The Returned

'Fourteen years. Fourteen long fucking years' Orion thought to himself as he stood at the threshold of number 12 Grimmauld place.

"Dad? You ok?" A voice sounded behind him. Turning his head, he smiled.

"I'm fine Aly. Just never thought we would be back here." He wanted to hate this place, but it was his home. And now, He can fix what Generations of his family had almost destroyed. He would to, even if it took him until his dying breath.

"Gramps, let's get inside before the muggles notice. Then maybe some tea before bed, yeah?" Orion smiled at the term 'gramps'. chuckling to himself over Walburga’s reaction if she had heard such a muggle term. Her shrieking would put a banshee to shame. Thank Merlin she was no longer a thorn in his side.

"You're right little wolf. Stand back and let me access the wards. Once we're inside though Alya, Bowie, Phoenix do not touch anything until I say so. I don't know what has been left to fester here. Aly will you be alright looking for your mother’s portrait? The dammed thing should be here"

"I'll be fine dad. Just start on the wards, and quickly, it's too quiet and it's setting me on edge." Alya said, looking around. It was quiet compared to Amsterdam. The only sound that could be heard was from the muggle residents around them.

With a look towards his young company, silently telling them to stay back, he stepped forward, took a deep breath and with his wand, cut his palm. He placed his hand on the door just below the raven knocker and allowed the blood to mix with the sentient magic that made up the wards. Almost instantly he felt her, the ancestral home of Black, Grimmauld place. He felt her sadness as she mourned the loss of the family. The happiness she felt when the children were bought home for the first time, their magic connecting with hers and he felt her need. her need for her lord and family. He felt as Grimmauld shuddered under his palm and knew the creatures that had taken root were removed from her premises. He felt her magic sort through him and shivered. The overwhelming feeling of joy nearly knocking him to the ground. After what felt like hours Orion felt her magic give, as she allowed him to push his magic into her. Grimmauld was his again. With any luck, those within his family would feel it. Orion took a step back and turned. He watched as his company rubbed their chest’s, just above their hearts. They had felt the call.

"That's done. Anyone that is part of the house of black would have felt that call, so let's get inside and prepare if someone shows up" He hoped someone would, mostly two someone’s but he would settle for anyone at this point, He had been gone to long. Turning back to the door, he raised a hand and pushed. The door swung open with a loud groan; he would have to get that oiled. Stepping into the hall, Orion looked around. The house had always been dark, but it seems Fourteen Years of being without her true Lord, Grimmauld Place had gotten darker. The troll foot stump still in the same position, long forgotten umbrellas and canes covered in dust, grime and something he couldn’t name. Turning to the staircase, The heads of previous House elves still in place. With a sneer he mentally catalogued what he needed to do to the place. Orion looked to his daughter and grandchildren, making sure they were inside, he closed the door behind them and knelt. Wiping down the stone under him he felt the heart. The heart of Grimmauld. He asked her to repair and clean what she could, the answering swell of magic in the air released and he and the others watched as cracks filled themselves, dust disappear, and the house become lighter. He loved magic. He slowly stood with the help of the young man beside him, Phoenix, his youngest grandson. As he was about to thank him, when a loud pop sounded throughout the hall.

"Master and little misses bes here. But hows they bes here kreatcher knows not. Oh, my poor mistress" the elf started mumbling to himself looking at his long thought dead master and young misses, then he spotted the two others in the room. With a wail, kreatcher sobbed "oh my poor mistress will be angry. nasty half-bloods desecrating the most ancient and Nobel house of black. Nasty mutts’ disappointments walking the halls of this great house..." before he could continue, Orion cast a silencing charm.

"Kreatcher if you ever spill that hateful vitriol in company again, no matter who it is, you will be permanently silenced and given clothes. Do I make myself clear?" He was seething. No one spoke to his family like that, not anymore. He had seen the damage it caused. Kreatcher bowed so low as he mumbled out 'yes master'.

"Good. Now prepare a tea service with something to eat and bring it to the front parlour. Once you have done that, start on the master bedroom and three others on the same floor and have them ready before we retire for the night. Then start the on rest, is that understood? Yes? Good. You're dismissed." With a wave of his hand kreatcher popped away.

