Chapter Seven, A Double Party

Ten years had passed since that eventful night where they lost not only Lily and James but nearly their whole family, and their friends, as well thanks to the evil and downright sadistic machinations of an old man. But thankfully they managed to claw their way back and rose from the ashes of war and machinations. Within a year of the Longbottoms, Bellatrix, Barty, Rabastan and Rodolphus had their sanity restored and their minds and bodies recovered from the curses placed upon them, thanks to the potion Monty had created and Cassiopeia Black's knowledge in obscure and ancient magic, they were reunited with their family once more.

Neville had his parents back before he could really remember that they were gone and Augusta and Archie Longbottom and Florean and Melinda Fortescue had their children back (Frank and Alice). Bellatrix got her wish and reunited and made up with her two younger sisters but most importantly making sure that Andromeda knew neither she nor Narcissa had actively shunned her they never would. It was Black Sisters together like it always had been.

Barty and Rabastan were reunited with their best friend, Regulus, and Rodolphus and Bellatrix could actually have a relationship that wasn't influenced by others nor via curses; and they all got to meet the toddler who made it all possible all because her family loved and protected her above and beyond and wanted to build up their family for her. Not only that but by the time that Morgause turned five, Sirius and Remus had started dating once more and were more in love than they were before as they didn't have war hanging over their heads like Damocles sword nor people whispering poison into their ears.

Plus, Morgause got two Daddies who loved her so much as they along with her aunts, uncles, and two sets of grandparents soiled the little girl with love and affection. That wasn't the only changes that happened within the last decade for the Wizarding world of Britain however; as Minerva McGonagall was made Headmistress with the incarceration of Dumbledore she reformed Hogwarts from the ground up bringing back all classes he had gotten rid of, introducing new ones and bringing in new teachers. One of those teachers was making Lyle and Roxanne Evans professors of Muggle Studies.

The pair had been teaching for about a year and they loved it. It was their calling if you will. But as it was summer at the moment, they were devoting all of their time to spending time with their granddaughter as they knew she would neither qualify for their class (it was now mandatory for wizard-raised kids to take Muggle studies, and Muggle-raised kids to take Wizarding culture and etiquette) or have a lot of time together once term started, and helping plan the joint birthday party for Neville and Morgause. The pair were as close as siblings and spent much of their time together and wanted to have a double party this year as they were turning eleven and would be getting their Hogwarts letters.

As the years passed by the Potter-Black family did as they said they would; they rose from the ashes of war and all who had hoped to destroy them. They were once a revered family and their businesses were flourishing and had gained many allies throughout the corresponding years. Allies who had introduced their children to Morgause in many play dates, some of which became her best friends; but the ones she was the closest to (not including Draco, Blaise and Theo as they had a deep bond it went without saying) were: Fred and George Weasley (the only ones Molly allowed to interact with Morgause as she didn't trust the Potters and Blacks as they had a hand in the downfall of Albus Dumbledore a man she still revered and taught her two youngest to do as such).

Along with Neville Longbottom who was as close as a brother to Morgause, Luna Lovegood a girl who was a year younger than them but was still like a sister to Morgause, and Susan Bones who had been Morgause's best friend since they met when they were toddlers. Play dates weren't the only thing that happened with Morgause; she also made frequent visits to the forest on the grounds of the Potter estate with her Grandpa Monty and Uncle Charlie to gain control of her Earth magic, especially when her accidental magic came into fall effect.

~ Flashback: Samhain 1985 ~

Upon the anniversary of Lily and James's death Morgause had been rather quiet (as to be expected) but during the afternoon she, along with her three familiars were missing and no one knew where she was which had caused a panic for those within the manor.

"Where is she? Where's my daughter?" Sirius stressed, running his hands through his hair pulling slightly. The pain numbed the panic that was like a black hole just waiting to swallow him whole.
"Calm down, brother." Regulus soothed. "We'll find her, I promise." Regulus swore while keeping a tight grip on his own emotions. A sudden pop announced the arrival of a much healthier, better dressed and cleaner Kreacher.
"What can Kreacher do for Masters Sirius and Regulus?" Kreacher asked, bowing before the two brothers.
"My niece is missing Kreacher along with her Familiars and it's imperative that we find her, and soon." Regulus informed the elf whose eyes widened dramatically at the news.

While Regulus tried to keep a right reign on his panic that had increased after he had shared what was going on. It made it more real, somehow.
"Sweet Miss Morgause is missing?" He croaked worriedly, looking from one brother to the other as if he was watching a duel, hoping that it wasn't true. But he knew it was. Neither Sirius nor Regulus were cruel to make such a false statement; plus, they adored Morgause like all of the family.
"Yes Kreacher and we need to find her. Please help us." Sirius begged, he would never be above begging when it came to his daughter. He'd do anything for her.

"Don't worry Master Sirius, Master Regulus, Kreacher and Miss Morgause's two elves Poppy and Bobby will start searching right away." With that the elderly house-elf popped away with a loud crack causing Sirius to let out a ragged sigh through his teeth.
"Don't worry we'll find her." Regulus reassured his stressed and worried brother. "If not us then the one of the house-elves will."
"I know, Reggie, but she's my baby girl. I simply couldn't bear it if something happened to her. And not just from outside forces but she's only five and hasn't learned to fully swim yet. What if she falls in the lake or?"

