Author's Note:
This is my first attempt at Harry Potter fan-fiction, it features the Canon Golden Trio but takes liberties with Albus Dumbledore (He's gonna be a little more gray / manipulative) and with the timeline (Will be set in the 90s instead of the 80s)
Hogwarts September 2 1990
"It will Happen tonight!" Professor Trelawney said in a harsh, hoarse voice. A monitoring charm went off and Albus Dumbledore burst into her small tower classroom in a flash of flames.
"Tonight a new Dark Lord shall rise. Born tonight to an ancient house with no ties to the light. The light shall shun him, the dark shall embrace him. Tonight a new Dark Lord shall rise"
Professor Trelawney collapsed to the ground after she completed reciting the prophecy leaving Dumbledore very very worried. He immediately went to the great Hogwarts Ledger which recorded the births of all magical children in the UK.
Today only 1 child's name magically appeared in the ledger, Aaron Zakhrov. Fear coursed through Dumbledore's veins. The House of Zakhrov was very secretive, even more secretive than House Potter which he had successfully managed to manipulate into his willing pawns during the Voldemort's reign of terror. Unlike James Potter and Sirius Black, Lord Emmanuel Zakhrov did not attend Hogwarts, in fact none of the Zakhrovs did, they preferred home schooling or even the Durmstrang Institute. The only link to Hogwarts Dumbledore could find was through Lady Cassiopeia Zakhrov nee Black, Sirius' little sister.
St. Mungo's Hospital September 3 1990
Lady Zakhrov lay weak in a private maternity ward with her little son Aaron sleeping by her side, her husband Emmanuel was dosing in the chair by the bed. Thunder and lightning crashed outside and heavy rain lashed the windows.
"Danger approaches my friend" The telepathic warning from Emmanuel's Thunderbird familiar jolted him awake.
Flames erupted in the center of the room exposing a tall hooded figure in black, wand drawn and alight as anti-apparation and anti-portkey wards activated.
Emmanuel sprang to his feet, wand drawn and placed himself between the intruder and his wife and son.
"Who are you?" he asked
"I mean you no harm" replied the hooded figure in a deep resonant voice. "I am here for the boy"
Without warning, a jet of green light shot from the intruder's wand, Cassiopeia reacted just in time and conjured a large block of marble in its path. The curse shattered the marble but dissipated inches from the infant Aaron's face.
Emmanuel roared in rage firing a barrage of curses and spells at the intruder. "Take Aaron and run!" he yelled "I'll hold him off"
Spell fire raged through the ward shaking the room. Cassiopeia snatched up the crying baby and ran for the door, she fired a blasting curse at the door only for it to bounce back, she dived rolling to prevent any injury to Aaron whom she held in her arms. "We are trapped!" she cried
There was a flash of thunder and lighting and Greyhawk, Emmanuel's massive thunderbird appeared, Cassiopeia grabbed onto his leg but in a flash of fire a phoenix appeared and sank its talons into her arm. Cassiopeia screamed in pain and let go as the phoenix and thunderbird started to battle each other,
Emmanuel sent a powerful blasting curse at the intruder who casually deflected it, reducing the hospital bed to dust. Cassiopeia watched in horror as her husband and the unknown intruder dueled with more ferocity and magical power as the battle raged above them between the phoenix and the thunderbird. She suddenly recognized the phoenix- Fawkes – Dumbledore's bird! But why was he here for Aaron? And what was he doing? She and her husband had stayed neutral during the war. Had the old man truly gone insane? Her arm was still bleeding badly, none of her healing spells seemed to close the wounds inflicted by Fawkes, Dumbledore raised is wand and sent a series of killing curses at Emmanuel. Emmanuel conjured up a massive wall of stone that shattered as the curses hit it, he was tiring quickly.
"My friend, we cannot last much longer" Greyhawk's voice broke upon his consciousness, "Your mate does not have much time or strength left, nor do I, These adversaries are too strong. I will siphon your magic along with mine into the child. They cannot kill him now that your blood magic protects him. It is his only chance of survival"
"Who are these people Greyhawk?" asked Emmanuel through his telepathic link
"Those who fear the darkness" replied Greyhawk.
A killing curse narrowly missed them. Emmanuel decided to act quickly. He blew apart several stone blocks and conjured 6 golems that launched themselves at Dumbledore and Fawkes. The distraction worked. As Dumbledore started blasting the golems, Emmanuel, Cassiopeia, Aaron and Greyhawk shone with a dazzling blue light, their magical strength transferring slowly to the unconscious infant.
"ENOUGH" Dumbledore yelled and blasted the golems to dust. As the dust cleared he surveyed the devastation before him. Guilt and shame washed over him in torrents. "What was I thinking?" he lamented. Before him lay the bodies of his victims. A man, a woman and a thunderbird. Still in Cassiopeia's blood covered arms lay Aaron Zakhrov, Dumbledore knew it would be useless to try and kill him now. He wasn't as foolish as Voldemort to fall for that. He tapped his wand to his half moon spectacles and what he saw through them shocked him to the core, Aaron Zakhrov's magical core was reinforced by both his parent's and the thunderbird's. He suddenly realized he had fallen for the same trick that ended Voldemort after all. He had rashly acted on a prophecy and in doing so made a very powerful adversary. Deciding that a muggle background and a magical bind might be the best option for the moment. Dumbledore repaired the damage to the room, cast a powerful magic binding charm, picked up the sleeping boy and flamed away.
St. Kathryn's Orphanage July 31 1997
"Hey freak! Where do you think you're sneaking off to?" yelled a large 11 year old boy who had cornered a smaller 6 year old Aaron Zakhrov in a hallway.
"Library" answered Aaron doggedly, his eyes roving around the hallway looking for an escape route. He knew these imbeciles just wanted an excuse to pick on him.
"Library! Ha!" sneered Wilson the older boy waving a cricket bat. "It's the fucking summer holidays freak! There ain't no need to visit the sodding library!"
Aaron felt anger building up inside him. "Do not call me a freak" he said quietly.
"Or what freak?" shouted Wilson "I saw what you was doing yesterday! Twitching around in the infirmary. Your medicine bottles bubbling! You ain't no normal kid. You're the spawn of Satan!" The rest of the Wilson's gang were looking at him in a mixture of fear and hate. Aaron knew that they didn't like him because he always did much better in classes than any of the other boys, and because of his health problems he got a lot more attention from the nuns and the doctors.
For as long as he could remember, Aaron wasn't a very healthy lad. He got seemingly random bouts of fever and breathlessness. The best way to describe it was as if something inside of him wanted to break free but was trapped. Sometimes that feeling of being trapped came forth in a rush making him feel intense pain, and strange things happened around him through that haze of pain. Medicine bottles would explode showering the caregivers with glass shrapnel, papers would burst into flames, people who touched him would be violently blown backwards. Men of both science and religion visited him. The men of science said he was suffering from epilepsy or schizophrenia and said he should be given shock treatment. The men of religion said he was possessed by a demon and should be subjected to an exorcism. Needles to say he didn't like the outcome of either option.
