Don't tell a lie on me

I won't tell the truth 'bout you

~ The Heart Part 4 x Kendrick Lamar

Chapter 54: The Heir Alliance

The worse thing about this Christmas holiday for Theodore wasn't the fact that he wasn't spending it with his friends. The worst thing about this Christmas was who he actually was spending it with.

Daphne Greengrass.

His worrisome and clingy betrothed hadn't left his side since the holidays started, and the Slytherin heir honestly wanted to jump off the top of Nott Manor. He wished the girl was more like her sister, Astoria—who was shy and quiet. She never bothered Draco as much as Daphne did Theodore, which gave the blonde-Slytherin more time to spend with his real crush, Hermione Granger.

"I heard Hogsmeade on Christmas is amazing, Theo." The girl went on. "We have to go. I heard Tobias is supposed to be taking Pansy."

"I highly doubt that." Theodore responded, flipping a page in one of his comic books.

"Okay fine, they aren't going, but there's bound to be some couples going."

"Daphne…you do realize we aren't a couple?"

Daphne huffed. "We're betrothed. That's close enough to it—"

"Not close enough." Theodore mumbled. Daphne must have heard him, because she stormed over to his study and snatched his comic from his grasp.

"Oi, woman!" Theodore yelled. "Put that back!"

"No! You're going to take me to Hogsmeade." The girl demanded. "Or you'll be the last to find out."

Theodore narrowed his eyes. "Find out what?"

The girl smirked. "You know how this works, love."

The Slytherin heir's eyes went thinner. He dreaded taking Daphne anywhere outside of Nott Manor, but he also knew that whatever information Daphne had—he couldn't be the last to know.

"Fine." He said through gritted teeth. "I'll take you to Hogsmeade on Christmas."

Daphne squealed, throwing the comic book back to Theodore. "Wonderful! Now I have to find something to wear, how to do my hair—"

"Hey!" Theodore interrupted, definitely not wanting to hear Daphne plan for his night in hell. "The information?"

"Oh yes, the information." Daphne plopped down on Theodore's bed. "I have a strong feeling that Hermione Granger and Blaise Zabini have something going on. A crush, maybe."

Theodore wanted to throw up. Hermione and Blaise. "This is low, Daphe, even for you."

"I'm not lying! I've seen them twice, sneaking around the castle to see each other. You can ask Pansy—she was with me when they met in the library."

"And when you saw them 'sneaking around' what were they doing?" The boy asked, still not believing.

"Talking I assume." Daphne shrugged. "I couldn't get close enough to hear them."

Theodore didn't know what to make of this. Hermione sneaking around with Blaise Zabini was the most bizarre thing he had heard—and that was saying something. The two hated each other—Blaise wouldn't be caught dead hanging with a muggleborn student, yet Hermione. Which made Daphne's news highly implausible.

But if they were sneaking around, it had to be for a reason. And Theodore hoped it wasn't the obvious reason. That Hermione and Blaise liked each other.

"I feel like I'm going to throw up." He said, rebuking the idea of the two enemies secretly crushing on each other.

Daphne frowned. "It is rather disgusting yes. I was just getting used to the fact of Malfoy and Granger."

And that was another factor. Draco. Everyone in their friend group, with the exception of Pansy, Daphne, Tracey, and Blaise, knew how much the Malfoy Prince admired the Gryffindor Princess. If this was true, the news would break Draco. He was already enduring the cold shoulder form Tobias, he couldn't take another hit—especially from Hermione.

"Draco can't find out about this." Said Theo. "It'll kill him. You can't tell anyone about this."

"We both know I can't do that."

And Theodore knew this to be true. "Fine. Then give me a chance to talk to Hermione before you go spreading false rumors."

"And what if they aren't false?" Daphne crossed her arms, not enjoying Theo putting a restriction on her gossip business.

"Then, let me tell Draco first."

Daphne pondered her options. The height of this news would be Malfoy finding out last, but she couldn't betray her betrothed. She sighed heavily.

"Fine." She said, her lips pursed. "You have until the end of the Christmas holiday to speak to Granger. And Malfoy, if my information proves to be true. Otherwise, the whole school will know about Granger and Blaise."

Theodore sniffed. "And how do I know you won't do it anyway?"

