AN: Sorry for the hiatus, things have been hectic as of late as I believe it has been for everyone. Hopefully you are finding solace in enjoying stories as I have, whether they're written, filmed, or played. This chapter was a more recent addition, but I felt we were quite ready to return to Hogwarts just yet. As always, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and if you don't, whatever floats your boat y'all.

Amelia Bones, the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had a slightly irritated look on her face. And why would she not? Who in their right minds would want to be called into the office on Christmas of all days? Yet, here she was, sitting across from the famous Lord Black, who had a tired smile across his face. She had already read the report and knew full well that he had been treated for exposure to the Cruciatus Curse, despite it not actually being cast on him. The uproar of the staff from Saint Mungos had been deafening; cries of malpractice heavy among them, but the reality was that there was no real crime she could pin on the young lord.

"Is there a problem, Director?" There was a forced innocence in the boy's voice that grated her. Many of her daughter's letters were filled with complaints of the Slytherin, mostly doing with his supposed influence on her boyfriend, Thomas Potter.

"You have managed to ruin my Christmas, Lord Black," Amelia answered. "Many individuals are not happy with your actions."

"Ah, but here I am having a nice chat with you and not currently in a cell." Lord Black smiled brightly. "We both know I have committed no crime."

"Why Alice and not Frank?" Black lifted an eyebrow, and his smile turned to a smirk. "Surely, it would have benefitted you more?"

"Ah, so you question the law of politics? That is the very reason I helped Alice first. If I had helped Lord Longbottom, I would be standing before the Wizengamot, regardless of my success. The old lords could care less about Alice. Even if she had died, it was more likely the Wizengamot would have cleared me of all charges."

"Rather honest of you, Lord Black." Amelia ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. How was she to deal with this?

"I find honesty to be a tad refreshing in these times," Black said rather thoughtfully. "Madmen on the loose. Dark lords supposedly returning. Fudge being incompetent. I have tried to get you the help you need, though our esteemed minister has seen fit to listen to Lucius more."

"We are not here to discuss business, Lord Black, we-"

"Have we not already stated that I am without a charge?" Amelia glared at the boy. "Have it your way, we can discuss shop at a different time. I am free to go then?" She gave him a curt nod, her irritation overriding her senses, and watched Lord Black leave, flanked by his armored guard. A loud sigh escaped her as her thoughts moved back to his last words. She was more than aware that many of the department's recent upgrades had been due to Lord Black's work through the Wizengamot, but that did not make her trust him anymore. He was up to something, and she knew she had to figure it out.


The sound of a mug crashing to the floor broke Thomas of his stupor, throwing away the most recent Quidditch magazine to rush down the stairs. Everyone else, meaning the Weasleys of course, were still asleep in their beds. Yet, Thomas had promised Aries to keep up his physical training through the break. It made his sprint through the halls easy, and by the time he reached the kitchen, he was not even out of breath. His eyes flashed around quickly, looking for any sign of danger, but only found his mother staring at the newspaper. He fought to quell his fast-beating heart and realized how bad he had overreacted. In truth, he had been jumpy ever since the nightmare of the snake. Thomas did not want to even think about the days he had spent sulking, wondering if he had been possessed by Voldemort. It had not been until Ginny rather angrily reminded him that she was the one who had actually been possessed and helped him realized it was nothing like it.

"Mum?" Thomas called softly, noticing the tears falling from his mother's face. It was only the day after Christmas. Had something happened again? "What is it?" His mother was stopped from answering as his father suddenly appeared from the floo. James' eyes went from Lily to the newspaper, and back before he rushed forward to hug her tightly. "Um, mum? Dad? What's happening?"

"Something incredible," Lily barely chocked out. "Alice Longbottom has been healed." Thomas' eyes widened, and he could not hide his shock. Neville's mom was alive? How?

"By Black," James said, and the confusion in his voice was evident. "It makes no sense. Why would he do that?"

"Does the why really matter, James? Our friend is back. She's alive for the first time in fourteen years."

