Friend Since Birth

*****
She snarled when a host of goblins entered her new domain, trying to come between her and her Thunder. Her scarlet flames barely missed the lead goblin, but she didn’t want to hurt them. Only get them to leave her and her Thunder alone! She may not be happy with them, but she wouldn’t hurt them! How dare they think she would hurt her own Thunder!

“Um, gents?” a timid voice asked from her claw.

She couldn’t risk taking her eyes off the goblins to check, but she knew that voice in her very bones. She hadn’t heard it often since she was very young, but she knew it. Her little clutchmate was awake. She snarled in warning at the goblins before nuzzling her clutchmate gently, glad he was awake. She was surprised at his squeak of fear. Did he not realize he was safe?

“Calm, youngling,” she soothed in the language of dragons. “Calm. You are safe. None shall harm you again. Adaya will rip apart any that try.”

“Someone care to explain why there’s a dragon and why said dragon’s offering to rip apart people instead of trying to eat me?” Harry asked timidly.

She didn’t like that. He should not be timid! He was her clutchmate and a strong one. He should be proud to be so! But she grumbled her displeasure and allowed that he would be timid for a while. He still smelled of pain and something wrong. A closer sniff revealed foreign magic on him. Magic that was hurting him! She snarled, but took a firmer grip on him before breathing her magic over the wrongness before anyone could speak.

*****
Harry stiffened when the claws around him tightened slightly. He was trying valiantly to contain his fear, eyes locked on the twins and all his Gryffindor bravery at the forefront of his mind. He had no idea what had happened between when he’d fallen asleep after discovering he had a sister, but it looked like those in the room wouldn’t be able to explain what the bloody buggering hell was going on before he was eaten, despite what the creature had said. And he hated it. The dragon was squeezing the breath out of him so he couldn’t even tell Moony, Padfoot, and the twins goodbye.

Then the dragon breathed on him. He was expecting the scarlet fire it had shot at the goblins, but instead, all he felt was warmth. Warmth down to his bones. Then something inside him snapped and he arched at the pain, his vision whiting out.

When he could see again, he was panting in his scaly cage, slumped against the claws, and feeling lighter than he could ever remember. He was also suddenly aware of the snarls coming from above him and the panicked shouting of goblins and wizards alike.

“What just happened?” he asked, panting still.

“Adaya freed the youngling from harmful magics,” the dragon growled softly, still glaring at the rest of the occupants of the room. Harry took a deep breath, glad the dragon had loosened its grip a little.

“It got rid of something on me,” he announced, voice steady.

“The youngling had bad magic caging him. Adaya could see damage to youngling’s magic,” the dragon continued. “Adaya couldn’t let stand. Those that caged the youngling will pay dearly.”

“Apparently something was still restricting me?” Harry continued, finally looking up to see the horrified faces of the Goblins and the terrified faces of the wizards. Who he just noticed excluded his sister. He startled when he realized she wasn’t still in Charlie’s arms, where she’d been almost exclusively since she’d woken.

The dragon handler was standing closest, though, and was studying him intently.

“Are you talking to her?” he asked bluntly.

Harry stared at the redhead in confusion.

“You can’t hear it? Wait, it’s a her?”

“Harry,” Charlie said gently, catching his eye. “She’s not speaking. She’s just growling at us.”

“You are speaking, right?” Harry asked, squirming enough in her claw to find her eye and unconsciously slipping into the dragon language. He startled at the multi-hued opal that stared back at him, blinking slowly so he knew she was paying attention.

“Adaya is, but firelings, mate, and furry ones don’t understand. Goblins do,” she explained, turning her gaze slightly to glare at the small group of goblins still trying to get between the dragon and the wizards. She snarled when she saw they’d managed to get Moony separated, shooting a blast of flames over their heads and causing the goblins to retreat again. “LEAVE MY THUNDER ALONE!” she screamed at them.

Harry startled when the goblins paled before backing away. He actually hadn’t known goblins could pale like that. Or that the renowned warrior race could back away. From Binns’ lectures, they never had. Hence why they spent forever on Goblin wars in class…

“What’s a thunder?” he asked, unsure if he was speaking English or dragon at this point. Apparently, Parseltongue included dragons…. Though he wasn’t sure how. He hadn’t heard the Hungarian Horntail in the tournament.

