All Previous Disclaimers Apply.
Known Strangers
Alethea27 & TheOneandOnlyEnigma
Chapter 3
The Previous Night:
As the dinner was taking place at Applewood Manor. There were two people standing guard outside. A man, and a woman. These two are Black Cloaks in service of Lord Sherwood Yalarad, and his wife, Ophelia.
They were Black Ivar and Black Neve. Black Ivar was a broad-shouldered man, a stout and strong man of Forty-Three. His dark brown hair was cut short, near to his scalp. His beard was short and manageable and had a twinge of auburn to it.
Then there was Black Neve. She was an oddity when it came to The Black Cloaks, because she was the first female Black Cloak. In the long and ancient history of their order, not one amongst them had ever been a female.
That is until Neve McCadden, now Black Neve overcame their trials and joined their order. Neve has recently been assigned to Ophelia Yalarad as her predecessor recently retired, after protecting her for the past forty years.
"It's a quiet night," Black Ivar mentioned as he sat down in a chair
"Yes, it is." Black Neve stood as she looked out at the island. The moon was up and was a crescent shape that night.
Black Ivar looked at his younger partner. "The wards are up?"
Black Neve shook her head, "They are."
"You've not noticed anything amiss?"
"I haven't."
Ivar grunted in approval as he took out a cigarette and lit it. "Care for one?"
"No thank you."
Ivar chuckled. "I don't get you, Neve."
She looked at her partner. "What do you mean?"
"Why be a Black Cloak?" Ivar asked her as he lit his cigarette. "I know I've asked this before, and you brushed me off in the past. But I did some digging around."
Black Neve raised an eye, "Have you now?"
"Aye," Ivar leaned back in his chair. "You were quite the pampered child from what I found out. Your father is a high-ranking Ministry official who works alongside Minister Bagnold, and your mother runs a non-profit organization who gives out Scholarships to Hogwarts graduates who cannot afford to get a secondary education." Ivar puffed on his cigarette. "So, you weren't aching for Galleons. You could have lived life on Easy Street for the rest of your life, but you didn't."
"That wasn't the life I wanted," Neve responded as she looked out at the landscape before her.
"Aye, but to be a Black Cloak? You could have easily been an Auror, or maybe even The Minister of Magic; but you decided you wanted to become a Black Cloak. Why?"
Neve sighed, "I...I just…wanted more than that in my life. I felt that I was destined to do more; that my life had more meaning, and that I had…"
"Shh." At that moment Black Ivar straightened in his seat, put out his cigarette, and slowly pulled out his wand. Black Neve followed suit with her own wand. Black Ivar stood up, "Who goes there?! Speak now, or die!"
"Hail, brother." Two more Black Cloaks came into view. These were the Black Cloaks assigned to Marcus and his wife, Leonora. They were Black Caiden and Black Finn. Black Caiden was saluting Ivar. He was a strong-looking man, but rather smaller in stature compared to Ivar. He was also younger than Ivar, he had no beard, only stubble, and long blond hair tied into one long braid.
"Caiden, Finn, how went your patrol?" Black Ivar returned Caiden's salute and asked them about their patrol.
"Nothing out of the ordinary Ivar," Caiden said. "Everything is well."
"What of Black Mannix, and Black Nils? Did you see them on your patrol?"
"Hail, sister." Black Finn saluted Neve. Black Finn was the smallest of the Yalarad's Black Cloaks between Sherwood and Marcus. He looked to be quite nimble on his feet. His black hair was long enough that warranted a hair tie. He had a scar going down from the back of his neck down to the left of his collarbone. "We saw Black Nils, and Mannix, exactly halfway through our patrol they should be here shortly."
Neve nodded and returned Black Finn's salute. "That is good to hear."
As luck would have it, both Black Cloaks assigned to Ivanna and Ethan Braider came walking around the corner.
Black Nils was a pale, blond-haired man from Scandinavia. He was thinner than most of his musclebound brethren, but Black Nils was known to be efficient in the art of subterfuge. Blending into his surroundings and learning whatever he had to in order to achieve his goal. He was tasked to guard Ivanna Braider.