"How do I know you won't lie to me?"

Theodore didn't have an answer, and his betrothed rolled her eyes. She spat, rather cleanly, into her left hand. She stuck it out for Theo to shake. Theodore did the same, rising out of his chair to stand in front of the blonde-haired girl.

They clasped hands, raising their right hands.

"Scout's Honor." They said at the same time, locking their bond.


They were eating in small pub when Crouch brought up their next target.

"Second target is a muggle. James Greer." He said. "He stays in Little Hangleton."

Atlas didn't say anything. He was barely paying attention, using his fork to push around the food on his place. To be honest, he didn't have that much of an appetite. Everything he did reminded him of his first kill. The sight of Travis Perry's body was still etched into his brain.

"Hey. Kid." He heard Crouch say. "Did you hear me?"

"Yeah." Atlas said, though he barely heard himself say it. "James Greer."

The man sighed. "You did good. You know that, right?"

"I killed a man."

"It was the mission." The man responded. "If it makes you feel better, he wasn't supposed to be alive in the first place."

Atlas looked up at Crouch Jr. "It doesn't."

"Look, kid. The first one is always the hardest. I threw up after my first kill. Got it all over my robes. But the more you do it, the more it becomes…natural."

The boy didn't respond, continuing to play with his food. The smell of steak and potatoes caressed his nose gracefully, he couldn't bring himself to eat it.

Crouch Jr. noticed as well. "Eat. You'll need your energy. Can't have you passing out at the next kill."

Atlas lifted a forkful of potatoes, forcing himself to eat some. He felt like he was going to throw up, but he fought it, swallowing his food. As he ate, he thought about what Crouch said. How the killing gets easier. He couldn't imagine himself getting used to casting the killing curse.

It wasn't a bloody method. It was simply saying two words. But the idea of taking a life. The continuation of taking people's lives…

But it was what he needed to do.


It was Christmas Eve, and Pansy found herself visiting the Grangers—well one Granger in particular—that night. She had told her parents that she was going to Tracey's, even though she knew her parents were never the ones to fact check her references. She honestly needed to get out of the house—the Slytherin girl wasn't sure if she could spend another day in her home with her parents screaming at each other.

"Everyday it's the same thing." The girl rolled her eyes. "My mother wishing my father had the status of Lucius Malfoy. My father explaining that he's doing the best he can. And both of them agreeing that my marriage to Tobias would put the Parkinson name back on top."

They were sitting on opposite ends of Hermione's bed, Hermione in her pajamas and Pansy in a thick black sweater and jeans. They hadn't talked since the summer—and both girls realized this meeting was long overdue.

Hermione frowned. "I don't think it's fair that they're putting all that weight on your shoulders."

The other girl shrugged. "It's not like they care."

"But they should. My parents do everything they can to make sure that my life isn't as hard as theirs. Your parents should be doing the same—not relying on you to do it."

"From what I've heard," Pansy said, frowning as well. Hermione was right. "My parents—my father especially—have made some irreversible mistakes. His ticket back into Voldemort's good graces was me."

Hermione's frown went even deeper. She knew how much Pansy liked Tobias, but she also knew that Tobias didn't feel the same way. Her family's name depended on her marriage to Tobias, but what if the Slytherin heir chose someone else. Pansy would have failed her family. It wasn't fair.

"And if Tobias chooses not to marry you?" She asked, biting her lip at the question.

The other girl sighed heavily. "Then, I'm free. My parents last attempt to be relevant would've failed…and I can do as I please."

"But that's not what you want…"

Pansy's gaze dropped to Hermione's bedspread. It was true, it wasn't what she wanted. Of course, she would do anything to be free of the pressure her parents were placing on her. The freedom to do what she wanted—date who she wanted. Even marry who she wanted. But she only wanted one person—the same person who her parents depended on as well.

"No, it isn't." She admitted. "Even if he does, it'll only be out of duty. He could still be with who he wants. My parents would have what they want…and I'll have nothing."

"Maybe you should find someone else then." Hermione suggested. "Or even just…stop focusing on Tobias for a while."

"You sound like Daphne."

The Gryffindor frowned. "Gross. But she's right. You deserve to live—to like other boys and be more than just a Parkinson. You have a choice just like Tobias does."

