Black Villa, Nice, France, 6/20/1983, 17:39
Harry and the family stepped through the main doors of Black Villa, Harry sighed in relief at finally reaching their destination.
"I am never travelling like that again," Bella said flatly as they crossed the entrance hall.
They had taken the ferry from Dover early this morning and then spent ten hours on a train riding from one end of France to the other, Harry couldn't blame her for being testy, he thought they would never get here.
"Agreed," Harry said as he rubbed her back soothingly.
"Harry, Bella you made it!" Sirius exclaimed happily as he came into the room.
"Yes, why couldn't you have gotten married last year?" Harry demanded of his overly cheerful godfather.
"The time wasn't right. Why do you ask?" Sirius asked in confusion.
"Because last year we could have portkeyed here in about a minute. This year we had to take the... train," Harry said, saying he word 'train' as if it were the filthiest of swear words.
"Why didn't you fly like you said you were going to?" Sirius asked dumbly.
"Because neither I or my children are getting on one of those muggle death traps," Bella cut in irritably.
"How did the kids like the trip?" Sirius asked deciding it would be unwise to agitate his cousin in her present mood.
"Ignotus didn't complain much but Carina hated it, my ears are still ringing from her displeasure," Harry chuckled looking at his daughter who was sleeping peacefully in Bella's arms.
Ignotus was in Harry's left arm looking aroun curiously, . He didn't seem to mind the trainride and slept most of the time even through Carina's crying.
"I believe the stench of muggles did not agree with her," Bella remarked getting an eyeroll from Harry and Sirius.
Harry knew Bella was just trying to rile Sirius up and was quite pleased Sirius didn't ake the bait.
"I imagine those poor muggles we were sharing a car with were being driven mad by Carina's wailing," Harry soothed his wife making Sirius snort in amusement.
Harry wasn't just saying that, the other passengers on the train must have been miserable from Carina's near nonstop cryling, the new surroundings and so many strangers in close proximity seemed to have upset her a lot.
On the return trip they would be getting a first class sleeper car so the trip would be easier on all of them... hopefully.
"Well you're just in time for dinner, it's just me, Ted and the kids here tonight," Sirius said hoping to get to a more cheerful subject.
"Harry and Tonks?" Harry asked curiously.
"And Draco, Andromeda and Cissa are helping Amelia get ready for tomorrow so they put us on brat patrol," Sirius said as he led them to the dining room.
"Great, those little heathens had better not corrupt my little angels... or else," Bella exclaimed.
"Oh brother," Sirius muttered under his breath.
"So are you nervous yet?" Harry asked before Sirius and Bella could start bickering.
"No, just anxious to tie the knot already," Sirius admitted.
"Yeah, I know that feeling," Harry agreed with a knowing grin.
"You do?" Bellatrix asked her eyes narrowing in her husband's direction.
"Yes, you were so wonderful that the waiting to be able to call you my wife was torturous," Harry said without breaking stride.
"Oh," Bella said her cheeks getting a slight pink tinge to them making Sirius fake a cough to cover up a snort.
They stepped into the dining room to the sounds of laughter and high-pitched voices. Harry and Draco were racing around the room on toy broomsticks and Tonks was chasing after them on foot making dragon sounds.
Ted was sitting at the table watching them run around looking highly amused by their antics.
"Hello Ted, I see you've been promoted to head brat wrangler," Harry said by way of greeting.
"Yep, but the pay is abysmal," Ted chuckled as he turned to look at Harry and noticed Ignotus asleep on Harry's shoulder.
"Enjoy it while they're still that small, soon they will become one of... them," Ted said as he gestured to the three children running around the room.
"Our children will behave themeselves like perfect little purebloods, not run about like common hooligans," Bellatrix said haughtily.
"You sound like my mother," Sirius quipped.
"Apparently she didn't follow through," Bellatrix shrugged.
"Ugh, it looks lke its up to me to ensure my children don't become pureblood snobs," Harry sighed dramatically.
"You have your work cut out for you husband, Carina reminds me a lot of Cissa as a baby," Bellatrix smirked as she took the seat Harry had pulled out for her.
"So how was the train ride?" Ted asked after Harry had taken his own seat.
