A/N: Hey everyone! Finally got this one finished, work really made me have so much less time to write this past week. So, this is where even the Minister gets involved with Nick's antics to save the Wizarding world from itself (and Voldemort). Next chapter is a short trip into the Chamber and a somewhat heavy talk about underlying but inactive mental issues, anything else is currently pending. Oh, and I hope people enjoy Grubbly-Plank. She's never utilized enough and I thought with that fact she would be perfect to tease the students since she doesn't have to deal with them all the time lmfao.

Chapter Eight

Hagrid's Trial Part One

AKA Magical Creatures

One Month Later, Great Hall..

Nick was sufficiently bored. He was ahead of his classes, homework up to two weeks out was already finished and other than the somewhat slow proceedings about Walburga Black Nick could say life was nice. Peaceful. As is stood, it was breakfast and Nick saw Professor Flitwick levitating various kinds of Halloween decorations, giving the dining hall a more spooky atmosphere, especially as all the free-floating candles were now colored black to match the season.

The girls, as well as their little brother had not yet entered the hall, and Nick was interested as to why. Usually, Bellatrix came down with him but today she had told him to go ahead and that she would be there soon enough. That had been ten minutes or so ago, and no sign of her. While Nick was worried, he knew the necklace would alert him if Bellatrix was in overwhelming danger to herself. The Headmaster, seeing Nick as he entered the hall himself, walked over and bowed slightly. "Good morning, Nick. Where are the rest of your friends?"

"Got me, professor. I'm waiting for them myself. Did you have a chance to look into that wrench in Tom's plans I talked to you about the other night?"

Dumbledore hummed. "I did, in fact. You have a hearing with the Wizengamot tomorrow after your classes to discuss the removal of the basilisk as well as the truth behind the tragic death of young Mrytle. May I ask, however, how it is you know about such events?"

"The same mysterious reasons I know of Tom's plans in general. Believe me, you'd probably think me the second coming of Merlin from my foresight, but the real reason why I.. couldn't truly explain to you anyway, I don't understand it myself. Forgive this teenager his secrets, but as a Gaunt and confirmed Parselmouth because I possess this ring," Nick flashed him the ring. "Only I can ensure that beast is brought out of that poor cage it finds itself in until Tom brings that infernal journal of his. Were you able to come up with anything about that, by any chance?"

Albus shook his head. "Frustratingly, no. I would not be surprised if he kept it with one of his more trusted Death Eaters. I hate to insinuate things, but perhaps Lucina's father? Lord Malfoy still lives despite his failed attack at the Leaky Cauldron you and Lady Black stopped, and he is considered a high roller in their little society. How you would get such a chance to find it, I would not be able to tell you."

Nick smirked. He had actually been thinking about a way to track down anything Voldemort had made a Horcrux, and it was actually ingeniously simple. "I have, actually. Is there anything here of Tom's? An award or something? There's no tarnish to his teenage years yet, but that journal would instantly prove that Voldemort needs to be stopped and every one of his followers need to be ousted, no matter who the fuck they are in your little prejudiced society. I need to find it before the hearing. The only reason I need you at the hearing is for reassurance of Hagrid's intention with his magic. It's a miracle his umbrella is stable enough as a makeshift wand, let alone for so long already. He needs a real wand I'd you intend on him being at his fullest as a Groundskeeper. You have very dangerous animals here, Dumbledore, including the colony of Acromantula Hagrid accidentally released when Tom framed him. Hagrid can keep Aragog tame for now, but eventually he'll become a threat that Hagrid may not be able to deal with alone. Not with a makeshift wand. He's more than earned the right, being innocent to begin with."

"I must ask why you feel the need to rectify a mistake made years ago, Nick. Especially with everything else you've been up to since the year started. I commend you on effective use of time, though. No matter how much of your classes are missed, you still have the work done as if you had been there. You aren't using an illegal Time Turner, perhaps, are you?"

Nick laughed. "I could be, yes, but I'm above that. Plus, I could probably make one more effective than normal, if the protection array I placed on my betrothed's necklace says anything about my charm crafting skills."

Dumbledore nodded. "Ah, so that's what I keep feeling around young Bellatrix. I was unaware of such an arrangement."

"Well, it was kind of unintentional. I made the necklace for her before I knew it really was a sign of intent. I wouldn't take it back if given the choice, though, sir."

"I'd hope not." Came a new voice as Bellatrix sat down next to Nick. "Morning, love."

"Good morning, beautiful. Finished whatever business you and the girls had this morning, then?"

Bellatrix nodded. "Yeah, all of mother's meddling is now undone. Andi hates it, but her and Ted are now betrothed so nothing short of either ones death with nullify it and Narcissa is completely over the moon at being so free. And we have you to thank, even if father passed the title to me like we had planned anyway."

"I'm happy to help, Bella. The headmaster and I were just discussing our plans to help out old Hagrid."