Black Mannix was one of the youngest of their order. Completing his trials at the age of twenty. Black Mannix was simply put a glory hound. Looking to make a name for himself so early in his youth. However, he was one of the Black Cloaks assigned to Ethan Braider, a man who would never find himself in the midst of such foolhardiness. His dark Auburn hair came down to his neck in a single braid intertwined with beads of silver, and his eyes shone like emeralds.
"Well met brothers," Black Nils saluted his fellow Black Cloaks.
"And sister," Black Mannix added.
"Aye, well met Sister Neve." Black Nils bowed his head slightly.
"Nils, Mannix." Black Neve cordially responded. "How did your patrol go?"
"Boring, as usual." Black Mannix replied. "What I wouldn't give for a bit of action."
Black Ivar chuckled, "That's a sentiment that will soon fade away with time, Youngblood. Hear this, take note of the calm before the storm."
"How's that?" Asked Black Mannix.
"For you will soon curse your own words for having such juvenile thoughts. Enjoy the peace while it lasts, for it will soon end; and your 'action' as you put it will come in droves."
"I'm not scared!" Black Mannix puffed out his chest.
"I'm not aiming to scare you. I'm aiming to prepare you." Ivar then looked at Black Neve, "That goes for you as well, and all of you." He addressed the remaining Black Cloaks. "Something is coming, something is brewing. You all feel it. I know I can. I don't know what it is, but it's coming."
The Black Cloaks assembled there took heed of Black Ivar's words.
"Yes, of course, Black Ivar." Black Mannix said, his glory-seeking temporarily sobered.
Black Ivar went and sat back down on his chair. "Any news from our other brothers?"
"I heard that Black Leif was sent away on a task by his Lord," Black Nils mentioned.
The name of Black Leif left a sour taste on most of the Black Cloaks' tongues. Ever since The Magnusson Brothers took over teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for the remaining semester during Severus' first year, they haven't been the most popular members of their order.
Most Black Cloaks thought that it was disgraceful that the two would debase themselves in that manner. They were Black Cloaks, not substitute teachers.
Black Ivar groaned, "Those Magnusson boys. Always trouble. How they managed to get their cloaks I will never understand."
"Especially after what their elder brother had done," Black Caiden interjected, before getting cuffed over the head by his partner, Black Finn. "Ay!"
"We never mention The Grey Cloak!" Black Finn exclaimed.
"Don't hit me, Finn!"
"Shut up!" Black Ivar growled. "Both of you. Finn's right, we never speak of him. After the shame he brought upon our order; may his name be forgotten by history as he lays forgotten in Azkaban!"
Both Black Caiden and Black Finn voiced their apologies.
Black Neve had always heard rumors and whispers about the Grey Cloak; the one Black Cloak who reneged his duties, and killed his Lord.
Black Ivar relit his cigarette and continued smoking. Just then the door opened to the house and Ophelia came out.
The Black Cloaks all bowed their heads towards her, and Black Ivar rose once more and quickly put out his cigarette once more. "My lady." Black Ivar bowed his head.
"Ivar, how many times must I say it, call me Ophelia!" She tittered. "We are enjoying some after-dinner festivities. I'm sure you are all hungry. Please come into the kitchen and help yourselves to some food. We have plenty left for you all!"
"Did Lady Leonora make her Shepherd's Pie?" Black Finn asked aloud.
"That she did Finn, that she did. Come on in, all of you!"
That was all the invitation that The Black Cloaks needed to head on in to grab something to eat.
Black Neve had other ideas, "Thank you Lady Ophelia, but I should make another pass around the island. Just to make sure everything is One hundred percent safe before taking supper."
"If you are sure Neve," Ophelia said, hiding her disappointment.
"I am Lady Ophelia." She bowed her head slightly and began her last patrol of the night. She heard footsteps behind her and saw that Black Ivar was following her.
"Didn't you hear Lady Ophelia? There's food available for you."