"What a delightful little thing" Bowie had of course heard much worse over the last eighteen years but still. Luckily, she inherited her father's thick skin and his 'I don't give a fuck what you think' attitude. “Impressive use of magic there gramps. Looks at least 60% better in here now”

"Yes, well he was devoted to her and listened to the filth she spewed. The black family madness ran deep in the old hag. Hateful, spiteful and all-round terrible person" and he was married to the bitch, Orion thought to himself. “As for that display. Grimmauld is sentient, without it she would continue to wither away. Something many past lords seem to have forgotten”

“Fair enough. Let’s hope her wards are back up to what they should be. Dad will be protected here until we can get that trial. How did we not know he had been arrested?” They had only found out about Sirius being in Azkaban because of Viktor. Her friend had decided to come to Britain to partake in the tournament. It seems the rest of the UK have been kept out of the loop.

Orion put his arm around his granddaughters’ shoulders and pulled her close. “I really don’t know little wolf. But we will fix this” with that said he kissed her forehead and started walking to the front parlour.

"Gramps, will they remember us? Our dads I mean." Phoenix was only 2 the last time he saw them.

"They will, once the charms I placed on them are removed. And it's likely they won't let you two out of their sight. Especially your papa, his wolf will be demanding he stay with you. So be prepared for that. It will be worse than that time Bowie decided you couldn't do anything without her there. Including that date with the muggleborn you never told me about" Orion said with a chuckle at his grandson’s blush. So very like his uncle. Phoenix just rolled his eyes at Bowie's wolf like smirk.

Alya watched her niece and nephew. She watched as they took in their surroundings. She herself only vaguely remembered this place. She had been so young when they left. But she did remember the fighting, the yelling. She remembered the day Sirius left for the last time. Her father looked broken and defeated. Reggie pleading with him to stay. She remembered the last hug and the words Sirius whispered to her 'I’m sorry little princess, I love you'.

Orion watched his daughter as she slipped further into her memory. "Alya, sweetheart. Everything ok?" He didn't like seeing that look on her face. "Why don't you go have something to eat. I'll look for the portrait" Lyra was already shaking her head no.
"I'm fine dad. I'll look for it, back soon." With that she started towards the stairs. She got to the first step and took a deep breath. She released it and took a step up, she felt as Bowie came up beside her, hands in her pockets.

"You good Aly? You're looking paler than usual." Never one to beat around the bush. Alya smiled at her niece.

"I'm fine Bo. You should head back and get something to eat, I'll be down soon" Bowie scoffed.

"Nope, I just don't believe you auntie dear. Your heartbeat is accelerated, your pulse is off the charts and your breathing is too quick. No way am I leaving you alone right now so deal with it" damn wolf senses, Alya thought to herself.

"Fine, but don't complain when the little sandwiches are gone."

"I do like those. Makes me feel like a giant" Alya just shook her head and motioned for her to follow. In an instant bowie was at her side, wand in head, ready. As they were making their way towards the first landing, they heard a woman's voice. Raising a finger to her lips, Alya motioned for bowie to stay quiet. After getting a nod in response, they moved forward. Slowly they came to a pair of web riddled, doxy chewed curtains. The voice coming from behind. Alya clutched her wand tighter and watched as bowie got into her preferred stance, relaxed but ready. Wands pointed forwards, Alya used her free hand to pull on one of the curtains, she was not prepared for that level of noise that followed.

"WHO DARES ENTER THE HOUSE OF BLACK. BLOOD TRAITORS, HALFBREEDS, FILTH DESICRATING THESE HALLS..." Walburga’s shrieking had bought Orion and Phoenix running, wands at the ready. "YOU! I buried you!" her eyes bulging as she looked at Orion.