“Thunder?” Charlie demanded. “She said thunder?”

“Yeah?” he said, still very confused and trying to adjust to the sudden influx of sensations the ‘bad magic’ had apparently suppressed. He could suddenly feel a whole lot more magic at his disposal and he had to wonder if he’d had another sort of block on him that the dragon had sensed. He vaguely remembered the goblins talking about a horrible crux or something...

“Charlie?” one of the twins asked hesitantly.

“A thunder is a family of wild dragons. She’s been protecting her family from the invading goblins…”

“If you could contain your protector, we can heal the boy,” the lead goblin said. “I can sense the remnants of a dark block on the boy and if not dealt with, it can cause damage to his magics. We were going to suggest removing it in a few days anyway, when he healed enough for the procedure.”

“We did the standard inheritance test on him,” Sirius told the goblin. “Maybe it was the horcrux?”

That was the word! He’d have to ask what a horcrux was.

“It is possible. If the inheritance test was performed as required, he may not have suffered so,” the goblin theorized back, eyes still locked on the threat in the room and hand still on the sword. “His family magics require it after a youngling turns thirteen or before they can claim the heir rings at eleven. He was supposed to have it done last summer but all attempts at contacting him to set up an appointment at the bank failed.”

Harry blinked at the news and wondered why he hadn’t gotten a letter from the goblins. But considering the issues they all still needed to talk about, he had a feeling he could guess.

“Arianna, love,” Charlie said with some hesitation, taking a few steps towards the dragon currently holding Harry captive. “You have to either change back or let Harry go so the healers can make sure Harry’s alright. Don’t you want to make sure the nasty magic you removed didn’t hurt him?”

If you’d told Harry that Voldemort was his long-lost brother, he wouldn’t have been more shocked.

“Arianna?” he squeaked, trying to twist in the dragon’s scaly claw so that he could see her face better.

“Adaya is called that when in puny form,” the dragon rumbled in agreement. “Adaya is stronger and better able to protect youngling so doesn’t want to go away yet. Puny form is strong but still weak. Puny form needs more time to heal. Adaya does not. Youngling is in much danger and Adaya will have youngling protected!”

When Harry had translated for the others, accurately translating the youngling as himself, he saw Sirius’ mind working furiously. It was strange, seeing the man so engaged in conversation. Then again, he’d also been asleep when they’d returned from their cleansings and Sirius had been asleep by the time he’d woken. They just kept missing each other. To see Sirius standing there, staring at a large unknown dragon and obviously plotting, Harry could almost see the young man he’d been before spending over a decade around dementors.

“Adaya,” Sirius finally called, earning the ruby-eyed gaze of the beast and the wary eyes of the goblins. Apparently, they knew him well if they were already nervous. “I can understand being wary of trusting us wizards to protect Harry, since we have all failed in the past in one way or another, and we are all still weak from our own cleanses. However, would you consider the goblins appropriate protection?”

The slight tensing of the claw around him gave Harry the impression she didn’t. But then she considered it for a moment.

“Pointy goblins protect Adaya’s thunder?” she demanded.

The leader of the small troop seemed to understand and sheathed his sword in a smooth motion before bowing to the dragon curtly. “It would be our honor, young dragoness,” he promised in swift Gobblygook, with Sirius translating softly for those not in the know, like Harry.

“You would make a vow, that should you fail, you would face Adaya’s wrath with courage and cunning?” she demanded again.

That request seemed to stump the guard and he was at a loss until a familiar voice called into the standoff.

“The Ragnok Clan would make that vow,” Eir announced in English, stomping into the room with an unknown goblin at her side. Harry couldn’t imagine it was any other than the Gringotts head, Ragnok himself. Sirius’ wane smile and nod confirmed it though. After all, he managed the Black accounts.

“Then Adaya will go away for now. Puny form needs rest and mild cleanse. Adaya got rid of as many nasty magics as possible, but Adaya can only do so much without harming puny form,” Adaya grumbled. “Stupid Headmasters and their stupid plots…”

A few chuckles could be heard at that, but all Harry could focus on was the claw slowly lowering him to the nearest intact bed. She’d smashed up the bed he’d previously lain on and the ones around it pretty decently. At least the goblins didn’t seem to mind much.