"Oh, the new wand thing?" Dumbledore looked at her, surprised. "Nick doesn't tell me everything, but he tells me enough to know what he's up to. Or planning for the near future. When's the hearing?"

"Tomorrow, after classes. I'd ask if you wanted to come but you have to anyway, you already sent in the letter stating that anything needed of the Wizengamot meant you would leave the school."

"Yes, I did indeed. So, what's first today again?"

Dumbledore nodded his farewell as Nick hummed. "Today first period is.. Herbology? Why did the schedules change all of a sudden anyway?" Nick didn't remember that ever happening in the books or movies.

Bellatrix hummed. "Not sure. I had heard there was going to be a shift in staff soon, a couple of professors moving between subjects or retiring early. Kettleburn should be out any year now, if he loses any more limbs."

"You're right. Honestly he already looks like a bad scarecrow come to life. Honestly, that's partially why I'm doing this thing for Hagrid. He doesn't have full education as far as Hogwarts standards go, but he's damn well smart enough to teach Magical Creatures. Plus, he is innocent, I just need that damn journal. Where's Lucina?"

"Not sure. But, if you need to know whether her father has the thing, don't you only need your fancy two-way parchment? You sent one to her father, my father and I. At least, those are the only ones you told me about."

"There may be one or two floating around out there, yes. But, you do have a point. I'll have to grab it before we head down to the reserve.."

"Oh, what am I to do with you, Nicky?" She had begun calling him the nickname for almost all of the last month, not that he was complaining. "Just summon it to you. Quietly, obviously."

Nick looked at her and then nodded slowly. "Right. Yes, you're right Bella, that is an option." He nonverbally did just that as the piece of parchment he was looking for appeared in his hand. "I honestly thought that wouldn't work." He said as he scribbled a note on the parchment for Abraxas Malfoy, hoping beyond hope the elder Malfoy could help him out one last time, preferably without Lucina's father dying a most likely horrific and torturous death.

Magical Creatures Reserve..

"Good day students. Some of you know who I am, others do not. I see new faces every time Albus asks me to teach," Said the older witch as she stood at the head of the group of students. "My name, for the select few unfamiliar with my teaching methods- yes, Mr. Negron that means you, eyes front- is Professor Grubbly-Plank. Don't ask, my family has had some very unconventional names in the past few centuries. Now, Professor Kettleburn is off on one of his expeditions and with any luck he'll be otherwise incapacitated so I don't have to move house every few weeks.." Nick chuckled silently. He quite enjoyed Grubbly-Plank, and he honestly had never noticed her in the movies although to his knowledge she had taught very few classes to Harry and his friends, and even less of that was actually stated in the novelizations. "Now, I have a special creature for us to review and study today. While it isn't anything as dangerous as a Antlion or Manticore, they can be quite mischievous when left to their own devices."

The teacher grabbed a tarp next to her and pulled at the corner she held, the tarp falling off of a large cage where a small flock of colorful birds sat on makeshift branches, fallen logs crisscrossing the cage. "These are known as Soulbirds. Most of you may not have heard of them, depending on how many of you have traveled to the Caribbean or the American state of Hawaii. Do any of you have any experience with these adorable little creatures?"

Nick did, in fact. He had gained some more memories of this version of his life, including a trip to Hawaii where he had encountered such a bird. A local man, Ty Hau, had seen the interaction and explained everything he knew about the rainbow-colored birds. So, Nick raised his hand. "Ah, Mr. Negron. Not surprising, being from the U.S. What can you tell us about Soulbirds?"

Nick cleared his throat semi-dramatically. "Soulbirds are the magical cousin of both lovebirds and birds of paradise, but no one knows for sure how Soulbirds became magical and not the other two. As you said, they mostly live in Hawaii with small flocks also living among the Caribbean islands and even throughout several forested countries in Central and South America. There aren't many practical uses in the Wizarding world for Soulbirds, as they don't have much in the way of magical properties other than the aphrodisiac produced when mixing their plumage with an added drop- of all things- of basilisk venom. Even harder to produce since the basilisk preserve in Greece only distributes a minute amount of the venom due to its highly toxic properties to the touch.

"But, they do have a sixth sense, if you will. Soulbirds, back in the days before modern amenities and acculturation, were used by tribal leaders to find their soulmate, possibly literally that's a bit fuzzy to be honest. It is said that they're attracted to feelings of love and can oust a couple even if their intentions are hidden. These days, it's illegal to even have a single one as a pet, as they must live in pairs to even stand a chance at living. Kind of like sugar gliders. That's all my mentor in Hawaii told me on the subject."

