Over time since the Dark Lord's rise, his meetings had become both anticipated and dreaded. Anticipation of possible promotions and promised alliance marriages and dreaded for the possibility of having displeased the Dark Lord. There were no demotions in Voldemort's ranks; if you were unsuccessful you died. Of course, if your bloodlines were high in purity Voldemort might forgive you, once. –Chapter 6, From Darkness Emerges
Two days after Lilithia's message, Harry walked toward his father's office. He stopped outside the door and studied it for a moment. Murmuring a few lines of Latin under his breath he touched the door handle and swung the large door open. He chuckled under his breath that had been fairly simple. Trust Severus to bet on a person's tendency to expect the worst.
He dropped the Glamour and walked into the living room of his father's private quarters. Severus and Lucius were both discussing something, dressed in their usual black robes. He studied them, lips twitching. So different and yet quite alike in their own ways. Both were elegant purebloods, both had immense standing in his Grandfather's ranks. Neither one was worth crossing; the consequences were nothing less than severe.
"I see the pair of you have found an interesting topic," he drawled faintly.
Severus looked up and froze. "How did you get in here?"
"Your wards are merely basics and you should know the various abilities of a Jin'taar, Severus."
Before the other could speak Harry continued. "I am aware my Grandfather saw fit to inform you of who I am. I will say that convincing me of your sincerity will take time. Like the entire Snake house, I can hold a grudge for a while. I think you would agree I have ample reason to keep my distance for a while."
"Of course," Severus replied quietly. May I ask where we are headed? Lucius has informed me that he doesn't know this location either."
"You will know what it is upon arrival, that will be enough," Harry replied coolly.
Severus nodded.
*
When Lucius walked into his quarters at half-past 8 in the evening, Severus was sitting in his chair by the fire, staring into the flames thoughtfully. The blonde Lord had walked up to him and said, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all, my old friend. I am merely debating on a few things."
"Would one of those things be Harry Potter?"
"You mean my son?" Severus asked mirthlessly. "He is most prominent."
"Then you know?" Lucius murmured.
"Yes. My father-in-law saw fit to inform me three days ago. Tell me, Lucius, how come you chose to give Harry your magically binding word?"
"The possible information far outweighed the risk. I must admit, I was not expecting him to turn out to be the Dark Lord's grandson or an Ancient pureblood. I find it amusing to a point. After all, most of the Death Eaters were ragging on Potter a few days ago due to the fact he is supposedly a half-blood. What if they knew?"
"He would become an instant target for assassination attempts and alliance marriages," Severus replied shortly. "There were few who knew James was an important member of the Dark Lord's forces. He killed the two others who dared attempt mentioning a marriage contract to him. The only thing that saved me besides being his din'rhei was the fact I bothered to try and get to know him better first."
"What exactly are the Jin'taar? The only information I was able to find said you didn't want to try and read their minds without permission and the fact that they can't read the mind of their din'rhei."
"What is Fawkes?" Severus asked him.
Lucius looked at his best friend, puzzled. "A Phoenix of course."
"Do you know what he is more specifically?"
"He is a Light creature?" Lucius tried.
"To refine your answer, he is pure Light magic given physical form. Fawkes is a Light Phoenix. His source of power and allegiance is always to the Light."
"What does that have to do with—" Lucius trailed off. His eyes widened as he came to the only possible conclusion.
"Jin'taar are Phoenixes?" he hissed, incredulous.
Severus smiled grimly. "Jin'taar are Dark Phoenixes given human form. They are immortal to most injuries and extremely difficult to kill given their fast healing rate. They can control any type of fire and that includes Fiendfyre my friend. They are unblockable Legilimens, cannot scar and can cast any spell wandlessly."
"How do you kill a Jin'taar?" Lucius asked.
"I've never asked," Severus replied. "I just make sure I don't piss one off. I've heard they can block Apparition as well."
Their conversation was interrupted by a voice. When Severus looked up he instinctively froze. Harry stood just inside the living room doorway, unGlamored and wearing emerald-piped robes of dark silver. Severus had to force himself to breathe; Harry looked so much like James it hurt.
