Disclaimer: LilliySilverback does not own or make any profit from either the Harry Potter or Vampire Diaries franchises.

Warning!: Manipulative!Evil!Dumbledore, Reasonable!Sirius, Sane!Bellatrix, Good!Narcissa, MerlinianWitch!Hufflepuff!Bonnie, Slytherin!Harry, Ravenclaw!Draco, NAMECHANGE!, MAJOR AU, mentions of Wiccan magic, Molly Weasley Bashing! Minor hints of Slash!

Pairings: Andy X Tim, Al X Shelia, Charlie Weasley X Izzy, Danny X Elena (one-sided), George X Caroline, Sam X Liz, Theo X Evan (one-sided)

NON-Pairings (under no circumstance will these characters be a couple): Anyone who shares a last name, the Tonks/ Bennetts/ Blacks will not be mixing further, Bella X Rodolphus (divorced), Chrissy (Narcissa) X Lucius (divorced), Caroline X Evan

Review Responses:

Sakihinata, MattKennedy, DarkRavie, 13stars, Shadow Wolf 15846, SupernaturalLover65, haksol, mythrica- Thank you guys for your words of encouragement, they are probably the only reason I haven't taken this story down. You all inspire me to keep writing, no matter how busy I am or how difficult it can get. Thank you all so much.

JaedonX - At this point in my planning (of which I have up to fourth year planned) I don't expect to make Evan possess a creature inheritance since he is already a metamorphagus. That would feel a bit overdone and OP. I also have given some serious thought into future pairings, I want to pair Evan with someone who won't tolerate his BS. I'm open to new pairing ideas, but as of right now most of the kiddies are too young to be thinking of anything other than a crush. Izzy being the exception as she's in her later teens. Worry not though! I will have plenty of non-hetero characters. Jeremy will get the support and attention he needs, it just won't be in a romantic way yet. Keep in mind the kids are still that, kids, at this point.

iHateHotWeather123- Ok, first off LANGUAGE! I may write characters with language but that's because it's in character. Secondly, Bonnie will not have ESP, that's not what this is. Elena is Bonnie and Caroline's best friend, I can't just cut her out. She plays an important role in the plot due to her being a doppelganger and Jeremy's sister. I will be introing Damon and Stefan, but not until at least third-year (1993 in the story). I don't care if you don't like them. This is my story, not yours. Draco and Elena is NOT an end pairing, but I was hoping to introduce some innocent drama by introducing some more childish crushes. I already have plans for both Luna and Draco, and they will not end up together. As much as I love Klaroline, it doesn't fit into this unique little world I've built. Don't worry though, I have someone else in mind that will shower Caroline with all the attention and love she deserves. As for protecting Caroline due to her being human, I have a question for you. Protect her from what? As of right now, there is nothing threatening any of those living in Mystical Falls.

TashaLee2476- SPOILER! I'm planning to pair Evan with one of our lovely ladies from the Original Series.

DaSalvatore - Thank you! I admit the pace is quite a bit subdued, but it's been a bit difficult to break out of CANON and create my own AU. There probably won't be a whole lot of action over the next arc either, because I'm still world-building and putting all my key players into place. As for Liz's reaction to magic... that'll be covered soon. I'm hoping to use her motherly instincts to negate any initial negative reaction to magic. When it comes to syncing the two timelines, I expect to give you all quite a few surprises. This arc will probably be significantly closer to CANON than the rest. I love how you noticed the Harry/Evan and Draco/Danny contrasts and problems that will arise.

SweetSnow01- I will be pairing (a) Black Sister with (a) Original Brother... for more details PM me.

Jay Buckley1- Yes, I'm going with the family tree before JK forgot what she wrote and changed the tree. Dorea Black and Charles Potter being James' parents. Dorea is actually first cousins with Sirius's grandfather, making Sirius and Harry fourth cousins.

