Alliances and Aristocrats

AN;Wazzup, homies. Extra long chapter, but the next one will probably be shorter to compensate since I try to keep them 5k.

I hope y'all been well💙 thx for all the support and reading, especially those of y'all who follow the series. It means tons 💙

As always, let me here from you in the comments or discord.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Ready?" Andi asks, hand tight in mine. I nod, and in a smooth movement we are stepping into the fireplace, green flames swirling around us as Andi floos us to the Longbottom manner.

I stagger out into an elegant foyer, only just managing to keep my feet under me by using Andromeda's skirts. Waiting here is a formidable looking lady in her 60's, her shoulders straight and chin up, even as her hand trembles around her arm where I can feel the magic of her wand concealed in a holster. "Lady Andromeda. I must say I was not expecting your letter."

I tilt my head, hair carefully hidden in my cloak as I take in Augusta's not friendly, but not hostile tone. She'd called Andi "Lady" rather than "Miss", despite my proxy having married a non noble and been disowned. It is a very good sign.

"I hope it was not an inconvenience, Lady Longbottom. Before we get to business, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences and well wishes for- for…" Andi struggles for a moment, and I reach for her hand, abruptly remembering that Bellatrix, Andi's bitch sister, was one of the people who tortured Lady Longbottom's son and daughter-in-law to insanity. "For the Lord and Lady, on behalf of my house."

Augusta barks a sharp laugh, the noise high and reedy. "Surely you don't mean House Black. You do not have that authority, and even if you did, it would not be enough."

Andi doesn't flinch, but her aura does something similar, withering under the unintentional barb from the elder woman. It was merely a fact from her point of view, even if it was a painful one for my honorary aunt.

"No, not House Black. I'm sure you are aware I'm no longer a part of that House," Andi replies flatly, before something proud seems to embolden her, something a bit smug even as she smirks. "I mean the House I now hold a proxy position for."

Augusta seems to sharpen, body going still. "Oh? And what House is that?"

Andi smiles, and it's something a bit feral. "The newly revived House Emrys LeFey."

Augusta stutters, and I watch in interest as all form of composure gets tossed out the window. "That- Pardon? Did you say Emrys LeFey?"

I choose to step forward at this point, wanting to speed things along. Shoving my hood back, I curtsey, silver curls bouncing. "Well met, Lady Longbottom. I am Kamaria Emrys LeFey."

"Well met," Augusta breathes, returning the gesture on autopilot, eyes locked on my features and the rings on my fingers.

"Lady Longbottom, I swear, on my magic, that we have come with no bad intentions to you and yours, and that I truly am the proxy of the Emrys LeFey," Andi says softly, her wand glowing brightly as she raises it, but carefully not towards the trembling Longbottom. "My lady, would you allow us to discuss an alliance, now?"

Hand pressed to her chest, but eyes still locked on me, the Dowager Lady of the House invites us to sit and drink tea.

While Andi gives a few carefully worded explanations, I munch on some apricot biscuits. The story is that Andi was contacted by the head of House Emrys and LeFey, which is now a single House. Due to various reasons the Head will not be revealing herself until the House is better prepared, but the young heir is here in good faith and with the belief that House Longbottom is too honorable to pose a threat to me. All of this is technically true.

At this point, Augusta finally relaxes enough to call Nevile in to keep me company, much to my delight. Sweet baby Nevile is goddamn adorable, all chubby cheeks and big doe eyes. Like a normal 2 year old, he doesn't talk much, but he does say a few words and seems fascinated by my entire being, reaching up with cookie dusted fingers to very gently touch my hair or cheek or dress. Squealing internally, I build a lopsided structure with him using magical blocks with moving illustrations that easily distract him.

"Sirius… yes, your cousin has always rebelled against the pureblood ideology. But, that does not mean he isn't a traitor." Augusta says pointedly.

"But," I interrupt, startling the older woman by speaking for the first time since my greeting. "We are not asking you anything but to uphold the laws of our land. Sirius is a scion of House Black, even disowned. Whether he is innocent or not is irrelevant. He should've had a trial."

Augusta gapes, before suddenly becoming wary again as she watches me help Nevile drink from his toddler cup. "You do not speak like a two year old child."

"I'm nearly 3," I correct, " And my family magics run strongly in my veins."

Augusta is no fool. Rather she is an extremely well educated noble lady of several decades. She immediately understands what family magics I'm referring to as she actually gasps. "You're a Soothsayer."

