Lost Soul

Northern England, 1970 He had been staring out of the window for a while, the screams of his wife echoing through the ancient hallways, now finally decreasing in volume. "Sir" he turned around retrieving his neatly folded hands from his back, staring at the woman. "It is a girl." Was all she said before she hurried back to the demanding fury. He stared at the baby girl, he didn´t trust his wife to cut his throat at night, he couldn´t trust her with a baby. Had it been a boy, she might have been reasonable but this way, he couldn´t allow it, he couldn´t allow the personified version of insanity to take his little girl. He stared at the chocolate brown eyes, it was a miracle to him how two souls as dark as theirs had produced something as pure. He needed a way to protect her.

Later the night he stood next to his sister in law. "Have you decided to name her yet?"

He furrowed his brows "I don´t know, it is not like I will ever know her… I studied the dark arts for a very long time and I believe I have a way to deal with this … issue." His gaze seemed to pierce right through her soul, as she swallowed hard.

"I could take her, she is my niece" He saw the hope in the eyes of the women that had yet to bear an heir for her husband, but as much as it touched his cold heart, as much as he knew that she would never hurt his daughter, most likely be the perfect mum, he wanted to make sure that his girl was safe. She inhaled deeply, composing herself. "What do you need me to do?"

As the first light appeared at the horizon they were ready to start the ancient ritual:

"Light shines through the shadow,

from ashes, the phoenix arise,

Protected shall be the innocent

Soft and sharp and wise

Time and space be broken

Cutting all the ties"

For some unknown reason he continued feeling compelled to add words he never heard of before:

"Morgana we call upon you

Saviour of our house, protect this child

Till the end of our world

Or all is reconciled"

A tear slipped from his eyes as they saw bright rays of light reaching for the child, as she slowly faded into nothingness.

oOo

London, 1979 The little girl appeared many years in the future, on 19th September 1979 on the doorsteps of a nice couple of perfectly normal human beings named Daniel and Helena Granger they had wished for the blessing of a child for years. As they opened their door in the morning all the old folklore about children delivered by higher entities as angels and storks seemed true. The couple beyond happiness that their prayers had been answered chose to love her with all their heart, to give her a home and a family till the forces of nature may part them. They were surprised when eleven years later a tall woman in unusual clothing appeared on their doorstep, talking about magic and witches and wizards and a school, but then they had started to believe in miracles a very long time ago and their daughter had never ceased to surprise them. For the small baby girl that had arrived such an unusual way everything fell into place and she lived and thrived, found friendship and darkness, until one day twenty years later, everything came to an end, a war was lost and with this, all happiness vanished and an ancient vow ceased to fulfil its purpose.

oOo

Scotland, 1999 Hermione was running for her life. Deep inside she asked herself why she still kept fighting. After weeks she had finally somehow managed to escape the Death Eaters´ torture chamber. Her whole body was burning and the only thing she was praying for was death. She had stopped hoping for a miracle a while ago, she had stopped counting the cruciatus curses thrown her way, she had stopped screaming once the whips sliced her back and stopped fighting when they forced themselves on her. As days turned into weeks she had started to dream of death. She silently cursed as she heard her captors catching up to her, as she entered a weird stone formation. She was desperate, feeling like she would be collapsing any second now, she held onto the stones. It felt as if the rock knew of her desperation, she felt something shift around her, there was no sound, but her heavy breathing as the air seemed to clear and the trees seemed to decrease in age. She noticed a glow of the ground, as the five stones started to connect to each other in a pentagram shape, small Runes starting to glow in each peak. She slid to the ground, welcoming death as a long lost friend. She felt her limbs going numb as the cold took control of her she felt the gentle touch of darkness and freedom, her mind willing her to embrace her end. It was the moment she could almost feel the relief as a sharp pain entered her body worse than anything Bellatrix had ever done to her.

oOo

Somerset, 19th September 1980 For Andromeda Tonks it had been a fairly quiet day so far, she had handled a little more than the necessary amount of chores, survived her husband´s rant about the new Puddlemere chaser, tried to have some etiquette lessons with her daughter and almost succeeded. Overall it had been a good day, as she grabbed her favourite wine a glass and made her way to her porch to watch the sunset, she felt a little pride over her day´s achievements. This was until she opened her door and found A heap of something that seemed to be human on her front porch, after closer inspection and a few soothing words she identified it as an unconscious girl. An unconscious girl lying on her front porch, an unconscious girl that looked like the spitting image of her sister, Andromeda inhaled sharply. What in Morgana´s name was the meaning of this?

oOo

Two hours later Andromeda was still suffering from the symptoms of shock, unable to focus, her thoughts running several hundred miles per hour. In short: She was a mess.

