Warnings: Maurader Time, maurader bashing, Harry/Voldemort, Necromancer, Dumbledore bashing, Order bashing
...
A deep frown darkened his face as he stood in the hidden tapestry room. Only Lord Black could enter this room freely. Anyone else had to be specifically invited even if they were the Heir or Lady of the Family. No one else could even see the door. Not even if they stood directly in front of the wall knowing exactly where it was supposed to be. A frustrating fact he had learned when he was just an Heir himself. Now that he was older he understood the secrecy for the particular tapestries.
Tapestries not tapestry like his family tree. There was more than one that lined the walls of this room. Each had the specific purpose of tracking those born with a certain inheritance. It would tell him when a new one was born and when they awakened into their power. Unless born into a blood traitor house that would be before the age of ten. More often than not it would be done by the age of seven.
The wards he set around the room would alert him to any changes that happened. This allowed him to ignore the room so that his face wouldn't ask him where he kept disappearing off to. Their marriage was one of convenience for the family not one of love.
One tapestry for each wall. Elementals, summoners, blood mages, and necromancers. Magicks that could only be harnessed by someone who was born into the line. At first, he had thought it was a blood mage or summoner who appeared. They weren't exactly uncommon in the world but if one was born in the British isles they would likely leave as soon as it awakened. Not illegal but highly frowned upon magic since the last war.
Orion had found them both unchanged sending a chill of fear down his spine. Elementals weren't seen very often. Most of them had deep connections to a Creature Line. Any who showed a sign of that were immediately sequestered away. It would be next to impossible to know who they were. This did not include the Longbottom line who were naturally gifted in Earth Elemental magic.
It was unchanged just like the other two which left only one. Long-forgotten magic that everyone had thought was extinct. While the other three had been at least seen during the last war Necromancy had not. It had been over two hundred years since a necromancer had been born.
With his mouth, dry Orion turned to look at the final tapestry. In green magic, there was a birthday. July 31, 1960. They knew when the new necromancer was born but no name family or given. Depending on what family they were born into would tell when they awakened.
Of all things to be born into their world, it had to be the most dangerous. Horror stories were still told of the last necromancer. A man who raised thousands of spirits that he couldn't control. War had broken out during that time. And everyone who was born with these abilities and several others was hunted to near extinction.
Several families worked together to aid and protect them. It was in thanks that they made these tapestries. Books were given and hidden so that if they ever asked for aid the families could give it. Orion wondered if the necromancer would come to him for help. Whether he did or didn't it was time to tell his Lord.
...
Harrison pulled at the collar of his robes as he made his rounds. It was his seventh birthday and he was having to attend a ball with his father and cousins. He didn't like interacting with his cousins. They all treated him like an outsider because of his eyes.
Most of his family on his father's side had brown eyes or hazel eyes. There were a few whose eyes were closer to green but they were few and far in-between. On his mother's side, they all had grey eyes. It was a Black Family trait.
Eyes in the Wizarding World showed possible bloodlines. The most common were dark eyes such as brown, hazel, or grey. A mix of colors could happen such as the mercury-colored eyes of the Malfoy family. In general, however, those of ancient bloodlines had dark-colored eyes.
When Harrison asked his father about it, his father had explained, "It is because some magic only sign is the color of the wizard's eyes. In the last great war between wizards and creatures over 200 years ago Harrison, it was thought those with bright colored eyes were creatures. Many wizards married into lines with dark eyes to protect themselves."
Curiosity had caused Harrison to ask, "Is it true?"
His father had glanced at him just briefly before he said, "It's possible but I doubt it. If it was true then the Weasley family must all be some kind of creature."
That was that. His father never spoke of it again. Harrison looked up in the smaller family library they had. There wasn't much left from the war. A few wizards speculated on what had caused it. Some said that it was a rowdy were who got too big. Others thought it was just someone who overused Dark Magic and went insane. A very few speculated about the rumors of a necromancer who had lost their way.
Something in him twinged at the thought of Necromancy. Nothing in the library available to him had any information on Necromancy. As young as he was the library had many restrictions on what books he could and could not get.
Harrison's eyes were grass green in a way that had not been seen in either family. Cousins from both Potter and Black looked down upon him. He knew it wasn't just for his eyes. Accidental magic which should have happened years ago had yet to make an appearance in his. Harrison was sure he had magic but why it didn't react like his cousin James he didn't know.
James Potter was his older cousin only by a few months. His dad, Fleamont was Harrison's uncle. Harrison's father was Charlus Potter the second son of the Family. Charlus had married Dorea Black and thus made Harrison a Black by blood.
Whether it was Potters or Blacks his cousins seemed to find common ground in tormenting him. Normally the adults would ignore it except for his parents but tonight all eyes were upon him. Everyone wanted to see if either of the Family Magics would accept him. More than once he heard his cousins placing bets on what might happen to him. No one thought that he would be accepted. It made him want to scream in anger but he didn't. He bottled up his anger and swore to prove them wrong.
Moving around the ballroom he saw his father talking with Lord Black. It was only the second time he had seen the man. Curiosity had him trying to discern anything interesting about him. Like all of the Black Family Orion had black hair and grey eyes. He was tall over six feet and gave off a powerful presence.