"Awful, we were packed in with filthy muggles for ten hours," Bella scowled at the memory.
"My cousin is not a fan of the muggle world," Sirius added unnecessarily.
"After that train ride neither am I, and Carina hated it," Harry sighed feeling very tired.
"You could have taken a plane," Ted suggested helpfully.
"What time is the ceremony?" Harry asked cutting off what he was sure would have been a very hostile response from his already irritable wife.
"Three o'clock," Sirius answered catching on easily enough.
"Right then, first order of business, where are the rings?" Harry asked looking at Sirius expectantly.
"Oh yeah," Sirius said before digging the ringbox out of his pocket and passing it to Harry.
"Good, I only have one job as best many, hold on to the rings," Harry grinned.
"Two, you also have to give a speech at the reception," Sirius added with a smirk.
"Alright, I have just the one for the occasion.
"There once was a man named Sirius."
"Who drank himself delirious."
"upon the next morn."
"his asshole was torn."
"From an auror oh so mysterious," Harry grinned as Bella broke into cackles.
"You are the worlds biggest wanker," Sirius hissed as his face had gone cherry red.
"I don't get it," Ted said in confusion.
"I may or may not have pranked Sirius into thinking he slept with a man the morning after his stag party," Harry grinned.
"It was a rotten trick," Sirius scowled.
Before Harry could continue the conversation the food appeared on the table courtesy of Kreacher who had accompanied Sirius to France. Ted called the kids over, and Harry watched in amusement as the boys flew their brooms to the table
Harry and Draco were getting a bit too big for a high chair so Siris had to alter their chairs a bit so they could sit comfortably at the table.
"So how many guests are you expecting?" Harry asked after a few minutes of silence.
"As many as were at your wedding and then some," Sirius admitted.
"Figures," Harry chuckled.
"I heard a rumour that the house of Peverell will be getting the old LeStrange seat in the Wizengamot," Sirius smirked.
"Yes, though Bella will be my proxy most of the time when I am abroad," Harry shrugged.
"Great first law she passes will be to legalize muggle hunting," Sirius sighed.
"Like I would hunt muggles," Bella snorted.
"Don't get her riled up tonight," Harry warned.
"Yes I would hate to have to remove something from your anatomy cousin," Bella agreed.
"So, do you mind if we stay here a few days after the wedding?" Harry asked Sirius before he could instigate the situation.
"Go ahead, me and Amelia have to be back n Britain after the wedding," Sirius shrugged.
"Good, I want to give Carina a few days to adjust before I try and get her back on the train," Harry chuckled.
The rest of dinner was spent eating quietly while Td and Sirius talked, Harry and Bella were feeling the drag from the day, as soon as their dinner was finished they excused themselves to turn in for the night.
"We're staying here after the wedding?" Bella asked after they had gotten the kids settled and climbed into bed themselves.
"I wanted to put the return trip off a few days, that trip was pretty rough on all of us," Harry admitted as he waved his wand extinguishing the lights.
"Good, Bella can lay on the beach for a bit," Bella sighed.
"You can do that at home," Harry pointed out.
"The water is prettier here," Bella shrugged.
'She does have a point,' Harry thought as he drifted to sleep.
Black Villa, France, 6/21/1983, 14:49
Harry and Ted were standing with Sirius on the raised platform down on the beach, behind them there was a large wedding arch with beautiful flowers stung around it wafting their scent in the air from the ocean breeze. The officiate and Sirius were talking amongst themselves giving Harry a chance to look around.
Harry was facing were shore and he could see the villa set against a forget me not blue sky off in tbe distance. The guests would have a better view during the ceremony with the blue waters of the Mediterranean sea as a backdrop and the gentle sounds of the waves washing over the beach.
Guests were slowly filling the wooden chairs lined up in two groups in front of the altar forming an aisle in between them.
Most of the guests looked ridiculously out of place walking on the beach in fine acromantula silk robes and polished dragonhide boots sweat beading on many of their foreheads as they cast cooling charms over themselves.
"Be honest, you only said you wanted the wedding on the beach to piss off Cissa, right?" Harry whispered so only Sirius and Ted could hear him.
"No that is just a bonus, I love the beach," Sirius grinned as Susan Bones walked down the aisle between the chairs scattering lily petals onto the sand behind her.