The professor clapped her hands. "Excellent. He was probably an expert from familial experience. All correct, as well, except the illegality of keeping them as pets. While it is deterred in most cases, it is usually allowed if the birds live on the property and that property is based in their home region. The part of the Forbidden Forest and creature reserve we keep our Soulbirds in is constantly warded with warming charms as well as the occasional prolonged rain charm." The rain charm was a highly underutilized spell. Based on the power projected in its casting, one could water their garden with a small cloud or they could drown their enemies' houses by placing the charm inside a room out of spite. There were even legends that Merlin could use it to conjure up entire hurricanes. "Today, however, I want you all to pair up, one boy and one girl. Preferably those with friendly feelings towards each other, I know how you all like to polarize yourselves."

Bellatrix was latched onto Nick's arm faster than anything, and the glare she pointed at the other girls in class (several of which had been making passing asglances at Nick all year) kept him to herself as the guys either rolled their eyes or laughed. Even the professor laughed at Bellatrix's actions. "You two are already together, aren't you? Defeats the purpose of class a bit, honestly." She teased as both teenagers blushed.

"We're not." They both denied, despite the news of the contract binding them being fairly common knowledge around the school now.

"Whatever you say, children. Now, if there is any compatibility between partners, romantic or otherwise, there will be different reactions by the flock. But, there should be a pair of Soulbirds to a pair of students each unless the compatibility factor is not in fact there. Once everyone is paired or not, we will move on."

The class became a sort of chaos, one would suppose. It was a Slytherin/Gryffindor class, so the divide was quite evident as snakes tried to stay with snakes and the lions did the same. But it was for naught, as both Houses were unfairly balanced in the ratio between boys and girls. Nick noticed Sirius standing with a girl he didn't recognize, another Gryffindor who seemed close to Lily as they'd been whispering to each other since the students had come onto the reserve for class. She had long brown hair that curled at the ends like Bellatrix's did, but they were much straighter than Lady Black's. "Who is that and why does Sirius look uncomfortable with her there?"

Bellatrix looked over and giggled. "Oh, I believe that's Marlene McKinnon. A friend of Evans, probably. If she's the girl I think she is, then she's had a crush on my brother since first year."

"Oh? So Sirius is me in this case?"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and leaned up to his ear. "Trixie agrees, except that you knew how she felt and still never acted on it."

"Come on now, two against one? Even as the same person.."

"Second thoughts?"

Nick grinned as he hugged her close. "Never, Bella." He said as he took her hand. "Let's go say hello, shall we? You told me you wanted reason to tease Sirius, right?"

Grinning devilishly, Bellatrix nodded. "Oh, yes. Let's." She said as the two went over to where Sirius stood with his partner. "Hello, Siri. And.. you're Marlene, right?"

The brunette looked at Bellatrix uncertain as her eyes fell on the now school celebrity. "Oh, you're Lord Gaunt, aren't you? Congratulations on the engagement. You two are just lovely together." She smiled as Nick chuckled.

"Now do you want to terminate it? It won't change things, anyhow."

Now Bellatrix smirked at him. "Yeah, right. Honestly, Nicky, you're stuck with me."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Over the alternative, at least. "So, Siri, should Bella write up your contract, then? You two seem pretty cozy to me." Nick said, still smirking as he pointed to the other two teens, whose hands were joined between them.

Sirius seemed to notice what was going on and drew his hand back defensively. "I have no idea what you're talking about, mate. Go bother James, Lily and Severus." He looked at Marlene apologetically who only giggled as Nick and Bellatrix looked over where the future Potters stood along with a sullen-looking Severus.

Despite his shown mood, Severus and Lily had patched up their problems as Nick had suggested. It had taken time, but as of a few days prior, it was a usual occurrence to see James hanging around Severus as well, although he'd deny it was friendly if you asked. "Nah, Severus is a good kid, just bullied into being a worse version of himself. Slytherin House thinks he's a Pureblood so he's in with the Death Eaters. But I know just how much of a lie that is. And he crafts a damned dangerous spell, a never ending bleeding from a cutting curse that can only be stopped by a counter curse."

"He did what? At our age?"

"Technically, he did it last year. The incantation and theory are scribbled into his Potions textbook, along with other nifty cheats around ingredient gathering during a brew."

Bellatrix nodded, impressed. "Alright, now I see why you prefer him around now. Master Potioneer, that one will be."

Nick nodded. "Oh, yeah, and I have a very good use of his skills in the coming months. I completely forgot coming back that Wolfsbane Potion is very limited, but Severus over there can brew it. Remus deserves to not be a mindless beast out there and honestly? Those four are going to wind up killing him with their version. The Marauders believe, if they overcompensate the ingredients by a measure or two, that the Potion they create could allow them all to stay human with him during his monthly times, but that'll act as poison to him because the potion itself is measured in exacts for the desired effect already. Hence why I would trust Snape more than anyone, but Lily needs to warm him up to the others more, first. I had to stop Sirius from pranking him just this morning."

"I'm not surprised. Despite being a Gryffindor, Siri still holds such a grudge. You'd think he was a woman from it." She giggled. "Alright, enough joking around, we need to pay attention."

