Chapter 1: Almost Owl Post

Note : They're not living Square Grimmauld since it's not the Black Manor. Square Grimmault was Alya's family house, the heir's house since her mother was the heir until her own death and then Alya was the heir until her grandmother's passing. She began living in the Manor soon after her liberation since her grandmother was alone and sick with Arcturus being away for most of the year.

In the original, Sirius can't take the lordship, with him being a criminal and all that. So he only has access to the house he inherited. Or it's the reason I decided to make everything looks normal. There are more house elves in the Manor but I used Kreacher since he wants to be here for his friend and master Arcturus.

POV: Holly Potter/Ronda Weasley

In many ways, Holly Potter was a most unusual girl.

First of all, she hated summer vacation, it was the most unpleasant time of the year for her.

Then, she absolutely wanted to do her vacation homework, but she had to do it in secret, in the middle of the night.

But that was no longer the case.

Now Holly Potter could do her holiday homework as she wanted and she even had help from the people who also lived in her house.

It was all because she had changed both the house and the people living in it.

She now lived with her godmother, Alya Black, who was also a witch.

Because yes, Holly Potter was a witch.

It wasn't midnight when this story began and yet there she was, working on her history homework next to her distant cousin but almost brother, Arcturus Black.

"Holly, if you keep writing like that, you'll finish all your essays by the end of the week," Arcturus remarked, his voice a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation.

He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head as he watched her furiously scribble down the last sentence of her paragraph.

Holly looked up, her emerald green eyes flashing with determination.

"Good. That means I'll have time to review everything before term starts. Professor Fawley's exam questions last year were evil, and I'm not taking any chances this time."

Arcturus snorted, brushing a stray lock of his dark hair from his face. "You know, most people take summer to relax. Not spend it buried in books about Goblin Rebellions, the wizarding Clan wars and the International Statute of Secrecy."

Holly's lips quirked into a half-smile. "And you're one to talk? What were you doing last night? Oh, right—reading up on advanced defensive spells you won't even learn until your third year."

Arcturus's cheeks tinged pink. "Touché."

The sound of light footsteps echoed down the hallway, and moments later, Alya Black swept into the room, her elegant robes trailing behind her. Despite her youthful appearance and vibrant energy, there was an undeniable authority about her that commanded respect.

"You two are up early," she said, arching an eyebrow as she surveyed the scene. "I'd almost think you're trying to outdo Hermione Granger herself."

Holly chuckled, setting down her quill. "Not quite. I just like being prepared."

Alya smiled warmly and crossed the room to inspect Holly's parchment. "Ah, History of Magic. Well, at least you have decent handwriting. Much better than mine at your age." She ruffled Holly's unruly hair before turning to Arcturus. "And you, young man, what are you working on?"

"Basic wand movements for the Patronus Spell," Arcturus replied with a shrug. "Figured it wouldn't hurt to get ahead."

"Ambitious, as always," Alya said approvingly. "But don't forget to take breaks. The both of you. Summer is meant for more than just studying, you know."

Holly and Arcturus exchanged a glance but didn't argue. Alya had a way of making gentle suggestions feel like firm commands.

The rest of the morning passed in a quiet hum of activity. Holly and Arcturus spent another hour finishing their respective assignments before Alya shooed them out of the study and into the garden.

The Black Manor's sprawling grounds were as majestic as the house itself, with perfectly manicured hedges, ancient oak trees, and a sparkling fountain enchanted to sing softly in Gaelic.

Holly breathed in the fresh air, feeling a rare sense of peace settle over her. "It's strange," she murmured as she and Arcturus wandered down a shaded path.

"I used to count the days until school started, just so I could get away from… everything. Now, I'm almost sad that summer's ending."

Arcturus gave her a sidelong glance. "Well, I'm glad you're here. It'd be awfully dull without you."

Holly smiled, touched by his sincerity. "Same here. Living with Alya… it's like having a real family. For the first time."