"Huh, your flower girl doesn't look like she is sucking on a lemon," Harry muttered making Sirius snort.
"Little Suzie was thrilled to get this gig," Sirius grinned as the bridesmaids began the procession to the altar and the three-year-old Susan bones darted over to her mother once the basket of flowers was empty.
Not long after the bridesmaids arrived at the altar, they were all wearing light purple gowns that matched the floral decorations strung along the wedding arch, the gowns only came to mid-calf, they were all barefoot just like the groom's men as Sirius said, 'he had no use for shoes on the beach.'
Ameilia was led down the aisle by lord Bones, he was an elderly man with streaks of grey in his auburn hair, he had steel grey eyes and an almost ruddy complexion though he was grinning from ear to ear as he led his granddaughter down the aisle.
Ameilia was wearing a shoulderless white dress that came down about halfway down her calves, it looked more like a sundress than a wedding gown. Just like the bridesmaids she was barefoot, she wore a white veil and carried a bouquet of the same purple flowers that decorated the wedding arch. Her hair was braided in a plait that ran down her back, the red of her hair standing out in sharp contrast against the white gown.
Harry turned and saw Sirius staring at his bride in wonder, having been there himself a few months ago, Harry lightly bumped Sirius' shoulder bringing him back to earth.
"Thanks, mate," Sirius whispered as Lord Bones and Amelia got ever closer to the altar.
"Just keep it together a bit longer you have the rest of your life to stare at her," Harry whispered back as the bride arrived at the altar.
Lord Bones stepped forward and bowed his head slightly which Sirius reciprocated before taking Amelia's hands in his own while Lord Bones took his seat in the front row next to Susan's family.
Harry grinned as Sirius and Amelia clasped hands and the ceremony began, the officiator was the same man who had wed him and Bella.
"We have gathered here today to join these two in the bonds of matrimony...
Harry listened with half an ear as he kept glancing at the front row where Narcissa was watching over the twins, they were quiet and it appeared that Carina was asleep in her aunt's arms.
Harry jumped when the officiator asked for the rings, blushing slightly, Harry fumbled in his pocket before pulling out the box and handing them to the officiator.
The bonding went smoothly, Amelia and Sirius were bathed in a blinding white light as magic accepted their bonding.
Harry idly wondered how his and Bella's bonding looked from someone else's perspective, he might have to ask someone that attended for a memory, surely the bond taking effect couldn't have been this bright.
"I now present Mr and Mrs Sirius Orion Black!" The officiator exclaimed pulling Harry back to the present as the guests stood, everyone himself included, applauded as Sirius and Amelia shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
An hour later Harry had discarded his outer robes and was wearing the pair of khaki shorts and a t-shirt he wore underneath. Presently he was enjoying an ice-cold drink sitting at one of the tables set up on the beach, they each had big umbrellas for shade and a slight temperature charm to give the guests a reprieve from the heat.
Bella had taken the twins inside as it was getting very hot outside, the twins had needed a feeding anyway. Many of the guests had left as soon as the dancing began, the beach wedding seemed to be a great way to get purebloods to leave in a hurry.
Harry had kept his best man speech simple touching on Amelia's many virtues and wishing her luck at turning Sirius into someone respectable. Harry had mercifully left out the poem he had composed for Sirius as he did not wish to anger the bride.
Harry was already dreading his return to Britain which was one reason he had decided to extend their stay here. Cassiopeia Black had been elected as the new minister of magic, it wasn't much of an election really since she was running unopposed.
Now there would be new seats being filled in the Wizengamot on the minister's recommendation. Harry had already received a summons to appear before the Wizengamot to claim the Peverell seat on the first of July.
Harry would have to attend that session and the one after where he would have to do his part to get Augusta cleared of all charges though he was fairly certain she would be acquitted whether he attended or not as the evidence the aurors had collected from Longbottom Hall would prove her innocence.
"Ah, Mr Peverell, so good to see you again," The voice of Albus Dumbledore said cutting into his thoughts.
Harry turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing by his table looking wildly out of place in full-length long sleeve robes of dark midnight blue with golden stars and a full-length beard, he looked like the Disney portrayal of Merlin, to be honest.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, please join me in the shade," Harry said offering the headmaster a chair.
