Chapter One
Kakashi woke up to anguished cries, and tried to fall into a battle stance. Tried, being the operative word.
He could remember dying and if he would have had to wake up somewhere, he’d assumed it would be in the place where he met his father. However, his surroundings were extremely different.
The lights were extremely bright to his eyes and when he could finally see clearly; he was lying on his back and staring at what he supposed was the ceiling. He tried to move but couldn’t and when he looked towards his hand, they were small like newborns. He was a baby! A baby!
When he tried to speak, gurgles came out of his mouth and soon his vision was full with black wavy hair.
The man; a very pretty one, was saying something, but Kakashi for the life of him couldn’t understand a single word. He had slightly curly black hair that was falling to his shoulders and clear gray eyes, which were red-rimmed. His features were very different from anyone Kakashi had ever encountered.
The man picked up Kakashi gently, his hold tight and careful and started babbling to his unresponsive self. The man was probably his father (because Kakashi was certainly a newborn now). Soon, a man joined them and embraced Kakashi’s new father (?) in a brotherly embrace. The new man shared the same jaw as his father and very slight similarities if one looked carefully, but Kakashi assumed they weren’t brothers, they looked too different. Teammate, perhaps?
However their strange clothing indicated that they were in a vastly different world or time period, than what he was used to in the Elemental Countries. The two men shared some information, but again the Rokudaime couldn’t understand a word.
Then, a redhead- who Kakashi could have mistaken for Kushina-sama from afar- entered the room. She wore some kind of robes and had a stick in her hand. Her eyes were a light green with dark circles underneath pointing towards regular sleep deprivation. After snapping a few commands at the mourning man, who seemed to be his new father; the two men gave her some space.
Strangely enough, the redhead waved the stick over his miniatured body smiling with relief as she finished reading some paper that had appeared out of nowhere. Consequently, both males relaxed as well, the first one crabling him once more.
His new father was obviously a very physically affectionate parent. The adults exchanged a few more words which he didn't recognise and left the room. In the meantime, his new father had stopped crying openly.(It had started to make baby- Kakashi very uncomfortable.)
The trio along with baby-Kakashi joined another group of people in some sort of meeting hall in the next room; all wearing similar clothing and all seemingly mourning. Many of them turned to the father-son duo apparently trying to express sympathy for some sort of loss judging by the numerous pitying looks the small family unit was graced with.
His new father- as far as Kakashi could tell was named Sirius or something along those lines- made a quick escape as soon as possible without appearing to be too rude.
The brunette male and the redheaded female from earlier followed behind the group taking a strange black construction on wheels back to a comfortable and cozy house.
Sirius tried to get the other two to leave, evidently wanting to grieve in peace, which eventually the two allowed.
Then following their departure, his new father gently fed him, skillfully changed his diapers and sang a haunting lullaby trying to get his unusually unresponsive son to sleep, no doubt. In turn, Kakashi valiantly attempted to withstand the soothing qualities of his new father's deep baritone, but soon enough, exhaustion had caught up with him and he closed his eyes, yawning adorably. (Not that anyone would ever know.)
This was his first day in the life of Lupus Sirius Black, Heir Presumptive of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Son of a (alleged) Mass-murderer Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon who had tragically died on the day of his birth.
Dori Potter was a witch! She wasn’t a freak like her relatives had told her all her life and her parents weren’t no good drunks who had died in a car crash. They were heroes and they had died because they loved her. Her!
Dori was sure it was a dream but Hagrid was still here and talking about the Wizarding World. And so, she celebrated her eleventh birthday visiting the largest Magical district of the British Wizarding World. Accompanying her was Hagrid, who was a gentle giant of a man, who she had met yesterday night and who had introduced her to Magic. He led her through the crowded street until they reached an imposing white building that housed one of the few banks of the Wizarding world; Gringotts.
After all, Dori was a witch and a famous one at that. She had never seen her parents, nor did she remember them, but Hagrid told her she was a perfect blend of them. Her hair was a messy dark brown with auburn undertones which she inherited from her father (and were a Potter family trait, she learned) and her eyes were a pretty emerald from her mother. Her hair fell to her shoulders and would usually grow to below her backside in a month, however Aunt Petunia would always hack it short but it usually grew overnight to her shoulders. A pair of round and damaged glasses sat on her nose, and she was dressed in a puke green dress that once belonged to her aunt.
Needless to say, Dori rarely made a good first impression, more so when talking to people who had heard her relatives’ tall tales.
After showing her vault key that Hagrid produced, they took a goblin-steered cart to her trust vault, to gather some Wizarding currency to purchase her school supplies. Dori shoved more than what was recommended into the purse that Griphook the goblin had generously provided, so that she could invest in some proper clothes for school.
Dori knew she could hardly dress better in Privet Drive, or the Dursleys would know that she had money, but otherwise she could dress better. Hagrid had mentioned her supposed fame and the tragedy of her family, and wanted to be better prepared for the inevitable attention. (If what happened in the pub was anything to go by.)
