Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: I AM SO SORRY! Holy shit, I cannot believe it has been two months since I last updated. It's just nineteen stories to write at the same time has taken its toll on me. I'll try and upload the next chapter this week and not keep you waiting like before. I hope I haven't put you off reading this story. Enjoy this chapter, and SORRY again!
Chapter 11:
"What the bloody hell was all that about?! Potter's brat defeated the Dark Lord?" Bellatrix growled the second they entered the Slytherin common room. Everyone fled the vicinity, scampering to their rooms or a corner far away from Bellatrix Black, knowing that her temper was usually destructive for anyone in her path that weren't included in her circle of friends.
"Bella love, calm darling, calm down," Rodolphus soothed his infuriated girlfriend, snaking his arms around her waist and drawing her back flush against his chest. Once she began calming, he narrowed his eyes on his younger brother and Regulus, "Don't think I didn't notice the constant whispering between you two, or the fact that you were more knowledgeable than us about certain, ah, events that unfolded."
"Cousin? Do tell us, what have you been keeping from us?" Narcissa asked before Bellatrix could beat her to the punch, knowing that Regulus feared Bellatrix' rabid temper.
Regulus and Rabastan traded sheepish looks; they have been best friends for years and had a more brotherly relationship, and so, they were adept in communicating silently.
Regulus walked forward, staring solemnly at the group congregated near the fireplace, "A while back, Rab and I stumbled on the regular Gryffindorks near the third floor corridor, and well, the holograms of the Potter girl, Longbottom and Weasley boys and that Granger girl appeared."
"We decided to probe around and join the Gryffs in following the holograms and well-"Rabastan scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, "Let's say we took a little tumble into the wild side. Rod, do you have your pensieve?"
Rodolphus merely summoned the pensieve non-verbally and positioned it in on the table between them. Rabastan pointed his wand at Regulus' temple and withdrew two immensely long memories, before disposing it into the pensieve.
Regulus and Rabastan were adamant of not wanting to watch the gruesome and highly disturbing scene for a second time, preferring to wait by the fire. One by one, Rodolphus, Bellatrix, Lucius, Narcissa, Severus, Antonin and Azrial dipped into the pensieve.
Mere minutes later, the seven Slytherins were spat out, their faces pale and clammy and their hair in disarray.
"Merlin," Antonin breathed out, slumping onto the sofa in an ungentlemanly fashion, chewing on his bottom lip, displaying his obvious nerves and waylay thoughts.
"Okay, we can fix this, we can," Bellatrix shrieked, her sapphire eyes flashing nervously. "We don't know when exactly Potter's brat defeated our Lord. We must inform the Dark Lord at once and kill the Mudblood –"
"No, Bella," Regulus mumbled, and although his voice was low, everyone heard him loud and clear and his words succeeded in halting Bellatrix mid-rant, a feat known to be impossible. Glancing up, Regulus grimaced, though his face was set in determination, "Did you not see how he became? Possessing Quirrell? The vile face on the back of his head … almost, almost snakelike. What dark magic did he dig himself deep into to become that way."
"What are you saying, Regulus?" Lucius asked brusquely. But much to their surprise, it was Rabastan that chimed in, and what he had to say, shocked them to their very core.
"You heard what Dumbledore said; 'he left Quirrell to die. He shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies.' Sorry if Reg and I don't want to be one of them. We have no desire to become collateral damage," Rabastan said determinedly and confidently, avoiding eye contact with his brother, just as Regulus was doing the same with his volatile cousin.
"Rabastan! What, you're saying that you plan on opposing us, our Lord, live with filth such as Mudbloods and Blood Traitors?" Rodolphus sneered, unable to believe what his younger brother was admitting.
"You don't get it!" Regulus snarled slamming a hand on the table, creating a loud 'bang' and having Narcissa, Severus, Azrial and Antonin jump in surprise. "It's all bullshit, everything, all that the Dark Lord spouts off! He creates war and bloodshed, uses his Death Eaters to do his dirty work only to betray them and treat them like the dirt beneath his feet whenever he deems. Did you not witness the same memory we did? The Dark Lord is barely humane, he's insane!"
