Author's communicate: This chapters are still being fixed, so it'll be constantly updated. Many of the characters here belongs to JK Rowling, which I kindly borrow. They're not mine. For the originals (created by me) any similarity with anyone you know… Just coincidence!

1. The Starless Sky

It was a quiet night in all England. And it was a night as many others in Taylor Manor. Though tonight something different will happen…

Mrs. Barrie, the cooker working for the Taylors, ran to the hall when Mrs. Taylor had told her:

"It's coming now. Tell my husband!"

But Mrs. Barrie knew quite well what did Mrs. Taylor mean by that, and ran to Mr. Taylor who happened to be in the hall. The hall was a great place, one of the most pleasant place in Taylor Manor, with great furniture and pleasant to be in there.

- Mr. Taylor! The mistress is giving birth! - she cried.

Mr. Taylor, a man of strong character rose at once and ran to his wife:

- Darling… Are you all right ? Mrs. Barrie can call a healer…

But his wife rose a hand:

- No! I don't want any healer! - Mr. Taylor nodded quietly.

In two hours a baby was born.

- Oh, dear… - said Mr. Taylor, the baby in his hands - We have a boy! - he announced, giving the baby to Penelope.

- Oh, Philip! What should we call him ? He's so beautiful! - she said, looking at her son.

- Why don't we call him Thomas ? - said Philip.

Penelope faced her husband.

- I told you, Philip! Our Thomas is dead! - she said. Philip held her.

- Dear, it's just a name… Thomas because of our first son, and Maxwell, in memory of Maxwell Taylor deeds. - he said.

They had had another child by the name of Thomas, but the boy had died before the age of one. Penelope nodded all of a sudden:

- All right… Welcome to the world, Thomas Maxwell Taylor!

* * *

In this same night, somewhere else a large group of wizards gathered at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. None of them looked very happy though. A tall fat woman sighed heavily and said:

- I didn't believe them when they said… A Starless sky! But now… Look outside! I can see no star out there!

There was a heavy silence following her speech. Then, a short bald wizard said:

- I wanted to know what's the meaning of it.

A new silence took over. A woman, a beautiful woman, spoke all of a sudden:

- That means a cursed child is born.

A new silence fell; speaking of a cursed child seemed to be quite dreading and no one risked to speak. The bar keeper sneered:

- I don't believe that… Maybe a couple of those Dementors are making fun out of us. - she said.

Many of the people in there seemed to disagree with her, because they shot her angry looks. But it was a skinny little man who broke the silence saying:

- You're making fun out of Divination ?

People nodded. The bar keeper shook her wide shoulders and said:

- It's not Divination. Maybe you should call it superstition, Mr. Monk.

There were a few who laughed. But most of them remained silent. - No, it's a warning… We're all doomed. - Mr. Monk said.

* * *

The fire kept the hall in Malfoy Manor pleasantly warm. The window was closed, but still you could see the sky. The window was closed, but still you could see the sky. Sat in front of the fire, drinking some tea, was Draconis Malfoy, a man respected - and somehow feared - all over England. At his side, drinking some sherry, sat his wife, Lavynia Malfoy. Over her lap sat a six years old boy, with white blond hair (such as Draconis) and he seemed to be asleep.

- Dear, should I take little Lucius to bed ? - she asked her husband. It took Draconis a while to reply.

- No, Lavynia… Stay here a bit longer. - he told her.

He had heard people talking; even in his uneasy dreams the starless sky looked like a threat.

- I won't ignore the warning in my heart. I dare not to lose the fourth child. - he said.

They had lost already three children: the first died at birth, the other lived for six months and the third was a girl who happened to be the result of Lavynia's love affair with another man, which resulted on Draconis killing the little brunette girl and punishing his wife severely. But then Lucius was born and he would not lose his heir. His heir slept lazily over his mother's lap, unaware of the starless sky.

* * *

- Should I bring anything from Diagon Alley, my love ? - asked Mr. Taylor.

It was morning and their baby slept at his mother's side in the large bed.

- If you could bring something to Thomas… Look at him, Philip! He's so sweet in his sleep! - she said.

Her husband nodded.

- He's great, Penelope, such as his mother. And I know Thomas will give us a lot to be proud of. - he told her, kissing Penelope's forehead - I'll be back before dawn. The Ministry will surely allow me to come back earlier today. I'll keep you informed. See you by dinner! - he told her, putting on his cloak. His wife nodded and he left the room.

