The two children of Sirius Black

Introduction

Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first of September was crisp and golden as an apple, and as the little family bobbed across the rumbling road towards the great, sooty station, the fumes of car exhausts and the breath of pedestrians sparkled like cobwebs in the cold air. Two large cages rattled on top of the laden trolleys the parents were pushing; the owls inside them hooted indignantly, and the red-headed girl trailed tearfully behind her brothers, clutching her father’s arm.
“It won’t be long, and you’ll be going to” Harry told her.
“Two years,” sniffed Lily. “I want to go now!”
The commuters stared curiously at the owls as the family wove its way towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Albus' voice drifted back to Harry over the surrounding clamor; his sons had resumed an argument they started in the car.
“I won’t! I won’t be in Slytherin!”
“James, give it a rest,” said Ginny
“I only said he might be,” said James grinning at his younger brother. ”There’s nothing wrong with that. He might be in Slyth-“
But James caught his mother’s eye and fell silent. The six potters approached the barrier. With a slightly cocky look over his shoulder at his younger brother, James took the trolley from his mother and broke into a run. And a moment later, he had vanished
“You’ll write to me, wont you?” Albus asked his parents immediately, capitalizing on the moment absence of his brother.
“Every day, if you want us to,” said Ginny
“Not every day,” said Albus quickly. “James says most people only get letters from home about once a month”
“We wrote to James three times a week last year,” said Ginny
“And you don’t want to believe everything he tells you about Hogwarts” Harry put in. “He likes a laugh, your brother”
Side by side, they pushed the second trolley forwards, gathering speed. As they reached the barrier, Albus winced, but no collision came. Instead, the family emerged on to platform nine and three quarters, which was obscured by thick, white steam that was pouring, form the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
“Atrox has been very quiet today,” said Ginny to Harry,
“He’ll probably just be nervous just leave him be that’s the way he likes it” whispered Harry just out of Atrox’s earshot. Atrox looked like nothing like Harry or Ginny, yet he was the spitting image of the young Sirius black that Harry had seen in Albus Dumbledore’s pensive.
Indistinct figures were swarming through the mist, into which James and Atrox had already disappeared.
“Where are they?” asked Albus anxiously, peering at the hazy forms they passed as they made their way down the platform.
“We’ll find them,” said Ginny reassuringly.
But the vapor was dense, and it was difficult to make out anybody’s face. Detached from their owners, voices sounded unnaturally loud. Harry thought he heard Percy discoursing loudly on broomstick regulations, and was quite glad of the excuse not to stop and say hello …
“I think that’s them, Al,” said Ginny suddenly.
A group of four people emerged from the mist, standing alongside the very last carriage. Their faces came only into focus when Harry, Ginny, Lily and Albus had drawn right up to them.
“Hi,” said Albus sounding immensely relieved.
Rose, who was already wearing her brand new Hogwarts robes, beamed at him.
“Parked all right then?” Ron asked Harry. “I did. Hermione didn’t believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I’d have to confund the examiner”
“No I didn’t” said Hermione, “I had complete faith in you.”
“As a matter of fact, I did confund him,” Ron whispered to Harry, as together they lifted Albus’ trunk and owl onto the train. “I only forgot to look in the wing mirror and let’s face it I can use a supersensory charm for that.”
Atrox gave three tuts, then laughed and walked away
“That kid’s always scared me,” whispered Ron, Harry laughed
“What” Ron said looking confused?
“He’s just a child what’s so scary about him?” said Harry still chuckling to himself. Ron just looked at the back of Atrox and shuddered.
Back on the platform they found Lily and Hugo, Rose’s younger brother, having an animated discussion about which house they would be sorted into when they finally went to Hogwarts.
“If you’re not in Gryffindor, we’ll disinherit you” said Ron, “but no pressure
‘Ron!’
Lily and Hugo laughed but Albus and Rose looked solemn
“He doesn’t mean it,” said Hermione and Ginny, but Ron was no longer paying attention. Catching Harry’s eye, he nodded covertly to a point some fifty yards away.
“What are you staring at?” whispered Atrox menacingly.
The steam had thinned for a moment and four people stood in sharp relief against the shifting mist.
Paying no attention to Atrox, Ron said, “look who it is?”
Draco Malfoy was standing there with his wife and his two children, a dark coat buttoned up to his throat. His hair was receding somewhat, which emphasized the pointed chin. The new boy resembled Draco as much as Albus resembled Harry. His daughter didn’t look like any of the Malfoys.. Draco caught sight of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny staring at him, nodded curtly and turned away again.
“So that’s little Scorpius and Hydra,” said Ron under his breath. Atrox and Hydra stared at each other both with a menacing smile across their faces “Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie. Thank God you inherited your mother’s brains”
“Ron for heaven’s sake” said Hermione half-stern, half-amused “Don’t try to turn them against each other before they’ve even started school!”
“You’re right sorry,” said Ron but unable to help himself, he added “don’t get too friendly with him, though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pure blood.”
“Hey!”
James had reappeared; he had divested himself from his trunk, owl and trolley, and was evidently bursting with news
“Well spit it out, we can’t wait all day.” said Atrox morbidly poking his head out of the window of his compartment
“Teddy’s back there,” he said breathlessly, pointing over his shoulder into the billowing clouds of steam. “Just seen him and guess what he’s doing? Snogging Victoire!”
He gazed up at the adults, evidently disappointed by the lack of reaction
“Our Teddy! Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked teddy what he was doing-“
“You interrupted them?” said Ginny. ”You are so like Ron-“
“-and he said he had come to see her off! And then he told me to go away. He’s snogging her!” James added, as though worried he had not made himself clear.
“Oh it would be lovely if they got married!” whispered Lily ecstatically. “Teddy would really be part of the family then!”
“He already comes round for dinner about four times a week” said Harry “Why don’t we just invite him to live with us and have done with it?”
“Yeah!” said James enthusiastically. “I don’t mind sharing with Al- Teddy could have my room!”
“No!” said Harry firmly,” you and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished.”
He checked the battered, old watch that had once been Fabian Prewett’s
“It’s nearly eleven; you’d better get on board.”
“Don’t forget to give Neville our love!” Ginny told James as she hugged him
“Mum! I can’t give a professor love”
“Mmmm yes professor Longbottom I do love you, I want you professor, and I need you professor.” James growled at Atrox in frustration Atrox smirked back with malice.
“But you know Professor Longbottom-“said Ginny with a stern look at Atrox. James rolled his eyes.
“Outside, yeah, but at school he’s Professor Longbottom, isn’t he? I can’t walk into Herbology and give him love…”
Shaking his head at his mother’s foolishness, he vented his feelings by aiming a kick at Albus.
“See you later, Al. watch out for Thestrals”
“I thought they were invisible? You said they were invisible!”
But James merely laughed, permitted his mother to kiss him, gave his father a fleeting hug, and then leapt on the rapidly filling train. They saw him wave, then sprint away up the corridors to find his friends.
“Thestrals are nothing to worry about,” Harry told Albus. “They’re gentle things, there’s nothing scary about them. Anyway, you’ll be going in the boats”
Ginny kissed Albus goodbye
“See you at Christmas.”
“Bye Al,” said Harry, as his son hugged him. “Don’t forget Hagrid’s invited you for tea next Friday. Don’t mess with Peeves. Don’t duel anyone ‘til you’ve learned how. And don’t let James wind you up.”
“What if I’m in Slytherin?”
The whisper was for his father alone, and Harry knew that only the moment of departure could have forced Albus to reveal how great and sincere that fear was.
Harry crouched down so that Albus’ face was slightly his own. Alone of Harry’s four children, Albus had inherited Lily’s eyes
“Albus Severus,” Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, “you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.”
“But just say-”
“-then Slytherin house will have gained an excellent student, won’t it? It doesn’t matter to us, Al. but if it matters to you you’ll be able to choose Gryffindor over Slytherin. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account.”
“Really”
“It did for me,” said Harry
He had never told any of his children that before, and he saw the wonder in Albus’ face when he said it. But now the doors were slamming all along the scarlet train, and the blurred outlines of parents were swarming forwards for final kisses, last-minute reminders. Albus jumped into the carriage and Ginny closed the door behind him. Students were hanging from the windows nearest them. A great number of faces, both on the train and off, seemed to be turned towards Harry.
“Why are they all staring?” demanded Albus, as he and Rose craned round to look at the other students.
“Don’t let it worry you” said Ron. “It’s me. I’m extremely famous.”
Albus, Rose, Hugo, Lily and Atrox laughed. The train began to move, and Harry walked alongside it, watching his son’s thin face, already ablaze with excitement. Harry kept smiling, and waving, even though it was like a little bereavement, watching his son glide away from him…
The last trace of steam evaporated in the autumn air. The train rounded a corner. Harry’s hand was still raised in farewell.
“He’ll be all right,” murmured Ginny.
As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absent-mindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead.
“I know he will.”
The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.

