The house didn't feel as usual, was the first thing Andromeda noted when Kreacher apparated both of them in the main hall. Something was missing.
The home of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black had always been filled with Dark magic. It had been since the day a Lord Black killed its owner to take possession. As the years went by, the effect had only grown stronger. The beautiful townhouse became a fortress, so well protected it had been ripped out of the world's memory. It ensured that even at their lowest, the House of Black would be protected, although such thought was laughed at the time. This precaution proved to be invaluable once Ezekiel Black returned to England.
Ezekiel hadn't just reinforced the wards but taken them to a whole new level by bonding the building to his own core. A core which was already bonded to the Black Magic itself. It made sense in retrospective. If Ezekiel were to die it'd mean everything which belonged to him would follow him in death.
As a result of the bonding processes, the entire building had become a Dark object. Or to be more accurate, a Black object. 12 Grimmauld place was now a locus for the Black Magic, where one could feel it in the very air you breathed. Should anybody try to enter the house without invitation, the very air would liquefy their insides, lungs first.
Right now, the house felt like a house. Sure, the protections were there but the Black Magic was nowhere in sight. The change became more evident as Andromeda climbed up the stairs. She placed her hand on the handrail, feeling the wood cracking under her palm. Andromeda hastened her pace reaching the final floor of the house winded up. She had stopped using the cane a month ago and while she was cleared by the Healer, her stamina was nowhere as it used to be. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and catched her breath when she felt it. All the Black Magic usually filling the house was now confined into one single room. Ezekiel's.
The difference between the rest of the house and the room was palpable. Andromeda could've swore she saw the door swelling up and down as if it was breathing. It also felt different to the touch, dry and cold compared to the warm, humid weather. It didn't bother her, Andromeda had been keyed in the wards so it should keep her safe. Or so she hoped.
The inside of the room was shrouded in darkness. The curtains were closed shut but a few fine rays of light managed to pass through, illuminating the room. Ezekiel, or something which barely resembled him, was laying in the middle of the bed. He was very thin, to the point where she could see his facial bones sticking out, his eyes sinking into their sockets.
She tried to cast a Lumnos but she might as well lighted up a match for what came out. Trying to maintain a spell in such conditions would hinder her so she cancelled it. She tried to walk towards the bed but the temperature dropped like a stone the closer she got. Trying for a different tactic, Andromeda pressed her back against the wall and walked towards the curtains, only to find they seemed to be glued to their spot.
Andromeda began walking towards the bed. The temperature dropping the more she approached it. It was a small change at the beginning, just cold enough to make her hair stand up on the back of her neck. Another step and she could see her breath. One more, ice began forming around her feet. Another, her body began shivering . She tried to take another step but decided against it when she lost feeling on her leg before her foot had even touched the floor.
She contemplated the situation as she backed to the doorway. There was no way she'd ever reach Ezekiel, this was clear. She tried to push what she saw out of her mind for the moment.
One problem at the time, she muttered to herself.
She had already seen Ezekiel being healed by the Black Magic, to have it concentrated in such a way on a single room spoke volumes about his condit-
No, she stopped herself again. One problem at the time.
First, the problem was the Black Magic. Dark magic was destructive in nature, large concentrations of it even more so. Problem was this particular magic was the embodiment of such quality. If she wanted to reach Ez-the patient, she'd need protection strong enough to reach him. If such Light magic even existed and if she'd be able to cast it.
Andromeda had discovered much to her dismay, turning from one end of the spectrum to the opposite was physically, mentally and spiritually exhausting. The truth was a Dark wizard would never be able to cast true Dark magic. What she could make could be called a facsimile, a faithful reproduction. It behaved like Light magic and it did the job just like it, but it wasn't the real thing. So while Andromeda could imitate it, she couldn't perform the most advanced techniques.
Then again, Andromeda realized, she didn't need to use magic. Not when she had a handy invisibility cloak she could borrow.
One quick trip back home and Andromeda returned with the cloak in her hands. Harry had almost shoved it into her hands when she asked for it. It protected from everything and because it was so thin Andromeda had no problem looking for a pulse. She had to look quite hard for it.
"How is he?" Ted, Dora and Harry asked at the same time.
"Weak." Andromeda replied. "He'll need nutritional potions. Lots."
"But will he be alright?" Ted asked.
"He's recovered from the worst." Andromeda replied. "But right now he's in the same situation Harry was, all his magic is used to heal him. The potions will speed things up."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Andromeda said impatiently. "Let's get him to Gringotts and fill him up."
"It's more complicated than that." Andromeda replied.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"He has condensed the Black Magic of the house in his room to help him heal but his health is so deteriorated it barely helps." Andromeda explained. "But because of all that dark magic if anybody tries to get close to him without the cloak, they'll die."
"Then don't take it off and give him the potions." Ted replied.
"I tried." Andromeda said. "Couldn't unscrew the bottle with the cloak on, it was as if it was covered in oil or something. Tried doing it before entering the room but..." Andromeda took out a frozen vial.
"How did that happen?" Ted asked, confused.
"This is why nobody uses black magic for healing. It takes five times the effort and even if it works you'll end up messing someone or something else." Dora said.
"I tried ordering the elves but even they couldn't get close to Ezekiel." Andromeda said.
"Maybe I can do it?" Harry asked unsure.
"No, Harry." Andromeda replied, shaking her head. "I know the Black Magic heals you but even the best medicine will become poisonous if you take a large amount of it. And even if it doesn't hurt you, your core hasn't healed yet. Ezekiel's magic might be healing you but healing so fast could be just as bad for you."
"Are you sure he only needs the potions?" Dora asked. "What if it's something else?"
"I've seen him heal with the Black Magic." Andromeda replied. "As long as he has enough magic, he's good. The sooner he gets something in his system, the sooner his body will stop eating itself for substance."
Harry paled and swallowed hard, which didn't go amiss. Andromeda mentally slapped herself in the head while she assured Harry that Ezekiel would make a full recovery. None of the adults allowed Harry to enter Ezekiel's room alone. Andromeda accompanied him for the first time to check how long he could stay in the room. Dora and Ted took turns to wait outside the room in case they needed to get them out, deciding the best idea was to tie a rope around both of their waist. Harry, for his part, tried his best to keep his hands from shaking as he slowly poured the potion in Ezekiel's mouth. He insisted he didn't feel any cold when asked but Andromeda was adamant he leave the room as soon as he finished if not sooner.
While Harry had put up a valiant front, the family paid attention to him. The memory of a small almost broken child with cuts all over his arms was burned into their brains.
The first days were the most difficult ones. Partly because Harry had to open the vials and pour it's contents before the Black Magic froze its contents but mostly because of Harry's expression when he thought nobody was looking. This time, they made sure to be there for him.
Ezekiel was floating in a dark sea. Well, the sea might be a stretch of the imagination. He could feel the movement of the waves but there were none. He could feel the water around him, but he knew he was dry. He had his eyes closed the entire time but he didn't have to open them to see he was drifting away in the darkness.
"That's the beauty of one's mind." The Black Magic said, it's voice coming from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. "If you imagine it's real, then it'll be."
"Would you mind? I'm trying to relax here." Ezekiel replied annoyed.
"You've relaxed long enough, Master." The Black Magic cooed behind his ears. "You need to wake up."
"I don't know if you noticed, but I've been having a rather bad couple of months." Ezekiel replied. "I'd like to give my muscles the chance to relax before I start moving again."
"It's time to wake up, Master. Before you fall asleep forever."
"A bit ominous, don't you think?" Ezekiel teased the darkness surrounding him.
"Are you really going to forfeit your life?" The Black Magic replied innocently. "Don't you have a promise to keep?"
"Do I look like the kind of man who'd let himself waste away in... where am I again?" Ezekiel tried to recall where he was but he failed.
"It's getting worse." The Black Magic replied concerned. "You're too weak, your body is failing. I can help you, but I need more."
"More what?" Ezekiel asked, opening his eyes.
"More." The Black Magic repeated. "But I can't take it, you have to give it to me."
"No." Ezekiel replied, standing up and finding himself on solid ground now. "Use the magic I have right now. I'll power through it."
"It's not possible." The Black Magic said. "You're not as powerful as you believe. Your body is failing, all you can do is delay the inevitable. Unless you give me more."
"Hmmm, no." Ezekiel hummed to himself. "You're a bit too eager, if you ask me."