Silence met the ending of Regulus' heated speech. Nobody said a word, each lost in their own thoughts.
Lucius, ever the natty politician and spruce mediator, cleared his throat, "We have all hit an impasse. I say we call it a night and rest on it. Let's not quarrel amongst ourselves, hmm? We must stick together."
Severus Snape wasted no time in extricating himself from the group, departing to his room and drawing the drapes around his bed for a much needed privacy.
Lily died.
His Lily; dear sweet Lily will die in four years, murdered by the Dark Lord he swore allegiance to.
No, no. He needed an out, he cannot continue serving the tyrannical megalomaniac; Regulus was correct with the phraseology, the Dark Lord was completely inhumane, snakelike. Rabastan bringing up Hologram-Dumbledore's words struck a chord deep within him, 'he shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies.'
It was true. Once Quirrell had no longer any use to him, the Dark Lord evacuated the premises, leaving his faithful follower to death, and even if Esmeralda Potter's touch hadn't killed him, Quirrell would be sent off to Azkaban. No, Severus couldn't fool himself in the Dark Lord's empty words and false promises of power and ambitions.
And that memory of his Hologram-self and Hologram-Dumbledore awaiting Hologram-Pomfrey's results on Esmeralda's health after defeating Quirrell … he could see quite plainly, he feared for Esmeralda's survival. Was it because he cared for Potter's brat? Or was it because she was Lily's child? Lily's flesh and blood…
Severus Snape needed an escape from the Dark Lord's clutches, he needed to strip off that horrid Dark Mark from his arm … he needed Albus Dumbledore.
***Holograms***
"Emergency meeting Dumbledore?!" Alastor's grumpy voice grunted as he marched into the Headmaster's office for the umpteenth time this month where the rest of the Order members were already assembled, "Blasted meetings! We just had one, what happened this time?"
"Do keep your tongue behind your teeth, Alastor!" Minerva said snappishly, her eyes narrowing into slits, "I don't care if we interrupted your Lazy Sunday, this is utterly important!"
"Minerva, be serene my dear, be calm," Albus kept his voice even, yet loud enough to be heard with the tiniest amount of authority, having had much experience with the hour-long arguments that shook the premises whenever Minerva and Alastor got tangled into, once they meshed heads together.
"Albus do tell. Was it another hologram?" Dorea asked softly, trading a worried gaze with Charlus, Henry and Augusta Longbottom.
Howard grimaced, "Depends on how you take the news in all honesty."
Albus silently placed the memory of the conversation that took place between his future self and Esmeralda Potter in the hospital wing into the pensieve while he explained the four first years encounter with a mountain troll.
"Are you telling me, that my little boy and his friends managed to defeat a fully grown mountain troll as a FIRST YEAR?" Molly screeched a hand clasped over her heart while the other clenched a wincing Arthur's in a death grip.
Minerva shared Molly's woes, "Yes, believe me Molly, I was unenthused as well. Terrible. Simply terrible."
"Ah, come on. Quirrell releases a wild troll into the castle, while the chit Granger was huddled in the corner bawling her eyes out, Longbottom, Potter and Weasley worked on getting rid of the troll, and succeeded. A feat that even several of my highly-trained aurors couldn't achieve; they deserve to be rewarded not berated," Alastor grunted in annoyance.
Everyone gaped at him, they were used to the daily, and sometimes hourly arguments with Minerva – that was regular. No, they were astounded over the fact that Head Auror Alastor Moody; grumpy, paranoid Alastor Moody, was impressed at another's actions and actually complimented them – now that was rare.
Howard awkwardly cleared his throat after a moment of silence, "Uhm, yes, Alastor is correct. As Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I must say I approve of those three. They kept their heads level and didn't panic, they worked together, a brilliant team. Just marvelous teamwork. That is the making of a warrior, and we got three of them," Howard added his two cents in and the order members began muttering to one another, impressed with the three first years' surprising skill and bravery.