Pansy knew she had a choice, and she assumed that now was the time to take it. Otherwise she would turn into Daphne, whose betrothed literally hated her. She thought about what all she could do as just Pansy Parkinson—and not Tobias LeStrange's betrothed.

"Fine." She said, crossing her arms. "But you have to help me, I don't want to end up like Daphne."

"Merlin forbid that happens. But, of course, I'll help." The Gryffindor witch bit her lip again. "But only if you help me with Draco."

"Help you with Malfoy? Granger…what did you do?"

Hermione's face went red, thinking about the kiss she and Draco shared just a few nights ago. "I didn't do anything. It's what he did."

"Hermione…"

"He kissed me." The other girl said quickly, her face turning a horrible red.

Pansy's mouth fell wide open. "When?!"

"A couple days ago. He came over to talk about the whole Tobias situation…I gave him some advice. And then he…we…"

"How was it?" Pansy asked, still not believing that Draco and Hermione kissed. "Did you like it?"

"It…was nice." Hermione admitted, smiling a bit through her red face.

"So now what?"

"That's the thing." The Gryffindor girl's smile immediately went to a frown. "I don't know. I've never kissed a boy before…what's supposed to happen next?"

"Well, obviously, he should ask you to be his girlfriend." Said the Slytherin girl, now slightly jealous that Hermione had shared a kiss with her crush, and she had chosen to let go of hers.

Hermione shuffled at little at the word girlfriend. "I don't know, Pansy. I don't think I'm ready to be Draco Malfoy's girlfriend."

"And why not?"

"Because that isn't me." Hermione explained. "Yes, I like Draco, but the word girlfriend doesn't exactly fit me."

Pansy frowned. "And who does it fit? And please don't say Astoria."

"Heavens no! Though…she is promised to him."

"Okay, look." The other girl said. "Just like I can be Pansy Parkinson and not stress over LeStrange, you can still be the smart and tough Hermione Granger and date Malfoy. As long as you don't end up like Daphne."

The Gryffindor witch laughed. She stuck out her pinky, and the Parkinson girl did the same. They locked pinky's, signifying their bond.

"Here's to not ending up like Daphne." Hermione said.


Draco Malfoy never felt nervous. He never felt afraid. He never backed down from a challenge or a fight—well never without good reason. He was the white knight of the Malfoy family. The pride of Lucius Malfoy.

But standing here. In the foyer of LeStrange Manor. He felt his legs quivering under his robe. He felt his heart beating triple time. His palms sweated. This holiday was seeming to bring out all the blonde-Slytherin's emotions.

The was a small crack, and the LeStrange house-elf appeared before him. "Master LeStrange will see you on his balcony." She said.

His balcony. Draco quickly returned to his usual self. He scoffed. "Of course he will. Thank you."

He followed the house-elf up the staircase to Tobias's room. Part of him was still nervous to confront his cousin, but the other part of him wanted to punch him. Who did he think he was? Lord Voldemort? He had half the mind to demand Tobias to come downstairs and speak to him, but that would be causing another problem.

They walked to LeStrange's balcony, where Draco saw his cousin leaning on the rail. He didn't even move, but the blonde Slytherin assumed Tobias knew they were there.

"You can leave now, Dahlia." Said Tobias. "I'll take it from here."

The house elf nodded, satisfaction on her face. She disappeared as quickly as she had appeared in the foyer. It was now Draco and Tobias.

The blonde Slytherin took a deep breath, walking onto the balcony and beside Tobias. He half-expected the boy to hex him, or attack. But Tobias did neither. He only stood there, as calmly as Draco saw him before, staring into the stars. Draco looked at them as well, seeing how brightly they shined in the sky. It was a beautiful sight to see on Christmas Eve.

"I almost told Dahlia to tell you to go home." He heard his cousin say.

Draco didn't remove his gaze. "But you didn't."

"I needed to talk to you. And I assumed you came to talk as well."

"Talk to me about what?" Draco seemed confused, he turned to look at Tobias. The boy hadn't spoken to him since their confrontation at the Black Lake, and now he needed to talk?

Tobias kept his stature. "You first."

"I came to tell you that you were right." The blonde Slytherin admitted. "That because I withheld the secret of your father, we…you…missed your chances to go after Black. I was being selfish. I didn't want to lose my best friend."

