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

I'm calling this one Slytherin's Chamber rather than Chamber of Secrets because Family Secrets: Chamber of Secrets just sounds wrong. I'm going to update soon as I can, but I have three assignments due in the next two weeks so I have to prioritize those. Afterwards, though, I'll have nothing to do but write all summer!

Also, I know the thing about timing is incredibly unrealistic but who cares, it's a fanfic, I can do I want. I used the actual process explained on harrypotterwiki.

Also to the assholes who insulted my story, send another review like that and I'll block you and delete your posts. I won't let trolls like you keep me from writing and releasing my stories. It's pathetic the way you people try and destroy the confidence of people you've never met out of some sick sense of pleasure.

Sorry to everyone who's been complimentary, but it takes a lot of courage to post a fic and it's really discouraging when assholes like that attack it.

Posted: 6-5-2023

Chapter One

The Potter Siblings

Aludra Scarlet Black was sulking. Of course, if someone were to accuse her of such a thing, she would deny it fiercely. She was a properly raised young lady, and properly raised young ladies did not sulk, as her Aunt Andromeda and Great-Aunt Cassiopeia had frequently reminded her when she was younger and upset over something. But in reality that was, in fact, what she was doing.

She had been an Animagus for about seventy-two hours now, and if she had it her way she would currently be in her new animal form, revelling in the indescribable and unbeatable feeling of soaring through the air, the wind ruffling her wings. She'd only had to try it the one time before immediately becoming addicted to the sensation. Unfortunately for the young witch, she was currently forbidden to transform without either her father, grandfather or grandmother, all of whom were experienced Transfiguration Masters, present. That way, if she got stuck or half-way stuck between a form, they could reverse it.

Ironically, the process of becoming an Animagus was not as hard as it was claimed to be, though Aludra, admittedly, had been astonishingly lucky with timing. The longest part of the process was the bit where you had to hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month (from full moon to full moon) without swallowing it. That was solved with a sticking charm renewed daily though. Aludra had been fortunate that the June full moon had been two nights after her return from school, so she was just in time to start the process, and the July full moon had been a clear sky, meaning she didn't have to repeat it. Then, a week later after she had cast the required spell seven days in a row, her dad had Apparated her to Manchester, where there was a storm, so she could drink the potion and say the spell one last time, at which point she had turned into an adolescent red-tailed hawk.

Her dad and uncle had dubbed her 'Miss Ruby of the Marauders', which she supposed was better than being called 'Miss Feathers' or something equally ridiculous.

The most dangerous thing about being an Animagus was that, in the early period, it was easy to get stuck in your animal form or be overwhelmed by the new instincts and senses. That was why Aludra had to remain in her human form when she had no supervision from one of the three Transfiguration Masters in her family.

Sirius had promised that she could practice transforming and flying after dinner, but they'd barely sat down when he'd received an alert that there was an emergency at work and he was needed immediately. Granted, he had been spending considerably more time at home than usual this summer (something she suspected may be to do with what she had dubbed 'The Incident' in June) and she had been just waiting for the other foot to drop, but Aludra was still disappointed when it did. She loved spending time with her beloved father, her only parent, and she adored being Animagus already, even without the added excitement of finally being allowed to join her dad and uncle during Remus' transformations (again under Sirius' supervision only). Now time for both had been taken away from her without warning, and the young witch had responded by settling on the couch to stare fixedly at the fire, as if willing her father to return quickly.

It wouldn't work though. After a lifetime of trying this exact method to persuade the universe to send Sirius back early from work, Aludra knew that.

"You know, I remember when Sirius first returned to work after he adopted you," her Uncle Remus interrupted her sullen thoughts as he settled down beside her on the soft couch. "He told me it was probably the hardest decision he'd ever made, but having you made him even more determined to make the world a safer place. So that you wouldn't ever have to go through what we did in the War."

Aludra reluctantly looked away from the fireplace towards her godfather. "Uncle Moony, the world will never be safe enough for me in Daddy's eyes," she scoffed, a small smile quirking up the sides of her mouth against her will. Sirius' overprotectiveness was exasperating, but she would never change anything about him. "He makes me wear three tracking charms and two emergency portkeys whenever I leave the Manor in case I get kidnapped. He's almost as bad as Uncle Al!"