A/N: I know it's been an unseemly amount of time since my last post, and I do feel quite awful about it. I've had several personal issues pop up, from medical school to mentally unstable parents to a family friend dying to over-working in an attempt to afford the rest of my education. I've recently had a few friends encourage me to write more, as it is my only piece of mind. So I deliver unto you, the first chapter of ARC 2!

Arc 2: The Blood of the Covenant

Chapter Twenty-One: The Myth, The Legend, Meet Reality

Giggles filled the darkness of the room, lightening it with the sound. Fred curled up next to his twin, his head resting on his brother's stomach while George lay flat on his back. It had been a week since they had returned to Blackwell and only a few hours since the pool party. Both twins were worn out from swimming and goofing around, but neither could wipe the grin off their faces as they let the joy of the day wash over them.

"Hey Forge?"

"Hmm, Gred?"

"Think all 'Mericans throw welcome back parties or just the Noirs?"

"Wasn't it Caroline's idea?"

"Yeah," and the two fell into companionable silence again. They could still faintly hear the bass beats of music floating in from down the hall, though not clearly enough to recognize an actual tune, and Fred felt a content smile stretch his mouth.

The party itself had started midmorning and lasted all the way through to the late afternoon. The moms of the group sent all the children off to their rooms to freshen up and calm down a bit before dinner later that evening. Apparently the guests were invited to stay the night and join the family for dinner, though most of the parents made plans to leave themselves after the food. A night with a house free of children was too tempting for any of the visiting couples to resist.

It wasn't to be a formal dinner, which both the twins were thankful for, but it was to be hosted in the formal dining room since it could better accommodate the size of the crowd. After a few more minutes of giggling into the darkness, a soft knock sounded on the door. After receiving an invitation, the currently shortest Noir poked his head around the doorframe and spotted the twins lounging on the bed. Another minute of shuffling around and all three of the boys were huddled up on the bed, a little chilled from the dampness of their hair, but none of them bothered enough to dry it.

"Did you two have fun?" Evan asked while burrowing between the twins, much as he used to snuggle up with his dad or auntie Bella.

"It was really fun," George murmured lazily after slinging an arm across both Evan and his brother.

"Never been to a pool party before, the closest thing we've done is splash around in the lake by the Burrow," Fred grinned into Evan's hair and found himself giggling in glee again. The younger wizard offered the pair a smile and the trio lay in companionable since until a soft chiming sound echoed through the hallway. It was pretty rare the house-elves would use the bell-system, but it was better than them popping around where muggles could see.

"Seems dinner is ready, come on let's go eat," Evan managed to slowly haul himself out of the twins' grip, though the older boys made a show of holding him back. George shoved Evan and Fred back onto the bed so he could be the first out the door.

"Race you to the table!" the slightly taller twin hollered before the other two boys were hot on his heels.

They slipped and slid on the hardwood floors with only their socks covering their feet. Evan had long discovered the use of gripping a doorframe or corner to help him suddenly change directions, and the twins quickly picked up on the tactic as well. The problem is when they all tried to grab for the same doorframe and instead ended up tripping over each other's feet, which was the sight shown to the crowd already gathered in the dining hall.

"There they are!" Bonnie laughed from her spot near the table before she wondered over to help the boys to their feet. All the other children were in various states of humor, with Jeremy being the worst off as he was doubled over with laughter.

"It's not that funny!" Evan called out, but the grin on his face showed he knew exactly how funny it really was.

"Alright, kids! Everyone grab a seat and dig in!" His dad interrupted before the young heir could embarrass his twins further.

There was a rush as the kids all clambered to grab a chair closer to their friends, leaving their parents thankful the adults and children were seated at separate tables. The great dining hall was plenty big for the two dining tables, in fact it was traditionally set up with a smaller long table up at the front of the room and two larger long tables running perpendicular along the room. For the evening's set up the food was laid out buffet-style on the shorter long table while the adults and children had chosen to split themselves among the two larger ones.