"Quite right, Miss Black. I appreciate you taking time out of your cute whispering to each other and wedding planning and implore you to wait until after classes are finished for the day before engaging in such activities." Grubbly-Plank smirked at the would-be couple, both of whom laughed nervously.

"What, is there not a mister or possibly missus Grubbly-Plank that dotes on you or vice-versa?" Nick replied cheekily, earning him a slap in the arm from Bellatrix followed by a glare of warning. "Ow, alright, woman. Apologies, professor."

The teacher smirked and hummed as she spoke again. "Good. Now, I will release the Soulbirds. They should immediately begin honing in on the students they sense are compatible with each other. I ask everyone to stay calm during the process, Soulbirds are somewhat easily spooked as most birds tend to be." Without another word, she flicked her wand and the ceiling of the cage vanished and the beautiful birds flew out. Unsurprising to most of those present, two birds almost instantly settled on Nick and Bellatrix's shoulders, the one closer to each other as they began to nuzzle and groom each other. What did surprise everyone was the third Soulbird, colored a dull gray instead of the more vibrant colors of the others, that opted to sit with the first two. Nick and Bellatrix looked at each other. "You don't think..?" Nick mouthed to the girl, earning a confused shrug.

"Well, that's interesting. Now why would a third Soulbird attach itself to you? Unless.. Miss Black, how much do you know about the curse your family suffers from due to its particular magic?"

Bellatrix frowned, obviously feeling uncomfortable at the question. "I.. would rather not speak of it in class, if that's quite alright with you, professor."

The teacher nodded. "I understand. Just give it a thought or two, alright? I've honestly only ever seen them do it once before, during my own school years here, and it wasn't a very good omen back then."

Bellatrix cursed under her breath as the third bird joined the grooming and nuzzling of the other two. Fortunately, looking around, it turned out each group had a bird for each person other than the two of them with varying degrees of behavior. Some, like the ones paired with James, Lily, Sirius and Marlene were acting like the three Nick and Bellatrix had while others were pecking at each other in discomfort or outright fighting each other, feathers of every color flying from the shoulders of Amycus Carrow and little Peter for instance, making Nick smile.

The rest of class went off without any problems as professor Grubbly-Plank dismissed the teens. "I'll see you all here bright and early the day after tomorrow. You're homework is to write me a foot or longer report on Soulbirds. I want full paragraphs, not some silly shite like you try pulling off with me, Black." She said pointedly, looking at Sirius.

"Yes, ma'am " He said dejectedly, Marlene giggling behind her hand as she led the boy away from the rest of the class and back towards the castle. Nick and Bellatrix followed alongside them.

"So, what exactly is this Black family curse or whatever Grubbly-Plank was talking about?" The term was unfamiliar to Nick and that bothered him.

Bellatrix looked down and Sirius looked at him, mouth agape. "Not here. Too many people around, I'd you know what I mean, Nick. The snakes among the snakes, for instance." Sirius and Nick had been building a list of terms no one else would figure out on order to gage how dangerous the school was becoming, and snakes among snakes meant those that openly stated they supported Voldemort and his foolishly stupid plans. However, Nick knew the root of the problem lay in the political world of the wizards, and there were only two people important enough to talk to about fighting the indoctrination happening around them: Dumbledore as Supreme Mugwump of the Wizengamot and Millicent Bagnold, the current Minister of Magic.

"Ah, alright. You'll tell me later though, won't you, love?" He asked Bellatrix, who nodded.

"Of course, Nicky. After classes, the room." She said, meaning the Room of Requirement.

"I'll be there. I'll see you in Potions?"

Bellatrix nodded as the group split up for the next period, Nick in Charms and Bellatrix having Transfiguration. Why not just tell him?

And tell him what? 'Oh, Nick, my family magic is darker and more corruptive than most, making members of the Black family go insane without the Occlumency shields we put in place from childhood? If something traumatic happens and I let the shields slip, I'll become something like the woman you fear I will be.' I don't think he would take that too positively, do you Trixie?

Fair point. Fine, but you need to make sure he knows how important he is to that, then.

What do you mean?

Honestly, woman, and you're the brightest witch of the generation? It's obvious that something traumatic regarding to you includes our lovable knucklehead, and he needs to know that if you want to avoid those cracks forming in the first place.

Yeah, you're probably right.. Does that mean you are what's considered my Mad self?

I sincerely hope not. The shit you did originally? I could never do those things with that amount of willpower behind it, even if that itself was a forced personality. But I guess time will tell.

How do you even know about the Black Madness? Nick doesn't have a clue what the professor was talking about.

I didn't, but you told me just before that it was related to your family magic. Odd, because usually even in fanfiction the families never really had differently-derived magic. Do you know where any of the other Houses' magic comes from?