"Spawn of Satan!" Wilson shouted raising his bat. "By my sword I shall slay thee!" he jeered and swung his bat towards Aaron.
Aaron held up his hands to shield his face from the swinging bat. Fear, anger and pain shot through him as the bat connected with his forearm with a sickening crunch. Wilson screamed as the bat exploded in his hands, sending him flying across the hallway and onto the floor. The commotion had brought Sister Clare to the hallway just in time to see what had happened to Wilson. A conservative to the core, she was convinced that Aaron was the Devil incarnate.
"YOU" She screamed raising her cane "Satan! I shall beat you out of that boy!"
Aaron was convulsing in pain. It was terrible. Everyone was panicking and calling him a freak and a devil. In his heart he knew that he wasn't at fault. These arrogant buffoons were to blame for his suffering. Blows from the cane rained down on him as he screamed in agony. "PLEASE NO! TAKE ME AWAY FROM THIS HELLHOLE!" The whatever that was inside of him struggling to break free finally broke through whatever was holding it back and with a final searing burst of pain he lost consciousness.
Hogwarts July 31 1997
Dumbledore wasn't happy. Harry's Hogwarts letters were not being answered or delivered. He had finally dispatched Hagrid to rescue Harry after he had tracked the Dursleys down to a tiny hut on an island off the Welsh coast. Hagrid's report of how Harry was being treated was disturbing. He had been bullied by his cousin, alienated by his peers and subjected to indifference at best and cruelty at worst from his aunt and uncle.
Just then one of his magic monitoring devices let out a loud klaxon like wail and exploded. He looked at it in horror. The monitoring device was keyed to Aaron Zakhrov whom he had left in a muggle orphanage in Nottingham. An identical one was keyed to Harry. These devices showed both the location and the magic level of the boys. Harry's was stable and showed he was back at the Privet Drive but Aaron's had spiked off the scale before it exploded. Dumbledore quickly checked the Hogwarts Register, Aaron's name still showed which meant he was still alive. He then tried a locator spell but came up with nothing. Wherever Aaron was, it was under very heavy wards. The implication of that sent a chill down Dumbledore's spine
Castle Zakhrov July 31 1997
Toby the house elf sat mournfully in the once grand entrance hall. Without his master's magic he was slowly wasting away along with the other house elves. While the castle's wards were still at full power, the rest of the castle was slowly going to ruin, dust and grime covered the floor and furniture, the smell of decay permeated the air. Suddenly with a loud crack a quivering mass of a boy appeared in the entrance hall. Toby leaped to his feet and rushed to the boy, he immediately recognized the boy's magical signature, it was Aaron Zakhrov who everyone thought was dead or had disappeared!
Toby gasped in shock at the state of the poor child. His body was covered with bruises and his magic was crackling through him. He needed urgent medical attention and while elfin magic could heal the bruising, tampering with his master's magical core was a serious risk to both human and elf. Quickly binding himself to the boy's magic he could feel his own magic rejuvenating, "Blinky!" he called.
Blinky appeared with a pop "Yes Toby?" she asked before she saw Aaron and gave a squeak of fright.
"Get you Mistress Greengrass! She is healing master Aaron! I is taking him to the master bedroom!" ordered Toby. Blinky disapparated without an acknowledgment as Toby levitated the unconscious boy to the master bedroom.
Greengrass Manor July 31 1997
"And 1-2-3, 1-2-3" Lady Elizabeth Greengrass intoned as her two daughters Daphne and Astoria practiced waltzing in the manor ballroom, a pop and two house elves appeared. "Miss, this is Blinky" the first house elf announced bowing low. "She is saying her master Aaron Zakhrov is hurt badly Miss and needs a healer"
Elizabeth shot out of her chair "What?" she cried "Where is he?"
"He appeared at Castle Zakhrov Miss" answered Blinky. "I needs to take you there"
"Tippy, get my healer's kit" Elizabeth commanded. She then turned to her daughters.
"I have to go now. But don't worry. I'll be back soon" she said as Tippy reappeared with a satchel.
Elizabeth took the satchel and grabbed Blinky's arm. "Let's go Blinky" she said and with a pop they vanished
Ministry of Magic -Accidental Magical Reversal Squad July 31 1997
It was nearing the end of shift for Lord Cyrus Greenrgrass when the alarm sounded. A massive magical burst was detected in Nottingham. Readings indicated a possible obscural as he and a dozen other members mobilized towards the Atrium. He pulled out his magic mirror and called his wife.
"Lizzie I'm going to be late. We have a possible Obscural going crazy in Nottingham."
"OK" Lizzie replied. "I have an emergency at the hospital as well"
Cyrus frowned. It was Elizabeth's day off, "Could the emergency be a coincidence? Or are they related?" he thought as they apparated to the site.
St. Kathryn's Orphanage
Cyrus gasped in shock. The entire orphanage building was in smoking ruins.
Sirens from Muggle police cars and fire engines could be heard in the distance. They would have to move quickly to obliviate and restore order. Cyrus began to cast locator spells to pinpoint the blast's epicenter. It lead him to a collapsed corridor near where the library stood. He struggled to not vomit at the sight of charred bodies of children. If this was the work of an Obscural he shuddered to think of how much power and how much suffering the poor child had. Casting a tracer spell to track down the Obscural didn't work, but a diagnostic charm told him that there was a combination of curse breaking and disapparation that caused this devastation. Cyrus began to suspect foul play. He cast a set of advanced detection and diagnostic spells. What he uncovered was disturbing. There was evidence of very powerful binding and tracking charms. Placing these on a child was unthinkable! It could have permanently stripped them of all magic powers! With a pop Amelia Bones apparated beside Cyrus.
"What's the status Cyrus?" she asked. "Is it an Obscural?"
Cyrus turned to look at her, his face white. "No." he said, "Whoever did this is not an Obscural. It was a curse break"
Amelia's eyes widened in shock. "A curse break?" she asked incredulously
"Yes" replied Cyrus. "There is evidence of magical binding here. Whoever placed those bonds didn't want this kid to perform magic"
"Who would do such a thing?" gasped Amelia.
"I don't know" said Cyrus "But we'll need to find this kid fast. There is are traces of magical blood on the floor here and I can tell that there was a disapparation but I don't know where he's gone. If the kid doesn't get medical attention soon he'd probably die"
They had precious few minutes before the Muggle authorities arrived but tracking the young wizard's whereabouts proved useless. Wherever he went was either under heavy protection wards or it was already too late.
Castle Zakhrov
Elizabeth gasped in shock when she saw the state of the poor boy. His body was covered with bruises. Several of his bones were broken and his magic roiled around him in bands of blue lightning. She pulled out her wand and cast diagnostic charms on him. He had suffered intense mental and magical trauma. She was surprised that he was even alive after that much damage. Realizing that she was a bit out of her depth with this kind of spell damage, she decided to triage the magical trauma later, she started to administer soothing salves on his bruised body. As the salves calmed his nerves, the boy's magical core started to accelerate the healing process and in turn stabilize itself. She breathed a sigh of relief. Soon enough his magic had stabilized enough for her to start healing the bone damage. Finally she poured some dreamless sleep potion down his throat and let him sleep.
