Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.

Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.

A/N: This story is A/U (Alternative Universe) and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.

Heir to the House of Black

Orion and Scrimgeour came to an agreement. Orion would work half days in the office for the time being to lower possible confrontations for the time being.

After leaving work for the day. Orion went back home to speak with Walburga and Alphard.

Walburga was shocked and furious, "I swear, I'm going to kill that man!"

"Walburga please!" Orion pleaded with his wife. "That's not going to solve anything!"

"Well…" Alphard spoke. "Maybe put that on the back burner?" He joked, obviously.

Orion rubbed his temples, "I need a drink."

Orion walked over to the liquor cabinet, but Walburga vanished the entire cabinet away, to Orion's annoyance. "Walburga, please!" Orion was in no mood.

"The situation calls for you to have a clear head, Orion!" Walburga crossed her arms, "Or need I remind you of the last time you decided to get plastered?!"

He growled and went over to another cabinet to partake in another vice of his. He pulled out a cigar and walked towards the front door, "I'm going to go smoke outside, if that's okay with you?!'

"Oh be careful not to choke on it," Walburga shot back sarcastically.

Orion slammed the front door and Walburga stormed upstairs to her bedroom.

Which left Alphard all alone. He sighed, and decided to get back to his research, which was coming up empty, if he could be honest.

He wasn't able to find anything relating to 'The Unbreakable Vow' being countermanded.

Alphard walked back into the small library that Orion and Walburga had at Grimmauld Place. He took his seat back at the table up between the bookshelves, and got back to work.

Alphard was looking up on any sort of magic that could counter the 'Unbreakable Vow'. However, he came up to several dead ends. He was starting another long session of research.

He was several cups of black tea in another long night of research. Alphard had finished the pot that Kreacher had given him.

Alphard rubbed his eyes and gently slapped his face to pep himself up. Sleep was trying it's best to overtake him, but it would not succeed, not yet anyways.

He kept reading the book in front of him. It was a time on counters to strong magicks, but there was nothing about the 'Unbreakable Vow'.

Alphard shut the book with a soft slam and groaned in frustration.

"Something on your mind?"

Alphard looked up to see his sister, Walburga, with a kettle of tea in her hand.

"I have looked through several of our ancestral books and tomes, I called in favors from countless friends across the globe for information, and have borrowed books from others to see if there is a counter to the Vow." He motioned at the books and papers across the desk. "Nothing! Or at least nothing that can help Orion!"

Walburga strode over to Alphard and refilled his cup. "I don't think I've ever seen you study this hard before. Certainly not during our time at Hogwarts."

"That wasn't important, this is." Alphard blew his rea to cool it down before he sipped the tea in his cup.

Walburga frowned, she knew that Alphard was giving everything he possibly could to help Orion. She put the kettle down and sat with her brother.

Alphard looked at Walburga, "What did Marius say about Orion's chances with this trial?"

"Well it's a tribunal, not a trial, so it won't be open to the public. A panel of three adjudicators will hear the evidence that accuses and defends Orion, Marius and opposing counsel will make their cases, and then they will reach a verdict." Walburga sighed, "I'm afraid the court of public opinion is very against us at this point."

Alphard looked back at the tomes and books in front of him and rubbed his eyes. "I need a break."

Walburga sighed and gently rubbed her temples, "Was I too hard on Orion?"

"Yes you were, but to be fair so was he," Alphard pointed out. "But under the circumstances, that's completely understandable."

Walburga looked at the walls of the library and saw a family portrait of herself with her parents, and her brothers. "Why would mother agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow? She would never do anything like that!"

"Yeah she would…" A flash of realization came across Alphard's face. "...Say that again."

Walburga turned to her younger brother, "Mother would never agree to cast anything like the Unbreakable Vow."

"...No, she wouldn't…" Alphard got up and walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a book labeled, 'False Incantations, A History of Subterfuge Spellcasting.'

He opened it and began to read from it, he flipped through the pages like a madman.

"Alphard, what is it?"

"Something I failed to think of," Alphard responded. He flipped through several more pages until he found what he was looking for. Alphard read the passage, and grinned. "Got you."

Walburga did a double take, "What? Did you find something that can help Orion?'

"If I'm right Orion doesn't need our help, but we're going to need to see Father. If I'm right, he has some explaining to do."

They both collected Orion and went back to Embershade.

They came in through the floo. Alphard looked around and called for Foedus, "Foedus? Are you here?"

Foedus appeared before the three of them. "Good evening Master Alphard, may Foedus help you?"

Walburga addresses the elderly House Elf. "Where is our father Foedus? We must speak with him."

"Master Pollux is taking his evening tea in the lounge area," Foedus directed them to the lounge area.

The three of them walked into the lounge, where Pollux Black was sipping on his Blackberry tea. "To what do I owe this visit, at this time at night?"

Alphard took the book and plopped it before Pollux on the table. "Game's up, old man. I figured everything out."

Orion widened his eyes, "You found a counter to the Unbreakable Vow?"

Alphard looked at his father, "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"

Pollux looked confused, but Alphard knew better. His father was simply putting up an act. "Alphard, I don't know what you mean."

"Fine, have it your way, old man." He turned to Orion. "You can tell the truth of that day all you want. You were never under The Unbreakable Vow whatsoever."

"What?!" Orion was dumbstruck.

Walburga asked her brother, "Are you for certain Alphard?"

"Dead certain." He turned towards Orion, Walburga, and Foedus who walked in to see what was going on.

"I'll be honest, this whole thing just didn't make a lick of sense. Absolutely none." Alphard started to explain his reasoning. "We all knew our mother, or at least thought we did. She was a kind, caring, and thoughtful individual, who always saw the good in people."

Orion, and Walburga thought of Irma Black. She was without a doubt one of the kindest souls, that they had the pleasure of knowing.

"So, with that portrait of mother, crafted carefully in our minds, ask this question. Why would she ever agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow on Orion?"

Orion, and Walburga thought to themselves and came to the same realization. She wouldn't.

Foedus pointed out, "Madam Irma was a kind witch, always treated Foedus fairly. Never asked Foedus to discipline himself whenever Foedus dropped a plate."

"No, she wasn't…it wasn't in her nature," Orion thought aloud.

Walburga nodded, but then looked at her father, who looked cross. "Father would have probably demanded her to…"

"Our mother was just as strong willed as she was kind. When could our father ever tell her to do something?" Alphard pointed that inconsistency out.

Walburga nodded, "He couldn't. She was the driving force behind Father."

Pollux Black throat and gained everyone's attention. "This is all so very introspective, and quite performative, Alphard. However, there's one thing contradicting your theory. Your mother casted the spell in front of Orion and myself. If she did as you said, we would have heard her say something completely different!"

Alphard smiled, and he went to the book before Pollux and opened it to the page he wanted. "Iners Navitas. This spell basically voids any and all magical energy of any spells casted afterwards. This made the impression that Mother caster the Vow, but not the intended effect."

Orion was speechless, and emotionless.

Walburga was on the fence, not knowing what to believe.

Alphard took the book off the table and walked over to his sister. "There's an indentation of someone writing the Incantation down, you tell me who's handwriting that is."

Walburga took the book from Alphard and looked at the indentation. It was a spot on match for her mother's handwriting. She felt her shoulders grow less heavy. Orion was free. Walburga cried as she looked up to Alphard. Her brother of whom she had misjudged completely all her life.

Walburga looked over at her father but was shocked when she saw Orion was currently choking Pollux with both hands. "Orion!"

She dropped the book, and ran over to try and pry her husband off of her father. "Orion stop!"

Orion gritted his teeth, his eyes were aflame with an unbridled rage. His hatred was focused on his father-in-law, "I am going to kill you, you damned bastard!" His hands were around Pollux's throat. His grip was tight, and his fingers were interlocked. Orion wasn't letting go for nothing.

Pollux was grasping at Orion's hands trying to get him to stop. His wand was in the other room, and he couldn't concentrate on summoning it.

Walburga tried prying Orion's hands from her father's throat. "Orion, please stop, this won't solve anything!"

"You knew all this time didn't you?! And you kept me living in fear, when I could have told the truth whenever!" Orion tightened his grip.

Pollux was starting to turn a shade of purple as he was starting to fall unconscious.

Walburga turned to Alphard. "Alphard, help me!"

Alphard arms "No, it's easier this way. Let Orion kill the bastard!"

"Alphard, please!"

He sighed and then rushed over to restrain Orion and managed to pull him off of Pollux."Orion, come on. Stop this nonsense." He managed to pry Orion off of Pollux and corralled him over towards the doorway leading into the main hall.

Alphard tried to calm Orion down as he continued to seethe with anger. Walburga rushed over to her father who was gasping for air, and checked his condition. She cast a quick healing spell to ensure that Pollux could breathe properly again.

Orion struggled against Alphard's hold, his eyes still filled with fury. "Let me go! He deserves to pay for what he did!"

Alphard held onto Orion firmly, trying to reason with him. "Violence won't solve anything, Orion. We need to handle this properly."

Walburga approached them, her voice firm but tinged with concern. "Orion, I understand your anger, but attacking him won't change what happened."

Orion's chest heaved as he tried to control his breathing. He looked at Walburga, his gaze filled with a mix of pain and resentment. "He lied to us, Walburga. He let me suffer, thinking I was bound by the Unbreakable Vow. How can I just let that go?"

Walburga took Orion's hands in hers, her touch gentle yet determined. "I know it's difficult, but we have to be smart about this. The important thing here is that you're not bound by anything to keep silent anymore. Now we have an opportunity to let the world, and especially Samuel Yalarad, know what happened with us when Silas was killed." She looked at her father, who was recovering. "But killing him won't achieve that."

"He must pay for this! It's time to bring the truth to light. I won't let this injustice continue."

Orion's anger slowly began to subside, replaced by a sense of exhaustion. He looked into Walburga's eyes, searching for some solace.

Alphard spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "The ball is in our court, ol' son. Now, we give ourselves a platform for you to speak your truth, but we have to do it the right way."

Walburga squeezed Orion's hands, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. "We can expose the truth about the false Unbreakable Vow and the manipulation that has plagued our family for far too long."

Orion took a deep breath, his body visibly relaxing. He nodded, finally relenting.

Alphard released his grip on Orion, giving him a supportive pat on the back. "That's the spirit brother!"

Together, the three of them returned to the lounge area where Pollux was recovering from the ordeal. The tension in the room was palpable. Pollux rubbed his throat, and coughed.

Orion's anger had transformed into a resolute determination,

Walburga turned to Pollux, her voice stern. "Father, you will explain yourself, and your actions during the tribunal. You owe us that much."

Pollux looked visibly shaken but managed to compose himself. "Very well, daughter. But understand this, I only did it to protect you. What happened, if word got out then others would…"

Walburga yelled, letting her emotions out, in a rare display, "I don't give a fucking shite about your reasons, or what other people would have thought!"

Alphard put a hand on his sister;s shoulder to dial her back. "C'Mon, let's go home. We're done here."

"No, we aren't Alphard," Pollux addressed his youngest child. "You and I have a matter to discuss."

Alphard chuckled in frustration, "What do we have to talk about old man?"

"You alone had managed to figure out the truth behind everything. Isn't that right?" Pollux brushed himself out as he stood up.

Alphard crossed his arms, "Walburga helped, but yeah for the most part, it was me."

Pollux glanced over at the box, a small, ornate wooden box resting on a nearby table. "Fetch the box, Foedus," he instructed.

Foedus nodded and did as his master wished.

Confusion filled the air as Walburga turned to her father. "What is this about, Father?"

Pollux's gaze met Alphard's, his voice gentle yet determined. "Inside that box is something that has been passed down through generations. It symbolizes the legacy of our family, the House of Black."

Foedus returned with the box and handed it to Pollux, who opened it carefully. Inside, resting on a plush cushion, was a striking black ring, adorned with the Black family crest.

"I want you to have this, Alphard," Pollux said softly, his eyes fixed on his son. "You've proved yourself to me. I want you to be the new heir of the House of Black, to carry on our legacy."

A silence rose over everyone.

"You must be joking," Alphard sneered at his father. "I swear your attempts at manipulation are getting desperate."

"I'm not trying to manipulate you, insolent child! You've proven yourself, you figured everything out. What you said was true, your mother confessed what she did on her deathbed to me. I was…angry, but it still has the intended effect, so why ruin it?"

Orion frowned, "And yet you still allowed me to think that the Vow was still active! It was like wearing a hangman's noose around my neck at all times! Unsure of when the ground below me would give away!"

"All the better to keep you complacent," Pollux turned from Orion back to Alphard. "I did what I thought was necessary, if you're looking for an apology, I have none to give. When you all came to me to release Orion from the Vow, I was in a position where I could find a new Heir. If either you or your sister found the truth, I would name either you or Walburga heir. It was you who figured it out, so it's you who I name my heir, Alphard. This is what is necessary for our family, but it's also what I want."

"What you want?" Alphard's eyes widened in surprise, but a mixture of pain and resolve appeared in his gaze. "What you want? Let's talk about what I want!" Alphard snarled, "All I ever wanted, Father, was to hear you say that you loved me, that you were proud of me. To know that I mattered to you."

Orion and Walburga held their tongues, it was an already emotionally charged conversation. These feelings that Alphard had were finally being addressed.

Pollux shook his head. "No, son. I…that's not true, I've always cared for you…"

"Only because it was your responsibility. Because it was your duty as a father, but beyond that you couldn't give a toss!" Alphard stared right into his father's eyes, "I was the black sheep of the House of Black. Mother comforted me after you always hurled such abuse at me. How, I was a failure, and an embarrassment to the family. All because I couldn't measure up to Cygnus or Walburga!"

Walburga felt a pang of guilt encroach her heart. When she was a child, she reveled in being better than her younger brother. However, she could see the repercussions of her actions in adulthood

Pollux's expression softened, regret etching deep lines on his face. "Alphard, I... I love you. More than words can express. I have failed you as a father, but please believe that my intentions were always to drive you to your greatest potential."

"Well you fucked that right up. The title and the ring mean nothing to me." Alphard's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he took a step back. "I won't accept it, Father. Either give it to Walburga or leave it for Sirius."

Without another word, Alphard turned and walked towards Orion and Walburga, who stood at the doorway, their eyes filled with empathy and understanding. Together, the three of them left the room, leaving Pollux standing there, his heart heavy with the weight of his mistakes.

With a heavy sigh, he closed the box, the ring now a symbol of the distance between them. Pollux watched them go, a mix of sorrow and determination on his face. He knew that he had much to atone for, much to repair within his fractured family

The three flooed back to Grimmauld Place and everyone was silent when they arrived.

Walburga and Orion were feeling incredibly better now that Orion was in the clear to tell the truth about his whereabouts. However, both of them were more concerned for Alphard at this point in time.

Alphard walked over to where the liquor cabinet used to be. "Put it back."

"Alphard, I don't think that's such a good idea," Walburga pointed out.

Alphard put his head in one hand, and started snapping his fingers and pointed to the place where the cabinet was.

Walburga sighed, and with a wave of her hand put the cabinet back.

Alphard took a bottle of Firewhiskey out and took a gigantic belt from the bottle. He sighed, "I'm going to my room, I'm going to finish this bottle, and go to sleep. In the morning I am going to pack my things, and head back to Villa Zorambra."

"Hold on, Alphard. You're more than welcome to keep staying here! I'm sure the boys would love to see you before you leave!" Orion tried to bargain with him.

"Alphard, please. I know I have been hard with you before, but…" Walburga started to plead with her younger brother as well.

"Walla, just…just stop." Alphard took another swig of the bottle before heading up the stairs to his room, leaving Orion and Walburga there.

Orion and Walburga exchanged a worried glance as they heard Alphard's footsteps receding. The weight of the evening's events still hung heavily in the air.

"He's hurting," Walburga whispered, her voice filled with regret. "Father, Cygnus, and I have hurt him." Her expression filled with remorse. "I was so consumed by my own pain and anger that I didn't see how much Alphard was suffering in his own way. I pushed him away."

Silence settled between them as they contemplated the rift that had formed within their family. The revelation of the false Unbreakable Vow had opened old wounds and unearthed years of pent-up emotions. It was clear that rebuilding the trust and repairing the fractured relationships would take time and effort.

"I need to make things right with him," Walburga said, determination edging her voice. "I owe him that much."

Orion nodded, a newfound resolve shining in his eyes. "You're right, Walburga. We can't let Alphard leave without trying to mend things. We'll find a way to make amends, to show him that he matters to us."

Walburga took a deep breath, her features softening. "Let's start by giving him the space he needs tonight. In the morning, I can approach him with a genuine apology and a promise to do better."

