Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Azalea froze. This elegant woman was family? She couldn’t believe it, she had thought that it was just her, Sirius, and maybe Evan left. She would never consider Narcissa or Draco family and she doesn’t think of Andromeda as family either since she never bothered to reach out even though Tonks has, but to be told that this woman had been denied the last living remnant of her sister by Dumbledore was both disgusting and expectant.
“Can I call you Auntie then?” She asked shyly with a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
“Please.” Cassiopeia choked out while bringing a dainty hand to her mouth. She studied Azalea’s face for a moment before she lunged at her and pulled her into a hug with shocking strength behind it. “I have prayed for the day that I would get to meet you. I have searched all of the wizarding world and have reached out to squib family members to start searching the muggle world but have come up with nothing. Marrius, my cousin, assured me that we would find you, after all the Blacks are tenacious whether magical or not.” She continued to speak while her face was buried in Azaleas riotous curls.
Azalea reached up and curled her arms around the woman’s waist tightly. “Thank you for trying.” She mumbled out into the woman’s shoulder.
“How could I not? You are family. My little grandniece. I was there for your birth and held you in my arms. I have sung you to sleep as I took over the role of grandmother in Dorea’s place. You are my hearts grandchild and you were ripped away from me by that blithering fool Dumbledore to Dagda knows where.” She said while dropping a kiss onto the crown of Azalea’s head. She didn’t want this moment to end but she knew it must. Her little Azalea came here for safety and now she just needed to find out who she needs to kill to protect her. “You said Kreacher brought you here to get you to safety, right? Who were you running from?” She said while drawing back out of the hug but keeping her hands firmly on Azalea’s shoulders.
“Aah…” Azalea trailed off in embarrassment. “My, um, soulmate?” She revealed bashfully.
“Your soulmate?” She asked incredulously.
“Yea, uh, Lucius Malfoy is my soulmate. But -uh, you see, we might have started out a bit violently. I recently just got out of a battle where we were on opposite sides and might have traded insults throughout the years. I lost him his house elf in second year and I don’t think he took that too well. Tried to Avada me and everything. Heh.” She said while scratching her cheek with a finger awkwardly.
“I see…, why were you fleeing from him this time?” Cassiopeia asked while trying to hide a smile.
“Well, he followed me to my Aunt's home in Surrey. And well, I felt as if I was stuck between a predator and his prey when uncle Vernon started to insult me while Lucius was standing within earshot. I was planning to leave their home at midnight anyway. This just solves the problem of how, now I need to find a place to stay.” Azalea explained to her new found aunt.
“Well that’s simple, stay here. I have the room plus my brother Arcturus’ portrait is here. He died two years ago but he also never gave up searching for you.” Cassiopeia told her. She just got Azalea back, she doesn’t plan on having her ever leave her protection again.
“If it’s not too much of a bother I would love to stay here with you. Would you mind telling me where here is though?” Azalea said, beaming back at her aunt.
“We are in Black manor in the Scottish Highlands. It is a massive French styled manor so I’ll have to give you a tour. If you get lost feel free to call Zilly, Daemon or Kreacher. Now let’s go to the dining room, I want to know everything about you and it’s almost supper time. We can have tea while we wait.” Cassiopeia said while smiling gently at her grandbaby. She grabbed onto Azalea’s hand and held it gently as she led the girl to a massive dining hall with a rich mahogany table that sat on white marble floors. There was an ornate crystal chandelier that hung in the center of the room that highlighted the deeper emerald coloured walls.
Azalea could only marvel at the splendour of the room as Cassiopeia led her to the head of the table and pulled out the chair to the right for Azalea to sit in as she sat at the head still holding her hand.
“Please tell me everything, my flower.” Cassiopeia said to the young woman causing her to blush.
“If you want to know everything I’ll need a vow of silence. I have too many enemies to not require it nowadays.” Azalea revealed to the elegant women.
