Sirius peered into the guest room in Greengrass manor, where his supposedly incarcerated cousin was sleeping, the house elves had treated her injuries, cleaned and changed her. Pappy had told Sirius there was no telling when she'd wake up; nor in what mental state she would be. So Sirius kept guard at the door, waiting for Cyrus to arrive.

He was surprised to see him arrive with Artie at his heel, "is she still asleep?" Cyrus asked. Glancing past Sirius into the dark room.

"Yes, Pappy has no idea when she'll wake up." Sirius muttered. Waving them on while he stayed in his chair beside the door.

"Damn, 'Artie sighed, peering into the room, "you said she had burns?"
"Yes, and signs of torture," Sirius growled, fist clenching for a moment. Before he relaxed.

Artie ran a hand through his hair, "none of this is making sense, nor is it looking good no matter how I turn it."
"What'd you find at the warehouse?" Cyrus asked.

"Spell fire is what engulfed it." he said, 'Not sure what, it was cursed, but it wasn't Fiendfyre like we originally believed…we also found muggle medical equipment, don't know what they were using that for but I shutter to even imagine-"
"-do you think they were experimenting on Azkaban prisoners?" Sirius asked tightly.

"...there's a very good chance of that." he said, looking in the room again, "Bellatrix Lestrange was listed as dead, alongside several other prominent Death Eater convicts; the official ruling was a riot that forced the Dementors to perform the kiss."
"And we obviously know that's a lie." Cyrus scoffed, "Bellatrix is alive, not well, but alive."
"Which makes you wonder what happened to the other Death Eaters." Artie muttered darkly.

"And what was done to them to terrify Bellatrix Lestrange." Sirius said gravely.

"None of these questions will be answered soon," Cyrus sighed, "for now I'll keep Pappy as her guard, as soon as she's awake we'll get to the bottom of this, for now, let us send a letter warning the children to keep their eyes open, something is afoot."

"Will we tell the council at tomorrow's meeting?"

Cyrus shook his head at the younger man's question, "no, until we know for sure what went on in that warehouse we keep it under wraps. For now, everyone keep your eyes open for any strange happenings."
WVWVW

The welcome feast had revealed many things, chief among them the Triwizard Tournament, the big event that Sirius and so many others had been hinting about all year.

"It's a wonder he was able to keep it a secret." Hermione commented as they followed Susan through a side corridor just off the entrance hall, leading deeper below Hogwarts, "usually we can't get him to stay quiet."

"He knows how to keep secrets when he wants." Harry said, smiling a bit when Daphne nudged him, "it's how he keeps us on our toes."
"Too bad that we can't put our names in." Seamus grumbled from Susan's side, getting a dreamy look in his eye, "imagine it; untold glory."
"You can keep all the glory finnegan." Susan laughed, "Besides, I doubt the knight's would've let any of us put our names in, wouldn't do to let the paiges show up the actual squires."

"Is there only Squires in hogwarts?" Daphne asked.

"For this year yes, Roger's closest to his knighting ceremony alongside the Carrow twins."
"They're a part of the Rune knights?" Daphne asked in surprise.

"They were sponsored by Lord Rowle," Susan said, "he was their guardian after their father Alecto was arrested."
"And is Rowle also still sponsoring Helena?" Seamus asked, "my cousin," he added, looking at Hermione and Harry, "she's a McGuffin, sixth year Hufflepuff."
"He is, along with Terrance Higgs and Amy Evans, the little first year who got sorted to hufflepuff with you Baldur."

Baldur perked up, "really?" he asked in surprise.

"Yep!" Susan said cheerfully, "Helena is bringing her along with another first year ravenclaw and a gryffindor, Isolt Burke and little Ivan Fawley, Rebecca Fawley's younger brother."
"Rebecca Fawley?" Hermione asked in surprise, "the third year ravenclaw? I used to help her study."

"I know she was brought in this summer as well," Daphne offered, "her grandfather sponsored her, though she trained directly with Rowle alongside IVan, Isolt and Amy."

