Prologue:
Introduction to Magical Scandinavia
Harbor, Norway, Scandinavian. This beautiful and busy harbor is known to the muggle world as a tourist attraction and brings much needed revenue to the city. Where once were cargo ships and fishing boats; Private yachts can only be found now, far as the eye can see. Here at this northern seaside paradise there is an old rustic building that many muggles wonder why it has been left derelict instead of being refurbished or torn down so something more useful can be built. All the while many of the locals look at it as a preservation and a remembrance to simpler times when hard work was valued and there were far less foreigners who invaded their city with their rude stares and demeanor, looking upon them in suspicion for speaking in their native tongue. Their families have lived here for generations and they are expected to change their traditions, values, and language all for the sake of tourism.
It is in this city, in the building that was thought left derelict, a secret harbor can be found. It of course can only be seen by those with magic and anyone seen entering will immediately be forgotten by any muggle onlookers in the vicinity. It is still looked at to this day as one of the most amazing pieces of magic in way of warding. Through the old oaken doors is the Scandinavian magical district and what a wonder it is to be seen.
The dislike of muggle tourists has been far outweighed by their usefulness. The crowds around this time of year are a great camouflage for the Wizarding community. People from all over Europe flock to buy their school supplies for the upcoming school year. The date is August 1st, 1990. Families with their children ten years of age and older are packed in the harbor and it's plethora of shops and oddities. Unlike its English, American, and French Ministerial counterparts; the Scandinavian Ministry inherited an almost perfect area for business that left very little problems of muggles seeing things they shouldn't. Most of the local Wizarding population live in warded manors or apartment housing available in the harbor. The Scandinavian Ministry is also located here. The main doc is known as the Governing District. Alviss is the Dwarven Bank where all are welcome. Rates are rather high but are steady and fair. Gringotts also has a location here opposite to Alviss. The goblins and the Dwarves don't socialize together; but it has been centuries since wars have been declared between them. Both peoples found that healthy competition leads to profit. One of the few things that the Dwarven and Goblin peoples can agree upon is profit. The Dwarves, being natural tinkerers, don't like for gold to just sit around in vaults. They like to invest and make their profit shares buy wisely investing in new businesses. One would caution before taking a loan from the Dwarves because they always see their returns fulfilled. Many a Wizard and Witch have found their business torn apart and sold to the highest bidder because they failed to meet their average gross percentages outlined in their contracts. "Don't let their rosy cheeks fool you; their worse than any Goblin!" many scorned could be heard after loosing their businesses.
On that same dock is the Ministry and Local ICW hall. The buildings are tall and compete for importance in the most ostentatious of architectural differences. Gringotts with it's Roman Columns looks like a white marble cathedral. Circular windows are seen on the top floor while long and luxurious windows litter the bottom six floors. Many rooms are rented here where private meetings of equal footing can be made. The wards are considered illegal according to the Ministry; but since the Bank is Goblin territory; it is watched closely but left alone. Many Magical Creatures have resolution of territory disputes in these rooms. Werewolves, Veela, Vampires, Harpies, etc.; can be found meeting here throughout the year to hash out territorial and domestic violations between them. The Ministry is rarely invited unless Wizards are involved; most times they are left to themselves.
The Ministry Building is black marble and has no windows. It is a giant black tower with a multitude of buttresses reaching from top to bottom. The front looks like a giant fireplace and is generous with gold fixtures. The Scandinavian Ministry is immense with it's seven upper floors and seventeen basement floors. All legal flue and portkey entrance and exit from Scandinavia take place from B15. Many people dread traveling in and out this way due to death chamber being located just one floor down on B16. It was a not so subtle warning for those visiting to behave.
Aviss is a red brick and mortar with iron gates, doors, and windows. It had several windows of translucent square panes and iron bordering that gives it a stained class look without color. The inside has a simple elegance to it that is rarely seen in the Wizarding world. Other than the Chandelier; most muggles wouldn't bat an eyelash at the scene of this building. The forges are in the back and smoke can be seen bellowing from it's chimneys night and day. Where once they made axes, swords, shields, daggers, arrows, and other such weapons; now they make jewelry that appears so delicate yet so strong a giant couldn't pull them apart. Many people from around the world call the pieces eleven. It was in fact the Dwarves that were commissioned by Rowena Ravenclaw to make her famous Diadem. She of course later charmed it to the hilt herself. It is what started the trend of commissioning the Dwarves make things other than weapons. It actually started the first great war between the Goblins and the Dwarves. Goblins accused the Dwarves of stealing their smelting secrets and declared anything made by the Dwarves were Goblin property after the death of the client. The war went of for many years. It was actually the founders of Hogwarts that brought and end to the war. Slytherin was gifted a locket; Hufflebuff was gifted a chalice; Gryffindor a Sword. They added charms to each and the items were lost to time after their deaths.