After all, Dori knew famous people always wore nice and neat clothes. Plus, she figured people wouldn’t laugh at her if she stopped wearing her ugly, old-fashioned dresses any longer. And maybe just maybe, she will even have friends! At least in Hogwarts, she can finally be herself. Or so she hoped.
Hagrid was about to lead her towards the alley when they were approached by a very old man. The man stood quite tall despite his apparent age and had a cool commandeering aura, so Dori straightened subconsciously. A black-haired boy accompanied the regal old man, the younger male slouching slightly as if bored. He was about the little witch's age, maybe a year or two older, with startling gray eyes. Surprisingly, despite his faux-boredom the boy seemed to radiate as much regal elegance as the old man.
Hagrid stepped protectively in front of Dori, obviously not trusting the other two males. People around the room had started to take notice of the group and were curiously looking on.
"Greetings, Hagrid. I am afraid we have yet to be introduced officially to your temporary charge.” The old man began in a rather bland but polite tone. However, his posture indicated that he expected his implied order to be followed regardless of the groundskeeper's personal opinions.
With gritted teeth, Hagrid complied, “‘ello, Lord Black. Meet Dori Potter.”
The shy girl peaked out from behind the massive man to better judge the imposing man and what seemed to be a grandson of his for herself, “Nice to meet you,” she managed to get out politely despite her shyness and apprehension.
“It's a pleasure,” the old man assured her just as politely. “Might my grandson and I have a moment of your time? It’s about an important house business, I am afraid.”
Reluctantly, and after a private chat with Lord Black, Hagrid agreed to let the tiny brunette talk privately to the old man and his grandson.
Dori her never seen anyone so innately regal and commanding before, so she obediently followed the two males into a small cafe where they would not be disturbed.
"Forgive me for interrupting your shopping trip, Heiress Potter. However, you should be aware of a few things pertaining to your person," the old man began to speak, sighing heavily, "especially now."
In response, the tiny girl scrunched up her nose slightly, confused by the chosen form of address. It sounded significant somehow - something she was definitely not used to from her relatives. Significant - and very formal. "I'm sorry, but what do you mean, sir?"
The old man sighed as if he had expected nothing less, but was still disappointed by something she had said or done.
"I am Arcturus Black, Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. This is my great-grandson and heir Lupus Black. He is eleven years old and the betrothed of Holly Dorea Potter, Heiress Apparent of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter."
With that little bombshell, Dori's life as she knew it shattered into tiny pieces.
After she composed herself again, the overwhelmed birthday girl frowned slightly in thought. "Could you please explain this to me? In the Muggle world, marriage contracts have been outlawed or looked down upon for quite some time," she requested politely.
Her inquisitiveness seemed to garner some sort of approval from the two males, although none so much as twitched outwardly.
Lupus Black nodded. "Our fathers wrote and signed a binding betrothal contract the day of your birth. It is a magically imbued document, so we are unable to cancel or disregard the pending marriage. According to the writ, we are to marry on your seventeen birthday, provide an heir for each House - if possible - and I'm to protect you as a Guardian in the event of your parents' untimely death," the black-haired boy rattled off rather blandly,hiding his true emotions behind a mask.
Of course his explanation only served to confuse the poor, already overwhelmed child further. On one hand, she now knew more about their apparent duties, but on the other hand new questions seemed to have popped up.
"A Guardian is a protector and guide for and throughout your years at Hogwarts," Lord Black added patiently. "Lupus will explain everything about our society, House, culture, and consequently the expectations of the people around you which they hold you to, Heiress Potter. He will be responsible for your health, safety, and virtue while away from your current residence and its protections."
Dori nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, sir. May I see the contract myself, please?"
Lord Black seemed to approve of her seemingly impertinent, politely-worded question. He waved his wand and a document appeared out of thin air. (Which the young witch still admired and found herself in awe of - magic was wonderful!) Then the regal old man handed it to her.
—
Marriage Contract
for
Lupus Sirius Black
Heir Presumptive of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
and
Holly Dorea Potter
Heiress Presumptive of Noble and Ancient House of Potter
(A lot of complicated legalese followed, unfortunately flying right over her head.)
(...) Both parties are to be wed on the day of the bride's seventeenth birthday and no later, in a full Wizarding ceremony.
(...) Their duties as the Heir and Heiress respectively include:
(...) providing an heir for each House in the event that they are the Last of their Line. As Last of their Line, Heir Black and Heiress Potter are required to sire no less than three children during their marriage. Only in the event of infertility or the premature death of one named party is this clause null and void.
(...) In the event of Heiress Potter surviving her lord parents before she has reached her majority, Heir Black is to be declared her Guardian. He shall attempt his best to ensure her continued well-being, safety, and protection of her virtue for all the years they share together at Hogwarts and beyond.(...)
Signed:
Sirius Orion Black
James Charlus Potter (Head of House Potter)
Witnessed: Arcturus Black (Head of House Black)
Black Hall, August 1, 1981.
-
Dori carefully handed the parchment back to the only adult present. "So what happens now, sir?"