Chapter 1 - Evarmating siblings

“We need to find a compartment,” said Rose ushering the others up the train.
“In here.” Atrox’s voice came from the compartment on the right. They filed in the compartment while scowling at Atrox's smugness.
“While you guys were waving goodbye to everyone, I found this compartment for us, sure I had to kick the Malfoys out, but that was easy after putting the full body binding curse on them.”
James had come up behind Atrox and started doing mouth movements with his hands, as Atrox turned around to see what the others were laughing at, James threw his father’s invisibility cloak over himself.
“Think you’re funny J.P? Well I don’t” in a quick and furious swipe Atrox had took the cloak off James and shouted
“Petrificus Totalus” James was left standing there like a statue then somehow he broke free. Hydra, Atrox's previous victim, had somehow broken out of the curse and freed James. She was smirking, this infuriated Atrox.
“Want a duel bitch?” he said keeping a calm assertive tone. Hydra smiled and replied, “Firstly a bitch is a dog, a dog barks, Bark comes from a tree, Trees are nature and nature is beautiful so thank you, and secondly my answer is yes”
Albus ran out and shouted “stop it; you don’t even know how to duel yet.” Hydra didn’t even speak she rose her wand and Albus’ legs were moving about all over the place.
“That’s it,” screamed Atrox. As Rose undone the curse Hydra had used, Atrox fired his own curse at Hydra, she was sent flying to the back of the train with a broken nose. Now Atrox turned on James.
“What do you think you’re doing, just standing there while a Malfoy curses your brother?”
“I, I, I’m sorry Al.” James apologized. Now Albus was shouting again.
“Don’t you dare talk to my brother like that, if you hadn’t called her names and challenged her to duel in the first place, I wouldn’t have reacted the way I did and she wouldn’t have cursed me. But no Atrox has to show off.” Even though Albus was smaller than Atrox, Atrox seemed weary.
“She interfered when she shouldn’t have,” retorted Atrox.
As Albus tried to speak he couldn’t he opened his mouth but no sound came out Atrox burst into laughter but stopped as no sound came out. Then they both looked at Rose she had her wand raised they shouted silently at her. Rose pointed to the window and said
“It’s getting dark we should start changing into our robes. And as for you two, once we are all changed I’ll take the silencing charm off you.” Smiling she watched the others opened their trunks and search for their robes. The rest of the journey was uninterrupted they talked about Quidditch and Hogwarts subjects. As they all knew effective spells already by the stories told to them. They thought the first year at Hogwarts would be easy or would it.

