Chapter Text
With a sudden surge of flames a pair of boot-clad feet stepped out of the grand fireplace and into the main parlour of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. Quickly following the first set of feet were two others and the glowing flames of green died out with a silencing hush.
“Mistress and Masters. Welcome home.”
Rose Potter smiled happily at the sight of Kreacher, their family elf, standing near one of the couches nearby. He was dressed in the very same uniform Rose had made him during the twins’ first summer here and she didn’t hesitate to cross to him. Kneeling down, Rose met Kreacher's loyal stare, having missed the elf greatly during their year long trip. “Kreacher,” she murmured fondly. “Did you miss us?”
Titling his head, Kreacher offered a smile— that in Harry Potter’s opinion looked more like a pained grimace— and said. “Kreacher is very happy to see Mistress Rose again.”
Sirius Black looked as though he sincerely doubted Kreacher missed him but silently admitted that the miserable elf likely did miss Rose in their absence. He glanced over at the trunk they brought along with them, holding a great deal of belongings that the three of them amassed during their trip.
Almost immediately after Harry and Rose Potter's graduation from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the two of them and their godfather had used Professor McGonagall’s Floo in order to travel to the Black Cottage along the coast of Wales. They had spent just over two weeks there, the twins exploring the small magical town nearby as well as taking in the beautiful sights the place had to offer.
The list of places they went to during their trip was far too long and Sirius could have gone to so many more if he had been able to get away with it. Unfortunately, after nearly thirteen months of travelling, they were needed back in London once more.
“Kreacher, get started on a good dinner. The twins had a small breakfast.”
Kreacher bowed his head silently in acquiesce before offering Rose a much lower bow and disappearing with a crack.
Without another glance at where Kreacher had once stood, Sirius clapped his hands together with a grin. “Alright kids, time to put our things away.”
They Floo’d straight back from Black Cottage, having gone back to the place they started their trip at, and had only been there for a single night this time around. Harry hadn’t even bothered to change out of his pajamas before they came back, knowing that they wouldn’t be seeing anyone anytime soon anyways. Rose and Sirius just threw on some casual Muggle clothes, jeans and tshirts, and were ready to go as soon as they were all awake.
Sirius was quick to unlock the latches on the trunk, a deep burgundy in colour with gold accents, and like a well oiled machine he, Harry and Rose began emptying out the numerous items inside. The entire job took a handful of hours, though that included hauling them up to where each item would go, and the twins had just enough time to lay on their beds before Sirius was calling them.
“Dinner’s ready!”
Harry and Rose took a few seconds before getting up and crossing to their doors, pulling them open and stepping out into the hall simultaneously— the now long since familiar sight had the two smiling at each other in amusement. Harry’s hair was rather wild given he hadn’t done much to it after waking up this morning, though it was at a shorter length, having gotten a haircut shortly before they returned to Black Cottage. Rose’s hair in contrast was longer than she had preferred it in years, though it wasn’t unreasonably long reaching just above halfway down her back.
With a wave of the hand, Harry gestured to the staircase that was nearer to Rose than him.
Their family home was in great shape, Kreacher keeping it clean and spotless while they were gone, eagerly waiting for their return. The twins both planned to live in Grimmauld Place for at least a few more years, not quite ready to leave the family environment they had only been a part of for four short years now. They had moved in just after their fourth year and given they spent the next three years mostly at Hogwarts, it was perfectly understandable that they wanted to put off getting a place of their own.
Sirius was more than happy that the twins weren’t ready to ‘leave the nest yet’, as he would say. No doubt even with the renovations that had the place looking like a whole new house, Sirius wasn’t thrilled at living in Grimmauld Place on his own. After years wrongfully imprisoned in Azkaban and then devoting all his time to the twins who— as stated before— were mostly at Hogwarts, he too wanted to remain in this family dynamic they’ve had going on for as long as possible.
The meal Kreacher prepared for them was as delicious as always and the three of them ate in silence almost the entire time. The only sounds in the kitchen were the clinking of utensils against their plates and the clunk of a glass being put down here and there. Eventually the silence was broken as Sirius cleared his throat.
When the twins glanced up as one, Sirius smiled briefly before he adopted an apologetic expression. “I forgot the date entirely— or at least the significance of the date— but we do have somewhere we need to be in about an hour…”
The twins shot each other confused looks then raised their brows at their godfather in a silent question.
“I’m not gonna lie, I thought the first thing we did when we got back would be visit the Weasleys— or even just hang out at home.”
