The Dark Heir
Author Notes:
Chapter 19: Towards Uncertain Future
The incident at Diagon Alley had spread far and wide.
Many were shocked to hear Lily Black, a muggleborn, support her son, calling another muggleborn a mudblood. Lily defended her son's actions and didn't punish him.
Lucius Malfoy spoke on her behalf.
"The Black and Malfoy family share ties through marriage. We still share the idea and notion of muggleborns joining our world. Even so, the wizarding world has its customs and traditions that many muggleborns remain ignorant of knowing," says Lucius Malfoy.
When asked about Hadrian Black calling a muggleborn a mudblood… Lucius Malfoy had this to say.
"The muggleborn in question is named Hermione Granger. My own son, nieces, and nephew have told me this witch is condescending and a know-it-all. She forces her way upon many students with her year and is tended to be disliked in the school."
Other students have verified Lucius Malfoy's statement.
Many current second years have stated Hermione Granger is a 'nightmare' to many of them, and they prefer to stay away from her.
Hermione Granger fumes over her name being ruined in the press.
She would have thought Lily Black… a muggleborn like herself would have been more understanding of her situation.
She didn't expect her son to call her a mudblood in public. Worse, she didn't expect Lily Black… her idea to support the notion.
Lily said something to her back then.
"I have learned more about the traditions and cultures of the wizarding world during my time in captivity than seven years at Hogwarts."
"What did Lily mean during her time in captivity?" Hermione asks Mrs. Weasley.
"You don't know?" says Mrs. Weasley.
Hermione shakes her head.
"Lily Evans was captured shortly after she graduated Hogwarts. She was held as a prisoner by the Death Eaters for three years," says Molly Weasley.
"They had prisoners?" says Hermione.
Hermione has read the Great War.
"Yes. Apparently, Regulus Black did something to earn the Dark Lord's praise and gave Lily Evans as his slave. Instead of mistreating her, he married her in secret. His cousin Andromeda was also captured. Bellatrix had forced into committing war crimes to keep her sister safe. Lily was Andromeda's caretaker during their time in captivity. I understand they grew close during this time," says Mr. Weasley.
"You know full well its a load of bollocks, Arthur," says Mrs. Weasley.
"Come on, this is Lily Black we're talking about here. Do you really believe she would be serving You-Know-Who? It wasn't uncommon back then for wizards and witches who disappeared to be forced into slavery. If you're talking about Lucius Malfoy… I don't believe he was confounded at all," says Arthur.
"But you know it was very common back then. The Dark Lord and his Death Eaters would force others to do their bidding while holding their loved ones hostage," says Bill Weasley.
"How did Lily Black escape?" asks Hermione.
"She didn't. Regulus and Bellatrix made plans to smuggle them to safety. All three were pregnant, and Regulus feared his unborn child's safety. Lily could have been killed if it was discovered she was pregnant. They smuggled all three to safety, where they could give birth in secret. Regulus brought supplies for all three when he was caught by several Death Eaters who knew what he had done. They tortured him into revealing the location of the Black sisters and his wife, but he refused to tell them anything. In the end, they killed him. They never did find his body," says Bill Weasley.
"Apparently, he took them to the one place no one would look to think. To Walburga Black's family manor," says Mr. Weasley.
"I'm shocked she even agreed," says Mrs. Weasley.
"Why?" asks Hermione.
"She was a strong Death Eater supporter. Supports their idea. She's worse than Lucius. Very pro-blood. To grant Lily Black sanctuary and accept her marriage was a shocker. She did regret Regulus's death but said he died a hero," says Mr. Weasley.
"He was awarded Merlin First Class for his actions," says Bill Weasley.
"That's why it's so suspicious," says Arthur Weasley.
"Come now, he does look like Regulus, though he has his mother's features," says Bill.
"You knew Regulus Black?" says Hermione.
"I only met him once. It was brief, but he didn't look well back then," says Bill.
"You know full well the Black family has their history full of dark witches and wizards," says Mrs. Weasley.
"Molly, many of them have long supported Dark Lords in the past. Can we truly claim the three Black witches are lying about their imprisonment?" says Arthur.
Molly Weasley says nothing as she glares at her husband.
Molly Weasley has made it known she's been jealous of the three Black sisters given their youth, beauty, and skills.
They all have been featured in Witch Weekly in their underwear.
Bellatrix has the Dark Mark on her left forearm, and in an interview, she claims she took the Dark Mark because the Dark Lord had threatened to kill her sisters. Bellatrix cherishes her sisters more than anything in this world. She did what she did to protect her sisters. She did have a lot of regret in the end. Given the number of families, she had been forced to destroy.
Worse, the Black and Malfoy families have donated a large sum of gold to the families torn apart by the Death Eaters.
"What did Fudge say to you, Arthur?" asks Mrs. Weasley.
"Nothing," says Mr. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley looks at him sharply, not believing him.
Mr. Weasley sighs as he looks down.
"He told me as an employee of the Ministry I should behave properly. I should have known better. He understands my feelings towards Lucius Malfoy in the last war. Employees under the Ministry have to set the standards in public," says Arthur.
"What did Lucius mean about your last…" asks Hermione.
"Nothing," Mr. Weasley says at once.
Hermione looks at Mr. Weasley, clearly trying to figure out why he appears so flush.
"Where's Ron, James, and Neville?" asks Molly Weasley.