The ICW meeting hall is similar to Gringotts in style but made of the same black marble as the Ministry building. It is used seasonally for the sessions of the Mugwumps. The Supreme Mugwump is none other than Albus Dumbledore who put an end to Grindelwald's war. Many still believe he had the right idea; but was put off with his involvement of the muggles. The war was bloody and Europe was ravaged. Then, in the seventies, another less genteel Wizard sought to take up the cause of bringing back the value of dark magic only to involve the muggles once again. The Ministry of Scandinavia stayed neutral throughout the war and left England to their own mechanization. Magical Europe followed suit and only became involved in defense of their own territory and let it be known quickly that they would tolerate no shenanigans from either side. In the beginning He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named tried to involve other countries only to have his Death Eaters end up in prison or killed. He quickly recalled his troops and focused primarily on England after having his hand slapped by the Magical Ministries of Europe. Word of his death traveled across Europe. Most found it amusing that the upstart Dark Lord was thwarted by a mere babe. The recently promoted headmaster of their crown jewel Durmstrang was a member of the Death Eaters. Most cared little and figured he had learned his lesson with dealing with megalomaniacs.
These four buildings are the four pillars of the harbor and the rest of the magical community are built around it. In a months time; the ship that was currently docked will be loaded with children and cargo to be taken to Durmstrang Keep in the Scandinavian highlands. And Leonis James Black, Heir to the House of Black will be aboard.
Chapter 1:
Well Met Marius Black
1981, Marius Cygnus Black was sitting at his desk when his bespectacled hawk owl tapped on the window. "Archimedes, what do you have for me today old friend?" Marius asks why relieving his familiar of the morning post. Marius pauses when sorting through his mail after seeing a letter from the Black Estate Manager.
"Whoooo!" Archimedes hoots bringing Marius out from his thoughts. "I am sorry old friend." Marius states as he hands over one of Archimedes favorite treats. Marius returns to his desk and removes his letter opener. Sitting down he opens the letter from the Black Estate Manager.
Dear Marius C. Black,
It is after great consideration that I am contacting you about the state in which the Black Family Holdings are being handled. The Lordship was handed down to Orion Arcturus Black ten years ago when your uncle passed. He left me explicit instructions if at any time the Black Estate was disparaged and at risk to contact you. He did state that you were never officially removed from the Family. He let me know that there was an attempt on your early life and that he had secreted you away and secured your education and housing. I am not sure what information you have received so I will forgo any further pleasantries to make this as brief as possible.
You are the last male of your side of the Black family living. The war has taken a very large toll on the Black Family and I received several letters from your niece, Lady Walburga Black, to invest in very suspicious holdings. Your Family has always been at the forefront sound investing until now. These accounts seem to be connected directly to the recently deceased Dark Lord and are managed by the current head of the Malfoy Family Lord Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. His father and your uncle died suspiciously within days of each other ten years ago. There has been a "plague" of dragon pox that many of the last millennial generation have succumb to that has only effected the former heads of families including several lesser ancient families. We at Gringotts have found this highly suspicious but have left Wizarding business alone as it does not directly effect us. I am only writing this letter in compliance to the Last Lord Black's wishes and have set up a meeting for 6am here at Gringotts of London on the 25th of February 1981.
As this is in compliance with the former Lord's wishes I will not be contacting you again or scheduling another meeting on behalf of the Black Family Holdings./span/p
May Your Gold Overflow,
Sawtooth
Goblin Account Manager for the Black Family Holdings
Marius did a quick tempus spell and sighed in relief. He had a little over a week to make the appointment. "Looks like I am going to London." Marius spoke to himself as he headed to his room to pack
02/25/1981
In the office of Sawtooth a polite knock was made and the door was immediately opened without response as another Goblin by the name of Hammerjaw entered with a well dressed Marius Black in toe.
