A Game of Serpents
Book the First: Revenge and Rebirth
Foreword
I am not fond of massive author notes in each chapter. That is why I will try to address most things here, before I begin.
Before you is what I hope will become the first in a series of Harry Potter fanfics, provided that idleness and procrastination do not keep me from it. I shall attempt updates as frequently as possible, especially throughout this summer, when I have a great deal of free time between graduating school and starting university.
I do not wish to divulge any of the content of the stories I have planned, if possible; yet I understand that there exist certain conventions of courtesy on this site and I shall abide by them. That said, this is a major AU work. I have an entirely different backstory planned, diverging from the original almost 1000 years before the events of the Harry Potter series. Any canonical purists have been warned. There shall also be no slash behavior, nor sexual debauchery or depravity of any kind. Pairings, if they occur (it is undecided as of this moment) shall be heterosexual in nature and not central to the plot.
I warmly welcome, nay, plead for a review from anyone willing to spare a minute. I feed upon your adulation and constructive criticism. That said, flamers, spammers, trolls, and other assorted imbeciles who would try to bring me down to their level and beat me with their experience shall be ignored.
With that out of the way, welcome! Ah, yes, one more thing…
Legal Disclaimer: Any character, location, name, word, or idea that appears originally in the Harry Potter series of books is the intellectual property of J. K. Rowling. It has been borrowed here for non-commercial entertainment purposes.
Prologue: Glimpses of the Past
London, Anno Domini 1068
"Well, I should say the matter is settled," declared Armand de Malefoy with a tone of finality, putting the heavy parchment scroll down on the massive oak desk. The serene expression on his weathered face was one which had hardly been seen for the past two years. The calculating mask he usually wore was gone, yet all his features, from his cold grey-blue eyes and controlled semi-smile to his shoulder length dark blonde hair and short, pointed beard still exuded an unmistakably aristocratic air. He still very much looked a man in the prime of his life, save for the few yet unmistakable giveaways, such as the furrows on his forehead and the light shadows above his eyes that suggested his apogee was already past.
"I take it, then, that he has agreed?" inquired the younger man sitting across him. Unlike Armand, he was clearly yet to reach his apex. The determined look that was often found in his energetic hazel eyes suggested his time for greatness would be upon him soon, perhaps sooner than he imagined. His raven hair was shorter and in a near-permanent mess, given his affinity for heavy battle helms.
"Yes, the whole fiefdom," Malefoy remarked with satisfaction, as he put away the letters patent to Wiltshire into the inner pocket of his exquisite emerald green robes. "A toast, my dear Richard!" he said and picked up his glass of wine which had just filled itself through the surreptitious magic of one of the house elves. His guest returned the gesture.
"This is very good, but what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Ah, yes! I had almost forgotten," replied Armand. "Do you remember the battle on last midsummer's day?"
"How can anyone ever forget?" Richard's eyes drifted to images in his memory of that momentous occasion. The wizards and witches of Britain had put up a fight against the Norman forces which would no doubt place them firmly in the page of history. His mind rushed with the chaotic sensations of that day, curses and arrows flying everywhere, whole pillars of flame spouting from the earth, griffins, manticores, hydras and all manner of other creatures ripping men to shreds, the air itself crackling with raw magic…
"It seems our foes have finally seen reason. One of their finest has approached us at last. He says that he has seen this land's future lies with us and swears fealty."
"Who is this perceptive wizard?"
"The prince of serpents himself. Slytherin,"said Armand as his signature wry smile appeared on his face. Richard's eyes widened. The image of that man from the day of the battle was firmly lodged in his memory. He remembered seeing this enigmatic mage apparating all over the field, commanding a dozen vicious basilisks with nothing but the sound of his voice. The mighty serpents had surrounded an entire battalion; the men tried to escape their deadly gaze by using their shields as mirrors, only to become petrified in an instant. With one well aimed blasting curse, Slytherin had reduced the whole battalion to rubble. It took hours of grueling combat and hundreds of sacrifices before all but one of the serpents were slain. Richard himself had dispatched one and claimed a venomous fang as a trophy.
