On Friday morning, the day of Tom's trial Amelia Bones stormed into Barty Crouch's office. She was livid. He looked up and before he could react, she had smacked him as hard as she could across his detestable face. Hard enough to leave a mark as he fell back onto his chair.

She pulled out a file from her bag. She reached in and yanked a chunk of photographs out and threw them on the table.

Barty looked gingerly down on the top one. Frank Longbottom's face looked up at him. His eyes were vacant.

'Your son helped do that to him. There is one of Alice too. You have known both of them for years. In those other photographs are just a fraction of Death Eaters victims. Children, Aurors, Muggleborns. You and all you sick bastards voted to give that thing Pureblood status. We can't give him Veritaserum now. The whole case hung on that. The whole lot of that shower of shit will be walking out of here.'

Barty stood up sharply, 'I have discussed this with my advisors. They all agreed that it is only right to give Tom Riddle his Pureblood status. He is the heir of Slytherin. His Slytherin blood is strong enough to overcome the Muggle blood in him. We all discussed this the night Tom was taken into custody. We all voted. I was surprised you did not attend. A request had been sent to your office. A shame you didn't deem it important enough to discuss these views you hold with us.'

Amelia was seething. Naturally, she hadn't received anything. When she had arrived at her office in the morning there had been a simple note left on her table informing her of the change to Riddle's blood status. She had checked with several of her more decent colleagues if they too had not been notified. They had shaken their heads with an expression of disgust on their faces. They knew exactly what had happened. The Purebloods in on it had arranged this before they started making enquiries into changing Tom's status. They had been led to believe they had time to prevent it. Amelia had told everyone she knew to be on the alert. Nothing had been reported. She assumed they had gone in a different direction.

'Tom will, of course, under Pureblood law be able to testify. He won't of course be required to take Veritaserum. We all know the prosecution can manipulate their questions to set traps for the defendant. His word will be considered the truth under our laws and we will act accordingly,' Barty sat back and looked at Amelia cooly, 'You had better leave Amelia. I may have you charged with assault if you do not.'

Amelia could not believe her ears. She had always thought Barty was a good man. One who had morals. A little neglectful of his family, perhaps, but otherwise a light Wizard.

'You're a Gryffindor,' she said somewhat helplessly, 'We're the Lions. We're supposed to defend the vulnerable against the monsters.'

Barty looked at her with his eyes narrowed, 'Grow up, Amelia. You're still referring to Hogwarts houses. That was years ago. Adults are more complex than school children. I am defending the vulnerable. It is all clear now. Yaxley and McNair have convinced me this is the only way. Tom has those in the Ministry cells under a spell. My son would not do what he has been charged with unless his mind was polluted with dark magic.'

'If you really believed that you would make Riddle take the Veritaserum as required by law.' Amelia said.

Barty sighed, 'I'm not taking any chances with my son's life. I told you the defendant can be fooled during questioning when they are under Veritaserum. Words get twisted. Look at the number of Muggleborns and Half-bloods that have been given extended sentences due to the distortions of fact. My wife has begged me to do whatever it takes and this is what I'm doing,' he admitted begrudgingly, 'Tom has already given a statement saying he will confirm at the trial what he has done. It is over. You forget the main objective of all of this was to capture Voldemort. He will be going to Azkaban for life. However many of them he has. He is the puppet master. If not for him none of this would have happened. He alone is responsible for those people,' Barty waved his hand over the photograph, 'Now, I have asked you to leave. Go.'

With one last scathing look at the deluded Barty, Amelia left. The trial was due to start in an hour. Dumbledore had agreed to support her. She went back to her office to meet him.

Dumbledore was already at the Ministry and making his way over to Amelia's office. The halls were starting to fill up with various magical people. He saw some Goblins too. The courtroom for Tom's trial had been expanded to an immense size. It more closely resembled the Quidditch pitch Hogwarts. He had waved cordially at Rita, who smiled back. Her career had gone from strength to strength. She was actually being taken seriously as a Journalist. With some very well connected allies now in her world, she had a stable career ahead of her. Her editor had given her a very generous bonus due to the demand for reprints of her most famous article. Her future was looking bright. She walked into the courtroom and took one of the front row seats in the balcony. She needed a good view. She bought out her pad and quill and settled herself down.