"I heard, but I'm your partner. And I'll never hear the end of it if you got yourself killed on the one chance I decided to stay back and not have your back." Black Ivar lit his cigarette hoping he'd have a chance to enjoy it on the patrol. "Let's go, I want to at least enjoy some food at the end of this night."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Present Time:
Severus and Lily followed Sebastian Holmes to his grandparent's restaurant. Lily and Severus helped Sebastian carry his fishing rods while he carried the bin of fish to the restaurant.
After a short walk, they came to the place in question, 'The Tin Shack.'
It was a small little restaurant with mostly outside seating. The main building had a little indoor bar with countertop seating. The kitchen where the food was made took up a majority of the actual space. There was a large tarp that covered the outdoor seating to make sure stuff like wind, and the rain wasn't a deterrent to stopping by to eat.
"Mama?" Sebastian called out into the restaurant. It was still relatively early in the day so there were no customers. "Mama?"
"Quit your hollering Sebastian, I taught you better than that." An old woman came out of the kitchen. Her hands covered in a light dusting of flour and cornmeal. Her hair was chestnut brown but streaks of grey were intertwined in her hair as well. She came to be at Severus' height standing up. "Well, who do we have here? New friends of yours Sebastian?"
"Something like that Mama, they're from school."
She looked at her grandson, "School. Do you mean…"
Sebastian shook his head, "Yes Mama."
She gave them both a smile, "Well it is such a pleasure to meet some more of Sebastian's friends!" She wiped her hands clean on a hand towel and shook Lily's hand, and then Severus'.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Holmes!" Lily smiled.
"Oh please, call me Cora!" She smiled.
"They helped me catch these fish Mama, see?" Sebastian showed his grandmother the fish that they caught.
"Oh my! This will be perfect for the fish stew your grandfather is preparing for tonight. Take them to your grandfather. He's in the kitchen. Lily, you and your friend give me the rods, and take a seat anywhere."
"Oh we can put these away for you, it's no trouble, Cora!"
"Lily dear, it's no trouble at all. Find a seat you and...what was your name dearie?"
Severus perked up when he was addressed by Cora. "Severus, Mrs. Holmes."
"Cora, please!" She smiled. Cora took the fishing rods and ushered for Lily and Severus to find a seat at any of the tables.
A short wait and Sebastian went up to the table. "My Grand-dad is making a few sandwiches for us."
"Oh! What kind?" Lily asked.
"Two club sandwiches, and a BLT. With some seasoned chips!" Sebastian grinned.
"I'd hate to ruin the mood, but can we talk about why your friend ran roughshod over me at the end of the year?" Severus bluntly said.
Sebastian nodded, "Okay. Umm all right, I'll make this brief. Sam was coerced into knocking you over."
Severus stared at Sebastian. "And I'm supposed to believe that. Who could possibly coerce Yalarad to do something like that?"
"Cassidy Doherty."
Severus groaned, "Oh no. That's the last thing I needed." He put his head in his hand.
"Severus, who's Cassidy Doherty?" Lily asked him.
"He's not in our year, he's a few years above us. He calls himself, 'The Loose Cannon of Hufflepuff.' He's been in more fights than I've had hot meals, and that's saying something."
Sebastian nodded, "He's also a senior member of our little group."
"The United. I've heard about you," Severus sat up straight and crossed his arms.
"Have you? What have you heard?" Sebastian asked him.
"You're all a group of friends from different houses, and you keep to yourselves. You're all an exclusive bunch because you don't hand out memberships to anyone who comes asking. You take the best of the best."
"The United also has a bit of historical significance. Stemming from a pact made by Houses Yalarad, Braider, and Dain," Sebastian went on to explain.
"That's all well and nice, but we are getting off track. Why did this Cassidy Doherty, tell Sam to knock over Severus?" Lily asked him. "I mean from what I know about Sam he doesn't let anybody tell him to do anything unless they ask nicely."
"Not unless you're in with Sam's cousin, Dante. You both have at least heard of Dante Yalarad, right?"