They continued walking in companionable silence until they reached a small clearing where a wooden bench sat beneath a flowering magnolia tree.

Holly plopped down, letting her head fall back against the bench.

"Do you think things will be different this year?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Arcturus tilted his head. "Different how?"

"I don't know," Holly admitted. "It just feels like… something's changing. Like we're on the edge of something big."

Arcturus considered her words, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just nerves. Second year is bound to be a little tougher."

Holly hummed noncommittally, her mind drifting. Despite the tranquility of the moment, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to take a sharp turn. Whether for better or worse, she had no idea.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the manor in a warm golden glow, Alya gathered Holly and Arcturus in the grand dining room for dinner.

The long table, adorned with glittering candelabras and polished silverware, was laden with a feast fit for royalty.

"So," Alya began as they tucked into their meal, "what are you two most looking forward to this year at Hogwarts?"

Holly swallowed a bite of roasted chicken before answering. "I'm excited to see how much everyone's changed. And maybe explore a bit more of the castle. There's so much we still don't know about it."

"And you, Arcturus?" Alya asked.

Arcturus grinned. "Dueling Club. I heard Professor Lockhart isn't coming back, so maybe we'll get someone who actually knows what they're doing."

Alya chuckled. "Let's hope so. Though if rumors are true, Lockhart's replacement might bring challenges of their own."

Holly perked up at that. "What kind of challenges?"

Alya's smile turned enigmatic. "You'll see soon enough."

As Holly lay in bed that night, the soft glow of moonlight spilling through her window, her thoughts wandered to the upcoming term. She felt a flicker of excitement, tempered by a vague unease she couldn't quite place. Whatever lay ahead, she knew one thing for certain: with Alya and Arcturus by her side, she was ready to face it.

Ronda Weasley adjusted the strap of her satchel as she approached the grand iron gates of Black Manor. Despite its ominous exterior, the sprawling estate held a warmth she had grown to associate with her best friend, Holly Potter. She couldn't help the thrill of excitement coursing through her—the prospect of spending a day with Holly was always delightful, but there was another reason her heart raced.

Arcturus Black.

The thought of Holly's almost-brother stirred a mix of emotions within her. Ronda was mature enough, thanks to her memories from her past life, to recognize the flush of adolescence that had swept over her. She knew it was just hormones—a natural, annoying, and utterly inconvenient part of growing up. But understanding didn't make it any easier to control her reactions or quiet the butterflies in her stomach.

"Get a grip, Ronda," she muttered to herself as she pushed the gate open. The path leading to the entrance was lined with neatly trimmed hedges and white pebbles that crunched underfoot. As she walked, her eyes traced the imposing façade of the manor. Despite her self-admonishment, she found herself wondering if Arcturus would be in the drawing room or the library. Maybe he'd be helping Holly with her homework again.

Before she could dwell further, the heavy door swung open to reveal Holly. Her best friend's green eyes sparkled with joy, and her messy hair was tied into a quick braid.

"Ronda!" Holly exclaimed, rushing forward to pull her into a warm hug.

"Holly! It's so good to see you," Ronda said, squeezing her back. For a moment, her worries about Arcturus and her overactive adolescent mind faded. Being with Holly always felt natural and uncomplicated.

"Come in! Arcturus is in the library, but Alya said we should all eat lunch together soon. I've missed having someone to talk to who doesn't lecture me about my handwriting."

Ronda laughed as Holly pulled her inside. The interior of Black Manor was grand but welcoming, with dark wooden furniture polished to a shine and intricate tapestries adorning the walls. The air carried the faint scent of parchment and freshly brewed tea.

The dining room was a cozy contrast to the grandeur of the manor. The long table was set for four, and the centerpiece was a bouquet of vibrant, enchanted flowers that subtly shifted colors. Ronda found herself seated between Holly and Alya, with Arcturus directly across from her. He greeted her with a polite nod and a small smile that sent an annoying warmth spreading through her cheeks.