"Stop! Stop it Sirius!" Regulus commanded sharply. "There's no point thinking about the 'what ifs', all we can do is double her efforts. We knew this day would be hard for her, more so than us, and the most likely cause for her disappearance is accidental magic. We've just got to think where on the grounds she -" Regulus and Sirius turned towards each other eyes widened as they cursed themselves for not thinking of it sooner.
"The sanctuary!" They exclaimed together, sending a Patronus message to their family and the house-elves that were searching the vast grounds for their little heart.

Sirius and Regulus raced towards the sanctuary at breakneck speed, only slowing down when they reached the entrance (last thing they needed was to spook the animals within and get Morgause hurt). Walking at a fast-paced walk but no longer running, both brothers entered the common area only for their hearts to break; Morgause was curled up asleep with dried tears on her cheeks and with several animals (including her three Familiars) curled up around her as if trying to comfort her. Namely the Thestral calf, Niffler babies and a Mooncalf. But the air was thick with her magic and they knew they needed to get her into the forest and quickly.

Sirius carefully eased his sleeping daughter out of the pile, holding her tenderly to his chest as he placed a comforting and reassuring kiss to her forehead and left the sanctuary leaving Regulus to placate the animals.
"Sirius." Monty called as he and Charlus raced over to him. "Let us." He held his arms out as a strong breeze was starting to build around them. Reluctantly, Sirius handed over his precious daughter to her grandfather and stood with Regulus watching from a distance as from within the trees her accidental magic and backlash finally released causing the earth and wind to swirl up and around the forest causing a small ditches in the forest and a few broken branches to rain down upon them. 

~ End of Flashback ~

* * *

"Good morning Nanny." Morgause chirped, kissing Roxanne's cheek and pulling her out of her thoughts. "Bonjour nounou."
"Good morning my little love. Bonjour petit amour. Happy birthday." Roxanne wished, kissing her granddaughter's forehead with a happy but nostalgic smile upon her face. As she has done since Morgause was small, every morning they would greet each other in English and then in French, which Mia has also done but greeting her in Filipino. "Good morning Neville." Roxanne smiled at the young boy who was like a brother to Morgause and therefore a grandson to them all.

"Good morning Roxanne." Neville greeted, smiling happily.
"Shall we head down then? I'm sure there is something you are both eager to open." Roxanne teased, laughing heartily as the two scrambled down the stairs. "Don't run down the stairs or you'll fall." She warned following behind them to the family dining room where everyone was waiting including Neville's parents and grandparents. Their friends, including Draco, Blaise and Theo, along with Nymphadora and Rhea Lestrange - Bellatrix and Rodolphus five year old daughter - would be arriving later for the party.

"Has it come?" Morgause and Neville asked excitedly as they bounded into the dining room almost vibrating with their excitement.
"Oh good morning to you both too." Frank scoffed playfully.
"Don't tease them Frank." Alice reprimanded, slapping him playfully on the shoulder. "I bet you were just as excited as they are."
"He was." Archie and Augusta added, smirking at their grownup son who spluttered at them muttering 'betrayal' dramatically causing them to roll their eyes at his dramatics but there was a smile upon their lips. If it wasn't for the Potters and Cassiopeia Black they would never have gotten the chance to see their son act so carefree with his friends or his wife again. Nor would they have gotten to see what a wonderful father to Neville he had grown to be.

"Here you go baby, Neville." Sirius smiled, kissing his daughter on the forehead and ruffling Neville's hair as he handed them their letters which they both eagerly tore into. Their eyes darting rapidly over the parchment it was almost comical.
"WE'RE GOING TO HOGWARTS!!!! WE'RE GOING TO HOGWARTS!!!!" Morgause and Neville screeched happily, clasping hands as they jumped up and down their voices almost rising to an unbearable din but their family didn't mind too much. They were just happy to see them so happy and excited. To be children after all they had been through in their young lives.

"Daddy, Papa! Uncle Reggie! We got into Hogwarts! Look Grandad, Granny! Grandpa!" Morgause cried, running over to the table waving the letter as Neville did the same at the other end.
"Well done cub we're all so proud of you." Remus praised, enveloping her in a big hug that she readily returned. He was so happy and beyond grateful that Sirius and the Potters had given him another chance otherwise he would never have gotten to see this kind little girl flourish the way he had and he had sworn that day nearly ten years ago when Sirius met with him, that he would never ever let them nor Morgause down again.

"Now come and eat." Lyle coached with a proud smile on his face.
"And I'll help you pen a reply back to Headmistress McGonagall before yours and Neville's party." Regulus added. "We also need to tell her about your three Familiars." He looked over to the ten year old Nemean lion that sat in the corner eating his own food, the Runespoor snake around her neck that was also ten years old and had grown to a medium sized snake and the snowy owl.

"Okay. Thank you Uncle Reggie." Morgause beamed as she tucked into her breakfast feeding some food to her snake as she chatted happily to her family. She may not know her Mum and Dad but she knew they loved her as she remembered that night and her mother and father had told her so, and her family she has now had proven how much they loved, protected and supported her. And that was enough. She looked forward to this next chapter at Hogwarts although she was extremely nervous but also excited.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this. Sorry for the late update, things have been so chaotic lately.

What house should Neville be in?

What teachers should now be at Hogwarts now that Minerva is Headmistress? Lyle and Roxanne teach Muggle Studies.

Morgause's familiars:

The Runespoor hatchling: Ceres.
The Nemean Lion cub: Belenus.
Siberian snowy owl: Hedwig.