Dumbledore knocked and entered Amelia's office when she called him in. He knew immediately something had gone horribly wrong when he saw her downcast face. He didn't need to use his considerable mind to work out what.

'They have given him Pureblood status,' he stated to her.

She nodded wearily sliding over the note to him, 'Did it the first night he was arrested. Like you said. Behind closed doors. They let us think they were simply considering it. Subtle. Barty Crouch...the likes of Yaxley and McNair have him convinced that Tom is the only one doing this. He wants so much to believe his son could not possibly have it in him to do what he did to Frank and Alice. His wife is putting pressure on to keep her son out of Azkaban. I thought he would be braver. There are hundreds of Frank and Alice's all over the country. Hundreds of James and Lily's. Tortured, murdered, maimed. I have the cases here. What hasn't been destroyed anyway. All the evidence. But all Riddle has to say is he put the Imperius on them all to get them to do his bidding and it's over. None of their victims will have justice. It's a farce.'

Dumbledore wandered over to the window, gazing out and pondered, 'Whatever happens today Tom will still get sentenced to Azkaban. Whether that place can keep him there is quite another. The Dementors and he have a very... special relationship. He is also very resourceful. If anyone can escape from that hell hole it will be him. I expect one of the Dementors would probably take him home. As for what he will say today? Who really knows how his mind works. He is insane. Everyone and their dog knows who is in his inner circle now. A sick, diseased Ministry has made him Pureblood so he is not obliged to tell the truth. All this just to protect themselves. Even a child can see this is just a house of cards. The European and American publications are reporting on this. If they let them all go free Britain will be a pariah in the world. We're already seen as the most corrupt magical country in the world,' Dumbledore paused.

He was organising his thoughts out loud to Amelia who nodded wearily. She had been pushing the Ministry for asking for help from their neighbours for months but they didn't want outside interference. Milicent had needed a majority to order it. Needless to say, they had been outvoted. Amelia could only hope the International Confederation of Wizards would intervene.

Albus gave Amelia a weary look, 'The Dark Lord and his pseudo-political movement appear to the world at large as simply lunatic thugs whose trials are being rigged by sadistic Ministry thugs. Which is quite frankly an astute observation by any reasonable person. The I.C.W is watching. If Tom's followers are given freedom today I expect them to mobilise and send their forces in. I expect martial law in the future if that happens. They see Death Eaters as a viable threat to mainland Europe. There are signs of resistance still in Britain, but not enough strength to get the upper hand anytime soon. Walburga Black is turning the tide against Tom. I heard through the grapevine she has named Andromeda Black as a potential heir and blocked any followers of Tom. The Goblins let slip to me that she thinks Bellatrix and Narcissa have lost their minds. That she of all people would do that makes me hopeful for the future.'

Amelia gave him a small smile.

'Augusta Longbottom is making waves already. She is beyond mad. The Pureblood Witches are actually starting to question the unfairness of the Ministry. When the older matriarch guard starts questioning the Pureblood stance on the status quo the walls start to tumble down. They grew up in this world. It has been all they knew. With enough motivation, people can and do change their minds. The Weasley's and Prewetts have absolutely had enough of the Death Eater threat and the corruption in the Ministry. The massacre of Fabian and Gideon are fresh in their minds. They have damaged a lot of the Purebloods in our society. There is a lot of grief and loss. Purebloods themselves are questioning our culture. The decline of honour and decency. The Wizarding World is changing. I hope for the better this time. There are better magicals out there in the street than actually working in this Ministry.' Dumbledore stared down into Diagon Alley.

Amelia sighed. She did not feel any desire to defend many of her colleagues. She gathered up her files and stood up straight, 'Right. No time like the present. Let's get this fiasco over with,' she said grimly. Dumbledore followed her out the door. He was curious as to what the day would hold.

