Morningstar: The Rebirth of Nexus
Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Recommended Reads: Yield to the Darkness by Quatermass, Dark Lord Potter, Damaged Raven and Apex by JustBored21, Kill me if you can by PercyPendragon3, Harry Potter: Lord of Darkness by AngelSlayer135, The Rise of a Dark Lord by LittleMissXanda, The Downward Spiral Saga by BolshevikMuppet99, Overlord Potter by Gloweye, Harry Potter and the Next Overlord by JLawrence Kenny, Harry Potter: The Overlord by The Darkest Soul and Harry Potter: The Overlord Returns Home by Gwydion669
Key Pairing: Harry/Ariana
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
'Mental Speech'
/Parseltongue/
Review Answers:
No responses for this chapter
"I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may now kiss the bride."
"Cute," sneered Harry, though he did give Ariana a soft peck on the lips as he whispered, "Thank you, Ari."
"No," replied Ariana, shaking her head as she smiled at him, her eyes shining with raw power and newfound strength as she gazed upon her lord, her love and her future husband.
"Thank you, my love…one thing's for sure; my brother's not going to know what hit him!"
Chapter 4: The Unlikeliest Acolyte
There was only one day to go until Harry and Ariana were off to Hogwarts.
And yet, after everything he'd said and done, from becoming the Nexus' latest incarnation to finally getting his revenge on the Dursleys, Harry wasn't actually looking forwards to going to Hogwarts.
Partially because he knew he'd seriously have to dumb himself down as a student and be more-human, less-demon-lord than he usually was, but also because, if there was any choice at all, he'd gladly and willingly let himself embrace the nature of his family's namesake and unleash the Apocalypse on the world of Man and mortals.
However, even a Dark God couldn't rule over all without allies, servants and, like any kid, toys to pass the time.
In order to fulfil his destiny, Harry knew he would need legions who would bow down to him, obey him and praise everything he did, treating his every word as divine gospel and his every action as being good, true and the acts of the Almighty himself.
In short, he had to ensure that Morningstar rose from Hell and made the Heavens themselves tremble, but he couldn't do that with just demons and dark creatures. He needed humans – be it as slaves or even as a snack – and he needed servants who'd obey him without question, kill for him, hunt for him and die for him.
So, yes, for now, Hogwarts was a necessity.
Not that Harry had to like it.
Nexus
On the last day before September First, Harry transported himself and Ariana to the mortal world.
Ever since accepting her place as his Dark Queen and Lady of the Netherworld, Ariana had become more-equal with Harry, though she always seemed eager to please and obey him. She also gave him every ounce of her Obscurial's power and, in return, he imbued her with the dark gifts of his magic, passed through the bonds they now shared as Dark-Bonded husband and wife, which also tamed the Obscurial in her and helped her blend in as a normal human witch.
Also, when he asked, just to be on the safe side, Ariana showed him a picture of her former self – back when she was the human known as Ariana Dumbledore – which put the final nail in the coffin for Harry's doubts about whether or not she'd be recognised by the old coot.
This just left one bit of business and, for that, Harry needed to return to the mortal world once again.
More-specifically, he needed to go to Diagon Alley, which was how he and Ariana found themselves walking along the crowded street, the closed-in environment of the shops and stores helping to keep them blended in shadows. At the same time, the few patrons in the street seemed interested by the young man who walked among them, dressed in robes finer than fine, and with a beautiful girl on his arm, her head resting on his shoulder.
Smiling at the awed and even envious looks he got, Harry squeezed his beloved's hand as he whispered, "Look at them: even under our disguises, they envy what we are, my love."
"Soon, they will know what we are and, when they do, we will give them your love, in return for their souls," agreed Ariana, chuckling softly as she asked, "But you do realise these glamours won't work on the goblins, right, Harry? They have defences that can strip a disguise off like flesh being stripped from bone and they're highly sensitive to the ways of magic too."
"I know," agreed Harry, stopping before a large, white-marble building, which seemed to dwarf every other shop around it, a strip of golden letters over the top of the entrance identifying the building as Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
As they approached the main doors, however, Harry's eyes narrowed when he picked up on a scent of darkness that seemed to emanate from a side-alley close to Gringotts Bank; glancing in the direction of the dark essence, the Dark Lord's lips turned upwards in a faint smile when he saw a darkened alleyway that was identified by a rickety, broken-looking sign that had been scrawled on.
"Knockturn Alley," said Ariana, following her love's gaze while she told him, "Home to the dead, damned and desperate, not to mention the black market of Magical Britain and its unsavoury clientele."
"So, in other words, the perfect place to find those who would be willing to serve us?" asked Harry, earning a low giggle from Ariana as she cuddled against him, tracing her finger over his arm as she looked up at him.
"Serve you, my love…but yes."
"Then be patient, little Ari," whispered Harry, placing a soft finger against her lips while he explained, "Let's deal with the goblins first and then we'll go shopping for souls to enslave and hearts to blacken. If you're a really good girl, I might see about getting you a pet of your own and something special for my Princess."
As Ariana nodded in response, Harry's eyes narrowed when, as they passed through the doors to Gringotts, he thought he saw the goblin guards in attendance lower their heads to him, as though they seemed honoured to be in his presence. At the same time, the lights in the bank seemed to dim in their sockets while, as Harry and Ariana entered the foyer, they were greeted by a dead silence, the likes of which any parent, teacher or librarian would have sold their souls to possess.
Cocking an eyebrow at the unusual welcome, as well as the fact that every goblin in the bank's foyer seemed to watch them, their beady eyes following Harry and Ariana as they made their way forwards, the Dark Lord drew out a slow breath before he whispered, "Well, this isn't eerie."
"Maybe they know you," said Ariana, keeping her voice low as they approached the counter at the head of the foyer, though, thankfully, the goblins they passed seemed eager to return to serving their clients, which meant Harry and Ariana's conversation was kept between the two of them, even as Ariana looked to Harry before she added, "I know you've often studied the works of your predecessors, my love…"
"You mean when I spent five years being reborn? I had to do something with all that time," drawled Harry, earning a soft laugh from Ariana while Harry frowned as he asked, "What's your point?"
"Every incarnation is different," whispered Ariana, her voice edged by a note of pride as she told Harry, "None of them reclaim the knowledge of their predecessors' actions or the reign they led as the former Lord; it's a dark cycle of one passing onto the next and the next and the next, so, rather than store memories or risk corrupting the power inside you, they leave journals, memoirs and collections of trophies from their conquests."
As Harry heard this, he frowned in thought, letting his mind return to the power of the Nexus.
