Maya flung the door open wide and grinned at Draco and Luna. She couldn't believe they were here! Damon had waited until this morning to let her know that they were coming to stay for the Christmas holidays. She wrapped an arm around each of them, pulling them into a fierce hug.

"You're here!" she squealed.

She could feel Draco rolling his eyes at her enthusiastic greeting, but he hugged her back anyway, Luna just laughed, squeezing Maya as hard as Maya was squeezing her.

"Why don't you let everyone in, before you hug them all to death, kiddo." Damon said with amusement.

A distinctly female chuckle sounded as well from behind Draco and Luna. Maya detached herself from the two of them and looked behind to see Aunt Cissa, blue eyes sparkling with amusement, and several other adults. She recognised Mr Lovegood from when she had stayed at Luna's, and the aristocratic man standing next to Aunt Cissa was her husband, Lord Malfoy, whom she'd seen in some photo's Draco had sent. She didn't recognise the other three though, a man and woman of a similar age to Aunt Cissa and another woman, with shockingly pink hair who looked old enough to either be in her last year of Hogwarts or to have graduated only recently.

Damon put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

"Would you like to come in? We can do introductions in the Living Room, it's a bit too cold to stand around on the doorstep doing them."

He gently guided Maya out of the way of the door, giving their guests room to step inside the Boarding House's entrance hall. With a firm hand on Draco and Luna's backs, Narcissa pushed them forward into the house, following along behind.

"Why don't you lead the way, kiddo."

Maya nodded, grabbing Draco and Luna's hands in her own and pulling them along with her as she led their guests to the living room. It still had much of the antiques that had decorated the room since the boarding house was first built, but in the months since they had moved in several more modern touches had been added. The family portrait that Maya had painted and gifted to Damon last Christmas hung above the fireplace. Maggie had replaced the old, faded and worn, curtains with newer ones. Family photos, and more of Maya's artwork decorated the room, and several of their more modern books had migrated down here as well, filling the shelves in amongst the first editions and folio's that lined most of the shelves.

The den was still a much more modern room than the living room would ever manage without being completely gutted and redesigned. With it's TV, games consoles, and sofa's and chairs that had come from Furniture Depot, rather than hand crafted in the 1700's and passed down through the family, only occasionally being upholstered. But the Living Room was comfy enough to hang out in as a family now, without feeling like they were in a museum. Also, large enough and with enough seating to comfortably host several guests.

Maya sat down on her favourite settee, upon which the cushions were worn enough to be comfy, without being so worn that you could feel the springs digging in, AKA the super comfy settee, dragging Luna and Draco down to sit on either side of her. They were both looking around, Draco nodding approvingly at the signs of wealth and tradition and Luna smiling at the photo's and paintings that were dotted around, signs that Maya was now part of a family that loved and supported her. The adults filed in behind and found their own seats, Maya was amused to see that Lord Malfoy was looking around at the antiques, books, furniture, and ornaments that filled the room, with a similar air of approval, tinged slightly with surprise as if he had not expected to find something he approved of in what was ostensibly, a muggle house.

Stefan, Enzo, and Maggie followed Damon into the room and found their own seats. Dobby popped in a moment later with a tray of drinks, tea and coffee for the adults, and apple juice for the kids. He poured all of them with an air of long practice, hesitating only when it came to the three strangers, long enough to enquire as to their preferences before serving them and popping away again. Maya supposed he hadn't been gone long enough to forget, Aunt Cissa, Lord Malfoy, or Mr Lovegood's preferences, the fact that he didn't know the others, must mean he'd either never met them before or not enough times to have memorised what they liked.

Aunt Cissa took a sip of her tea and hummed appreciatively, before setting it down and smiling at Damon.

"Right, Introductions I suppose."

She gestured to Lord Malfoy.

"As you've probably guessed, this is my husband, Lucius. Then we have Xenophilius, Luna's father, my sister Andromeda, and her husband Ted, and their daughter Nymphadora –"

The young woman in question coughed loudly and obtrusively, and Aunt Cissa's lips twitched in amusement.

"– Who prefers to be known as Tonks, but who will settle for Dora, as calling her Tonks can get rather confusing when there are three of them around. –"

The five people she had introduced, nodded (Lord Malfoy), or smiled and waved (everyone else) as they were introduced.

"– and of course, you all know my son Draco, and my niece Luna."

Draco gave a nod like his father had, but with the added benefit of a small smile. Luna grinned and waved at everyone.

Damon smiled broadly.

"My turn, I guess. This is my brother Stefan, my best friend Enzo and Maggie, and of course my lovely goddaughter Maya."