I give the widow a steady look, not confirming anything. Wizards have a bad habit of accepting magic as the explanation for everything. The fact that I am a Soothsayer, which is the proper term for anyone who is a Seer, Empath, a Magic Sensor, or highly intuitive, means nobody questions my additional intelligence, despite the fact that only a little bit of critical thinking would make holes in my story. But, I'm not going to complain when it works so well in my favor.

Andi goes on to say that House Emrys LeFey is working to right this wrong, and that the Head believes that Baby Harry is being mistreated and should be returned to Sirius when proven innocent. Augusta understands immediately that people will try to use Sirius's stay in Azkaban to take custody of the "Chosen One."

"Alice Longbottom is his godmother," I add, helping Nevile grab a block he wants.

"So, you want my help taking custody of the boy," Augusta states flatly.

"No, we want your help giving the boy back to his rightful guardian. I assure you, we have no intention of taking control of him or turning him into a pawn. My cousin… he deserves freedom. That's all we want."

Augusta sighs, rubbing her head, but seemingly believing our intentions if only for the magic oath Andi gave when we walked in. Honestly, I'm astonished by how reasonable Augusta has been this entire time considering Andy's relationship to Bellatrix, but it is well known that Bellatrix made several attempts on her sister's life during the war, so perhaps that has allowed the old woman to see my proxy without prejudice. "Perhaps Dumbledore-"

"Dumbledore likes to play god far more than he should and cares only for the greater good, not the lives trampled in the process," I hiss, startling both women this time. "He has given Harry to his magic hating muggle relatives and now he sleeps in a cupboard under the stairs when their own son has 2 bedrooms."

Andi leans towards me, horror and disgust clear. "Is that true, dear?"

I nod, lips pursed, but I feel my expression softening when Nevile reaches to pat my hand, seemingly trying to comfort me. Augusta drops her head, deeply disturbed. Truthfully, I didn't know how I felt about Dumbledore. This wasn't canon, and I wouldn't know if he was careless or misguided or evil until I met him, or got some visions, but if I had to smear his name in front of others to get what I wanted, that's what I'd do, at least until I know more. Recognizing my chance to act, I get to my feet walking over to her.

"This is a token of our good will. Three drops each should be enough," I tell the old lady, handing her a small bottle.

"Is this-" Augusta chokes, hand covering her mouth as her eyes begin to swim with tears.

"Phoenix tears," I agree. I didn't mind giving up a few drops considering I'd found several bottles in the apothecary of my castle. Andi, a healer by profession although she had yet to return to work since going into hiding during the war, had nearly fainted at the site of ancient potion bottles and ingredients, some of which were insanely valuable or entirely extinct at this point. Hell, our garden was full of shit we couldn't even identify. Frankly, I feel like I get richer every time I open a new door.

I watch calmly as something like steel flashes behind the Dowager Lady's eyes, as she composes herself. "Dumbledore said he could not help me, that there was nothing he could do."

I shrug. "Perhaps that is true, but I can't imagine a Phoenix being unwilling to help injured people. Theoretically, there is no reason Fawkes could not have donated. "

Rage seems to fill the older lady, and I retreat back to Nevile and Andi, her ire frankly terrifying. Augusta Longbottom was mad and I almost felt bad for Dumbledore. 

Almost.

But, the truth was I couldn't figure out why Frank and Alice were never cured. Yes, they were tortured to insanity and nerves fried to hell, but there was literally nothing that couldn't be healed with phoenix tears. Their insanity was the bigger problem but with a special mind healer and carefully done obliviate spells, they can potentially regain at least partial consciousness. From what I've gathered from my visions, the reason why they were in vegetative states for so long was because it was too dangerous to use magic on their already magic damaged bodies, but the tears should fix that, and while they are extremely rare, Fawkes literally hangs out at Hogwarts.

The implication that Dumbledore deliberately chose not to help was too disturbing to contemplate, and it was getting harder and harder to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"The Head has stated that it should work, in time, should you find the proper mind healers. Britain does not have many specialists." I tell her, settling myself back into place, my senses carefully trained on our wrathful host.

From there the conversation goes much more smoothly.

XXXXXXXXXX

The next person we approached were the Weasley's, much to my elation. Ted has known Arthur for ages, the two having been friendly at Hogwarts and later on due to work. Ted, after getting Arthur's qualifications, (the man had a mastery in runes and enchantments and the ministry was fucking him over big time), and finessing the ginger into telling him how much he got paid, offered him a job at a starting salary of double what he was getting paid currently, working to fulfill all my mad desires. Papa, of course, met and vetted him, and after the negotiations were finished, promising him at least 5 years worth of work and pay, they finally told him who'd he be working for.

