Disclaimer: Any characters that belong J.K. Rowling, any songs that appear are owned by their respective writers and artists. All OC's are products of my own imagination and any names unless specified are pure coincidence

Chapter 9: Humility and past losses

Arcturus Black sat in his office staring at the fireplace, firewhiskey in his hand and an already empty bottle on the desk. His wife sat in a couch in the room and was drinking something similar, although it wasn't firewhiskey it was something just as potent.

"So… you're saying that the girl is…"

"A Black, yes. To be precise she is the blood daughter of young James."

"And she…?"

"Controls the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets… and has now claimed the Ancient and Noble house of Rosier as hers by right of Conquest after killing both Evan and Pycillius in a Duel made of their own rules."

"And she killed Lord Rosier…?"

"Without her wands, yes."

"Christ… thank god Bellatrix is a close friend and Sirius is friends with James. But, what does that mean for us? She is powerful and she had the blood of Potter's, Black's, Slytherin… what else?"

"Peverell as well."

"Are we talking about those Peverell's?"

"Indeed… My dear, I have decided that the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black will support her through anything she decides to do. Charles and Dorea made it quite clear that the girl's life was not the best from where she came from. And despite how horrified, and terrified of her both Charles and I are – he and Dorea are supporting anything she wants to do. My love, Charles told me of the future that she is from."

"And what does our House look like during that time?"

"It doesn't exist, not as we are. The only pure one who were left of our House was the girl. Something happened to our family, and I won't let it happen. Ever."

"I suppose that means that the next family dinner will include the Potter's and the girl?"

"Yes… and the two remaining Rosier's given that the girl is now the Head of that family. Though I do question whether or not the girl is completely sane…" Arcturus sighed looking up at the family tapestry and thinking about the duel he witnessed the other day.

Flashback

Arcturus Black sat down in the office of Sharpclaw, the official goblin who was in charge of all of the affairs of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. He looked through all his documents before the two looked at each other and sighed.

"This truly is one headache inducing situation we find ourselves in, Lord Black," Sharpclaw said.

"You're telling me, old friend. I was skeptical about what Charlie and Dory told me, but after seeing the girl in action… it is not someone I would ever want to be on the bad side of," Arcturus replied.

"And you're absolutely sure you want to change the line of succession for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black?" Sharpclaw asked.

"There is no choice, if the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black was reduced to ashes during her time, perhaps she is the best person to lead it – should I ever be unable to in the future."

"Very well Lord Black, the primary heir to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black will be Reagan Lillian Potter, secondary heir will be Orion Black, tertiary heir will be Cygnus Black and so on."

"We need to address the Erumphant in the room. Reagan… what did we see the other day?" Charlus asked, as calmly as he could.

"An honour duel, well, two to be precisely. And I won, didn't I?"

"Reagan, this is not time for your sass," Charlus warned.

"That's not what I was talking about, Reagan. Just how much do you know? What I saw the other day would suggest you have a lot more knowledge than you informed us of," he continued.

"So what?"

"Charles… let's just leave it, I don't care what happened. All that I care about is that she's okay, she's here, safe and she won this time, and that's enough for me," Dorea said, her voice broken - the two of them sharing a brief look that neither of the three other occupants saw.

"Lily, James – what do you two have to say about this?" Charlus asked his son and daughter-in-law-to-be.

"I… I have no words, I have no idea about what I saw and I don't think I even want to remember it," James shuddered, looking directly at the table.

"Worse things were done during the Grindelwald war, you did worse things Grandfather. What I did the other day, was directly within the parameters of the rules dictated by them." Reagan shrugged.

"How can you act so indifferent about murdering someone!" Lily stood abruptly, Reagan just cocked her head.

"It was a duel to the death mum, you and I know that meant only one of us was going to walk away. And I did walk away," Reagan said standing up and looking at Lily.

"You still shouldn't be so indifferent about taking a life so casually…" Lily scowled.

"I first killed in my first year, then again in my second, and third, fourth and then my fifth. Each year at Hogwarts, even if it was unintentional, even if it wasn't completely by my hand. I killed still. And I was in a fucking time of war."

Lily stormed out of the room and James looked torn between following Lily and staying with Reagan who looked in the direction Lily went with confusion on her face. As if she didn't quite get what she did wrong. She then made eye contact with James and gestured for him to follow Lily, which he did quickly.

"Well… we'll adjust, now Reagan. We have to go over your duties as a Head of House, and furthermore I've properly invited Lady Eileen Rosier and her daughter Annabeth Rosier to come and meet their new Head of House formally."

"Ugh… do I have to?" Reagan complained.

"You're the one who claimed the House by Right of Conquest, that leaves you with duties as 'Lord' Rosier. Now come, you're about to learn the consequences of your actions." Charlus sighed before opening the door of his office and gesturing for her to enter.