"Why don't we just go ask him?" Thomas asked. "He's with Sirius, right?" No sooner had they said it than they were through the floo and into 12 Grimmauld Place. It had changed so much since Aries' return, Thomas noticed. It had never been dirty, but now it looked plain regal. There was also the fact that the portrait of Walburga Black remained uncovered, her haughty eyes falling them through the entrance hall with nothing more than an irritated huff.

Raised voices could be heard from the kitchen, and Thomas quickly followed his parents before he could be told otherwise. The scene could only be described as chaotic. On one end sat Aries, calm despite the yelling from various members of the Order, and on the other end sat Dumbledore, whose eyes held no twinkle as they stared down the other. On cue, Dumbledore raised his hand, and silence fell. Sirius sat next to Aries, glaring at the Order members who had clearly spent time attempting to berate his nephew, but he seemed unbothered.

"Is there a problem, Headmaster?" Thomas watched Aries smirk smugly and felt his father tense next to him. "And do not start with some pretentious preamble, as though you do not know that I just left Director Bone's office. I have committed no crime, and yet you and your Order have seen fit to invade my family home."

"What you did was reckless, Mr. Black," Dumbledore glared openly at him. "Alice could easily have died as been healed."

"She was already dead," The group flinched at his words. "Clearly Lady Augusta and Heir Longbottom saw fit to agree to my attempt, so I'm rather confused at your disapproval with my actions. I did what you could, or would, not do. The disapproval of cowards is praise to the brave, Headmaster." Many had paled at his words, mostly Dumbledore. Thomas did not understand, but as he glanced at his mother, she gave a quick shake of her head. Later, she mouthed.

"It is not your place to do such things."

"And it is yours to decide such things?" Aries retaliated. "It is your place to decide what is best for each and every member of our society? As I said, the family considered it to be worth the risk, as did I. Now, I have a dinner to prepare for. If there is nothing more serious to discuss, I believe you all can see your way out." No one moved, until at last Dumbledore stood, motioning for them all to leave. One by one, they left, Dumbledore still locking eyes with Aries until they noticed his presence as well. Almost at once, Dumbledore broke eye contact and swiftly left the room without a glance. Thomas sighed and made to leave with his parents. He wanted to stay, to talk to Aries, but his father's firm grip on his shoulder led him to the floo.


Lily watched James and Thomas floo away and was about to grab her own handful when someone grabbed her by the wrist. She whipped around quickly and found herself face to face with Aries Black. The two had hardly spoken, mostly on account of her husband's view of the boy, but also because she was conflicted herself. Thomas was close to the boy, and she very well knew that many of the changes in his son, good changes, had been due to Aries.

"Can I help you, Lord Black?" Her voice was even, but only so she could keep the shake out of her voice.

"The Headmaster is not being entirely honest with you," Aries started and quickly continued before she could cut him off. "What do you know of Thomas' abilities? This connection?" Lily was puzzled but gave it a thought for a moment.

"He told us that when Voldemort was destroyed, he somehow transferred some of his abilities over to Thomas."

"And that makes sense to you?" His sudden conviction stunned her, and she took a step back hesitantly. "Sirius has told me you're one of the brightest witches he's ever met. So, tell me, in what way could the Dark Lord transfer power to Thomas?"

"There are ways but-"

"Not transferring magic, Potter. Transferring abilities." Aries interrupted. "Thomas is a Parselmouth. An ability past through bloodlines down from Salazar Slytherin himself. If one could just pass on the ability, why wouldn't they? Or anything ability for that matter? Empaths? Metamorphagus? Yet, we can barely predict how their abilities manifest. There's no pattern we've been able to discern. They either manifest or they don't. So again, how in the bloody world did he transfer that ability?' Lily was suddenly far too puzzled to respond.

"Then this 'connection' of the mind." Aries continued, his eyes burning with conviction. "Have you ever heard of such a thing? It is possible to enter another's mind with Legilimency, but to form a constant connection that feeds off emotions? To see events from the eyes of another as they happen. Come on, Potter, even you have to see these things do not add up! So why has Headmaster Dumbledore fed you this cockamamie story?"

"What is the truth, then?" Lily suddenly countered. She was starting to see what Black was saying, but she couldn't think of her own solution.