“I, Cassiopeia Lyra Black do so swear silence on any information obtained from Azalea Dorea Potter in this room. So mote it be.” Cassiopeia intoned with her wand held up then stared at Azalea with a pleading look.
“The first thing I remember was a woman’s scream and pleading ‘not my daughter please! Not her, take me!’ Then a flash of green light followed by a high pitched cackle. I later learned that it was my mum pleading for my life that night. Next thing I know I was living with my aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon. I was treated worse than a house elf there. I was forced to cook and clean along with the yard work and if it wasn’t done to their liking Vernon would beat me then shove me into my cupboard to starve for three days. I didn’t even know my name. I finally learned it at the age of five when my kinder teacher was doing a roll call and I didn’t respond. Before then I was called Freak. Dudley, my cousin, was allowed to hit me if he wanted and if he wanted my food I had to give it to him even though I wouldn’t be allowed anymore. By the time I came to Hogwarts I was malnourished to the point that only my magic was keeping me alive.” She told her aunt before taking a deep breath to continue knowing it was only going to get worse. “On my first visit to the infirmary madam Pomfry started to slip me nutritional and bone strengthening potions to make up for the years of starvation. She had the elves slip it into my drinks up till the end of last year since I didn’t need them anymore. Dumbledore has thrown me head first into a life threatening situation every year since I started Hogwarts. First with a teacher possessed by Voldemort’s wraith, then Gildory Lockhart who should be put on an offender list and a basilisk, followed up by Sirius breaking out of Azkaban just to find out that the betrayer of my family was Peter Pettegrew all along. Last year I had to deal with Barty crouch Jr disguised as Moody and the tournament that ended up with one student dead and Voldemort given corporal form again and finally this year we had Umbridge torturing us with blood quilts and being sent out to battle against adults. I am now the leader of a neutral faction that is made up entirely of children. There is no one above twenty yet. No one to give us guidance! We need mind healers, auntie? We are out there with only the training I was able to give them. It’s not enough!” She was heaving by the time she was done. As she stared at the woman who could have raised her if things had gone differently she could only tear up. The thoughts of ‘what if it’s not enough’ raced through her mind constantly nowadays.
Cassiopeia felt her heart break at her grandniece’s desperation. It seemed as if all of the adults had failed her. Slowly she reached out and cupped Azalea’s cheek gently. “I know I don’t look like much of a fighter, my dear, but I was on the front lines for Grindelwald’s war as a hit witch. I fought with Charlus, Dorea, Arcturus and Alastor Moody. I can help you. I am a potions mistress as well as well versed in spell reversal and was taught field medicine as well.” She pleaded with Azalea.
“But what if you get hurt?” Azalea could only whisper back in return.
“I am a Black my dear. If I’m hurt it would only be because twenty others are dead at my feet. And if I got hurt protecting you then to me that is a job well done. I can teach you the ways of a Black witch. We are feared above all other families and a true Black witch doesn’t succumb to the madness that plagues our line. I will teach you everything.” Cassiopeia told her. The manic glint in her aunt's eyes brought forth the mental image of a Tigress ready to pounce. This was a predator of the likes she has never seen before who was offering to take her under her wing.
“I will be in your care auntie. Thank you.” Azalea whispered out as her shoulders sagged in relief.
“It’s my pleasure darling. Now is there anyone you want alerted to your location first or do you want to immediately get into the lessons I could teach you?” Cassiopeia asked demurely.
“I need to let Theo, Nelda, Daphne, Blaise, Hannah, Susan, and Luna know though I’m pretty sure Luna already does. I should probably contact Siri as well. I’ve business to discuss with him.” Azalea told her aunt. She then unclipped her leather bag from her belt and dug around for a piece of parchment and a snowy owl feather quill that Hedwig had gifted her with and got to writing out a letter for her friends.
Dear Morrigan
Badh has made it into her new den High in the Lands under a Black star. The Theta star shines bright and protective where I am. Segin has joined us to chaperone
The Black sky here is beautiful in a Manor of speaking. Visit when you can.