Soon Mr. Taylor was at the Ministry of Magic in London. His office was opposite Mr. Weasley's office, who was responsible for the secrecy of the wizarding world. Mr. Taylor looked at Mr. Weasley's office to find he was not there yet. Philip decided he would look for Mr. Weasley later. Meanwhile, he opened his office and made sure his wife's photograph could be seen for him as it could be seen by a visitor. He sighed contented. He soon opened his vault and grabbed a lot of parchment, which he laid over his desk. It contained Dark Arts in it, and it was his job to read the material and write a report to the Minister, informing about its properties and how serious was the piece. It was a rather dangerous job and he was working on these parchments over three weeks and still he couldn't figure out what kind of Dark Arts contained those parchments. He sighed, it was so frustrating… Those were found in Hall Manor, and it belonged to Simon Hall. If he did not find out what kind of Dark Magic contained those parchments, the Ministry couldn't get a hold on Mr. Hall. He was so distracted examining those parchments he didn't see Mr. Weasley opening his office and going into a halt at his door.

- Morning, colleague. - he said.

Philip, although startled, smiled pleasantly.

- George Weasley! I was wondering if you'd be coming to work! -Taylor said.

George smiled.

- Arthur gave me a hard time this morning!… By the way, I heard the news… It seems a new Taylor lives at your house! Congratulations, Philip! Olga can't wait to meet the child! - he said, extending his hand to Philip and both men shook hands.

- Yes, he was born last night! He's great, was already asleep when I left this morning. - he said.

He was so happy about it he could not hide his joy.

- So, it's a boy, I presume ? What's his name ? I'm sure Olga will ask me his name in the moment I set my feet at home. - George said, glancing at the photograph of Penelope.

- It's Thomas Maxwell Taylor, and, yes, it's a boy. Why don't you come to my house next Friday? It'll give Penelope enough time to recover and she might want the company of very good friends! Bring your family to dinner next Friday! - Philip invited him.

George smiled:

- It's a great name, Philip. And I accept your invitation, I'm sure Olga will enjoy it.

Philip smiled back and said:

- Next Friday at six o'clock is all right ?

It took George a few seconds thinking.

- Yes, that's fine. Well, I got to get the work started, nasty business keeping our world safe and secret. Those Muggles aren't stupid, you know. - George said, as if unpleasantly reminded he had some work to do.

- Don't tell me, I still don't figure out what kind of Dark Magic contains those parchments. - Philip said.

- I see you later then. Good luck, colleague! - George said leaving his friend's office and heading to his own.

* * *

- Good morning, father. - Lucius greeted his father the next morning.

He had white blond hair which he used at his shoulders length, exactly as his father, and the same grey eyes - for those the Malfoys were famous for. Draconis greeted his son. There were five years yet to come before Hogwarts called his son. Lucius wasn't yet much of a worry to Draconis, since being still a six years old kid he wasn't rebellious and would do whatever his father commanded. But Draconis couldn't help fearing Lucius turned to be weak and unworthy of the name of Malfoy. He sat at Lucius' side at the table and helped himself of eggs and bacon. Lavynia entered the room in this moment apologizing for her being late. Draconis said nothing, that was his way of letting her know he wasn't pleased. His wife was wise enough not to say anything on the matter. She gave Lucius a kiss and took a seat at Draconis side.

- Where are you going today, dear ? - she asked her husband.

- I have business with Mr. Hall today. It seems the Ministry found those cursed parchments - Draconis replied.

Lucius listened quietly. Lavynia widened her eyes in awe. But Draconis didn't look concerned.

- That worthless Philip Taylor is in charge, I doubt he find out the little secret beneath. I just hoped Aurelius and Simon Hall would be more careful. Even if Taylor don't figure out its secret the Ministry won't give it back to Simon. To think I spent a lot of gold on that project. That's what concerns me mostly. - he said, scowling.

- Why don't you take it back ? - asked Lavynia, helping herself with a bit of pie.

Draconis shook his head:

- I can't just walk in the Ministry and take the parchments away. I got connections in there and it would give them enough reason to believe there's a lot of importance on those parchments, and might start an investigation to find out where exactly it comes from. It might lead them to me as well. I helped with the curses. It was very stupid of Simon in letting Taylor put his dirty hands on it. - there came a short pause.

- Why don't you go to Mr. Taylor then ? - she asked.

Draconis smirked.

- Darling, Taylor will get what he deserves. I'll get him, but not yet. - he told his wife and finished his breakfast.

Lucius remained quiet. It was fascinating the way his father spoke of things. He just hoped he could be exactly like his father one day. Draconis rose from his seat saying he had things to do. But Lucius said of a sudden:

- Father, can you show me the dungeons ?

Draconis was surprised but quite pleased with Lucius' wish.

- Sure, my son. I will show you the dungeons if you behave properly this afternoon. - he told Lucius.

Soon Draconis left the Malfoy Manor.