"So, Ronda," Alya began, her tone friendly. "How's your summer been?"

Ronda quickly focused on the conversation, grateful for the distraction. "It's been good, thank you. We made a trip to Egypt but I already told you about it. Since then, the Burrow's been busy as always, but I'm glad to have some time away. How about you?"

"Busy," Alya said with a smile. "But it's a good kind of busy. Keeping these two in line is a full-time job." She shot a playful glance at Holly and Arcturus, who both rolled their eyes in unison.

The meal was lively, with Holly recounting stories about their recent adventures at Black Manor and Alya sharing anecdotes from her youth. Ronda found herself relaxing, though she couldn't help sneaking glances at Arcturus. He was mostly quiet, occasionally contributing a comment or laughing at Holly's jokes. His calm demeanor and sharp wit only added to the growing confusion in her chest.

The owl's arrival interrupted the pleasant atmosphere. A sleek, dark-feathered bird swooped in through the open window, a folded newspaper clutched in its talons. It landed gracefully in front of Alya, who untied the parchment with practiced ease.

The moment Alya's eyes scanned the headline, the color drained from her face. She gripped the newspaper tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Alya?" Holly asked, concern evident in her voice.

Alya didn't respond. She stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor, and muttered, "Excuse me." Without another word, she left the room, leaving the newspaper behind.

The silence that followed was deafening. Holly reached out hesitantly, pulling the newspaper closer. As she unfolded it, Ronda leaned in to read the bold headline:

BREAKOUT OF AZKABAN: PETRA PETTIGREW, CRIMINAL, ESCAPES.

Ronda's heart sank. She sure knew who was Petra Pettigrew since she both read and watched Harry Potter in her past life but with Alya free she thought nothing would happen this year, she knew enough to understand the implications.

The timeline changed too much and now she couldn't even begin guessing what Petra would do. Holly's face was pale, her hands trembling slightly as she set the paper down.

"Who is Petra Pettigrew?" Ronda asked cautiously, making it seem as if she didn't know.

Arcturus's expression was grim. "She's a former ally of the Dark Lord. She was thought to have died years ago but was later captured and sent to Azkaban. If she's escaped..." He trailed off, his eyes flickering toward the door Alya had disappeared through.

Holly's jaw tightened. "She's dangerous," she said quietly. "And if she's out there, it's only a matter of time before she causes trouble."

The weight of the revelation hung over them like a storm cloud, casting a shadow over the previously cheerful meal. Ronda's excitement about the day—about seeing Holly and Arcturus—was now tinged with unease. She didn't know what was coming, but she knew one thing for certain: their world had just become a much more dangerous place.

After lunch, the trio moved to the drawing room, though the mood remained subdued. Holly was quieter than usual, her eyes distant as she stared out the window.

Arcturus sat beside her, his presence steady and reassuring. Ronda tried to lighten the atmosphere, chatting about her siblings and their antics, but her efforts only achieved moderate success.

"Do you think Alya will tell us more about what's going on?" Ronda asked eventually, unable to keep the question to herself.

Holly shook her head. "She'll tell us when she's ready. But whatever it is, it's serious."

Arcturus nodded in agreement. "For now, we should focus on what we can control. School starts soon, and we need to be prepared."

Ronda admired his composure, though she couldn't help feeling a twinge of frustration. She wanted answers, not reassurances. Still, she knew he was right. They couldn't do much until they knew more about the situation.

As the afternoon wore on, the tension in the room began to ease. Holly's natural optimism started to shine through, and even Arcturus cracked a few jokes.

Ronda found herself laughing along, grateful for the distraction.

Despite the uncertainty looming over them, she felt a sense of comfort being here, surrounded by people she cared about.

But in the back of her mind, the headline lingered, a chilling reminder that their world was far from safe.

The escape of Petra Pettigrew was just the beginning, and Ronda couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were about to change in ways they couldn't yet imagine.