"I'm pregnant," Artemis told her husband. Before he could respond, Kreacher apparated into Black Manor.

"Kreacher must speak with Lady Black, alone."

"Of course, Kreacher. We can speak in my study. I'll be back soon mon ciel étoilé."

"Yes, Kreacher."

"Master Regulus is dead."

"What?" Artemis asked.

"The Dark Lord had Kreacher test something, Master Regulus insisted on Kreacher taking him there. Kreacher did as Master Regulus asked. Master Regulus told Kreacher to destroy this, but Kreacher could not. Master Regulus left a fake version there." Kreacher then handed Artemis a locket.

"This was Voldemort's"

"Yes, my Lady," not liking the mentioning of the man responsible for Regulus' death.

"Did Regulus mention if this was a Horcrux?"

"He did not tell Kreacher what it was, only that it must be destroyed."

"I can do that, Kreacher. Thank you."

"I live to serve the House of Black," he sounded more desperate than she had ever heard him. He missed Regulus, he had loved him.

"I know you do, Kreacher. Don't tell my mother of what Regulus asked you to do, just that Regulus died in serving Voldemort."

"Yes, my Lady. Do I continue to serve Mistress Walburga? Or is my service required here?"

"Stay at Grimmauld Place, protect Regulus' things."

"Of course, my Lady."

"I need to see my brother," Artemis told Antonin.

"Regulus?"

"No, Sirius. Regulus is dead."

"I am sorry to hear that. Stay safe I love you and our child," he expressed, knowing that they would have a lot to talk about later.

"I love you too."

"What's wrong, Artemis?"

"I have good news and bad. Starting with the bad, Regulus is dead. He died trying to destroy what I believe is a Horcrux of Voldemort's."

"Regulus is...?"

"Kreacher told me this is what he was trying to destroy. Regulus left a fake there. We are going to destroy it."

"We are, how?"

"With this. Once I figured out what it was, I went into Black Manor's potion storage and found basilisk venom, I only have a few vials and I believe Voldemort has several Horcruxes."

"How do we destroy it?"

"Pour a drop of the venom."

"You mentioned having good news?" Sirius asked after they had destroyed the locket.

"I'm pregnant."

"You shouldn't be around dark magic if you're pregnant, Artemis!"

"That's why I told you the bad news first."

"Are you being serious? That was important to know before we destroyed part of the soul of an insane megalomaniac."

"I believe you're Sirius. Would you be their Godfather?"

"What?"

"My child? Would you-"

"Yes."

"I'm pregnant."

"Really? I'm so happy for you, Artemis."

"Thank you, Lily. I have something to ask you."

"Yes?"

"Would you be their Godmother?"

"Me?"

"Who else?"

"I figured your husband would object."

"No, he likes you, Lily. He also said that I was the one carrying the child and the most likely to have to deal with Godparents."

"That's horrible, I'm sure he'll be okay."

"I know, but you and Sirius, what do you think? Please, Lily?"

"Of course I will, but you are going to be the Godmother of my child too."

"Are you pregnant?!"

"No, no. Sorry, my hypothetical future child."

"Of course. You know, James will insist Sirius be Godfather. Are you sure any child can have two Blacks as Godparents?"

"You're right, I'll have to find someone else. Maybe Mary will agree or Dorcas."

"You wouldn't."

"No, I wouldn't," Lily agreed.

"You have a healthy daughter. Do you know what you want to name her?"

"Carina Hermione Dolohova."

"So, I get the whole space names thing. So Carina makes sense, where does Hermione come from? Don't they have to be family names?"
"Well, the Shakespeare character was based on a member of my family. Honestly, I chose it because The Winter's Tale was the last show I saw with my father."

"It's perfect."

"What are you doing here, Black?" Snape addressed her, critically.

"You heard the prophecy, Snape."

"I did."

"Referring to a child born in the seventh month."

"That will bring about the end of the Dark Lord, yes."

"Don't tell him."

"Why not?"

"If you still care for Lily at all, you can't tell him. She's pregnant, her son is due in July. Please, Snape. What will it take for you to forget this prophecy?"

"It's too late."

"It's never too late. She could still survive, her child could still survive. Please, Severus. I'll do anything!"

"As much as I would enjoy the potential of that, it's too late. I sent him my memory immediately."

"You used my spell?" she whispered in recognition.

"Quite a useful one. Using a Patronus or an anti-Patronus to send messages and memories."

"Which one is easier for you to conjure?" Artemis asked cruelly before leaving.

"She's going to die, and it's all my fault," Artemis cried once she returned to Black Manor.

"What happened?" Antonin asked her gently, circling his arm around his crying wife.

