𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 31

Harry had turned up late last night, and Natasha was yet to face him.

She had heard the angry yells from him directed at every single person under the roof, and she was ready for him. She wore Fred's quidditch sweater today, as Grimmauld Place always had a certain chill to it, and tagged along some black jeans with her hair in a low ponytail, tied back expertly with her wand tucked in.

Fred and George were busy working on a product for their new shop, but Fred being Fred didn't want Natasha to face Harry on her own. He was prepping her now on the way down, giving her pep talks and massaging her shoulders.

"You got this girl! Don't let him bring you down you are a QUEEN!" he cried, his face covered in war paint. Natasha shut him up by kissing him quickly, just as Harry came into view, his sour and moody 15-year-old face laughable.

"Black," he said curtly.

"Potter," she replied, a smile cracking onto her face.

He tried to fight the smile on his face, but she reminded him so much of Sirius that he couldn't, and the two embraced, just as Sirius left the kitchen. "Sweetheart, the meeting is about to begin, and I think Tonks misses you," he called out softly, causing Natasha to remove herself from Harry.

"Meeting?" he asked curiously, and Fred took the opportunity to take Harry by the shoulders.

"Just boring smart people stuff mate, Nat here falls asleep through it most of the time," he whispered, earning a smirk from Natasha. It was completely true, as she and Nymphadora had fallen asleep many times as the older wizards and witches bickered.

"Well, I'm going to go nap dear godbrother, I'll catch you later, okay?" Natasha asked, and Harry nodded, quickly squeezing her forearm. She bounded off to the kitchen, where just as Sirius had said, Tonks was borderline crying, missing Natasha.

"TASHIE!" she cried, jumping up to hug the girl. Her hair was now a bright yellow, and she changed it back to pink as they sat down. The two had stayed in close contact after Tonks had graduated, and during meetings the two were inseparable, much to the dismay of some members.

Minerva, Remus, Arthur, Kingsley and Mad-Eye were already seated, the latter rolling his good eye at the energy the two young girls gave off. Minerva just smiled at them, glad that Natasha had had time to heal with her family after the tragedy of the previous school year.

"So, how's Freddie?" Tonks asked, and Natasha blushed.

"He's the sweetest Tonks, always staying by me and being supportive," she gushed, her smile honest and adoring. Tonks glanced over to Remus, who was busy talking to Arthur, and sighed.

Natasha caught where she was staring and rubbed her friend's arm supportively. "You know, if you just talked to him, he would see just how amazing you are Tonks," she whispered, earning a sad look from the older girl.

"I'm too young for him Tashie, plus I'm sure he's into more mature and more beautiful looking witches than I," she confessed, her mood making the whole room feel depressed. Her hair was now a light shade of blue, and Natasha took her into a hug, not going unnoticed by Sirius or Molly.

"You okay cousin?" Sirius asked, and Tonks nodded, sniffling a bit.

"I'll be okay Siri, just a little down is all." Sirius hugged Tonks quickly around her shoulders before taking the seat next to Natasha, picking up her wand. He ran his thumb over the three stars, the tiny crevices in the wood somewhat calming for him.

There was a quick flash as Severus apparated in, Sirius' eyes instantly glaring at him. He still wasn't happy that the greaseball was related to his wife and child. Natasha noticed the tension between her father and cousin, and rolled her eyes, leaning her head on her father's shoulder.

"Right, is everyone present?" Minerva called out, and a chorus of yes rang out in the kitchen. She stood up and held out her wand, casting a charm to make sure the children outside couldn't hear what was going on.

"So, about Harry's hearing-" Mad-Eye began, but before he could continue, there was another crack, and Albus appeared, slightly dishevelled.

"Albus, what's the matter? I thought you couldn't attend?" Minerva asked, and Albus directed his eyes to Natasha and Sirius, who stood up immediately.

"I'm afraid I couldn't wait to inform them, Minerva," he said, pushing his half-moon spectacles up. Natasha grabbed her father's arm and her wand, whilst Severus made sure he had his in his hand on the opposite side.

"Inform us of what headmaster?" Natasha asked boldly, her eyes not leaving the old wizard's. Tonks gasped slightly at how Natasha had spoken to the wizard, but Remus, Minerva and Sirius were all smiling in pride on the inside at her Gryffindor side.

"Perhaps I should tell the both of you in a more private place," the headmaster offered, and Natasha shook her head.

"I mean no disrespect sir, but if you pop up unexpected during an Order meeting, I'm pretty sure everyone can hear. We shouldn't keep secrets from the Order, unless of course, you don't trust someone," she said, lowering her wand and placing it in her hair again.

Instead of getting angry, Albus smiled softly, proud of the young witch in front of him, and her bravery. "Of course, Miss Black," he said gently, taking a seat by the head of the table.

Natasha and Sirius did the same, and Tonks exhaled audibly, earning a look from Mad-Eye. "Now, what I was going to tell the Black family shall not leave this room, am I clear?" Albus asked, and everyone nodded, now wanting to know what information he had wanted to disclose.

"I have it from a good source, that Aurelia Black is alive," he started, and instantly Natasha and Sirius had their wands out, raised.

"My mother is dead," Natasha spat, her feelings of her mother's death resurfacing. "She died in my fifth year, Kreacher sent me the letter. She was sick, and she died."

Sirius rubbed Natasha's shoulders, his wand still in his hand. Her face was emotionless, but Minerva and Sirius were both well aware she could become a ticking time bomb if she bottled her feelings up too much.

"If my wife is alive, then why did Kreacher send a letter to my daughter about her death, and why is she not here right now," Sirius questioned, earning a pitied smile from his old headmaster.

"I agree with Mr Black," Minerva said. "Aurelia was the brightest witch of her year, and one of the greatest members of the Order in its early days. If she's not dead, why isn't she here?"

"She's under a curse, isn't she?" Kingsley piped up, and Albus nodded, looking over to the father and daughter who were now hugging.

"From what I have been informed with, yes, Aurelia is under the Imperious Curse, and is currently being kept as a prisoner in a secret location only known by the most trusted of Voldemort's followers," he admitted, and Sirius stiffened.

"How on earth did my wife get into the hands of him?" he seethed, comforting his daughter. Natasha took a seat, and Tonks rubbed her arms supportively, and Sirius waited for his answer.

"Kreacher can tell you, Master Sirius."