Sep 22

When the

Roses Bloom

Again - Two in

One March 1960

Harry always felt sombre when he came here. Although it had

only been two years ago that Nicholas and Perenelle had

passed away, he found himself here more often than he cared

to admit.

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The Flamels were the closest things to parents he had ever

had, and he missed them both dearly.

He had hoped that they would change their minds, that they

would ask for him to return the stone, but neither had, and

Harry had watched them deteriorate rather rapidly when the

effects of the elixir of life wore off.

They had been at peace with what was coming, had remained

devoted to each other until the very end, but for Harry and

the others that cared for them, it was difficult to watch.

Nicholas and Perenelle had come to rely on one another so

much that neither wished to be without the other for a

second.

As much as they tried to hold on to every second of life from

fear of leaving the other behind, it was Nicholas that perished

first, and Perenelle followed only a few moments after.

Harry had been there with them, had carried out their final

wishes for their burials, and had cursed them after for many

things, though the love he felt for them never wavered.

The duo had left almost all their worldly possessions to him;

'under the guise of maintaining the story that he was their several

times over nephew.'

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Albus had been given some books on Alchemy and a few

personal effects from both, but everything else had gone to

Harry.

As much as he treasured the library, the weaponry, and even

the plants that Perenelle had asked him to look after, nothing

was a replacement for either.

"Bastards," he snorted amusedly.

He had wasted no time in destroying the stone when both

were gone. He had no desire to use it for himself, and there

was always the risk that someone would come for it.

Voldemort had during Harry's first year, after all.

His expression darkened as he pondered the man.

Riddle's acts of depravity had evidently extended further than

he had known.

Even before his seventh year at Hogwarts, the boy, for that

was what he had been at the time, had orchestrated the

murder of his muggle family.

Although the muggles believed Frank Bryce had been

responsible, Harry knew better.

Having visited Little Hangelton for himself, he had felt the

faint traces of Tom's magic, and it took little effort on his part

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to deduce what had really occurred.

It had been sobering visiting the place that the Dark Lord had

once been given a new body, the place that Cedric had been

murdered, and the same place that the final vestiges of

innocence had been stolen from Harry.

It was a difficult thought to ignore, but no harder than

following the man's trail of murders he had committed across

the globe.

Abreo had been the one to alert him to the suspicious death of

a woman in Greece that had the aurors baffled.

As a favour to his friend, Harry had looked into it, and

immediately recognised the magic left behind.

There was no doubt in his mind that Tom had been there,

and many other places.

Over the years, he had killed more than twenty people, all of

whom he had used for his own gain before eliminating them

in cold blood.

The scenes that Harry reviewed were among the most

gruesome things he had experienced, but there was still no

sign of Voldemort.

The man would be back, of that Harry had no doubt, but he

had long grown impatient, and despite his best efforts, he

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could not locate his foe.

'He will come to you, Harry. It is written in the stars.'

Those had been the words of Nicholas, and although Harry

knew them to be true, it did not prevent the frustration he

felt.

"I'll get him," Harry vowed, turning towards the church a

short distance away as the clock chimed eleven am.

If he didn't leave now, he would be late to fulfil another

promise he'd made, this one to Arcturus.

It was meant o be done so a few years prior, but things had

changed. Meaning it had been put on hold until now.

In truth, with the death of Nicholas and Perenelle, Harry had

forgotten about it until Arcturus had reminded him only a few

weeks prior.

With a sigh, he activated his portkey before apparating from

his own study to a house belonging to the Lord Black that

was currently occupied by his youngest son and his wife.

As far as homes for such a prominent family went, this one

was rather humble. It was big in comparison to any average

house, but it was not close to Harry's own or others he had

seen of families with such a high social status.

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Ringing the bell, he waited to be let in, and was greeted by a

diminutive elf garbed in a grey apron with the Black family

crest stitched into the front.

"Baron Evans, sir," the creature croaked. "Please, follow

Dougal."

With a nod, Harry did so and was shown into a drawing

room where a slew of people were waiting for him.

"Harry!" Arcturus greeted him warmly, shaking his hand and

pulling him into an embrace.

Harry returned the gesture with a smile, noticing how taken

aback the other occupants of the room were by their Lord's

cheery demeanour.

"How's it going?" he asked.

Arcturus snorted.

"Same as always," he huffed. "I spend my days surrounded by

simpering morons who want to kiss my arse, hoping to get

some favour or other. Much as yourself, I suppose."

Harry shook his head.

"I just stopped opening the letters."

Arcturus laughed as he clapped him smartly on the shoulder.

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"I wish I could do that sometimes. I do envy you for it," he

sighed. "Come and let me reintroduce you to this lot. It's been

a while since you've seen them."

It had.

Though neither avoided the other purposely, both Harry and

Arcturus were busy men, and didn't get to see each other as

much as they would like.

They made a point to meet with Charlus in the Potter

basement perhaps once or twice a month, but beyond that, it

was often difficult to make time for more.

"You remember my eldest boy and heir, Orion," Arcturus

began, "and his wife, Walburga."

The man looked very much like Arcturus, but there was an

uncanny resemblance to Sirius, something that had developed

the older he became.

"Baron Evans," Orion greeted him with a bow.