Fred was the last one to grab a plate and find his seat at the kiddies table, right across from Theo. Normally he would feel embarrassed to have to sit with a bunch of children younger than him, most of that embarrassment thanks to Ron and Ginny. His younger siblings were always whiny in his memories, with Ron being more so than Ginny. However, these were Evan's friends and neighbors, and even Izzy was seated at the far end talking to someone's big sister. He nudged Evan's shoulder and pointed at the stranger in question.

"Oh right! Well, you've already met Matt Donovan- the Neville look-alike with sandy blond hair and blue eyes. That's his older sister, Vicki." The girl shared a close enough resemblance with her brother. Though her own coloring was darker than his by a shade or two, her hair being a light brown, her eyes more green than blue, and her skin having seen more sun.

"She's always hanging around Izzy, even though she finds the younger girls annoying. Maybe it's a teenager thing, seeing she is fourteen already." Evan finished his explanation before turning his attention back to his hamburger and fries.

Fred started picking around his own plate, not quite sure how to go about eating the bone-in meat he had chosen. It smelled good, but he was still unsure how to go about eating it. Matt Donovan seemed to pick up on his confusion, sitting right across from George who was on Evan's other side. The younger boy pantomimed picking up the meat and biting into it. After a moment, Fred shrugged and dug in, a bit relieved when no one looked at him funny for getting the sweet brown sauce all over his fingers.

"I take it you haven't had barbecued ribs before?" Matt offered a grin while leaning around Jeremy, who was right across from Evan and blocking his view. Both Evan and Jeremy looked between the two in confusion, before it dawned on the green-eyed boy.

"Ah, sorry bout that Forge, forgot we don't really eat the same in the UK." Evan grinned sheepishly, an expression that had Fred squirming with nerves.

"You saying they don't have ribs in the UK?" Jeremy waved his hot dog accusingly at the young wizard. Evan rolled his eyes and threw a French fry at his friend.

"Of course they do, you hick! Theirs is just different is all! They call ours' sticky ribs, and they eat theirs with utensils all proper like."

"Says the yank! You're one to talk about proper like!"

"At least I have manners!"

"Children…" Danny cut in with a drawl that was entirely too similar to the tone his mother used when about to scold them, leaning around Matt's other side as he did so. "Honestly, neither of you are displaying manners now. Sure would be a shame to involve Aunt Bella…"

Both Evan and Jeremy gulped at the threat before mockingly shaking hands over their sodas and going back to their food. Matt giggled at the display, suddenly reminded how Evan and Jeremy managed to stay out of trouble half the time. Danny sure was the only one of the boys who could seem to corral them long enough to sit still.

Theo watched the group with careful eyes. It was all so surreal. The adults practically let the kids run wild! It was hardly different than school! It was really nice that Theo got his own room though. Evan had even told him that the room was his now, to use whenever he visited, and he could decorate it however he wanted. Evan had even offered to help him.

Theo picked at his burger while remembering with embarrassment how he had to stay with Evan that first night. It was difficult being so far from everything he knew, while in a completely new place. Evan didn't make a big deal out of it though, which really helped. He even invited Danny and the Twins to join them. All five boys stayed up late playing games and fell asleep piled up on the large bed.

"Do you want anything else? You don't have to eat it if you don't want to." As if summoned by his thoughts, Evan's emerald eyes warmed his face.

"Just lost in thought." Theo offered a smile and shook his thoughts away before taking a bite of his burger.

"Whatever you say," Evan grinned to take the sting out of his words before diving back into his own food.

"So when's Izzy heading out?" George questioned, shoving more fries into his mouth. Danny rolled his eyes at the display.

"Next week she leaves to see Charlie. She's going to use her season pass to the reserve and stay nearby. Mom says she's going to volunteer to help with the wildlife." Danny finished up his burger before reaching for more fries.

"Her parents are just letting Izzy leave the country?!" Tyler Lockwood, Matt's close friend, demanded while leaning across the table to stare at Danny with a gobsmacked expression.

