Summary: Rodolphus Lestrange and Antonin Dolohov call in their Blood Debts with the Potter family, and there's only one-way James can appease his two sworn enemies is by giving them something that they can't refuse. Persephone Potter is thrust into an old Pure-blood Triad marriage ritual, that opens her eyes to things that her father and Dumbledore have kept hidden from her. Co - Written with Silentnight00. RL/OC/AD, and various other pairings. Rated M for graphic violence, language, distressing scenes and eventual smut.
I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters if I did then Sirius would be alive, and Hermione wouldn't be with Ron. J.K. Rowling has that privilege of owning the stories.
If you don't like reading about same sex couples, then don't read the story.
The Spoils Of War
Chapter 2
"I'm sure we can clear up this misunderstanding without an arrest, my dear." Dumbledore gave the head of the DMLE a slightly condescending smile, his eyes twinkling. "All those accusations are completely false, and I am offended that anyone could think so poorly of me."
"That is Madame Bones to you, Mr. Dumbledore." Amelia replied icily.
Dumbledore's twinkle dimmed a bit and he replied, almost petulantly, "That is Chief Warlock Dumbledore, then, Madame Bones."
"You didn't get the memo, Mr. Dumbledore? You have been dismissed from your position as Head of the Wizengamot. You are no longer Chief Warlock." Rufus Scrimgeour spoke, repressing a pleased smirk at the look of fury that passed over the old man's face.
"Now, you are under arrest. You have no choice but to come quietly, lest we be forced to stun you." Amelia said calmly.
Dumbledore contemplated his options before deciding to go along with this, for now. He would have a better chance at regaining his reputation if he seemed compliant. And when he was released he would have them all grovelling at his feet, begging for forgiveness.
"Very well then, Madame Bones. I will allow you to arrest me, but when you all realize the mistake you are making, I expect a very public apology." He spoke in a haughty, superior tone.
The Aurors all gritted their teeth at the arrogance the old man was emitting in waves. Allow them to arrest him indeed.
Scrimgeour actually looked a bit disappointed at his cooperation, wanting to have a perfectly legal excuse to hex the old man.
They clapped him in magic suppressing cuffs and portkeyed to the ministry holding cells.
While Dumbledore was in his cell, Amelia was overlooking the files on cases that Dumbledore had been overseeing with Minister Bangold.
All of them were fabricated, the wizard or witch had been thrown into Azkaban after their farce of a trial. Antonin Dolohov's trial was horrific, the man had been beaten, cursed and tortured by Aurors James Potter and Marlene McKinnon.
Amelia felt sickened by what she was reading, all of these cases were led by Dumbledore and the Light side.
Amelia felt a wave of dark fury take hold of her, before she was able to calm herself once again, and entered the interrogation room where Albus Dumbledore was being held.
"Albus Dumbledore, you here charged with fraud, blackmail, bribery, murder and torture. Do you deny these charges against you?" Amelia asked calmly, her face hard as Scrimgeour sat beside her.
"I've never murdered, blackmailed or threatened anyone in my life, Madame Bones." Dumbledore said calmly, his face cold as he looked at the grey witch.
"That's not what Horace Slughorn says, Headmaster. He told us that you had threatened him, when he confronted you about the lies you were spreading about Tom Gaunt." Amelia said calmly and nodded at Scrimgeour who took the lead.
Dumbledore said nothing, but his eyes darkened in anger.
"Tom was simply exaggerating, he only had bruises. Nothing else, he was troublesome," Dumbledore said coldly, his face emotionless.
"Really? We've spoken to Voldemort, you see, and he was under Vetriserum. He told the truth, and how when he came back in the summer holidays, the Matron would beat him until he couldn't walk." Scrimgeour said dangerously and moved onto another subject to let Dumbledore stew.
"We know that you told James Potter, who Lily's real parents were. You told James Potter, and knew he would murder Lily, didn't you?" Rufus asked disgusted, at the man's actions.
Dumbledore finally spoke.
"She was the daughter of a dark wizard, and the mother of the Chosen One! I ordered James to murder his daughter, and spare Harry but instead Lily protected her brat!" Dumbledore sparked, infuriated that his plans were ruined.
