69 ch 69 Cassiopeia Black

3:04 pm St. Mungo's

"Apologies, Marshall. I didn't know Dumbledore will be here." said Amelia as we exit the room.

I wave my hand with an exhausted face, "Ugh... That man has many issues. He's a busy body with delusion of grandeur."

She laughed, "Maybe so. But I'm surprised you're not intimidated by the man. I,myself, had to think twice before I confront him."

"Yes, he's intimidating because he is powerful, but it doesn't mean everything he does is right." I said and asked, "So, where is Cassiopeia?"

Seeing that I have my own opinions, Amelia dropped the topic and just said, "We don't have to go far. She's here in St. Mungo's. Follow me."

Casting an invisibility field, we made our way to the third floor in front of a private room.

Amelia knock on the door and a woman's voice answered, "Come In."

Removing the invisibility field, we quickly entered the room. I saw a middle-aged matron sitting beside a bed where an old lady in an inclined position.

The matron welcomed us, "Amelia, it's nice for you to visit."

"Oh, how did the Head of DMLE have time to visit this little old lady?" said with the elderly woman sitting on the bed.

"Good afternoon, Lady Black... Madam Baker... I brought this young wizard. He's the one I told you about. The one who cure the Longbottoms. Meet Marshall Witcherly." said Amelia.

Madam Baker, the matron, stood up, "Oh my... So it's you! Wait!? Does that mean you have cured the ones at the isolated ward?"

Amelia nodded.

Baker smiled and rejoiced, "Thank Merlin! .... Oh.. Where are my manners. I'm Elizabeth Baker, Director of St. Mungo's. On behalf of the hospital and the patients, please accept my deepest gratitude."

With a nod, I gave reply, "Glad to be of help. But I'm afraid I can't provide the potions to other such patients... Thankfully, I was able to cure them with an alternative way. If you have other such cases, please group them together so that I can do it in one go. Just send me a letter in the future and I'll make time to visit. Madam Bones can testify to it."

Elizabeth was surprised and looked at Amelia who gave a polite nod. The matron said, "Oh my, then I'll give you lot some privacy and check on the patients. Later, Mr. Witcherly."

After the Director left the room, I silently cast a barrier on the room. I then looked at the elderly woman on the bed. Now that I have a more clear look, she resembled Angela Lansbury... just more old and haggard.

"Please sit, you two." Cassiopeia look at me and smile, "Why do you want to meet me, Young Witcherly? Though I'm the Head of the Black family, it is just an empty title now that our family is at its end."

Amelia and I sat at each side of the bed. I'm a little surprised that Cassiopeia directly asked me for my intention.

With a smile, I said, "But the Black family line hadn't ended yet, Ma'am. There's still one living male descendant, isn't there?"

"Oh? Who? You? Wait... Are you an illegitimate son of my great-grandnephews?" Cassiopeia quickly speculates.

Amelia became wide eye.

"No..no.. Please. I'm sorry. It's not me. Sorry to get your hopes up." Waving a hand, I quickly denied it. "I'm talking about Sirius Black."

"Him? Lad… I'm pretty sure you came here knowing that that man is in Azkaban, and knows the reason he is in there." The elderly lady said with a frown.

Alemia can't keep quiet anymore and asked, "What are you planning, Marshall? Make it clear."

With a sigh, I asked, "Let me ask this. What is he guilty of?"

"He was arrested, accused of murdering Pettigrew and the muggles and of serving You-Know-Who in addition to betraying the Potters." Bones quickly said.

I quickly replied, "I checked the newspapers and had investigated the events back then, Sirius was never found guilty of the crime. Because there was never a trial."

"That can't be… He admitted that he killed those people… and the trial…" Amelia was lost in her thoughts and recalling what she can remember.

Cassiopeia looked at me, "Lad… I'm very old. I don't have the strength for suspense. Just be direct."

I just nod and told the two, "Pettigrew is alive. He was the one who killed the muggles back then and cut his finger to leave behind a 'body'. From the photo on the old newspaper, the finger was cleanly cut. Now tell me, in an explosion, shouldn't that finger have some burnt marks?"

"... Pettigrew was the one who betrayed the Potters that night. He was the Secret Keeper, not Sirius."

The two were shocked and can't believe it.

Amelia looked at me as if judging if I'm telling the truth, "Then where is Pettigrew now? You know, don't you?"

Black was agitated, "Lad.. Please speak. If what you say is true, then Sirius is innocent, and he can continue our family line."

Straightening my posture, I asked, "Can the two of you make an Wizard's Oath that you will follow my plans?.."

" ...It involves a bit of waiting, and I know you want to resolve it as soon as possible but ...to ensure that nothing goes wrong… I need your full cooperation. Especially on your part, Madam Bones."

Amelia frowned. As the Head of DMLE, she finds it difficult to accept orders from an 11-year-old kid.

Cassiopeia was trembling, and she reached out for her wand on the bedside table. She didn't agree immediately and look over at Amelia for support.

Seeing the hesitation in their eyes, I said, "I know I'm just an eleven-year-old in your eyes. But do consider my background. My family is friends with the Flamels and the Great Merlin himself."

"...?!... Really? Merlin?" Cassiopeia had a skeptical look.

"I trust you, Marshall. On account of Susan's description of you. But I must ask… Why are you doing this?" Amelia said.