As the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, the sound of trunks dropping to the floor came from everywhere, and Hagrid's voice called
“First years over here, first years this way. Albus stop dawdling and Atrox stop pushing people.”
All of the first year students looked up in awe at the size of Hagrid.
“Now if you’ll just follow me to the boats” before he got around the corner he stopped suddenly, this made all the first years fall back like a domino set. He turned around and said “what you lot doing down there” nobody replied.
“You’ll be seeing yer first sites of Hogwarts C’mon” Albus heard Hagrid shouting
“Father said that, that Hagrid was a great big oaf when he was at the school,” Atrox heard Scorpius telling Hydra; surprisingly Rose was the one who shouted.
“Well your fathers a greasy haired freak just like you.”
Before Scorpius or Hydra could respond Hagrid had stopped again and roared “stop the arguing back there” this made the same thing happen as before this time Hagrid said sorry, as it was Hagrid’s shouting that made the first little girl fall back with fright. Hagrid turned bright red and marched off, as they came around the corner the ooohs and aaah’s was like an orchestral choir.
“Only four to a boat” said Hagrid pointing to the boats sitting on the undisturbed water. Atrox and Albus had to get in the same boat as Hydra and Scorpius. They had forgotten all about the recent events and started to speak rapidly while crossing the river.
“Make sure no-one falls in please.” He said this just as a blonde girl was about to look over the side. “There is an octopus in there.” The girl soon pulled her head back in. As they went through the ivy curtain, they could see Professor Longbottom he said as the boats came closer.
“You’re late Hagrid, but I suppose I can forgive you” Hagrid smiled as Professor Longbottom scanned the babble of first years, his eyes stopped on Albus, Atrox and Rose. He smiled and let the first years through Percival Pratt’s portrait, Atrox told the others to linger behind with him for a second then he said
“Professor, can I have a word? “
“Why of course Atrox.” Professor Longbottom replied He shut the door, then Professor Longbottom’s mannerisms changed, Albus and Rose looked confused
“Supposedly you’ve got a message from Harry and Ginny?” He asked
“Yes they send their love, they did ask James to tell you but he made a right fuss. So I said I would.” Atrox said tirelessly. Atrox heard Albus mutter “they could have asked me”
Professor Longbottom just smiled and then said
“C’mon otherwise we will be very late”
“Then can I visit you in your office then I need to talk to you about something in private.” Professor Longbottom looked puzzled. He just nodded and walked out of the boathouse through the portrait. As they caught up to the rest of the first years, nobody noticed that they had only just come up behind them, walking in to the Great Hall.
“Ready for the sorting” Professor Longbottom called to all; loud cheers came from every table Gryffindor’s house made the loudest as James had used the sonorous charm. Albus caught a glimpse of James. James also saw Albus but then looked away as soon as he saw Albus looking at him. Albus then said to Atrox.
“I’m going to kill you; James won’t even look at me”
“Sorry” Atrox replied sincerely. They were able to speak as the cheers continued. Professor Longbottom came to the front an then everybody went quiet it was now time for the Sorting Hat’s song

So many heads I have seen in,
And all the wonders I now know,
Will help me find in your mind,
Which house for you to go?
If you’re brave and you’re loyal,
Then maybe it’s Gryffindor,
If you are wise and sharp
Then maybe you belong in Ravenclaw.
If ambitious and cunning, suit you best
Then give Slytherin a test
If hard working is your stuff
You could belong to Hufflepuff.
With all these traits in your head,
So empty and so many,
I will find in your mind,
What brains you have if any,
It doesn’t matter where you go,
You’ll do your best, I know,
Now for everything that I have said,
There is but just one warning,
I fear this but I have to say,
The day of darkness is dawning.