"How did Terrence get into the Knights?" Daphne questioned before Susan suddenly shushed them as they reached a simple wooden door in the far corner of the west tour, "we're here, don't talk unless spoken to."

Harry mimed locking his mouth, sniggering with Seamus as they all trooped in, the entire room was made of stone, slate gray sinking down into the earth, stair-like rings circling a center dias where Roger Davies stood with his chest puffed out importantly, behind him were Syrena and Samael Carrow, the auburn haired twins flanked him on each side, their dour faces giving nothing but apathy to all those who met their eyes.

Surrounding them, sitting or standing on the two foot wide rings, were a melting pot of Hogwarts students, maybe thirty in all from all years. Though Harry noted that only those who'd walked in with Susan were from their year. He could see a few familiar faces, such as Cassius Warrington, who was speaking quietly with Alicia Spinnett, who only offered Harry and Hermione a quick wave before returning to her conversation; Patricia Stimpson from Hufflepuff was having a spirited debate on some rune configuration or another with Lucian Bole of slytherin and Elora Dunn of Ravenclaw; He could see the first years that Susan had talked about,the shortest in the room, the three first years were huddled together on the lowest step, watched over by a tall, curly redhead, she was the only one not wearing the schools robes, and was instead stood in blue jeans and a white T-shirt tucked into them. The left side of her head had been shaved to show off the three piercings drilled in her earlobe; even from where Harry could stand he could tell she was strong, her muscles straining the sleeves of her shirt. She was watching the crowd with steely blue eyes, meeting everyone's gaze with her own. It stopped for a moment when it met Harry's, but moved on as soon as Susan began ushering them towards the group.

Another girl beside the redhead walked up, her gray eyes shining with happiness as she hugged Hermione, for a moment they disappeared in a mess of wild curls, raven and brunette. Coming apart as others began to take their seats.

"New initiates one and all Susan?" the redhead asked the girl.

"Yes Helena," Susan said with a proper lilt to her voice, "the vassals of House Black and Greengrass, as well as Shacklebolt and McLeod."
She nodded, "I recognize Seamus, the others I have a vague knowledge of, Rebecca has told me of Granger." She shared a respectful nod with Hermione and then looked at the three first years beside her, "These are Isolt Burke-" she gestured to a boy with brown hair and mousey features, his dark eyes ever so slightly enlarged by his thick glasses, "Ivan Fawley." another gesture to the chubby black haired boy, who looked a few seconds from passing out, "and Amy Evans." This time the little firstie stepped forward after being introduced,her green eyes bright as she held her hand out to all of them, her blonde pigtails flouncing ever so slightly as she did so. "It's nice to meet all of you." she began, stopping when Helena cleared her throat.
"Initiates are to remain silent in the hall unless directed to speak." Helena reminded the girl gently, who bowed her head a bit and stepped back, "you'll all be able to get better acquainted during the morning workouts. Don't you worry."

"Helena." Roger called, catching the girls attention, it seemed everyone had taken their seats, "if you're ready," he said a bit snidely.

"Oh don't wait on my account Roger, you're grand poobah around here." she drawled, grinning at him when he huffed. Drawing himself up importantly as he addressed everyone around him.

"Welcome, everyone, to another beginning of the year meeting, I'm glad we were all able to make it back safe and sound. I wanted to begin today by welcoming all our new initiates!" he gestured to the collection of younger years around Helena, "and would like to remind all that we do not tolerate prejudice in the Rune Knights, any problems you had before joining are done here and now, understood?" he looked at Higgs as he said this, the fifth year shifting uncomfortably at the look. "Past that, I hope we can all move ahead and discuss the upcoming year! Namely the tri-wizard tournament. We have been instructed to be vigilant during the trials, and to report any suspicious activity to the Council's liaison. We've also been informed that several members of the foreign league's will be joining us alongside the delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang; I expect all of you to be accommodating ... .Now, on to any information any of you have heard."
For the next forty minutes Hary was bored out of his mind listening to what SUsan had rightly coined as gossip. A quick glance around showed most of his friends being just as bored. Though Hermione looked attentive; as she usually did when it came to matters of 'importance' though, how Lee Jordan being found in a closet with Alicia spinnet was deemed 'important' was beyond Harry.

