthropes from going to school with everyone else. Of course, he failed, and I divorced him, but we don't associate with him anymore."

"I'd thought as much," Orion said, smiling. "Orion Black, I'm the 'anonymous donor' that paid for all seven years' supply of wolfsbane ingredients. I'm also the one that taught Regulus how to brew it, while my soon to be ex-wife was having tea at her mother's every week."

"I...sir, I don't know how to thank you!" Remus said, shaking Orion's hand enthusiastically. "That potion got me through Hogwarts."

Orion smiled warmly and clapped Remus on the back. His attention then turned to Sirius and Regulus. "I'm so sorry boys, I had no idea what Walburga had done. I-I know you don't want to hear this, but in twenty years of marriage, we only shared a bed three times, our wedding night, so magic would recognize the marriage, nine months before Sirius' arrival and nine months before Regulus' arrival."

I, that is, we don't blame you," Sirius said, finally. "Apparently, no one knew."

"Boys, I know now that I'm not your father, but I have a huge favor to ask you, Sirius, and Charlus. May we have some privacy?" Orion asked, solemnly.

"The library," Charlus said, gesturing to the door.

The three men entered the library, Orion turning to look at Sirius.

"Son," he began, pain in his voice. "I'm much too old to have another child."

"Da...Ori...err..." Sirius began. "What do you mean?"

Orion took a deep breath, "I'm asking Charlus' permission to name you as Black Heir still. Now, before you think you have to change your name again, you can keep the name Potter. The only requirement is your firstborn son be named the new Black Heir. Nothing will happen until I pass, mind you."

"So," Charlus said, turning to his middle son. "Orion is just asking if you'd take over the Black vaults, properties, businesses, and investments after his death. You'll not have to do anything until that happens, which, Fate willing, will not be for a very long time."

Sirius nodded, speechless. "I-yes, I'd be honored. I have some questions, though."

"Of course," Orion said, smiling.

"My hypothetical first born son," Sirius said nervously. "Do they have to have the Black name, or is that optional?"

"It's up to you," Orion answered. "Well, you and your wife, when the time comes."

"Thank you," Sirius breathed. "Er, I don't feel right calling you Orion, you raised me."

"Sirius, what did you call him growing up?" Charlus asked, genuinely curious.

"Around Walburga, we called him father," he said, scowling slightly. "Alone though, he was papa."

"Sirius, I'm your father," Charlus began. "But Orion raised you. You have my blessing to call him papa, especially considering my own father passed long before you and James came into the world."

"Reminding me of my age, Charlus?" Orion asked, laughing lightly.

"It's not my fault you didn't get married until you were in your forties, O," Charlus jibed back. "Besides, before you married Walburga, you were my mentor."

"Fine," Orion said, smiling. "I'll gladly take the role of grandfather, not just to Sirius and Regulus, but to all the kids."