Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews! I am sorry for the delay in posting this chapter but it was a very difficult chapter to write. I had many conflicting viewpoints as well as numerous drafts for this chapter and finally decided to go with this one. Enjoy!

Sirius : Riddled Universe, Riddle's son-in-law

Sirius : Original Universe, Harry's godfather

Chapter 26

There were some memories which were firmly sketched in Healer Riddle's head. Even a strong 'Oblivion spell' would not make him forget a single detail. Healer Riddle was a kind and compassionate man but he had one weakness. His Achilles heel was his family and today someone shoot an arrow at it. Riddle had reached a state where he was beyond angry. He had seen many things in his life, but nothing had ever prepared him for the sight of his tear stricken daughter who was visibly stricken. His granddaughter Marianne was distraught too, though she probably didn't comprehend what had happened.

'The attack was planned. I have to ascertain who did it and then I will kill them,' thought Riddle, as he tried to organize his thoughts. His instincts were screaming at him to take revenge. His magic was threatening to grow wild and escape the confines in which Riddle generally exercised it. He was faintly aware of Lily telling him something, but he blocked her out, he blocked his whole family out. He had to gain control and stop himself from embarking on some crazy homicidal rampage, no matter how sweet it sounded. He would think it through before he acted. The assailants were not going to get away with it, he was coming for them.

Riddle took another deep breath. He wanted to smash whatever remaining furniture was there in the house. He wanted to destroy something. The wall shook with his suppressed anger and he could see that he was upsetting Serena. So he closed his eyes and counted till fifty. After he had gained some semblance of control, he tried to review whatever facts he had. Serena and Marianne were attacked. They were definitely people who had a vendetta against his family (against him). Riddle knew that a single person couldn't have concocted such an elaborate scheme, he was sure there were many people involved. Riddle walked agitatedly across the room like a caged animal. He could tell from his family's expressions that they were very wary in approaching him. They had seen him in his many moods and he could tell that they were waiting for the outburst. But, Riddle was too agitated to express himself let alone speak to them.

How did the person enter the house in the first place? The wards would have blocked access, unless someone dismantled the wards. That would require an expert wardsmith. The wards Riddle and Severus had woven on the house were absolute and only a powerful wardsmith would have been able to dismantle it. That narrowed down the suspects to…. But, the wards were still in place. Riddle could see Severus checking the wards and they appeared to be working.

Riddle frowned. That didn't make any sense. He was confident that no one in the family would harm Serena. His frown deepened when he saw Harry Floo in. Riddle observed his family quietly. Serena was weeping inconsolably while Lily tried to comfort her as she rocked Marianne on her lap. Sirius looked ashen as if he was told that his world was coming to an end and was helplessly observing Serena. Sirius seemed conflicted, he wanted to reassure Serena but he didn't know how to do so and he also seemed as hungry as Riddle was for revenge. Severus was casting protective spells around the house while he was quietly conversing with Harry.

His family had never been in danger before. The last time something like this had happened was when Melanie was killed by the werewolves. His family was accustomed to peace and this sudden attack had shaken everyone to the core. The only person who didn't seem overly alarmed was Harry, who was probably used to situations like these. Harry would prove to be very useful in a duel or confrontation as he was one of the few people Riddle knew who had any experience in warfare. But Harry was too unpredictable.

It dawned on Riddle that Harry didn't have any access to the wards and yet, he had entered the house comfortably. Maybe because Harry shared his magical signature, if that was the case then the other person who would have been able to surpass the wards would have been…..

Riddle was going to kill Sirius Black. He wished he had never taken the trouble to nurse that ungrateful idiot to health. Not only did the bastard have the same magical signature as his son-in-law Sirius but he was from another dimension. He was also in the custody of Dorcas Meadows, the despicable Unspeakable. 'She must have set him up. So the bloody Unspeakables are responsible for this,' thought Riddle, 'Their days in the sun are over. Fire must be fought with fire. Dorcas Meadows has already played her hand and now I will repay,' thought Riddle, a snarl emitting from him. He never knew he could hate someone as much as he hated Dorcas Meadows. It was time to take her out of the equation as well as the other Unspeakables.

Before this incident, Riddle was going to oust the Unspeakables in the right and proper way. Not anymore, if they wanted a battle, he would give them a war. Riddle debated with himself on whether he should simply apparate to the Ministry and end Dorcas' life. But he decided against it. What is the use of a painless death when he can make her suffer? The Avada Kedavra Curse would be wasted on that wretch. Riddle knew dozens of curses which would make the Crucio feel like a tiny poke. Since, Dorcas was so fond of experimentation, he would be most happy to accommodate her as a subject of his very own experimentations.

Still, Dorcas Meadows wouldn't have been able to get away with so many murders and tortures on her own. There was definitely someone higher up in the Ministry shielding her and covering up her tracks. Someone who was also funding the Unspeakables. Someone to whom the Unspeakables were accountable to. That someone whose name was Minister Crouch. Riddle wouldn't be surprised if Crouch Jr. was also involved in this mess.