Nexus
As Ariana had said, this power was made up of his Mind Palace, where everything he'd researched while the Nexus had been reassembling his mind, body and spirit, allowing him to leave his armour and walk as a normal youth once more could be stored and browsed to his heart's content.
Almost immediately, a great wave of information filled his mind, accompanied by dates, times, faces and thoughts that had been part of those same histories of the former Morningstar Bearers, all of whom, as Ariana had said, had been as different as Harry himself, worked in different ways and moved in different circles.
Although he was them reborn, Harry hadn't really felt like he'd known their experiences.
To him, their journals and histories were simply words and images on parchment and trophies kept in the Tower and throughout the Netherworld.
Now, after all those hours spent reading and learning of his past selves and their experiences with the Nexus, it looked like Harry needed them.
Nexus
Letting out a low hum of thought, Harry smiled to himself, "Yes, you're right, Ariana: looks like taking care of business will be easier than we think."
Ariana could only smile in response before she watched as Harry released his hand from hers, drawing himself to his full height as he addressed the goblin behind the counter, "Gods of War and Fortune bless you this day, Master Treasure Keeper: I request an audience with your Chief, the business of which is to be kept between myself and him."
Unsurprisingly – at least to Harry and Ariana – the goblin behind the desk flinched, as though he'd been electrocuted, before he addressed Harry in a low, oddly-courteous tone of voice, "We have heard tell of your ascension to your true station, my Lord: by my Chief's will, I am honoured to direct you to his halls for your audience. May we provide you with some sport and refreshments while you discuss matters with my Chief?"
"Sport, no; refreshments, yes," answered Harry, amusement lacing his words as he added, "Lead on, Treasure Keeper…may the Gods bless you."
Even as the goblin led Harry and Ariana away from the foyer, the Dark Lord smirked to himself when he felt more than a few pairs of eyes following him and Ariana, from humans and goblins alike. At the same time, a second air of darkness and something akin to bloodlust seemed to hound each of Harry's steps as he walked with the goblin leading him towards the only goblin Harry suspected he would be able to trust with the task at hand.
After several minutes, the goblin guide stopped before a large pair of metallic doors, which were guarded by two heavily-armoured goblins, both of whom tensed up when they saw Harry and Ariana approaching with one of their kinsmen.
"Halt!" boomed one of the guards, earning a smirk from Harry as he saw the goblin brandish a sword, aiming it at them, "Who dares to approach the halls of Ragnok Dragonsbane unbidden?"
"The Dread Lord Morningstar!" exclaimed Harry, dropping all pretences, as well as his glamour as the youthful Lord of a man was replaced by the young boy who could have passed for a teenager, a head of dark hair that stood up like a crown atop his head, as well as emerald-green eyes ringed with blackness and filled with raw power now glaring daggers at the goblins.
Next to him, Ariana's glamour also faded, revealing the silky-smooth, raven-haired girl who had become the Queen of the Netherworld, her eyes now colder and much-darker, like the colour of finely-polished titanium, which shone with warning and power as she stood next to her beloved.
As for the guards, they acted like the guards on the main doors as they tensed up before both of them fell to their knees, prostrating themselves before Harry and Ariana while the goblin who'd challenged them growled, "Forgive us: we were made aware of your return, my Lord, but…but we did not know your form."
"That's funny," sneered Harry, folding his arms smugly while he told the warrior, "Because ever since we walked into Gringotts, there hasn't been a goblin who didn't know who we were, so your request for forgiveness…"
Suddenly, a loud growl tore through the hallway before what could only be described as a blade of purest darkness swept through the air; while the guide seemed untouched, the same couldn't be said for the guards, both of whom found their heads leaving their bodies while thick, blood-red clouds of energy hovered in the air.
"Is denied!" finished Harry, holding out his hand, aiming his ring at the red masses.
Next to him, Ariana followed suit before, one by one, the eyes on their rings' skull-headed mounts shone with dark power that swept through the corridor. When it touched the red, both rings' eyes shone with a hint of otherworldly malice that seemed to draw in the masses, swallowing them into the eyes and leaving only a black flash on Harry's ring and a green one on Ariana's.
"Don't worry though, stupid creatures," sniggered Ariana, kissing her ring as she added, "We'll be sure to put your souls to good use: meanwhile, what shall we do with the meat, my love?"
Smiling in response, Harry turned before he told the guide, "Take their remains, roast them, then feed them to your dragons. No sense wasting good flesh when it can serve the higher powers."
"Y-y-y-yes, my Lord," replied the guide, fleeing Harry's side as though he was a demon fleeing a holy man – an ironic statement, for sure.
Harry, meanwhile, turned back to the doors ahead of them before, pushing them open with the simplest of ease, he frowned as he asked, "How long do you think it'll take him to realise we ordered refreshments for our meeting?"
"Ah well," said Ariana, shrugging ruefully while she followed Harry into the halls beyond, "Guess we'll have another soul to add to our collection."
"Rest assured, my Lord and Lady," a deep, powerful voice suddenly remarked, drawing Harry and Ariana's attention to the head of the chamber that they'd entered, as the voice went on, "I shall ensure my brothers do not forget their duties again, though I thank you for taking away such wasteful souls as those guards. I hope their replacements prove more-useful to you."
"A pleasure to meet you too, Chief Ragnok," said Harry, taking a seat on one side of a large, stone table that was blacker than pitch and engraved with the crest of Gringotts Bank. On the other side of the desk, a large, well-muscled goblin warrior dressed in battle armour and wielding an array of knives, as well as a fierce-looking Warhammer next to him, dipped his head courteously to Harry, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and finality as he responded to the boy.
"I see you are truly reborn, Dark One; only the true Morningstar would dare execute the souls of my kin without fear of repercussion."
"Well," drawled Harry, resting his left hand on the desk while he smiled like a shark smelling blood in the water as he told Ragnok, "It helps that the power of Morningstar has had the homage, tribute, ear and souls of the Royal Clans for the past four hundred years: tell me, what is the name of the current King?"
"Azeroth Nightsblood," answered Ragnok, a note of homage in his voice, as though the right to speak the name wasn't even his, though as he did so, he dipped his head again as he added, "It was he who informed my kinsmen of your resurrection, Majesty: he wishes an audience with your newest incarnation at your convenience to discuss our terms of fealty this generation."
Pursing his lips together, Harry looked from Ragnok to Ariana before he asked, "What do you think?"
"I think we should go," replied Ariana, a note of pride in her voice as she told him, "I've always wanted to meet a King…well, apart from you, my love; so, let's grace the halls of this King with your presence…but when?"
"Might I offer a suggestion, Milord?"
"Please," said Harry, gesturing to Ragnok while he kept his attention focused on the tasks at hand.