'Well, I guess I Have to explain myself.' I politely explained, "I have several reasons. First, Sirius was named as Harry Potter's godfather. Currently, my friend is living in an abusive home and I wish to change that…"

"... Second, I need the Head of the Black family's help on retrieving something from the Lestrange Family Vault."

Cassiopeia asked, "And what is that?"

I smiled, "I'll tell you when you take the Oath. Just know that, I can actually accomplish everything on my own, even without my family's help. I'm just choosing the most discreet way possible, which can only be done with the help of the two of you."

After some time, the two women look at each other and nodded. They both raised their wand and make an Oath to follow my plans.

I quickly take out two enchanted bracelets and handed one to each of them. Both have seven strings , 5 of which for protection.

"What's this?" Amelia asked as she inspects the bracelet.

"Those are enchanted bracelet I give away to my... I guess ...'family friends'. They are strong enough to block The Killing Curse and protect your minds from the strongest Legiliments." I humbly said.

"You're Joking!" "Oh my!"

Taking out a vial of my potion and giving it to Cassiopeia, I said, "Lady Black, I recon that you wish to see the day that the Black family rise again, this potion and the bracelet will ensure you have a healthy body."

""Are you serious?"" The two yelled out.

"No, I'm Marshall. Sirius is still in Azkaban and needs our help." I joked.

Cassiopeia chuckled hearing the joke, while Amelia rolled her eyes.

I then point to the bracelet on Amelia's hand, "Since, Madam Bones is still young. No offense, Lady Black..."

"None taken... Though considering Amelia's age, she can be considered----"

"Ehem!" Amelia signal us to stop talking about her age and raise her bracelet.

I quickly continued, "Yes… Your bracelet strengthens your body and boost your agility. To better react to sudden attacks."

Cassiopeia put on the bracelet on her wrist and she quickly felt her body became lighter and more energetic. Not waiting anymore, she then drank my potion and her haggard looked lessen, but she doesn't appeared to be younger. She then raised her hand. They were still wrinkly but she noticed that they were no longer trembling.

She's still old. At most, I gave her ten more years.

Seeing the positive changes to Cassiopeia, Amelia then put the bracelet and try to feel the change. She does feel more energetic, and she realizes that she's more perceptive of her surroundings.

Cassiopeia calmed down, "So, Young Witcherly, Can you tell us your plan and what's inside the Lestrange Family vault you want my help to retrieve?"

Amelia also waited for my answer, so I gathered my thought and first said, "A cup... more specifically, Helga Hufflepuff's cup. I'm warning you now. Don't attempt to get it, It's currently cursed. I'm the only one who can get it and handle its backlash."

"In regards to freeing Sirius, It has to wait until the end of the school year."

"Why?" Bones asked.

"I cannot tell you currently, but please trust me. For now, Lady Black must prepare to gain control of the Lestrange Family vault and fight for Sirius freedom."

"While she prepares, Madam Bones needs to check and secure the records of Sirius arrest. Make sure that the evidences will not be tampered when Lady Black put fort her claim of wrongful conviction."

Amelia frowned, "You're not telling us your whole plan? Even with the Oath?"

With another sigh, I point at their bracelets, "Yes, I'm giving you ladies an enchanted bracelet that can block The Killing Curse because one wrong step, and your life might be put in danger."

Silence ~

"Then what's the sense of us meeting today!" Amelia stood up, she was glaring at me.

Pointing to Cassiopeia, I said, "So I can meet Lady Black. I'm actually waiting for the end of the school year to take action, but I then learned of her existence, so I made a preemptive move to meet her, and secure the only obstacle the Malfoys have on claiming the Lestrange vault."

Cassiopeia exclaimed, "Me?... Malfoy? Ah yes, Narcissa married into that family. Hmmm... Yes, You're right. My claim takes priority over hers if we go by relationship with Bellatrix. Andromeda can also claim it, but as she was disowned by our family for her marriage, it won't stand in court."

The old lady then looks at me, "So you're saying that my life is in danger."

Shaking my head, I honestly said, "I'm not sure. I'm not monitoring the Malfoy's every move, Ma'am. I just know that they are trying to gain control of the Lestrange vault and you're in their way. And please forgive me for being blunt, but you do know you're really old, right?"

Lady Black quickly scolds me,"Hush now, Dear. Don't call a lady, old, even when its obvious. Hmmmm.... So I guess I have to be in hiding. Maybe I can stay at Andromeda's home?... Oh! wait! Her husband is a barrister, and a competent one at that. I'll write her a letter now..."

She pulled the drawer right beside her bed and started writing…

I almost laugh seeing the old lady being so energetic, but I notice Amelia still standing and staring at me.

She had her arms crossed, "So you're really not letting me know anything else until the school year-end?"

I nodded, "Unfortunately so, I was afraid that you might do something drastic and spook those involve and I lose track of the key players, one of which is Pettigrew."

Amelia then realized why I insisted for them to make the Oath first. She sat again, "Fine, I'll trust you Witcherly. Until the end of the school year."

"Thank you for the trust." I gave a polite bow.

Before we leave, Amelia called Nymphadora to guard Lady Black and assist her transfer to the Tonks' Residence.

As the two of us walk down ground floor, I looked at my pocket watch and it was just 4:38 pm.

Amelia noticed my action and asked, "So you're going home?"

Closing the pocket watch, I smiled, "Yeah.. I have an important dinner tonight. "

~end of chapter ~