Bellatrix nodded to herself as she made her way to Transfiguration class alone, the only one from the previous class attending the N.E.W.T. level subject. Dumbledore's family is derived from ancient phoenixes, hence why his family symbol and familiar are both the phoenix. Then there's the Gaunts, which I guess could have been derived from the first magical serpents in the world but no one knows for sure anymore, all the information about the family was pretty much lost several years ago. Right before a certain tyrant began his campaign. The Potter family is unknown, but they've always been a powerful family. The Blacks are.. heralds of chaos, if you will. Our magic corrupts those lacking the mental fortitude to think clearly. The last case of it I thought surfaced over a century ago, but maybe that's not entirely true. But who in the family could have..

Don't dwell on it right now. Maybe we postpone telling Nick until after he deals with Hagrid? I think youay need to have a talk with someone in your family, or search the family library. Maybe Sirius knows something? Either way, I don't think meeting up with him after class is such a good idea with research needing to be done.

Merlin, we're both nerds for coming to that conclusion. Damn it. I'll leave him a note in the Room before classes end, then. She sighed as she entered the classroom, Professor McGonagall nodding at her as she took her seat. Now hush, class is about to start and I can't get distracted.

As you wish, my Lady.. Trixie's voice faded out into a peal of laughter as Bellatrix frowned.

After Classes, Room of Requirement..

Nick watched the door to the secretive room materialize and walked through, the door disappearing from the outer wall as he looked around the small room, unchanged from the lounge it had been a month earlier and every time since that Nick and Bellatrix decided to hang out and study alone after class. He realized Bellatrix was nowhere to be found, but he knew the note levitating a few inches off the coffee table would be from her as he picked it up and read it, a thoughtful smile on his face.

Nick,

I'm sorry I'm not there today, but the truth is that other than more or less whispers, I don't know much about the Black Madness myself. So, as Trixie tightly suggested, I am back at Grimmauld Place, looking through the family library for the information I need. I promise tomorrow we'll speak of it, after you go and help that big oaf Hagrid. Yours, always, Bellatrix & Trixie.

Nick smiled as he took a seat anyway, choosing to take some time to relax. However, this wasn't in the cards for Nick as a Patronus bounded through the wall towards him, equine in shape. It neighed before speaking in Moody's voice. "Negron, we have an issue at the Ministry and need you here. I informed the Minister of what you've already done and told us about this war and how to fight it, she wants to meet you. There's.. been another attack, this time in Godric's Hollow on the Potter Manor-" Nick turned and apparated on the spot, an attack on the Potter family was something he knew would happen, but didn't think would happen already.

Ministry of Magic, Minister's Office..

Nick walked into the office of the Minister of Magic and was met with Millicent Bagnold behind the desk. The older witch nodded at his entrance. "Ah, Lord Gaunt, I presume? I do apologize but I expected someone a little more.. roguish."

Nick nodded. "I understand that, the Gaunts were known to be rogues of a higher caliber. I, however, like to think I'm much more civilized than my ancestors."

"Mm, quite. Well, I imagine Moody informed you of why you're here, loosely of course."

Nick grinned. "Of course. And let me say it's amazing it took you over a month to realize that Diagon Alley was supposed to be a show of force but instead wound up as nothing more but an isolated incident. Never heard such bullshit in my life, and I'm American. Voldemort is literally going to become the Wizarding world's Hitler if you keep sitting on your ass behind that desk being neutral. There are times where a side needs to be chosen by the leaders of the world and when nobody does something, that's when chaos reigns. And the way things are looking, Minister? Chaos has already begun."

"And how exactly do you know what this man will do? How do you not know there will be no other attacks-"

"Because he's a mass murderer and a creator of fucking Horcruxes." The Minister's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "Yeah, that gets your damn attention to how dangerous this all is."

"How do you.. Horcruxes are not something a Hogwarts student should even be pondering, the knowledge of such things restricted to the highest degree."

"That they are, but it should be obvious he's done it. Have you not seen what Voldemort looks like now? Arcturus, rest his soul, told me they all met Voldemort last year before the Hogwarts year began, trying to recruit him into the Death Eater fold. Then, he still had hair and a real face. Now, the man is more of a snake than even you can play off and still you ignore the obvious signs that he isn't right, in the head or otherwise. If I'm right, he's at least got one, related to a Hogwarts Founder. I'm currently looking for that one. I also know of one my.." He sighed. "My betrothed has hidden in her family vault, a gift from Voldemort to try and win Arcturus' favor. If nothing is done to deter his efforts, he will have a total of six intentional Horcruxes by 1980."

"Six Horcruxes?! What the shite is he trying to do, damaging his soul that highly?!"