Severus' blood ran cold at the name of Dante Yalarad. He remembered hearing about how James idolized Dante for a time back in their first year. How Hardbroom put Dante on a pedestal as one of her prized pupils. How he used to make any Slytherin's life a hell on Earth if they looked at him wrong. "Yeah, I've heard of him."
"Yeah, I remember him. He was nice, at least to me." Lily remembered. "But I haven't seen him around this past couple of years. It's weird it was like he vanished off the face of the Earth."
"He did, cause he was cast out of Hogwarts back in our First Year," Sebastian said.
"Why? What happened?" Lily asked Sebastian.
"You know Michael Ashdown? The Gryffindor's class clown?"
"Yes, I do. He wasn't one of Potter's cohorts. He didn't have anything crude to say about Severus when Potter was always ranting and raving. He keeps around Sam if I remember correctly."
"Yeah, our first year, he pranked Dante, who was basically un-prankable at that point. Michael turned his skin Slytherin Green."
Severus let out a soft chortle. "That was him? He did that?"
"Yeah," Sebastian admitted. "And...Dante found out. He and Cassidy cornered him that following night, and Michael managed to slip away. However, in doing so, he was running down the Grand Staircase, and missed a step when the stairs moved and fell two stories and broke his leg."
Lily looked shocked, "Is that why Michael wore that brace for a week?"
"Yeah, that's why." Sebastian shook his head as he put his hands behind his head, and stretched his arms.
"He didn't get expelled because of that?" Severus inquired.
"No, remember this was when Dumbledore was still lenient to his Lions. When Gryffindor could do no wrong!" Sebastian looked at Lily. "No offense."
Lily waved him off, "None taken."
"Dante was asked to leave Hogwarts, and from what I heard, he was shipped off to Beauxbatons."
"Okay, is this leading to why Sam pushed me over?" Severus was getting rather impatient.
"I'm getting to that Severus," Sebastian said. "Cassidy implied that if Sam didn't do what he said Cassidy was going to let Dante know, and..well...what happened, happened."
Sebastian put his hands on the table. "Look, Sam's a good guy. He's decent for a Lion, again no offense." He looked at Lily before continuing. "He's fair, loyal, and pleasant to be around. He'd stick up for any of his friends. But...when it comes to his cousin Dante, I've noticed...that...he doesn't have much of a backbone to deal with him."
"He's scared of his cousin?" Severus asked him.
"More intimidated, than anything," Sebastian told them his opinion. "I don't know. I know he loves his cousin, but at the same time, he lets him run roughshod all over him. And then, in turn, allows Cassidy to run roughshod over him as well. Thank God for Athena and Bart though, they tend to keep Cassidy in check, at least they have been."
"What do you mean?" Severus asked.
"I heard that Dante is trying to get back into Hogwarts. That he's been a good little boy over at Beauxbatons, and his father, and grandfather are doing what they can to get him readmitted. If they do that, I have no idea what will happen." Sebastian looked at Severus. "Cassidy doesn't do anything without reason. If Cassidy wanted it done, then it stands to reason Dante wanted it done. You don't have to worry about Sam. It's Dante you have to worry about."
Severus felt a dreadful wave of unease rush over him like a wave of seawater. He was hoping that his troubles at Hogwarts would be over, but it seemed like fate had other plans.
He felt Lily intertwine her fingers into his. "Don't worry Sev, you won't be alone. You have me and the others, we have your back!"
Severus gave her a pale imitation of his usual smile and then looked back at Sebastian. "Thank you for telling us this."
Sebastian nodded, "It's no big deal."
"Is there anything you can do?" Lily asked him.
Sebastian racked his brain. "Anything I can do? No."
Severus and Lily looked a bit crestfallen.
"But, there might be something someone else can do." Sebastian looked to be in deep concentration. "At your earliest convenience Severus, you should talk to Bartholomew Braider. You know him, right?"
"Yeah, of course. He's a Slytherin like you and me, but isn't he part of your club?"