Orion placed a hand on Walburga's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Together, we can heal his wounds, and you two can come back stronger than ever."

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Two mornings later the Marauders sat at the Slytherin table, discussing Cassidy's death.

"I can't say I'm sorry," Frank said gruffly. "If Doherty was cheating known Muggle criminals using magic, he was playing with fire."

Dorian leaned across the table and whispered to the others. "Dad said the Grey Twins are vehemently denying killing Doherty. They claim they woke up when Metropolitan Police Constables hauled them and their bodyguards to their feet and don't know anything."

"We can assume then that someone magical killed Doherty, but he used a Muggle method to make it look like these criminal twins did it," Caddaric speculated. "And he Stupified them before he killed Doherty."

Severus suddenly noticed that Sirius was missing. "Where's Sirius this morning. Is he still asleep?"

Remus shrugged. "He was already gone when we got up."

"I noticed that Sirius was really restless the night of Doherty's memorial service and last night," Peter said worriedly. "My bed's right by his and he was muttering in his sleep, tossing and turning."

"Maybe he got up early to get a bit of fresh air," Lily said.

"I'm sure he'll already be in class when we get there," Frank replied. "But I've got to say, he was pretty quiet at Doherty's memorial service the other day."

"Yeah, his restraint was admirable. I couldn't believe he wasn't yelling out insults all through it, especially when he suspects Dante is the one who gave Skeeter that investigative report about your dad," Tav remarked, nodding at Reg.

"Maybe somebody should go up to Gryffindor Tower and see if Siri's come back and make sure he's all right," Reg said. "It isn't like Siri to miss a meal. At home, he practically inhales the food before Kreacher even has a chance to set the tray down."

As the warning bell rang, Remus was frowning, obviously worried too, seeing as how Sirius had missed breakfast and food was always the first thing on his mind upon wakening.

They all got up to go to their first classes. "We don't have time now to look for him, but we'll see him in class and can find out then where he disappeared to last night," Severus replied.

"Maybe he decided to sleep in the Room of Requirement," Jane suggested. "Dante hasn't been hogging it since that dung bomb attack."

"That could very well be," Caddaric agreed. He and Irene said goodbye and split off from the rest of them as did Dorian and Tav.

But Sirius wasn't in their first class nor in any of their other classes that morning. Transfiguration was the last class before lunch and Minerva stopped them as they were leaving class. "Do any of you know where Mr. Black is?"

"No," Severus replied. "He wasn't at breakfast and he wasn't in any of our other classes previous to this."

"He wasn't in the dorm when we got up," Peter pointed out.

"Perhaps Mr. Doherty's untimely passing hit Mr. Black harder than anyone realized," Minerva suggested.

Remus nodded. "Peter noticed he's been muttering, tossing and turning in his sleep."

Peter nodded, a concerned look on his face.

Reg shook his head. "Siri usually sleeps like a rock!"

"By the way, I did hear about about the disturbance outside of the library with Mr. Clarke and Mr. Meyers from Madam Pince," Minerva said. "I am awarding both you and your brother five points for helping Mr. Yalarad out." She said to Reg.

He nodded and replied, "Thank you, Ma'am."

"In the meantime, I will go up and check to see if Mr. Black is in his dorm."

"Maybe we should search outside, too" Lily suggested. "If he's gotten sick, he may have wandered outside and collapsed somewhere. That happened to Tuney once when we were just little."

"I'll send my Patronus to Hagrid and ask him to help you search, Nobody knows these grounds better than Hagrid."

Reg looked scared. What if Dante somehow blames Siri for Doherty's death and did something bad to him?

Sam, Sebastian, and Hippolyta offered to help look for Sirius and Severus gladly accepted their offer. Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick volunteered to be runners to report back to Professor McGonagall or fetch any other kind of assistance needed. Renner and Mary were also helping with the search.

Hagrid met them outside at the front entrance and he carried a sack over his shoulder. He waved and motioned with his arm. "Come on, you lot. We got alotta ground ta cover." Hagrid assigned them in pairs to search different parts of Hogwarts and out of the bag he carried, he pulled out what looked like a horn and gave one to each group. "If ya finds any trace of Sirius, give us a blow on this ta let us know." He assigned Severus and Lily to check all around the Black Lake. "Don't know if Sirius was sick enough ta wander that far, but it's best to check. If he got into the water, Cicero would've tossed him back on the shore. Don't nobody go near the Forbidden Forest. I'll check that meself."

Sam, Hippolyta, and Sebastian were assigned to check in and around the carriage house while Remus, Frank, and Pete checked all around Hagrid's cabin and his garden. Irene and Caddaric, Jane and Emily checked around the front and back of the castle. Renner and Mary were sent to check around the library windows where the bushes were particularly overgrown and bushy. "Madam Pince refuses ta let me trim them things. She says she likes them just the way they is," Hagrid remarked, sighing.

"Can I search with you, Hagrid?" Reg asked. "If Siri is delirious or something, he might not know who you are and put up a fight."

Hagrid nodded. "I'll send a message to Magorian and ask if he and the other Centaurs can have a look around the Forbidden Forest."

When they were searching the bushes around the front gate, there was a sudden blowing of a horn, indicating that one of the teens had found something.

It was Renner who had blown the horn. He pointed at a particularly overgrown bush and said, "Sirius is under there and he keeps yelling at somebody, but there's nobody under there except him."

"I tried to talk to him," Mary added. "But I don't think he even knew I was there."

"Let me try," Reg said. He crawled under the bush and sat down next to Sirius, "Siri, it's me, Reg," he coaxed.

"I did not do that! Potter did it!" Sirius suddenly yelled. He put his hands tightly over his ears but he could still hear the voices whispering accusations. "You can't keep saying those things! I've changed!"

Reg crawled back out and stood up. "We need Madam Pomfrey. Siri didn't even know I was there."

"I'll go," Jane said. She looked at Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick. "You guys know I can run faster than any of you can!" She took off and was back in record time with Madam Pomfrey, followed by Minerva.

"He won't come outta there and he's screamin' at somebody nobody can see," Hagrid explained.

"He may have a high fever and be delirious," Poppy replied. She bent down and stuck her head under the bush. "Mr. Black, it's Madam Pomfrey, can you hear me?"

"That wasn't my fault!" Sirius screamed again. "I never wanted him killed! I didn't like him, but I never wanted somebody to kill him!"

"It sounds as if he may be having an overreaction to Mr. Doherty's death," Minerva whispered.

"That could be, but we need to get Mr. Black out of there and the only way I can see is to stun him," Poppy replied.

"I will do it. I am his Head of House," Minerva said. She turned to the teens. "Will two of you find me two fairly long, thick, branches?"

"I'll go," Irene volunteered.

"I'll go with you, Irene," Sam offered.

Irene nodded and they hurried off to find the tree branches Minerva requested. They came back after about five minutes with the tree branches and laid them down.

"Perfect," Minerva said. "Thank you." She quickly transfigured the branches into a stretcher. She went over to the bush under which Sirius was hiding, pointed her wand and said, "Stupefy!" Sirius' body went limp and then Minerva was able to levitate his body out from underneath the bush and onto the stretcher.

"Let me know how he turns out," Hagrid said. "Sirius is a handful sometimes, but he's a good kid."

Minerva nodded. "Thank you for helping us search, Hagrid." She looked down at the stretcher and waved her wand over it. "Mobiliarbus," she said, causing the stretcher to rise and float.

The teens followed them to the hospital wing, but remained outside so they wouldn't disturb anybody already in there.

They lowered Sirius' body down onto a bed. Even unconscious, Sirius continued to mutter unintelligible things and twist and turn in the bed. Madam Pomfry waved her wand over him and said, "Revlare corpis morbum." Parchment paper appeared and Madam Pomfrey grabbed it. She studied it. "That's very strange."

What is?" Minerva queried.

"Well, it shows his condition as being normal, no high fever or delirium." She frowned. "I'm going to try something else." She waved her wand over Sirius again and said, "Ostende mihi condicionem mentis." A longer length of parchment appeared. Madam Pomfrey studied what was on it. "There seems to be a great deal of confusion inside Mr. Black's mind, almost as if he's lost inside his own mind and it's not a Confundus Spell of any sort. It's so overwhelming I can't even begin to understand what is occurring." She rolled up the paper and put it in the pocket of her apron. "I'm going to summon a mind healer from St. Mungo's. Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the best one they have. He will be able to use the Ligilimen Spell to see what is going on inside Mr. Black's mind."

"I will floo Orion and Wallburga," Minerva said. "You will need their permission to have a mind healer treat Mr. Black."

Poppy nodded and said soberly, "I just hope he can be helped."

The teens were still standing together outside of the hospital wing when Minerva came out. She stopped when she saw their very concerned expressions. "Madam Pomfrey is still examining Mr. Black. Do any of know if he might have been practicing an advanced spell that may have gone wrong?"

Remus, Peter, and Frank shook their heads and Frank said, "Practicing isn't Sirius' thing, Professor."

"If anybody cast a spell over Sirius, it would have been Dante," Sam spoke up. "He was really angry about that dung bomb attack and Athena being injured. He was certain Sirius was the culprit."

"If he did cast a spell over Sirius, do you have any idea what it might have been?"

"No." Sam dropped his head in shame and Irene squeezed his hand in sympathy.

"Mr. Yalarad, no one blames you for the possible actions of your cousin," Minerva said, placing her hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Did anybody in Gryffindor see Dante doing anything that appeared suspicious?"

They all shook there heads.

Minerva sighed again. "We cannot do a Prior Incantato on his wand then without a witness who saw him doing something suspicious with his wand."

"What is a Priori Incantato spell, Professor?" Lily asked.

"It a Charm that shows an echo of the lat spell cast," she explained.

"Dante probably did another spell immediately after that to cover up whatever spell he cast on Sirius," Frank said.

You are probably correct, Mr. Longbottom."

"Are you going to floo my parents, Professor?" Reg asked.

"Yes, I was just on my way to do that."

"May I go with you, Professor? I mean with all my dad and mum are already dealing with...and now having to hear about Siri…" He shrugged. "Besides Kreacher is being extra protective of mum and dad just now and if he sees me, it will make things go faster."

"Of course, Mr. Black, that is an excellent idea."

After they had left, Caddaric asked. "Anybody for lunch? We've still got about 35 minutes left."

"Yes," Frank nodded. "Unless you want to listen to my stomach growling all through afternoon classes."

"Why don't we wait for Reg to come back and then we can go outside and I'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Severus suggested.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Minerva knelt in front of the floo with Regulus beside her. She threw the green powder into the fire place and stuck her head into the green flames and said, "Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London."

As predicted by Regulus, Kreacher answered the floo, looking very suspicious, but he brightened considerably when he saw Reg. "Master Regulus! Kreacher is happy to see you! What can Kreacher do for you?"

"Professor McGonagall needs to talk to mum and dad, Kreacher," Reg replied.

Kreacher sighed and then replied, "Kreacher will get them."

"He thinks we've misbehaved again," Regulus whispered.

Minerva sighed too. "I wish this time that is what I was flooing about."

Orion and Walburga came and both knelt in front of the floo. "Hello, Professor. What have the boys done now?"

"Lord and Lady Black, I am not calling about any misbehavior. Sirius was found by his brother, his friends, and Hagrid this morning, hiding under a bush and yelling at something or someone nobody else could see."

"I got under the bush with him and he didn't even know I was there," Reg explained. "He just kept yelling at someone, but there was nobody else under there but him and me."

Walburga paled and clutched Orion's arm.

"Madam Pomfrey needs to speak with you about various treatment options," Minerva explained.

"We will come immediately," Orion said.

Minerva nodded and ended the call. She got to her feet and turned to Reg. "I am going to excuse you from classes for the rest of the day so you can be with your parents and your brother, Mr. Black."

"Thanks, Professor."

In a few minutes the floo sounded and Orion and Walburga stepped through. "Please take us to Madam Pomfrey, Professor," Orion requested.

"If you will please follow me, Lord and Lady Black," Minerva said.

Walburga gave Regulus a hug and kissed his cheek and then they followed Orion and Minerva downstairs to the hospital wing.

Reg stopped by the group of his friends still outside the hospital wing and said, "Mum and dad are going in to talk to Madam Pomfrey to see what she knows about Siri's condition."

"We're going to go outside and we'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Dorian said.

"You may as well join us since you won't know anything definite about Sirius until after your parents talk to Madam Pomfrey," Severus pointed out.

"I know, but I just think I should be there with them with all the shite they're going through right now."

You're right, Reg," Lily said. "You should go and be with them."

Reg nodded and entered the hospital. He entered Madam Pomfrey's office and quietly sat down on a chair next to Walburga and took hold of his mum's hand.

"I know there is something wrong with Sirius' mind right now, but I do not have the skills to diagnose exactly what is wrong. I do not know if he was trying a more advanced spell and it went wrong or if it was a spell someone cast on him. I believe a mind healer could find the answer, using the Ligilimen Spell."

Orion nodded. "Whom would you suggest, Madam Pomfrey?"

"Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the head of Spell Damage at St. Mungo's and has a excellent reputation for spell damage reversal."

Orion looked at Walburga and she nodded. "Please ask him to come and examine our son," Orion requested.

"I will do so immediately," Poppy replied. She nodded at Orion, Walburga, and Regulus and then went into her office to floo Healer Cromwell.

"Why don't you come up to my office," Minerva suggested. "I'll ask my elf, Misty to bring us some tea and I have a tin of delicious Scottish shortbread's my brother sent me."

"That sounds wonderful," Walburga replied. She leaned against Orion tiredly and he put his arm around her. The last few months had been so stressful, but now that Orion was able to tell the investigators what really happened the day Silas was killed, things should be much better and Orion would no longer be under a cloud of suspicion.

Reg accepted the cup of tea Professor McGonagall handed him and said, "Thank you." He had grown up attending tea parties with his cousins, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa so he knew the drill. He smiled as he recalled the time Siri had deliberately spilled his tea on Bella and she threatened to make him permanently bald with a spell she knew. Only Andromeda and Narcissa holding her back, saved Siri's hair.

About twenty minutes later, Madam Pomfrey's Patronus appeared announcing the arrival of Master Mind Healer Cromwell. He was standing beside Sirius' bed, studying him carefully when Orion, Walburga, and Reg arrived at the hospital wing.

"I see what you mean, Madam Pomfrey," Healer Cromwell said in a deep voice. "Even in a deep sleep, he is unable to find peace."

"Can you help our son?" Walburga pleaded.

"I am going to try my best, Lady Black," Cromwell answered. "I am going to perform the Ligilimen Spell to see what exactly is going on inside your son's mind." He turned to Poppy. "I will need a quiet place to clear my own mind before I enter Sirius' mind. I need to put myself into a deep meditative state for about twenty minutes.

"You can use my office," Poppy offered.

"That will do fine, Madam," Cromwell replied. He settled himself cross-legged on the rug and within a few minutes was able to put himself into a deep trance. Poppy closed the door of her office and used her wand to place a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.

About 20 minutes later, Cromwell came out of the office and walked over to Sirius' bed. "I will begin now." He pulled the curtain completely around Sirius' bed and sat down in a chair next to the bed. He placed his hand on Sirius' head and said, "Ligilimens."

Cromwell suddenly found himself in a very dark place, assaulted by indecipherable voices from every direction. "Sirius," he called.

He heard sniffling and followed it and found Sirius huddled up, his arms wrapped around his knees and his face buried in them. Cromwell knelt down beside Sirius and placed his hand gently on Sirius' arm. "Sirius, I'm here to help you."

Sirius jumped to his feet and screamed, "Leave me alone! I told you I'm not Potter! I apologized to everybody for the awful things I did, but Potter never did!"

Cromwell recognized that Sirius was not screaming at him, but at the indecipherable voices. He suddenly recalled a dark spell he had learned about while in training, but had never treated since it was very rarely used in modern times. It was the Vocem Susurran Curse. It was a very dark spell used in the Middle Ages to punish convicted liars and slanderers. It made them hear accusatory voices inside their minds and he recalled there was no reversal spell for it. People just continued to hear the accusatory voices until they either went insane or killed themselves. He removed himself from Sirius' mind and fell back in his chair. After a few minutes he used his wand to pull the bed curtain back and got up.

Madam Pomfrey came out of her office followed by Orion, Walburga, and Regulus. They looked at Healer Cromwell hopefully. He shook his head. "I found out what spell was cast on your son. It is the Vocem Susurran or Whispering Voice Curse. The bad news is I do not believe there is a reversal spell for it."

Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.

Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.

A/N: This story is A/U (Alternative Universe) and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.