The Sorting Hat’s song was met with a mixture of applause and confused chattering
“Didn’t mum and dad tell us about how it done something like when they were kids?” Albus said to Atrox, but Atrox wasn’t listening, he was too busy staring at Professor Longbottom he had an elfin smile on his face. Then Professor Longbottom raised his hand and silence fell, the students mouths were still moving they all sat as soon as they realized what had happened.
“Don’t worry I know what you all are thinking, the reason I know is because it did the same thing to me in my fifth year. That year me and five of my friends faced Lord Voldermort in the Department of Mysteries and this is where Sirius black died protecting us.” Both Atrox and Hydra fell to the ground shaking so badly that you would think that they were about to die. Then they arose their eyes shining magenta and groaned demonically in unison, “WE ARE THE SON AND DAUGHTER OF ONE SIRIUS BLACK WE SHALL ONLY BE TOLD OUR TRUE IDENTITIES WHEN WE BOTH KNOW HOW HE WAS KILLED.” With their last words they slumped back to the ground, as professor Longbottom walked up to them he realized that they were both snoring.
“Right looks like the sorting will have to be postponed until tomorrow I’ll take these two up to the hospital wing and everybody is allowed to eat!
“Sir” one of the prefects came up to him “what about all the rest of the first years” Professor Longbottom smiled and said
“Here” he drew out of his pocket a small package “just use the incendio charm and you’ll soon see” within seconds of closing the door Professor Longbottom heard many bangs and screams of laughter.

As Professor Longbottom got to the hospital wing Madam MacDougal was coming out “Neville, I was just coming to the great hall Professor Zabini sent a patronus my way saying that Hydra Malfoy and Atrox Potter had been hurt in the great hall.
“Zabini always did try to make things sound worse than they were even when we were at school you think he would have grown out of it by now, but Morag you have to help me get these two in the hospital wing…” her face was almost ghost like. “ I’ll explain once we have these two lying down”
Madam MacDougal looked horrified when Professor Longbottom had finished.
“But how can this have happened Professor Longbottom, they’re the same age as Albus, Harry’s youngest son yet Sirius died when we were in our fifth year that’s 22 years ago so it’s impossible.” Exclaimed Morag
“It’s not impossible,” Professor Zabini said as he shut the door.
“What do you mean Blaise?” Professor Longbottom Replied.
“I have only read about this in books, but first of all shouldn’t we inform the parents?”
“You’re right I’ll send a letter to Harry and Ginny and you send one to Malfoy” As Professor Longbottom replied, two figures came out of each adjoining fires it was the Potters and the Malfoys
“How did you find out so quickly?”
“I saw you taking Atrox and Hydra out of the great hall and saw you bringing them up here on the Marauders Map” Replied Harry
“And you Malfoy?”
“Scorpius told me, my son and I have ways of communicating other than the usual methods.”
“So what HAS happened?” Ginny said.
“Oh err Well” Professor Longbottom recalled what had happened again,
“I thought it wasn’t possible but Blaise said that he had read about it” Morag said staring at Blaise, all heads now turned in Blaise’s direction, with a flick of his wand a book was in his hand “Quentin Trimble’s Guide to self preservation”
“And what has this got to do with it” Said Mrs. Malfoy to Blaise
“Well, this book tells a person how to carry on their lineage or produce children after dying”. Professor Longbottom looked down at Atrox and Hydra then said
“If you would all like to join me in my office I’m sure we don’t want to worry Atrox and Hydra when they wake up”
As the doors shut Atrox had awoken and had sat up and asked
“Madam MacDougal why are Hydra and me in the hospital wing?”
“Well Atrox I can’t tell you we will have to wait for Hydra to wake up first” leaving Atrox to shoot out of the bed and start shaking Hydra and shouting “WAKE UP!” When he did this the second time round Hydra raised a fist to the air and uppercut Atrox he went flying back into his own bed.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” she growled
So shocked by the punch off Hydra, Atrox stammered
“M-M-Madam MacDougal s-said that she would e-explain why we were in here, when you woke up.”
Hydra looked downhearted as if she had just been denied her greatest pleasure ever. Madam MacDougal walked in and dropped her tray as she saw Hydra with her fist raised in the air ready to punch Atrox , as the sound of Madam MacDougal’s tray falling to the ground hit their ears both of their wands were unsheathed and both shouted
“Homenum Revelio” at the sight of both wands pointing at her, Morag thought it best to jump behind something; she knew that both Hydra and Atrox had a vast knowledge of many spells and jinxes. After seeing the look of horror on Madam MacDougal’s face they apologized and helped her up
“Right you two,” she said recomposing herself and trying to be stern “you have to go to Professor Longbottom’s office immediately your parents are there, they will explain things”
As Atrox and Hydra proceeded out the Hospital Wing, no one had realized that they did not know where Professor Longbottom's office was. After hours of searching silently, they found James.
“James, where is Professor Longbottom's office?” asked Atrox.
“What are you going to do curse me if I don’t tell you?” James retorted. Atrox flicked his wand and said “Impendimenta” James flew up now it was Hydra who drew her wand and pointed it at James and said “If you don’t tell us now I’ll use the cruciatus curse on you” James looked at Atrox as if James' life in his hands
“Don’t look at me like that James you have been forewarned all you have to do is tell us how to get to Professor Longbottom's office. Well?” James nodded Atrox let him out of the charm and
“I’ll do one better I’ll show you where it is” James looked terrified that both Hydra and Atrox might jinx him at anytime. With James' help, they got there in less than two minutes. Hydra went knocked on the door but Professor Longbottom had opened the door before she even got her knuckles near it. Professor Longbottom ushered them in as the two children entered their so called families gave them great big hugs Professor Longbottom sat down as all the commotion was happening.
“Sir what’s happened why is our parents here?” Hydra and Atrox asked in unison
“Well it seems to be that the people you call your family are actually not-” Professor Longbottom said with a slight grimace Atrox and hydra were about to say something but professor Longbottom interjected “- Before you start let me ask you. Do you remember anything after the sorting hats song?”
“Well I do,” said Atrox
“Yes”
“Erm well you told us how the sorting hat had given a warning in your fifth year and that you faced Lord Voldermort and … and …”
“Yes” repeated Professor Longbottom eagerly.
“And that’s all I can remember”
“What about you Hydra can you remember anything” Professor Longbottom enquired. Hydra shook her head
“Well I shall tell you what I said after I said that Sirius Black had died and then you two fell to the ground shaking and then arose and groaned WE ARE THE SON AND DAUGHTER OF ONE SIRIUS BLACK WE SHALL ONLY BE TOLD OUR TRUE IDENTITIES WHEN WE BOTH KNOW HOW HE WAS KILLED. With your last words, you slumped back to the ground. It was quite spooky.” Professor Zabini marching in broke everyone's awestruck look
“Haven’t you ever heard of manners?” Hydra said straight away every one burst into laughter, everyone except Blaise and Hydra, Blaise looked furious and Hydra was unaware of what was so funny.