Amelia's eyes widened in astonishment, "You ordered James Potter to kill his daughter? A babe only days old!?"
"Why would you do such a thing?" Rufus spoke in a tone so chillingly cold that even Amelia shivered. Children were precious to all of wizarding kind. They were considered a blessing from Mother Magic. To even contemplate hurting one, a newborn baby at that, was heinous. A crime worthy of the veil.
Dumbledore sneered, "That thing is no mere babe. She will grow to be the most terrifying Dark Lady the world will have ever known. One day you will look back at this and wish that James had finished the job right."
Both interrogators had to forcibly control the urge to lash out at the man. The girl was literally days old. Her magical core hadn't even developed enough for it to lean towards any type of magics.
"And why do you think that?" Amelia asked as calmly as she could.
"She was born on Samhain and her grandfather is Voldemort himself."
Amelia and Rufus were astounded that those were his only reasons for wanting the baby dead. It may be rare for children to be born on Halloween, but not unheard of, and there have been no documentations on those born on that day being especially inclined to being Dark, let alone turning into Dark Lords or Ladies. And it had already been proven that Voldemort had not been nearly as evil as the Light had made him out to be, so that argument was inexcusable as well.
"You will not get away with this, Dumbledore. James may be the one charged with the murder of Lily and attempted murder of his daughter, but you were an accessory to the crime and just as guilty." Amelia said in disgust. She could only imagine Sirius's reaction when he found out that James' real target had been the baby and not Lily.
"I have no regrets about what I have done, Madame Bones. I was going to save the Wizarding world of Great Britain, and that bitch ruined it!" He said bitterly, the twinkle completely gone from his eyes.
Amelia glared at the man with an expression of contempt, she was desperately trying to control her temper.
"Your trial will be held on Friday morning, Dumbledore." She said coldly and left the room with Rufus following her as two aurors none too gently took Dumbledore to his cell.
How would the Potter, Black and Gaunt families react?
Sirius hadn't been able to sleep, so he was now checking on Persephone who had woken up for a bottle. He fed her the bottle of formula quietly, rubbing her back comfortingly. He would blood adopt her and Harry, they would be his children in every way. Blood adoptions were rare, but not uncommon in the Wizarding communities.
Persephone drifted off to sleep, clinging to his t-shirt tightly. He hugged her close, as the door opened and revealed none other than Severus Snape.
His sworn enemy.
Sirius regarded Severus wearily, the man looked like he hadn't slept in days and his clothes were rumpled. His black hair for once, wasn't greasy but instead tousled.
"Is it true, Black?" Severus asked rigidly, Sirius sighed quietly and nodded at the clearly distraught man.
"It's true, James murdered Lily after Dumbledore told him the truth about Lily's true parentage. He killed her when she tried to stop him from killing Persephone," Sirius explained sadly, holding Persephone close.
Severus collapsed onto the floor, and buried his face into his hands. Sirius could hear the man silently sobbing and knew the man had loved Lily.
Sirius wasn't sure what to do as he gazed sadly at the distraught man weeping on the floor. He knew that news of Lily's death would have hit Snape hard. Not only did the man love Lily, but she had been his best and only friend for most of his life. Lily had almost always been in Severus' life in some way. To have that ripped away from him had to be extremely painful.
The Black Heir just continued to hold his goddaughter, knowing any form of comfort he gave to Snape would be harshly rejected. Neither of them was fond of the other. In fact, most would say they hated each other. So, he decided to just let the man be as he grieved, hoping his silent presence would offer some sort of comfort, though he doubted it.
Persephone made a slight noise in her sleep, the sobs coming from Snape waking her slightly. With a sigh, Sirius gently laid the baby down in her crib and approached his old school enemy.
"Come on, Snape. You look like you could use a drink."
Severus took a deep breath, trying desperately to pull himself together, especially in front of Sirius Black of all people, but all he could think about was his dead best friend. Dead by the man that Snape had always hated more than anything. The same man that he had begged her not to marry. Anyone would have been better than James Potter, even Black. But she had not listened, stubborn in her surety that she knew James better than Severus did, and knew that he was a good man.