With regards,
A.D.P.B.P
Dear Padfoot,
Come to Black manor.
Prongslet
After she signed off on the parchment she turned to Cassiopeia. “Would the wards here prevent the ministry’s trace from picking up magic?” She inquired.
“Yes, the wards on this manor are extremely strong. It could hide the combined magic of fifty underaged wizards from detection. There is no other manor in all of Europe that could hold a candle to the strength of our wards. I’d say they’re stronger than Hogwarts as well.” Cassiopeia preened at that thought.
“I’m going to duplicate the first letter then and send them out with Hedwig. Do you have another owl I can borrow?” Asked Azalea timidly.
“Yes my dear, but you came without an owl. Will your’s know that you need her?” Her aunt asked back.
“Yes. Hedi always knows when I need her.” She answered back as she stood the walk over to one of the windows and opened it. As soon as she stepped back a massive snowy owl swooped into the room and landed on Azalea’s shoulder and started to preen her hair affectionately. With Hedwig firmly on her shoulder she strode back to the table and cast Gemino on the first letter, replicating it several times then writing out their code names on each envelope that she slipped them into. “Here girl. Do you mind taking these to Nel, Theo, Dee, Susan, Hannah, little Moon, and Blaise?” She asked of her familiar. Hedwig bobbed her head once with a hoot before pointedly sticking her leg out and stared her down until all but Siri’s letter was on her leg. “Fly swiftly and safely girl. I’ll have food and water ready for your return.” She said before walking Hediwig back to the window and holding her arm steady so that the owl could push off.
“My dear I just had a thought. Instead of sending an owl to my wayward nephew why not send an elf. It would get there faster and be more discreet than a bird, yes?” Cassiopeia said while deep in thought.
“Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you auntie.” Azalea responded with a slight smile.
“Daemon could you take Azalea’s letter to Sirius please? It's an urgent matter.” She called out before the letter disappeared off the table with a pop.
Not even five minutes later another pop sounded through the manor as Sirius appeared in the room off to the right of the table near where Azalea was still standing after sending off the letters to her friends and council.
“Siri!” Azalea squealed while jumping into Sirius’ arms causing him to let out a faint “umph” as he took a step back to keep his balance.
“Hey there pup. I’m glad you're safe. There was a situation at your uncle's house and I was worried that you had gotten taken. Dumbledore told me that he believed that the Death Eaters got to you since about an hour ago Vernon was found dead.” Sirius told her while hugging her tighter and dropping a kiss to her forehead as he ignored his aunt that was sitting at the table, instinctively knowing that Azalea needed his full attention.
“Aah I see. Were Petunia and Dudley there as well?” She asked her godfather.
“No, just Vernon Was killed. It looks like your aunt had left before it happened since the car was gone along with clothes.” He responded softly.
“That’s impossible! The car was there when I had to flee. Lucius Malfoy had followed me to their house. He was there and the only reason I was able to escape was due to Kreacher, so how did she escape his notice!” Azalea asked semi hysterically.
“Why would Lucius Malfoy follow you little Lea?” Sirius inquired, latching onto the threat to his Goddaughter ‘daughter’ right away.
“Siri, he's my soulmate.” She whispered out with tears in her eyes. “What do I do, Sirius? He’s so cold. How do I know he won’t hurt me? He has a wife!” she said while steadily getting louder till the last word was said in a shout.