"As part of our calendar," replied Ragnok, linking his hands together while he explained, "It is the custom of the King to host what is known as a Carpathian Feast on Samhain. It is based on an old Vampire custom, taught to our ancestors as a means to honour the fallen, give tribute to the Gods and, if you'll forgive my frankness, get stone-bloody-drunk and try to rise up through the ranks of our legions. Council is also held and all are recognised, even those who come from distant lands and tribes: I daresay having the Dark Sovereign as one of his guests would greatly honour His Greatness and his clan."
"And…how long would this feast last?"
"From midnight to midnight on Samhain, which, unless my eyes deceive me, Milord, is also the same night that your current incarnation of Future Lord Harry James Potter became the famed hero of man he is."
"I am Harry Potter, Ragnok, as well as the Dread Lord Morningstar," argued Harry, earning a curt nod from Ragnok.
"I meant no disrespect, Sire," explained the goblin leader, clearing his throat as he told Harry, "I am simply observing what I see; however, I must also confess myself amused to discover that the so-called Saviour is the newest life of the Lord of Darkness and Supreme King of the Netherworld."
"I was that boy…until I died," argued Harry, earning a bass laugh from Ragnok that, rather than amuse Harry, confused him, "What? Did I say something funny, Ragnok? Trust me, I know I died; how else do you think I became endowed with the power of Morningstar?"
"Oh…forgive me, my Lord," replied Ragnok, waving his hand dismissively while he told Harry, "I simply…it's just…oh, this is rich…"
"What do you know? SPEAK!" Thundered Harry, causing the room to tremble while the air grew thick with darkness as the Dark Sovereign's rage was made known to Ragnok.
However, before Ragnok could answer, Harry and Ariana both looked over their shoulders when a new voice answered Harry.
"He means no disrespect, Master: it is just that Harry Potter's alive and well status is well-known to everyone, human and goblin alike."
To Harry's bewilderment, the speaker was a young man with darkest-red hair cut short and brushed back in a formal, but eerily-cold look that seemed to work for him as well as a smooth, freckled face that seemed to hold an air of coldness and ever-present apathy in his glare. His eyes were a dark shade of grey that seemed to remind Harry of living shadows while his body was swathed in a set of jet-black robes that seemed to hug his lean frame like a second skin.
In one hand, the young man carried a single book, which looked to be older than sin, while around his neck, he wore a pendant shaped like the same coiled-serpent-meets-Ouroboros symbol Harry remembered from the doorway to Ariana's Hive.
As he stopped before the table, the young man set the book down in front of him before, to Harry's bemusement, the newcomer dropped onto his hands and knees, like a worshipper of old before a sacred deity, as he spoke to Harry. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, my Lord and Lady: I am honoured beyond all reason to even be worthy to share my lifespan with yours; please, Master…Mistress…command me."
While Ariana smiled, as though she recognised the man's devotion for what it was, Harry scoffed before he asked the first question that came to mind. "Who the fuck are you?"
"Of course, my apologies, Master," answered the young man, his voice as cold as Death itself while his every word was spoken with the same dark submission and homage Harry remembered Sigma and even Ariana using around him in the Netherworld.
Looking up at Harry, the man lowered his eyes to avoid meeting the gaze of the one whom he clearly saw as his superior as he answered Harry;
"My name is William Weasley, eldest son and, right now, emissary of Arthur, Lord of Clan Weasley, all of whom are once again honoured to serve the Dark Lord Morningstar and his wishes…long may he reign!"
Nexus
For a long moment, which only drew itself out because he didn't know how to respond to this surprise, Harry kept his eyes fixed on the prostrated form of William Weasley, who seemed reluctant to do anything more than bow down to the Lord and Master he claimed to serve.
Next to him, Ariana seemed torn between amusement and curiosity as she too observed the attitude of the kneeled man, though as she did so, she also chuckled as she mused, "Well…it seems the goblins aren't the only advocates of yours who recognise your ascension to greatness, my love."
"And I'd bet every soul in Damnation this one's just the first," drawled Harry, looking back to Ragnok, who seemed just as neutral and calm as ever, even as his liege-lord eyed him, before Harry asked, "Would you mind, Ragnok?"
"Of course not, Majesty," replied Ragnok, gesturing to Harry and his submissive new servant as he explained, "My time is yours to use or waste as you wish: while you speak with Master Weasley, shall I go and see where those refreshments you ordered got to?"
"Yes," said Harry, though as he did so, he smirked before he added, "And when you do, you can tell that goblin who served me to throw himself to the dragons for failing to meet my wishes. If he won't go willingly, kill him and then feed him to the dragons."
"Yes, Your Highness," said Ragnok, earning a smirk from Harry while he watched the Chief – who, in Harry's presence, might as well have been nothing more than a lowly street rat – leave the chamber, leaving Harry alone with William, who remained prostrated before the Dark Sovereign.
Deciding to add some humour to the moment, if only for his enjoyment, Harry rose from his seat and, walking around the table, he took a seat in the now-empty chair of the goblin chief. When Ariana saw this, she giggled in amusement before, rising from her seat, she walked around the table and stood behind her love's left shoulder, resting her arm on the back of the chair while she watched, waiting to see what Harry was going to do.
She wasn't left waiting long.
"Rise."
Even without his armour, Harry's voice still rang true with darkness and dominance, both of which only made the human boy before him tremble as he obeyed, drawing himself to his feet. When he saw Harry sat in Ragnok's chair, William's eyes widened for only a moment before, smirking in amusement, he dipped his head.
"If I may be so bold, Master, the Chief's throne suits you perfectly."
"Well, I am Sovereign," drawled Harry, tapping his finger on the arm of the chair while he addressed William, "But enough toadying, Weasley: you said you're the eldest son of Arthur?"
"That's right."
"And he couldn't come and greet me himself…why?"
"He doesn't know you're here," said William, earning a raised eyebrow from Harry while the elder boy cleared his throat as he continued, "I knew of your arrival and the request of King Azeroth because I work for the goblins: while in their employ, my official title is Curse Breaker, which has me working on many of their tombs and hoards around the world. At the moment, prior to your arrival, Master, I was working in Egypt on the goblins' recently-unearthed tombs and some of the magical defences of the Great Pyramids of Giza."
"Bored now," drawled Ariana, earning a gentle pat to her hand from Harry, who shushed her argument even as he kept his eyes on William, who paled in alarm when he heard the way she said it.
"Now, now, Ari, let him speak," said Harry, earning a pout from the female before he added, "Remember, my love: once we're done here, I'm going to find you a new pet to play with. So be patient and allow our newest slave to be so dull and descriptive."
Ariana seemed to take a moment to consider this before, leaning down, she whispered, "Two pets and I'll endure any boredom."
