Chapter 7

Astrid was leaning against her headboard in her bedroom at Grimmauld Place. She was grateful that Sirius had given her a room alone, despite Molly saying she should room with Ginny. Honestly, Astrid wouldn't have coped with sharing a room because she finally got to experience freedom. Plus, she noticed the looks both Ginny and Ron were giving her and knew it was jealousy. She saw it in the year before when Ron thought she entered that death tournament and Ginny just gets jealous when Astrid talks to Hermione. Astrid didn't think that even her impenetrable shields could stop her from expressing her displeasure with the two redheads' attitude.

She had decided to have a conversation with her godfather, desperate to know why he didn't inform her that he had blood-adopted her. Also, Astrid felt that Sirius was the perfect person to talk about her concerns towards the headmaster, knowing that he wasn't a fan of the old wizard. Especially since he was practically forced to stay a prisoner in a house that he has bad memories from.

Astrid groaned as she left her bed and shivered slightly as the cold air hit her barely covered chest. As she was receiving a shirt, there was a tiny knock on her door. With a small frown, she opened it to find Hermione standing there with a smile. That was soon replaced by a shocked expression as she ran her eyes over her toned torso.

Astrid leaned against the door frame with a smirk and spoke softly.

"Hey, darling. Do you need something?"

"I-I um," She shook her head and cleared her throat. Trying to shake out of her flustered state. "I um, just wanted to talk to you"

"I'm about to speak to Sirius. Want to come with me?" Hermione seemed a bit unsure. She doesn't want to interrupt their bonding time but she doesn't want to miss out on spending time with her favorite raven-haired girl.

"Okay. I'll come" Astrid's smile widened and she placed her arm around her waist and put her shirt over her shoulder. She chuckled as Hermione let a small gasp leave her lips.

They walked up to the second floor and Astrid couldn't help but smile to herself as Hermione wrapped her arm around her back, pulling her closer. They soon stopped outside Sirius' door and heard muffled voices. Most likely Sirius has Remus inside. Hermione knocked on the door softly and it wasn't long till the door was open. Remus opened the door with his cheeks tinted pink.

A teasing smirk made its way to Astrid's face as she raised an eyebrow. "Are you making out with my godfather Moony?" Remus spluttered trying to come up with a response as Sirius' bark-like laugh was heard in the background.

"Come on in, Pup! Hermione is here too-"

"I hope that's okay. I mean I don't want to intrude." Sirius' face softened at Hermione's nervous tone and gestured to her to come inside.

"Moony! Get your handsome arse back in here!" The werewolf shot Sirius a warning glare. Pleading for the grey-eyed man to keep their private matter to himself. Astrid let out a laugh and guided the blushing witch into the room. Leaving Remus to close the door.

"Is there a reason you're only wearing a sports bra and bottoms or you just want to show off your toned body to this lovely witch?" Sirius teased as his eyes flickered between the two. Smirking at Hermione's fluster state. Astrid shrugged a little with a wink before gently guiding Hermione to the couch. She sat close to her and placed her arm around her.

"So, what's up cub?" Remus asked as he sat next to Siri, slapping his hand away when he tried to play with his hair.

"One second please" With a wave of her hand, she placed some privacy charms on the room so no one could overhear. "Right, so I need you three to read this please."

Astrid handed her inheritance test to Siri and Remy as Hermione got up to read the parchment next to Siri. Astrid sat on the couch with her legs crossed, watching their faces which showed their emotions openly as they felt shock and anger.

Remus was the first to talk. His tone was deep and cold. "Who?" Astrid instantly knew that his wolf was on the surface and confirmed that was his amber eyes staring at her.

"I have my suspicions, but I'm not actually-"

"Who cub?" Remus growled, making Astrid sigh.

"We have had our suspicions about Dumbledore for a while. He's too invested in Astrid's life and to be honest, it's quite concerning. Not to mention, he always sends her back to those monsters. Especially after what happened last year!" Hermine ranted while she paced around the room. The two older wizards exchanged a look while Astrid watched the witch with the softest and most awe-filled expression anyone had ever seen on her face.

"We agree" Hermione stopped and her head snapped towards Remus and Sirius with hope-filled eyes. She was happy that they believed her and Astrid since she was scared that they'd be alone with their suspicion towards the headmaster. "We weren't the only ones. James and Lily weren't too fond of him either. Honestly, Lily had always been weary of Albus. Having all of that power and influence and yet, our world is filled with violence, prejudice, and corruption. She couldn't understand why."

