Marlie hesitantly picks up the quill, she had heard all about Professor Umbridge's medieval punishments. She had hoped to never have to use them after seeing the pain it caused others but here she was with quill in hand. Where were her big brothers when you need them? She hadn't even participated in the prank, she had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessed the aftermath. Professor Umbridge walked down that same corridor at that moment and wouldn't listen to a single word Marlie had to say.
"Marlie." Professor Umbridge says as she looks over her shoulder, "Is there an issue, dear?"
Marlie laughs under her breath, "You know of my Dad I presume?"
"The mass murderer?"
"When he finds out..."Marlie smiles, "Merlin help you."
She's not sure why she said it, the blinded moment of confidence and impulsiveness quickly faded. Of course her Dad would be pissed but staring at Umbridge, the small smile spread on her lips unsettled Marlie again. It was a Zion move. Marlie was never one to cause problems at school. Clearly her older brother and his friends had been rubbing off on her since she'd been around them more.
"Carry on." Umbridge instructs with a cold glare in her eyes, she nods towards the parchment and waits.
Marlie closes her eyes, inhales sharply and holds her breath as she starts to write. The pain makes her hand flinch on its own, but she's determined to power through and not give the evil Professor the satisfaction. Even the Death-eater in disguise wasn't as bad as this so called lady.
Fred and George sit besides Marlie when they find her sobbing on a bench, she's holding her hand to her chest, hiding it from view but the twins had their experience with the quills on multiple occasions already. Both boys had grown quite protective over little Marlie over the years, they back each other as they try to comfort her but she's so tearful. There's nothing they can do to fix it.
Zion and Phoenix are bickering as they turn down the corridor, they see the redhead twins sat with their crying sister. They see the way she holds her stinging hand, the pale fades on the twins as they try to comfort her and Zion sees red. He punches the wall besides him, his knuckles bleeding against the cold stone.
Harry rushes towards them, after a particularly intense lesson on Occulumency with Snape. He's sweating and shaking but abruptly stops when he sees the others. He stares at Phoenix, he'd been avoiding him really, his head was too muddled for that messy business right now. Zion glares at him, making Harry step back. Zion was intimidating at the best of times, but with his bloody knuckles and murderous stare- it was even more so. Harry looks at Marlie, his own hand stings sympathetically as she holds hers. Her eyes are filled with tears, her bottom lip wavering as she tries to hold them back.
Zion crouches down in front of his little sister, holding her other hand in his and giving it a squeeze. Phoenix knees on the other side, his hand resting on the bench as he struggles to hold back his own tears. Seeing Marlie in pain, was too much of a reminder for when she was sick.
"We're telling Mum and Dad." He says sternly.
Zion nods in agreement, it was rare the two brothers agreed on anything but when it came to Marlie's safety - they always sided with each other.
"Naughty children deserved to be punished." Professor Umbridge says calmly as she walks past, "Do not fuss. She will be fine. All students will be punished for uncooperative behaviour."
She smiles at them,keeping her head raised smugly as she waddles away. Zion stands to his feet and launches forward, both twins and Phoenix leap up after him holding him back as he attempts to swing for the teacher. Harry's eyes widen as Professor Umbridge brushes past him unaware of how close Zion was to jumping on her.
There's no doubt in Phoenixes mind that Zion really would have attacked her. She had hurt Marlie. Zion never thought logically, he always acted out with his heart and in that moment his heart wanted revenge. After she turns the corner, Phoenix let's go, sitting besides Marlie on the bench.
"You know, George, I always felt our future lay outside the world of academic achievement."
"Fred, I've been thinking exactly the same thing."
They release their grip on Zion, who turns to them with a smirk, "I think I know what we should do."
********
Zion sneaks into the house with Fred and George. The stairs creak underneath their feet and they hold their breath, listening out for footsteps above them. Kreacher appears at the kitchen door, glaring at the three boys and shakes his head disapprovingly as he disappears back to his hideout in the kitchen. Zion takes another step, his heart racing as he listens to everything he can. He fears he may have somehow gone deaf and they'll get busted at any second.
Creeping back into 12 Grimmauld Place was definitely way scarier than their little display at Hogwarts, they planned it for a month and a half , ensuring it would be perfectly executed during exams. They rode their brooms in the corridors, letting of enchanted fireworks in every single classroom. They laughed gleefully as students ripped up their exams and cheered loudly, everyone applauded as an enchanted firework of a dragon chased the evil Professor around.
