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Nott allowed a look of relief to cross his features and bowed his head. "Thankyou. I'll request a private meeting for our Heirs and ourselves next weekendat
Hogwarts? I'm sure Albus will be happy to provide us with a room."
"Accepted." Primarily because it meant he could see Harry twice in a week. They both stood up and Sirius sent a signal to Penny who immediately turnedup at the study door to escort Nott out.
"Good day, Sirius."
"Good day, Benjamin." Sirius returned the formal farewell. He waited until Nott
was almost out of the study before he spoke again without looking at theolder wizard. "Nott, if your son ever betrays mine, I will not need my wandtokill you both; understood?"
Nott stopped and glanced back at him. "Arcturus would be proud of you, Sirius. He was right; you are a formidable Lord Black." And with that he was gone. Sirius wondered if he'd been complimented or insulted or both. He grumbledto himself as he checked the time and settled back at his desk. He continuedto work through what was left of the afternoon, shooing Penny on her onher
way around five o'clock. He barely touched the meal Kreacher deliveredtohim, picking at it absently as he went over his lesson plan for that evening. Finally, it was time to leave and Sirius headed for the Ministry to pick up his
replacement assistant for the night. He made it to the office of Amelia Bones without running into too many
people and he was shown straight in by her secretary who seemed to haveaproblem with her eyelashes they were fluttering so much.
"Amelia!" Sirius smiled widely at the witch as he took her hand in the
professional shake she preferred in the office.
"Sirius!" Amelia grinned at him. "You look well."
"Don't lie," Sirius remonstrated, "I look awful."
"Awful is relative, Sirius," Amelia said as she started to pack up, "and I assumethe bags under your eyes are evidence of a few sleepless nights becauseof
your first experience of empty nest syndrome?"
"I miss Harry madly." Sirius admitted. "And the new house doesn't feel right
yet. How goes the tribunal preparation?" He asked, deliberately changingthesubject. Amelia gave a very unladylike snort. "It goes. We have the nominations infor
who should sit; Gideon Baron is nominated by a land slide so he's definite. Theother person…is surprisingly Daniel Greengrass although Malfoy came close. Travers continues to say nothing while the other three claimImperius everytime a guard speaks to them." She waved a hand to dismiss the topic. "Thankyou for asking me along to substitute for Remus tonight, by the way." Sirius's eyes took on a mischievous glint. "Brian's not upset I'mborrowingyou, is he?" Amelia shot him a warning look but answered anyway. "Brian thinks it's asplendid idea. I'm looking forward to duelling Harry." He grinned. "He might surprise you." She laughed heartily and ushered him out of her office, ignoring the jealouslook cast her way by her secretary. "I'm looking forward to surprising Susan." There was a hint of evil in her grin as they made their way to the floo
discussing the plan for the duelling lesson.
They arrived into Alastor Moody's floo. Moody was already there, wand poisedas he cast detection spells on them before grunting and pointing at a pieceof
parchment. Amelia rolled her eyes but pricked her thumb and placed her blood on theparchment. It immediately confirmed her identity. Sirius did the same beforehe turned and held his wand on Alastor.
"Your code word, Alastor?" Sirius demanded.
"Long John Silver." Moody replied gruffly with a nod of approval at Sirius'scaution. Amelia sighed. "I wish this wasn't necessary."
"Until we catch the prat with the improved Polyjuice, everyone's going throughit." Moody said firmly. "Constant vigilance!"
"We should get to the Duelling training room." Sirius excused thembeforeMoody could get going or Amelia got wound up by Moody's paranoia. The Duelling training room was already filled with excited and chatteringfourteen year olds. Pausing on the threshold, Sirius grimaced at the number
realising all of the fourth year had turned out despite the duelling club not
being mandatory.
"I thought you were a Gryffindor, Black." Amelia whispered in his ear andforcefully pushed him through the door. Harry spotted him immediately and hurried over to give a small bow–Andromeda's etiquette lessons had been well pressed into his head. Siriusreached out to take hold of his shoulder, wrestling back the urge to hughimhalf to death with the internal promise he'd do it at the end of the lessonwhenthey'd gotten rid of an audience. He drank in the sight of Harry; warm, aliveand safe.