"I have my theories," Black answered after a moment. He was usually good at hiding any emotion, but Lily could see the conflict and, surprisingly, sadness in his eyes. "But I will not tell you until I am certain."

"You're lying," She could see it, and the guilt that flashed just for a moment was the answer she needed. "Tell me."

"I cannot, not yet." Black raised a hand, cutting off the angry retort Lily was set to unleash. "You're right, I am almost certain that I am right. But I fear what will happen should the Headmaster discover that someone else knows."

"Why?"

"I want you to think carefully on a few things, and when you have reasoned an agreeable answer, I will tell you." Aries paused for a moment, and Lily managed to spot Sirius speaking with Severus in the kitchen before her attention was brought back to Aries. "Do you think it is strange that three first years were able to manage their way through a trap that was meant to keep the Dark Lord from getting the Sorcerer's Stone? Do you also think it is rather strange that Headmaster Dumbledore chose to send his phoenix, a creature that can use a magical flame to teleport anyone great distances, with a hat and a sword rather than coming himself to Thomas' rescue? Do you not think it is quite strange that the Headmaster who, like me, is incredibly gifted in the Mind Arts somehow did not manage to discover that, within the walls of his own school, was a former death eater disguised by Polyjuice potion? Lastly, and I want you to think incredibly long about this one, why did Headmaster Dumbledore recommend that you send Harry Potter, your eldest son, to live with your sister? And why did you agree to it? Think clearly on these things, Lily Potter, and come to me when you have found the answer."


The sound of Aries' fork tapping against his glass of firewhiskey brought the room to silence. Daphne, his soon to be betrothed, smiled up at him from his right, while Sirius started filling glasses on his left. Down the table, the rest of his house, Andromeda, Dora, Narcissa, Draco, and Cassiopeia, joined him. At the same time, their guests sat at the end of the table. Neville and Augusta Longbottom sat across from one another, while their guest of honor filled the table at the end. Alice, still looking somewhat weak, had been cleared this morning from Saint Mungos after test after test all through the night had revealed she was medically healthy. Her mind would need work, but that was something one of their licensed mind healers could do, Aries had done the heavy lifting after all. Their feast had been extensive, and Alice had been able to enjoy her first real meal in over a decade thanks to the potions that had quickly returned her body to normal.

"I believe a toast is truly in order," Aries said to the table, holding his glass high. "The year is coming to a close, but it has seen much good occur. The House of Black is whole once more, and our estranged family has come together at last. I sit here knowing that the dreams of my father have been accomplished. And yet, we have done so much more." He let his eyes roam from person to person along the table. "We have made much progress in the world, and every day we move closer to a society that is not ruled by fear and madness, as the Dark Lord wishes, but towards true freedom and prosperity. But our family's accomplishments are not all we have to be joyous of." His eyes, at last, rested on Alice, who smiled brightly as she took her son's hand. "Like our own family, the Longbottom family has been reunited after fourteen long years. My lady, it is my esteemed pleasure to welcome your return. To reunited families!" The table repeated his toast and downed their drinks. Alice had tears in her eyes as she gripped Neville's hand tightly.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you've done, Lord Black," Alice said at last. "I hope our family can stand beside yours for as long as it can."

"Your allegiance is more than welcome, Lady Longbottom," Aries inclined his head with a smile. "I only hope that I am as successful with your husband."

"When do you plan to try, my lord?" Augusta had become far more polite since the return of her daughter in law, and Aries gave her a polite smile as well.

"This summer," he answered. "I'm afraid it took much more out of me than I anticipated, and I do not wish to attempt such a thing without being at my full strength. There is the question of House Longbottom's lordship, however."

"Aries, I mean, Lord Black should be proxy," Neville said quickly, his eyes moving rapidly between his mother and grandmother.

"While I, in fact, agree that is not what he means," the elderly woman said. "Frank is the current lord."

"And Neville is fifteen. As such, by our laws, he is officially the heir, like Draco with the Malfoy family, and given the state of his father can lay claim to the lordship."

"But Frank is still alive!" Alice's voice was laced with confusion and surprise.

"A technicality, my lady," Cassiopeia broke in. "While Draco here cannot lay claim to his lordship until his father's death, Neville can because Frank is incapable of performing his duties. Even should Aries be successful, it is likely the Wizengamot would not allow him to sit due to his former condition."