"Please have a seat Mr. Black and I will get right to the point of this meeting." Marius sat quickly with a polite nod awaiting for Sawtooth to continue. "Well met Mr. Black." Sawtooth said calmly but shocked none the less of a Wizard who seemed to know Goblin etiquette. "Merry Meet Account Manager Sawtooth" was Marius' response. Now the look of shock could be seen on Sawtooths face. He quickly covered it with a look of suspicion however and decided to get this over with. "You understand that your Uncles request is highly uncommon and this meeting can never be acknowledged once we are done here today?" Marius confirms with a nod and Sawtooth continues. "Good. Here is the current financial records of the Black Family Holdings since Lord Arcturus Black passed." Sawtooth slid the stack of parchment across the desk. Marius waited until Sawtooth was once again seated before reaching politely for the pile and began reading quickly and in silence. A few minutes passed before Marius spoke again. "Manager Sawtooth, I see at no point where the current Lord allows for the current Lady to have access to the accounts and in fact see that she was previous limited to an amount she could withdraw at one time. I know that Gringotts is very thorough and that it would not make such a novice mistake with my Families' accounts. On what authority was she given access?" Marius asked calmly in a manner of quiet hostility that would unnerve most people. "The current Lord has been bed bound and the Heir was disowned in title Mr. Black. There is a clause on your Families' account that was made and signed by the current Lord Black to allow for this inconsistency if you look on the next page. "Marius leered at the Goblin for what he had just said. "I need the Lord's ring recalled if you don't mind." Marius states. Sawtooth lifts a brow but complies an retrieves a bowl and athame from his desk. "Three drops of Black blood and I will warn you that this may kill you." Sawtooth states pleasantly. Marius proceeds to pierce his forefinger and allows three drops of blood to fall into the bowl before withdrawing his wand and healing the cut. If Sawtooth was any less restrained he would have slipped and gawked at the sight. Marius had been listed as a squib and apparently another Black Family secret has just been revealed. Sawtooth begins to chant in the Goblin language and after a moment all that is left in the bowl is a silver and onyx ring with a large seal of the Black Family Crest. Marius takes the ring and places it on his right forefinger. It takes but a moment before Marius grunts with pain. He stumbles back to his seat as the Ring tests his magics and intentions. As quick as the excruciating pain started it ends and Lord Marius Cygnus Black reaches into his pocket an slides a rather impressive stack of parchment towards Sawtooth. Sawtooth waits until the new Lord Black is seated before reaching for the stack and going through the parchment. As Sawtooth reads his eyes gets wider and wider; "Black Family secrets indeed" Sawtooth muttered in the Goblin language. "Indeed" Lord Black returned in kind. It is at this point that Sawtooth looses his ability to hold his composure and lets out a deep and haunting chuckle that quickly evolves into a hysterical cackle in which Lord Black returns with a smirk and a slight bow of the head. "Lord Black... mhmmm... excuse my behavior, but I am anticipating some interesting times with you at the helm." Sawtooth says with a feral grin. "I thank you for the compliment Manager Sawtooth and I expect that my wishes will be seen to immediately. Who is currently left available to be made Heir?" Sawtooth sets the stack of parchment aside and pulls a folder from one of the desk drawers. "It seems you have two possibilities. Neither bare the Black name. One is already named Heir to a Noble Family while the other is the unnamed Heir to an Ancient Family but not a Noble one." Lord Black reached for the folder forgoing all pleasantries and looked at the two boys' names and information. He quickly passed over the Malfoy Heir and looked curiously at the Potter Heir. "Harry James Potter, how is he available to be the Black Heir?" Sawtooth calls for the Potter Estate Manager and waits. "Manager Sawtooth, Lord Black, I am Manager Bloodclaw. How may I help you?" A rather old an withered Goblin states after entering. "Manager Bloodclaw, I am looking into declaring the Heir of one of your accounts as my Heir. I am confused on how he is available for the position however." Lord Black states as he hands over the page titled Harry James Potter, Heir of the House of Potter at the top. Manager Bloodclaw sighs and worries his forehead with his claws. I can answer your question as to how he is available to you; but I have no access to these accounts anymore." Marius just looks at the Goblin and raises a brow in question for Bloodclaw to explain in more detail. "The Chief Warlock has taken over the accounts under his Family's account manager and is the Magical Guardian to the Potter Heir. I have been unable to do anything about it and the Potter accounts are failing fast. Up until now I have had no hope of restoring them. Heir Potter is Godson of Sirius Orion Black and was Blood Adopted as tradition mandates for the Godparent of an Heir to an Ancient or Nobel house allows. This was done right after his birth and his actual name now that his parents are deceased is Leonis James Black according to the wishes of his mother and father." Lord Black raised both eyebrows at that statement. The head of the Potter house was willing to let his family name die? It is a huge risk if there are not a least two sons born from a future marriage. That is also if the spouse is not also an Heir. "Why would they risk the extinction of their House?" Lord Black asked both Goblins. "The Potter Family is Ancient but not Ennobled. Sirius Black was like a second son to the previous