The three stood up from their seats and the Lord's and Lady's began splitting up into their own little groups to mingle some more before leaving. Orion subtly glanced at those he had once called close friends of his, but now he was no longer certain. He promised Ara that he would help her look for the cup. It's been four days and he was well rested enough to begin. The only problem was, he needed someone on the inside... Abraxas and himself are no longer welcome, the attack on Hogsmeade was a clear message to him and any others who believed in escaping him. No one that still calls themselves his followers could be seen willingly engaging with them. 'What are we standing around for?' Abraxas quietly whispered to him, doing his best to look as if he wasn't bored. 'I'm observing...' Orion mumbled back, just as quiet. Fleamont raised his brow before subtly glancing around, 'Observing what?' he added in a whisper. 'Those who may be able to help...' Abraxas and Fleamont looked at him quizzically, 'With?' they chorused. Though Orion heard them, he didn't respond as he suddenly turned on the spot and began to leave the room. After a quick bewildered exchange of eye contact, Fleamont and Abraxas swiftly followed after him. Arriving at Potter Manor, Abraxas couldn't take the silence any longer, 'Explain!' Orion just raised his brow back with a look of amusement, before walking off towards the library. Once again Abraxas and Fleamont exchanged looks before swiftly following. As soon as they stepped into the library they saw Ara sitting in the window nook talking with Euphemia. He didn't want to interrupt, she looked to be entirely wrapped up in the conversation with a dazzling smile on her face. And to think she was worried they wouldn't like her, Orion couldn't hold back a small fond smile.
Abraxas looked at him before rolling his eyes and clearing his throat, Orion quickly shot him a glare. 'Sorry to interrupt, mind if I have a word with Ara?' Orion asked politely, as if he wasn't wishing to hit Abraxas with a book. Euphemia quickly stood up and took her leave stating that she, 'Best check on the boys! It's been oddly too quiet!' Ara walked over to them and quickly gave Fleamont and Orion a hug. Then she, to Orion and Fleamont's amusement and Abraxas' complete and utter shock, gave Abraxas one as well. Abraxas froze momentarily before lightly giving her an awkward one in return, Fleamont broke first and let out a big loud snort - quickly followed by Orion. Abraxas with subtle pink tinted cheeks, shot them a heatless glare, as he mumbled under his breath, 'Shut it!' Finally taking their seats on the sofa, Orion quickly looked directly at Ara and asked, 'What do you recall about the Nott family from your time?' 'The Nott's,' She mumbled as she tilted her head slightly, 'Not a whole lot, really. There was a boy in my year named Theodore Nott, he was quiet and mostly kept to himself or his few friends... they were neutral -his friends, I believe. But his father was a loyal Death Eater who was sentenced to Azkaban and I believe Theo was left in the care of his grandfather.' 'Grandfather? Not his mother?' Abraxas suddenly questioned, Ara shook her head. 'Rumor was his father killed her... he also didn't treat Theo well. But I don't know for sure if it was true or not.' 'And his grandfather?' Orion asked. Ara pondered for a few moments, 'I never saw him during the war until the battle at Hogwarts... Theo and him were fighting with us. Though they didn't ... survive' Ara ended while looking at the ground in a quiet whisper.
'Why are you inquiring about Nott?' Fleamont immediately asked once Ara left. 'Because I believe he may be the perfect man to get on the inside.' Orion stated absolute, though Abraxas raised his brow with a snort making Orion roll his eyes in return. 'Am I missing something?' Fleamont asked. Orion opened his mouth only to be cut off by Abraxas, 'His plan on using Thaddeus Nott as the inside man would work... if it wasn't for the fact, Thaddeus Nott hates him!' Orion clenched his jaw, annoyed, as Fleamont quizzically asked, 'But I thought you guys were close friends, why -' 'Were! At the end of seventh year the two of them got into a spat and haven't exchanged more then required social niceties since!' Abraxas stated, trying his hardest not to show his glee at the memory. 'And you believe that he'd help us?' Fleamont asked in disbelief. Orion let out a sigh, 'He will if I do something I've always refused to do...' Abraxas leaned forward in shock as Fleamont raised an inquiring brow. Orion stood up with a stiff posture and slight grimace as he mumbled, 'Admit I was wrong about something...'
