The Light of Your Darkness
Disclaimer: Anything that you recognize isn't mine; it belongs to the most wonderful J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 5: The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
"Do I have to go Severus?" Rosalie asked for the billionth time that morning. Severus chose to ignore her, instead leading them out of the manor and over to the apparition point. "I shouldn't even be there."
"As Regulas's daughter, you are expected to be there." Severus sneered at the girl, his expression exasperated. "The goblins have waited patiently enough for you to appear."
"I don't understand why they couldn't have just gone along and read it already. Its not like he's actually going to leave anything to his supposed daughter." Rosalie sneered back, grabbing Severus's arm to apparate. She wasn't exactly in the best mood ever, just three mere days ago had been her day out with Malfoy and tomorrow would be the day she returned to Hogwarts. She was stressed out to say the least.
"Supposed or not, he claimed you as his heir." Severus retorted. He gave her a look that silenced her obviously impolite disagreement. "And you'll do well if you remember your place as the Black heir, it is an honor."
"Reformed or not, he was still once a deatheater." Rosalie's lip twitched at the evidently offensive word. "It may be an honor for some but it is not my honor to hold."
"You have no choice in the matter Rosalie." Severus sighed loudly at the girl's stubbornness. "Whether you choose to believe it or not, Regulas was a good man. Everyone makes mistakes and he redeemed himself before his death." He kindly reminded her but Rosalie just scoffed. "Not to mention your dear Godfather's brother, who was the key to turning Regulas away from the Dark Lord, loved him greatly."
"Sirius never mentioned Regulas much." Rosalie's eyes betrayed her nonchalant look with curiosity. "Just said he was murdered for trying to get out of Voldemort's service."
"Murdered he was by Voldemort himself, I was there." Severus told her before squeezing her shoulder in warning and then with a swirl of robes he apparated them to Gringotts. "Wouldn't believe what his last words were, everyone thought he was mad of course but I knew the truth in them."
"What were they?" Rosalie whispered, her eyebrows scrunched up in a mixture of confusion and inquisitiveness.
"By my death, let my daughter be your demise." Severus spoke softly, his eyes looking far away, his mind visibly reliving the memory in his head. Rosalie subtly gasped, her tiny hand coming up to her mouth. "Nobody knew of course, that Regulas had a daughter but they soon learned of the tale of him and my mother that we spoke of. The Dark Lord asked me himself if it was true, I told him it was and he seem to contemplate almost over my words. Then just as I began to fear he might want you, he said that I could raise you myself. This was of course exactly as we hoped for him to desire. He said that I should raise you to be part of the Death Eaters and under the pureblood ideals." Severus turned away from her suddenly and Rosalie regrettably turned to greet their guest as well.
"My name is Rookwip and I will be presiding over the will of one Regulas Arcturus Black." Rookwip bowed respectfully at Severus and then Rosalie. "You must be Mr. Severus Snape and Miss Rosalie Prince."
"Yes, if I may as to be as bold to ask but how long will this take?" Rosalie inquired, Severus gave her a warning look but she ignored the man. She instead just smiled sweetly at the goblin, who awkwardly lifted one side of his mouth up in an attempt to grin back.
"Not long Miss Prince, not long at all." Rookwip motioned them to follow him; he was leading them to the cart that went down into the vaults. "We're actually going to read you the will down inside the Black family vault."
"Oh I see." Rosalie nodded, planting a firm grip on the cart. Severus seemed to be dreading this part and as the cart took off, he closed his eyes and his mouth went terribly thin-lipped. He obviously disliked the incredibly swift cart unlike Rosalie who gave out a whoop as the wind blew through her long hair. "Oh come on Severus, relax!"
"I am plenty relaxed." Severus snapped, his eyes opening warily as the cart began to slow down several minutes later.
"Vault 004." Rookwip announced as they slowly rounded the corner. He brought out some metal looking device and clanked it loudly together. Rosalie hurriedly covered her ears and followed the gaze of the lone goblin. A dragon lay tethered to the cave walls; it was inching back at the loud screeching noise as well. Rosalie felt sorry for the poor thing.
"Number 4, the Blacks really are ancient." Rosalie muttered her eyes still on the quivering dragon.
"Yes they are, one of only five ancient families that are guarded by the dragon." Rookwip informed her lightly, walking off the cart.
"What are the other families?" Rosalie wondered aloud, looking farther towards the dragon but all she saw was darkness even with her more than human vision.
"001 belongs to the family of Gaunt. Not very good customers now a days though." Rookwip shook his head sadly. "002 belongs to the family of Malfoy, one of our more highly regarded families." Rookwip cast a longing glance into the darkness. "003 belongs to the family of Potter, we await the Head of Potter's inheritance next year. Then there is the Black's and 005 belongs to the family of Lestrange."