"And His Majesty has accepted his oath?"
"Yes, but there is more. Slytherin is an old man, and his only progeny is his daughter. A line such as his cannot be allowed to go extinct. Such rare and unique talent as theirs cannot be wasted. And that is where you come in," Armand remarked, giving his friend a genuine smile. "Your line is as pure and ancient as mine. Very few of us are this fortunate. Moreover, Slytherin himself had observed you during the battle. He has judged your spellwork as 'truly exceptional.'"
Richard sat back, contemplating what he had just heard. His gaze drifted into the distance for a moment while he processed the news, and then he returned Armand's smile. "I take it then that the marriage has been arranged?" Instead of answering, Armand took out another parchment from his robes and handed it to him. Richard examined the document. Sure enough, it was a detailed betrothal contract that listed all the extensive terms, as well as the significant dowry Slytherin would pay. At the bottom it bore two signatures and seals, one of a serpent onto green wax, and the other a crown in red wax, surrounded by the words "WILLELMVS D. G. REX ANGLORVM ET DVX NORMANNORVM." There was an empty space to the right, presumably for his own instruments of authentication. "Tell me Armand, do I have your political maneuvering to thank for this good fortune?" The signature half-smile was what he got as an answer.
"There is one more thing. We shall have to adapt ourselves to at least some of the customs of this land if we are to remain here for good. While de Poitiers is a fine name, His Majesty has suggested as slight variation."
Curious, Richard looked at the parchment to see the modification. 'Potter.' he thought. 'This will do nicely.'
4891st Session of the Wizengamot, 17 May 1793
"The house will come to order!" Chief Warlock Septimus Malfoy bellowed at the top of his voice and struck the stone dais below him thrice with his golden scepter. The heated deliberations had been continuing for days, and the atmosphere had reached a critically tense level. He knew that if things continued this way curses would soon start to be thrown about. "We shall adjourn for ten minutes in order to restore much needed serenity," he declared in a measured voice that nonetheless seethed of exasperation. The single ring of an unseen bell reverberated throughout the hall. The lords started to leave their seats and soon carried their lively conversations to the halls. Septimus leaned back in his large, throne-like chair and closed his eyes for an instant, trying to calm the turbulent thoughts racing through his mind. He may have managed to become the youngest Chief Warlock in three centuries, but it was only now that he was becoming aware of what exactly that position would entail of him. He opened his eyes and noticed that his good friend the Lord Potter was making his way up to him.
"Septimus, my friend, how are you keeping up?" he inquired, offering one of the two glasses of liquid he was carrying with him, "It's my new formula – basically an alertness potion with an improved duration and taste, and added effervescence." Malfoy accepted the drink and took a rather large gulp. He almost immediately felt his weariness disappearing; he did not doubt for a second that a creation of one of the most renowned potioneers of the age would be anything but perfect.
"Much obliged, Henry," he nodded to his friend.
"It is often the only way I can get through these intense sessions," said Potter and took a gulp from his own potion. His expression turned more serious and, after a quick sideways glance that confirmed most other lords had left the hall or were far enough from them, he took out his wand and cast a basic privacy ward. "We cannot allow our entire world to crumble around us while we waste precious time with pointless deliberations."
"I agree, the madness in France must be quelled," said Malfoy with renewed determination, "I thank you again for rescuing the Comté Delacour. I admit I feared the worst." He let out a sigh that was midway between relief and exasperation. Usually these uprisings would stay in the muggle world, but they were now spilling over into the magical realm, and the ancient order was being shaken to its very foundations. France was never going to be the same, and it would take something extraordinary to protect Britain from the tide of chaos. Oh how he envied his ancestors! Just a few goblin uprisings and a dragon pox epidemic had punctuated their relatively carefree existence. Malfoy realized his mind had taken off, so he steadied himself and turned back to his friend. "The lords are grateful to you for your work in France. I have heard talk of an Order of Merlin."
