Sirius breathed in the cool Scottish air. Even in summer, cold days could linger on the Hogwarts grounds. When he first crossed the front doors of the castle, it had felt like home. Even after running away to Charlus and Dorea's Manor, Hogwarts still felt special. Now…now home felt like people. At the time it was Charlus, Dorea, James and Remus. Marlene had almost been a home. Now it was Andy and Ted, young Nymphadora, but more than anything it was Rhea and Sabrina. What magic the castle had in welcoming the orphans and misfits of the magical world was nothing compared to the fire that now burned in him. He would keep his family safe.
From memory he navigated the castle's hallways, quick and quiet, he moved through the halls full of memories of adventures, pranks and bullying. He was a parent now, so he had to admit it to himself. He had bullied other students. Many had become Death Eaters, even a few before they graduated. A part of him wondered if he had some blame to carry. He knows he is partly responsible for Snape. Remus had almost killed him and nothing came of it. Detention and house point losses, sure, but nothing that mattered. Except for his innocence. He lost it that day in 5th year. He almost ended up with blood in his hands a full 5 years before he was fighting Death Eaters out on the streets.
He was afraid of what another war would do to children like Rhea. He could see the signs. The Dark Faction was getting bolder, testing the boundaries of what they could get away with. The Light, on the other hand, was like a chained dog, ready for someone to let go of the leash. The last war had come at a terrible cost and for all the healing and celebrating after the end, certain people were gearing up for the next. He could see echoes of the past repeating itself. Slytherins waiting to be attacked, ready to defend their own. Children would come here, a "sanctuary" and lose any innocence they might have had. Rhea doesn't have that luxury. Hers was taken too early and too often.
He could still see the blind panic in her face while in Sharpfang's office. Her magic, usually controlled and gentle, had gone haggard and sharp. It wasn't violent or dangerous, but it had waited. Her body and magic knew pain and it would always remember. Andy had confirmed as much. She would eventually outgrow the panic attacks, her mind would heal. But the innocence he remembered as he held a green eyed little girl had been snuffed out, by monsters who worked with flesh and blood, and by monsters who hid behind pretty words and lies. So he was here, to make sure he had the time. They would never hurt her again.
He knocked on the all too familiar door and opened it after he heard an accented "Enter." He smiled at McGonagall's surprised expression. "Good morning Minerva. How are the Lion's treating you." The Transfiguration teacher walked around the desk and hugged him. "My Lions are perfectly fine. Except for the Weasley twins. That pair of Jokers seem to be following in your footsteps." Sirius laughed, "Ah, then perhaps I should meet them." She slapped his shoulder. "Absolutely not! I am already getting a Potter this year and I don't need you giving them any more ideas."
"Speaking about the second coming of the Marauders, I don't suppose you read these?" Sirius held up a Hogwarts acceptance letter. McGonagall frowns and takes the letter to see the name on the back. Sirius was happy he was here, the reaction was priceless. "You… you… I suppose congratulations are a bit late." A few seconds later she pales, "No, no! I refuse to have to teach a Potter and a Black again." Sirius gives her a mischievous smile, "Then I supposed it's a good thing the letter isn't a confirmation, otherwise Dumbledore would have to take up teaching again." Minerva stares at Sirius before opening the letter and reading it. "I don't understand. I mean a part of me is relieved, but why?"
"First, I don't want this getting back to Dumbledore. This is a private matter between the House of Black and you, Deputy Headmistress. Second, can't you guess? I haven't exactly been around for 9 of the last 11 years." Minerva's expression saddens me. "Yes, I imagine being away for that long didn't do you or your daughter any favours. Is this a permanent refusal or will we see her here eventually?" Sirius sighs. "Right now her mother and I are in agreement that Rhea will be homeschooled with us for 2 more years. Everything else depends on her. We are keeping her out of everyone's reach, making sure she is ready to deal with a less than pleasant reality. I don't have to tell you the trouble that will be coming as soon as word spreads about an Heiress Black."
"No, you do not. I will keep this quiet, though I hope she does eventually come to Hogwarts, Marauders or not." The last she says with a cheeky grin. Sirius smiles and makes for the door, disabling the privacy wards he had quietly set up on entering. But not before saying, "Oh and don't worry. Pretty sure my girl will be Fillius' problem. I am sure nothing can go wrong with a Marauder in Ravenclaw."