Greengrass Manor
Cyrus stepped out of the fireplace to a worried Astoria and Daphne. "Hey kids" He greeted. "Is your mum home yet?"
"No" replied Daphne. "She was called away by some house elf named Blinky to treat some Aaron Zakhrov"
Cyrus's blood ran cold. "Aaron Zakhrov? I thought he was dead!" he exclamed.
Pulling out his magic mirror he called his wife. "Care to explain what is going on?" He asked her through the mirror.
"Cyrus you better come here as well" she replied her face haggard and drawn. "Something terrible has happened to this boy!"
"Alright" He said. "Is it OK to bring the kids?"
Elizabeth considered for a moment.
"OK" she said. "I'm sending Toby and Blinky. This place doesn't have a floo connection yet"
Twin pops sounded and the two elves appeared. Cyrus took Toby's arm while Daphne and Astoria took Blinky's.
Castle Zakhrov August 2 1997
"What happened here Lizzie?" asked Cyrus as he looked on the boys sleeping form. The worst of the bruising and swelling had healed now but there were still signs that all was not well. The boy was around 6, the same age as Astoria but he was decidedly thin and stunted for his age. While Cyrus wasn't an expert, he knew more about magical core stabilization than Lizzie and had done what he could for the boy. Fortunately the boy's magic was very resilient and Cyrus managed to successfully stabilize it and calm the magical trauma caused by it being bound so strongly.
"He seems to have taken quite a few beatings over the years" said Lizzie as she brewed some growth enhancing potion "From what I can tell, he's been a victim of bullying and probably faced some adults who were not shy of using a cane" she added grimly.
"I pulled the muggle reports about that orphanage" growled Cyrus. "Apparently it was run by a bunch of religious fanatics who believed the best way to raise children was to thrash them senseless"
Lizzie's hands shook with anger as she cut up ginger roots. This boy had been with barbarians! He was lucky not to have been subjected to an exorcism. While such a procedure could not damage a wizard's magic, it's physical and psychological damage could have turned him into an Obscural.
Daphne and Astoria sat by Aaron's bed in the master bedroom looking at his sleeping form. Astoria was shocked by what her parents had said he had gone through, looking at him now he seemed so peaceful and at ease. His physical injuries had healed revealing that he had a thin, lithe frame, his face was angular with high cheekbones giving him a very handsome and aristocratic look. Her mum was starting to worry because it had been unconscious for close to 2 days now. Aaron stirred in his bed jolting Astoria out of her daze.
"Daphne he's waking up!" she whispered to her sister who was reading an issue of Teen witch weekly
Daphne started violently. Taking a look at the stirring boy she ran to get her mother.
Aaron awoke slowly. The pain he expected was gone, instead he felt himself in a warm and comfortable bed. The sheets seemed to have been made of fine satin. He slowly opened his eyes.
He wasn't in the orphanage. That much was obvious. Sunlight streamed through a large bay window. He was lying on a massive bed decked with soft navy blue satin sheets and a navy blue padded comforter. He turned around to and was startled to see a girl with long white blond hair and large gray eyes looking at him. "Hello" he tried to speak but his throat was extremely dry.
"Here" said the girl in a soft voice handing him a silver goblet. With difficulty he pushed himself up to a sitting position. He took the goblet and looked at the clear liquid suspiciously. "It's just water" said the girl. He gulped down the cool water, it tasted wonderful to his parched throat. "Who are you and where am I?" he asked at last.
"My name is Astoria Greengrass" the girl replied. "But I do not know where exactly we are"
Just then the door on his left opened and in walked a tall beautiful woman with the same white blond hair and gray eyes as Astoria, she was carrying a tray laden with food.
"Hello dear" she said. "How are you feeling?"
Aaron tried to get up but he felt weak and very hungry.
"Weak and hungry" he croaked. The woman smiled and placed the tray on his lap.
"Thank you Mrs Greengrass" he said and started to eat the generous serving of bacon, eggs and toast.
"Eat slowly" warned Mrs Greengrass. You have been unconscious for 2 days.
After he had finished, Lizzie perched herself on the side of the bed and gave him another goblet of thick foamy liquid. "It's a medicine to help with keeping calm and stop you from throwing up" she explained. The broth tasted sweet and he managed to finish it. By this time he became more aware of his surroundings and the last of the grogginess disappeared. He remembered Wilson's attack with the bat, Sister Claire's assault with the cane. By all rights he should be panicking but whatever that broth was it did it's job in keeping him calm. A sudden bout of sadness engulfed him as he reasoned that wherever he was, it was only a temporary respite from the hell that was St. Kathryn's. "When do I go back to the orphanage?" he asked fighting back tears.
Lizzie took his hand and held it. "You don't have to go back" she said gently. "You are safe here"
Aaron pulled his hand out of her grasp, turned his head away from her and looked at a spot on the bed.
"I'm not safe anywhere" he said mournfully. After such kindness he was shown from this woman and her daughter he didn't want them to suffer because of him and his condition. "I'm a freak. The spawn of Satan. Everyone who has tried to help me has ended up hurt. There is a demon or something inside me that keeps trying to escape. Every time it tries. Bad things happen" he choked out, tears stinging his eyes.
Lizzie moved closer to him and enfolded him in her arms. "Shh it's alright" she whispered. "You are not a freak or spawn of Satan. What you are is someone very very special. You never had a demon inside you. You are safe here. No one will hurt you." she said with quiet conviction as Aaron cried into her shoulder.
"What happened?" Aaron finally asked. "The last thing I remember was getting caned in the hallway by Sister Clare."
"That, young man is a very interesting story. Something I hope you can clear up for us" said a male voice. Aaron started and looked up. A man was standing in the doorway. He was tall and had long dark hair and blue eyes, another blond girl by his side. She looked a little older than Astoria and moved to join her sister on the couch by the bed as the man strode into the room. He was dressed in blue robes and a cloak, something Aaron found as odd. Lizzie pursed her lips. "Do we have to do this now Cyrus?" she asked. "The poor boy has just woken up"
"The sooner the better" Cyrus replied grimly
Aaron didn't like where this was going one bit. This man was obviously law enforcement or at least someone in authority.
"I am not going back to that hellhole that is St. Kathryn's sir" He said coldly. "I don't really care if you throw me in prison. Just make sure its maximum security"
Cyrus snorted. "You don't have to worry about going back St. Kathryn's" he said.
"Tell me boy. This demon of yours. That is trying to escape you. What terrible things happen?"