"Auntie?!" Susan's shriek cut through the babble and helped to silence theroom as she bounded across for a hug from her Aunt.
"Well done, Susan," Sirius said loudly, "for introducing the stand-in for
Professor Lupin for tonight's duelling lesson: Director of Magical LawEnforcement, Amelia Bones!" There was a round of applause as Susan gazed in stunned bewilderment at
her aunt who took a bow and grinned at the fourth years. Sirius whistled and gained everyone's attention. "For those of you who don't
know me, I'm Sirius Black. I've been told that you have to call me Professor." He made a face which had a few of them chuckling. "Right. So this is howit'sgoing to work normally: there will be a practice session in the first half where
we show you a spell and you practice casting it with speed and accuracy. Then in the second half, we'll invite those best performing to duel in a
demonstration with the aim of using the spell they have been practising. For
today though we're going to practice some simple duelling spells to see whereeveryone's level is at. Neville and Harry, you'll both work together becauseof
our previous lessons – everyone else; find a partner." He quickly gave theinstructions for the disarming and shielding spell – he and Amelia
demonstrating both three times so that the kids got to see the wand actionsin full. He had Amelia check on the rest of the room while he taught Neville andHarrya freezing spell and got them to start practicing it on dummies in a corner of
the room.
"Why do they get to do that?" Ernie MacMillan demanded furiously. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 342
Sirius raised his eyebrow and banked his irritation with the memory of
Minerva warning him to be patient with the students when he was teaching. "Because I've been teaching them over the Summer and I know they're well
beyond disarming. Once I've assessed all your skill levels I can see whichof
you can move up. Why don't you show me how you're doing with the
disarming?" Ernie flushed but signalled his partner Justin. The pair demonstrated andSirius corrected them both, telling them to continue practicing. He movedon. Daphne Greengrass was soon sent to work with Neville and Harry, as wasMillicent Bulstrode. Theodore Nott joined them along with Draco Malfoy.
Sirius shook his head. He might have known that the Slytherins would beadvanced. He sent Padma Patil, Anthony Goldstein and Michael Corner fromthe Ravenclaws; Amelia had sent Terry Boot and Hermione over along withSally-Ann Perks and Susan Bones. All the others needed substantial work. Sirius spared a moment to go over to the advanced group and watched asHarry carefully instructed them, Neville helping him demonstrate. Clearly, Sirius thought with amusement as he took in the captivated students noddingas Harry spoke, he wasn't needed. Sirius moved back to the struggling
students and was pleased to see how they all progressed in a short spaceof
time with some constructive feedback. Half an hour later, Sirius called a halt. He and Amelia quickly set up a duellingplatform and seats for the students who would be only spectators.
"Right!" Sirius clapped his hands. "So duelling tonight is…Daphne Greengrassand Hermione Granger!" The two girls both looked pleased at being chosen. They took to the dais. Amelia set up the shield dome as Sirius instructed them to keep it to
non-harmful spells. The girls bowed to each other. Sirius went to stand beside Harry. He was surprised to overhear Neville
placing a bet on Hermione in a teasing exchange with Blaise. Sirius hid hissmile and kept his eyes on the duelling students.