It takes a moment for Minerva to register Sirius' last words. A Black with Fillius as head of … "The Morrigan have mercy on us all!"
"Silence! This meeting of the Wizengamot on the 21st of June 1991 will now commence. Chief Scribe, is there any outstanding business before we begin the session?" Dumbledore looked towards the Scribe who was reviewing the day's itinerary as Sirius looked on from the Black Family Seat, Ted Tonks at his side. "There is Chief Warlock. A change in representation will take effect. Theodore Tonks, Proxy of House Black, please stand." Ted stands up, "Thank you, Chief Scribe, Chief Warlock. Members of the Wizengamot, I offer my best wishes as I stand down from my position as Proxy, though I will remain as my family's Solicitor, so do expect to see me around some more." A smattering of chuckles echoes in the chamber. "I turn over to my Head of House, Lord Sirius Orion Black, who will represent our Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black directly." Ted steps aside as Sirius descends to the floor of the Chamber.
After taking the non-binding oath in front of the Wizengamot, Sirius is not surprised when Dumbledore sticks his nose where it doesn't belong. "Sirius, my boy, have you given much thought to realigning your House?" Sirius gives the old man a mischievous smile, "Not that it's any of your business Albus, but I have. The House of Black shall remain Neutral. And if you ask me that question again, Chief Warlock, I would be more than happy to restore my House back into the Dark Faction in a moment's notice." The laughter that filled the chamber from the Dark and Neutral members warmed his heart, as did the look on Dumbledore's face as he walked back to his seat. Once seated he caught sight of James Potter's disapproving look, which he promptly ignored. Augusta Longbottom at least looked bemused. She had never been fond of the Headmaster.
The session went as expected, filled with budget concerns, and bans on certain foreign items (he voted along with the Neutrals mostly) until the Light Faction, led by James, introduced a bill to ban all rituals. The Dark were obviously outraged, while the Neutral sat back and watched. Sirius, having heard enough, motions that he wishes to speak. Dumbledore looks at him questioningly, "The chamber recognizes Lord Black as willing to speak on the matter. For or Against the proposed law?" Sirius smiles, "Against the proposed law." Both the Light and Dark go quiet, with the Neutrals looking at him approvingly. "While I can understand Potter's concern over the use of certain rituals, I as Head of House Black cannot in good conscience allow an intricate part of Magical society to be washed away by ignorance and misrepresentation." Sirius took a moment to organize his thoughts as the Light raised their voices until the Chief Warlock brought them back to order.
"Though I can certainly understand why the ignorance has manifested, seeing as the NEWT course on Ritual Magics was discontinued without Wizengamot's approval prior to my own education. I imagine the more wisen members of this body remember the elective or took part in it. Not to mention I believe many of my fellow Head of Houses have carried a few out themselves, as is customary in the process of assuming heirship." Many Heads of Houses nodded at his words, while those in the Light Faction seemed to squirm in their seats. "I also know for a fact that rituals play an important part in a Healer's duties, especially in the spell damage wards, as it's often the case that a cleansing ritual is the only means of removing the effects of spells and curses of unknown make and origin. I know for a fact the Potter family practised rituals up to the previous generation, as I was invited during my stay in Potter Manor. I also vividly remember you, Lord Potter being invited to said rituals, most of which you decided to ignore. So please don't sit here spouting nonsense about the dangers of Ritual Magic, as I am sure Charlus Potter would have been deeply against such a law."
The claps that resounded across the chamber made Sirius smile, as he could see the Light's support for the measure crumble. Before he sat down he looked at a disappointed Dumbledore, "Chief Warlock, when this motion is defeated, don't assume this is the end of the matter. I will be bringing the absence of several elective courses from the curriculum of Hogwarts before the Board of Governors. I as Lord Black won't have any Children of Black Blood receiving an incomplete education and I am sure that other Heads of Houses and Governors will not stand for it concerning their children either." Suffice it to say, the proposed ban was defeated and several Neutral and Dark Faction Heads personally thanked him and discussed the matter of support education.