Chapter 26

Heir to the House of Black

Orion and Scrimgeour came to an agreement. Orion would work half days in the office for the time being to lower possible confrontations for the time being.

After leaving work for the day. Orion went back home to speak with Walburga and Alphard.

Walburga was shocked and furious, "I swear, I'm going to kill that man!"

"Walburga please!" Orion pleaded with his wife. "That's not going to solve anything!"

"Well…" Alphard spoke. "Maybe put that on the back burner?" He joked, obviously.

Orion rubbed his temples, "I need a drink."

Orion walked over to the liquor cabinet, but Walburga vanished the entire cabinet away, to Orion's annoyance. "Walburga, please!" Orion was in no mood.

"The situation calls for you to have a clear head, Orion!" Walburga crossed her arms, "Or need I remind you of the last time you decided to get plastered?!"

He growled and went over to another cabinet to partake in another vice of his. He pulled out a cigar and walked towards the front door, "I'm going to go smoke outside, if that's okay with you?!'

"Oh be careful not to choke on it," Walburga shot back sarcastically.

Orion slammed the front door and Walburga stormed upstairs to her bedroom.

Which left Alphard all alone. He sighed, and decided to get back to his research, which was coming up empty, if he could be honest.

He wasn't able to find anything relating to 'The Unbreakable Vow' being countermanded.

Alphard walked back into the small library that Orion and Walburga had at Grimmauld Place. He took his seat back at the table up between the bookshelves, and got back to work.

Alphard was looking up on any sort of magic that could counter the 'Unbreakable Vow'. However, he came up to several dead ends. He was starting another long session of research.

He was several cups of black tea in another long night of research. Alphard had finished the pot that Kreacher had given him.

Alphard rubbed his eyes and gently slapped his face to pep himself up. Sleep was trying it's best to overtake him, but it would not succeed, not yet anyways.

He kept reading the book in front of him. It was a time on counters to strong magicks, but there was nothing about the 'Unbreakable Vow'.

Alphard shut the book with a soft slam and groaned in frustration.

"Something on your mind?"

Alphard looked up to see his sister, Walburga, with a kettle of tea in her hand.

"I have looked through several of our ancestral books and tomes, I called in favors from countless friends across the globe for information, and have borrowed books from others to see if there is a counter to the Vow." He motioned at the books and papers across the desk. "Nothing! Or at least nothing that can help Orion!"

Walburga strode over to Alphard and refilled his cup. "I don't think I've ever seen you study this hard before. Certainly not during our time at Hogwarts."

"That wasn't important, this is." Alphard blew his rea to cool it down before he sipped the tea in his cup.

Walburga frowned, she knew that Alphard was giving everything he possibly could to help Orion. She put the kettle down and sat with her brother.

Alphard looked at Walburga, "What did Marius say about Orion's chances with this trial?"

"Well it's a tribunal, not a trial, so it won't be open to the public. A panel of three adjudicators will hear the evidence that accuses and defends Orion, Marius and opposing counsel will make their cases, and then they will reach a verdict." Walburga sighed, "I'm afraid the court of public opinion is very against us at this point."

Alphard looked back at the tomes and books in front of him and rubbed his eyes. "I need a break."

Walburga sighed and gently rubbed her temples, "Was I too hard on Orion?"

"Yes you were, but to be fair so was he," Alphard pointed out. "But under the circumstances, that's completely understandable."

Walburga looked at the walls of the library and saw a family portrait of herself with her parents, and her brothers. "Why would mother agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow? She would never do anything like that!"

"Yeah she would…" A flash of realization came across Alphard's face. "...Say that again."

Walburga turned to her younger brother, "Mother would never agree to cast anything like the Unbreakable Vow."

"...No, she wouldn't…" Alphard got up and walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a book labeled, 'False Incantations, A History of Subterfuge Spellcasting.'

He opened it and began to read from it, he flipped through the pages like a madman.

"Alphard, what is it?"

"Something I failed to think of," Alphard responded. He flipped through several more pages until he found what he was looking for. Alphard read the passage, and grinned. "Got you."

Walburga did a double take, "What? Did you find something that can help Orion?'

"If I'm right Orion doesn't need our help, but we're going to need to see Father. If I'm right, he has some explaining to do."

They both collected Orion and went back to Embershade.

They came in through the floo. Alphard looked around and called for Foedus, "Foedus? Are you here?"

Foedus appeared before the three of them. "Good evening Master Alphard, may Foedus help you?"

Walburga addresses the elderly House Elf. "Where is our father Foedus? We must speak with him."

"Master Pollux is taking his evening tea in the lounge area," Foedus directed them to the lounge area.

The three of them walked into the lounge, where Pollux Black was sipping on his Blackberry tea. "To what do I owe this visit, at this time at night?"

Alphard took the book and plopped it before Pollux on the table. "Game's up, old man. I figured everything out."

Orion widened his eyes, "You found a counter to the Unbreakable Vow?"

Alphard looked at his father, "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"

Pollux looked confused, but Alphard knew better. His father was simply putting up an act. "Alphard, I don't know what you mean."

"Fine, have it your way, old man." He turned to Orion. "You can tell the truth of that day all you want. You were never under The Unbreakable Vow whatsoever."

"What?!" Orion was dumbstruck.

Walburga asked her brother, "Are you for certain Alphard?"

"Dead certain." He turned towards Orion, Walburga, and Foedus who walked in to see what was going on.

"I'll be honest, this whole thing just didn't make a lick of sense. Absolutely none." Alphard started to explain his reasoning. "We all knew our mother, or at least thought we did. She was a kind, caring, and thoughtful individual, who always saw the good in people."

Orion, and Walburga thought of Irma Black. She was without a doubt one of the kindest souls, that they had the pleasure of knowing.

"So, with that portrait of mother, crafted carefully in our minds, ask this question. Why would she ever agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow on Orion?"

Orion, and Walburga thought to themselves and came to the same realization. She wouldn't.

Foedus pointed out, "Madam Irma was a kind witch, always treated Foedus fairly. Never asked Foedus to discipline himself whenever Foedus dropped a plate."

"No, she wasn't…it wasn't in her nature," Orion thought aloud.

Walburga nodded, but then looked at her father, who looked cross. "Father would have probably demanded her to…"

"Our mother was just as strong willed as she was kind. When could our father ever tell her to do something?" Alphard pointed that inconsistency out.

Walburga nodded, "He couldn't. She was the driving force behind Father."

Pollux Black throat and gained everyone's attention. "This is all so very introspective, and quite performative, Alphard. However, there's one thing contradicting your theory. Your mother casted the spell in front of Orion and myself. If she did as you said, we would have heard her say something completely different!"

Alphard smiled, and he went to the book before Pollux and opened it to the page he wanted. "Iners Navitas. This spell basically voids any and all magical energy of any spells casted afterwards. This made the impression that Mother caster the Vow, but not the intended effect."

Orion was speechless, and emotionless.

Walburga was on the fence, not knowing what to believe.

Alphard took the book off the table and walked over to his sister. "There's an indentation of someone writing the Incantation down, you tell me who's handwriting that is."

Walburga took the book from Alphard and looked at the indentation. It was a spot on match for her mother's handwriting. She felt her shoulders grow less heavy. Orion was free. Walburga cried as she looked up to Alphard. Her brother of whom she had misjudged completely all her life.

Walburga looked over at her father but was shocked when she saw Orion was currently choking Pollux with both hands. "Orion!"

She dropped the book, and ran over to try and pry her husband off of her father. "Orion stop!"

Orion gritted his teeth, his eyes were aflame with an unbridled rage. His hatred was focused on his father-in-law, "I am going to kill you, you damned bastard!" His hands were around Pollux's throat. His grip was tight, and his fingers were interlocked. Orion wasn't letting go for nothing.

Pollux was grasping at Orion's hands trying to get him to stop. His wand was in the other room, and he couldn't concentrate on summoning it.

Walburga tried prying Orion's hands from her father's throat. "Orion, please stop, this won't solve anything!"

"You knew all this time didn't you?! And you kept me living in fear, when I could have told the truth whenever!" Orion tightened his grip.

Pollux was starting to turn a shade of purple as he was starting to fall unconscious.

Walburga turned to Alphard. "Alphard, help me!"

Alphard arms "No, it's easier this way. Let Orion kill the bastard!"

"Alphard, please!"

He sighed and then rushed over to restrain Orion and managed to pull him off of Pollux."Orion, come on. Stop this nonsense." He managed to pry Orion off of Pollux and corralled him over towards the doorway leading into the main hall.

Alphard tried to calm Orion down as he continued to seethe with anger. Walburga rushed over to her father who was gasping for air, and checked his condition. She cast a quick healing spell to ensure that Pollux could breathe properly again.

Orion struggled against Alphard's hold, his eyes still filled with fury. "Let me go! He deserves to pay for what he did!"

Alphard held onto Orion firmly, trying to reason with him. "Violence won't solve anything, Orion. We need to handle this properly."

Walburga approached them, her voice firm but tinged with concern. "Orion, I understand your anger, but attacking him won't change what happened."

Orion's chest heaved as he tried to control his breathing. He looked at Walburga, his gaze filled with a mix of pain and resentment. "He lied to us, Walburga. He let me suffer, thinking I was bound by the Unbreakable Vow. How can I just let that go?"

Walburga took Orion's hands in hers, her touch gentle yet determined. "I know it's difficult, but we have to be smart about this. The important thing here is that you're not bound by anything to keep silent anymore. Now we have an opportunity to let the world, and especially Samuel Yalarad, know what happened with us when Silas was killed." She looked at her father, who was recovering. "But killing him won't achieve that."

"He must pay for this! It's time to bring the truth to light. I won't let this injustice continue."

Orion's anger slowly began to subside, replaced by a sense of exhaustion. He looked into Walburga's eyes, searching for some solace.

Alphard spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "The ball is in our court, ol' son. Now, we give ourselves a platform for you to speak your truth, but we have to do it the right way."

Walburga squeezed Orion's hands, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. "We can expose the truth about the false Unbreakable Vow and the manipulation that has plagued our family for far too long."

Orion took a deep breath, his body visibly relaxing. He nodded, finally relenting.

Alphard released his grip on Orion, giving him a supportive pat on the back. "That's the spirit brother!"

Together, the three of them returned to the lounge area where Pollux was recovering from the ordeal. The tension in the room was palpable. Pollux rubbed his throat, and coughed.

Orion's anger had transformed into a resolute determination,

Walburga turned to Pollux, her voice stern. "Father, you will explain yourself, and your actions during the tribunal. You owe us that much."

Pollux looked visibly shaken but managed to compose himself. "Very well, daughter. But understand this, I only did it to protect you. What happened, if word got out then others would…"

Walburga yelled, letting her emotions out, in a rare display, "I don't give a fucking shite about your reasons, or what other people would have thought!"

Alphard put a hand on his sister;s shoulder to dial her back. "C'Mon, let's go home. We're done here."

"No, we aren't Alphard," Pollux addressed his youngest child. "You and I have a matter to discuss."

Alphard chuckled in frustration, "What do we have to talk about old man?"

"You alone had managed to figure out the truth behind everything. Isn't that right?" Pollux brushed himself out as he stood up.

Alphard crossed his arms, "Walburga helped, but yeah for the most part, it was me."

Pollux glanced over at the box, a small, ornate wooden box resting on a nearby table. "Fetch the box, Foedus," he instructed.

Foedus nodded and did as his master wished.

Confusion filled the air as Walburga turned to her father. "What is this about, Father?"

Pollux's gaze met Alphard's, his voice gentle yet determined. "Inside that box is something that has been passed down through generations. It symbolizes the legacy of our family, the House of Black."

Foedus returned with the box and handed it to Pollux, who opened it carefully. Inside, resting on a plush cushion, was a striking black ring, adorned with the Black family crest.

"I want you to have this, Alphard," Pollux said softly, his eyes fixed on his son. "You've proved yourself to me. I want you to be the new heir of the House of Black, to carry on our legacy."

A silence rose over everyone.

"You must be joking," Alphard sneered at his father. "I swear your attempts at manipulation are getting desperate."

"I'm not trying to manipulate you, insolent child! You've proven yourself, you figured everything out. What you said was true, your mother confessed what she did on her deathbed to me. I was…angry, but it still has the intended effect, so why ruin it?"

Orion frowned, "And yet you still allowed me to think that the Vow was still active! It was like wearing a hangman's noose around my neck at all times! Unsure of when the ground below me would give away!"

"All the better to keep you complacent," Pollux turned from Orion back to Alphard. "I did what I thought was necessary, if you're looking for an apology, I have none to give. When you all came to me to release Orion from the Vow, I was in a position where I could find a new Heir. If either you or your sister found the truth, I would name either you or Walburga heir. It was you who figured it out, so it's you who I name my heir, Alphard. This is what is necessary for our family, but it's also what I want."

"What you want?" Alphard's eyes widened in surprise, but a mixture of pain and resolve appeared in his gaze. "What you want? Let's talk about what I want!" Alphard snarled, "All I ever wanted, Father, was to hear you say that you loved me, that you were proud of me. To know that I mattered to you."

Orion and Walburga held their tongues, it was an already emotionally charged conversation. These feelings that Alphard had were finally being addressed.

Pollux shook his head. "No, son. I…that's not true, I've always cared for you…"

"Only because it was your responsibility. Because it was your duty as a father, but beyond that you couldn't give a toss!" Alphard stared right into his father's eyes, "I was the black sheep of the House of Black. Mother comforted me after you always hurled such abuse at me. How, I was a failure, and an embarrassment to the family. All because I couldn't measure up to Cygnus or Walburga!"

Walburga felt a pang of guilt encroach her heart. When she was a child, she reveled in being better than her younger brother. However, she could see the repercussions of her actions in adulthood

Pollux's expression softened, regret etching deep lines on his face. "Alphard, I... I love you. More than words can express. I have failed you as a father, but please believe that my intentions were always to drive you to your greatest potential."

"Well you fucked that right up. The title and the ring mean nothing to me." Alphard's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he took a step back. "I won't accept it, Father. Either give it to Walburga or leave it for Sirius."

Without another word, Alphard turned and walked towards Orion and Walburga, who stood at the doorway, their eyes filled with empathy and understanding. Together, the three of them left the room, leaving Pollux standing there, his heart heavy with the weight of his mistakes.

With a heavy sigh, he closed the box, the ring now a symbol of the distance between them. Pollux watched them go, a mix of sorrow and determination on his face. He knew that he had much to atone for, much to repair within his fractured family

The three flooed back to Grimmauld Place and everyone was silent when they arrived.

Walburga and Orion were feeling incredibly better now that Orion was in the clear to tell the truth about his whereabouts. However, both of them were more concerned for Alphard at this point in time.

Alphard walked over to where the liquor cabinet used to be. "Put it back."

"Alphard, I don't think that's such a good idea," Walburga pointed out.

Alphard put his head in one hand, and started snapping his fingers and pointed to the place where the cabinet was.

Walburga sighed, and with a wave of her hand put the cabinet back.

Alphard took a bottle of Firewhiskey out and took a gigantic belt from the bottle. He sighed, "I'm going to my room, I'm going to finish this bottle, and go to sleep. In the morning I am going to pack my things, and head back to Villa Zorambra."

"Hold on, Alphard. You're more than welcome to keep staying here! I'm sure the boys would love to see you before you leave!" Orion tried to bargain with him.

"Alphard, please. I know I have been hard with you before, but…" Walburga started to plead with her younger brother as well.

"Walla, just…just stop." Alphard took another swig of the bottle before heading up the stairs to his room, leaving Orion and Walburga there.

Orion and Walburga exchanged a worried glance as they heard Alphard's footsteps receding. The weight of the evening's events still hung heavily in the air.

"He's hurting," Walburga whispered, her voice filled with regret. "Father, Cygnus, and I have hurt him." Her expression filled with remorse. "I was so consumed by my own pain and anger that I didn't see how much Alphard was suffering in his own way. I pushed him away."

Silence settled between them as they contemplated the rift that had formed within their family. The revelation of the false Unbreakable Vow had opened old wounds and unearthed years of pent-up emotions. It was clear that rebuilding the trust and repairing the fractured relationships would take time and effort.

"I need to make things right with him," Walburga said, determination edging her voice. "I owe him that much."

Orion nodded, a newfound resolve shining in his eyes. "You're right, Walburga. We can't let Alphard leave without trying to mend things. We'll find a way to make amends, to show him that he matters to us."

Walburga took a deep breath, her features softening. "Let's start by giving him the space he needs tonight. In the morning, I can approach him with a genuine apology and a promise to do better."