* * *

Simon Hall spent the last three weeks examining and hiding everything that the Ministry could collect. Since that Mr. Taylor had found these parchments, the Ministry didn't give him a moment of peace. Much of the things he just got rid of, but others he couldn't just give away, not even to save his reputation. These were valuable items he wouldn't wish anyone else to have.

Simon was certain that Draconis Malfoy would show up at any time, and he wasn't very fond of it. The parchments were part of something both of them - well, Aurelius, his brother, gave them a hand - were working on for some time. He knew Draconis was pissed off.

Simon was at his library, a huge amount of parchments containing all kind of Dark Magic over his desk. It would give him a lot to do. He would kill Ms. Aptorn for letting slip, in presence of a Ministry representative, that the Hall family was composed basically by dark wizards. Obviously it reached Philip Taylor, who decided to make a search in Hall Manor with no warning. That certainly caught Simon off his guard and he had no time to put those parchments away somewhere safe. 'It would have been safer in Malfoy Manor' he admitted to himself, opening a huge dusty volume of "Dark Magic - A to Z". It was basic reading, and he was sure the Ministry would not throw him in Azkaban for that. Still, he wasn't sure what to do about "The Poisoned book of Poisons" and "Death - 100 ways to kill". The Ministry would not agree with him those books are light reading - they would make sure to throw him in Azkaban. His gold would not save him if they found all those dark ingredients he kept in the Dungeons. He sighed. Now that he needed most Aurelius would not help him - actually, Aurelius was in Ireland, dealing with his bride's family.

He finally decided to charm those two most dangerous books with a illusion. They looked harmless now. He was back examining those parchments over his desk when the door bell rang. He went startled, but did not move. Had the Ministry sent a representative already ? He allowed the house-elves to open the door. In a few minutes, Brisky, one of the house-elves, came in, followed by… Draconis Malfoy.

* * *

Mrs. Barrie was at the back yard with the other servants - Mr. Cattle, Ms. Pea and old Mr. Buckins. They worked for the Taylor family since always, and Mr. Buckins was the older among them. Mrs. Barrie would not stop looking at the sky - she was a superstitious person by nature, and could not stop thinking about last night.

- Stop that, Margareth, you're making me nervous - said Mr. Cattle, the gardener, who wasn't superstitious at all.

- If tonight we have a starless sky again, that poor child will be doomed forever! It's so unfair to a little child!… Mr. Taylor is a very good man, he don't deserve a cursed child! - she stated, ignoring Mr. Cattle's remark.

It was Mr. Buckins turn to argue:

- Margareth… You're the best cooker the Taylor Manor ever had. But you have a problem… You're too superstitious. The child with the Mistress is not cursed. And be careful not to say that in her presence! It's her son after all.

Being the older, Mr. Buckins always had the last word about anything. They respected his opinion deeply and would never argue with him. Even so, they had to admit he had a point. If the Mistress heard people saying her baby was cursed - and if this people happened to be one of her servants - they couldn't rely on her good will to keep them as servants to the Taylor family.

If you asked any of the Taylor's servants what did they think of the Taylors, they would probably tell you there was no fairest family in all England. Mrs. Barrie and Ms. Pea were the ones who had the hardest work: cleaning the house and cooking. And already Mrs. Barrie was aware that she would be Thomas nanny. She was most pleased about the task, and would never complain. She was taking Mr. Taylor's clothes to wash when the Mistress bell rang. She was calling, and Mrs. Barrie gave the clothes to Ms. Pea in an alarmed hurry and went immediately upstairs. Mrs. Taylor, however, didn't look concerned at all; she was rather relaxed and had a smile on her lips.

- Look at him! He woke up just now, I wanted you to see him… Look, he's got beautiful eyes! - she said, the emotion flowing openly, through her tears.

Mrs. Barrie approached, relieved, the baby seemed to be all right. - Yes, Mrs. Taylor. He's a lovely child. I'm sure you'll be very proud of it. - Mrs. Barrie said, sincerely.

Mrs. Taylor looked rather sad though.

- I'm afraid, Mrs. Barrie, of losing him. I already lost the other one… I'm afraid of killing my baby! - she said, and started to cry even harder.

Mrs. Barrie understood the feeling, she well remembered when her son, Mathew, was born. She felt the very same way. The baby started to cry at once, probably feeling his mother's sadness. Mrs. Barrie took the baby gently on her arms and he stopped crying in a few seconds. She laid him on his cradle carefully, turning to attend her Mistress. She sat on the bad and said:

- Mrs. Taylor, you're only depressed. You're going to be a great mother, and I'll always be around to lend you a hand - Mrs. Taylor achieved a smile.

- Tell me of your son, Mrs. Barrie… Tell me how it was to raise him… - she asked, drying her tears with a handkerchief.

* * *