"No, Aunt Bella is going with her. She's hoping to scope out any museums or historic sites nearby." Evan supplied, fully aware that no sane family would ship a seventeen-year-old off halfway across the world to stay with her boyfriend. Aunt Bella may not have been the most sane of choices, or even the most responsible, but she was the most available.

"Oh, well that's better," Tyler sat back down with a sort of stunned look before turning his attention to his empty plate.

"Do you guys want to go to the rec room and maybe find a game or something?" Evan offered once he'd cleared his own plate. The rest of the kids who had finished their meal followed after the various Noir cousins. Evan's group ended up playing various board games, along with Bonnie and Caroline's friends, while Izzy and Vicki snuck off somewhere to gossip about things children shouldn't overhear.

BLACK DIARIES

Izzy paced nervously back and forth, mumbling and muttering nonsense as her nerves grew ever higher. She had already packed her bags for the two-month-long trip and was trying to convince herself she did not need to repack them again. There was a soft knock on her door, to which she made a grumbling sort of sound which was taken as an affirmative. Of all people, Izzy didn't expect it to be the dark-haired head of her mother to enter her view.

"Second thoughts?" Andy asked softly, her voice carrying smoothly across the room as she joined her daughter. Izzy found herself shaking her head, then she paused and offered her mother a nervous smile.

"I'm nervous it'll be different between us. I haven't seen Charlie in a year, but more than anything I want nothing to have changed," it was hard for the seventeen-year-old to explain her fears, and she just accepted that her mother may never understand what was unsettling her. Andy saw this and guided her only child to sit on the end of the bed with her, an arm wrapped comfortingly around shaking shoulders.

"Of course things will be different, you've both grown in the year you were apart. And you both have a lot more growing to do yet." Izzy tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall at her mother's words but wasn't wholly successful. "But that may help you where it hurt others. Both you and Charlie are strong-willed, and you both know what it is you want in life. I think its good you each got to grow on your own first."

"But what if he doesn't like me anymore? He's out there with actual adults and I'm just some kid he exchanges letters with!" Izzy let her hair turn a vibrant shade of orange before it settled on a melancholy shade of blue-gray. Andy saw her daughter's fear for what it really was at that moment. Her sweet little girl was afraid of being left behind. Izzy was always the leader of the kids, but in that odd way that you're not quite young enough to enjoy playing with the babies but not old enough to follow the adults around. She was always in a state of being both first and last to do something, and she was worried about that getting in the way.

"If you think Charlie is the type of boy to string you along this far then why are you going to see him? Do you think his feelings for you are so shallow that a year apart could change his mind?" At Andy's words, Izzy went into a full panic, trying to make her mother see what she did. How she was scared Charlie had fallen for some gorgeous dragon tamer or medic while she wasn't there.

"No! I-"

"Then have a little faith, child. If I know one thing about the Weasley family, its that once they make up their mind they are impossible to move." Andy gave her daughter another hug, this one tight enough to squeeze the air out of her baby girl, and pulled her to her feet.

"Thanks, Mum," Izzy offered through teary eyes and a watery smile as she bent to scoop up her trunk.

"Ready girls?" Izzy's dad, Tim, popped his head through the open doorway, making it obvious he was waiting on them to finish their little heart-to-heart.

"Ready as I'll ever be!" Izzy grinned at her dad while giving her mom's hand a squeeze. She really loved her parents.

"I'll take that, I'm driving you and Bella to the airport where you'll catch your portkey." Tim hefted the heirloom trunk up and led his two favorite ladies downstairs to his waiting roadster, where he settled the big hunk of leather, wood, and iron into the car's caboose.

"Did you pack everything you might need? Your passes? Your stationery kit? Your first aid kit? Your socks?" Tim asked in a whirlwind of a rush that had Izzy giggling into her father's shoulder.

"Yeah Dad, I got it all packed," the seventeen-year-old hugged her dad back as hard as she could before turning and giving her mom just one more squeeze.