If anyone told her that James, Sirius, Remus, Lucius, Regulus, Severus and Barty would one day hang out together - without ensuing a chaotic battle, and possible accidental murder being involved... Well, she would have said to throw you into the madhouse! And yet, here they all are! Not a single person un-alived! Not a single spell shot at the other! It was a bloody miracle! She was here and still couldn't believe it! James, Sirius, Regulus and Barty were flying around on their brooms as Severus, Remus and Lucius were sitting under the tree in the shade. She was flying but decided to take a small break in the shade with the others, a bit at a distance so as not to disturb their discussion. It was nice these last couple of days, she finally got to meet her grandparents and had fun hanging out with the guys. Though Lucius did act a bit odd at first, which is weird compared to how he was in her time... but at least he was less odd this morning so, Progress! And she got to spend more time with Barty, it was both so amazing and difficult... part of her couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if she stayed. Would they have a life together or was it just a possible relationship that would fizzle out... A small smile pulled on her face as she looked up and watched him fly around, before drifting her gaze to James. Her father... he was exactly as Sirius and Remus described him, and she loved getting to spend this time with him. Though she ended up causing him more pain than she meant, he was still looking for a way to save her. But nothing was going to change it, she made a deal and she was going to keep it. Nothing can change it, not even if they tried to remove the Horcrux themselves without killing me... I would still be immediately dragged to the shades.
'Did you ever find out?' Sirius's voice spoke, startling her out of her daze. 'Huh?' 'In the memories... Older me said he had a surprise for you at the end of the year, did you ever find out?' 'O-Oh, um... yeah.' She mumbled. 'Well? What was it?' Ara looked up at the others flying around as she let out a small little sigh, 'You - He - When I returned to Grimmauld.... I found an envelope that was hidden under a loose floorboard -' 'And?' 'And... It contained new identities and muggle passport's, with a set of keys and a photo of our new home. Along with a letter. We were gonna run... start a new life...' She ended with a small smile, as she imagined it in her head all over again. 'But... - ' 'I died...' Sirius croaked out. She turned to look at him, 'You died..' she repeated. 'The letter was just in case you did die... you told me to still go.... But I couldn't...' Turning to look back up at the sky, they sat in silence for a few moments before she continued. 'Leo... You chose the name Leo... I believe it was in reference to -' 'Regulus...' He mumbled with a small smile, 'What name did I give you?' Ara let out a small laugh as she plucked a dandelion out of the ground, 'Mia... for my grandmother... and our last name was Griffin for -' 'Gryffindor.' they chorused, before snorting. He looked down at the dandelion he plucked out of the grass and began twisting as he tried to hide his smile, though his expression sobered as he thought of his next question. He couldn't get what Death said that night out of his head... 'How long...?' She looked back at him confused, so with a small sigh he elaborated, 'Your punishment... the price... how long is it?' She froze as she looked at him with a slightly fearful expression, though his question seemed to also draw in the attention of Severus, Remus and Lucius who all stopped talking and looked towards them, curiously.
'Ara... how long?' He repeated. 'How long for what?' questioned James as he, Barty and Regulus landed between them and the group under the tree. Sirius and Ara both opened their mouths at the same time only to get cut off from Euphemia's voice calling out to them 'DINNER!!' Ara quickly closed her mouth and took the chance for an immediate escape, as she quickly stood up and made her way into the manor. James with a baffled expression repeated his question, before adding on, 'And what the bloody hell was that about?' Sirius let out a sigh, as Severus spoke from behind them, 'He asked her how long her price is...' Lucius then cleared his throat and answered James' question before he could ask, 'She never answered.'
Sirius and the boys followed in Ara's footsteps and promptly took their seats at the dining room table. Slight conversation was being passed between the adults, but an odd silence hung in the air between the rest of them. Ara adamantly refused to make eye contact with anyone as she slowly ate off her plate. Sirius who sat himself right across from her, pushed his food around as he stared at her, waiting. Alphard looked from one to another as he noticed the odd silence, though eventually even the others began to notice. 'What happened?' Alphard blurted out, uneasy with the weird mood. Ara stilled as the others subtly exchanged glances with one another, Sirius couldn't hold it back any longer. 'How long?' He repeated. 'How long for what?' chorused the adults. Though Sirius didn't respond as he stared adamantly at Ara. She sat there in silence, chewing her bottom lip anxiously before finally letting out a breath and looking up. 'E-Eight centuries ... a-and a decade.' Everyone swiveled their heads to Ara in a blink of an eye, as they all gasped except Alphard who was still very confused. 'T-That's not... that can't be how long y-your...' Fleamont stuttered out in shock and horror. 'That's practically a millennium!' Euphemia cried out. Alphard finally piecing together what was happening blurted out in shock, 'Your soul will suffer for eight centuries and a decade!?' Ara slowly nodded her confirmation. Orion mumbled under his breath as his eyes widened in realization, 'Several centuries and a decade... it was her price he was talking about... but then what's the one year in reference to?' Ara who heard him looked up at him confused, 'Who was talking about my price?'