"What about the family of Prince?" Rosalie asked curiously, her head mulling over what could possibly be in the family vault belonging to the Potters.
"Number 008 dear sister, I will bring you there when you are of age." Severus answered her question swiftly. He gave her a look to quiet her curiosity, now wasn't the time.
"Yes, the Prince vault is quite ancient in terms of blood within the wizarding world but not of the first five. It is in the league of family's such as the Rosier's, the Dumbledore's, the Zabini's, the Parkinson's, the Nott's, the Abbott's and the Weasley's." Rookwip went on to explain with a patient look on his intellectual face.
Rookwip then went and placed a small, long fingered hand onto the vault. Instantly, a large scripted 'B' appeared across the metal and lots of clicks could be heard as the door prepared to release its locks. With a last click, a gust of warm air shot out of the small crack of an gap as the door gently opened. Rookwip wasted no time in opening the large door relatively easy and then ushering them inside. The torches that adorned the walls automatically sprung to life as they set foot inside the ancient vault. Glittering gold, scintillating silver and brilliant bronze coins covered a massive portion of the vault in glorious hills. What ground was left seemed to be filled with jewels of all sorts and other treasures. A few bookcases adorned the walls and from the looks of the tomes that filled them, they were most likely containing instruction in the Dark Arts.
"If you are ready Miss Prince?" Rookwip brought her attention back to the matter at hand. Rosalie's ice blue eyes found the goblin's small beady ones and she nodded slowly. "In response to my obvious death, I present the will of Regulas Arcturus Black. If I am to in fact die let it be known that I name my illegitimate daughter, Rosalie Isabella Prince, as my heir and the sole heir of the Black family, asssuming my brother Sirius never meets the woman that can properly handle him in all his glory." Rookwip paused. "With the recent death of the late Sirius Black, Regulas Black's older brother, you are in fact the sole heir."
"Oh." Rosalie mumbled, she didn't know what else to say. She was rather stunned though at the lengths that Regulas had implemented Severus and Lily's ingenious plan. It was truly astounding.
"To my daughter I leave all my worldly possessions, including the Blacks Ancestral home, Grimmauld Place, the family house-elf Kreacher, any investments made in the name of Black and all other trivial things belonging to The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black." Rookwip paused once again. "This includes all other properties held by the House of Black including a castle in Spain, a cottage in Australia and a penthouse suite in Italy. Also any contents within this vault belong to you as well."
"Impressive." Rosalie muttered looking around. This was all hers? She didn't feel like it truly was, she wasn't the proper heir of the House of Black after all. Regulas had given her everything that she would ever need for the rest of her life and she couldn't help but think that she didn't deserve a galleon of it.
"In my demise, which follows her mother's death, Eileen Jacqueline Prince, I wish my daughter to stay with her half-brother Severus Tobias Septimus Snape under his care and guidance. I wish for him to have full access to the family vault until Rosalie reaches of age. I also have enclosed a letter to my daughter. With that, I dutifully conclude the will of Regulas Arcturus Black. May the House of Black live on famously throughout the rest of history." Rookwip concluded the will, the last sentence ringing in the arched ceilings of the vault. "Here is your letter Miss Prince."
"Thank you Rookwip." Rosalie accepted the letter politely, before going to take a seat on a rather small mound of knuts. Opening the still crisp parchment, she smiled at the curvy writing that ever so slightly resembled Sirius's and wondered what Regulas could have possibly have written to her, someone he didn't even know. It read:
January 13, 1979
My Dearest Daughter:
It pains me that I will never see you grow up. My death is very near and I am quite aware. I have instructed the goblins of Gringotts to give you a potion that I brewed myself, after you finish reading this letter. It will mark you completely as the heir to the House of Black. Your journey ahead will surely not be an easy one but I tell you with confidence that no memorable one ever is. I hope that what I have chosen to do will one day be revealed to the history of the Wizarding World, for it was one of the hardest choices I have ever had to make. I ask you to please be open-minded with those around you, not everyone is as they appear. I certainly wasn't and I am sure surprisingly, Severus wasn't either. I wish the best for you and all the luck of Merlin. I am beyond happy at the chance that Severus gave me to redeem not only myself, but the House of Black. I ask that you continue to redeem it to its previous glory and be proud of the Black lineage that lies within you. Oh and I always wanted a daughter. I don't know you much but I am sure I will be proud to call you such. Stay safe my dear Rosalie.
