Friend Since Birth

*****
“How could the hat be wrong?” Sirius whimpered, curling into the cushions of a couch with his head on Remus’ lap.

The shifter was playing with the inky strands idly, reviewing the parchment of their discussions so far. Arianna had demanded a dicta-quill from the twins and was putting it to good use to track all the dates, times, people, crimes, and other bits of information they were uncovering as they added more people to the Fidelius. It was distressingly long already and there were only fourteen of them so far, excluding the goblins.

“If not Slytherin, like the last six generations of Black, what house was Reg supposed to be in?” Sirius continued, voice creeping into high octaves in his distress.
Remus winced at the noise but didn’t get a chance to respond.

“Gryffindor, with my ponse of an older brother,” Regulus announced. He stood in the doorway, snuggled into Snape’s side and glaring at Sirius. The Black lord sat up abruptly, almost knocking his head into Remus’ chin.

“Gryffindor?” Sirius demanded.

“Not the only one who hated mum and dad and wanted to be the exact opposite of what they expected, Siri,” Regulus snapped. “Which you’d know if you bothered to talk to me instead of writing me off for being in Slytherin! Or talked to me at all after you left. Or taken me with you. You knew how our parents were, yet you left me there.”

“It was either leave you and have someone decent inherit the title when I was disowned or taken you and risk kidnapping charges, or did you forget you were only fourteen at the time Mum threw me out?” Sirius asked, studying his brother curiously.

Even Snape seemed entranced by the latest bickering and Remus sighed. It would seem the removal of blocks was making everyone’s emotions a little touchy and he did not look forward to dealing with this constantly. But he’d take emotional outburst over being manipulated and potioned without his consent any day. He had a feeling most would.

“Gents,” Arianna interrupted before they could really get going, to Remus’ gratitude, “as much as I’d love the brotherly bonding moment, we do still have a lot to discuss, not the least of which is the plans and ideas for how to deal with this all, who to trust, and just how much of Harry’s affairs we can sort out before he goes back to school in a month. And all while keeping this whole group a secret. I’m not sure how the goblins managed to keep the removal of two dozen patients from the Janus Thicky ward a secret, but they did and all are still recovering at the bank from the same spells and potions. We’ll need some way to ensure their silence as they start reentering the world and doesn’t include involving them in this mess yet.”

The Prewett brothers exchanged a look then nodded and offered to act as a go-between for the groups, making inquiries about possible loyalties and allies that the rescued purebloods might prove to be. It would also provide them some time in Gringotts to sort out their own affairs and perhaps delay the announcement of their own return. Remus knew they were well remembered by the Aurors at least, since they took out so many Death Eaters before they finally fell.

Arianna made note and smiled at the twins gratefully. “That will help immensely if you’re able to sway even a few of them. As we were discussing, there are a number of laws I’d like to start repealing, but I cannot suggest all of them. With the various titles I can throw around, the allies I already possess in the Lords Black and Prewett, and trying to overhaul the entire system, people might start to worry I’m looking to take up the monarchy.”

That had Remus perking up. It was a little-known fact of the current political climate that the Wizarding World still operated with a monarchy. The title had been vacant for so long and the purebloods so distracted, the information had been lost to history. Remus only knew about it from his research and he’d written it off as impossible.

“Forget it, Moony,” Arianna said when she noticed his eager smile. “I wouldn’t take the title if you paid me. I want to protect people, not rule them. And Magic chooses the monarch anyway. She would have to judge me worthy and I’m not planning on asking, even if it would make Harry untouchable. It’s a last resort only. As in, the world is literally burning and the only way to get it to stop is if I ask. We’re quite capable of protecting everyone without that little headache.”

Remus had to chuckle at that, still wondering just how much fun it could be to see how people would react to a monarch like their little Prongslette.

“Now, back to plans, the Prewetts are going to be working with the goblins on the rescues and their vaults then see about their holdings and seats in the Wizengamot. Sirius, would you and Remus be willing to be a barometer of possible people to trust? We’re going to need as many people as possible to go against two powerful groups and I’ll not have a traitor. Unfortunately, depending on when any blocks were applied, the adults will probably be too old to have them fully removed, as we discovered with the pair of you, but we can offer the chance to at least partially break them. Even removing half of a block will give them a boost in power and Eir has assured me that removing any potions or compulsions shouldn’t be too much trouble no matter the time applied, since they need to be given boosters periodically. They’re not meant to be permanent anyway and the only ones that might pose problems have tried and true options, like the sleeping draught dependency.