Hermione shot off an impedimenti jinx but Daphne spun away fromit, andshot a disarming spell back at her. The Gryffindor girl dived to the floor toavoid it and shot ice at Daphne's feet encasing them in a solid block beforeshe disarmed the surprised Slytherin who couldn't move away fromit. Daphneaccepted her defeat with a gracious handshake and Hermione boundedover
to Harry with a grin. Sirius winked at her. "Well done, Hermione!" He patted Neville on the shoulder. "You're up next! Terry Boot, you're his opponent!" Neville smiled sheepishly and took to the dais with the Ravenclaw. Sirius
could hear Blaise betting with Draco that Neville would win. The duel was a good one; both boys were evenly matched and they managedto evade each other's spells for a good five minutes before Boot managedtocatch a tiring Neville with a mild tickling hex and followed it up with a
disarming spell. But Neville clung onto his wand despite being sent backwards. He
immediately responded with the freezing spell sending it surprisingly ontarget
to Boot's wand arm, encasing it and his wand in ice. The duel was over. Neville grinned at Terry as Amelia removed the freezing charm. They shook
hands with Terry clasping Neville's hand jokingly with his ice-cold one. Blaisewas the first to congratulate Neville as he stepped off the stage. Sirius turned to Harry. "Right, you're up next, Harry. You and…Amelia." There was a surprised murmur but Harry simply nodded and took to the stage. Neville unsurprisingly bet on Harry as Sirius raised the dome. Harry bowed deeply to Amelia – a show of his respect for the Head of theDMLE. Amelia bowed back just as deeply.
It quickly became obvious the strategy that Harry had decided upon; he cast
nothing but he moved. He spun, dived and leaped across the floor as
effortlessly as though he was on his broom chasing the snitch. Amelia wasn't static either. She moved trying to counter the dance he wasdoing; sending stunner after stunner after him. She couldn't catch him. After the first minute, the students were on their feet, shouting
encouragement to both participants.
Sirius could feel his own heart pounding as he wondered if Harry would tire…if
Amelia would get her shot on target…if, if, if…. Harry dodged another barrage of spells, turning away fromone, turning awayfrom another, turning away from a stunner, and suddenly…
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry yelled. Prongs clattered onto the dais and went straight for Amelia. She swore and jumped out of the way of the stampeding stag, straight intoHarry's freezing spell that forced her to bring up her wand to deflect it…And Harry disarmed her. The crowd went wild. Sirius took down the shielding dome as Harry handed back Amelia's wand. They shook hands as everyone clapped enthusiastically. Prongs nudged Harry's shoulder and Harry patted his patronus before
dismissing it. Sirius whistled and got everyone's attention. "That's it for this week! Harry, stay behind a moment. Everyone else, you should get to your Common Rooms. Thank you all for coming and I hope to see you again next week!" He watchedamused as Neville trooped out, chatting with Blaise and taking his winnings. Hermione and Ron hovered for a moment at the door before Sirius shooedthem out.
"Good use of tactics." Amelia complimented Harry. "I did not expect a
patronus."
"Sirius once said to me he'd used it in duels before," Harry commented, "because it can take people off-guard."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 343
"It certainly did that." Amelia gave a rueful smile. "That was a good duel. I
enjoyed it and I expect a rematch the next time I stand-in." Harry nodded, smiling. Amelia motioned at Sirius. "I'll meet you at Alastor's floo?"
"Thanks, Amelia." Sirius said warmly. He barely waited until Amelia had shut the door before he opened his armsand was thrilled to pieces when Harry didn't hesitate but immediately tooktheinvitation and hugged him. For a long moment, Sirius revelled in having hisson close before he took a deep breath.
"You were brilliant tonight." Sirius said, stepping back. Harry grinned at him. "I think she underestimated me."
"Well, she won't make that mistake again." Sirius said dryly. He rocked backonhis heels. "I do have something to tell you." He explained about Nott andthelife debt. "What do you think?" He concluded.
"I agree." Harry confirmed. "Theo's pretty decent. He really doesn't agree withhis father's agenda." He frowned. "What are we going to get himto do as hisservice?"
"We'll have that discussion nearer the time, I think." Sirius said. "There areplenty of things that would benefit from having another pair of hands."
"OK." Harry said, peering at him. "You look tired."
"Not used to the bed in the new house yet." Sirius said lightly, not wantingtoworry Harry with his sleeplessness. He threw an arm around his son's
shoulders and urged him toward the door. "Come on; I'll walk to your dorm. So, any pranking yet?" Harry rolled his eyes. "Fred and George managed to prank the Gryffindor
seventh years red and gold all through dinner on Monday."
"Ah, showing House loyalty!" Sirius said, grinning. "A wonderful thing!"