Like the Tonks's and Mr Lovegood had, they all smiled and waved as they were introduced, Maya's grin the broadest, but none of them had the same reserve as Lord Malfoy had shown upon his introduction.

"Lexi and Lee haven't arrived yet, but they're due to arrive before dinner so we can do introductions to them later. Dobby's taken your luggage up to your rooms, would you like a tour of the house and a chance to freshen up."

"That would be lovely," Aunt Cissa replied with a light tone.

She stood up and offered Damon her arm, prompting the other adults to follow suit. Maya looked at her two friends.

"Most of the house is boring, your rooms are near mine. I'll show you how to get to them and the important places to know, then we can go and meet Avanyu, she's a Northern Scarlet Snake that lives in our garden."

Draco scoffed.

"Do you name every snake you meet after different Gods?"

"It's not me!" Maya protested, "I don't name them, they name themselves. As for the whole Gods thing, snakes are just like that."

Maya could hear Damon reassuring Aunt Cissa and the other adults, that Northern Scarlet Snakes were non-venomous, and nothing to worry about. Dora hesitated at the back of the group who were on their way to tour the house, and looked at Maya.

"I'd like to meet the snake, Avanyu wasn't it? If you don't mind me tagging along with you?"

Maya grinned at her newest cousin and nodded.

"That's okay with me. Come on, I'll show you your bedrooms first."


After dinner, once the kids were tucked away in the den, being taught by Maya to play some game called, 'Donkey Kong', if Narcissa had heard her correctly, with Dora watching over them. The rest of them retired to the living room to discuss a topic she had been patiently waiting all day to bring up. Her cousin.

Once they were all sat, drinks had been served and everyone was sufficiently aware enough to pay attention, she spoke.

"We need to talk about Sirius."

Damon nodded.

"In your last letter, you spoke of some… irregularities in the original case?" he probed.

"Yes."

"Black never received a trial." Lucius told him. "He was sent straight to Azkaban after his arrest at the scene of the attack upon the muggles and Pettigrew."

Lucius had been the one to first bring it to her attention, when she had been probing him for information about who in Riddle's old circle of acquaintances, her cousin might go to. He had told her that they had all known Riddle had a spy, someone within Dumbledore's circle, but they had been held under the utmost secrecy. None of them, not one member of the 'Inner Circle' had known who it was until well after the war, when Sirius was already in Azkaban. Lucius had only discovered the truth, a truth not widely known, when Fudge had mentioned to him that Sirius had been the Potter's secret keeper, extrapolating from that information that he must have been Riddle's spy, why else would he have told him where the Potter's were hiding. Because of the secrecy, Lucius couldn't think of anyone Black would approach, none of them had known he was a Death Eater, and Lucius doubted Black would trust any of them anyway. It was only when Narcissa had enquired why more of his old allies weren't aware of the truth, surely it had come out in the trial, that Lucius had told her he couldn't actually recall a trial being held for Black.

After some judicious probing on Narcissa's part, and some assistance from Madam Bones, she had been able to confirm that Lucius couldn't recall the trial, because there had never been one. Not even the sentencing hearing that should have happened if he'd simply confessed and pleaded guilty. Sirius had been sent to Azkaban by order of Bartemius Crouch Senior, countersigned by Milicent Bagnold, the previous Minister of Magic. This had brought up many questions in Narcissa's mind, enough that she had reached out to her semi-estranged sister to ask what she knew of the matter.

Andromeda had spewed forth a barrel of insults at her questioning. Aimed at the Ministry, the Death Eaters, the Ministry, Albus Dumbledore, the Ministry, the rest of the House of Black, Narcissa included, and the Ministry. After Ted had calmed her down, Andromeda had sworn up and down that there was no way Sirius had ever betrayed Jasmine Potter and her family. The deaths of the muggles and Pettigrew she was less sure about. Sirius had a temper and the 'Black Madness' was well known; Andromeda had always concluded that Sirius had been struck by it upon discovering Jasmine and Luke's bodies and it was this that had driven him to the act of blowing up a muggle street.

Narcissa, being less prone to emotional outbursts and more inclined towards logical thinking than either of her sisters, had taken it a step further. If, as Andromeda had claimed, Sirius hadn't betrayed Jasmine and Luke to Riddle then perhaps one of their other 'friends' had. Perhaps the curse Sirius had cast had been for revenge, and the twelve muggles who had died had merely been an accident, a result of Sirius overpowering his spell. It didn't explain everything, but it made a lot more sense than Andromeda's, he was drive mad by grief and lashed out randomly theory.