"Constant vigilance isn't a bad thing, especially when your only child is an heiress you'd pay a fortune for if she were to be kidnapped and ransomed," Remus smirked back. "Besides, he's not that bad. Your Uncle Al recommended six charms and eight portkeys!"

Aludra let out a longsuffering sigh. "Of course, he did," she groaned in exasperation. That was just like Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, Sirius' mentor in the Aurors. Though she wasn't as close to him as others in her family, Aludra still loved the man, but his paranoia was insane. One of his milder actions was to check food he made himself for poisons between each bite, in case of someone slipping something in while his back was turned, never mind that he could literally see out of the back of his own head.

Remus reached out and gave her a side-hug, squeezing her shoulders gently. "Come on," he urged, standing and pulling her to her feet. "Let's go make some brownies from Mum's recipe. That'll make you feel better."

Aludra scoffed at him, grinning reluctantly. "You just want to have brownies," she accused her chocoholic godfather.

He widened his honey-coloured eyes with an expression of innocence she would never believe after living with the two remaining Marauders for nearly ten years. "Would I take advantage of you missing your father to get chocolate?" He asked with false sincerity.

"Absolutely!" Aludra declared with a giggle, giving up on being upset as Remus winked at her with a smug smile.

"Yes, you're right," Remus admitted unrepentantly. "So, how about it? Feel like kicking Millie out of the kitchen and baking some brownies? I'll even share the bowl with you."

"Well with an offer like that, I can hardly refuse, can I?" Aludra said with mock seriousness. Remus chuckled, poked her in the side, where he knew she was ticklish, and herded into the kitchen. Millie huffed about the inappropriateness of wixen cooking instead of leaving it to their House-Elves, but resigned herself to leaving and going to clean the silverware instead. After all, this wasn't the first time Remus had used chocolate to bribe Aludra into cheering up after her father had to cancel on her for work. Besides that, Hope Lupin firmly believed that cooking was an essential skill for any woman, witch or not, and insisted on teaching her surrogate granddaughter, who dutifully practiced at home. At this point, Millie was used to having to loan 'her' kitchen to Aludra and Remus (Sirius, however, was banned from going near the kitchen by everyone in the family, for the safety of all. Merlin knew he'd probably manage to set the house on fire, despite the fire-protection wards. He was that bad at cooking).

The pair got stuck into their baking, singing loudly and mockingly along to Celestina Warbeck on the WWN, whom they both considered long past her time to shine, and having a batter fight, which Aludra, skilled at dodging from Quidditch in a way Remus, who knew how to fly but took no pleasure in it, let alone playing Quidditch, was not, won. Finally, they got the batter into the oven to cook and Remus cleaned the chocolate off their faces and clothes with a flick of his wand. They slumped onto the high stools that were placed at the kitchen island, Aludra quickly patting at her hair to ensure no strands had escaped her braid while she was having fun.

"How about-" Remus began to say, only for a cleared throat to interrupt him.

Aludra perked up, a wide smile splitting her face. "Daddy, you're home!" She exclaimed. She was half-way to him before she paused, staring in surprise at the two young wixen accompanying her father.

Evan Potter stood there with a cloak tossed over his muggle jeans and t-shirt, had his rucksack tossed over one shoulder. He was clutching the hand of a young girl just that bit too young for Hogwarts, who looked like a female version of him without glasses. She too had a rucksack, and they both wore matching nervous expressions. It was a shock to have them here without warning, especially as Evan hadn't returned any of Aludra's letters.

"Evan?" Aludra stated in surprise. She turned a questioning gaze on her father, sensing more than hearing Remus come up behind her.

"Hi Aludra," Evan muttered, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. Iris stepped closer to her brother, clutching tightly to his hand.

"Hello Evan, Iris," Remus said mildly. "What a pleasant surprise. Welcome to Black Manor."

"Oh yes, of course," Aludra flushed in embarrassment at her lapse in etiquette. She curtsied politely to her friend. "Welcome to our home, Heir Potter, Miss Potter. We are delighted to have you here."