"They're planning to get them back." Harry commented with a shrug. "Angelina's already warned them if they put Fred and George out of action, she's not going to be pleased."
"Encouraging creativity! Excellent, she'll be a good Captain." Sirius joked. "Andwhat about your lessons? How are they going?"
"They're going," Harry said lightly and shrugged, "I, uh, I'm finding the practical
side easy. The essays they've assigned us are quite difficult though. What doyou know of Chanker's Charm theory?" They chatted absently as they walked, both confident of their direction after
their years in the school. It seemed like no time at all before they were infront
of the Fat Lady. The Fat Lady bristled angry at the sight of Sirius. "YOU!"
Sirius shifted weight as he fidgeted at the sight of the irate portrait. "I've beenfound innocent! And…uh, may I offer my sincere apologies about, um, attacking your portrait last year? I wasn't quite in my right mind."
"You were never in your right mind, Sirius Black." The Fat Lady huffed. Sheglared at Harry. "He's not coming in even if you know the password."
"I should get back anyway." Sirius said. Harry's face fell. Sirius hugged him goodbye and for the first time questioned whether it wasagood idea for them to see each other every week. It was going to be evenharder to let go and step away. No.
It might be difficult but it was better to see Harry every week than not toseehim. Sirius dropped a kiss on Harry's head and eased back.
"Nott's arranging with Albus for us to do the vow of loyalty at the weekendsoI'll see you then." Sirius said.
"And you'll call me tomorrow?" pressed Harry. "I want to know what happensat the Wizengamot."
"I'll call you." Sirius promised. He ruffled Harry's hair. "Go on, inside." The Fat Lady grudgingly allowed Harry in after making himwhisper the
password. Sirius waved a final time to him as he disappeared behind the
portrait. He made his way slowly back to Alastor's office, feeling an all toofamiliar ache of loneliness again. He found Alastor and Amelia sat drinking Firewhiskey and talking about thetribunals.
"Want to join us?" Alastor raised his flask. Sirius shook his head. The mood he was in he'd start and not stop, Sirius
thought morosely; his father had been the same way and he had no wishtotread that path. "I should get going. I have a stack of reading still to do for
tomorrow."
It was a lie but a good one. Amelia nodded and downed her drink. "I should get going too. Brian's
expecting me for a late supper." She sighed. "And I have to 'fess up to beingbeaten by Harry."
"You've gotten slow behind a desk." Alastor informed her bluntly. "Time wasyou would never have been surprised by a fourteen year old."
"Thank you for helping to heal my wounded ego, Alastor." Amelia said dryly.
"That's Cutter's job." Alastor returned with a glint of mischief in his eye. "Mine's to keep you alive." The words gave away Moody's sense of responsibility to every one of theAurors and Hit Wizards he'd trained. Sirius felt comforted knowing Harry wasbeing trained by Moody. Amelia frowned suddenly and reached into her robes pulling out a
communication mirror. "Bones."
"Director," it was Rufus who looked like the lion who'd just caught the antelope, "Rowle is singing like a songbird."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 34
"You'd better call his solicitor on record." Amelia sighed heavily. "I'mon my
way."
Sirius and Alastor said goodbye to her as she flooed back to the Ministry. Sirius didn't wait around; he said his own goodbye to Alastor and flooedtotheHogsmeade home they'd named The School House since they'd only ever useit when Harry was in school. Dobby popped in immediately. "Dobby has Harry Potter's Paddy's supper
waiting."
"I've eaten, Dobby, thank you."
"Kreacher informs Dobby that Paddy has not eaten." Dobby's ears flappedwildly. "Harry Potter beings upset if he learns his Paddy not eating." Well, who said house elves couldn't throw guilt trips, Sirius mused as he wasushered to the table where a roast beef sandwich and a mug of tea awaitedhim.
