Disclaimer: I own nothing, all of it belong to J.K Rowling, I am just playing in her sandbox for a while.

Authors Note: AU: Its not my first fanfic but its my first Harry Potter, so I hope you enjoy it. The story starts at the end of the 5th Book.

The rest of the room gave a small chuckle as Alya grunted before sitting back with an arm over her chest. "Might want to take it easier on the hugs, Mia, I'm smaller than before."

"You mean little." Tonks said playfully.

"The word is petite." Alya rolled her eyes; she didn't know why fate had to screw with her even more. It was bad enough that Harry wasn't the tallest person in the first place but really, did she need to lose a couple of inches during the transformation?

"Sorry." Hermione made a face trying to process everything, unsuccessfully for the most part. She then looked at Alya in confusion. "Why are you holding your breasts, Harry?"

"No reason." Alya dropped her arm but not before giving Tonks the eye. "And please call me Alya."

"But-but-you're Harry." Hermione said confused.

Alya shrugged. "That's up for debate."

Making a face, Hermione gathered her thoughts before continuing. "I have some questions."

"I know you do, Mia. I'm not trying to be difficult so go ahead. Not sure if I know the answer but I'll try my best."

"Alright, so this ritual, why do you think that changed you? I mean, weren't you already Sirius' heir before your transformation. It could have been something else inside the Department of Mysteries."

"OH, I'm pretty sure something inside the artifact room started something; however the Goblins were specific who my parents were, Hermione. I am the daughter of Sirius Black and Lily Potter nee Evans."

"But, does that mean your mother had an affair?"

"We don't know, part of me is afraid to find out." Alya shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "I'm not discounting the fact that James Potter might have been infertile. Aunt Andi is actually looking through some of the medical archives at St. Mungo's however; pure-blood families don't normally publicize such things."

"But that would mean."

Alya grumbled. "Yes, can we please get past the 'who did what with whom'. I'm not sure if we will ever find out or if I really want to know."

"So that's why you think your change was due to the ritual."

"Mutatio-femina." Andromeda answered. "It fits, especially as Alya is a daughter of our House and that the Potters, unlike the Blacks, actually have in their Charter that only males can inherit."

"So Sirius made sure that Harry's mum would give birth to a son, and James Potter did some sort of magical adoption? I mean, everyone said that Harry looked like James Potter while Alya, you look like-"

"My Aunt Andi." Alya said with a smile. "But yes, a blood adoption most likely."

Hermione mouthed the words 'blood adoption' before sitting back on her chair deep in thought. "Does that mean you were originally supposed to be female and something inside the Department of Mysteries reversed both rituals?"

"That is what we believed happen, except for the fact that Mutatio-femina should not be reversible, it works or it doesn't. Normally when it fails, it's fatal to the child."

Slapping her head lightly, Alya said. "Speaking of rituals, I almost forgot." Reaching into her robes, she pulled out a red book before passing it to her Aunt. "Look at the date it was written."

Leafing through the book, she said. "This copy appears to be written in 1652."

"Now look at this one." Alya said before passing her another much older looking copy of the ritual and spell book. "1354."

"You're thinking the rituals are different, Alya?" Tonks moved to the other side of the couch so to get a better view of the two books.

"I believe so, besides the few new spells in the newer book I noticed a number of the older spells changed their incantation or wand movements. I found this one hidden in one of my dad's trunks last night. The newer book, the one I have been studying, is from the Black Library."

Alya had to smile seeing how Hermione appeared to be excited about the old books. "If you want to help that would be great, Mia. Unfortunately, for the most part you won't be able to use any of the spells found in those books."

"Why not?"

Tonks had to laugh at the look on Hermione's face. "It's because you have to be a member of the Black family. In fact, it's rather important that you don't try."

"That's not really fair."

Alya smiled. "Don't worry, there are plenty of other books in the library you can look through and this time Molly won't be blocking access."

Before they could continue, a large black raven flew into the room landing in front of Alya. To Hermione's surprise, her friend conjured a small silver knife before cutting her finger. When the blood from the small knife wound dripped into the raven's beak, it morphed into a small blood red letter.

"I haven't seen that spell since your grandfather sat in that very chair, Alya." Andromeda said with a smile.

"Wasn't that blood magic? I mean, isn't it against the law-" Hermione started to say.

"It's family magic." Alya murmured as she read the letter. "And no, it's not illegal."

"Alya is correct." Ted explained to the bushy haired girl. "The Concord of 1289 proclaimed that, for the most part, family magics were not subjected to any laws passed by the Wizards' Council."

"Wizards' Council? Oh, you mean the Wizengamot."

"Correct, besides blood magic isn't illegal unless you're taking the blood from another person without their permission." Tonks said with some authority on the subject.