Orion placed a hand on Walburga's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Together, we can heal his wounds, and you two can come back stronger than ever."

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Two mornings later the Marauders sat at the Slytherin table, discussing Cassidy's death.

"I can't say I'm sorry," Frank said gruffly. "If Doherty was cheating known Muggle criminals using magic, he was playing with fire."

Dorian leaned across the table and whispered to the others. "Dad said the Grey Twins are vehemently denying killing Doherty. They claim they woke up when Metropolitan Police Constables hauled them and their bodyguards to their feet and don't know anything."

"We can assume then that someone magical killed Doherty, but he used a Muggle method to make it look like these criminal twins did it," Caddaric speculated. "And he Stupified them before he killed Doherty."

Severus suddenly noticed that Sirius was missing. "Where's Sirius this morning. Is he still asleep?"

Remus shrugged. "He was already gone when we got up."

"I noticed that Sirius was really restless the night of Doherty's memorial service and last night," Peter said worriedly. "My bed's right by his and he was muttering in his sleep, tossing and turning."

"Maybe he got up early to get a bit of fresh air," Lily said.

"I'm sure he'll already be in class when we get there," Frank replied. "But I've got to say, he was pretty quiet at Doherty's memorial service the other day."

"Yeah, his restraint was admirable. I couldn't believe he wasn't yelling out insults all through it, especially when he suspects Dante is the one who gave Skeeter that investigative report about your dad," Tav remarked, nodding at Reg.

"Maybe somebody should go up to Gryffindor Tower and see if Siri's come back and make sure he's all right," Reg said. "It isn't like Siri to miss a meal. At home, he practically inhales the food before Kreacher even has a chance to set the tray down."

As the warning bell rang, Remus was frowning, obviously worried too, seeing as how Sirius had missed breakfast and food was always the first thing on his mind upon wakening.

They all got up to go to their first classes. "We don't have time now to look for him, but we'll see him in class and can find out then where he disappeared to last night," Severus replied.

"Maybe he decided to sleep in the Room of Requirement," Jane suggested. "Dante hasn't been hogging it since that dung bomb attack."

"That could very well be," Caddaric agreed. He and Irene said goodbye and split off from the rest of them as did Dorian and Tav.

But Sirius wasn't in their first class nor in any of their other classes that morning. Transfiguration was the last class before lunch and Minerva stopped them as they were leaving class. "Do any of you know where Mr. Black is?"

"No," Severus replied. "He wasn't at breakfast and he wasn't in any of our other classes previous to this."

"He wasn't in the dorm when we got up," Peter pointed out.

"Perhaps Mr. Doherty's untimely passing hit Mr. Black harder than anyone realized," Minerva suggested.

Remus nodded. "Peter noticed he's been muttering, tossing and turning in his sleep."

Peter nodded, a concerned look on his face.

Reg shook his head. "Siri usually sleeps like a rock!"

"By the way, I did hear about about the disturbance outside of the library with Mr. Clarke and Mr. Meyers from Madam Pince," Minerva said. "I am awarding both you and your brother five points for helping Mr. Yalarad out." She said to Reg.

He nodded and replied, "Thank you, Ma'am."

"In the meantime, I will go up and check to see if Mr. Black is in his dorm."

"Maybe we should search outside, too" Lily suggested. "If he's gotten sick, he may have wandered outside and collapsed somewhere. That happened to Tuney once when we were just little."

"I'll send my Patronus to Hagrid and ask him to help you search, Nobody knows these grounds better than Hagrid."

Reg looked scared. What if Dante somehow blames Siri for Doherty's death and did something bad to him?

Sam, Sebastian, and Hippolyta offered to help look for Sirius and Severus gladly accepted their offer. Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick volunteered to be runners to report back to Professor McGonagall or fetch any other kind of assistance needed. Renner and Mary were also helping with the search.

Hagrid met them outside at the front entrance and he carried a sack over his shoulder. He waved and motioned with his arm. "Come on, you lot. We got alotta ground ta cover." Hagrid assigned them in pairs to search different parts of Hogwarts and out of the bag he carried, he pulled out what looked like a horn and gave one to each group. "If ya finds any trace of Sirius, give us a blow on this ta let us know." He assigned Severus and Lily to check all around the Black Lake. "Don't know if Sirius was sick enough ta wander that far, but it's best to check. If he got into the water, Cicero would've tossed him back on the shore. Don't nobody go near the Forbidden Forest. I'll check that meself."

Sam, Hippolyta, and Sebastian were assigned to check in and around the carriage house while Remus, Frank, and Pete checked all around Hagrid's cabin and his garden. Irene and Caddaric, Jane and Emily checked around the front and back of the castle. Renner and Mary were sent to check around the library windows where the bushes were particularly overgrown and bushy. "Madam Pince refuses ta let me trim them things. She says she likes them just the way they is," Hagrid remarked, sighing.

"Can I search with you, Hagrid?" Reg asked. "If Siri is delirious or something, he might not know who you are and put up a fight."

Hagrid nodded. "I'll send a message to Magorian and ask if he and the other Centaurs can have a look around the Forbidden Forest."

When they were searching the bushes around the front gate, there was a sudden blowing of a horn, indicating that one of the teens had found something.

It was Renner who had blown the horn. He pointed at a particularly overgrown bush and said, "Sirius is under there and he keeps yelling at somebody, but there's nobody under there except him."

"I tried to talk to him," Mary added. "But I don't think he even knew I was there."

"Let me try," Reg said. He crawled under the bush and sat down next to Sirius, "Siri, it's me, Reg," he coaxed.

"I did not do that! Potter did it!" Sirius suddenly yelled. He put his hands tightly over his ears but he could still hear the voices whispering accusations. "You can't keep saying those things! I've changed!"

Reg crawled back out and stood up. "We need Madam Pomfrey. Siri didn't even know I was there."

"I'll go," Jane said. She looked at Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick. "You guys know I can run faster than any of you can!" She took off and was back in record time with Madam Pomfrey, followed by Minerva.

"He won't come outta there and he's screamin' at somebody nobody can see," Hagrid explained.

"He may have a high fever and be delirious," Poppy replied. She bent down and stuck her head under the bush. "Mr. Black, it's Madam Pomfrey, can you hear me?"

"That wasn't my fault!" Sirius screamed again. "I never wanted him killed! I didn't like him, but I never wanted somebody to kill him!"

"It sounds as if he may be having an overreaction to Mr. Doherty's death," Minerva whispered.

"That could be, but we need to get Mr. Black out of there and the only way I can see is to stun him," Poppy replied.

"I will do it. I am his Head of House," Minerva said. She turned to the teens. "Will two of you find me two fairly long, thick, branches?"

"I'll go," Irene volunteered.

"I'll go with you, Irene," Sam offered.

Irene nodded and they hurried off to find the tree branches Minerva requested. They came back after about five minutes with the tree branches and laid them down.

"Perfect," Minerva said. "Thank you." She quickly transfigured the branches into a stretcher. She went over to the bush under which Sirius was hiding, pointed her wand and said, "Stupefy!" Sirius' body went limp and then Minerva was able to levitate his body out from underneath the bush and onto the stretcher.

"Let me know how he turns out," Hagrid said. "Sirius is a handful sometimes, but he's a good kid."

Minerva nodded. "Thank you for helping us search, Hagrid." She looked down at the stretcher and waved her wand over it. "Mobiliarbus," she said, causing the stretcher to rise and float.

The teens followed them to the hospital wing, but remained outside so they wouldn't disturb anybody already in there.

They lowered Sirius' body down onto a bed. Even unconscious, Sirius continued to mutter unintelligible things and twist and turn in the bed. Madam Pomfry waved her wand over him and said, "Revlare corpis morbum." Parchment paper appeared and Madam Pomfrey grabbed it. She studied it. "That's very strange."

What is?" Minerva queried.

"Well, it shows his condition as being normal, no high fever or delirium." She frowned. "I'm going to try something else." She waved her wand over Sirius again and said, "Ostende mihi condicionem mentis." A longer length of parchment appeared. Madam Pomfrey studied what was on it. "There seems to be a great deal of confusion inside Mr. Black's mind, almost as if he's lost inside his own mind and it's not a Confundus Spell of any sort. It's so overwhelming I can't even begin to understand what is occurring." She rolled up the paper and put it in the pocket of her apron. "I'm going to summon a mind healer from St. Mungo's. Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the best one they have. He will be able to use the Ligilimen Spell to see what is going on inside Mr. Black's mind."

"I will floo Orion and Wallburga," Minerva said. "You will need their permission to have a mind healer treat Mr. Black."

Poppy nodded and said soberly, "I just hope he can be helped."

The teens were still standing together outside of the hospital wing when Minerva came out. She stopped when she saw their very concerned expressions. "Madam Pomfrey is still examining Mr. Black. Do any of know if he might have been practicing an advanced spell that may have gone wrong?"

Remus, Peter, and Frank shook their heads and Frank said, "Practicing isn't Sirius' thing, Professor."

"If anybody cast a spell over Sirius, it would have been Dante," Sam spoke up. "He was really angry about that dung bomb attack and Athena being injured. He was certain Sirius was the culprit."

"If he did cast a spell over Sirius, do you have any idea what it might have been?"

"No." Sam dropped his head in shame and Irene squeezed his hand in sympathy.

"Mr. Yalarad, no one blames you for the possible actions of your cousin," Minerva said, placing her hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Did anybody in Gryffindor see Dante doing anything that appeared suspicious?"

They all shook there heads.

Minerva sighed again. "We cannot do a Prior Incantato on his wand then without a witness who saw him doing something suspicious with his wand."

"What is a Priori Incantato spell, Professor?" Lily asked.

"It a Charm that shows an echo of the lat spell cast," she explained.

"Dante probably did another spell immediately after that to cover up whatever spell he cast on Sirius," Frank said.

You are probably correct, Mr. Longbottom."

"Are you going to floo my parents, Professor?" Reg asked.

"Yes, I was just on my way to do that."

"May I go with you, Professor? I mean with all my dad and mum are already dealing with...and now having to hear about Siri…" He shrugged. "Besides Kreacher is being extra protective of mum and dad just now and if he sees me, it will make things go faster."

"Of course, Mr. Black, that is an excellent idea."

After they had left, Caddaric asked. "Anybody for lunch? We've still got about 35 minutes left."

"Yes," Frank nodded. "Unless you want to listen to my stomach growling all through afternoon classes."

"Why don't we wait for Reg to come back and then we can go outside and I'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Severus suggested.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Minerva knelt in front of the floo with Regulus beside her. She threw the green powder into the fire place and stuck her head into the green flames and said, "Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London."

As predicted by Regulus, Kreacher answered the floo, looking very suspicious, but he brightened considerably when he saw Reg. "Master Regulus! Kreacher is happy to see you! What can Kreacher do for you?"

"Professor McGonagall needs to talk to mum and dad, Kreacher," Reg replied.

Kreacher sighed and then replied, "Kreacher will get them."

"He thinks we've misbehaved again," Regulus whispered.

Minerva sighed too. "I wish this time that is what I was flooing about."

Orion and Walburga came and both knelt in front of the floo. "Hello, Professor. What have the boys done now?"

"Lord and Lady Black, I am not calling about any misbehavior. Sirius was found by his brother, his friends, and Hagrid this morning, hiding under a bush and yelling at something or someone nobody else could see."

"I got under the bush with him and he didn't even know I was there," Reg explained. "He just kept yelling at someone, but there was nobody else under there but him and me."

Walburga paled and clutched Orion's arm.

"Madam Pomfrey needs to speak with you about various treatment options," Minerva explained.

"We will come immediately," Orion said.

Minerva nodded and ended the call. She got to her feet and turned to Reg. "I am going to excuse you from classes for the rest of the day so you can be with your parents and your brother, Mr. Black."

"Thanks, Professor."

In a few minutes the floo sounded and Orion and Walburga stepped through. "Please take us to Madam Pomfrey, Professor," Orion requested.

"If you will please follow me, Lord and Lady Black," Minerva said.

Walburga gave Regulus a hug and kissed his cheek and then they followed Orion and Minerva downstairs to the hospital wing.

Reg stopped by the group of his friends still outside the hospital wing and said, "Mum and dad are going in to talk to Madam Pomfrey to see what she knows about Siri's condition."

"We're going to go outside and we'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Dorian said.

"You may as well join us since you won't know anything definite about Sirius until after your parents talk to Madam Pomfrey," Severus pointed out.

"I know, but I just think I should be there with them with all the shite they're going through right now."

You're right, Reg," Lily said. "You should go and be with them."

Reg nodded and entered the hospital. He entered Madam Pomfrey's office and quietly sat down on a chair next to Walburga and took hold of his mum's hand.

"I know there is something wrong with Sirius' mind right now, but I do not have the skills to diagnose exactly what is wrong. I do not know if he was trying a more advanced spell and it went wrong or if it was a spell someone cast on him. I believe a mind healer could find the answer, using the Ligilimen Spell."

Orion nodded. "Whom would you suggest, Madam Pomfrey?"

"Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the head of Spell Damage at St. Mungo's and has a excellent reputation for spell damage reversal."

Orion looked at Walburga and she nodded. "Please ask him to come and examine our son," Orion requested.

"I will do so immediately," Poppy replied. She nodded at Orion, Walburga, and Regulus and then went into her office to floo Healer Cromwell.

"Why don't you come up to my office," Minerva suggested. "I'll ask my elf, Misty to bring us some tea and I have a tin of delicious Scottish shortbread's my brother sent me."

"That sounds wonderful," Walburga replied. She leaned against Orion tiredly and he put his arm around her. The last few months had been so stressful, but now that Orion was able to tell the investigators what really happened the day Silas was killed, things should be much better and Orion would no longer be under a cloud of suspicion.

Reg accepted the cup of tea Professor McGonagall handed him and said, "Thank you." He had grown up attending tea parties with his cousins, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa so he knew the drill. He smiled as he recalled the time Siri had deliberately spilled his tea on Bella and she threatened to make him permanently bald with a spell she knew. Only Andromeda and Narcissa holding her back, saved Siri's hair.

About twenty minutes later, Madam Pomfrey's Patronus appeared announcing the arrival of Master Mind Healer Cromwell. He was standing beside Sirius' bed, studying him carefully when Orion, Walburga, and Reg arrived at the hospital wing.

"I see what you mean, Madam Pomfrey," Healer Cromwell said in a deep voice. "Even in a deep sleep, he is unable to find peace."

"Can you help our son?" Walburga pleaded.

"I am going to try my best, Lady Black," Cromwell answered. "I am going to perform the Ligilimen Spell to see what exactly is going on inside your son's mind." He turned to Poppy. "I will need a quiet place to clear my own mind before I enter Sirius' mind. I need to put myself into a deep meditative state for about twenty minutes.

"You can use my office," Poppy offered.

"That will do fine, Madam," Cromwell replied. He settled himself cross-legged on the rug and within a few minutes was able to put himself into a deep trance. Poppy closed the door of her office and used her wand to place a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.

About 20 minutes later, Cromwell came out of the office and walked over to Sirius' bed. "I will begin now." He pulled the curtain completely around Sirius' bed and sat down in a chair next to the bed. He placed his hand on Sirius' head and said, "Ligilimens."

Cromwell suddenly found himself in a very dark place, assaulted by indecipherable voices from every direction. "Sirius," he called.

He heard sniffling and followed it and found Sirius huddled up, his arms wrapped around his knees and his face buried in them. Cromwell knelt down beside Sirius and placed his hand gently on Sirius' arm. "Sirius, I'm here to help you."

Sirius jumped to his feet and screamed, "Leave me alone! I told you I'm not Potter! I apologized to everybody for the awful things I did, but Potter never did!"

Cromwell recognized that Sirius was not screaming at him, but at the indecipherable voices. He suddenly recalled a dark spell he had learned about while in training, but had never treated since it was very rarely used in modern times. It was the Vocem Susurran Curse. It was a very dark spell used in the Middle Ages to punish convicted liars and slanderers. It made them hear accusatory voices inside their minds and he recalled there was no reversal spell for it. People just continued to hear the accusatory voices until they either went insane or killed themselves. He removed himself from Sirius' mind and fell back in his chair. After a few minutes he used his wand to pull the bed curtain back and got up.

Madam Pomfrey came out of her office followed by Orion, Walburga, and Regulus. They looked at Healer Cromwell hopefully. He shook his head. "I found out what spell was cast on your son. It is the Vocem Susurran or Whispering Voice Curse. The bad news is I do not believe there is a reversal spell for it."

Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.

Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.

A/N: This story is A/U (Alternative Universe) and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.

