Saving the Blacks

Chapter 21

Rabastan

I sit with my brother as he talks with Antonin. I had gotten word that Carina was finally awake and although I wanted to go see her, I knew she was spending time with the boys.

"Where is your girl, Rab?" Antonin asks.

"Spending time with the boys." I shrug.

"From what I hear those boys are quite attached. If you're not careful you will have a house full of kids." He jokes. I chuckle as I try to push back the hurt. We still didn't know if she would ever be able to carry a child.

"Now we need to find you a girl." Rodolphus says giving me a look. I had told him what the healer had said, and he knew it is still a sore spot for me. I had never even thought about kids but seeing the way Carina was with kids made me want that.

"Not settling down unless I have to." He says shaking his head.

"I said the same thing then found Carina. You never know." I say smirking.

"You two are one of the lucky ones. You and Bellatrix have been after each other since first year and you know your girl can't step out on you." He says. I truly believe that even without the bond Carina wouldn't cheat but I couldn't explain how I knew her loyalty ran deep. "You know I got another offer to meet with some new up and coming power."

"Shit, I don't know. With us in alliance with the Blacks and Winters I think I will stick with them. They already have the power to change things." I shrug as if it didn't matter but inwardly, I am freaking out. I didn't want Rodolphus to lose his best friend to a mad man.

"Yeah, but you also got to deal with the Potters and Prewetts."

"Who are married into the Blacks. I heard father mention them wanting to put bills forward that will help protect us from muggles. Supposedly even the Potters and Prewetts don't want them in our world." Rodolphus says.

"No shit, hell yeah. If they have plans to keep those things away from us, I'm all for it. You're right that they already have an established power." He says and I know he is truly thinking about it. Rodolphus catches my eye and I know he is still worried.

"Two weeks till we head back for our senior year. Shit I'm not looking forward to newts." Rodolphus says clearly trying to change the subject.

"I bet Rabastan is looking forward to more time with Carina." Antonin smirks.

"Hell yeah, it will be nice not to have the boys there to glare every time I get close to her. I swear if they could carry wands, I would already be dead."

"Don't underestimate them. If they really try, they might be able to kill you now." Bellatrix laughs coming into the room.

"Yeah, well let's not go giving them ideas." I groan as the rest of them laugh. While I am happy they are so protective, I wish they didn't feel the need to protect her from me.

"What house do you think she will get into?" Antonin asks.

"Shit she is cunning enough for Slytherin, but she said something about the La Fray line being in Ravenclaw." Bella answers.

"Honestly with her there is no telling." I say shaking my head. I had thought about it for a while, but she truly fit in all four houses.

"It will be interesting regardless of her house. Someone tied to the Winters line hasn't been in Hogwarts for almost a century." Rodolphus says shaking his head.

Carina

It had been decided that we would wait for winter break before attempting to collect more horcruxes. Everyone wanted to make sure I could handle it. While I appreciate them caring, part of me just wants to get it over with. The boys stay close to me for the next two weeks and I promise them I will write often as we head to the platform. It doesn't take long for Bellatrix to find me and drag me to a compartment. I am thankful for her help. The memories of my last time stepping foot on the train hit me. While I had mentally prepared to deal with the kids and Dumbledore, I know it will still be hard to see the castle. It had been in runes the last time I saw it. We walk into the compartment to see Rodolphus and Rabastan along with Antonin. I sit next to Rabastan as they talk about different things.

The train ride takes less time than I remember and Rabastan squeezes my hand as we walk off the train. Thankfully I'm not forced to ride the boats with the first years. We take a carriage with Rodolphus and Bellatrix.

"Are you ok?" Bella asks.

"Yeah, just mentally preparing to see the castle." I say trying to smile.

"Shit, I hadn't even thought about that. Are you going to be ok?" Rabastan asks.

"Yep, I need to be able to do this. I also don't like the idea of Alister in my head. Thankfully Hogwarts herself prevents him from telling anyone what he sees in a student's mind."

"Alister?" Rodolphus asks and I chuckle. It was sometimes hard to remember they don't know the things I do.

"Alister is the name of the hat. He was Godric Gryffindor's, but all the founders had a hand in creating him. He is the front face of Hogwarts magic. The castle in sentient. She lives off the magic used within her walls." I explain and they all look at me in amazement. "You can't tell me you can't feel the magic wash over you when you enter the castle."

"I mean I can, but I thought it was just because it is Hogwarts. Damn, so the school knows what every student does. Well now that is a little terrifying." Bella says.

"Even the headmaster can't access that information, but yes, she knows, and if you hurt her, she can hold a grudge. Those students who always complain the stairs move and make them late to class probably upset her. It pays to be nice to the castle. In my time the twin's regularly pushed magic into her and in return she helped them escape after the pranks. Try placing your hand on a wall and send a small pulse of magic. You will definitely feel her gratitude." I say smiling.

"Shit having the castle on my side doesn't sound like a bad thing. I would like the stairs not to constantly move and make me walk farther." Rodolphus says and the others nod in agreement.

"So, what else can the castle do?" Rabastan asks.

"Actually, she does a lot. If a student is in true danger, she can open passages to allow help to reach them. She also prevents pregnancy within her walls. Imagine how many kids have forgotten to cast the contraceptive charm." I say laughing.

"I don't know what to say to that, but it makes sense." Rodolphus says.

They ask a few more questions until we arrive at the castle. I take a deep breath as we exit the carriage and I see the castle for the first time in all her glory. As we approach, I silently vow I will not watch her fall again and feel her magic reach out for me. I smile as it washes over me causing me to relax. I stop at the entrance to the great hall with Professor McGonagall.

"Ms. Black, you will be sorted after the first years." She says.

"Yes professor, do you mind if I read while I wait?" I ask. I needed to have her like me, no matter my house it will make this easier.

"That is fine Ms. Black." She says and I catch the approving look. I pull out the advanced transfiguration book I had been reading and lean against the wall.

I listen outside the great hall as the first years are sorted. I smile as Narcissa makes Slytherin. While I always believed she would have been better in Ravenclaw, I understood the fear of her being the first Black not to be in Slytherin. I would happily take that title. I had no issue with Slytherin, but many would see me as dark if I got in there. When I am announced I walk in and ignore the whispers. The moment the hat hits my head I smile.

Hello Alister.

Ah, so much more than most know Ms. Black. Hogwarts remembers you and what you did to try to save her. Her and I agree that you will need all the help you can get and while this house will cause many to watch you, it will allow you to reach more. This house was created in the beginning and while it has never had a student, I am happy to have you hold that title. We will do what we can to help.

If you and Hogwarts believe this is how I can best prevent the future than I will trust your judgement.

"Better be Hogwarts!" Alister shouts causing the room to go deadly silent. All I can do is sigh. Well so much for staying in the shadows.