"What astonishes me is that they bested a troll with a first year charm spell, an innocent little spell," Charlus guffawed, finally taking comical light of what should have be a disastrous situation; it was hardly difficult to witness where James Potter inherited his sense of humor from.
"Yes dear," Dorea smiled fondly, patting her husband's hand complacently.
Augusta finally addressed the important topic of the meeting, "What about the second memory, Albus?"
Albus wordlessly offered them a dip into his pensieve and they all wasted no time in hesitating and plunged downward, all except for Minerva, Howard and himself since they already had the unfortunate pleasure of witnessing the memory firsthand.
Mere moments later, they were expelled, their faces paling rapidly, grimaces clearly etched on their faces. A few of the woman even had tears and Charlus' hands were clenched into fists, unable to calm himself.
Unsurprisingly, Alastor was the first to open his mouth, "We do not know Esmeralda's age when she defeated Voldemort yet. Lily's love saved her, really, Albus?" Alastor couldn't help but raise an eyebrow scornfully.
Albus sighed, "You would be surprised how much power love holds, Alastor." Alastor merely grunted in response.
Charlus had a fond smile curled on his lips as he recalled Albus gifting his granddaughter the Invisibility Cloak, and he promised himself that either him or James would be the ones to personally hand it over in the future before she boarded the Hogwarts Express for her first year, as such had always been the Potter Ritual.
"You cannot place the Stone at Hogwarts in the future Albus. You're practically inviting danger into the castle," Henry warned him.
"Hopefully, Voldemort would be no more a decade from now and the Stone won't be in danger," Albus retorted lightly; these holograms were beginning to tire him efficiently; constantly worrying over future knowledge and puzzling the unfathomable riddles that only welcomed even more questions.
***Holograms***
Ever since the Gryffindors returned from the hospital wing, they spread out among the common room, enthusiastically discussing the two memorable hologram scenes they were lucky enough to bore witness to. However, a larger group had assembled near the fireplace, the regular place reserved for the Marauders and their friends.
Lily was sobbing on a depressed James while Sirius, Remus, Peter, Marlene, Alice, Marissa, Pandora, Lorelei, Frank, Fabian and Gideon congregated around, either slumped on a couch or splayed on the ground nearby.
"Lils you saved her. Your love for our daughter is the reason for her survival, for ridding the world of Voldemort even temporarily," James soothed her; rubbing her back gently and trying to quash the tears that threatened to consume him.
"She's a special girl. I just, I can't believe we died at such a young age, and-and, we don't even know why or even how many years we managed to spend with our little girl in the future," Lily cried out desolately.
Sirius grimaced, placing both arms around a saddened Marissa and Lorelei while Remus tightly hugged Pandora to his side. "Look, the holograms are popping up to help us. I doubt whoever is doing this would be so cruel as to dangle our future failures in our faces for sport, aye," Sirius said in an effort to be positive and cheer James and Lily up.
"Sirius is correct," Remus said all of a sudden, "We add these two events onto our timeline, they both happened in Esmeralda's first year."
Since Lily was busy wallowing in depression, Alice fumbled around in search for the particular parchment and began scribbling down the two hologram events they viewed.
"We just have to keep our heads together, and we'll manage. Besides, we have the headmaster on our side, and I'm pretty sure the person or even persons responsible for these holograms are immensely powerful for pulling this off, they're obviously on our side," Pandora informed them in soft tones.
Lorelei's face was set in determination, "We will beat Voldemort. The light shall be victorious and Esmeralda will grow up with you two, and all of us to spoil her extravagantly, so cheer up people."
Lily wiped away her tears and beamed at everyone, nodding in silent thanks.
"Our nephew was awesome with the levitation spell," Gideon said in awe.
