Chapter 12
"Lucian. I was just stopping by for a moment. I was hoping to say hi to you." Lucian grinned and plopped onto the couch beside Severus. Ron stood behind him fingering his wand. "Oh, do put that away silly boy! I won't hex you."
"Uhm.sorry." Ron slid his wand into his pocket.
"I must be off. See you soon Lucian!" He nodded at Ron and took his leave.
"How's your Pack doing? I heard you added the Weasley twins." Lucian nodded. "And are they....respectful?"
"Yes, they are. I've started tutoring them all in Dark Arts." Severus raised an eyebrow. "They're all doing very well for never having done them before. Draco's in charge of the twins, I get Ron and Hermione."
"Very well. Any more members you want to add?" Lucian recited the names of people he thought would be good to join and Severus nodded with a smirk. "I know most of them, and while they are against the Dark Lord they will most likely join you if you explain your ideals in detail."
"Good. Hopefully I can get more to join, and soon." Severus nodded. "How many raids have there been lately?"
"Not as many as usual and all were directed at criminals. No innocents or children." Lucian nodded. "You two should probably head back to the common room. Tell anyone you meet that you were with me and if you get detention I'll see to it."
"Okay. Come on Ron." Lucian exited the room with Ron in tow.
Christmas holidays arrived surprisingly fast for the Pack, who had yet to add another member. The Ravenclaws had all agreed to meet with Lucian three nights before they left for break, along with the Hufflepuffs. They were still unsure about the Slytherins and Draco was given the task of talking to them. Lucian would confront the Gryffindors after.
Lucian, Ron, Hermione, and the twins were in the Training Room, waiting for their classmates to join them. Lucian had told them of another entrance to the room through the portrait of a landscape on the fourth floor. That too was guarded for intruders and only those who were of the Pack, or were soon to be member, could enter.
They arrived about twenty minutes after midnight and stood around Lucian and the members of the Pack, looking somewhat nervous. "Welcome to the Training Room. As you know, my name is Lucian. I founded the Pack around the end of summer. The Pack is a group of witches and wizards that ally with Tom Riddle on some things. One being the right to walk in the muggle world freely. We do not harm innocent people; we do not ally with Tom on the murder of muggleborns or muggles."
"And Voldemort knows of this?"
"Yes, why wouldn't he? He is my father and he approves. He has agreed to stop the raids on innocents but cannot stop them completely. He would be overthrown and we can't have that happening now can we?" Several people understood his theory and shook their heads.
"I understand your idea, but what about the Death Eaters? Will they harm us or attack us?"
"No, they will not. I am Tom's heir and they know that if they attack one of mine they will be properly punished." The Ravenclaw boy nodded. "It does not hurt when I summon my followers like Tom's does. It creates a tingling sensation along with a brief flash of cold. If you do not attend to a meeting or are late, I do not punish you like my father does. I would have a good excuse if I were you though. Any questions?"
"One. What is done at the meetings?"
"Mainly we will discus possible ways of convincing the ministry that we should be allowed into the muggle world. Sometimes we will go after criminal muggles, sometimes we will talk with muggle ministers and such."
"By attacking, do you mean torture?"
"If it is desired. If not, then we will hand them over to the authorities with a note. That will put us in their good graces. Eventually we will befriend muggles and tell them about us. Under no circumstances are we to help them with their problems. That will just annoy us to no end. Anything else?"
"Will we have to learn the Dark Arts?"
"Only if you want to. I do not require it however." Silence greeted this statement. "Is anyone sure of what they want to do now? Or would you all like to wait a bit and think things out? If you wish to wait, then you may leave. But I want your answer by the end of Friday, before you leave. If you plan on staying here for Hols you can have another day or two to decide." Nearly all the Ravenclaws left as well as half of the Hufflepuffs. That left. four from Ravenclaw and three from Hufflepuff. "You would all like to join now?"
"Yes." Lucian looked pleased. He quickly marked the small group.