Potter Family heads and a brother in all but blood to Leonis' parents. The wills were sealed but I was to be the executor and also was the one to witness and verify the wills. I can say no more than that until they are unsealed." Lord Black smiled at the sneaky little shit. He was getting vengeance for the Family he served. "Seeing as Leonis falls under my jurisdiction and Mr. Dumbledore has Magical custody of one Harry James Potter and not of Leonis James Black; I request that your arrange for him to be brought to me for inspection." Both Goblins smirked viciously at the loophole that Lord Black was taking. "We will see it done Lord Black. I will see you in two days at the same time. May your gold overflow Lord Black." Both Goblins nodded out. "May your blades never dull and always be covered in the blood of your slain enemies." Lord Black nodded out as he left the office and made his way from Gringotts. He had a lot to do and so little time. The new head of the Black family reached the streets of Diagon Ally and Disapperated.
Outside of a series of attached housing between eleven and thirteen Grimauld Place, in Islington, appeared a well dressed man in his fifties. Marius Black hoped to never see this place again. He dreads the meeting that is about to take place. Curse Arcturus for this! Marius thinks to himself making his way up the steps to number 12 as it appears before him. Marius enters the house without knocking to screeching and wailing of one Walburga Black, now former Lady Black. "What have you done you pathetic troll of a man?! I know you have done something! I know you found a way to ruin this for our Family! What have you done?!" Marius follows the screeching to the master bedroom where Walburga is beating Orion who seems to be unconscious. Marius pulls out his wand and cast a silencing spell as well as a stunner consecutively. Both hit their mark and Walburga Black hit the floor silently like a falling swooping evil. Marius then began to cast monitoring spells rapidly over Orion. He then walks to the fireplace and tosses a dash of flue powder into the flames. "DMLE" Marius states calmly while he awaits a response. "DMLE, This is Amilia Bones Head of the Department, how can I help you today?" Marius raises a questioning brow as to why the Department Head is answering the flue. "Madam Bones, I am the current Head of the Black Family and was called back to deal with some inconsistencies today. I returned to the local family manor to find that my niece has cursed the former Lord Black and was in the process of physically assaulting him. I had to stun her. I will be pressing charges and am asking for an investigation if you don't mind." Madam Bones didn't even pretend to hide her shock as her face quickly disappeared from the flames. Moments later her and a two people dressed in red robes exited the flames into the master bedroom of the Black Family Manor. "Lord Black, I am Amelia Bones and this is Alastor Moody and Rufus Scrimgeour. We will take it from here." Amelia states as she secretly gives glares for her aurors to be on their best behavior. "I am sorry, our previous department head just stepped down two weeks ago and I am still understaffed. Do you mind if I call in someone from St. Mungo's or would you rather a private healer see to Mr. Black?" Amelia asks. "St Mungos will be fine. Thank you Madam." Marius stated calmly seemingly unfazed by the apparent brutality that he had just witnessed. "Lord Black sir, you might want to come look at this." Marius heads toward the direction of the call to find Auror Scrimgeour in the potions lab. "We are going to have to seize these and bring in an additional inspection team. "Amelia felt her heart stop, did she not tell them briefly before they flued in that everything was to be done on the up and up?! Why did he even wonder into the potions lab?! "I am sorry Lord Black..." But what she can say anything further is stopped as Lord Black lifts his hand in a no need gesture. "It is quite alright, I have not been in this house or even in this country for many years; I cannot guarantee what you may find and I ask that you all use extreme caution. My niece is actually several years my senior and when I was an infant her father tried to have me killed. My father believed me to be a squib and it was my uncle Lord Arcturus Black that saw to my escape from this mad family. My twin sister joined me years later when our uncle died suddenly and feared for her life. I have only returned due to the request of Lord Arcturus if something like this was to happen and take the headship if need be to make sure this family survives. I deeply apologize on behalf of the family when you release Walburga from the stunner." Amelia and Rufus begin doing a wonderful impression of fish but Alastor "Madeye" Moody just grins. "We thank you Lord Black for allowing us to do our jobs." Alastor comments brushing passed Lord Black to call in more backup. Lots and Lots of backup. Alastor cant wait to finally bring the Black Family to heel. Well, most, this new Lord seemed rather too sane to be a Black. But who was he to contest an honest leprechaun? "If you don't mind, I will head to St. Mungos and check on Orion?" Lord Black questions seemingly to no one as he tosses flue powder into the fireplace. "We ask that you be available if we need to question you Lord Black." Amelia states trying to sound polite as possible. "I will be at St. Mungo's tonight and I will be at the Ministry Family Affairs office and several others for most of the day tomorrow. If anything unusual happens and something changes in my schedule I will let you know." Marius states before he calls out "Saint Mungo's Reception" and enters the flue. Amelia is left unnerved by the casualness of this new Lord Black. He could have refused them but seemed happy to let them turn a spousal abuse case into a Dark Arts investigation. What is he playing at?
