Delphi was excited she had been planning for mother's day for awhile. She wanted to find a gift that would make her mother proud. Her plan was to sneak out when her mother and father were talking, They didn't let her go out much but they wouldn't be too upset if she sneaked out to Diagon to get something for her mother. Merlin knows she deserved everything. Though her mother was always busy, she always made time for her or at least that's what she told her. Sometimes she felt like her parents only had her to make sure her father would always remain in power.
"No Delphi they love you" she took a deep breath and sneaked into the living room. Now to figure out how to get out of here unnoticed, she knew that there was a meeting going on so maybe that was how she would get out.
As Delphi moved through the house, she could hear voices coming from the formal dining room. She could clearly make out her parents' voices, but she wasn't sure who else was in the room with them. The last time a meeting was going on, she got in trouble for eaves dropping so she was sure to keep her distance. She could hear talk of a plan. There seemed to be a lot of secrecy around this plan. She heard some dates being mentioned…May 19th….May 23rd…
"what is happening?" she thought to herself. She struggled to recognize some of the voices. Usually she knew everyone her parents met with. It was all very strange.
There were a lot of voices hushing each other, as if to keep quiet. Delphi had heard her parents plotting events before, but this time it was different. Something felt off. However, she realized she couldn't get distracted and she needed to focus on her mission – getting a Mother's Day gift. Delphi was able to make her way to the back door of the home. She knew she couldn't go out into the front yard of the house as the dining room windows would reveal her to the meeting attendees and she'd get into trouble. She felt traveling through the back and into the forest behind their home was the best way to get to Diagon Alley. As Delphi ran through the forest, she couldn't help but wonder what the meeting was all about. What was happening later this month? What were her parents up to? And who were they talking to? She tried to focus her mind on a gift for her mother, but she struggled to forget the meeting.
Unfortunately in her preoccupied state she went off her path and didn't notice anything was wrong until she tripped over a root and realized she didn't recognize her surroundings. She tried to calm down and think of a plan but there was a sudden crisp snap of a twig off to her left. Abandoning any plans she ran away from the noise looking for shelter and a place to hide. She eventually came across a shallow cave hidden by a curtain of moss and vines and ducked inside trying to calm her racing heart and keep quiet. A few minutes later there was a rustling in a nearby bush causing her to put her hand to her mouth in an attempt at muffling her breathing. A few agonizing seconds later a squirrel popped out of the bush causing her to relax slightly until suddenly something grabbed her arm and pulled her from her hiding spot.
Delphini screamed.
"Shhh, it's just me! Delphi! Stop screaming! You're going to scare the Muggles!" That got Delphi to shut up. Her mother had always taught her that Muggles were scum, and not to be interacted with in any way, shape, or form.
"What are you doing here, then?" Delphi said, scowling at the boy.
"Why, the same as you. I got lost on my way to Diagon Alley. Someone must have set a waywardness jinx on the path. I think they're trying to keep us away from something."
"But why would someone want to do that? I was just going to get Mother a-" she started before being rudely interrupted.
"Quiet! Do you hear that? We're not alone." Sure enough, if you listened carefully, you could hear the footsteps of someone in the distance; someone who didn't seem to care if they were heard or not.
"What do you think they're doing? Do you think they're looking for us? Do you think-"
"Delphi. Please. I'm trying to concentrate. I can't do that with your constant chatter in my ear."
Delphi turned to look at her partner. "Easy enough for you to say, Nott," she said, smirking.
He glared at her with a look she knew all too well from home. She got as quiet as she could and listened to the voices but couldn't make out a word they were saying, and began to tap her foot with impatience... When Nott looked her way again she mouthed the words "are you coming or not?"
He looked at her, stunned, that she was being so bold but, understanding how important this was to her, He shrugged his shoulders and mouthed "what do you have in mind "?
She reached out her arm, offering it to him and whispered "trust me"?
As soon as he took her arm she apperated and landed safely in the back of Borgin and Burkes in Diagon alley. He looked pale like he was going to puke but also angry like he was going to start yelling.
But before he had the chance to do either, Delphi looked him square in the eye and said "Before you go off on your tangent need I remind you that doing this the 'legal way' got us both lost and hearing voices?". He just stared, daring her to continue. So she spoke again and holding her hands up in frustration
"Well be angry all you want to at least we are finally here! And I for one am not going to waste anymore of my time! I've got to get a gift for my mother and get back before they realize I'm gone!". With that she spun on her heels and started for the door. As she stepped into the street she stopped dead in her tracks as Nott slammed into her with a "huff" before saying
"Hey why'd you... Oh" looking around they were both at a loss for words... Diagon Alley seemed to be completely deserted!