"That's all fine and well," said Henry, taking drink from his glass, "but I think we must act soon. Things are developing faster than expected. We must have a united front." He paused, thinking about how to move the subject where he desired. At last he remarked, "I trust my son has already come to you with his suit?"
"Yes, and you know I am agreeable, but Phyllis has yet to make her choice. I would not coerce my daughter in matters of the heart, Henry, but fortunately her affections and our designs coincide. Give her some time, my friend. She is not even seventeen yet."
"I appreciate your concern, but I do hope she sees how rapidly the situation is unfolding," said Lord Potter and finished the last of his drink. "An open union between our houses will send a very clear message." He paused again to pull out a piece of parchment from his robes. "In the meantime, shall I introduce the motion?"
"Anything to break this deadlock," Malfoy said with an approving nod, "I would invite you do dinner, Henry, but I fear we are in for a long evening."
"Some other time, then. I see the lords are returning." Sure enough, numerous figures were making their way back to their seats and the hall was once more filling up with intense chatter. Henry removed the ward with a flick of his wand and also made his way back to his own place. Septimus took a deep breath before picking up his scepter and striking the dais again.
"Order!" At that instant the murmurs ceased and the previous tense silence returned. "The session will now continue. We shall now discuss a new proposal, sponsored by Lord Potter and twenty-seven other members of the house. Lord Potter, the floor is yours?"
"Thank you, Lord Malfoy," Henry said and stood up. He could feel all eyes on him, some viewing this with suspicion and contempt, others with surprise or curiosity. "It is the belief of several of us, as well as mine, that desperate times such as these require more than speeches and halfhearted compromises. Our very way of life hangs in the balance. It is not by majority decisions, but only by the wand and by the sword, that we have any hope of surviving this threat." He spoke with a measured yet determined tone that imbued each word with unusual gravitas. The lords were listening intently, although many of them knew where he was going with this display. "Given these circumstances," he continued, "my colleagues and I consider it necessary to invest with emergency powers a capable and uncompromising leader who can see us through the storm and lead us in aiding our fellow wizards in France, as provided for by the Wilhelmine Edict of 1085, the Warwickshire Statute of 1396 and the Orleans Accord of 1453."
"This is madness!" a red haired lord from the other side of the hall shouted.
"Lord Weasley, you shall come to order or be evicted from the chamber," Septimus declared icily before turning back to the still standing Henry. "Do you have a particular nominee in mind, Lord Potter?" he asked, inwardly smiling at what he knew for weeks was going to be the answer.
"We nominate Lord Septimus Malfoy." The entire chamber burst into total uproar. Septimus groaned. This would take all night.
The Diagon Alley Times
15 April 1960 price: 2/6
MASSACRE OF THE ROSIERS!
MOST BRUTAL MURDER OF POST-GRINDELWALD ERA - 'LORD VOLDEMORT' NAMED PRIME SUSPECT - MINISTER TO ADDRESS NATION LATER TO-DAY!
Yesterday, the entire magical population of Britain was shocked by a horrible crime that awakened long forgotten memories of the last wizard war. The entire Rosier family – former ambassador to the French Ministry of Magic Georges Rosier, his wife and four children – were discovered brutally massacred in their home in Dorset. Aurors were alerted when local muggles noticed that the Rosier house was on fire.
"It was a horrid sight," commented Mr. Hugo Bones, the leader of the auror team that first reached the scene of the crime, "We found the house in ruins. The victims had suffered several burns, lacerations, blunt traumas and prolonged exposure to the cruciatus curse before being dispatched with a killing curse. Whoever did this wanted them to suffer." He added that all of the bodies have been recovered and identified, save for that of the Rosiers' one-month-old daughter, which is suspiciously missing. Rumors have immediately sprung up that she may have survived her family's horrible fate. They were dismissed by Mr. Bones, who said, "I was there. I saw the devastation. It would take more than a miracle for anyone, let alone a baby to get out alive."
