I'm back after a relaxing summer and a not so relaxing start of school.
Thank you for your patience. I mean it. I apologise for going AWOL for such a long time especially when there is not a good reason for it. Sometimes laziness just gets a hold of me.
Moving on! I've had loads of reviews and while I won't go into answering each of them personally, there were some issues that kept repeating themselves.
About Severus: It is still going to take a couple of chapters for him to make an appearance but things are speeding up and it shouldn't take too long. Also, some of you expressed concerns about Caelum being a Black and how Severus would take to that. I would like to remind you that while James Potter was from a Light family and the only member of Potter family that we know Severus is associated with, Sirius had a younger brother Regulus with whom Severus was in the same House at the same time with and with whom he was a Death Eater of the same generation. Thus Severus actually has a reason to give Caelum the benefit of a doubt before outright judging him. This is my opinion. And Sirius was branded with the title of family's black sheep in the public's eyes so the name Black still means Dark. In canon Sirius is the last Black and thus Severus directs his distaste towards the family name as well. Am I making any sense?
I can't really remember what other concerns there were... Well, I've revised the earlier chapters though they still haven't been beta'd. Syl is now definitely male and I'm trying to keep an eye out on my habit of calling animals and creatures "it". In Finnish the youngest generation doesn't actually even use "he" except in official situations. Everything is referred to as "it". I actually find it sounds somehow forced if "he" or "she" is used of a familiar person. Modern Finnish, yeah...
There was a concern expressed on Caelum not being very canon Harry and how I've actually created a new character and abandoned the canon altogether. I know it might seem that way but Caelum is very much Harry as you will see in the future and especially when I get to the point of going through his past (not for a long time...)
Oh! I got Caelum's tattoos drawn! Here's the link http :/ silverwing135 .deviantart .com / # / d2yffob
Just delete the spaces and copypaste it.
And again thank you for aalens for betaing and any mistakes you find are due to last minute changes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and no money is made with this.
OF SHADOW, SHINE AND SHADES by dra6on
Chapter 9. Truths and Half-Truths
"You sssmell the sssame. More than the onesss from lassst night. But he isss not your hatchling either. What isss he?"
Syl could hiss pretty demandingly when he needed to and Caelum doubted he had noticed the drops of poison that had started to form on the tips of his fangs. The man laid him on the bed and leaned away from the agitated reptile.
"Becaussse... we are related? Maybe the adoption?"
"Do not lie to me!"
The mage flinched at the lash his mind received but could also feel his anger and annoyance rising at the snake's words. Hell, he'd known him for a couple of days and he acted like his mother! He had the Staff for that, thank you very much, and he did not intend to keep a nanny. He turned his eyes on the snake and knew his magic was shining through his shields.
"It doesss not concern you. He isss mine, my blood, mine to care for. I do not trussst you to keep my sssecretsss. I do not trussst you to not to tell my enemiesss. And I do not trussst easssily." He drew in a deep breath and smoothly rose to his feet. The mage gathered his scattering thoughts and reinforced the shields surrounding him and his magic without paying mind to the narrow eyed glare the snake was sending him. He closed his eyes and counted to ten, all the while keeping a watch on Syl through his senses.
When he deemed himself collected enough Caelum looked down upon the snake and smiled sadly. "I apologissse. I do not take well to othersss demanding thingsss of me." He sighed and sat down. "Asss I sssaid it takesss time for me to trussst. I underssstand you have quessstionsss but I cannot anssswer them asss of yet. Nor isss the youngling," he gestured to the ceiling, "prepared to know everything."
The black and purple eyes watched him in silence and the snake's tongue flicked in and out, tasting the air and most probably reassessing Caelum's scent. He waited patiently and was truly glad Citala could not verbally pester him as well. One annoyingly caring pet was enough.
Finally the snake nodded and slithered to him. Caelum kept still as he moved up his arms and around his neck. He was uncomfortable with their positioning but knew their trust would have to start somewhere and the same applied to Harry. The worst was that Caelum couldn't really rely on his own experience in dealing with Harry. The two Potters had had such different childhoods with Caelum's uncle spending it in jail and Harry's uncle being present to terrorize his wife's nephew.