"Yeah but thankfully, he's a lot more level headed than Cassidy or Dante. If anyone can help you, it'd be him." Sebastian advised Severus. He looked over and saw his grandmother come over with a tray of sandwiches and chips. "Let's not talk about this in front of my Grandmum, okay?"
"Right," Lily agreed.
"Yes, of course." Severus agreed as well.
Cora came around with a smile, and the tray filled with food, "So Lily, Severus. Tell me about you. How you know my little Sebby! And how Hogwarts life is!"
"Mama!" Sebastian's face flushed red as pulled the brim of his hat lower to cover the rising blush.
Lily laughed as she accepted a plate from Cora.
Severus let out a soft chuckle as well. His mind was running at nine hundred miles a minute, but at least there was a plan of action in place. As soon as possible he'd get in touch with Bartholomew Braider. He knew Bartholomew was a decent fellow, well-liked even among the Gryffindors. He hoped what Sebastian said was true. That he could help Severus get out of Dante's sights.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Sirius, Reg, Remus, Frank, Cadderic, and Peter stepped out of the floo at the Leaky Cauldron. Frank had a displeased look on his face because his mother had sent him to Diagon Alley to purchase new clothes prior to his visit to Mirrorvale. "Mum says I can't go to the Prince's looking like a rag picker and doubly so since the Prince's and Longbottom's have been allies since the 15th century," Frank complained. "Even though I told her Sev doesn't care how I'm dressed."
Caddaric nodded. "The Diggory's, too. We haven't been allied with them as long as your family, Frank. I think it was maybe in the late 16th or early 17th century when we became allies with the Prince family."
"So that makes your family an ally of ours, too, then," Frank pointed out.
"So it does," Caddaric agreed.
Sirius and Remus looked amused at their conversation. "Where are you planning to shop?" Remus asked.
"I don't know," Frank answered with a shrug. "Mum usually drags me to Twilfit & Tattings."
"There's this new place I heard about," Reg spoke up. "I think it's called The Young Wizard's Closet."
Sirius grinned and teased, "Reg should know about fashion. He's the ultimate fashion plate."
"Shut up, Siri!" Reg replied, flushing. "You should talk! I've seen you posing in front of the mirror, flexing your muscles."
This time it was Sirius who flushed.
"It must be new," Caddaric said. "Where about is it?"
"Yes, it just opened in the spring," Reg replied. "It's just down past Ollivanders."
"Let go so I can get this over with and then we can stop at Quality Quidditch Supplies to see if they have anything new," Frank replied.
"I'm going to stop at Magical Menagerie," Peter decided. "I want to see if they've gotten any new animals in."
"You and Hagrid," Frank teased. Peter often visited Hagrid to see his pets and even though his asthma prevented him from having a familiar, he, like Hagrid, loved animals of all sorts.
"Have you got your medicine with you?" Remus asked.
"Right here," Peter said lifting the chain with the vial on it out of his shirt.
"Good," Remus said nodding.
"We can meet at Fortescue's afterwards," Sirius suggested.
The six young men headed out the door to the courtyard.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Charles was working at his desk with the bank ledger in front of him and a pleased look on his face. Nobody could laugh at him now with his new customer, Lord Brownlow. Mavis and James were so proud of him although Mavis admitted she wasn't familiar with the Brownlow family, but she was sure they must be a fine family. Being that they were so successful and it seemed they had unlimited Galleons.
There was a knock on his door and Mrs. Highcrest stuck her head in. "Lord Potter, Lord Brownlow is here to make another deposit."
Charles closed his ledger and placed it in his desk drawer. "Please send him right in, Mrs. Highcrest."
She nodded and in a few minutes, she was back with Lord Brownlow following her. "Lord Brownlow, Lord Potter," she said.
Charles stood and hurried around his desk with his hand out. He shook Lord Brownlow's hand vigorously. "I'm happy to see you again, Lord Brownlow and I am happy to see your business doing so well! Please have a seat." He motioned to the two red plush chairs in front of his desk.