Delphini looked at Nott.
"What do we do? And... why is Diagon Alley deserted?! What's going on, Nott?!" Delphini took him by the shoulders and started shaking him, her heart racing. There was a popping noise in the distance, but she didn't pay any mind to it until...
"Delphi- stop! Look!" Nott said with a harsh whisper. He was looking straight ahead. Delphini slowly turned and her eyes went wide. There were hooded figures up ahead. Delphini and Nott looked at each other, and as quietly as they could, they inched behind a big bush that was in the entrance to Diagon Alley.
"What do you suppose we do now, Delphi?"
Delphini and Nott dove back into Borgin and Burke's.
"What is going on? Who are they?" Delphi whispered as they made their way to the back of the store, looking for a place to hide. Nott shrugged. They could hear chanting outside. It got louder as the figures got closer, but Nott and Delphi held their breath, trying to make out what they were saying, but it appeared to be a different language. The chant slowly faded away and the two relaxed a bit. But just then the door swung open.
"Hello!? Shopkeep, come here!" A dark an ominous voice said from the door.
Delphi and Nott still hid in the corner hiding so that they could gather as much recon for her parents as they could before having to tell her how they came to be in Diagon Alley when they were forbidden to go anywhere.
"Y..yes sir" said the shop keeper behind the counter.
"You remember what you owe us from the final night, we are calling in our debt, we need a place that we can meet without anyone overhearing our plans, this must go ahead as planned if we are to bring our kind glory again" the ominous voice said.
Delphi and Nott shared a look, maybe they wouldn't have to tell her mother anything, maybe she already knew what was happening here.
After about ten minutes more of conversation the man left and the two waited until the shop keeper when back to his work and quickly got out of there.
"What do you think this means for us all, Nott? What's going to happen?" Delphi asked her closest friend.
Nott shook his head, "I am not entirely sure," he said with a frown.
Delphi ripped at her hair. It wasn't good enough. She huffed for a moment and debated killing her friend. She closed her eyes for a moment and counted to ten. Control it. She had too much to plan.
"Not good enough," she shook her head as if trying to erase something from her mind. "We need to know."
Delphi reached out and quickly snagged Nott by the sleeve. With a sharp tug, she made for the front door, dragging Nott along with her.
"What the hell are you doing now?" Nott exclaimed.
"I'm going to follow them, find out what they're up to" she said firmly, "and you're going to help me!"
As they reached the door, Delphini looked back over her shoulder "Wait just a minute Nott... Burke!" she shouted. "Caractacus!"
The wizened old wizard poked his head out from the back room where he escaped to when the men in hoods had left,
"Ms. Delphi!" he said with surprise "I, what are you doing here?".
Delphi walked back to where Caractacus Burke was standing, half hidden by a grotesque statue of some kind of gargoyle.
"Who were those men? What did they want?" Delphi asked forcefully.
"They... I... I can't tell you miss. Please, it's not safe!"
Delphini narrowed her eyes at frail old man, he was too scared to be of any use. She reached out and snatched up a gorgeous jade bracelet from the counter.
"Fine. Wrap this up and have it sent to my house this evening. Send it with an elf if you must, but it's a surprise for mother, and she cannot know I've been out. "
Burke nodded his head "Ye, yes. Of course Ms. Delphini. Anything you wish."
With that, Delphi turned on her heel - grabbed Nott once again, and dragged him as fast as she could out the front door in pursuit of the hooded men.
Sticking to the shadows, Delphi was torn between getting home before her absence is discovered and following the hooded figures to find out what is happening here. In her mind something is pulling her deepest consciousness. From the depths of her thoughts she hears Parseltongue. In the darkness came slithering along a snake of pure black showing its black mouths and fangs, with enough poison to kill a dozen people. A smooth column of armored muscle, slithered into the charcoal light that preceded the dawn. Gliding over the parched soil and stone, dark back to the stars. She felt no worry from this friend although Nott was clearly alarmed at her presence. The light of the moon shone upon his white face dripping with sweat.
"Aposlaohs-hesleuf-iangsteur-ai-sa. Erfe-sane usss- sine."
She heard the words, but the translation made no sense to her. From a young age Delphi could always speak to snakes. Why was this snake telling her Black castle proud, it was here to help? Nott was looking at her like she was absolutely bonkers as she was whispering in his ear what she was being told.