Speaking of the Board of Governors. "Lord Black", Sirius turned around and gave a soft bow of his head. "Lord Malfoy. How are my cousin and her son? Anxious about him going off to Hogwarts I assume?" Lucius clearly wasn't expecting such a fond interaction. "Indeed. Our Draco is currently reading up on several potions texts. He wants to impress his godfather and future Head of House." Sirius nods his head. "I thought as much. I hear Snape is quite the exacting teacher." Lucius walks at pace with Sirius through the halls of the Ministry. "He is. At least the students who pass know how to brew properly. And speaking of proper education, are you serious about going to the Governors concerning the Hogwarts coursework?" Lucius' face seemed to freeze for a second, and Sirius smiled.
"As much as I would love to answer with a pun, the matters are important enough for me to behave, Lord Malfoy. And I can assure you, I will be bringing the missing courses to the Board personally. There is no reason Hogwarts should not be teaching Alchemy, Dueling, Ritual Magic, Spell Creation, Healing and Magical Crafting. Beauxbatons has no problem teaching them along with a few others, and I imagine that no Malfoy would allow the French to outmatch one of his own." Lucius' indignant "Certainly not!" made Sirius nod. "I have no problem with us working together on this matter Malfoy. Narcissa has gone a long way in repairing the divide between our houses. I would certainly like to see her work bear fruit." Lucius looked him in the eye and bowed his head a bit. "Then I will do my part as well."
"Hey, Dad?" Rhea saw Sirius put his papers down. "Yes?" The Lord Black office now resembled a proper office and not an abandoned museum exhibit. Fixing the Ancient wards had taken well over a year's time, though much of the proper work had been done in the last two months. Seraphina had been adamant that no Prasinos' child would ever grow up in a substandard environment, no matter what last name she wore. So of course the first thing she did was send a Wardmaster from the States, a member of the offshoot Greene family. Apparently managing a family in four continents took too much out of Seraphina's predecessor and so the family was divided along the Atlantic. Didn't stop the Matriarch from getting a relative to cross the pond and do a rush order. The best Galleons Sirius had spent, minus the ones that went to Sabrina's necklace. Rhea could see the dopey smile on his face whenever her mom wore it for him to see. Bloody Neanderthal.
"Chieftain Ragnok sent me a letter. They hit a wall on the Break-in at Gringotts and, while they would rather keep the issue in house, they want to know if you would be willing to help." Sirius taps his fountain pen to his lips, Rhea smiling since he now exclusively uses her and mom's gifts. She was already working on a few sets to pass along to the rest of the family. Though the ones for the Malfoy's would definitely have to wait. At least Andromeda was chipper now after having two luncheons with Narcissa. "Hmm, I wouldn't be against it, but I don't know what I could do about it. It isn't Wizengamot business and while Amelia and her Aurors would do the arrest, they can't do it without a clue as to who it was."
Rhea nodded, "Chieftain Ragnok said something similar. He asked since you recently got the ear of the Hogwarts Board. Since the item was in a vault co-owned by Dumbledore and Flamel, they think Dumbledore might use the school to store the item." Sirius frowned, "I could definitely see that. I think I remember reading a Board notice about Dumbledore requesting permission to alter the wards somewhere in the castle, "for the students' safety" It read." Rhea shrugged, "That would be my guess. The Flamels told Chieftain Ragnok not to worry about the item, since they already have that covered and to focus on the thief."
Sirius pulled out a bit of parchment, "I will let Amelia know that the thief is likely to target Hogwarts and that Dumbledore might try to interfere. That should get the old goat's whiskers in a twist. With the Board pressuring him on the restoring courses, it could help keep him off balance." He was a few words in on the page when he suddenly stopped and looked at Rhea. "Wait, why is the Director of Gringotts London sending you letters?" Rhea smiled, "Well how else was he going to ask me to take part in the Goblin's Samhain rites?" Rhea giggled and ran off, a black dog chasing after her as Sabrina laughed nearby.
Lucius Malfoy, Cyrus Greengrass and Augusta Longbottom all sat in the conference room Sirius had rented from the Goblins. Ever since the Samhain rites, the Goblins have become all but guiddy in their interactions with him, Rhea and Sabrina. So when he offhandedly mentioned in front of Rhea that he really needed to find a safe place to hold a meeting with several members of the Board of Governors, his little Marauder sent out a missive to the Goblins. They had the room ready less than 2 days later, just in time for the Easter Break holidays. Sirius was sure that by the time his girl graduated from Hogwarts, she would likely own half of Wizarding Britain, and no one would be the wiser.
