3rd July 1995
Harry held Hermione's hand tightly as they watched Theo walk inside the mausoleum carrying the urn with his father's ashes. Only a small group of adults accompanied Theo; Sirius in his role as Lord Black, and Andy and Ted as Theo's foster parents. The rest of the family funeral party remained outside of the white edifice at the far corner of Nott's estate.
A brush of wind swept through the small family graveyard and Harry shivered despite the warming spell.
Hermione pressed closer in response and he leaned into her gratefully. She had been a rock since his return. After hugging him tightly enough that he had trouble breathing, the pair of them had spent most of their waking hours together, both within the alliance group of heirs gathered at the Estate and alone. They'd talked about their experiences in the battle; shared how terrifying it had been; shared their fears for the other. They'd come through it closer than ever.
Harry wore the necklace Hermione had gifted to him at Christmas again. She had given it back to him and when he'd touched it he'd felt how it sang with Morgana's magic. The necklace was imbued with Morgana's blessing. He'd tried to give it back to Hermione but she had been adamant it was his. Instead, Harry had created a similar necklace; he'd imbued it with the family magic protection and gifted it to her. She had immediately put it on.
It made him feel better to know she was protected especially as the DOM was still investigating the implications of Morgana choosing Hermione as her avatar. Hermione would be spending part of her Summer helping the DOM research and she was very excited about it.
Harry let his gaze wander.
To his right, a heavily pregnant Narcissa sat on a conjured bench. Lucius sat beside her. He would never walk without a limp again and he would always suffer pain. Harry felt it was poetic justice given Lucius's previous crimes. The Malfoy patriarch was family and had helped them but it didn't negate that Lucius had only done so because he had been trapped into it by primacy and vows securing his compliance.
Draco hovered by his mother. The blond Slytherin was much more solicitous of her than of his father, Harry noticed. He had certainly taken on a maturity that had been lacking prior to the battle. Draco had admitted to Harry he had been given a wake-up call seeing Diggory die and taking part in the Hogwarts spell. His whole life had been rearranged for him in the space of a single moment. Harry wondered again at what the Hogwarts spell would mean for Draco – and for Ron, Luna and Sue. Minerva had agreed to allow a meeting in her office with the dragon once Hogwarts was approved as structurally sound enough.
The Hogwarts' Headmistress sat on another conjured bench with Dora; Remus stood beside his wife, their hands clasped together. They looked sombre and tired. Harry knew they'd already attended a number of funerals during the week Harry and Sirius had been at the Valley, and in the couple of days since their return.
Sirius had point-blank refused to let Harry attend every funeral, noting it would take its toll and it wasn't necessary. They would attend Lord Nott's because of Theo; Dumbledore's because it was right to honour the sacrifice he'd made for the two of them; and, they'd attend the Ministerial memorial service for all the men, women and magical creatures who had been killed or injured in the battle. Harry hadn't argued, grateful in truth and relieved not to have to attend every funeral. He'd felt regret over missing the Diggorys – although Remus had informed him that had been kept to close family only – and Caro's.
Bill was absolutely heartbroken. Harry could appreciate why. He knew the pain of having a loved one sacrifice themselves for you. He and Hermione had spent the previous evening just sitting beside the eldest Weasley in the drawing room doing nothing more than simply providing a comforting presence.
Theo finally emerged from the mausoleum, flanked by Andy and Ted. The Slytherin looked pale but composed. Harry had spent some time with him that morning and knew Theo was grieving deeply for his father, no matter the mask he wore for the rest of the world. When Theo had asked Harry to tell him exactly how Benjamin Nott had died, Harry hadn't been able to refuse him, especially not after the sacrifice Nott had made to protect his family.
Harry couldn't help be grateful his own father had survived and he watched comforted as Sirius left the mausoleum and helped Theo seal it. He squeezed Hermione's hand. The reception would be held back at Nott Manor and everybody would be waiting for them.
They walked slowly up the path to a small shed. It was actually a magical lift that would take them back to the manor.
Sirius and Theo went first along with Narcissa. When the shed flashed empty, Lucius, Draco, Dora and Minerva were ushered into it next. Remus accompanied Harry and Hermione.
They exited out of a broom closet in the hall of Nott Manor.
Remus pointed them towards the left. "There's been a room set aside for you young people. Theo will join you once he's made the rounds with Sirius."
Harry nodded. Hermione tucked her arm into the crook of his and they made their way into the room.
It was crowded.
One corner of the room was filled with the heirs who had Houses which held détentes with the House of Black. With Harry's testimony of how the likes of Selwyn and Wilkes had defied Voldemort, and after holding talks with them, the Ministry's emergency tribunal had declared them free of all charges. Sirius had told Harry he'd supported the decision. There was no evidence that they'd acted criminally and, rightly or wrongly, they'd been cleared from their activities as Death Eaters at the end of the previous war. They'd all received an official warning for showing up in response to Voldemort's call in the first place but otherwise they'd been exonerated.