"They can do that?" Draco asked suddenly. "The Longbottom is a Most Ancient and Noble house."

"They are," Narcissa answered, "But the Wizengamot is made of many of those families. While they could not stop him from remaining the lord, a vote from the more prominent members could keep him from his seat. Claims of insanity, influence from Aries' Legilimency. Anything."

"More prominent?" Alice asked with confusion.

"The Council," Aries replied. "Originally made up of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. As you know, the Wizengamot is made up of the noble houses as well as some of the positions within the Ministry, such as the directors and some of the minister's staff. That said, when it comes to the matters of houses and lordships, unless it is a legal matter, it is handled by the Council. Only half the Council remains, between families dying out or marrying into others."

"The Dark Lord controls most of the Council, considering they're Death Eaters," Cassiopeia informed them, "But this is why we chose to remove Dumbledore via the Proxy Act. Due to his status as a proxy, he controlled four votes on the Council, not to mention all the votes those families had due to bloodlines in the Wizengamot."

"But Gran sits as proxy right now," Neville reasoned with a thoughtful look. "So why does it matter who is lord?"

"Because, if the lord of House Longbottom were to make Lord Black the proxy, it would send a message," Alice's voice broke through their musings. "You want Neville to claim the lordship and make you his proxy." Aries inclined his head, signaling his agreement. "For what purpose?"

"To be honest, my lady, I seek to control the Wizengamot." He saw Cassiopeia's shocked look but paid her no mind. "As of now, there is a clear struggle for power. The conservatives, led by Lucius, do their best to ensure the government is weak, attempting to pass laws that favor the Dark Lord. The liberals, on the other head, are mainly led by Albus Dumbledore, who controls their votes from within his Order. Though far less of them are controlled directly than with the conservatives. Despite this, many on both sides have come to the Greys, my party, though we do not have a clear majority. As of now, none of the three parties can pass a vote without some individuals swaying sides. I hope that should it be made known that House Longbottom sides with us, after everything, that many on the liberal side will join ours, creating a majority."

"To what end?" Alice locked eyes with him, and Aries returned her stare.

"To the same end everyone wants. Peace everlasting. A world somewhere in between the eccentrics of the Dark Lord and Headmaster Dumbledore." Aries answered, but then he looked back towards the door for a moment, much to Alice's confusion. "But perhaps I am not the best person to describe it if you can face your past."

"No!" Augusta's voice rang firmly. "You agreed you would not bring her here!" Neville suddenly had a grim look to his voice, his fists clenched white on the table.

"I said she would not join unless asked." Alice was staring down at her plate, her thoughts bouncing off her mind loud enough that Aries could hear them. "I had hoped that the past could be left there, and we could move into the new year fresh."

"Aries, this is too much." Narcissa chided, her eyes on Alice.

"It will be too much for her mind," Andromeda added in while Dora next to her had suddenly changed her pink hair back to her normal color, managing to look all like the woman in question as she stared at the door.

"Better to remove the limb than leave it to fester," Aries said softly. "Alice?" She was silent for a moment before she slowly raised her head and nodded. He summoned Kreacher, who quickly popped away to get the woman. They all waited patiently, though there was tension in the room.

The door opened, and Bellatrix Lestrange walked in. The difference between when she had left Azkaban and now was night and day. Any man would have noticed her evident beauty. She had filled out where before she had been gaunt, her black hair was full and curled, and her face healthy. Her eyes were the only thing that remained unchanged, as a haunted look managed to stay despite the emotions that flittered across her face. She stood there and seemed to look everywhere but at Alice. Aries could feel her emotions radiating from her, guilt being the most prominent. He knew she did not regret many of the things she did in service to the Dark Lord, but rather the manner in which her twisted mind had gone about them.

"It will be announced soon," Aries said into the silence, "that Bella will denounce her marriage to Lestrange, and with our authority, the marriage will be annulled. So, it is Bellatrix Black that stands before you now. Freed from the torment the Dark Lord had caused her, ready to be reborn in the fires of this moment." His words floated in the room, ringing through the silence that lingered. The eyes of the table seemed to move back and forth between the two, as Alice stared hard at the woman before her. Aries watched her slowly rise to her feet and walk around the table until she stood face to face with Bella.