"Amelia has told me that Dumbledore has refused all attempts at having the school inspected. Even with the reports of Unicorns of all things dying in larger numbers in the Forbidden Forest. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be concerned until Lord Malfoy mentioned an incident with a Troll inside of the halls of Hogwarts itself. So, have either of you been informed by the Headmaster about this breach of the school wards?" By the look on both Augusta and Cyrus' face, he would say no. Lucius coughed dramatically, "I myself was not informed either by the staff. Instead, it was my own son, Draco who informed me of it. Apparently he had written a letter informing me, but no such letter arrived."
Augusta looked appalled, "Are you saying someone is interfering with mail out of Hogwarts?" Cyrus stepped in, "No, I think he is saying that Dumbledore is interfering with the mail our children are sending home. This is something that can't be allowed to continue. It's likely that other information has been filtered out and we haven't been aware of it." Sirius looked over at Lucius and invited him to add his two knuts. "I am certain there is. Draco also mentioned that Professor Quirrell's performance as DADA instructor has been subpar at best, useless at worst." When both Augusta and Cyrus looked at him questionably he added, "As my Heir, I saw fit to give Draco some advanced tutoring in duelling and defence, something I know your wife did for young Daphne and don't think about complaining Augusta, since I am certain young Neville has been getting tutoring along with Potter's Heir."
After seeing the two Governor suitably chastised, Sirius gets to the heart of the matter "Regardless of the extra curricular studies all the students from Noble Families are taking, the danger of having a teacher instructing a core subject poorly, let alone Defense, cannot be estimated. Students taking their OWLs and NEWTs this year are likely to suffer from this worst of all and many of the core Ministry jobs require an above average score in Defense. I asked you all here because these matters fall under the purview of the Board of Governors. The least I am asking is that the Board approves an Inspection of the Castle and its wards. While we are here, we can also discuss the matter of the missing electives."
3 hours and a luncheon later, the meeting disbanded. Sirius was actually happy to see Lucius take such an active role in his son's education. Part of him wishes that his own father, Orion, had done as well. But for now, this is the best he can manage.
The inspection of Hogwarts didn't start until after the academic year had ended. Sirius and his Faction on the Board had been disgusted with the more Light leaning members allowing Dumbledore to stall the matter until it stopped, quite literally, from being a concern. Because Quirrell was declared dead, the Third Floor Corridor had been scrubbed clean and the incident had been all but ignored. Except Dumbledore awarded points, well past the cut-off date, to Gryffindor House for whatever had happened with Quirrell and the Philosopher's Stone. If Rhea had been at school, Sirius would probably have challenged Dumbledore to a duel. Sabrina herself admitted that she wouldn't have even bothered. She knew of quite a few ways to kill a man without any trace whatsoever, prompting Sirius to consider taking her somewhere lovely this summer. Probably Spain, since he was already making a pit stop in France.
Not only had Rhea properly guessed that the item in the Vault at Gringotts was supposed to be Flamel's Philosopher Stone, but she had persuaded him to mail the Flamels after the whole incident had been reported to the Board. The Flamels had been decidedly annoyed with Dumbledore, who somehow failed to realise the stone he received was an incomplete Philosopher Stone, utterly worthless, but the man assumed it was the only one in creation. Rhea actually laughed at that, saying that if the Flamels had made the original within their own natural lifespan, it meant they had more than enough time to make several more. His quote of his daughter's deduction in his letter apparently endeared her to them. So now he, Sabrina and Rhea were going to meet the famous Alchemists in France for the summer. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea, to put a Necromancer in the same room as an Immortal Alchemist, but Sirius decided to just leave it alone. At the very least, if shit went down at Hogwarts, they had the best references for Beauxbatons.
Regardless, Dumbledore's stunt had lost him some points with the Board, he could no longer bring any Magical Artifacts into the school. The Board was going to reinstate the missing electives in a year or two, depending on how hard it is to find adequate instructors, though how Dumbledore retained the right to hire the DADA professor was something he still had to wrap his head around. For the moment Sirius, with some help from Lucius, would put pressure on some of the less enthusiastic members of the Board to see if anyone would vacate their seat. He could have technically asked Rhea to invoke Founders Heir Privilege, but Sirius didn't want to use that yet. Dumbledore held one to many posts in the magical world, but his position at Hogwarts was probably the most important to him and whatever his plans were. Sabrina had agreed that the best way to remove Dumbledore as an issue was to strip him of his status as Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump. After that, getting him out of Hogwarts would be too easy.