Regulas Arcturus Black
It was short and simple; it even made her blush lightly. The inhuman heat reaching her face easily as she reread the letter once more. It was thoughtfully written and nothing of which she expected of the ex-deatheater. She silently handed it to Severus, who read it quickly and handed it back, before giving her a small smile. Perhaps Regulas was a better man than she had given him credit for.
He was risking his life for a daughter that wasn't even truly his. He was murdered by Voldemort himself, which she suspected was a big deal, she was sure that the Dark Lord rarely did his dirty work himself. A pureblood through and through but he chose to acknowledge her as his sole descendent. How could she have ever thought him evil? How brave this man must have been to have sacrificed so much in her name! No, maybe just maybe he wasn't as bad as she had originally thought of him to be.
"My father mentioned a potion?" Rosalie asked briskly, her voice sharp and full of emotion. She alleged that after reading a letter from her supposed father, her voice was meant to be emotional but that wasn't wholly the reason for the sentiment in her tone. She was overwhelmed; not by her new status as Head of the House of Black but rather at the marvel of how many people has selflessly risked their lives for her own. She couldn't help but think that she hadn't exactly been living up to their highest expectations of her. She owed them more than the mediocrity that she had been displaying in preparing for her role as Savior of the Wizarding World. "Said he had given it to you."
"Oh yes, quite right." Rookwip nodded, digging his long fingers into his elastic looking pocket. He pulled out a small vial of the blackest potion she had ever seen; she had to admit that it didn't look very appetizing in the least. "Here it is Miss Prince."
"Thank you Rookwip." Rosalie took the offered vial and tucked it into her robes lightly. "Are we done here?"
"Yes all that is left is your signature." Rookwip agreed, again going into his pocket and this time pulling out a perfect unwrinkled piece of parchment and a quill. "By signing this you acknowledge yourself as the rightful heir and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."
"Alright then." Rosalie accepted the quill gently and walked over to a bookcase to write against. She signed her slant signature in her small writing before handing it over to the anxious looking goblin. "All finished?"
"Yes, as of today August 31 1996, you are officially the Head of the Black family." Rookwip said bowing to her lightly. "You'll find the Head rings right over there on that pedestal." Rookwip pointed to the golden dais in the far corner. "Then if you would like some time to look around, I will be waiting at the cart."
"Thank you Rookwip." Rosalie muttered walking slowly over to the golden pedestal. She suspected that as the Head she was expected to wear the ring but oddly she didn't mind too much.
She looked down and smiled at the beautiful set of rings. On the left was the one she knew she was to wear, it was distinctly more feminine than the other. They both were made of gold, and inset into the gold was a beautiful diamond surrounded by the greenest of emeralds. The male one was much thicker looking unlike the female ring which looked delicate. She took the ring gently and slipped it onto her middle finger on her right hand, it looked stunning. Silently she took the vial from her robes and downed the potion inside quickly, sensing that this was the time to do so. It burnt her throat but otherwise it wasn't foul tasting in the least, it tasted a bit like licorice actually. As she felt the potion settle into her stomach, Rosalie felt the ring warm up instantly, a green 'B' seemed to appear on the beautiful diamond and shined brightly for a moment before fading lightly, its imprint still visible on the precious stone. She stared, openmouthed, as what appeared to be tiny vines spread across the diamond and wrapped protectively around her short finger. It had recognized her as the new Head of the Black family and heir to the noble legacy of the Black ancestors.
"Everything alright Rosalie?" Severus asked. To anyone else his voice came out harsh but Rosalie could easily detect the concern that laced it, she really had been spending too much time with the man.
"Quite alright Severus." Rosalie whispered back but she was sure her brother had heard her. Closing her mouth tight, she turned around, her brilliant robes of blue whipping out around her body elegantly. "I'm ready."
"You don't wish to look around?" Severus asked, gesturing to the brilliance that lied in the vault. Rosalie shook her head no.
"Perhaps another time Severus, I wish to go home." Rosalie answered. She was relieved that the potion hadn't harmed her, yet anyways, but she had to admit that her stomach did feel a bit queasy. She wasn't exactly sure if that was due to the potion or the fact that she now was the Head of two of the most influential families of the Wizarding World. It was a lot to take in and even though she knew that this was how it was to be, she hadn't really given it much thought until now.
"I'll have you two back up before you can recount all the famous goblins of the century." Rookwip assured them as he Rosalie shut the large metal door softly and clambered into the cart after Severus. Her eyes turned back to the new piece of jewelry that adorned her body and she couldn't help her mind wander, knowing full well that she didn't even know one famous goblin.