"Look at me," Alice's rough voice seemed to startle the woman, but Bella's face rose to meet her. They looked into another's eyes for some time, as if Alice was looking for something in particular. Then, without warning, Alice reached forward, grabbing Bella by the shoulders, and pulled her into a hug. From where he stood, Aries could just see the tears falling from Alice's face, as Bella awkwardly returned the hug, fighting tears herself. The two women released their embrace, and Alice quickly wiped her tears away.

"I asked what became of you when all the healers were gone, and it was Andromeda and me. She was hesitant, but I had to know. I had to know that you faced justice. When she told me you had been in Azkaban, I rejoiced, assuming that you had died there. But then she told me how my own savior had saved you, and I had no idea what to think about that. Then she told me what had happened to you. How He had raped your mind, tortured you, took child after child away from you, and suddenly I could see your descent into madness. I could see how he twisted you." Suddenly, Alice slapped Bella hard across the face, Narcissa moved to do something, but Aries stopped her with a raised hand. "That was for what you did to me. What you made me lose. I do not know if I can ever forgive you, and I know I will not forget. But if I cannot accept that you have changed truly, and offer you a deserved second chance, then I am no better than those who I would call my enemies." Bella rose back to her full height, nodding in acceptance of Alice's actions. "I have taken my vengeance, let it be a reminder always that I spared you when others would not. But hear me now, if you ever join their side again, if you raise your wand against my family or another ever again, then I will personally hunt you down and kill you as I could have today." Tears flowed freely from Bella, but she nodded all the same.

"I am Black again, and a Black I shall remain," Bella answered. "My loyalty lies with my family."

"Good, now tell me of this world in which Aries' envisions. Tell me why you believe it now more than you did with Voldemort."


Sirius watched happily from his spot in the room, sipping on his glass of firewhiskey. Aries, who often seemed far too pressed with his duties to relax, was doing just that as he sat across from Draco in their game of chess. Daphne, whom Sirius was starting to approve greatly of due to her rather sarcastic nature, sat on the arm of Aries' chair, seemingly trying to distract him. Dora sat in the middle, making her face change into silly looks causing laughter to erupt from the three teens. It was the first time in so long that Sirius had actually seen his nephew act like a teenager, laughing brightly with his friends. Draco had surprised him the most by being incredibly polite and the exact opposite of how he remembered the boy being a few years earlier. It had seemed that Aries' presence had cooled the boy off, though he remembered his nephew saying that Draco did not entirely agree with everything his father did.

Then there were his cousins Narcissa, Andromeda, and Bellatrix. The three sat around a table, gossiping and laughing about times long ago before the war had torn them apart. They seemed to approve of the four's actions across from them, taking time every now and then to laugh at their antics before turning back to their own conversations. Sirius, for once, did not mind at all being out of both groups. Aries' words from early, about this being Regulus' dream had rung deem within him, and he was more than content watching it unfold. Would his brother really have been happy? With all of it? It made him genuinely think about what would have happened if this had been how his childhood went. An ache went through his heart before he hastily looked for a distraction.

His eyes lingered on the table for a moment, and the conversation from earlier replied in his mind. White lies and half-truths had become a staple of Aries' dealings with people, telling each person enough of the truth to believe, but also the part they were more than willing to accept. It was something Sirius had come to accept as necessary, as he was more than accustomed to doing the same thing now. It was all too prevalent with every interaction he had with the Potters. He was glad that Aries had finally made a move with Lily, pushing her towards the truth gently, but he wondered when his friends would be free at last. If not for Severus giving him a letter meant for Aries, and his strange warning, he would have added his own two knuts to Aries' speech. Still, it would not do to meddle with Aries' plans. Everything else had managed to work itself out, right?