"Thank you, I just wanted to extend my congratulations on your mastery in Care for Magical Creatures and your certification in magizoology," Dumbledore said after taking a seat in the shade of the umbrella.
"Thank you, sir, but this is only the beginning of my education in the field," Harry grinned.
"Yes, Newt mentioned you will be going abroad to study under Sanjay Patil?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, we will be working in the rainforests of Brazil collecting venom samples until monsoon season," Harry nodded.
"There is also a rumour in the Wizengamot that you will be claiming the Peverell seat?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Yes, that would be my sister-in-law's doing. Between you and me, I despise politics," Harry admitted.
"They can be quite the headache," Dumbledore conceded.
"That's putting it mildly, I've been reading the minutes of previous sessions. Is it true that every few years International magical relations will put a bill forward to regulate the thickness of cauldron bottoms?" Harry asked unable to hide the amusement in his voice.
"Yes, those sessions are frightfully dull. We had a similar argument to implement the interdepartmental memo system, three sessions going on about owl droppings all over the ministry," Dumbledore chuckled.
"You're not doing a good job of selling me on this, headmaster," Harry grinned.
"Well for every session like that, there are two that have relevance to the wizarding world at large, the Wizengamot is crucial for passing laws that will make our world a better place and ensuring justice is served," Dumbledore said more seriously
"That's more like it, though I still would much rather avoid the political arena if I can help it," Harry admitted.
"I imagine your fieldwork will give you a convenient excuse to avoid many of the sessions," Dumbledore reasoned.
"I know, though I will have to find a proxy to sit my seat when I am abroad," Harry agreed.
"Well enough about politics, I believe congratulations are in order on the birth of your twins," Dumbledore smiled his eyes twinkling.
"Thank you we are expecting great things from them both in the future," Harry said with a genuine smile playing on his lips.
"I am sure they will surpass your expectations," Dumbledore agreed.
"Oh, you probably should inform Professor McGonagall that this will be her last peaceful year at Hogwarts," Harry said grinning mischievously.
"How so?" Dumbledore asked in confusion.
"Next year little Nymphadora starts Hogwarts, seven years after that little Harry will begin his education, and finally three years later the Peverell twins will make their mark on your fine school," Harry beamed as the look of understanding crossed the headmasters face.
"And you believe Harry Potter will be up to mischief?" Dumbledore asked with interest.
"I have my suspicions, he can find trouble almost anywhere," Harry shrugged as he waved his wand summoning two more Cokes and offering one to Dumbledore.
"What is this?" Dumbledore asked as he inspected the glass bottle of blackish liquid somewhat dubiously.
"It's a muggle drink, I forced Cissa to put them on the drink menu, give it a try, I believe this will be to your liking" Harry grinned as he tapped the top with his wand vanishing the metal cap before taking a deep pull from the bottle.
"Oh this is simply marvellous," Dumbledore exclaimed after taking a drink of his own.
Before Harry could reply, Narcissa approached the table looking between Harry and Dumbledore curiously.
"Excuse me headmaster Dumbledore, I need to borrow my brother-in-law for a few moments," Narcissa said politely.
"It's no trouble, it was a pleasure seeing you again Mr Peverell or should a say Lord Peverell," Dumbledore said offering Harry his hand.
"Just Mr Peverell, we can keep the formalities to a minimum, headmaster," Harry said as he shook the man's hand before following Cissa over the party of Blacks seated under a large canopy.
"Uncle Arcturus would like to see my niece and nephew," Narcissa explained as they were getting closer.
"Where is Cassie?" Harry asked curiously.
"She had to leave on ministry business," Narcissa shrugged as the stepped under the canopy.
'That's a relief, she was glaring at me through the whole ceremony," Harry chuckled.
"She has been known to hold a grudge," Narcissa smirked as they arrived In front of the table the Black family was seated at.
"Ah Harry, good to see you again," Arcturus said politely getting up from his seat.
"You to Arcturus," Harry agreed, after shaking the man's offered hand.
"I was hoping to meet the new arrivals," Arcturus said a warm smile playing on his lips.
"We will have to make a trip inside, my daughter did not appreciate the summer heat," Harry chuckled.