Aaron sighed and resigned himself to the worst. He told them about how he felt pain and the odd occurrences that accompanied it. He told them about how the bottles of medicine exploded as doctors were trying to administer them and about his confrontation with Wilson and the beatings he received from Sister Clare. After he had finished both girls were crying silently and the two adults were torn between rage and sadness.
"Filthy muggles!" Cyrus finally growled. He sat down on the other side of the bed and took Aaron's trembling hands.
"Aaron I'm going to tell you something that will sound crazy but I need you to keep an open mind" he said seriously.
Aaron, a little too overwhelmed to speak nodded silently.
Cyrus took a deep breath. "Aaron, the reason those things happened is because you are a wizard. What you were doing was magic." he explained
"Magic?" said Aaron incredulously. "You mean that pain and that feeling of being trapped was magic?"
"Yes" said Cyrus grimly. "Normally it doesn't hurt and it can be controlled by you but somebody seems to have tried to block your powers."
Aaron just shook his head scarcely daring to believe it.
Cyrus nodded in understanding. "You need proof?" he asked. Aaron nodded.
Cyrus pulled out his wand and waved it in the air. A glass bottle appeared out of thin air and hovered in front of Aaron's thunderstruck eyes.
"OK" Aaron replied. "I believe that magic exists and that you are a wizard. But I don't think I am" he said, dejection evident in his voice.
Cyrus place the conjured glass bottle on the bedside table nearest to him and looked at Aaron with a sardonic grin. "Don't think you're a wizard eh?" he asked. "Take a look at that glass bottle and think of something that makes you really really angry. If nothing happens except for you getting angry. I'll admit defeat and say I was mistaken"
Aaron looked at Cyrus trying to see if he was joking then at the glass bottle. He thought back to everything that made him furious. The condescending of the doctors. The horror of the priests and nuns. The bullying of his companions in the orphanage. White hot rage coursed through him. He gritted his teeth and his hands shook. He felt something pulse inside of him and the glass bottle exploded jolting him out of his angry daydream. He looked startled at Cyrus who was grinning.
"Did it hurt?" asked Cyrus
"No" replied Aaron.
"Didn't think it would now that you broke through that binding charm" chuckled Cyrus.
"Um I still don't know one thing" said Aaron properly taking in his surroundings. "Where am I and how did I get here?"
Cyrus looked suddenly nervous. "From what I heard you just appeared here" he said.
"This place is your parent's house. Castle Zakhrov"
Aaron looked away from Cyrus as he digested this information. Parent's house? A castle? He didn't know anything about his parents. The nuns at the orphanage had told him that his parents were drug addicted sinners who had died in a car crash and that he was dumped on the orphanage doorstep by an old man who had found him abandoned in a gutter. What had really happened to them if they were living in a castle?
Cyrus looked at him sadly. "What do you know about your parents?" he asked softly
Aaron forced himself to look at Cyrus. "Nothing" he replied. "Whatever they told me at the orphanage was obviously a lie"
Cyrus sighed. "We thought that you had died along with them, or we would have found you sooner" he explained. "Your parents were good friends with us. Astoria was born two weeks after you in the same hospital." He paused, took a deep breath and continued
"Your parents were killed by an unknown assassin. Whoever it was, broke into the hospital room, sealed it off from anyone trying to get in and killed them. By the time we broke through those wards, the fight was over and your parents were dead" Cyrus broke off in a sob and looked away from Aaron.
This time Aaron took Cyrus' hands and squeezed them in reassurance. "I do not blame you Cyrus" he said quietly. Cyrus gave him a wan smile. Another question gnawed at Aaron. "You said someone tried to block my powers. Why?"
"Probably to stop us from finding you" replied Cyrus. "That brings us to our current mess. Whatever those orphanage people were doing to you caused your magic to violently break through that block destroying the building in the process."
Aaron fell back on the bed in shock. The orphanage was destroyed! And it was his fault!
Cyrus seized his shoulders and shook him, forcing him to look into his eyes. "It wasn't your fault!" he said firmly. "Do not blame yourself over those filthy muggles. They deserved what they got for abusing you"
Aaron's blue eyes met Cyrus' black ones. He realized what Cyrus was saying was true. It was an accident. Whoever blocked his magical power was to blame. If it was let free and if he could control it this would never have happened.
"What happens now?" he asked.
Lizzie gave him another goblet of calming potion. "Now you rest at least for today." she said. "You are still too weak to get up and walk about. Tomorrow you can start learning more about the magical world"
Castle Zakhrov September 2 2001
"Happy Birthday Aaron!" cried Lizzie swooping down to kiss him on both cheeks.
"Thank you Mrs. Greengrass" replied Aaron blushing slightly as he accepted a wrapped present from her.
Four years of eating full meals and doses of growth potions had done wonders for the boy. He was now tall and his body was toned and healthy. His hair fell just below his neck framing his face in a pair of jet black silky curtains.
The castle and elves had also been through a transformation along with their young master. The castle walls were repaired and the place gleamed in cleanliness.
"Now now birthday boy. I told you that its Lizzie to you" chided Lizzie as she adjusted his robes.
"There's the birthday boy" said Cyrus coming into the room levitating an enormous chocolate cake. He placed the cake on the dining table and eyed Aaron up and down. "You're growing up my boy" he said
"And getting quite handsome too! I hope you don't break Astoria's heart because then I'll have to break your limbs" he warned in a serious tone but winked at the same time.
"Daddy!" Astoria gasped blushing scarlet
Aaron looked at Cyrus solemnly
"I promise not to break her heart Lord Greengrass" he said in a very serious tone with a polite bow.
"My my you've been learning etiquette" said Lizzie
"As any proper young man should my lady. I see where miss Astoria gets her good looks" answered Aaron taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.
"Oh my good sir you flatter me!" giggled Lizzie pretending to swoon.
"Prat!" grumbled Astoria
Aaron smirked at her, then turned back to Lizzie "But not her social graces" he added in a stage whisper loud enough for Astoria to hear.
With a fierce growl Astoria flew at him only to be caught, twirled around and steered into a chair.
"I didn't mean to give you offense miss Greengrass" said Aaron bowing to her and kissing her knuckles
"Show off!" Astoria huffed yanking her hand from him and sulking in the chair.
"Lets be civil children" intervened Lizzie
Gringotts September 2 2001
"This is Mr. Zakhrov Bagnok" Cyrus told the goblin teller. "He is here to have his will read and take lordship of House Zakhrov.
"Very well" replied Bagnok pulling out a piece of parchment and a silver knife.
"I will need you to dribble some of your blood onto this parchment. It will prove your identity as a Zakhrov" said Bagnok
Aaron took the knife and made a small cut in his right palm letting some blood dribble onto the parchment.
The parchment flashed a dazzling blue and now had writing on it.