"Hello, you old hag, nice to see your still singing the same tune. You remember our daughter, don't you? Alya? Come now you know who I'm referring to. there we go, now let me introduce MY grandchildren. Bowie here is 18 a born wolf and the eldest daughter of our son Sirius and his husband Remus. and this strapping young man is Phoenix, also a born wolf, his 16 and the younger of MY son's children. Now before you try to deafen us once again, you’re going to shut up and listen. You will not speak to anyone unless you are going to be civil. Remember I am lord of this house, and she listens to me, so if you wish to stay you will be civil or silent. When MY son comes you will remain silent, you will not insult, degrade or spill those hateful words at him again. I lost him once because of you. I will not lose him again. Am I clear Walburga?" He was so enjoying this.

"Yes, my lord." She spat out. The hatred flashing through her painted eyes.

"Excellent. Oh, and one more thing. One hateful word, just one, you will be removed, and your portrait burned." He really was enjoying this. "It's been a long day so goodnight." Orion turned and motioned to the others to head down before turning back to the portrait. "I meant what I said. You tore this family apart, you’re the reason I didn't hear or see my son for years. You’re the reason I missed my grandchildren’s first years on this earth. You will not be the reason it happens again. If you do, when I depart this life, I will make your afterlife hell." With that he smiled and closed the curtains.

"Can really feel the love here Gramps. Such a charming place." Bowie said as he entered the parlour. Orion laughed as he prepared their tea and gave her cheek a kiss before passing her, her cup.

"Oh yes she's a ray of sunshine" he sighed as he sank back into his favourite armchair. Why didn't he take it with him again? He had missed it.

Kreatcher popped in after a few minutes." Master the rooms bes ready sir"

"Excellent. Thank you kreatcher. I will have a list prepared for you in the morning. Please start on get the dining room and kitchen tonight, I would like to have breakfast sitting down. If someone arrives, please fetch me. You may go." Kreatcher popped away with a bow so low his nose touched the rug. “Now I think it's time we all got some sleep. It's been a long day and tomorrow will be just as busy. Bowie, please keep the music down or at least remember to place silencing charms around the room. still unsure of this band you’re subjecting us to." She was almost as bad as her father with her tastes.

"Tool Gramps. The band's called tool and Maynard is a vocal god." Orion laughed and shook his head

"I believe your father said something similar about that David Bowie gentleman. Although I did enjoy some of his work." Orion remembered sitting in his study with Sirius, being subjected to his sons record collection.

'Father, rebel rebel is by far the best song on this record. David Bowie is a God'. He remembered laughing as he watched his eldest son pull his little brother up and start showing him how to play "air guitar" and singing along to the record. All three laughing at the antics. That was before everything. One of the last moments he had with both his sons. It was a memory he cherished and held close to his heart. He closed his eyes and built up his shields. Occluding to mask his emotions. He took a deep breath and relaxed. Opening his eyes, he found three worried faces staring back at him.

"I'm ok you three. Now, bed. We have things to do tomorrow morning, so please do not stay up to late" he sent a look to Alya and Bowie. Phoenix let out a laugh as he watched the two of them turn on the 'puppy dog eyes' and pout and threw them at Gramps.

"Night Gramps, ladies. See you in the morning." Phoenix said as he left the room. A chorus of ‘goodnights’ following him.

Soon Orion was left alone. He slowly made his way to his rooms, as he was pushing the door open another memory came to mind.

………………………………………………………………………………
It was the day before Sirius left for his first year at Hogwarts. Walburga had taken to staying away from London, so he and the boys were all huddled up in bed. Reggie was not taking his brothers leaving well

"I'll write everyday Reggie. I promise little brother, please don't cry" Sirius hated when Reggie cried

"You're going to forget about me. You're going to make new friends and you're going to leave me behind." His sobs tugging at Orion’s heart.

"Now boys, I want you to listen to me. You are brothers. you’re both going to make friends, get married, grown up and move away but you will always be brothers and that bond can never be broken. Sirius will make friends, but he will not forget you, my lion. His daily letters may turn to weekly letters, but he will write, and we will see him over Yule. Wont we Sirius?" Orion faced his son and smiled. Sirius was lack of a better word being 100% serious. To serious for an eleven-year-old.