Astrid took a deep breath, the knowledge that her parents, Remus and Sirius, were also hesitant to trust the headmaster seemed to confirm everything. What Hermione and herself felt, making it more real. She truly thought that Dumbledore was a grandfather figure but knowing that he may be the one who put all of those blocks and compulsions on her is a hard pill to swallow. Hermione, seeing her change of emotions rushed to her side, grabbing a hold of her hand and squeezing it.

"So, what do we do now?" Hermione questions. She truly didn't want to believe that someone that she used to look up to could do something so vile. She wasn't the bright witch for nothing. She pushed those hopeful thoughts away and accepted that Dumbledore was someone who they couldn't trust anymore. Who willingly harms someone for 'the greater good'?

"We'll go to Gringotts. We need to know if he placed any on us as well and then we'll need to get protected jewelry with protection charms-" Seeing the concerned looks on their faces, Sirius smiled softly. "Don't worry. Goblins are neutral and don't interfere with the wizarding laws. They won't inform the Ministry." Hermione and Astrid let out a breath of relief even if they were still a bit unsure but they trusted Sirius' words.

Amelia Bones had always prided herself when it came to being fair and giving people a chance to prove themselves. Whether that is for a job or being arrested for crimes. She has been a member of the Ministry since the first wizarding war. She slowly climbed her way to become the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Amelia had been secretly training her Aurors for the comeback of the Dark Lord because despite what the Minister said or believed, she saw the signs of his return over the summer break. She was always observant but even those who are the most oblivious wizards or witches could connect the murders and criminal activity to the announcement of Voldemort's return. She was one of the few who believed in Electra Potter. She was furious by what the Daily Prophet had been saying about her and slandering her name alongside Dumbledore's.

Speaking of Electra Potter, she was sent a letter and a package from the young witch. The moment she saw the glowing vial, she knew it was a memory. It wasn't until she read the two letters that she knew how important they truly were. The parchment attached to the vial informed her of Sirius Black's innocence, even though Amelia was anxious to review the memories, she decided to read the other parchment.

Her heart clenched and her body went cold at the information that lay in front of her. The number of blocks and compulsions on the poor girl made her body tremble in rage. She wondered how Potter-Black had even survived this long with those on her. It was confirmed that Astrid Nyx Potter-Black is a truly powerful witch and also powerful politically. Being the Lady of three of the founders' houses was mind-blowing and wondered what was going to happen at Hogwarts now that the Lady of the school was back.

With a shaky sigh, she conjured her Pensive and left it to hover slightly over her desk. She warded and locked her office door, not wanting to be interrupted, and slowly poured the memories inside. She was eager to watch but was trembling with nerves, knowing that if Astrid Potter-Black was right and Sirius Black was innocent, the Ministry would be ruined. With all of the courage she mustered up, she dived right into the memory.

About twenty minutes later she was out of the Pensive, her eyes wide and her face white as she shakily lowered herself into her chair. She ran her trembling hands over her face. She felt a huge amount of guilt and frustration about the whole situation. She was close to James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. Those three wizards were skilled Aurors who fought beside her against many death eaters. Many were against having a werewolf working at the Ministry but they were left with no choice because James and Sirius refused to help unless their best friend was involved. It was one of the best decisions they ever made because Remus was a skillful duelist but thanks to his enhanced senses, he saved many Aurors from near death.

She knew instantly she couldn't go to Minister Fudge with this information because of his grudge against Astrid but there were two people who she could trust with her life. With a wave of her wand, she conjured her patronus and asked to give Tonks and Kingsley a message to come to her office immediately.

Within five minutes they both sat in front of her. Both look confused and concerned by the troublesome look on their boss's face.

"Boss? You seem a bit pissed off." Kingsley sent Tonks a 'Are you serious' look only to get a slight shrug from her.

"I need you both to keep this meeting a secret. Not a single soul can know. Do you understand?" Tonks and Kingsley nodded with a frown. The tension in the room is almost unbearable.

"This information is going to change our world. It could potentially give us what we need to end this war before it starts"

"Amelie, what are-" Kingsley was silenced when Amelie raised her hand. Both noticed how shaky her hand was. Which made them more concerned and curious.

"What do you know about Horcruxes?"