As the meeting came to a close Helena stood up, "I once again remind everyone that as master at arms for the Hogwarts branch of the Rune Knights, that I will be conducting exercise routines out on the quidditch pitch in the morning at five, not mandatory, but highly recommended!"

"Yes, do keep that in mind everyone." Roger said dismissively, "if there is nothing else, Then this meeting is adjourned."

The other members began filing out as Helena turned back to the initiates, "I know I said it was not mandatory, but I expect to see all of you there." she said sternly, smiling a bit at the pouting first years. "With the Death Knights out there we have to be up to snuff-"
"-the War Dogs will have them extinct by christmas." Roger said as he walked by, the carrow twins flanking him, sneers of contempt aimed at Helena and the initiates. "Best not to frighten the younger years when there's no need."
"You leave training to me Roger." Helena said coolly, 'worry about the bald spot you're already starting to develop.'
Roger's cheeks flushed, with a huff he whirled away and stomped out, the carrows following after, their noses high in the air.

"He's so much more of a bellend then I remember." Susan groaned as soon as they were gone, a few others who'd stuck around seemed to nod in agreement on their way out.

"Like it or not, he's the current head of the council of squires." Rebecca reminded her.

"Doesn't make his condescension right." Daphne quipped, Seamus grumbling an agreement along with Harry.

"Whatever the case." Helena interrupted, "quidditch field, five AM sharp, upper years I expect you to make sure the firsties are there." Helena began walking away, Baldur and Amy scampering off after her.

"It was nice meeting you all!" Amy called back as they left.

"We better get going as well." Rebecca said, giving her brother a quick hug, "Stay out of trouble and away from the weasley twins." she warned him.

"I know, I know," he said rather sulkily.

"We'll take good care of him." Seamus said with a confident grin, ruffling the boy's hair, much to his protestations.

Rebecca rolled her eyes, "Hermione-" She almost pleaded.

"He'll be okay." Hermione reassured her as she and little Isolt left, the small boy keeping close to her as he looked around the halls in wonder.

The fourth years began walking out, Ivan drifting closer to Hermione as they went, "meet in the great hall at 4:30?" Susan asked everyone as they went.

"That 's cuttin' into my beauty sleep." Seamus griped.

"And we all know you need it Seamus." Hermione retorted, making the group laugh, Higgs cracking an unsure smile as they went. "4:30 should be perfect Susan, Harry will you be able to wake up Ivan?"
"I can wake myself up, you know." Ivan piped up indignantly.

"Yeah, he can wake himself up." Harry said, sharing a smile with Daphne, "it's very mature that you're willing to risk Helena's punishment for being late if you don't."
Ivan paled a bit, "c-can you maybe make sure i'm up?" he asked timidly.

"Of course," Harry confirmed.

"Same here." Seamus whispered to Harry as the others moved on to other topics, "ye know I sleep like a rock."

"I got ya mate." Harry whispered back as they reached the entrance hall, "I'm gonna walk Daphne back to her common room."
"I could-" Higgs began, only to stop when they walked towards the entrance.

"They like to take the long way around iff'n ya catch my drift." Seamus snickered, dodging the swipe from Hermione but failing to miss the hard cuff to the back of the head from Susan.

"Come along," Hermione said brightly to Ivan who was laughing as Seamus cried out in pain and flailed about comically as he tried to "we have an early morning!"

WVWVW

The waters of the black lake were eerily still, reflecting the stars in its mirror-like surface. No moon present to give any illumination beyond the non-light of the stars.

But the young couple walked without fear of stumbling, knowing well the path to their favorite tree beside the cold shores.

