Chapter Two: Just a Death Eater
Voldemort apparated back in a dark room, dimly illuminated by torches mounted on the stone walls of a great hall. Although his posture could suggest that he was calm and relaxed, his mind felt like a storm. His attack on the Potter family was a real triumph and he was very satisfied about it. However, the second part of his plan left him with a very bitter taste in his mouth.
Of course, it is infuriating. But it's necessary. If I want to hide in plain sight, "Lord Voldemort" needs to "die". I may be more powerful than them, but power alone will only get me so far when politics are involved. Bagnold, Bones and Crouch will stop their war-effort if they see me as a ghost. And it will be so much easier to infiltrate the Ministry if they're not constantly on edge.
Still…
Still, it felt like a defeat. Even in the Lestrange Manor, he could imagine them. The people. He could imagine their joy, their relief, their eagerness. He could imagine their snide, backstabbing whispers toward each other. They would start by replacing their government, calling it "moving on". Bagnold and Crouch's political careers were over: they may be "war heroes", they will be the awful reminders of an awful period.
Instead, Benjamin Potter will become their newest favorite. Afterall, he the symbol of the end of the war. The Boy-Who-Lived. The press will praise him, the people will love him, the government will use him… And all of them will happily shout "You-Know-Who is dead. He lost the war." Two sentences that Voldemort hated envision, let alone hear.
But it's a necessary evil.
Then, his attention shifted towards the older Potter. Harry. He was still unconscious, under the effect of the stunning spell. For almost an hour, Voldemort was wondering what he should do with the boy. The safest thing to do would be killing him. There was more than a million ways Voldemort could think of: drowning him, strangling him, burning him… Or simply using his signature killing curse on him. Or maybe his loyal snake Nagini was feeling hungry?
But now, he was slowly changing his position. Against all odds, he was starting to find interest in him. Afterall, for the prophecy to hold up, it meant that Harry was destined to become a powerful wizard. And right now, Voldemort was in dire need for powerful wizards: if he wanted to win this war, poisoning the Ministry was only half of the solution.
The other half was maybe in front of him. An unconscious five-year-old half-blood with a fearsome potential. As he hid the toddler under a cloak, Voldemort remembered what he felt when he sensed the anger of the young Potter.
It is certainly a risky bet… But I can warp a problem into a solution. And if you ever look like a threat, then I'll certainly be capable to slay you.
What do you think, Potter?
Voldemort grinned. His decision was taken. Yes, Harry Potter would become one of his followers. He wouldn't be a sadistic being capable of inflicting the worst to numerous innocents: no, he would become much, much worse than that. He would become a weapon, his weapon, capable of doing the worst things simply because his Dark Lord asked him to. He would slowly become a pawn to dominate the magical world.
"Master! You're… You aren't dead!"
Voldemort accented his smile, as he saw someone entering in the room. It was a gorgeous young woman who was in front of him. But her good-looking traits hid a dangerous monster as she was a very well-known Death Eater. Afterall, she was one of Voldemort's fiercest lieutenants. Habitually, her gait was frightening, as she looked like a predator who just found a prey: it often made those around her cringe with fear. She wore an opulently embraided dark dress, underneath a thick black cloak which hid her lace-up boots with high heels. Remarkably tall for a woman, her dark brown bushy hair reached her lower back. Her little smirk hid a violent and unapologetic personality as her heavy eyelids accented the coldness of her grey eyes.
"Of course not, Bella… How can it surprise you? How could anyone ever consider that a toddler defeated me? I hope that it isn't a common belief amongst Death Eaters…" Voldemort opened, his cool voice hiding his true feelings.
"Of course not, master! I'd never doubt of your might!" Bellatrix immediately answered as her skin became paler and her voice scrappier. "The rumor has just started. Do you want me to shut it off? I'll burn down a village to show that you're very much alive!"
"Believe me, it won't be necessary…" Voldemort replied with a much more satisfied voice. "You see Bella… This growing rumor may be a blessing in disguise."
"What do you mean?" Bellatrix asked, looking flabbergasted. "Why in Merlin's name would you want the wizarding world to forget about your supremacy?"
Voldemort sighed.
"As much as it pains me to admit it… Since Bagnold was elected as the new Minister and Crouch took over the Auror Department… Our expansion slowed down. Not dramatically but more than enough to make me consider this strategy."
"What strategy?" Bellatrix frowned.
"My 'death'." Voldemort answered with a wry smile. "From the hands of the 'Boy-Who-Lived'."
Bellatrix sat down. This was in itself remarkable. After all, Voldemort hadn't offered her a seat.
"Forgive me, master," she began as her voice grew concerned. "But are you saying that your strategy is to make the wizarding world think that you have been killed by the young Potter? Why would you want that? To lay low?"