The Weasley was also not an idiot and signed immediately.

Rumors had finally started to spread about my House's rise from the ashes, courtesy of a willing Augusta and the goblins, who had to report it, but the notification was only recently seen due to the inefficiency of the absolute dubstep fire we called a government. Andi's position as my proxy, (which had led to widespread speculation), was well known, but she wouldn't need to take the Wizengamot Seat until January, a year from my House's reinstatement. That didn't stop people from flooding us with all sorts of letters, some for marriage, much to my horrified amusement, others for invitations to events, and more for alliances, or even direct vassalage.

Emrys is the Royal House that everyone was technically under, and LeFey is barely below it, the only other House that was almost chosen as the Royal House instead of Emrys, and I own both. My Houses had direct Vassal Houses for centuries, but with us being inactive for so damn long, the argument could be made that the vows of loyalty were nullified due to us "not having done our duty as Liege Lord." The precedent is already there, due to a case in the 1600's, so now our former vassals are trying to figure out if they should break away or double down with their ties to us. My appointment of Andi had thoroughly bamboozled everyone, and no one was quite sure what our politics were.

I duck into Arthur's workshop, a grin on my face as I take in the piles of books and parchment stacked about, and the materials for our projects in every direction trailing around a pile of mirrors, I find the Weasley patriarch at his workbench, my translation glasses carefully gripped in his hands as he carves into the frame. "Lord Weasley."

"Your Highness!" He yelps, nearly tossing them at me. "Oh, I didn't see you there! And I am afraid I am not a lord."

"Just because you have allowed your lordship to become dormant, it doesn't change who you are, nor what, despite what the other noble houses like to think. The war might be over, but peace has not yet been achieved. Hard times are still ahead, unfortunately. I'd recommend you quickly obtain the power you once dismissed if you wish to protect your family."

Wide eyed and rightfully shaky, my newest minion nods, knowing better than to ignore such ominous words from an Emrys. The Weasleys had both their lordship and the Prewett one through Molly's brothers who died near the end of the war. Both families had been devastated by Grindelwald and later Voldemort. As a result, the last few generations retreated from pureblood society, particularly when both Houses publicly renounced the pureblood agenda. Their bloodtraitor status meant other Houses didn't want to associate or do business with them, diminishing their influence even more and allowing others to openly mock and disgrace them. Technically speaking, they actually had a fair few votes in between the two Lordships, but in an effort to protect themselves, they have literally stopped participating in the Wizengamot entirely, abstaining from all votes. I'm not even entirely sure if Arthur has ever stepped foot in the court, but regardless, the passivity would need to change.

I was about to make the Weasley's very rich, but I hadn't done it (entirely) for shits and giggles. The least they could do was throw their votes behind my schemes.

"I hear you, princess," Arthur replies, solemnly, clearly disturbed.

I nod, deciding to change the subject as I drop my sketch book onto the table. In general, I would sketch out the preliminary plan or idea, and it was Arthur's job to figure out how to make it actually work. Arthur takes the book, carefully flipping through the pages to see the newest designs, the alarm from earlier now replaced with interest and excitement. Before he gets too distracted, I ask the question I came down here for. "Have you finished the translator glasses?"

"Just about, princess. I should have it done by the end of the day." He assures quickly, handing me the prototype. "This one will be able to translate Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, archaic English, and Gaelic."

I beam at the bespectacled man. "Excellent! Thank you so much for the hard work. Remember to visit Ted to negotiate your part of the sales profit."

The man blinks in confusion. "Sales profit?"

"Yup." I agree, vaguely amused. " Even though we pay you for the time you spend working, you'll also get a percentage of the profit we make from selling the items developed here. Surely you remember seeing that in the contract?"

He clearly hadn't, but he wasn't going to tell me that. After discussing a few more projects with the man, I head out, waving cheerily as I head to the kitchen for a snack, pretending not to notice the pitter patter of little feet following me.

After taking two travel doors, carefully making sure all the secret buttons I'm pushing to activate the correct path are visible to the sneaky ones following me, I stroll into the large kitchen, looking about. The place was outdated as hell, all stone and fireplaces and shit, but it always smelled delicious and Fern made sure I had snacks and tea, or more often, hot coco, whenever I wanted it.