“Azalea, he doesn’t have a wife anymore. As of a couple
Days ago he is a widower. Narcissa died in her sleep. No one knows how as dark magic wasn’t used on her and she was healthy.” He gently explained to the shaken girl in his arms. “Also no man in their right mind would ever hurt their soulmate, especially if they got the most beautiful girl of her generation like you are. He should be honored to have an angel such as you by his side. I want you to know that I am proud of you Lea, nothing will ever change that or the fact that I love you. I do wish I wouldn’t find you on the battlefield though. You nearly gave me a heart attack when I arrived in the Department of Mysteries to find you and a bunch of other kids surrounded by dead and dying death eaters. Thorros was quick to pull me into a duel to rave about how well you and Theo handled the fight and about how proud he was over his little girl. His! Can you believe it? It's almost like he doesn’t know that you're my little Lea.” He said teasingly with a slight smirk crossing over his face as he ran a soothing hand through Azalea’s curls.
“Stop arguing with uncle Thorros, Siri.” Azalea said with a giggle while burrowing deeper into the hug. ‘This must be what a fathers love feels like.’ She thought to herself as she could feel all her worries drift away.
“So pup, tell me what you have been up to recently.” Sirius asked as he started to pull back from the hug.
“I will need a vow of silence Siri. I can’t have anyone, especially Dumbledore, finding out about what I’ve been doing.” She told him softly as she looked up to his silver eyes.
Sirius looked down at her with a raised brow. Taking note of the serious look on her face he nodded. If that is what his pup needs then so be it. “I, Sirius Orion Black, Current head of the house of Black due so swear upon the family magics to keep my silence on anything my heiress Azalea Potter-Black says in this room. So mote it be.” He intoned, ignoring the gasp that came from the table from his aunt Cia. He knew he could have gotten away with a regular vow of silence but Azalea deserves more than just basic security. He would give anything to her if only she asked, after all she is his pup. His to love and protect now that James and Lily were gone. No, she deserved the invocation of the family magic. Now if he tried to speak freely of what she asked silence on he would be torn asunder by the Black family magic and if someone imperioed him they would feel the full power of his magic bear down onto them, tearing at their mind. And if they tried to tear it out of his mind with legilimens then they’d be thrown out with their occlumency walls destroyed and veritaserum would just lock his tongue to the roof of his mouth.
“Siri, you didn’t need to go that far; a simple vow would have sufficed.” Azalea said in awe.
“You're worth it Azalea.” He said firmly while keeping her eyes locked onto his own to show that he meant it.
Azalea inhaled sharply. No one has ever said that to her before. She let out her breath slowly while she continued to study his face for any sign of regrets but found none. “My friends and I have become animagus as of three months ago. I am a honey badger that we named Badh and my patronus has changed to match it.” She continued on as she told him about all of the Acolytes and how they had become an organized militia to combat the inadequacy of the order and the death eaters as a whole. She even went on to explain that there was no divide in the group even though there were members of each house and magical orientation. She even told him about how she now had spies inside the death eater ranks though she didn’t tell him their names just to be on the safe side, after all only members could know who was in the Acolytes.
Sirius was awestruck at the amount of work his pup had put into this group that she and her friends had formed. Never before had the magical world formed a militia, sure there were groups that you could join to fight against wrongdoers like the aurors but that was more along the lines of police than soldiers. What this sounded like was an anti terrorist task force. It was small now but most armies started out that way. “ I noticed that you said you had spies in the death eaters but you haven’t said anything on the order. Why is that?” He inquired.
“That’s because we don’t have any yet. I haven’t been able to decide who I could recruit out of the order that isn’t fully loyal to Dumbledore. At first I thought of you and Remus but Remus is Dumbledore’s man through and through. He wouldn’t turn against him and I can’t ask you to keep him in the dark about something like that. I thought of Moody too but he is Dumbledore’s old friend so I’m kinda at an impasse.” She told her godfather sheepishly while leading him to the table where Cassiopeia was still watching them.
“You wouldn’t need to ask Azalea. I’m offering it. You are my first priority. I escaped Azkaban for you not for Remus. If you had asked me to join the Dark side I’d do it without thought with a smile on my face. Being in a neutral faction would suit me more than being in the light faction anyway. After all, I am a Black even if I’m a lighter shade than the rest. I’ve already proven that I don’t mind killing or maiming my opponents in battle unlike James or Remus who followed old Dumbles no kill rule. In fact Lily and I would compete on who killed more opponents in battle.” Sirius told her.