"Exactly."
"This was your plan, when you went to the Potter's house?"
"Merlin, no. I decided this as I was preparing myself to put down the young Potter."
"But… why?" Bellatrix asked, dumbfounded. She had completely forgotten her earlier fear as she looked at Voldemort, her grey eyes almost begging for more information. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Voldemort was amused to think that she had never spoken to him so familiarly or with so much concerned.
"It just occurred to me that I could kill two owls with one spell," he replied. "As I told you, the threat of the Ministry is becoming more and more serious. With the Ministry on the one hand and the Order of the Phoenix on the other, our expansion is quite limited. My "demise" will relieve them of their greatest burden… but also their greatest drive."
Bellatrix started to smile, as she seemed to understand.
"It will become incredibly easier for Lucius, Rosier or Yaxley to infiltrate the ministry during peacetime rather than wartime." Voldemort continued. "Dumbledore is rather full of himself: he'll think that my demise was due to the young's Potter inherent potential or some foolishness like that. Frankly, I do not care. However, what I do care about is our expansion. Relieving ourselves from the Wizarding World's attention will help us to get back on our feet.
"Let's be clear, Bellatrix: I dislike this solution just as much as you do. But we need to be cunning and ingenious. If I do not have the luxury of the choice, I know that this strategy is the best way to overcome our enemies. Peace will cost them their strength. Victory will defeat them." Voldemort concluded.
When he ended his explanations, Bellatrix was beaming at him. Voldemort was feeling quite satisfied: of course, her opinion didn't matter, in the grand scheme of things. Afterall, she was just a tool for his ends. However, a willing tool was always more valuable than a relucting one.
"This is a great plan, milord!" she radiated. "We shall let this rumor grow into a tumor, until it infects this corrupt ministry and tears it down!"
"Which brings us to the second part of our plan… The boy."
With a smile, his hand lifted the cloak to let Bellatrix see the toddler.
"Here's your mission, Bellatrix. I present you Harry Potter."
"Harry… Harry Potter? But weren't you supposed to let him become the "Boy-Who-Lived", Master?"
"At first, yes. But when I decided to opt for my new strategy, I changed my plans for our young -stunned- friend here. His younger brother will be the Boy-Who-Lived. But the real boy of the prophecy will be with us.
Maybe this is the best way to use this prophecy in our advantage? Instead of killing a toddler who can barely use magic, let alone fight… Why not turn him over to our side? He's still young. He'll be a valuable asset. We can train him to become the most dangerous Death Eater. Why would he ever be a threat to me if he is loyal to me? Besides…"
"What if he betrays you?" Bellatrix interrupted.
Voldemort's eyebrows rose, as his red eyes showed a murderous glint. For a moment, Bellatrix deeply regrated interrupting him.
"He won't betray me if he is a totally devoted servant to our cause," he began as his cool glance lingered on the witch. "Besides… I do not appreciate being interrupted, Bella. You -of all people- should know it."
"I apologize, Master, I…" Bellatrix began.
"However," Voldemort interrupted. "If it turns out that this boy betrays me… Then I'll simply hold you as responsible. As this is you who will have the responsibility to raise him, from now on."
Bellatrix gasped, before looking at the toddler with more attention.
"You can see him as a son… But he'll be our future weapon. Our secret asset," Voldemort reprised, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Your Lestrange ward. Do you accept this mission, Bella?"
"I… I do, Master."
"Perfect. I should've known that you're always up to a challenge," Voldemort smirked. "Now, let me explain what will follow. I have several people undercover in the different departments of the ministry. Nothing would be easier for Lucius than to bribe a Ministry official who will gladly forge a fake birth certificate as well as to add young Potter's new name I the wizard register. However, is it really necessary to tell everyone that you now have a five-year-old child? The Malfoy will be accomplices in this scheme and they're the only ones that would need to know about his existence. In a few years or so, you'll be able to introduce him to the high society.
"You will say that it had been years since Rodolphus and you had a child but you didn't want to introduce him to the world during war-time. No one will bat an eye -Amelia Bones has a niece of the same age that is a secret as well. Same story for the Greengrass family. And if it wasn't for her fourth mariage last year, Lucia Zabini would have kept her son Blaise a secret too. Besides… Your son won't interact with a whole lot of persons. Excepted for you, Rodolphus and Rabastan, of course. Afterall, you'll be his family. And you three will train him."
"Yes, Master… But how about in a few years? He'll probably won't look like me at all. And I frankly don't think that he'll want to be part of this act. If he's anything like the James Potter I knew, he'll never want to be my son."