Harry turned his attention aware from that corner as Hermione tugged him over to the side of the room where the alliance heirs had settled. There was a flurry of greetings. Although he'd seen those staying at the Black Estate, there were a few who hadn't actively been involved with the battle and who'd remained in their own homes such as the Sapworthys and Inglebees. They finally settled onto a large settee.
"Merlin, this is depressing." Draco commented as he took the chair next to Harry, glaring at Lydia Inglebee who had been creeping closer and closer.
"It is a funeral." Neville commented dryly from beside Hermione.
Sue tucked up between Neville and Ron gave a snort of agreement.
"I know that." Draco said tersely. "I'm just…"
"Stating the obvious." Blaise chipped in, sitting down beside him.
"Theo seems to be holding up." Sue sighed heavily. "Bad enough that Ced didn't make it, but I don't know what I would have done if…I mean, Dad's ankle is still giving him gyp but at least he's alive."
"At least he'll walk without a cane eventually." Draco pointed out.
"We all came a little too close to losing our Dads." Ron said.
Neville ducked his head and Harry shot Ron a look for his insensitivity, because it wasn't like Neville's Dad was going to ever recover. The redhead winced but he shrugged helplessly even as Hermione gave him an exasperated glare.
"Hey guys." Lavender greeted them in a subdued voice and Blaise sprang up to make room for her and the Patil twins to sit.
Blaise darted a look at Padma. "Would you like a drink?"
"Thank you." Padma blushed. "I'll come with you."
Harry's eyebrows rose a little as they walked away. "When did that happen?"
"When they rescued me." Lavender said with a small smile.
"Blaise really likes her." Neville confirmed, a hint of mischief entering his gaze. "Especially since he finally realised she's not a Gryffindor."
"Well, at least something good came out of the whole thing." Lavender said brightly.
Parvati rubbed her arm soothingly.
"How are you doing, Lav?" asked Ron a touch awkwardly.
Lavender shrugged but Harry saw the pleased glint in her eye at the question. "Better." She fidgeted with a button on her skirt. "Colin wrote to me and apologised. He's offered for him and Dennis to transfer schools."
"That was good of him to offer." Hermione said quietly.
"I told him not to be daft." Lavender said baldly. "It wasn't his fault." Her eyes flickered to Sue briefly. "I refuse to let that little bitch win."
Sue flushed red before she paled. "If you're expecting me to defend Hannah, don't." She tossed her hair back behind her shoulder angrily. "She is a little bitch."
"She's a victim too though." Hermione remarked, wincing as the other girls turned to glare at her. "Look, I'm not defending what Hannah did but Crouch did seduce and manipulate her. She was effectively brainwashed."
Sue shook her head. "The Hannah I knew would never have allowed that to happen. She was smart. Merlin, she used to tell me off for being too gullible and trusting!"
"Crouch was incredibly clever." Harry said before Hermione could respond. "Hermione's right; we shouldn't forget that he used her even if it doesn't excuse the actions she took."
Sue glared at him. "You can remember all you want. Personally, I'm never forgiving her!" She shoved off the sofa and stormed away.
Neville sighed and waved everyone else back. "You're not wrong, Harry, but neither's she. I'll go talk with her."
Harry rubbed his head tiredly. "That could have gone better."
"I can't say I blame her." Lavender said a touch coldly. "What Abbott did was unforgiveable."
"No argument." Harry raised his hand in surrender and glanced in Hermione's direction with a silent plea for her to let it go too.
Hermione subsided and Lavender shifted in her chair.
"At least they've finally brought charges against her." Parvati said, jumping into the silence. "Do you know when she'll stand trial?"
"All the trials will take place this month." Harry said. The Ministry was keen to hold them early to enable the wizarding world to heal as much as it could and move forward.
Blaise arrived back with Padma, carrying drinks. A crease appeared between his brows as he noted Neville's absence. "Where's…"
"Harry and Hermione upset Sue by defending Hannah." Lavender said bluntly. "Neville went after her."
Blaise raised an eyebrow at Harry.
"We were not defending her!" Hermione said fiercely, jumping to defend Harry. "We were just pointing out that Hannah's a victim in this too."
Blaise gave an exaggerated wince. "Well, I can see why that would have gone down like a lead balloon."
"Harry and Hermione are right though." Padma said settling into a chair.
"Padma!" Parvati looked at her sister outraged.
"No," Padma said firmly, "Hannah is a fifteen year old girl who had an evil predator target her." She stared down her twin. "If you had an attractive man flatter you with compliments and tell you that you were beautiful and adored and the best thing that had ever happened to him, how long do you think you would hold out before believing it and falling under his spell?"
Harry was impressed at Padma's argument. He could see it hit instantly with Lavender and Parvati. His eyes widened as he caught sight of Sue and Neville approaching behind Padma.
"Of course, she should have told someone but she didn't." Padma continued. "And because she didn't, she ended up more and more under his control to the point where he was able to convince the sky was green and the grass was blue; that her family and friends were wrong and he was right. She made her choices under that delusion and the choices she made were horrible and criminal."