Walburga had been the biggest surprise to him.

He had first met the woman at Orion's wedding when he had

graduated from Hogwarts.

She was a far cry from the screeching banshee he remembered

that occupied a portrait in Grimmauld Place, but only time

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would tell if she would become it once more.

Walburga was a beautiful woman, and oddly, where Sirius

seemed to get most of his own looks from.

The woman was heavily pregnant now, on the cusp of birthing

who had once been Harry's godfather.

Walburga offered him a deep curtsey once she was introduced.

"My youngest son, Cygnus," Arcturus continued, indicating

the other man in the room.

"Baron Evans," Cygnus spoke, his voice much bolder than

that of his older brother. "Thank you for taking the time out

to assist my wife. It is truly appreciated."

Harry offered him a nod and accepted the proffered limb.

"Your father is a good friend of mine, and if there is

something I can help his family with, it will be done," he

replied.

Cygnus smiled gratefully.

It was important that Harry was respectful, but also that he

reminded them that he technically outranked them in society.

Not that such a thing was important to him, but it mattered

to others.

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"The young lady you will be assisting is Cygnus's wife,

Druella," Arcturus introduced, indicating the woman stood a

little further back from the rest of the group.

She stepped forward and offered a less refined curtsey of her

own.

Druella was the only adult in the room that was blonde

haired. Her skin was pale, but her features were sharp and

refined.

She too was beautiful, but in a different way to Walburga.

"And finally…"

"Melania," Harry greeted the last woman fondly, pulling her

into a hug. "I hope he is looking after you. Remember, if you

ever need to escape, I'm always on hand to get you out of

there," he added with a wink.

Melania giggled as she swatted Harry's shoulder.

"I'll remember that, but you don't need to worry, I keep him

on a tight lead."

"I don't doubt it," Harry chuckled, ignoring the scowl

Arcturus sent his way.

"Bloody Evans," the Lord Black grumbled amusedly. "Come

on, you prat, there's a few more to meet yet."

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Arcturus steered him towards a trio of girls who had been

hiding behind Druella, each of them looking up at him in

what he could only deem to be wonder.

Harry recognised two of them even before Arcturus spoke

further. The eldest with her oddly violet eyes that seemed to

be so innocent from when he had last looked into them, and

the second with her platinum hair that differentiated her from

the rest of the family.

At the sight of Bellatrix, the memory of the night he'd

experienced before being transported here played over in his

mind.

She had killed Sirius, and he had cast the Cruciatus curse on

her, albeit rather unsuccessfully.

Instinctively, Harry almost reached for his wand, but he

stopped himself as Arcturus's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"This is my eldest granddaughter, Bellatrix."

"Baron Evans," the girl greeted him.

She was seemingly in awe of his presence, the same way the

woman he had met revered Voldemort, and Harry fought the

urge to shiver.

"Bellatrix," he said with a smile. "You have a very nice name."

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The girl beamed in response, as she blushed shyly, something

Harry would never have associated with the psychopathic

woman he had met briefly.

She seemed to be a girl, but Harry would be watching her

closely.

"Andromeda is our second daughter," Cygnus explained.

"Hello, Andromeda."

This was the girl who would one day be Tonks' mother.

Harry had never met the woman, but the metamorph had

spoken fondly of her.

The girl offered him a curtsey as the women had, and looked

up at him with her dark, shining eyes.

She looked very much like her elder sister, but the last of the

trio who could be no more than two or three years old did not.

"And the little one here is Narcissa," Cygnus declared proudly

as he tickled his daughter who giggled.

Narcissa Malfoy.

Harry vaguely remembered the sour-faced woman he had

seen in Diagon Alley before his second year, when Mr

Weasley had brawled with Lucius.

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The memory brought a grin to his lips.

The past few years in particular had seen the emergence of

names that Harry recognised from when he had been younger,

some good and some bad, but the world was slowly, but surely,

becoming the one he had left behind so long ago.

Harry had been here for almost twenty-five years now, and

though his former life was mostly a collection of memories

he'd rather forget, he still thought of it often.

"Hello, Narcissa," Harry greeted the girl. "Don't you have

some pretty hair."

"Once in a while, we do get a blonde in our line," Arcturus

explained. "She will be a beauty when she's older. They all will

be."

"And you will have the job of fighting off any unworthy

suitors," Harry pointed out.

"Ha, I'll just get you to do it," Arcturus laughed. "Alright,

that's enough of the formality. Harry is here for a reason, so

let's leave him to it."

Without further comment, the members of the Black family

took their leave of the room, and Harry was left with Druella

who had become suddenly fidgety.

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"Why don't you sit down," Harry suggested. "This will be

much harder if you're nervous."

The woman smiled and did so.

"Would you like some tea or coffee?" she asked, pointing to a

platter that Arcturus had undoubtedly arranged.

"A coffee would be wonderful," Harry replied as he took the

seat opposite Druella by the fireplace.

Her hand trembled as she poured him a cup, and Harry took a

sip once it had been given to him.

"Why don't we start with your OWL results. Do you have

them?"

Druella nodded and handed Harry a roll of parchment.

Reading over her grades, he nodded.

This wouldn't be such an arduous task, after all.

The woman had done quite well.

"Would you like to get your NEWT in all of these?"