Keeping his eyes on Hydra Professor Zabini walked over to Professor Longbottom’s desk and put a book on it. Professor Longbottom read the passage aloud
“The Evarmating potion allows the drinker(s) to have children even after death. When the people who have chosen to drink this potion are dead it will then come into effect, after some time the children will be put into the care of the closest relatives” Blaise looked around and then continued
“It is like the Unbreakable vow, you need three people one bonder and two willing participants”
After closing the book, Professor Longbottom said looking at Harry. “It is safe to say that Sirius would have chosen your father to be the bonder Harry. I also have the feeling that since it was twins, the rules changed a bit, and it chose both you and Draco, as you are the same age. Harry you are the bonders closest living relative and Draco you are Sirius’ closest living relative. The reason why it did not pick the mothers is because males are more dominant; when the bonder is male it chooses that person over the mother”

Atrox walked up to Professor Longbottom’s Desk and said “Professor, May I?” He gestured towards the book. Professor Longbottom nodded, as Atrox flicked through the pages to get to the Potion, Draco exclaimed
“This can’t be? I watched my wife give Birth to Hydra”
“It says here that birth will be natural, but the conception is not, it is neither the woman the baby has come out of, nor her husband.” Atrox said looking at Ginny who was now sobbing into a handkerchief, as he looked back down at the book trying to fight the tears he felt his ribs nearly cracking, and he realized it was his mother giving him a squeezing hug. As he looked around, he saw Hydra’s mother doing the exact same thing to her. Talking to Harry and Draco Professor Longbottom said “We’ll give you a bit of privacy” as he ushered Professor Zabini out with him. After all night discussing what was going to happen, both the Potters and the Malfoys decided that the twins would take on the name Black.

Chapter 2 - The Delayed Sorting

Awaking on the cold marble floor of the Great Hall, where all of the new first years where assigned to sleep overnight, Hydra sat up and realized that the position in which she had been sleeping was identical to her new found brother’s, Atrox. When everybody was awake and the tables were put back, Professor Longbottom brought out the sorting hat again, and the first student was called.
“Elaine Altman”
The sorting hat took a while to place her but after a few minutes it shouted “RAVENCLAW”
A small mousey haired boy called Raphael Andreas was next, as he walked towards The Sorting Hat, Atrox noticed that he had what looked like the dark mark by the back of his wrist. Surly everybody who followed the dark lord had renounced his ways after his death right here in this room. Suddenly Atrox felt Hydra’s eyes staring at him then to the boy, then they both were startled by The Sorting Hat’s cry of “Slytherin” Atrox saw Hydra glaring over at the Slytherin table but he couldn’t make out who she was glaring at. Feeling a sharp pain in his ribs, he looked around to see who had done it, and noticed that everyone was staring at him then he heard Professor Longbottom say
“For the final time Atrox Black” Atrox turned a deep magenta, as stumbled up the few steps he muttered his apologies. Professor Longbottom Placed the Sorting Hat on his head and he heard it s voice talking to him,
“Aaah the first of the unexpected two, now let’s see. You will do anything at all to win then there is only one place for you….” Taking Atrox by surprise the Sorting Hat shouted
“SLYTHERIN!”
Hydra, Rose, Albus and James all looked shocked at what the sorting hat had said. As Atrox walked over to the Slytherin table he felt the four pairs of eyes on him after he was greeted by the Slytherins he just about heard Hydras name getting called, Hydra walked up to the sorting hat and as soon as it was on her head it said
“Not the outcome you were expecting was it let’s see, you will do anything for your friends, you have much intelligence, but where will your talent grow either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor.” her mind shot to doing everything the opposite of the Malfoys. Like wanting to be put in the house Draco despised most of all Gryffindor, as soon as she thought the word Gryffindor, he sorting hat cried out “GRYFFINDOR!”
Just as Atrox got shocked looks off the other four people so was Hydra, she stared at Atrox as to say, “What just happened” Atrox understood her clearly and just shrugged his shoulders. Just by looking over at each other, they were able to understand what the other was thinking. The rest of the sorting went on without anything going wrong, Atrox saw Albus and Rose where both sorted into Gryffindor and Scorpius was sorted into Slytherin, the sorting ended with Howard Zane being sorted into Ravenclaw. The boy who sat next to Atrox introduced himself as Articus Silvermoor and on his other side was Raphael Andreas, the first boy to be sorted.
“Do you know who Hydra was staring at when I got sorted?” Atrox asked Raphael. Raphael just stared at Atrox and never said anything. After a few awkward seconds, Atrox heard a voice say
“So you’re from the famous Black family” it was Articus Silvermoor, he looked intrigued, before Atrox could reply Raphael sneered, “Wasn’t your father the one that the Black family disowned?”
“I don’t know” Atrox Replied maliciously “you see as you heard yesterday my father died 22 years ago, and my respective parents, the Potters, they hold him in high regards” Atrox heard a snort come from a few seats down. Without moving, he said
“If you have something to say Scorpius just say it” both boys turned their heads to look at Scorpius waiting for a reply he did not respond until Atrox looked at him. Mimicking Atrox, Scorpius said
“You see my father said that Sirius Black was friends with mudbloods and couldn’t even control his house elf properly, in fact…” Scorpius was moving his mouth but no sound was coming out, both Raphael and Articus looked puzzled. Then the saw that Atrox’s wand was out, and it was pointing at Scorpius, but Atrox himself was still eating. Professor Zabini was walking past and noticed everything that had happened
“Great spell Atrox, five house points for Slytherin.” and undid it without looking at any of the boys. It was clear that Professor Zabini the head of Slytherin house, wanted to win the house cup this year, after Gryffindor won it for the last nineteen years.
“Oh, and I asked you a question before…” said Atrox now turning on Raphael with is wand pointing at him under the table. “… So are you going to answer it or do I have to jinx it out of you tonight when you’re sleeping?” Raphael did not look at Atrox while speaking “She was glaring at me, but I don’t know why…” Atrox then remembered seeing what looked like the dark mark on the back of Raphael’s arm “…put it this way if looks could kill I would be dead.”
Could she see into his thoughts as he could see hers? Atrox’s face must have shown the horror of thoughts because Articus asked
“Are you alright Atrox?”
“Oh yeah” replied Atrox monotonously, his eyes not leaving Hydra
For the remainder of the meal, Atrox only spoke to Articus and Scorpius only spoke to Raphael, Atrox tried to focus on Hydra while listening to Articus, it was easier than he expected.