"You're dying!" The Black Magic screamed.
"In which case you'll be alone for a while until the Malfoy brat is old enough to inherit you." Ezekiel said. "And I'm not so sure about the dying part. I feel a bit... full. My mouth tastes a bit funny. How did I get here?"
"This is your mind, Master." The Magic replied as if it were obvious.
"Nope, not a chance." Ezekiel replied looking around the vast darkness surrounding him. "I refuse to accept that I lack the imagination to come up with at least something in my own mind."
"But you do come up with ideas" The magic giggled. "Such wonderful things! And you do those things, things none of the others ever did. Things they wouldn't even consider, things they'd fear. But not you. And I love you for it."
"Then why the lie?" Ezekiel asked. "If you love me, as you say, why would you want me to give you more? The more I give you, the less of me there is. That's how this whole thing works, right? I gave you something which cannot be taken and I gained access to you. I gained the ability to wield you and then? No more peaceful nights, not to mention other changes you made to me without my consent. And now you want more? No"
"Have I ever failed you? Have I not come to you every time you called?" The Magic shot back. "How many times have I saved you from those who craved your blood? From yourself?"
"You need me because I amuse you, I get it." Ezekiel interrupted It. "You can stop the monologue now, it's tedious even for me. Now what's going on? And don't even think of lying to me. I'll find out in the end and you of all things know it."
"..."
"Well? I'm waiting... Literally nothing else to do."
"There's something near you, something the Black Magic cannot comprehend. It scares it." A voice sounded behind Ezekiel, whose eyes widened in surprise as he turned to face it's owner.
"Grandfather." Ezekiel said, staring at the man who materialized from the nothingness surrounding him.
He looked just as Ezekiel remembered him. Orion had always been tall, towering over the rest of the people, looking down upon them. He had the regal air which all members of the House of Black seemed to possess and wore lavish clothing. His black hair was long and curly, barely touching his shoulders. His face was a strong - a very strong - aquiline, with a high bridge of the thin nose. Deep black eyes studied Ezekiel's face, nodding to himself in approval.
"It's been a while, grandson. You look quite well, all things considered." Orion greeted him.
"How are you here?" Ezekiel asked, circling the newly arrived.
"The Black Magic." Orion replied. "You're not the first one who made a sacrifice to it. Although I'm disappointed in how much you gave. Still, we're a part of the Black Magic as much as it's ours."
"Ours?" Ezekiel asked.
"This has long stopped being your mind." Orion gestured around where countless glowing eyes could be seen. The outline of their silhouettes barely contrasted with the darkness . "Many of us don't see you with good eyes given what you've been up to. You might've noticed them, whispering when it's quiet."
"I've noticed enough." Ezekiel replied staring into the dark. "And given this rare opportunity, I'd like to take this chance to say: shut up."
"Oh, don't bother with them." Orion said walking besides him. "They're scared of you."
"And you?" Ezekiel turned to face his grandfather.
"Disappointed, for the most part." Orion said, frowning.
"Good, Andromeda didn't waste her time then." Ezekiel replied.
"No, no." Orion shook his head. "How could you ever disappoint me, boy? No, I'm the one at fault."
"Fault?!" Ezekiel whispered enraged.
"Yes, my fault." Orion sighted. "For the things that happened to our family, to my children. To you."
"And what about all the others?" Ezekiel asked. "All those people who died-"
"Don't start pointing your finger at me, boy." Orion cut him off sternly. "Not after all the blood you've shed over the last couple of months."
"I did what needed to be done."
"You did what you wanted and so did I." Orion replied. "Don't go claiming some moral high ground over me. I saw through your eyes, I heard your thoughts as you formed them. There were other ways to solve those problems and you chose death. You made the same choice I would've, you've killed almost as many as I have. Even after all Andro-"
"Don't talk about her, Orion." Ezekiel said seething at his grandfather, his voice laced with magic shook the darkness surrounding them.
"This isn't the time or place to let your emotions rule you." Orion said undaunted, placing his hands on Ezekiel's shoulders. "We're running out of time, Ezekiel. We would've met earlier but your sleeping potion prevents you from getting into this place."
"And would you like to talk about, Orion?" Ezekiel replied, taking his hands off his shoulders.
"Listen to me, boy." Orion replied, forcefully grabbing him by the shoulders again. "You need to stop."
"Stop?" Ezekiel replied pushing Orion away. "Stop, you say? After everything I've done, you want me to stop? I haven't even started, once I'm done the Queen-"
"For Merlin's sake, Ezekiel listen." Orion cut him off begging. "I don't care what you'll do to them. I don't care if you burn England to the ground. I mean this." He tapped Ezekiel's chest. "You need to step down as Lord Black."
"Are you insane? What am I asking, of course you are." Ezekiel replied stepping backwards. "Do you have any idea, any at all, just how much I've sacrificed? How much I've lost?"
"I know, I saw all of it." Orion replied. "And you'll never get it back. But you can still leave."
"And what fate would await for me if I were to leave? If I could even survive it, that is." Ezekiel shot back. "What would happen to Andromeda and her family? Do you believe that Lucius Malfoy would enforce the protection order on them or feed them to his Death Eater friends? If there's something left after he's done playing with them."
"Kill him." Orion replied. "Him, his wife, his son and the house elves if you must."
"You e House to end?" Ezekiel asked, surprised. "Wouldn't you be happy that I'm Lord Black?"
"I never wanted any of this for you. I would've chosen Sirius over your father any day if it meant to spare you. " Orion replied, his voice cracking with guilt. "Anyone but you, Ezekiel. Anyone but you. And it was my fault, I was supposed to protected you-"
"Like you protected Regulus?" Ezekiel asked. His calm tone betrayed by the slight shaking of his hands.
"I won't fight you, Ezekiel." Orion replied, raising his hands. The darkness began fading, a dim light filling in the room. "We're almost out of time. Please, I beg you, stop this. You can have a life."
Ezekiel studied his grandfather as if he was looking at him for the first time. He looked Orion in the eyes and said one word.
"Never."
"Ezekiel?" A small muffled voice sounded besides him.
Ezekiel opened his eyes to a blurry view which he blinked away. He looked around seeing what seemed to be his room except this one was covered in shadows pierced by thin rays of light.
"He's awake!" Dora's voice thundered besides him.
"For fuck's sake Dora..." Ezekiel groaned turning towards her but she was nowhere in sight. "Dora?"
"She's using my cloak." Harry explained.
Ezekiel turned towards him. Harry was pinned besides his bed with a bottle in his hands. His face was a mix between concerned and anxious.
"Harry, why are you doing here?" Ezekiel asked. "And why is Dora using your cloak?"
"You're focusing the Black Magic here, it's the only way I can be here without dying." Dora's disembodied voice explained.
"What?" Ezekiel replied trying to get up from the bed but he felt Dora's invisible hands pushing him down. "Fine, I'll just disperc-"
"Don't let him use magic!" Andromeda's voice sounded from outside the room.
"What the f-" Ezekiel contained himself as Harry's gaze was fixed on him. "Andi? Where are you?"
"I'm by the door!" Andromeda shouted from the doorway. "Whatever you do, don't use your magic! I'll check on you later!"
"Wait." Ezekiel said looking at Harry. "If she's there, then why are you here?"
"Your magic heals me, so they thought I cou-" Harry began explaining.
"Out." Ezekiel interrupted him.
"Bu-"
"I don't care." Ezekiel cut him off again, pointing at the door. "Out. Now."
"Don't be such an ass to him, he was the only one who could feed you the potions." Dora said.
"You lot had him as my nurse?" Ezekiel's eyes widened surprised. "Did you all just had a concussion at the same time or are you just mental?"
"I wanted to help!" Harry said anguished.
"You, I'll talk later." Ezekiel replied sternly. "Now. GET. OUT."
"Don't be an arse to poor Harry!" Dora said as Harry dejectedly left the room. "He was the only-"
"You shut up too." Ezekiel replied without letting her finish. "Now go outside and bring Andi here so I ca-" He found himself unable to finish his sentence as his strength slowly vanished.
"Zeke, you okay?" Dora asked, grabbing him by the shoulders.
"You-wankers!" Was all Ezekiel managed to say before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Dora, what happened?" Andromeda asked from the doorway.
"He passed out!" Dora replied worried.
"Give me the cloak!" Andromeda ordered entering the room.