Chapter 26

Heir to the House of Black

Orion and Scrimgeour came to an agreement. Orion would work half days in the office for the time being to lower possible confrontations for the time being.

After leaving work for the day. Orion went back home to speak with Walburga and Alphard.

Walburga was shocked and furious, "I swear, I'm going to kill that man!"

"Walburga please!" Orion pleaded with his wife. "That's not going to solve anything!"

"Well…" Alphard spoke. "Maybe put that on the back burner?" He joked, obviously.

Orion rubbed his temples, "I need a drink."

Orion walked over to the liquor cabinet, but Walburga vanished the entire cabinet away, to Orion's annoyance. "Walburga, please!" Orion was in no mood.

"The situation calls for you to have a clear head, Orion!" Walburga crossed her arms, "Or need I remind you of the last time you decided to get plastered?!"

He growled and went over to another cabinet to partake in another vice of his. He pulled out a cigar and walked towards the front door, "I'm going to go smoke outside, if that's okay with you?!'

"Oh be careful not to choke on it," Walburga shot back sarcastically.

Orion slammed the front door and Walburga stormed upstairs to her bedroom.

Which left Alphard all alone. He sighed, and decided to get back to his research, which was coming up empty, if he could be honest.

He wasn't able to find anything relating to 'The Unbreakable Vow' being countermanded.

Alphard walked back into the small library that Orion and Walburga had at Grimmauld Place. He took his seat back at the table up between the bookshelves, and got back to work.

Alphard was looking up on any sort of magic that could counter the 'Unbreakable Vow'. However, he came up to several dead ends. He was starting another long session of research.

He was several cups of black tea in another long night of research. Alphard had finished the pot that Kreacher had given him.

Alphard rubbed his eyes and gently slapped his face to pep himself up. Sleep was trying it's best to overtake him, but it would not succeed, not yet anyways.

He kept reading the book in front of him. It was a time on counters to strong magicks, but there was nothing about the 'Unbreakable Vow'.

Alphard shut the book with a soft slam and groaned in frustration.

"Something on your mind?"

Alphard looked up to see his sister, Walburga, with a kettle of tea in her hand.

"I have looked through several of our ancestral books and tomes, I called in favors from countless friends across the globe for information, and have borrowed books from others to see if there is a counter to the Vow." He motioned at the books and papers across the desk. "Nothing! Or at least nothing that can help Orion!"

Walburga strode over to Alphard and refilled his cup. "I don't think I've ever seen you study this hard before. Certainly not during our time at Hogwarts."

"That wasn't important, this is." Alphard blew his rea to cool it down before he sipped the tea in his cup.

Walburga frowned, she knew that Alphard was giving everything he possibly could to help Orion. She put the kettle down and sat with her brother.

Alphard looked at Walburga, "What did Marius say about Orion's chances with this trial?"

"Well it's a tribunal, not a trial, so it won't be open to the public. A panel of three adjudicators will hear the evidence that accuses and defends Orion, Marius and opposing counsel will make their cases, and then they will reach a verdict." Walburga sighed, "I'm afraid the court of public opinion is very against us at this point."

Alphard looked back at the tomes and books in front of him and rubbed his eyes. "I need a break."

Walburga sighed and gently rubbed her temples, "Was I too hard on Orion?"

"Yes you were, but to be fair so was he," Alphard pointed out. "But under the circumstances, that's completely understandable."

Walburga looked at the walls of the library and saw a family portrait of herself with her parents, and her brothers. "Why would mother agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow? She would never do anything like that!"

"Yeah she would…" A flash of realization came across Alphard's face. "...Say that again."

Walburga turned to her younger brother, "Mother would never agree to cast anything like the Unbreakable Vow."

"...No, she wouldn't…" Alphard got up and walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a book labeled, 'False Incantations, A History of Subterfuge Spellcasting.'

He opened it and began to read from it, he flipped through the pages like a madman.

"Alphard, what is it?"

"Something I failed to think of," Alphard responded. He flipped through several more pages until he found what he was looking for. Alphard read the passage, and grinned. "Got you."

Walburga did a double take, "What? Did you find something that can help Orion?'

"If I'm right Orion doesn't need our help, but we're going to need to see Father. If I'm right, he has some explaining to do."

They both collected Orion and went back to Embershade.

They came in through the floo. Alphard looked around and called for Foedus, "Foedus? Are you here?"

Foedus appeared before the three of them. "Good evening Master Alphard, may Foedus help you?"

Walburga addresses the elderly House Elf. "Where is our father Foedus? We must speak with him."

"Master Pollux is taking his evening tea in the lounge area," Foedus directed them to the lounge area.

The three of them walked into the lounge, where Pollux Black was sipping on his Blackberry tea. "To what do I owe this visit, at this time at night?"

Alphard took the book and plopped it before Pollux on the table. "Game's up, old man. I figured everything out."

Orion widened his eyes, "You found a counter to the Unbreakable Vow?"

Alphard looked at his father, "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"

Pollux looked confused, but Alphard knew better. His father was simply putting up an act. "Alphard, I don't know what you mean."

"Fine, have it your way, old man." He turned to Orion. "You can tell the truth of that day all you want. You were never under The Unbreakable Vow whatsoever."

"What?!" Orion was dumbstruck.

Walburga asked her brother, "Are you for certain Alphard?"

"Dead certain." He turned towards Orion, Walburga, and Foedus who walked in to see what was going on.

"I'll be honest, this whole thing just didn't make a lick of sense. Absolutely none." Alphard started to explain his reasoning. "We all knew our mother, or at least thought we did. She was a kind, caring, and thoughtful individual, who always saw the good in people."

Orion, and Walburga thought of Irma Black. She was without a doubt one of the kindest souls, that they had the pleasure of knowing.

"So, with that portrait of mother, crafted carefully in our minds, ask this question. Why would she ever agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow on Orion?"

Orion, and Walburga thought to themselves and came to the same realization. She wouldn't.

Foedus pointed out, "Madam Irma was a kind witch, always treated Foedus fairly. Never asked Foedus to discipline himself whenever Foedus dropped a plate."

"No, she wasn't…it wasn't in her nature," Orion thought aloud.

Walburga nodded, but then looked at her father, who looked cross. "Father would have probably demanded her to…"

"Our mother was just as strong willed as she was kind. When could our father ever tell her to do something?" Alphard pointed that inconsistency out.

Walburga nodded, "He couldn't. She was the driving force behind Father."

Pollux Black throat and gained everyone's attention. "This is all so very introspective, and quite performative, Alphard. However, there's one thing contradicting your theory. Your mother casted the spell in front of Orion and myself. If she did as you said, we would have heard her say something completely different!"

Alphard smiled, and he went to the book before Pollux and opened it to the page he wanted. "Iners Navitas. This spell basically voids any and all magical energy of any spells casted afterwards. This made the impression that Mother caster the Vow, but not the intended effect."

Orion was speechless, and emotionless.

Walburga was on the fence, not knowing what to believe.

Alphard took the book off the table and walked over to his sister. "There's an indentation of someone writing the Incantation down, you tell me who's handwriting that is."

Walburga took the book from Alphard and looked at the indentation. It was a spot on match for her mother's handwriting. She felt her shoulders grow less heavy. Orion was free. Walburga cried as she looked up to Alphard. Her brother of whom she had misjudged completely all her life.

Walburga looked over at her father but was shocked when she saw Orion was currently choking Pollux with both hands. "Orion!"

She dropped the book, and ran over to try and pry her husband off of her father. "Orion stop!"

Orion gritted his teeth, his eyes were aflame with an unbridled rage. His hatred was focused on his father-in-law, "I am going to kill you, you damned bastard!" His hands were around Pollux's throat. His grip was tight, and his fingers were interlocked. Orion wasn't letting go for nothing.

Pollux was grasping at Orion's hands trying to get him to stop. His wand was in the other room, and he couldn't concentrate on summoning it.

Walburga tried prying Orion's hands from her father's throat. "Orion, please stop, this won't solve anything!"

"You knew all this time didn't you?! And you kept me living in fear, when I could have told the truth whenever!" Orion tightened his grip.

Pollux was starting to turn a shade of purple as he was starting to fall unconscious.

Walburga turned to Alphard. "Alphard, help me!"

Alphard arms "No, it's easier this way. Let Orion kill the bastard!"

"Alphard, please!"

He sighed and then rushed over to restrain Orion and managed to pull him off of Pollux."Orion, come on. Stop this nonsense." He managed to pry Orion off of Pollux and corralled him over towards the doorway leading into the main hall.

Alphard tried to calm Orion down as he continued to seethe with anger. Walburga rushed over to her father who was gasping for air, and checked his condition. She cast a quick healing spell to ensure that Pollux could breathe properly again.

Orion struggled against Alphard's hold, his eyes still filled with fury. "Let me go! He deserves to pay for what he did!"

Alphard held onto Orion firmly, trying to reason with him. "Violence won't solve anything, Orion. We need to handle this properly."

Walburga approached them, her voice firm but tinged with concern. "Orion, I understand your anger, but attacking him won't change what happened."

Orion's chest heaved as he tried to control his breathing. He looked at Walburga, his gaze filled with a mix of pain and resentment. "He lied to us, Walburga. He let me suffer, thinking I was bound by the Unbreakable Vow. How can I just let that go?"

Walburga took Orion's hands in hers, her touch gentle yet determined. "I know it's difficult, but we have to be smart about this. The important thing here is that you're not bound by anything to keep silent anymore. Now we have an opportunity to let the world, and especially Samuel Yalarad, know what happened with us when Silas was killed." She looked at her father, who was recovering. "But killing him won't achieve that."

"He must pay for this! It's time to bring the truth to light. I won't let this injustice continue."

Orion's anger slowly began to subside, replaced by a sense of exhaustion. He looked into Walburga's eyes, searching for some solace.

Alphard spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "The ball is in our court, ol' son. Now, we give ourselves a platform for you to speak your truth, but we have to do it the right way."

Walburga squeezed Orion's hands, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. "We can expose the truth about the false Unbreakable Vow and the manipulation that has plagued our family for far too long."

Orion took a deep breath, his body visibly relaxing. He nodded, finally relenting.

Alphard released his grip on Orion, giving him a supportive pat on the back. "That's the spirit brother!"

Together, the three of them returned to the lounge area where Pollux was recovering from the ordeal. The tension in the room was palpable. Pollux rubbed his throat, and coughed.

Orion's anger had transformed into a resolute determination,

Walburga turned to Pollux, her voice stern. "Father, you will explain yourself, and your actions during the tribunal. You owe us that much."

Pollux looked visibly shaken but managed to compose himself. "Very well, daughter. But understand this, I only did it to protect you. What happened, if word got out then others would…"

Walburga yelled, letting her emotions out, in a rare display, "I don't give a fucking shite about your reasons, or what other people would have thought!"

Alphard put a hand on his sister;s shoulder to dial her back. "C'Mon, let's go home. We're done here."

"No, we aren't Alphard," Pollux addressed his youngest child. "You and I have a matter to discuss."

Alphard chuckled in frustration, "What do we have to talk about old man?"

"You alone had managed to figure out the truth behind everything. Isn't that right?" Pollux brushed himself out as he stood up.

Alphard crossed his arms, "Walburga helped, but yeah for the most part, it was me."

Pollux glanced over at the box, a small, ornate wooden box resting on a nearby table. "Fetch the box, Foedus," he instructed.

Foedus nodded and did as his master wished.

Confusion filled the air as Walburga turned to her father. "What is this about, Father?"

Pollux's gaze met Alphard's, his voice gentle yet determined. "Inside that box is something that has been passed down through generations. It symbolizes the legacy of our family, the House of Black."

Foedus returned with the box and handed it to Pollux, who opened it carefully. Inside, resting on a plush cushion, was a striking black ring, adorned with the Black family crest.

"I want you to have this, Alphard," Pollux said softly, his eyes fixed on his son. "You've proved yourself to me. I want you to be the new heir of the House of Black, to carry on our legacy."

A silence rose over everyone.

"You must be joking," Alphard sneered at his father. "I swear your attempts at manipulation are getting desperate."

"I'm not trying to manipulate you, insolent child! You've proven yourself, you figured everything out. What you said was true, your mother confessed what she did on her deathbed to me. I was…angry, but it still has the intended effect, so why ruin it?"

Orion frowned, "And yet you still allowed me to think that the Vow was still active! It was like wearing a hangman's noose around my neck at all times! Unsure of when the ground below me would give away!"

"All the better to keep you complacent," Pollux turned from Orion back to Alphard. "I did what I thought was necessary, if you're looking for an apology, I have none to give. When you all came to me to release Orion from the Vow, I was in a position where I could find a new Heir. If either you or your sister found the truth, I would name either you or Walburga heir. It was you who figured it out, so it's you who I name my heir, Alphard. This is what is necessary for our family, but it's also what I want."

"What you want?" Alphard's eyes widened in surprise, but a mixture of pain and resolve appeared in his gaze. "What you want? Let's talk about what I want!" Alphard snarled, "All I ever wanted, Father, was to hear you say that you loved me, that you were proud of me. To know that I mattered to you."

Orion and Walburga held their tongues, it was an already emotionally charged conversation. These feelings that Alphard had were finally being addressed.

Pollux shook his head. "No, son. I…that's not true, I've always cared for you…"

"Only because it was your responsibility. Because it was your duty as a father, but beyond that you couldn't give a toss!" Alphard stared right into his father's eyes, "I was the black sheep of the House of Black. Mother comforted me after you always hurled such abuse at me. How, I was a failure, and an embarrassment to the family. All because I couldn't measure up to Cygnus or Walburga!"

Walburga felt a pang of guilt encroach her heart. When she was a child, she reveled in being better than her younger brother. However, she could see the repercussions of her actions in adulthood

Pollux's expression softened, regret etching deep lines on his face. "Alphard, I... I love you. More than words can express. I have failed you as a father, but please believe that my intentions were always to drive you to your greatest potential."

"Well you fucked that right up. The title and the ring mean nothing to me." Alphard's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he took a step back. "I won't accept it, Father. Either give it to Walburga or leave it for Sirius."

Without another word, Alphard turned and walked towards Orion and Walburga, who stood at the doorway, their eyes filled with empathy and understanding. Together, the three of them left the room, leaving Pollux standing there, his heart heavy with the weight of his mistakes.

With a heavy sigh, he closed the box, the ring now a symbol of the distance between them. Pollux watched them go, a mix of sorrow and determination on his face. He knew that he had much to atone for, much to repair within his fractured family

The three flooed back to Grimmauld Place and everyone was silent when they arrived.

Walburga and Orion were feeling incredibly better now that Orion was in the clear to tell the truth about his whereabouts. However, both of them were more concerned for Alphard at this point in time.

Alphard walked over to where the liquor cabinet used to be. "Put it back."

"Alphard, I don't think that's such a good idea," Walburga pointed out.

Alphard put his head in one hand, and started snapping his fingers and pointed to the place where the cabinet was.

Walburga sighed, and with a wave of her hand put the cabinet back.

Alphard took a bottle of Firewhiskey out and took a gigantic belt from the bottle. He sighed, "I'm going to my room, I'm going to finish this bottle, and go to sleep. In the morning I am going to pack my things, and head back to Villa Zorambra."

"Hold on, Alphard. You're more than welcome to keep staying here! I'm sure the boys would love to see you before you leave!" Orion tried to bargain with him.

"Alphard, please. I know I have been hard with you before, but…" Walburga started to plead with her younger brother as well.

"Walla, just…just stop." Alphard took another swig of the bottle before heading up the stairs to his room, leaving Orion and Walburga there.

Orion and Walburga exchanged a worried glance as they heard Alphard's footsteps receding. The weight of the evening's events still hung heavily in the air.

"He's hurting," Walburga whispered, her voice filled with regret. "Father, Cygnus, and I have hurt him." Her expression filled with remorse. "I was so consumed by my own pain and anger that I didn't see how much Alphard was suffering in his own way. I pushed him away."

Silence settled between them as they contemplated the rift that had formed within their family. The revelation of the false Unbreakable Vow had opened old wounds and unearthed years of pent-up emotions. It was clear that rebuilding the trust and repairing the fractured relationships would take time and effort.

"I need to make things right with him," Walburga said, determination edging her voice. "I owe him that much."

Orion nodded, a newfound resolve shining in his eyes. "You're right, Walburga. We can't let Alphard leave without trying to mend things. We'll find a way to make amends, to show him that he matters to us."

Walburga took a deep breath, her features softening. "Let's start by giving him the space he needs tonight. In the morning, I can approach him with a genuine apology and a promise to do better."

Orion placed a hand on Walburga's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Together, we can heal his wounds, and you two can come back stronger than ever."