"Yes, they can be quite fussy at that stage," Arcturus agreed as the two began walking towards the house.
"I imagine you're waiting for Sirius to birth his own heir," Harry grinned.
"Indeed, the sooner the Black line has a blood heir the better," Arcturus agreed.
"I'm sure it will not be long before Amelia is with child," Harry assured the man as they stepped inside the house, the cooling charms making it feel quite comfortable.
When they stepped into the sitting room they found Bella sitting on the couch, she was reading one of her trashy romance novels while the babies slept in a conjured crib to her left.
"They definitely have the look of the Blacks," Arcturus said appreciatively as he gazed upon the sleeping babes, the sound of his voice drew Bella's attention.
"Ignotus looks just like Harry but Carina favours me," Bellatrix said as she quickly hid the book from sight.
"Ignotus is a curious name," Arcturus said thoughtfully.
"You've heard the tale of the three brothers?" Harry asked as he reached into the crib and gently lifted Ignotus into his arms.
"Yes one of my favourite stories as a boy," Arcturus answered nonplussed.
"The tale was based on the three Peverell brothers Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus. My line descended from Ignotus the youngest of the three brothers," Harry explained as he gently ran his hand over his son's back.
"What of the other two brothers?" Arcturus asked as he looked at the babe who had just opened his violet eyes to stare at him curiously.
"Antioch was killed before bearing an heir and Cadmus had only one daughter that married into the Gaunt line, the last descendant of that line was defeated by a baby the year before last," Harry answered.
Before Arcturus could ask anymore Carina let out a wail letting them know she was awake.
"And this little lady is very demanding," Harry said as he gently passed Ignotus to Bella before scooping Carina out of the crib.
"She gets jealous when Ignotus gets attention," Bella giggled as she took said child from the room to feed him.
"She looks just like Bella did at that age," Arcturus grinned looking down at her tiny curls.
"§Stranger§, Carina hissed looking at Arcturus with big emerald eyes her lip quivering as if she were on the verge of crying again.
"§Shhh little one, he is family"§ Harry hissed soothingly.
"She's a parselmouth," Arcturus muttered in awe.
"This one is bound for Slytherin, I would bet," Harry chuckled.
"With that gift, she will run it," Arcturus agreed still looking a bit perplexed.
"I should think so, she has already become a tiny little tyrant in our household," Harry admitted.
They stayed inside with Carina until Bella finished feeding Ignotus then Harry led the former Lord Black back outside.
Arcturus seemed over the moon to see see the babes, Harry also suspected that this would put more pressure on Sirius as Lord Black was insistent that the Black line continued into the next generation.
Harry made his way back to his table and watched the party-goers celebrate. The older crowd had long since left, Arcturus having taken his leave after seeing the twins.
Now it was just the lords of tbe younger families and some of the aurors from Sirius' stag party left. Most of them had changed out of their formal attire long ago and were sporting shorts and tee-shirts or light summer dresses in the case of the ladies.
A few hours later as the sun was starting to get low on the horizon Sirius and Amelia made their way over to his table.
"Where are the wife and kids?" Sirius asked after he had summoned two glasses of whiskey.
"Carina was getting fussy, by the way, you might want to avoid your grandfather for a while," Harry warned.
"Why is that?" Sirius asked as he took a swig.
"I think he got the baby fever after seeing the twins," Harry smirked.
"Oh bugger, he's like a dog with a bone about heirs," Sirius groaned.
"Well there is no need to place the Black line on little Harry's shoulders, he will have his own house to run one day," Harry pointed out.
"Did you ever take over the running of House Potter?" Sirius asked.
"No, I sort of took over the Black line, I had to use most of the Black fortune to pay off damages me and my friends caused to Gringotts," Harry admitted.
"What on earth did you do at Gringotts?" Amelia demanded.
Imperiuesed a goblin, broke into the LeStrange vault, rode a dragon out of the bank, nothing major," Harry shrugged.
"That's it I will be taking a firmer hand with Harry, we can't have him turning out as reckless as you," Amelia said in a no-nonsense tone.
Wizengamot Chamber, London, 7/1/1983, 09:39
Harry stood before the Wizengamot wearing the plum purple robes and the hat and raised his wand in the air.