Dora dashed to put the cloack on her mother as she left the room where Harry and Ted were anxiously waiting. The grown ups tried to sooth Harry, whom they predicted would claim the blame for the incident. They waited outside the room for a while before Andromeda finally came out, pale and shaking thanks to her exposure to the Magic.
"What happened?" Ted asked. "Is he alright?"
"He's fine, it's just exhaustion." Andromeda explained to which the family collectively breathed out relieved. "Let's go downstairs, I need something warm."
"Is he going to be okay?" Harry asked as they went down the stairs.
"Absolutely." Andromeda replied, still shaking from the cold. "The worst has passed, all he has to do is eat enough and the Magic will do it's thing. Don't worry too much about what he said, Harry. It wasn't right for us to ask you to act as his nurse."
"But nobody else could help him." Harry asked, still hurt.
"It's not that, Harry." Dora said. "The main reason Zeke took you in was so you wouldn't have to deal with stuff like that. He wanted you to be a normal kid, I mean that's why he took those orders instead of raising hell." Dora's explanation was cut off when Ted touched her elbow.
The group remained silent all the way to the kitchen. While Ted prepared a cup of tea for Andromeda, Dora held Harry's hand while she consoled him.
"Don't worry, Harry." Dora said softly. "Zeke can be a knob but he's not stupid. I'm sure he has some plan and when he's up again"
"But he keeps getting hurt." Harry replied sobbing. "And it's all because of me! If he hadn't taken me none of this would've happened!"
"Oh, nonsense." Andromeda said from her chair, rubbing her arms. "People have been trying to kill him for ages now."
"But-!"
"Harry." Andromeda said without missing a beat. "These things were bound to happen, maybe not this exact way but they would've happened nonetheless. And as far as Ezekiel goes, I know for a fact he doesn't regret taking you in. Not even for a moment."
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud snapping noise coming from outside the room which made everyone jump on their seats.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ted asked, scared.
"I'll go check it. It's probably just the elves fixing up the place." Dora said smiling, trying her best not to sound scared. "You just wait here."
She examined the nearby rooms but nothing was out of place. It wasn't until she reached the pantry that she began hearing noises. She stuck her head out the door, looking into the dark room and froze in shock.
Barely illuminated by the light behind her, Dora saw Ezekiel's bony body squatting with his back turned so she couldn't see his face. Ezekiel's head was down, eating something judging by the sounds he made. Dora realized she was holding her breath and exhaled but the room temperature was so low she could see a pure white fog coming out of her mouth.
Ezekiel, alerted by the noise, slowly raised his head and faced her. The light from the hallway stopped shyly from reaching him but he could see a dim light coming from the two black holes where his eyes should be. He tilted his head and Dora could see his nose was broken and blood was coming out of his mouth. Whether this was due the injury or it belonged to the raw chicken he was devouring, Dora couldn't tell. His body was so pale it seemingly shined in the darkness and the bones on his spine could be seen through the pyjama they had changed him once his clothes began to stink.
Dora breathed heavily, frozen to her spot before she gathered her strength and slammed the door shut. She tried to calm herself as she heard steps coming her way, too heavy to be her Harry's and too quick for her mother.
"Is everything alright, Dora?" Ted's worried voice sounded besides her.
"Yes, yes, it's fine. One of the elves dropped a ham, it's a bit of a mess." She replied, hiding her nervousness. "Hey dad, I was thinking to stay for a bit longer. You know, in case Zeke needs anything."
"Well, your mother said he needed to take another potion in a couple of hours." Ted replied.
"I know, I know. I just wanted to stick around, just in case." Dora lied. "You think you can take Harry tonight."
"We'd love to." Ted replied, observing her face. "You sure that's it?"
"Yep." Dora nodded. "Why don't you go tell him while I check the Floo connection?"
"...okay..." Ted said walking back to the kitchen.
Dora waited for her father to be out of her sight to magically seal the door before checking the floor for Ezekiel's blood. She found a thin trail which she quickly vanished as she followed it. The trail took her right near the stairs where a crack on the floor was, which she vanished with her wand. A quick look upwards confirmed her suspicion. Ezekiel had thrown himself from the top floor. Or at least Ezekiel's body had.
The sound of footsteps shook Dora from her thoughts.
"Are you sure you want to stay, Dora?" Andromeda asked as the group approached.
"Yeah, it's just going to be for a bit longer." Dora replied.
"How's the floo?" Ted asked.
"Huh?" Dora asked, confused.
"The floo." Ted replied. "You were checking the connection?"
"Oh, right." Dora replied embarrassed. "It's toasted. Take a cab, it'll be safer."
"Is everything alright, dear?" Andromeda asked suspicious.
"Yes, it's all good." Dora assured her. "Just a bit of a mess the elves did. Nothing serious."
"Where are they by the way?" Her father asked. "I haven't seen any of them since we got here."
"They're probably fixing up the place for when Ezekiel wakes up. You know know how they" Dora replied feeling the hair at the back of her neck rise. "It's getting late, why don't you go home?"
"Right..." Ted said. "Well, we better get going then. Harry, do you want to say goodbye?"
Harry and Dora hugged as she all but kicked out her family. As soon as she closed the door the temperature dropped to the point she shivered. Her breath became fast and shallow as she turned but it stopped when she turned around. Ezekiel was approaching slowly, not walking like a man but down in all fours like a beast. Every time his hands or feet touched the ground this one was covered in ice, leaving a trail behind him.
Dora steadied herself and began approaching Ezekiel's body despite the cold. A familiar looking black ball dropped from the sky and quickly erupted into a Grimm, placing itself between Dora and the creature.
God she hated thinking about Ezekiel like that.
The Grimm growled, bearing its fangs while the creature showed an amused expression. It took a deep breath and then breathed it out slowly. The Grimm could only whimper hopelessly as ice began covering it from it's legs and slowly but inexorably climbed up it's body.
"Wait!" Dora shouted but the creature ignored her and continued it's relentless attack. "You'll kill Ezekiel!"
That had caught it's attention. The Grimm's boy had been frozen up to it's head, it's mandible frozen shut moving side to side.
"Kiiiillll hhiiiimmm?" The creature spoke in a cavernous voice. "I'mmm the reeassonn he'ss aliiivee, stuuupid braaat. Youu aaannd the ootherss, youuu huurt hiiim. Yooouu taake froom hiimm, telll hiiimmm liiieeeessss. MAAKKEEEE HIIIMM LESSSS!"
"We've never lied to him!" Dora replied. "We showed him the truth, that there was a different path! A way of living with love and laughter, with mercy!"
"THEEEEREEE IIIIISSS NOOO MEEEERCY!" The creature howled. "YOUU LIIIED TO HIIIM! HEEE WAAS PERFFFEECT, HEE WAS MIINEE! BUT YOU..." The creature said seething, lunged at her and pinned her to the ground. "Youu taalk... aand hee listens... weee aareeee twooo, wee aaareee ONE! Noooot three... THIS" The creature pointed at Ezekiel's head. "Was ouuurs. Hisss and MIIINE. But you talk..."
"What are you talking about?"
"You TALK!" The creature screamed, banging Ezekiel's head with his hand. "YOU TALK ALL THE TIME! AND HE LISTENS! HE DOESN'T LISTEN TO ME, HE DOESN'T LISTEN TO HIM! BUT HE LISTENS TO YOU!"
"Listen, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about but if you don't stop, Ezekiel will die."
"HE WON'T DIE! I WON'T LET HIM! YOU FOGGED HIS MIND, MADE HIM BELIEVE HE SHOULD END IT!" The creature leaned over Dora's ear and whispered. "You say you love him but he keeps dying. They stab him, they cut him, they hit him, bite him, hang him and-"
"LOOK, I GET IT!" Dora shouted, cutting it off. "BUT IF YOU DON'T STOP THIS BULLSHIT, HE'LL DIE! YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THIS! I've heard about how you work, how you need his magic. But you have to stop using his magic. You're burning his core up so fast he doesn't have enough time to replenish it. You're stressing him and consuming him. If you love him, if you truly love him, you'll stop and let us treat him. We can give him the medicine he needs."
"Aaall heee neeedsss isss fooodd..."
"No, he needs much more than that." Dora replied. "Emptying the pantry won't help him."
"THEEENN I'LL GETT ITT FRRROMMM YOUUUU!" The creature replied as it unhinged Ezekiel's jaw and his ribcage opened like a bear trap.