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Two mornings later the Marauders sat at the Slytherin table, discussing Cassidy's death.

"I can't say I'm sorry," Frank said gruffly. "If Doherty was cheating known Muggle criminals using magic, he was playing with fire."

Dorian leaned across the table and whispered to the others. "Dad said the Grey Twins are vehemently denying killing Doherty. They claim they woke up when Metropolitan Police Constables hauled them and their bodyguards to their feet and don't know anything."

"We can assume then that someone magical killed Doherty, but he used a Muggle method to make it look like these criminal twins did it," Caddaric speculated. "And he Stupified them before he killed Doherty."

Severus suddenly noticed that Sirius was missing. "Where's Sirius this morning. Is he still asleep?"

Remus shrugged. "He was already gone when we got up."

"I noticed that Sirius was really restless the night of Doherty's memorial service and last night," Peter said worriedly. "My bed's right by his and he was muttering in his sleep, tossing and turning."

"Maybe he got up early to get a bit of fresh air," Lily said.

"I'm sure he'll already be in class when we get there," Frank replied. "But I've got to say, he was pretty quiet at Doherty's memorial service the other day."

"Yeah, his restraint was admirable. I couldn't believe he wasn't yelling out insults all through it, especially when he suspects Dante is the one who gave Skeeter that investigative report about your dad," Tav remarked, nodding at Reg.

"Maybe somebody should go up to Gryffindor Tower and see if Siri's come back and make sure he's all right," Reg said. "It isn't like Siri to miss a meal. At home, he practically inhales the food before Kreacher even has a chance to set the tray down."

As the warning bell rang, Remus was frowning, obviously worried too, seeing as how Sirius had missed breakfast and food was always the first thing on his mind upon wakening.

They all got up to go to their first classes. "We don't have time now to look for him, but we'll see him in class and can find out then where he disappeared to last night," Severus replied.

"Maybe he decided to sleep in the Room of Requirement," Jane suggested. "Dante hasn't been hogging it since that dung bomb attack."

"That could very well be," Caddaric agreed. He and Irene said goodbye and split off from the rest of them as did Dorian and Tav.

But Sirius wasn't in their first class nor in any of their other classes that morning. Transfiguration was the last class before lunch and Minerva stopped them as they were leaving class. "Do any of you know where Mr. Black is?"

"No," Severus replied. "He wasn't at breakfast and he wasn't in any of our other classes previous to this."

"He wasn't in the dorm when we got up," Peter pointed out.

"Perhaps Mr. Doherty's untimely passing hit Mr. Black harder than anyone realized," Minerva suggested.

Remus nodded. "Peter noticed he's been muttering, tossing and turning in his sleep."

Peter nodded, a concerned look on his face.

Reg shook his head. "Siri usually sleeps like a rock!"

"By the way, I did hear about about the disturbance outside of the library with Mr. Clarke and Mr. Meyers from Madam Pince," Minerva said. "I am awarding both you and your brother five points for helping Mr. Yalarad out." She said to Reg.

He nodded and replied, "Thank you, Ma'am."

"In the meantime, I will go up and check to see if Mr. Black is in his dorm."

"Maybe we should search outside, too" Lily suggested. "If he's gotten sick, he may have wandered outside and collapsed somewhere. That happened to Tuney once when we were just little."

"I'll send my Patronus to Hagrid and ask him to help you search, Nobody knows these grounds better than Hagrid."

Reg looked scared. What if Dante somehow blames Siri for Doherty's death and did something bad to him?

Sam, Sebastian, and Hippolyta offered to help look for Sirius and Severus gladly accepted their offer. Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick volunteered to be runners to report back to Professor McGonagall or fetch any other kind of assistance needed. Renner and Mary were also helping with the search.

Hagrid met them outside at the front entrance and he carried a sack over his shoulder. He waved and motioned with his arm. "Come on, you lot. We got alotta ground ta cover." Hagrid assigned them in pairs to search different parts of Hogwarts and out of the bag he carried, he pulled out what looked like a horn and gave one to each group. "If ya finds any trace of Sirius, give us a blow on this ta let us know." He assigned Severus and Lily to check all around the Black Lake. "Don't know if Sirius was sick enough ta wander that far, but it's best to check. If he got into the water, Cicero would've tossed him back on the shore. Don't nobody go near the Forbidden Forest. I'll check that meself."

Sam, Hippolyta, and Sebastian were assigned to check in and around the carriage house while Remus, Frank, and Pete checked all around Hagrid's cabin and his garden. Irene and Caddaric, Jane and Emily checked around the front and back of the castle. Renner and Mary were sent to check around the library windows where the bushes were particularly overgrown and bushy. "Madam Pince refuses ta let me trim them things. She says she likes them just the way they is," Hagrid remarked, sighing.

"Can I search with you, Hagrid?" Reg asked. "If Siri is delirious or something, he might not know who you are and put up a fight."

Hagrid nodded. "I'll send a message to Magorian and ask if he and the other Centaurs can have a look around the Forbidden Forest."

When they were searching the bushes around the front gate, there was a sudden blowing of a horn, indicating that one of the teens had found something.

It was Renner who had blown the horn. He pointed at a particularly overgrown bush and said, "Sirius is under there and he keeps yelling at somebody, but there's nobody under there except him."

"I tried to talk to him," Mary added. "But I don't think he even knew I was there."

"Let me try," Reg said. He crawled under the bush and sat down next to Sirius, "Siri, it's me, Reg," he coaxed.

"I did not do that! Potter did it!" Sirius suddenly yelled. He put his hands tightly over his ears but he could still hear the voices whispering accusations. "You can't keep saying those things! I've changed!"

Reg crawled back out and stood up. "We need Madam Pomfrey. Siri didn't even know I was there."

"I'll go," Jane said. She looked at Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick. "You guys know I can run faster than any of you can!" She took off and was back in record time with Madam Pomfrey, followed by Minerva.

"He won't come outta there and he's screamin' at somebody nobody can see," Hagrid explained.

"He may have a high fever and be delirious," Poppy replied. She bent down and stuck her head under the bush. "Mr. Black, it's Madam Pomfrey, can you hear me?"

"That wasn't my fault!" Sirius screamed again. "I never wanted him killed! I didn't like him, but I never wanted somebody to kill him!"

"It sounds as if he may be having an overreaction to Mr. Doherty's death," Minerva whispered.

"That could be, but we need to get Mr. Black out of there and the only way I can see is to stun him," Poppy replied.

"I will do it. I am his Head of House," Minerva said. She turned to the teens. "Will two of you find me two fairly long, thick, branches?"

"I'll go," Irene volunteered.

"I'll go with you, Irene," Sam offered.

Irene nodded and they hurried off to find the tree branches Minerva requested. They came back after about five minutes with the tree branches and laid them down.

"Perfect," Minerva said. "Thank you." She quickly transfigured the branches into a stretcher. She went over to the bush under which Sirius was hiding, pointed her wand and said, "Stupefy!" Sirius' body went limp and then Minerva was able to levitate his body out from underneath the bush and onto the stretcher.

"Let me know how he turns out," Hagrid said. "Sirius is a handful sometimes, but he's a good kid."

Minerva nodded. "Thank you for helping us search, Hagrid." She looked down at the stretcher and waved her wand over it. "Mobiliarbus," she said, causing the stretcher to rise and float.

The teens followed them to the hospital wing, but remained outside so they wouldn't disturb anybody already in there.

They lowered Sirius' body down onto a bed. Even unconscious, Sirius continued to mutter unintelligible things and twist and turn in the bed. Madam Pomfry waved her wand over him and said, "Revlare corpis morbum." Parchment paper appeared and Madam Pomfrey grabbed it. She studied it. "That's very strange."

What is?" Minerva queried.

"Well, it shows his condition as being normal, no high fever or delirium." She frowned. "I'm going to try something else." She waved her wand over Sirius again and said, "Ostende mihi condicionem mentis." A longer length of parchment appeared. Madam Pomfrey studied what was on it. "There seems to be a great deal of confusion inside Mr. Black's mind, almost as if he's lost inside his own mind and it's not a Confundus Spell of any sort. It's so overwhelming I can't even begin to understand what is occurring." She rolled up the paper and put it in the pocket of her apron. "I'm going to summon a mind healer from St. Mungo's. Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the best one they have. He will be able to use the Ligilimen Spell to see what is going on inside Mr. Black's mind."

"I will floo Orion and Wallburga," Minerva said. "You will need their permission to have a mind healer treat Mr. Black."

Poppy nodded and said soberly, "I just hope he can be helped."

The teens were still standing together outside of the hospital wing when Minerva came out. She stopped when she saw their very concerned expressions. "Madam Pomfrey is still examining Mr. Black. Do any of know if he might have been practicing an advanced spell that may have gone wrong?"

Remus, Peter, and Frank shook their heads and Frank said, "Practicing isn't Sirius' thing, Professor."

"If anybody cast a spell over Sirius, it would have been Dante," Sam spoke up. "He was really angry about that dung bomb attack and Athena being injured. He was certain Sirius was the culprit."

"If he did cast a spell over Sirius, do you have any idea what it might have been?"

"No." Sam dropped his head in shame and Irene squeezed his hand in sympathy.

"Mr. Yalarad, no one blames you for the possible actions of your cousin," Minerva said, placing her hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Did anybody in Gryffindor see Dante doing anything that appeared suspicious?"

They all shook there heads.

Minerva sighed again. "We cannot do a Prior Incantato on his wand then without a witness who saw him doing something suspicious with his wand."

"What is a Priori Incantato spell, Professor?" Lily asked.

"It a Charm that shows an echo of the lat spell cast," she explained.

"Dante probably did another spell immediately after that to cover up whatever spell he cast on Sirius," Frank said.

You are probably correct, Mr. Longbottom."

"Are you going to floo my parents, Professor?" Reg asked.

"Yes, I was just on my way to do that."

"May I go with you, Professor? I mean with all my dad and mum are already dealing with...and now having to hear about Siri…" He shrugged. "Besides Kreacher is being extra protective of mum and dad just now and if he sees me, it will make things go faster."

"Of course, Mr. Black, that is an excellent idea."

After they had left, Caddaric asked. "Anybody for lunch? We've still got about 35 minutes left."

"Yes," Frank nodded. "Unless you want to listen to my stomach growling all through afternoon classes."

"Why don't we wait for Reg to come back and then we can go outside and I'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Severus suggested.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Minerva knelt in front of the floo with Regulus beside her. She threw the green powder into the fire place and stuck her head into the green flames and said, "Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London."

As predicted by Regulus, Kreacher answered the floo, looking very suspicious, but he brightened considerably when he saw Reg. "Master Regulus! Kreacher is happy to see you! What can Kreacher do for you?"

"Professor McGonagall needs to talk to mum and dad, Kreacher," Reg replied.

Kreacher sighed and then replied, "Kreacher will get them."

"He thinks we've misbehaved again," Regulus whispered.

Minerva sighed too. "I wish this time that is what I was flooing about."

Orion and Walburga came and both knelt in front of the floo. "Hello, Professor. What have the boys done now?"

"Lord and Lady Black, I am not calling about any misbehavior. Sirius was found by his brother, his friends, and Hagrid this morning, hiding under a bush and yelling at something or someone nobody else could see."

"I got under the bush with him and he didn't even know I was there," Reg explained. "He just kept yelling at someone, but there was nobody else under there but him and me."

Walburga paled and clutched Orion's arm.

"Madam Pomfrey needs to speak with you about various treatment options," Minerva explained.

"We will come immediately," Orion said.

Minerva nodded and ended the call. She got to her feet and turned to Reg. "I am going to excuse you from classes for the rest of the day so you can be with your parents and your brother, Mr. Black."

"Thanks, Professor."

In a few minutes the floo sounded and Orion and Walburga stepped through. "Please take us to Madam Pomfrey, Professor," Orion requested.

"If you will please follow me, Lord and Lady Black," Minerva said.

Walburga gave Regulus a hug and kissed his cheek and then they followed Orion and Minerva downstairs to the hospital wing.

Reg stopped by the group of his friends still outside the hospital wing and said, "Mum and dad are going in to talk to Madam Pomfrey to see what she knows about Siri's condition."

"We're going to go outside and we'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Dorian said.

"You may as well join us since you won't know anything definite about Sirius until after your parents talk to Madam Pomfrey," Severus pointed out.

"I know, but I just think I should be there with them with all the shite they're going through right now."

You're right, Reg," Lily said. "You should go and be with them."

Reg nodded and entered the hospital. He entered Madam Pomfrey's office and quietly sat down on a chair next to Walburga and took hold of his mum's hand.

"I know there is something wrong with Sirius' mind right now, but I do not have the skills to diagnose exactly what is wrong. I do not know if he was trying a more advanced spell and it went wrong or if it was a spell someone cast on him. I believe a mind healer could find the answer, using the Ligilimen Spell."

Orion nodded. "Whom would you suggest, Madam Pomfrey?"

"Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the head of Spell Damage at St. Mungo's and has a excellent reputation for spell damage reversal."

Orion looked at Walburga and she nodded. "Please ask him to come and examine our son," Orion requested.

"I will do so immediately," Poppy replied. She nodded at Orion, Walburga, and Regulus and then went into her office to floo Healer Cromwell.

"Why don't you come up to my office," Minerva suggested. "I'll ask my elf, Misty to bring us some tea and I have a tin of delicious Scottish shortbread's my brother sent me."

"That sounds wonderful," Walburga replied. She leaned against Orion tiredly and he put his arm around her. The last few months had been so stressful, but now that Orion was able to tell the investigators what really happened the day Silas was killed, things should be much better and Orion would no longer be under a cloud of suspicion.

Reg accepted the cup of tea Professor McGonagall handed him and said, "Thank you." He had grown up attending tea parties with his cousins, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa so he knew the drill. He smiled as he recalled the time Siri had deliberately spilled his tea on Bella and she threatened to make him permanently bald with a spell she knew. Only Andromeda and Narcissa holding her back, saved Siri's hair.

About twenty minutes later, Madam Pomfrey's Patronus appeared announcing the arrival of Master Mind Healer Cromwell. He was standing beside Sirius' bed, studying him carefully when Orion, Walburga, and Reg arrived at the hospital wing.

"I see what you mean, Madam Pomfrey," Healer Cromwell said in a deep voice. "Even in a deep sleep, he is unable to find peace."

"Can you help our son?" Walburga pleaded.

"I am going to try my best, Lady Black," Cromwell answered. "I am going to perform the Ligilimen Spell to see what exactly is going on inside your son's mind." He turned to Poppy. "I will need a quiet place to clear my own mind before I enter Sirius' mind. I need to put myself into a deep meditative state for about twenty minutes.

"You can use my office," Poppy offered.

"That will do fine, Madam," Cromwell replied. He settled himself cross-legged on the rug and within a few minutes was able to put himself into a deep trance. Poppy closed the door of her office and used her wand to place a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.

About 20 minutes later, Cromwell came out of the office and walked over to Sirius' bed. "I will begin now." He pulled the curtain completely around Sirius' bed and sat down in a chair next to the bed. He placed his hand on Sirius' head and said, "Ligilimens."

Cromwell suddenly found himself in a very dark place, assaulted by indecipherable voices from every direction. "Sirius," he called.

He heard sniffling and followed it and found Sirius huddled up, his arms wrapped around his knees and his face buried in them. Cromwell knelt down beside Sirius and placed his hand gently on Sirius' arm. "Sirius, I'm here to help you."

Sirius jumped to his feet and screamed, "Leave me alone! I told you I'm not Potter! I apologized to everybody for the awful things I did, but Potter never did!"

Cromwell recognized that Sirius was not screaming at him, but at the indecipherable voices. He suddenly recalled a dark spell he had learned about while in training, but had never treated since it was very rarely used in modern times. It was the Vocem Susurran Curse. It was a very dark spell used in the Middle Ages to punish convicted liars and slanderers. It made them hear accusatory voices inside their minds and he recalled there was no reversal spell for it. People just continued to hear the accusatory voices until they either went insane or killed themselves. He removed himself from Sirius' mind and fell back in his chair. After a few minutes he used his wand to pull the bed curtain back and got up.

Madam Pomfrey came out of her office followed by Orion, Walburga, and Regulus. They looked at Healer Cromwell hopefully. He shook his head. "I found out what spell was cast on your son. It is the Vocem Susurran or Whispering Voice Curse. The bad news is I do not believe there is a reversal spell for it."

Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.

Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.

A/N: This story is A/U (Alternative Universe) and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.

Chapter 26

Heir to the House of Black

Orion and Scrimgeour came to an agreement. Orion would work half days in the office for the time being to lower possible confrontations for the time being.