Marius exited the flue and immediately walked to the receptionists desk. "Excuse me, I need to speak with the Healer in charge of Orion Black's care, I am Lord Black." The receptionist was about to make a rude comment until he identified himself as a Lord and quickly lead him to Head Healer Smethwyck. Lord Black is informed that Orion is going to be admitted and will likely be a patient for several years with the extensive damage he had received from what looked like fifteen or more years of everything from imperious to loyalty potions. Apparently Orion would have most likely died within hours had Lord Black not intervened. Orion is put in a magical coma and it will be for at least a week as the team of healers try to heal him. "I just need him stabilized and available to transfer by next week. I am taking him home with me and I will insure he gets the best care available." Healer Smethwyck argued for over thirty minutes trying to persuade Lord Black to reconsider but it was to no avail. Lord Black was assured that it would be done. "I will get you healed and back on your feet cousin; but don't think that a magical coma or malady will keep me from answers when you are well. How could the son of the great Arcturus Black allow that harpy to almost ruin everything?" Marius quietly asks the infirmed and comatose man. He places his hand on Orion's and closed his eyes in hopes to the gods and mother magic that Orion will pull through. Orion is going to be needed to get the family back on track.
The next morning, at the Ministry, Amelia Bones is waiting at reception to head off Lord Black. She wanted to let him know that Walburga had madly confessed to everything and the investigation lead to nothing on him or Mr. Orion Black. Several suspicious heirlooms were found but would be returned as per customs allowed for Ancient and Noble families. Moody and Scrimgeour were still arguing that they should still arrest him and try the whole family while they were at it. Amelia had left them to cool down. She wasn't taking any chances that Lord Black would walk in to blatant disparagement on his Family. She can only imagine the paper work. She already has enough as it is. "Lord Black, I just need a moment to tell you that your cousin will be facing trial and has confessed to everything. She will sit before the Wizengamot in a weeks time. You have been cleared and we just ask that you be available..." She doesn't get to finish her statement due to Lord Black thrusting his written statement signed in blood and witness signatures in place as well. "I hope this will due as I am taking my cousin back home with me and seeing to his care. I will not be here for that women's hearing. I do fine it interesting that her trial is going so quickly when my great nephew has seen no trial and has been in Azkaban for months?" Madam Bones makes another great impression of a fish out of water until she finds her words again. "Lord Black, I was assured that he had his trial but will investigate it PERSONALLY." She grits out and walks away. What else could possibly go wrong? She thinks as she walks back into the DMLE Offices. "Who was on the Sirius Black case and you better have a good explanation as to why he is in Azkaban with NO TRIAL!" She screams at them causing even auror Moody to flinch. "Mam... we were not allowed to touch the case due to Black being a junior auror... Mr. Crouch handled the case personally to insure it was done right." Said auror flinches as Amelia screams and marched into her office and slamming the door. Yes, her week could apparently get much worse. "I could just kill Barty for this!" she hisses out as she looks at Sirius Black's almost completely empty file. Not only had they just over reached with the Black Family case; but the apparent Heir of that house was imprisoned with no trial. Lord Marius Black has the Ministry by the balls and he knew it. She had just been masterfully played. She begins to chuckle in exasperation at the amount of political wizard's chess she is going to have to play to get out of this with her career intact. She hasn't had this job for a month and she is already indebted. Hopefully he won't call on any favors soon. She thinks to herself as she began to fill out more and more paperwork to get Sirius out of Azkaban and in to holding. Walburga Black could wait an extra week.