"Make it three, then, and let me get on with this," remarked Harry, earning a surprised look from William while Ariana let out a childish squeal of delight as she kissed her lover's cheek.
Harry, meanwhile, chuckled dryly as he stroked Ariana's hair, though not before said girl slid into his lap, resting her head on his shoulder even as the Dark Sovereign addressed the redhead across from him. "Sorry about that, Weasley: you might not believe this, but she's not quite so easily bored and, usually, whenever she is bored, she has her favourite pet to play with. Unfortunately, said pet is currently living in the Netherworld and I don't really feel like summoning it here, so let's move this along. You said your title with the goblins is an official one?"
"I…I did, Master."
"So," said Harry, curling an arm around Ariana, who seemed content to snuggle against her lover as he went on. "Am I right to guess you have a more…unofficial role with the goblins?"
"Of course," said William, smiling thinly as he explained, "As do all who have lived under the banner of Morningstar and His reign over us: you see, Master. You may not be aware of this, being a new reincarnation, but Clan Weasley have always operated as what you might call the Netherworld's liaison with the Magical World's Black Markets and more…disreputable connections."
"The seedy, but seductive underworld of the Mortal World," mused Ariana, earning a nod from William.
"Precisely, Mistress."
"And," continued Harry, though not before he placed a gentle kiss on Ariana's forehead as he asked, "I also noticed you said eldest son, so just how many children are there in Clan Weasley?"
"Seven," answered William, earning a surprised look from Ariana while Harry cocked an eyebrow.
"Your poor Dad…or maybe it's the Mum I should feel sorry for," drawled Ariana, earning a low snigger from Harry as he teasingly tickled at her belly with his fingertips.
"Says the Dark Queen who has sworn to give me all the heirs I desire, one day," argued Harry, earning a soft laugh from Ariana.
"That's different, my love."
"How?"
"It's for you," said Ariana, before she laughed as Harry found a particularly-ticklish spot. "And, besides, I'm not human: they are!"
"Touché," replied Harry, before he looked back to their companion as he added, "Sorry, Weasley: you were saying?"
Clearing his throat, as though he felt awkward, or just plain unworthy, to be in the presence of such intimate discussions, William counted off each of his siblings as he explained, "I am the eldest and firstborn son and heir, then there's my brother, Charlie, followed by Percival, or Percy as we call him. Next are the twins, Fred and George, followed by Ronald, or Ron for short, and finally, our only sister, Ginevra, or Ginny as we call her. Then, of course, there's Father, Arthur Weasley, and Mother, Molly Weasley, formerly Prewett, whose only surviving relation is an outdated, borderline-demented old harridan named Muriel Prewett."
"And, this Molly," said Harry, though when he said the name, he practically spat it out, as though the very mention of the name and the syllables that made it up were like venom on his tongue. "Does she serve me?"
"She's Father's baby-bearer, nothing more, my Lord," replied William, though as he did so, he smiled wolfishly as he explained, "Many years ago, Father ensnared her by preying on the Prewett Family's biggest, worst-kept secret: their desire to rise up through the ranks and appear to become known in the same circles as the Sacred Twenty-Eight."
"Of which, if my memory serves me correctly, House Morningstar was the very first initiated Household of this ancient and esteemed order, am I right?" asked Ariana, earning a nod from William.
"Many would claim that House Black was the first, as many of the pure-blood families branch onto it and consider themselves part of it, but yes, Mistress, you are correct to assume this," said William, earning a scoff from Ariana, as though she wasn't actually asking the question, or possibly that it was a question that didn't really need an answer.
As for Harry, he just smiled, petting Ariana in a reassuring manner while he asked, "So, I take it he succeeded?"
"Correct," replied William, his eyes never leaving Harry's as he explained, "During the War, first with Grindelwald and then the Dark Lord Voldemort, House Prewett's numbers were left all but extinct: the last ones to fall were Molly's twin brothers, Fabian and Gideon, whom were among the final casualties of the war. Fortunately, by this time, Father had ensnared Molly's will and made her his perfect little wife and loving Mother…or so she would believe, especially since she likes to believe her voice is what keeps us in line."
"Ah, the controlling, smothering type who enjoys thinking she's all that," remarked Harry, chuckling to himself as he added, "Reminds me of your favourite pet, my love…and look what became of her."
"Just let her try and control you, Harry," retorted Ariana, clenching her hands into fists as she hissed, "I'll feed her to Kronos alive!"
"Even he might not enjoy that," laughed Harry, drumming the fingers of his right hand on the arm of the chair while he looked from Ariana to William as he asked, "So, just so we understand one another, Weasley: what does keep you in line?"
"You, Master," said William, earning another curious look from Harry, even as William went on. "From our first nights in the crib, our Father has told us stories, legends and whispers of the legacy in servitude to the reign of the Dread Lord Morningstar. He also ensures we pursue roles that will benefit you and our unofficial family business, which is why he supported my decision to work for the goblins. Similarly, my brother, Charlie, has recently gained an apprenticeship under Dragon Tamers in the Romanian Dragon Reserve, but his duties with them will take him to any one of the other reserves across the world."
"That is interesting," mused Harry, tapping a finger against his lips before he asked, "So let's move down the chain: what about Percival?"
"To insert himself into the circle of influence that governs the world of Magic," answered William, earning a scoff from Ariana while Harry, shushing her again, listened as William continued his explanations. "I know: it sounds laughable that anything to do with making the rules of our world stand can even be called authority. Thanks to the wrong movements by many ignorant fucking arseholes who think money can solve everything, our world's going to Hell in a hand basket…apologies for my crass remarks."
"Swear till you're blue in the face for all I care," retorted Harry, gesturing for William to continue as he asked, "So Percival? He's…what? A mole?"
"More like one who aims to find the means to do what must be done, not for the good of this world, but for the good of the world he truly serves," explained William, earning a raised eyebrow from Harry – a gesture he seemed to be doing a lot lately – as the elder man continued, "It's his belief that, if the world's going to destroy itself through corruption anyway, he might as well find a way to deliver the killing blow. As they used to say in older days and times: the village must be destroyed before it can be rebuilt."
"And when it is?"
"Then it will be a new age," said William, his voice filled with awed wonder, even as he bowed his head to Harry, "A time where the people show due homage not to false idols like Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort or even Merlin, but to you, Master. The Dark Sovereign, the Dread Lord Morningstar: He Who Decides Whether You Live or You Die…and then he'll just kill you anyway."
"Nice tagline, I'll be sure to use that one day," chuckled Harry, earning a hum of agreement from Ariana while William managed a small smile.