Harry cleared his throat; he should attempt to curtail Padma's lecture before Sue erupted – she'd grown steadily red-faced behind the other girl. Blaise was sending a pale Neville a frantic questioning look and Neville shook his head in response.
"She should be punished for those choices but…" Padma sighed and pointed at her sister beside her. "You don't blame Creevey for attacking Lavender, do you?"
"Of course not!" Parvati said. "He was imperiused!"
"And so was Hannah really." Padma argued. "Only because he manipulated her without a spell, she'll face the full weight of the law instead of being acknowledged as a victim of Crouch herself." She grimaced. "Really, Crouch would have been kinder to her if he had imperiused her."
"I hadn't thought about it like that." Sue said, drawing everyone's attention.
Padma flushed bright red, turning to face her. "Sue, I'm…"
Sue shook her head. "Don't apologise." She inched around the group and retook her seat.
Everyone settled back into position.
"It's…it's easier to stay angry with her." Sue admitted. "Because if I'm angry I don't think about how much I miss her. She was my best friend."
Harry gave her a sympathetic smile. "I think Sirius and Remus have some understanding of how you feel. Pettigrew did the same thing to them; to my parents."
"Sorry for storming off before." Sue said. "I just…"
"You're entitled to your opinion and your feelings." Hermione replied gently. "Hannah was your best friend."
Harry nodded. "Look, there's going to be a lot of decision making over the next month about the people who hurt us, who were on Voldemort's side of this. We're probably not going to agree about everything especially when it hits close to home." He looked around the group, determination shining from his green eyes, unaware that most of the room had stopped to listen. "But we didn't go to war for them to win by us tearing each other apart in the aftermath. Let's not give them that. We can disagree and we can feel angry and hurt and…and whatever we need to feel but no matter what, we stand together."
"We stand together." Sue repeated decisively. "I agree."
"Sounds good to me." Blaise said raising his glass.
They all followed his example in a silent toast.
Harry handed his drink to Hermione. "I think I'd better go wrangle Theo out of the main room."
"I'll come with you," Draco said, already moving, "I want to check on Mother."
Harry exchanged a softly affectionate look with Hermione and fell into step beside Draco.
o-O-o
Sirius was relieved when Harry turned up and shepherded Theo out of the ballroom and into the room they'd set aside for the kids. Theo had done a sterling job of stoically accepting condolences but Sirius knew it had worn on the Slytherin's control of his mask. Regardless that Theo acted the part of a consummate politician, he was at the end of the day still only a fifteen year old boy who'd just lost his father.
His lips twitched with amusement as he saw Draco checking on Narcissa. The baby was due to be born within a couple of weeks and Draco was determined to ensure his mother received the best care. It hadn't escaped anybody's notice that he was also frigidly cold to his father who was battling with a crippling disability. Sirius wondered at the schism. His eyes caught Narcissa's and she tilted her head in acknowledgement. He'd leave it with her to sort out. He didn't want to become the type of Head of House who poked his nose into everyone's business.
"Lord Black." Stewart Selwyn sidled up to him.
Sirius turned to face him. "Lord Selwyn."
"Good to see your boy take Theo out." Selwyn said raising the glass of whiskey he held almost as a toast to Harry's action.
"I was just thinking the same thing." Sirius admitted.
"Ben was a very clever man." Selwyn said. "You know he manipulated this whole scenario? He dies, lauded a hero for standing up to Evil, and his son is now entrenched into the heart of the most powerful political and magical Houses." He sighed. "A remarkable play."
Sirius hummed. He couldn't argue with Selwyn's summary of Nott's plan. "He was a father who loved his son very much."
Selwyn inclined his head. "He was a good friend who advised the rest of us well. I will miss him very much."
The grief was genuine and Sirius kept quiet allowing Selwyn a moment to regroup.
"I wanted to thank you." Selwyn said, changing the topic. "For your help with the DMLE yesterday."
Sirius wanted to shrug but settled for a subtle head tilt instead. The meeting to determine what would happen to the Death Eaters who had answered the call but then stood against Voldemort had taken almost three hours longer than necessary in his opinion.
"I didn't do much." Sirius demurred.
"Please," Selwyn said dryly, "you and I both know that if you had taken Moody's side and requested a full investigation of past crimes that it would have happened."
Sirius considered what to say carefully. Selwyn might not have had Benjamin Nott's intelligence but he was no slouch. "I'm not Dumbledore." He stated bluntly. "I'm not interested in doing what he did and giving free passes and second chances all the while turning a blind eye to the reality of the crimes that happened simply to stabilise our world quickly."
"Then…"
"You and your cohorts have already been tried and pardoned for the crimes you committed; the imperius defence accepted." Sirius said slowly. "I even think for some of you, the family and peer pressures added to the context of the political entrenchment of that time, might even substantiate the argument that there was no choice but to comply with Riddle, even if the absolute truth is that there was no imperius spell involved."
"That's…quite a concession." Selwyn noted gravely.
"Hmmm. The world isn't black and white." Sirius said. "There's a large amount of grey in it. It serves no purpose reopening old wounds." He held Selwyn's gaze. "You made a choice this time and it was the right one."