Tobias felt his hands tighten on the railing. Why did everyone think they were going to lose him to Black? His grandfather was worried that he would lose the fight. Pansy was worried that his obsession over Black would change him. And Draco was worried about their friendship.

"I wanted to let you know." His cousin continued. "That whatever you were planning to do, I want to help. I want to help you catch Black, and send him back to Azkaban."

It was when Draco said those words, that Tobias was brought back to reality. To the real reason he needed to talk to Draco. And to his luck, the blonde-Slytherin had already set himself up for the alliance of a lifetime.

"You want to help me?" Tobias asked, making sure that Draco truly meant what he said.

The blonde Slytherin laughed, holding up his right hand. "Scout's Honor."

But Draco's laughed ended quickly, when he saw that his black-haired cousin wasn't humored by his notion.

"Good." Tobias said, his voice strong—but his insides were squirming. "Because Black isn't going back to Azkaban."

"Nurmengard?"

"He isn't going to prison, Draco. He's going to die…and I'm going to be the one to do it."

Draco wanted to laugh, he wanted this to be a joke. Tobias was only thirteen. "You're barking?"

Tobias shook his head. "I confronted my grandfather with the truth, and he offered me a solution."

"To kill Sirius Black?! Tobias, have you gone mental? The killing curse is an unforgivable—people have been sentenced to worse punishments than Azkaban for using it!"

There was another crack, and the house elf, Dahlia, returned to Tobias's balcony.

"Your other two guests are here, Master LeStrange."

"Send them up." Tobias said, seeming un-phased by Draco's outburst.

The blonde-Slytherin was baffled-had Tobias lost his mind? He didn't even know what he wanted to say next. But he knew that Tobias had already made his mind up, and there was nothing else he could say to convince the boy otherwise.

"Is there any reason this pile of Dragon Dung was waiting with me downstairs?" They heard a familiar voice say.

Draco turned around, watching as Theodore and—Blaise?—walk into Tobias's room and out onto the balcony. What the bloody hell was going on?

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Trust me, Nott, your presence wasn't comforting, either." He then narrowed his eyes at Tobias. "I thought I would be meeting with LeStrange alone."

"And if I told you who was actually coming." Said Tobias. "You wouldn't have come."

"What is this?" Theodore asked. "I get why I'm here. I kinda understand why Draco's here. But Zabini?"

Draco turned back to Tobias—the boy had invited all of Voldemort's heirs to LeStrange Manor. He felt a bad feeling growing in his stomach—he knew this had to do with Sirius Black.

"I've invited you all here." Said the top heir. "Because I need your help."

Theodore seemed unmoved. "Okay, so why is he here?"

"Because it has to do with Sirius Black." Blaise responded, putting two and two together.

"And what does that have to do with you?" Draco asked, still unsure why Tobias needed all of them. He and Theodore would've done just fine—just like the past two years.

"Blaise and I have formed an alliance." Tobias admitted, bringing shock to his two bestfriends. "At first, it was to learn how to battle against the dementors, but since I've learned the truth about my father's death…the mission has a new objective."

Draco frowned. "And that new objective is killing Sirius Black?"

"You're barking." Theodore said, looking between Tobias, Draco, and Blaise. "You want us to help you kill Sirius Black? Like kill kill him?"

"What other form of killing is there?" asked Blaise.

"I just have to ask because it sounds like Tobias has gone completely mental!"

"Sirius Black killed my father, Theo." Tobias said, his voice stern. "And now he's after me."

Draco spoke next. "Who else knows?"

"Nobody but us…and my grandfather."

"I suspect he's the one who gave you permission to take Black off the grid." Said Blaise. "Otherwise we wouldn't be at your manor speaking about it."

"What about the others?" Theodore asked. "Are the Gryffindors coming along for the ride too?"

"No." Tobias said. "This has to stay between us."

Draco scoffed. "Are you joking? You want us to keep this a secret from the others—you want me to lie to Hermione?"

"Not lie." Responded Tobias, though he felt his stomach twist. "Just keep her out of the mix. I've already done it with Pansy."

Blaise raised a brow at this. "You lied to Parkinson?"

"I didn't lie."