"Of course, I will. You’re going to end up getting sick of how many letters I'll be sending. Then you won't want to see me over Yule" Getting a small laugh from his little brother.
"See my lion. Now I want to speak to your brother alone for a few minutes. Why don't you go see if flip made those pancakes you love? We will be down soon" with a smile and a 'yes father' Reggie ran from the room. Orion shook his head and turned to Sirius. He had been quiet the last few days, not his usual self. Opening his arms, he motioned for Sirius to come closer. Once he was close enough, Orion held him close.

" Now, tell me what's wrong. you have been very quiet the last few days and I’m concerned."

"What if I get sorted into a different house? Mother has told me not to bring more shame to the family. I don't want to disappoint you either if I don't get sorted into Slytherin." He was terrified of disappointing his father. His mother had warned him about what would happen should he go against the grain.

Orion looked at his sons terrified face and knew his next words had to be chosen carefully.

"Listen to me Sirius and listen well. You could never disappoint me. I don't care if you’re a Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Do what makes you happy. Ignore what your mother said, she brings more shame to this family then you ever could. No matter your house, do well and do it with pride. These years are just the beginning of your lives. Whatever you and your brother decide, even if I don't like it, I will always support you. I will always be proud to call you, my son's." Orion placed his hands on his sons face and wiped away his tears " I love you and your brother too much to let a house at school dictate how I see you. I will speak to your mother when she returns. But remember no matter what. I will always love you."

Two days later Horus, their eagle owl, delivered Sirius’s first letter home. Gryffindor. Orion smiled at regulus, it was the perfect house for his star. He gave regulus a kiss on the head, stood and then went to prepare for the shit show that was about to be unleashed.

.................................................................................................

Orion made his way through his personal sitting room towards his bedroom. Sitting on his bed he looked around. It was too dark in this room, even for it being the middle of the night. He will have to rectify that. He had plans for Grimmauld place now that he was here again. Out with the dark and dreary in with the light and peaceful. He sighed to himself, stood and started getting ready to sleep. Once he crawled in under the sheets, his head barely touching the pillow he drifted off to sleep.

The Next Morning.

Bowie made her way down to the kitchen. Passing Walburga’s portrait, she gave the scowling woman a nod and a quiet 'grandmother'. She smiled at the sneer the woman sent her. She didn't care for the woman, but she would be polite. Walking into the kitchen she found her family already eating. Her Gramps sitting at the head, coffee and paper in hand. Alya was seated to his right and Phoenix two seats down on his left. This arrangement will change once her fathers and Uncle were home. Making her way to the counter she grabbed herself a coffee and made her way back to the table.

"Morning family, anything good in that rag this morning". She placed a kiss on Orion’s cheek and sat in her usual spot to his left. Reaching across the table she helped herself to some of the pastries on offer, taking a bite of the apple turnover she turned to her gramps and saw a small frown.
"As usual, very little. You would think that with the last task failing the way it did, they would be eating it up. Speaking of Bowie, have you heard from Viktor and Matteo? You could invite them over anytime little wolf, you know that” Orion knew how worried his granddaughter had been. Her best friend had entered a death tournament. Thankfully all participants had all come out of the maze alive. Severely injured but alive.

“I’m meeting up with them later today at the station. They, along with Ms Delacour the Beauxbatons champion, decided to take the Train back from Hogwarts rather then go back on the ship. Their worried about the youngest of the champions and don’t want him out of their sight. It’s kind of cute. I think Matty has a crush on him. His spoken about him a lot in his letters” bowie couldn’t wait. She hadn’t seen her boys in 10 months. Viktor and she had been friends since their first year at Drumstrang, Matteo and phoenix joining them the next year. They had been inseparable. They had other friends but those two where part of her family, her brothers in all but blood. It was going to be so different now that she and Viktor had graduated. Matteo and Phoenix still had a year to go. Although it was looking like Phoenix would be staying in Britain to finish his schooling.

“Then you will offer for them to stay here until they go home” Orion liked the boys. Well mannered and polite, even when angry. Victor being a talented Quidditch player had made the Bulgarian national team as starting seeker. The youngest to compete professionally. Matteo was still finding himself but his talent with charms, spell crafting and potions could open a lot of doors for him.