Rhea could tell Sirius wanted to run. He was probably itching to change into Padfoot and run for the woods. Of course, being on the Prasinos Family property meant he wouldn't get far. The wards were heavy. Even she could tell they were strong, stronger than they were when her parents had brought her here the first time. And if Rhea was honest with herself, she wanted to run too. One thousand pairs of eyes focused on her as she prepared to lead the Samhain ritual in front of the combined presence of the Greene and Prasinos Families. When Seraphina said she would "help" her and her family get ready for when her skillset as a Necromancer was revealed to the world, Rhea had assumed it meant surreptitious changes to laws, bribery, and blackmail. Hell, maybe some assassinations. It wasn't her fault Seraphina reminded her of Al Pacino in The Godfather, the woman was scary when she got excited about something.
Rhea rubbed the bridge of her nose as she straightened her back. At least Jacques was fine. He was bald now, but that wrongness she felt in him was gone. Maybe that's why Seraphina decided to become her official grandmother. Mom had been happy about that but Dad looked like he sucked a lemon. Well, Grandma Sarah does like her tea with lemon, so maybe there was too much lemon in his tea. Or it could just be the fact that she had asked them to visit at least once a year. Yeah, that feels right. Speaking about Grandmothers, Rhea looked over to the Altar. She had talked to Selene the year before while she performed the rites with the Albion Goblins. She was happy that Rhea wore her bracelet and gave her some cool stories about her mom as a kid. This year… she wanted to call Dorea.
Sirius hated talking about her sperm and egg donors (mom's idea) and had instead talked about Charlus and Dorea. She refused to ever call up a Potter. She didn't want to have anything to do with them. But Dorea had been a Black. She was Sirius' Great Aunt like Chantal had been to Mom. And she had died keeping her alive. Henry too, but if the papers are anything to go by he was a prat. Rhea steeled herself. She was going to do it. She took her place at the centre of the gathering.
The people gathered for the ceremony each gave their own version of the prayer for the departed, a multitude of languages, gods and goddesses stretching across the distant lands of four continents. As Rhea uttered the Celtic words of calling, she felt the world go cold. Her Death Magic now covered the clearing. So many lives, so many souls. Some were fading which made her heart clench and eyes water with unshed tears, but so many were bright. She felt an echo. At least, it felt like an echo. Thousands of whispers moved around her, seeking the loved ones who spoke their name. So, as the Ritual Call of the Spirits reached its end, Rhea spoke her own prayer. "Oh Persephone, on this night of Samhain I wish to commune with the spirit of one of my blood twice over. Oh Persephone, goddess of the realm beyond the Veil, allow a speaker for the grave the chance to speak with one from within your domain. Oh Persephone, filled with love and compassion for the departed souls, grant me a night's watch in which to speak to one who died in my stead. Dorea Violetta Potter née Black."
Sabrina woke up, one of the last it seemed. All around here she could see her relatives, Greene and Prasinos alike making their way back to Manor, many with tearful but grateful eyes. She knew why Seraphina and her cousin Cassandra Greene had called this gathering. After tonight, there was no going back. The Greene and Prasinos Families would live the magic that was Rhea, and they would defend her to the end. She may be a Black, but the blessing of a moment's heart to heart with the departed may as well make her an honorary member for every single person here. But right now none of that mattered. Only Rhea did. She weaved her way through the few who were still out cold as she neared the altar. There, at its centre, was Rhea, her mind still within the Veil. Sabrina nealt beside her, casting warming and cushioning charms on and around her 12 year old girl.
She felt Sirius slip in behind her, joining her quiet vigil, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chest to her back. Though both of them were cold the contact of their magics would help chase the cold of the grave away. There would be a lot of physical closeness between the two families, though no true intimacy. It wasn't forbidden or taboo, but anyone who went through the ritual would know. It just wasn't proper. Tonight was a day for the living and the dead to meet. Acts of the living alone would come later.
As the sun began to set the horizon ablaze, Sabrina was getting worried. Rhea was the last to wake. Everyone else was already inside, except for herself and Sirius. She was about to voice her concern when Rhea took a deep breath and her eyes opened. She went straight into Sabrina's arms and cried. She had held her daughter as she cried, many, many times. These tears were coming from deep inside her daughter, deeper than the terrors of the past. It felt as if she were crying from her very soul. Sirius, bless her man, moved a bit and pulled both of them into a hug, his head pressed against Rhea's. Eventually, she calmed down, but she refused to let go of Sabrina.