Before they could continue, however, a door opened, revealing Ragnok, who returned to the chamber, now carrying a large platter filled with drinks and nibbles, which he set down on the table between Harry and William.
When he saw Harry sitting in the seat of power, the goblin chief chuckled before he cleared his throat, drawing Harry's attention to him.
"If you wished to take your rightful place in this world, Majesty, all you had to do was say so," remarked the chief, sitting in the seat Harry had been using when he first entered the room.
When Harry gestured for William to do the same, the redhead took his place next too Ragnok while Harry asked, "So…did he go willingly?"
"Let me put it this way, your Dis-Grace: I believe the dragons might enjoy having you offer them food," replied Ragnok, though as he said it, Harry saw the Chief shudder as he added, "And I highly doubt any of my kinsmen will be so blind to your wishes again, thanks to the smell of barbecued goblin that seems to have become permanently fixed throughout our tunnels."
"Oh dear, what a pity, never mind," drawled Harry, summoning a goblet full of juice to him, which he handed to Ariana, who was now seated on the arm of the chair while Harry helped himself to a few snacks, even as he explained, "Now, if you don't mind, Ragnok, we were discussing important matters. Go on, William, let's move on from your brother's hopes for the future: what of the Twins? What can you tell me about them?"
"You mean apart from the fact they're more cunning than every Slytherin whose been there since my days, Master?" asked William, a note of actual amusement in his voice as he filled in the blank for Harry. "For as long as anyone outside the Clan has known them, the Twins have been the bane of every figure of authority, especially Molly and, as of two Septembers ago, McGonagall, with their pranks and their way of being able to make accidents look like such. They also take places on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team that has them become the most-feared Beaters since…well, ever! I believe the general consensus of their opponents is: have a Weasley aim a Bludger at you. Thank the Gods if you're still walking."
"And they get away with it?" asked Harry, a note of amusement in his voice, even as he saw William nod his head.
"It kind of helps that part of our deception on this world is that of a family so steeped in Light, we're Albus Dumbledore's biggest supporters."
"Can I kill him?"
Even Ragnok froze when he heard the bloodthirsty request from Ariana, who was now glaring daggers at William while, to Harry's amusement, his beloved's body was practically shimmering with a blackened aurora that he knew was the power of her Obscurus threatening to burst forth. Even her eyes were turning milky-white as she hissed and leered at William.
Harry, however, reached out before, snaking his arm around Ariana's waist, he practically buried her against his clothes, though not before he whispered, "Calm down, Ari: he said their role with your brother is that of a pretend alliance. Basically, the Weasleys are wolves in sheep's clothing and, soon enough, with their help, it'll be us, the Direwolves, who feed well from the fattened sheep! But we can't do that if you kill our Pack, now, can we, my Princess?"
Once again, his words, as well as his comforting presence and the air of love he showed in his actions, helped ease Ariana back into a more-normal state, though not before the girl looked up at Harry, "Of course…you're right, my love; I'm sorry. It's just…I heard my brother's name and…"
"You saw red," said Harry, earning a nod from Ariana while Harry continued, "Trust me, if I wasn't paying attention to what William was telling us, I would have killed him myself, fed you his soul and sent his decapitated skull to Albus gift-wrapped…maybe even still-blinking."
"Ooh," sighed Ariana, rubbing herself against Harry as she laughed, "Promises, promises…good thing you were paying attention, Harry."
"Yes, it is…and down, girl," laughed Harry, kissing Ariana on her brow as he explained, "Remember, infused with the power of Morningstar, we might be, but, as far as the mortals believe, we're just two simple, ordinary eleven-year-olds…and most normal eleven-year-old kids can't do stuff like that…even as much as I want to."
Ariana seemed to understand what he was saying, judging by how she returned to her spot on the arm of Harry's chair while the Dark Sovereign returned his attention to William as he asked, "I hope this serves as a warning of what will await any of your Clan should you choose to forsake your servitude to me, Weasley?"
"I…I…yes, of course, Master," said William, though his gaze was focused on Ariana, as he addressed Harry, "For…forgive me, Mistress, but…but you called Dumbledore…your…your brother? Is…does that mean you're…could you possibly be…"
"I was once known as Ariana Dumbledore," said Ariana, earning an amused bark of laughter from Ragnok, as though he finally understood not only his lord's reason for being there, but also the way that he seemed so calm and confident about…well, everything he did.
Ariana, meanwhile, cleared her throat as she went on, "However, as you've seen, I am now His, Weasley, which makes me Ariana Morningstar."
"Though they won't know that," added Harry, pointing a finger at Ragnok as he explained, "That's why I'm here today, Ragnok: with your help, I'm going to help create the perfect cover story for my beloved that will even allow her to remain hidden at Hogwarts."
"It would be my honour to aid you in this endeavour, my Lord," said Ragnok, earning a content nod from Harry.
Returning his attention to William, Harry drew in a slow, deep breath as he asked, "I trust no-one outside of this room will learn of my beloved's identity, Weasley? I really would hate to waste perfectly-good magic on something as trivial as your execution."
"My silence is yours, as is the rest of me, Master," replied William, earning a wolfish smile from Harry that seemed to be emphasised by the sight of his eyes turning jet-black in their sockets, even as he addressed his subordinate once again.
"Now, let's talk more about your youngest siblings…in particular, the one called Ronald and the fact that it took seven times for you to gain a sister."
Nexus
It was nearly an hour later before William left Gringotts to return to his family's home, the Burrow, which seemed that little bit less-impressive and even welcoming after being granted the right and privilege of being in the company of his Master for so long.
Then again, having been raised on the tales of His greatness and knowing what was expected of him when the Clan had to honour their loyalties, William also had to admit he was honoured to be considered worthy enough to even live with his Master in this life, much less be of use to him.
If the Dark Sovereign had wanted, he could have done what William heard him tell his Mistress he would do, and the redheaded youth wouldn't have even begged for his life.
At the end of the day, the entire Clan owed their loyalty to the Dread Lord Morningstar and, as such, they were bound by oaths deeper and loyalties stronger than anything mortal to please and be of use to their Master however He wished them to be.
And if that meant they die just because he wanted them to die, that was a good thing.
However, as William had learned, his Lord and Master had other plans for the Clan, especially its younger members and those who wished to be of use to Him in the long run.
Nexus
Removing his shoes at the door, William opened the door before he called, "Hello the House!"
"Bill!"
To his amusement, what could only be described as a redhaired missile struck William – or Bill, as everyone else knew him – before he was able to close the door; letting out a laugh as he was attacked by said missile, William scooped up the source of the attack – an excitable ten-year-old girl with flaming red hair and a bright, cheeky grin – before he swung her around in a circle, tousling her hair fondly. "Hey, Gin: where is everyone?"