“Of course, gramps! Matty has been going on about needing to talk to you about some potion ingredients his been reading about because us mere “mortals” couldn’t possibly understand. I swear he would let you adopt him if you asked” bowie shook her head. Matty adored her gramps, he lived with an aunt he barely saw and spent most of his time in Amsterdam with them. Her Gramps adored him to. Matty reminded him of uncle Reggie.

“Excellent. It will be nice to have some civilised conversations for a change” he said with a wink. Bowie nodded in agreement. Trying and failing to stop the grin spreading.

“HA HA very funny. Do you need me today for anything? I want to go to ST. Mongos and Gringotts and see if there’s any positions open. Idle hands and what not” Alya hated doing nothing. And she had just come out of her 5-year healers traineeship, she wanted to do something helping people and that was what she did.

“I don’t think so. But I can send kreatcher for you if need be. What’s everyone else’s plans for the day, I know I said we would be busy but honestly, I didn’t think kreatcher would get everything done so quickly? All that needs doing is redecorating” he really hadn’t expected kreatcher to finish so quickly, but then again, he also had Grimmauld helping him now. Maybe he should look into a few more elves?

“Would the library be safe for me to look through? I don’t want to trigger anything and potentially ruin centuries old books” Phoenix was really looking forward to tucking himself away in there. Their library back in Amsterdam was lovely and all but this one was older and held much rarer books and the family Grimoires.

“That may have to wait until later today, possibly tomorrow. I need to scan it and make sure the curses on any of the books were destroyed when Grimmauld sorted through everything last night. But your welcome to look in my study. Second floor behind the Painting of the selkie isles. You have all been added to the wards there so you may enter when you like” it was a safe place when his sons were growing up. The only room their mother had no access to, she was never added to wards there.

“Thanks gramps. Can we go to Diagon Ally and Gringotts?” He really wanted to see them. Back in Amsterdam their banks were ran by the dwarfs. Phoenix had met Goblins sure. But Gringotts, London was supposedly the home of their King and he wanted to compare rumours to fact.

“Well, I need to go to Gringotts anyway to get the estate in order and let them know that we’re back, so that won’t be an issue. How about I will meet you all in the front parlour in 20 minutes. We can floo into the leaky cauldron and make our way to Gringotts from there. your shoes little wolf, I believe you will need them during this outing" he gave a small laugh. She was always losing something.

"Shit, I'll be right back" she jumped up and jogged up the stairs 2 at a time.

“Language young lady” Orion yelled after her shaking his head. Definitely her father’s daughter.

“ ENGLISH OLD MAN” was the shout he got back. Laughing he looked at the others he shrugged. A very un-gentlemanly gesture for a lord.

20 minutes later Orion was waiting for the others by the fireplace in the front parlour when Kreacher popped in, a letter in his hands.

“What is it kreatcher?” Orion asked the elf.

“Master, theres bes a letter for you, it bes from missy cissa” handing him the letter, Orion gave a wave of his hand and dismissed the elf. He went over to the old hutch and picked up an ornate letter opener, really it was to much with the emerald and peridot encrusted handle and slid it under the Malfoy seal.

Dear Uncle.

Good morning, Uncle I hope this letter finds you rested and well. But I have some questions for you. First, I would like to know how it is that you are alive, and I did not know. You have been greatly missed Uncle. Secondly, I felt the call, am I to assume you have taken back the residence of Grimmauld Place? If so, I can not tell you how happy it has made me to know our ancestral home has been bought back to life.

I will assume my cousin, Alya, is with you, I would very much like to see you both, as would Lucius, I assure you. My husband was devastated when we learned of yours and Alya's passing. But I assume there is good reason for that deception. I would very much like to reintroduce you to my son, Draco. He has heard so much about my favourite Uncle and little cousin and will be delighted to know he will finally be able to meet you and remember the interaction.
I ask that you please send a reply, at your earliest convenience of course, so we may organise a day to reacquaint ourselves. As I said, you have been greatly missed uncle.

