✧PARTIALLY IN DENIAL✧

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***

Aria O'Hera Crawford didn't know much about the pureblood world, but she had to admit that there was surely a flare of style and a bit of eeriness.

But she never felt safer than when she walked in a group of her family—Blood-related while the other was a formed relationship. The only issue she was having was the constant flashing of the paparazzi's camera.

"Ms.Crawford! Ms.Crawford! What was Mr.Belby and Mr.Radin after?" How bloody morbid.

The hired lawyered silenced the group of reporters and reminded them of the highest law that said any pictures of her in the papers would be investigated and prosecuted—And it was a promise from there that they would ruin the person responsible for it.

Eli saw how the people at the Ministry turned their heads towards the two Blacks. And this entire ordeal was making him realize that his daughter was right, however the resilience he saw—It matched the two Black wizards effortlessly.

To say Aria was pissed was an understatement.

The adoption processes had been in an entirely different room, this however was called upon the Minister and those in a sort of jury. Or perhaps it was awful for Aria to mix up the American standard to the British council.

She hadn't been getting enough sleep, and she hoped that the coffee this morning at breakfast would get her through at least this.

The murmurings across the majority of the room were silenced seconds after the first strike of the hammer up above, but the Minister was ready to begin.

"This room is now in session, we're called here today by Aria Crawford. Ms. Crawford has taken Mr.Belby and Mr.Radin due to the chargers that are as followed—Attempted rape, attempted thievery, and threatening at wand point. Mr. Belby and Mr. Radin, how do you plea?" The floor was open to either on trial, and while it was slightly sadistic of Aria to think this.

But they were clearly done quickly after spending the past few days in the Ministry's holding cell.

"Not Guilty." Either of them said in unison, and that was where the fun truly began.

"Minister, if you check the first section of the course case I provided, you can clearly see that my defendants were acting on the will that Ms.Crawford wanted to continue their previous sexual relations. And what you can see here are clear burn marks of an cruitasias curse, what business does an underage witch have in using an unforgivable curse?"

"I'm glad you mentioned that Davidson, my client is underage. And it's rather pathetic to hear that these two wizards who had such a bright future would break into an underage witches' bedroom, to not only steal her private work, but inflict a 'sexual relationship,' is that what you called it? Mr.Belby, do you deny in harassing my client in the classroom?"

"Nothing more than the harmless flirting," Damocles stated calmly, but oh was Aria's lawyer Eddison was itching to reveal his prepared facts.

"Are you sure? I'm simply asking on the record that I have dozens of interviews from both students and professors alike that you've mentioned that my client has 'slept her way into the classroom' or claimed that she cheated on various exams and practicals." Eddie said, titled his head towards the young lad who was severely in over his head.

"M-My client was asked to go to Ms.Crawford's room following class, and she then proceeded to fire an unforgivable curse after the begin of a sexual encounter. Ms.Crawford—"

"Ms.Crawford did not use an unforgivable curse because she was wandless during this, not only was it not after class. As per the record of Mr.Monty receiving a knock at his door close to eleven at night, but she was awoken from her sleep to a sexual act." Eddie had allowed the jury to digest the words and then. He held up the weapon in question.

"What she used, as you so falsely claim to be the cruitasias curse—Was actually a muggle device provided to her by her brother. Who is an Auror in the states and uses these from time to time. And had my client's brother not given her the device, we could've been here for another reason altogether—"

"Objection! Minster that is falsely implying that my client had attempted to rape—"

"You're absolutely correct Davidson, Minister, if you turn to the next page you can see the photographs of the bruises issued by these two men as they 'hung out in her dorm room,' and you know I found it rather odd that Ms.Crawford's small friend group at the academy was rarely ever recalled you being near her in terms of study or a sexual relationship as you're trying to claim." There had been utter silence, as Eddision had placed the opposing Lawyer with no more factorial evidence to give.

The Crawford's lawyer had everything from the weapon and it's displayed power, to the bruises, to a proper timeline. All of it.