After leaving work for the day. Orion went back home to speak with Walburga and Alphard.

Walburga was shocked and furious, "I swear, I'm going to kill that man!"

"Walburga please!" Orion pleaded with his wife. "That's not going to solve anything!"

"Well…" Alphard spoke. "Maybe put that on the back burner?" He joked, obviously.

Orion rubbed his temples, "I need a drink."

Orion walked over to the liquor cabinet, but Walburga vanished the entire cabinet away, to Orion's annoyance. "Walburga, please!" Orion was in no mood.

"The situation calls for you to have a clear head, Orion!" Walburga crossed her arms, "Or need I remind you of the last time you decided to get plastered?!"

He growled and went over to another cabinet to partake in another vice of his. He pulled out a cigar and walked towards the front door, "I'm going to go smoke outside, if that's okay with you?!'

"Oh be careful not to choke on it," Walburga shot back sarcastically.

Orion slammed the front door and Walburga stormed upstairs to her bedroom.

Which left Alphard all alone. He sighed, and decided to get back to his research, which was coming up empty, if he could be honest.

He wasn't able to find anything relating to 'The Unbreakable Vow' being countermanded.

Alphard walked back into the small library that Orion and Walburga had at Grimmauld Place. He took his seat back at the table up between the bookshelves, and got back to work.

Alphard was looking up on any sort of magic that could counter the 'Unbreakable Vow'. However, he came up to several dead ends. He was starting another long session of research.

He was several cups of black tea in another long night of research. Alphard had finished the pot that Kreacher had given him.

Alphard rubbed his eyes and gently slapped his face to pep himself up. Sleep was trying it's best to overtake him, but it would not succeed, not yet anyways.

He kept reading the book in front of him. It was a time on counters to strong magicks, but there was nothing about the 'Unbreakable Vow'.

Alphard shut the book with a soft slam and groaned in frustration.

"Something on your mind?"

Alphard looked up to see his sister, Walburga, with a kettle of tea in her hand.

"I have looked through several of our ancestral books and tomes, I called in favors from countless friends across the globe for information, and have borrowed books from others to see if there is a counter to the Vow." He motioned at the books and papers across the desk. "Nothing! Or at least nothing that can help Orion!"

Walburga strode over to Alphard and refilled his cup. "I don't think I've ever seen you study this hard before. Certainly not during our time at Hogwarts."

"That wasn't important, this is." Alphard blew his rea to cool it down before he sipped the tea in his cup.

Walburga frowned, she knew that Alphard was giving everything he possibly could to help Orion. She put the kettle down and sat with her brother.

Alphard looked at Walburga, "What did Marius say about Orion's chances with this trial?"

"Well it's a tribunal, not a trial, so it won't be open to the public. A panel of three adjudicators will hear the evidence that accuses and defends Orion, Marius and opposing counsel will make their cases, and then they will reach a verdict." Walburga sighed, "I'm afraid the court of public opinion is very against us at this point."

Alphard looked back at the tomes and books in front of him and rubbed his eyes. "I need a break."

Walburga sighed and gently rubbed her temples, "Was I too hard on Orion?"

"Yes you were, but to be fair so was he," Alphard pointed out. "But under the circumstances, that's completely understandable."

Walburga looked at the walls of the library and saw a family portrait of herself with her parents, and her brothers. "Why would mother agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow? She would never do anything like that!"

"Yeah she would…" A flash of realization came across Alphard's face. "...Say that again."

Walburga turned to her younger brother, "Mother would never agree to cast anything like the Unbreakable Vow."

"...No, she wouldn't…" Alphard got up and walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a book labeled, 'False Incantations, A History of Subterfuge Spellcasting.'

He opened it and began to read from it, he flipped through the pages like a madman.

"Alphard, what is it?"

"Something I failed to think of," Alphard responded. He flipped through several more pages until he found what he was looking for. Alphard read the passage, and grinned. "Got you."

Walburga did a double take, "What? Did you find something that can help Orion?'

"If I'm right Orion doesn't need our help, but we're going to need to see Father. If I'm right, he has some explaining to do."

They both collected Orion and went back to Embershade.

They came in through the floo. Alphard looked around and called for Foedus, "Foedus? Are you here?"

Foedus appeared before the three of them. "Good evening Master Alphard, may Foedus help you?"

Walburga addresses the elderly House Elf. "Where is our father Foedus? We must speak with him."

"Master Pollux is taking his evening tea in the lounge area," Foedus directed them to the lounge area.

The three of them walked into the lounge, where Pollux Black was sipping on his Blackberry tea. "To what do I owe this visit, at this time at night?"

Alphard took the book and plopped it before Pollux on the table. "Game's up, old man. I figured everything out."

Orion widened his eyes, "You found a counter to the Unbreakable Vow?"

Alphard looked at his father, "Do you want to tell him, or should I?"

Pollux looked confused, but Alphard knew better. His father was simply putting up an act. "Alphard, I don't know what you mean."

"Fine, have it your way, old man." He turned to Orion. "You can tell the truth of that day all you want. You were never under The Unbreakable Vow whatsoever."

"What?!" Orion was dumbstruck.

Walburga asked her brother, "Are you for certain Alphard?"

"Dead certain." He turned towards Orion, Walburga, and Foedus who walked in to see what was going on.

"I'll be honest, this whole thing just didn't make a lick of sense. Absolutely none." Alphard started to explain his reasoning. "We all knew our mother, or at least thought we did. She was a kind, caring, and thoughtful individual, who always saw the good in people."

Orion, and Walburga thought of Irma Black. She was without a doubt one of the kindest souls, that they had the pleasure of knowing.

"So, with that portrait of mother, crafted carefully in our minds, ask this question. Why would she ever agree to cast the Unbreakable Vow on Orion?"

Orion, and Walburga thought to themselves and came to the same realization. She wouldn't.

Foedus pointed out, "Madam Irma was a kind witch, always treated Foedus fairly. Never asked Foedus to discipline himself whenever Foedus dropped a plate."

"No, she wasn't…it wasn't in her nature," Orion thought aloud.

Walburga nodded, but then looked at her father, who looked cross. "Father would have probably demanded her to…"

"Our mother was just as strong willed as she was kind. When could our father ever tell her to do something?" Alphard pointed that inconsistency out.

Walburga nodded, "He couldn't. She was the driving force behind Father."

Pollux Black throat and gained everyone's attention. "This is all so very introspective, and quite performative, Alphard. However, there's one thing contradicting your theory. Your mother casted the spell in front of Orion and myself. If she did as you said, we would have heard her say something completely different!"

Alphard smiled, and he went to the book before Pollux and opened it to the page he wanted. "Iners Navitas. This spell basically voids any and all magical energy of any spells casted afterwards. This made the impression that Mother caster the Vow, but not the intended effect."

Orion was speechless, and emotionless.

Walburga was on the fence, not knowing what to believe.

Alphard took the book off the table and walked over to his sister. "There's an indentation of someone writing the Incantation down, you tell me who's handwriting that is."

Walburga took the book from Alphard and looked at the indentation. It was a spot on match for her mother's handwriting. She felt her shoulders grow less heavy. Orion was free. Walburga cried as she looked up to Alphard. Her brother of whom she had misjudged completely all her life.

Walburga looked over at her father but was shocked when she saw Orion was currently choking Pollux with both hands. "Orion!"

She dropped the book, and ran over to try and pry her husband off of her father. "Orion stop!"

Orion gritted his teeth, his eyes were aflame with an unbridled rage. His hatred was focused on his father-in-law, "I am going to kill you, you damned bastard!" His hands were around Pollux's throat. His grip was tight, and his fingers were interlocked. Orion wasn't letting go for nothing.

Pollux was grasping at Orion's hands trying to get him to stop. His wand was in the other room, and he couldn't concentrate on summoning it.

Walburga tried prying Orion's hands from her father's throat. "Orion, please stop, this won't solve anything!"

"You knew all this time didn't you?! And you kept me living in fear, when I could have told the truth whenever!" Orion tightened his grip.

Pollux was starting to turn a shade of purple as he was starting to fall unconscious.

Walburga turned to Alphard. "Alphard, help me!"

Alphard arms "No, it's easier this way. Let Orion kill the bastard!"

"Alphard, please!"

He sighed and then rushed over to restrain Orion and managed to pull him off of Pollux."Orion, come on. Stop this nonsense." He managed to pry Orion off of Pollux and corralled him over towards the doorway leading into the main hall.

Alphard tried to calm Orion down as he continued to seethe with anger. Walburga rushed over to her father who was gasping for air, and checked his condition. She cast a quick healing spell to ensure that Pollux could breathe properly again.

Orion struggled against Alphard's hold, his eyes still filled with fury. "Let me go! He deserves to pay for what he did!"

Alphard held onto Orion firmly, trying to reason with him. "Violence won't solve anything, Orion. We need to handle this properly."

Walburga approached them, her voice firm but tinged with concern. "Orion, I understand your anger, but attacking him won't change what happened."

Orion's chest heaved as he tried to control his breathing. He looked at Walburga, his gaze filled with a mix of pain and resentment. "He lied to us, Walburga. He let me suffer, thinking I was bound by the Unbreakable Vow. How can I just let that go?"

Walburga took Orion's hands in hers, her touch gentle yet determined. "I know it's difficult, but we have to be smart about this. The important thing here is that you're not bound by anything to keep silent anymore. Now we have an opportunity to let the world, and especially Samuel Yalarad, know what happened with us when Silas was killed." She looked at her father, who was recovering. "But killing him won't achieve that."

"He must pay for this! It's time to bring the truth to light. I won't let this injustice continue."

Orion's anger slowly began to subside, replaced by a sense of exhaustion. He looked into Walburga's eyes, searching for some solace.

Alphard spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "The ball is in our court, ol' son. Now, we give ourselves a platform for you to speak your truth, but we have to do it the right way."

Walburga squeezed Orion's hands, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. "We can expose the truth about the false Unbreakable Vow and the manipulation that has plagued our family for far too long."

Orion took a deep breath, his body visibly relaxing. He nodded, finally relenting.

Alphard released his grip on Orion, giving him a supportive pat on the back. "That's the spirit brother!"

Together, the three of them returned to the lounge area where Pollux was recovering from the ordeal. The tension in the room was palpable. Pollux rubbed his throat, and coughed.

Orion's anger had transformed into a resolute determination,

Walburga turned to Pollux, her voice stern. "Father, you will explain yourself, and your actions during the tribunal. You owe us that much."

Pollux looked visibly shaken but managed to compose himself. "Very well, daughter. But understand this, I only did it to protect you. What happened, if word got out then others would…"

Walburga yelled, letting her emotions out, in a rare display, "I don't give a fucking shite about your reasons, or what other people would have thought!"

Alphard put a hand on his sister;s shoulder to dial her back. "C'Mon, let's go home. We're done here."

"No, we aren't Alphard," Pollux addressed his youngest child. "You and I have a matter to discuss."

Alphard chuckled in frustration, "What do we have to talk about old man?"

"You alone had managed to figure out the truth behind everything. Isn't that right?" Pollux brushed himself out as he stood up.

Alphard crossed his arms, "Walburga helped, but yeah for the most part, it was me."

Pollux glanced over at the box, a small, ornate wooden box resting on a nearby table. "Fetch the box, Foedus," he instructed.

Foedus nodded and did as his master wished.

Confusion filled the air as Walburga turned to her father. "What is this about, Father?"

Pollux's gaze met Alphard's, his voice gentle yet determined. "Inside that box is something that has been passed down through generations. It symbolizes the legacy of our family, the House of Black."

Foedus returned with the box and handed it to Pollux, who opened it carefully. Inside, resting on a plush cushion, was a striking black ring, adorned with the Black family crest.

"I want you to have this, Alphard," Pollux said softly, his eyes fixed on his son. "You've proved yourself to me. I want you to be the new heir of the House of Black, to carry on our legacy."

A silence rose over everyone.

"You must be joking," Alphard sneered at his father. "I swear your attempts at manipulation are getting desperate."

"I'm not trying to manipulate you, insolent child! You've proven yourself, you figured everything out. What you said was true, your mother confessed what she did on her deathbed to me. I was…angry, but it still has the intended effect, so why ruin it?"

Orion frowned, "And yet you still allowed me to think that the Vow was still active! It was like wearing a hangman's noose around my neck at all times! Unsure of when the ground below me would give away!"

"All the better to keep you complacent," Pollux turned from Orion back to Alphard. "I did what I thought was necessary, if you're looking for an apology, I have none to give. When you all came to me to release Orion from the Vow, I was in a position where I could find a new Heir. If either you or your sister found the truth, I would name either you or Walburga heir. It was you who figured it out, so it's you who I name my heir, Alphard. This is what is necessary for our family, but it's also what I want."

"What you want?" Alphard's eyes widened in surprise, but a mixture of pain and resolve appeared in his gaze. "What you want? Let's talk about what I want!" Alphard snarled, "All I ever wanted, Father, was to hear you say that you loved me, that you were proud of me. To know that I mattered to you."

Orion and Walburga held their tongues, it was an already emotionally charged conversation. These feelings that Alphard had were finally being addressed.

Pollux shook his head. "No, son. I…that's not true, I've always cared for you…"

"Only because it was your responsibility. Because it was your duty as a father, but beyond that you couldn't give a toss!" Alphard stared right into his father's eyes, "I was the black sheep of the House of Black. Mother comforted me after you always hurled such abuse at me. How, I was a failure, and an embarrassment to the family. All because I couldn't measure up to Cygnus or Walburga!"

Walburga felt a pang of guilt encroach her heart. When she was a child, she reveled in being better than her younger brother. However, she could see the repercussions of her actions in adulthood

Pollux's expression softened, regret etching deep lines on his face. "Alphard, I... I love you. More than words can express. I have failed you as a father, but please believe that my intentions were always to drive you to your greatest potential."

"Well you fucked that right up. The title and the ring mean nothing to me." Alphard's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he took a step back. "I won't accept it, Father. Either give it to Walburga or leave it for Sirius."

Without another word, Alphard turned and walked towards Orion and Walburga, who stood at the doorway, their eyes filled with empathy and understanding. Together, the three of them left the room, leaving Pollux standing there, his heart heavy with the weight of his mistakes.

With a heavy sigh, he closed the box, the ring now a symbol of the distance between them. Pollux watched them go, a mix of sorrow and determination on his face. He knew that he had much to atone for, much to repair within his fractured family

The three flooed back to Grimmauld Place and everyone was silent when they arrived.

Walburga and Orion were feeling incredibly better now that Orion was in the clear to tell the truth about his whereabouts. However, both of them were more concerned for Alphard at this point in time.

Alphard walked over to where the liquor cabinet used to be. "Put it back."

"Alphard, I don't think that's such a good idea," Walburga pointed out.

Alphard put his head in one hand, and started snapping his fingers and pointed to the place where the cabinet was.

Walburga sighed, and with a wave of her hand put the cabinet back.

Alphard took a bottle of Firewhiskey out and took a gigantic belt from the bottle. He sighed, "I'm going to my room, I'm going to finish this bottle, and go to sleep. In the morning I am going to pack my things, and head back to Villa Zorambra."

"Hold on, Alphard. You're more than welcome to keep staying here! I'm sure the boys would love to see you before you leave!" Orion tried to bargain with him.

"Alphard, please. I know I have been hard with you before, but…" Walburga started to plead with her younger brother as well.

"Walla, just…just stop." Alphard took another swig of the bottle before heading up the stairs to his room, leaving Orion and Walburga there.

Orion and Walburga exchanged a worried glance as they heard Alphard's footsteps receding. The weight of the evening's events still hung heavily in the air.

"He's hurting," Walburga whispered, her voice filled with regret. "Father, Cygnus, and I have hurt him." Her expression filled with remorse. "I was so consumed by my own pain and anger that I didn't see how much Alphard was suffering in his own way. I pushed him away."

Silence settled between them as they contemplated the rift that had formed within their family. The revelation of the false Unbreakable Vow had opened old wounds and unearthed years of pent-up emotions. It was clear that rebuilding the trust and repairing the fractured relationships would take time and effort.

"I need to make things right with him," Walburga said, determination edging her voice. "I owe him that much."

Orion nodded, a newfound resolve shining in his eyes. "You're right, Walburga. We can't let Alphard leave without trying to mend things. We'll find a way to make amends, to show him that he matters to us."

Walburga took a deep breath, her features softening. "Let's start by giving him the space he needs tonight. In the morning, I can approach him with a genuine apology and a promise to do better."