"You will bes eating and then going to bed." Dobby instructed fiercely. Sirius gave in and sat down. "So," he said to the hovering house elf, "do youwant to hear about Master Harry Potter's fantastic duelling lesson?" Dobby smiled widely and waggled his ears; he climbed into an empty dining
chair and looked expectantly at Sirius. And Sirius began talking in betweenbites of sandwich, the loneliness eked away in the company of the happy elf. o-O-o
Amelia wasn't happy. Janice Mickle had both gone missing the day before. Mickle was an
unmarried pureblood who had been reported missing by St Mungo's after
she'd failed to attend a pre-natal check-up and they'd been unable to findher. Her mother had been hysterical when they'd told her but more about Mickle'sunknown pregnancy than at her being missing in Amelia's opinion. The
pregnant woman had been seen in the Market Place just off Diagon Alley
around two o'clock but nothing after that. The speedy report of Mickle's absence was thanks to the cover story that
Amelia and the War Council had worked out; namely a warning issued throughthe Healer community that a muggle serial killer was known to be targetingpregnant women and for them to pass the warning along to all expectant
parents and report any unusual absences immediately to the Aurors. It hadbeen an attempt to prevent any pregnant witches from being harmed by
Riddle but clearly it had failed. Amelia sighed and placed the report down. She looked up at Bertie and Rufussat across the desk from her. "Your thoughts?"
"In the normal scheme of things, I would be inclined to think it the usual
missing person situation given the girl's situation; pregnant by a muggle, unmarried, and her family likely to hit the roof when she confessed all." Rufusgrimaced. "However, with the intelligence we have of this ritual Riddle couldbe doing…I think it's likely Mickle is dead by now."
"We can't assume that." Amelia said sharply at his bluntness. "And her mother
is certainly not going to accept that for an answer." Rufus nodded and gestured across her desk. "I suggest we followprotocol aswe would normally. Hand it over to an Auror team; have theminvestigate."
"We'll have to inform them that there is no muggle serial killer." Amelia
murmured. But she knew Rufus was right. "Bertie…"
"There is a small chance he's kept her alive." Bertie conceded, looking grim. "She fits his mother's profile almost perfectly; a pureblood witch of little
status pregnant with a muggle man's child. He clearly thinks it's important
within the ritual enough that he targeted her specifically rather than any other
witch. He needs the amniotic fluid and if he needs more of it at some point, hemay feel it would be better to impregnate a hostage rather than trying tofindanother pregnant woman with the same profile." Amelia shuddered in distaste and horror. She sighed. "Rufus hand the caseover to two of your experienced Aurors, Shacklebolt would be good –he'dgot
a decent head on his shoulders. Tell them we think Pettigrew could be
involved in this thanks to some anonymous information."
Rufus nodded. He got to his feet and left the room. Amelia slumped back in her chair. She folded her hands over her stomach, her
eyes on the abandoned report. "I'm not sure if I should be rooting for Mickletobe alive or dead."
"Alive." Bertie said gently. "Perhaps she will suffer a great deal at Riddle's
hands or his followers. It is all too likely that she has already lost the childshecarried. But she can be healed of her wounds and her trauma in time if shelives."
"If." Amelia wasn't so certain of Bertie's assertion that healing was possible. How did someone heal from losing their child, abduction and potentially
torture? Her compassionate soul couldn't help but feel for Mickle. A knock on the door had Amelia straightening and calling 'enter' half-heartedly. Her secretary looked in with a frown. "Amelia, Percy Weasley is asking if youhave five minutes to discuss the tournament security?" Bertie got to his feet and waved away Amelia's protest before she even got
started. "I have to find where I've put my Wizengamot robes. I'll see you at thesession." Ameila nodded at her secretary. "Send Weasley in."
Percy Weasley walked in with a layer of nerves visible under his showof
confidence. He took the seat she offered with an insincere apology for
disturbing her. She knew from the office scuttlebutt that he was a goodworker but rumour had it that his lips were firmly attached to Crouch's arseand he had none of Arthur's likeability. The news that he had worked the dayafter the World Cup rather than spend time with his injured family hadn't donehim any favours.