The creature launched itself intending to devour Dora, who was powerless to stop it. She closed her eyes and prepared herself to see which religion had it right but nothing happened. The only feeling she had besides the numbing cold in her limbs was a dripping on her throat. She opened her eyes to find the creature had stopped itself just before it's teeth touched her skin, it's saliva falling slowly over her.
"You can't do it, can you?" Dora asked as the creature tried and failed to even brush her skin. "Ezekiel wouldn't let you."
The creature could only growl enraged.
"Tell me, can't you feel what you're doing to him right now? All of this..." Dora tried to gesture at the creature. "How much is it hurting him? You can't fix this because you are the cause. Let him rest, give him time to gather his strength or watch him die. Your choice."
The creature studied Dora's face for what felt to be ages. Despite its lack of eyes, she could feel the seething rage as it shifted Ezekiel's body back to its original form before passing out besides her. Dora looked intensely at her cousin's unconscious body before closing her eyes and began taking deep breaths to calm herself. The cold in the room quickly dispersed and the known feeling of the Black Magic filled the air.
"FUCK!" She finally screamed when she calmed down. "Kreacher, if you and the others aren't dead, I need your help!"
Sleeping was never easy for Ezekiel. At least until he discovered the small miracle that was his sleeping draught. Even then it wasn't really sleeping, more like a place between dreams and death. Still, it was better than being at the mercy of his family magic.
He didn't remember what he had dreamt of but the pounding of his heart, the sweat which covered him and the feeling of panic washing all over him told him it hadn't been nice. So business as usual.
"Zeke, you okay?" Dora asked, coming out of nowhere.
"Huh?" He replied in a daze. "Oh, yes, yes. It was just a bad dream."
"A bad dream that almost has you falling from the bed?"
"It's just a dream, Dora." Ezekiel assured her.
"What was it about?"
"Nothing, just a bad memory that's all." Ezekiel replied.
"So now it's a memory?" Dora crossed her arms. "Have you ever talked about them with anybody?"
"One, it was just an expression. Two, there's nothing interesting about it."
"Then tell me what it was." Dora pressed on.
"Why the sudden interest?" Ezekiel replied. "And where's everyone?"
"I sent them home." Dora replied sternly. "You don't have to go to a Mind Healer, you know? There's this little thing called psychiatrists the Muggles have."
"I have no reason to see a psychiatrist, Dora."
"No, you just scream your lungs out every time you don't take your sleeping drug." Dora replied, her tone began rising. "If you don't have a problem, why don't you tell me what your dream was?"
"A million monkeys finished typewriting their novel and they wanted me to spell check it. Happy?" Ezekiel replied annoyed.
"This isn't a joke!"
"I know!" Ezekiel shouted. "Don't you think I figured out? I'm fucked, Nymphadora, in a very unique way. A way which prevents me from doing certain things, like getting help, for example. Now given this unique fucking position I find myself in, I had to take meassures to ensure my mind stays in a relatively normal state. It's a very specific routine which was broken by unforeseen circumstances, not that it's any of your business."
"Apparently it is." Dora coldly replied. "Since you seem to hear my voice in your head."
"Wha..?" Ezekiel asked shocked. "What did you say? Where did you hear that?"
"So it's true, then."
"Dora, where did you hear that." Ezekiel demanded.
"I had a little chat with the Black Magic." Dora saw as Ezekiel paled even more than he already was. "It sa-"
"Are you okay?" Ezekiel interrupted her worries. " Did it hurt you?"
"No it did-Stay on the fucking bed you knob, you can't even stand!" Dora screamed, magically gluing Ezekiel to the bed. "I'm fine."
"What happened? Why would it speak with you?" Ezekiel asked, struggling to get up.
"It seems to hate me. Apparently It doesn't like the fact you listen more to me than It, or yourself. Care to explain?"
"It's not what you think."
"I'm thinking multiple personalities." Dora replied. "Do I start mentally preparing myself to find you in my clothes one of these days? It would be nice if somebody finally uses the dresses Mum keeps giving to me every Christmas."
"What-NO!" Ezekiel replied embarrassed. "Look, I happen to have a let's say... annoying conscience."
"And?" Dora asked gesturing to continue.
"And..." Ezekiel lingered, trying to find the right words.
"I got nothing else to do, Zeke." Dora said, placing her hands on her hips.
"And... I tend to associate it's voice with yours." Ezekiel confessed.
"You use me." Dora pointed at her chest. "as the literal voice of your conscience? Usually that voice has to be your own, you know?"
"You and I know very well I don't have such a thing." Ezekiel replied. "If anything it's more an exercise of restraint."
"Don't be so dramatic." Dora rolled her eyes. "And why me anyway? Why not Mum?"
"Mum?" Ezekiel scoffed. "Dora, your mother might not be in the Black family tree anymore but she's still one of us."
"Riiight... So why me?"
"You are... someone with certain values. Honesty, integrity, kindness. Some are very stupid values but you live according to them. Over the years I've seen people who said the same things you do only to forget them when they think nobody's looking. Me, included. You've yet to do so. I'd go as far to say you raise the moral bar for the rest of mank-."
"In English?" Dora said impatiently.
"I think you're admirable." Ezekiel said. "In a very annoying way. And I value your opinion, even more than mine. You tend to see people as people and not means to an end. You set an example which I try to follow."
"I'm touched." Dora said, impressed.
"I also think you're a walking trainwreck."
"That's fine." Dora replied, rubbing Ezekiel's head. "I didn't told you where it touched me."
"Stop that." Ezekiel grunted. "What else did it say?"
"Nothing much, it hates me." Dora said removing the gluing spell.
"For the record, I hate it too." Ezekiel replied. "Don't worry about it anymore, I'll make sure nothing like that ever happens again."
"I'll hold you to that. You need to apologize to Harry too."
"I will." Ezekiel nodded tired. "What on earth were you thinking, using him as a nurse?"
"Zeke, the Black Magic tried to heal you. All the magic that's usually around the house was in your room. Harry was the only one who could get close enough with the potions without them freezing up. Even with his invisibility cloak-"
"With his what now?" Ezekiel asked arching an eyebrow.
"Well, it looks like an invisibility cloak." Dora replied. "But you've got to see that thing, when I infiltrated Mungo's-"
"You did what!?" Ezekiel asked shocked.
"Maybe I should start from the beginning."
"Yeah, maybe." Ezekiel replied nodding.
Dora told Ezekiel everything he had missed. By the end he had laid back on the bed staring at the ceiling.
"Dark with Light properties?" He asked baffled. "Is that even a thing?"
"Never even heard of such a thing." Dora replied sitting on at the other end of the bed. "Then again, wand-making isn't my thing."
"Whatever, I'll deal with it tomorrow."
"You mean in a few hours." Dora corrected him. "You've been sleeping for a while."
"Fuck me, I need vacations."
"Same."
"Right, one thing at the time." Ezekiel said sitting up on the bed.
"You're gonna have to wait for Mum to check you up or you'll never hear the end of it."
"Oh, Merlin." Ezekiel groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"What happened to you?" Dora asked. "Mum said your core was depleted. Many times over."
"You promise you're not gonna scream? I'm not in the mood for that."
"No."
"Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?" Ezekiel begged.
"I promise you I'll give it some consideration to the thought." Dora replied. "Now, spill."
"I had an altercation with an idiot Charlie named as my contact with the Crown."
"Do you have one of those? Then why the fuck do you even have to go to Buckingham Palace?"
"It's a new position." Ezekiel explained. "Anyway, we had a little argument and words were said. Long story short, he forced me to stand still in a room without ventilation for some time..."
"How long is some time?"
"I don't know, weeks? Maybe a couple months?" Ezekiel shrugged.
"WHAT?" Dora screamed shocked.
"Please, no need to scream." Ezekiel replied covering his ears.
"Can he force you to do that?"
"He has some authority over me thanks to good ol' Charlie. Enough to punish me if he sees it fit."
"But shouldn't the Queen do something?"
"He's acting under Her authority. As far as the magic which binds me is concerned, he hasn't done anything wrong. Although I doubt it can actually hurt him if he ever goes rogue."
"What do you mean?"
"He's a Muggle, he has no magic to tie to the contract." Ezekiel replied. "It's actually quite clever if you think about it. All the power, none of the accountability. If it had happened to somebody else I'd applaud it."