Rose glanced over at Harry when he spoke, his voice bouncing off the dark walls around them, eyeing the way he tugged at the collar of his formal dress robes with a wry expression on his face. She herself was dressed similarly, the two of them adorning their favoured colours of green and maroon. Just ahead of them was Sirius, his strides smooth and confident, also wearing his well-known black coloured robes.
After just getting back from their trip a few hours prior, all they had done was unpack things from said trip, eat an incredible meal prepared by Kreacher, and get ready for the Ministry event they had been invited to; and were expected to attend.
A full year of traveling from destination to destination now behind them, Rose found she was actually very happy to be back and was left with a perpetual feeling that she was floating on air. Her brother would probably share the same sentiment a lot more if they weren’t ending their trip with a Ministry party. Their trip had been well packed but paced so they could enjoy it properly. Going into the adventure the family of three knew they didn’t want to force too many places all at once simply because they could, and instead just let their instinct take them where they wanted to go. Sometimes they spent maybe a few days in a spot while others they spent weeks in.
They kept in touch with their friends the entire time, Marcus Flint— one of Rose’s best friends— even giving them a tour of the France Ministry when they wound up there at the same time he was working. Ginny Weasley was the one they spoke to the most though, and Harry was the one to do the speaking more so than Rose; for obvious reasons.
Despite their worries and their year apart, Harry and Ginny’s relationship was as solid as ever and Rose knew her brother was eager to see her. The two had gotten together about mid-way through the twins’ sixth year— Ginny’s fifth year— and it was now the beginning of July which meant Ginny was officially done with Hogwarts all together.
(And boy did the twins feel guilty about missing her graduation, even when the girl assured them heartedly that they had no reason too. They decided to make it up to her by getting her an incredible gift.)
Harry couldn’t wait to go to the Burrow.
Mrs. Weasley had found out from Sirius when they would be arriving and made sure to tell the three of them to come by the day after that. She promised to make them a lovely meal and wanted to hear all about their trip. The only reason she didn’t ask them to come over the day they got back was because she had wanted them to rest up first.
Mission failed.
Their attendance was kind of expected tonight, not just because Sirius was in fact a member of the Wizengamot, but because this particular gathering was to celebrate the recently approved bills and charities set up throughout the year.
The charity the twins had set up— the James and Lily Potter Raising a Better Tomorrow Foundation— in honour of their late parents was now a thing of public reality as of May 23rd. The twins had released a statement about it, having been preparing it since they received its confirmation in February, and other donors had come rolling in.
With the amount of money the twins already had invested— due to the huge payout from Sirius’ actions in suing the authors and publishers of various books— plus what others donated themselves, they were looking at rolling out a plan stretching out for the next five years to help ten students per year with the cost of schooling at Hogwarts plus more. They even had a comfortable amount to spare for preparations and security should anything unexpected pop up.
The foundation would help pay for good quality books and robes, the essential potion’s ingredients the student would need for that year, and they would be given a set amount of Galleons on their birthday and major wizarding holidays in order to celebrate.
Harry and Rose had been thrilled at how well it had all come together, happily joining Sirius whenever he had his family lawyer come out to meet them to discuss progress. Back in February, after it had made its way through the Wizengamot, another organization idea popped up that was quickly approved.
Thomas Carrington was the main executor involved with the newest proposition, but he had been quickly backed by numerous other Lords and Ladys. His organization idea? A schooling program for kids before their Hogwarts years— Pureblood, Halfblood and Muggleborn alike— that would teach them all they would need to know about the wizarding world. Including— but not limited to— wizarding currency, magical holidays and the general theory of magic.
It had been a rousing discussion when first proposed— by all Dark, Light, and Neutral families. Most for a lot of different reasons and almost entirely positive. Some liked the idea of the magical children meeting each other a lot sooner, especially for the Muggleborns. Some liked the concept of the children being taught the customs that were slowly dwindling in the magical community. While others approved of the kids being taught the life basics that just simply weren’t taught at Hogwarts.
Alongside this proposition Carrington brought forth the idea of a magical care-home to house children with no family or those who were being abused or mistreated by their family.
The idea, while met with great approval, would take a far longer to make its way through the Ministry hurdles but most had great expectations in its success. Needless to say it was something very needed and given the obvious past cases of abuse— take Harry and Rose— most wanted to be seen as if they were doing something to help this issue. There was already talk of setting up another department in the Ministry of Magic strictly aimed towards the care and well-being of magical children.
A long needed department in Rose’s opinion.
The Auror Headquarters previously looked after topics involving children but more than enough people thought that there should be a whole department aimed at this task rather than Auror’s dividing their attention between criminals and children.