The young Potions Master stiffly got up off the floor and decided that he would take Black up on his offer of a drink. Everyone knew that the Black family had a collection of rare and expensive liquor. It was always the talk of the parties whenever a member of that family decided to throw one. Might as well see what all the fuss was about.
Sirius led the silent man down to the kitchens and motioned for him to take a seat.
"Kreacher. Open a bottle of firewhiskey for us. One of the special ones Mother reserves for her parties." He ordered the house elf quietly, taking a seat with a tired sigh as the requested drinks popped up in front of them both.
Severus grabbed his glass, staring at the amber liquid morosely before nodding thanks to his host and downing the rather large drink in one go. The whiskey slid smoothly down his throat and settled warmly in his stomach. It was as good as people claimed it to be and already he could feel his emotions dulling and a false calm settled on his shoulders.
"What will happen to Lily's children, now that...she's… she's gone? Potter will be imprisoned?" Severus asked finally, he knew Dorea Black would take care of her grandchildren or Sirius and Remus would as they were the godfathers.
"I will be taking care of them with Dorea, I'll be blood adopting them tomorrow morning. James's trial will be held on Friday, and I think you should be there." Sirius said quietly, Severus nodded and swallowed.
"When will the funeral be?" He asked hesitantly, it felt like he was being stabbed as he asked the words.
"Next Friday, Voldemort wants to make sure the Gaunt crypt hasn't been destroyed." He said quietly, Severus nodded and drank in silence.
'I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Lily. Forgive me, I am so sorry.' Severus thought sorrowfully and poured more firewhisky.
Antonin surveyed his late father's study in silence, the desk had been turned over from when James and his lackey had attacked the manor. His younger sister, Natasha quietly walked over and hugged him tightly. He returned the embrace gladly and swallowed.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly, he'd seen the bruises on his sister's cheeks and on her arms. If Potter and his fellow aurors had hurt her...
"I'm fine, just bruised and aching from their curses. That was the worst of it." Natasha said reassuringly, giving her brother a soft smile.
Antonin sighed heavily, and looked at her quietly.
"I'll need to arrange father's funeral, we need to put his soul at rest, so he can rest in the afterlife peacefully." He said finally, Natasha nodded in agreement.
Antonin sighed. He wasn't even sure where his father's body was being kept. It certainly wasn't where it had been when the Aurors were arresting them. It was just another thing he would have to go to the ministry to find out.
"I'll start making a list of father's allies and acquaintances. They will need to be informed of his passing and funeral once we get the details." His sister spoke softly, seeing his resigned and frustrated look. She knew he was still suffering the effects of Azkaban, even from just being in there for a short time. He didn't need the added stress of arranging a funeral, so she would help him where she could.
"Thank you, Natasha." She nodded and gave him a comforting smile before turning to start her task.
Antonin groaned quietly at the thought of dealing with ministry officials once again, but there was no other option. His father deserved to have a proper burial and for that, they needed his body.
Sirius didn't get much sleep that night. Between Persephone's night time feedings and comforting his once enemy, he was exhausted come morning. He stumbled down to the kitchen, half blind and barely awake, to see the Dark Lord being chatted to by a talkative 1 year old.
Voldemort was obviously unsure how to react to the little boy, never having the chance to raise his own child, as she had been taken from him as a baby, but he seemed to be keeping up well. He was nodding along, pretending to understand what Harry was saying. Sirius almost chuckled at the sight.
Regulus was up as well, looking much better than he had the day before. His brother had little Persephone in his arms as he carefully fed her breakfast. The younger Black brother had a small smile on his face as he watched the babe drink her bottle.
"Morning." Sirius greeted groggily as a cup of tea made its way in front of him courtesy of Kreacher.
"Rough night?" Regulus asked in a sympathetic tone.
"Didn't get much sleep." Sirius sighed.
"What are your plans for today?" Voldemort asked. He looked his usual collected self after a night's sleep, but the grief was still in his eyes.
"I am planning on blood adopting these two. They could both use the protection of the Black family and it would keep any distant relation from trying to claim them in an effort to get at their inheritance. Then we'll need to go to Gringotts and sort out their trusts and to officially make Persephone my Heir."
"Not Harry?" Regulus asked, looking up from his task.
Sirius shook his head, "He will have enough on his plate with just the Potter Lordship. No need to burden him further and it would prevent any future resentment between the two."