"What do you think of the council of Squires?" Daphne asked as they settled at the bottom of their tree.

"I think Roger's a self-important ponce." Harry said seriously, making her giggle.

"I'm being serious,'
"I am too." he smiled as she swatted his arm good naturedly, "it seems more like a gossip circle than anything else," he said seriously, "barring the seriousness that pops up, I think the only worthwhile thing will be the morning workouts, Roger seems like he'll be a pain to deal with."

"I think that's the consensus."

Harry smiled, laying his head against hers as they watched the stars, "why didn't we meet any of the other new recruits?" He asked, "you'd think-'
"-that the council would want us to know one another?" she questioned, shaking her head a bit, "while unity is preferred, the various houses have different ways of training their initiates; so for the first year initiates from different houses don't meet. Even after the first year only certain houses will work with each other in training initiates."
"Feels bizarre to me." Harry admitted, "we're supposed to be an order of knights yeah? Not a collection of different orders."
"Grandfather never liked it as well." Daphne admitted, "he was always for centralizing our training, bringing all the traditions of each house together; shacklebolt blocked each attempt. He's a traditionalist, and doesn't want to change anything at all."

"I believe that's called 'stagnation'." Harry supplied, making Daphne laugh.

"And where did you learn such a big word?" she teased.

"All those books you and Hermione had me read paid off." he said defensively. His faux offense falling as she kissed his cheek, silence filled the air as they watched a single tentacle breach the still waters, the giant squid waving at them, slipping beneath the waves once Harry gave a small wave back.

As the waters slowly stilled once more, Harry stood, helping Daphne to her feet before intertwining their hands. "Meet in the entrance hall fifteen minutes before?" he asked as they began walking back to the castle.

"Of course," she agreed as they quietly entered the entrance hall, taking the stairs down to the dungeon, "don't forget to wake up little Ivan." she reminded him as they reached the entrance to Slytherin.

"Hermione will have him up long before I do." Harry chuckled as he kissed her forehead before kissing her lips, "sweet dreams. Daphne."
"Good night, Harry." She whispered back as he threw his invisibility cloak on, disappearing into the night.

WVWVW

Harry was glad Albion Greengrass had been such a task master.

It had almost prepared him for the absolute torture that was Helena's workout.

The first years were given the simple task of jogging around the lake, Rebecca leading them in push ups and sit each easy lap around. Twice around only.

Everyone else-including Rebecca once the first years were set off to the side to stretch and cool down-had to do five laps, several work out stations marked for them by glowing ethereal markers Helena had conjured. All of this was by cadence-something Harry, Daphne and Hermione didn't have experience in-and Helena was not above stunning them when they fell out of cadence.

"Come on ladies! My arthritic grandmother can stay in time better than you!" Helena snapped, throwing a strong stunner into Seamus' backside, almost sending him crashing to the ground had Harry not helped him stay standing, "back in step Finnegan!"
"Ya fuckin-" Seamus bit off the end of his sentence, glowering at the ground as he huffed and puffed. Harry was only faring a little better, Grandfather Albion had been demanding but Helena was a drill sergeant.
"REST!" she ordered as they reached the firsties, who were staring at them with wide eyes after almost all of them collapsed into the grass, "alright ladies, good first day back, stretch and make sure you're hydrated!" she said as she walked towards the lake, crouching down beside it to douse the back of her neck with handfuls of cold water.

Seamus followed, though instead of crouching he fell face first into the surf, groaning as the icy water washed over him and took the heat out of his tortured limbs, "permission to speak freely ma'am?" Seamus gasped as he resurfaced.

"Granted."

"You're a fuckin' slave driver."

Harry laughed as a flick of Helena's wand sent Seamus flying a few feet into the air before crashing back into the water.

"Why couldn't we do the same exercises as you?" Isolt asked, pushing his glasses up.

"You're not old enough for strenuous workouts like this." Hermione explained.

"I could've ran faster than Seamus!" Ivan objected, Baldur nodding vigorously along with him.

