The men and the families
Sandy usually lived a quiet if not busy life, sending dreams worldwide on a nightly basis. It was not often that he had company. His home unlike the others constantly moved and shifted forms. As such now, it was hovering above the Caribbean, looking like a sun tropic island with large golden colored palm trees and vast pools.
Sandy had not expected anyone and was content to relax the day away and possibly visit some of the mermaids down below. At least that had been the plan when a rather persistent and grumpy elf handed him a letter and all thoughts of visiting the lovely mermaids were pushed aside.
Harry’s home life was at stake.
Gathering the elf, Sandy formed an aeroplane and left, taking the quickest route to England he could.
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Ronald lay awake on his bed, arm thrown over his eyes to block out the sun beams. His stomach growled, twisting and turning in agony. He had hoped that Pitch would have woken up at some point. He was dying to eat.
He’d been surviving on the little garden gnomes so far but it wasn’t enough. He had been a good little soldier so far, but it was getting harder and harder to not devour the plump witch downstairs.
At dinner, he’d consumed almost three plates-“Got a hollow leg, Ronnie Dear?”-but it wasn’t enough. He had felt sorry that Ginny was off the table so to speak; she was part of a much bigger plan after all.
She had to be the Potter’s downfall, after all. Pitch was certain that the brat was much stronger than what he let on and Ronald was sure it had something to do with the markings.
The Bunnymund clan was known for many things-their herbal remedies, their farming and most of all, the scholars that family produced. The Bunnymund were known as the ‘’Hope of the People’’ and Aster was the most famous of them all. This was all common knowledge.
Ronald may have not been the academia type, but he was a strategist. He had always favored blitz attacks for the most part, but he also loved to know his enemy. To watch them drown in their own psychological torture, only to accept their inevitable death. Dumbledore was more the academia type anyways; if he had any questions, he’d ask the old man.
Unfortunately, he was stuck. Pitch wouldn’t be awake for a while longer and Dumbledore was serving his ‘life sentence’ in Azkaban. Ronald rolled over and sighed; he was so utterly sick of this.
He wanted chaos again. Wanted to see the blood running in droves, wanted to hear the screaming and confusion. Gods, how he missed it. Pitch had told them of his great plan, plunging the world into darkness.
Ronald had remembered the dark ages well, and then Wars of the World, both one and two. Pitch had said it was going to bigger than anything he’d done before. It was going to be a massacre on par with the extermination of the Pookan Race. Ronald couldn’t wait until then.
But..
He was still hungry, so very hungry.
There was always the latest guest-Sirius Orion Black.
Ronald licked his lips, drooling slightly at the prospect of warm wet bloody meat between his teeth.
Do not consume him, my pet. Not yet.
Ronald didn’t even bother answering Pitch. Once an order was given, he reluctantly obeyed. Still hungry, Ronald simply rolled over and closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would abet his ravenous hunger.
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Sirius sighed as his eyes scanned the words on the parchment in front of him. He’d been at this for hours it seemed and he was still at a loss. How in Merlin’s saggy balls had Harry even gone to the Dursleys?! He slammed his fist on the table, rattling the tea cup. He wanted to jump and go to Harry but Molly had forbidden him from moving.
The first hearing was tomorrow and he had to be prepared. Sirius had never used his family’s influence before, but he’d managed to charm his way into the records room at the ministry and gotten the sealed file on one Harry Bunnymund. (He’d sneered at the surname, once he got Harry back, he’d be Potter-Black in no time.)
The files at the Ministry were self updating, so it was no surprise that they showed Harry’s exploitations at Hogwarts and his injuries. Sirius had been sick once he’d gotten to what Lockheart had done and swore if the man weren’t already dead, he’d have offed him himself.
He continued to read the file, grumbling that Aster had done a remarkable job of turning Harry’s health around. Despite not being a wizard.
Harry seemed almost happy.
Sirius’ fingers grew lax, letting the parchment slip from them. Was he really going to tear Harry away from his family-NO! That thing wasn’t family!
Sirius gripped his hair and pulled hard. He needed some fire whiskey. Maybe some Ogden’s.
“Sirius, dear? Are you well?” Molly’s voice was soft.