"Might as well have." Draco spat. "Tobias, this is the same thing that had you wanting to hex me at the Black Lake. Keeping secrets, no matter the reason…won't end well."

Tobias frowned. "And how would you like us to explain to the others that four thirteen-year-old boys are plotting to kill an escaped convict and mass murderer?"

The four went silent then—even Theodore didn't have a clever answer.

"As much as I agree with Malfoy's morality lesson," said Blaise. "LeStrange is right. Gossip in Hogwarts spreads like wildfire. The moment someone gets a whiff that we're plotting something against Black, it'll be all over the school. If that happens, Granger and the rest won't be the only people we'll have to worry about then.

Theodore nodded. "Teachers, students, even the bloody ghosts will intervene."

"And the news might get to Black." Blaise continued. "Which is the last thing we want to happen."

Draco shook his head. "I still don't like it. Lying to Hermione."

"It's what's necessary." Said Blaise. "And it isn't like Granger doesn't have her own secrets."

Those words caught Theodore's attention. He remembered what Daphne had told him—that Hermione and Blaise were sneaking around Hogwarts. Could that be what Blaise was referring to?

"I don't like it either." Said Tobias, sticking his hands in his pocket. "But I've wasted enough time hiding. We're heirs—this is what we were meant to do."

Draco, Theodore, and Blaise looked at one another, each one deciding if they should put their differences and personal feelings aside for this common goal. They didn't like it—the lying and the hiding they would have to do to keep their mission under the radar, but they couldn't deny that this was their chance to prove they were worthy of their positions.

That they were the true heirs of Lord Voldemort.

"The moment Hermione feels like I'm hiding something from her," said Draco. "I'm telling her."

Blaise rolled his eyes.

"Fine." Tobias said. "Then we'll just have to make sure it doesn't seem like we're hiding something from her."

"Good luck with that." Said Theodore.


"No. No, please!"

Atlas closed in on his target, watching the man's eyes grow wide with fear. This was nothing like his first target. At least Perry was a wizard. This man was a muggle—he had no way to fight back against a wizard. No way to call for help. No hope.

And Atlas had to kill him.

"I'll give you anything!" James Greer pleaded. "I'll give you money. I'll give you my house—hell I'll give you my car."

Atlas gave him a disgusted look. "What the bloody hell is a car?"

"Come on, kid." Crouch Jr. said, yawning at the sight. "Didn't your father ever tell you not to play with your food?"

"Just trying to have a little fun." The boy responded.

"You're stalling. It's just a mudblood."

It was true. Atlas was stalling. This would make his second kill, and this time he wouldn't be killing a wizard. He would be killing a muggle. And the man had done nothing wrong, but exist in a time-period where he didn't belong. And it wasn't even his fault.

The Hound lifted his wand, preparing himself to say the killing curse for the second time in his life. The tip of his wand glowed a faint green—he needed it to be stronger. He needed to mean it.

"Please…" The man said, pushing away from Atlas. "Have mercy, son. Have mercy."

"Avada Kedavra." Atlas said. This time he watched the green sparks fly out of his wand, striking the man before him. Greer's body fell limp, his eyes staring into nothingness.

The boy wanted to throw up at the sight of the dead muggle's body. Crouch said it would get easier, but how many more people would Atlas have to kill before it did? He fought against the feeling, tucking his wand away in his robes. He turned away from the scene, making his way towards Crouch Jr.

"You look like you're going to hurl." Said Crouch. "That's what happens when you stall with the target."

Atlas sighed. "I thought it would be easier this time."

"And it was. You didn't even have to come up with another Sirius Black sob story. A quick Hunt and Hound."

"You know what I mean."

Crouch stuck his hands in his robes. "It's like I told you, the more you do it…the easier it gets. Now, I'm not saying go out and murder a bunch of folk, but you took the mark. You accepted your position as the Hound. The actual killing doesn't get easier…you have to make it easier. For you."

"And how do I do that?" Atlas asked.

"Adapt." Crouch Jr. responded. "This is your life now, accept it. Adapt to it. The more you question it. The more you reject it. The harder it will be."

Atlas pondered the word. Adapt. "Is that what you do?"