“Sorry about yesterday on the train, it’s just I was so infuriated by Atrox that I couldn’t help myself I knew that he would go off on one, and Apologize to James for me as well.” said Hydra apologetically. Albus looked puzzled but then said “James won’t talk to me because of Atrox so how am I going to tell him”
“Al what are you doing talking to her?” James was suddenly behind them, staring at Hydra James repeated his question.
“She was apologizing for yesterday and asked me to pass on one to you, but I think you deserve everything you got off her yesterday” Hydra looked despairingly at Albus and whispered “no you don’t” Hydra moved along the bench making room for James to sit down, his hard expression softened as he looked at her then he sat. She started to apologize
“Sorry about yesterday, you see I woke up in the hospital wing unaware of how I got there and when Atrox told me we needed to get to Professor Longbottom’s office, I just wanted to get there as fast as I could to get away from that …” Hydra’s sentence turned into a growl. It was clear to James that Hydra loathed Atrox, maybe even more than he did. Albus felt uncomfortable the way that James and Hydra where getting on so easily just because of their dislike for Atrox. Hydra smiled and then added
“Oh’ Albus, your dad asked Atrox to pass the Marauders Map to you, but I guess since he was sorted into Slytherin he didn’t have time. Make sure he gives it to you?”
“Why didn’t dad give it to me!” exclaimed James. Albus swallowed his mouthful of chicken and then said, “Well you have the Invisibility cloak that must mean dad’s giving us one thing each. I wonder what he will give Lily next year. ”
Rose now turned to Hydra and said
“Hydra, Atrox is staring at you he looks really horrified, well he did a minute ago,” the smile now returned to Hydra’s face.