Druella nodded.

"I'm hoping to."

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"Then that's what we will do," Harry declared. "We will

spend a few hours a day on weekdays working on them, if that

is okay with you?"

"I don't want to take up so much of your time, Baron

Evans…"

Harry waved the woman off.

"It is no trouble," he assured her. "I can see this is important

to you, and deep down, out of everything people seem to

think of me, I am an educator."

"Then why aren't you at Hogwarts permanently?"

"Maybe one day I will be," Harry answered, "but for now, I'm

here."

Druella smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Baron Evans," she said sincerely. "I can't tell you

how much I appreciate this."

"You can thank me by putting the work in," Harry chuckled,

"and if we are going to be spending so much time together,

don't you think you should call me Harry? The Baron thing

gets very boring."

Druella nodded.

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"I won't let you down, Harry."

(Break)

Breaking through the surface of the lake, Jack made his way

back to the shore, shivering as he stepped out of the water.

Even during the milder months of the year, it was cold before

the sun rose.

Thankfully, a warming charm took care of the chill, and

without breaking his stride, the teen began running laps of the

grounds.

He had begun doing this since finishing his fourth year of

Hogwarts when he returned home and informed his parents

of the career he wished to pursue.

His mother had not been best pleased by his decision, but his

father had been immensely proud, and even happier when

Jack asked the man to train him.

As the only two males in the house, Jack had naturally

gravitated towards his father, and he looked up to the man.

He didn't want to be his father by any stretch, not with what

he had endured throughout his life, but he wanted to be just

like him.

For no other reason than the kind of man he was, Harry

Evans was Jack's hero.

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In a little over a year, he would be graduating from Hogwarts

and would be joining the auror academy, should his grades

allow him.

He'd discussed it with Uncle Reg who had also supported his

choice and had even assisted with his training during the

summer, something Jack had stuck to religiously.

It had been a struggle at first, and for weeks after they had

begun, he had been sore and tired.

Jack had thought that the two men were trying to deter him

from being an auror, but that couldn't have been further from

the truth.

Uncle Reg and his dad merely wanted him to give his all, to

be the best that he could be.

Jack couldn't be more grateful for the men who were teaching

him well, even if he felt so mediocre in comparison to them.

Reg was an incredible wizard in his own right, but Jack's

father was something else entirely.

Growing up and having come to Hogwarts, he had heard of

the man's prowess with a wand but seeing it for himself had

been as awe-inspiring as it was frightening.

Experiencing it gave Jack a glimpse of the man that had

defeated Grindelwald, the dangerous and violent man his

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father could be when needed.

He had never seen it before.

His father had always been so fun if a little quiet, but there

was a terrifying side to him that none of the Evans siblings

knew of until Jack had asked him for a demonstration.

Slowing his pace when he realised the sun was coming up, the

Slytherin student returned to the dungeons where he

showered and dressed for the day.

It was a Hogsmeade weekend, but Jack had no desire to visit

the village with his housemates.

There was somewhere else he would rather be.

"Evans, are you joining us today?"

"Walden," Jack greeted the boy as he entered the common

room. "I'll come to the village with you, but I have an

appointment to keep."

"A girl?" Macnair asked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Jack chuckled as he shook his head.

"No, I'm going to see my grandparents."

The other boy nodded his understanding.

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"Understood," he replied. "I'll bring back some treacle fudge

for you."

Jack nodded gratefully as he followed Macnair, Rosier, Rowle,

and Travers out of the dungeons, and joined them in one of

the carriages that had arrived.

His peers would have breakfast in the village, and Jack was

looking forward to his grandmother's cooking, something he

didn't get to enjoy as much as he'd like.

"We'll cover for you if anyone asks," Travers assured him.

"Thanks," Jack replied, "I'll see you all later."

"Have fun, Evans," Rosier called after him.

Jack nodded and headed towards The Three Broomsticks where

he took the floo to his favourite house other than his own.

"What are you doing here, Jack?" his grandmother asked as he

arrived.

"I snuck away from Hogsmeade," Jack answered unashamedly,

eliciting a huff from the woman.

Nevertheless, she pulled him into her arms, and Jack melted

into the embrace.

His grandparents were two of his favourite people.

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"You'll be in trouble if your mother finds out."

"Are you going to tell her?" Jack asked cheekily.

Isobel McGonagall narrowed her eyes and swiped at him with

a tea towel.

"Of course not," she sighed. "Come on, let's get you some

breakfast. If you're anything like your father, I'd best put some

more on."

Jack laughed as he helped cut some bread.

His father was a strong man but had a much bigger appetite

than any would believe.

"It really is good to see you," his grandmother murmured

happily.

Jack smiled at the woman, giving her a pointed look as she

attempted to lift the trays laden with food.

"Let me," he insisted.

"Fine," the woman sighed before kissing him on the cheek.

"You're a good boy, Jack. You're just like him."

"I try to be," Jack replied as he headed towards the table and

placed the trays down. "Where's grandad?"

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"He's listening to the wireless. After all these years, he's still

fascinated by it."

Jack chuckled as he left the kitchen, pausing as he spotted his

grandfather leaning back in his armchair with his eyes closed,

humming along to a song playing on the radio.