The mage heaved a sigh and carefully plopped on his back on the bed. His thoughts wandered to the breakfast tomorrow and he grimaced as Harry entered the equation. He could hardly bring the Boy-Who-Lived to a breakfast at Malfoy Manor – the residence of one of Voldemort's closest supporters. And leaving Harry alone at this point would take them back many steps. But then again, what other choice did he have? He would just have to make sure the boy was entertained for long enough and return as soon as was polite.
One possibility was leaving Syl with the young wizard but then Caelum would have been defenceless in the manor. Well, not defenceless but without backup. He did not trust Malfoy and he had had heavy reasons for strangling the man in his own world. He would first have to go through serious self persuasion before he could even consider allying with the man and possibly luring him from the Dark Lord. But, without Malfoy Tom would be seriously at a disadvantage. Without the Ministry liaison...
Should I start preparing for the war already? Voldemort only managed to rise in my sixth year in my world. What if my intervention causes him to rise earlier? I wonder what would happen if I destroyed the horcruxes while he was still a spirit...
This sprung a whole different set of ideas into being for Caelum to ponder on and he spent the better part of the afternoon plotting and planning. By the time the Dormiens wore off on Harry and the kid made his way downstairs still clutching the book in his arms, Caelum had taken over cooking and was in the process of seasoning the chicken. The mage glanced up just as Harry stepped into the room and pointed to the table, smiling when the boy took the seat without a fight or accusations.
He set a glass of milk in front of him and ordered, "Drink."
After making sure Harry was doing so he returned to the stove to check the potatoes. He did not have to wait for long for the questions to start.
"Did you put me under a spell?" At least the boy still managed not to sound accusing.
"Yes, a simple sleep spell. You wouldn't have rested otherwise and I did not want to go through all the explanations only to have to repeat them because you were too tired to remember." He saw the expression on Harry's face. "I am sorry. But even you have to admit that now you are feeling better and possibly have enough energy to stay up till late night."
The kid came very near pouting and finished his milk in silence. "You said something about Sirius?" he finally asked after Caelum had put the chicken in the oven and turned his attention on the salad. It was a pathetic Christmas dinner but gas stations were not known for their selection. He didn't even have gifts for Harry, even though he'd promised to take him shopping once the stores would open again.
"Sirius?" The mage started cutting tomatoes. "I don't know much and I'm not sure how much of this is accurate... But from what I can tell he was supposed to be the one looking after you. He was your father's best friend in school for seven years and after that they worked together." The books had listed James' occupation in this world also as an Auror, and Sirius' too, he'd found out from the papers Gobteeth had given him. "Sirius was betrayed after your parents' murder and framed and he's now in Azkaban. The wizarding prison." Harry gasped at that. His eyes had grown to the size of plates.
"But he's innocent and I have a lawyer working on his case. Also the public think I'm his half-brother so stick with that theory if someone happens to ask you." Caelum shrugged and sent all ingredients for the salad into a bowl with a flick of his wrist. "I doubt that is going to happen because I intend to keep you hidden until September when you go to school."
"Because of that old man that attacked us?" Harry asked, clearly trying to get the whole picture. Caelum scrunched his face in thought.
"I don't like him but he's got a phoenix which should be impossible if he was bad..." Caelum knew the mystery of Albus Dumbledore gaining the trust of a phoenix would be a mystery that would cause him headaches far into the future. "I simply don't know enough. He might be good but he might also be out to use you and I say we stay out of his radar until we know for sure, huh?"
Harry nodded seriously and was about to continue his questioning but Caelum interrupted, "There's also this problem of me promising to go to a breakfast tomorrow and I can't bring you with me."
Harry stared at him in incomprehension. "Why would you want to take me with you?" he asked, puzzled.
"Because I adopted you? Because you're family? And I dislike leaving you alone in this house so soon after meeting you."
"Oh." The boy deflated and Caelum went through his words to see what would cause such a reaction and nearly cussed aloud when he realized his mistake. "Harry, it's not like that." The boy looked up and Caelum had to again fight the urge to simply hug the kid. It was lucky he was busy rummaging through the cabinets for a salt shaker. "This is an old and dark house. There are things here that might hurt you. It's not about me not trusting you because I do, I really do. It's the house I don't trust, and I've only been living here for a couple of days. And I know you don't want anyone hovering over your shoulder all the time but at least for now I'm too worried to simply let you do whatever you want? You understand?"