"Even so, you could have left us in the cold." Selwyn said. "Supported a ban from political activity or placed restrictions." He gestured in Sirius's direction. "You know allowing us into the Wizengamot will mean a continuation of the traditionalist side against the Potter alliance."
Sirius lifted an eyebrow. "Laws are better when they're balanced. I may not agree with every argument you make but countering your argument makes mine better."
Selwyn gave a short laugh. "Ben admired you greatly; I think he may have been right."
"He admired my Grandfather more." Sirius replied, amused.
"Who are you planning to nominate for Chief Warlock?" asked Selwyn, switching topic. "I hear rumours that Cornelius is trying to put your name in the frame."
"I hope not." Sirius said fervently. He really didn't want the role. "I was thinking of nominating Griselda. A Chief Witch would make a nice change of pace."
Selwyn's eyebrows shot up. "With Griselda it would be entertaining if nothing else." He glanced to his left and smiled. "I see the formidable Augusta is coming in this direction so I will make my goodbyes. I look forward to working with you, Lord Black."
"Lord Selwyn." Sirius shook the outstretched hand and wondered if Selwyn would emerge the leader of the traditionalist group.
It might even be a good choice.
o-O-o
8th July 1995
Harry shivered as he walked down the corridor towards the Headmaster's – Minerva's office to speak with the dragon portrait. It seemed strange to think that it was no longer the domain of Albus Dumbledore. Sirius's hand on his shoulder was comforting and Harry didn't protest it.
Harry's eyes had darted about registering that the ongoing repairs as they had walked through Hogwarts; the corridors with scorch marks and signs of spell fire; the broken stairs; the pieces of masonry that still littered the place. There was evidence of the battle in torn portraits and broken statues. Harry had to remind himself that in real time it had only been two weeks since the battle. There was still a lot of repair work to be done. Indeed, the floo was down for repairs, portkeys banned until a full review of the wards could be undertaken, and the group had been forced to walk from the gates.
Behind them Ron walked between his parents, pale-faced and subdued. Draco walked stiffly beside a limping Lucius – Narcissa was far too close to her due date to attend. Sue was accompanied by her father who was also grimacing at the walk on his newly healed ankle, and Luna by hers.
The gargoyle sprang to the side before they gave a password and they all silently trudged up the spiral staircase.
Sirius tapped perfunctorily on the door and waited despite Lucius's mutterings behind him for Minerva to call out to enter.
The first real difference was the change in layout.
The back wall was given over to the painting of the dragon. Minerva had moved the desk to the right wall and the portraits of the former Heads had moved to live behind her; a portrait of Dumbledore startled Harry for a moment before he realised it was still sleeping. In front of her, the windows were open with the sunlight streaming in to highlight the wooden floor and the Hogwarts shield. The wall behind them had new floor-to-floor shelving with every inch covered in books, except for one shelf which was given over to the Sorting Hat. All the other knick-knacks were gone.
"Come in." Minerva welcomed them in with a sweep of her arm and in its wake a semi-circle of chairs popped up all facing the dragon painting.
Harry greeted Minerva almost absently his eyes on the picture. Ron had described it to him but his first real glance at it was breath-taking.
She was reminiscent of the Hungarian Horntail he'd faced; a strong lizard-like face, sinuous neck and sturdy body with its wings folded back. She was quietly watching their progress into the room with yellow reptilian eyes.
Harry took a seat. He wasn't sure why he and Sirius had been invited along. He raised curious eyes to Minerva who had walked over to stand beside the dragon.
"For all of you who have not yet met her, this is Hogwarts." Minerva introduced the dragon briskly. "She has requested your presence here today to discuss the ramifications of using the spell to wake her." She looked over at Harry and Sirius. "As you were the one to provide the spell, Harry, and the one to defeat Riddle, she wished to meet you too."
The dragon rose elegantly to a sitting position. "You are the wizard who protected the world."
"Yes." Harry said. "I'm Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you." He motioned to his left side where Sirius sat. "This is my father, Lord Sirius Black."
"Where did you learn the spell to wake me?" Hogwarts asked.
"I was visited in a dream by the Founders." Harry explained. "They told me the spell."
Hogwarts huffed and a small puff of smoke emerged from her snout. "But they did not tell you all?"
"The time we had through the veil was limited." Harry admitted.
Sirius cleared his throat. "Are you able to explain further? While none of us would change what happened, I know all of us parents have concerns."
Hogwarts stared at him for a long moment before lowering her head in acquiescence. "My story begins many years ago…"
Hogwarts was weary.
The last of her brood had flown away from the cold hillside where she had nested for all her life. Her mate had died a month before, his death echoing through their bond as he fell to the blade of one of the humans. With Marrick dead, she would have no more children. Elina had wished to stay but Hogwarts had sent her on her way. Best her child seek out a mate in the lands to the East where dragons still flew. Too many of their kind had fallen in recent times; their numbers slowly decimated as they were hunted by the human folk.
There was a small magical village below, nestled into the foot of the hill and it was beginning to thrive. It was only a matter of time before some precocious youth decided to fight the dragon that lived above them.