As he entered, the man noticed him, and his eyes widened in

surprise.

"Jack!" he called in his gruff Scottish brogue. "It's good to see

you, lad."

The teen approached and hugged the man.

"Snuck out again, have you?"

"I might have."

Robert chuckled amusedly.

"Ah, your mother will tan your hide, boy. Never mind, you're

here now."

"And breakfast is ready," Jack pointed.

"Is it? I must have been listening longer than I thought,"

Robert mused aloud. "Come on, lad, give me a hand up," he

requested as he reached for his cane.

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Jack did so, pulling the man to his feet and steadying him

before allowing his grandfather to make his way to the

kitchen.

"You're getting strong," Robert commented. "You get that

from my side of the family."

"Not my father?"

"Aye, him too," his grandfather chuckled, wincing as he

hobbled on his way.

It was sad to see.

As a muggle, Robert McGonagall was aging much quicker

than his wife, and though Jack had discussed the possibility of

giving the man a concoction of potions to help, his

grandfather would hear nothing of the sort.

'God decides when my time is up, lad.'

His grandfather would die many years before his

grandmother, but Jack would be here for her, as would the rest

of the family.

"Come and get yourself some proper food, Jack," his

grandfather insisted. "I bet you don't get tatties like this in

that castle of yours."

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"We don't," Jack confirmed, helping himself to a sizable

portion of each of the foods, even the black pudding that his

father disliked. "Have you seen Rosa?"

"Aye, she came in just yesterday," Isobel answered. "She says

that she will be starting next year."

Jack nodded.

He was proud of what Rosa had achieved.

She had worked tirelessly to be accepted into the Harpies

developmental team, and even harder since she had been

there.

He didn't see his older sister as much as he liked, but that

would change when he graduated.

The twins would soon finish their third year at Hogwarts and

had proven to be as troublesome as ever.

Jack suspected that their mother's hair would grey prematurely

if they continued as they were.

It made him glad that they had been sorted into Gryffindor,

but he suspected that Jasmine would maybe be a Slytherin, or

a Ravenclaw if not.

As much as they often irritated him, Jack loved all of his

sisters dearly. Though he often felt the need to get away from

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them.

Growing up with five stubborn females had been difficult, but

he wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Still training I see," the voice of his grandfather interrupted

his thoughts. "You look like your father when he was your

age."

"Do I?"

"Aye, he was a strong lad too. You'll be a great auror."

Jack smiled as he continued eating his breakfast, simply

enjoying spending time with his grandparents.

Being compared to his father always made him feel proud,

and though he would become a man in his own right, he

would never stop trying to live up to the example the man had

set.

(Break)

Harry had certainly had his reservations when Arcturus had

asked him to tutor his daughter-in-law, but he couldn't deny

that Druella Black was willing to dedicate herself to her

studies.

Already she had proven herself to be competent in charms,

transfiguration, potions, and herbology, but her knowledge in

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defensive magic was sorely lacking.

Still, it was something that could be worked on, and Harry

had no doubt she would do well in the subject given time.

"Can you really defend yourself from the killing curse?"

Druella asked, looking up from the notes he had provided on

the topic.

Harry nodded.

"Despite the nature of the spell, it is one of the easiest curses

to defend against," he replied. "It is one of the few spells that

must be vocalised, and it is not a short incantation.

Summoning or conjuring a physical barrier will block it, but

no known magical shield can."

"Do you think there is a magical shield that could?"

"Probably," Harry said thoughtfully, "but who will be the fool

to test them?"

Druella laughed at the thought.

"Only someone very stupid."

"Exactly," Harry agreed, adjusting the small girl that had

fallen asleep on his lap.

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"I'm sorry about her," Druella sighed. "Arcturus has filled

their heads of stories about you. As far as Bellatrix is

concerned, you're the most interesting person in the world."

Harry waved off the apology.

As disturbing as it was to have what had been the murderer of

his godfather take such a shine to him, he reminded himself

that Bellatrix was just a little girl here and was quite sweet in

her own way.

Whether or not she stayed like this was something else

entirely but knowing of the potential downfall of the Blacks in

the future, Harry was determined to prevent it.

He had come to care for Arcturus dearly, and the rest of the

family for that matter.

If he could prevent their demise, he would do just that, for

Sirius at the very least.

"She's fine," Harry assured Druella. "Does Cygnus not spend

much time with them?"

Druella shook her head.

"He wanted sons," she explained. "I don't doubt that he loves

them, but his ambition is his priority. He doesn't wish to live

in the shadows of his father and brother.

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"Ambition," Harry snorted. "The man has everything he

could ever hope for."

"He doesn't see it that way," Druella murmured sadly. "It is a

curse for those born into it. As far as he is concerned, the girls

will one day be his way in with some of the other influential

families."

Harry frowned at the thought.

The Malfoys and Lestranges.

Bellatrix and Narcissa had been married off to them.

"Then maybe you should have a talk with Arcturus," he urged.

"I will if I feel the need to."

She wouldn't, and Harry made a note to himself to do so on

her behalf.

Despite coming from a prominent family herself, she had no

power in this house, and even Arcturus would disregard much

of what she said.

"Let's do some practical work," he suggested. "There's only so

much you can learn from reading."

"You're not going to cast a killing curse at me, are you?"

