Happy Late Mabon Witches, here's another chapter.

Also, may start asking questions for later chapters at the bottom, so you'll get to have input (storylines work out any way I write them, but certain characters/arches are still up in the air.) I have nobody at home who I can use as a soundboard for my ideas, so you all will have to do.

With Walburga, same morning

It is nearing noon by the time Walburga and Sirius arrive at Cygnus's home.

Druella and Cygnus live in a chateau on the coast, a gorgeous structure surrounded on all sides by gleaming windows and pale marble flooring. The wards surrounding the house keep the environment closer to Druella's native France, rather than the cooler and more dreary English countryside. Normally the chateau would have been a wedding gift from the Pater to Walburga upon marrying Orion, but instead it acts as the home of her brother and his family. Under any other circumstances Walburga would have kicked up a fuss about being passed over, But she cannot find it in herself to begrudge Druella her seaside home. She's earned it and any respite it can bring.

.

"Scorcher, go find and save your brother. Your cousins have no doubt taken to using him as a personal doll by this point" Walburga says, giving her son a slight push towards the children's wing where shrieks and laughter can be heard in the distance.

"Yes, Mother" Sirius replies and scampers down the hallway.

ClickClick-ClickClick

Walburga turns to the sound of her sister-in-law's kitten heels on the tiled floors. Druella is a shorter woman than most Black women are, by blood or marriage, which often makes it somewhat comical to see her beside Cygnus, who has shoulders twice as wide as his wife and stands a head and a half taller than her, even though he is the second shortest Black wizard. Her hair is long and pale blonde, coloring she shares with her daughter Narcissa, and she is wrapped in a simple jade shift dress.

" 'As little Sirius already gone? I 'ad hoped to greet 'im." Druella questions as she draws near, normally it would be considered rude to not be there to greet guests or for guests to leave before being greeted.

"I sent him to save Regulus for the nefarious clutches of your daughters" Walburga jokes to her good-sister, Druella and she have had a comraderie since the moment Cygnus had said he wanted to marry the other witch.

"Perhaps later zhen." Druella smiles softly as she reaches Walburga, leaning in and air-kissing each cheek.

"Come, Cygnus 'as been eage' to see you." Druella links their arms and leads Walburga further into the chateau.

"Ickle Siri!" Bella shrieks from somewhere down the hall.

"Hello Big Sister, Dear Wife," Cygnus greets as the two witches enter the room.

"Little Brother," Walburga replies sardonically while Druella seats herself on the lounge beside her husband, leaning into him almost immediately.

Cygnus and Druella are the closest thing to a 'love-match' to have happened in the House of Black since Dorea and Charlus wed years ago.

"Now Sister, what brings you here today? You were only over for tea just yesterday." Cygnus questions, his arm draping around his petite wife.

"Oh, Dear Brother, how could you forget. All the ladies are coming over for tea today." At this Druella perks up and quietly excuses herself. No doubt off to invite the various witches of their house, heeding Walburgas request for a full audience. Cygnus seems to pout at her absence, which only amuses Walburga further.

"Are they? How silly of me to forget, I suppose it's a good idea to invite the lads over for a drink, you'll be staying for dinner, yes?"

"I suppose so," Walburba replies. It's probably a good idea to coordinate and Orion will want to control the information flow from the start if he can.

"I do need a favour from you and Al though."

"Whatever you need."

"Tell Charlus about my spell. I fear I may need his help with finding wards that will work with or around it later, and I'd rather have a headstart than wait till the last minute."

Charlus curses under his breath as the unbreakable vow between him and his sister loosens.

"What's going on? I felt the spell go up from here. It can't be good."

Of course he had felt Walburg's spell go, he and Alphard had been there when she'd inadvertently created it, had been the reason she had created it to begin with. If there had ever been two people that Walburga would have gone to war for in her youth it was her younger brothers. She still would.

"Sirius was with Orion on Knockturn when someone upset him enough to set him off. He got lost in the muggle world. Then nearly assaulted. Another man came to his defense and nearly died doing so. Orion is seeing to both. We've lost both his mantle and broach, though we are searching for both. But, you know as well as I that they are powerful objects that could be used against us. And, I have a feeling that things are getting worse, I want to be prepared. In the meantime I mean to do something about the person who insulted our house and intentionally upset my son."

"That is concerning. So is the fact that this person insulted our house, yet you glossed over it. You never forget an insult." Cygnus raises his hand to stave off his sisters argument. "I won't ask what was said because I know it will only enrage me, I trust you to deal with this in your own way. Though do let me know if you need anything. And Al and I will speak to Charlus."