As if feeling his eyes Orion glanced at him. Something that Harrison didn't recognize flashed through the grey eyes. It wasn't disdain like the rest of the family gave him. If anything they seemed to be examining him with curiosity.
Whatever caused the man to be curious about him, Harrison didn't find out. Something hard slammed into his back and sent him stumbling forward. He grunted as he immediately tried to right himself and snickers could be heard from all around him.
Sirius said not sounding sorry at all, "Sorry cousin. I didn't see you there."
Harrison wanted to snap at his cousin but he bit his tongue. Picking a fight here would make him look jealous. In their eyes, he was useless as he had yet to have any accidental magic.
A low voice sighed, "Sirius, I warned you to be cordial while we are here."
Harrison looked up to see Lord Black and his father had come close to them. Lord Black was not looking at his son but seemed to be examining Harrison. Under the Lord's gaze, he stood slightly straighter and his chin raised. He refused to back down no matter what his cousins thought of him.
Swallowing he said as firmly as he could, "Good evening Lord Black. Thank you for coming to my birthday ritual."
Lord Black hummed, "Good evening, young Potter. It's your seventh birthday today. As I am one of the Lords of your family I am required to be here. Hopefully, you will have more success in the ritual than reports have given about your accidental magic."
Harrison flushed with shame but he didn't say anything. His father did not have such restrictions and snapped back, "Orion that was uncalled for."
Orion didn't look at Charlus his gaze was still fixed on Harrison. Harrison met his gaze evenly. For several long seconds, they stood there before Orion hummed.
Then he said to Charlus, "I believe it's almost time for the ritual."
And just like that the spell that seemed to have a hold over them broke. Harrison was ushered to the ritual circle and a few people gathered around. Others ignored him completely knowing his reputation. Orion was one of the few who did seem genuinely interested.
Harrison took his place in the middle of the ritual circle. His breathing came in slow and steady. Unlike other members of his family, he was not afraid of what was to come. One or the other family magicks would accept him. He felt it deep in his gut.
Fleamont came out of the crowd walking straight-backed towards him. Like James, he was wearing family colors. On his right index finger was the Potter Lordship ring. Potters were not like other families. Their Heirs were not chosen by birthdays. Instead, it came down to a duel when the potential heirs turn 13. Only the strongest was allowed to become Heir Potter. In the man's left hand was a silver ritual dagger.
Within seconds he stood in front of Harrison and held out one hand. Looking up he could see the coldness in his uncle's gaze. He extended his hand to the man and allowed Fleamont to slit his palm.
"I, Lord Fleamont Potter do call upon the Family Magicks of the Potter Family," intoned his uncle, "Test Harrison Potter son of Charlus, and may you deem him worthy."
Then he slit his own palm and they allowed blood to drip onto the circle. The room now seemed to be watching with bated breath. They wanted to see if the magicks would react.
Around them, the ritual circle flared to life. It was weaker than when James had done the same ritual in March. The circle did not flare in family colors as he expected. It has started out in the red and gold of his family colors before it was overtaken by an emerald green that drew shocked breaths.
Harrison looked into his Family Lord's face to ask what was wrong. Only for Fleamont to take several steps away from him and almost out of the circle. The family magicks lashed around them before finding Harrison. He felt it wrap around his wrist followed by a burning sensation. Then like that it was gone and the circle had returned to normal.
Everyone around him looked shook by the experience. That had not been a normal claiming by Family Magicks. After a few moments, the magic died down.
Someone muttered, "Well at least we know he isn't a squib."
A scowl appeared on Harrison's face. They constantly underestimated him even now. They would regret it one day. That he swore.
A dark look was sent to Harrison from his uncle. Harrison met the man's gaze evenly and unbeknownst to him, his eyes blazed with power. To his surprise, Fleamont flinched at the look before his face smoothed over. Then he muttered something to Euphemia. His aunt glanced at him too but her face was unreadable.
"I do believe it's my turn," came the warm dark tone of Orion.
That had the others turning to see the Lord waiting outside of the circle. His eyes were on Harrison a strange gleam in them. It made him want to run. What was that look?
Charlus said looking shook by the reaction of the magic, "Yes. Yes, you're right Lord Black. Go ahead."
Just as his uncle had done the Black Lord walked into the circle and came to stand in front of him. Harrison extended his uninjured hand to the man. Normally the Family Lord would have healed the cut. The fact he didn't showed how little Fleamont cared for Harrison. The ritual needed a fresh cut per testing. Orion actually took his wrist in his hand and slit the palm.
"I, Lord Orion Black do call upon the Family Magicks of the Black Family," intoned the Black Lord, "Test Harrison Potter son of Charlus, and may you deem him worthy."
Then he slit his own. Around them, the ritual circle flared to life. Grey magic swirled around them. It didn't stay grey, however. Emerald green joined it but unlike with the Potter Family Magicks, it didn't overtake it. Instead seemed to work with it as it swirled around him and over his right wrist. There it settled and a sense of acceptance washed over him.