"Looks like Tom pushed up Draco's initiation for some reason. Narcissa is already on the move." Alya tapped the edge of the letter to her lips thoughtfully. "I'm sorry we have to cut this short, Mia. Can you stay the night? I can have Kreacher prepare a room for you."

"Sure I'd love to, but what's happening?"

"Come, I'll explain while I change." Alya started to walk out of the room. "Uncle Ted?"

Nodding to himself, he quickly joined his nice as she left the room. "Right, I'll make the fire calls."

"Thank you."

"I will contact Charlotte as well." Andromeda also followed.

"I know she is your friend, Aunt Andi but we need to do something special for the Abbotts."

Andromeda had already made plans to heal anyone injured in the capture of Bellatrix at the Black home. Only if the injuries were beyond the control of the two powerful women would they be transferred to St Mungo's.

"You're thinking something more formal aren't you?" Andromeda mused.

"That will ruffle a few feathers." Alya giggled at the thought of the traditional Black family making an alliance with the traditional light Abbott family.

"I'll speak with Richard." Ted had to smile as well as the group headed toward to kitchen.

Hermione just walked behind the group, confused. It had already been a difficult day and now something was going on with Narcissa Malfoy of all people, something that she knew nothing about.

Laughing, Tonks grabbed the young Gryffindor girl by the hand dragging her upstairs. "Come one, let's help Alya get undressed. She always needs help getting out of her corset."

"Corset?" Hermione squeaked.

What seemed like minutes later, Hermione Granger entered the kitchen to find Harry's Aunt unpacking her healer's kit placing its contents on the kitchen table.

"Are you well, child?" Andromeda looked up as the somewhat upset looking young woman entered the room.

"My best friend has-breasts." She said defeated while slumping into one of the kitchen chairs.

"Yes, it's common for young girls to have them at her age." Andromeda said somewhat amused.

"Right, of course they do, but Harry didn't have them when I said goodbye to him at Kings Cross earlier this summer."

Andi studied the young girl, understanding that the change would be hard on not just her new niece but her niece's friends as well. They two had spent a number of evenings together talking about Alya's friends and her fears about what they might say when they discovered her secret. One of her greatest fears was that her best friend would abandon her when discovering that she had changed into a girl.

"True, but she is still the same person underneath. Also, please be sure that you call her Alya. It's something my husband and I pressed our daughter to do as well."

Hermione nodded. "Of course, she needs to get used to her new name. Calling her Harry would be a distraction especially as he-I mean she is trying to keep the whole thing a secret. Still, her actions upstairs seem a little out of the ordinary."

"In what way?"

"I mean-." The young woman looked down at the table embarrassed. "The two of them are walking around in their knickers like there's nothing wrong with it."

"I don't see an issue; the three of you are girls after all." Andromeda gave a half smile. "I assume you walk around your dorm half dressed."

"Well, not really." Hermione whispered a few body issues of her own she never liked dressing in front of her dorm mates. The worst part was the jealously that suddenly flared in her heart. How someone, who was a boy at the start of the summer, could now be such a beautiful girl.

"She just seemed so comfortable for someone who used to be a boy."

"Well, you can blame my daughter for that; she is trying to get Alya used to her own body. But trust me, I don't think she is as comfortable as she might seem."

Hermione nodded, understanding the wisdom in that. "Can I ask a question?"

Andromeda tilted her head, curious what was in the young woman's mind. "Go ahead."

"So does Alya still like girls?" Hermione looked away embarrassed. "I mean, since she turned into a girl I thought that maybe-"

"Although many things have changed, that has not." Andromeda replied, remembering with amusement how her niece tried to change the subject anytime Healer Abbot tried to discuss her sex life.

"Fine-good-so what kind of relationship does Tonks have with her, then?" Hormone looked thoughtful. "I mean, your daughter has always been a bit of a flirt. I think she just really liked to embarrass Harry."

"Were you aware that something was going on between the two of them before this summer?"

"Wait-" Hermione said surprised. "When? You mean they were-?"

"Not quite, although from the way the two of them speak about a kiss under the mistletoe in Hogsmeade, I'm not so sure."

"Kiss-more secrets." Hermione harrumphed. "So does that mean they are a couple now?"

Andromeda shook her head. "No, obviously the situation had changed; however I'm sure they will work it out. Right now, Nymphadora has taken Alya under her wing so to speak, teaching her everything she can about what it means to be a woman."

Hermione couldn't help but cringe. "No offense, but is your daughter the best person to be in charge of something like that."

Andi couldn't help but laugh. "Perhaps not but she is helping Alya immensely just by being at her side. I cannot imagine what the poor girl is going through when she suddenly discovered not only had her gender changed but that her godfather was really her father."

Hermione suddenly felt sick, distraught and embarrassed. Here she was angry with her best friend for hiding secrets, for something as irrational as turning into a prettier girl then her, without truly understanding the ramifications of the transformation had on her best friend. Alya had lost so much this summer, her name, her past, her father and most of all, her gender.