The boy was again surprised and Caelum was getting frustrated with himself all the time tripping up on some issues the kid had. He hadn't been this problematic, had he? But there really was no point in comparing his and Harry's childhoods. Maybe if he'd got here four years earlier, but not anymore.
Which meant he was on his own with a ten year old kid that had just found out his only relatives had been lying to him all of his life.
The mage shook his head and fished the chicken from the magical oven. He noticed Harry was watching every move he made and reminded himself that the kid had probably been the one responsible for most of cooking in the whale's house. Deciding to play a little game, Caelum sent his magic all over the room and smugly watched from the side how everything floated to their places at the end of the giant table, and how Harry let out gasps of surprise. He obediently moved the book to a chair when the gold tinted plate kept nudging it to make room and then followed in fascination as everything stopped moving.
"Now," Caelum said as he discarded the apron and took a seat opposite to Harry. Food started flying to their plates. "I know Dursleys did not give you much to eat. Even if," he silenced Harry with a look, "they did not starve you, growing up in that cupboard has stunted your growth so you'll be lucky to grow to my height. I only suffered for five years, you've been with them for nine. I think we might need to take you to a Healer to make sure you don't need an additional regimen or something." Indignation flared in Harry's green eyes behind the lenses and the boy swallowed furiously in order to speak.
"Harry, none of this has happened because of you," Caelum tried to soothe the boy. "Now, there are some very Dark magics that might correct the situation and you would grow to the height you would have been had the situation been different. But they include Soul magics and growing a new body for you. Personally, being short is not nearly as much of a hindrance as one might think-"
"I am not weak!"
Caelum jerked in surprise and Syl let out a long disgruntled hiss as he was disturbed in his sleep. The mage hurriedly rubbed the snake around his throat. "I did not mean to imply you were. I am the average height and in battle it's easier to avoid being hit when only half the people are shorter than you. And as you can see I'm not some bodybuilder." He raised his arm. Wearing only a tee, the lithe muscles on his arm were clearly visible and Caelum knew looking at him everyone could only guess at the power he carried. Try explaining that to a ten year old though.
"So I won't be tall?" Harry sounded very displeased to hear that and passive Legilimency let Caelum peek on the reason. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. Everything seemed to circle back to the whale and the other Dursleys.
"No, but you will have other means at your disposal. I think this has something to do with your uncle? He used to tower over you?"
Harry shrugged but the mage saw it was to hide the shiver that ran through his frame. "Uncle Vernon is a big man."
"He looks like a beached whale." Caelum snorted and Harry nearly choked on his chicken trying to stifle the giggling. "Wizards are not automatically better than muggles but you are better than the Dursleys." Caelum drew a deep breath. "In the future if you want to face them you can. But for now try to put them behind you. You are strong and being short is not something you can change. Learn to use it to your advantage. That's about all you can do."
Harry turned his attention to the dinner and Caelum let the boy brood in silence concentrating on the food before him. Citala flew to him and he fed her couple of strips from his chicken. He noticed Harry scrunching his nose and grinned inwardly when he remembered what Petunia would have said should someone have fed an animal off her table. Maybe someone had... But he no longer remembered.
"How's my cooking?"
"It's really great," Harry replied after swallowing. He was on his second helping now and Caelum knew he'd have stop him soon lest the boy be sick on his table. He had eaten at McDonalds just this morning.
"Good. I make most of my food myself though Kreacher sent me some nasty glares when I ordered him to clean instead. House elves think they should do all the work." Caelum smiled. "Especially if they are treated well. And from that we get to the few rules I have."
He nailed Harry down with a serious gaze and was glad that he instantly had the boy's full attention. "Kreacher thinks of himself as a servant but to me he isn't. He will do most of the household work but should he ask your help you will help him. And pay no mind to his ramblings. He is a bit old and his previous Mistress was insane.