"What's this about?" She took the parchment he brandished with a raisedeyebrow, put on her monocle and read it with an increasing sense of disbelief. "Which moron decided this was a good idea?" Percy winced. "I believe Mister Bagman was initially responsible for the ideabut all parties were consulted before it was agreed during the final
negotiations this Summer." She was so hexing Bagman the next time she saw him, Amelia consideredfuriously as she reread the parchment. The Goblet of Fire would be removedfrom its secure vault in the DOM and displayed in the Ministry atriumbeforeit
would be delivered to Hogwarts for the Initiation ceremony which wouldthenbegin the twenty-four hours when contestants could enter. Bugger, bugger, bugger.
"As you know Mister Crouch has been on sick leave since the World Cup. Hesent me the parchment as he had some concerns about the security that
Mister Bagman has been put in place…" Percy began officiously.
"Namely that Bagman hasn't put any security in place." Amelia commenteddryly. Well, at least Barty was on the ball about something despite his Wizard'sflu lingering like the smell of rancid fish.
"That would be the problem that Mister Crouch has identified." Percy admitted. "His proposal is included." He pointed at the parchment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 345
Amelia nodded absently as she reread the section. Barty's suggestions weregood; an escort of Aurors at all times while the Goblet was in the Ministry, theGoblet placed in a glass case for the showing to ensure it couldn't be
tampered with, and for him to personally take the Goblet to Hogwarts rather
than Bagman.
"Leave it with me." Amelia said. She'd have to confer with Rufus and probablythe War Council for a wider view. The whole thing seemed to be a disaster
waiting to happen in Amelia's book. They were trying to prevent situationswhere the Goblet could be interfered with and a public display was the exact
opposite of what they were trying to achieve. Percy didn't seem to get the hint. He fidgeted in his chair. "Mister Crouchasked for an immediate response."
"If Barty wants an immediate response he can come back to work and arrangethings himself." Amelia said brusquely. "I have a Wizengamot session andfour tribunals to prepare for. Inform Barty he'll be informed of the security
arrangements once I've had the chance to work them out with the relevant
parties. Understood, Mister Weasley?" Percy nodded quickly.
"You're dismissed." Amelia stated bluntly. She shook her head at the departingfigure of the young man and wondered whether she should have a wordwithArthur. In her opinion the Head of the Weasley family was finally gettingtheacknowledgement he deserved and he didn't need one of his sons messingthat up by being a priggish arse. Her secretary gave her a ten minute warning for the beginning of the
Wizengamot and Amelia quickly shrugged into her robes and gathered her
files. She made it into the chamber with time to spare and spent a fewmoments exchanging pleasantries with Arthur while inwardly wonderinghowto bring up the matter of Percy to him. It didn't surprise her to see Sirius enter
with Cornelius; it was a show of strength on Sirius's part, Amelia mused, thevisible indicator of who was the power behind the Minister. Cornelius didn't
view it that way; he positive preened in the reflected power and glory of LordBlack. Sirius gave her and Arthur a warm smile of acknowledgement as he crossedthe floor. He took the stairs to his seat and Amelia watched as not just theAncient and Noble Houses but all of the Houses who held Wizengamot seatsrose as a mark of respect for him, only sitting when he was seated. She
almost laughed at Dumbledore's surprised expression as the Chief Warlockcalled for order and the chamber to be sealed. Clearly the old wizard hadn't
surmised that one of the implications of Sirius's and Cornelius's power playagainst Voldemort in the Wizengamot would be a rise in power and statusfor
the incumbent Lord Black, the regent of the House of Potter.