"That should be simple. There are very few things that can result in a form of immortality. The stone in possession of Dumbledore in Vault 713 at Gringotts," Moody looked at the teen from his place by the office door. He was one of few who knew Nicolas Flamel had given the stone to Dumbledore for protection, let alone where he was keeping it. "You're probably going to have to obliviate yourself of that knowledge for your own good. And the other method of immortality is to create a Horcrux, splitting your soul while also making yourself impossible to truly kill unless all Horcruxes are destroyed. I'm in talks with the Gringotts goblins about having a weapon forged to counteract them, as I'm a Slytherin and doubt the Sword of Gryffindor would willingly come to.. me. Oh, I retract my previous statement." He said as the sword in question materialized on the desk in front of him. He shrunk it and put the weapon in his pocket. "I'll return that to the Headmaster, then. As I was saying, these Horcruxes will be highly protected for the most part, plus one can attack you back, two if you consider the corrupting whispers of the necklace. All I'm saying is that I can very easily find a couple of them, but everyone needs to be out there searching for them. It might be an obscure branch of magic these days, but I have no doubt someone within, say, the Department of Mysteries would have a way of locating such vile items of dark magic."

Bagnold frowned. "I don't know how you have all of this information or why you would keep it to yourself for so long already, but it is valuable nonetheless. Now, you mentioned your betrothed. You mean Arcturus' daughter Bellatrix, correct? Daughter of Walburga, who is currently screaming her lungs hoarse in a silenced cell?"

"Yes, ma'am, that would be my spitfire of a girlfriend, although we technically aren't official. Arcturus set our contract up as a safety precaution because he knew his family was being targeted to join Voldemort's side. Same with my adopted sister, which you know about thanks to signing the adoption documents. I may be a kid compared to you, but I'm also a Lord of the Ancient House of Gaunt, meaning whatever happens in Wizarding society is my business whether the Aurors want it to be or not. Apologies, Alastor, but you saw what me and Bella could do on our own against his forces."

Moody smirked. "He's right on that one, Madame Minister. Despite not getting much of any type of answer from them, Nick here and his little girlfriend are monsters in a fight, I feel sorry for anyone who Voldemort puts against the two of them. I don't know how he knows so much, but whether he knows or not isn't the point. The point is that he knows how to hit Voldemort harder than anyone could expect. We need him if things are to resume how they were before Voldemort showed up."

"Well, something you could do is publish an article in the Prophet stating just who this supposed Pureblood supremacist is. And I can provide all of that information. But first, what happened at the Potter Estate?"

Moody gasped. "Shit, I forgot I told him about that. Nick, you know that most if not all families considered Pureblood are subject to some form of inbreeding, correct?"

"Yes, I do. Is this where you tell me that the rate of Wizarding births within those families is rapidly decreasing? Because I could have told you that literally the day I met you at the Leaky Cauldron."

Moody let out an uncharacteristic laugh. "Boy, you really are a prodigy aren't you? Always have another surprise up your sleeve."

"Gotta prepare for any and all outcomes, knowledge included. Constant vigilance, right?"

Moody nodded. "Aye. But, that wasn't the only reason I brought that up. The reason is because you and by extension Voldemort are very distantly related to the Potter family, as well as the Blacks. I understand your situation is unique in that while you have the Purity of the Gaunt line, it isn't your primary family blood and therefore the relationship between families is all but non-existent. However, Voldemort found out about this and was able to slip behind Fleamont and Euphemia's blood wards, which as I'm sure you know will only allow those who share blood through. Fleamont and Euphemia are both fine, currently recovering under heavy guard at St. Mungo's. Apparently, they said the only reason they survived was because you warned them of such an attack before school started. Fleamont himself wanted me to bring you to Mungo's to speak with him and his wife, however I wanted to wait until the morning for that, if that's alright with you. I know it's N.E.W.T. year for you and your friends and you need to be studying, but even Albus cannot deny that you have been invaluable to our battle against Voldemort. Now, exactly what do you know about him that would send his followers into a possible rebellion and dissolution of his cause?"

Nick smirked. "Well, first off, he's a Half-blood. His mother was Merope Gaunt, who seduced a Muggle man named Tom Riddle who lived in the same village, Little Hangleton. You won't find evidence at the Gaunt shack, since I had it demolished and is currently having something else being built there, but I know she fell pregnant and ran away from home, as her father would most likely have killed her himself over the affair. Almost a year later Tom Marvolo Riddle was born. Wanna see a neat trick?" Nick used his wand to draw Voldemort's given name on the air in a display of purple sparks. "Normal enough, right? Until you do.. this." He flicked the wand to one side and the letters floated between each other, forming a short sentence: I am Lord Voldemort. "But that's the real issue, he's a Half-blood leading a revolution against his own kind. Not only is that just counterproductive but he thinks it's because Pureblood families have more power, but Moody has seen what I can do and knows that I myself am a Half-blood. I'm not on par in dueling against someone like Dumbledore, but I can hold my own well enough. Having fresh blood in your genetics, even if that means it's from a Muggle, No-maj- whatever you want to call them- makes the magic in our blood stronger with each generation. You can't deny it doesn't have some truth to it, Minister. I guarantee there's someone either Muggleborn or half-blood here in the Ministry that can be considered more powerful than a handful of others, at the least." Bagnold nodded. "Good, glad we agree on that. Now, about the rest of those facts for this article.."