The goblins have agreed to a discount for anyone who we bring in, since they assume there will be a number, Sirius and I are Goblin Friend, and I’ve already set up contracts to take on the expense. I think they’re also eager to test people so they may find lost heirs to accounts and Titles that even their meticulous records cannot trace. Once they’re cleansed, the Fidelius will be required if they want to join in on further information and Sirius is the only one that can add anyone. At this point, I think the tests from our original group may need to be given as proof only after they are added to the Fidelius. I’m not sure of anyone not going off and blabbing if they decide not to be included. And I won’t make them join us in exchange for the cleanses.”

Remus exchanged a look with his packmate, secretly glad they were still able to have a discussion with only facial cues. Then turned back to their pup and nodded.

“Bonus,” Arianna said with a smile, “is that there will be a lot of travel involved, since you’ll need to visit those we’d like to include. We’ve got some tentative lists, a good chunk of which Charlie drew up while we were still in Gringotts, but we’ll take suggestions from everyone of people they think will agree that the whole mess is utter rubbish... Ron and the Twins area already starting to check Order members based on Remus’ work already and their siblings, though I’ve asked they be incredibly cautious and not even try with some of them. Moody in particular. But you’ll need to make your own determinations. I trust your judgement, well, definitely more now,” she ignored Sirius’ indignant squawk. “We’ll work on getting your name legally cleared, Sirius, so until then, be careful. But you’ll be moving constantly, doing surveillance, and I hear hunting can help relieve stress.”

Remus got the pointed suggestion immediately, turning a feral grin to his goddaughter. Oh, she was very much like her mother. And her father. And her godfather. He was going to enjoy protecting his pup from the idiots that would see the colors she wore in school and write her off. Almost as much as he was going to enjoy seeing her take the world by storm and fire.

“Perhaps you might suggest a starting point for the hunt, then?” Sirius asked, eyes maniacal and almost reminiscent of his cousin Bellatrix.

“I hear Little Hangleton is nice this time of year,” she said. “The goblins tell tale of a huge mansion there that has recently gotten new owners and one of them, with a beautiful piece of magic replacing his hand, is often seen in the village on errands for the lord.”

Remus smirked at that. Not only a location, but knowledge of where Voldemort had holed up since his return and a way to get the rat alone.

“I’ll warn you, though, if you get caught or seen, I’ll not be happy with having to rescue you before you’re kissed, so be careful,” she said, pointing a finger at them and scowling so impressively Sirius flinched back. “As Harry pointed out, you can’t be your usual idiotic selves that charge in with no plan. If you must wait, wait. The goblins are keeping a close eye on the pair, since they are notoriously bad for business, what with their killing and distracting, and damaging buildings. If you can’t get the rat, don’t. We can try again later.”

Remus agreed instantly and, after a pointed elbow from him, Sirius did as well though he did so with a grumble. Remus didn’t care, though. Their pups were right. They had a responsibility to the pair and he was not losing another piece of his pack. He already knew he wouldn’t survive it if he did. If it also got them away from people for a bit so they could breathe and process the changes since that fateful night Sirius had decided to hang the warnings and visit Surrey? All the better. And if they paid a visit to the filth that dared to be related to their Lily-flower and pups? Well, Remus would show the often overlooked part of himself, the Marauder part, and say nothing.

“We’ll head out as soon as we’re done in Diagon. I’ve still got to meet with Andromeda and we need to meet with the wandmakers,” Sirius promised. Arianna nodded and smiled.

“So, next is Charlie,” Arianna said, moving down her list.

“Took a leave of absence starting as of yesterday, so I’m all yours,” he said.

“Not yet, you’re not,” Arianna muttered, too low for most to hear, but Remus smirked. “Alright, I think I’m going to need you here. Some of my accounts listed creatures as part of the holdings and I’m going to need you to take a look at them with Uncle Newt.”

Remus laughed at the gob-smacked then eager look the dragon handler shot to the blushing older gentleman. Graves laughed as well, nudging his husband with a smirk.