“Mom fought to kill too?” Azalea asked intrigued.
“Yea. I thought it was weird that a muggleborn witch was fine with killing but I just chalked it up to her dad, Gerald, being part of the SAS in World War Two. You know, the muggle war that overlapped Grindelwald’s.” Sirius told her.
“Siri, my mom wasn’t a muggleborn.” She said while trailing off.
“What do you mean by she wasn’t a muggle born, pup.” Sirius said as sharp silver eyes fixated onto her face.
“I got an inheritance test done at Gringotts. My mother was a Rosier. She was Evan Rosiers' younger sister apparently.” She told him hesitantly.
“Aah… that’s a little awkward considering that your mother kneed him in the bollocks when he tried to take her hostage in the middle of a battle.” He said while huffing out a laugh.
“Speaking of inheritance tests. I might have requested Black cottage to be made habitable so I could use it as a safe house and base of operations along with Peverell and Rosier manor.” She said off handedly.
“Aah you do know that Evan was broken out of Azkaban with the others right? He will be notified that the manor is being set up. Are you prepared for that?” This time it was Cassiopeia who spoke up, having kept her silence till then.
“Yes auntie. I have half of a plan, maybe.” Azalea said while looking at the table pointedly.
Sirius sighed out fondly. “I’m coming along, though I’m going to need a wand that fits me better using my fathers won’t cut it if I’m walking into an ambush.” Sirius said to both women.
“I know of a place we can go in Knockturn Alley. It’s where I got my current wand. I use my first one as a backup now since the new one fits better.” Azalea told her dogfather.
Just then food popped onto the table along with tea. The main course was a hearty venison stew served with wild rice and a freshly baked loaf of crusty Italian bread.
As they ate Azalea began to formulate a plan on how to deal with Evan. She knew taking Sirius with her would be the safest route especially if Evan turned violent but she honestly didn’t want to put her only father figure in danger especially since Sirius could be reckless. While she schemed she half paid attention to Cassiopeia mother hening Sirius into taking a heavy duty nutrient potion along with a rejuvenating potion for his skin and hair and dental potion for his teeth and gums. Eventually his vanity and her persistence won and Sirius took them all with a pout.
“Okay Siri, here's the plan. Tomorrow I’ll take you to the wand makers to get you outfitted with a new wand. From there you and I are going to take the knight bus to Rosier Manor. You’ll have to be in your animagus form to keep a low profile. When we get there I’ll get us passed the wards. If Evan is there, let me try and talk to him first. If he gets violent then help me subdue him. I don’t want to kill him but I’m not above erasing his memories of us either. Does that sound okay to you?” She asked while deep in her own thoughts.
“Sounds like a perfect plan, doll. It’ll be great to have a wand that fits. Do I get to know where I’m going for the wand though?” Sirius asked with a raised brow.
“We are going to Ängar Konst. Viveka makes the best wands. They are tailored to you, not premade. The only reason she is in Knockturn is because she is a foreigner. Her family has been wandmaking since 785 AD for the Norse in Sweden. She is great.” She assured him with a smile.
Soon they finished their meal and the dishes vanished from the table. With a sigh Cassiopeia pushed away from the table. “Come along Azalea, I'll show you to your room. Sirius I’ll assume you’ll be staying with us tonight?” She said elegantly.
“Yes, aunt Cia. I don’t plan to leave Azalea if I can help it.” Sirius responded firmly.