The word-say of those two wizards wouldn't prove to uphold in court, and the second Damocles stood up, Eddison smirked final time.

"What sixteen-year-old witch manages to gan entry into a private academy such as Darethmont?" Aria had looked to the Minister for permission to speak, and so she stood up and smiled off to her classmate.

"Mr.Hanson allowed me to take an internship this past summer under his advisement, and I have been in your class since the fall Mr.Belby, and while you might put the claim that I've cheated or 'slept with my professor's' my grades are legitimate."

"And what is a witch doing as a potioneer anyhow?"

"To get my mistress license Mr.Belby, I'm sorry you feel so threatened by my gender. Truthfully I wouldn't trust you to clean my dirty cauldron, your work is sloppy and amateur at best." The wizard had been deeply offended and was prepared to remove himself from his stationed box to charge after her, but she tilted her head in surveillance to how his lawyer had to grab him to settle his anger.

"Sir down Mr.Belby...I believe it's time we cast a vote." Aria had returned to sit beside her brother and casted a hopeful glance to those around her, but the brightest was saved for her lawyer.

Merlin did he have a way with words.

Eddison had a rather dark move up his sleeve, one he concocted with the Black wizards, their mere presence would sway the vote—Supporters of his family more like it.

"Mr.Belby and Mr.Radin are charged with the crimes as followed..." Aria watched carefully to the Minister share the decree, but no matter how much she wanted to hear the punishment, her mind wouldn't allow it.

Those restless nights were starting to catch up to her.

Aria had been recompensation from the academy, something that she attempted to deny. But both her father and dad knew that the academy was prepared to set her up elsewhere—It was foolish to put her in an all-male dormitory, even if she was only there a few days a week.

However when they returned home, Aria had gone straight to her bedroom and wouldn't dare speak to anyone. She was thankful that her Uncle went ahead and retrieved Omen a few days prior, but it still didn't settle the pain in her soul.

All because they wanted her creative knowledge, all because they were selfish and didn't think to put the consequences for their actions.

Was it wrong that those men were going to face imprisonment?

Not Azkaban, no, the ruling had been settled a little bit more lenient—And while Eddison was furious, the rest of her family settled.

Well her fathers didn't, it seemed like they enjoyed the yelling match downstairs. And what was worse was that Michael couldn't continue stay, so she managed out a goodbye and a promise to visit soon.

But Eli refused to leave, which prompted him to go over a proposal with either Orion and Alfred, and it was up to the Ravenclaw to convince the other bird to get the bloody hell out of the house.

So up Alfred went up with the intent of getting Aria out, only to find that she was freshly out of the shower and off in her reading nook. "Was it my dad who sent you up or my father?"

"Well either know a bird really only have an ear out for their own kind—Forgive me, your father is almost sick of my puns as is."
"I think they're cute." Cute, the word itself made Alfred blush at the compliment.

"Cute...Merlin, tell me you tease your brothers?"
"Of course, I did that before. You should've seen the first time I called Reg, Reggie—He was a stuttering mess." Alffie was relieved, sweet Merlin was he relieved.

She was acting like her old self, and part of it was the return of some of her memories. It wasn't more than small jolts of the happy ones, but she was slightly worried on what would happen in the future if she continued to stay at the house.

"Right then, there's a surprise waiting for you. Best get to it."
"What? I don't want anything."
"You're going to want it and that's final. Get dressed and if you're not out in five minutes I'm calling your American lad."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Watch me." She gawked at her uncle, but Eli nodded downstairs in approval at the approach.

"Is she always that stubborn?"
"Gods, she wouldn't accept any type of gifts. Birthday, Christmas any holiday. She's always worked for something she wanted, she wouldn't accept the new broom. She waited three years to buy it herself." Orion could understand that dedication, that she didn't want things handed to her—But it didn't stem from the ideals he assumed.

Aria knew everything came with a cost, and she already had Eli doing so much for her already. Her tuition, her room, and board?

"That's a Ravenclaw trait if I ever did hear them." Orion scoffed in agreement to his brother.