"I know Bella will be with you, but don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything or something comes up, ok? Be safe, be careful, and have fun sweetheart." Andy kissed Izzy's temple before shooing her into the back seat and buckling her daughter in like she used to do when she was just a tiny little girl. The metamorphagus let her mother fuss, understanding that this was what she had to do to calm her own nerves. The only reason Izzy wasn't completely freaking out about the whole thing was the comforting knowledge her aunt would be with her.

"I'll take good care of her Andy, don't you sweat about it!" The darker haired sister crooned from the passenger side front seat. Bella had just managed to slip her own bag into the trunk and crawl in the car while the small family unit was saying their goodbyes.

"I'll hold you personally reasonable for a single misplaced hair on her head! Remember that!" Andy barked at her youngest sister, only half-joking. Bella gave her a thousand-watt smile that would dazzle most mortals and crossed her heart.

"I wouldn't dream of letting anything happen to my precious niece! Have a little faith, Andy!" Izzy giggled at her mother's words being retorted back to her so soon and felt the ball of nervous ice in her stomach sooth to simple nerves.

"Alright, time to go," Tim grumbled reluctantly while sliding behind the wheel, desperately wishing for an excuse to not send his daughter off halfway around the world.

"Take care!" Andy shouted to the passengers as the car pulled down the long gravel drive and disappeared around the bend of trees heading to town. It was with an anxiety-filled heart that Andy finally turned her back on the empty driveway as her husband's car vanished from sight. She was slow to return indoors, knowing it would be at least a month before she would see her only child again.

Tim was having similar worries as he drove the pair of dark-haired women to the family's designated portkey transport location. Bella seemed to sense the mood, something she had very slowly gotten better at over the years. Her dip into insanity, courtesy of her ex-husband violating their marriage contract and forcing her to do all manner of depraved things in the name of the Dark, had left its mark on her. For the longest time, Bella had been oblivious to the moods of others, only truly understanding the emotions of Sam and Evan as she was closest to them. Its taken her several years of interaction and people watching to get to the point where she can read the atmosphere.

"Excited, nervous, or both?" the violet-eyed witch addressed her oldest niece with no small amount of enthusiasm. Just because she could read the tension in the air surrounding her brother-in-law didn't mean she knew how to diffuse it. Best to get them all focused on how much Izzy was looking forward to seeing Charlie again.

"Both, more nervous though," Izzy offered her aunt a wobbly smile and twisted a strand of now neon purple hair around her fingers anxiously. She had been passing the random color changes off as an American mood spell at school, so she was free to change it as she pleased so long as no muggles (no-mags in America) could see her.

Bella's eyes seemed to soften in the rearview mirror at the display of anxiety in her usually so self-assured niece. Even Tim seemed to release some of the tension he was holding in his shoulders.

"So, tell me about this boy. What am I in for?" the older witch inquired, both as a way to get to know Izzy's boyfriend and to get her lovely niece to relax a little.

"What do you want to know?" Izzy responded back with a slight airy quality to her voice, showing she was still inside her own head.

"A heads up. All I know is he's a Weasley and his mother a Prewett. Does he have Molly's temper or Arthur's laidback attitude? His father's enthusiasm or his mother's apathy? What do you like about him? What don't you like?" Bella offered her leading questions with hopes it might bring her niece more into the present instead of futures that have yet to pass, should they pass at all.

"I don't really know his parents at all," Izzy began, her gaze turned towards the window as she let her thoughts wonder. "His temper is sharp and explosive, but very hard to trigger normally. The only things that make him truly angry is bullying, animal cruelty, and gnomes. He really hates gnomes." At this the younger witch giggled, recalling stories of de-gnoming gardens and infected bites. "I swear he's in love with dragons! Ever since we were little first years his hero has always been Newt Scamander. He always followed Hagrid around in school to help with the livestock when he could."

"Sounds like a real animal lover," Bella pushed when Izzy became lost in her thoughts again.

"Yeah, and he's the second oldest of seven. His older brother, Bill, works for Gringotts as a curse-breaker." Izzy recalled Bill, who was two years older than Charlie and her boyfriend's favorite brother. "All his younger siblings will be attending Hogwarts this year. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if all the Weasley children move far from home."