The others nodded.
"We'll go to Gringotts today, get everything sorted out. I'll have trust funds set up for them, in the Gaunt vaults as well." Voldemort decided, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Sirius went upstairs to change and freshen up, he didn't want the Ministry thinking that he was incapable of looking after his godchildren.
The blood adoption Ritual took place in the Black family cemetery, with all the Black family present to witness the ceremony. Sirius held Persephone in his arms, as she was dressed in a christening gown.
"I Sirius Orion Black, blood adopt Harry James Gaunt Potter and Persephone Apollymi Gaunt Potter into the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black." Sirius stated calmly, holding Persephone tightly.
Each of the members held out their finger to bind their blood to Persephone, and Harry. Walburga gathered the blood drops into a chalice, and the magic in the air blew around them.
"Harry and Persephone are now members of the Black family and are under our protection." Orion declared calmly, looking at everyone challengingly to disagree.
Only Ted Tonks seemed to disapprove.
Rodolphus sighed in frustration, he and Bellatrix had decided to separate, and the divorce was being finalised. He knew that she'd never loved him, but now his father and bloody grandfather were planning prospective marriages for him and Rabastan.
"All of the women who are suitable brides, have been married. This is important, Rodolphus." Rudolphus said sternly, Rodolphus ran a hand through his dark blonde hair, tiredly.
"What about the blood debt James Potter owes us? He owes us, and the Dolohov family a blood debt." Rudolphus asked sharply, looking at his son intently.
Rodolphus felt his blood run cold.
A Marriage Blood Debt was practised by many of the old pure-blood families, it had been banned in the 1930's. But, a lot of the old families still utilized it.
"She's only a baby!" Rodolphus protested heavily, disgusted at what his grandfather was suggesting.
"And you're the heir to the Lestrange family fortune, businesses and our seat! Just because I'm allowing you and that Russian wizard to be together, is so I'll have an heir through your future wife! Seeing as Bellatrix is infertile!" Rudolphus snarled dangerously, causing Rodolphus to growl in anger.
"She is a baby." He repeated once more at a slower pace, as if his father just didn't understand.
"She will grow." Rudolphus waved his hand as if it was insignificant. "Sixteen years is nothing in the grand scheme of things."
Rodolphus ran his hand over his face tiredly. It was practically unheard of to betroth a man his age to a baby of all things, even if they wouldn't be bound until the babe reached sixteen. Usually such arrangements weren't made until the younger party was in their teens at least.
"You would have to go through the Black family for this as well. They might be able to fight the claim of a blood debt if they have blood adopted the girl." Rabastan butted in.
"No. Even if they did go through with it, Potter blood still runs in her veins and James Potter is still considered her father, at least partly. They are also one of the few old houses that still follow the older traditions almost religiously. They may put up a token of resistance, especially their wayward heir, but in the end, they would give in." Their father rebutted.
"I don't like this." Rodolphus growled angrily.
"Tough. That girl is a mix of many old blood lines and will do our house some good. I have made my decision."
The Lestrange heir yelled in anger and stormed off, slamming the door behind him hard enough to rattle the windows.
Rudolphus rolled his eyes at his heir's dramatics. He'd thank him some day.
The trip to Gringotts was calm, and efficient as Sirius arrived at the wizarding bank with Voldemort, Remus, Orion and Dorea accompanying him.
"What is your business, Lord Sirius Black?" Griphok asked calmly, looking down at the future heir to the Black family seat.
"I wish to make two trust fund vaults for Harry James Gaunt Black Potter, and Persephone Apollymi Potter Gaunt Black." Sirius said calmly, his voice steady and respectful.
"Follow me, please." The goblin requested, and they followed him down to the Black family vaults. The Black family were noted for being one of the wealthiest families in the Wizarding world, and Sirius had managed to convince his father and uncles to use muggle money to further advance their wealth.
Harry and Persephone's vaults were filled with gold and would remain that way until they both turned sixteen years old. Wizards and witches were considered adults, once they turned sixteen.
"We also have marriage contracts drawn up, Lord Black, Lord Lupin and Lady Potter." Griphok added gravely, handing them two letters and Sirius felt his blood run cold.