Oddly, Evan gave Sirius a nervous and doubtful look at that, and Aludra made a mental note to speak to her friend (if he was still her friend after not contacting her, Neville or Susan all summer, despite their efforts to reach out). As a public figure, he really needed to learn to cover his emotions better, or people would take advantage of him.

"A House-Elf broke into Potter Manor earlier this evening and threatened Evan," Sirius explained sternly, ignoring Evan's look. He was clearly still in 'Auror mode', Aludra noted. "Scrimgeour felt it best to relocate the children while Potter Manor's wards are being updated. Black Manor was deemed the best location for them to hide, given our wards specifically keep out Elves not bound to the Blacks. I've already ordered Millie and Timmie to prepare bedrooms."

"Lord Black, if you don't want us here we can go," Evan began. "I know our families-"

Sirius knelt down and met Evan's eyes, smoothly transitioning from 'Auror' to 'father' mode. "Evan, my problems with your parents are with your parents only. As for what happened in June, I should not have spoken the way I did. You were trying to do the right thing, and I know you didn't mean for Aludra to be hurt."

"I really didn't," Evan insisted imploringly. Sirius nodded calmly, smiling gently at his godson (though Aludra suspected Evan was unaware of that fact).

"I know that. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did. It was unfair to you, and you didn't deserve my harshness. You made a mistake, but my reaction was overboard. But I want you to know that I would never ban Aludra from being friends with you and/or Iris. You're both always welcome in this house."

Evan nodded nervously and Iris spoke up timidly.

"Thank you Lord Black. We greatly appreciate you granting us shelter."

Aludra noted her word choice. It was like Iris was trying to follow proper traditions and protocol, but didn't quite know how. Well, Aludra would be perfectly happy to tutor her if the younger girl wanted to be more Traditional. Hogwarts' Wixen Culture class was only for muggleborns, and wouldn't cover detailed pureblood-interactions anyway, as most muggleborns would never need it, and there was too much to cover in five years.

"You are quite welcome, Miss Potter," Sirius replied calmly before giving them a comforting smile. "Now, I don't know what your parents told you about Black Manor, but I promise it's safe here. I wouldn't let Aludra stay here if I thought there was anything dangerous left. If you want or need anything, just ask one of us, or call for Millie and Timmie. I would ask you to be gracious if they're a little delayed in answering you, though. Millie is pregnant, so she obviously isn't working as fast as usual."

"Oh, how wonderful for them!" Iris said, brightening. "May I come and see the elfling when they're born?"

"Of course, if your parents agree," Sirius assented easily, smiling affectionately at Iris' excitement. It wasn't that different to Aludra's happy reaction to the news.

"Aludra, come with me for a moment please," Sirius ordered then, straightening up again and gesturing at his daughter. She flashed her friend and his sister a smile and trailed her father. To some, it might appear from Sirius' stern expression that he was about to scold her for something, but Aludra knew that he was just covering his tiredness.

"Is everything alright, Daddy?" Aludra asked once they were out of earshot of the others. "The Potters didn't try anything while you were there, did they?"

Sirius gave a tight smile. "No, I think our, ah, disagreement from June and worry for the kids kept them from bothering me," he said with a hint of relief. Aludra understood. Being an Auror was hard enough without him being bothered by his former friends. He turned stern again. "Aludra, listen. There's something you need to know. The Elf that threatened Evan has been stealing his mail. Evan hasn't gotten of the letters you and the rest of his friends sent. Up until this evening, he actually thought that I was refusing to allow you to be friends with him."

Aludra's eyes widened, but she nodded in understanding. "Do you want me to ask him about the Elf?" She asked.

He shook his head. "No need, I'm pretty sure he gave me everything that he knows already. I just wanted to warn you. But what Evan and Iris need right now is a friend to comfort them after the scare they got, and so that Evan knows you're not upset with him."

"Alright," Aludra nodded. She asked, trying to hide the disappointment she felt at the thought, "I suppose you have to get back to the office?" An attack on the Boy-Who-Lived was a big thing. There was no doubt in Aludra's mind that her father, widely acknowledged as the best Auror since Alastor Moody, would be in charge of the investigation.