"Fucking 'ell." Dora sighted. "And what are you gonna do about it?"
"I might have a plan or two..." Ezekiel replied innocently.
"Which you can't tell an Auror?"
"Maybe." Ezekiel shrugged. "In any case it might work in my favor. You remember when Andi told us those stories about people who exhausted their cores during the war becoming more powerful?"
"For fighting." Dora reminded him. "They gained all that power but lost their ability to regulate it. Had to learn everything they knew again because they lost the ability to use it normally."
"Well, they weren't me."
"Please don't do anything stupid." Dora begged. "And seriously, what are you gonna do if she tells you not to use magic."
"Smile!" Ezekiel replied with a forced grin. "If, and that's a big IF something like that happens, all we need to do is smile."
"That's your plan?" Dora asked. "Smile?"
"Why of course!" Ezekiel replied. "As far as the world knows, everything is business as usual. Why should I correct their mistake?"
"Zeke... I heard stories about what you did." Dora said uncomfortable. "And if I heard them, other people will."
"So I'm still the most hated man in this country." Ezekiel said looking at her eyes. "Anything you'd like to ask? I promise I'll be honest."
"No." Dora shook her head. "I don't want to know."
"Smart."
"Hmm."
"I'm starving." Ezekiel said changing the subject. "You hungry?"
"Fuck, yes." Dora replied. "Kreacher!"
"My Lady." The house elf appeared, shaking in fear.
"What's gotten into you, Kreacher?" Ezekiel asked, staring at the elf.
"Master!" Kreacher screamed joyfully as he ran to his side.
"Someone is happy to see me." Ezekiel said amused.
"We choose to leave the house when the pretender arrived, Master." Kreacher said.
"The pretender?" Ezekiel asked.
"Yes, Master." Kreacher nodded vigorously. "It spoke with your voice but those weren't your words. It is a bad servant, pretending the place that's rightfully yours, Master."
"We're all happy he's back, Kreacher." Dora said. "And hungry too, could you make something to eat? And don't forget the nutritional potions for Ezekiel."
"As you wish, my Lady. Master." Kreacher bowed before disappearing.
"How long has it been since we ate like this?" Dora asked while they had the breakfast the elves prepared.
"Never." Ezekiel replied eating small bites. "At most we ate outside when it was one of 'Andi's days'."
"Don't call it like that." Dora said gently kicking him on the side.
"Don't kick me." Ezekiel replied weakly kicking back.
"You're getting better." Dora noted.
"Just a bit, not fast enough." Ezekiel begrudgingly admitted.
The rest of the meal went be normally if not for the elves popping up to greet their master. The rest of the family arrived shortly after the sun rose and were surprised to find the house as they remembered. The cousins tried to ignore the fact but it became clear Ted noticed Dora hadn't changed her clothes since they last saw her. It didn't escape Harry either, but he wisely choose not to mention it. Andromeda didn't care, rushing everyone out of the room as soon as they greeted each other.
"How do you feel?" Andromeda asked magically laying Ezekiel in the middle of the bed.
"I'm alright, how are you doing? Wait, before you answer. Would you mind telling me why you gave the okay to any of the crazy shit Dora told me?" Ezekiel replied.
"Language." Andromeda replied pinching his side. "And I literally had no other choice. Which Dora already told you, meaning you want to make conversation to make me miss something. How about you don't insult my intelligence and shut up while I work?"
"Wow, are those the same bedside manners you had in St-Cold! Cold!" Ezekiel almost jumped out of his sking once Andromeda placed her hand on his chest.
"Shush, now." Andromeda said as she began chanting.
The exam extended far beyond normal. Ezekiel kept quiet as he saw Andromeda's face change from concern to fear and back. By the time she lifted her hand Andromeda had paled to a point it rivaled Ezekiel's skin.
"That bad?" Ezekiel joked.
"I've never seen something like this..."
"Well, I always knew I was special." Ezekiel said puffing his chest.
"This isn't a laughing matter, Ezekiel." Andromeda replied somberly. "Your core isn't just depleted, it's cracked."
"Huh, that's not so bad..." Ezekiel replied.
"Do you have any idea what it means to you!?" Andromeda whispered in shock.
"Do you remember where you are?" Ezekiel asked back. "This is my house tied to my magic, my domain."
"So you anchored yourself to another physical object to ensure you would survive something like this?" Andromeda asked surprised.
"No, Merlin no." Ezekiel said trying to look for the right word. "Not that's impossible or anything. Just my magic. I have no intention to live forever, remember? And I did it with everything which is laced with my magic."
"So what, like a familiar?"
"There hasn't been a familiar since the Dark Ages and you know it." Ezekiel replied laughing. "No, I just gave a portion of my magic to the car, the elves, the creature and the house. Think of it as a safety network of sorts."
"Doesn't that go against your idea of dying and ending the House?" Andromeda asked innocently.
"I'll go on my terms, thank you very much." Ezekiel replied. "I refuse to die just because some no-one got a lucky shot."
"Yes, it would be an unbefitting ending for the last Lord Black, wouldn't it?" Andromeda replied nodding. "Although they may mark your death as a holyday, so you'll always have that."
"Holyday?" Ezekiel scoffed. "Two weeks at least, with a grand opera to commemorate the occasion. And I do mean grand, with a full orchestra and professional actors and everything. Royal Opera House level, minimum"
"Your sense of self importance never fail to amaze me." Andromeda replied amused before her tone turned concerned again. "Are you sure you'll be able to heal this?"
"Give me time, Andi." Ezekiel said grabbing her hand. "But if you had to guess, how long should I stop using magic?"
"If you were a normal wizard?" Andromeda replied thinking. "Forever and a day."
"That's encouraging."
"I'd need to check your core daily." Andromeda mused. "See how fast it heals, try to make sense of it. If there's any. But this could take some time, Ezekiel."
"What if I don't have time?"
"What do you mean?." Andromeda tilted her head.
"There is much to do. I imagine Harry has yet to choose a proxy?" Ezekiel asked.
"Actually the Wizengamot are saying he owes them money." Andromeda replied. "Something about fees for his family seat?"
"I'll take care of it. Say, do you know what Ollivander told Dora?"
"About the wood for Harry's wand? Yes, but I have no idea what it could possibly be."
"It was worth asking." Ezekiel shrugged. "I'll have to ask around."
"I don't think there are many people that might know about those things." Andromeda replied. "Even less willing to talk to you about it."
"Money loosens even the most reluctant tongues." Ezekiel noted.
"Assuming nobody pays them more than you to feed you false information. Money is good for the small problems, not the big ones." Andromeda reminded him. "Besides they might just hate you and lie to you out of spite."
"Right." Ezekiel sighted, staring at the ceiling.
"Do you expect more problems?" Andromeda asked concerned. "The Queen, maybe?"
"Definitely." Ezekiel rubbed his eyes. "Even if she or Charles don't do all the things they said they would, I fear the gears have began turning in their minds. It's only a matter of time before they start seeing themselves as rulers like the old times. They already named a man to act as liaison between them and me."
"A man, who?" Andromeda asked intrigued.
"Ever heard of Dolores Umbridge?" Ezekiel asked with his eyes closed.
"I think Dora called her a cunt once or twice." Andromeda recalled.
"No, she called her THE cunt."
"Oh, right."
"She has a brother. A squib." Ezekiel said. "Quite the social climber."
"Maybe you and him could reach an agreement?" Andromeda thought out loud. "If he's worth the effort, that is."
"Wait." Ezekiel suddenly said, his eyes still shut.
"What, what is it?" Andromeda asked looking at his body. "Does it hurt somewhere?"
"No, I meant this." Ezekiel opened his eyes and gestured at the room. "You were already out of this, it's no longer your concern."
"I was just talking." Andromeda said.
"It was more than talking." Ezekiel replied looking at her. "You managed to escape the madness of my family."
"Our family." Andromeda said.
"No, it's mine. You left all of this behind and got yourself a life. I refuse to drag you down to my level again. I have a few details to iron out and once I'm done the Crown won't be a problem anymore. " Ezekiel replied.
Andromeda's response died before it reached her lips as the door cracked, opening slowly but showing an empty hallway.
"Harry, is that you?" She called but received no response.
"We can see your shadow in the hallway, Harry. You can come in." Ezekiel lied, much to Andromeda's disapproval.
Harry walked up to them slowly with a guilty look on his face.