After speaking to Andromeda, she had travelled to Hogwarts to speak to Severus. He had been friends with Luke, haven grown up in the same town, and friendly enough with Jasmine, that he might be able to add something to what Andromeda had said. Severus hadn't been able to tell her much, but he'd introduced her to Remus Lupin, the new DADA professor who'd been a close friend to Jasmine, Sirius, Luke, and Pettigrew. When Narcissa had broached the subject, he had insisted that it must have been Sirius who'd betrayed the Potters, because Jasmine wouldn't have trusted anyone else as much as she would have trusted Sirius. That it was well known in their circle that Sirius was the Potter's Secret Keeper. After Narcissa had pressed, had brought up the lack of trial, Andromeda's assertions, and Narcissa's own logic-driven assumptions. He had admitted that he had been spying on the werewolf packs back then, by Dumbledore's request, and it was possible the Potters had changed Secret Keeper without telling him.

Narcissa had gone straight to Amelia with her suspicions. Amelia had agreed that there were unanswered questions, and the lack of a trial or sentencing hearing was outrageous and a complete breach of the laws that governed their societies. Fudge on the other hand had been less willing to listen to Narcissa, even going as far as to accuse her of aiding and abetting in Sirius's escape and subsequent avoidance of recapture. He had refused point blank to call off the Dementors and it was only Narcissa's threat to go straight to the ICW that had stayed his hand from signing the Kiss-On-Sight order as his Senior Undersecretary had been urging him to do. With Fudge being a stubborn morn, and Amelia's hands tied due to that, Narcissa had visited Dumbledore, who'd listened to her explanation carefully, and promised to offer his protection, as Chief Warlock, to Sirius to ensure a fair trial once he'd been recaptured.

"What does that mean?" Damon asked. "Specifically, for us, for Maya, for the current situation, and for Black."

Lucius glanced at Narcissa who nodded. He had the legal background to explain it more thoroughly than the rest of them could.

"The lack of a trial following the original arrest is a breach of British and ICW laws, it had been brought to the attention of the Minister for Magic, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, who also happens to be the current Supreme Mugwump of the ICW. Legally speaking if Black is recaptured alive and 'of sound mind', then he is required to receive a trial."

"So, they'll have a trial and he'll be sent back to Azkaban."

"Yes –"

"No." Andromeda stated forcefully.

"Maybe." Narcissa said, waving to Lucius to continue.

"Yes. If Black is found guilty at a trial, he will be sent back to Azkaban. Although there is a slight possibility, he'll be sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss."

"What's the dementor's kiss?" Stefan asked.

"Is there any doubt about his guilt?" Damon said at the same time.

Lucius looked at Narcissa who silently indicated for him to wait whilst she answered Stefan's question, seeing as it would take much less time to explain.

"You have been told what dementors are, yes?"

"Yes."

"The dementor's kiss, is the name given to the last and worst weapon those creatures have… It's when they suck out the soul of their victim."

Silence fell across the room. All of their minds on the true horror of Narcissa's words. Even those who'd already known what it meant, couldn't quite shake off the feeling of dread hearing it spoken of gave them.

"That's…" Enzo seemed to be unable to find a word that adequately described the concept of the Dementor's Kiss.

"Horrifying?" Lee said eventually. His hand was gripping onto Lexi's so tightly that his knuckles were white.

Everyone nodded. It wasn't really an adequate word, but it was the closest anyone could come to.

"Is there any doubt about Black's guilt?" Damon asked again, trying to move them back onto more stable conversational ground.

Narcissa looked at her sister this time. Andromeda didn't look like she would be able to contain herself much longer, and she was the one who was most convinced of Sirius's innocence. In betraying the Potter's at least.

"Sirius wouldn't have betrayed Jasmine and Luke. Jasmine was his sister, his best friend, he would have died for her, and for Maya. There's no way he was their Secret Keeper. There's no way he became a follower of You-Know-Who."

Narcissa sighed softly. No matter how much she tried, she could not get her sister to call Riddle by either his true name or his chosen one. Such was the fear he had inspired in most people after all. She herself refused to call him by any appellation other than the one he was given at birth, since it had become known to her. He was dead. His Horcruxes destroyed. There was nothing more to fear from him. And she categorically refused to grant him the honorific he had bestowed upon himself. Someone who had made even one Horcrux, did not deserve such respect, let alone someone who'd made six.

Damon turned to Narcissa and raised an eyebrow, seeking confirmation of what Andromeda had said.