"There was a prophecy. Dumbledore heard all of it, but Snape and I happened to be eavesdropping. I told him not to tell him, but he had already used MY SPELL to send the memory. Lily and her unborn child will die, and it's my fault."

"You are not responsible for the uses other people come up with from your spells. You created a delicate piece of magic that works wonderfully and has infinite possibilities. You created the anti-Patronus, you are brilliant. You will continue to make brilliant, powerful pieces of magic. You cannot hold yourself responsible for how they are used."

"If I hadn't shared it, though maybe she wouldn't be in danger."

"She's a Muggleborn amidst a brewing war full of Blood Prejudice. She would be in danger no matter what. Perhaps this is a reason to convince her and the Order that she needs to be put into protection."

"It still feels like it's my fault."

"One of the first spells I created was a spell amplifier. I made it over the break following my sixth year, and when we went back I taught it to my class at Durmstrang. A few weeks later there was an attack in a nearby muggle town that killed about twenty-five people. It was one of my classmates, he used my spell to amplify the Killing Curse. For years, I told myself that those deaths were on me but eventually, I figured out that to make spells like we do we have to assume that those that decide to use our spells have to have a certain sensibility on when to use them. If someone accidentally used the wrong spell, it is not the creator of the mistaken spell, it is the user that did not cast correctly. Go make sure your friend goes into hiding, I'll take care of Hermione."

"I love you and thank you, I needed to hear that."

"I love you too."

Artemis apparated to Godric's Hollow, and heavily knocked on the Potter's cottage.

"Artemis, are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, but you need to go into hiding."

"What? We've already spoken about this."

"Voldemort will be after you, there was a prophecy that both Voldemort and Dumbledore believe in and it could be about your son."

"Do you believe it?"

"It doesn't matter if I believe it or if you believe it. It matters that Voldemort does. He wants power and immortality, he will stop at nothing, and kill anything or anyone in his way. I guess you have about a month, maybe two. Definitely, before your son is born though. You, James, the baby all of you will have to go into hiding."

"Okay, I'll talk to Dumbledore tomorrow."

"Promise me that I'll see you again before you go into hiding. I don't care if it's fifteen minutes before. Send me your Patronus, and I'll be here to tell you au revoir."

"And what if it is more adieu than au revoir?"

"It won't be, I won't let it. I will see you again more than once, Lily," Artemis cried and hugged Lily.

"I love you," Lily told Artemis.

"I love you too."

"You have that look, the one when you're processing a big breakthrough. What did you make?" Artemis asked Antonin.

"I created a powerful spell. Powerful enough to separate magic from magical objects or beings."

"Wow. That does sound powerful, you can't give it to him though. He'll abuse it, please Antonin."

"Alright, I'll keep it as our secret. Remember we are not responsible for the users of the spells we create."

"I know that, now. This is too dangerous. I appreciate it."

April of 1980

"I'm going to Azkaban," Dolohov stated solemnly.

"What are you talking about?"

"They are arresting me for killing the Prewett twins. The Aurors will find me soon, I will not run from them, what I did was not wrong. I love you and Hermione."

"They're part of the Order, we're in the middle of a war. They killed four wizards, you killed two. All of you were members of that war willingly. We will miss you."

" James and I are putting our house under the Fidelius Charm."

"Who will be the Secret Keeper? You or James?"

"We were going to have it be Sirius."

"Don't you think he's a little obvious? It should be one of the two of you."

"I hadn't thought of that, but Sirius would never give up James."

"He wouldn't, but I don't want anyone using the Imperious or veritaserum on him and risking your safety. His occlumency is good enough, but it shouldn't be depended on for something like that."

"Alright, it won't be Sirius, then."

"I really think it should be James. You'll be pregnant and giving birth to your son."

"How is Hermione?"

"She's wonderful. She misses Antonin, though. So do I."

"How have your conversations with the DMLE been going?"

"I think they'll let us see him once a week starting in July."

"That sounds wonderful."

"I want to protect you, Lily," she stated matter-of-factly, but an undeniable emotion was there.

"I know you do, Artemis," Lily rolled her eyes.

"I mean give you magical protection, blood protection. It will make it so anyone in the House of Black, any Death Eater I can think of is a member, is unable to kill you or seriously harm you."

"I didn't think Sirius would ever harm me, do I have something to worry about?"

"Did you just make a Sirius joke? I love you."

"I know you do, Artemis."

"Au revoir, Lily," Artemis stated firmly.

"Au revoir," much more flippantly.

"Lord Voldemort."

"Lady Black."

"I have heard of a prophecy, I believe you have already been told of its contents?"

"I have."