Fabian snorted, recalling that memory now that certain danger had ended, he couldn't help but be astounded with the first years a decade from now, "A first year charm spell. Ron bested a troll with a simple Wingardium Leviosa."
And with that rapid change in subject, the thirteen Gryffindor roared with laughter, conversing light topics now that the danger had been averted. However, the twelve Gryffindors failed to notice Peter Pettigrew shifting on his position on the ground, constantly wiping away a few beads of sweat dripping down his forehead, flexing the hand that contained his Dark Mark in nervousness.
Peter began fearing for his life, for his freedom, for his future; if any of the Gryffindors discovered he was actually a Death Eater, he could kiss his future goodbye, and the cowardly coward had reached a stalemate, not knowing which faction to side with.
However, all conversation turned to an abrupt halt when a piercing familiar scream from outside the common room met their ears. Every Gryffindor were frozen in place and the few students that had retreated to their rooms, ambled downstairs, congregating in the common room with perplexed and querying expressions.
"Who screamed?"
"Is everyone alright?"
"What the bloody hell is going on?"
"Is anyone hurt?"
"Did something happen?!"
It quickly became clear that the scream came from no one in the common room and they sprang up to their feet before bustling outside in a stampede.
"It was the Fat Lady," Sirius commented out loud.
Once they exited the common room, they assembled around the portrait of the Fat Lady; the present Fat Lady had jumped into an adjoining portrait watching in shock as her counterpart dashed a few floors away, and they all gaped in horror at the scene that met their eyes.
Frank created a Patronus and sent it to the Headmaster at once, and five minutes later the Gryffindors were greeted by Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Howard Jones who had just finished with their order meeting when the shocking leopard patronus of Frank Longbottom's beckoned an immediate audience by the Gryffindor portrait.
"What is –Merlin," Minerva gasped out, clutching her chest in shock, her eyes widening at the remains of the Fat Lady's portrait.
"It is merely a hologram, Minerva," the Fat Lady piped up, her voice shaking slightly, "My current portrait is perfectly fine."
The Hologram-Fat Lady had vanished from her Hologram-portrait which had been slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor; great chunks had been torn completely.
Before another word could be traded, they heard a commotion of happy voices full of cheer and were met with multiple holograms of the future Gryffindor students. Smiles dropped in an instant and chattering stopped in a flash when their multiple pair of eyes connected with the destroyed Hologram-portrait, and the entrance became jammed.
Albus, Minerva and Howard stood with the current mass of Gryffindors near the ripped Hologram-portrait, away from contact with the many holograms as they patiently waited for the scene to unfold.
Suddenly, the familiar voice to some present, of Percy Weasley cried out into the shocked sea of mutterings, abruptly silencing them all.
"Let me through, please," the redheaded prefect bustled through the crowd, "What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password – excuse me, I'm Head Boy –"
They watched as Percy's voice came to an abrupt stop, his eyes widening and mouth opening and closing in shock as he stared at the remains of the Hologram-portrait.
There was a chilled silence permeating the air around filling both, the current Gryffindors and the Holograms. Suddenly, Percy recovered his bearings and his voice rang out in a sharp voice.
"Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick."
"Who the hell would do this to our dearest, Fat Lady," Sirius grumbled. He liked the Fat Lady, although she could be annoying when she tried to sing opera every once in a while, shattering and abusing their poorly delicate eardrums.
A minute passed before they noticed the tall familiar figure of Hologram-Dumbledore sweep towards the mass and in front of the portrait.
"Hey look, there are Esmeralda, Ron, Neville and Hermione," Marissa pointed out all of a sudden, and everyone turned to face the four familiar faces that always seemed to be in the middle of all the future happenings at Hogwarts. Their faces were morphed into horror and fear as they gaped at the slashed portrait.
"Oh, my –"Hermione gasped, grabbing Esmeralda's arm in worriment.
"Holy fuck!" Sirius suddenly yelled, causing the mutterings to increase and for Albus and Howard to gaze at him questioningly with a small tinge of amusement, regardless the crude language he just used.