Amelia shook her head and tried to get comfortable. It was going to be alongsession. The clerk Dullard got to his feet and cleared his throat as he got to the first
item on the agenda and announced Lord Black. The alliance with Zabini wasn't
a surprise; Amelia noted Nora, who looked a million galleons in newdressrobes purposely designed for the cover of the Daily Prophet, was smugly
assured in her response to confirm the alliance. She no doubt consideredit astep towards getting Sirius into bed or into marriage whichever came first. Amelia figured Sirius was too focused on Harry and the situation with
Voldemort to consider any kind of romantic liaison and that Nora was likelytobe very disappointed. The Black détentes with Gibbon, Selwyn and Wilkesraised eyebrows and Amelia kept her eyes pinned to the Minor Houses of thepureblood alliance; she anticipated most would be signed up by the October
session. Dullard moved on; Bunting's proxy was named, Longbottomannouncedasimilar mutual aid and support alliance with Zabini; Livingstone formally
announced his Heir…and finally, it was back to Sirius but this time in his roleas the regent of the House of Potter. Sirius rose from his seat and smiled sharply. ""The House of Potter is pleasedto announce the addition of the following members to the Potter political
alliance; the Ancient and Noble Houses of Cavendish, Greengrass, Goldstein, Rickett, Smith, and including the House of Zabini and the Order Houses of
Ample, Belby, Brocklehurst, Bunting, Carter, Davidson, Farley, Higgs, Livingstone, MacNeill, Samson, Toke, and Warren." Amelia looked around as the rest of the Potter alliance rose, as the newalliance members stood up to be counted, as the Heirs of age and present
made their way to the floor.
"Who speaks for these Houses?" Sirius asked. Daniel Greengrass straightened his shoulders. "I, the Head of the House of
Greengrass, speak for these Houses."
"Who speaks for these Heirs?" Sirius asked.
It was twenty-two year old Simon Cavendish who took the step forwardastheeldest of the Heirs present. "I, the Heir of the House of Cavendish, speak for
the Heirs." His blue eyes seemed calm and his voice assured. The vows began and once again, the magic stirring in the air disconcertedAmelia. She had assumed Harry's presence and the presence of the totemsof
his family magic had been the cause the last time. But as the vows
progressed to Sirius's vow of acceptance, the air was thick with magic oncemore.
"I, Sirius Orion Black, Regent and son of the House of Potter, Head of the
House of Black, accept your oath of allegiance on behalf of Harry James
Potter, Head of the House of Potter, Heir of the House of Black, and offer toyou the protection and sanctuary of the House of Potter, his wand and hismagic in your defence, to lead you with fairness and honour. So have I sworn;
so mote it be." A griffin's cry screamed through the air and there was a rush of wind across
the chamber causing more than one member to shriek. Amelia wasn't entirelysurprised to see the Potter griffin and the Black snake take form, sittinginthePotter chair as though they were both meant to be there. An instant later, the rest of the totems of the Ancient and Noble Houses inthealliance coalesced next to the Heads of the Houses. Sirius seemed unperturbed even if Amelia liked to think she knewhimbetter
than to accept his lack of reaction at face value. He continued onwards asif
nothing of note was taking place, turning to take the Heir oaths. Amelia
glanced at Cavendish and wondered whether the Heirs would also swear
fealty. She didn't have to wait long to find out as Cavendish gave a cheeky grinbut answered in the usual manner rather than following Neville Longbottom'sreply. Sirius nodded gravely, not visibly disappointed at any rate, and made the vowof acceptance with solemnity. The totems responded again with a fierce cryof approval and disappeared except the griffin which waited to exchangeamutual bow of heads with Sirius before dissipating like a golden mist. Amelia wasn't surprised as the Wizengamot descended into chaos again. Shelooked up to her younger brother and Richard gave a shaky nod. Their
discussion after the August session echoed in Amelia's head…
"It was the strangest feeling – just this rush and a stream of power like
nothing you've ever felt." Richard said. "And suddenly, Whiskers was just
there!"
Whiskers was the fond name for the silver cat who was the totemof the
Bones family magic. Their ancestor Elijah Bones, had been an animagus –acat animagus. Whiskers was thought to be a manifestation of Elijah's form.
"You didn't call him?" asked Amelia, trying to understand what had happened.
"I definitely didn't call him! And I know for a fact that Leonard didn't call theAbbott's Golden Retriever." Richard gestured impatiently. "It was Harry! Theyresponded to him! And Amelia…" his eyes met hers with a worry he couldn't
keep hidden, "I couldn't have taken Whiskers back. There was a definite sensethat he wouldn't have come if I tried." Amelia frowned heavily. That was worrying.