The empty chair caught Sirius' attention now, as it had earlier. He had assumed it was for Bella, but after she had joined them, another chair had been added for her. When he had question Aries, he had only received a mischievous smile in return. Was it for Remus, perhaps? Sirius had not seen his friend since their meeting in Hogsmeade. He knew Remus was the busiest of the group, as he was always working at the Conservation, making it better and collaborating with other governments on the possibility of replicating its success elsewhere, though that was not all. Sirius had known about the Legion for some time, having helped Cassiopeia with its logistics countless times, but it had been a shock to know many of its recruits had been gathered from the Conservation. On top of that, not all of the recruits were magical. Muggles turned werewolves had been added to the reservation, without the knowledge of the Wizengamot, and added much to its success. Those that did not have a ready skill had been added to the Legion, and Sirius had realized the real purpose of the Wolfsbane. He had wanted to confront Aries about it numerous times, but what struck him the most was that Remus knew and did not object either.

A loud knock suddenly drew himself out of his musings. Who could be knocking at this hour? And all who knew the secret of 12 Grimmauld Place apparated right in. Sirius made to remove his wand, but Aries stopped him, a knowing smile on his face.

"It would seem our guest has, at last, arrived," Aries said, the smile growing. "It would appear that the task took longer than expected, but it is of no importance. Could you go and greet our guest, Sirius?"

He nodded, confused, but did not return his wand. His footsteps seemed loud to him as he made his way to the door. Sirius did not know why he was worried, after all, Aries had invited whoever it was. But still, why? Before he knew it, the door was before him, and he quickly opened it, wand at the ready. His eyes widened, and slowly his wand fell to his side before it slipped from his grasp onto the floor.

Long, brown hair framed the round face that greeted him. Bright, chocolate-colored eyes shined at him as the woman smiled softly towards. It was raining outside, and though the portico shielded her from the rain, she was drenched, as if she had stood in the rain pondering whether to knock at the door.

"Marlene?" Sirius asked, his voice failing to reach a volume higher than a whisper. He could feel his heart pounding, and his hands shook.

"Hello, Padfoot," Marlene answered softly, her head cocking to the side. "Can I come in?" Sirius moved the side, and she smiled softly again as she walked through. A wave of her wand dried her, and Sirius immediately saw it wasn't her original one. Her eyes followed his, and a sad look crossed her face. "It was destroyed in the fire, I had to get a new one."

"How?" His voice broke before he could finish the question.

"How am I alive?" Her voice was sad, and it brought pain into Sirius' heart that he thought had long been buried. "Travers cast fiendfyre at our home. My parents didn't make it, but something between the fiendfyre and my dad's last spell broke the wards. I apparated away, but I was hurt bad. I heard nothing was left of the house, so I'm not surprised everyone thought I was dead. After everything, I thought I was strong, but I wasn't. I'm not sure where I ended up, but eventually, I was found and taken to a healer. It took time for my wounds to heal. She was a squib and could only use potions. Her ingredients were limited, and I wasn't strong enough to apparate. By the time I was, the Dark Lord was defeated, and everything seemed to be right again. I wanted so desperately to come back to see you again. But I was haunted. I wasn't ready. So, I left. I didn't want to give you the hope of something I could not give at the time."

"Where did you go?"

"Everywhere!" Marlene's voice took a sudden lighter sound. "America. Africa. Asia. The world, Sirius. And it was brilliant. I meant so many people and learned so many things. It was. . . liberating. Until a few years ago." She sighed, and Sirius leaned forward, so desperately wanting to hear her story. "I was in Germany when I ran into some rather nasty individuals. They left me no choice, and so I killed them. Unfortunately, one of those nasty individuals ended up being related to a prominent member of Germany's government, and I ended up being arrested a short time later. They had no idea who I really was, but thankfully, someone came to my aid."

"Cassiopeia," Sirius said with a laugh.

"Yeah, you should have seen how quickly that case got dismissed. She was furious, not for my actions, but for getting caught. I had little gold and nowhere to live at the time, thanks to some rather bad decisions, but she offered me a job. I thought I would be working for her, but guess my surprise when I started working for a thirteen-year-old kid, your nephew. I had picked up a trick or two from my travels, as well as made some friends. So, he put me to work, and that's my story. I came to him this past summer and asked him to give you my address, but you never came. I was worried you didn't want to see me, but when he invited me to dinner, I couldn't refuse. I wanted to see you this summer but being so close I had to come. I needed to see you."