He gave her a guilty look as he nodded. "I know I promised we'd spend the weekend together but," he began.

"It's okay," she cut him off with a small smile, trying to ease his guilt. She was disappointed, but she knew her father's work was important and she didn't want him to be distracted feeling bad about breaking his promise. Besides, she was used to it. "This is important. And I don't want anything to happen to Evan. Besides, the sooner you go back to the office the sooner you come home."

Sirius leaned in and kissed her forehead, running a hand over her wild curls, straining against her braid. "I'm so lucky to have you," he murmured. "I love you very much Ally."

"I know," she replied, hugging him. "I love you too, Daddy."

Sirius squeezed her one last time then straightened up and led the way back to the sitting room. Remus was telling Iris a story that clearly fascinated her, to judge by the look on her face. Evan was frowning at his boots, startling as the door closed behind Aludra.

"I have to get back to work," Sirius informed them. "You'll be safe here. The wards extend to the end of the back garden, but please don't go out into the street. You're free to go about the house, but please stay out of Remus and I's bedrooms and studies. Evan is not allowed to be in Aludra's bedroom with just her. Either Remus, Iris or one of the House-Elves need to be present too. Please don't take this as a slight, Evan. The same rules apply to Neville, Cedric and the twins when they're over too. Ally is just too old to be in her bedroom unsupervised with a boy."

"Yes Lord Black," the two Potters chorused nervously.

"Good luck with the investigation, Padfoot," Remus said, rising to his feet with a groan.

Aludra shot her uncle and concerned look, worried by the paleness of his face, which made his scars stand out against his complexion. Although Sirius ensured he got the best treatment that money could buy, his body was damaged from the strain of years of transformations long before he met Sirius and his friend had hired Andromeda to attend to his surrogate brother's wounds each month. The Wolfsbane Potion kept Moony from attacking anyone, but the transformation wasn't like that of an Animagus. It was painful and brutal. The average lifespan of a wixen could reach up to two-hundred-and-fifty-years depending on their magical strength. Merlin had supposed lived for five centuries. Werewolves typically lived for eighty-to-ninety years. Aludra didn't like to think about it, and when she did she comforted herself with the facts that Remus was a trained and magically strong wizard and received treatment from one of Britain's best Healers. The statistics on werewolves didn't take that into account.

"Thanks Moony," Sirius replied, going to the Floo and grabbing some powder before winking at the three children and calling out "The Ministry of Magic!" before he disappeared in a swirl of green flames.

"Well then," Remus stated, clapping his hands together briskly. "Have the two of you eaten dinner yet?"

"Uhm, yes sir," Evan answered nervously. "A few hours ago. Just before Dobby appeared."

"Are you hungry again yet then?" Remus asked solicitously. "The brownies should be cooked by now, shall we get some and have it with a cup of tea? Neither of you are allergic to nuts are you?"

"No, but a brownie would be nice, thank you," Iris said shyly. Remus smiled at her and waved his wand. A pot of tea with some teacups, a tray of brownies with a knife to cut them and some plates came zooming in. Remus served them each a brownie and they dug in, the two Potter children perking up.

"These are delicious," Evan said enthusiastically.

"Our compliments to your House-Elves," Iris added, still shy.

Remus and Aludra exchanged amused glances.

"It wasn't Millie or Timmie," Aludra stated with a smirk. "It was Uncle Remus and I."

Evan and Iris stared at them in surprise. "You made these?" Evan blurted out. "I didn't think you could cook!"

"It's very good," Iris said hastily, stepping on her brother's foot and making him wince and shoot her an annoyed look.

Aludra was unoffended. She was aware of how rare it was for pureblood heiresses or heirs to do chores. Aunt Alice was from a fairly low-ranking house but even she couldn't cook to save her life. In fact, she'd probably give you food poisoning if she tried. Aunt Meda heavily approved of Granny Hope's lessons, given she had gone from having House-Elves take care of everything to doing her home's chores and it had put a lot of strain on her and Uncle Ted's marriage while she was adjusting. It was her idea to have Aludra be doing small chores around the Manor and learn some basic household charms, so that she'd be able to take care of herself if she were ever without an Elf to do them on her behalf.