Druella asked worriedly.

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Harry chuckled amusedly.

"You don't think I am that crazy, do you?"

"You did fight a dragon," Druella pointed out.

Harry grimaced at the thought.

"True," he sighed, "but I have no desire to see you dead. We

can just run through some of the syllabus and spells you will

be expected to cast during your exam."

Druella breathed a sigh of relief as she stood, and Harry

followed suit, still holding on to the slumbering girl.

"She's really taken with you," Druella giggled. "She's not like

that with anyone else."

"Then I should think myself lucky."

Druella nodded, a warm smile cresting her lips.

"Maybe we should put her in bed," she suggested.

Harry nodded his agreement and the two of them left the

drawing room where they bumped into Cygnus.

"Again?" the man asked amusedly as he spotted Bellatrix in

Harry's arms.

"She adores him," Druella huffed good naturedly.

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"I can see that," Cygnus chuckled. "Are you heading to the

basement?"

"We're going to do some practical work," Harry explained.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Cygnus asked. "I'm quite

intrigued to see the methods of the revered Harry Evans."

Harry rolled his eyes but nodded.

"Dougal, could you take Bellatrix to bed?" Cygnus called.

The elf appeared immediately and relieved Harry of his

burden before disappearing once more.

"Shall we?" Cygnus questioned.

Harry followed the duo towards the basement, his thoughts

on the pair not at all what he had expected them to be.

Cygnus was an ambitious man, arrogant in many ways and

very prideful, but there was nothing overtly malicious about

him beyond what one would expect by someone carrying his

name.

Druella, on the other hand, was a sweet woman, a doting

mother, and someone who wished to please everyone. She had

a fiery side to her, and her husband knew not to push her too

far.

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What was abundantly clear, however, was that they truly cared

for one another, and as he watched the man hold the door

open for his wife, Harry couldn't help but wonder just what

could possibly go wrong for them.

Voldemort.

The thought sobered him immediately, and once more he was

reminded of just how devastating his presence would be for

what he could only see as a happy family.

(Break)

Charlus was pacing frantically outside of one of the birthing

suites in St Mungo's. It had been hours ago that he had been

notified that Dorea had gone into labour, and much to his

relief, she had done so whilst at work.

She had been told months ago to take it easy by the other

healers, but being her stubborn self, she hadn't listened.

For two years they had been trying for a baby before she fell

pregnant, and now the time was here, Charlus was terrified

for both his wife, and unborn child.

Complications?

What did that even mean?

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Charlus knew little of childbirth, and though he had been

learning as much as he could about raising a baby, he had not

been prepared for this.

"Sit down, Charlus," Angelica encouraged, steering him

towards a seat.

He didn't want to sit down, he wanted to know what was

happening.

Tapping his foot impatiently, he did all he could and waited.

Charlus couldn't be certain how much time had passed before

a healer emerged from within the room.

"Lord Potter?" the woman questioned.

Charlus stood, his mouth dry as he nodded.

He was acutely aware of his mother rubbing his arm

comfortingly as the healer spoke.

"Dorea will be okay, but she has lost a lot of blood," she

explained. "The umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's

throat, and Dorea haemorrhaged quite badly after we got him

out. It was touch and go for a while, but you have a healthy

baby boy."

Charlus choked in relief.

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"Dorea?" he asked.

"Is resting," the healer informed him. "We gave her a sleeping

draught, so she will be out for some time. I'm sorry, Lord

Potter, but as things are and the damage done to her, it is

unlikely she will be able to bear another child."

In this moment, Charlus didn't care about that.

So long as his wife and son were safe and well, that's all that

mattered.

"Can I see them?" he asked.

The healer nodded and gestured for Charlus and Angelica to

follow her.

Entering the room, the Lord Potter could smell the blood,

and the first thing he saw was the pale, sleeping form of his

wife.

Were it not for the rise and fall of her chest, he would have

believed her to be dead.

The thought alone terrified him, and he swallowed the lump

that formed in his throat.

"Bloody hell," he muttered worriedly.

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"She's been given blood replenishers, and pain relievers," the

healer explained. "Dorea will need lots of rest for the next

week, so we will be keeping her in."

Charlus nodded his understanding.

"She almost died, didn't she?"

The healer nodded grimly.

"She did," the woman confirmed. "She's made of stern stuff."

Charlus wiped away a tear as he sat and took her hand in his

own.

It was cold to the touch, confirming his maudlin thoughts.

"I'll leave you to it, but call if you need anything," the healer

instructed.

Charlus nodded mutely as he continued to stare at Dorea.

He didn't know what he would do without her.

"They both made it, Charlus," his mother's voice broke in.

"They're both okay."

Charlus turned towards her, his mouth falling agape as he

spotted the bundle of blankets she was cradling.

"Would you like to see your son?"

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Charlus held out his arms, and when the boy was placed in his

arms, he looked upon him.

There was no denying he was a Potter.

From his dark messy hair to his nose and jawline, he looked

just like Charlus with only a sprinkling of Dorea in the shape

of his eyes.

"Is he as perfect as I said he'd be?" a hoarse voice questioned.

Dorea couldn't even open her eyes, but she was listening.

"No," Charlus snorted. "He looks too much like me."