It was her time.
She was ready to go.
It didn't take long.
One wintry night, Hogwarts heard the creep of footfalls against the ground. She roused herself from her warren of caves and emerged into the twilight, her wings unfurling.
"Who comes?" Hogwarts demanded.
There were a group of four; two witches and two wizards – magic wielders like the Emrys.
The dark male grabbed his redheaded companion as he made to draw his sword. "Godric, she speaks!"
"She's intelligent?" asked the brown-haired witch. "Fascinating."
"Well, we can't kill her if she is." The blonde replied firmly.
"We only have Salazar's word that she speaks!" The redheaded male argued.
"I speak." Hogwarts said, narrowing her eyes.
"I think she understood you." The blonde said wonderingly.
"The language of the serpents!" The dark haired wizard shouted. "I can understand her because I speak the language of the serpents."
"But how does she understand us?" His male companion questioned.
"Magic." Hogwarts said tersely. "You came to kill me; you should proceed. Be warned it is in my nature to fight."
The dark-haired wizard translated for the others.
"Wait!" The brown-haired witch stopped the redhead from drawing his sword again. "You know of magic?"
Hogwarts lowered her head. "All magical creatures know of magic. It has existed for many years before the humans came and it will exist for many years more after you have left this life."
"Then you could teach us." The brown-haired witch stated. "We're scholars."
Hogwarts looked toward the redhead who even then was fingering the hilt of the sword at his hip.
"He's retiring from fighting." The blonde assured her. "We want to build a school." She gestured at the hillside and the lake. "Lord Black gifted us this land when we petitioned the Wizard's Council, although he was very amused when he did."
"And now we know why." The dark-haired wizard said only to realise he wasn't speaking in his own tongue when the others looked at him blankly. "I said, 'and now we know why.'" He repeated. "It is not so much of a loss for him to give us land that we cannot use because there's a bloody dragon on it!"
"Salazar." The brown-haired witch snapped out frostily. She turned back to Hogwarts. "What say you, dragon? Will you teach us and allow us to build a school here?" She gestured further to the North. "We could plant a forest where you could live and help defend us."
"And so the bargain was made." Hogwarts said.
Harry let out a breath, surprised to realise he had been holding it. Everybody looked spellbound by the dragon's – by Hogwart'sstory. It was actually the story of the founding of the school. Hermione was going to furious not to have come with them, Harry mused ruefully.
"For many years, we lived in harmony." Hogwarts said. "The four became my friends, my children. They learned of magic and I learned from them of humans, learned to speak their tongue as well as my own. They used my colours in their school and named it in my honour. It was a time of peace and goodwill. Many creatures came and settled within the forest and lake."
Hogwarts stretched, her wings extending before folding back into her sides. "But the world outside was growing darker. An evil wizard heard of the school and raised an army to take it. I defended her and killed him but I almost died in the attempt, and my friends were afraid. What would happen the next time if I was gone or if the school was attacked beyond their own lives? Rowena had glimpses of a future where battles raged at the school."
"And so they came up with the spell." Minerva said quietly.
"We." Hogwarts corrected. "A willing sacrifice of my own magic, life and spirit; and a willing sacrifice of their own for in performing the magic they bound themselves to me and to the school to which I am bound."
"Which I guess brings us neatly onto why we're all gathered." Richard Bones said.
"Indeed." Lucius commented.
"You asked our children to pay a price; to bind themselves to the school." Molly asserted, capturing Hogwarts' attention. "We need to know exactly what you meant."
"The original spell took my magic and my four friends to enact. It was powerful, difficult magic. We did not realise that it would take so much." Hogwarts replied, shifting to lie down. "When we examined the arithmancy in the wake of the spell we realised there was a permanent link between my four friends and the magic of the school; between their lives and my own spirit." She lowered her head. "Rowena eventually derived the truth; when my four friends died, my spirit would sleep. I needed their magic to anchor my spirit and provide the protection which was needed. It was then we created the spell you used to wake me."
"So, our magic woke you, and because you needed the magic to continue to protect the school, you needed us to agree to our binding ourselves to you." Sue said matter-of-factly.
Hogwarts' eyes flickered to her. "Indeed, Witch of Hufflepuff."
"But what does that mean?" Richard asked again, jumping in before an annoyed looking Molly could do the same. "You say they are bound to you; how? What does it mean for their lives? For the rest of their schooling?"
"They will be connected to me and the connection will grow while they learn here." Hogwarts answered. "They may leave but the bond will draw them back eventually. It may take one year or many more."
"I'll be gone for twenty." Luna replied dreamily.
"And so you will, Witch of Ravenclaw." Hogwarts said, her tone coated with fond amusement.
"When they return to the school," Minerva asserted herself into the conversation deftly, "they will become staff?"
"Yes." Hogwarts said. "All times before the four were honoured with the position of the Head of House."
"Which is when they can put you to sleep again?" Arthur spoke up. "We understand from Minerva that you've said only they as the Heads of Houses can put you to sleep."
"And if they do, does this mean they won't be bound anymore?" asked Molly.