Minister Crouch was extremely hostile to Riddle at their previous encounter. It wouldn't do to have Crouch in office anymore. If Crouch was the one responsible for shielding the Unspeakables, then his removal would make them vulnerable again. He knew that the Unspeakables were also halting the investigation process of the undetected poisonings case. With Crouch out of the picture, who would supersede him?

Riddle didn't want either Fudge or Umbridge to become the Minister. He wanted someone he could trust. Someone who wouldn't shy from making tough decisions. Someone who wouldn't mind the hunting down of the Unspeakables. Riddle stopped pacing as he reviewed the possible candidates. The Ministry needed someone like his godson but Frank had no desire to take on the post. Frank Longbottom was already in charge of the Department of International Magical Cooperation and therefore, was a likely candidate. Frank only needed a nudge in the right direction which Riddle was ready to provide. Riddle smirked; he would then become the Godfather to the Minister of Magic. Frank always listened to reason and Riddle was very good at supplying reasons. Amelia Bones would not do, she was too independent and wouldn't appreciate Riddle's advice.

Frank could easily give the Aurors freedom to pursue all the leads relating to the Unspeakables and they would be forced to hide. Riddle was sure that Dorcas would go into hiding the second Frank became the Minister. Then, Riddle would hunt her down. Riddle had a knack for tracking people and he was sure that he would accomplish much more than an entire team of Aurors. Without Crouch, Dorcas and her accomplices would be put in a precarious position.

Now, how would Riddle get Crouch out of the picture? Crouch had his own personal security and was also a powerful wizard in his own right. Riddle needed to be subtle. He wasn't going to lose his respectability in society. He was known as a Healer… Riddle's smile broadened. He was a Healer of course, with knowledge of muggle medicines and ailments. 'It would be so unfortunate if Crouch were to be rendered incapable of performing his duties because of a serious ailment,' thought Riddle.

But, Riddle knew that he shouldn't risk being linked to Crouch's malady. It would be tricky so he had to be careful. How was he going to achieve this without doing it himself? Plus, he had to ensure that someone else was held responsible for his actions. Nothing should point towards him. Just then, Riddle got a glimpse of his reflection on the cracked mirror in front of him. The eyes which stared back at him through the shards of glass were an eerie shade of crimson. Riddle looked away. He assured himself that he wasn't becoming Voldemort, that the eyes were just a trick of light. But the words sounded empty in his mind.

Riddle hissed in Parseltongue. How could this day turn any worse? He couldn't make sense of his thoughts. He had assured himself many times that he and Voldemort were two different people and he could never have become Voldemort because of his sense of morality and compassion. Yet, when highly provoked, Riddle could understand the lure which Voldemort offered. A quick destruction and annihilation of all one's problems! Riddle could sense that his thoughts were heading in a darker direction, so he checked himself. There was a thin line between justice and revenge. Riddle never crossed it before and he hoped he didn't cross it now.

Healer Tom Marvolo Riddle prided himself on being a principled man. While he was a strict physician, Riddle was known in the Wizarding World for his compassion. If Riddle was going to incapacitate Crouch, the least he could do was make sure that nobody else got blamed for his own actions. Healer Riddle had never taken a life before. As a Healer, he knew the importance of life especially since he was no strange to death. Killing was not the answer, Riddle repeated to himself. Riddle decided that he wouldn't kill Crouch. He didn't want Crouch's blood to be on his hand. He would just render Crouch helplessly sick like all the innocent people Crouch had dumped in Azkaban with Dementors for company.

Riddle took a deep breath. His thoughts were conflicted and were becoming a jumbled mess. He was glad that no one in the family was reading his thoughts. But, Riddle needed to collect himself. He had to act quickly. He would also ensure that Serena and Marianne were not left helpless again. Riddle and Severus would weave strong protection charms around the house. Riddle wondered if he should use the Fidelius charm. Riddle would also ask Harry and his son-in-law Sirius to monitor her. Harry's magical levels had improved since his tumble through the veil. Perhaps Harry would be able to stop the other Sirius from attacking Serena and would make him see sense. Harry had a certain affinity to Sirius, maybe he would be able to reason with him.

As for Sirius, Riddle wasn't sure. He hoped for Sirius' sake that he was Imperiused. If Sirius had attacked Serena of his own free will, Riddle would show him no mercy. He knew that Harry would be upset with him, but right now, he didn't care what Harry thought. Dorcas would not be spared. She and her counterparts would suffer, Riddle was sure of that.

But for now Riddle had to deal with Crouch Sr. before he could implement the rest of his plans. Riddle closed his eyes, he knew without a doubt which ailment would suit Minister Crouch. But he couldn't decide on the method. He didn't want to be held responsible. He also didn't want anyone else to be held responsible. It was a stalemate which he couldn't get past. Riddle banged his fist on the wall and was relieved when he heard the noise. He realized that he was probably scaring his family. Riddle wouldn't risk his family getting involved in his plans. He would protect them and make sure that they were out of danger.

Tom Marvolo Riddle stood up tall and straightened his shoulders. An idea struck him and he wondered how he didn't think of it before. Riddle smirked. Crouch would never know what hit him while Dorcas Meadows was going to face her worst nightmare. No one would ever harm his family again!

To Be Continued…

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