"Then I am sure that you know some of the individuals it might include. The Potters or the Longbottoms."

"I ask you to spare them."

"Why would you ask such a thing?" he asked. She believed he already knew why.

"Is that really important? What would you ask for in exchange for leaving the Potters and the Longbottoms safe? Both important Pureblood Houses, would it be prudent to attack them?"

"I don't think you could offer me enough to protect them."

"Nearly anything I can give you. Money, followers, what would you ask for?"

"Your House."

"My House, with my daughter and brother removed?"

"No, that would leave room for a coup d'état of the House. No one wants that."

"She would no longer be in the House. I can give you their magic, the Potters and the Longbottoms, how much of a threat would they be without it? The six of them, I would add in myself as well if you wish."

"Do you have a way to take the magic from an individual?"

"I have some ideas. It wouldn't take long to work it out."

"Keep your own magic, become a spell creator for me. Make whatever spells I ask of you."

"Would that be in addition to my House?"

"You really are desperate. How much farther would you go?"

"What do I have that I have not already promised you?"

"Promise your daughter to be my follower."

"No."

"That's the line? Taking the House from your darling Carina is fine, but promising her service is me is too much? Well, that is what I ask of you. For this favor, you need to give me everything you have or will have."

"I won't give you my daughter," a venomous touch to her voice.

"That's too bad."

As Artemis left, she extracted the memory of the conversation from his mind. She couldn't harm her alliance for something that had not worked out, that could put her family in harm's way.

"Antonin."

"How did you do this? Not that I am not appreciative. Hermione!"

"Well, the hardest part was getting it to the Wizengamot. About 70% of them are members of my House. I've missed you. Lily and James are under the Fidelius, Sirius and Remus are off on Order missions, Cissy is busy with Draco, Bella is busy on missions for your Lord, you're here. I shouldn't be complaining. How bad is it here?"

"Bearable if I can see you and Hermione," purposefully not giving any details of his treatment.

"We both miss you, but know we can visit you for two hours each week."

"Thank you, Artemis."

"He killed my brothers!"

"I know, Molly," Arthur placated.

"But somehow he gets to see his family."

"It isn't fair, I know Mollywobbles."

"It's worse than not fair, Arthur. And don't Mollywobbles me when I'm upset."

"Hermione! Hermione, where are you!? You were sleeping a few moments ago! Hermione!"

Hermione was nowhere to be found.

"Sirius, Remus, I can't find her!"

"Find who, Artemis?" Remus asked tiredly.

"Hermione!"

"What, where did you last see her?" Sirius asked suddenly much more awake.

"About an hour ago, she was sleeping right here. I came back after getting my wand from the next room and she was gone. I've spent the past hour searching the entire Manor and its properties. I don't know what to do!"

"Have you tried using magical means to find her?" Remus asked.

"Not yet, I was about to. Help me?"

"Of course," the pair replied. When the first test gave no response, anxiety increased.

"No! She can't be dead. She can't be. I can feel her."

"Is that possible?" Sirius asked Remus.

"Yes, if someone kidnapped her and blocked her magic. It would make other magic tracing methods impossible."

"Kidnapped?! How could I let this happen?"

"It's not your fault, Artemis."

"I left her alone."

"It's the fault of whoever kidnapped her," Sirius argued.

"You sound like Antonin, can't you let me blame myself?"

"If she is still alive, they probably won't kill her," Remus pointed out.

"Kill her!"

"Not the right thing to say, Moony."

"Antonin."

"What is wrong?"

"Hermione, she, she was kidnapped," Artemis got out before breaking into sobs in her husband's arms.

"We will be okay, we will find her."

"I have reason to believe that Voldemort is going to attack tonight," Dumbledore told the Order and sent a Patronus to other allies.

"Who do you think he's going to attack?" Moody asked.

"We know that the Potters and Longbottoms are protected by the Fidelius, but perhaps an attack at the Ministry or Azkaban. I believe it will be a large-scale attack, so be prepared."

"Constant Vigilance!" Moody cried.

"What are you doing here, Molly?" Artemis asked, alone at Black Manor since her daughter had been kidnapped.

"Your husband killed my brothers, and yet he gets to see his beloved family. I don't think so."

"You did this! You kidnapped my daughter?"

"I did, and now it is time to get rid of you."

"Get rid of me?"

"You're going away, somehow. What's this here? A spell. An adjusted obliviation spell? I have heard rumors of your spell-creating abilities. What does it do?… It looks like everyone will forget about the target of the spell, brilliant. Obliviate vosnomnes. Now just a place to put you. How about a proud Pureblood stuck in her tapestry? Maybe this will teach your family not to mess with mine!"