"Fern!" I call out cheerfully, and the little brownie pops up from around the island, her little frilly uniform skirt bouncing as she zips over.

"Princess! Do you be needing snacks and tea?" I beam at the brownie, pulling a step stool over so I can lean onto the counter as she runs to grab the yums for me.

"Thanks, Fern. Um, how…. How's the little one I asked you to look after."

Fern reappears, a frown on her face. "Baby is.. not well. They… don't be treating Little One well. He eats okay, and I be keeping him clean, but… little ones with no love…"

I nod grimly, understanding very well that I could only do so much for Harry until Andi took my seat and called for a trail, and while we were getting close we needed to secure our support beforehand so that no one could find a reason to sabotage Sirius's freedom and custody of Harry. I grit my teeth, feeling both pissed and helpless. Just hold on a few more months, little Harry.

"I know," I murmur, pouring out a spoon of honey in reward for the brownie and taking my tray of goodies, noticing the extra Fern gave me for the giggling stalkers still tailing me and hidden just outside the door. "Thanks for the help, Fern. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Stay safe, don't get spotted, and keep me updated."

"Yes, Princess!"

On the move again, I head to the garden, one of my favorite places to be in the castle. Bursting out into glorious early fall air, I sigh happily. Kilgharrah had spent most of the morning sleeping around my neck, but the smell of tea and biscuits seems to finally be waking him up as I feel one of his wings, a lovely gold he'd magicked himself earlier today, brush my ear.

"Sleep well?" I ask him as I plop myself beneath a shady tree near the pond, my tray of snacks and bag of work next to me.

"Indeed. What has caused your sadness, child?" He rumbles, the vibrations tickling my collar bone.

"The waiting. I hate it." I'd be turning three very soon, and in my opinion, I'd been doing excellent work, but it still didn't feel like enough. There is just so much that is out of my hands…. Oh, yeah, I'm a control freak, aren't I?

"Peace, child. Things will work out. And if not, I can go eat some of your problems." I choke on a biscuit, laughing my ass off and deciding not to think too hard about whether or not my dragon friend is being serious.

A flutter of wings has me looking up at Pluto who quickly finds a perch on my arm. "Hey, buddy. You got the Prophet for me?" Pluto drops it like the trash it is, ruffling his feathers disdainfully. "Yeah, I totally agree, Pluto. They are all idiots. I'm sorry you have to deal with it."

Pluto just huffs, accepting my offering of a cookie good naturedly, glorious obsidian feathers gleaming in the peeking rays of light. Pluto takes another biscuit and, like the gentlemen he is, offers it to Kilgharrah who graciously takes it. The two have a rather interesting dynamic. Pluto does his damned best not to piss the dragon off, and Kilgharrah rewards him by letting Pluto be his minion. It was somewhere between adorable, hilarious, and pitiful on the eagle's part, but it worked so whatever.

I grab the Daily Prophet that we thankfully didn't get daily, smirking at the headline; ANCIENT RIVAL HOUSES UNITE! WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HOUSE EMRYS LEFEY. The UK magical community is shitting themselves and in chaos and I fucking love it.

"Whatcha doing?" A curious voice asks and I turn my head to meet two pairs of bright blue eyes, my watchers finally deciding to make their approach.

"Pranking," I smirk at the Weasley twins who are all of four years old. With Arthur acting as my personal minion, the Weasleys had an open invite to the castle, something they readily took advantage of. Bill and Charlie were often found exploring with Dora, all close in age. Percy was either with them or burning through books. Ron and Ginny spent most of their time with Molly, being as young as they were, but I saw them often enough. The demon twins, though, had seemingly become my shadows overnight.

There are times when you meet someone and it's like some kind of instant connection, an instinctive and undeniable understanding that what stands before you is a kindred soul. Within seconds of meeting Fred and George, I could tell I had found some of my best friends for this life. Apparently, they felt it too since everywhere I turned these days I could find two mops of bright red hair.

"Pranks?" Fred asks gleefully. Despite their identical features, ones I couldn't even see clearly, their auras were distinct, albeit similar.

"Pranks," I agree. "On the whole magical world."

"Teach us," George demands, and I cackle, feeling a vision take over briefly. The sensation has become familiar, less earth shattering and terrifying and now only wildly unsettling, but this vision lets me laugh through it because apparently, the twins and I are going to wreak havoc.