"Speaking of yourself there Alffie?" After the week of growing a compelling case, the three wizards in Aria's life were becoming friends.

Though Eli had the same reservations that Aria had in joining this life, he was glad she made the decision to remain a Crawford. It's all he ever wanted for her, to be apart of a family...And after fighting so long just to return to her old one was not in the cards for her.

"Right then, why can't I wallow upstairs?" Aria said, all dressed and prepared to go out. And Orion grinned widely, much like Sirius when he was up to go good.

"Gods father, you look like Siri when you do that."
"Aria you had the same smirk growing up, all of you children inherited from your father—Though I'm glad you didn't get anything for your mother. Vial woman she is." Crawford eyed them all, and unspoken truth that Walburga would never gain any rights to Aria.

Or control for that matter.

Aria had been very cautious as she took hold of either father's hands as they apperented to the unknown location, but when she was suddenly introduced to the spring winds she pulled her cloak closer together.

Eli had been the one to lead the group of them, however when they stopped at the house in question, it caused her to frown. Especially when her dad was fumbling with the keys.

They most certainly did—

Alfred hooked his arm through his niece's and lead her through the front door, which she eyed in suspicion.

"I swear if you're bringing me to a therapist I am going to—" Eli crossed his arms over his chest, but that comment caused Orion to question it. A therapist was not a familiar term in the Magical world, but it was very muggle—And it made it easier when the therapist Eli sought out was a half-blood.

"That was a mistake after we realized that you sat in silence for the full hour, Aria. Now quiet. Enjoy something for a moment." She leaned further into her uncle arm and looked around the room, and while she was considered the smartest of her age.

It didn't click.

"You can change whatever you'd like, Alffie has much more of a style sense when it comes to furnishings and what's modern," Orion explained, and Aria's eyes couldn't find anything to linger on.

"Yeah...I'm going to blame it on the lack of sleep. But I'm still not understanding what's happening."
"You don't expect us to allow you to stay at the academy to dorm after what's happened now do you?" Orion countered, and her jaw dropped.

"I can't accept a house!" She shouted, and thus the door behind her had closed. Meaning she missed another person coming in to this reveal as well. "You can and you will, Merlin Aria could you let your father give you one bloody thing without shoving it down your throat." 

"Newt!" She cheered, going to hug the elder and smiled up towards him.

"Yes, hello to you too dear, now accept the house."

"But a house? That's too much, couldn't it be a smaller flat?" It then threw Orion and Alfred to sell her the house, claiming that it was plenty of room for her to have enough space for her and her friends if they so chose to come over from America.

Orion was very big on that aspect as Eli mentioned she had good friends that would eventually visit.

The truth was that Orion knew that Walburga was going to return sooner rather than later, she was his wife and she was dismissed long enough. Especially through a holiday, so this was the perfect grounds for Aria to be separated from them but still close enough.

"There's three bedrooms, and Newt's offered to convert the cellar." Aria knew exactly what the intention was with that and she smiled, knowing that Ghost was going to enjoy the exhibit Newt would make.

And she would love to see Randall again.

"This is a bit much..."
"Ari, after everything that happened this year you deserve this. And part of it is the settlement from the Academy." Aria knew she won something from the lawsuit, but never asked Eddison more than that.

But the money was put forth to her new dorming situation while the Academy was going to null any tuition costs from here on out. So the wizards took it upon themselves to basically act as real estate agents and Aria had to admit, the house was perfect and her two parents, uncle and Newt really made her feel safe.

"Orion already had strong wards to the house, you're more than safe here." The reassurance was a blessing, and when they finished at the kitchen—Her excitement blossomed further.

While it was strange to either Black, Eli and Newt knew how much Aria loved to cook.

"You can come over whenever, I always make too much food." Was Eli upset to leave? Of course, but with Randall home for the next few weeks it made for the best company. He was a great listener and understood when she didn't want to talk about it or needed a distraction.