"Dromeda, do you have any idea who she might be?" Ted asked patiently, carefully watching his pacing wife. "No, I have no idea, who she is! A suspicion, yes!" She almost yelled, unable to compose herself.

She let herself drop down next to him, grabbing his hand "I don´t know"

He slowly started drawing soothing circles on her palm "Well, what do you suggest?"

She sighed, looking defeated "I am afraid there is only one thing we can do or at least one thing we should do."

He nodded, knowing exactly what that sour expression of her entailed.

oOo

Black Ancestral Estate, 20th September 1980 The old residence towered imposingly on the hill as Andromeda made her way up towards the main entrance walking through the old tree-canopied pathway, cursing once again over her sister´s persistence in cutting her out of the family wards, prohibiting her from simply flooing over, forcing her to take the walk of shame.

As she finally crossed through the iron gate, entering the entrance yard she was out of breath from the hike, bloody Black mansions, damned fortresses of black magic her mind yelled. If the little girl hadn´t looked so lost she wouldn´t have gotten close to this place ever again, but then again but it was useless for she was almost there. She straightened her back as she approached the huge staircase, crossing through the ancient wooden portal into the monstrosity called entrance hall. "Ridicules" she muttered under her breath, thinking not for the first time that this place made Hogwarts look small and all for one single person. She flinched as a house elf appeared next to her, not wasting a word on her, simply expecting her to follow as it led her to the Grey parlour. Questioning once again why everything so dark in here.

It was that moment her eyes fell on the imposing object, which was the sole reason she had burdened herself with this tedious journey. Seated in a grey armchair staring into the fire, looking just as cold and untouchable as ever, wearing his aristocratic robes, sat Arcturus Black, patriarch to the most ancient and noble house of Black, or like she preferred to call it the house without heirs. As she took him in she noted a new nuance about him and for a moment she allowed herself to feel pity for him Once he had been a proud man, proud of his family, proud of his accomplishments, yes also proud of his blood, but to see one's pride, honour, and life work slowly breaking, literally rinsing through one's fingers was far from anything she ever wished to experience. Many times she had allowed his situation to humour her and now she actually felt guilty. She shook her head at herself, finally forcing a blank expression on her face.

"Andromeda, what an unexpected surprise." She was surprised by the absence of venom in his voice as she slowly approached him.

"Thank you for seeing me Arcturus." she stated trying to remember the etiquette, but she couldn´t get herself to courtesy, settling for a bow of her head, before she spoke. "I came for your advice." On that, he finally turned to face her.

She cleared her throat before she took a seat across from him, starting to state the facts "Yesterday evening, I opened my door to find a little girl on my front porch, not older than 10 years of age and-" she started wiggling her fingers "-she happens to be the spitting image of Bellatrix, maybe softer features, but she is still young and the eyes. No, Black eyes, but Lestrange ones."

"Bellatrix child?" he questioned slowly. Andromeda only nodded in response.

He returned his gaze to the fire "I didn´t know she had a child, a girl you say."

She inhaled sharply "She hasn´t woken yet, so I couldn´t question her, I don´t know of a child and why in Merlin´s name she is at my home! My sisters and I haven´t exactly been close" Starting to glare at him.

"Who knows and who cares, a girl and a Black. Maybe who ever brought her to you knew that Bellatrix was at best ill-equipped to raise a child, just try to imagine –" At those words the whole portray frame seemed to shake "-she has a vicious way, raising a child! Dear Helga!" Melania´s portray started rambling.

Arcturus looked up at his deceased wife a soft smile on his lips "It is still early." he stated facing Andromeda "Why don´t you go home and bring the girl later, I will open the floo to you." With those words Andromeda was dismissed, she allowed the house elf to take her to the great fireplace in the entrance hall, thinking carefully how this place had changed so much, without changing at all.

oOo

"You have anything else you would like to share Melania?" He noticed his late wife pressing her lips into a thin line.

"Bellatrix is a horrible, bitter person-"

"Melania!" he interrupted her, a slightly amused twinkle in his eyes.

"-I am simply honest, Cygnus, Walburga, Bellatrix, I am still surprised how Alphard and Andromeda turned out so nicely." She muttered more to herself than to her husband.

"What exactly are you trying to imply?" he put away the prophet, now facing her.