Minerva however, was furious, "Mr. Black, language! We do not use such shameful and disgraceful language. What on Earth caused you to cuss?"
Sirius shook his head wide-eyed and merely pointed a finger mutely at a specific professor that joined Hologram-Dumbledore's side, and James, Marissa and Lorelei couldn't hold in the uttered swear word as well, much to Minerva's displeasure. Remus was busy gaping like a fish to recognize many pair of eyes solely on him.
"Moony, you're a professor in the future!" James yelped cheerfully.
"Although mate, you look horrible," Lorelei grimaced, tilting her head at the greyed and scarred Hologram-Remus Lupin.
"Yeah, well, uh –"Remus stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"Congratulations, Mr. Lupin," Howard Jones smirked at him causing Remus to redden in embarrassment.
After the felicitations had all been done and traded, they quieted down and observed as Hologram-McGonagall, Hologram-Snape and Hologram-Lupin joined Hologram-Dumbledore's side.
"We need to find her," said Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."
"Hmmpph, it's good to feel being wanted," the Fat Lady muttered, though not low enough as several students including the Marauders, Lorelei, Marissa and Pandora heard her loud and clear and tried to suppress their snorts of laughter.
"You'll be lucky!" a cackling voice spoke over their heads.
"Hey! Look! Up there! It's Hologram-Peeves," Lilac Brown squealed out, diverting their attention to the owner of the oily voice. All present Gryffindors, Albus, Minerva and Howard focused on the ghostly poltergeist with ill-concealed curiosity.
"He looks like Dumbledore finally allowed him to attend the Hogwarts feast," James snorted; and he was right, for after his statement, everyone in the present time noticed that Hologram-Peeves looked delighted like he usually did at the sight of wreckage and mayhem.
"What do you mean, Peeves?" said Dumbledore calmly.
They watched as Peeves' grin faded completely; it was a common fact that no matter a nuisance the poltergeist was, he never dared to taunt or disrespect Headmaster Dumbledore be it to his face or even behind his back.
Peeves adopted an oily voice that was no better than his usual cackle, "Ashamed your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful," he said happily, "Poor thing."
"It is SO obvious you care for my well-being you sneaky, bothering pest of a nuisance," the Fat Lady screeched from the adjoining portrait, her piggy eyes narrowed on the Hologram-Peeves in disdain.
"My dear Lady, don't let Peeves ruffle you up," Albus said soothingly with a kind and gentle smile, causing the Fat Lady to shift, slightly mollified.
"Dumbledore can calm anyone down," Lorelei snorted into Sirius' back, who grinned and placed a hand around her waist.
"Did she say who did it?" said Dumbledore quietly.
Silence.
There was nothing, but mutual silence along the corridor as all present witches and wizards strained to hear the words of who the culprit that would dare demolish the Fat Lady's portrait was.
"Oh yes, Professorhead," said Peeves with a shit-eating grin on his face. "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see." Peeves proceeded to flip over and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."
"WHAT!" Sirius yelled at the top of his lungs, his blood turning to ice and his olive complexion paling remarkably.
Minerva was deeply surprised and shocked to the core; she couldn't find it in herself to even berate Sirius for yelling and causing amok. Every present student in the vicinity were busy staring at Sirius as though they have never seen him before. James, Remus, Lorelei, Marissa and Pandora kept any type of skin contact with him for support.
Albus however was staring at the hologram students and was baffled to see their faces were all morphed into utmost fear as they began screaming and yelling.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore boomed, "I want you all to make haste to the Great Hall. Minerva inform Filius and Pomona at once, have their students brought in to the Great Hall. Severus, gather your Slytherins as well. Quickly! Remus collect Argus and meet me down, we need to search the castle at once."
And with those last words, the last scene they all witnessed was Esmeralda paling in fright while Neville, Hermione and Ron dragged her away from the demolished portrait in a hurry.