"I didn't mean to spy on you." Harry said, fidgeting his fingers.
"Now, that's a lie." Ezekiel replied.
"Sorry, I just wanted to know how you were." Harry confessed.
"Andi, could you give us the room please?" Ezekiel asked. "Harry and I need to talk."
Andromeda nodded, giving both of them a kiss but the look she gave Ezekiel before leaving said their conversation wasn't over.
"I own you an apology, Harry." Ezekiel said, gesturing Harry to sit besides him on the bed. "It was wrong of me to speak you that way."
"I just wanted to help." Harry mumbled.
"And I get that, and I am grateful." Ezekiel replied, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Now I want you to promise me you'll never do anything like that ever again."
"But what if you're hurt again!" Harry asked anxious.
"That's not something for you to worry about." Ezekiel said.
"But the Healer said you can heal me, what if I can heal you too."
"Harry, I have many ways to heal." Ezekiel replied affectionately. "You don't have to worry about me."
"But Kreacher and Andi said you could die!" Harry replied standing up. "And I saw you, when you were sleeping!"
"I was too relaxed, I let my guard down." Ezekiel admitted. "I was used to deal with the Crown's pettiness and somebody threw me a curveball."
"You almost died."
"I took- Look, yes. I almost died." Ezekiel nodded. "I'm sorry you had to see me in that state and I'm more sorry that you had to do things a kid your age would never do. But I promise you, this will be the last time you'll ever have to worry about me. At least for the rest of the year."
Harry didn't respond, instead throwing himself and hugging Ezekiel as much as his little arms let him. Ezekiel returned the hug as strong as he could, noting Harry's tears.
"It's alright." He soothed Harry. "I'm here and this time I won't be going anywhere."
"You promise?" Harry asked still hugging him.
"I promise." Ezekiel rubbed his back until he calmed down.
"Ezekiel?"
"Yes, Harry?" Ezekiel waited for Harry's reply but this never came. "Is everything alright?"
"... I need to ask you something..." Harry said, his voice full with wariness.
"Sure, anything." Ezekiel said feeling the urge to slap himself as soon as those words left his mouth.
"Please don't hurt the Royal Family." Harry said.
Slapping himself? No, too little. Facepalming hard enough to shove his nose into his brain? Not painful enough. Park the car over his neck and have it burn rubber? Now that was an idea with potential...
"Why are you asking me this, Harry?" Ezekiel released the hug so he could see Harry's face but he tried to hide it. "I promise I won't get angry or anything, I'm just curious."
"They're nice." Harry responded meekly.
"They are nic-!?" Ezekiel had stop himself from screaming and covered his mouth before asking. "Nice how, Harry?"
"She always treats me nice."
"The Queen?" Ezekiel asked but Harry shook his head.
"Diana." Harry said. "She's really nice."
"Oooh." Ezekiel nodded, things starting to make sense. "Yes, I spoke with her once or twice. She's nice."
"And she lets me call her Diana." Harry said. The Queen is always telling me to call her Madam."
"Well, given her position... it's the best you get." Ezekiel replied fighting the vile he felt defending The Queen. "Is she still teaching you manners?"
"Yes." Harry replied. "But Diana is there too, with William."
"And... do you get along with William?"
"Yes!" Harry replied exited. "We write each other, like I do with Susan!"
"Susan?" Ezekiel tilted his head.
"Susan Bones, Dora and I go to her aunt's house sometimes."
"Really?" Ezekiel asked surprised. "Dora didn't told me that..."
"I send them letters with Hedwig all the time!" Harry said happily before going back to concerned. "Please don't hurt them. Diana and William are nice."
"Hedwig, that's your owl right?" Harry nodded. "And do you get along with the rest of the family or just those two?"
"Harry can't talk yet." Harry said. "But we play with his plushy sometimes."
"That's great... playing is... good... Must be weird when the name comes out in conversations, right? Do you have a nickname or..." Ezekiel replied unsure of how to get out of the situation.
"Please don't hurt them." Harry begged again.
"Harry..." Ezekiel began but find himself at a loss of words when he saw Harry's puppy eyes. "Them." He groaned in annoyance. "Diana, William and Harry. Their Harry. It's all I can promise. I'd swear it on my magic but-"
"No, that's fine!" Harry hastily said. "Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah." Ezekiel said rolling his eyes before noticing something. "Harry, what's in your pocket?"
"Oh, it's my snake!" Harry said taking out what seemed to be a three headed noodle. The snake or snakes were orange with black stripes, each one of them with green eyes eerily similar to Harry's.
"Lovely..." Ezekiel said. "Does it, err, them, have a name?"
"She doesn't need a name, she thinks they're weird." Harry explained as the snake tangled around his fingers. "And she says she's one that's three, and three that's one."
"Of course, makes perfect sense." Ezekiel replied nodding with his eyes glued to the reptile.
"You don't like it?" Harry asked concerned. "I told Ted and Andi and they told me to keep it a secret."
"Did they told you why you need to keep it a secret?" Ezekiel asked and Harry nodded. "Good. I don't think is bad, if anything I imagine you'll never have boring conversations."
"She just asks me 'What's this?' all the time." Harry laughed, moving the snake from one hand to another.
"I think I had a great-great uncle who spoke with snakes..." Ezekiel said.
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Or maybe he just hissed at them, it's hard to know with a family like mine." Ezekiel smiled.
They spend the rest of the morning catching up to each other but were interrupted by a knocking at the door.
"May I come in?" Ted asked from the doorway.
"Ted, you know my door is always open." Ezekiel replied.
"Good, because I need to speak with you. In private."
"I'll go help Andi with the lunch." Harry said hurrying out of the room.
"Wash your hands!" Ezekiel yelled as Harry's head disappeared from the doorway.
"He's a good kid, that Harry." Ted said.
"He is." Ezekiel replied. "Too much heart sometimes but I think that's not such a bad thing, given the alternative."
"Yeah, the alternative..." Ted said absentmindedly.
"I get the feeling that this more than telling me how happy you are to see me well, Ted..."
"I spoke to Dora while you were here." Ted replied. "Don't worry, she didn't tell me anything. I'm not even mad about that, but the lying? I thought we had moved pass all that. But I didn't wanted to talk about that either." Ted said before Ezekiel could reply. "It's about what you did while you were away. Did you had to?"
"I was ordered." Ezekiel replied ashamed.
"To do all those things?"
"I was given a to-do list by a man who intended to increase his power and influence." Ezekiel said. "I took advantage of his loose instructions to do said things in a way that fulfilled the objectives but wasn't beneficial to him."
"You've killed, Ezekiel." Ted said, appalled. "Do you even know how many you killed?"
"I can give you the exact number if you want." Ezekiel replied. "I can tell you how many were man and women. Their ages, nationalities. I remember which ones cried, begged, cursed me or tried to escape. I remember all of them."
"Was there no other choice? Did you had to kill them?"
"No, there were definitely other ways."
"Then, why!? Ezekiel for God's sake, why did you killed all those people?"
"Because the world - both of them - are gonna change. Harry has returned to the magical world and that wall in Berlin won't last much longer. You know people, you hear the news." Ezekiel sighted. "The old world is on it's dying breath and vultures are already circling it. I don't really know if the man who ordered me is as bad or worse as the rest, I just know he's not good. I took it upon myself to stop him before he truly became a problem."
"That's all you have to say?" Ted asked. "That's how you justify what you've done?"
"Ted, I'm not like you. In any way, shape or form. I'm not a Law-Wizard and I'm not even a true Auror, I'm a fireman at best. They show me the fires and I put them out."
"Those weren't fires, they were people!" Ted shouted.
"Yes, they were." Ezekiel replied. "And I killed them."
"And according to you, they had to die?" Ted asked.
"I invaded their minds before I killed them." Ezekiel said. "I saw their lives. They were parents, brothers, sisters. They had friends and loved ones. Some of them had happy families, others not so much."
"And they all deserved to die." Ted said disbelievingly.
"Absolutely." Ezekiel nodded. " They were all criminals, the worst kinds. Each and every one of them. Made their living hurting their fellow man. Whatever you imagine, they did it or had someone do it in their name."
"Why didn't you just turned over the authorities?"
"I only answer to one person, Ted." Ezekiel replied. "And thanks to her and her son, I now work for a man whom I can't technically call a criminal and yet made me one himself. At least by Muggle standards."