Zion ensures the twins get to bed safely, then he creeps away again, going straight to Selenes room. He hadn't seen her since Christmas and now they were only being kept apart by a door. It was exciting. He didn't want to barge in, but he couldn't risk knocking either.
He opened her bedroom door, shutting it behind him and tip toed to her bedside. She was sound asleep, light snores filling the room as her mouth hung open, a little bit of drool running down her chin. Zion disgusted himself with how adorable she looked.
He gently shook her, "Psst. Psst."
She yawned loudly,her eyes still tightly shut, "Mmm later."
"Sel." Zion whispered, flicking her in the forehead.
She sat up, squinting in the dark, "What the hell?!"
"Shhh." Zion put his finger against her lips, "Parents don't know I'm here.. I'll probably be dead tomorrow."
Selene groaned under her breath, "What did you do?"
"We broke a few school rules.."
"Zion." Selene closed her eyes frustratedly, "Did you get suspended?" He shook his head, her eyes widening, "Expelled?"
He shook his head again, "No, we dropped out."
"Who's we?"
"Me and the twins." Zion shrugged, "We wanted to give a certain Professor a taste of her own medicine. I'd say it was worth it."
"You're going to have to start from the beginning." Selene yawned, moving up to make room for Zion besides her.
He removes his jacket and shoes, before climbing in besides her. He places his arm under her head, resting his cheek on her forehead as they talk. They talk all night. They talk all night about how his parents are probably going to kill him for leaving school. He talks about Umbridge, about what she was doing to the students and what she did to Marlie. He tells her all about Dumbledores Army. He talks about how weird things have gotten since Cedric died, saying everything is darker now and more real. It didn't feel like Hogwarts anymore.
They also do a lot of kissing. The kind of kissing that you get lost in, the reunion type and the desperate type . The kind that says 'Hi I'm here. I missed you'. The kind that says 'I'm yours.'
Selene moves so she's sat on top of him, looking down at him with a giant smile as she talks about everything she's learnt. She tells him about Remus, how wonderful he is and how she's no longer afraid of magic. She talks about her Mother. She talks about how much she's missed him. He kisses her in return, his face blushing violently, thankfully hidden by the dark night.
"When I'm older, I'm going to change the ministry's laws for werewolves." She says confidently.
Zion smiles at her, "I believe you will."
She kisses him again, grateful that he believes in her. That despite her condition, he never treated her any different or showed any doubt in her heart even when she had. She leaves tiny pecks all along his sharp jaw, he smiles hopelessly before she kisses his mouth again. He missed her. He'd missed her so much. Now he was back with her again, he never wanted to be without her ever again. He'd join Remus' classes, he'd join the Order- everything and anything she was part of. He'd follow her to end of the Earth and back again if she needed him to. He'd do anything for her. Absolutely anything at all.
Eventually, as the sun starts to rise she curls besides him, he swirls patterns with his fingers on the small of her back as she falls asleep in his arms. As he falls asleep, he buries his head in her hair and promises to always look after her.
The following day, Remus swears loudly in surprise as he opens his daughters bedroom door. It was midday, she was still sleeping and frankly she had lessons. He hadn't expected Zion to be cuddled up in bed with her. Sirius and Tate appear at the door besides him,Sirius' eyes widen at the sight of his eldest son in bed with Remus' daughter.
"FUCK." He yells louder than Remus had.
The two teens stir awake, taking a moment to remember where they were and who they were with as the three Dads stare at them. Sirius has his arms crossed, his eyebrow raised sternly. Remus has his hands on his hips, both his eyebrows raised as he looks between the two of them. Tate is standing a little further back, pressing his lips together as he tries and fails not to laugh.
Remus shoots him a look, "This isn't funny."
Tate nods apologetically as he tries to suppress his laughter, "I-I'm just going to go."
He holds his laughter until he reaches the staircase, then a loud booming laugh can be heard descending down the stairs. Sirius shoots Remus a sideward look, he was livid too but how did they handle this?
"We didn't do anything." Zion speaks up, jumping out of bed fully clothed in his jeans, "I just crashed here after telling her I dropped out of school."
"You did what?" Sirius seethed.
He wasn't a fan of how things were going at Hogwarts recently but he also didn't want his son to miss out on his education.