"I have no choice." The man said. "My life has changed many times since the day I was born. I was once a scholar at Hogwarts. Then, I was taking the Dark Mark, training to be the Hunter. Next, I was being sworn into the Ministry, working alongside my father. And then…I was a prisoner in Azkaban. I've had to adapt all my life."

Hearing Crouch's life story, Atlas couldn't believe all the man had been through. He couldn't fathom the amount of tough choices he had to make, or how many horrible things he had to endure for the sake of a mission. He had taken on so many roles—and for him to stand strong like he was now…

"Did your previous mentor teach you that?" Atlas asked. "Adapting?"

Crouch Jr. laughed. "Depends on which mentor you're referring to."

"The last Hunter, before you took their place."

"Ah." Said Crouch. "You mean Regulus Black. Sirius Black's brother."

Atlas immediately became intrigued at the sound of Black's name. "Black had a brother?"

"He had few brothers. Regulus was the youngest. Voldemort thought he would have both Black brothers in his rank, but Sirius ruined that dream when he got sorted in Gryffindor—and lived by the name. Sirius and Regulus were destined to be the Hound and the Hunter, but only Regulus accepted his destiny."

"Where is Regulus now?"

"Dead." Crouch said bluntly. "Nobody knows how he died. Some say he drowned on a mission for your father. The Dark Lord doesn't like to talk about him."

They continued walking, Atlas making a note of the new wizarding history he was learning. What he enjoyed the most was that everything was connected. No matter the subject, the Wizarding World made sense.

"Okay, what about the Hound? The one before me?" He asked.

"Bellatrix LeStrange. The fiercest woman I've ever seen in my life."

Atlas remembered that last name. "LeStrange. As in Tobias LeStrange?"

"His mother." Crouch nodded. "Hounding was more of a sport for her, than it was a duty. The only woman brave enough to take the Dark Mark. To only woman to rise to the top of the Dark Lord ranks. She's a force to be reckoned with."

"Sounds like you're in love with her." Atlas joked.

"Well we all have to love something. But she loved her work more than anything. She loved it more than her own husband. And if she was here right now, instead of being locked away in Azkaban, she would love it more than her own son."

"And why isn't she here right now?"

"The Dark Lord didn't want her." Crouch said, and Atlas could hear the disappointment in his voice. Crouch Jr. must've heard it as well.

"But you're a good replacement, kid." He said. "Once you get over your nerves and allat."

Atlas smiled a bit. "Maybe I'll be as good as Bellatrix one day."

Crouch Jr. shook his head. "Nobody can be as good as Bellatrix LeStrange."

"Why not?"

"Because Bellatrix wasn't trained to be the Hound, she was born a Hound."


Remus flicked the light switch of his apartment to find Sirius stretched out on his living room couch. It looked as if the man had been reading, the Daily Prophet in his hand. Though Lupin's first instinct would have been to scowl at his best friend, he didn't have the energy for it. Instead, he walked over to where Sirius was laying and plopped down beside him, letting out a disgruntled sigh.

"What?" Sirius said in disbelief, his eyebrow cocked at the man. "No 'Sirius what are you doing here?' I'm hurt."

"I figured you'll tell me sooner or later." Remus said as he summoned a bottle of butterbeer from the fridge. "You were never the one to keep your mouth shut."

The ex-con laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment. But you're really not going to ask?"

"If I were to ask you anything, Sirius, I would ask you 'where have you been?'"

"I've been a bit of everywhere. I've been staying out of trouble, I promise." Sirius added that bit quickly. "Though it's been extremely hard these days."

He handed Lupin his copy of the Daily Prophet. Lupin took it, his eyes heading straight for the cover story.

SIRIUS BLACK STRIKES AGAIN: PERRY MAN KILLED IN LONDON

Lupin looked back at Sirius. "You didn't…"

"Is it really hard to believe that I'm not the mass murderer everyone thinks I am?" Sirius responded. "This wasn't me. I haven't even been in London…until now. Visiting you."

The other man read through the article. Travis Perry, an old classmate form Hogwarts, had been murdered. The Killing Curse.

"They interviewed his wife." He heard Sirius say as he read. "Said a teenage boy…around fourteen, came to the door saying his father had been attacked by Sirius Black. She said Perry left and never came back. The Aurors found his body in the woods the next day."