Orion placed a hand on Walburga's shoulder, offering her a reassuring smile. "Together, we can heal his wounds, and you two can come back stronger than ever."

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Two mornings later the Marauders sat at the Slytherin table, discussing Cassidy's death.

"I can't say I'm sorry," Frank said gruffly. "If Doherty was cheating known Muggle criminals using magic, he was playing with fire."

Dorian leaned across the table and whispered to the others. "Dad said the Grey Twins are vehemently denying killing Doherty. They claim they woke up when Metropolitan Police Constables hauled them and their bodyguards to their feet and don't know anything."

"We can assume then that someone magical killed Doherty, but he used a Muggle method to make it look like these criminal twins did it," Caddaric speculated. "And he Stupified them before he killed Doherty."

Severus suddenly noticed that Sirius was missing. "Where's Sirius this morning. Is he still asleep?"

Remus shrugged. "He was already gone when we got up."

"I noticed that Sirius was really restless the night of Doherty's memorial service and last night," Peter said worriedly. "My bed's right by his and he was muttering in his sleep, tossing and turning."

"Maybe he got up early to get a bit of fresh air," Lily said.

"I'm sure he'll already be in class when we get there," Frank replied. "But I've got to say, he was pretty quiet at Doherty's memorial service the other day."

"Yeah, his restraint was admirable. I couldn't believe he wasn't yelling out insults all through it, especially when he suspects Dante is the one who gave Skeeter that investigative report about your dad," Tav remarked, nodding at Reg.

"Maybe somebody should go up to Gryffindor Tower and see if Siri's come back and make sure he's all right," Reg said. "It isn't like Siri to miss a meal. At home, he practically inhales the food before Kreacher even has a chance to set the tray down."

As the warning bell rang, Remus was frowning, obviously worried too, seeing as how Sirius had missed breakfast and food was always the first thing on his mind upon wakening.

They all got up to go to their first classes. "We don't have time now to look for him, but we'll see him in class and can find out then where he disappeared to last night," Severus replied.

"Maybe he decided to sleep in the Room of Requirement," Jane suggested. "Dante hasn't been hogging it since that dung bomb attack."

"That could very well be," Caddaric agreed. He and Irene said goodbye and split off from the rest of them as did Dorian and Tav.

But Sirius wasn't in their first class nor in any of their other classes that morning. Transfiguration was the last class before lunch and Minerva stopped them as they were leaving class. "Do any of you know where Mr. Black is?"

"No," Severus replied. "He wasn't at breakfast and he wasn't in any of our other classes previous to this."

"He wasn't in the dorm when we got up," Peter pointed out.

"Perhaps Mr. Doherty's untimely passing hit Mr. Black harder than anyone realized," Minerva suggested.

Remus nodded. "Peter noticed he's been muttering, tossing and turning in his sleep."

Peter nodded, a concerned look on his face.

Reg shook his head. "Siri usually sleeps like a rock!"

"By the way, I did hear about about the disturbance outside of the library with Mr. Clarke and Mr. Meyers from Madam Pince," Minerva said. "I am awarding both you and your brother five points for helping Mr. Yalarad out." She said to Reg.

He nodded and replied, "Thank you, Ma'am."

"In the meantime, I will go up and check to see if Mr. Black is in his dorm."

"Maybe we should search outside, too" Lily suggested. "If he's gotten sick, he may have wandered outside and collapsed somewhere. That happened to Tuney once when we were just little."

"I'll send my Patronus to Hagrid and ask him to help you search, Nobody knows these grounds better than Hagrid."

Reg looked scared. What if Dante somehow blames Siri for Doherty's death and did something bad to him?

Sam, Sebastian, and Hippolyta offered to help look for Sirius and Severus gladly accepted their offer. Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick volunteered to be runners to report back to Professor McGonagall or fetch any other kind of assistance needed. Renner and Mary were also helping with the search.

Hagrid met them outside at the front entrance and he carried a sack over his shoulder. He waved and motioned with his arm. "Come on, you lot. We got alotta ground ta cover." Hagrid assigned them in pairs to search different parts of Hogwarts and out of the bag he carried, he pulled out what looked like a horn and gave one to each group. "If ya finds any trace of Sirius, give us a blow on this ta let us know." He assigned Severus and Lily to check all around the Black Lake. "Don't know if Sirius was sick enough ta wander that far, but it's best to check. If he got into the water, Cicero would've tossed him back on the shore. Don't nobody go near the Forbidden Forest. I'll check that meself."

Sam, Hippolyta, and Sebastian were assigned to check in and around the carriage house while Remus, Frank, and Pete checked all around Hagrid's cabin and his garden. Irene and Caddaric, Jane and Emily checked around the front and back of the castle. Renner and Mary were sent to check around the library windows where the bushes were particularly overgrown and bushy. "Madam Pince refuses ta let me trim them things. She says she likes them just the way they is," Hagrid remarked, sighing.

"Can I search with you, Hagrid?" Reg asked. "If Siri is delirious or something, he might not know who you are and put up a fight."

Hagrid nodded. "I'll send a message to Magorian and ask if he and the other Centaurs can have a look around the Forbidden Forest."

When they were searching the bushes around the front gate, there was a sudden blowing of a horn, indicating that one of the teens had found something.

It was Renner who had blown the horn. He pointed at a particularly overgrown bush and said, "Sirius is under there and he keeps yelling at somebody, but there's nobody under there except him."

"I tried to talk to him," Mary added. "But I don't think he even knew I was there."

"Let me try," Reg said. He crawled under the bush and sat down next to Sirius, "Siri, it's me, Reg," he coaxed.

"I did not do that! Potter did it!" Sirius suddenly yelled. He put his hands tightly over his ears but he could still hear the voices whispering accusations. "You can't keep saying those things! I've changed!"

Reg crawled back out and stood up. "We need Madam Pomfrey. Siri didn't even know I was there."

"I'll go," Jane said. She looked at Michael, Tom, Nate, and Slick. "You guys know I can run faster than any of you can!" She took off and was back in record time with Madam Pomfrey, followed by Minerva.

"He won't come outta there and he's screamin' at somebody nobody can see," Hagrid explained.

"He may have a high fever and be delirious," Poppy replied. She bent down and stuck her head under the bush. "Mr. Black, it's Madam Pomfrey, can you hear me?"

"That wasn't my fault!" Sirius screamed again. "I never wanted him killed! I didn't like him, but I never wanted somebody to kill him!"

"It sounds as if he may be having an overreaction to Mr. Doherty's death," Minerva whispered.

"That could be, but we need to get Mr. Black out of there and the only way I can see is to stun him," Poppy replied.

"I will do it. I am his Head of House," Minerva said. She turned to the teens. "Will two of you find me two fairly long, thick, branches?"

"I'll go," Irene volunteered.

"I'll go with you, Irene," Sam offered.

Irene nodded and they hurried off to find the tree branches Minerva requested. They came back after about five minutes with the tree branches and laid them down.

"Perfect," Minerva said. "Thank you." She quickly transfigured the branches into a stretcher. She went over to the bush under which Sirius was hiding, pointed her wand and said, "Stupefy!" Sirius' body went limp and then Minerva was able to levitate his body out from underneath the bush and onto the stretcher.

"Let me know how he turns out," Hagrid said. "Sirius is a handful sometimes, but he's a good kid."

Minerva nodded. "Thank you for helping us search, Hagrid." She looked down at the stretcher and waved her wand over it. "Mobiliarbus," she said, causing the stretcher to rise and float.

The teens followed them to the hospital wing, but remained outside so they wouldn't disturb anybody already in there.

They lowered Sirius' body down onto a bed. Even unconscious, Sirius continued to mutter unintelligible things and twist and turn in the bed. Madam Pomfry waved her wand over him and said, "Revlare corpis morbum." Parchment paper appeared and Madam Pomfrey grabbed it. She studied it. "That's very strange."

What is?" Minerva queried.

"Well, it shows his condition as being normal, no high fever or delirium." She frowned. "I'm going to try something else." She waved her wand over Sirius again and said, "Ostende mihi condicionem mentis." A longer length of parchment appeared. Madam Pomfrey studied what was on it. "There seems to be a great deal of confusion inside Mr. Black's mind, almost as if he's lost inside his own mind and it's not a Confundus Spell of any sort. It's so overwhelming I can't even begin to understand what is occurring." She rolled up the paper and put it in the pocket of her apron. "I'm going to summon a mind healer from St. Mungo's. Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the best one they have. He will be able to use the Ligilimen Spell to see what is going on inside Mr. Black's mind."

"I will floo Orion and Wallburga," Minerva said. "You will need their permission to have a mind healer treat Mr. Black."

Poppy nodded and said soberly, "I just hope he can be helped."

The teens were still standing together outside of the hospital wing when Minerva came out. She stopped when she saw their very concerned expressions. "Madam Pomfrey is still examining Mr. Black. Do any of know if he might have been practicing an advanced spell that may have gone wrong?"

Remus, Peter, and Frank shook their heads and Frank said, "Practicing isn't Sirius' thing, Professor."

"If anybody cast a spell over Sirius, it would have been Dante," Sam spoke up. "He was really angry about that dung bomb attack and Athena being injured. He was certain Sirius was the culprit."

"If he did cast a spell over Sirius, do you have any idea what it might have been?"

"No." Sam dropped his head in shame and Irene squeezed his hand in sympathy.

"Mr. Yalarad, no one blames you for the possible actions of your cousin," Minerva said, placing her hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Did anybody in Gryffindor see Dante doing anything that appeared suspicious?"

They all shook there heads.

Minerva sighed again. "We cannot do a Prior Incantato on his wand then without a witness who saw him doing something suspicious with his wand."

"What is a Priori Incantato spell, Professor?" Lily asked.

"It a Charm that shows an echo of the lat spell cast," she explained.

"Dante probably did another spell immediately after that to cover up whatever spell he cast on Sirius," Frank said.

You are probably correct, Mr. Longbottom."

"Are you going to floo my parents, Professor?" Reg asked.

"Yes, I was just on my way to do that."

"May I go with you, Professor? I mean with all my dad and mum are already dealing with...and now having to hear about Siri…" He shrugged. "Besides Kreacher is being extra protective of mum and dad just now and if he sees me, it will make things go faster."

"Of course, Mr. Black, that is an excellent idea."

After they had left, Caddaric asked. "Anybody for lunch? We've still got about 35 minutes left."

"Yes," Frank nodded. "Unless you want to listen to my stomach growling all through afternoon classes."

"Why don't we wait for Reg to come back and then we can go outside and I'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Severus suggested.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Minerva knelt in front of the floo with Regulus beside her. She threw the green powder into the fire place and stuck her head into the green flames and said, "Number 12 Grimmauld Place, London."

As predicted by Regulus, Kreacher answered the floo, looking very suspicious, but he brightened considerably when he saw Reg. "Master Regulus! Kreacher is happy to see you! What can Kreacher do for you?"

"Professor McGonagall needs to talk to mum and dad, Kreacher," Reg replied.

Kreacher sighed and then replied, "Kreacher will get them."

"He thinks we've misbehaved again," Regulus whispered.

Minerva sighed too. "I wish this time that is what I was flooing about."

Orion and Walburga came and both knelt in front of the floo. "Hello, Professor. What have the boys done now?"

"Lord and Lady Black, I am not calling about any misbehavior. Sirius was found by his brother, his friends, and Hagrid this morning, hiding under a bush and yelling at something or someone nobody else could see."

"I got under the bush with him and he didn't even know I was there," Reg explained. "He just kept yelling at someone, but there was nobody else under there but him and me."

Walburga paled and clutched Orion's arm.

"Madam Pomfrey needs to speak with you about various treatment options," Minerva explained.

"We will come immediately," Orion said.

Minerva nodded and ended the call. She got to her feet and turned to Reg. "I am going to excuse you from classes for the rest of the day so you can be with your parents and your brother, Mr. Black."

"Thanks, Professor."

In a few minutes the floo sounded and Orion and Walburga stepped through. "Please take us to Madam Pomfrey, Professor," Orion requested.

"If you will please follow me, Lord and Lady Black," Minerva said.

Walburga gave Regulus a hug and kissed his cheek and then they followed Orion and Minerva downstairs to the hospital wing.

Reg stopped by the group of his friends still outside the hospital wing and said, "Mum and dad are going in to talk to Madam Pomfrey to see what she knows about Siri's condition."

"We're going to go outside and we'll ask Clive to bring us some lunch," Dorian said.

"You may as well join us since you won't know anything definite about Sirius until after your parents talk to Madam Pomfrey," Severus pointed out.

"I know, but I just think I should be there with them with all the shite they're going through right now."

You're right, Reg," Lily said. "You should go and be with them."

Reg nodded and entered the hospital. He entered Madam Pomfrey's office and quietly sat down on a chair next to Walburga and took hold of his mum's hand.

"I know there is something wrong with Sirius' mind right now, but I do not have the skills to diagnose exactly what is wrong. I do not know if he was trying a more advanced spell and it went wrong or if it was a spell someone cast on him. I believe a mind healer could find the answer, using the Ligilimen Spell."

Orion nodded. "Whom would you suggest, Madam Pomfrey?"

"Master Mind Healer Cromwell is the head of Spell Damage at St. Mungo's and has a excellent reputation for spell damage reversal."

Orion looked at Walburga and she nodded. "Please ask him to come and examine our son," Orion requested.

"I will do so immediately," Poppy replied. She nodded at Orion, Walburga, and Regulus and then went into her office to floo Healer Cromwell.

"Why don't you come up to my office," Minerva suggested. "I'll ask my elf, Misty to bring us some tea and I have a tin of delicious Scottish shortbread's my brother sent me."

"That sounds wonderful," Walburga replied. She leaned against Orion tiredly and he put his arm around her. The last few months had been so stressful, but now that Orion was able to tell the investigators what really happened the day Silas was killed, things should be much better and Orion would no longer be under a cloud of suspicion.

Reg accepted the cup of tea Professor McGonagall handed him and said, "Thank you." He had grown up attending tea parties with his cousins, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa so he knew the drill. He smiled as he recalled the time Siri had deliberately spilled his tea on Bella and she threatened to make him permanently bald with a spell she knew. Only Andromeda and Narcissa holding her back, saved Siri's hair.

About twenty minutes later, Madam Pomfrey's Patronus appeared announcing the arrival of Master Mind Healer Cromwell. He was standing beside Sirius' bed, studying him carefully when Orion, Walburga, and Reg arrived at the hospital wing.

"I see what you mean, Madam Pomfrey," Healer Cromwell said in a deep voice. "Even in a deep sleep, he is unable to find peace."

"Can you help our son?" Walburga pleaded.

"I am going to try my best, Lady Black," Cromwell answered. "I am going to perform the Ligilimen Spell to see what exactly is going on inside your son's mind." He turned to Poppy. "I will need a quiet place to clear my own mind before I enter Sirius' mind. I need to put myself into a deep meditative state for about twenty minutes.

"You can use my office," Poppy offered.

"That will do fine, Madam," Cromwell replied. He settled himself cross-legged on the rug and within a few minutes was able to put himself into a deep trance. Poppy closed the door of her office and used her wand to place a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.

About 20 minutes later, Cromwell came out of the office and walked over to Sirius' bed. "I will begin now." He pulled the curtain completely around Sirius' bed and sat down in a chair next to the bed. He placed his hand on Sirius' head and said, "Ligilimens."

Cromwell suddenly found himself in a very dark place, assaulted by indecipherable voices from every direction. "Sirius," he called.

He heard sniffling and followed it and found Sirius huddled up, his arms wrapped around his knees and his face buried in them. Cromwell knelt down beside Sirius and placed his hand gently on Sirius' arm. "Sirius, I'm here to help you."

Sirius jumped to his feet and screamed, "Leave me alone! I told you I'm not Potter! I apologized to everybody for the awful things I did, but Potter never did!"

Cromwell recognized that Sirius was not screaming at him, but at the indecipherable voices. He suddenly recalled a dark spell he had learned about while in training, but had never treated since it was very rarely used in modern times. It was the Vocem Susurran Curse. It was a very dark spell used in the Middle Ages to punish convicted liars and slanderers. It made them hear accusatory voices inside their minds and he recalled there was no reversal spell for it. People just continued to hear the accusatory voices until they either went insane or killed themselves. He removed himself from Sirius' mind and fell back in his chair. After a few minutes he used his wand to pull the bed curtain back and got up.

Madam Pomfrey came out of her office followed by Orion, Walburga, and Regulus. They looked at Healer Cromwell hopefully. He shook his head. "I found out what spell was cast on your son. It is the Vocem Susurran or Whispering Voice Curse. The bad news is I do not believe there is a reversal spell for it."