"Bellatrix is too extreme and I am sure that Lestrange boy would agree to me, her obsession will be her downfall Arcturus, there must be something we can do for the girl after all … She is a Black! Don´t you agree?" He chuckled sadly, he had always enjoyed when the sweet Hufflepuff tried to go "all Slytherin" on him, how she called it, they would wait. They didn´t even know yet whether the girl was actually Bellatrix daughter. He would move hell before he´d approach the boy about it.

"Just admit it" She stated cheerfully, as he rolled his eyes at her. "It was a good idea, to hear her out." He simply chose to ignore her. "Finally some youth, you have been isolating yourself far too long" she cheered before leaving her frame, without a doubt on her way to inform some old relatives about the new developments.

oOo

"She hasn´t woken yet?" He asked as he inspected the petite figure closer, Andromeda shook her head. He had to admit she was right the girl looked like Bellatrix, dark almost black hair, sharp features though her nose seemed to be from her father´s side. He inspected her half closed eyes, amber coloured, he nodded they could certainly be Rudolphus. He shook his head more to himself than towards Andromeda, before speaking "There is only one way to truly know." She raised her eyebrow, as he picked up a small silver tray, containing various objects from silver daggers to bowls and a variety of herbs. Without any further comment, he started mixing ingredients, before he turned to the girl, to cover the dagger in her blood. Andromeda stepped closer as he started to move the coated dagger in a circular motion through the bowl. Then they waited.

As the brew started glowing in a soft red light. Arcturus picked up a sheet of Acrumantula silk soaking it completely in the concoction after they removed it, he carefully placed it over the embers, as they started to wait once again.

After a while Arcturus removed it and inspected the silk, Andromeda started laughing shrilly, a look of surprise on her face. "So this is how you make those awful tissues, I always wondered." Arcturus stared at her in surprise before he chose to ignore her outburst continuing to inspect the pattern that had formed on the silk that indeed would usually be embroidered and used as a personalised handkerchief for the respective child. He stared at the central crest, the thick black lines formed into the familiar letters and shapes, indicating that her father had been indeed a Lestrange, he allowed his fingers to trace the grey lines of the mother's crest showing the sword and stars of the Black family crest. He carefully sat down watching the girl. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Melania bouncing in her chair, squirming gleefully.

"So this states her lineage, but not the actual parents." Andromeda started carefully, crossing her arms in front of her.

"No, but if she isn´t yours and certainly not Walburga´s, without any doubt, not Narcissa´s, and we both know that Lucretia is too old, it only leaves Bellatrix. Not that it matters He is a Black. The interesting question is where she comes from?" Both sunk into silence, it was the truth a ten-year-old child as shabby as she looked must come from somewhere."

"Have you run any diagnostic spells?" Andromeda nodded "Yes the basics, of course, she has nothing acute." Arcturus rose his eyebrows before he approached the child and wove his wand in a series of complex patterns, he sighted. "Do you wish to clean her or shall I call for an elf." Andromeda looked almost offended as she stepped closer leveating the sleeping beauty "I will" she said sharply, somehow this girl appealed to her motherly instincts and she finally felt like herself again.

oOo

Arcturus watched them leave, slowly sinking back to his seat, slowly opening his fist, which still held the silk handkerchief.

"If I had a daughter, I wished to protect there would be several methods, but all would need one thing and where could I get that, who would give that to me?" He slowly turned to Melania, who seemed to be busy inspecting her fingernails, before locking their gazes. She didn´t say anything and he only nodded, he knew exactly who he would have to talk to, after all, family is everything.

oOo

Wiltshire, 21st September 1980 He stepped out of the fire, into the traditional entrance parlour, exquisite antiques, green and silver colouring, he wrinkled his nose in disgust, how bovine!

"Arcturus, what a pleasant surprise." Malfoy senior greeted in his formal attire. No doubt, Arcturus thought sourly, eyeing the man that he being over twenty years his senior still thought of as a boy. "Abraxas, the pleasure is all mine." As he bowed his head formally.

"Shall we ascend to my study, we can discuss whatever was so urgent …" he paused eyeing the last Black "I am sure you heard about the newest addition to my family, young Draco?" he said the pride glittering in his eyes. Arcturus chose not to mention the fact that the new heir was, in fact, part of his family, he was indeed cousin to his great-grandparents, not to mention his mother´s pater familias, but such discussion would be fruitless with one Abraxas Malfoy and therefore he chose to stay silent, while Abraxas went on about the naming, the future education and what so ever of the new heir. He listened carefully and as an invitation to the naming ceremony was extended to him he decided that he had enough.