"Also, I would appreciate it if you didn't wander outside for the time being. There's too much you don't know about London to find your way. And like I said, if at any given time you feel you want to return to your relatives I will take you there and make sure they take you back. Though it will be pretty hard to nullify the adoption especially because it was written with blood and you also signed." He sighed and leaned back in his chair rubbing his forehead. The mage could still feel the boy's eyes on him but continued without meeting them. "Basically the same thing applies in the entire house that applied in the bathroom. The only places cleaned of dark and dangerous artefacts are the kitchen, your room, my room and the drawing room. Those are the ones I had time to go through, and you can use my bathroom. Oh, I guess the library is alright. It just contains some pretty dark tomes that I wouldn't have you read as your first introduction to magical world."
Harry looked at him questioningly and opened his mouth, "When will you come back? From that breakfast..."
"I'll try to come back as soon as I can. Before lunch probably." It was a surprise to realise that the kid was actually worried about him. Or about being left alone. Such differences in the worlds.
Caelum shook his head in bemusement and decided to leave Syl behind when he went tomorrow. Just in case.
The mage emerged from the fireplace soot all over him and nearly tripping over his own feet. One swish of his hand corrected the state of his clothing but he couldn't help but tense up in this familiar environment. But his mental defences were finally working at full power and this past battleground failed to affect him as strongly as it would have yesterday.
The grandeur of the place was impressive nonetheless, and Caelum noticed that many of the artefacts lit up in various colours under his eyes. Magic was all around him – as it should be in a mansion of a family as old as the Malfoys. But it was not the blinding magic of Gringotts and Privet Drive wards that were basically Light and meant for protection. This was Dark and sly with an undercurrent of coldness.
"Ah, Mr Black. Welcome to Malfoy Mansion. We were waiting for you."
The mage turned to face the host of this breakfast. Not a hair was misplaced on Malfoy senior's head and the man practically radiated cold confidence. The Black Head tilted his head and Caelum allowed a smirk to rise on his lips. His black eyes noticed the slight twitch that had developed on the corner of the blonde's mouth and he found it satisfying – although making the man scream in pure agony might be more fitting... but he'd had time to reinforce his mental shields last night and was under control.
"I apologise. I hope you have not had to wait for too long?"
A blank mask descended on Malfoy's face and the smirk left Caelum's face only for a soft smile to appear. "I am quite anxious to meet my blood relatives again."
"They seem to be in a similar state," Lucius replied smoothly and motioned for Caelum to follow him. The two fell into step side by side. Malfoy was obviously proud of his heritage and kept pointing out different objects that the family had collected over the years. Caelum kept up a façade of polite interest until a beautifully crafted staff, held on the wall by iron supports, caught his eye. He had to stop and take a better look.
"You have an interest in crafting?"
The mage let his eyes travel over the intricate carvings on the wood, which were untouched by time. It was a staff meant for fighting and casting, at least four hundred years old. Crafted as it was, of magical Everwood, any raw magic channelled through it would double. He wondered if Malfoy knew what he was so nonchalantly keeping on display. If he was in another situation perhaps he could buy the staff but Malfoy was certainly not going to part with something of which he did not know the exact value, and it would be wasted on the mage as he already had his Staff and Emerald.
"I have been trained to fight with many weapons. It is just rare to see a staff as old as that." He dismissed the object with a shrug and continued on his way making Lucius stride quickly after him. There was a calculating look in the older wizard's eyes that Caelum detested. But there was nothing he could do about it.
The double doors on his left opened and Caelum strode inside confidently. He let his eyes travel over the group gathered there. He immediately recognized Cassiopeia, Arcturus, Melania and Lucretia. The remaining blondes could be none other than Draco and Narcissa.
Letting his eyes scan the young boy Caelum was hard pressed not to try and search for similarities between this one and the one he'd known for the past fourteen years. The kid looked as he remembered Draco being on their first time meeting. The same slicked back hair and arrogant pose. The wizard hid his smile by bowing to the room at large.
"Good morning."
"It is about time you showed up! How long were you planning on making us wait?"
"Good morning to you too, Aunt Cassiopeia." Caelum walked to the seat reserved for him between Lucius and Arcturus and wandlessly manoeuvred his chair in position before sitting down gracefully. He spied the jerk of surprise that Lucius couldn't hide from the corner of his eye.
The old witch drew in a sharp breath and the mage turned his full attention on her. He pierced her with his currently black eyes and the witch froze with her mouth hanging open. These people would be in for a nasty surprise if they thought him to be as agreeable now as he'd been a couple days ago.