Then he watched in astonishment as the dragon curled into herself before beginning to shrink. Within moments, Arianna was lying on the floor, curled into a ball and quite naked. She was also soundly asleep. However, true to her word, Eir called for a troop of goblins from the Ragnok clan to replace those already in the room. A messenger dashed off to deliver the message and then Eir started examining the troop still there. The troop that seemed to be in various states of shock.

Harry tried very hard not to contemplate how a goblin would be that shocked.

*****
When the small blonde felt the quake of righteous anger that promised pain to those in the wrong and rattled across most of the British isles, causing more than one spilled tea cup in shock, she smiled beautifully. When she sensed the almost silent snapping of a connection created in rage and pain and death over a decade previously, she practically glowed, much to her father’s bemusement. Events had finally shifted enough that she was able to breathe a sigh of relief for her favorite family and their father, for the many dark dreams she’d had of fire and death and sacrifice. No longer would they have to fear for a life almost taken too soon. There would be no need for a guard on the Department of Mysteries, no need to guard a prophesy already fulfilled, even if no one realized it yet. The dark ones had something else to focus on. And this new obsession would prevent many a death if events unfolded right.

Her father watched with a soft smile as she let loose a tinkling laugh and skipped out the door, intent on spending the afternoon with her future mate. Even if the light of her life didn’t quite know that yet.

*****
“Well, that certainly explains how she was able to shatter the wards,” Ragnok said with a chuckle, once all the goblin troops had been tended and sent on their way.

The new troop had arrived within minutes and a few quick words had them setting up a perimeter around the ward, including a number of magics around the whole room so no one could apparate in or out, no one could tunnel in, and any other mode of transportation they could think of would be unable to access the room without their permission.

“How so?” Bill asked from where he was studying the space expansion charm on the room. It had yet to shrink back down and he wanted to know why.

“Dragon magic often interacts with goblin magic in strange ways,” the goblin leader said promptly in Gobblygook. It was necessary, since he was not revealing goblin nation secrets, but it made him feel better that the wizards in the room, aside from Lord Black and Curse-Breaker Weasley, wouldn’t be able to understand. The dragoness might trust them all, but he was not so sure. “Dragon magic is one of the only things that give us trouble, which is why we rarely seek to displease them. It is also why we have a treaty with the dragons to act as a sort of prison for the rare criminal dragon.”

“That’s why you only use them sparingly!” Bill exclaimed, also in Gobblygook.

Ragnok made a mental note to evaluate Mr. Weasley for other projects. He was proving to be quite bright and, while a wonderful curse-breaker on their Egyptian team, he wondered if there was not another area in which he would thrive. It would behoove Gringotts to ensure he was utilized as efficiently and profitably as possible.

“Correct,” Ragnok allowed. “The dragon’s magic overwrites the goblin, or any magic really, and is incredibly hard to break. We are just lucky this young one only shattered the wards around this branch’s Diagon Alley entrance, not the underground areas or the vaults. That would require quite extensive repairs and be very costly.”

“She’ll be happy to hear that,” Sirius muttered.

“Does she not currently know?” Ragnok asked curiously. They had explained that to Mr. Weasley before sending him off to see his brothers.

“I may have neglected that part,” Bill said sheepishly.

Ragnok narrowed his eyes at that but was unwilling to change him mind about using the wizard in other areas of Gringotts’s interests. One mistake was not unwarranted, but a quick and disapproving glare at the man proved his point. He flinched and nodded to the silent reprimand.

“So, I trust you have been able to discuss your plans appropriately,” Ragnok said in English after a few minutes silence. “How would you like to proceed?”

“No one wants to talk about my sister changing into a dragon?!” Harry screeched, breaking out of his stunned silence finally.

“It’s not unheard of, young wizard,” Ragnok said simply, turning to the lad briefly before focusing on the group as a whole. “Our understanding is that magical animagi are rare but not impossible.”

“But dragon!” he denied.

“I’m a grim,” Sirius argued. “Not a dog, Harry.”

“But dragon,” Harry whined.

“Not the only one,” Arianna weakly stated from her bed, drawing the concerned flutterings of Eir and the frantic gaze of Charlie.

“Arianna!” the dragon handler cried, dashing to her side and clasping her hand. “Should you be awake?”

“Have to be for cleanse,” she muttered. “And I want that done before any more drama.”