"Did you really just roll your eyes at me?" she mouthed. Delphi took her wand out and cast a disillusionment charm over herself and Nott. She surely didn't want to be seen or get Nott into any trouble. He was one of her only friends. With the help of her serpentine navigator, they made their way down Knockturn Alley at a snail's pace trying to find the voices again. There was a light inside Cobb & Webbs.
" We must go and see if that's where they are gathering." she whispered to Nott. He nodded and they scampered across the dusty alley to the broken window at the shop.
There were numerous voices that seemed to be debating a serious topic, but with hushed tones.
"We must tell the girl" one muttered. Another familiar voice range in with a confident tone
"I am her Aunt, we have to tell her! She needs to know who her true family is! I will not let this foolishness go on any further. My sisters daughter deserves to know what true blood and greatness she is made of!" Wide eyed Nott Mumbled in here ear,
" That's Narcissa Malfoy in there, I wonder who she is talking about?" Another voice came out of the shadows and softly spoke-
" But I've raised her since the Battle, and I am all she has. We just can't at this time. We must wait a bit longer"
"Please, Please?"" the voice begged. .. The woman's voice made Delphi stiff as a board. Her mind just started Swirling and feeling if she had vertigo. Tears were coming to her eyes and she could no longer see. Nott saw what was happening.
"Delphi…You OK? Whats going on?"
All she could cry was… "MOM?"
"You never cared for the girl anyway Euphemia. You only took her because of the money." Narcissa'a voice cut through Delphi like a hot knife. Her breath caught in her throat and the trees around her began to spin. What was going on? What did Narcissa mean about her mother only taking her because of them money? Euphemia Rowles was her mother. Wasn't she? The only mother she had ever known. Could it be a lie? She almost stepped into the light before Nott pulled her back.
"Just listen"
The two women continued to argue but they moved further away from Delphi and Nott's hiding place. Delphi stood to follow but Nott pulled her back in the direction of the house.
"Lets get back before anyone notices we're gone. Once you've got a clearer head you can confront her." Delphi knew he was right. If she chased after her...whatever she was...now, she would only get herself in trouble for having left the mansion. Perhaps she hadn't even heard her correctly.
The pair made their way back up through the woods and had almost made it to the back door when the heard a twig crack. They froze where the stood.
"And where exactly have you two been?"
An evidently upset Severus Snape inquired. Being one of her dad's most trusted followers, he took on the role of her unofficial guardian, and made sure he was around when her parents were "busy taking care of business".
Nott trembled in fear. He's heard stories about the infamous Hogwarts Headmaster - enough to convince him never to get on the old man's bad side.
"Out," Delphi replied matter-of-factly while she checked on her nails.
"Well done, child. I'm glad that we have established that fact," her greasy-haired guardian said crisply. "And where in this vast space called out did you and this young man go to?"
"Just around, really," she responded cooly once again, much to his dismay.
Nott swore he could hear his heart pounding. Snape did not look very pleased with the young girl's answers, and it was pretty evident that he wasn't going to let her get away with being her usual bratty self. Someone had to set the girl straight - her parents were obviously too doting to do it.
Turning his attention to the trembling young man, Snape merely narrowed his eyes and said, "Go."
Delphi glanced briefly at her friend, who had been looking like he would faint anytime. Poor Nott didn't have to be caught in the middle of all this drama, she thought. She silently wished he'd take the old man's advice, and just leave.
"No, thank you, Sir," the young man responded, earning audible gasps from both Delphi and Snape. "Delphi's my friend. I got her into this mess, so I'm not leaving until this is sorted."
Snape rolled his eyes, and made a mental note to check on the Sorting Hat when he got back to Hogwarts. There was no way this boy could be Slytherin, he thought.
"Very well," Snape said, composing himself. "Tell me where you both have been."
"We will if you answer a question for me," Delphi said defiantly.
"You have too much of your mother in you," Snape said, his lips curved in a smirk.
"That's an amusing observation, Severus," the young girl said. "Which mother are we talking about, the one who gave birth to me or the one who raised me?"
Delphini watched as Snape fought hard to hide the shock in his eyes. He was always so stone-faced, never showing much expression except maybe disdain. The years had not been kind to Snape and his worn face had made him even more listless. He did such an exceptional job of playing his role that he sometimes forgot he was placed as Delphini's guardian for a reason. That faking his death was all part of a higher purpose. He had managed to fool not only Voldemort yet again, but also Harry Potter. Snape had suspected Voldemort would try to kill him, figuring out that Snape disarmed Dumbledore's wand and not Draco.