The Next Morning, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries..

Nick entered the large recovery room where he saw James Potter's parents, each on their own bed. His mother Euphemia, who you could tell just by looking that she was once part of the Black family (and shared the same general facial structure as Bellatrix and her sisters) looked at the boy with a warm smile as she cleared her throat, making Fleamont take his eyes away from his copy of the Prophet to look at Nick as well. Even while frowning, Fleamont looked more like James than Nick wanted to even admit, but he figured the Potter looks were more hereditary than he originally figured. The Potter patriarch set his paper down and sighed behind his glasses. "So, you're the Lord Gaunt, huh? Judging by what James tells us about you in letters since school started up, I figured you'd be taller, at least."

Nick grinned. "Good and big things can come from small packages, my Lord Potter. Although, at least I'm not small enough where my betrothed is taller than me. I would feel a bit self-conscious at that, especially with Bellatrix."

Euphemia beamed at him. "Oh, that girl adores you, Lord Gaunt. She's said so in her rare letter to me, being her aunt and all. You could imagine my surprise when she all but told me about her little crush on you over the summer."

Nick felt his cheeks heat up. "Yes, we'll, Bella is.. different than most girls I knew growing up. She's really something else, but I wouldn't change how she is." James' mother nodded her agreement as Nick continued. "Now, I hate to feel pushy but what exactly is all this about? I'm missing vital schoolwork for this meeting and I'm already due at the Ministry this afternoon for an acquittal."

Fleamont was interested in this. "You mean you're the one bringing the case of Rubeus' expulsion and wand-snapping?" Nick nodded. "You stirred up a huge pot in the Wizengamot with that declaration last week, and I hope you know what you're doing about it."

"No offense, sir, but I have some sort of memory-like vision of a lot of things yet to come. And honestly, Hagrid's framing by the student who became Voldemort, as you must have been reading about in the paper as I walked in, is one of the smaller things I just felt should have been rectified but wasn't because this political and law system are flawed and bigoted in some of the worst ways. It's why I sought out Arcturus' first for an alliance, then you as he mentioned you and he were close."

Fleamont looked towards the window of the hospital room, a far-off look in his eye. "Old Arcturus was a right bastard at times, make no mistake. But, he was a better Pureblood than most of us, in action and words."

"He was, and I have no doubt Bellatrix can run his seat just as well and right by our society."

"That girl is ruthless when she knows what she wants, that's for damn sure. Now, as for why we requested you here. You knew about this attack on our lives and it was thanks to my wife's heeding of your warning-"

"On Bella's behest, dear. She told me explicitly to believe anything her beau told us, she knows he's truthful about it all. Do go on." Euphemia interjected, making Nick hide a chuckle as Fleamont looked at her, exasperated.

"Yes, quite right, my love. Euphemia and I were able to take out several of our attackers before one got the jump on us. However, we set rebound enchantments on us that bounced the damage back to the caster and before we knew it, hurting and sore on our Manor's floor, Alastor and his team were there and by Merlin, he thanked all that was watching over the world that you had warned them and us about such a thing. My question to you, Nick, is why?"

"I had to. I knew you were supposed to be attacked and, in the surprise of it all, killed not long after James went to Hogwarts this year. He didn't last much longer, mind you, but that's a totally different story I do not want to go any bit into right now. I was doing this because Sirius is my friend, my family in all but blood and name. James is his best friend, therefore I take precedence over keeping my friends' families safe even if they have no reason to trust my word. I told Moody and the Minister yesterday to keep the attack on your lives away from the public, partially to keep James from worrying. The world is changing, and I'm just trying my best to make sure it happens right. Not to mention I would be a bad ally if I was to let such a good-hearted family get killed while knowing about such things."

Fleamont narrowed his eyes before laughing loudly, wincing and holding his bandaged ribs (from a bone-breaker curse). "Good answer. Family is important, to my family as well as Arcturus'. I would expect nothing less from the man my niece has decided to court. Not after what happened to the last boy to cross her emotions."

"Yes, I've heard several things about this Harris character. I'm afraid I haven't seen him at Hogwarts as of yet. So this was to thank me, basically? It couldn't have waited until the holidays where I wouldn't miss school and you two wouldn't have to otherwise sulk in the hospital?"

"That is true, but we needed to see how genuine you are, Nick, and you've surpassed our expectations. Isn't that right, dear?" Euphemia said.

Fleamont nodded. "Yes, good show, boy. And thank you, for looking out for our boy at school. I know he gets on the wrong side of Bellatrix and the other Slytherins quite a bit, houseless rivalries and what not, but he really is a good boy."

"Oh, he's great. Him and Bellatrix aren't the friendliest, but she gets along with him just fine. Of course, that's probably because she's just as prone to pranking as Sirius is, being twins. She's just.. ruthless in a way that I'm glad I can usually stop her from pursuing."