When asked if there was a particular suspect, the Secretary for Magical Law Enforcement, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Sr., had this to say: "The DMLE has evidence pointing to a little known criminal who goes under the alias 'Lord Voldemort.' He has previously been suspected in several cases of theft of rare artifacts and kidnapping, but this is the first crime of such caliber that we believe he has been involved in." Mr. Crouch refused to divulge anything else about this suspect, but an anonymous source from the DMLE claims that he was once the leader of an organization called the 'Knights of Walpurgis.'
Albus Dumbledore, the vanquisher of Grindelwald, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and newly appointed Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, was also at the scene of the crime, arriving immediately after the first auror team. He declined to comment.
This evening at 8 p.m. the Minister for Magic, Mr. Norbert Leach, will address the nation over the Wizard Wireless Network regarding the murder. Inside sources tell us he has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Daily Prophet
6 June 1976 price: 3/15
DECLARATION OF WAR!
HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED ASSASSINATES LORD POTTER - CLAIMS DESCENT FROM SLYTHERIN - DECLARES WAR ON MINISTRY
Tragedy has engulfed magical Britain after He-who-must-not-be-named's latest attack. His target was Lord Charlus Potter and his wife, Lady Dorea Potter nee Black, who were on their way to a charity function hosted at the Ministry in order to accumulate funds for St. Mungo's Hospital. Their carriage was ambushed around 9 p.m. in the middle of Diagon Alley. Aurors estimate that more than 20 Death Eaters, including the Dark Lord himself, participated in the attack. The Potters and their guards were taken by complete surprise, and were all killed in the short skirmish that followed. Before apparating away, witnesses claim that the Dark Lord left a chilling message at the site of the murder, written in the late Lord Potter's own blood. In it, he declares war on the Ministry of Magic, and proclaims himself rightful ruler of wizardkind and descendant of Salazar Slytherin. The latter claim in particular has been met with disbelief – it is well known that the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter are the only remaining descendants and also the only representatives of Slytherin's main line, ever since the last known side branch disappeared in the late 19th century (see p. 6)
The late Lord Potter's close friend Lord Abraxas Malfoy had this to say: "I am deeply disturbed by this tragedy. Lord Potter was like a brother to me. In his will, he has made me guardian of his only son, James. I will not rest until this barbaric murder is avenged!" He refused to comment on the state of his new ward and understandably declined requests to speak to him.
The Wizengamot will convene in an emergency session later today. It is expected that they will declare tomorrow a day of mourning, as well as implement extensive new security regulations. "It is simply unthinkable that an attack such as this could happen in Diagon Alley of all places," said Lord Justinian Nott, "The Auror Office has much to answer for." There has even been talk of instituting martial law, in light of He-who-must-not-be-named's declaration. While Lord Nott refused to comment on these rumors, he had this to say: "I want people to clearly understand the implications of this murder. V—t claims he is fighting for the pure-blood cause. How can anyone who says that assassinate the head of one of the most ancient lines in the magical world and the heir of Slytherin? Those who are considering joining his twisted crusade should ask themselves whom is this manipulative demagogue really fighting for."
Albus Dumbledore announced earlier today that despite the situation, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will remain open. "My staff and I will spare no effort in ensuring the safety of all of our students," he declared. He refused to comment on the murder of Lord Potter or on the state of James Potter, who currently remains at Hogwarts.
The Daily Prophet
8 June 1976 price: 3/15
DUMBLEDORE ARRESTED, WIZENGAMOT IN CRISIS!
LOST ROSIER DAUGHTER DISCOVERED! - DUMBLEDORE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISAPPEARANCE, ARRESTED BY MINISTRY - NATION IN POLITICAL CRISIS!
The nation rejoices today, after it was revealed that the long lost daughter of the Rosier family is alive and well. The entire family was massacred by He-who-must-not-be-named almost 16 years ago, but the body of the youngest child was never found. The jubilation quickly turned to righteous indignation, however, when her exact fate became known. It appears that none other than Albus Dumbledore had abducted the infant from the scene of the crime, modifying the memories of the aurors which accompanied him. He then gave the child over to a muggle (!) foster family, and she has been raised under a different name and until recently believed she was a muggleborn witch. This information was revealed to the Wizengamot in a maximum security, closed emergency session, and as such the source, theorized by some to be the Rosier heir herself, remains classified.
