Chapter 59
Chapter 64: Family Bonds and Secrets Unveiled
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Alex’s POV
Christmas at the Black family estate was something entirely different. As I stepped into the grand hall, the cold winter air was immediately replaced by warmth, both from the roaring fireplace and from the welcoming atmosphere that Sirius and Marlene had built here.
I had spent holidays before with them, but this year was special—Harry was finally here, and he deserved this. Sirius had been planning this Christmas for weeks, determined to make it Harry’s best. After all, it was Harry’s first Christmas with a real family. I had a few surprises of my own up my sleeve, but I was mostly looking forward to spending time with everyone.
After dinner, we gathered in the living room, the Christmas tree sparkling with enchanted lights, gifts already piled beneath it. Harry looked around, his eyes wide with amazement, as if still trying to process that he was here, with us.
Sirius couldn’t resist getting into his usual mischief, and within moments, he transformed into Padfoot, bounding around the room like an overgrown dog, barking playfully. He nudged Harry with his nose, clearly trying to cheer him up. Harry laughed and ruffled his fur, already starting to relax in our company.
“Merlin, Sirius, you’re acting like a kid,” Marlene said with a laugh, though there was fondness in her eyes.
Padfoot barked in response, and I could see the spark of joy in Harry's face. It was nice seeing him like this, away from the weight of being the Boy Who Lived.
But eventually, the playful mood settled, and we all gathered back around the fireplace, the serious topics looming over us.
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Sirius's POV
Once the laughter from the pranks had died down, it was time for the conversation we had all been avoiding—the Halloween attack. We needed to talk about what had happened with Voldemort and the troll, and more importantly, what it meant for the future.
I had prepared for this conversation. I knew Harry and Alex needed answers. The fire crackled softly as I pulled out a small vial and placed it on the table between us.
“We need to look at something,” I said, my voice more serious than usual. “It’s the memory of that night at Hogwarts. We’ll watch it together.”
Harry stiffened slightly, glancing at Alex, but I gave him a reassuring nod. Marlene placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as we gathered around the Pensieve.
The room fell into a tense silence as I placed the memory into the bowl. We all leaned forward, watching the events play out again—the moment Quirrell dropped to the floor, Voldemort’s horrifying ghostly face, Harry’s touch burning Quirrell, and the chaos that followed.
When it was over, Harry looked pale, but determined. “So… he’s still out there. Voldemort. He’s not gone.”
“Not completely,” I admitted. “But you handled yourself well, Harry. You saved lives that night.”
“But why didn’t you tell me?” Harry asked, turning to me. There was no accusation in his voice, just genuine confusion.
I sighed. “I wasn’t sure how much you were ready for. I didn’t want to burden you with everything right away. But now… now, you deserve to know.”
“Voldemort is weak right now, but he’s not gone,” Alex added, his voice calm but serious. “We don’t know when or how he’ll come back, but he will. And when he does, we need to be ready.”
Harry nodded slowly, processing the weight of what we were telling him. He glanced back at the Pensieve, and then at me. “I’m not afraid,” he said quietly, but there was a determination in his voice that reminded me so much of James.
Marlene reached out, taking Harry’s hand. “You won’t have to face it alone. We’re family now, Harry. We’ll be with you every step of the way.”
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Later that Evening – Family Gathering
We didn’t have to face this alone, either. That night, Andromeda, Ted, and Dora came over for a family meeting. It was strange seeing us all together, but it felt right. For the first time in a long time, the Black family was rebuilding itself, free from the old prejudices and pureblood nonsense.
Andromeda, always poised and elegant, hugged me tightly when she arrived. “It’s been too long, Sirius,” she said with a smile. Ted Tonks, warm and friendly as ever, greeted us all with a broad smile, and Dora—or rather, Tonks, as she preferred—grinned at me mischievously before turning her hair bright pink.
As we all gathered around the table for dinner, the conversation was lively and relaxed. It was the perfect contrast to the seriousness of earlier. We talked about everything from Hogwarts gossip to the state of the wizarding world. Ted and Andromeda shared stories from their travels, while Dora kept us laughing with tales of her time as an Auror.
Harry was shy at first, but Tonks quickly got him to loosen up by morphing her face into exaggerated expressions, and soon he was laughing along with the rest of us. It was good to see him relax and enjoy the company of people who cared about him.
After dinner, we sat around the fire again, discussing more serious matters—about the future of the wizarding world and our place in it. Andromeda, always the level-headed one, offered her perspective.
“There’s a storm coming,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “With Voldemort still out there, the wizarding world is at a tipping point. We need to be ready for whatever comes next.”
Sirius nodded. “That’s why we’re going to rebuild. This family isn’t going to hide in the shadows anymore. We’re going to make sure we’re ready to fight when the time comes.”
I exchanged a glance with Alex. He had been quiet throughout most of the dinner, but I knew his mind was always working, planning, and strategizing. He was the future of this family, whether he realized it or not.
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Alex’s POV
I listened quietly as the family talked, my mind drifting. The meeting with Andromeda and her family had gone well, but there were always layers to these conversations. Beneath the laughter and light banter, we were all preparing—preparing for the inevitable return of darkness.
I excused myself after dinner, retreating to the library for some quiet time. I had work to do, spells to perfect, and more knowledge to acquire. If Voldemort was going to come back, we needed to be ready, and that meant more than just practicing the Protego charm. There was magic out there that hadn’t been touched for centuries, spells and techniques that could tip the scales in our favor.
The world was changing, and so was I. We had to be ready for whatever came next, and I intended to be ahead of the curve when that time arrived.
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End of Chapter