"Granny Hope thinks that every woman should know the basics of a kitchen," Aludra explained. "It's a muggle thing. The women are generally homemakers and the child carers. Though it's starting to change now. And Aunt Meda knows what it's like to suddenly be without House-Elves, so she convinced Daddy I should learn how to live without them, just in case."

"Oh, I didn't know that," Evan mused.

"Well, it isn't very common for Heirs," Aludra reasoned before changing the subject. "So what have you been doing over the summer? Daddy said you didn't get our letters. We were thinking about Flooing you, but Neville thought your parents might have gone back into seclusion because of, you know, what happened in June."

Evan winced and Iris paled a bit.

"No, the letters were all stolen by Dobby and Mum and Dad wouldn't let me Floo any of you to speak with you," Evan explained glumly. "I wish I could've gotten them back."

"It's a shame, but I'm sure Daddy will get them back once he's found Dobby," Aludra assured her friend.

"Do you really think he will?" Iris asked nervously.

Remus, who had been sipping quietly at his tea and leaving the chat to Aludra, spoke up before she could. He set down his cup and plate and leaned forward on his elbows, which he balanced on his thighs. "Don't worry Iris, Evan," he assured the pair. "Sirius is the best Auror in the DMLE, and he won't stop until he's found whoever's behind this. Anyway, finding a House-Elf isn't hard. All he has to do is check the registry. Unfortunately, it could take some time. There are over three thousand House-Elves in England alone, and if this Dobby doesn't turn up on the English registry Sirius' team will have to check the Welsh, Scottish and possibly the Irish ones as well. But he will find him, I promise you."

"Thank you Mr. Lupin," Evan said softly, reaching out to squeeze his sister's hand as he turned to her. "You see, Iris? Lord Black will find him. You don't have to worry about me."

"He said something was going to happen at Hogwarts, and it wouldn't be safe for Evan to go back," Iris remarked anxiously.

"Did you tell Sirius that?" Remus asked calmly, and the pair nodded. "Then I'm sure he'll alert Dumbledore and they'll take precautions."

"In the meantime, how have you been spending your time, Evan?" Aludra decided this was definitely not what her father would want and acted to direct the topic to something more enjoyable. "Daddy and Uncle Remus took me to spend at our summer house a week in Italy, and they've been teaching me louds of spells, especially ones for duelling." What she left unsaid was that her father and uncle were determined to ensure that, Lady Magic forbid, she not be defenceless if something similar to the Incident happened again.

Evan looked jealous. "Mum wouldn't let me use any magic," he complained. "She said it wasn't fair that I could when muggleborns can't, and she didn't want me to make Iris jealous."

"It's a shame," Iris added wistfully. "I'd love to see what you've been learning."

Aludra turned to her uncle. "Can I show Evan and Iris some of the spells you and Daddy taught me?" She asked hopefully. The Potters perked up eagerly. Her uncle smiled.

"Well, I can't exactly overrule Lily's decision," he stated, and the siblings deflated, but Aludra knew the look on her uncle's face and waited expectantly for the rest. "However, as it so happens I have some parchmentwork I need to get done, and I'll have to leave you to entertain them as you see fit." He winked at the three of them as Evan and Iris' eyes widened in astonished surprise.

Aludra suppressed a giggle and nodded. "Of course, Uncle Remus," she said sweetly. "Enjoy your parchmentwork." Of course, Remus had finished up his work for the day hours ago, but he was no doubt going to get a head start on tomorrow's work. He waved at them and said they had an hour before he'd come to take them to bed, then left. Aludra turned back to her friend and his sister and gave a mischievous smile she'd inherited from her father.

"So, what do you want me to show you first?"

As promised, Remus gave them an hour to practice spellcasting before he came and sent them to bed.

"I'll head to bed now myself," he informed the Potter children. "My health's not the best so I tend to have an early night. But if you need anything during the night feel free to knock on my door. That's my bedroom." He pointed at his oak door. The Potters both nodded, but Aludra knew Evan well enough after a year to know there was no way he was going to ask Remus for help unless Iris was bleeding to death. Even then, he'd probably turn to Aludra first, Remus second. Hopefully that distrust would improve. Despite their bad relations with the Potter parents, Aludra knew her guardians had missed their children.