In consequence of these new revelations, Professor Dumbledore has been arrested and detained at an undisclosed location. He was immediately voted out of his position of Chief Warlock and Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Sr. declared an interim replacement. His position as Headmaster of Hogwarts has been suspended and a vote will soon be held by the Board of Governors to decide if he is to be removed. The International Confederation of Wizards has also suspended his position of Supreme Mugwump.
This sudden development has sparked an unprecedented political crisis in the Wizengamot that could not have come at a worse time. The Lords and Ladies have been polarized between those calling for immediate retribution against Dumbledore, on the one side, and his supporters on the other, who would like the investigation to be carried to its full extent before action is taken. Lord Amos Diggory said, "I am as shocked as anyone else by this development, but we must try to understand why Albus acted the way he did. I am sure he only had the girl's best interests at heart and wanted to protect her from retribution by her family's murderer."
Speaking for the anti-Dumbledore faction, which galvanized support almost overnight, Lord Abraxas Malfoy commented: "I could not imagine a more despicable treatment for a fellow witch or wizard. No one deserves to be denied their heritage in such a vile way. It should be plainly obvious that Dumbledore's actions were motivated by his political beliefs and that the supposedly flawless 'vanquisher of Grindelwald' is not above exploiting an innocent child for his personal gain. An eternity in Azkaban is too good for that pathetic excuse for a wizard!"
Many are concerned that this crisis will frustrate the Ministry's response to He-who-must-not-be-named's declaration of war. In other news, the Death Eaters have attacked and killed a number of muggle families last night. The Ministry has refused to comment on any possible relation between these events and the recent revelations.
The Daily Prophet
15 June 1976 price: 3/15
DUMBLEDORE REMAINS HEADMASTER
BOARD OF GOVERNORS VOTES IN HEADMASTER'S FAVOR! - JAMES POTTER ASCENDS WIZENGAMOT SEAT - NEW EDUCATION BILL INTRODUCED
Wizards and witches all over Britain were outraged earlier today when the Hogwarts Board of Governors announced their decision to allow Albus Dumbledore to retain his position of Headmaster, provided he be placed on probation and weekly inspection by the Board for 10 years. The Board's decision was taken at a closed meeting and a spokeswizard has declared it final. The International Confederation of Wizards declared that it would not remove him from the position of Supreme Mugwump after a narrow vote among the other Mugwumps which failed only by a single vote.
A closed door hearing of the Supreme Magical Court declared Professor Dumbledore guilty, but shockingly did not sentence him to prison. He shall be required to pay a compensation of 50 million galleons, the largest in recent history, to the Rosier heir.
Dumbledore did not have the same success in the Wizengamot, however, as the anti-Dumbledore faction managed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority to sustain his removal from the position of Chief Warlock and make Mr. Crouch's appointment permanent. The session was marked by another momentous event – the Lords and Ladies recognized Lord James Potter as a Peer of the Magical Realm and he ascended his recently deceased father's seat. Lord Potter is only sixteen years old, but he was granted total emancipation and his father's seat under the end-of-line clause of the Magical Succession Act of 1286.
As his first act in the Wizengamot, the young Lord Potter gave an impassioned speech in which he condemned both He-who-must-not-be-named for his crimes, as well as, surprisingly, his own Headmaster for the recent revelations. He then introduced a bill, co-authored with Lord Malfoy, which would radically reform magical education. It would require the mandatory testing for identification and latent magical talents of all future Hogwarts students and the retroactive testing of all current ones. The bill would also greatly increase the powers of the Hogwarts Board of Governors and severely limit those of the Headmaster. The bill will be voted in two days and analysts claim that if it passed, the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts will in essence become only symbolic.
To: Julius Fudge, editor-in-chief of The Daily Prophet
October 27, 1979
Dear Sir,
The Strategic Information Control Commission has reviewed your article "Lord James Potter to marry Lily Rosier" and has deemed it unfit for publication. It contains several pieces of information which, if published, put its subjects at undue risk of attack by hostile forces.