"Now, I can feel the other ladies arriving. So I'll just go write the lads about coming over for a drink and dinner while you have your tea. Do try not to get in a fight with any of them this time. There is only so much the elves can do to repair." Cygnus says on his way out the door. It closes just in time to shield him from his sister's jinx. Laughter resounds from behind the door as Walburga deliberately doesn't pout at her brothers comment.

Tea Time

Despite the very late invites all of the current Black witches are in attendance to the afternoon tea. Irma, Walburga's own mother, hasn't been invited, to nobodies disappointment. Irma Black nee Crabbe, is not her daughters ally.

Lucretia, Dorea, Cassiopeia, and Melania have all shown up. It is rare to see any of them let alone all of them. Lucretia married a Prewett and fled her family immediately, returning rarely. Dorea married into the House of Potter and spends most of her time working as an expert Healer at St. Mungos, as well as raising her two sons, Henry and Albert, and 'helping with' her 'nephew' James. Cassiopeia tends to their family's sacred grounds, prepares for rites and rituals, and tutors Andromeda. Lastly, Melania, the technical Matriarch of the family, has been 'set-aside' by her husband Arcturus for years, thanks in part to Orion, and spends most of her time at her Dowry Properties, rarely engaging in the outside world and avoiding her husband like the plague he is.

They have come together to offer their aid to Walburga in her family's time of need.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Walburga says, "It has been an eventful few days."

Once everyone is seated Walburga tells them of the events of the previous day omitting the parts about her spell, Sirius's lost mantle, and the Orion's more extensive plan to take down the extended trafficking ring. If all goes well, they'll learn soon enough.

"I plan to deal with the shop boy and had hoped some of you might like to join in. Since he decided to bring the family into it." Walburga said. "If he likes to upset children so, then perhaps its time to let the children have some fun."

"Henry is too old for it, but I can take my sons- son Albert with me to visit, and my nephew James too, if Euphemia is up to it." Dorea said, a wry smile on her face. "Those boys are always up to mischief and James is going through a 'why' phase."

Nobody says anything about Dorea's slip of the tongue.

The entire house, sans Arcturus and those in his confidence, knew that James Potter had been born too sickly to survive and that Henry and Albert had both been on deaths door from a rampant strain of pox at his birth. That Euphemia and Fleamont had worked tirelessly to try and cure their nephews, brewing potions endlessly for months, only for Euphemia to realise she was pregnant with their miracle child when her water broke. James had been nearly three months premature and affected by a blood-curse no one had known Euphemia was a carrier for, and it was too late to treat with modern medicine.

Death was certain.

Then Dorea had called upon Cassiopeia for her aid, the Black family priestess could do nothing for the pox, but had blood magic capable of saving James.

A ritual was performed in the dead of night, binding young James's magic to Dorea and Charlus, using an ancient and dark form of blood magic, long made illegal, but it was enough to save the child. James was the son by blood of Euphemia and Fleamont and by magic of Dorea and Charlus. Henry and Alberts fevers broke the next morning, all the children safe and well. Today the Couples and their children lived on magically connected estates, and practically lived in eachothers pockets.

"Ignatius's niece and nephews are always raising hell, even with Molly just starting Hogwarts, might as well put the brats to use." Lucretia adds.

"Others will join in, if they know the boy has been insulting Sacred Houses." Cassiopeia says, the others murmur in agreement, and the matter is settled.

"Come dear, let us speak," It is Melania who steers Walburga to a more isolated spot to speak. "I have known you since you were a girl, I raised you alongside my own daughter for years, rather than allow that cow Irma destroy you. And I know that they have been trying to wittle you away to nothing for just as long."

"So i need you to heed these words: Be wary. For all that Arcturus is a thousand times a fool, he is a paranoid one. If he feels that you or my son are amassing power or influence, that he does not control, he will do everything to take you out. He has murdered his own blood before, he will not hesitate to do so again."

"I understand, we are keeping as low a profile as possible."

"I know, and the odds are against you. Arcturus has dragged this family's good name through dragon dung." Melania advises, eyes more aged than her years. "Do not forget what that man has done to myself and others."

How can anyone anyone forget that Melania had come home one afternoon to her first husband, Regulus, hanging from the chandelier. Arcturus, recently widowed himself, had swept in to 'take care of her and young Lucretia'. It was only after Arcturs had started to take notice of her daughters budding beauty that Melania had agreed to marry him. Thus began her second tenure as the Lady Black and the worst 20 years of her life.

At her words Druella perks up, face growing grim. She is one of the 'others' Arcturus has harmed.