Marius exits the London Ministry of Magic with a small smirk and disapperats to the front of Gringotts. The Goblins would hopefully have something regarding his Heir by now. He walks into the ornate hall with its rows of Goblin Tellers and continues to the far back until reaching the Floor Manager. He stands at attention with a small bow and waits for the Goblin to respond. "Well Met Lord Black; I am Ironclaw, how may I help you?" says Ironclaw the Floor Manager. "Merry Meet Master Ironclaw. I was hoping to meet with my Family Holdings Manager. I do not have an appointment and am willing to wait until he is available." Lord Black says in a surly tone. Ironclaw had been told of the new Lord Black and his familiarity with Goblin customs. He is happy to assist. "Please follow me Lord Black." It takes just a moment for Marius to catch up due to the fact of the Floor Manager guiding him to his manager personally is only done for the most valued of Gringotts' clients. "I am honored Master Ironclaw." is all that he says and iss given a small respectful not in return. Yes, Ironclaw thinks, if only the rest of the Wizards could be as polite. They reach their destination quickly and the Goblin Floor Manager returns to his post just as Lord Black politely knocks and enters his Accounts Manager's Office. "Lord Black, let us save the pleasantries for later, we are in need of your assistance." Marius gives a short nod and immediately sits across from both Sawtooth and Bloodclaw. "Master Sawtooth, Master Bloodclaw." He says, nodding toward each one as custom dictated even when niceties are removed. "I congratulate your family Master Bloodclaw, having a Goblin Floor Manager in the family is something to be proud of." Marius states and enjoying the slip of their masks give away slightly to their shock. Yes, Marius thinks, I can play this game too. Marius enjoys their slight pause before Bloodclaw slides a small pile of parchment across the desk. Marius begins reading immediately. "Blood wards?" Marius asks with interest. "Yes." Is the only response he is given. "This does make things more difficult; not that I believed it would be easy. Who are these people my Heir is living with?" Lord Marius asks while continuing to go over the briefing. "His late mother's sister's family. Retched people; we have had none of our letters returned. We of course sent them through the muggle post as well with no charge added to the accounts." Marius' eyes widen slightly at this. Hopefully this line never produced another magical child because the Goblins will never forget this slight; ignorance of customs be damned. "It is a good thing my Heir will not be with them for long then." Lord Black states as he continues to go over the ward assessment. "Have you already frozen the Potter accounts Master Bloodclaw?" Marius asks. "No. I waited just in case a diversion was needed; one never knows when situations like this may arise." Bloodclaw returns. " I thank you for your forethought Master Bloodclaw; I think now would be the most opportune time. I worry about his health after the attack. I could find no records with St. Mungo's. Could I trouble Gringotts to provide my Heir with medical services if needed?" Marius asks. "For a fee Lord Black." Sawtooth returns. "Better now then later I suppose, it is acceptable. Thank you." Lord Black sets the parchment and walks out of the office and makes his way out of Gringotts at a pace that is only acceptable in these kinds of situations. One should not be seen in a hurry as it leads to gossip.