Tom had awoken earlier that day with a thrill of anticipation. Ernie had bought him his breakfast and a fresh suit for his trial. A gleam in the young man's face.

Tom had simply smiled condescendingly to Ernie as he left his cell. Left in peace he picked up the now useless Diary. Well, unless he actually wanted to write in a diary. The timing was perfect. He had just managed to transfer and absorb the entire contents inside himself with time to spare. He could feel his magic pulsating through him. He took time to dress and groom himself. He left the diary on the table. He would be travelling light. He pondered. He had already used the locket and the diary up. All for a good cause but still. The diadem was safe in Hogwarts in that room no one else knew about but him. The ring was still hidden well in the Gaunts hovel. No one would go near there. Repellant charms were everywhere and some nasty curses that caused a great deal of pain and then death if anyone got too close.

Regulus had caused him an issue. Tom had of course turned this to his advantage, but still. He couldn't be sure who Regulus and that elf had told about the location of his locket Horcrux. It would be wise to not return to that cave. There were other safe places he could protect his Horcruxes. Dumbledore was far too interested in how he achieved his regeneration. He was also far too clever. He thought of Hufflepuffs cup and the casual ease Narcissa had handed over his diary to Ernie. True, it was requested by him but still. People made errors of judgement. They could be deceived. He had debated the cup he had planted on Bellatrix. A few more years would have completely corrupted her, but now?

Could she be infallible? He had his doubts. His Half-blood status was now common knowledge. Her rage would be expected. A sacrifice had to be made. Bellatrix would be a loss, but his Horcruxes came first now. The Malfoy vault in Gringotts would be more secure. Narcissa would do what she could to protect Lucius. The loss of both the locket and diary was a blow to him. Two new Horcruxes would be needed to replace the locket and diary. Just to be sure. Yes. There would be plenty of time for that. There was only one more of his originals to retrieve and protect properly.

He had a quick mind and had adapted his plans to serve his new future. At this point, the international community would be sniffing around the British Ministry. Although Tom appreciated the sentiment, granting a known Dark Lord Pureblood status so he need not testify at a trial of this magnitude had been a big mistake of their own making. It was about to backfire massively. The whole global Wizarding World now knew the depths the Ministry would sink to protect themselves. The big boys were coming. It was time for him to lay low. He knew where to go to enable this. He also had a private, lavish home that no one knew about in this particular country he was heading towards. Not even his inner circle were aware of it. It was completely off the grid.

His Muggle bank accounts, his investments and portfolios were under fake accounts. As were his properties. It was so easy to forge the Muggle paperwork. It was laughable. They were untraceable to him. Confundus charms as insurance if any staff asked any unusual questions. He had never had to use one. He had several magical bank accounts at various magical banks all around the world. Also under fake names. Gareth Greengrass may be talented at forgeries, but Tom was a master. At this present-day Tom had access to millions in any currency. After growing up in an orphanage money was as important to him as his magic. They were the only two items in the world that Tom actually placed any importance in. People were of no more significance to him than pebbles on a beach. They certainly had their uses. He had become very wealthy through his manipulations of them. His sadistic nature enjoyed their bodies in many ways, but he felt nothing much for them.

Dumbledore was certainly on his trail. He couldn't leave anything to chance. Today was the day to tie up any loose ends before he enacted the next part of his plan. He was young again. The Horcrux he had absorbed had been most effective. He looked in the mirror. He looked exactly like his sixteen-year-old self and he physically felt it. He had his whole life ahead of him, yet years of knowledge and experience of all kinds of magic. Experience and power in abundance. He twitched his finger as the blood quill flew into it. He put the blood quill in his pocket. A souvenir. With an afterthought, he slid the mirror inside his jacket. It was nice to look at himself. The dark rituals he had planned would affect his looks, but it was a small price to pay for strength. He waved his finger over his scarred hand from the Horcrux transfer and muttered an incantation he had picked up on his travels. The skin became smooth again.