"I know you 'ope to spare my feelings, but zhis is unnecessary. I came to terms with my torment long ago. If zhere ees anyt'ing I can do to 'elp you; or punish zhat monsterr' zhen I shall do eet," Druella says eyes blazing. " 'e would 'ave seen moi broken and buried een an unmarked grave. 'E whished to 'make eet last'. I know of zhe mausoleum zhat Orion has filled with zhe ot'ers bodies. No more."

"I know what zhat monster wished to do to moi Bella."

The words stop Walburga short, neither she nor Orion had ever dared to voice the heinous threats Arcturus had made to ensure they would bear an Heir. Had never told Druella of what Arcturus had desired to do to the daughter he had sired on her during those few short weeks she had been trapped as his newest mistress. To hear the other woman say the words was sickening in ways Walburga could not put words to.

That Arcturus had threatened to use Bella a, then, child of nine as broodmare for a child that would have been her own half-brothers son or worse her own brother. Arcturus had been so determined to get an heir he had been willing to use fertility and lust potions on his own illegitimate daughter, had even been excited by the prospect.

"Wheech reminds moi, my girls, zhey can 'elp wit' your shop boy, no?" Druella's smile is beautifically innocent. No wonder Cygnus was so gone for the witch.

An elf enters the room and announces dinner.

Orion arrived home from the solicitors only to find Kreacher waiting with his dinner jacket and a note requesting his presence at Cygnus's chateau.

Orion is greeted by the sight of both his brothers-in-law and Charlus again, lounging about, each with a drink of their choice in hand.

"Unfortunately, Prewett is unable to attend, though I'm sure your sister will fill him in on whatever Walburga has gathered us all for." Cygnus says, addressing Orion directly.

"I'm sure you all have an idea of what happened yesterday." At this the others nod, "Normally this would be very simple, however a few discrepancies have appeared."

The others perk up intrigued and wary.

"First, the man who attacked Sirius is wanted for a great deal of muggle crimes, so for the time being I will allow the muggle authorities to deal with him," Orion doesn't mention his investigation into the man or the fact that the Muggles have never been able to catch the man red-handed. He'll deal with that personally.

"Second, Walburga is going after the shop boy down on knockturn who upset Sirius, so I'd suggest staying well away." Both of Walburga's brothers seem amused by the comment, Charlus only pinches the bridge of his nose to stave off a building headache.

"Third, somehow and for whatever reason a Junior Auror, Anderson Davies, sought and gained access to my MM Records through the Sports Department. I want know know how and why, and if he's working with someone else. The brat was rude, bordering stupid. It may have been an act, or he may have been a pawn."

"Lastly, no one and nothing will be able to enter Grimmauld for the time being, The Spell is active, so we may be needing all of your assistance in getting certain things set into motion."

"Of course, speaking of, Tatting stopped by a while ago, your purchase was sent by elf to your home."

"Is there anything we can do at the moment?" Charlus questions.

"No, not yet. I have some plans in motion, but I don't want to give the game away yet." Orion answers.

"Are you sure? Do you want me to come put in new wards at Grimmauld? This Spell of It will hold?" Charlus asks.

"No to the wards, at least for now. And, Yes,it will hold." Orion replies.

"How? Has it been tested?" Had it been any other person asking,Orion would have duelled them in his wife's honor, but Charlus is a Master of Defensive Magic, capable of amazing wards, barriers, and traps. He only wishes to ascertain that his extended family is safe.

If family rumours of his warding prowess are true, he single handedly ward-trapped a dragon to get back the engagement ring he proposed to Dorea with.

He never would say how it was taken to begin with.

"Under fire," Comes the previously silent Alphard's reply. All attention turns to him, though his attention turns to Orion, "She wants him in the loop".

"Years ago, back before Cyg or I had even made it to Hogwarts a rival Patriarch became infuriated with our family. I don't know what our parents did to anger him so and Wally was away at Hogwarts, so she couldn't help smooth it over."

Alphard stops and looks over at Cygnus who only nods, encouraging his older brother on.

"We were called to the patriarchs home one night, for dinner, we were told. After dessert we both lost consciousness and awoke in the woods; unarmed children alone, we were easy prey. The other man had bribed Our Patriarch to get his hands on us, and Arcturus had happily delivered.

Out of the woods came a wave of wizards and witches, around a dozen, each with faces lined with such hate you'd have thought we'd committed one of the Greater Crimes. They made a game of it, chasing us through the woods, hitting us with hexes and curses. Letting us go only to track us down with magic and hounds.

Then, after what seemed like a lifetime, they had us cornered. I stuck Cygnus behind me and prayed to the gods that help would come.