"You may choose if you want to hide your mark or show it. Tell your parents as well, if you like, but don't let them tell you you can't be part of us. You've already decided." They all nodded. "You may all go. Report to me if you find anyone who is interested in joining." They all nodded and left.
"That went well." Hermione said. "Now we go to the Gryffindors. I'm sure they'd all join you with minimal hesitation." Lucian smiled.
"Yes, I'm sure they would. Let's go!"
Sure enough, all of the Gryffindors on their list agreed to join, after hearing that they wouldn't be expected to answer to Tom. Lucian was very pleased and rushed up to his dorm to tell Tom.
Tom!
Who.Oh, hello Lucian. How are things?
Great. I just added 13 people to the Pack, and there are more to come.
That's great! And about the Dark Arts training?
It's going great. Several of the members want to learn so we're going to practice three times a week in the Training Room. They'll all be great. How's it coming with the raids?
We turned in a few criminals the muggle police have been looking for. They read our note and were frightened at first, but then decided to meet with us.
Meet with you?
Yes. I told them to meet me tonight at a bar. Want me to tell you ho it goes?
Yes, please do.
Okay, we'll I've got to go. I'm meeting them in twenty minutes.
Okay, have fun!
Lucian grinned and shut the book. He rolled over on his bed and looked at the picture of him, Tom, Lucius, and Severus. Narcissa had taken it for them before school started. He pushed the book under his bed and turned off the light. He changed into a pair of boxers and went to sleep.
The next morning the Hufflepuffs approached him before breakfast and said they wanted to join. Lucian happily initiated them and they were on their way. The rest of the Ravenclaws came later that day, and they too wanted to join.
Lucian was so happy that he scheduled a meeting later that night in the Training Room. He said that he would summon them when he wanted them to come down. Severus accompanied him down to the room, so he could see for himself how the group was doing. He melted into the shadows as Lucian summoned his followers.
"Welcome to our first meeting. I would like to start out by having you separate into two groups. One group will be on my left, and this is the groups where I want you to go if you are interested in learning the Dark Arts. On my right is the group that doesn't want to learn Dark Arts. Those of you who are not sure, stand in the middle."
Eight people moved to the left while the rest split so that half were on the right and the other half in the middle. "Wonderful! Those who don't want to learn you may practice any other magic you would like. The rest I will split between myself and Draco." He motioned to the blond in the corner. "You undecided ones can watch and decide later."
Lucian went on to separate the group into two smaller ones. Then he grinned at the others. "While I each them Dark Arts, you may practice any other spells you want, or you may leave. I would prefer you stay but it is your decision." He clapped his hands together. "Lets begin!"
Two hours later the group split up and went to their common rooms. Lucian, Ron, Hermione, and the twins sat around the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room. The group now sported 19 people, and Lucian was looking into adding more.
The next morning the Pack split up to go to their homes for the holidays, except for Lucian. He stayed and watched his friends leave beside his father. When the horseless carriages were gone they turned and went back to their rooms. Lucian noticed Dumbledore watching him sadly, and realized that the old man looked older than he'd ever seen him. He felt a pang in his chest.
"Dad..I'll meet you down there later. There's something I need to do." Severus nodded and Lucian waited until he was out of sight before turning to the Headmaster. He stalked over to the old man. "We need to talk. Can we go to your office?"
"Of course." He turned and began walking up to his office, Lucian right behind him. They stopped outside of the gargoyle and Dumbledore said the password. Lucian got comfortable in one of the soft chairs while the headmaster sat behind his desk.
"Professor, I want you to explain everything. I won't interrupt." Dumbledore nodded.
"When you were born, I didn't know who the other father was. Since you were one of the first babies born by a two men I wanted you to be safe, to not be in danger because some people didn't approve of homosexual relationships. And I figured that being safe would not be with Severus because of his connection to the Dark Lord. I took you while he was asleep and had Poppy tell him you had died. I didn't know that Tom was the father, or that you would be given a choice on whether or not you wanted to become a Deatheater. Nor did I think they'd be able to protect you from homophobic people." Dumbledore paused. "I though I was doing the right thing by taking you from a dangerous situation. I didn't realize my mistake until you found out."