"What's he trying to do?" Ted asked. "The man who's ordering you, if there's a way to prove he broke the law you could arrest him."
"He's not breaking the law because he's technically acting according to the wishes of the Crown, and the Crown's wishes..."
"Are the law." Ted finished, defeated. "We spent so much time without the Crown that we never consider to make them accountable for their actions."
"Not without destroying our way of living." Ezekiel said. "And nobody will do that unless there's more Muggle-born wizards."
"So what are you gonna do about him?"
"I honestly don't know, it might be useful to have an ally whispering into Charles's ear." Ezekiel said. "So I guess the question is, where does this leave us?"
"You want to know if I'm still your law-wizard?"
"You have no obligation, Ted." Ezekiel replied. "You can stop right here, nobody would blame you. Hell, they'll understand."
"Aren't you even a bit worried I might talk? You and I never had any non-disclosure agreements." Ted reminded him.
"There's nothing you can say that'll change the public opinion." Ezekiel shrugged.
"You're right." Ted chuckled. "I always hoped people could see you like I do. Even with the death and Dark Arts, you're not as bad the the Lords who preceded you."
"Ted, that's like saying I'm not the most racist one at a Klan rally." Ezekiel joked. "But it was a nice dream."
For the next month, the family experienced a blissful calm unlike anything before.
Harry moved back into the house, realizing surprised he missed the first home he had ever met. He still felt guilty over the incident which started everything so Ezekiel reminded Andromeda he had lost most of his wardrobe. Upon their return much later that day, both him and Ezekiel agreed it had been enough punishment.
Dora would never admit it but she was excited to reclaim her house. Sure, she loved Harry and Ezekiel, but she needed her privacy. Having to be strong for him all the time was taking its toll on her and she desperately needed to decompress. Perhaps this would mark the beginning of the return to normalcy, she thought.
Ted chose to remain as Ezekiel's Law-Wizard. Ezekiel never told him what his plan was but he could see the engines turning inside his mind. Given his record, he was going to need all the help he could get to cape the fallout. Besides he had finished going through all the Potter's records, he wasn't gonna let all that work go to waste. He'd balance his time between them and the small firm he had established. His previous clients preferred him over his replacement at his old firm and the business was doing great.
Andromeda was relieved to finally get Ezekiel back. She used the floo everyday after breakfast and checked his body and core as thoroughly as possible. Once she was satisfied, she accompanied Harry to his school while they talked along the way. As for Ezekiel, any and all conversations involving the Crown had officially ended. They had lengthy conversations with Ezekiel before finally settling the rules. He'd discuss anything related to Harry with her but the Crown was his business alone. She had no objections regarding this and so they returned to enjoy each other's company.
Ezekiel made the most of the calm. While his core was nowhere as it should, he had recovered some weigh and could walk a few steps. His first order of business had been to purchase himself a new pair of sunglasses. He paid a hefty sum for having lost the previous one but it mattered little to him. Warm food, a cozy bed and a good night sleep were his most precious commodity. When he wasn't eating, sleeping or reading, he helped Harry with his homework.
Any problems he feared about his job were quickly dissipated, Madame Bones was simply happy to know where he was.
Walking wasn't an option for him, as his legs we still too weak. Which is why Harry was shocked to see him walking down the stairs in his pyjama and his sunglasses one morning, tearing up from the effort.
"Why are you doing?" Harry asked concerned.
"Go wait for Andi." Ezekiel said puffing.
"But you can't walk, Andi said you still have to heal!" Harry said grabbing his hand, trying to stop him.
"Harry, go." Ezekiel begged.
"What's going on here?" Andromeda asked, surging from green flames. "And where do you think you're going?"
"Andi... take - Fuck! - take Harry to school." Ezekiel said through his teeth.
"What's gotten in-" Andromeda stopped as she saw a piece of paper crumpled in his hand. "Is that...?"
"Yes." Ezekiel cut her off. "Please take Harry away."
"What's happenings?" Harry asked. "Why do you have those lines in your legs?"
Andromeda looked where Harry pointed as Ezekiel continued his slow and painful march towards the door. Red lines could be seen running along Ezekiel's thighs, marking his knees and all the way to his feet.
"Is it him?" Andromeda asked. "Is this because of the man you told me about?"
"What man?" Harry asked scared. "Why is this happens?"
"The bus." Ezekiel managed to say. "I need to take the bus."
"Bus? You'll be lucky to get to the street!" Andromeda said, grabbing him by the side.
"NO!" Ezekiel shouted, yanking his arm free. "It has... it has to be..."
"Okay, fine!" Andromeda said grabbing him again. "I'll take you to the bus stop. Does it say if you have to be alone?" Andromeda asked and Ezekiel shook his head. "Harry, you need to stay here for the day."
"No, I'll help!" Harry replied running to Ezekiel's other side, helping him to walk.
"Harry, now it's not the time." Andromeda began but Harry wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Let me do it, I can help!" Harry scream was accompanied by a small burst of magic, shacking the furniture.
They didn't had time to check the damage as Ezekiel collapsed, screaming in pain. They rushed to his side but even on the floor, he tried to reach the door.
"Late." Ezekiel said. "I'm late."
"Late?" Andromeda asked, taking the piece of paper from his hand. "This is a schedule, and you're an hour late! He send you this on purpose, the bastard."
"What do we do?" Harry asked scared.
"You grab him from this side, I'll take the other one." Andromeda said grabbing Ezekiel's arm, helping to lift him up. "We need to help him complete all this."
The rest of the day became a race against time which they were bound to lose. And they did. By the time they reached their final destination, a small secluded restaurant, Ezekiel's legs were screaming in pain.
"I'm afraid you cannot enter." The doorman, a man in a suit, told them.
"I'm expected." Ezekiel said.
"He's right." Andromeda said taking the wrinkly letter from her pocket. "It's a reservation under Cra... Cracknell?"
"I'm afraid it doesn't matter." The man said, eyeing the group with disdain. A man in his pyjamas who reeked of sweat and piss. His two companions, an old woman looking as if she had just ran a marathon and a crazy look in her eyes. The last one, a kid. An underage kid, still in his school uniform. "We have a strict dressing code. You need to leave."
"Please, you need to let us in." Harry pleaded but the man wouldn't budge.
"Listen." Andromeda said angrily. "I'm sure if you check your list you'll see.
"I don't have to look at anything." The doorman cut her off, furious. "You better leave before I call the police, you old bi-"
The man never finished his sentence, as Ezekiel's hand shot towards his collar and forced him face to face with him until their noses touched.
" Fuck off " Ezekiel ordered, the Black Magic leaking through his voice.
The doorman fell crying to his knees, hugging himself in a failing attempt to console him.
The group entered the establishment, luckily for them it was almost closing time and not many customers were left. They sat at the table marked in the letter and waited. Some staff members tried to get them to leave but Andromeda had some words with them and the subject was dropped. The restaurant even cooked the starving group dinner, free of course. Andromeda convinced Harry to eat with he while Ezekiel, still in pain, rested his head against the cold table.
"You're late." A cheeky voice sounded behind them. Ezekiel closed his eyes in anger while Andromeda and Harry turned to see a jolly fat man walking towards them.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" Andromeda asked seething as she raised from her chair, knife still in her hand.
"And you brought company." Cracknell noted, ignoring her and sitting in front of Ezekiel. "Still thinking you can get me, Ezekiel, my boy?" He reached across the table and pinched one of Ezekiel's cheeks.
"You're hurting him!" Harry said shoving away Cracknell's hand. The older man moved to angrily slap Harry for his interference but stopped when he felt Andromeda's knife against his throat.
"You touch him." Andromeda whispered furious. "And I gut you like a fucking fish, do you understand?"
"Now, now, dear." Cracknell said slowly. "It would be a shame if you don't control that temper. Especially knowing Ezekiel here would have to kill you if you spill even a drop of my blood..." Andromeda slowly put the knife away as Cracknell watched amused. "That's better, much, much better, love."
"What do you want, Ian?" Ezekiel asked, slowly raising his head.
"Look, look, It lives!" Cracknell mockingly pointed at him. "I wanted to know how you were doing, Ezekiel my boy! You don't call, you don't write... I was begging to think something must happened to you."
"Can't you see he's hurt!" Andromeda chastised him.
"Oh, but he's doing great, can't you see?" Cracknell gestured at him. "At least better than when he left."