It's the best news I've gotten all day.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Arthur and Molly are willing to reactivate their votes and throw them in with us," Ted announces one day at breakfast, my jaw dropping at the sudden news. Yeah, it's what I wanted, but I didn't think it would actually work, let alone this early. "Technically, they never really lost their status, but their identity as blood traitors made people assume otherwise in conjunction with their lacking finances."

"Excellent. Lady Longbottom has officially reactivated her vassalage to House Emrys-" Wait, fucking what? "And my old friend Irene has convinced her husband, Oliver Greengrass to side with us as well. Not that it was hard when I pointed out that they were LeFey Vassals-" FUCKING WHAT? "-And you know how the Gray Faction is. They will wait for more information before doing something that might draw our ire, like ignoring their vows to the House, ancient as they may be. They are the current heads of the Gray Faction, so we will be able to keep them all in check, at least long enough to get Sirius a trial. And of course, Lady Lucrezia Zabini will be helping represent Sirius and voting as well."

"Great, but is it enough to ensure Harry's custody?" Papa asks, and I feel betrayed. I expected that he, at least, would keep me in the loop since I was a toddler to everyone else. I scowl, fully intending to ambush and grill him later.

"…Maybe? Technically, we can argue that James and Lily's will takes precedent, and from what I understand, Sirius and Alice were designated god parents above all, something that would have been in their Wills, meaning no legal reason to keep Harry away." Ted offers uncertainty. "Wills in the magical world are incredibly big deals, but with so much death due to the war, such things were neglected. Everything would be assumed to be inherited by Harry and there isn't anyone to contest that or ask for the Will to be read."

"While we can request the Will be read, the problem lies in the fact that Harry's custody will be contested no matter what under the pretense of Sirius not being mentally well enough after his stay in Azkaban, which is honestly a very fair concern that many will take advantage of," Andi continues. "So, with Lady Augusta on our side, the only other House with claim to Harry, The idea is to get Sirius custody by claiming that we, House Emrys LeFey and Longbottom, will be responsible for their joint wellbeing."

"There is a precedent for that, established in 1947. A lord who had been in a coma for several years after one of Grindelwald's attacks wanted custody of his children back, but the Wizengamot tried to deny him on the basis of his health and confiscate his assists as well. So, a separate lord, a friend of his, took custody of both the Lord and his children, managing his estate until he was considered mentally and physically competent."

"So, we are aiming to take them in?" I ask. This was fucking news to me. I thought we just had to vouch for them.

"Maybe not literally and it could be any house, but considering our political weight…." Andi states, rubbing her temples.

"It will probably be us who are responsible for them." Ted finishes for his wife. Papa just sighs, nodding in resignation.

"So, who else do we need to talk to before Andi goes in guns blazing?" The moment Papa asks, I find myself falling into vision.

"-I have made many mistakes, the greatest of which was not protecting you, or even your brother. I let our family be decimated, and for what? In the end we gained nothing but devastation and lost sight of what we should have held dear. You were right all those years ago. I am nothing but an old fool."

I wheeze, reaching my hand out to my father, my magic easily detecting it despite my current inability to see. The old man's emotions… the depth of his pain. I couldn't help but pity him, even if I don't know if he deserves it.

"-My heart? Can you hear me?" My fathers' hands comb gently through my hair.

"Lord Arcturus Black. That's who we need," I grunt, shaking the tingles out of my palms as I reach for a tea cup. I hadn't even realized the geezer was still kicking, so I never thought about the Head of House Black, but he had the potential to tip the odds for us if we could recruit him. It wouldn't be hard considering what I felt from that vision….

"Oh, Merlin, no. Kamaria we can't." Andi nearly squeeks, horror apparent.

"Why not?" I ask, genuinely wanting to hear her answer.

"Why? Darling, the Lord is a pureblood supremacist! He has no reason to help Sirius, the disowned heir that abandoned his duty to his House!"

"Hmm," I shrug distractedly as I try to find the saucer to place my cup on without being able to see. "But, does he have a choice? The Ancient and Noble House of Black is dying."

Andi stills. "You think he will try to make Sirius the heir again?" She leans back. "You're assuming he would not rather just let House Black burn."

"That… might not be true," Ted says slowly. I focus on the man, letting my magic interact with the magic all around us. It's a trick I've picked up recently. It let me sense the things around me using the magic in the air, albeit not for more than a few seconds at a time. Not yet, at least. Currently, Ted was resting his head on his entwined hands.