At Harry's explanation for his ease of entrance, Severus shook his head and laughed silently. Jin'taar could be guilty of arrogance; their control of magic was unsurpassed.
Severus found himself guilty as Harry continued. It was obvious that despite the wishes of his Grandfather he was not going to forgive Severus easily. Considering the last six years in his mind he couldn't disagree. He'd treated his own son with unfairly high hatred and prejudice.
Upon finishing their conversation, both of the older Death Eaters stood and walked up to Harry. He very lightly touched each of their hands and they disappeared.
When Severus regained his breath and straightened he hissed, "Give some warning the next time you Apparate!"
"Or you could learn to keep up," Harry retorted sharply. "Come this way and stick close. We are in the Forest of Dean and the wards are keyed to me and no one else."
He spun around and walked off, striding through the dark wood with complete confidence and assurance. Nothing these woods possessed would ever attack a Jin'taar. Severus and Lucius caught up with him and stared in wonder at the Manor hidden in a secret clearing. They noticed the way the wards shimmered a visible red momentarily before fading away.
"Your Dark Marks and my presence guaranteed your safe entry," Harry explained curtly. He raised the hood to cover his head as he said, "Welcome to the House of Ancients, built by Salazar Slytherin 50 years before his death. I control this estate and others due to my status as the only Ancient pureblood linked to Slytherin."
The massive ebony doors swung open without a sign of magic from Harry. The moment they stepped through the doors a house elf in black and silver livery appeared and bowed to Harry. "Master's meeting is in the Black room tonight."
Harry stepped past the house elf, who disappeared with a crack. He led them down the long hallway and took an abrupt right. Lucius had been admiring the mosaic tiled floor and noted something odd.
"Harry, the mosaic has more black than it did back that way. Did the house elves make a mistake laying it?"
He found himself speared by emerald eyes. After a moment Harry said, "Well done Lucius, you are the first to notice the floor. No, the mosaic isn't a mistake. All of the rooms on these four upper floors are color coordinated. The tiles become more concentrated with the different rooms as you get closer to that room. It was Salazar's way of keeping track of where he was in a Manor with over 150 rooms."
Harry pushed open the door and they stepped into the Black room, heading to their respective places.
*
Lilithia watched the Death Eaters entering from her place to the Dark Lord's right. Her lips twitched in amusement as several looked at her and her companion, no doubt wondering who they were. She grinned as she watched a gray-haired man with a few scars on his face and neck walk in and lean against a pillar, crossing his arms. Fenrir was doing his best to look uninterested in the proceedings, but she knew the werewolf better than most.
Her companion stiffened nervously and she turned her head. Narrowing her emerald eyes she watched as Severus and Lucius took their places, standing with Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange. Severus was in for a good tongue-lashing after this meeting was over; she had never believed her cousin could be so stupid and hurt James Potter-Riddle like he had.
Harry gracefully strode up and inclined his head in a respectful greeting between equals, still playing the part of 'ally' magnificently. In long silver robes trimmed in green he made a handsome and imposing sight. When Lilithia let her eyes wander over the assembly she noticed a pair of eyes that matched Harry's robes watching him intently. She chuckled, Lucius would make a fine match for the young Jin'taar if his blood chose the Death Eater.
She resisted a snicker as Bella came into the room with a hyper giggle, taking her place in between her husband and Severus. They linked eyes over the crowd and both smiled in satisfaction. Narcissa had gotten away from her duty for far too long, but that would end today.
"Today we have a few things to cover," the Dark Lord hissed. "First, two more join our numbers. Rabastan, if you would?"
Rodolphus' younger brother strode over and flicked the door open with one hand. The first to walk in was a young man about 21 years of age with pale skin and dark hair. He walked over and bowed from the waist to the Dark Lord.
"You would be Lord Avery's youngest, correct?"
"Yes, my lord," the other whispered. He shakily repeated the Vows of Loyalty and bared his left forearm.