Professor Longbottom got to his feet and said
“Well since you have all stuffed your faces and got to know most people in your house we can go to bed.”
As everyone filed out the Great Hall, Atrox met Professor Longbottom’s gaze, the professor noticed that Atrox had not moved an inch, then Professor Longbottom remembered that Atrox had asked to see him in his office, so they could talk,
“This must be why,” murmured Professor Longbottom finishing off his thought trail. He waited until all the other students were out of the great hall before saying, “I know why you want to talk, I cannot teach you that, as I have not mastered even one bit of it.”
“Pardon, Professor, what are you talking about?” said a puzzled looking Atrox. Professor Longbottom waved his hand and all the table and benches vanished. He then turned to Atrox and said
“You want me to teach you Occlumency. ” Atrox astonished that Professor Longbottom had figured it out so quickly said
“How did you know?”
Professor Longbottom chuckled and said
“Well you don’t get to my position without being able to figure out a thing or two”
As Professor Longbottom now lowering all the lights in the great hall
“Professor…” Interrupted Atrox “… who would know how to use Occlumency?” The professor answered Atrox's question with just one word “Harry.”
As they both walked to the Entrance Hall doors, Atrox said
“Well I want me and Hydra to be taught it, you see if I can hear her thoughts, then I think she can hear mine. She probably already knows I am talking to you about this.”
Professor Longbottom turned and walked away and Atrox was just about to repeat what he had said when professor Longbottom turned on the spot and said.
“You will have to sort it out between yourselves, you will also need to contact Harry and tell him. I suppose you are right to think that Hydra can hear your thoughts, if you can hear hers.”
Just as Professor Longbottom was about to walk away Atrox said “Sir, there was one other thing, I wanted to know if I can skip this first year as I know more spells than James , and he is in second year.
Longbottom sighed, “I’m sorry Atrox; there is no skipping a year, so many have tried and ended up failing that nobody is able to do it now.” Atrox Just nodded while looking at his shoes. Without another word Professor Longbottom turned around the corner just as Atrox was about to walk away, but then he popped his head around the corner and exclaimed
“Silly me you don’t know where your dorm is, do you?” as he returned the corner he saw Atrox pull out a piece of parchment and whispered something. As Professor Longbottom got closer, he realized that it was The Marauders Map. He raised his wand to Atrox and said
“How did this come to be in your possession?” while Professor Longbottom visited Harry and Ginny, Atrox had never seen him like this, he looked furious, completely in shock he stammered
“Harry gave it to me to pass on to Albus, but I haven’t had a chance, as we have been sorted into separate houses.” As Professor Longbottom realized that he had clearly over reacted he shied an “I’m sorry.” In Atrox’s Direction and went to walk away but Atrox stopped him and said
“Sir, I don’t know the password.” Without looking back, Professor Longbottom said, “you just have to answer the Question. And you should give that to Albus…” Professor Longbottom pointed to the marauders map. ”Hydra will probably tell him anyway” Atrox totally bemused by the Professors response walked slowly towards the dungeons where the Slytherin common room is.

*****
When he came to the ground floor, he saw a prefect patrolling. How was he going to get to the dungeon door without being caught, then he saw the prefect put a book on the shelf, when the prefect went to go up the stairs. Atrox used the depulsio charm on the book, the book started to flap about and attack the prefect, while the prefect was trying to stop the book Atrox slipped through the door. Just as he got halfway down the dungeon corridor, he heard
“You should be in bed!” as he turned around, he saw Professor Boot. All of that to not get seen by a prefect but to then get caught by a teacher, Atrox then remembered something that Ginny had told him a few years ago when he had lied to her “ if you always tell the truth, things won’t be as half bad as it would have been if you lied.” Atrox smiled and said
“I was talking to the headmaster until a few minutes ago. If you don’t believe me you can go and ask him, but I am really tired now and I’m going back to my dorm.” Professor Boot looked puzzled at this information then said
“I will escort you to your dormitory; you will come to my office first thing tomorrow morning and we will both go and see the Headmaster”
When Atrox and Professor Boot got to the portrait, it asked
“How many Horcruxs did the Dark Lord make?”
“Six” Professor Boot said looking smug
“We know The Dark Lord made seven Horcruxs; The Locket, The Ring, The cup, His Diary, The Tiara and Harry Potter unintentionally.” Professor Boot looked mortified that he was made a show of in front of a student. The portrait then added.
“Since Professor Boot got it wrong the boy will answer my next question. What is another name for a mandrake?”
“Mandragora” Atrox said immediately
Professor Boot looked at Atrox with astonishment now. Atrox noticed the Professor’s look and then added as he walked through the portrait
“I did actually read my school books before coming here. Goodnight Professor.”
As Atrox entered into the common room filled with green light, he noticed that nearly everybody was up; he would have to wait to write the letter. He then noticed Scorpius and Raphael were picking on Articus
“If you don’t want us to make your life hell you better start agreeing with everything we say about anyone, especially Atrox.” Scorpius said. Atrox was infuriated how they dared try to turn anyone against him. He swiftly walked over to them and poked his wand in Raphael’s back and whispered into Raphael’s ear
“Put your wand in Scorpius’ back and say ‘If you don’t want him to make your life hell you better start doing everything Atrox says.’ Do it now. ” Raphael leant down to Scorpius and was saying it just as he got halfway through Atrox noticed Scorpius’ wand come through Raphael’s open arms. Before Scorpius could cast his spell Atrox said “Rictusempra” with that Raphael's arm came down as he was doubling over in giggles. Atrox came from behind Raphael and repeated the message he had told Raphael to give Scorpius. As he walked away he called “Articus.” As they got to an empty couch and sat down Atrox said, “Let’s see if they try picking on you again?" Articus looked puzzled. “I doubt they will. Stay on my side and I guarantee you I will make sure Scorpius has no friends what so ever by the end of this year.”Articus looked grateful and then said, “How do you know so many spells?” Atrox chuckled and said, “I have a photographic memory and I have been told all of Harry’s stories so I know loads from them.” then he noticed Raphael go up to the bedrooms, but Scorpius was no-where to be seen had he already gone up. Just in the middle of his thought trail his tabby cat Bella jumped up his arm and rested on his shoulder waiting for something, Atrox realized he had left her favourite toy in the Potter’s house.
Articus yawned and said, “I’m going up to bed.” Then his face panicked “what if Scorpius and that other boy are there.” Atrox smiled and then said, “I’ll only be a few minutes I have to write a letter, tell them that I promise to use the cruciatus curse on them tonight.” Articus relaxed and smiled. Atrox sat down at a free table that had leftover parchment on it, and began to write

Harry,
Professor Longbottom told me you know how to perform Occlumency, it is vital that myself and Hydra learn how to apply it, you see we have a connection of the minds just like you and Voldermort did, I didn’t realize till after the sorting I will explain more when I see you.
Atrox

P.S. Can you send me Bella's favourite toy, it is the little furry ball, please?

