Sacred

Minerva waved heartily at the four children who stared at her from the window of the Hogwarts Express. Only Andromeda waved back, a small but excited wave as she smiled out at her, and Minerva smiled back. Bellatrix stared pointedly ahead, refusing to even look at her, to the absolute surprise of no one. Regulus stared at her, his face still blank and impassive, but he did dip his chin slightly, which she accepted gratefully. Narcissa waved demurely. Minerva kept waving as the train pulled away, not dropping her arm or the beaming smile she wore until the train was out of sight.

“I can’t imagine how you’re doing it.” Minerva turned to find Augusta Longbottom staring at her from under a gaudy feather hat.

“Augusta.” Minerva said flatly. “How are you?” Augusta snorted.

“A fare bit better than you I’d imagine. You really went and took all the Black children like that?” Minerva bit back her irritation. It wasn’t that she didn’t particularly like Augusta, it was more that…

Okay.

Maybe she just didn’t like her.

“Well no one else was stepping up, Augusta, what was I to do?”

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist,” The woman snorted. “You took in four kids all on your own. I’m barely managing the two I’ve got.” Minerva pursed her lips. She’d forgotten Augusta had taken in a child.

“Who do you have?” She asked.

“Abraxas Malfoy’s boy. Lucius.” She sniffed. “I’d hoped he’d be a good influence on Frank, maybe get him out of his shell a little, but I swear he’s just as big of a bookworm as Frank is. Can hardly get two words out of the two of them. Not like that firecracker you’ve got there.”

Ah, there it was.

Augusta had always been a fierce gossip.

“How are those girls faring anyway? I see you got Bellatrix off to Hogwarts for your eighth year. I thought she was set to marry the Lestrange boy?” Minerva kept her face impassive. She’d known Bellatrix was engaged, but she hadn’t known to whom. She hadn’t wanted to bring up the subject again since the girl had agreed to go to Hogwarts.

“They’re adjusting.” She said shortly, pointedly ignoring her comment about Bellatrix's engagement. However, Augusta was not deterred.

“And you’ve got the other Black boy. Refused to go with the Potter’s, I’d heard. Caused quite a scene that night.” Minerva barely managed to contain her temper.

“It wasn’t a scene, Augusta,” She snapped. “I was there, he simply stated he didn’t want to go.” Augusta clucked her tongue.

"From what I hear, he was rather insistent. Wouldn't go near his brother, he said." 

"That's simply not correct," Minerva sniffed, although she knew it was. But that was absolutely none of Augusta's concern. 

“That’s not the way I heard it,” The woman said in a tantalizing singsong voice.

“Maybe you’d check your hearing then!” Minerva snapped. “Anyway, I must be off to work. Some of us have better things to do than stand around gossiping all day.”

Minerva landed in front of the gates of Hogwarts, which swung open for her immediately. She glanced at the pocket watch she kept on her. The children wouldn’t be arriving for another couple of hours, more than enough time to borrow a carriage and have it returned. She climbed into one, clucking lightly at the thestral that pulled it and let herself be carried off to the school.

She was less than surprised to find Albus waiting for her at the front entrance, a small smile pasted on his face.

“Haven’t you anything better to do than stand around waiting for me?” She groused. His smile only widened as he held the door open for her, following her into the school.

“Can’t an old headmaster check in with his favorite professor?” He asked blithely. She grimaced.

“You’d better not bandy that about too loudly,” She snorted. “Now what are you actually doing here? Students will be arriving in no time, haven’t you any preparations to make?”

“All is taken care of, Minerva, don’t you worry. But I suppose that’s in your nature, isn’t it? Especially since you’re arriving a couple weeks past your usual time.”

“So that’s it then?” She said, making her way up the staircase to the teacher’s apartments. “You’ve come to ensure I’m prepared for the school year?”

“My dear, Minerva,” Albus laughed. “I have never doubted your preparedness. But I see you’ll not indulge an old man in small talk.” Minerva sniffed loudly. As if she’d ever indulged in small talk with anyone.

“Ask what it is you want to ask, Albus, and leave me to my work. I’d like to check in on my classroom before the students arrive.”

“There has been a petition,” He said after a moment. “Put out by the parents whose children have been taken into care. They cite the Laws of Olde.” Minerva turned to face the old man.

“What laws?” She hissed.

“The laws that state that the Sacred 28 operate as their own governing body.” Minerva felt like her chest was caving.

“Albus – “

“A treaty was signed in 1845 between the Minister and the members of the Sacred 28,” He continued. “That the ministry would not interfere with their way of life so long as it did not bleed out into regular wizarding society.”

“That cannot apply to things like child abuse!” Her breath was coming fast now. Too fast. She clutched a hand to her chest.

“Indeed, when the treaty was made I expect it was meant to apply to things such as blood magic and marriage rites, things that were heavily regulated, if not outright banned, in regular society.” He sighed. “Nevertheless, they have said that the seizure of their children is a direct violation of the Laws of Olde.”

"That's absolutely ludicrous!" She exploded. 

"And yet, the Minister has allowed it to go to trial." Minerva could barely temper her rage. 

"He just doesn't want to piss off the Sacred Twenty Eight before the next election." She muttered. Albus gave her a small smile. 

"Politics do tend to trump all," He said.

“What do we need to do?” She asked. There had to be something, some way that they could fight this.

“It’s not about what we can do, Minerva,” He said sadly. “Unfortunately, there is very little we can do. If there are children willing to speak about the abuse they’ve suffered, it would certainly help our case.” Bellatrix’s furious face flashed in Minerva’s mind. There was no way that girl would ever speak against her parents. “The problem lies more with what has already been done.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“Precious little is known about the inner workings of the active members of the Sacred 28,” Albus said mildly. “Their secrets and practices are held tightly to their chest, not shared with the public. It is, perhaps, one of the most important unspoken rules they have amongst themselves, a rule that even the inactive members adhere to. No one,” He said gravely. “No one, speaks against them.” Cold fear washed over Minerva as she realized what he was saying.

“They’d come after the child,” She whispered.

“Punishment would be swift and severe, and there would be nothing the Ministry could do to protect them.” Minerva thought of Sirius Black, his body bloodied and beaten, barely clinging to life when he’d landed on Euphemia’s floor.

“He won’t survive it again, Albus,” She said, her voice laced with fear. Albus inclined his head slightly.

“Again?”

“Sirius!” She exclaimed. “They nearly killed him for rebelling against their ways, Albus what will they do when they discover he’s the one who reported them?” Albus observed her sadly.

“Minerva,” He said gently. “It wasn’t Sirius who reported the families.” Her head spun. No, Sirius was the obvious choice. He’d always been the rebel, always been the one to stand against his family. None of the others were like him, none of the others made sense. 

“If not Sirius,” She asked. “Then.. who?” Albus watched her, his blue eyes piercing.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He said softly.  Minerva didn’t respond, and Albus sighed. “Bellatrix Black.”