Reagan sighed and entered the office, the door closed behind her and she took a seat across from Charlus where he got out paperwork and put a stack in front of her before he began to start lecturing her. While he was terrified of her prowess and definitely didn't want to face her in a duel. But, he was her grandfather and despite how randomly and somewhat violent actions – he knew that she is trying to change their future for the better.

So, he spent the time to take her through all the laws of their world, how she was expected to act now that she was the 'Lady' well, Lord, of an Ancient and Noble House. He was pleased that she actually listened to everything he was explaining, although he knew that the Greengrass girl from her time most likely taught her most of these laws already. Charlus just wanted to be sure she knew exactly what she was getting into, due to the actions she had taken.

Reagan, for her part had enjoyed spending the time with her grandfather, even if she was just reacquainting herself with their laws. And she conceded that Charlus Potter did have a very valid argument – she had acted like a typically Gryffindor, not thinking about what would happen once she won the duels. She claimed the Ancient and Noble House of Rosier by conquest for one simple reason – to take it away from Tom Riddle's group.

Now, she didn't like any of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, or any of the light sided families from her days at Hogwarts before shit hit the fan and she was sent to a parallel universe and a different time altogether. But, she thoroughly disliked any that helped Voldemort during his first rise – without the backing of the Dark pureblood families, perhaps her life would have been different, perhaps the war would have been different.

Despite her somewhat neutral stance with the Voldemort of her time, she was positive about that fact that she would not let the first wizarding war be as devastating for their world that it was during her time.

Lady Eileen Rosier nee Bones was considered a relatively attractive woman even though she was in her early thirties. Her and Pycillius had been married through a betrothal contract that was done to strengthen their House alliance. It was primarily a loveless marriage, but one thing she did know what was she loved her children. However, once Evan had been born, Pycillius seemed to ignore her and their eldest child Annabeth in favor of educating Evan to his ideals – ones that she personally didn't agree with. She tried to teach him some other lessons, in an attempt to mellow the boy out and keep him open-minded, but after one particularly brutal and violent argument with her husband, she had been forced to stopped doing that. So instead it was left to her to take care of Annabeth and give her the love that she wouldn't get from her father – who most likely would just marry her off for whatever convenient alliance he wanted to make. She wanted her daughter to be able to follow her dreams like she wished she could have done, and under Pycillius, she knew that was unlikely. However, with Reagan as their Head of House, perhaps, just perhaps Annabeth could break free of the chains that held her. Or so she hoped, it wasn't too bad to hope, was it?

Annabeth Rosier was a seventh-year student at Hogwarts and had the same golden hair as her mother, she was a relatively thin girl and stood at just five feet tall. She had a rather sizeable bust that had garnered attention from many males in her year level, and younger – although she hated their staring. Shorter than both of her parents, she was also in Slytherin and had her interest piqued by Reagan when the hat put her in Slytherin. But unlike many of the other members of their House, she didn't care about Reagan being in their house at all, although sometimes she did see the girl watching her intently – this would normally creep her out but for some reason when it came to Reagan Evan's stare, she seemed to blush and feel somewhat safer if that were possible at all.

And yet the two of them were completely shocked to find out that Evan had agreed to an honor duel and demanded it be to the Death, Annabeth had told her father and brother that it was a terrible idea to go through with it. Evan could make a formal apology and vow to never hurt Reagan again and be done with it, but the foolish boy was too much like their father to listen. And now both her and her mother were left without their Head of House and their heir – but not only that, the Ancient and Noble house of Rosier now belonged to said girl by right of Conquest. The world just couldn't give her a break, could it? All she wanted to do was graduate out of Hogwarts, and then continue her studies on Magical creatures – hopefully under the tutelage of Newt Scamander, but now everything she wanted to do was in the hands of a muggle-born girl who commanded a Basilisk, commanded Wilde magic, and now commanded the Ancient and Noble House of Rosier.

"Anna, are you ready?" Eileen asked.

"I am," she replied, Baron Potter had invited them to dine with him and their family – including their new Head of House.

"Come, we mustn't be late," Eileen said.

"What do you think is going to happen to us now, Mother?" Anna asked quietly as they walked towards their floo.

"I honestly have no idea… but, from the memory you showed me. I can only suggest with stay on the good side of our new head of house, by any means necessary."

As they stepped through the floo and into the foyer of Potter mansion, one that easily eclipsed their own in size, they were greeted by a formally dressed Baron Potter, Lady Potter, Heir Potter, and 'Lord' Rosier – the last being the girl, how she had managed to claim the lordship, none of them knew.

"Baron Potter, we thank you for our invite to dine with you. And we hope we are not intruding upon you too much," Eileen said and then she and Anna both bowed before they turned to Reagan and bowed lower.

"My lady, I am Eileen Rosier, wife of the late Lord Rosier. And this is my daughter Annabeth Rosier – she's a Seventh-year…"

"In Slytherin, yes I know." Reagan cut her off, only for Charlus to smack her on the back of her head.