They started slowly, making introductions and small talk and eating while waiting for someone to make the first move to actually address the matters at hand. Caelum listened and put in his own opinion when it was needed. It was actually quite informative; finding out about all the rumours and current affairs. He couldn't believe the Slytherins were actually offering him such a chance. But then again, they too were gaining by this.
"Mr Black, I heard you set up a meeting with Gringotts' goblins on your first day in magical Britain. Is this true?" Narcissa slyly put in when they'd finished with a particularly juicy bit of gossip about goblins seizing the Faldon family's manor due to unpaid loans.
"Ah, yes. Well, almost. I arrived on Friday and visited Gringotts on Sunday after closing time." He smiled knowingly. Malfoy would have to grab the bone he'd thrown him.
"After closing?" And he did, looking pleasantly surprised as was only proper. "Your relations with the goblins must be very good. I believe Lucretia mentioned earlier that they received news of your arrival from the prince of goblins himself. One has to wonder what you've done to achieve such trust. Goblins rarely acknowledge wizards as anything other than a source of income." Lucius looked as if just by talking about the lower beings he was dirtying himself somehow.
They might respect you if you did the same, Caelum commented silently. Aloud he replied, "I have had dealings with many races in the past. One learns to direct the conversation quite quickly because disasters always lurk in the background when dealings with different races are occurring. Take for example ICW; it consists entirely of humans while also making decisions on the behalf of and affecting magical creatures and beings."
"You see quite modern in your views. Is this a result of your upbringing?" Melania put in.
The mage shrugged. "I think it is a consequence of the different environments and situations I've had to face. You learn to respect the vampires' ability to fight when you are facing three at once and one seizes your wand, second traps your arms and third goes for your neck. And-"
"How did you survive?"
As soon as the words slipped from Draco's mouth the kid blushed and ducked his head for a moment before deciding the damage had already been done and continued his staring of Caelum. The mage tilted his head.
"Forgive my son, he should know when to stay quiet." Malfoy senior directed a cold glare at his son, whose blush only deepened. "I am certain he is most ashamed. Apologise, Draco."
"No need," Caelum interrupted and smiled mischievously. "There is no book that will tell this tale so I truly am the only source and it would have shown even worse decorum to return to the subject after I deemed it dealt with." Caelum was pretty sure Draco was starting to like him as he was actually defending the boy against his father. "Well, the short story is that I was involved in a skirmish between a small wizarding community and a larger vampire infestation. My... partner and I were travelling, searching for some obscure potions ingredient that had only been mentioned in tales of the distant past. So we were attacked while passing by. He dealt with two while I got three of those buggers on me." Draco was a good listener. He was actually holding his breath. "So when the third went for the kill I summoned three branches wandlessly and dusted all three at the same time." He held out his hand and a ball of fire appeared starting everyone in the room. The ball took the form of a dragon and took the air, circling the room once before reaching Caelum and dissipating above his head. "I suppose fire would have worked just as well."
"You did not lie when you said you had been trained," Lucius commented and the calculative glint in his eyes was back at full force."Tell, me what can you do exactly?"
Was he for real? "I am certain my relatives can be of help in that matter. Now, unfortunately, I have another appointment today so unless there is anything else, I really should be going. "He could not help the smirk that rose on his lips before the angered eyes of his relatives, and tilted his head to the side. "I do apologise for my breach of etiquette, but as I have only just arrived to this country there are many matters that need my attention."
Everyone was staring at him, but his eyes were drawn to the familiar stormy grey eyes. Draco was looking confused and scandalized at his behaviour. The mage blinked and all the leftover food vanished from the dishes leaving them sparkling clean. The kid's eyes turned to the size of saucers.
"One does wonder where you obtained such power." Lucius Malfoy commented dryly but there was a hunger in his eyes that Caelum couldn't help but notice. Bile rose in his throat but he forced it down.
He had to be strong and unaffected.
"Ah... This, you mean?" A ball of blue energy appeared over his right palm where it quickly divided into five smaller balls that switched to hover over the tips of his fingers. He turned his hand over and the balls travelled along his fingers only to unite over the back of his hand and vanish. "It requires discipline, will, and plenty of luck to achieve. I lost count of how many times I nearly died."