“Bill, if you would, I’d like you to join them when you’re not working on the projects Ragnok gives you, just in case any of the vaults or habitats have curses or wards around them. With the way the phrasing for the Aiaia vault is, I’ll need to open that one personally, since even the goblins haven’t had access since it was sealed, except to care for the creatures within. I’ll try and visit the rest of the vaults beforehand to remove any protections, or at least allow you access, but I’m not losing someone to some creature that they don’t know how to approach correctly. Otherwise, I leave it to you, Charlie, to catalogue the creatures and put together a team to care for them. I would suggest consulting with the team the goblins have at the moment, ask for their opinion on the species they currently know about and if they feel their numbers are enough to continue to care for them properly.

I have no idea the stipulations Circe added to her accounts but two thousand years of separation from the upper world may have had some effects regardless. I have a feeling a lot of the creatures still alive will need to leave the vaults and experience sunshine again, if not for health than for sheer space. From my understanding, the vaults expand as needed but even goblin magic has limits and if they’re breeding the creatures, to ensure some were still alive when the accounts were finally inherited, there could be quite a few to deal with. I don’t want them to continue living in a cage, no matter how beautiful or carefully tended. I intend to move them to one of my other holdings with expansive wizarding space filled with natural areas, like Hogwarts uses for the Forbidden Forest…. You’ll be my contact for reviewing possible locations and setting up some kind of preserve. I’ll get you a list of the properties, with the ones I think will work highlighted, but other than that, it’s all yours and Newt’s.”

Charlie looked like someone had just handed him a lifetime membership into every Quidditch game in the world and as much Honeyduke’s chocolate as he could eat for each game. Newt Scamander wasn’t much better, and Graves had to hold his excitedly wiggling husband to his seat. He certainly didn’t act the age of someone who’d fought Grindelwald. None of that group did and it made Remus put more stock in the idea that wizards could live to be well over two hundred naturally. Flamel was an anomaly, but if these witches and wizards were any indication, the idea had merit. It made him wonder what was causing the shorter life-spans. Surely it had to be more than inbreeding. Perhaps something Dumbledore was doing? He knew the war hadn’t helped the population, many too afraid to have children and even more dying well before bearing their own, but he’d have to do some research.

“Promise?” Charlie asked, sounding much more like a child than a man who’d been studying dragons for almost a decade and risen to the position of dragon handler in the few years since he’d graduated.

Arianna chuckled but nodded and Charlie let out an excited whoop, dancing around the room until his brother pulled him back to his seat with a tug on his trousers and a laugh. Newt scrambled away from his husband and pounced on the dragon handler to get started on strategies and theories on what sorts of creatures they could find. Apparently, a lot of creatures had gone extinct since the vaults were sealed and they wondered if there would be some survivors locked away. Remus caught Newt’s enthusiastic hope of a breeding population for any of them and tried not to wince at the idea after their discoveries in St. Mungos.., Creatures were different....

“I would suggest Tina and I continue our audit,” Graves said with quiet grace, diverting everyone from the celebrating pair. “As outsiders, we might be a little more objective. Theseus, would you join us? You may be able to add some history and perspective without the more recent prejudices.”

The elder Scamander nodded and Arianna made a note on her parchment while Remus took a moment to really grasp who he was in the presence of. Newt was his own case, since he was so famous for his book and the stories of his adventures entertained quite a few young witches and wizards. But Theseus was a war hero in more than one way, a man many adults admired. He’d fought in both the wars with Grindelwald and was known for being efficient yet graceful and honorable to a fault. He defended his brother at every turn and even managed to protect him after the first visit in New York had turned so sour and again when Newt found Graves, the real Graves. When he’d moved to the States to continue to support his brother and his new fiancé, all of the Ministry had wept about the loss. From the sounds of it, though, he led his new department at MACUSA with an iron hand and had little patience for people who misused their power. He and Graves had been a sight to see, from the accounts, when they were clearing out after Grindelwald’s exposure by his brother. And now here he was, talking to Remus’ pup as a beloved uncle and helping in yet another war without much more than a greeting and a demand for where he was most needed.

Remus was very much looking forward to the day the pair was set loose on the corrupt institute Britain called a Ministry.

“And what shall we be doing?” Queenie asked, perking up when Arianna turned to her with a smile.

“How do you feel about taking up your old job of lie detector?” she asked.