"Mum's giving Ron another lecture on what she expects of him at Hogwarts; Gred and Forge are plotting their latest batch of pranks against the Slytherins and Percy's shining up his new badge," said Ginevra Ginny Weasley, her eyes never losing their shine as she walked alongside her eldest brother, who nodded once before he glanced down at her.
"Badge?"
"He's been made a Prefect for Gryffindor," said Ginny, earning a raised eyebrow from William.
Not that he didn't see it coming, of course, but the fact that it also happened in the same year their Lord and Master came to Hogwarts was nothing if not suspicious. Then again, given what William had learned, if the old bastard thought he was going to ensnare His Grace, he was going to be in for a very nasty surprise that, one would hope, might be enough to kill the senile old fool before he proved himself to be an even-greater annoyance to the Master than he already was.
"Good for him," said William, standing near the foot of the staircase that led up through the rickety, oddly-shaped house that was the Burrow, his eyes locked onto his kid-sister with a mixture of fondness and satisfaction as he asked her, "And Dad?"
"Emergency summons by Perkins," replied Ginny, earning a scoff from William.
Of all the deceptions that the Weasley Family played on the rest of these fickle-minded freaks and unbelievers, their Father's was the cleverest one of all, especially given the fact that, although nobody might believe, Arthur Weasley was also the deadliest one of the lot.
And if you wanted to know how bad he was, put it this way.
Bellatrix Lestrange would beg him for mercy as soon as she saw his true face.
"So…no chance of him coming home anytime soon?"
The words were no sooner out of William's mouth before, to Ginny's surprise, the Floo Gate in their living room flared into life.
Seconds later, the tall, lanky figure of Arthur Weasley, head of the Weasley Clan and Patriarch of the Family, stepped out of the fireplace, rubbing a towel through his red hair while he groaned with disgust and outrage. "Honestly, as wonderful as the Muggles are, I have to ask it; how stupid do you have to be to buy a toilet off the back of a lorry and not expect it to explode? Two hours, I've been cleaning shit out of my hair…literally! And I can still taste corn: Merlin's blood-seeping ballsack: I don't even like corn."
"Hey Dad."
Suffice to say, the sound of his eldest son's voice caught Arthur off-guard: while Ginny retrieved the towel that her Father dropped before it could hit the floor, Arthur's eyes widened with surprise and a small hint of suspicion as he saw his son standing there, his eyes dark and ominous, but his posture seemed calm and relaxed.
"Bill!" said Arthur, stepping towards his son, embracing him fondly while he laughed, "What a nice surprise: welcome home. What happened? Did your superiors give you time off for a family visit?"
"Something like that," answered William, though when Arthur embraced him, the eldest of the Weasley children dropped any pretences he might have been showing as he whispered, "And it's William, Father."
Almost-immediately, Arthur's cheerful demeanour faded away, to be replaced by a glimmer of surprised curiosity that turned into a neutral, almost-expectant look, which showed itself in his voice as he asked, "This isn't just a family visit, is it?"
"My superiors suggested I meet with the Clan before half of you disappear off to Hogwarts," said William, earning a slow nod from Arthur while William asked, "Do you mind if I go and say hi to the boys? Maybe congratulate Percy on his new station? Something tells me it's going to come in very handy soon enough."
"Yes…of course, go on up," said Arthur, looking to his only daughter before he added, "Ginny, I think your Mother's overworking herself again: can you make her some herbal tea and then go and tell Ronald that Bill's come home? He'll want to see his big brother before he goes to school."
"Yes Daddy," said Ginny, her once-excitable tone now cold and haunting, if not eerie to hear, leaving Arthur alone in the lounge as she went off to find her Mother and wayward brother.
As for Arthur, he swallowed hard, so hard, in fact, he almost choked on what he swallowed down, before he coughed and gasped, a note of fear and sworn duty filling his eyes as he began wondering what, exactly, William had to share with everyone.
Whatever it was, Arthur knew it was important.
After all, it was coming from the real Head of the Weasley Clan.
Nexus
"All right, is everyone here?"
"Yes," chorused the rest of the Weasleys, sans Molly who, according to Ginny, had fallen asleep to rest off her overworked body and mind, with a little help from the herbal tea that Ginny had provided for her.
The important bit was that Molly would be out of it for a while.
Long enough for the rest of the Clan to discuss what William had come home to share with them.
As Arthur looked around the room, which was, in fact, the attic off their home, which was supposedly haunted – but, in actuality, the truth was that it was protected by charms and hexes that made sure nobody but the real Weasleys paid any notice at all to it – he saw a very different side to each and every member of the Clan who was in attendance.
This included Charles Charlie Weasley, who sported a new scar from one of his first encounters with the dragons he'd be taming in the Reserve in Romania, but, like William, also showed his true side, as was evident by the dark look in his eyes and the way his hair was brushed low over his fringe, like an opposite of William's, which was brushed back.
As for the rest of them, including Ronald and Ginevra, all of them were listening with intent ears as their Father took a breath before, drawing his wand, Arthur conjured a ring of pale-blue flames, which lit up the attic, especially a stone monument behind him depicting a cross between a spiralling serpent and the Ouroboros snake, creating an image that went on forever and ever.
Sniffing once, Arthur told them exactly why he'd summoned them to their meeting chamber.
And he did it with three words.
"He is Awake."
"And We shall worship him," chorused the Weasley kids, each of them speaking in unison in such a way that would have made any horror movie seem meek by comparison.
However, Arthur didn't waste time waiting on procedure.
Instead, he smirked as he told them, "That is true, my children, but I mean it this time: he is here, walking the mortal plane, after many generations and so long waiting. Our Master, the Dark God Morningstar, lives again."
With the exception of William, the Weasley kids looked stunned, not to mention in awe of this news, though it was Percy who spoke up.
"Are…are you certain of this, Father? We…we all know you've awaited the chance to be of use to our Master, ever since you were…well, younger than Ginevra is now. Can you say with absolute certainty that the Dark Sovereign has returned?"
"I don't know, Percival: why don't you ask your brother?" replied Arthur, earning a soft, almost-unnoticed flinch from Percy whom, like the rest of them, knew his Father would only use their true names if it was to do with the dark truth of their family.
At the same time, Arthur indicated William, who nodded once before he watched as his Father sat down, which seemed to be the cue for William to rise up, his dark expression reflected in the light of the flames around them while his eyes were filled with homage and determination as he turned and bowed before the monolith behind his Father.
Once that was done, William turned back to his siblings, letting the moment hang there for several minutes, during which his gaze seemed to bore deeply into the minds, bodies and souls of all present.