"But it is obtainable by everyone?" Arcturus queried with his raspy voice. They wanted information about his abilities? Wanted his power? Tough luck.
"I did not say that. And it is not family magic, so I have no obligation to share the secrets of my success with you." He glanced out of the big windows standing as two walls of the room. By the sun it was nearing eleven o'clock. "Wands and staffs were invented for a reason. Most wizards are not in tune with their magic enough to even feel it and the magical core of the wand encompassed in the natural magic of the wood acts as a channel, enabling them to draw greater amounts of magic from their cores. No need for rituals to draw magic from nature and use their own pitiful control to guide it." He shrugged. "Then there are those few that are in tune with their magic and can directly manipulate it with no need for tools."
There was a moment's silence that was broken by Melania just before Caelum was about to get up. "That is truly fascinating." Her forehead wrinkled even more that it already was and a thoughtful expression rose on her aged face which was framed by white curls. "But how is it that I sense no magic from you? If I did not know better, I would say you were a muggle – or a squib at best."
Caelum's eyes shot to the second oldest person present before relaxing. "You have talent in sensing? Perhaps it is the Black blood that enables my ability", he mused almost to himself. While it was true he was not magically sensitive naturally, he had to have had some kind of hereditary talent to start with. Talent that had now grown into allowing him to see magic meant to be invisible.
"What other blood could it be?"
Caelum raised a brow in challenge at Lucretia who had posed the question. He had no intention of telling these people anything of his other powers and heritages. He sighed and let his eyes travel across the walls searching for a way to deflect their curiosity.
"You already know my history," he began slowly, carefully thinking over each of his words. "I informed you of it two days ago. The identity of my mother is in no way any of your business. I am the Head of the Black family and the magic recognizes me. I might respect you for your age and the power you possess but that does in no way obligate me to listen to you. Where I choose to take this family is my decision." He nodded to Lucius and his family. "Draco and Narcissa are recognized as members of the Black family and shall remain so unless their actions force me to remove them." He sighed and looked at the other wizards and witches through half-lidded eyes. They seemed to be gathering their thoughts and assessing him. Had he not had years of experience sitting in war council with nearly hostile allies he might have been uncomfortable. This was like a walk in the park compared to the hateful and loathing looks he'd been receiving from the non-humans in the early stages of the Chaos War.
"You think you can tell me what to do?" Cassiopeia asked icily and the mage realized she was gripping her wand beneath the table. "You are decades too early to tell me what to do!"
He felt the Dark spell before it even left the witch's wand. He threw his chair back and twisted out of the way with the reflexes honed by long years of training. The blood red spell flew past him harmlessly but impacted with the wall with a mighty explosion. A flick of Caelum's wrist had the woman flying against the opposite wall. She crumbled to the floor with no strength left and a hint of fearful insanity in her eyes as her and Caelum's gazes locked.
"The gap is too great," the mage informed the room detachedly. "Furthermore you just attempted to kill the Head of your House. By the Black law I am entitled to take your life. Isn't that right Arcturus Black?"
The old man simply bowed his head but both Melania and Lucretia stood up slamming their hands against the table in synchronization. Mother and daughter clearly possessed the same temper, but before they could open their mouths to clearly chew Caelum up, the mage raised his hand and silenced them magically.
"However, as the offence happened in the household of the Malfoy family, the Head of Malfoy family has the right to an opinion." The mage turned his black eyes on the blond haired man who was regarding him silently, the previous hunger hidden behind the coldness of the grey eyes. He detested dealing with the situation in such a manner but there was no other choice. The pureblood courtesies and traditions had been pounded into him and acting against them now would cause a serious offence.
"Attacking the Head is a serious matter. However, I trust that the new Head of the Black family is fully capable on deciding Cassiopeia Black's fate as long as the Malfoy family is compensated for the damage."
Caelum glanced at the damaged wall and gave a curt nod of agreement. He turned to Cassiopeia. "I will not take what's left of your life, nor will I punish you in any other way other than barring your access to the London townhouse. As it is clear I have a need to protect myself, the townhouse is now off-limits to everyone. I will not be responsible for the consequences that befall anyone who tries to break through the wards." He pressed the ring between his fingers and the magic acquiesced.