"Could you have ran faster than him for five laps while doing three times as many exercises as he did?" Helena called over, making Ivan blush while Baldur shook his head furiously as the other two firsties laughed.

"No ma'am,' he mumbled meekly.

"Then don't complain, otherwise we'll put your bluster to the test." she said with a teasing grin, "Amy, what's the first rule of my workouts."
"Don't boast about what you can't do." the girl recited dutifully.

"Good girl."

Rebecca hugged her brother as he pouted a bit, "you'll get there one day." she reassured him.

"I'm not a child." he muttered, shrugging her arm off, she just smiled sympathetically at him.

"How are you all liking the castle so far?" Daphne asked, moving away from talks of exercise.

"I absolutely love it!" Amy gushed before any of the other firsties could speak, "the train, the castle, the magic. It's absolutely wonderful!"

"She's muggleborn," Isolt said wearily, Ivan laughing at the girl's excitement. "She's been bouncing off the walls since Lord Rowle sponsored her."

"It's a great honor to be considered-" Amy began, her voice gaining a particularly familiar bossy tone.

"-yes, yes, we know Amy." Ivan interrupted with an eyeroll,making Amy deflate a bit, "and we're all properly happy for you, but let's get through our first day of school before you start on the whole sponsorship spiel."
"There's nothing wrong with a little bit of excitement." Hermione chided them, smiling as Amy perked back up, "speaking as a muggleborn myself, I was very excited to come to Hogwarts."
"She knew the entire curriculum before we even started the first day." Harry supplied,"and I read through my books so many times I probably could still recite my favorite passages by heart."
"You're a muggleborn too?" Amy asked in awe.

"He's Harry Potter." Baldur said in confusion, "he's a half-blood."
"But I grew up with my muggle family." Harry said gently, "I didn't know I was a wizard until Hagrid came to see us when I didn't get my letter."

"Why didn't you get your letter?" Ivan asked.

"My aunt and uncle didn't like magic…still don't come to think of it." Harry scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "but they let me come here so…"
"-alright, enough socialization," Helena said, walking up with a sodden Seamus following; drying himself with his wand. "Get to breakfast, have a big one, and for the love of the gods: stretch!"

They all groaned as they got up. Isolt, Ivan and Baldur immediately took off towards the castle for a well deserved breakfast, Amy stayed behind to pester both Harry and Hermione with questions. Rebecca and Daphne laughing at the insistence of the younger girl.

"She reminds me of you." Harry told Hermione as they sat down, the girl already back at Hufflepuff, still chattering excitedly to a smiling Rebecca and half asleep Susan, "you could barely take a breath between your questions and facts."

"I don't know why you and Ron complained, it wasn't so bad." Hermione said primly, "i think i'll go to the library our first off period so I can grab a book or two I think she'd like-"
"-already trying to get an apprentice Hermione?" Daphne teased as they began loading their plates, "you know that's not until we're knights."
Hermione blushed as Seamus and Harry chuckled, "I'm just helping out a younger year who's shown an interest in learning." she said defensively, "besides, I'll only be giving her the books, I have a lot of research to do."
"Research?" Ron asked as he sat down next to Harry, rubbing the remainder of sleep from his eyes, "what research?"
"I'm going to be looking into the plight of the House Elves." Hermione said eagerly, "I've already secured a pass to the restricted section, and I'm going to be seeing what I can do to help them."
"Do they need help?" Ron asked, looking a bit annoyed at the topic. "They seem pretty content with their lot in life."
"A gilded cage is still a cage." Daphne pointed out. Eliciting a hum of agreement from Seamus.

"It does put a nasty taste in my mouth when I think about it for too long." Seamus agreed as Dean slipped into the free seat beside him.

"What are we talking about?" Dean asked.

"House Elf enslavement." Harry said as Neville sat down with Ginny and Parvati at his side. Lavender further down the table talking with a few older year girls.

"What are house elves?" he asked.