Once Marius steps out of Gringotts he Dissaperats to a local park in Little Whinging Surry just off of Privet Drive. Marius takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly from his nose. Blood Wards. What sadistic bastard would connect blood wards built from a dead parent to the core of an infant? Blood wards are very dark magic. They rely upon the sacrifice of a family member to be activated and whom ever they are tied to can never move pass the grief from the loss. The memory of the family members death is tied to the wards. Blood wards are usually only used at the start of a blood feud and are only tied to the current Lord of the House so that they may never forget the crime against the family that were committed. To tie those wards to an infant is disgusting. What is Dumbledore playing at making this child relive his parent's deaths over and over again. He can't get Leonis fast enough. Marius pulls out his wand and holds it to his side as he walks up to the wards just outside number four Privet Drive. "Wards of old I ask for passage; I seek no harm on the people of this House. So mote it be." The wards glow brightly and no longer bar Marius' way to the house. He quickly transfigures his robes to something more muggle appropriate and knocks on the door. Petunia Jane Dursley née Evans answers the door. "May I help you sir?" Petunia asks in a polite but firm manner. "Yes madam Dursley. I am Lord Marius Black at your service. May we speak inside? It involves your nephew and a great disservice that has been done to you and your family." Petunia is shocked. She can tell that he is one of 'those people' but he seems polite and doesn't look completely deranged in appearance. "If you insist Lord Black, right this way. Can I offer you some tea?" Petunia asks out of politeness. She doesn't want to give the man tea, but she was raised right and would continue with the niceties as long as they were followed in return. It is just good manners. "Thank you kindly Mrs. Dursley. I take it black if you don't mind. No pun intended you understand." Petunia snorts slightly at the small joke and nods. She allows Lord Black to sit in the sitting room while she goes to make some tea. She feels she is going to need it as well for this conversation. It takes about ten minutes before she returns to the sitting room. She is quite pleased that Lord Black appears to be sill sitting and not going through her families things with unrestrained curiosity. "I thought we might enjoy a few biscuits with the tea." She says as she pours and polity hands a cup and saucer to Lord Black before serving herself. Marius is quite impressed with this muggle woman's manner. Although ignorant of magical culture, she is polite and refined. "Please call my Marius Mrs. Dursley, we are, in a way, family now." Petunia is shocked by this statement but says in return. "Petunia if you don't mind; may I ask how we're are family?" Petunia asks. "Your nephew is my Heir. When his mother and father died, custody should have been given to Sirius Black who was the Heir before him." Marius offers. "I was told he had no other family and that Mr. Black was in magical prison for something to do with the murder of his parents." Petunia knows it wasn't this man's fault that all these strange things were happening; but she is extremely frustrated about the situation and her manner comes out rather tight. "I only recently took the Lordship from my cousin. The family has declined recently and I am trying to right many things that should not have happened. Sirius was imprisoned without a trial and his mother and father, the previous Lord and Lady, have disinherited him without cause. He will never be able to hold title which leaves his godson the only available Heir to the Black Family. In magical families it is common to magically adopt ones godchild and become another parent by blood. If said child's parents are unable to fulfill their duty to the child the godparent will then have full legal rights to the child as they are of their own blood. The Potters, although ancient are not of Nobility. According to the wills of the late Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Harold "Harry" James Potter was to become a full member of the Black family and is now legally known as Leonis James Black and soon Heir to the House of Black." Petunia is taken aback for a second before responding. "So Harry isn't the boys actual name? Good, far too common." Petunia returns. "Quite, I understand he was named after your father who served in the war. His name was changed due to requirements and traditions of the Black Family. All first names must be heavenly bodies with the middle name of the parent of the same sex. Mr. and Mrs. Potter knew that it would be important for their son to have options given the war and made specific requests given the outcome. I must say I am impressed with their forethought." Petunia smiles at this and respondes with. "My sister and I had a falling out as young girls. It was only in the last several of years that we became closer on the insistence of her husband. He grew up without brothers or sisters and, although quite petulant at times, truly understood the importance of family. Probably the only nice thing I have to say about the man really." She pauses for a moment. "Leonis spends most of his time in the boot cupboard under the stairs. I am told that is normal for a child that has experienced trauma and that he will grow out of it eventually." Petunia says with dissatisfaction. "I imagine it has more to do with the wards actually. I don't mean to be too personal, but have you been experiencing unusual feelings and having strange dreams?" Marius asks as politely as he can muster. "Yes, as well as having issues controlling negative thoughts about the child. I fear for him if he stays here. My husband was offered a promotion recently and will most likely have to turn it down due to us being stuck here. Something about wards." Petunia returns. "Those wards are an old magic that truly are doing more harm than good at this point. I fear for your family if you stay here. I can release you from the wards but they will take at least a year to fully dissipate. Can you wait that long to sell the property?" Marius asks. "Yes, the promotion offers services. The contract will set us up with housing until our property is sold. If you don't mind staying for dinner, my husband will be home in about thirty minutes. It will give you time to get whatever you need to do done and maybe I can spend some time with my nephew without influence from magic." Marius accepts her offer and is lead to the boot cupboard. What he sees almost breaks his heart. The almost two year old child is clinging desperately to what he assumes is his old baby blanket with tear stains down his swollen cheeks. He also sees that he is laying on the ward stone. This will be much simpler than he thought. With the wards not directly stabilized by one person they can all be released from the wards without danger. Marius reaches down to the small child and draws him close. He whispers a light sleeping spell that will make sure the child doesn't wake for the moment. He quickly begins to work on the ward stone so that the members of this house can escape. He draws Leonis up into his arms with the blanket and closes the cupboard behind him. Petunia is in the kitchen with her son making dinner. Marius joined them an sits at the table attending to Leonis. Petunia offers a bottle she has made up for him and Marius thanks her. Petunia has never seen the child so peaceful. He usually has bouts of fits. Marius begis to explain to her that while the wards were attached to him he was reliving his mother and father's last moments over and over again. Petunia is outraged that anyone could be so callous with a child and is even more outraged when she realizes that her family were also experiencing this due to the blood wards. When Vernon returns home he is in a very awful mood about having guests until he is told about being able to take the promotion and that the 'freakish' things happening to his family were soon coming to an end. Vernon is quite pleasant after his initial rant and apologizes to their guest. He even holds his nephew for a while after things settled down. His own child seems to be settling down as well. Marius is deeply apologetic for the things that have been done to the family and encourages them that the magical community in the Americas are far more responsible and they will have a much more pleasant experience if any children they might have or grandchildren show any sign of magic. He tells them what to expect and how to get into contact with MACUSA if needed. When he leaves the Dursley's he is quite pleased with the experience and has little trouble removing little Leonis from the property.