Did she truly deserve the right to wear such a ring as this? A family signet ring of which family she really had no blood claim to? It was with absolute trust that Regulas wished for her to redeem the blackened name of his ancestors and to regain its glory that it once held. She was average at best and she knew this better than anyone out there. Sure she was the Chosen One, the Savior of the Wizarding World and the infamous Boy-Who-Lived, well more like Girl-Who-Lived in accurate terms. But she was in no way above average at anything except perhaps flying but that wouldn't save her from a tragic death by magic. She was just average, she had never tried to excel at anything. She had preferred to sit in the background and get by with the easiest of marks and learning only the necessities of magic.
How had she truly expected all these years to be able to purge the world of its greatest evil, Lord Voldemort? Surely she didn't believe that another simple disarming charm would do the trick, did she? Well she had but not anymore. She knew that it was not going to be even partially as easy as that. She needed to learn for Merlin's sake. Voldemort was arguably the most powerful wizard in the world and she barely knew how to throw a good hex!
She had spent all previous five years of her life at Hogwarts ignoring the growing threat of Voldemort's return to the wizarding world. All that time that she could have been preparing she had completely wasted! This was her chance! Her one and only chance to have the uninterrupted time to study and to reach her highest potential as a witch, she couldn't just squander it away. She wasn't going to be in the spotlight, she was no longer #1 on Voldemort's hit list. She would be free to gain all the intellect and power that she would need to defeat the man that had murdered her parents. It was then that realization hit her; this is what they had wanted. This is what her parents, Severus and Regulas had wanted for her. They knew that she would be overcome by the fame that would follow her through her years and that she would have no time to work to her fullest potential. All those years that Severus had insulted her about being mediocre, had he just been trying to push her along into learning more? Of course, it was all coming together! This was it, her time to shine and excel without constant eyes watching over her every move.
"Rosalie?" Severus's rough voice bit into her thoughts, she turned a smiling face to her brother.
"Yes Severus?" Rosalie inquired, her eyes coming back into focus. They had reached the halls of Gringotts once more.
"If you could kindly pay attention." Severus reminded her, Rosalie just smiled at the man infuriatingly. "Move along."
They walked out of Gringotts, Severus once again offering his arm to Rosalie before apparating them back to Prince Manor. Silently, they walked back into the house and sat in the dining room for a deliciously prepared lunch courtesy of Mika. Rosalie ate her lunch silently, noticing that the queasy feeling in her stomach was slowly ebbing away much to her pleasure. She looked up at Severus, who was reading the newspaper, and waited for him to acknowledge her.
"Severus." Rosalie whispered impatiently to get the man's attention when he didn't glance up at her. "I was wondering if perhaps you could help me out a bit."
"You want more of my help?" Severus's asked, his amusement shining threw his eyes as a smirk rose on his face. Rosalie had to laugh lightly; it was surprising to her as well. She hadn't ever thought that she would willingly ask Severus Snape for help, not even for all the galleons in the world.
"Yes Severus I want your help." Rosalie confirmed, the smile lighting up her pale face. "I know that you have already done so much and to ask anything more of you would not be reasonable of me."
"Rosalie, forget the sentimentality and get on with it." Severus wasn't one for emotions, she smiled at his briskness.
"What you have been saying is true, I am a mediocre witch." Rosalie declared with a sigh. "I can't tell you the difference between a curse and a hex. I don't know how to duel properly. I've never even heard of light-elves and apparently I am one, well partially." Rosalie could feel the slight of tears building in her eyes. "The whole Wizarding World is depending on me to kill Voldemort and I don't know a thing about the man that would be useful in destroying him!"
"Rosalie what is it that you wish of me?" Severus asked her softly, watching a few tears escape her eyes and travel down her pale face.
"Give me another chance Severus." Rosalie requested of the man, her eyes wide and hopeful. "Teach me all that you know and help me learn whatever you don't. Try and tutor me in Occlumency again and even Legilmency. Instruct me in the art of Animagi, show me the ways of apparation." Rosalie paused as a small desperate look appeared in her eyes. "Educate me in the knowledge of the Dark Arts and how to protect myself from them."
"Rosalie I wouldn't dare-"
"Severus, I don't want to use them! But I need to know." Rosalie's pled with the man, more tears escaping her eyes involuntarily. "How am I to successfully fight against a dark curse if I don't know how to properly counteract against it? I must know Severus, anything and everything!"
"Rosalie you must understand that the Dark Arts have a way of taking over a person's soul. I know this better than any." Severus attempted at explaining to her, he looked uncomfortable at the tears coming out of Rosalie's eyes.