So now the three of them were striding down the hall towards two open double doors where a faint sound of music was beckoning them forward. The twins would be the youngest in attendance since only the Wizengamot members and those directly involved in the bills and charities were invited to attend.
Hence their need to be there.
“We only need to mingle long enough to make an impression,” Sirius offered over his shoulder, a teasing tone in his voice. Harry let out a brief huff but didn’t offer any protests while Rose turned her head to hide the amused smile that threatened to break out on her face.
The party was already in full spring when they entered, though they were likely not the last to arrive. The crowds weren’t nearly as thick as the last Ministry party they attended just after they turned seventeen but there were still a good amount in attendance. Sirius offered them a brief look that had the twins nodding at once and without another word he tore off from their group, going to offer the expected greetings to the other Wizengamot members.
Rose tapped Harry’s arm twice and gestured to where a waiter was approaching with a tray of drinks. Harry grinned. “Don’t mind if I do,” he said as he stepped forward, snagging two glasses from the tray and handing one to Rose.
“Let’s roam a bit,” Rose suggested, her eyes trailing around them absently, taking in the vaguely familiar faces. After she got an agreeable hum from her brother she moved off in a random direction.
Harry and Rose were almost always a pair people wanted to talk to. They had the reputation as the ‘saviours of the wizarding world’ since the Dark Lord killed their parents and tried to kill them when they were only a year old. The two of them were the only ones to survive that night, though the Dark Lord hadn’t stayed gone forever.
They bore matching scars as a reminder of that night, Harry’s on his forehead and Rose’s on her throat, both like a bolt of lightning streaking across a dark sky. Two scars that proved they had done the impossible— survived the infamous Killing Curse, a feat no one else had ever done before. Despite their reputation, Harry and Rose believed very little in it and never really had since first learning about it when they were eleven. As far as they were concerned their parents were the reason they survived, Rose certain they must have found some kind of magic that would aid, if not them, then their two children. The majority believed it was them though, that they each possessed something special that let them live to see another day.
In Rose’s opinion, the majority of people were morons.
They had the expected conversations here and there, stopped by an assortment of people interested in making small talk or finding some gossip to share with others. Some asked about their charity, praising them for being so generous, others wanting their opinions on Carrington’s ideas; both the preschool and his care-home. Carrington was apparently quite the impressive person. Nearly every conversation they had the man’s name was brought up, people talking about how perhaps he would one day take over after Fudge had run his course as Minister of Magic.
Their enthusiasm about him was rather ironic considering he was actually the Dark Lord they all so famously feared and refused to even utter the name of.
Rose couldn’t help but wonder if these very talks would cost Tom’s alter-identity his position as Fudge’s Undersecretary. Merlin knew that the Minister was as possessive as a dragon with jewels when it came to his high standing position, having been forever paranoid that Dumbledore would take it back when he was alive. Then again, with Lucius Malfoy whispering in his ear, perhaps Tom would be saved from any backlash his newly shining spotlight would offer.
“So, what are your plans now that you’re back?”
Harry and Rose were currently standing with Lord Greengrass, his face appearing genuinely interested in their answer. He was rather contrasting in comparison to his daughters. Unlike the two girls' blonde hair, their father had dark brown hair that was greying at his temples. He seemed like a friendly man though, with lines around his dark coloured eyes and mouth that suggested he smiled often.
With a glance at his sister, Harry said. “I want to focus more on how to run the family estate, so I’ll be shadowing Sirius for the foreseeable future.”
And boy was Sirius enthusiastic about that when Harry first brought it up, eagerly agreeing to the whole idea. Lately Harry had been dealing with feelings of faint guilt at leaving the more boring matters involved in their life to Rose and had come to the conclusion that he needed to start taking on more of the weight of their responsibilities. Rose had assured him she didn’t mind doing it but didn’t offer protests to Harry’s plans as she knew, despite him thinking otherwise, Harry would do very well as a family Lord. She was also excited to be able to discuss more political things with Harry, having always been curious about his opinions and thoughts on certain Ministry issues.
“What about you, Heir Black?”
Rose tilted her head briefly as Greengrass addressed her, mildly surprised at the name he chose to use (most had always went with Heir Potter or Miss Potter), but she answered his question nonetheless. “I want to become an Unspeakable.”
Greengrass’s brows lifted but he didn’t look incredulous or skeptical but rather surprised at the choice. “I suppose that should not be a surprise given you finished top of your class.”