With Love,

Cissa.

Orion read the letter with a smile. He loved his nieces, all three of them. They were Jewels amongst the coals that made up the family. Andromeda was beautiful with her dark curls and large doe-like grey eyes. she had married a muggleborn and left the family all together, that hurt him greatly. She never returned his owls begging to speak with her. Bellatrix was almost a carbon copy of her older sister. Just as beautiful but deadly. Their mother and father had been too harsh in their teachings of their daughters. But his little Bell had taken the worst of it. But Narcissa? She truly was stunning. Her two-toned hair, the signature black of their family and the blonde from the rosier’s, elegantly fell down her back in a curtain. She had married for love, thank merlin. Lucius and her may have had a contract but they loved each other fiercely. He hoped Andromeda had a happy marriage, he would still very much like to meet her husband and her daughter.

He finished up his musing and went searching for some parchment. His grandchildren had gifted him a stunning fountain pen for the previous yule, he loved how it glided across the page. Less mess to. He penned out his reply.

My Dearest Cissa,

I have missed you to. I believe that dinner tonight at Grimmauld place would be a perfect opportunity to reacquaint ourselves, don’t you? I do wish to see you all here at 7pm. My Granddaughter is meeting some friends at the platform this afternoon, they were part of the visiting schools to Hogwarts but decided to use the train back to London and will be guests for the foreseeable future. Simply look for the young lady with purple hair and an attitude. She will know who you are. I will explain everything tonight my dear.

Love,

Your very apologetic Uncle.

“Kreatcher? Please take this to Narcissa immediately” Slipping the letter into the envelope, He stamped the black family crest down into the melted wax. He will have to write to the others and request they come also. He handed the letter to Kreacher and watched as he popped away.

“Everything alright dad?” Alya had just entered the room, the others trailing behind.

“Of course, I was just replying to cissa. We will be having guests tonight, with the possibility of a few more. Bowie would you be able to accompany the Malfoy’s here? They will be at the platform to pick up their son, Draco. I told her to keep an eye out for the young lady with purple hair and an attitude.” Bowie laughed “Cissa should remember how to get here, but just in case” He was finishing up the list of people he needed to write to. Maybe he could get that done while they were in Gringotts. Turning, he looked at his family and smiled.

They couldn't be more different even if they tried.

Alya, his princess, Was a black through and through. The dark waves cascading down her back, storm Grey eyes, high cheekbones, arched brows, full lips and small nose. Which Bowie had convinced her would look 'really cute' pierced. Standing at 5ft 5, she was the shortest of the lot. She held herself regally in a mix of muggle attire and wizarding robes. The blue jewel tones making her pale skin shimmer.

Phoenix, Nix. Was all his papa. Though his eyes were the signature storm grey they also held flecks of amber. But everything else was all Remus. Standing at just 6ft, his sandy blonde hair hanging just below his jawline in soft curls. His face an eery reminder of his papas at the same age. He held himself with a quiet confidence. Dressed in his usual dark slacks, Dragonhide ankle boots, simple button up shirt, dark forest green sweater and cardigan, he was attractive and didn't even realise it.

Bowie, his little wolf, was all her father. She stood just shy of 5ft 8. Her torn black jeans artistically adorned in multiple chains, spaghetti strap singlet, chequered shirt around the waist and to finish it off a dragonhide jacket and knee-high boots. Her currently purple hair shaved on one side and fell in what she called her 'I woke up to this mess' style. Tattoos showing and moving around. She was all Sirius looks wise not including the piercings. Except the eyes. That was her papa. The amber almost gold tone, shining mischievously.

He may be biased but his children and grandbabies were stunning. And powerful. His pride and joy over the years.

“Right, lets move then. Floo into the leaky cauldron from here. I will go first and meet you there. Everyone ready?” he received a chorus of ‘yes gramps’ from Bo and nix and a ‘yes dad’ from Alya. “Right then, see you shortly” he picked up a handful of floo powder, stepped into the fireplace and threw it down. With a yell of ‘the leaky cauldron’ he disappeared in a flash of green flames.