After what seemed like an eternity, William drew out a slow, hissing breath as he explained, "Yes, my brothers and sister…it's true: the Dread Lord Morningstar, our true Master of many generations, and the one who will decide whether we live or die, Sovereign of Damnation, Ultimate Lord of the Netherworld and Supreme King of Demons, Darkness and Death. It honours me more than you can imagine to tell you all that he does indeed walk the world of Man once again. I know this because I've had the honour of being in his presence."
"Maybe it was a pretender," retorted Ronald, though while his siblings hissed at him to be silent, William cut off his suggestion of a false lord by throwing his pendant at Ronald's feet.
"Pick it up!" snapped William.
Reaching for the pendant, Ronald's eyes widened with alarm when, as he went for the chain, his skin suddenly hissed with burning on a level that was so hot, it left a deep, very nasty wound on Ron's palm, resulting in a cry of pain from the young redhead as he dropped the pendant again.
"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ronald, rubbing his hand on his clothes as he asked, "How…what…it's really Him, William?"
"Yes."
"What's He like?" asked Ginevra, curling her knees to her chest as she looked up at her big brother.
"Oh, my dear, sweet, baby sister: let me tell you. He is everything we've heard of as children and so much more," explained William, pausing for a moment as he tried to figure out the right way to say it, though as he saw his siblings watching him, each one of them hanging on his every word, William drew out a slow breath as he summed it up as best as he could.
"He's like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night and the storm and the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of whatever awaits us in the next great adventure and…and…he's wonderful."
"He sounds it," chorused the Twins, though nobody laughed, not even the Twins themselves, while Fred Weasley spoke next, "Merlin, Billy…I'd have given anything to be able to stand in his presence!"
"Hear, hear," agreed George, running a hand through his hair before he laughed as he asked, "I mean, He didn't even kill you, William. And, as nuts as we've always said it is, but, isn't that what you've always wanted? To die by His hand?"
"It is," replied William, linking his hands together in front of him while a rapturous look crossed his face as he explained, "And He himself admitted that he would have killed me had I not been completely honest with Him about our loyalties and my role in his path, whatever that may yet be. As for being in his presence, you'll all get your chance soon enough, especially you four."
He pointed to Percy, Fred, George and Ronald one by one before he added, "And you'll get your chance next year, Ginevra: you see, His form of reincarnation this time around is that of a student…and not just any student."
While the rest of them looked bemused and bewildered, it was Ginny who looked like she'd seen and heard the wail of a ghost as she seemed to figure it out before anyone else.
"Hold on…no…Billy…you can't mean…is he…are you saying Our Lord is…Harry Potter?"
"Correct."
"Sweet Darkness!" gasped Percy, a note of awed disbelief in his voice that turned into a look of amusement as he laughed, "The old bastard's going to have a field day with this! I mean, Our Lord is meant to be this meek individual whom he expects Ronald to become the best friend and surrogate brother figure to and, one day, for Ginevra to marry and be impregnated by."
"Ah," added William, cutting off anything else Percy might have said as he faced his youngest siblings before he explained, "That brings me straight to the first main order He's given us: you see, when I had the honour of kneeling in His presence, being commanded by Him like I am nothing more than His dog, I also told him all about the Clan, including you, Father, but he seemed especially interested in the two of you."
"Us?" asked Ronald, while Ginny pointed to herself.
"Yes," answered William, looking from his brother to his sister as he added, "And, for your sake, Ginevra, I hope your little game of pretend-fangirl is just a game because, although I won't reveal what I know, I will say that Our Master has already found, wed and, from the way they were around each other, I'd even say he has bedded his Queen and, again, I won't say much more than this, but She is coming with Him to Hogwarts and they will be known as a Betrothed Couple, but only the four of you will know the truth about Him and Her."
"Lucky girl," said Fred, earning a warning nudge from his brother.
"So," said Arthur, looking to his only daughter with a much-darker persona than the warm-hearted fatherly figure everyone else saw around him, as he asked, "Just so we're clear, Ginevra and I am talking to and about the real you…tell me: what are your feelings concerning Harry Potter, the Boy we now know is Our Lord reborn and, clearly, greater and more than ever before?"
"Little Ginny Weasley is the one who dreams of being Mrs Harry Potter," explained Ginevra, though her voice held none of its obsessive fangirl attitude; instead, she remained as apathetic and cool-toned as ever as she went on. "But Ginevra Weasley, Daughter of Clan Weasley, is a loyal servant girl, tool, sword, shield and, if he so wishes, sacrificial pawn in the game played by my Master against his enemies. I am His, but only so far as He wishes me to be: nothing else matters, not even the wishes of my family…and that goes double for Mother-Not-So-Dearest!"
For a moment, silence followed Ginny's words before, to William's amusement, Arthur and Ronald took up the applause, which was soon echoed by the rest of the Clan, including William, who chuckled softly as he told his sister, "Now, I am speaking as His envoy when I tell you that He is pleased that you're not going to let the fangirl beat the real you, Ginevra. That is why, although it is going to be a year before you get to share the rapture of standing in His presence and proving yourself useful to Him, I have been asked to present you with your task and your role."
While the rest of the Weasleys gasped in shock at Ginny's role, said girl moved forwards before she prostrated herself before her eldest brother, her nose to the floor as she told him, "Tell me, William: what does the Master wish of me? I am His to do with as He wishes."
"That's good," said William, folding his arms while he explained, "Because, in His name, I have been instructed to order you to become the loyal friend and second-in-command of His Mistress: you are to be her confidant, best friend, as far as the mortals are concerned, and her handmaiden and loyal servant outside of the mortals' gaze. As you will fight and die for Him, so too will you now do the same for Her. You are to be His gift to Her and, although I hope you will still honour our family's loyalty to Him, you are expected to obey, worship and follow Her as your true Mistress."
Ginny's eyes widened with shock when she heard that, though as William looked from his sister to the others, he smiled darkly as he explained, "Of course, it is His wish that we all provide the Mistress with our services should She want them…and yes, boys, He has even given you, Charles and I permission to be concubines for the Mistress…and, if you're a good girl for her, Ginevra, our Mistress has also said the same of you to Him."
Even Ronald was in awe of what he heard, though as he did so, he cleared his throat before he asked, "So, is she meant to be to the Mistress what Father overheard Malfoy Senior bragging that Crabbe and Goyle's kids will be to that ferret-faced freak, Draco?"
"More or less," replied William.
Ginevra, meanwhile, lowered her eyes in homage as she told William, "If…if you have the honour, Big Brother, please…tell our Mistress I will be her most-faithful servant and I will give her everything and do all she asks of me."