"I thought you'd be easier than Mum." Zion groaned, "Listen, it's worth it trust me."
Sirius waits impatiently, he taps his foot expecting Zion to elaborate but he doesn't. Zion just stares at him blinking.
"Well?" Sirius snaps.
"Are you mad at me?" Zion asks in a small voice.
Sirius sighs, "I don't know the full story yet..but Merlin help you when your Mother sees you."
Zion bites his lip, "We could always just not tell her?"
"Nice try." Sirius snorts, "Come on, family meeting downstairs. You can explain to everyone why you've dropped out in your final year."
"Are Mr and Mrs Weasley still here?"
Sirius sighs, "Yes. I'll give you five minutes to get them up and prepare them for the wrath of Molly."
"How did you know?"
"You just asked if their parents are still here." Sirius turns to leave, "and when I was your age, Remus,James and I did everything together too."
He notably doesn't mention their fourth member Pete. The fourth member of Zion's group, Lee had opted to stay at Hogwarts. Unlike the twins and Zion, he didn't want to open a joke shop. He had other goals that required him to finish his education. He also vowed to look out for his friends younger siblings which was a huge help, all things considered.
Kate and Molly were furious, their yells could probably be heard on the other-side of London. Zion and the twins sat there, taking every single ounce of their Mothers rage. They didn't dare speak, they sat and let the Mum's yell at them. They did eventually calm down, finally letting the boys explain about their plans to open a joke shop.
"A joke shop?" Molly asked her eyes widening, "A joke shop!? You left the best school in the country, left your education to open a joke shop?!"
She sat down in a seat, her face awfully pale as she fanned herself. Kate glares at Zion suspiciously. There was more to this elaborate scheme. Zion was always the child most eager to go to Hogwarts, he wouldn't just leave three months early to open a shop.
Zion decided against informing his parents about Professor Umbridge. He didn't want Sirius to go to the school, hunting her down and incriminating himself. Kate was more level headed. She would go down the legal route. But Sirius, he was impulsive and he would rip her head of her shoulders- just like Zion had wanted to do.
Things at Hogwarts had not improved, infact the twins and Zion had left such an impression that Umbridge had hardened her rules. She had set stricter curfews, which meant Dumbledores army had to be even more careful. There meetings became less frequent. Hermione managed to enchant coins that changed colours, lightly vibrating in the pockets of the members when a time became available for them to meet. It was the only way around this now.
Hagrid had finally returned it took Harry, Phoenix, Ron and Hermione an hour to sneak out of the castle and down to where the groundskeeper lived. Just as they were about to knock at the door, they heard her agitating voice like nails on a chalkboard. They snuck around to the window to peer in, Hagrid noticed them his eyes widening as he tried to distract her.
Professor Umbridge was looking up at Hagrid with immediate distaste. She couldn't help but look around his home, judging his place and his dog too for that matter. She pulled a face at Fang as he chewed on his dog toy.
"Don't get comfortable. In fact, I wouldn't even bother unpacking." She informs Hagrid, "I suspect you shan't be staying very long.
She turns on her heels, sniffing the air outside as she sprays her sickly floral perfume. The four friends sneak round the side of the house as she walks away, unlocking the back door and stepping inside.
"Bloody hell." He mutters at them, "You probably shouldn't be here."
"But we had to see you." Hermione says, "We've not seen you in forever!"
Hagrid nods with a small smile, holding a piece of cold meat to his cut up face, "Business for Dumbledore."
Phoenix stares at the half giant, "What sort of business?"
"Giants."
"GIANTS?" They all gasped loudly as the stare at his injuries.
Hagrid hushes them, "We we're hopeful to recruit them, but I wasn't the only one trying."
"Death-eaters." Harry mumbles.
"Right." Hagrid nods, "Not the nicest bunch."
Ron blinks, "Did they do that to you?"
"No no. This is something else." Hagrid sighs, "I need to show you four something. If what Professor Umbridge is saying is true.. then.. well.."
The four of them follow Hagrid deep into the forbidden forest. Ron jumps at every single noise, Phoenix swears Ron even jumps at his own breathing. Phoenix doesn't mind the forbidden forest, he knows it's home to all manor of different creatures and maybe it should scare him but it doesn't. The mystery of the forest excites him, not knowing what's around the corner thrills him.