Hogwarts rose and stretched out her wings. "There is no spell to make me sleep."
Sirius frowned and sighed suddenly, as though he'd just worked it out. "You slept when the four who woke you died."
Hogwarts inclined her head.
"Blimey," muttered Ron, "does this mean we have to die before you go back to sleep?"
"In essence." Hogwarts confirmed.
"But natural deaths." Arthur said before anyone else could say something. "You're talking about natural deaths."
"The death that will come to them." Hogwarts said. "Godric died in a duel; Rowena in her sleep. Salazar met his fate attempting a mate for the basilisk he'd raised; Helga from a nasty infection she'd caught helping the centaurs in the forest."
"There must be some way to break the binding." Lucius said silkily, his hand smoothing over the top of his cane.
Harry frowned and opened his mouth to speak…
"I don't want to break the binding." Draco said tersely. "I gave my word and I have accepted my future is with Hogwarts."
"You are a Malfoy. You cannot bind yourself to…" Lucius began frostily.
"You did." Draco snapped. "You bound yourself to the monster. I bound myself to a school to defend against him. I'm not changing my mind."
Harry shifted inching closer surreptitiously to Draco to offer him some support.
Lucius rose from his seat. "I believe I am not needed here."
Harry watched as he limped out; nobody protesting his exit.
Sirius cleared his throat. "Lucius."
Lucius stopped with his hand on the doorknob. He turned back with an inquisitive sneering look.
"By my command as Lord Black you are hereby ordered not to find a way to break the binding between your son and Hogwarts, and not to act to break the binding if a way becomes known to you." Sirius stated firmly. "Do you understand?"
Lucius went red but nodded sharply. "As you will, Lord Black." He left slamming the door behind him.
"Well I never." Molly huffed.
"You told him, Draco mate." Ron said approvingly.
Draco sniffed imperiously.
"There is more I need to tell you." Hogwarts said, her gaze landing on Harry.
Harry sighed. "I'm bound too, aren't I?"
"What?" Sirius glared at the dragon. "Is he right?"
Hogwarts lowered her head deferentially. "In times past, the spell would only be used if there was a great need. The Head of the school would have the task of choosing the four to enact the spell but in choosing…"
"They were also bound." Harry completed.
Sirius's hand landed on his shoulder. "And what does that mean for Harry?"
"He'll be Headmaster of Hogwarts one day." Minerva supplied dryly.
Harry was surprised at how much that idea pleased him.
"Is she right?" Sirius asked of Hogwarts.
"It is normally the Headmaster who is tasked with the choice," the dragon said, "and they are already bound." Her eyes stayed with Harry. "You were chosen by the Founders themselves and in that moment you were bound."
"So I guess it's the same as the others?" checked Harry. "I'll be connected to you now and even though once I'm done with school and I can leave, eventually I'll become the Headmaster."
Hogwarts inclined in her head in a gesture he was beginning to realise was how she indicated agreement. "Our connection will be stronger though."
Harry took a breath. "I think I'd like to teach."
Minerva smiled widely. Sirius's hand squeezed his shoulder and he turned to look at his father who was beaming proudly back at him.
"I think you're going to be a brilliant Headmaster." Sirius said.
Harry felt the nerves in his belly settle with his father's straightforward acceptance.
"Well, I think we all have our answers." Sirius said, looking around at the group and receiving nods in return. "Any other questions?"
There was a collective shake of heads.
"Do you have anything else to discuss with us?" Harry asked the dragon, not realising he had slipped into parseltongue.
"No, my young Mage." Hogwarts spread her wings out wide. "I look forward to our years of friendship."
They all stood and the chairs disappeared. Harry said his goodbyes to Minerva and fell into step beside his father as they made their way out of the office and back through Hogwarts.
They paused as they reached the front steps and Harry looked towards the Quidditch pitch with a grimace.
Sirius nudged Harry's shoulder with his. "You alright?"
"Just…" he shivered, "that's…" he grimaced and hunched his shoulders as he pushed his hands deep into the pockets of his jacket. "It's the first time we've been back here since."
Sirius glanced over to the Quidditch pitch. "You want to take a look at it in daylight?"
Harry bit his lip but he ended up nodding. They quietly made their way down the path. He was vaguely aware of a discussion and footsteps behind them but he ignored it, focusing on simply putting one step in front of the other until they came to a stop by the edge of the usual entrance.
The pitch looked like a disaster zone. The grass was blackened and torn up; grooves of dirt criss-crossed over the whole area. The hoops were missing but then they'd been removed to make way for the maze and Harry couldn't remember seeing them during the battle. The stands were either gone or in ruins.
"Bloody hell!" Ron blurted out behind Harry.
"Ronald! Language!" Molly said, although her hands were clasped together tightly in front of her; her face pale under the freckles.
"Mum!" Ron protested, his hand shooting out to point at the damage. "Look at it! How are they going to get this fixed in time for us to come back and play Quidditch here?!"
"He has a point." Draco muttered.
Harry shuddered at the idea. "I don't think I'm going to play Quidditch anymore."