"Ted?" Andi prompts, suddenly suspicious.

"Do-do you remember that prize money I won just after Dora was born…."

"Ted." Andi has gone from suspicious to outright dangerous and it sends me scuttling into the safety of my father's arms.

"I- I lied. Lord Black hunted me down in Diagon Alley. I thought he would hex me, but instead he forced me to take the money secretly. He handed me several hundred Galleons with a scowl and a remark that I'd better not make a Black live like a muggle peasant. Said that if "Meda saw something in you, you probably aren't a complete waste.""

"What?" Andi whispers, something fragile in her voice. "But- but they all threw me away."

"Was he the one who disowned you?" Papa asks gently.

"…No, that was his son Orion, or more accurately, that bitch Walburga. They were the heads of House Black until they died before the war ended."

"He is alone now. Ironically, there are few that have lost more than he," I offer quietly, feeling the words resonate in my magic in a way that feels like an undeniable truth. "And he's our best shot, even if Sirius is technically not a part of House Black anymore."

After several moments, just as my eyes recover enough to see hints of light again, Andi sighs heavily, head in hands. "Alright."

"Invite him here. He's still a prideful old man who won't resist the opportunity," I add.

"And if he tries anything, we will have the home advantage." Papa adds, hand brushing at his side where I know he keeps his side arm, and I start feeling a headache come on at the thought of my dad sniping Lord Black.

"Alright," Andi agrees quietly, still unsettled. "Ted, reach out to the Bones. Amelia will be taking over for Crouch as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement by the time we call for trial. The Bones' are fair and just, Hufflepuffs the lot of them. She might not believe in Sirius's innocence but she will call for trial and use her house votes to add weight to it."

XXXXXXXXXX

Dora and I don't get to meet Lord Black, not initially. We are confined to my room with the brownies keeping us there, though, to be honest, they are bound to me above all, so our confinement is entirely benevolence on my part for our parents' sanity, but 

I digress. I scan through a spell book in Latin, translator glasses on while Dora paints her nails, her hair a lovely forest green. Finding a cool ass spell that lets you grow vines to wrap a target up in, I make a note of it before reaching a hand up to brush against Kilgharrah who is laying flat against my head, his snout warming the skin at the center of my forehead. 

Today, he's decided to be purple for whatever reason,  but I don't mind dressing to match him. Kilgharrah is family after all and matching is key family bonding.

About an hour after we were sequestered away, Ted appears, looking vaguely nervous but hopeful. "Come along, girls. It's time to meet Lord Black."

My eyebrows shoot up because I didn't genuinely think we were going to be allowed to. The magic thrumming in my veins, the dreams I'd been having for days, told me Lord Black could be our ally. But, the adults sure as hell had no such sixth sense reassuring them that the head or a notoriously bigoted house wouldn't harm their children, so I have to wonder what in Merlin's name Lord Black did to convince them. Unfortunately, my visions didn't see fit to tell me.

Ted leads us to one of the towers, not one anyone lived in, though. We could have been there in seconds if we took the Master Travel Door in my ward room, but I am paranoid as fuck and won't be showing it to anyone until absolutely necessary. Not because I didn't trust them, but because mind reading is a fucking thing here. So, we take the long way and three Travel Doors before we find ourselves on another tower balcony.

"Lord Black, this is Nymphadora, our daughter, and Her Highness Kamaria Emrys LeFey." Ted says, a hand clasped on each of our shoulders. The Lord immediately stands, and I hear the way his knees crack as he bows, something Dora and I return with courtesy:, Andi's etiquette training properly ingrained in us now.

"Princess. Little Nymphadora. Well met." He carefully sits back down, and I creep closer to get a better read on him, Dora going to her parents as her hair becomes streaked with black, something that causes Arcturus's aura to flare with awe and… grief?

The silence is probably awkward, but I'm too intrigued to really notice it. The man is dressed exactly like how you'd expect a lord to be dressed, silky black robes over a crisp blue suit shirt. He actually did look quite a bit like my honorary Aunt, sharp aristocratic features offset by light eyes and hair that, while neat, was more gray than black. More than anything, I could sense the exhaustion and sadness hanging over him, a single spark of hope lighting the darkness brought by the War.

Hope his legacy will survive, hope that his family will rekindle their ties with him, hope he won't die alone- I brush the thoughts away, recognizing them as not my own but a product of being a Seer.