"I Harry James Peverell do solemnly swear to uphold my position as a member of the Wizengamot with honour and fairness. I swear to make my decisions in the interest of the people of magical Britain and let nothing influence me in carrying out my duties as an arbitrator of justice in the magical realm, so mote it be," Harry swore the oath and was engulfed in a flash of light as the oath was accepted.
Narcissa had made him memorize it since his return from France and Harry could recite it in his sleep now.
"Your oath has been accepted by the Wizengamot, which voting block do you wish to join?" The Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore asked his voice echoing throughout the chamber.
"I choose to join the neutral voting block, Chief Warlock," Harry answered.
"The Wizengamot recognises Lord Greengrass," Dumbledore said when he noticed Jonathan Greengrass raise his wand as the speaker for the neutral voting block
"The Neutral voting block welcomes Lord Peverell into our block," Lord Greengrass declared getting applause from the members seated around him putting Harry in mind of his sorting.
"Lord Peverell please take your seat as a peer of the Wizengamot," Dumbledore instructed before the chamber broke into applause again.
Harry made his way up the stairs and found a seat in tbe centre section of the raised gallery, as soon as he took a seat the area around him glowed a light blue.
Later when he got up to leave for the day he would see the Peverell crest embroidered in gold on the seatback, this would be the be Peverell seat until he passed it onto Ignotus.
Wizengamot Chamber, 7/15/1983, 11:48
Harry sat in his chair watching the proceedings with interest, the prosecutor was presented his closing arguments against Augusta Longbottom for the charges of murder of Lord Thaddeus Nott and the wrongful death of Lord Markus Selwyn. In Harry's opinion, the case against her was thin at best just as he intended it to be.
When the aurors searched her home on the night of her arrest they found the robes she was wearing at the party, in the pockets of those robes they found three empty vials all of them containing the residue of activated polyjuice potion.
That evidence alone cast Augusta's guilt into question, but after that, she was administered veritaserum and testified that she had not left Longbottom Hall on the day of the murder.
Harry had wiped parts of her memory concerning his presence at Longbottom Hall but he had left enough of her memories so that she would be able to testify in her own defence.
The final two pieces of evidence also strengthened her case tremendously.
First, there was the fact that the forensic team found evidence that Augusta had been under the effects of the imperius curse for more than twelve hours previous to the time of the ball.
Second, there was a trace of an outgoing International portkey not far from where they found Augusta tied to her chair. After running tests the forensic team concluded that the portkey had departed between ten and twenty minutes after the events of the Malfoy Easter ball.
In short, there was not enough hard evidence to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that Augusta Longbottom was even at the Malfoy Easter ball much less that she willfully murdered Thaddeus Nott.
"Very well, Mr Dewey do you have any closing arguments?" Albus Dumbledore asked Augusta's solicitor.
"No Chief Warlock, we believe the evidence speaks for itself. My client was a victim of circumstance, the defence rests," Mr Dewey said in a smooth crisp voice.
"Very well the Wizengamot will now call a vote, all who believe that Madam Longbottom is guilty of the charges levied at her raise your wands," Dumbledore called out into the room.
Harry watched as a good portion of the dark faction raised their wand but none of the other two factions raised a wand.
"All those who believe the accused should be cleared of all charges," Dumbledore asked when the court scribe signalled he had gotten a count.
Over two-thirds of the wands in the room were raised including the chief warlock's and it was obvious to everyone in the room that Augusta would go free.
After a moment the court scribe hustled down the aisle on the front row to hand Dumbledore the tally sheet.
"Augusta Martha Longbottom the Wizengamot finds you innocent of all charges, you are free to go," Albus Dumbledore proclaimed after reading from the slip of parchment.
Harry caught Augusta's eye and gave a slight nod, he was pleased with how the trial had gone. Even though he knew that there was no way she could be convicted in a fair court he was still nervous knowing the corruption going on in the backrooms of the Wizengamot chambers.
Now he could pass the Peverell seat to his wife when he departed in less than two weeks for his expedition to Brazil.
'I just hope I don't have to attend these very,' often Harry thought as the head of magical transportation began presenting a bill to adjust the tax on floo powder from the current three per cent to a staggering three and quarter per cent.