"Oi! What the hell was that for?" Reagan snapped at him.

"Manners, Reagan," Dorea Potter scolded her and Reagan just pouted.

"Lady Rosier, Miss Rosier – I will apologise for the new 'Lord' Rosier's behavior… and you are most welcome to dine with us, you are family now – after all," Charlus stepped in and offered a hand.

"Family? I'm sorry Baron Potter – but isn't my lady a muggle-born vassal of your house?" Anna asked.

"It is not to be discussed quite openly, but I'm sure Miss Evans will share later on when the three of you have your private discussion. In my office, of course – but alas, the House elves have prepared a wonderful feast for us all. Come – let us fill our stomachs before we speak of House business," Charlus said with a genuine smile.

"Very well, after you Baron Potter, my lady," Eileen said with another curtsey.

Dinner was spent with Dorea and Eileen catching up, apparently the two had been students together, Dorea being a Slytherin and Eileen being a Ravenclaw. Reagan didn't really acknowledge the situation she was in and James and Annabeth held a certain level of hostility towards each other – the whole Gryffindor and Slytherin rivalry. Then after that, Reagan, Charlus, Eileen and Annabeth all retired to the office where they engaged in serious talks which were all protected as house secrets. After a few minutes, Charlus left the room leaving Reagan to converse with the Rosier's - a first lesson in humility for her.

Charlus made his way through the hall and to a room with a closed door, inside he could hear the sobbing of Lily Evans and the quiet talking of James. Merlin, everything's so fucked. He sighed and knocked on the door, a few moments later it opened and James frowned slightly.

"Son, I would like to have a word with Lily, alone," he said.

"Okay Dad, just... don't make her cry anymore please, I can't bare to hear it."

"I will try to refrain from that, Reagan is speaking to the Rosier's in my office. Perhaps you should go and keep your mother company until I return," he stated more than suggested.

With a brief look over his shoulder at Lily who nodded slightly, James left the room and walked down the hall back towards the dinning room. Charlus closed the door and walked over to Lily, he conjured himself a chair instead of sitting upon the bed that Lily was on. He then conjured a handkerchief for her to wipe her eyes with.

"Being a parent is one of the hardest things in the world. It is even worse in a time of war, what I'm going to tell you next has to be kept between the two of us. Please," he said before taking a deep breath.

"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"James is not Dorea and mine's first born child, yet he is our only child. We never had it in our hearts to tell him that he should have had an older sister, at least fifteen years his senior. Dorea was pregnant during the start of the Grindelwald War, we had just been married for a few months before the war broke out and man young lords like myself left our wives and joined the fight against the Dark Lord. Dorea's brother, Arcturus, and I were training partner's and then eventually field partners. However, Dorea was a prodigal Healer and despite going against my wishes and being pregnant - she too joined the war effort as a healer, trust me Arcturus and I were yelling at her and each other for a good few hours.

She gave birth to a girl, we named her Mariabella. The years went by and Dorea still worked as a Healer, but far away from the frontlines where Arcturus and I were, the two of them were safe and although my daughter was growing up without her father always being there, Dorea managed to teach her right and every time I came home I spent all of my time with her. Our worries only increased as the two of us had grown a reputation as slayers of the Dark Lord Grindelwald's forces, he eventually learned our names and then learned our weaknesses. While Arcturus and I were deployed in France, one of his spies took Dorea and Mariabella prisoner, my daughter would have been around your age at this time.

Wanting to protect her mother in my stead, the girl had claimed she would become a soldier once she finished at Hogwarts. She challenged Grindelwald to an honour duel, to the death, either way Dorea would walk free regardless of the outcome - she had to kill his protege before he accepted. My wife watched as my fifteen year old daughter duelled the Dark Lord, she watched as our daughter was killed in front of her - and then she was let go. You may not notice it, but, my wife still has those haunting flashbacks. That's why Dorea said she was just happy that Reagan came back alive. Because we've already lost one daughter to a Dark Lord's war, it would break her to lose another daughter, albeit granddaughter, to another Dark Lord's war.

I am not saying that you should forgive Reagan's actions, but, I am merely giving you the view that Dorea and I have as parents who lose a child to a war with a dark lord, as a father who failed to protect his daughter. It is up to you to decide what course of action you want to take, perhaps you should speak to Dorea - she may have some better words as a mother."

Lily was speechless, she had no idea the pain and the past history that Charlus and Dorea had, especially when it came to this subject. She thanked him before he left and spent time reflecting on what she wanted to do, Reagan may be her age, and she may be young, naive, stupid and emotional - but she knew one thing for sure, when she thought of Reagan, it was not as a sister or a fellow student, but as a mother, scared and worried about her child. She decided, after an hour to seek Dorea out and talk to her - mother to proverbial mother.