"And what do you think about James' own little girlfriend? Lily Evans is a bit of a mystery to us. James doesn't talk much about her in front of us."

"I wouldn't either, in his shoes. She always saw him as a bully because of him, Sirius and their friends pranking and picking on others, including Severus Snape who is a childhood friend of Lily's. He has since mellowed out and Snape is now part of the group as well, even if he's swearing allegiance to me because I crushed Rabastan Lestrange's nuts with a steel-toe boot."

Fleamont nodded, impressed. "As a soldier in the Big War, I can attest you pulled a high-ranking move there. Although, most men will back down to another when he's possibly taken away his ability to shag."

Nick had several quotes from Austin Powers movies run through his head but he knew those weren't appropriate to voice. "I guess that is true. I personally wouldn't know. But, back to Lily. She's on par with Bellatrix in academics, only falling short in DADA and Potions. She's great, but her sister and her boyfriend? Honestly, those two are worth Voldemort killing off as far as No-majs are concerned. Wow, I haven't used that term in a while and now, using it twice in a short time sounds weird. She's perfect for James, though, believe me on that." Fleamont nodded along with Euphemia as the two asked Nick several more questions, Nick thankful none of them required him to explain too much and possibly give away his displacement from this period in time..

Later, Ministry Courtroom Number 14..

The gavel banged as the current head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement, Hilda Skyewell, spoke. "This court is called to order in the possible acquittal of one Rubeus' Hagrid. Lord Gaunt, as the one bringing this case to our attention, what exactly is this about? The evidence of Mr. Hagrid keeping an illegal pet in the form of an Acromantula within the walls of Hogwarts where it killed another student is infallible."

"Says you. With all due respect, it doesn't make sense. Myrtle was dead, but there was no trace of any kind of poison in her body. An Acromantula poisons its victims to die slowly as they suck their innards out as most spiders do. No, I know exactly what killed Myrtle. I know Hagrid was just trying to be like his hero, Mr. Scamander," Nick motioned to the elderly Newt Scamander, who had been personally requested by the teen to attend the hearing. Newt looked to Hagrid, who was nervous as he didn't know what was truly going on but still nodded shyly at the famous Magizoologist. "In raising that Acromantula and he did a damn good job of it until the boy who became Voldemort framed him by releasing the spider in the first place and causing Hagrid's wand to be snapped. I'm here in order to set those events right, and further stop similar events from playing out again in the future. You know what they say: history repeats itself. Not all of that history has to be from over a century ago. Now, have I gotten your attention?"

Newt laughed. "Let him speak, your Honor. Honestly, he has a point. The girl died in a way unbecoming of an Acromantula. Meaning there was no way the young half-giant currently in the hot seat was responsible in the unfortunate death of that girl."

The judge looked like she wanted to say something more unsavory, but bit her tongue and nodded at Nick to continue. He bowed towards Scamander before speaking. "Thank you, Mr. Scamander. Your agreement means a lot. Now, how many here have heard of the legend of the Chamber of Secrets, show of hands don't be shy." Reluctantly but to Newt's amusement, the entire audience gathered raised their hands. "Good. It's real, plain and simple. The bathroom where Myrtle was killed is the entrance. She was there crying over a boy while Voldemort set forth the basilisk from inside the Chamber. She was unfortunately a victim of circumstance. Basilisks kill with their eyesight unless the eyes are reflected when one sees them. If that happens, as I'm sure some of you already know, the victim would then be petrified. And while I as well as Voldemort are the last descendants of Salazar Slytherin, due to us both having the ability to speak Parseltongue, I want to stop the Chamber from ever being opened while the most dangerous serpent in the world, both of Muggle and Wizard alike, is down there. Fancy a trip back to school, Mr. Scamander?"

Newt perked up. "If what you're saying is true, then I'd be thrilled to come along. And I can always bring it to the reserve in Greece, they'd die seeing a basilisk as old as the one you're saying is there."

Skyewell cleared her throat. "Newt, can you confirm that it's possible a basilisk killed the girl all those years ago? And do you think it wise to allow Hagrid the privilege of a new wand when he's prone to dangerous company in the field of magical creatures?"

"Yes, on all accounts. I've seen several creatures Rubeus has raised while Albus allows him to be the groundskeeper at the school, and he is nothing but a prodigy in the subject of Magizoology. You must be good with dangerous creatures to get ahead in my career. And as for the basilisk, it would make sense that the girl was killed by directly looking at the serpent while it first exited the Chamber of Secrets, if the entrance to such a place was in the bathroom she died in. I will go back to the school with Nick and investigate further and, if what he's saying is true, I would suggest Hagrid get that pardon with every apology necessary."

Hilda sighed. "Alright, I will call this case adjourned for now, pending the results of Newt Scamander's investigation into these allegations. Dismissed." Nick didn't waste any time and apparated back to Hogwarts. He had a girl waiting for him.