“You’re in luck, then,” Eir muttered as she waved her wand over the woman, “I was coming to collect you. The healers are recovered and the ritual room is ready. Ragnok has also come to discuss your accounts. We have brought a number of rings for various people.”

“We hadn’t quite gotten to that part yet,” Arianna said before pushing herself to lean against Charlie, vertical enough to look at the room easier.

“And whyever not?” Ragnok wondered. “You have been here for a number of days already.”

“And in that time,” Arianna argued before anyone else could speak, “all but myself have been cleansed of a plethora of compulsions or blocks, more than half of us have had to come to terms with a betrayal so deep and unbelievable that generations have fallen into the trap, and we have needed to get all the information available before starting to make plans. Pardon me for wishing to know all the angles and players before I make a move.”

Ragnok grinned evilly at the news. This was boding possibly well for the Goblin nation. Betrayal could be profitable for Gringotts, especially if it was from the man he thought it might be. “And who is this betrayer? Who warranted the wrath of a dragoness protecting her thunder?”

“Dumbledore,” the magicals all said, with varying emotions. But it was the pure venom from the dragoness that drew Ragnok’s smile.

“Then we will need to plan carefully,” Ragnok replied. “My partner Eir has informed me we will be seeking the blood of abusers, but I would gladly take wizard blood as well. Especially alongside a dragoness. But we will need to move carefully and efficiently if we wish to do the most good, especially with the Dark Lord’s return.”

Ragnok was regretful for the flinch from the young Potter lord, but he would not dishonor the lad’s sacrifices and pain by ignoring that one bit of information. After all, it had taken little to confirm the magic of the bank sensing the return of an account holder, despite those accounts no longer belonging to the man.

“Begin an audit on all vaults of mine you can access. I don’t have any ladyships I need to hide at this point, since all of them have been inactive for so long,” Arianna ordered, pushing to her feet weakly to shuffle to him.

He raised an eyebrow at the rings, still surprised the magic has allowed them to leave their vaults and respond to her call. Much was being explained by her Animagus form. Apparently, it didn’t matter if she was in human form or not. The dragon magic was almost flowing off her in waves and he wondered if none of the wizards she’d encountered had ever realized that was part of why she was so powerful. Given the lack of brains he dealt with, he thought not.

But he did take note of the various rings she wore, smirking when the merged rings flashed the various houses to allow him a full accounting of those she held sway over. It was an impressive number.

“Can you do that with mine too?” the young Potter wondered. “I’m worried about the transfers I saw on the pages from that test.”

Ragnok stiffened in anger at the news. He turned to the lad with sharp eyes.

“Did you not authorize them?” he demanded.

“No…” Harry said warily, staring at the goblin in concern.

“Neither did I,” Sirius said instantly, understanding dawning in his eyes. “I was too confused, shocked, and angry during our discussions to clarify previously.”
Ragnok devolved into swearing, reverting back to his native tongue quickly to adequately express his ire. English just did not have the slurs Gobblygook possessed.

“Then a great disservice has been wrought on your houses,” he finally snarled. “And the goblins of Gringotts shall do all in our power to correct these issues. However, young Potter, you will need to claim your rings before we can do a full audit and assess the best way to go about retrieving your possessions. Unfortunately, heirs cannot request such things. Nor can they invoke the Right of Recall,” he said pointedly.

He smirked when Lord Black took instant note of the clue and smirked. The Lady Arianna seemed to understand as well, mischief twinkling in her eyes and a most maniacal laugh bouncing around the room.

“What’s the Right of Recall?” Harry asked softly.

“The Right of Recall is the ability of a Lord to request Gringotts retrieve any and all artifacts, books, potions, or other such items, that belong to the House, regardless of how they left the House. Unless the Lord himself sold, gifted, or otherwise disposed of the item, it would be subject to a Recall. Any objects currently residing in House properties would be exempt. And a Recall would allow Goblins to perform their retrieval duties with any means necessary, from any location on the planet,” Ragnok explained.

Those unfamiliar with the practice were obvious. And Ragnok shuddered that these uninformed magicals were in charge of the freedoms of Goblins…. Though he couldn’t fault these specific magicals. From what Eir had been saying about their cleansings, they were far from responsible for their ignorance. And many of them were striving, within the confines pressed upon them, to learn. Even before the blocks had been removed and against their own species. After all, the twin Weasley lads had expressed respect from the moment they’d arrived, even so far as to thoroughly threaten the goblin healers when Harry had cried in pain, protecting their clanmate completely. So, to impart some knowledge obviously lost to them previously was no hardship.