“Oh, that’s perfect, honey!” Queenie said with a laugh. “I’d love to go with your uncles to talk to potential allies! I might just be able to steer them away from the worst of those pesky Gryffindor habits I’ve heard such tales about as well. What about Jacob dear?”

“Well,” Arianna said with a smirk, turning to the man in question. “It sounds like you need to start setting up a bakery in the area. That can be both an excuse for you to be here and incentive for people to either stay close or make frequent visits home.”

Jacob laughed but agreed readily, especially with the promise of the goblins assisting. They were very interested, and Remus was a little shocked at the emotion from the usually stoic race. Both for the bakery and the joke shop the twins would be setting up in a year’s time. He had to admit, he may have misjudged the creatures, even if he’d never been as disrespectful of them as some of his fellow magicals.

“What of us?” Regulus asked softly and Remus eyed the pair of Death Eaters warily.

He’d been about to ask the same question, since he wasn’t sure if the pair would join them with two Potters and the remaining Marauders as part of the core group. Severus alone would loath the idea no matter the steps they had taken to reconciliation. He supposed it would all depend on how much Regulus actually trusted his brother.

“Well, that depends on you both,” Arianna said. Remus recalled her stipulation that no one would be forced to join them and he smiled.

“I suppose you are looking for us to assist in these ridiculous plans in exchange for the assistance you gave Regulus,” Snape said with a sneer.

Arianna just snorted. “Obviously, you weren’t listening, so I’ll say it again. My assistance is free. I’d do the same for anyone in the same situation, regardless of their history. I might be less careful about it if you have directly hurt my family, but no one deserves to remain in that state, no matter what they’ve done. No repayment needed. If the two of you wanted to leave and spend the rest of your lives working against me, fine. The Fidelius will ensure you can’t talk about much, but your prerogative. I’m offering you a chance to get back at the real culprits of your pain, instead of focusing on the wrong targets.”

“How exactly does any of this affect the menaces that tormented me or ignored Regulus?” Snape asked with a sneer.

Remus was about to point that out when Arianna reacted. “Did you miss the entire section of literally everyone’s tests about hating Slytherins?” she snarled, summoning the test parchments to wave them around pointedly. “Did it ever occur to you to ask where that potion came from?”

Regulus startled in realization.

“Dumbledore.”

Arianna nodded and looked to Snape. “I think he’s having the house elves dose the food. It’s the only way to account for such widespread unknown potion consumption. It’s up to you to join us in our efforts, but if you don’t want to, that’s fine. If it’s too much putting aside your history with my godfathers, then fine. But please at least look into that. As the Head of Slytherin House, it would at least be your duty to ensure the best possible situation for them.”

Snape studied her closely, but Remus could see Regulus was with them. The younger Black was staring at his brother longingly, even if he held Severus’ hand tightly. If Snape didn’t join them today, he had no doubts the man would look into the goings on at Hogwarts for his own sake. But Regulus was with them. He might go with Severus but he would help.

“What would you have me do, were I to join?” Snape asked, tone wary but open.

“Well, there are just as many vaults that list potion ingredients as creatures,” Arianna explained with a blinding smile.

She got no farther into her pitch before Snape was agreeing eagerly and summoning a notebook to start planning how to go about the whole thing, to Sirius’ amusement. The Black lord was lounging back again, head pillowed on Remus’ legs and a contented rumble sounding in his chest.

“I will warn you, though, that you’ll probably need to go back to Hogwarts, if only to resign,” Arianna said before Snape could disappear into his visions of ancient potions and books written by famous potioneers.

“Oh, I’ll be going back anyway for the school term,” Snape said offhandedly and waving a hand in her direction as he scribbled away, looking to the test parchments to note which holdings he would be looking over. “I’ll not have that manipulative old goat touching my snakes and if your suspicions are accurate, I may be able to do something about it. There’s also that Ministry toad taking up the Defense position to keep an eye on.”

That had Remus sputtering but a quick explanation from Severus had him keeping quiet. It looked like the Ministry was done with Dumbledore’s rather horrible choices the last few years and, with Crouch Jr. able to pass himself off as a longtime friend of the Headmaster’s while using Unforgiveables around students, they weren’t taking any chances. They would just have to implement their lessons for the children instead of simply talking about them.

“And what about yourself?” Charlie asked once the quiet lasted a while.

“I’ll be going over accounts and properties until the end of time,” she grumbled dejectedly. The room erupted in laughter.