Sirius had told Rose that there was a lot that went into being an Unspeakable. They had multiple rounds of interviews, each harder than the next and each one different. It was all annoyingly vague but that was all Sirius had been able to find out. They were called Unspeakables for a reason. There was also numerous different types of paperwork that she would have to fill out along with sending a copy of her grades. It would be a lengthy process and according to Sirius could possibly take up to a year to even get finalized, depending on how backed up certain Ministry departments were.
But Rose was nothing if not patient.
“Well I wish you both the best of luck moving forward,” Greengrass said sincerely and the twins nodded as one while Harry returned the sentiment quietly.
That was how most conversations went at these events. Most didn’t stay in the company of the same person all night and honestly Rose was relieved that was the norm. It was only the odd time that people lingered and even then that was more a group setting rather than one on one conversations.
They found Sirius again not long after that, standing with Lucius Malfoy, Amelia Bones, the Minister and someone Rose was sure was named Yaxley. He grinned when he spotted them, waving them over with a glass in hand.
“Heir Potter. Heir Black.” Madam Bones greeted as they neared Sirius.
“Madam Bones.” Harry murmured in return.
The need to say everyone’s names and titles upon seeing one another was one Harry didn’t fully understand. Sirius had joked once long ago that it was only the title of ‘heir’ or ‘lord’ that few had to brag about. Nevertheless, Harry still greeted everyone by the proper titles, Rose more nodding her own sentiments than voicing them— which none of them seemed to take offence to.
While Rose had made great leaps from her mostly mute days, she still didn’t have much of a desire to talk in public gatherings beyond a few words here and there. There was also the faint reluctance that came along with the thought that once she did start really speaking word would spread and she’d be forced to endure numerous conversations she always managed to avoid.
Best keep to short and simple sentences plus her well-known silence for now.
“Your father was just telling us about some of the places you visited over the last year,” Fudge said to them in a voice that screamed politician.
Bones spoke up next, looking just the same as the last time the twins saw her, monocle and all. “What plans do you have next?”
Sirius answered for them, a proud grin on his face, reaching over to clap Harry's shoulder. “Harry will be shadowing me for the next while to get ready to take over as Lord Potter.” He gave him a fond shake before releasing him. “And Rosie has her sights set on the Unspeakables.”
“The Unspeakables require a great deal of dedication.” Yaxley commented, his voice borderline condescending. He was a terribly average looking man, nothing about his appearance standing out in a bad way— but not in a good way either. His robes were clearly well made, and the wrinkles around his mouth spoke of someone who sneered far too often.
Lifting a brow minutely, Rose only said. “Believe me, when I want something, I tend not to stop until I get it.”
Yaxley’s jaw clenched at the response, but he kept any further reaction from his face, more than likely due to his own fear of the Dark Lord. As a high ranking member of Voldemort’s army Yaxley knew that there was a strict rule enforced by the Dark Lord himself that the twins were not to be bothered in any way.
Blackmail was truly a thing of wonder in Rose’s opinion.
“I was quite impressed with your organization,” Bones offered, skillfully turning the almost tense air with ease. “I hadn’t been able to discuss it with either of you since you've been gone.” Her eyes darted between the two as she asked. “Who first brought up the idea?”
“Ro’ did," Harry said at once firmly. Ever since that first mis-assumption about Rose’s role in the charity he was extra prickly when anyone asked that question. Bones did not look at all disbelieving as the one man did, which immediately thawed Harry’s growingly cold exterior.
Lucius Malfoy did tilt his head thoughtfully though. “Well congratulations on what I’m sure is just the start of many successful endeavours.” A raised glass accompanied his words, the others present quick to do the same. The conversation turned from the twins to the many other bills and foundations that had been set up, much to Harry’s relief. Fudge boasted about the Ministry’s latest successes, while blatantly ignoring its major problems.
About an hour into the event, between one second and the next actually, the party was abruptly interrupted when the doors, having been shut when the last of the guests arrived, slammed open and drew all eyes to them at once as they banged against the walls. Two Aurors were rushing in, their faces pale and sweaty and their chests heaving as they panted heavily.
“What is the meaning of this?” Fudge’s irate voice rang out at the sight of them, one hand on his hip while the other clutched his glass tightly as he glared at the interruption. Bones moved forward as well, though her face was far more serious and concerned. When the two men didn’t offer any response straight away, Fudge all but stomped his foot. “Well? If it was so important that you had to rush in here with all this commotion, out with it!”
Bones looked as though she wanted to protest, likely to take whatever this was to a more private venue, but the two Auror’s shared a glance and opened their mouths as one before she could do anything more.
“Grindelwald has vanished from Nurmengard!”