"WHAT?" Ron's voice was a shriek more than a yell. "BUT YOU HAVE TO PLAY!"
"You guys played fine without me." Harry said shaking his head. He couldn't imagine taking another step forward; taking another step onto the pitch where he'd killed and…where he'd died. "Ginny was great."
Sirius's arm landed around his shoulders and Harry leaned it unthinkingly to soak up the support and comfort. "Whatever you decide is fine, Harry…"
"But…" stuttered Ron before he stopped abruptly.
Harry figured Sirius had glared at him.
"Whatever you decide is fine, Harry," Sirius repeated, "but maybe now's not the time to make a decision."
"Can we go?" asked Harry, wanting – needing – to be away from the pitch.
"Sure we can…" Sirius stopped and frowned. He reached into his pocket with his free hand and pulled out a mirror. "Padfoot."
The mirror's shiny surface filled with Remus's face – Remus's panicked looking face.
Harry and Sirius exchanged a quick look.
"Moony?" asked Sirius urgently.
"You have to come home right now!" Remus said. "Narcissa's in labour! She's having the baby!"
"Oh, that's lovely!" Molly beamed, turning to Arthur with a happy smile of remembrance.
"Mother's having the baby?" Draco turned and started for the path almost at a run.
Sirius nudged Harry and they quickly followed after him.
"Not to worry, Moony." Sirius replied. "We're on our way!"
o-O-o
Sirius hummed softly, rocking the baby in his arms.
Regina Dorea Malfoy was adorable. She was creams and peaches in complexion, startling silver eyes, and a thin thatch of blonde hair. She had weighed in at seven pounds eight ounces, with surprisingly active arms and legs for a new-born, and an impressive pair of lungs.
She was currently slurping down the bottle of milk Sirius was feeding her as though she hadn't been fed since her birth some fourteen hours before.
They had all hurried back to the Estate from Hogwarts only to wait for hours for the arrival. Narcissa had insisted on staying at the Estate for the birth and a hastily arranged nursery had been organised by the elves.
Lucius had finally shown up two hours after the birth. He'd stank of firewhiskey. He'd taken a brief look at his new daughter before falling into bed in one of the guest rooms, clothes on, and sleeping like the dead.
Narcissa had sniffed in disgust and promptly turned her attention to her daughter.
Sirius hummed again as Regina frowned around her bottle. He smiled down at her. "You are a precious bundle, Reggie."
"Oh," Draco's voice sounded from the doorway, "I didn't realise…"
Sirius glanced out of the window. It was very early in the morning but he wasn't surprised that the brand new big brother hadn't been able to sleep and had intended sneaking a peek.
"She woke up hungry a while ago." Sirius murmured. He'd set an alarm on the nursery to notify him and not Narcissa. The new mother needed rest and Sirius felt it was his godfatherly duty. He'd done the same for James and Lily with Harry. He motioned for Draco to come further in, pointing at the nearby window seat to the rocking chair Sirius was occupying.
Draco soundlessly entered on bare feet. He'd had the presence of mind to shrug on a dressing gown over his pyjamas but he looked cold.
Sirius sent out a mental nudge and the room warmed.
Draco looked startled.
"One of the advantages of being the Head of House." Sirius said quietly. He scanned Draco's face and inwardly debated starting the conversation he figured he needed to have with his young cousin. "So," he began deciding just to go for it, "what's going on with you and your father?"
Draco's head snapped up and for a brief second he stared in shock at Sirius before his usual mask settled on his pointed features. "Sometimes you act like a Gryffindor." He sniffed.
"That's because I am a Gryffindor," Sirius pointed out wryly, "even if I was raised Slytherin."
Draco's brow developed a small crease as he considered that. "You act so Slytherin most of the time."
"I've had to," Sirius said, "to protect Harry."
Draco slowly nodded. He shifted position, sitting cross-legged on the love seat. "When we did the spell…Hogwarts…Hogwarts judged us. She spoke to us mentally, reviewed our memories and…" he flushed red, "and she found me lacking."
Sirius stayed quiet but silently urged Draco to continue.
"She showed me a world where you hadn't become Lord Black and were killed." Draco continued. "Harry…he still defeated the Dark Lord but my life…" he sighed and fidgeted with the hem of his gown. "The Dark Lord lived in our manor. He…he terrorised and tortured everyone. I…I was scared of him, scared for my life, scared for my mother's life and my father's." He looked up and met Sirius's cautious and sympathetic gaze. "I was glad when Harry won; glad to be free of that evil."
"And your father?" Sirius prompted gently.
"In that world Lucius Malfoy was a coward who kissed Riddle's robe and worshipped at his feet until my mother saved us all and told the Dark Lord Harry was dead when he wasn't." Draco said briskly. "My father here…he would have done the same if he hadn't been forced to bow to the House of Black's primacy." His eyes blazed with anger. "He wouldn't have done as Nott did. He wouldn't have sacrificed his life so we would have lived." He gestured furiously. "He blames you for his wound because you forced him into wearing the beacon. If he'd had a choice…he wouldn't have chosen to stand against that…that monster. He would have given us all to him!"