A ghost of a grin tugged at Dorea's lips.

"At least he will be handsome."

She fell silent once more as she lost consciousness, and

Charlus finally felt that his life was complete.

"Is there anyone you want me to inform?" Angelica asked.

For the first time, Charlus smiled as his gaze shifted between

his wife and son.

"Can you send for Harry and Arcturus?" he asked. "They

should be the first people to know."

Angelica laughed.

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Of course, Charlus would ask for them.

Squeezing his shoulder, Angelica left the room and Charlus

placed a kiss on his son's head.

"You have no idea how many people will love you," he

murmured.

(Break)

"Dad always said he was good, but he makes it look so easy,"

Cygnus whispered.

Druella nodded, breathless from being put through her paces.

"He did kill Grindelwald," she pointed out.

"It's so hard to believe," Cygnus murmured. "He's just so…"

"Calm?"

Cygnus frowned thoughtfully as he drew his wand.

"What are you doing?" Druella hissed.

Before Druella could stop him, Cygnus fired a stinging hex

towards Harry who had their back to them whilst he was

setting up an obstacle course for her.

The woman's mouth fell agape as Harry seemed to sense the

incoming spell and sent it back towards her husband with a

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hiss.

The shield Cygnus raised was destroyed, and the now green

spell slammed into his chest, sending him sprawling to the

ground, gasping for breath and bereft of his wand.

It was a foolish thing to do, but it wasn't the sight of her

wheezing husband Druella was drawn to, it was the

approaching Baron Evans, his eyes seemingly ablaze with fury.

This was the man that Arcturus Black told tales of; the

ruthless killer that lurked beneath the calm exterior.

It was frightening to say the least.

Cygnus was no slouch with his wand, but the speed and

power of the retaliation she had witnessed would have been

unbelievable had she not seen it for herself.

Harry had made Cygnus appear to be an over eager amateur

who had never even held a wand before.

"Don't do that again," Harry growled. "Next time it won't be a

banishing hex that is returned."

Cygnus nodded as he pushed himself to his feet, clutching his

ribs.

"I'm sorry, Baron Evans," he choked.

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Harry's nostrils flared, but he returned his wand up his sleeve.

"I think you broke my ribs," Cygnus chuckled.

"Then you are lucky I held back."

Cygnus shook his head.

"I always thought dad was full of it when he spoke about you.

Bloody hell was I wrong."

Harry hummed irritably, turning towards the door as it

opened.

"I had a bad dream," Bellatrix sobbed.

It was incredible to Druella how quickly Harry's demeanour

changed when the girl ran to him and held her arms up

expectantly.

The feral expression all but vanished and his expression

softened.

With only a slight hesitation, he picked her up and began

whispering comfortingly to her.

Druella felt lost.

Bellatrix always came to her when she had a bad dream or she

hurt herself, but the girl hadn't given her a second look before

she went straight to the man.

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"It's alright," Harry soothed. "The bad dreams can't hurt you."

Bellatrix nodded into his neck, and Druella felt Cygnus take

her hand as they watched Harry comfort their daughter until

she fell asleep in his arms.

"Bloody hell, she must really like you," Cygnus murmured.

"She doesn't even come to me like that."

Druella nodded her agreement.

Bellatrix was a very sweet girl in her own way, but she didn't

take to many people. She loved her grandmother but was wary

of most others.

It worried Druella at times because if anything happened to

her, Cygnus or her grandmother, Bellatrix would be

inconsolable.

She had no doubt the girl would be cared for by the rest of the

family, but there wouldn't be that connection she shared with

so few.

Oddly, she seemed to have found it with Harry so quickly.

Cygnus cleared his throat as he observed their daughter.

"Baron Evans, I know I have no right to ask this, but my

father thinks very highly of you, and his opinion means

everything to me. If my wife agrees, I would ask that you

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consider becoming Bellatrix's godfather. Since Druella fell

pregnant for the first time, we lost touch with most of our

friends, and I wouldn't trust any outside of my family with my

children. I've known you since I was a boy, my father sees you

as a brother, and I would be honoured if you were to accept."

To Druella, it made sense.

Whatever it was about Harry Evans that drew her daughter to

the man was quite unheard of and knowing the kind of man

he was only endeared her more to the idea.

Harry didn't seem to be sure, however, his expression almost

pained until he looked at the girl and he deflated.

Whatever thoughts he was warring with, Druella knew not,

but after only a moment, he nodded.

"I will do it," he murmured, "but I have two conditions."

Cygnus smiled and Druella breathed a sigh of relief.

"Name them," her husband urged.

"I would like to have a hand in her education as she is

growing up."

Cygnus nodded excitedly at the prospect.

"What is the other?" Druella asked.

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"That I am given final approval of any potential suitors you

line up for her to marry."

Cygnus frowned.

"You wish for her to be married into your family?"

Harry shook his head.

"No, nothing of the sort," he assured them. "I understand

your family traditions, and I will uphold them, but if I am to

be her godfather, I must insist that when she is grown, she

will be cared for by a good man."

It was an odd request to make, but not one Druella objected

to.

"I see no issue with that," Cygnus replied, looking towards

Druella who simply nodded her consent. "Your terms are

accepted, Baron Evans."