"You did this to him." Harry muttered in disbelief.
"Me? I'd never touch such an ugly thing."
Andromeda was ready to jump at the man's neck when she felt a weak touch on her hand. She looked down to Ezekiel who gave her a pleading look.
"Right, to business then." Cracknell said, taking a small notebook from a pocket in his jacket and opened it. "I've heard you-"
"Wait." Ezekiel stopped him. "Andi, take Harry and"
"Oh, no, no, no, Ezekiel my boy!" Cracknell said shaking his head. "You brought them here, now they stay."
"They don't have anything to do with this, Ian."
"Then you shouldn't have brought them." Cracknell coldly replied. "Now, I've heard you sometimes do errands for the police. You'll be doing one for me."
"He's not gonna do anything, you bastard." Andromeda angrily replied. "You can't order him as you like."
"There's a spy, not a very important one but important enough." Cracknell ignored her again and began reading from the notebook. "He passes information around and MI6 doesn't know how."
"And how do you know about this?" Ezekiel asked.
"What we wanted was information, to know how he did it." Cracknell continued, angrier. "He was monitored every minute of every day. He never did anything wrong, followed every social norm. The only anomaly in his routine was dinning in a restaurant, some hole in the wall. That's where we knew he was exchanging information, so we setup a trap."
"So you setup a trap." Ezekiel realized.
"We setup a trap." Cracknell continued. "We used an object, a decoder. It wouldn't be much of a loss..."
"Who said that, you or MI6?" Ezekiel asked smirking.
"He went into the restaurant with the decoder with him. By the time he left he no longer had it with him." Cracknell finished, fuming. "I think he's a freak, like you lot."
"What did you called us?" Andromeda asked enraged. "You can't take to us like that!"
"He can." Ezekiel replied with a mocking grin. "He needs some way to feel better after what I did to him. I couldn't have stopped all your deals, couldn't I? That's the problem with promising the moon, if you can't deliver..."
Ezekiel's gloating came to an abrupt end when Cracknell launched himself and punched him in the face. Harry grabbed Ezekiel and tried to shield him with his body while Andromeda shoved Cracknell against a wall.
"Ha ha ha, I'm sorry, I've lost my temper!" Cracknell laughed nervously. "Where is it? Where is it? Oh, no, I've found it again. It's alright."
"Andi, ANDI!" Ezekiel called her. "Let him go. Andi!"
Andromeda was shaking in anger but she eventually relented. Ezekiel send Harry to take her aside while he keep looking at Cracknell .
"How do you know he had it with him?" Ezekiel asked.
"We checked his house after he left every morning." Cracknell replied straightening his suit. "We knew where he kept it and it wasn't there."
"And this trap of yours?"
"We monitored the place, looking for his contact." Cracknell said. "We replaced everyone except the members of the staff he knew like the waiters so he wouldn't suspect anything. Everybody else was ours, we even put agents to pose as customers."
"And how do you know he didn't had it with him when he left?"
"Because he was detained and it wasn't there." Cracknell replied as if he was talking to an idiot.
"So he already knows he's been compromised." Ezekiel said.
"Yes." Cracknell replied irritated. "He wasn't what we wanted, only his methods."
"And now you have neither." Ezekiel saw as Cracknell clenched his fist again. "By all means, punch away, a lot of good it'll do to you." He offered the other cheek and waited patiently but the punch never came. "Now this decoder, what did it looked like, what was it made of?"
"Metal, roughly 2 and a half inches long, wide and flattened. Too big to swallow, too heavy to make a noise if dropped or glued under a table. Thick enough so it couldn't be placed in a crack. It wasn't made out of iron, so no magnets could be used on it." Cracknell said. "It shined if the light hit it in the right angle, so it was easy to see."
"And was he under surveillance the whole time? Was he ever out of sight?"
"I don't think you understand what I mean when I say 'under surveillance'." Cracknell replied. "He was monitored the entire time. From the second he left his home, during his trip to the restaurant, while he was there and when he returned. We even knew in which pocket he had it in."
"How did he went to the restaurant?"
"In a taxi, driven by one of our people. He returned with a different one, also driven by one of ours." Cracknell replied.
"You keep saying 'our' and 'we', Ian." Ezekiel said. "I fear you might think of yourself as more than you really are." Ezekiel saw Cracknell's face reddened with sadistic pleasure. "But I digress. I suppose you already checked the agents who drove him in case they're traitors."
"Everybody in this went through a severe scrutiny and had their pockets emptied." Cracknell said. "W-They had the man under observation while he ate, they even counted how many times he wiped his mouth. He got in, ate his meal and left."
"Did he ever use the facilities?"
"Once, we checked it and found nothing." Cracknell shook his head. "And before you ask, the decoder couldn't be flushed down the toilet."
"And how did he got back home again?"
"Taxi, I told you that already." Cracknell replied annoyed.
"Yes, you did." Ezekiel nodded. "Did he get the taxi himself?"
"No, the doorman did."
"And this man was someone he had seen before or was he one of yours?"
"He was a regular member of the staff, we had to keep him."
"And was your man in the car the only taxi in the street?" Ezekiel asked curious.
"No, there were others, but he made sure he was there when the doorman signalled for one."
"That couldn't have gone well." Ezekiel noted. "Was there a fight over that?"
"A few words were said, nothing major." Cracknell replied. "But we had eyes on the streets too, he was never out of sight."
"Again with the 'we'." Ezekiel muttered. "Then he got into the taxi and went home, just like that?"
"Just like that." Cracknell said laying the notebook on the table. "So what kind of trick did the freak use?"
Ezekiel stared at Cracknell's eyes, his mouth twitching. His body began shaking as he burst into laughter, much to his regret since he hadn't fully healed yet.
"Why are you laughing at?" Cracknell shouted. "What's so funny, eh?"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You." Ezekiel said, his eyes tearing. "You supreme moron! The answer was right in front of you the entire time and you didn't get it! HAHAHA!"
"What?" Cracknell asked confused. "What did I miss? Tell me or I'll have you in the hole for a year!"
"You'll do nothing of the sort!" Andromeda exclaimed.
"It's okay, Andi." Ezekiel replied wiping the tears. "Aaaaah, I needed that."
"Tell me what I missed, I order you!" Cracknell shouted.
"Your spy went home, took the decoder and then went to the restaurant he usually went, right?" Ezekiel replied. "He went there by taxi, nothing unusual there, got a table and ate. He then got the doorman to call a cab and left, as he had surely done number of times before."
"AND!?" Cracknell shouted loud enough for the rest of the customers to hear and turn their heads.
"And you meant to tell me that this spy, this man who always followed the norm and was a regular to this restaurant, didn't tip the doorman?" Cracknell stared at Ezekiel, gawking. "Oh, that's beautiful. My kingdom for a camera. What do you think, Andi, Harry?" He asked them grinning. While Harry was still a bit shocked, he could see a naughty spark in his eyes. Andromeda for her part. was having a field day.
"Yes. Well, right. Yes." Cracknell said writing in his notebook. "That's good, Ezekiel. I'll have it checked. This is good, very good. It almost makes me sad. Almost."
"There's nothing to feel sad about, Ian." Ezekiel replied with a cheshire cat smile. " There is nothing wrong with admitting your flaws, as numerous they may be. "
"Oh, no, not that." Cracknell replied with a laugh. "It's just I've been mumbling a lot about this meeting during the day, you know? Well, not mumbling, more like talking out loud. At home, at the Palace, at Work. During lunch."
Ezekiel's smile disappeared, concern washed over it. He looked at Andromeda and Harry who had paled and all of them turned towards the door where a small group of people could be seen. It then became evident that the rest of the people at the restaurant weren't normal customers.
"Oh, well, silly me." Cracknell closed his notebook and raised from his chair. "I hope nothing bad happens to you or that child. Although he could use a lashing or two. Anyway, I've got to go. I'm going to give you this." He placed a business card at the table. "I'm not getting a goose to tell you what to do. You'll call me at this number every day at midday and 5 PM. On time, every day. Enjoy the rest of the night, Ezekiel my boy. You've certainly earned it"
Cracknell left the restaurant in a hurry. Ezekiel looked at Andromeda, she gave him a quick nod and grabbed Harry before apparating away.
That only left him and a angry mob of wizards with a grudge.
I don't own Harry Potter, all characters except OC belong to J. K. Rowling.