At that very moment a shooting star appeared on the horizon, growing larger by the second. It seemed to shatter as it drew closer, it wasn't until the first spell hit one of our attackers that I realized it was a person, not a star that had come to our rescue.

Walburga had ridden her prize broom across half of England, at such speeds her skin should have stripped off, to come and save us. The light I had first seen was a tracking spell attached to an amulet I had crafted her for her birthday, one that allowed us to communicate at long distances so that she could talk to Cyg or I whenever she wanted to. She had complained that many of her roommates were petty gossips.

When our attacker finally realized she was there they turned their spells on her instead. She was going too fast to maneuver out of the way, instead she put up a strong shield and acted as a battering ram, taking out three more of our assailants to the two she already had down. She was thrown from her broom but had already applied a cushioning charm to ease her fall.

She immediately moved in front of us and did everything she could to keep the others back. But, she was horribly outnumbered and eventually they disarmed her.

I remember her turning to us and ripping off her mantle and wrapping it around our bodies in one swift motion. I remember her pulling us close and low to the ground and furiously whispering in our ears ' you are mine and they will not have you'. I remember the sounds of the spells hitting her back, the wet and crunch as it broke open under the continuous assaults.

Most of all I remember the look of serenity that passed over her face as she stood back up. The others laughing, making jests at her injuries, at the fact that she'd been disarmed. Then she'd turned to them and started laughing, mad and unhinged, coughing up blood from her injuries.

She threw her head back and her arms out, and her magic, which had been coalescing until that point, ripped out of her. Pouring out and wrapping around our attackers. Some tried to fight, or run, or beg, but it fell on deaf ears.

I would say that they died screaming, but that would imply that they died. I'm not sure if you can consider what happened to them dying. It seems too gentle a word. Walburga's magic devoured them. They ceased to exist. No bodies, or wands, or remnants of magical signatures. Nothing.

When we returned our parents acted as if nothing had happened, though we know they knew what had happened. The Patriarch only sneered and stomped off when he saw us. Wally had Kreacher heal her a bit and snuck back into school.

Over the years she's perfected it into a powerful spell. We don't know all of the details, not even she does. But, we do know this, that spell ,whatever it is, is linked to the House's sacred magicks, a blood ritual set in perpetuity inside her blood and magic. If it's in place, they're safe."

"She wanted you to know, Charlus, because she needs help crafting wards that can work with it." Cygnus says "We will also need you to stay and take an unbreakable vow before you leave tonight."

"I thank your House for the trust it has placed in me, I willingly accept your terms." Charlus intoned, "I will need to speak with Walburga, and perhaps Cassiopeia, at length to find what you need."

The two brothers only nod in acquiescence.

"I need something from you as well, Charlus" Orion says as he pulls the other wizard aside, Cygnus and Alphard continue their conversation off to the side.

"If it is within my power, I will do it," Charlus replies solemnly.

"I need a list of people involved with the cases, both muggle and magical. Sirius's mantle was lost at the scene and we are trying to track it down." Charlus's face is unreadable granite, he only nods. There is no war of duties for him, no deciding between his Aurors and mostly-innocent muggles, and his wife's family, when there normally would be one.

"I would also like information on William Granger if possible, the muggle that assisted Sirius. I do not like having such a large imbalance in my family's debt to his." Orion hedges, unsure how far he can push the other man for information.

"I'll see what I can do," Charlus says, then snorts and rolls his eyes, Orion raises a brow in question.

"The Great Lord of the House of Black has to repay a life debt to a muggle." The humour of the situation sends Charlus into a laughing fit. Orion swipes at the other man who takes the smack good naturedly.

Greater Crimes*- each house has their own moral compass, but the Greater Crimes are a select few acts that are seen as criminal by all. Theft of Magic, Murder of a magical child, Dishonoring Magic, Attacks on Seers, are among them.

Regular Rape, Murder, Assault are not, though most houses still consider them dispicable Crimes.

Question time:

Do we keep Henry and Albert Potter?

Dorea and Charlus are not biologically James's parents, Euphemia and Fleamont are. However they do/did have two sons: Henry, an up-and-coming Auror, and Albert (Al for short); a quidditch enthusiast a few years older than James.

They are currently alive, but may just meet tragic ends later so James can become the Potter Heir.

If any of you want to have them make it into the story (alive) let me know, they wouldn't show up for a while, but I don't want to add in characters that would just draw the narrative away if they aren't really something you guys want to see.

There is now a poll on my page if you want to vote.

Bonus for all the good children

The next two chapters are: The Morning After: Part 2 (Featuring the Grangers!) and The Life and Death and Demise of Davon Crane (Halloween Chapter, and the Last chapter of the current arch).