"There's enormous spiders in here you know?" Ron squeaks like a terrified mouse, "Bloody gigantic and they speak."
Phoenix has to suppress his laugh, he knows Ron's fear of spiders was not a laughing matter. He'd always been afraid of them, for as long as Phoenix had been friends with him. It seemed a little irrational but fears are fears. He'd hate for someone to belittle his own fears, so he actively tried not to belittle others.
"TA DAA!" Hagrid beams eventually, looking up at the trees.
It takes Phoenix a moment to realise that there's a giant foot right in front of him. He stumbles backwards, staring up at the giant - all colour draining from his face. Harry exchanges a worried look with him, as they both stare at Hagrid with disbelief. Hagrid who had once tried to keep a baby dragon as a pet. Hagrid who saw all manor of animals beautiful or brave. Hagrid who had just presented them with a literal giant.
"He's my baby brother." Hagrid says, "Well, half brother really."
Phoenix just stares at him, "Yeah.. you can really see the resemblance.."
Harry laughs. It was such a glorious sound like the heavens opening above them, angels singing down at them but it was just his laugh. A laugh that Phoenix hadn't heard in a few weeks. He loved that laugh. Harry's laugh.
********
It takes Zion a week to pluck up the courage to finally ask. The adults are sat at the table, they're in the middle of a meeting but it isn't to do with the Order. Zion had been listening in from the stairs, he heard everything about the Horcruxes. He knows he wasn't meant to hear any of it but certain parts, like the suspicions about Harry being one he definitely wasn't supposed to hear.
He opens the kitchen door, the grown ups stop speaking and look at him. Zion boldly takes a seat across from Sirius and Regulus, he nods at them both as a small greeting. He nervously places his hands across the table in front of him, he can feels his Mums eyes burning into his skull.
"I want in." Zion states, "The Horcrux thing. I want in."
Kate scoffs shaking her head, "You. Are going back to schools." She states firmly, "With Remus."
"I'll do that. I'll learn with Remus." Zion agrees, "But, I want in too. I'm seventeen. I'll be eighteen soon. I want in."
Sirius smiles, unable to hide the pride he felt for his brave older son, "It's up to you. You're seventeen, nearly eighteen there isn't much we can do to stop you."
Zion sits up straighter, "You mean it?!"
"Yes but your lessons with Remus are top priority."
Kate glares at Sirius, "Really?!"
"I think it's a fair deal."
Sirius knows Kate will come for him later but for now she lets it slide, allowing the meeting to continue with no further interruptions. Later that evening, when they're finally alone in their room- Sirius knows it's coming.
"Why would you do that?" Kate asks him as she undresses, "Why would you go against me like that? Horcrux hunting is dangerous and you're just going to let our son join?!"
Sirius steps forward, holding her closely, "Hey, he's not joining any missions. He will just be in the meetings. I won't let anything happen to him, Kate. He's safe. I promise."
Kate exhales, "I know. I know. I just.. he's our baby. Our first baby and now he's growing up so fast and before we know it he'll be marrying and-" Kate starts to crumble, tears filling her eyes.
"Alright alright." Sirius soothes, rubbing her back as he kisses her head, "Come on."
"I feel like I've blinked and he's a man." Kate sighs as she cuddles up to Sirius.
Sirius snorts, "I literally blinked and he was a man." He pauses sadly, "When I got out of Azkaban, I half expected the children to still be as I left them.. still toddlers, still needing me."
"They'll always need you." Kate whispers, "They'll always need us, children never stop needing their parents,no matter how old they get."
"I hope that's true." Sirius smiles weakly, "I hope I can be useful to them."
Remus has to cope with Zion and Selene none stop flirting in his homeschooling classes. It knocks him sick. It makes him want to quit teaching them all together. It's only harmless flirtatious banter, he's pretty sure they're doing it on purpose. To test Remus' limitations.
"If you don't stop flirting with my daughter." Remus snarls, "I will cast a spell to make you bald. Ask your father, I did it to him once and no one knows the counter spell apart from myself because I invented the spell."
Zion runs his hand through his hair the same ways Sirius always did and frowns, "Did you actually invent a spell? How do you do that?"
"If you don't flirt with my daughter, I'll teach you. How about that?"
"Yeah! Definitely!" Zion beams excitedly, casting a sorry smile at Selene, "Can it be medicinal?"