He had secretly concocted a potion infused with a couple drops of Unicorn blood, Dittany, and Canis Root that gave him temporary paralysis, fooling even the most trained eye that he had breathed his last. Harry did not know Snape had survived and was secretly keeping an eye on Albus Potter. This boy would be "The Chosen One," just like his father. Albus must be the one to bring Delphini down. She was the key. . . .she was the secret weapon the Death Eaters were grooming to once again resurrect the Dark Lord. Her blood held the element to return Voldemort to this plane of existence. But he needed a body. . . . .Albus' body. He must protect the boy. . . .
He gathered himself enough to return his blank look of distain. "Don't be impertinent child. Go to your room. Noooooooooow. And Master Nott, OB-vi-oussssssssssssssss-LY you can find your own way out I presume."
He spun quickly and gave Delphini a cold stare. "What did she know?" Snape thought to himself. He must watch her more carefully.
Delphini stared back at Snape before she gave him a nasty grin and turned on her heel. She had only made it a few steps,
"Nott, you coming?" She questioned. Nott tripped over his own feet trying to scramble to her side.
"Why am I so nervous around her?" Nott thought to himself. He looked down at her and admiration filled his eyes. He knew she was born for greatness. To him, Delphini was the most beautiful and headstrong woman he knew. He gathered a sigh before placing his hand in hers so they could go home.
They landed with a thud in the courtyard outside Delphini's home. Nott felt nauseous - and probably looked it. Delphini was unaffected, as always. Nott started to say something, but never got the chance to get the words out. Delphini rammed herself into him, knocking him backwards towards the large garden.
"Don't move," Delphini whispered. The smell of her coconut hair permeated the air distracting him from what she was saying. Nott was about to speak up when he heard the voices.
"The time has come. We must tell Delphini who her real mother is. I fear she already knows," Euphemia said.
Nott could see Delphini's face pale. This confirmed that Euphemia was not her mother. Nott thought to himself - "who was?" Thoughts ran askew in his brain until a sob distracted him.
Delphini was noticeably shaking and trying to forbid the tears from falling. Nott scooted close to her and pulled her into him.
He whispered, "Dee, it's alright. This could be a good thing. Your mother could be someone awesome - the Minister's wife, royalty, hell, even a common Auror would trump who've you got now."
Delphini looked at him and tried to hide her smile.
"Cant hide your smile now love," Nott started, "I've already seen it and you know everything I'm saying is true." They both set up and looked around making sure it was clear before standing. Nott was unsure what to do here. He needed to show Delphini that he was a man who could take charge - a man of action.
"Let's go find Euphemia," Nott said. Delphini raised an eyebrow at him.
Nott grinned hugely, "Let's blindside her. She won't have a story worked out and we will get more honest answers."
Delphini looked skeptically at Nott, "I always knew you had it in you," she looped her arm through his, " now, let's go find my mother." Nott resisted the urge to ask which one.
They hadn't wandered far when they saw her. Delphini jogged ahead yelling, "Mother, mother!"
Euphemia turned to look at the pair. She started to speak when Delphini cut her off, "Let's cut right to it then. I know you're not my mother. I demand to know who is and why I was lied to for so long?"
Euphemia paled, "How did you-"
Delphini cut her off, "Doesn't matter how I knew. I know now and I am demanding answers."
Euphemia sucked in a small breath, "It wasn't safe for you to know. It still isn't, but due to recent events, I felt it was due time to tell you."
Delphini clutched to Nott's hand for support. She looked squarely at her mother. "Why was it unsafe? Tell me who she is!" Delphini gritted.
"Come inside Delphini, we will have some tea and I will explain everything. It's a long story," Euphemia said.
Delphini raised her voice, "No, tell me her name. I'm not going anywhere with you until I know her name."
Euphemia looked at Nott. Nott stared back at her. He wasn't backing down this time. He had to be strong for Delphini. "Tell us the name, Euphemia," Nott said with as much nonchalance his voice could muster.
Euphemia sighed before asking, "You both know Bellatrix Lestrange?"
"Yes, what the bloody hell has she got to do with this?" Delphini asked. She looked up and met her mother's eyes.
"No..." she whispered. Euphemia just looked at them. She didn't need to say another word.
Delphi just stared in disbelief at her "Mother", she felt weak at the knees. Surely this was not true, it couldn't be true , Bellatrix Lestrange , her real Mother. Delphi felt sick, she could hear people speaking to her as though from far away and feel someone shaking her but all she could do was stand there rooted to the spot in total shock.
" Delphi, Delphi are you alright ? Delphi , say something ! " Nott was saying with panic and worry in his voice.