Cygnus offered his hand, wincing from the shake as he

continued to favour his ribs.

"I think you should go to St Mungo's," Druella huffed

irritably. "That will teach you for being so foolish."

"I've learnt my lesson," Cygnus chuckled.

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"Come on, I'll take you," Harry offered as he handed Bellatrix

back to Druella who rolled her eyes as her husband was

helped from the room.

What Cygnus had done was monumentally stupid, but

somehow, it had led to something good.

Bellatrix would be delighted at the news, something she

would be able to break sooner rather than later as the girl

stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

"Where's Harry?" she asked tiredly.

"He had to take your father to the hospital," Druella

grumbled. "He will be back to see you tomorrow."

Bellatrix smiled as Druella adjusted the girl in her arms and

left the basement.

"Do you like Harry?" she asked.

It was a redundant question, but her daughter's smile

widened.

"He's really nice, and strong."

"Strong?" Druella asked curiously.

Bellatrix nodded.

"Sometimes I feel like I can feel his magic. He's really strong."

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"He is," Druella agreed. "What does his magic feel like?"

It wasn't unheard for people to be sensitive to ambient magic,

but to feel someone else's was quite rare, especially when

Harry had never cast any spell around the girl.

Bellatrix frowned thoughtfully for a moment.

"Safe," she answered simply before she yawned. "It feels safe."

"Well, that is good," Druella mused aloud, "because your

father asked Harry if he would be your godfather."

"What does that mean?"

Druella pondered just how she could explain it to the girl,

before her daughter's words repeated themselves in her mind.

"It means that you will see lots of Harry and that he will keep

you safe. Would you like that?"

"Really?" Bellatrix asked excitedly, squirming in her mother's

arms.

Druella laughed as she let the girl onto the floor.

"You're happy then?"

Bellatrix nodded frantically and Druella took her by the hand.

"Come on, shall we get you and your sisters a snack?"

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Bellatrix all but bounced towards the kitchen, and Druella

struggled to keep up with her daughter.

It was good to see her so happy, and with a man like Harry

Evans in her life, it assuaged many of the worries Druella had

about her eldest daughter growing up.

(Break)

"I really am sorry about attacking you," Cygnus grunted as he

and Harry entered St Mungo's. "Not my best idea."

Harry could only shake his head.

It was a poor idea on the man's part, and what followed had

come as even more of a shock.

Somehow, he now found himself as the godfather to who he

had known to be perhaps the most prolific Death Eater

throughout Voldemort's uprising.

Try as he had, Harry could find no reason to deny the Blacks

the request.

Here, Bellatrix was just a girl, and if anything, being her

godfather put him in the perfect position to ensure wizarding

Britain was all the safer.

Without Bellatrix Lestrange, Voldemort would be without his

most dangerous follower, and his influence may be just

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enough to steer her clear from the pureblood movement.

"Father! Harry has agreed to be Bella's godfather!"

Cygnus's voice pulled Harry from his thoughts, and he looked

up to see Arcturus approaching them.

"As good as that news is, we have something else to attend

to," Arcturus replied grimly. "I just sent Elgar for you, Harry,

Dorea had the baby."

"Did she? She wasn't due for a few weeks."

Arcturus nodded.

"There's been some complications," he explained as he led

him away from the reception area. "Her and the baby are okay

now, but it wasn't good."

"What happened?"

Arcturus released a deep breath as he shook his head.

"I don't understand it, you'll have to speak to Charlus, he's

waiting for you."

Harry said nothing as he continued to follow the man.

"What are you doing here?" Arcturus asked Cygnus.

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"I did something stupid, and got my ribs broken," Cygnus

answered sheepishly.

Arcturus shot his son a look of irritation.

"Go and get them seen to," he sighed. "I'll let you know any

news."

Cygnus nodded and headed back towards the reception area.

"Sorry, gentlemen, you'll have to wait a moment," a healer on

the maternity ward informed them. "Mrs Potter is being

tended to."

"Is she okay?" Arcturus asked.

"She is fine," the healer assured them, and the two men

breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"So, Bellatrix's godfather?" Arcturus questioned whilst they

waited. "How did that happen?"

Harry shrugged.

"I don't know," Harry chuckled, still finding it difficult to

believe. "Cygnus saw how much she likes me and asked."

"And somehow got his ribs broken?"

"That happened before. He cast a spell at me."

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"Fucking idiot," Arcturus muttered. "Still, it's good news. He

thinks a lot of you, Harry, and so does Druella. She's very

grateful for your help."

"She's a good woman," Harry said sincerely.

"She is," Arcturus agreed. "Their start was far from ideal, but

I must admit that she is good for Cygnus. In case you haven't

noticed he can be…"

"Impulsive," Harry broke in.

"We will go with impulsive," Arcturus mused aloud.

"Regardless, he was smart to ask you, that I can give him

credit for. It only brings us closer."

"As does Charlus and Dorea's baby."

"A boy," Arcturus clarified. "They've named him James."

Harry swallowed, his heart filling with a mixture of worry and

warmth.

"James Potter," he murmured.

"You can go in now," the healer informed them.

Harry stood, his legs like jelly as he entered the room to the

sight of a tired Dorea, and rather dishevelled Charlus who

offered them a smile.