It was blood debt marriage contract signed by the Dolohov and Lestrange families, and the marriage contract for Harry was by the Weasley family.
"Harry and Persephone are just babies! Rudolphus, Ardem and Molly can't be serious about this!" Dorea protested horrified, at the thought of her grandchildren being arranged to marry strangers from birth.
"There's nothing we can do, it's a blood debt owed from the Potter family. Sirius might be their blood-adopted father, but even he can't stop this." Voldemort said darkly, feeling furious that these people were demanding to have their children marry his grandson and granddaughter.
Antonin knew his uncle Ardem had done something, but he hadn't expected to see a fuming Evan Rosier stalk towards him with a grim expression.
"You better run, Antonin. Bellatrix is pissed at your uncle for demanding that you and Rodolphus marry her niece, Persephone, as a way to fulfil the blood debt." Evan warned gravely, as they heard Bellatrix screaming insults.
Antonin couldn't help the confused look that crossed his face. His uncle had done what? He hadn't been informed of this.
"You!" Bellatrix rounded the corner, eyes wild with fury and indignation. "How dare you even think about marrying my niece! My newborn niece!"
Antonin would deny it to his dying day, but the sight of the slightly deranged woman storming towards him, wand in hand, and practically spitting fire actually made him gulp and scramble backwards as she got in his face.
"Now, Bella..." He started.
"Don't you, Bella, me Dolohov! You won't be laying a single finger on my darling niece if you don't have any!"
Antonin's eyes widened at the blatant threat as he exclaimed, "I didn't even know about this until a few seconds ago! Of course, I wouldn't want to be betrothed to a baby of all things!"
Bellatrix's eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out if he was lying, to save his hide, or not.
"I'm being honest. My uncle is apparently to blame, and he had not consulted me before the decision was made." He was actually very angry about that. His uncle had no business setting up a betrothal in his name.
"I heard that Rodulphus was in on it with his father. Maybe you should go curse him instead." Evan smirked in amusement at the "Mad Black" as many people called her. Bellatrix wasn't actually crazy, per say. She was just very temperamental and passionate about the Dark.
"Rodolphus." Bellatrix snarled her ex-husband's name. They had split amenably, neither of them upset at the change. Their marriage had been arranged against both their wishes and when it came out that Bella was barren, a divorce had been perfectly acceptable to society. And Bella didn't have to worry about her head of house setting her up with anyone else. Now she finds out that he wants her niece? Unacceptable.
She turned sharply on her heal to go track down her newest prey. Lestrange would not be getting out of this unscathed.
Antonin and Evan exchanged a worried look before they let her go, but Antonin didn't believe that Rodolphus willingly agreed to this marriage contract.
He wasn't like that.
He quickly left the manor and disapparated to the Lestrange Manor, where he could hear Rodolphus and Bellatrix yelling at each other.
Oh bloody hell, this wouldn't go well.
Rodolphus had just gotten out of the shower, and changed into a pair of jeans, and a black shirt when he saw Bellatrix storm into his bedroom.
"YOU BASTARD, RODOLPHUS! HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT MARRYING MY INFANT NIECE?! SHE'S JUST A BABY!" Bellatrix screamed outraged, that her ex-husband would even contemplate marrying her days old niece.
"Bellatrix, you've got it all wrong. I never wanted to marry your niece, my father arranged it behind my back. I never wished to marry her, and neither did Antonin but we can't change it." Rodolphus said honestly, trying to make sure that Bellatrix knew he was telling the truth.
Bellatrix looked at him for a few minutes, and looked at Antonin who had entered the bedroom as well.
"So, you two are in a relationship? Gay or bisexual?" She asked bluntly, not in the least bit put out that that her ex-husband was in an intimate relationship with another wizard.
"Bisexual, we both are," Rodolphus answered calmly, relieved that Bellatrix had calmed down, Rudolphus entered the room.
"Rodolphus, Orion Black wishes to see us... What in bloody Merlin, are you two doing here?!" Rudolphus snarled outraged, at seeing Antonin and Bellatrix in his home.
"I invited them here, father." Rodolphus said calmly, seeing his father's face darken in anger, when Rabastan entered.
"What's going on?"
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