Sirius's story was confirmed throughout the article. However, Perry's wife hadn't seen the teenage boy who had come to their door—raving about Sirius. She only heard his voice, assuming that it was a young boy. As Lupin recalled, Perry was a hard family man—it had to be a young boy. His age was reason enough for Travis to go out in the woods with him.

"Somebody's setting me up." Said Sirius. "And I can bet you ten galleons who."

Remus shook his head. "This was too well planned for Peter. Somebody targeted Travis directly." It then clicked. "The list."

"The who?"

"Lord Voldemort has summoned the Hound and the Hunter." Remus explained. "There's a list of people who he wants dead. Travis must've been one of them."

Sirius sat up. "So that's why Crouch is out of prison…but why isn't Bellatrix?"

"There's a new hound. Lord Voldemort's son…Atlas Riddle. He could've been the teenage boy Perry's wife is referring too, who lead him into the woods."

"Wait? Voldemort has a son? And what's this list?"

Remus closed his eyes, already dreading the explanation he would have to give Sirius. "Over the summer, Voldemort gave Blaise Zabini a Time-Master, sending him on a task to change events in time. In doing so, Zabini inadvertently created an alternate timeline, which we are living in now. The list that Lord Voldemort has given Crouch Jr. and his son, is a list of people who were originally dead before Zabini changed the timeline. We know them as Time Anomalies."

"And…" Sirius said slowly, snatching up the Daily Prophet. It was a lot to take in. "they plan to pin all the murders on me?"

The other man nodded. "Which would explain why Voldemort's son mentioned you when asking for Perry's help."

"Well played Voldemort. I assume the Order already has a counter-attack for this. I mean, you all aren't going to allow innocent people to die, right?"

Remus couldn't look Sirius in the eye to answer his question. He honestly couldn't answer it at all. They had a plan, but they didn't know how many lives would be taken before their plan could go into action.

"Moony?"

"Quirinus Quirrell is on the list." Remus finally said. "We're going to set an ambush to apprehend the Hound and the Hunter. And then we're going to take the list."

Sirius frowned. "Okay? Where's his place on the list?"

"We don't know. He could be next…he could be last."

"So…you are going to let innocent people die."

Remus sighed heavily. "We didn't have another choice, Padfoot. We couldn't get Snape close enough to the list without blowing his cover, and no one else is close enough to Voldemort to get it."

Sirius didn't say anything. He only kept scanning the story from the Prophet, thinking of how this was only the beginning of the many false newspaper articles. All of them claiming that the mass murderer Sirius Black, was responsible for the deaths of innocent people—when all along it was a ploy by Lord Voldemort.

"What can I do to help?" He asked.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm still a member of the Order, Moony." Said Sirius. "Voldemort is using my name to cover these murders—"

"Exactly." Remus argued back. "Sirius, if you get caught, the Order can't save you. Dumbledore can't save you. They won't send you back to Azkaban, Padfoot. They'll kill you."

"Voldemort has our godson, Remus. And his bastard son is out there murdering innocent people, and ruining my chances of being a free man. I'm tired of hiding—if the dementors want me, they'll have to catch me."

Remus opened his mouth to argue back, completely disagreeing with Sirius's course of action, but the room then turned a silvery-blue color. They both watched as a Patronus, shaped as small Tabby Cat, pounced to the coffee table in the middle of Remus's living room. The two wizards knew this Patronus belonged to Professor McGonagall.

"Padfoot." The cat said, confirming the sender. "I can't explain much, in case this message is intercepted. But I need your help. There is a man named Demetric Jones, who lives in the countryside south of Hogwarts. He will have all the information you need. Please, Padfoot."

The cat disappeared, leaving both men confused. But Remus saw this as an opportunity to prevent Sirius from risking his life…more than he already had.

"Well," He said. "There goes your first task."

Sirius blinked. "You're joking."

"You wanted to help the Order. McGonagall is a member of the Order, and she needs your help."

"And what about the dementors?"

"Based on this article," said Remus. "The dementors think you're in London—"

"Which I am." Sirius added.

"For now. If you leave now and head towards the countryside, there will be no dementors searching for you. Whatever McGonagall needs you for, she wouldn't ask you to risk your life unless it was absolutely necessary."