"I get the feeling They know," chuckled William, earning a few titters from the others before William looked to Fred and George as he went on. "I've also told Him of your speciality at Hogwarts, boys, and He hopes you'll extend those services to Him, even if He doesn't get sorted into Gryffindor."
"As He commands…"
"…We obey," said Fred and George, speaking in the same manner many others were accustomed to hearing them use.
"As for you, Percival," said William, directing his next words to the eldest of the Hogwarts bunch as he told him, "Like the Twins, Our Lord hopes you will prove useful to Him. He is aware of your desire to be the catalyst to burning this world to ashes, only to rebuild it in His name and, from him through me, I have His permission to tell you that, if you prove your worth, He will reward you with the means to make your dreams come true and, like the rest of us, He wants you to know that success will mean boons and failures will mean punishments that make us beg for death."
"I will be honoured to work my way up the food chain in His name," replied Percy, lowering his eyes as Ginny had done before he asked, "But what if, like you told the Twins, what if Our Lord doesn't go to Gryffindor House? If I favour Him, it will arouse suspicion to His plans and the true identity of His Grace. I refuse to endanger Him or His goals because I play favourites."
"That's what they're for," argued William, indicating the Twins as he explained, "Your resources will prove useful to Him, whatever House he goes to and, with a common past, though He doesn't say what that is, but with something you have in common, the only thing you need fear, apart from him thinking you've outlived your usefulness, is backlash from the reputation He will give you for befriending outside the allowed area, especially if he is going to go to Slytherin House."
"Malfoy would shit himself stupid if that happened!" laughed Ronald, earning a cold smile from William.
"That brings me to you, little brother," said William, earning a surprised look from Ronald as William told him, "You see, when He asked me about you and Ginevra, Our Lord was very interested in you: so much so that He gave me a very special job. Something that only you could accomplish for Him."
"What is it?" asked Ronald, sitting up straight as he asked, "How…how can I…what can…which…"
"And here…it…is," said William, smiling cruelly as he saw Ronald wavering and shivering suddenly.
While everyone else looked on in worry, interest and curiosity, William held up the pendant he'd thrown to Ronald as he explained, "For what it's worth, little brother, I am sorry: you see, I really liked you and I had high hopes that you'd prove useful to Him, be it as his sidekick or his little messenger boy. Maybe he would have even given you the male equivalent of Ginevra's role to his Mistress…"
"But…Billy…I…I want to…to serve…Him…too…"
"I know you do," said William, watching as Ron's face turned deathly-pale, before the youngest redhead male gripped his chest, while William continued in a cold, emotionless voice. "But, as has always been our ways, His will be done; like the Twins said: as he commands, we obey."
"William," gasped Arthur, watching as Ronald started retching and gasping, coughing up blood and bile as he threw himself forwards.
At the same time, his eyes watered blood while his whole body trembled with spasms, even as Arthur, not even bothering to show any sign of fear for what was happening – given who had made it happen – asked his eldest son, "What…what did He want with Ronald?"
"Well, Father, let me answer that question with a question: namely, what do all Gods desire?" asked William, watching as Ronald let out a final, choked gasp before he hit the floor, his eyes wide and glassy while a final, deathly rattle of a breath escaped him.
All that remained was a pale corpse, as well as the colder-than-cold, uncaring tone of voice spoken by William Weasley.
"A sacrifice."
Nexus
Darkness…
That was all he could see, feel and recall around him.
It was dark…
It was cold…
And, admittedly, he was scared; how had he come to be in the darkness? Where was this dark world? What happened to him?
The last thing he remembered was William saying he had something to do for…oh no…
"He's here, my love."
As soon as he heard the voice, his blood ran colder than cold when he saw a flash of emerald-green, accompanied by the sight of an armoured being seated upon a regal, but terrifying-looking throne, his eyes, which looked more like the fires of Hell staring out from within the Abyss, filled with a hint of amusement and pride as he addressed the spectre before him in a malefic voice.
"Welcome back, Ronald Weasley: in case it escaped your attention, your brother gave you to me, to do with as I pleased, but don't be scared."
As the spirit of Ronald Weasley felt fear and disbelief well up inside of him, the voice of the Dark Sovereign, the Dread Lord Morningstar, Lord of the Nexus and Supreme King of Darkness, Demons and Death, filled every fibre of Ron's remaining essence with something else that made his body feel strange, perhaps even stranger than it was possible for him to feel.
Right up to the point where the only thing he heard was the voice of his Master addressing him again, his words filled with darkness that never seemed to die out.
"I've got something very special planned for you, my friend…so, let us begin!"
Then, in the depths of the Netherworld, Ronald Weasley's soul started screaming…
Nexus
Up above, on the surface, the Weasley Family Clock let out a loud, resonating BONG that would have made Big Ben look meek, before a single hand on the clock turned black and disintegrated.
At the same time, all around the house, anything that might have hinted at the existence of a seventh child – from the second-hand clothes to the chess set and the Chudley Cannons shrine in the spare room – all seemed to fade away, until they became obsolete.
Nexus
In a secret room in Hogwarts, a Book of Attendance also lit up with magic before, on one of its pages, a single name fizzled out of existence.
The name?
Ronald Weasley…
Nexus
As far as anyone was concerned – as the rest of The Clan soon discovered – the youngest Weasley male did not exist.
Never had.
Never would.
And, with that one stroke, the plans of Albus Dumbledore went to Hell in a handbasket…
Where the Lord of Hell waited to feed those plans to further warm his throne room on a cold night.
Chapter 4 and, HA!
Told you that none of you would see it coming, but, now that Harry has received his 'sacrifice' and discovered his new slaves waiting to worship the ground he walks on, what awaits him at Hogwarts?
Also, without a nuisance to be a burden, what sort of life might the Dread Lord have when he goes to Hogwarts? Will he still go to Gryffindor? Will he go somewhere else?
And what of Ariana? Will her murderous brother realise his raised devil has come back to haunt him?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Harry and Ari go to Hogwarts, where the Queen of Darkness' cover story is revealed; also, without one nuisance, Harry is free to have to put up with others: fortunately, he's got some real teeth in his jaws;
Please Read and Review
AN: Portrayals
Ragnok – voice: John Noble
Charlie Weasley: Alfie Allen
AN2: Harry and Ariana
Also, as this chapter suggests, yes, Harry and Ariana have 'consummated their marriage' and, throughout the story, will continue to do so; now, before anyone makes any accusations, let me just say this.
Thanks to the Nexus, Harry can actually make himself older or, if he so wished, even younger than he's meant to be, as can Ariana, so being grown-ups doing what comes naturally to them isn't hard;
And, when they 'go at it' they are adults, not children, so…