"Do you want to save Sirius?" I ask, leaning against the arm of his chair as I look up at him, feeling confident that this man has no ill intent towards me.

"Kamaria-" Papa warns, disliking my proximity to the potential danger and my borderline rude question.

"Yes," Lord Black replie solemnly, words laden with guilt and grief and a million other things, but the resolve is there, too. 

"Neither of my parents are wizards," I state bluntly, following the insistent tugging of my magic rather than logic, the words flowing from me almost without my consent, led only by the feeling that my words needed to be said, even as I felt the tension growing around me. "Dora is a halfblood and Sirius doesn't believe in bigotry. If you choose this path, House Black will survive, but not as you know it."

The old man swallows roughly, and I'm close enough to hear the way his breaths rattle in his lungs. "When my wife died, a part of me went beyond the veil with her." The words are abrupt, seemingly random, but I know better as I set my head in my hands and watch the way his fingers tremble. "I left my Lordship to my son and hid away, not caring much for a world without her in it. By the time I unburied my head from the sand, everything had changed. My son was no longer the man I'd raised, his wife even worse. I found out how they treated Sirius and- and Regulus, but I was barely allowed to see them let alone take them with me, and I assure you, I tried. I believed, still believe, in fact, in the preservation of our culture and traditions, in magic without arbitrary labels of light and dark. But, this, this senseless spilling of magic blood…" he seemed at a loss. "Lady Magic must have cursed me for my cowardness and complacency."

"Would you not have disowned me, as well, Granduncle?" Andi mutters bitterly, clutching Dora to her side.

"I would not have," Arcturus denies firmly, hands clenched. "I am not pleased with your choices, but they were yours to make. Walburga was a madwoman. She cast aside so much of our blood, and the rest she got killed with her extremism! Child, do not forget I was lord when Grindelwald rose and when he fell!"

"And you mean to say you didn't agree with him?" Andi scoffs, and I realize that these two had more history than I assumed. Andi seems genuinely hurt so they must have actually been close rather than vaguely acquainted.

"I believe us better than muggles, blessed by Mother Magic, that is true," he admits easily. "But, enslavement? For what reason? Such a foolish endeavor that resulted in nothing but the loss of magical life, and proof of how dangerous muggles can be. No, there was no greater good to have been found in his beliefs. The muggles should have been left alone and separate from us."

He continues with a sigh that sounds bone deep. "I wanted neutrality in this war at the least." He sneers, furry rising. "Why should House Black follow a power hungry self proclaimed Lord who hid his own name and feared death, the inevitable and natural end to all things? How pathetic. But, Walburga sought to earn prestige and make use of his powerful magic and reputation. That little harpy turned us, an Ancient and Noble House into groveling servants. We who only ever lowered our heads to our Liege Lords of House LeFey and the royal family. She and Beatrix kissed his feet while our pure and powerful blood ran like sand in an hourglass in the path he walked."

The grief swells up in him again, but all the man does is shut his eyes tightly, remaining stoic even now. I reach out and place my hand on his weathered ones. He startles, but seems to soften although I don't think his stone faced expression budges in the slightest. "Princess, as you said, my House is dying. Perhaps change is our best chance. I might not agree with all of Sirius's ideology, or his abandonment of our traditions and House, but my family is everything to me. What is the point of House Black if it is empty? I… failed him once. I do not wish to do so again."

I nod, turning to look at my father who sits contemplatively. Andi, however, approaches silently, and it's only when Arcturus reaches for her face that realize she's crying. Andromeda seems to crumple in on herself, collapsing into Arcturus who, despite his age, easily pulls her into his arms. I head to Papa, who does much the same.

"What do you think?" I murmur, and Papa nods, his silent agreement that Arcturus can be trusted. "I agree. He didn't lie and I could tell there was no malice. He's not a fan of muggles, but he doesn't want to massacre them either."

"A low standard," Papa points out, but I shrug because it's not like we can be picky. Honestly, I never would have expected even this much tolerance from Arcturus Black and I send a prayer of thanks up to Lady Magic for sending me the vision, or at least the ability to have them.

After some time, the two Blacks compose themselves, both vaguely embarrassed by the slight loss in composure, something I only barely refrain from rolling my eyes at. Arcturus clears his throat, "So, who is already on our side?"

"The Houses Longbottom, Bones, Zambini, and Greengrass. The Greengrass' will be supported by the Gray Faction since they lead it, and the Weasley and Prewett Votes will be in favor," Ted states. At the shock from Arcturus, Ted continues. "Arthur Weasley is taking up the Lordships despite all odds."