Lilithia watched without expression as his face whitened when the Mark first appeared. The Dark Lord hissed the incantation and the boy bit through his lower lip to avoid screaming. He stood slowly and walked over to stand next to his father, ignoring his darker red lips.
Without prodding Rabastan flicked the door open again with a flourish. There was a smirk on his lips, Rabastan hated Narcissa's holier-than-thou attitude as much as her sisters.
The former Lady Malfoy walked inside. Her face was paler than a sheet against the black robes and she trembled violently. She still managed the half-bow gracefully. Her blue eyes found Lilithia and narrowed into slits for a moment. Lilithia smirked.
"So, the oldest daughter of Cygnus Black finally graces my ranks, hmm?" The Dark Lord's tone was at the same time sarcastic and degrading.
Lilithia and Bellatrix both laughed softly, along with most of the Death Eaters. Narcissa was an unpopular little brat. Lucius' eyes in particular were sparkling brightly with private amusement.
"My Lord?" Harry's eyes had lit with a vicious glee. Lilithia resisted a giggle, she already knew she would like his suggestion.
"Yes?"
"As you said, the Lady Narcissa is the oldest daughter of Cygnus Black. The Blacks are quite respected in the Wizarding World and you have plenty of loyal followers. Would you not benefit more publicly from her death?"
Narcissa flinched and glared at him. "Who do you think you are brat?"
Underneath the hood Harry's eyes narrowed. He simply flicked his hand in Narcissa's direction and she was flung backwards into a wall with a hard smack!
Voldemort stared at the woman distastefully and turned to his 'ally'. "I have wished to test something for a while. I know you can both brand and Call my Death Eaters. I wish to know how far this wandless ability of yours goes. Mark her."
Narcissa shot the Dark Lord a frightened glance and stood defiantly. Harry laughed softly, a chill sound that made Lilithia's arrogant sister shiver.
"Imperio," he murmured.
Narcissa's steps were jerky and her eyes blank. By the sheer power and strength of his mind Harry forced her to walk up to him and give her left hand. Once he had a firm grip on her wrist he let go of the Imperius. Her eyes flashed in anger and she snarled, "How dare you control my mind!"
With a simple twist of his hand he forced her to her knees. His voice was a quiet snarl, yet all heard him. "I was controlling your body, Narcissa Rhosyn Black. I can control your mind just as easily. Do NOT test me."
Locking her blue eyes with his dark green ones he hissed, "Morsmordre."
Her forearm glowed with a black tint for a moment and then a Dark Mark formed of shadow hovered above her arm. As it touched her skin there was a soft crackling sound. "That's interesting," Harry purred quietly to himself.
Looking at the Dark Lord he let her go and said, "It appears to be burning its way into her skin. Something to do with my abilities, I suppose."
Narcissa started screaming a moment later. Harry turned to her and snapped, "Silencio."
In the sudden silence he said, "Now that the banshee appears to have left," a few Death Eaters chuckled at that, "take your place, Narcissa Black."
The still silenced woman stood and retreated to a far wall, face hidden behind long blonde hair.
"Now that this has been finished, we have far more pleasant business to attend to. We are going to welcome back two of our members."
"Lilithia?" he hissed quietly at her.
She lowered her hood. Half of the Death Eaters gasped, the other simply stared, too shocked to realize.
"But that is Lily Potter, a Muggleborn," McNair muttered.
"Obviously not, git," she shot back. "I am no Mudblood. I simply chose to act as one to better serve our Lord. Who better to be completely unsuspected by that idiot Dumbledore than sweet little Muggleborn Lily Evans? I am Lilithia Aine Black, second oldest daughter of Cygnus Black and the first sister to join the ranks."
"Enough, Lil," Bellatrix giggled faintly. "Come stand with me."
She smiled and walked over to her sister. She was going to enjoy the next one.
The Dark Lord linked eyes with the other figure standing in the shadows. They reached up and lowered their hood before walking forward into the light. The shock and disbelief on the faces of the Death Eaters was priceless. Lilithia looked over at Severus and noted his pale face.