Remus had a point. McGonagall was never the one to ask for favors. Anything she wanted or needed, she could get it herself. It was one of the reasons she was one of the strongest members of the Order of the Phoenix. If McGonagall had to ask for a favor, especially from an Azkaban escapee, it had to be important. Possibly life or death.

"I'll leave in the morning." Said Sirius. "But if this Demetric guy turns out to be a tool, I can't promise that I'll leave him unscathed."

Remus laughed. "Just don't kill him."

"Why not? I've already killed fourteen people—why not go for fifteen?"

The two men laughed, enjoying the view of London at night. They both wished they could be enjoying this view under different circumstances, but their life had always been this way. Sneaking around to enjoy the best things in life.

They wondered what it would be like to do it as free men.


Theodore, Draco, and Blaise made their way back down the steps of LeStrange Manor. They had all received their first task from Tobias—to find a way to lure Sirius Black back to Hogwarts. Theodore's mind was already rambling with a few ideas, but he couldn't get them out due to something else.

Blaise Zabini.

Blaise had said something rather interesting back in Tobias's room, and Theodore couldn't help that there was a hidden meaning behind his words. That Daphne's intel was true.

The boy waited until Draco floo'd home, before confronting Zabini on his suspicions.

"Before you go, Zabini." Theodore said, stopping Blaise from picking up a pile of floo powder. "A moment of your time."

Blaise looked annoyed. "Make it quick, Nott, I would like to be home for Christmas."

"In Tobias's room," Theo started. "You told Draco that Hermione had her own secrets—what did you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Just a simple ploy to get into Malfoy's head."

The other boy didn't seem convinced. "But you never mess with anyone's head without reason. So what reason do you have this time?"

"Tell me, Theodore." Blaise said properly, putting his hands in his pockets. "What has Daphne whispered in your ear this time?"

Theodore crossed his arms. "That you and Hermione have been sneaking around Hogwarts."

Blaise didn't respond right away. He felt his heart drop, but he showed no signs of the motion. Somebody had seen him and Granger meeting? And out of all the people it could have been—it was bloody Daphne Greengrass.

The tan Slytherin laughed. "Has it occurred to you that Daphne might've lied to you just so you could take her to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" He saw Theo frown then. "Yes, Tracey told me."

"Daphne wouldn't lie to me." Said Theodore. "Not about this."

"So, the betrothed of a compulsive liar wouldn't be a compulsive liar herself?"

Theodore's frown went deeper. "I know what you're trying to do Zabini, and it isn't going to work. And the only reason you're trying to play these mind games on me, is because Daphne's intel is true."

"And if it is?" said Blaise, stepping to the other heir. "What are you going to do? Tell Malfoy? Do you know what he'll do to me?"

"Enough damage to give you a new face."

"And then Tobias's heir alliance is ruined." Retorted Blaise, successfully saving his arse. "His cause for his father and the mission for Black's head will fail. Do you honestly want to be responsible for that?"

Theodore balled his fist, knowing that Zabini had a point. He truly hated it. They both knew that Draco would go to war for Hermione—especially if Zabini was involved. And once Draco did find out, all the heirs would bump heads—and the heir alliance would fall apart before it even started.

Blaise turned around, seeing as he had made his point. He walked into the LeStrange fireplace, grabbing a handful of floo powder. He had successfully thwarted Nott from forcing him to expose he and Granger's secret, but he knew Theodore wouldn't leave it alone.

"A word of advice." He called to Theodore. "You want the truth? Go talk to Granger. Her answer is my answer."

Theodore stared at him. "And if it's true?"

"Then, have Hermione tell Malfoy the truth. Tobias's alliance stays intact and you can be free of the burden. You can never hide the truth, but you can always manipulate the way it comes out."

With those words, Blaise threw down the floo powder, disappearing in the band of green flames. Theodore was now alone in the LeStrange foyer, once again weighing his options. He didn't have long until the Christmas Holiday ended, and if he didn't figure out something soon—Daphne was going to spread her intel all over the school.

Once again, he hated Blaise Zabini for being right. He had to get to Hermione—and if Daphne's intel was true—he had to get the Gryffindor witch to tell Draco.

Otherwise, everything would fall apart.

Author's Note:

Follow, Fav, and Review.

~TheeStoryTeller