"I see." Lucian said after a while. "And the Dursleys? Why didn't you let me leave them, even after you knew that they were beating me? Starving me?" Dumbledore hung his head.
"I didn't want to put you in danger. The wards at the castle are weaker in the summer and you at the Weasley's would be putting them in danger. You only had a couple of months with the Dursleys and I was going to have someone check up on you periodically."
"I see." Lucian cocked his head. "I don't think I can trust you anymore Professor. But I can give you another chance at redeeming yourself." Dumbledore perked up. "I've started my own group. It's called the Pack. I've initiated 19 people or so in the past months."
"And what does this Pack do?"
"We ally with Tom on certain issues, like our rights to walk un-disguised in the muggle world. But we oppose him when it comes to useless killings. Tom has already agreed not to kill if he can help it and has been working on improving the connection between us and muggles." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"You're secret is safe with me. I assume the people join willingly?" Lucian smirked.
"Professor! You wound me! Of course they do. I give them a choice." Dumbledore smiled. "I will be working on adding more to the Pack. I am hoping to gain some older members as well, but I can make do with just students or younger people."
"Lord Voldemort knows of this then. Interesting."
"Tom supports the idea. He wants me to be happy and if being happy means opposing him on some views and creating a group to do so then so be it." Albus nodded. "You won't have to worry about meaningless killings any more. Tom is trying to stop that, but if he does too much."
"Then he could get over thrown. I see. Well at least he's trying. I thank you." Lucian nodded. "You should head down to the dungeons. Your father must be waiting for you."
"Yes, im sure he is. We'll be visiting with Tom the rest of the holiday. See you when school starts up again."
"Happy Christmas Lucian." Albus said warmly, standing to accompany Lucian to the door.
"Happy Christmas Professor." Lucian allowed the headmaster to give him a hug before exiting the office.
END
Sequel soon.I think
"Lucian. I was just stopping by for a moment. I was hoping to say hi to you." Lucian grinned and plopped onto the couch beside Severus. Ron stood behind him fingering his wand. "Oh, do put that away silly boy! I won't hex you."
"Uhm.sorry." Ron slid his wand into his pocket.
"I must be off. See you soon Lucian!" He nodded at Ron and took his leave.
"How's your Pack doing? I heard you added the Weasley twins." Lucian nodded. "And are they....respectful?"
"Yes, they are. I've started tutoring them all in Dark Arts." Severus raised an eyebrow. "They're all doing very well for never having done them before. Draco's in charge of the twins, I get Ron and Hermione."
"Very well. Any more members you want to add?" Lucian recited the names of people he thought would be good to join and Severus nodded with a smirk. "I know most of them, and while they are against the Dark Lord they will most likely join you if you explain your ideals in detail."
"Good. Hopefully I can get more to join, and soon." Severus nodded. "How many raids have there been lately?"
"Not as many as usual and all were directed at criminals. No innocents or children." Lucian nodded. "You two should probably head back to the common room. Tell anyone you meet that you were with me and if you get detention I'll see to it."
"Okay. Come on Ron." Lucian exited the room with Ron in tow.
Christmas holidays arrived surprisingly fast for the Pack, who had yet to add another member. The Ravenclaws had all agreed to meet with Lucian three nights before they left for break, along with the Hufflepuffs. They were still unsure about the Slytherins and Draco was given the task of talking to them. Lucian would confront the Gryffindors after.
Lucian, Ron, Hermione, and the twins were in the Training Room, waiting for their classmates to join them. Lucian had told them of another entrance to the room through the portrait of a landscape on the fourth floor. That too was guarded for intruders and only those who were of the Pack, or were soon to be member, could enter.