He immediately dissaperates with the child and was once again is at the front steps of Gringotts. The Goblin Healer is in a state of absolute panic and rage after running scans of the child. It takes them all night to remove the blood glamours, Horcrux, and mend several issues of malnutrition caused from the child's refusal to eat due to the trauma and blood wards. Marius is delighted to see that once the glamours are gone Leonis looks like a true Black. There is just a thin scar left from where the Death Curse was repelled and the Horcrux was removed. It will fade with time and faster with the proper cream. The Goblins know what they are doing when it comes to spell damage and obscure curses. The tombs they encounter on their quests for more gold and artifacts require it. Marius leaves the next morning with a sleeping babe in his arms that nobody will recognize as The-Boy-Who-Lived. Almost as ridiculous a title as He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Who comes up with these dastardly hyphenations anyway? Marius finally finds himself back in the London Magical Ministry at the door of Magical Child Services. This is the last stop before he returned to the Scandinavian Peninsula. He has left information with Madam Bones for Sirius when he is released on how to get into contact with him. He introduces young Leonis to her and explaines that he is Sirius' child. He feels that due to the prejudices of the war and the defamation of Sirius that Leonis will be judges harshly by society here. Madam Bones returns with her contact information and asks to be kept updated. She has recently taken in her own niece after her brother and sister in law were killed during the war and she feels that the two could benefit from friendship. Marius agrees and will set a date in the future. He also talks to Amelia about Durmstrang and how it may benefit young Susan to go to school away from the war and that young Leonis will also be attending when he is of age. He also tells her that they start a year earlier than Hogwarts and it give the children a year to prepare for things like potions. They learn mostly theory and grooming spells that they will use in their daily life. It is a rather lengthy conversation and Amelia is surprised that she is thinking about sending Susan to Durmstrang after the conversation has ended. She knows a few who have attended and will ask them about their general experience and overall education.
MCS takes far longer than Marius would have liked. The Witch, a Madam Umbridge, is absolutely impossible to deal with. She continuously refuses to sign the appropriate forms for him to remove Leonis from England even though he was already granted full custody of the child. It takes getting her superior involved before the papers are finally signed several hours later. It is a tired Marius that appears on floor B15 of the Scandinavian Magical Ministry. Leonis is not happy with the port key and Marius can't blame his at all. He needs to stop by and see about getting several house elves. Care of a small child, working, and his now Lordship duties are going to be too much for one wizard to deal with. There is also Orion who is going to be moved to his apartment in a weeks time. Adding in Sirius' eventual appearance they will need at least four. He is glad that his apartment is a ten bedroom. They will need the space. He also thinks that in a few years he will apply as a professor at Durmstang. That will all depend on how quickly Orion recovers and the mental stability of Sirius.
It takes Marius another seven hours before finally making it home with elves, bags, and child in toe. They had to stop several times to feed Leonis and change his nappies. After everything is put away and Leonis was tucked in Marius thinks about contacting his twin sister Dorea to see if she could help out for a little while. Her and her husband Charlus live in France and their son Alexander has just graduated from Beauxbatons. He confirms his decision after the third time he is woken by the upset boy and eventually gives in to the small child's demands, allowing Leonis to sleep in his bed. He just knows his uncle is laughing at him from beyond the grave.