"Certainly, I hoped I could have a word with Narcissa if you would be so kind." He stated sharply. Abraxas eyed him curiously, before summoning an elf.

oOo

Arcturus waited patiently of the Lady of the house, remembering that Medusa had passed a while ago. Secretly he was jealous of Abraxas his line secured for generations now, what would he give for that. One day last year, the tapestry had simply stated that Regulus was dead, followed awfully soon by Orion´s passing, theoretically there was still Sirius, but Walburga wouldn´t have it and he truly hoped that he would survive her and get a chance to reconcile his family he would need to talk to Sirius and he would have to be careful the boy happened to despise his family, not that he could truly blame him, Melania was right Walburga was awful, he couldn´t remember why exactly he had allowed her to marry his son and become the next Lady Black mother to the next heir but for some reason he had and after so many years he was finally able to admit that it had been one of his greatest mistakes.

"Uncle Arcturus" he stood from his chair as Narcissa entered the room, escorted by Lucius. "You have requested my presence?" he tilted his head slowly. "I wish to speak to you about a close family matter" he paused, locking their eyes. He watched as Narcissa´s breath hitched and she slightly paled before she nodded. Lucius´ eyes searched her face for clues as she asked him to excuse them for a small time.

After they seated themselves and ensured privacy by the help of some charms, Narcissa sighed. "This is about Bellatrix´ daughter, isn´t it?" She nodded more to herself than to him.

"What did you do to her?" She looked up, guilt all over her face.

"I told him I would take her, but Rudolphus he … he was scared what Bella would do to her, she hasn´t really acted like herself since she took that mark and he said it would be for the best…"

"What exactly did you do?" He could sense that she was close to tears, as she started shaking.

"A blood ritual, she just … faded." Arcturus was shocked as he stared at the shivering woman before he got up and walked to the fire.

"What does it mean, if she returned, how is she?" He lifted his gaze to her face "I don´t know Narcissa, she hasn´t regained consciousness yet. I do not know why she is here." He inhaled sharply as he started pacing. "What do you remember?"

Narcissa raised her shoulders, wringing her fingers in her lap. "Not much Rudolphus came to see me. The same night she was born, almost exactly ten years ago: September 19th, 1970. We … prepared the ritual. I tried to convince him to leave her with me.-" Tears started running down her cheeks. "-but he wouldn´t have it. We performed it at sunrise, he needed both parents blood …" Arcturus stared at the shaking woman coldly. No pity in his ice-cold eyes.

"Where did he find the ritual?" Narcissa only whimpered, before she tried to compose herself. "I don´t know, I think it was something dark, but I remember that he went off-script near the end … I don´t … something about Morgana and protection."

He hid his inner battle well as he turned to the fire.

"Please" Narcissa called out as she grabbed his arm tightly. "Will she be all right?

He shook his head "We will see." With those words, he flooed back to the estate. His cold façade neatly in place as he stepped out of the fire. If Morgana´s magic was in place, this could be everything and nothing. Time travel had been one of her specialties, who knew what the little girl had gone through. Most likely was that the ritual had actually been a vow and somehow, something went wrong erasing it, returning her. He truly hoped that she would awake soon, the sooner she opened her eyes the sooner they would find out what happened to her.

oOo

Black Ancestral Home 23rd September 1980 She was stirring in her bad closing her eyes completely, stirring under her covers, before she opened her eyes for the first time

"Sent for Andromeda" Arcturus instructed the elf as he set aside his tea to lean forward in his seat to inspect her closer before he slowly taking her cold hand into his own. He stared into confused whiskey coloured eyes before her eyes started to take in her surroundings.

"Where am I?" she asked quietly, her voice hoarse as if she hadn´t used it in a very long time.

"You are at the Blacks´ ancestral home. I am Arcturus Black." The girl paled significantly, starting to subconsciously finger her left forearm, as Andromeda bursts into the room.

"Dromeda" she breathes as she flings herself at the woman. Andromeda was shocked for some reason her niece seemed to know her, surprised at the speed they dropped to the floor. Instinctively she tried to calm the little girl ending up drawing soothing circles on her back.

"Can you tell me your name, little one?" she carefully asks. Hermione stares at her in shock, why wouldn´t she recognise her?

Hermione´s thoughts started spinning, something was terribly wrong and for now, she had no idea how that had happened. The next thing she noticed was that she felt younger, her curves had disappeared and she seemed to be no older than nine or ten years of age, the moment the realisation hit her, she could do nothing but faint.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

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