"My business has tripled its assets," Lord Brownlow replied, sitting down. "As I said before I am thrilled that I am not being forced to put my Galleons in Gringott's with those deplorable goblins!" He took out a leather bag from inside his cloak and enlarged it.
"You are not the only one who feels that way," Charles replied nodding sagely. He did not mention the fact that dropping the news about his new, fabulously wealthy, client, though not his name, at the dinners he and Mavis hosted or they attended, had increased his business substantially.
Charles got up and escorted Brownlow to his vault. He first put his palm on the vault and it glowed briefly. "This is another security measure I just added," he said as he stepped away.
"Very good. I see you are much more cautious and concerned about keeping your customer's wealth safe than others," Brownlow replied using his key to unlock it.
You will find that it is the first and major priority of this bank." Charles replied as he watched Lord Brownlow empty his bag of Galleons into his vault. There was quite an astonishing pile of Galleons inside of it.
Lord Brownlow stepped out of the vault and Charles shut and locked it then used his palm to double seal it.
"I and my wife would be pleased if you could have dinner with us at Potter Manor. I would enjoy introducing my son to you as a fine example of the success you have achieved, Lord Brownlow."
"Please have your wife send me an invitation and if I am not in the Orient, I will be happy to attend."
Lord Voldemort had purchased the abandoned Slykoff Manor in Hampton in order for "Lord Brownlow" to receive any mail from the bank. The Slykoff's had been a wizarding family, originally from Russia, that had died out at the end of the 18th century.
"I will let my wife know," Charles replied.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
James was wandering around Diagon Alley, waiting for his father to show up to take him to lunch at the exclusive restaurant, The Golden Unicorn. He was bored and had been to Quality Quidditch Supplies, but had not seen anything new. He was about to check out this new clothing store his mother had mentioned, The Young Wizard's Closet, when he suddenly spotted Pee Pee Pettigrew coming out of Magical Menagerie. James grinned. Time to have some fun with old Pee Pee!
James crept up behind Peter and loudly yelled, "Boo!"
Peter jumped, turned around, and paled when he saw who it was.
"Hey, Pee Pee," James laughed. "You still at the bottom of the class and a disgrace to Gryffindor? I still can't figure out why the Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor. It must be getting too old to do its job."
"I'm just as good as you," Peter said. "Maybe even better."
James laughed loudly. "Better!" He gave Peter a hard shove, causing him to fall backward and then stood over him menacingly. "You can never be better than a Potter and you are so stupid!" He saw Peter was starting to breathe heavily and bent down. "Face the fact, Pee Pee, you are a failure as a Wizard and will never amount to anything in the Wizarding World! You will have to go and live as a Muggle!"
Suddenly James was pulled away from Peter and a punch in his face sent him flying backward, landing on his bum." Sirius bent over him, looking furious. "You want to pick on somebody your own size, Potter?"
Caddaric and Remus helped Peter to his feet while Frank and Reg pulled Sirius away from James. Remus and Caddaric helped Peter sit down on a bench. "You okay, Pete?" Remus asked, sitting down beside him. He noticed how pale Peter was and that he was breathing heavily.
"It looks as if Pete needs his medicine," Caddaric said to Remus in concern.
Remus nodded and pulled the chain with the vial on it out of Peter's shirt, opened it, and held it under his nose. "Breath slowly, Pete."
James' nose was bleeding and he held a handkerchief to it, trying to staunch the flow of blood that had gotten all over his new shirt. He warned them thickly, "My dad is coming any minute and you six are going to be in big trouble!"
Frank laughed. "I'm so scared, Potter! Get out of here before I give you a bruised bum to match your bleeding nose!"
Frank, Sirius, and Reg turned their backs on James and went over to where Peter was sitting with Remus and Caddaric. He was had regained some of his color and was breathing much easier. "Do you feel well enough to go to Fortescue's with us, Pete?" Sirius asked.
Peter nodded. "I'm feeling better. I'm sorry, guys, but I probably got you into trouble with Mr. Potter and that James took me by surprise. I should've been more alert."