The Lord Black seems genuinely impressed, but Andi continues. "We also have the Lovegoods. They sent a letter declaring their intention to honor their vows to House Emrys, but they did request I give an exclusive interview with the Quibbler."

"Still better than the Daily Prophet," Arcturus stated flatly, making me snicker. This old man seemed like he was actually a lot of fun. "Did you contact them?"

"I didn't need to. The Lovegoods have a long history of soothsayers, albeit not as powerful or infamous as the Emrys ones."

The fact that House Lovegoods was a vassal House was intriguing, but not surprising. I could see it, especially if they had similar abilities to us. In canon, Luna always did seem to know and feel shit others didn't.

"It should be enough," Arcturus states approvingly, "If only because the Gray Faction won't challenge their faction leader, the Dark faction won't dare challenge me," he scoffs haughtily at the mere thought. "And the light won't want to move against so many of its most prestigious and Noble, let alone the royal house. That old goat will definitely try to bring House Emrys LeFay to his side."

I know I shouldn't, but I laugh out right at someone else directly calling Dumbledore out like that. Arcturus had officially made it onto my good side. Lucky him.

"Andromeda, you will be attending lessons with me. As clever and well educated as you are, girl, the Wizengamot is anything but simple to navigate." Andi smartly doesn't argue with her Granduncle. "We will need to make sure you are protected. Perhaps some enchantmented jewelry for your safety?"

My eyes go big as I realize the time has finally come after several months of waiting for the perfect opportunity. Kilgharrah had even given me his full consent. Grinning wickedly, I pick him up and make eye contact with his opal eyes. "Don't worry about that. Kilgharrah will be going with her."

Arcturus freezes, head whipping towards me. "Kil-Kilgharrah?!"

Ooh, someone knows their magic history.

I smirk, heading to the balcony railing. Andi startles, "Oh, Dear, that is a kind offer, but remember, we don't know what enchantments that trinket has." Arcturus makes a choked noise of sheer horror because Andi just called a Legendary Creature born of Magic itself, a trinket, and I only barely keep it together. "We don't know if I can wear it, let alone if it will work as protection."

By now my face is practically split from the unhinged smile I'm wearing. "Oh, don't worry. He has fully consented and promised to keep you safe." With that, I drop my friend over the edge of the stone railing, to the startled gasps and twitches of everyone. "Besides, there is nothing and no one who could be better protection."

A deafening roar rips through the quiet afternoon air, the castle vibrating from it as Kilgharrah, now ginormous rises from below, once more looking like he's made from the starry heavens themselves. I cackle at the screams of shock, amused at the way they've all frozen in their spot, except Arcturus who managed to enact a powerful feeling magical shield that shimmers gold and covers nearly everyone but me standing by the railing. Kilgharrah rises higher, blocking the sun with his giant wingspan and turning night into day as he hovers, before he flips backwards into a nosedive.

There's dead silence before Dora lets out a cheer, and the sound of my father facepalmining echoes sharply as he snarls, "I bloody knew it!"

I blink. "You knew I was wearing a dragon for the last several months."

Arcturus Black finally cracks and starts chuckling in disbelief, letting his shield go. My dad strides over, notably putting his gun away. "No, you brat. I knew it, sorry, he, wasn't just a hair ornament. I could have sworn I heard you were speaking to… him?" I nod, just as Kilgharrah reappears over the edge of the railing, now small again as he flutters to my shoulder, curling around my arm like an arm band. "I thought I heard him reply, but frankly, ignored it."

My eyes go big as I share a stunned look with the dragon. Only an Emrys should be able to understand Kilgharrah, but even though my father is one by blood, he isn't a wizard, and therefore should still be unable to hear him. Does this mean Papa does have magic? I mean, technically, Papa is a squib, which is just someone who doesn't have enough magic to be a wizard, not necessarily someone who doesn't have any magic at all. And that's only because our family had to give up nearly all of our magic for several generations in a sacrifice. Him having a few drops isn't inconceivable.That line of thinking is worth revisiting later. 

"Why would you ignore that?" Ted sputters from where he's only just getting off the floor he fell onto, helping his trembling wife.

"Ah… I, um, thought it was haunted and really didn't want to deal with that. Sorry, love, that's where I draw the line," my dad admits sheepishly.

I snicker uncontrollably. Apparently, even my badass father had things he fears.

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