Sitting there at the side of the bed, he took a deep breath. Yes, the future was calling him and his future was looking very bright indeed. Ernie McNair knocked on his door. 'Time to go, my Lord,' Ernie said, barely suppressing his excitement.

Tom stood and followed Ernie out. As he passed him, he passed him a note. Nodding to his pocket. Ernie nodded in response. They passed through the dark corridors as they came to a room. Ernie nodded in a subtle way to Tom, tilting his head into the room. Tom spotted his wand immediately. A quick-twitch and the wand flew straight into his hand. He slid it up to his arm discreetly. He didn't actually need it as such for most things, but it certainly made his life easier for channelling some of his more impressive magic. They continued walking through the corridors. Several Witches and Wizards stopped and stared. They got to the holding area where magical cuffs were put on him. Tom had to stop his snigger at their delusions of security. Ernie had certainly made himself useful. He had even smuggled some blood replenishing potions in. No questions asked. Ernie was a fan of his work clearly. He certainly had potential Tom mused. He had been keeping him very well informed. Whispers were within the Ministry that the International community were very interested in the events in Britain.

Surrounded by four different Aurors Tom carried on walking. Ernie had been left in the holding cell. They walked in silence towards the courtroom. Tom could hear the voices travelling down as the volume increased the nearer they got to the large wooden double doors.

The doors opened to a cacophony of noise. There were hundreds of people in the expanded room. As far as the eye could see up into the stands and balconies. Even Tom was impressed by the turnout. He moved with the grace of a snake and followed the Auror up to the middle of the room. His eyes went to his followers. All of them in reinforced glass cages. A glance showed him that there were perhaps twenty of them. They looked a little nervous, but not any more than that. Clearly, they assumed the threat of Azkaban wasn't going to apply to them. That this trial was simply routine. His sharp eyes saw many of his followers living as free men and women in the stands, gloating at the Half-bloods and Muggleborns in the stands who sat there looking pale and drawn.

His eyes settled on Bellatrix as he ran his eyes down her body and saw what he needed, 'Yes,' he thought in delight, 'She is wearing it,' she stared back enraged. She looked closer at him and a look of confusion at his appearance caused her to falter. He chuckled inwardly. He knew the Half-blood issue would cause this anger. She had shared his bed on numerous occasions. The ultimate advocate for Pureblood Supremacy, practically a Princess in the Wizarding World. Bellatrix Black. In bed with a Half-blood. Rodolphus LeStrange had dared not object to this. Theirs was only a marriage of convenience anyway. However, it would not have mattered to Tom even if it were not. He had always taken what he wanted. Tom inwardly smirked. If she was mad now she was going to be going cosmic very soon. After everything that he had endured since he went to the Potter's house, he thought that seeing this may actually make it all worth it.

He was sitting down in a chair that was isolated from the rest of his followers. Amelia and Dumbledore gazed at him wearily. He tilted his head in consideration as he looked at them both. He looked around at the room. Hypocrisy was everywhere. Witches and Wizards who had mingled with his followers and joined in on the raids against Muggleborns for fun were sitting in the stands looking excited. Many had simply come to gawp at him. Tom looked at Barty Crouch Senior who purposely didn't look in his direction once.

Milicent Bagnold opened up the trial and before everyone, used magic to confirm Tom Marvolo Riddle. Heir of Slytherin. Voldermort. She looked very uncomfortable as she spat out the criteria for his trial. Tom was accepted by law as a Pureblood by the will of the council and as such had no obligation by law to accept Veritaserum. He was of course headed for Azkaban as he had admitted all the crimes the Death Eaters had committed were in his name and he had his followers under the Imperius. Many in the crowd looked livid, but many others looked smug. Tom just smiled blandly.

This farce would take little more than five minutes.

Dumbledore sighed. Voldermort was going to make a dignified trip to Azkaban where he would promptly escape, courtesy of the Dementors and they would simply start where they left off. The ICW would be putting the brakes on his followers terrorising anyone who didn't tick their specific boxes of acceptance, and lining their pockets with ill-gotten gains for now, but Dumbledore knew this would only be a temporary fix.