"Don't apologize for that bully, Pete," Remus said waving his hand in the air. "He's not worth it."
The boys turned their backs on James and went in the direction of Fortescue.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Charles came out of his office and was surprised to see James waiting for him and was shocked when he saw the blood on James' shirt. "James, are you hurt? What on earth happened to you?"
"I was coming out of Quality Quidditch and all of sudden the two Black brothers, Longbottom, Diggory, and Lupin jumped me and started punching me. I gave as good as I got, but there were five of them and only one of me!"
"Why on earth did they jump you?" Charles asked.
"They said I attacked Pettigrew, but he was standing with them and laughing at me the whole time!"
Charles decided he was going to deal with this bullying of his son right on the spot. "James, I'm afraid we are going to have to reschedule our lunch. It is obvious I have some floo calls I need to make!" Charles took out his wand and pointed it at the bloodstains on James' shirt. "Scourgify."
James smirked as he followed his father out of the door. Those gits were going to be in big trouble now!
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Augusta Longbottom had just arrived home from the office. It had been a long day, investigating possible followers of this rising dark wizard who called himself, Lord Voldemort. The first thing she saw when she came through the door was her husband, Harvey, kneeling in front of the fireplace, talking to someone. She went over to fireplace just in time to hear Harvey say, "I and Augusta will talk to Frank, hear what he has to say, then and only then, will we decide whether Frank needs to be punished."
"If you do not punish him and have him apologize for ruthlessly beating up my son, you will be hearing from my solicitor!" Charles threatened.
"We know how fond your son is of the truth so go ahead and call your solicitor!" Harvey said, shutting off the floo and getting up.
"What was that all about?" Augusta asked.
"His Lordship," Harvey said with a sniff, "claims Frank, Remus, Sirius, Regulus, and Caddaric attacked James and beat him up for no reason."
"There is never no reason with James Potter!"
"Bailey," Harvey called and then their head elf popped into the room. "Yes, Mr. Harvey?"
"Please find Frank and ask him to come to my study."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Sirius and Reg were in Sirius' room. The walls were covered with pictures of Muggle motorcycles and American Muggle "muscle cars". There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Sirius called.
Kreacher came in and said, "Master and Mistress sent Kreacher to bring you downstairs. They is upset."
Sirius and Reg looked at one another. "How much do you want to bet Dad got a call from Potter's father?"
"That's a sucker's bet, Siri," Reg replied. He rubbed his bum unconsciously as if preparing himself for the feel of his father's ruler.
They followed Kreacher out of the room and downstairs to their father's study where Orion and Walburga were waiting. "Thank you, Kreacher," Orion said. Once Kreacher had left, closing the door behind him, Orion fixed both his sons with a stern look. "I just received a call from Mr. Potter and he claims you and your friends jumped James and beat him up."
"That's a lie!" Sirius said loudly. "I punched him true enough and gave him a bloody nose, but nobody else did anything!"
"Peter went to the Magical Menagerie while we went with Frank. Mrs. Longbottom had sent to buy new clothes for his visit to the Prince's. When we came back to meet up with Pete, we saw he was laying on the ground and James was leaning over him and that's why Siri punched him," Reg added.
"Peter looked like he was on the verge of one of his attacks and James was taunting him, trying to push him into a full-fledged attack," Sirius explained. "I lost my temper and punched him and if you're going to punish me, that's okay."
Orion leaned back against his desk and looked at his wife, but was surprised to see she looked proud of their sons. "Since you were coming to the aid of a friend, Sirius, I won't punish you in the usual way, but I am going to confine you to your room for the day starting tomorrow morning. Although your intentions were noble, using violence is never the answer."
"That's okay, Dad," Sirius replied. "I let my temper get the best of me and I deserve some punishment."
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Black Neve awoke in the middle of the night. She heard a small noise in the kitchen and got up to investigate. She quickly dressed in her shirt and pants. Grabbed her wand, and walked into the kitchen.
She saw Samuel sitting at the kitchen island, and he was eating a pear paired with a glass of water.