Sirius looked up, letting his fingers unwind themselves from his hair. Head in his hands, the man let out a haggard sigh.
“Molls, what am I doing? By all accounts, Harry seems happy, am I doing the right thing?”
Molly took the chair nearest to the man and gently peeled his hands away from his face. Taking them in her own, she squeezed them.
“No one knows what is right, but we all do what we can and hope for the best. You said it yourself, Harry is a Lord. Shouldn’t he know what that entails? He should be around wizards and witches. The poor child doesn’t even know a thing about his own culture! Even muggleborns learn our culture eventually.”
Sirius sighed once more. Logically, Molly had a point-a good one, but was he doing the correct thing? As a Lord, he should have his family’s best interests at heart, shouldn’t he? That meant, of course, by not bringing any shame to the family. Harry, being James’ son and heir, already carried enough shame. The Potter lineage was old, but not part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, so his shameful mess could be forgiven there. Unfortunately, Harry was Sirius’ heir, future Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Sirius would not allow any more shame to fall on the name of Black.
Molly watched the array of emotions pass across the man’s face, knowing full well that Sirius would make the correct choice.
She hoped the Wizenmagot would do the same.
“Molly, how old is Ginny now?”
“Eleven, it’ll be her first year at, well wherever they put the school.”
Sirius hummed in contemplation, stroking his beard.
“Pass me some fresh parchment and ink, please.”
Molly obliged and gave the man the items.
The sound of his quill scratching onto the parchment was heard long into the night.
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Fenrir grunted as he stumbled to the front door. He was sure Dolohov had forgotten his key again. He was more than ready to tear into the other man once he wrenched open the door, only to find a golden man staring up at him, smiling. Fenrir blinked and stepped aside, allowing the man entrance.
“SEVERUS, THERE’S ANOTHER ONE!”
“In the kitchen, Sandy!”
Sandy smiled and made his way to the kitchen, a disgruntled elf following in his step. Fenrir blinked again-that was the oddest looking elf he’d ever seen. He was sure he needed another nap or something much stronger than tea.
Leaving the group to their planning, Fenrir yawned as he made his way upstairs to his bedroom. He was looking forward to his nap.
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Sandy entered the kitchen to find a rather strange group. Aster was stretching, finally able to shed his human disguise properly. He hunkered down and used his back leg to scratch his ears. Marcus was deep in conversation with Tom and Bellatrix, while Jack was content to float above the group, arms behind his head. Sandy swore he looked like he was sleeping, but he knew better.
“Welcome Sandman, I am Thomas Riddle, otherwise known as Lord Voldemort. The person who I am currently inhabiting is the former Professor of Defense of the Dark Arts, Quironous Quirrell. The woman to my right is my esteemed General, Bellatrix Lestrange née Black. I presume you know the rest?”
Sandy nodded, more than grateful to see his friends alive. He took a seat next to Severus, graciously accepting the cup of tea.
“Lucius has informed me that the hearing will begin tomorrow. Most likely, this will go on for several weeks due to the nature of the trial. Edelweiss, do you have anything in your defense?”
“Memories, I didn’ think to write any of it down. ‘E was a kit and needed help.”
“Rabastan will extract the memories for you. Now are you representing yourself?”
Aster nodded. He’d tried to find anyone who would represent him but it had been hopeless. No wizard in their right mind would dare to go against a Lord. Tom turned to Bellatrix and whispered something to her. The woman left towards the fireplace without a second thought.
“The hearing will consist of three parties. You versus Lord Black and Harry will be there. He is supported by his own lawyer Nott Sr.”
Jack floated down, snatching another biscuit from Severus’ plate before taking his seat. Severus merely pushed the plate towards the youth. Marcus snorted loudly, trying to hide his laughter. Severus glared at him.
Another set of voices filled the air as a pair of women entered the kitchen. Andromeda Tonks slid into a chair and simply stared at the occupants in the room. Bellatrix smirked, knowing that her sister enjoyed making the group as uncomfortable as possible. Andromeda accepted the cup of tea and sipped slowly, eyes resting on the strange members.
“E. Aster Bunnymund, I presume?”
“Aye. Ye must be Andromeda Black?”