"They will be spending the remaining summer at Neville's place," says Bill.
"Without my permission?" says Mrs. Weasley.
"Ron wants to spend time with his friends. It's good for him," says Bill.
"Where are Fred and George?" asks Percy.
Percy had come down the stairs to join them for breakfast.
"They're staying with Lee Jordan," says Bill.
"Who do they think they are, running off without my permission!" huffs Mrs. Weasley.
"You're saying they can't spend time with their friends?" says Bill.
"Of course not!" says Mrs. Weasley.
"They are underage wizards, who need adults to look after them," says Mrs. Weasley.
"Fred and George won't listen, no matter how much you yell at them," says Bill.
"Ron is spending time with his schoolmates. He clearly wants to get away and needs time away. He's with the Longbottoms. You can't control everyone, mom. Do you remember what happened to me in my seventh year," says Bill.
"That was a separate incident," Mrs. Weasley proclaims, her ears turning red.
"We're not at war, and they are with families we know. It's only for two more weeks. Surely you can survive that long," says Bill.
Mrs. Weasley says nothing as she glares at Bill.
Harry wakes up feeling someone holding his arm and a soft head on his chest.
Harry looks down to see his mother sleeping beside him. Artemis and Delphi were on his chest. His mother wearing only her panties sleeps peacefully beside him.
"Damnit, I'm going to need a bigger bed," mutters Harry.
Harry tries to sit up and smiles as he looks down upon his mother.
What happened with Quirrell's flickers in the back of his mind.
Was his father… truly deprived of his humanity?
Harry gets up, careful to move Delphi and Dora off before throwing a robe on.
Harry walks downstairs and grabs one of the books Bellatrix gave him.
"Can't sleep?" says Andromeda.
"What time is it?" asks Harry.
"Ten till four," says Andromeda.
"Sorry, a lot on my mind," says Harry.
"I don't blame you. There is a lot of things going on," says Andromeda.
"Its… mostly my father. He didn't seem to mind sacrificing us," says Harry.
Andromeda looks at Harry, not saying anything.
"I find that hard to believe. At the same time, I can believe it," says Andromeda.
"What do you mean?" asks Harry.
"As you know, all three of us were smitten over your father. He led the crusade to purify our world. It was full of corruption. We wanted to start fresh anew. It's an old notion that has long existed within our world. The truth is, I don't believe we should be in hiding. You can say wizards and witches have long sought a messiah. Someone to lead us to the promised age.
"As you know, we're tired of hiding. We had hoped Grindelwald would be the champion, but he was defeated. Your father also failed," says Andromeda.
"What is my mother hiding?" asks Harry.
"It's not my place to tell you. Your mother will tell you when the time is right. Right now, she's going through her own troubles and wants to sort it at her own pace. Your mother would never do anything to hurt you," says Andromeda.
"I know that, but it seems to be eating her," says Harry.
"I'm glad you know your mother well enough. Do worry about your mother," says Andromeda.
"Is my father an evil bastard?" asks Harry.
Andromeda says nothing as she walks over and sits down.
"Your father is no angel, I can tell you that. He has never treated mistreated your mother or any of us. As you know, he began to change upon hearing prophecy and became paranoid. You also know a spy has been reporting his movements to Dumbledore. I don't know much about the leading months to his disappearance. What I do know, that he believed the prophecy had foretold his own downfall, and he set out to prevent it from happening," says Andromeda.
"What did the prophecy foresay?" asks Harry.
"I don't know," says Andromeda.
"The prophecy had been vaguely intercepted. All we know is the first couple of lines.
"The One with the Power to Vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born as the Seventh Month Dies upon the shadow of the moon,"
"Is it Longbottom?" asks Harry.
Neville Longbottom was born on July 30th, a day before Harry.
"All signs point to Neville Longbottom," says Andromeda.
"So, we only have an incomplete prophecy. Seems father was rather rash in his decision to kill Neville," says Harry.
"Indeed. Your father seemed particularly interested in you," says Andromeda.
"Me? Why?" asks Harry.
"I don't know. He was asking strange questions regarding your health and magic," says Andromeda.
"You don't know?" repeats Harry.
"Your father is a secretive wizard. I've told you that before. He doesn't like others knowing his secrets. There are many things even his strongest supporters don't know. Though I can't help being in his presence was intoxicating," says Andromeda.
"What do you mean?" asks Harry.
"Surely you've noticed it yourself, as you have the same skill. Haven't you noticed how witches throw themselves at you? Your father would bed countless witches with minimum effort. Your mother being one of them. The three of us were his mistress and concubines, but I know he had other witches at his beck and call," says Andromeda.
"Do you want more children?" asks Harry.
"I'm still young Harry, and yes… I still want more children," Andromeda says with a smile.
Harry says nothing as Andromeda places her cup on the table and sits on Harry's lap.
As Andromeda is wearing only witches' lingerie, Harry places his hand around her waist.
"I helped raise you and watch you grow into a fine wizard. Among all the wizards I have known in my life, you are the wizard I desire the most. I will stand by you, regardless of the path you walk," says Andromeda.
Andromeda cuddles with Harry.
Harry reaches up, cups her magnificent breasts, and leans in and kisses Andromeda.
Andromeda kisses him back.
Like Bellatrix and Lily, she was broken, but Harry made her feel something she's never felt before, and she didn't want to leave his side.