Identity confirmed: Aaron Xavier Zakhrov
Age: 11 (b 2nd September 1990)
Parents: Emmanuel Alexander Zakhrov (September 14 1967 – September 2 1990), Cassiopeia Athena Zakhrov nee Black (December 17 1967 – September 2 1990)
Heir to Most Ancient and Noble House of Zakhrov
Heir to Most Ancient and Noble House of Black
Magical Guardian: Lord Cyrus Tiberius Greengrass
Vault status: Active
Family Vault Reserves: 4,400,000,000 Galleons 2,200,000 Sickles 1,100,000 Knuts
Trust Vault Reserves: 100,000 Galleons 50,000 Sickles 10,000 Knuts
Bagnok raised his bushy eyebrows at the information on the parchment.
"Now that your identity is established, I can take you down to the vaults. There we can perform the signet ritual and confirm your emancipation and headship. As you are still a minor you will need to appoint a regent to look after your affairs and businesses and advise you on investments until you come of age" he explained.
"Thank you Mr Bagnok" said Aaron with a bow.
"This is the Zakhrov signet ring" explained Bagnok in the Zakhrov vault. The ring was gold with the head of a wolf looking to the left and the head of an eagle looking to the right.
"Once you put it on, the ring will determine if you are a worthy successor to assume Headship. If it rejects you, you will be able to try it after a year. Till it accepts you, you an access your trust vault but not the main vault"
Aaron put on the ring. The blue diamonds that made the eyes of the eagle and the wolf glowed and pulsed out.
"Congratulations Lord Zakhrov" said Bagnok with a smile. You are now head of House Zakhrov.
Diagon Alley September 2 2001
"While you cannot start Hogwarts till next September along with Astoria, as an emancipated Lord of a House you can use magic without fear of being traced" said Cyrus as they walked out of Gringotts
"So the first priority is to get you your wand and potion kit. It never hurts to try to learn as much magic before you get to Hogwarts. Your family felt homeschooling was a better option but I think the Hogwarts experience is worth it. You can always drop out if you feel you don't fit in"
They entered Ollivander's and Mr. Ollivander greeted Cyrus with a respectful bow.
"Ah Lord Greengrass. 12 and ½ inches Blackthorn and dragon heartstring an excellent dueling wand. And who do we have here?" he asked as his eyes fell on Aaron.
Cyrus put his arm on Aaron's shoulder. "This is my godson Lord Aaron Zakhrov. He has just been emancipated and requires a wand. His family usually preferred to make their own wands or have it custom made with specific woods and cores."
Ollivander gave a wry smile. "I have heard of the fabled Zakhrovs Lord Greengrass, yes they did like their wands custom made but they did enlist my help and services from time to time."
Pulling out a measuring tape he turned to Aaron. "Now young man which is your wand arm?"
"I'm left handed" replied Aaron fighting down his nervousness and extending his arm. Ollivander's stare was a bit creepy.
After measuring Ollivander returned with several boxes.
"Let's see now, 11 inches, walnut and unicorn hair, quite rigid"
Aaron took the wand and gave it a wave, the wand gave a loud wail and shot out smelly black smoke
"No no definitely not" said Ollivander snatching it back.
2 hours and over a hundred wands later, Aaron was getting frustrated. Why wouldn't one of these blasted sticks choose him?
Ollivander was also running out of options as he rummaged through several boxes.
"Perhaps we should try a custom make?" suggested Cyrus
"I have a better idea" growled Aaron. Extending his left hand he willed his magic to come through it.
There was a crash and a muffled scream from somewhere in the back of the shop. Ollivander whirled around in surprise as a long wand made of some dark colored wood came hurtling out of the back of the shop followed by a frantic looking woman with long blond hair tied in a braid. The wand flew straight into Aaron's outstretched hand, he felt a warm feeling go up his hand as he gripped the wand. He raised it above his head and brought it down sharply, a shower of bright blue and silver sparks shot out of the wand.
"I guess this is it?" he said
The woman was looking at him with shock and awe.
"Who are you?" she asked in a shaking voice.
"Lord Aaron Zakhrov at your service" Aaron replied bowing to her. "What's in this wand? It looks a lot different than the others"
"That is an experimental wand" she replied fearfully "20 inches Yew with a thunderbird tail feather core and an obsidian focus crystal laced with basilisk venom"
Ollivander gasped in shock and looked at the wand in the young boy's hand. It was long and thick, looking more like a sword than a wand, with a triangular obsidian crystal glinting at the hilt.
"What have you done Andrea?" he asked mournfully. "How could you make something so dangerous?"
"Dangerous?" asked Cyrus
Ollivander turned to Cyrus. "Thunderbird feathers make wands that are well suited to battle magic and transfiguration, I assume you already know about the properties of yew wood. Basilisk venom in incredibly dangerous and when infused with obsidian like this wand has, it creates a weapon of deadly power and accuracy. In the wrong hands, that thing can wreak more havoc than even the Dark Lord himself could hope to achieve" he rounded on Andrea seizing her by the shoulders. "What were you thinking!" he shouted shaking her by the shoulders "Have I taught you nothing? Wands are supposed to be conduits of magic. Not weapons of pain and death." Andrea was in tears now, quailing under Ollivander's fury as he kept shaking her.
"ENOUGH" shouted Aaron. Ollivander released Andrea with a scream of pain and looked at his hands in horror as they turned red and inflamed. Cyrus quickly drew his wand. "Finite Incantatem" He said and Ollivander's hands went back to normal.
"Mr. Ollivander, I know you are not happy about how this turned out, but the wand has chosen me." said Aaron. Ollivander, breathing heavily regained his composure.
"I apologize for my outburst Lord Greengrass and Lord Zakhrov. I do not make or approve of these kinds of wands, but you are right. The wand chooses the wizard. I can only hope that you use it responsibly and do not make me live to regret my decision today" He turned to Andrea. "My apologies child. I must say that it is a most excellent piece of craftsmanship."
Andrea had stopped crying and gave him a weak smile. "Thank you father." she turned towards Aaron. "That will be 500 galleons" she said. "Basilisk venom is incredibly rare and expensive, as is thunderbird feathers"
Aaron paid for his wand along with a holster and the Ollivanders bowed him and Cyrus out of their shop.
"Will Andrea be OK?" asked Aaron. "I don't want her to get into too much trouble over my wand"
Cyrus chuckled. "Ollivander is a man of somewhat old fashioned values" he explained. "He also feels responsible for selling a wand as powerful as he says to Voldemort. A bit silly really, you can't tell if 11 year old will grow up to be the most feared dark wizard in recent history"
Castle Zakhrov December 28 2001
The Greengrass girls watched in apprehension as Aaron and Cyrus faced each other in the dueling ring. Aaron's progress over the past 3 months had been nothing short of amazing. He had already mastered all the first year spells and had already made some progress in combat spells and curses.
"Alright boy lets see what you are made of" challenged Cyrus. "We begin casting on the count of three. One. Two. Three Expelliarmus" shouted Cyrus
"Protego" shouted Aaron.
Cyrus's disarming spell hit Aaron's shield charm and rebounded, knocking him backwards with his wand flying out of his hand.