Every eye in the room looked as Kingsley Shacklebot stepped up to Tom. He looked better than the last time Tom had seen him. Tom smirked at him. Kingsley looked like he wanted to backhand him, but managed to control himself with some effort. He stepped back and using his wand set up a magical barrier around Tom.

Amelia slowly stepped up to him. A pin was heard dropping on the floor. Amelia began.

''How do you look so young? You are supposed to be in your fifties.'

'Magic,' Tom smiled in an insipid way at her.

Amelia gestured to the glass cells.

'You admit all the Death Eater atrocities and crimes were all ordered by yourself?' Amelia spoke clearly.

Tom raised an eyebrow. He looked at her as if they were having a cup of coffee, 'Yes.' he answered casually.

'Will you admit to having had any of these Death Eaters under the Imperius charm or any other magical method of manipulating them to do your bidding and commit crimes they would not have done otherwise?' Amelia continued with a grimace.

The room was silent. Tom's eyes slid over the glass cells. People were craning their necks forward. Even Dumbledore had edged forward slightly.

Lying smoothly Tom spoke, 'I had them all under the Imperius charm, except for Bellatrix LeStrange. She is under a different magical method. She is not acting under her own volition either, but like the others, she is under my control.'

Amelia thought she was going to go deaf. The noise from the gallery and the stands was immense. The prisoners in the glass cells were gloating. It took the Aurors ten minutes for some level of control to start to be maintained. Dumbledore had to eventually get involved and set up barriers all around the courtroom to separate people. Tom had spent the time gleefully staring at Bellatrix. She was looking back with murder in her eyes.

When they had got the room down to an acceptable volume Amelia asked another question.

'How have you done this?'

'If you can bring Bellatrix here I can show you. You see, only I can touch the object and remove it without it affecting me.'

Amelia spoke to two Aurors who released Bellatrix. She did not look happy as they walked her over.

She opened her mouth up when she got near, 'I don't care what the Ministry says. You will never be a Pureblood. You will always be a lying Half-blood bastard,' she yelled at him. Her eyes were tinged red making her pale skin even more translucent.

Amelia was in dire need of about ten double whiskeys at this point.

'Bellatrix, my love. My dark lady,' Tom said sarcastically.

'Don't you patronise me, you utter filth!' she screeched.

Amelia stepped in at this point, 'Tom, do what you need to do,' she said bravely.

He obliged, 'Hold still poppet,' he reached down her neck as she grimaced at him and recoiled, 'Hold still,' he barked more firmly. Amelia watched him pull out a silver chain with a tiny little cup on the end. With a yank, he pulled it from her neck.

'OW!' Bellatrix yelled. Her face started making some strange contortions. Tom ignored her as he discreetly slid it inside his jacket as Amelia looked at Bellatrix. He sealed it with his finger using wandless magic.

'Almost done,' he thought.

Bellatrix started to regain some colour in her cheeks as her eyes returned to their normal white. She stared at him with contempt, 'What the fuck did you do to me?' she screeched.

With his voice dripping with poison he smoothly said, 'I made a loathsome Pureblood princess a Half-blood's bitch.'

The inevitable smack was even felt in the cheap seats.

'It was worth it,' he stated simply.

Dumbledore was simply astonished by the younger generations' flagrant swearing. Any second now Tom was about to do something. He knew never to underrate him.

Tom turned to address the room, 'The British Wizarding World has been a wonderful training experience. I have learnt much. However, I'll be taking an extended holiday to explore other possible prospects. My original twenties was mainly education, research and work, work, work. This time I'm going to make sure my twenties are roaring. I have heard whispers that the International Confederation of Wizards is going to be investigating our Island soon. I assume an actual, competent legal department and impartial investigation into the morality of our illustrious Ministry is long overdue. But, don't fear. You haven't seen the last of me. I shall return,' Tom announced to the room.

With almost silly ease, he freed himself from his cuffs and stepped out the magical barrier. Amelia was too weary to do anything but gape. The Aurors all started to move forward, but Tom had flicked out his wand and swung it around generating the magical power he needed to exit from the impossible to leave the room. With a swirl of magic, he disappeared.

