Hi Back again! This chapter was hard as I couldn't decide how the Twins should leave or be rescued. I have 3 more chapters written but need spell checking and then shall post hopefully will get that done this week. Sorry about the text all fixed now!
Anyway Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. Enjoy!
~November 1984~
Sirius Black stood very stiffly, almost rigidly, in the opulent and lavish sitting room of Malfoy Manor, a place full of extravagant decor and the echoes of the past. His grey eyes flickered with an ambiguous mixture of determination and unease as he scanned his surroundings. He hadn't stepped foot inside this house in many long years, not since that fateful day when he had stormed out of his family's home in a fit of anger, burning bridges behind him and casting away the heavy legacy which had long bound him to the notorious Black name. Yet here he was again, called back to this duty by the great weight of responsibility that he could no longer ignore—and by the biting and penetrating words of his grandfather, Arcturus Black, that still echoed in his mind.
Across the room, Narcissa Malfoy was watching him intently, her frozen face giving little hint of the sudden jolt of astonishment that had run through her when her estranged cousin had suddenly appeared before her a Malfoy by marriage,she was, of course, of the House of Black by birth, and the old aristocratic line to which she had been born had just as completely shaped her sense of identity and disposition as it had shaped her cousin Sirius in his own way.
"What brings you here, Sirius?" Narcissa inquired, her voice maintaining a cold emeanour yet betraying a sense of curiosity. "I was under the impression that you had made it abundantly clear that you wished to sever all ties with us…So, what has prompted this visit now?"
Lucius Malfoy reclined in his chair,the fingers of his hand drumming idly against the armrest in a rhythmic motion. He chose to remain silent at that moment, but the calculating glimmer in his eyes indicated that he,too,was filled with a similar curiosity about the situation unfolding before them.
Sirius hesitated for a moment,his thoughts swirling in his mind, and then he squared his shoulders with determination. "I've come to make amends, to reunite with my family" he declared earnestly.
Narcissa scoffed "Family, you threw that away. Despised us, although I won't disagree that your mother and father where not…ideal parents, what had I done? What about Bella? We were close yet you cast us off, the whole of the House of Black. And you are here to make emends?"
"Yes, I won't lie and declare myself a saint Cissy but I am here now. Please let me explain." Sirius said, his voiceunwavering and filled with conviction.
Narcissa arched a browin surprise and curiosity.
Sirius continued. "I made mistakes in the past—ran away from things I didn't fully understand because I was misguided into thinking that I was better than the family, better than my parent's views, ideals. Better than everything I was born ,I've come to realize that I was profoundly wrong in my thinking. I do not regret leaving my parents' house because Walburga was cruel and if I stayed, I wouldn't not be standing here now. But I should have gone to grandfather and not let myself be manipulated into hating the whole of the Black family. Family is important,and tradition holds great significance as well. I have spent many hours with grandfather learning what I should have learnt when I was younger, I am ready to step into the Lord Black role, but I would like your help with something. And I know I have no right asking but I will be truly grateful."
Lucius's lips twisted into asubtle,almost imperceptible smirk, a gesture that conveyed both amusement and intrigue. "Help with what, exactly?"
Sirius inhaled deeply, taking amoment to brace himself for the weight of the conversation ahead. "I'm referring to the Potter twins, Harry and were cruelly abandoned by James and Lily, left in the care of Muggles. The Dursleys, Lilys sister and Husband, truly awful people, who hate magic and hate the twins. Ever since that moment,they'veendureda life of suffering and neglect, Remus and I can feel it though the Godfather bond and the Pack bond."
Narcissa leaned forward slightly in her seat, eyes watering. "Why in the world would the Potter's decide to leave their very own children with Muggles? I thought they were meant to be this picture-perfect family that everyone admired and looked up to."
Sirius's expression grew notably darker, reflecting his discontent and disappointment. "In reality, they're anything but perfect individuals. James is primarily focused on the fame and fortune that accompany his status as the father of the Boy Who Jamie has transformed him into a significant symbol within society, and both Lily and James are taking full advantage of that situation, extracting every ounce of benef it brings, they've shamefully neglected the twins because, in their eyes, those children seem unimportant not worthy of their time.
Narcissa's eyes narrowed, "That doesn't adequately explain why they would find themselves in need of money. The Potters are considered to be one of the wealthiest and most prestigious wizarding families in all of Britain, that isn't including the money they will receive from the fame of their son."