Aaron immediately pressed his advantage and shouted "Petrificus Totalus"
Cyrus stiffened as he was getting up and fell backwards again,
"Bravo!" called Lizzie. She picked up Cyrus's wand and restored him. He got up shaking his head.
"Impressive Aaron" he chuckled as Lizzie gave back his wand. "Up for round two boy?"
"More than ready Old man" Aaron taunted.
Cyrus growled as they started dueling again.
The three girls watched in awe and apprehension as the sparring match got progressively faster and more violent. It was soon obvious that Cyrus wasn't holding back when he silently fired a bone-breaking curse. Aaron screamed in pain as the curse hit his right hand, breaking his wrist.
"REDUCTO!" he yelled in retaliation at Cyrus.
The reductor curse blasted through Cyrus's shield charm and hit him in the left leg, shattering it at the hip. Daphne and Astoria screamed as blood, gore and bone fragments flew everywhere. Lizzie sprang forward, waved her wand over her husband restoring his right leg. He was shivering as he got up and looked at Aaron with pride and a little bit of fear.
"Very impressive Aaron" he said wincing as he put his weight on his newly restored leg. "I now see why Ollivander called that wand a weapon of pain and death"
"Are you alright?" asked Aaron in worry, as Lizzie fixed his broken wrist.
"I'm fine" said Cyrus dismissively. "I just didn't expect you to put so much power into that spell."
"You're lucky the curse was localized to your leg" grumbled Lizzie. She sniffed and then grabbed both Cyrus and Aaron roughly.
"You promised me you'll be careful!" she wailed as tears spilled out of her eyes
Cyrus hugged her tightly. "Shh it's OK Lizzie. I'm fine"
Lizzie calmed down only after Aaron and Cyrus promised to not duel each other and practice only on test dummies
"So Daphne. What electives have you signed up for?" Asked Aaron as they sat to dinner later that evening.
"I'm thinking Arithmancy and Ancient Runes" she replied. "I don't particularly like animals so care of magical creatures is out, and divination useless unless you have seer blood in you"
"Any idea on who is behind the attacks at school yet?" asked Aaron.
"No" she said sadly. "Lots of people suspect Potter but I don't think he is. Some Gryffindors think it's Malfoy but he's just a pompous prat"
Aaron snorted. "And how is the famous Gilderoy Lockhart?"
Daphne rolled her eyes. "A capital fraud if I ever saw one. At first I thought he was amazing-"
"And dreamy" cut in Astoria smirking.
Daphne scowled "That was before he embarrassed himself before Snape of all people"
"What happened?" asked Astoria.
"Lockhart tried starting dueling club" explained Daphne. "He and Snape were supposed to give a demonstration of a proper wizard's duel, except he got his ass handed to him on the first shot when Snape disarmed him. Compared to you and dad, their duel was child's play"
Greengrass Manor December 29 2001
"I'm worried Cyrus. Even with a powerful wand, there is no way an 11 year old boy should be able to shatter your leg like that!" Lizzie was anxious as they lay in bed
"I'll admit that it I wasn't expecting that" replied Cyrus placing a kiss on his wife's forehead "He has come a long way in the past 4 years"
"Could that be the reason he had a magic bind?" asked Lizzie quietly. "I know that it is unethical but he could have hurt people without meaning to if his magical power was unchecked."
Cyrus snorted dismissively. "A fat lot of good it did for the kids in that orphanage he destroyed. No Lizzie that bind was in place to turn him into a squib. In my opinion, he's so powerful at this age because of that blasted bind. His magical core had to be strong enough to overpower that bind for him to even do anything. I shudder to think of the amount of pain it would have caused, besides I knew Emmanuel. He would have never done something like that to his own son"
"Do you know who killed them?" asked Lizzie. "Don't give me that look, I know you have suspicions"
Cyrus took a deep breath. "I know it wasn't any of the remaining Death Eaters" he said seriously.
"Whoever it was made sure they could not escape. There are very few people who could erect those wards. Another oddity was Greyhawk's injuries. He didn't die from a spell. A phoenix killed him."
"A phoenix?" gasped Lizzie "Why would a phoenix fight a thunderbird?"
"I don't know" said Cyrus. "Emmanuel was a big fan of the dark arts but he was never evil. Thanks to that psychopath Voldemort most people can't tell the difference between a dark wizard and an evil wizard" He looked at Lizzie. "Aaron and I won't duel each other." he told her "But I must teach him to control his power. He will be going to Hogwarts next year and given the problems Dumbledore's already got I'd rather not have Aaron add to them."
Platform 9 ¾ September 1 2002
Cyrus watched with pride as the three children boarded the Hogwarts Express. After their Christmas sparring match, Cyrus had resolved to teach Aaron to control his powers even under emotional stress. The last few months had been grueling sessions of spell practice and Occlumency, Aaron had insisted that both Daphne and Astoria learn Occlumency as well and he was proud and impressed by how quickly they had learned it.
"Stay safe kids" he said as they loaded their trunks into the luggage racks, he then smirked at Lizzie before turning to Aaron.
"Lord Zakhrov, I am placing my beloved daughters in your care." he told Aaron sternly, then winked at him.
"Aaron returned his stare. "They will be safe with me. I assure you Lord Greengrass" he said solemnly then winked and added in a stage whisper "As long as the don't tease me too much"
This earned him a smack on the head from both blushing girls.
"Boys!" laughed Lizzie rolling her eyes.
"You said it mum" said Daphne as they all chuckled
"So Astoria. Where do you think you'll end up?" asked Daphne as the train sped through the countryside.
"Probably Ravenclaw" said Astoria biting the head off a chocolate frog. "What about you Aaron" she asked
Aaron looked up from the runes textbook he was reading. "Well I know for sure that it wont be Gryffindor" he said.
"Why not?" asked Tracey Davis, Daphne's friend and year mate.
Aaron smiled at her "Not the right temperament. I prefer to think a bit before charging head first into danger"
"I suppose Daphne here has been telling you tales about the exploits of her major crush Harry Potter" Tracy giggled ignoring Daphne's furious stare.
"I didn't know you had such a poor taste in boys Greengrass" came a sneering voice from the compartment door. Tracey looked around in shock to see none other than Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway flanked by his usual gorillas Crabbe and Goyle.
"Thanks Tracey" said Daphne coldly as Tracy covered her mouth with her hands and went scarlet.
Daphne turned to Malfoy, "I don't remember inviting you to join us Draco, why don't you take your gorillas and get lost!" she snarled
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "You had better show me more manners Greengrass" he spat
"Perhaps I should evict you from the compartment instead. We do not want these impressionable first years to be corrupted by traitorous whores such as y- AAAARGH" He screamed as his, Crabbe and Goyle's legs crumbled beneath them.
"Apologize before I break more of your pathetic bones" hissed Aaron, his wand pointing at Malfoy, his blue eyes blazing in fury. The air around him crackled and sparked, the three girls looked at him and shivered, they had never seen anyone radiate power like this before. Even Daphne and Astoria had never seen Aaron truly angry.