"Severus please I need your help." Rosalie begged him, her emerald eyes shining hauntingly at the man. "Who else do I have to turn to?" And it was true; she couldn't go to Dumbledore, Ron or Hermione, not as Rosalie Prince at least. It was just her and Severus for awhile. "I can't turn dark Severus; it's not in my blood."
"Rosalie it won't be easy, the Dark Lord knows things that I do not!" Severus shook his head, throwing the newspaper down while getting up to pace the dining room in thought. "You would have to work hard and there will be days that you might want to just give up-"
"I won't Severus I promise! I can't, this is my destiny whether I want it or not and I won't fail at it!" Rosalie stood up as well, her face determined. "I want to do this, for Sirius, for my parents, for Regulas and for all the innocent people that have died so that I might live."
"The Dark Lord is unbelievably powerful." Severus muttered in contemplation. Rosalie nodded as she bit her lip. "Now more than ever since your blood runs through his veins."
"But Severus I," Rosalie paused not exactly sure how to proceed, "I don't know how to explain this but I feel powerful. More powerful than I ever have and I know, I know that I can do this. I just need someone to believe in me, please."
"Okay Rosalie I will help you but I can only do so much and then you come in." Severus told her seriously, stopping in front of her. "I can only teach you what I know, the rest of the time you will have to spend learning the things that I do not."
"Thank you Severus." Rosalie took his warm hands into her much smaller ones gently. "I won't let you regret this. I swear it."
"Make sure you don't." Severus said gravely, he squeezed her hands lightly before letting go. "Tomorrow morning, you'll return to Hogwarts and be sorted once again. Come to the Potions room after the Welcoming Feast and we will set up a training schedule."
"Okay, will I see you in the morning?" Rosalie asked anxiously, Severus shook his head no and she couldn't hide her disappointment. It would be a forlorn day. She would have to act like she didn't know anybody and with Malfoy probably still disgusted with her still, it would most likely prove to be a lonely experience.
"I will be back at Hogwarts tonight but I will see you tomorrow Rosalie." Severus assured her, understanding her predicament. "Sleep well tonight; you'll need your energy for tomorrow. You might not be the famous Harry Potter anymore but a Prince and the Head of the Black family isn't exactly going to go unknown by the students for long."
"I will." Rosalie nodded, smiling and sighing at the same time. Severus gave her shoulder a squeeze and then with one last look, he swept off towards the fireplace.
She couldn't help but feel the excitement run through her veins, she would awake early tomorrow so she could go and visit the Black vault to collect some books, before she was due to get on the Hogwarts Express. This thought made Rosalie smile, she would be returning to Hogwarts tomorrow, her first home and Severus had agreed to teach her all the knowledge that he had acquired through the years. She was anxious at the opportunity that she found herself in, she wouldn't let Severus down or her parents. More importantly and currently as a Black, she wouldn't let Regulas down. She would redeem The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and re-secure their influential place in the wizarding world. The wizards and witches of the world didn't know the name of Rosalie Prince but they would. She wouldn't hold anything back this time; it was all or nothing from this point on.
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AN: THERE WE GO GUYS THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE LIGHT IN YOUR DARKNESS. SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET OUT BUT I HAD TO DO A BIT OF RESEARCH FIRST AND THEN I GOT HIT WITH A BIT OR PROCRASTINATION SADLY. THIS CHAPTER IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CERTAIN POINTS IN MY PLOT OF THE STORY, SO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION. HOWEVER, I HAD A LOT OF FUN WRITING THIS CHAPTER. I DO HOPE YOU LIKE AND AS ALWAYS, IF YOU READ PLEASE REVIEW. THANKS GO OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO REVIEW, IT IS MOST APPRECIATED.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS ISN'T REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE STORY BUT IF ANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHY ROSALIE IS RECEIVING THE BLACK INHERITANCE NOW AND HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE POTTER, DESPITE BEING THE LAST HEIR TO THE POTTER LINE AS WELL, I HAVE AN ANSWER! I JUST COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT INTO THIS CHAPTER AND I DOUBT IT WILL COME UP AGAIN SO HERE YOU GO. THE BLACK FAMILY HAS A RULE THAT NO MATTER THE AGE, WHEN THE HEIR OF THE BLACK FAMILY COMES FORTH, THEY RECEIVE THEIR INHERITANCE. THE POTTER FAMILY HOWEVER THINKS THAT IT IS MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEIR TO WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE OF AGE. SO THERE YOU GO. =]
AND ALSO IN A SMALL NOTE, HEDWIG IS STILL ALIVE BUT JUST HASNT REALLY HAD HER CHANCE TO APPEAR IN THE STORY. =]
ROSALIE PRINCE