"What makes you say that?" Tim cut in while pulling the car into the airport's parking lot, half his attention on finding a parking spot way out in the back behind the grove of trees.

"Bill's in Egypt, Charlie's in Romania, Percy talks about becoming a foreign policy ambassador, and even the twins would rather be at our house than at home." She was right, of course, but it was a rather harsh way of putting it. The fact still stood, that while children are supposed to leave the nest and carve out their own they normally don't run so far away to do so.

"When you put it like that its obvious these boys are quick to leave home," Tim muttered as he pulled into the farthest parking spot and subtly cast a notice-me-not charm around the parking space and car for extra caution.

"Makes you wonder why," Bella chimed while exiting her seat and going to pull her and Izzy's trunks out of the back of the car.

"Charlie always described Molly as suffocating in her affection. Like she doesn't believe her kids can think for themselves. She actually nags that Bill needs a 'proper' job. As if there's a more successful path than working for Gringotts!" Izzy's face was a brilliant red in her irritation, and she had to force herself to calm down.

"With an attitude like that its no wonder the twins prefer to stay with us," Bella murmured her agreement, while Tim shook his head.

"No, I think maybe she's just uncomfortable with the idea of her kid pursuing such a dangerous career," Izzy shook her head at her father's explanation. While for normal circumstances it could be true, Molly was a whole different level of disapproval.

"If it was my dream to explore newly discovered runes and pyramids, what would you say?" At this Tim winced, sighed, then nodded his head.

"I would tell you to be careful, promise me you wouldn't put yourself in unnecessary risk, then I would say I'll support you wherever your heart takes you." Even as he said those words, they sat heavy on his chest, a burden and weight he could not lift.

"Molly doesn't think like that. She thinks a job at the ministry is the only proper job. Regardless her son makes twice as much if not more than her husband does in a year." Izzy was right of course, and it loosened that weight on Tim's chest to realize they were still talking about Bill and not his own daughter.

"I understand, she's too busy criticizing them to be supportive. Which alienates them in the long run." Tim admitted, feeling a small burst of pride in his chest for the way Izzy was standing up for these boys.

"Well, let's go show this boy what a properly supportive family feels like!" Bella chimed, a shit-eating grin plastered across her face. It seemed out of place for a moment, but then Izzy remembered Molly and Bella never really got along in school and the nearly seven-year age gap didn't lessen that at all.

"She's right! Time for you two to catch your portkey!" Tim ushered both witches in his arms for a bone-crushing hug, "Be safe, watch each other's backs! I love you both!" Izzy gave her dad another tearful hug before both witches grabbed hold of their portkey. The old boot was heavy to their touch, but both gripped it tight and clenched their trunks in their other hands.

"Do you remember your activation phrase?" Tim asked, part of him hoping they didn't.

"Draconis Charlie!" Bella called with a shout, and both witches were whisked away in a blur of spinning colors. And Tim was left alone, standing in the vast parking lot, already missing his baby girl.

Black Diaries

Theo wiggled uncomfortably in the too-comfortable chair. He didn't want to feel relaxed, even though the cool blue colors of the sitting room and the merrily crackling fire insisted he should. The thirteen-year-old knew the fire was lit purely for appearance since the room was actually a cozy cool temperature while outside it was stifling.

Danny's mum, Miss Chrissy, was seated across from the young teen. With her ivory hair, alabaster skin, icy blue eyes, and aristocratic features she looked to all the world as if she was hosting a fancy tea. The elegant China tea set and ginger biscuits added to this image. Theo sipped lightly at his tea, four sugars no cream, enjoying the light chamomile aroma with a hint of honey. The silence was both comforting and unbearable all at once. The young wizard went to speak and found his words stuck in his throat as if cloying their way back down his gullet. His mouth snapped shut with a click of his teeth and the young teen lowered his eyes firmly to his tea, wishing to drown in it.