"I wanted to come," Sirius started, "But to be honest, I was terrified. It was almost to good to be true. What if everything had changed? I didn't know what to think." Her hands suddenly cupped his face, hands that were rougher than he had ever remembered. She brought his head level, so her eyes could pour into his.

"Everything changes, Sirius, especially us," Marlene whispered to him, "But it doesn't have to be bad. And some things, some things do stay the same." She gave him a smile, one that seemed to warm parts of his heart that had been cold for so long. Laughter floated down the hall, rich laughter, and it seemed to brighten Marlene's eyes. Sirius could not help the smile that started to spread across his face. "I think we should join them, and you owe me the famous Sirius Black's hot chocolate." Marlene grabbed his hand and nearly dragged him back to the room. Cheers greeted them, and for the first time in years, Sirius felt that things were the closest to how they should have been. As his eyes met Aries, who raised his glass with a smile, Sirius knew it was all thanks to the son of his brother. Yes, Regulus would have been happy, and so Sirius would be happy enough for them both.


Aries' feet hit the carpet with a soft thud as he emerged into the small home of the Tonks family. It had taken time for their meeting to occur, but Aries had not wanted to rush the boy. It had been obvious what had happened, but he still felt guilt surprisingly. Punishment from the Dark Lord would have been expected and tolerated as payment for their poor choice of master. But to be harmed as he was from his own father? It was a calculation Aries had not made, but perhaps he should have. He was well aware of Lord Nott's mean streak, but he had not considered that he would go so far as to harm his son and heir.

Upon entering the small guest room, Aries noted that Theodore Nott looked somewhat healthy, at least physically. Andromeda had told him that the boy willingly took any potions she gave him, but hardly ate more than necessary. She often had to provide him with Dreamless Sleep Potion, due to the constant nightmares that seemed to eat away at him. Weak eyes met his own, and Aries saw a defeated wizard. Had he cowered here the entire break? Did he not trust Aries' protection? It was then that Aries saw the boy's arm, there along his forearm was the Dark Mark.

"I offered you protection," Aries reminded the boy. Despite his own guilt, he would not sugarcoat the truth. He needed to hear it. "I told you that you could spend Christmas here, but you did not listen."

"No, I didn't," Theodore answered weakly.

"You chose loyalty to your father and to your family, something in which I cannot blame you. Draco did the same for the longest time." He wandlessly moved the chair in the corner in front of Theodore and sat. "Yet, when the Dark Lord returned, he saw where his father's loyalty lies. Not with his son, but with the Dark Lord. While he did not suffer at the hands of his father, as you have, he made no move to stop the Dark Lord from torturing Draco for not cooperating. Now, with every passing day, Lucius' hold on his son lessens. The same can be said for you, even though you bear the mark. The Dark Lord believes his only rival to be the Headmaster, but I can assure you, he will find that I am more of a rival than any."

"I know you dueled him," the boy said. "But it seems far fetched to believe you are his rival."

"Then why have I been unaffected?" Aries countered back. "He moves against the Ministry, against the Order, and yet here I stand. He has his reasons yet, but he will learn to fear me as he has with the Headmaster."

"What do you want, Aries?" He could hear the exasperation in his voice.

"I want only freedom. Freedom to be ourselves."

"Grindelwald," Theodore said with a laugh recognizing his words. "You see yourself to be him?"

"The better version. The victorious one." Aries answered seriously. "But tell me, what do you want?"

"Just that," Again, the boy laughed, but this time it was cold. "Freedom. How ironic."

"And if I could promise you that freedom, Theo? Freedom from your father and the Dark Lord? What would you do for me?"

"Anything." Theodore suddenly looked up, fire in his eyes. "I would do anything."

"Then join me, Theodore Nott. Pledge yourself to me. And I will ensure your freedom from the Dark Lord." The Nott heir was silent for a time, his eyes fixed on Aries as he pondered the offer.

"I'll do all that you ask, on one condition," Theodore said. "I want you to kill my father."

AN: Next chapter: The Mind Arts.

Hopefully y'all caught the Grindelwald quotes!