“Have we met? I would certainly recall a meeting,”
“Not in the traditional sense. I used ta bring my googies ‘round. Ye had proclivity fer the yellow ones and the green ones.”
Andromeda smiled softly as she drank her tea. Placing the cup in its saucer, she flicked her wand out and summoned a deep blue three piece suit and smart brown shoes and a thin brown belt. Glancing at the lagomorph, she flicked her wand again and brought out three button down shirts in pale blue, grey and white. Finally a rather expensive watch was lain out on the table.
“I will not defend you whilst you are naked. You will take a human form and you will dress appropriately for court. The wizengamot will never take you seriously if you show up in that. I will be here precisely at seven and we will depart at five to eight. I will not arrive late, is that understood, Mister Bunnymund?”
“Yes ma’am,” Aster gulped, fear flooding his system. Jack looked pale as ever, trying to make himself shrink. Only Sandy seemed unaffected by the powerful witch.
“Do the rest of you own proper clothes?”
Severus nodded, along with Tom, Bellatrix and Marcus. Sandy simply nodded and shifted his sand to an elegant gold suit, complete with a smart hat. Andromeda nodded her approval.
“You there, what is your name?”
“J-J-Jack Frost, ma’am.”
“Are you his partner?”
Jack and Aster flushed red, unable to answer. Andromeda took that as a yes and produced another suit which complimented Aster’s perfectly. A light grey suit with black and grey shoes and a lovely black button down shirt. In lieu of a watch, she’d given Jack a thin silver bracelet. Satisfied with their attire, she bid the occupants a farewell and departed through the floo.
“That is one scary witch,” Jack whispered.
Aster merely nodded in agreement.
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Harry looked at his reflection and sighed, tugging at the collar with a look of disgust. This monkey suit business was not for him. His hair had been braided back but pieces still stuck up in rebellion. Narcissa peaked her head in and sighed.
“No, that one isn’t your color either. And certainly not the braid. Dobby!”
The house elf popped into existence and snapped his fingers, leaving Harry once more in his pants and t-shirt.
“Miss? What shall Dobby get?”
Narcissa pondered for a moment, juggling her options.
“Let’s try the slate grey Dior with the pale blue button down and say, camel colored shoes. Don’t bother with a tie either, Dobby.”
Orders given, Dobby left.
Harry sat on the floor, wondering how on earth he’d gotten himself into this mess. Narcissa beamed at the teen.
“Not to worry darling! Between Lucius and Dracos’ closets we’ll find something for you!”
Harry groaned and threw his head back into the cushions.
“Hmm, let’s hope so, honey,” the mirror spoke suddenly.
Harry growled- that mirror had nearly given him a heart attack when it had spoken, sending him jumping right onto the sink. The mirror had laughed haughtily and had made snide comments at Harry behind Narcissa’s back all evening. It had finally shut up after Harry had threatened its existence over an hour ago.
Now it seemed like it had finally plucked up the courage to speak. Harry knew he should’ve grabbed his boomerangs.
If not to at least knock some sense into this Sirius Black, then to break this ridiculous mirror. Who the hell had thought a talking mirror was a good idea?
“I do think we’ve found it!” Narcissa squealed in delight, clapping her hands excitedly.
Harry looked down at the suit, pleased that it wasn’t something too crazy. The pale green had been atrocious.
“Now we’re talking honey!”
Harry silently agreed with the mirror.
It seemed the blasted thing would live another day.
“Now then, off to bed! The hearing is at eight am sharp! Dobby, please have Tiny press these!”
“Yes ma’am!”
Harry found himself back in his pants and t-shirt not a moment later and after bidding Narcissa good night, he found himself back in his room, his bed replaced by a nest. Sighing, he climbed into bed and picked at the hay.
Hedwig flew down from her perch, landing in front of the teen and nipped his fingers.
“Ow! Hey! What was tha’ fer?!”
Hedwig fixed him with a glare and promptly tucked herself against the teen and tugged his hair in warning.
Get some sleep or else.
“Okay okay, see? I’m closin’ my eyes!”
Hedwig watched him and waited until the male was deep into his slumber before closing her own eyes. She would watch over him.
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