The Commission would be happy to reconsider your proposal should you make the suggested amendments.
Sincerely yours,
Alfred Yaxley, Senior Censor
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Strategic Information Control Commission
Time of submission: 11:35 p.m. 31 July 1980
Type of submission: article
Submitting media: The Daily Prophet
Title of submitted text: "The Potter heir born today!"
Decision: UNFIT FOR PUBLICATION
Malfoy Manor, 18 October 1981
"So you see, Lucius, this is my plan. This is our only hope," said James Potter in low voice. He looked down at the chessboard between them before declaring, "Knight to B4." The small figurine galloped across the board and smashed the black pawn with a strike from its heavy mace.
"Is there no other way, James? How could it come to this?" Malfoy asked with a contemplative tone. "Bishop to C3."
"I can think of several, but they will not work. It is simply a question of time." His features tensed and he inhaled deeply. "Time," he repeated," is the one thing we lack and all the gold in Gringotts can't buy us more. Riddle, on the other hand, has no such problem. Pawn to C3, takes bishop."
"To think it could come to this. That we are seriously discussing it. It is just…too much, James."
"This is a war of attrition, Lucius, and we cannot afford it. Every passing day, the very thing which we're fighting to protect is being lost, little by little. How many more will have to be sacrificed? Do I look like Dumbledore to you – blinded by some nebulous 'greater good' while magical blood is spilt?" James's eyes wondered off, as though he was sorting through the mental images that were the only remaining home of so many of his friends. "Sirius, Peter, Nott senior, Macmillan, Avery, MacKinnon, Yaxley the elder, Goyle, Bones… And those are only our side. The Order is getting decimated even faster." An intense silence descended upon the room. After what seemed like a full minute, Lucius spoke.
"But he's your son, James. Your only son!"
"Lucius, I know that as a father yourself, you realize how impossible this decision feels. No child deserves such a burden," James replied, looking intently into his friend's blue-grey eyes, "Yet it must be done." Beneath his unmovable calm exterior, Lucius's mind was working itself into overdrive, imagining, taking apart and ultimately rejecting numerous scenarios.
"Maybe there is still time. We can search for them. I can help. I will help." James shook his head.
"By the time we track down and get rid of all of them, all that will be left of magical Britain will be a pile of rubble and rivers of blood. No, this is something which must be done only when peace, however brief, is secured. You must bide your time. It cost us the life of Regulus, but we know Riddle's secret. Make at least that sacrifice count," said James and sat back into his chair again, so that his head withdrew to the shadows behind the golden rays of the setting sun that poured in through the manor's high windows.
"Is the plan already in motion?" Lucius inquired in a half-whisper.
"I have already arranged the bait. The prophecy, ambiguous enough to pass as genuine, has been leaked to Dumbledore. From there, Severus has assured me that it has reached Riddle. It will not be long now. It's just the waiting part that is unbearable." As if sensing Lucius's next question, James continued, "Before you ask me, know that I must face him alone. If you or anyone else comes to my aid, he will just retreat and we will be back to square one. And this ploy won't work twice. Lord Voldemort may be many things, but a fool he is not. No, it must be me. And after that, it is up to Harry…" The silence returned, heavier than before.
"I will protect him like my own son, James. I will do everything for him," Lucius said with renewed determination. "I swear it." James smiled.
"Yes. Of that at least, I have no doubts." He looked down at the table between them and his smile grew into an almost childish grin. "You're forgetting our game, Lucius. Your move!"
Clarifications:
The notation "Xg Y/Z" means X galleons, Y sickles and Z knuts. Thus, "3/15" means the paper costs 3 sickles and 15 knuts. Recall that there are 17 sickles to the galleon and 29 knuts to the sickle (What is it with wizards and primary numbers?). I am using a convention based on the notation of the pre-decimal British pound.
The Prophet uses the convention "V-t" because it is quoting a source but is afraid of the consequences of writing the Dark Lord's name.