"Sirius –"James began, but Sirius yanked his person away from his friends and marched along the corridor away from prying eyes.
Albus grimaced and stared at his favorite Gryffindors sadly before he, Minerva and Howard stalked away to his office.
"I don't get it," Remus was saying as they congregated themselves by the fireplace in the common room, "Why would Sirius ruin the Fat Lady's portrait, demanding entrance to the Gryffindor common room?"
"Did you see the frightened faces of the professors and Gryffindors? I think Sirius is in trouble in the future," Alice whimpered sadly; she liked and respected Sirius ever since he protected her two years ago and kept her secret, and she didn't like witnessing him in pain, trouble or bad-light.
"So we have another hologram of their third year," Lily said absently as she began jotting down the happenings on the parchment. When she looked up, she noted everyone staring at her in shock and awe, "What?"
"You're not insulting or blaming Black, why?" Marlene asked in confusion.
Lily merely shrugged, "No matter how annoying he can be, or childish and immature, Sirius has a pure heart and has the best intentions, sometimes … besides, remember the hologram depicting Esme's fourth year when Sirius sent her that letter? I'm sure it's all some misunderstanding … it was shown quite clearly that Sirius took his duty as a godfather seriously and it was plain as day that Esme loves him."
James beamed at Lily, his love for her increasing as she protected his best friend and brother in all but blood. Marissa, Lorelei and Pandora sent her appraising looks; they all waited for Sirius to calm down and join them, knowing that the elder Black needed time to himself before showing his face.
***Holograms***
Regulus and Rabastan couldn't stand staying in the common room any longer with all the mutterings, mumblings, whispering and unsure glances. They decided to take a stroll along the dungeons and clear their heads – they made a big step, a brave and probably idiotic step in confronting their elders about joining the Dark Lord, but they didn't regret their choice, especially since they were supposed to be initiated into the ranks and gain the Dark Mark during the Christmas holiday – at latest, summer.
Bellatrix and Rodolphus were anything but pleased, and the two fifth years knew that they haven't received the end of their ire – they only hoped that the two seventh years would understand and accept their decision and rethink about their own stand in the war.
However, as they neared the potions classroom, they could hear a familiar drawling voice boasting nearby, and the two present fifth years silently decided to scope it out. Pausing in shock when they witnessed a hologram of Draco Malfoy and a group of his friends whispering secretly, their faces etched with absolute glee.
"Draky, that was quite ingenious what you revealed to Potter in class just now," a girl with the face of a pug cackled.
"Ugh, definitely a Parkinson," Regulus said in disgust, wrinkling his nose as he watched the Parkinson girl caress Hologram-Draco Malfoy's arm.
Rabastan had an amused yet revolted sneer on his face, "I can't believe he reproduced."
They neared the assembled Hologram-Slytherins and listened carefully.
Draco smiled maliciously, his silver eyes gleaming slightly, "Potter is a hothead. She will definitely be looking into Black now."
"Black?" Regulus whispered, shifting nervously.
"Maybe it isn't you … or Sirius, Reggie," Rabastan said calmly, trying to soothe his best friend's nerves.
"I can't believe Dumbledore didn't tell his precious savior that Black is her godfather," Theodore Nott snorted, although disbelief was shown quite clearly on his face.
"Okay, so definitely Sirius then," Rabastan muttered uncomfortably.
"Potter will find out soon enough," Draco smirked with malice, "And when she does she'll be heartbroken, looking for revenge."
"Potter is only thirteen, Drakey-Poo. Sirius Black is one of the most powerful wizards there are, even though he had been out of 'commission' for twelve years," Pansy sneered, doubt clear in her brown eyes.
"What the bloody hell are they talking about? Why was my brother missing for twelve years?" Regulus snarled demandingly, hoping that the holograms would part with the secret.
"Whatever," Draco scoffed dismissively, grabbing his book bag and walking ahead to the Slytherin common room, the other Slytherins following close by. "The school is surrounded by Dementors, and he'll be back in Azkaban soon enough. Here is to hoping he kills Potter before he gets sent back."