"Now that that is out of the way, I shall return home. It has been... riveting." The mage ran his hand over the robes and they arranged themselves smoothly around his frame. He nodded to his Black relatives, bowed in the direction of Narcissa, silently regretting a missed chance at getting to know her, and smiled at Draco who was regarding him with respect in his eyes. He wondered how his rival-turned-war-comrade would turn out. At least with Harry in his custody he could try to affect the animosity between the two children.
"Mr. Malfoy I apologise for the behaviour of my relatives." He opened his money sack and rummaged through it for a while before coming across a sizable emerald. "I also apologise for not going through the proper channels, but I hope this is enough for the compensation." He placed the emerald on the table and everyone's eyes were drawn to it. It reflected the sun's rays over the walls and sparkled like the true goblin craftsmanship it was.
The mage smiled and bowed to the Head of the Malfoy family. "I can show myself out. I hope our next meeting ends on more agreeable terms."
He left the people in the room and hurried through the hallways, a house elf trailing after his hurried steps. There was an uneasiness present in him that urged him to check on Harry. His instincts were practically screaming at him to get home before something irreversible occurred.
He nearly threw himself into the fireplace and coughed out the destination at the last minute. The world started to spin and the fireplace spit him out into a heap onto the floor. The mage rolled onto his toes and got up, an answer ready on his tongue for Tom's questions but froze.
This wasn't the Leaky Cauldron.
I really, really should start to pay better attention to my surroundings, he reprimanded himself as he took in the state of his unintended destination. He seemed to be in a cave of some kind. There were everburning torches mounted on the rugged stone walls and they illuminated the pitiful furniture; only a bed and a writing desk with a chair. The mage moved closer to them and jumped in surprise when the magic let out a long wail and the furniture disappeared from sight. Conjurations. As his magic disturbed the balance in the cave the old magic gave out.
Looking around, Caelum ascertained there was no floo powder in this place and cursed when he found anti-apparition wards around the place. Some well crafted ones as well, with the foundation on a rune stone and the magic linked through it. He could break it but it would take some time. Time which he did not have since after his arrival his instincts had developed into almost physical sensations and at the moment were screaming for him to be with his young ward.
Caelum sent his magic around and but found no secret passages. Whoever built this place apparently really wanted their solitude. The question passed through his mind – why would anyone want to hew a room into solid rock and even go to the extent of furnishing it and connecting it to the floo and then leave the connection open for someone unlucky to stumble through? Wait. The fireplace.
He turned back to his used entrance and peeked up the flue. He could see the clear blue skies up high and sighed in relief. Some simple levitation magic and the wizard was shooting up the flue, spider webs and grime attaching themselves onto his hair and frame along the way. He shuddered in disgust when the journey finally ended and he was propelled down on to the ground as the spell suddenly died out in the open space. as even he couldn't fly on his own.
Taking in his surroundings, the mage found himself sitting on the edge off a cliff. Two feet from him the cliff dropped a hundred feet into an ocean surface broken by sharp rocks. The wretched feeling in his gut grew tenfold and he Dissapparated to Black House, but not before taking one last look around the place, just in case he ever saw the need to return.
The house was silent as he silently appeared in the kitchen. Citala greeted him from her perch and only a second later Kreacher appeared, bowing low.
"Welcome home, Master."
"Kreacher, where is Harry?"
"Young Master is on the second floor explor-"
Caelum cursed under his breath and was running up the stairs before Kreacher could even finish his sentence. He flew up the stairs, disturbing portraits in his haste and skidded to a halt when he heard voices. Of two people.
"So, tell me, young brat, what's this I hear about a new mudblood Black Head?"
The mage froze on the doorstep of the room with a serpent-shaped doorknob as a million thoughts burned and crashed in his mind. There, warily regarding a talking portrait was Harry, and the man in the portrait was none other than Phineas Nigellus Black, the most hated headmaster of Hogwarts.
A/N: Another cliffhanger. Well, the next chapter gives an idea on what the future holds for Harry and Caelum. Wait for it (hepofully not for too long) and don't forget to review!
I'm off to write a presentation on Hemingway and his works.