With a half wail, the young woman burst out of the kitchen running out of the room.

Andromeda, concerned, quickly followed to find Hermione sobbing into the breast of her Head of House.

"Shh, it's OK Mia. You did nothing wrong." Alya soothed her best friend. "I accept your apology, for whatever you think you did."

Looking up for support, Tonks just shrugged.

"We'll talk about it later." Wiping her eyes, Hermione stepped back. "Anyway, what are you wearing?"

"Irma Black's old basilisk armor, she used to be a Hit-wizard." Tonks replied. "Good rune work, we didn't need to change the padding or straps at all."

"I agree." Alya shifted slightly. "I'm surprised how comfortable it feels."

"Why do you need Hit-wizard armor?" Hermione said suddenly afraid.

Biting her lip, Alya took reached out her hand. "Mia, I can't explain now but can you do something for me please? I tried to explain what's going on but you ran off so you're going to have to wait."

"Sorry."

"No worries, but I have more family coming soon and what we're doing tonight is purely a Black Household thing. I need you not to ask any questions, please. I'll explain everything when we get back."

"OK, but-"

"Please, you trust me right?"

"Of course." Hermione nodded, although everyone could tell she was bursting at the seams to ask questions.

"Other family members?"

Alya nodded with a grin.

"You're so much like your father sometimes, it's scary." Tonks laughed.

"You say that like that's a bad thing." Alya replied upon entering the smaller of the two drawing rooms.

Andromeda, taught at birth the proper etiquette how to handle oneself in any situation facade, almost broke at the sight of the older woman in the center of the room. With long black hair, dressed in similar armor to Alya, she grinned as Andromeda gave off a very unladylike squeak.

"Capella!"

"Andi." The woman replied warmly, returning the hug gladly.

"It's been years, how is Miles?"

"Fine, fine, he sends his love." Smiling, she nodded towards Andromeda's husband. "It's good to see you again, Ted. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome; it has become one of my more enjoyable tasks for my job as of late. However, as you know I really had very little to do with it." He nodded towards the amused Head of House Black who stood quietly at the entrance to the room.

"Milady, thank you once again." She gave a small curtsey.

"It's my pleasure, Aunt Capella, as I told you before we are stronger united than apart. And like my father and my grandfather, I believe family is everything."

"Familia primum, familia semper."

"Indeed."

"Milady, please let me introduce you to my own children my eldest Alistair and my daughter Talitha."

Both greeted their new Head of House appropriately until Talitha said. "What's Granger doing here?"

Alya just raised an eyebrow, causing the older girl to step back embarrassed. It didn't help that her mother didn't look particularly pleased either.

"I assume you two know each other?" Alya asked, but already knowing the answer. She knew that Alistair, a Ravenclaw, had graduated from Hogwarts a couple of years behind Dora but Talitha was in her seventh year.

"I apologize; I just didn't expect a Gryffindor in the home of Milady Black."

"My father was a Gryffindor." Alya said simply. "Plus, Hermione has taken similar oaths."

Talitha cringed at the comment, and then looked at her mother but found no help.

"Anyway, we have more important things to discuss than house rivalry." Alya nodded, allowing Talitha's mother to handle things later.

Andromeda gave a small smile pleased how her niece handled the confrontation. "Capella, you remember my daughter, Nymphadora?"

"Of course, although the last time we met, you were just entering Hogwarts."

While Alya transfigured a small table into a much larger one, Dora whispered to Hermione. "That's Capella Sinclair, her father Alphard Black was kicked out of the family for helping Sirius and my mother after the two left the family."

"Are there more like your Aunt? I mean those who were disowned?"

"A few and I imagine if Alya has her way, she will gather all of the lost sheep back into House Black." Tonks said with a chuckle.

Capella spoke as Alya placed a large parchment on the table. "I'm sorry, Milady, my husband is not here. I know he was looking forward to tonight."

"Please don't worry about it and thank him for the thought. What he is doing for our house now is also very important."

"So this is Delacour's work, I can see that Gringotts taught her well." Leaning over, Capella began to study the warding array.

"You got Fleur to help you?" Hermione said. "I didn't think that the Goblins would agree to look at the wards of some's home."

"They don't." Alya explained. "She and I made a little trip to Spinner's End the other day. Anyway, Fleur was on vacation from Gringotts so -- she technically wasn't working for them at the time."

"Our new Head of House had been busy I see reaffirming old alliances." Capella nodded approvingly.

"So that's why father is in France." Alistair said.

"Old Alliances?" Hermione asked.

"Abraxas Malfoy, Charlus Potter, Roland Delacour and my grandfather were involved in the war against Gellert Grindelwald."

"Malfoy?" Talitha sounded surprised.