Delphi felt herself being guided into a chair , she let Nott steer her limp , numb body and flopped down putting her head in her hands and beginning to sob.
" Now Delphi stop being such a silly girl ! " Euphemia snapped.
Delphi suddenly felt rage and hatred rushing through her body and raising her head she glared at the woman she had believed to be her Mother. Quick as a flash Delphi rushed towards Euphemia with her wand raised, all she could think was that she wanted to hurt her, punish her for lying to her all this time.
Nott did not know what to do ! Delphi had lost control and he was afraid of what he was seeing.
Without a second thought Delphi stood raised wand and shouted with more anger and hatred than she thought possible
"Crucio!"
Standing there with a stare of shock and fear and more than a little awe Nott looked upon his friend as she brought the woman to raised her to her knees. He opened his mouth to speak and found himself closing it just as quickly, this repeated a few times as he watched the woman on the floor shake and spasm while crying out in pain, so much pain.
Delphi let her curse drop and found herself hunched over breathing raggedly trying to catch her breath as she recovered from the immense outpouring of magic she just managed.
Trying to stand on incredibly shaky legs and failing time and again Euphemia sat there looking at the child she had raised and found herself laughing bitterly.
"Seems like you have a fair bit of that woman in you after all. Now if you're quite finished we can talk about this calmly."
Delphi grabbed Tobias' hand at that moment and said "only if Nott is allowed to come with me."
"Very well then" Eumphemia said. They ended up in the parlor where her "mother" now had an elf bring her some tea. She was so nervous for this conversation. She knew as long as she had Tobias by her side she would be fine.
The fire cracked loudly as the older witch motioned for the them to sit down. The familiar parlour appeared more unwelcoming than Delphi could have ever imagined, and the air ran cold. Her blood was still boiling from the recent revelations of her true bloodline, and she had squeezed Tobias's hand tighter than she had realized. It wasn't until his palm cupped their joined fingers that she relaxed.
"N-Now then," Euphemia began, her voice still cracking from the after effects of the curse that shot through her. "What do you know of Bellatrix LeStrange, girl?" the woman's tone grew harder with every syllable, she was not about to bow down to the witch she raised, not yet anyway.
Delphi flexed her jaw, and spoke between gritted teeth, "Only that she did much for the Dark Lord during his time on earth. Some called her mad," her eyes were narrowed in on the older witch in front of her, the mother turned stranger.
"She was a Black before. And sister to Andromeda and Narcissa," Tobias added in a slightly calmed fashion.
Euphemia nodded, as she had found her seat in her usual high backed chair closest to the fire. Her eyes went dark, and she shifted her gaze between the two before her. "Delphini, you had to have felt the uncontrollable surge of magical currents in your veins, child," she shifted in her chair and straightened her back, "I witnessed firsthand the power you carry inside you."
Delphini's expression hardened and she set her focus to the floor. More than magic was running through her as her mind raced over the memories of the witch in question. She knew the reputation she had, what using any and all means to satisfy her Lord. She sighed, causing another squeeze of Tobias' hold.
"Let's cut straight to the point shall we?" added a new voice, low and smooth. The man was met with three pairs of eyes, and Delphini found herself scrunching her face into a snarl at the stranger. "Your mother is Bellatrix Lestrange, yes, going back into the time of Tom Marvolo Riddle to create the weapon, a key, for his rise again."
Euphemia stood sharply, standing in fists at the man. She opened to speak, but Delphi was quicker with her wand drawn.
"And who are you? How do you know anything of my heritage?"
The man released a laugh not dissimilar to a growl, and eyed the girl intently. His features softened ever slightly, and a smile brushed his lips. "You look so much like my Bella." he said calmly, causing a ripple of reactions to tear from Delphini's person. "Yes, Bellatrix was mine. She was my wife. And so devoted was she to the cause that she gave her very body to the Dark Lord himself. To create you, Delphini. To fulfill the prophecy."
Silence washed over the room, causing the air to thicken and the tension unbearable. Delphini grabbed her stomach, and clenched her other hand on Tobias's arm. It was suddenly hard for her to breath and she coughed a breath. Tobias was there, assisting to hold her ground. When the wave of shock dissolved, she found strength in his gaze and she straightened again just as fast, standing straight with a malicious grin curling at the corners of her lips. If her mother gave everything for the cause, so shall she. For the prophecy, for revenge. It was the perfect gift she could offer.
She tapped her wand against her temple, cocking her head to the side. With wild eyes she asked Rodolphus LeStrange, "Tell me more about this prophecy." and she bellowed a laugh not unfamiliar to the elder man's ears.