'Fucker!' screamed Bellatrix as Amelia simply stood there mouth agape next to her.

Dumbledore simply tutted at more bad language.

The room then descended into sheer chaos. Whilst all eyes had been on Riddle, all the prisoners in the glass cells had disappeared.

It was many hours later when Amelia and Dumbledore finally returned to her office. Amelia looked exhausted. Even Dumbledore looked ruffled. Fawkes flashed in at the right time as they both slumped into their chairs and they both felt the soothing tones of the phoenix's trill ripple through them. Amelia opened a drawer and pulled out her scotch. She gestured to Dumbledore and he gave a nod of acceptance. A moment later they both felt the scorch on their throats as for the first time that long, long day they relaxed.

'Did you expect any of that, Dumbledore?' Amelia asked him quietly.

He answered honestly, 'I have learnt with Tom not to predict anything. I wasn't even expecting him to attend that pathetic excuse for a trial. I know he had no intention of going to Azkaban and no Dementor would issue him the kiss. That was simply a ruse to get what was around Bellatrix's neck. He did not want to take her with him. I suspect he would have known she would take revenge for not disclosing his Half-blood status. Did I suspect he would be making his own way home today? Yes,' he paused, 'It was a nice surprise about Bellatrix. She was always headstrong at Hogwarts but she was never as depraved as she has been in recent years. My only regret is she was the only one.'

Amelia gave a noise of agreement. Except for Bellatrix, who had been whisked away to for treatment, the rest of the prisoners were nowhere to be found. Riddle knew it was only a matter of time before foreign interference investigated the British Ministry of Magic and had all his followers arrested. As soon as he was put on a proper trial all his followers would be found guilty. By changing Tom's blood status they had admitted to the entire world they knew he would lie for them. Amelia had spoken earlier to a defeated Barty Crouch when the pandemonium had settled to a dull roar.

'You and your wife were prepared to let murderers, torturers and rapists free just to guarantee Barty's freedom. You know Riddle was lying about his followers all being under the Imperius. He has escaped you utter cretin, with all his freed bastard Death Eaters. You pair of simpering fucking idiots. Your wife still sees Barty as her little boy. Kids grow up. And your kid grew into a sadistic bastard. Your son helped torture Frank and Alice into insanity. Enabling Riddle Pureblood status so he could lie. All to protect itty bitty Barty,' Amelia spat, 'You are a disgrace. I think it would be wise to throw in the towel and resign and consider yourself lucky you are not on the most wanted list. Personally, I think you should be. You are a traitor to the law and all decent Wizarding folk.'

Even Barty had enough sense to see the writing on the wall and wrote his letter of resignation to the Ministry. He packed his things up and left in disgrace, his tail between his legs.

In her office, she took another deep sip of whiskey.

'You are vouching for Severus Snape as a double agent? You are sure?' she asked him.

'Yes. His reasons are private. He has asked me to keep them that way, but I can confirm to you that he is not a follower of Tom. He, more than anyone else, wants to see the end of him. I will state this in court and on my magic. He will prove to be very useful in the future.'

Amelia accepted this without question. Albus was very perceptive, 'Moving on, there are going to be major changes here at the Ministry. Positions need to be replaced. Bill Wetherby was here today and we spoke. Now Barty has resigned I have been instantly promoted. I have been able to authorise an impartial investigation into the Ministry. Bill is going to set the wheels in motion. He has friends in powerful places. They have all been waiting. The Americans and Europeans will be here tomorrow. They were just waiting for the Ministry to wave the green flag. This should have been done a year ago. Barty would always delay. Those bastards would always block every motion. Kept claiming we could manage our matters ourselves. The Americans and Europeans are going to clean this place up using international law. It will override ours. I doubt any of Tom's other followers will hang around. I expect a lot of resignations in the next week. The game is up. Magic will let me know who exactly signed the law allowing Riddle Pureblood status.'