Atrox looked around before calling “Dobby” a tawny owl flew into the room, Atrox noticed a letter already tied to dobby’s leg he took it off and read

Dad,
Albus – Gryffindor, Atrox – Slytherin, Rose –Gryffindor and Hydra was sorted into Gryffindor. It’s weird I thought Atrox would have been sorted into either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, he is smart but he is always looking for a fight. Why have you gave Atrox the map to give to Albus, you saw me that night you could have asked me and why is Albus getting the map anyway, he will never use it. He will be in his room every night, doing his homework. In addition, do you have any tips on how to get on the Quidditch team?
James

Atrox thought that wasn’t like James it was Albus who was the informative type then again maybe, Harry had asked James to tell him how the sorting went, then Atrox’s mind wandered to Harry's response would it be anger or wouldn’t he be bothered, Atrox then remembered what Harry had told Albus when he thought no-one was listening
“- then Slytherin house will have gained an excellent student, won’t it? It doesn’t matter to us.” This thought eased Atrox
Atrox had forgot that Dobby was there he only realized when he heard a hissing noise, it was Bella she was hissing at the fact that Dobby had his beak open and was about to give Atrox a nip on his hand for forgetting about him. Atrox quickly tied both of the parchments back on to Dobby and let him fly out of the window.

*****
In the Gryffindor tower Hydra was waiting for everybody to go to bed especially the potter boys, how was she supposed to write a letter to Harry Potter with his son’s right next to her. James and Albus were playing wizard chess, and the three girls Hydra was going to be sharing a dorm room with were over by the fire and they were called, Kyra, Daisy and Rose. Hydra remembered seeing Rose with James and Albus and Atrox on Platform 9 ¾. As she got to the arm of the chair Hydra was about to say hello when she was shot a nasty look by Kyra, before Hydra could say anything, Rose noticed Kyra’s look and said
“Stop staring Kyra, she hasn’t done anything wrong and she is not a Malfoy she is a Black so anything you felt towards her before, you shouldn’t now.” Kyra then turned her look to Rose and spat “she has still had a Malfoy upbringing so what’s the difference…”
“ The difference is I hated every second of it , I ran away from them 5 times and anything I was asked to do I would do the complete opposite.”Hydra interrupted, this shocked Kyra into silence and with that Kyra got up and walked up the stairs and into the girl’s bedroom, then Daisy said
“Well, I don’t judge a person like Kyra does, and you must be pretty decent to be sorted into Gryffindor” when Daisy was finished, she smiled straight at Hydra. With all that, out of the way Hydra sat on the unoccupied armchair and drew out a piece of parchment then started writing.

Mr. Potter,
I heard Atrox thinking about Occlumency. My father figure told me that you learn this to block people’s thoughts out and that someone taught you it. I was wondering if you would help me to block Atrox’s out of my head.
Hydra Malf
Hydra Black

P.S. Atrox has not realized that I will send you this but I heard Atrox thinking to send you a similar letter.

When she had finished she looked around and said, “Rose, I feel really bad asking for a favor on the first night here but, could I lend your owl, I need to send this letter.”
“Didn’t you buy yourself one? You had a choice you know.”Rose chuckled
“Well I told you before I did everything the opposite to what the Malfoys wanted; well they wanted an owl, so I wanted a cat obviously.
“Okay then, Xiang!” Rose called
“Talking of my cat I haven’t seen it since before the train ride. His name is Edward; if you see him he is a black cat with white lines starting from its ears going all the way down to is tail which is fully white”
“Well if I see it I will tell you.” Then a beautiful auburn owl came through the open window and landed on the table Rose just pointed towards Hydra and Xiang flew over picked the letter out of Hydra’s hand gently. Rose laughed to herself, Hydra confused, said.
“What’s so funny?”
Rose suppressed her laughter and then replied, “Well she has made up my mind, you must be a good person because she kept on attacking Atrox, and she also tried to attack the first boy that got sorted when I was buying her, and both of them got sorted into Slytherin.”
Both Hydra and Daisy joined in with Rose’s laughter. She said goodnight to both Rose and Daisy and walked up to the bedrooms, she heard the bedroom door shut and scurrying, when she opened the bedroom door she saw Kyra sitting on the edge of her bed reading a book. Hydra could tell that she had only just sat down and knew she had been trying to eavesdrop on the earlier conversation. She didn’t come from behind the book but she said
“Hydra I want to apologize I overreacted.”
“No need…” Hydra said. Hydra knew that she must be red in the face behind the book, “…I probably would have acted the same way.” She wouldn’t have, but she wanted as many friends as she possibly could.
Hydra was worried about the lessons would she remember everything she had read in her books on the way here , She just got lucky yesterday on the train, when she had been able to do those two spells, she had only just read them in Standard Book of Spells, Grade Five. She had got the whole set from grade one to the highest grade there was. She had read them from cover to cover, until she got to Hogwarts. She was going to do it again she opened Grade 1 and started reading; Hydra fell asleep while half way through Grade 2, both the Black children had sleepless nights, with faces from the others lives pushing into their heads.