“I see. You can have the room across from her then.” Cassiopeia spoke with a hint of humor as she led them down a hallway and up the grand staircase made of marble. She turned right and gestured to the first door on the left. “This is your room Azalea.” She pushed open the oak doors to show a massive room that had a king sized four post bed to the left. The comforter, sheets and pillow cases were all a soft cream colour that stood in contrast with the canopy which was black as night that drifted down to the floor. The floor itself was covered by a plush cream carpet while the walls were painted a soft light teal. The Chester drawers, wardrobe and both nightstands were all made of ebony wood and to the right was a sitting area by a large fireplace. The two black leather club chairs sat facing the fire with only a glass table between them and against a floor length window sat a black chaise lounge with plush foam padding with a cream coloured soft throw blanket covering the back. Next to the fireplace was a doorway to what seemed to be a master bathroom with a round freestanding quartz bathtub that sat in front of a floor length window overlooking a forest and next to an open waterfall shower. The sink was encased in a cream coloured granite that had a large mirror right above it which was across from the toilet.
“Wow.” Whispered Azalea in quite awe. She had never been in such an opulent room before. Even her room at Nott Manor or Longbottom Manor paled in comparison. Truly the Blacks were the richest wizarding family in all of Europe and it showed.
Sirius looked around the room unfazed. Honestly it was nothing compared to some of the other rooms in the castle but he was happy that it obviously made his little Lea happy. He backed out of the room and whispered goodnight to Azalea before entering the room across from his goddaughter’s which was similar in layout but had slate blue walls and no bed canopy. The furniture around the room was also a black walnut instead of ebony as well. He stripped down to only his pants before crawling into bed, it was going to be a long day tomorrow.
High above the ground an owl was making his way back home with precious cargo strapped to his leg. The winds helped boost his speed as he cut through the sky with urgency. He had delivered his letter and gifts to what could only be a goddess. Not a goddess but thee goddess. The only one that he wanted to worship at least. Spotting his manor he started to drop in altitude till finally he was in his court yard and landed on the ground. Once on his feet he gently unwound the tie keeping the envelope attached to his leg and felt his magic transfigure himself back into his human body. Rabastan let out a tired sigh as he straightened up with the envelope clutched in his right hand and strode back into Lestrange Manor. He entered quitely and made his way to his office and sat down behind his desk and opened the envelope that his nature nymph had given him only to freeze. Oh my. There in his hands was his salvation. It was a picture of his little soulmate Nelda.
She was standing out by the black lake looking over the water with her honey blonde hair blowing behind her in the wind. Her hazel green eyes were lit up with joy as she turned and smiled at the photographer. She looked resplendent in her teal tunic and tight silver leather leggings and grey dragon hide boots. The silver belt emphasised her curves as it circled at her waist. It must have been taken this year as she looked just as he remembered. He replicated the picture and framed the duplicate. He would keep the original with him in his breast pocket over his heart where it belonged.
All across The UK members of the council of the Morrigan opened their letter and pieced together the clues that Badh had written in her letter. She was safe at Black Manor in the Highlands. Both Theta and Segin belong in the Cassiopeia constellation as well so she must be with Cassiopeia Black who was still alive the last time anyone checked. They also had permission to visit which would be taken up sooner than any of them suspected.
“What are we going to do, Tochka? I can’t allow this to happen to my soulmate's mother. Your soulmate lives with your target as well. We can’t just follow these orders like good attack dogs like we normally do.” A blonde Norse man who looked like the berserkers of old said to the dark haired man next to him.
“You don’t think I know that Torya! I would never be able to look into Myshka's eyes if I killed her aunt. Even if the dark lord commanded it I would not be able to bring tears to her eyes. I might be a monster but I am not so evil as to hurt my soul mate.” Came the dark haired man’s response in an accented voice that could only be Russian.
“Look Antonin, we have to warn them. I can’t have Hannah hurt on the orders of a mad man.” The blonde said again
Antonin Dolohov could only sigh out in frustration. He knew how his blonde friend felt. After all, he himself was tasked with killing Amelia Bones, his soulmate’s aunt. Just like how Thorfinn was tasked to kill Màirin Abbott, Hannah’s mother.
In return Thorfinn Rowle could only frown. “I don’t want my soulmate to hate me, Tochka.” He muttered helplessly.