"I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY" yelled Malfoy writhing in agony on the floor of the compartment.
"A proper apology Malfoy. One befitting that of a Noble House" said Aaron coldly raising his wand.
"I AM DEEPLY SORRY LADY GREENGRASS! I BEG YOUR FORGIVENESS PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST APOLOGIES" howled Malfoy
"Good. Now shut your mouth and get out of my sight" said Aaron stunning the three of them and banishing them out of the compartment just as an older girl with a prefect's badge rushed into the compartment with her wand drawn.
"What the hell happened?" she asked the 2 third years. Tracey was staring at Aaron clearly shaken by the speed and brutality he had exhibited. She had heard of his prowess but hadn't seen it first hand yet.
Daphne was the first to pull herself together. "Malfoy insulted me Rachel" explained to the prefect
"Did you do that to them Daph?" asked Rachel incredulously.
"It was Lord Zakhrov" said Tracey weakly pulling herself together and staring at Aaron with a mixture of fear and admiration.
"Who?" asked Rachel still confused
"I broke their legs" Aaron finally spoke up. "I would have let Daphne handle him if he hadn't insulted my intelligence as well"
Rachel shook her head smirking "That prat deserved what he got. Don't worry Daphne, I'll make sure professor Snape knows about the circumstances" She offered her hand to Aaron
"Rachel Travers, fifth year Slytherin prefect" she introduced herself.
"Lord Aaron Zakhrov, still need to be sorted. Pleased to meet your acquaintance miss Travers" replied Aaron taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.
Rachel blushed and giggled "Oooh a gentleman" she gushed
"I think Malfoy and his cronies might disagree with you on that one Rachel" smirked Astoria causing the others to laugh uproariously.
The train started slowing down causing Rachel to sober up and look out of the window curiously. "We cant be there yet" she said as the train came to a stop.
Suddenly the lights cut out, plunging the train into darkness as rain lashed the windows. The temperature suddenly dropped causing Astoria to shiver. Rachel's face went white. "Dementors!" she whispered
"Why are they here?" asked Tracey as she started to shiver.
"To look for Black I suppose" said Rachel.
The compartment door slowly slid open revealing a tall hooded figure. It drew in a great rattling breath as if to suck more than air from the compartment.
Aaron felt intensely cold and heard indistinct screaming and yelling along with bangs and crashes. He was starting to loose consciousness, the compartment was spinning, forcing himself to think of the happy times he had with Astoria in Greengrass Manor and raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum" he shouted as the compartment went black.
"Aaron! Aaron!" Somebody was shaking him. He jerked awake, the lights had come back on and the train was moving again. Astoria was standing over him shaking him with tears in her eyes. "I'm OK" he said hoarsely as he sat up. The four girls were looking at him with strange expressions on their faces, an older somewhat shabby looking man was looking at him in awe as he broke up a large bar of chocolate. "Here eat this" he said handing them pieces of chocolate. "It will help you feel better"
Aaron accepted the chocolate and took a large bite. He immediately felt warmth wash over him and his shivering subsided. "What happened?" he asked
"I'm Professor Lupin" the man introduced himself "You managed to drive off the dementor before you passed out. Impressive that you managed a patronus at this age young man"
"That was the first time I tried it against a real dementor" mumbled Aaron. "I didn't know if it would work"
"Well it did" replied Lupin. "We will be arriving at Hogwarts in ten minutes, I must go and check on the other students. Miss Travers I suggest you take Mr. Zakhrov along the other three to the hospital wing once we reach. I will send word to the Castle to inform them of what happened" he said and left.
Hogsmeade Station
The rain had stopped but a fierce wind howled through Hogsmeade station as Rachel levitated the forms of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle towards the school carriages, Aaron following behind her. He was feeling much better now and had even told her that he could go with the other first years but she wouldn't hear a word of it. "It's my neck on the line as well Aaron." she said
"Fine" grumbled Aaron as he sat in the carriage separated from her by the stunned bodies.
They were the first to reach the entrance hall followed by Daphne and Tracey
"I'll take these 3 to the hospital wing" said Rachel. "You two find Professor Snape and tell him that a first year needs a checkup" Daphne and Tracey nodded and turned towards the great hall.
Rachel lead Aaron and the floating boys up the main staircase and towards the first floor hospital wing corridor. Pushing open the door she dumped Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle onto hospital beds and took Aaron towards Madam Pomfrey's office.
Pomfrey was not pleased. "Dementors!" she grumbled as she checked Aaron's vital signs
"He seems to be fine but he should still have a little more chocolate before he can be sorted" she said
giving him a big piece of chocolate. "Eat it all" she said sternly as Aaron struggled to swallow it.
After he had forced down the last of the chocolate, Madam Pomfrey bustled them out of her office. She gasped when she saw the prone forms of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle and rushed to them. "They haven't been attacked by dementors Madam Pomfrey" said Rachel as Madam Pomfrey pulled out her wand and cast diagnostic charms on them. "Apparently not" she concluded. "Care to tell me who broke their legs and stunned them?"
"You wont believe me if I tell you" said Rachel. She turned to Aaron "Come on lets get you back to the great hall"
They entered the great hall just in time to join the other first years, Astoria grabbed Aaron's hand and squeezed it as Rachel left him and took her seat at the Slytherin table.
"Greengrass! Astoria!" squeaked Professor Flitwick
"Good luck" whispered Aaron as Astoria walked towards the stool and placed the hat on her head.
"Slytherin!" the hat shouted after a few seconds and Astoria went to join her sister at the Slytherin table.
Snape was smirking as he rejoined the staff table to watch the rest of the Sorting, something Dumbledore picked up on. "Something amusing Severus?" he asked politely.
"An incident on the train" said Snape.
Dumbledore frowned, "I don't think Harry fainting in the presence of a dementor is a cause for amusement Severus" he said coldly.
Snape's nostrils flared. "Is Potter all you care about?" he growled. "He wasn't the only one who fainted. A first year also collapsed after attempting a patronous. The same first year, If Miss Greengrass and Miss Davis are to be believed, gave Mr Malfoy and his companions a lesson in manners. And from the state of them in the hospital wing, I'd say that lesson was most effective"
"A first year?" asked Dumbledore in surprise. "I must say that is an extraordinary feat. What exactly did he do to Mr Malfoy and his companions?"
"He broke their legs, made Mr Malfoy apologize and then stunned them unconscious" said Snape.
"That is troubling" observed Dumbledore. "I wonder in which house he'll be in"
"We'll find out soon enough" said Snape as Flitwick called the last name, "Zakhrov! Aaron!"
"Hmmm. Interesting" said a voice in Aaron's head as he sat with the hat on him.
"Plenty of courage I see, an excellent mind oh yes. Determination, resourcefulness and a thirst to prove yourself. I suspect we shall see some great things from you Mr Zakhrov. You have abilities that any of the four houses would be glad to have, but I feel the one that will most benefit from your talents will be SLYTHERIN!"