Remus thinks for a moment, "In theory, you can create any spell but it's about the formula, the logistics and so on.. ensuring it works and ensuring it can be reversed."
Zion nods, biting the inside of his cheek nervously, "Could a spell be used to cure something like Marlie's heart?"
Remus sighs, pulling out the chair across from Zion. His heart is heavy before he speaks, he knows Zion won't like the answer but it's the truth.
"Unfortunately, nothing can be cured by a spell." Remus let's down slowly, he watches Zions hope fall.
"Oh."
"Your best bet is a potion." Regulus mumbles as he walks into the kitchen, "Potions is where most medicinal magic comes in. There's the odd spell of course, quick fixing and temporary fixes but potions- they cure."
Zions eyes widen with hope, "So.. you're saying there could be a cure out there for Marlie's heart."
Regulus shrugs, "Possibly. It would take a lifetime to find the correct concoction of ingredients..the correct spell work.. it's impossible for one person to do."
Sirius walks into the kitchen, "What have I missed?"
"I think you've got a future medi-wizard on your hands." Remus grins nodding at Zion.
"Really?" Sirius asks shocked, "I thought you'd be a Quidditch played for sure."
Zion shakes his head, "I'm no Regulus Black on the broom."
Regulus laughs, "Too right."
"Excuse me?" Sirius blinks, "I was a bloody good Quidditch player too!"
"Yeah but James Potter, he was the greatest Hogwarts had ever seen." Regulus smiles softly, Sirius nods silently in agreement.
Later that night, Zion is resting his head on Selene's lap as she gently combs through his hair with her fingers. He can feel himself falling asleep at her gentle touch, he'd never felt so safe and so content. He could spend forever like this. It was so soothing.
Raised voices from downstairs disturb his peace, there was always something going on in this bloody house. He groans as he lifts his head up, planting a small kiss on the side of Selene's face.
"ITS TOO DANGEROUS!" Kate yells, Zions on his feet in seconds.
He runs out to the top of the stairs, watching as chaos ensues below. Sirius is pacing. He always paced when something was going wrong, another thing that he had so kindly passed down to Zion and his brother.
"I have to go Kate." Sirius sighs, "Phoenix and Harry are both there."
Zion doesn't need to hear anymore, he heads downstairs staring at the adults. Kate nods as Sirius wraps her arms around her, her eyes fill with tears before Regulus pulls her away into the kitchen.
"What's happening?" Zion demands, causing the adults to look up.
He recognises several members of the Order are present, Moody for one is not hard to miss in a crowd. He feel sick. His stomach knotting as he waits for someone to tell him.
"It involves my brother so I want to know."
Remus sighs, "Just stay here."
"No." Zion deadpans, "Where's Phoenix?"
Sirius recognises the panic, it's the same panic he had when he read in the newspaper that his brother had disappeared. He couldn't put Zion through that, they were on borrowed time but he had to explain.
"Harry had another vision like with Mr Weasley at the Ministry,except it was about me and it was false.Voldemort planted it there on purpose." Sirius explains quickly, "Snape alerted us as soon as he knew, but they're at the ministry and it's highly likely that they're going to get ambushed by death-eaters."
"What's more..the weapon is there." Moody adds, "We believe Voldemort can't get it without Harry Potter."
Zion swears under his breath, "Fucking Potter."
"Oi." Sirius warns.
"Sorry but he's literally dragged my brother with him." Zion points out, "I'm coming with you."
"Zion." Sirius hisses, "You're staying here."
"I'm not waiting around here. I can't." Zion begs, "I can't wait around to hear if Nix is okay or not.I have to know."
"We're wasting time." Moody says, his fake electric blue eye whizzing wildly between Zion and Sirius.
"Sirius." Remus says urgently, "We need to go."
Zion stares at Sirius, his eyes filled with determination and fear. Zion was to Phoenix, what Sirius had been to Regulus. It was dangerous, it was risky but Zion would not back down. Sirius knew they could apparate without Zion, but Zion would follow regardless. He would follow them into burning buildings and exploding cities if his siblings were in danger. Just as Sirius would do for Regulus. Just as Sirius would do for his children.
"Okay." Sirius nods at Zion, "But you stay close and don't do anything stupid."
"I'm not stupid." Zion snaps.
"I didn't mean it like that." Sirius mutters, "I just meant don't try and be a hero."
Zion snorts, "I don't need to try."