“Do it,” Arianna agreed instantly. “For all my accounts, though only retrieve the objects in Dumbledore’s care without allowing him to see the retrieval team or any punishments given. I have plans for his consequences. Would it also include any persons belonging to the house but hidden against their will, should we request it?”

“Yes,” Ragnok said instantly.

*****
Arianna looked to Sirius immediately and wondered if she should say something about the little issue she’d spotted on his test. But it was the Weasleys that seemed to make the connection.

“What does the ‘complicated’ mean on the test, Mr. Ragnok?” Fred asked quickly.

“It would depend on which section the label has been applied,” Ragnok answered quickly and Arianna suspected he was trying to lead them to answers he’d wanted to reveal for a while but been unable to for some reason. She’d have to figure out a way to release him from any and all secrecy oaths, especially if they were just standard Gringotts privacy practices.

“Family,” Sirius demanded, finally making the connection.

“That would mean the family member in question is not dead, but not necessarily alive either. They could be Inferi, or potioned into a magical coma, or any number of other conditions,” Eir actually explained.

“So, if Harry had taken his test when he was supposed to, I would have been labeled as ‘complicated’,” Arianna deduced.

“Yes,” Eir agreed. “Who has been labeled as such, if I may ask? I regret to say I was more concerned with other sections when reviewing your tests.”

Sirius looked sick and the twins were so pale, their freckles looked drained. Even Remus was concerned and Arianna wracked her brain trying to figure out why. Then it clicked. She knew about the other three, but Remus had a brother listed. A brother she hadn’t known about.

“But why would Regulus show as that?!” Sirius demanded hotly, already starting to pace and twist his hands through his long hair. “He was a Death Eater! He died!”

“Obviously not,” Arianna grumbled. “But we can worry about that later, Pads. Right now, we need to do a Recall. I’ll hold off on including people in mine for now, since I’m not familiar with the current Ladyships I hold. I’m not entirely sure how many people that would be and I’m not comfortable chancing a flood of cursed or Inferi storming Gringotts when the call goes out. Please just a full audit and a Recall once the Audits are complete. If you could keep me updated as they go, I’d appreciate it. And should you find genealogy books, I’d appreciate those as well. I have a feeling I’m not the only one in all those houses and I’d like to see just who I’m now Lady over before I announce myself publicly…”

Ragnok nodded and one of the goblins in the room was quick to start taking notes.

“Mine as well,” Sirius muttered, still pacing and occasionally growling. “I know I should have ordered a full audit before, but I’d honestly hoped Dumbles was just losing it with age…. And invoke the Recall. Is it possible to request only one person? Or do I need to do a full Recall when asking for people to be included?”

“Normally, you would need to perform a full Recall for all people,” Ragnok explained. “But I believe, since we have the specific name and estimated timeframe of loss, we should be able to recall just the one. Do you have any more information on when he ‘died’?”

Sirius thought for a moment then sighed. “I don’t, but I can call someone who does…” he admitted with a barely hidden sneer.

“Oh, no,” Remus groaned. “Not him…. He’s horrible.”

“But he knew Reggie best,” Sirius muttered. “Damn nasty thing, but definitely knew him better than his blood traitor brother…. Kreacher!”

With a soft pop, an elderly house elf appeared by Sirius, sneering up at him and grumbling to himself.

“Nasty blood traitor Master called for Kreacher? What new nasties does blood traitor Master have in store? More mudbloods and dark things to bring to poor Mistress’s beloved house?”

Arianna studied the creature with a mixture of pity and distain. Obviously, the Blacks were not very nice to their house elves. But she also wasn’t going to stand for that kind of talk and she decided to act before Sirius kicked the thing. He looked seconds from it as it was.

“Kreacher? That’s your name?” she asked gently, sliding to her knees by the little thing. The stench coming off the elf was pretty powerful, but she didn’t let it deter her.

“Stay away from it, Ari, hun. He’s right nasty and I don’t want you getting bit,” Sirius ordered, only to shy away from the vicious glare he got.