They arrived about twenty minutes after midnight and stood around Lucian and the members of the Pack, looking somewhat nervous. "Welcome to the Training Room. As you know, my name is Lucian. I founded the Pack around the end of summer. The Pack is a group of witches and wizards that ally with Tom Riddle on some things. One being the right to walk in the muggle world freely. We do not harm innocent people; we do not ally with Tom on the murder of muggleborns or muggles."
"And Voldemort knows of this?"
"Yes, why wouldn't he? He is my father and he approves. He has agreed to stop the raids on innocents but cannot stop them completely. He would be overthrown and we can't have that happening now can we?" Several people understood his theory and shook their heads.
"I understand your idea, but what about the Death Eaters? Will they harm us or attack us?"
"No, they will not. I am Tom's heir and they know that if they attack one of mine they will be properly punished." The Ravenclaw boy nodded. "It does not hurt when I summon my followers like Tom's does. It creates a tingling sensation along with a brief flash of cold. If you do not attend to a meeting or are late, I do not punish you like my father does. I would have a good excuse if I were you though. Any questions?"
"One. What is done at the meetings?"
"Mainly we will discus possible ways of convincing the ministry that we should be allowed into the muggle world. Sometimes we will go after criminal muggles, sometimes we will talk with muggle ministers and such."
"By attacking, do you mean torture?"
"If it is desired. If not, then we will hand them over to the authorities with a note. That will put us in their good graces. Eventually we will befriend muggles and tell them about us. Under no circumstances are we to help them with their problems. That will just annoy us to no end. Anything else?"
"Will we have to learn the Dark Arts?"
"Only if you want to. I do not require it however." Silence greeted this statement. "Is anyone sure of what they want to do now? Or would you all like to wait a bit and think things out? If you wish to wait, then you may leave. But I want your answer by the end of Friday, before you leave. If you plan on staying here for Hols you can have another day or two to decide." Nearly all the Ravenclaws left as well as half of the Hufflepuffs. That left. four from Ravenclaw and three from Hufflepuff. "You would all like to join now?"
"Yes." Lucian looked pleased. He quickly marked the small group.
"You may choose if you want to hide your mark or show it. Tell your parents as well, if you like, but don't let them tell you you can't be part of us. You've already decided." They all nodded. "You may all go. Report to me if you find anyone who is interested in joining." They all nodded and left.
"That went well." Hermione said. "Now we go to the Gryffindors. I'm sure they'd all join you with minimal hesitation." Lucian smiled.
"Yes, I'm sure they would. Let's go!"
Sure enough, all of the Gryffindors on their list agreed to join, after hearing that they wouldn't be expected to answer to Tom. Lucian was very pleased and rushed up to his dorm to tell Tom.
Tom!
Who.Oh, hello Lucian. How are things?
Great. I just added 13 people to the Pack, and there are more to come.
That's great! And about the Dark Arts training?
It's going great. Several of the members want to learn so we're going to practice three times a week in the Training Room. They'll all be great. How's it coming with the raids?
We turned in a few criminals the muggle police have been looking for. They read our note and were frightened at first, but then decided to meet with us.
Meet with you?
Yes. I told them to meet me tonight at a bar. Want me to tell you ho it goes?
Yes, please do.
Okay, we'll I've got to go. I'm meeting them in twenty minutes.
Okay, have fun!
Lucian grinned and shut the book. He rolled over on his bed and looked at the picture of him, Tom, Lucius, and Severus. Narcissa had taken it for them before school started. He pushed the book under his bed and turned off the light. He changed into a pair of boxers and went to sleep.
The next morning the Hufflepuffs approached him before breakfast and said they wanted to join. Lucian happily initiated them and they were on their way. The rest of the Ravenclaws came later that day, and they too wanted to join.
Lucian was so happy that he scheduled a meeting later that night in the Training Room. He said that he would summon them when he wanted them to come down. Severus accompanied him down to the room, so he could see for himself how the group was doing. He melted into the shadows as Lucian summoned his followers.
"Welcome to our first meeting. I would like to start out by having you separate into two groups. One group will be on my left, and this is the groups where I want you to go if you are interested in learning the Dark Arts. On my right is the group that doesn't want to learn Dark Arts. Those of you who are not sure, stand in the middle."