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Angelica was dozing lightly in another chair, evidently

exhausted by the experience.

"How are you?" Harry asked Dorea.

"I've been better," Dorea answered. "Already this one has

proven to be trouble."

' You have no idea,' Harry added internally, fighting the urge to

smirk.

"Would you like to hold him?" Charlus questioned, offering

Harry the bundle of blankets in his arms.

"It's been a while since I've held a baby," Harry chuckled as he

nervously took the boy from his father.

"Well, you'd better get used to it," Charlus sighed. "There will

be times when me and Dorea will want a break, and it should

be his godfather that looks after him."

"Me?" Harry asked dumbly.

"Who else, you prat?" Charlus snorted. "He's got his Uncle

Archie, and he'll have his godfather."

Harry didn't know what to say.

"You've put your life on the line for me, and you did it for my

father," Charlus continued sombrely. "There is no one else I

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would trust more to do it for my son."

It wasn't often that Harry became emotional, but in this

moment, he felt the sincerity in Charlus's words, and he could

only nod in response.

"Two in one day, Evans," Arcturus guffawed. "Don't let word

get out or everyone in wizarding Britain will be asking."

"Two?" Charlus questioned curiously.

"Bellatrix," Arcturus explained. "Apparently the girl has a little

soft spot for this idiot."

"Ever the ladies' man," Charlus chuckled, eliciting a scowl

from Harry. "Whatever will Minerva say?"

Harry could only shrug.

It had been a strange day.

Becoming Bellatrix's godfather had been unexpected but

being given the same responsibility for his own father was a

thought that would certainly take some getting used to.

(Break)

Lord Voldemort looked into the distance where he could see

the white cliffs on the other side of the Channel. He'd arrived

in France only a few days ago, intent on finally returning to

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Britain where his work would truly begin, where the sacrifices

he had made over the years would bear the desired fruit.

He was ready to face what awaited him, ready to cement his

name in History as the greatest wizard to have ever lived.

The likes of Dumbledore and Evans will one day be but a

footnote in the books that will be written about Lord

Voldemort.

He smiled to himself, revelling in the sound of the lapping

waves below.

Voldemort's time was coming, but first, there were matters he

needed to attend to.

With a final look towards his destination, he vanished silently

and reappeared, taking in a lungful of British air for the first

time in fifteen years.

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Comments (15)

Honestly, I am absolutely loving the slice of life moments

Funny, James is going to have two people that look like him

:D

I like how you are getting very twisty with the AU parts.

What's funny is given how much Harry looks like James ( like

his identical twin bare the eye colour according to snakes

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pensive memory) there got to be some banter about James

being Harry's son, made all the more likely as there are many

traits Harry got from James and with Harry having a hand in

raising him the things they have in common will be clearer to

see, but also he will pick up some of Harry's habits and

mannerisms making him seem more like jack and Harry.

Not to say that Charlus is dissimilar to Harry, but it will be

like in joke between siblings who have kids that seem more

like their aunt/uncle than mother/father

I wonder if someone will betray Harry

Hahahaha, being your father's godfather is probably the next

best thing to being your own grandpa.

That said, loved the chapter and hopefully his being there to

influence Bellatrix towards the light and keep her away from

the Lestrange deviants. Who knows, maybe she'll be sorted

into Gryffindor, to be more like her godfather, before Sirius is

years later.

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Great chapter.

Please write the next chapter already. Thank you very much. I

really liked it and appreciated it a lot. I'm sorry if I'm

annoying you or being rude to you with my reviews; I don't

mean to be rude or annoy you with my reviews; I just really

like your story a lot.

he has it all written, he just uploads twice a week, but paying

s can read it all...

This is still enjoyable and well written as always. However it

feels a little bit of an indulgent epilogue (to me). Tom has

been given screen time but to me he doesn't feel like he's been

built into a compelling antagonist.

All of his sucecess feel like failings on Harry's part (although I

as the reader have more knowledge of a young Tom than

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Harry did I think).

It is unusual to have a protagonist come in with the position

of power and experience so it could be potentially interesting

but right now it feels like a slow march towards an inevitable

victory (as opposed to a great obstacle).

I suppose in this story the threat of Gellert feels bigger than

an immature Tom.

Regardless I look forward to reading this conclusion but also

especially to your next work.

If we ever get to see James time in Hogwarts, Lily will

definetely be hearimg stories about Baron Evans, will Harry

reveal thqt they are related in some way? Because children will

think that she might look like she is his daughter or

grandaughter.

Honestly, I rather think that Harry took quite some great

strides to screw Voldemort over. Training the Aurors, saving

important lives and gaining much influence with the old

families and key people like the Blacks and Yaxleys.

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When the Roses Bloom Again - The

When the Roses Bloom

I think Tommy boy might have a little pull with the dumber

families, but that he'll be no match for Harry, magically and

politically.

We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.

I get the distinct impression that Voldemort has no idea what

awaits him.

Harry being Bellatrix and James' godfather is an interesting

twist. Jack becoming an Auror is very Harry-esque.

Harry godfather to baby bellatrix and his own father. That's

hilarious

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Author/Site Owner: Lee : TheBlack'sResurgence

Email: (For all enquiries)

Coming Storm

Again - How Times Change

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