"I was with Dorea." Her words were soft as if confessing a sin. "She told me. How she had been there that night. How she kept us safe." Rhea got choked up, needing a bit of time before continuing. "Her spell worked. But something went weird. She got stuck to me." She moved her head and pressed herself against Sirius' shoulder. "She was with me Dad. Everyday. She saw everything ." Sirius stilled at that, and Sabrina could understand. To know that a woman who had been more of a mother to him than the one who bore him had been forced to watch her own granddaughter be abused, raped and practically left for dead and could do nothing … she could scarcely imagine her pain. Rhea seemed to pull herself out of a memory, a sign that she had definitely healed since that moment in Gringotts. She hoped it got easier.
Rhea looked over at her and smiled, her eyes red and tear tracks across her cheeks, "She brought me to you Mom. My magic …" hic, "…that night…" hic, " …it woke up. Like our first Samhain. She was able to hold me. Pulled me through the Veil. She took me to … you." Rhea then buried her head in Sabrina's shoulder, who proceeded to gently rub her daughter's back. She couldn't bear to look at Sirius right now. She would break down too. As soon as Rhea was asleep in her arms she strengthened her occlumency barriers and her body. She carried her daughter in her arms, Sirius quietly walking behind her. She had a lot to think about that day. But sleep would come first. And then a bloody altar for Dorea Black. The woman's spirit deserved as much.
Rhea refused to go to Dorea's grave on the Day of the Dead. She promised that one day she would, but not right now. Rhea eventually confessed that she didn't leave the Veil sooner because she had been unravelling the tether between her Grandmother and her. She succeeded just as the light of the sun breached her space. Dorea was free now to be with her husband and siblings in the grave. Rhea wouldn't interrupt them, even if time was weird on the other side. It just didn't feel right. Seraphina and Cassandra took her family's sombre mood well. They knew not to press. Cassandra could tell that none of them wanted to go home, but staying wasn't any better. She offered to take them in at a family vacation home in the States. Mom didn't fight it, nor did Dad.
Rhea had to admit, the place was great. A small Southern Style home in Louisiana. The air felt rich with wild, untouched magic, and that was ignoring the wards. The house was on a bayou, far away from the bustle of people. They arrived at night and they all went straight to bed. The sound of the insects and river had lulled her to sleep. The moment they all got up, everyone was just standing in the kitchen. The weird feeling broke when Rhea hugged her parents and said she loved them. At lunch, a lovely lady by the name of Josephine Greene came by and took them out to experience the sights. The beach they visited was really nice, the water still warm, though Josephine said it would get cold soon.
Rhea gave Josephine a necklace made of shells she had been collecting all day. When Josephine asked why, Rhea pointed at her parents. Josephine had taken her Mom and Dad separately to get their swimwear, so when Mom took off her shirt and pants, Dad had gone mute. He followed her like a puppy all day, getting all lovey with her. Rhea prayed to the Goddess that she didn't take after her dad when it came to love. She didn't want to look like an idiot, no matter how loveable. That night Rhea had personally set the silencing charms everywhere in the house. Their first Beltane had been mortifying enough. They spent two more nights in the vacation home before heading back to Britain. Rhea hoped her new Familiar didn't mind portkeys (it did!).
Sirius was sure the other half of the Board of Governors were just plain stupid. How was it ok to ignore a monster petrifying students just because Dumbledore said so? Sure, ignoring the cat that was petrified on Samhain could maybe be excused, but the fact something was capable of paralyzing a cat beyond a healer's skill to fix it on the spot should have been a big clue that something bad was going to happen. About a month later a First Generation Wizard (Rhea had kicked his chin when he said muggleborn) had been petrified. Sirius would have loved to have stepped in, called the Aurors and let them settle the matter. But Dumbledore had to skirt the rules, again!