Eight people moved to the left while the rest split so that half were on the right and the other half in the middle. "Wonderful! Those who don't want to learn you may practice any other magic you would like. The rest I will split between myself and Draco." He motioned to the blond in the corner. "You undecided ones can watch and decide later."
Lucian went on to separate the group into two smaller ones. Then he grinned at the others. "While I each them Dark Arts, you may practice any other spells you want, or you may leave. I would prefer you stay but it is your decision." He clapped his hands together. "Lets begin!"
Two hours later the group split up and went to their common rooms. Lucian, Ron, Hermione, and the twins sat around the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room. The group now sported 19 people, and Lucian was looking into adding more.
The next morning the Pack split up to go to their homes for the holidays, except for Lucian. He stayed and watched his friends leave beside his father. When the horseless carriages were gone they turned and went back to their rooms. Lucian noticed Dumbledore watching him sadly, and realized that the old man looked older than he'd ever seen him. He felt a pang in his chest.
"Dad..I'll meet you down there later. There's something I need to do." Severus nodded and Lucian waited until he was out of sight before turning to the Headmaster. He stalked over to the old man. "We need to talk. Can we go to your office?"
"Of course." He turned and began walking up to his office, Lucian right behind him. They stopped outside of the gargoyle and Dumbledore said the password. Lucian got comfortable in one of the soft chairs while the headmaster sat behind his desk.
"Professor, I want you to explain everything. I won't interrupt." Dumbledore nodded.
"When you were born, I didn't know who the other father was. Since you were one of the first babies born by a two men I wanted you to be safe, to not be in danger because some people didn't approve of homosexual relationships. And I figured that being safe would not be with Severus because of his connection to the Dark Lord. I took you while he was asleep and had Poppy tell him you had died. I didn't know that Tom was the father, or that you would be given a choice on whether or not you wanted to become a Deatheater. Nor did I think they'd be able to protect you from homophobic people." Dumbledore paused. "I though I was doing the right thing by taking you from a dangerous situation. I didn't realize my mistake until you found out."
"I see." Lucian said after a while. "And the Dursleys? Why didn't you let me leave them, even after you knew that they were beating me? Starving me?" Dumbledore hung his head.
"I didn't want to put you in danger. The wards at the castle are weaker in the summer and you at the Weasley's would be putting them in danger. You only had a couple of months with the Dursleys and I was going to have someone check up on you periodically."
"I see." Lucian cocked his head. "I don't think I can trust you anymore Professor. But I can give you another chance at redeeming yourself." Dumbledore perked up. "I've started my own group. It's called the Pack. I've initiated 19 people or so in the past months."
"And what does this Pack do?"
"We ally with Tom on certain issues, like our rights to walk un-disguised in the muggle world. But we oppose him when it comes to useless killings. Tom has already agreed not to kill if he can help it and has been working on improving the connection between us and muggles." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"You're secret is safe with me. I assume the people join willingly?" Lucian smirked.
"Professor! You wound me! Of course they do. I give them a choice." Dumbledore smiled. "I will be working on adding more to the Pack. I am hoping to gain some older members as well, but I can make do with just students or younger people."
"Lord Voldemort knows of this then. Interesting."
"Tom supports the idea. He wants me to be happy and if being happy means opposing him on some views and creating a group to do so then so be it." Albus nodded. "You won't have to worry about meaningless killings any more. Tom is trying to stop that, but if he does too much."
"Then he could get over thrown. I see. Well at least he's trying. I thank you." Lucian nodded. "You should head down to the dungeons. Your father must be waiting for you."
"Yes, im sure he is. We'll be visiting with Tom the rest of the holiday. See you when school starts up again."
"Happy Christmas Lucian." Albus said warmly, standing to accompany Lucian to the door.
"Happy Christmas Professor." Lucian allowed the headmaster to give him a hug before exiting the office.
END
Sequel soon.I think