Standing before the Death Eaters in all of his unGlamored, raven-haired and living glory was James Godric Riddle, Jin'taar wizard. His hazel eyes with their wide vertical slits gazed impassively at the ranks of Death Eaters. His gaze slid past the Death Eaters and touched on his son.
A couple Death Eaters flinched at the sudden sound of Parseltongue. Lilithia watched as their eyes widened when they realized the one speaking was none other than James. Harry bowed his head in acknowledgement and hissed a short reply.
He reached up with his slender hands and lowered the hood. Lilithia heard a few gasps at the revealed features and hoped James knew what he was doing.
Without his Glamour Harry was 5' 11" and had a slender, well-formed body. His shoulders were thin and long, waist surprisingly narrow. His skin was pale and like all of his race shimmered in the light of flames. His raven-colored hair was so dark it had a tint of blue and touched his shoulder blades.
His face was slender and well-defined, with high cheekbones and a powerfully curved lower jaw. Another gift from the Jin'taar heritage were his ears. They curved down before forming a slight point similar to a dark Elf. The most surprising change was his eyes.
Like his father, Harry had vertically-slit eyes just barely wider than a cats'. Due to the amount of power absorbed on his Inheritance night however, the color had changed. No longer did Harry have the famously dark emerald 'Avada Kedavra' eyes. They were now a beautiful light jade green, just barely dark enough to appear green at all.
"How are you alive at all, James?" Rabastan asked finally. The younger Lestrange son had been good friends with both James and Regulus Black.
"First of all," James' voice was a mellow, rich tenor, "it was Dumbledore that tried to kill us. Secondly, he forgot one very important fact. It is impossible to kill one of my kin with Avada Kedavra. It was one of us that gave Salazar Slytherin the ability to create that spell after all. After he released it to all of wizarding kind it gave us the ability to manipulate it as we please."
"It was what protected my son," James continued, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Though he wouldn't receive the Inheritance until the age of 17, it recognized his blood."
"Since I had chosen to protect Lilithia Black the moment I saw Dumbledore and the traitor, the shield I extended saved her as well. However, the spell drained my core and I was left in a coma along with Lilithia. Thank Salazar the fools didn't bury us, instead choosing a clear glass coffin."
"When I rose in Harry's 4th year I remembered what had previously happened. My first trip was to Godric's Hollow to retrieve two of my loyal followers. Dumbledore had placed many complex Charms and spells over the pair to alert if they were ever removed from their coffins. What rest there now are Transfigured replicas," the Dark Lord finished his son's tale.
"For now Lilithia and James will be staying here. At the opportune moment they will be able to leave the shadows and appear to the wizarding world. As for James and Harry's appearance, they are both Jin'taar. I suggest you leave them both alone, they are free to punish those who irritate them as they wish."
Lord Avery spoke up. "My Lord, I see the reason for giving that honor to James. But to Harry Potter as well? He is nothing more than a convenient ally! You treat him as if he really were Salazar's heir as he claims."
Harry's eyes narrowed into slits and turned pure black. He took two steps forward and flicked his left hand toward his body. Avery was picked up and flung to the floor in front of the irate Jin'taar. Staring down at the arrogant pureblood Lord he hissed, "Do you remember my two requests, Lord Avery?"
"Of course I do," the pureblood spat.
"List them," Harry demanded, his voice velvet-covered steel.
"To not spill blood outside of the lowest levels and to address you with a more respectful tone," Avery's voice was mocking.
Harry picked the pureblood Lord up with one hand and hissed in his ear, "Apparently you forgot the last part of that warning. A pity, since it was the fact I would not tolerate you forgetting either one."
He let go of the pureblood, took two steps back and said, "I hope your youngest learns faster, Lord Avery."
The pure black color of cursed fire sprang up around the Death Eater. Before he had time to even scream he died, his barely burned corpse dropping to the floor at the Dark Lord's feet.
Eyes very slowly turning back to light jade he looked around and murmured with deadly calm, "Anyone else wish to question my presence?"
When no one said a word Lilithia shook her head. Avery never had learned very quickly. She had a feeling no one else would be repeating that mistake.