Kreacher seemed to like that and the smile he sent to Sirius was all teeth and angry glee.

“Yes, Ms. Half-blood wench,” he agreed, seemingly eager to talk to someone who could make Sirius flinch. “Master Orion named me, he did. And I has served Black family for years. Saw nasty blood traitor Master and Master Reggie born, I did. And then watched poor Mistress’ house fall far, I did. Nasty blood traitor Master do his mother bad,” Kreacher grumbled. “Lets mudbloods and traitors and manipulators into Black house.”

“Kreacher, would it be alright if we asked you some questions about Master Reggie?”

“Whats yous wanting to know about Master Reggie?” he asked suspiciously.

“Do you know when he disappeared?” she asked.

“Kreacher know exactly when,” he grumbled, rattling off the date and time. “Master Reggie not well pleased when Dark Lord borrowed Kreacher for a special mission. Days and days and weeks and weeks, he ranted before he decided to try and find nasty blood traitor Master…. Told Kreacher to tell him right away if nasty blood traitor Master ever showed up. Was gonna tell nasty blood traitor Master everything.”

Sirius looked like someone had taken a troll club to his head.

“Reg was going to betray Voldemort?” he asked.

“Hush,” Arianna ordered before turning back to Kreacher with a soft smile. “Kreacher, why was Regulus looking for Sirius specifically?”

“Master Reggie didn’t trust any other. Master Reggie didn’t like Dark Lord after Kreacher’s special mission. Kreacher was sick for weeks after. For weeks Kreacher had to be nursed by Master Reggie. Master Reggie who Kreacher had nursed when he was small. Then, when nasty blood traitor Master didn’t show, when Master Reggie couldn’t find even a whiff of him, Master Reggie decided to do something else. Master Reggie ordered Kreacher to take him where Dark Lord had taken Kreacher. Kreacher tried to say no! Too dangerous for Master Reggie! Better for nasty blood traitor Master to take Dark Lord’s horribly potion! But Master Reggie didn’t want to wait anymore for nasty blood traitor Master! Kreacher couldn’t stop him!”

By this point, Sirius was pacing again and Kreacher collapsed into tears. Arianna wanted to gather the poor thing into her arms and comfort him, but she wasn’t sure how that would be taken by the elderly creature. The rest of the room was silent. Finally, Remus pushed to his feet and pulled a snarling Sirius to his chest, ignoring the snapping teeth and pressing Sirius’ nose into the side of his neck. Sirius instantly deflated, burying his nose deeper and inhaling Moony’s scent.

Arianna smirked at the not so subtle comfort. Especially when she saw the twins bracketing Harry, arms wrapped around his slim shoulders and staring at the pair in awe and sympathy.

“What was the potion for, Kreacher?” Arianna asked gently, once the elf had calmed down and was done whipping his nose on his already filthy pillowcase.

“Protecting stupid locket,” he muttered. “Dark Lord had Kreacher drink nasty potion so he could put locket in the bowl. Potion had to be drinked. Couldn’t vanish, not even by elfy magics…. Kreacher tried! Wanted to save Master Reggie! But couldn’t! So, Master Reggie drinked the potions then wanted Kreacher to take the locket and go. Kreacher wouldn’t! Kreacher wouldn’t leave nice Master Reggie! So Kreacher took both! Master Reggie had Kreacher promise to destroy locket then went to sleep. No matter what Kreacher did, Master Reggie didn’t wake up. Then nasty Dark Lord found Master Reggie and took him away! Kreacher couldn’t find him and couldn’t destroy nasty locket! Kreacher a bad house elf!”

Before Arianna could catch him, the elf had run full into the nearest wall, only to get up and start banging his head on it sharply.

“Kreacher, stop!” she cried in concern. But Kreacher didn’t listen, only wailed and hit his head again.

“Kreacher!” Sirius barked. “Stop!” The magic of the bond froze the house elf mid-swing, stopping his head inches from the stone. At Arianna’s prompting, Sirius sighed and crouched by his house elf. “Kreacher, you are not a bad house elf. You did a great thing, trying to save Reg. I wish I’d known he had changed his mind, as I would have gladly drank whatever the potion was. But you did the right thing, taking him and the locket both out of there. I have no idea where you were or what dangers you were in, but you thought of Reggie first. That’s all anyone can ask.”