"Theodore?" Chrissy queried lightly, to which the dark-haired boy shook his head almost violently. Her slender hand reached out in an aborted movement to touch him, only to smooth her silken skirt instead.

"Theo, please. I don't like Theodore." It was humbling to see such an elegant lady (and she was a Lady, regardless she threw away the Malfoy name) respect his boundaries.

"Of course, Theo." Chrissy sat her cup down and crossed her ankles delicately, giving him her full attention. It was intimidating, having her focus on him so intently, yet her gaze was soft as she looked upon him. "Theo, dear, how about we start with school?"

"With school?" The question surprised him, as he was fully expecting to be forced straight into detailing his nightmares. That's what Professor Snape would have done.

"Yes darling, tell me about school. What house are you in? What subjects do you like? Which do you not like?" Theo felt himself relaxing at the benign questions, recognizing them as harmless queries into his person.

"I'm the oldest Slytherin first year, so I get a room to myself. Evan helped with that. While the other boys were arguing, he recommended the oldest get the room." It was easier to talk about how Evan helped him, though Theo knew it was him she wanted to know more about.

"And do you like having your own room?" a simple question, it really shouldn't have made him squirm, but he felt embarrassed and couldn't explain why. For a minute he didn't speak, merely replaced his cup on the tray, a bit surprised when Miss Chrissy poured him another cup. She fixed it just the way he liked, which told him how much she paid attention. After a few sips of the perfectly warm brew, he finally gathered his thoughts.

"No, I don't like it at all. It's as if I'm left out or cut off, even though I know it isn't true." The words sat like lead on his tongue, and it took all his willpower to force them out. He didn't like baring his weaknesses to someone else. Evan was different. Evan saw him at his worst and offered comfort and understanding.

"You're an only child, correct? And I imagine you didn't get to attend a lot of social events prior to joining Hogwarts."

"Yes, and I did get to attend the annual New Year's Gala at the Ministry." He knew he sounded defensive, but he just couldn't help it.

"You were allowed less social development than your peers, which could explain why you feel left out." The words stung, but not near as bad as expected. It was more like ripping off a bandaid that got stuck in the edges of a cut. Necessary to heal. She was right, though that didn't mean he had to like it or even agree. He had been sequestered or locked within Knottwood Estates his whole life prior to Hogwarts. He had only known his grandfather, their house-elves, and his many tutors. He was completely foreign to interacting with other children, which is part of why he would always follow Evan's lead.

"I never had any friends growing up," Theo was surprised to find himself admitting it, but also relieved at the same time.

"That's quite normal for heirs raised by a dark-aligned family. Not to worry dear, my house was dark as they come. It was my lord cousin who brought us closer to the grey side of the spectrum." Chrissy had fixed herself another cup of tea and was sipping it while waiting for his response.

"Only the dark houses?"

"Mostly the dark houses. We keep our cards close to our chest since we know they can land us in a cauldron of trouble should we trust the wrong person. Grey and light have less to worry for, so are more open to socializing their heirs young." It made sense, and the tight knot in Theo's chest began to ease as he realized he wasn't alone in this experience.

For a moment only the sound of clinking porcelain and sips of tea were heard. Theo was basking in the true comfort that he wasn't as alone as he had always thought. He wondered how many of his classmates had also suffered the same experience, and he prayed for there sake it was only the lack of socializing they shared. Chrissy observed his introspection and allowed it for a moment before breaking the silence with a soft inquiry, "And your classes? Which are your favorites? Which do you dislike?"

"I'm good at potions, but I prefer Transfiguration. Changing something into something else is really fascinating." Sometimes Theo wished he could transfigure himself into someone else.

"Transfiguration is often enamoring to those of us who wish to change ourselves." The way Miss Chrissy seemed to read his very thoughts made Theo squirm nervously and set down his half-finished tea. "Tell me which class is your least favorite." Her command was gentle, her voice filled with humor.

"I don't like History, its not accurate and no one cares." No one ever seemed to care how each and every one of Binns's lessons were filled with lies.