Amelia grimaced, 'I've already sent orders to release the Muggleborns and Half-bloods who are in Azkaban on trumped-up charges from corrupt officials immediately. Where he has moved his Death Eaters is anybody's guess. They won't last long in this country. Even if they get to mainland Europe or North America their photographs are everywhere. Both Muggle and Wizard police have all the details. The governments have all been informed. The secret service. MI5 and 6. It's only a matter of time before they are spotted if they are still in the country.'

The newspapers had been wonderful. Photographs of Tom's followers were in every newspaper, wall and lamp post in Europe and North America. 'Albus, another?' she asked, pointing to the scotch.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, 'Why, I think I just will Amelia.'

The rest of the evening was spent in drunken contemplation of all they had endured the last few years and looking forwards to the future.

Muggleborns and Half-bloods were being led out of Azkaban. Disorientated and physically in need of a great deal of treatment. They were being sent to the nearest magical hospital on the Shetlands to recover.

'I can help advise you if you like on whom to choose to replace the corrupt Ministry workers with Amelia. I think you'll find that adults don't change too much from the school children they once were.'

Amelia smiled back, 'Thank you, Albus. Let's hope for some peace and quiet.'

Andromeda sat down for breakfast, giving vague greetings to her family. Tilly and Ted were looking after baby Harry as Nymphadora ate her breakfast. They realised Andromeda was in a state of shock. She had read yesterday evening's Daily Prophets newspaper from front to back a dozen times. To say she was stunned would be an understatement. Amelia Bones had confirmed the ICW was finally getting involved. Andromeda had originally assumed it would be business as usual today. The news that Tom had escaped with his followers wasn't too surprising. That they were now officially the most wanted men in the Northern Hemisphere was. Tom had correctly predicted the ICW was about to get involved. The Prophet had photographs and names of each and every one of them.

That Bellatrix had been under Tom's magical control caused a relief in her that was monumental. Of course, Bellatrix was an Alpha female. She was the eldest. Bossy before she could walk and so very proud of being a Black and a Pureblood. But. Andromeda had never quite managed to believe in her decline wholeheartedly. Bellatrix did have her moments of genuine kindness growing up. She had always looked out for her sisters. Be it very aggressively. Andromeda had been mortified by the news of Frank and Alice. She had never thought Bellatrix had that level of cruelty in her. Tom had clearly taken great delight in corrupting her. The litany of her sister's crimes had horrified her. To know now that she was being controlled by him and this wasn't her was balm for her soul.

Tom had been very clear about why he did it. Petty revenge. He had destroyed Greta Greengrass too. Physically and financially. Another Pureblood from an old line. That Bellatrix had viciously slapped 'He who must be named,' because of it warmed her heart.

Riddle had regained his magic. Something she had thought him capable of. The worst of the worst were still out there and Harry was in his sights, but this time it was all on pause. Wherever they were she could only assume they had left the country. She imagined Dumbledore was already hatching plans.

She looked at Harry. He was eating his breakfast in Nymphadora's old high chair. Merlin only knew what Sirius was thinking. He had disappeared. Andromeda had been round to his house the night before, but he wasn't there and the house was all locked up.

She would wait a few more days and let Albus know if the situation didn't change. She had contemplated when and if to visit Bellatrix. Andromeda decided to wait a few more days before she opened up Pandora's box. A lot had changed for all of them, but Bellatrix had always had a vicious temper that could last for days.

A lot was already changing in her world. Gringotts had notified her. She had been informed that Walburga Black had named her as the next heiress of 12 Grimmauld Place should Sirius, Harry and Iris all pass away and have no children. She knew this would be highly unlikely, but she appreciated the sentiment behind it. Walburga had finally chosen her side, and if she could change her attitudes, then so could a lot more of the Wizarding World. With the dangers in the Ministry looking likely to be removed by the ICW, Andromeda potentially had a lot to look forward to.

Andromeda looked at her family. It was early days for sure. But the path ahead didn't look nearly so bleak as it had done two weeks ago.

For the first time in a fortnight, she didn't go outside for a cigarette.