"Not anymore," Sirius replied, a grim smile playing on his lipsthat hinted at the darker implications of his words. "Charlus Potter—who is James's father—did not have faith in James's ability to handle the family legacy responsibly. He out right refused to pass on the Potter Lordship to his son because he harboured doubts about whether James possessed the appropriate values and qualities necessary to up hold and carry forward the family name. And when Charlus died, the Potter family ring rejected James completely, but Dumbledore pulled some strings as Chief Warlock, so James has the Potter seat in the Wizengamot. But withoutthe ring, James cannot gain access to the Potter family vaults, nor even enter Potter Castle. So now they live off his trust fund and his salary but unfortunately, it is a far cry from what it takes to continue the grand life style they are accustomed just why they so desperately fight to keep Jamie in the public eye because he represents their only means of possibly regaining access to some of that lost wealth and status."
Narcissa's lips pressed together into a tight, thin line, rage building up inside her. "So they're using one child to enrich themselves while abandoning the other two to a life of squalor and they are the beacons of the light."
Narcissa shook her head and scoffed, she couldn't imagine abandoning Draco just because the other child was famous, it went against her entire instincts as a mother.
Sirius nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "That's precisely why I feel that I need to act without delay. I simply won't allow those innocent children to suffer any longer under such conditions. I am fully aware that I've made my share of mistakes in the past, but now I understand what it truly means to protect your own blood, to up hold the important traditions we cherish. And I'm entirely prepared to do whatever it takes to setthings right and bring about a change."
For a momentin time, the room was enveloped in a profound silence, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation. Then, with an air of elegance and poise, Narcissa rose gracefully from her chair, her movements fluid as she made her way across the room to stand directly before Sirius. "You're truly serious about this matter?"she inquired, her tone reflecting a mixture of concern and hope.
"I am," he replied, his voice resonating with conviction and firmness that left no room for doubt.
"Then you have my unwavering support," she stated, pulling Sirus into a hug. "We will help in whatever way we can, those children absolutely deserve better than what they currently have, and if you're willing to fight for their well-being and future, then so am I, without hesitation.
Narcissa let go and wiped her tears. "Now if you will excuse me, I wish to check on Draco"
As Narcissa left the room Lucius inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Very well, Black. Let's see what you're truly capable of. But if you hurt Narcissa again the result will be…unpleasant."
In the small and pristine garden of Number Four, Privet Drive, the twins found themselves shivering inside the dirty, cramped and uncomfortable freezing, inside the Dursleys were busy hosting a lavish party with in the immaculate confines of their pristine house, where they were laughing heartily and enjoying themselves to the fullest. In stark contrast, Harry and Isabella felt like they were hidden away from the world, concealed like a dirty little secret that nobody wanted to acknowledge or remember.
"Harry," Isabella whispered softly, her voice trembling slightly with the chill in the air and the threat of tears. "I'm cold."
With a sense of urgency Harry pulled her close desperately attempting to share the scant warmth that he had left within him. "I know, Bella," he said in a gentle whisper, softening his tone in an effort to comfort her. "Just try to sleep. It'll be better if we sleep,"he reassured her, clinging to the hope the party would be finished soon.
However, the reality of their situation made sleep seem utterly impossible amidst the biting cold and suffocating darkness that surrounded time dragged on, hours seemed to stretch endlessly, and gradually, the lively sounds of the party slowly faded away as rhe fell into a coma like sleep.
When Petunia finally opened the shed door, her expression was twisted in a mixture of annoyance and disgust as she looked down at the huddled twins lying together for warmth.
"Get up," she snapped sharply, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "You filthy little freaks."
When they didn't get up Petunia kicked them, their limp bodies barley moved. Panicking she yelled for Vernon to come out.
"What is it Pet don't the freaks want to leave the shed?" Vernon asked.
"Vernon, I think there dead, what do we do? If my sister finds out well be arrested" Petunia cried.
"No they won't, they don't call or write to ask how they are. If we get rid of the bodies, we can still get the money and we have years until they are supposed to come and take them away. Plenty of time to think of a reason as to why they aren't here."
Petunia nodded, and with a strong grip, dragged them back into the house,her lips moving as she muttered under her breath, voicing her disdain and expressing just how much she truly hated them and the trouble they had caused by dying.
Within minutes, the twins were loaded into the boot of the car, still unconscious.
Petunia watched as he drove away relived that the freaks where gone, she closed the door and went upstairs to Kiss Dudley goodnight.
Vernon drove them out of Little Whinging, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as the headlights illuminated the dark countryside. Finally, he pulled over near a secluded field, dragging the twins out and placing them in a patch of overgrown bushes, throwing leaves other them. After making sure they were truly hidden he got back in his car and drove home smiling at the thought of all the money they still would be receiving, none the wiser as to the couple in the dark watching him leave, hatred etched onto their faces.