"They're the little beings that make your food, clean your laundry, and scrub your toilets while you're sleeping." Daphne explained and Hermione immediately stiffened.

"Hogwarts has House Elves?" she asked sharply.

"A few hundred." Neville confirmed, not meeting Hermione's furious gaze, "it's how the castle is able to function as is."

"Slave labor." she whispered, looking down at the english breakfast she'd prepped on her plate, "this was made with slave labor."

"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore treats the elves well and with dignity." Dean said reasonably, looking perturbed as he looked at the high table, 'you said you were doing research on this?"

Hermione nodded, no longer attempting to eat, "I wanted to see if it's magic that keeps the elves enslaved or if it's just societal expectations that need to change."
"I'm not sure what that means but I'd be willing to pitch in however I can." Seamus said, taking a big bite of his eggs and sausage.

"Same," Dean readily agreed, much to Ron's uncomfortable surprise.

"Padma would be really interested too." Parvati chimed in. Ginny nodded along, though she was looking as uncomfortable as Ron was with the topic.

"You know we'll always back you, Hermione." Daphne said with a smile while Harry nodded, spreading jam on his toast.

"You still have to eat, 'mione." Ron reminded her, cautiously looking around to make sure that was the right thing to say. And relaxing a bit when they all nodded.

"Starving yourself doesn't help anyone." Neville agreed.

Hermione nodded, slowly untensing as she began to eat again.

Harry smiled as he leaned forward, "now, I could probably get Dobby to talk with us, but you have to promise you won't be handing out propaganda to the Hogwarts elves the moment you find out how to reach them. "
Hermione let out an affronted hum as she finished eating, "I have more tact than that Harry!" Hermione said with a glare, before turning to Ginny, "Did you bring what I asked you to?" she asked.

"Oh! Yeah."Ginny said, pulling out a small box and handing it over.

"What's that?" Seamus questioned.

"This is the first step to getting better treatment for the house Elves!" she said proudly, opening the box and pulling out a pin with the letters "S.P.E.W' printed out in black ink on a yellow background. "This is the official badge for members of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare."
"Spew?" Ron asked dumbfoundedly.

Hermione turned red, "No ron, it's the Society for the Promotion of-"
"-it spells spew hermione." Harry deadpanned, making the girl deflate.

"We'll workshop the name." Daphne said, patting her shoulder comfortingly as Seamus grabbed a badge.

"What's the plan? Other than a rebrand?" he asked, making Dean chuckle a bit.

"I was planning on getting people to join, two sickles would get you a badge and a membership."
"...and what would the members do?" Parvati questioned gently.

"...I haven't thought it out fully." She mumbled, blushing a bit.

"We'll figure it out, " Neville reassured.

Seamus sighed, " Fuck it, Spew it is." Seamus said, fishing out two sickles and tossing it into the box as he pinned it on his robes.

"Can't argue with that ringing endorsement." Ginny said, likewise tossing two sickles in and grabbing a badge. Soon the majority of their friend group had gotten a badge.

"Let's join up this weekend and talk about what the next step is." Parvati said excitedly as Lavender joined them.

"What's going on?" Lavender asked.

Parvati immediately began filling her friend in as the post began flying in. Harry was surprised to see Hedwig flying towards him with a small package, dropping it over Harry's waiting hand, "it's got a bit of weight to it." Harry murmured as he opened the package, finding a square silver mirror that fit comfortably in his hand, a note wrapped around it that he quickly read.

Harry,

This is a two-way communication mirror your father and I made back in school, this will be our main form of communication from now on.

Meet with those you trust tonight and wait for my call around midnight. We have some things to discuss. They don't have to be a part of the order, just so long as you trust them.

Burn this letter as soon as you get the chance.

Sirius.

Harry handed the note to Daphne, who read it and then-with a burst of bluebell flames from her wand, burnt the note to glowing embers. "What do you think he wants to discuss with us?" Daphne asked.

"No idea," Harry said, looking at the mirror, "but it can't be anything good."