Aaron pulled off the hat, handed it back to Flitwick and made his way to the Slytherin table. All the Slytherins were applauding enthusiastically except for three. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were looking at him with horror and recoiled slightly as he took a seat next to Astoria who was sitting opposite them.
He glared at them. "I suppose I don't have to remind you to behave yourself in my presence? Or to banish any thoughts of retribution?" he asked Malfoy
Malfoy shook his head "No my lord Zakhrov" he quavered.
"Good" said Aaron coldly and turned away from him as Dumbledore rose to address the hall.
"Welcome everyone. A few start of term notices to give you before we begin our feast. As you now know, Hogwarts is also playing host to the Azkaban Dementors. This is a precaution mandated by our Ministry of Magic. Dementors cannot be fooled by tricks or disguises or even invisibility cloaks. Dementors do not listen to pleas, excuses or reasoning. Therefore I must ask you to not give them any reason to harm you. And now let us feast!" he said as the plates and goblets filled with food and drink.
"This is the Slytherin common room" said Rachel as the first years assembled in the large room lit with glowing green lights and warmed by a fire roaring in a massive carved fireplace.
"All disputes and grievances you have with your housemates must be settled here. Outside you must always display a united front. In recent years Slytherin house has been given a rather bad reputation so expect hostility from the other houses. Boys' dormitories and bathrooms are down the corridor to the left, girls the same on your right. You will find all your belongings have already been moved to your beds. Breakfast starts at 7 tomorrow morning. Goodnight and good luck"
Aaron was about to leave for his dormitory when Astoria grabbed his arm. He turned towards her. "Didn't think we'd land up in the same house" he mumbled before he was engulfed in a tight hug
"I'm glad you are here with me and not in Gryffindor after that stunt you pulled on the train" she whispered. He gently hugged her back.
"I'm glad I'm with you too" he said.
She let go of him and gave him a smile "See you tomorrow at breakfast my lord" she curtsied
"You shall my lady" he bowed and they turned towards the dormitories.
Dumbledore was not in a good mood, Aaron Zakhrov was not who he expected. Instead of a boy who was so inept it would make Neville Longbottom talented by comparison, the brat was capable of magic far beyond his level. How had things gone so wrong? Calming down a little he decided that he should meet the brat first hand.
"Severus I'd like to meet Mr Zakhrov tonight, please send him to my office before he turns in for the night"
Snape scowled. The headmaster didn't normally request to meet first years. Even Potter hadn't got that treatment when he had first arrived. Something was up, Dumbledore probably knew something he didn't but Aaron was his responsibility now, and he'd be damned if the old coot would reprimand one of his snakes without him defending them.
Aaron had just opened his trunk and pulled out his pajamas when there was a knock on the door and Professor Snape stepped in. "The headmaster want's to see you Mr Zakhrov" he said scowling
"Is this about the fight on the train with Malfoy sir?" asked Aaron nervously
Snape gave him a small smile. "I don't think so" he said. "This is an unusual request by the headmaster. He normally waits until morning. However you don't have to be nervous. I will accompany you"
"He called Daphne a whore" Aaron growled as they made their way to the headmaster's office "Daphne would have cursed him herself if I hadn't got to him first"
"I quite agree, Malfoy is a bit of a pompous ass. Do not worry Aaron, I will make sure that the headmaster won't punish you for your chivalry. I'm actually quite glad you were sorted into my house. You already seem to have a charisma about you that Slytherin badly needs" said Snape as they reached the stone gargoyle. "Chocolate frog" said Snape to the gargoyle that jumped aside and revealed the spiraling staircase.
"Good evening Aaron" said Dumbledore as Aaron and Snape stepped through the door. "Thank you Severus" he dismissed Snape
"I'm staying Professor" said Snape coldly. "This is a very irregular interview"
Dumbledore stared at Snape for several seconds. "Very well" he said at last and waved them into chairs in front of his desk
"Now Aaron would you like a lemon drop before we start?" he asked twinkling at Aaron
"No sir" said Aaron, "I'm still quite full from the feast"
"Very well. On to businesses. What exactly happened on the train between you and Mr Malfoy?"
Snape growled and slammed two bottles of silvery substance in front of Dumbledore. "Here is Mr Malfoy's memory and Ms Greengrass memory of the events. I assure you that they have not been modified or tampered with" he spat. "If that is all headmaster,"
"That is not all Severus" interrupted Dumbledore. He turned back to Aaron, his eyes no longer twinkling. "Where did you learn to perform a bone breaking curse?" he asked
"A book from the Zakhrov family library" answered Aaron coldly.
Dumbledore's eyes widened in shock before they became cold again.
"I was under the impression that you were staying at Greengrass Manor. Your Hogwarts letter was sent there after all" he said smoothly.
Aaron held his gaze. "I was staying there over the summer. Lord Cyrus Greengrass is my regent and guardian"
"Parents?" questioned Dumbledore
"Dead" snapped Aaron. He didn't know why Dumbledore was questioning him like this but he didn't like it.
Dumbledore sighed. "Thank you Aaron, you may go now"
Aaron got to his feet, fighting hard to keep his emotions in check, What the hell was Dumbledore's problem?
Snape was livid. "What exactly is your problem Albus?" he snarled.
"I will discuss it with you in private Severus" said Dumbledore coldly "Kindly escort Mr Zakhrov back to the dormitories"
Snarling Snape got to his feet and put an arm around Aaron. "I thought you were impartial Professor" he said coldly "But it is clear you favor only the Gryffindor brats"
With that he steered Aaron towards the door.
The journey back to the dungeons was silent, both professor and student were seething at the treatment they had received.
"Whatever his problem is with me, he doesn't want me to know about it" said Aaron as they approached the common room entrance. "Very perceptive Aaron" answered Snape. "However if the old coot doesn't bind me to secrecy, I will share it with you"
"No" said Aaron. "If he doesn't want me to tell me about it, then I don't care what it is. But I can tell you this professor. If I have to redo what happened on the train, I will do it again, be it to anyone and for anyone I care about"
"And I will back you up every time" said Snape
Hogwarts 2 September 2002
"After seeing first hand what a prophecy did to the Dark Lord how could you have been so fucking stupid!" yelled Snape.
It was passed midnight in Dumbledore's office and Snape was staring in horror at the older man. The memory he had just seen was enough to turn his stomach.
"I thought I was doing the right thing Severus" said Dumbledore quietly.
"And a fat lot of good that did!" spat Snape. "I suppose the orphanage's destruction was because of him?"
"Yes" said Dumbledore "Although how he did that I do not know. The binding charm I had put on him was very powerful"
"Is it not obvious you old fart?" growled Snape "He probably received so much trauma there that his magic broke through that bind of yours!"
Dumbledore blanched "We will have to bring him under our control Severus" he said gravely. "I will not have that boy tear down everything we have worked so hard for"
"No" said Snape. "You are on your own with this one Old Man. I'm done being your fucking pawn!"
with that Snape strode out of the office slamming the door behind him