"There is room for doubt on that charge, and since there was no confession, and no trial, and none of the Death Eaters were aware of the Riddle's spy in Professor Dumbledore's circle. We can't currently confirm the truth of that charge."

"What about the charge of him killing thirteen people? Is there doubt about that as well?"

An uncomfortable silence fell. None of them quite sure how to admit that they were pretty sure Sirius had killed those people, for one reason or another. Narcissa sighed again, there was no point denying it.

"Actually, we're fairly certain about that one. We believe there are a couple of possibilities."

"Which are?"

"It's possible he went mad with grief. Sirius was a Black, and the 'Black Madness'… Well, let's just say that none of us would be surprised if Sirius blew up a street in a moment of maddened despair at his loss." She took a deep breath, "The second possibility. The more logical possibility. If Sirius didn't betray the Potters, then someone did. Peter Pettigrew was also a known friend of the Potters and a member of Dumbledore's group."

"You think Black killed him for revenge and accidentally took out a dozen non-magicals at the same time." Damon finished for her, putting together the same pieces Narcissa had.

"I believe that if Sirius, truly didn't betray the Potter's. Then it's a distinct possibility."

"So. What does this mean for us? More importantly, what does this mean for Maya?"

"For now. Nothing changes. We have no proof, and I don't want you to believe Maya's safe from Sirius, only to find out too late that she isn't."

"Once he's caught?"

"He'll be questioned. There will be a trial and depending on what comes out at that trial… the likely outcome is that Sirius either goes back to Azkaban. Or he gets placed in a long-term care ward at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies in London."

"I need to tell Maya."

"After Christmas."

Damon looked at Maggie who placed a hand on his arm.

"I'm not saying don't tell her. I'm just saying it will keep for a few days."

He nodded. Maggie was right, it could wait a few days. He'd tell her once everyone had gone home.


So far, Christmas morning at the Boarding House had been quite the rowdy affair. Everyone had gathered in the living room after breakfast, so that they could open their presents together. Lord Malfoy had raised an eyebrow at Dobby's inclusion but, after a warning glare from his wife, had wisely chosen not to say anything. The matching Christmas jumpers had got an even bigger raised eyebrow, but he hadn't said anything about them. Maya suspected that was mostly because he was glad, he didn't have to wear one. Narcissa and Damon had done their best to direct proceedings, but with so many of them gathered it had proved to be rather impossible, and they'd given up. Soon 'Thank you's and 'you're welcome's' had filled the air, and wrapping paper covered the floor.

"It's very lovely Maya. Thank you."

"I have to agree, your talent is remarkable, and this will make a fabulous addition to our home. Thank you."

Maya beamed at them both, pleased that they liked her gift. When Aunt Cissa had visited for Maya's birthday, she had declared how much she adored the family portrait Maya had painted for Damon last Christmas. Maya had decided then and there to paint Aunt Cissa one of her own family. She had got Draco to send her some photos, and had used them as guides to paint a portrait of Aunt Cissa, Lord Malfoy, and Draco together. She'd even got her Art Professor to place charms on the portrait so that, once the Malfoy's had each added a bit of their own magic to the painting, the subjects would be able to move and speak. Her first magical portrait.

"Here's one more for you, Maya."

Lexi handed over a present she'd pulled out from under the tree, which was almost beginning to look empty. Maya carefully unwrapped it and pulled out a knee-length navy dress and a pair of shiny black boots with an iridescent hue wherever the light hit them. It was the boots that clued Maya into the sender before she'd even opened the accompanying note. They were a perfect match for her jacket.

Dear Maya,

Merry Christmas. I would ask you to pass on my wishes to the rest of your family, but I doubt they'll be well received. Enjoy your holidays. And don't let anyone persuade you to get rid of the dress or the boots, they'll complement your Dragon scale jacket perfectly.

Warmest Regards,

Katherine.

"Those are lovely, they suit you perfectly." Lexi said, "Who are they from?"

"Katherine." Maya replied,

"Damn it! Why does she have to have such good taste."

Maya's lips twitched at Lexi's complaints which echoed similar thoughts she'd had about Katherine's gifts. But mostly she was watching Damon's face, trying to figure out what he was thinking and feeling about Katherine's continued gift giving. He frowned and looked at the dress and boots she was still holding, before looking up to meet her eyes.

"Lexi's right, they'll suit you perfectly. If you want to keep them, you can."

Maya nodded. They were really nice, and it wasn't the fault of the dress or the boots, that Katherine had been the one to gift them to her.

"What did this note say?" Stefan asked, "Any more cryptic warnings?"

Maya shook her head.

"Nope, just Merry Christmas."