“Nasty blood traitor Master doesn’t blame Kreacher?” the elf asked with a sniffle.

“No, Kreacher,” Sirius said tiredly. “I only blame Voldemort…. And once I get my hands on him, we’ll show him why you never mess with a Black.”

Kreacher positively glowed at that. “Nasty blood traitor Master not as bad as Mistress says.”

Sirius startled at that, but gave a small smile. “Well, Mum always was a bit crazier than the rest of us.”

Kreacher snorted at that, but said nothing else.

“So, bit more than just the date and time,” Arianna said, pushing herself slowly to her feet and giving Charlie a smile when he rushed over to support her. “I wonder what the potion was, or what was so important about the locket that Voldemort hid it so well, but it sounds like we’ll have at least one more for your tender mercies, Healer Eir.”

“So it would seem,” Eir said with a small smirk. It turned into a full-blown grin when Kreacher squeaked.

“Nasty blood traitor Master knows where Master Reggie is?!” he demanded hotly, instantly on the defensive and glaring at Sirius once more.

“No, Kreacher,” Sirius denied. “But I’m going to find out and get him back. I order you not to tell anyone, in any way, anything to do with what we’ve talked about or what I am up to. You are allowed to assist the Order members still utilizing Grimmauld Place, but I want them ignorant of my actions. You are in no way allowed to release that information. I’m not so cold as to make you go home once we track him down. But I do expect the house to look a little better so I can take him there once it’s safe.”

Kreacher paled at the announcement and Arianna could see he was already itching to get back to the place to start work.

“What should Kreacher be doing about the loudmouth blood traitor with her cleaning and tossing? And the half-blood thief?” Kreacher asked after a minute.

Sirius didn’t seem to get it, but it was obvious the twins did, as both burst out laughing. “Mum, he means Mum,” they managed between chuckles. “Not sure about the thief, though.”

“Fletcher,” Remus growled. “I caught his scent on a few Black family heirlooms I spotted at a market in Knockturn when I was there a few weeks ago. Thought you’d just decided to get rid of any dark objects in the house so didn’t say anything.”

“Never,” Sirius growled. “Never would I do that! I may have hated my parents and their views, but the Black family is more than their narrow-minded beliefs. And I would never get rid of any of the Black artifacts. Some of the things are so dark I wouldn’t trust them with anyone else. Others are spelled so only a Black can handle them at all. And some of those things are almost as old as Hogwarts and just because they’re now considered dark doesn’t mean they started that way. For the most part, the dark artifacts are used for protection. Something magicals needed at one point just to get through a day…. I would never.”

Kreacher studied him closely for a few minutes before nodding to himself and then bowing low to Sirius.

“Kreacher was wrong about Master Sirius,” he muttered. Sirius sputtered at the elf using his given name. “Master Sirius is nothing like Mistress said, caring for Black family and loving Master Reggie. Kreacher will do his bestest to help Master Sirius restore Black family to rightful place.”

“Ragnok,” Sirius said, staring at his elf in wonder as the bond between them seemed to strengthen. “Any chance the Recall can be invoked creatively? I’m sure I have at least one elf that would be quite willing to assist in retrieving artifacts in the goblin manner.”

“Or worse,” Kreacher grumbled.

Ragnok laughed loudly at the exchange but nodded delightedly. It had been a long time since elves and goblins had been asked to perform the duty together.

“It would be my pleasure to welcome any available elves on the hunt,” he finally agreed.
Arianna smirked then felt her legs buckle suddenly. Apparently, kneeling on the floor for so long had been a bad idea.

“Right, into the room with you,” Eir ordered, instantly directing Charlie out of the room with a groaning redhead in his arms. “We’ve delayed long enough. You need cleansed fully and I’ll not have you dying on me.”

Arianna could only nod weakly.

*****
Once the door had closed on the cleansing chamber as the dragon handler left, Eir turned to her charge and gave her a pointed glare.

“You should have allowed him in the viewing room, if only to offer moral support,” the goblin healer snapped.

“No,” Arianna said softly, even as her body shuddered in pain. “No one needs to see how much this hurts…”

“Suit yourself,” the goblin said, though it was obvious she felt differently. She even flinched when her charge started screaming. It wouldn’t stop for hours and she’d be going through it all alone. As Eir suspected she’d gone through a lot.