"I assure you there are many people who care, they just aren't the same people in charge." Chrissy, like many children of noble houses, was raised on her own family's true history. The history too dark, gritty, and cruel to ever be taught in class. She knew the truth of all the death and sins committed by her predecessors, even her own parents. For the days coming up to a Black's death they were sequestered away to write their life's tale in the Black Book. It was only meant to be read by the heirs, however, Sam decided to change that. He wanted all the family to know the weight of the sins in their blood.

"History is rewritten by the winners," Theo's mumble earned him a wry chuckle from Chrissy.

"All too true. Though, history is often rewritten to be softer on the eyes of the young. Even the Light will not fully detail the sins of the Dark, for fear of others following in their steps." This is why none of the Black Children (which would also include Bonnie, the twins and any other children taken in as wards of their house) would not get to read from the Black Book until they reached their majority.

"I understand softening the sins, but only if the truth is published as well. Why must the truth only be kept under lock and key in our ancestral homes?" Theo couldn't bear the injustice of it, for to hide the past would just insure they would repeat the same mistakes over and over.

"I see you have a passion for this. Tell me, Theo, what is it you wish to do with your life?" Chrissy's inquiry threw the young wizard for a loop. He never imagined a future out from under his tyrannical grandfather's tongue.

"I-I don't know," Theo's voice was soft, full of shame and self-doubt as he answered.

"Well, you have plenty of time. That's part of what school is all about after all." Chrissy encouraged the boy with a gentle smile, her eyes slanting over towards the small clock that hung above the door. An hour had passed, she had held him up long enough.

"I think you should give it some thought. Try to think about what you want to improve or change in the world around you, or what makes you happy." Theo gave a tentative smile towards the mediwitch, feeling a fleeting flame of hope. "Well Theo, I imagine I've kept you long enough for today. I'll see you tomorrow, same time same place." Theo turned to hedge a look at the clock, it was getting late but only an hour had passed.

"That's it?" He almost felt disappointed after how much he had worked himself up for this. It wasn't so bad at all, more like a stiff evening tea.

"For tonight, I prefer to get to know you before diving too deep. Also, you're a growing boy and need your rest." Chrissy stood, helping the boy to his feet, and walking him to the door. "This room is a safe space for you. And you are always welcome here. You and I will be the only ones to use this sitting room for this summer. Should you ever need me, any of the elves can summon me and I will meet you here."

"Thank you, Miss Chrissy," Theo felt a deep blush rise up his face, staining his cheeks.

"You are most welcome, Theo."

THE BLACK FAMILY'S NEW NAMES

Sirius Orion Black- Samuel Alphard Noir

Harry James Potter- Evan James Noir

Narcissa Virgo Malfoy nee Black- Kristine Charlotte Noir

Andromeda Tonks nee Black- Andrea Renee Ebony nee Noir

Bellatrix Aaden LeStrange nee Black- Isabella Evelyn Noir

Draco Lucius Malfoy- Daniel Lucifer Noir

Nymphadora Tonks- Elizabeth Nicole Ebony

Theodore Edward Tonks - Timothy Phillip Ebony

Polls:

Creature Inheritances please see my profile

Should I include Creature Inheritances in Black Diaries?

PLEASE NOTE THIS POLL HAS BEEN OPENED ONCE MORE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT!

Options:

A) Yes- hybrids are okay so long as they aren't overpowered (10)

B) Yes- so long as they aren't hybrids or 'over the top' (4)

C) No (3)

Bonnie's Animagus Form please see my profile updated as of 10/1/19

The Noir Family has a tradition where once a child turns 13 they are given the choice to begin their Animagus Training. What should Bonnie's Animagus be?

Options:

A) a cat (like Andy) (79)

B) a lioness (92)

C) a fox (like Bella) (73)

D) a bird (like Chrissy) (51)

I WILL BE CLOSING THIS POLL AFTER POSTING THIS CHAPTER!

AND TO ALL MY FANS I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME BREAK 100k WORDS!