The holograms faded into dust.
Regulus didn't notice that he had fallen onto his knees, tears streaming down his face until Rabastan placed a hand on his shoulder. "Reggie?"
"Why would Sirius be in Azkaban for twelve years, Rab?" Regulus whispered weakly, shaking his head in denial, "He's the good one, the light boy, the, the – no, why, Rab?"
Rabastan shook his head, a grimace shown clearly on his face, "I don't know, Reggie. I don't know."
***Holograms***
"Poor Regulus," Helga said gravely, her kind face etched into hurt, sadness and compassion.
"In the previous timeline, Regulus Black knew nothing about his older brother's grim future, filled with hardship, torture, loss and despair. It is time he found out, Helga," Rowena said seriously, though her eyes shone with sadness and pity.
"I am glad three of my Slytherins already want out from serving my horrid descendant," Salazar snarled, though he puffed up with pride.
"Yes, but there are still many more to go. With Rodolphus and Bellatrix nearby, they will keep trying to hound them in changing their minds," Helga said warningly.
Godric scoffed, "Hopefully, with more holograms, they shall see clearly. Once they find out their fate, they may change their loyalties."
"I presume the Sirius Black business in third year shall be a great help, no?" Helga smiled, all sadness vanishing from her face.
"Oh yes," Rowena smirked in excitement, "No matter the countless amount of times Bellatrix, Narcissa and Regulus Black speak crudely of the Black Sheep in the House of Black, they care for him deeply. Blacks are loyal to one another and once they discover that rat's betrayal and Sirius' hardships, they might change perspectives."
Godric fumed suddenly, his eyes lighting with fire at the reminder, "I cannot believe that rat is in my house, the house of valor, chivalry and the brave. Honestly, he should have never received a spot in our castle in the first place – no house suits him. He holds loyalty to none but himself."
"Void for my house. Hufflepuffs are loyal to others, not just themselves," Helga bloated in rage.
Salazar had a grim look on his face, "We must pool our combined magic and those of Lady Hogwarts to change the fate of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. I do not like how they ended in the previous timeline. Such a Noble family has been poisoned with Voldemort's beliefs and promise for world purity and domination."
Helga patted Salazar's hand gently, "And we shall, Sal."
"Yes. Sirius Black may be the Black Sheep, kicked to the curb and burned from that damned tapestry, but he knows not the amount of power he hold over his family. Once the Blacks witness his tarnished future and calamitous death, they shall change perspectives," Godric confidently told them.
"You are forgetting Bellatrix Lestrange struck the killing blow to her cousin. I see no love between them," Salazar spat in contradiction.
"Ah, but you said it yourself, Salazar," Rowena smugly informed, "Bellatrix Lestrange was a deranged woman, swimming into the deep end of fake promises of power and position with an ill-loved loyalty and adoration to Voldemort; fifteen years in Azkaban prison, locked up in the deep bliss of insanity."
Helga continued her best friend's observation, "Bellatrix Black however, is a seventeen year old, misunderstood girl who still holds loyalty to her own, to her family and loved one. She hasn't survived Azkaban or insanity and is intensely enamored in her fiancé, Rodolphus."
"Bellatrix' future is no more written in stone, Sal. Once she discovers her fate and the fate of her husband-to-be. The fate of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, and the fates of Sirius and Regulus, she may change loyalties," Godric assured him.
"Rabastan Lestrange was already a wildcard. He was one of the most feared Death Eaters, and look at him now," Helga beamed. "There is still hope."
"Here's to hoping then," Salazar sighed.
A/N: Things are picking up XD!
I will not be jumping into the whole Sirius Black scenario and outing Peter yet as there are still more memories to come, but Regulus, Rabastan and Severus have already changed loyalties.
I promise more exciting twists next! Especially with my three favorite OC's: Lorelei Grey, Marissa McKinnon and Pandora Loxias.
R&R.