Remus saw them into their rooms before he went to bed. Evan was next to Aludra, and Iris was across the hall from her brother.

Aludra changed into her nightgown and did her nightly routine before climbing into bed and grabbing the book she was reading. It was on the history of Camelot and one of Bathilda Bagshot's earliest works. Aludra knew that they'd be covering that era during the coming year, so she thought she might as well get a head start on it. Besides, history was interesting. Except the Goblin Rebellions. They were all too similar to be enjoyable.

She was halfway through the chapter, reading about how Morgana had enchanted Gunievere and Lancelot to be unfaithful and cause discord in the realm, when she heard Iris' door opening and the young girl creeping across the hall to knock on her brother's door.

"Iris?" Evan whispered loudly. He didn't sound like he'd fallen asleep yet. "Are you okay?"

"I'm-" Iris hesitated, her brother finishing her sentence in a sympathetic tone.

"Scared?"

"Yeah," Iris admitted. "Can I sleep with you?"

Aludra closed her book and set it aside as she listened to her friends (and she already considered Iris a friend, after everything Evan had told her about his sister and their time together this evening) whisper. She crept to her door and pulled open the door, startling the siblings and interrupting Evan's agreement.

"Shh!" Aludra whispered. "Uncle Remus needs his sleep. Come on, you can stay in here with me." She understood why the Potter siblings were intimidated by the Manor. The air here was thick with Black Family Magic, and the Blacks' Magic wasn't very kind, save to its' Family. It was comforting to Aludra, because the Magic loved her, but Neville and Susan had told her that it made the building intimidating to outsiders, though her friends and her uncle had long since grown used to it. Even without the evening they'd had, it was no wonder the Potters couldn't sleep, given the relations between their respective parents.

"Are you sure?" Evan asked hesitantly. "Your dad-"

"Iris'll be in here too, so it's not going against Daddy's rules," Aludra assured him. "Come on, I promise it'll be fine."

The siblings exchanged glances, then walked over to her and followed her into her room. They looked around curiously, taking it in as best they could in dark lighting. Her large bedroom was fitting for the Heiress to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, being about the size of the girls' dormitory in Gryffindor Tower, and that fit six girls. It had been a hard adjustment last year, learning to share her space and have to limit her things to such a small area.

The bedroom walls were a light purple, Aludra's favourite colour, with dark purple curtains and a matching circular rug you could bury your feet in before the grey stone fireplace. Pictures of her family and friends decorated the walls alongside several of her favourite paintings. Her painting supplies were tucked in a corner by her stuffed bookshelf, and she had a window seat with dark purple tasselled cushions on it. The Master bedroom had a balcony, as did Remus' room, but Sirius felt it was too risky for her. He didn't trust that she wouldn't try climbing out the way he had when he was young. Her oak desk matched her nightstand with its' candleholder and the vase of sweet-smelling flowers that Millie replaced daily (the type depended on Millie's mood), and her four-poster king-sized bed, again decorated with a dark purple blanket and pillowslips, though the sheets were cream. Tucked in the corner was a door that led to her dressing room, containing a magically enlarged chest of drawers and wardrobe along with a vanity and a half-length mirror (it used to be full length, but after the Incident she found herself too unsettled to look at it and had gotten a replacement from her Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank as an early birthday present).

"Your room is so nice," Iris commented admiringly. "Purple is my favourite colour."

"Mine too, in case you haven't figured that out," Aludra replied with a smile. "And thank you. Aunt Meda and Aunt Alice helped me redecorate it last year. They got all the furniture for me as a birthday present. It was much more childish before that." As Aunt Meda had said approvingly after they'd finished decorating, her old room was a little girl's room. Her current one was a young lady's.

They scrambled into bed, Evan on the left, Iris in the middle and Aludra on the right, where she usually slept.

"Goodnight Iris, Aludra," Evan whispered to them.

"Goodnight, Ev, Aludra," Iris echoed.

"Goodnight Evan, Iris," Aludra sighed, her eyes drifting closed. As she fell asleep, she briefly hoped that Iris didn't kick in her sleep.