"Samuel?" Neve put her wand away. "What are you doing up? It's the middle of the night."
"Sorry Ms. Neve," Sam apologized.
"Black Neve." She walked over toward him. "Is everything all right?"
Sam sat in silence for a brief moment before speaking. "I had a nightmare."
Neve stood awkwardly with her arms crossed. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I...came to in the middle of Diagon Alley. I was battered, beaten, and bruised, I was in pain, but I...couldn't feel the pain. I knew I was in pain, and I just couldn't feel it. I think I was in some sort of car accident, and it was Dante's car that was wrecked. I looked around for him, but I couldn't find him."
Sam took a sip of his water to cool his nerves. "I walked in a crowd of people, I knew their faces, I think, but at the same time, I didn't know them. Known strangers, so to speak. I thought I saw my father in the crowd and called out to him...and then I woke up."
Neve sat down next to Samuel. "That sounds like one hell of a dream."
Sam shrugged. "I guess." He shivered in his seat. "It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it."
"Well I wouldn't worry about it now Young Lord, and fret not; I'll make sure no harm shall come to you."
Sma gave Black Neve a small smile, "Thanks, Black Neve." Sam finished his midnight snack and finished his water before putting his glass in the sink.
"Now off to bed with you Young Lord, after all, you'll have friends over in the morning. And in a few weeks, you'll be shopping for your school supplies with your friends and family."
"Right, goodnight Black Neve," Sam said as he went back upstairs to bed.
Content that everything was at ease, she decided to head back to sleep as well...after a quick sweep of the premises.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
"Mum, there's a good movie on television tonight," Petunia said. "I was going to make some caramel popcorn and we can all enjoy it."
"That sounds fantastic," Cinthy replied. She went to find her husband who was in the living room reading the Daily Prophet that Salem had delivered to him. "Petunia says there's a good movie on tonight and she's making caramel popcorn to eat while we watch it."
Paul put down the paper. "I hope it's not one of those women's movies."
"It a mystery movie, Dad, I know you like those," Petunia called from the kitchen. They heard Salem chuckle.
Paul chuckled, too. "I forget Petunia has hearing like a hawk."
"Where are Lily and Sev?" Cinthy asked.
"I think they're on the front porch," Paul replied, returning his attention to the paper.
Cinthy looked out the front window and was surprised to see Severus and Lily wrapped in each other's arms and involved in what looked like a passionate kiss. She went to the door and opened and then let it shut again and waited for a few seconds before arranging her face in a neutral expression and going outside. "Petunia says there a good mystery movie on tonight, and she's making caramel popcorn for us to eat while we're watching it," Cinthy said.
That sounds like fun, Mum," Lily replied. She and Sev got up from the porch swing. As they followed Cinthy into the house, Severus raised his eyebrows at Lily who shrugged in reply.
After the movie was over, everybody had retired to their rooms. Cinthy was sitting in front of the vanity mirror and brushing her hair. She stopped brushing it, put down her brush, and turned around to Paul who was pulling the covers down on the bed. "Paul, I think it's time we had "the talk' with Lily and Sev."
"What?" Paul said, straightening up. "Why?"
"Before I went out on the porch tonight, I looked out the window to see if Lily and Sev were out there and they were wrapped in each other's arms and involved what looked like a very passionate kiss."
Paul sat down on the bed removing his slippers. "Well, we should probably do that with Lily, but we would need Marius and Vesper's permission before talking to Sev."
Cinthy got up. "Does the Wizarding World even have sex education?"
Paul shrugged. "I'm sure they must have something or else the Magical population would be much bigger than it currently is. However, I don't even begin to have any ideas on how to approach Marius and Vesper about this."
"Maybe we could talk to Salem," Cinthy said. "He's very level-headed and might know the correct way to approach this."
"Good idea," Paul said. "We can talk to him tomorrow."
"Petunia may have some suggestions, too," Cinthy said. "I can send Lily and Sev into town for something I need at the grocery store, so we can figure out a plan to approach this."
"Sounds good," Paul said.