Sirius adjusted his hold on Reggie, noting she was almost at the end of the bottle, as he considered what to say. "Your father is self-serving, Draco. He always was and I dare say once he's gotten over his pity party and begins to realise he can brag about his disability as a war wound he received in heroically providing us with a beacon, he will be again. It's who he is."
"Well, I don't want to be like him." Draco blurted out. "Not anymore. I want to be worthy of the trust Hogwarts said she had in me when she realised how disgusted I was at the other me and my determination never to be like that."
"You don't have to be like your father or anyone else." Sirius assured him. "You'll always have a place in the House of Black, Draco. You should become the person you want to be and if Hogwarts showed you the way, well, I'm pleased."
Draco nodded, a pleased flush rising up his neck. "I have a different future now. I want to…I want to be the best Head of Slytherin Hogwarts has ever seen. I want people to think of the House as more than just a place for dark wizards or where Hecame from."
"That's a good ambition." Sirius commented.
He gently disengaged the empty bottle from Reggie before she started sucking on air. He set it aside and shifted her to burp her gently against the towel which was already lying across his shoulder in readiness.
"Why are you rubbing her back?" asked Draco.
"Babies can take in a lot of air when they suck their bottles." Sirius explained. "This helps bring up any wind."
Draco made a pout of disgust.
"You may want to think about how you deal with your father civilly." Sirius suggested. "You can disagree with his politics, his beliefs and deride his character, but you are still his son and you will need to interact with him during family occasions."
"I know." Draco said defensively. "It's just…" he breathed in sharply and stared up at the ceiling.
"You're angry." Sirius said.
"Yes." Draco admitted with a grudging look at Sirius.
"You can be angry just…"
"Civil." Draco completed.
Sirius smiled at him.
Reggie burped loudly; a milky bubble of air erupting from her lungs and onto the waiting towel.
"There's my girl." Sirius said approvingly.
Draco looked at the milieu in horror. "That's just…gross."
Sirius's lips twitched. "You probably don't want to experience her nappy either then."
Draco sniffed haughtily. "I'm her big brother. I should get to do the fun stuff." He yawned suddenly.
"I think you should probably head back to bed." Sirius said.
Draco nodded. He slipped off the love seat and with a wistful glance at his sister headed out of the room.
Sirius got to his feet carefully, keeping good hold of the baby in his arms. He headed to the cot and placed Reggie down, drawing up the light cotton blanket to cover her restless legs. He hummed a lullaby he'd once heard Lily singing for Harry and smiled down at the gurgling baby.
"So how much of my conversation with Draco did you hear?" asked Sirius suddenly, surprising the woman who had come up behind him.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow when he turned to look at her. "All of it." She said crisply. "As you well know since you are unlikely to have missed the baby monitoring charm I left."
She smoothed a hair back behind her ear and ran a hand down her pristine and tightly belted blue silk dressing gown. She looked stunning for someone who had given birth hours before. She placed a hand on Sirius's arm.
"Thank you for talking with him, Sirius."
Sirius shrugged. "He has potential."
"More now than he ever did as simply Lucius Malfoy's heir." Narcissa's expression softened as she gazed down at her slumbering daughter. She straightened and looked at Sirius. "What do you intend to do with Lucius now you no longer need him?"
Sirius straightened to meet her gaze head on. "What do you want me to do with him?"
"I do not wish to return to my marriage." Narcissa declared bluntly. "My children and I deserve better."
"Then we'll work it out." Sirius said. "I'll talk to Lucius later once he's sobered up." He planned to offer Lucius exile or Judgement. He had a feeling he knew which the other wizard would take.
Narcissa's eyes fluttered closed; tension draining out of it so quickly Sirius realised she hadn't been certain of his response. He reached over and clasped her hand, squeezing just enough to comfort her. She opened her eyes and nodded at him; she was fine.
Sirius let go of her and stepped away from the crib. "I should leave her to sleep."
"You're very good with her." Narcissa said, a hint of bewildered amusement colouring her tone.
"I looked after Harry a lot when he was a baby." Sirius said dismissively. He gave into the temptation to touch Reggie's soft cheek again one last time.
"You should consider having some of your own." Narcissa said.
"No matchmaking." Sirius instructed briskly, noting the look in her eye. It was far to like the one Andy got on occasion. "You're not allowed to match-make."
Narcissa's lips curved into a slow smile. "Of course not, my Lord Black."
Sirius looked at her with suspicion. "Hnmpf." He said eloquently. He glanced one last time at the baby and started for the door.
"Cousin." Narcissa called out to him softly; her voice low to avoid waking her daughter.
Sirius turned immediately.
Narcissa fell into a deep curtsy. "Thank you, my Lord. For looking after my children so well."
Sirius smiled warmly. "You're more than welcome, Cissy."
And his next stop was going to be his own son's room.
His mind was a kaleidoscope of memories of his son as a baby, of James and Lily…and he just needed to see him with his own eyes again, reassure himself Harry was alive and well and breathing…