He had been required to notify the Board of Governors about the incident, but the bastard only notified one of his close friends and told him everything was under control and that he didn't need to inform the rest. He also told the students that the Board had been notified the morning after the incident. So Sirius and Lucius only became aware that things were getting worse when a Half-blood Prefect got petrified, along with a first gen witch friend of Henry's. They managed to catch the lie and got Dumbledore suspended, and his friend on the board of Governors was dismissed. Sirius applied for the open seat, as did James Potter, but thanks to his work with the Board and his strong position on improving the education of the school, coupled with the Black Family having held a seat since the Board's inception, Sirius obtained the seat without much difficulty.
Word of the change of the guard must have reached the school because whoever had been responsible quickly took one Ginny Weasley hostage into the so-called Chamber of Secrets. Henry, displaying the infamous Potter luck, managed to rescue the girl and kill the monster. Dumbledore managed to convince the Board to return, but Sirius was about to make him wish he had taken his leave all the way to the end of term.
"So, we now have established that the culprit of all the petrifications is a shade of a person stored in a book," Sirius noted that Malfoy looked ill at the mention of the book. "As the matter has been handled, at least in your own words, Headmaster, you feel that the Board should close its investigations entirely." Dumbledore nodded, "That is correct."
Sirius leafed through the report and stopped on a certain interview. "And you say that all depositions as established in this report are truthful?" Dumbledore looked confused as to why he was asking, "As far as I know they are entirely truthful." Sirius sighed, "What of the matter of Gilderoy Lockhart?" Dumbledore looked unconcerned, "Lockhart is currently held at St. Mungos. They don't expect his memory to return. As such there is no way of charging him for his crimes prior to Hogwarts." Sirius was looking at Dumbledore with murder in his eyes. "My concern is with potential victims inside the school. Your report states that he was an accomplished obliviator. So did it ever cross your mind that you may have students suffering memory loss who could be the victims of molestation or rape!"
The sudden intakes of breath in the room made it clear that no one else had even considered that. Dumbledore, ever the apologist, tried to calm everyone, "I am sure that Gilderoy wouldn't have dared to…", "attempt the obliviation of minors, with the intent that they suffer physical harm or death. I believe you provided the evidence that he did just that. I move for immediate examinations of the student body and staff by St. Mungo's healers for any sign of obliviation and sexual assault, and I swear, if the next words out of your mouth aren't "I concur" Albus, I will personally see you charged with obstruction into possible criminal offences against minors! I am sure Madam Bones would love to add her own experiences to the case!"
Dumbledore wisely kept his mouth shut. The healers did eventually arrive and much to the shock of the Board and staff, three 7th year girls were found with signs of rape and obliviation. The story broke on the Daily Prophet, though they kept the identity and years of the victims quiet. The incident drove a massive wedge between the Neutral leaning Light members and the rest of the Light Faction. Dumbledore's ability to hire teachers without Board approval was also revoked, as was any warding on the school grounds that could block or redirect mail. From now on, Hogwarts would be watched very closely.
Sirius did manage to corner Lucius Malfoy after the last meeting of the Board of Governors. After raising the strongest privacy wards he could, Sirius turned on Lucius, "On the life of your son, tell me you didn't know about that book!" Lucius looked like he was about to protest but he just… deflated in front of him. "I knew the book existed but I had no idea the book made its way to the school. I swear on my magic." Sirius stared at Lucius, "I imagine it belonged to the former Dark Lord." Lucius nodded. "Then are you prepared to see your own son branded like you should he rise again?!" Lucius clearly wanted to say something, but his words just failed him as he collapsed on the floor. "I have tried everything to get it off. I looked everywhere, called in curse-breakers and wardmasters from all of Europe. None could help me!"
Sirius stared at his cousin-in-law, "If I could find someone to remove the Mark from you and more like minded repentant Death Eaters, what would you do?" Lucius gaped at the man, not believing what he was hearing. "Believe me Lucius, a part of me would wish I could drop you, Snape and Nott in Azkaban and throw away the key. But you made a life for yourself, you have a son! I know exactly what goes in your head the moment he is in danger. If I can get the bloody Mark off your and your friend's arms, will you help me bury Voldemort and Dumbledore?"
Lucius stands up and stares right at Sirius' eyes, "Why?" Sirius' struggles for a moment but decides that now is as good a time as any. "Because I don't want my daughter to live through what we lived through. Dumbledore and Voldemort are not the type of wizards to let things go. For my daughter, and for your son, I am willing to let go and do everything in my power to leave our society better than when we were kids. Are you?" Lucius stares at Sirius for a moment. "For them… yes. I will help you. What do you need?"