The raven-haired beauty shrugged, to find that she too was surprised how close Orion Black was with Draco's grandfather. "Narcissa's marriage to Lucius Malfoy was supposed to strengthen our family ties."

Tonks whispered to Alya. "You weren't supposed to go without me."

"You were at work, it's not like I can spend all of my time studying for my OWLs."

Andromeda gave a small laugh looking at her cousin and her family. "From what I see tonight, you have been busy with other things as well."

"Uncle Ted said you liked surprises." Alya gave a small laugh at the look her Aunt gave her husband.

"So you plan on attending Hogwarts this year, Milady?" Talitha asked politely.

"Yes, it was my father's wish."

"I imagine she's going to be a claw." Tonks nudged Alya with her hip.

"Good house." Alistar said approvingly.

"Better than others." Talitha agreed looking up at the known Gryffindor in the room.

"Ravenclaw." Hermione almost squeaked out but stopped herself. She was 'so' going to have a discussion with Alya when she returned from this little adventure.

"The wards are-rather old." Capella murmured.

"That's a polite way to put it." Alya tried not to snort.

"Keyed anti-Apparition and Portkey ward for the most part, nothing too exciting. They cover a lot of ground, but shouldn't take all that long to pull down."

"The surrounding houses are abandoned, so we can work without interruption. However look at the Intent Ward, how it overlaps the others." Alya almost said with glee.

"Our old professor should have kept to potion making." Alistair laughed.

"What does that mean?" Hermione looked around, shocked how much Alya knew about wards. She knew Harry had become friendly with Fleur and spent a lot of time with Luna, who was supposed to be brilliant with runes. How much more did she not know about her best friend now because of her own pigheadedness during the fourth year.

"It means, Granger, that those wards are paper thin. You're thinking about overpowering them aren't you, Milady?"

"Please Talitha, call me Alya, but yes."

Unfolding another large parchment, she set it on the table. "I spoke with Aunt Narcissa; she is going to make sure everyone is in the drawing room when we take down the wards."

Tonks eyes widened as she looked down at the floor plans of the house. "Where did you get those?"

Alya shrugged. "The Muggles keep pretty good records." Sitting up she turned towards Tonks. "Can you put a wand on Snape and I'll take out Draco? Aunt Narcissa plans to stun her sister as soon as the wards come down."

"And if you overpower them, they won't have a chance to react." Tonks grinned. "Good work."

Before Hermione could say anything about Draco or Professor Snape, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she found Ted Tonks shaking his head.

"I'll help with Draco." Talitha almost growled.

"Not a fan of your cousin, I take it." Alay nodded. "Aunt Capella if you and Alistair can take the back door, the three of us here will go through the front. If you look how the room is set up, if they retreat in any direction, we will get them in a crossfire; decide between the two of you ,your targets, in case one of us has problems. "

Walking over to a small box, she continued. "Now, if it all goes pear-shaped, I don't want anyone going after Bellatrix. Draco is our main target, a simple snatch and grab."

Opening the box, she handed each person a small bronze amulet. "Portkey, say salvus domas and you will appear in this room. Aunt Andromeda and Healer Abbot will be here in case anyone is injured.

If were successful, Dora will be taking Aunt Narcissa and her son to one of my homes while I deal with Bella."

"What if anyone else tries to use the Portkey?" Alistair asked.

"They will be the first to discover the new wards I added to the house." Alya replied with a feral grin.

As she watched the group depart, Hermione once again felt left out. So much had gone on with her best friend, most of it unknown to her. Nor could she have prepared herself for the events that had occurred since she entered 12 Grimmauld Place.

"She's not the same person." She whispered as the last of the group disappeared into the evening air.

"No, I would expect not." Andromeda replied from behind her. "You're still having trouble with all of it, I can see."

"How can I not, besides her gender change, she is so different. Harry always had a certain amount of charisma, but Alya commanded the room, even the adults. And I don't think it had anything to do with her being Head of House."

"She often reminds me of my great Aunt Dorea, or even Alya's grandfather Orion. They were both formidable people." Motioning towards the kitchen doorway, s Andromeda said. "Please, come have a cup of tea while we wait for their return."

Setting down a cup and a small plate of biscuits, Andromeda studied her niece's best friend for a moment before talking. "From what I have been told, you have known Alya since she first stepped foot on the train to Hogwarts.

From my daughter, I have heard a little of your adventures at school, however I am more curious about her home life."

Hermione froze her teacup half way to her lips. Setting it down, she said. "What has Alya said about it?"

"Very little I'm afraid. As her best friend, her first friend, I imagine you know a bit more."

Before they could continue, the kitchen door opened revealing Charlotte Abbott. Some sort of silent conversation must have passed between the two healers because after the introductions, Healer Abbott surprised Hermione by pulling out a Muggle notepad and a pen.

"Hermione, please tell Healer Tonks and myself everything you know about Alya's Black previous home life."