Course Orion dropped by an accounted four times during the week Aria had taken off from both Darthmont and Hogwarts. Not only could he and Alfred agree that her cooking was phenomenal, but the lad in her company was a complete gentleman.

He stayed within his boundaries, did his work and was gone most of the day. Was the perfect study partner for Aria on the upcoming NEWTS as she would be tackling those first and getting the hell out of Hogwarts, but in all of this...Orion felt like time was moving so fast.

His daughter already moved out—She hadn't even moved in, but it was such a rejuvenating feeling having her back in the manor that he felt empty that she had gone.

And in her place, Walburga returned.

Course the woman was a mess of anger, cursing him up and down the hallways and he simply hummed in response, not caring one ounce that it was improper that Aria was living with a wizard that she wasn't married to.

Evidently Walburga didn't know where Aria lived and thus—She was safe from that interaction as there was no telling how that'd end up.

But it was going to happen sooner or later, Aria was just praying for the later.

*

Aria had a long week at Hogwarts, but the professors were all eager to help her as well. Potions was easy, Transfiguration was a natural talent and the rest were a solid O already.

But now she was being called to Dumbledore's study, all in assuming that he had her diploma. But he sat behind his desk, with his half-moon glasses and a gentle smile on his face.

"Ms.Crawford, I have to say I'm disappointed that you are leaving. The professors have already said that they'll miss you dearly." She nodded, knowing that she needed to hold her tongue. Randall said she was a little snippy as of late.

And Dumbledore was sending her further down the line.

"I did want to ask you something Ms.Crawford, if I may propose something?"
"Of course."
"You surely know of 'he-who-must-not-be-named,' am I correct?"
"I haven't been following the recent news this past week, though I know of him." She honestly admitted, and Dumbledore nodded in response.

"Your views, Ms.Crawford, have brought me to ask you something that perhaps pertains to the war." Oh he wasn't really asking her what she believes he—

The knock on the door caused Aria to turn behind her, and there stood Alastar Moody. And Aria's eyes flicked back towards Dumbledore in utter defiance, this was going to be wonderful.

"An Auror? Really?"
"Oi, lassie, Albus holds you in high regard if he's sent me here to talk to you."
"I'm sure." She said before turning forward as Alastar made his way beside Dumbledore.

"Been trackin' you since second-year lassie, you make for a promising member."
"I'm sorry sir, but I think you have a misunderstanding. I'm getting my mistress license." She defused, but Dumbledore shook his head.

"What we are asking isn't apart of the ministry, it's—"
"The Order of the Phoenix?" She asked, and either wizard stilled...Though Dumbledore's knowing smiled erupted as he agreed.

"Yes, the Order." It was silent for a full minute before Aira laughed, and she hadn't stopped even after they frowned. "You think after all that you let slide through years, I'm going to help you? Are you mental? Absolutely fucking insane." Alastar frowned, his offer had been genuine and he was fairly upset—Especially since she laughed at it like it was a joke.

"Was I wrong to assume your views, Ms.Crawford?"
"No, you're correct. But as you know I dated a future Death Eater as you've already locked the majority of Slytherin's as future members. And then the majority of Gryffindors for your precious Order. Take me off the list."
"You don't care what happens to the country? Have you no loyalty—"
"My loyalty left the second my parents gave me up on the prospect of being a squib! My loyalty for Britain's ministry is below zero after not letting me get adopted after years of waiting, and god forbid I was almost raped and the minister barely bats an eye. To hell with the ministry, to hell with the Dark Lord and to hell with you." She swiped the envelope and continued off and out of the room, not bothering to look at either wizard after that display of hate.

Randall was right, she was snippy and bitter.

But no part of her wanted to join the Order.

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Date Posted: 09-03-2020

Time: 10:27

Words: 3414

Soooo second week of classes completed, had a few break downs and dropped a class--But hey I got a job at an orchard! I'm going to be thriving this season and I love it!!

Also, can you tell I don't like Dumbledore?

Next chapter is going to be up in a bit just because I accidently posted in a few days ago and I don't know how many read through it or didn't sooooo maybe in like twenty minutes?