"Oh, young Harry will be part of this act, whether he wants it or not," Voldemort smirked. "We'll simply threaten his family or… discipline him until he plays along. However, you're not wrong about his appearance."
Voldemort nodded, before looking at the boy.
"If I recall well, there's a potion that may help us. 'The elixir of the new blood'. It is a very old potion, derivative to the Polyjuice potion. It was banned by common potions-masters, as it could be used for nefarious purposes.
"This Elixir will require some drops of your blood, Bellatrix. Make your new son drink it during the night of a new moon: at dawn, you will have biologically replaced one of his parents. Which one will be chosen at random: however, I sure hope you'll replace his Mudblood of a mother. The effects are not only physical but permanent, as this boy will take on an appearance that blends your features, fully becoming your son biologically speaking."
"That is perfect, Master… However, the boy will become my son, but not Rodolphus'! Is it normal?"
"I regret to say yes, Bella… This potion can only be taken once. If the boy drank it a second time, this would have horrendous effects on his sanity, let alone his body. Will it be a problem for Rodolphus?" he asked, as Bellatrix sensed a threat hidden behind the question.
"O-Of course not, Master!"
"Perfect, then… I'll tell Severus to immediately start working on it." Voldemort stated, with a satisfied voice. "He will be the best for this job, as this is a very difficult potion to make and disastrous if made wrong. But you won't have it next week. Not even next year, as it requires between one and five years to stew at a very low temperature before it is ready to be consumed."
"W-We… We will wait, Master! Meanwhile, we'll take care of the boy… I assure you that he will be the most faithful servant you'll ever dream of!" assured Bellatrix.
"Ooh, I sure hope for the sake of your family that he will be, my dear Bella," Voldemort grinned, before getting up. "I'll provide you with a wand that will be usable by the boy, before he'll buy one for Hogwarts. Meanwhile… You may leave with your child now, Bella."
"Very well, my lord. I sincerely thank you for this new mission," Bellatrix answered dutifully but with a sincere gratefulness in her voice.
Her master didn't immediately reply. Instead, he took out his wand before pointing it towards her, then pointing it at the ceiling. Bellatrix cringed with apprehension when she felt a slight shiver of fear run down her spine. As if he read her mind and saw her fear, Voldemort smiled. He then whispered something that was impossible to hear from where she was standing but Bellatrix then felt strangely lighter, as if a burden that she didn't even suspect the existence was out of her shoulders.
"You can apparate out of my mansion, Bellatrix. I've lifted the spell forbidding it for a few moments. You'd better hurry as I'll immediately start a meeting with your fellow Death Eaters so they know my plan and I wouldn't want your comrades to see him yet."
"Of course, milord." Bellatrix nodded. "I'll see you later."
The dark witch smiled, before taking the hand of her new son. And after having correctly folded her coat on both of them, she quickly disappeared.
(OvO)
1st November 1985 - London, a few moments later
Sirius knocked on the door for a good ten minutes before coming to his senses: Peter was not home. That didn't make any sense. Sirius could remember James specifically telling Peter to stay hidden. But if he wasn't home, then that could only mean one thing…
His heart pounding like it never did before, Sirius jumped back on his motorcycle and flew across England at full speed towards Godric's Hollow. He tried to ignore the little insidious voice that was whispering to his ear his worst fears. Sirius closed his eyes, before re-opening them.
Focus on the road. Nothing else matters. You need to get at Godric's Hollow. Take James, Lily, Harry, and Benjy to a safe new a secure hideout.
Nothing else matters.
But when Sirius arrived and stopped in front of the Potter's residence, all his worst fears were confirmed. The top of the house was in ruins. The dust was so thick, he could choke on it. The front door was still open. He didn't need to enter to know what happened here…
"No… For Merlin's sake, no…"
And yet, against his will, Sirius found the courage to move towards the door. His feet led him into the house. A broken vase was laying on the floor of the hallway. A table was overturned, all its' four legs pointing to the ceiling.
"Please no…" Sirius whispered as he pushed open the living room door, tears rolling down his eyes.
And as soon as he saw him, Sirius rushed to James' inert body.
"James…" he begged, shaking him with all his might. "Prongs, wake up… Wake up, it's me, Sirius…"
Without even understanding why, Sirius recalled a Tuesday morning right after the full moon ten years ago. He remembered himself trying tirelessly to wake up James before they were late to a potion class. He remembered James' growl of exasperation when he woke him up with an Aguamenti charm…
But it wasn't a Tuesday morning in Gryffindor tower. James was not asleep, and Sirius was awfully aware of it. Peter had delivered him to the Devil…
"Peter, you bastard…" Sirius muttered through his clenched teeth. "Damn you…"
His gaze rested on James' pale face. Tears began to fall as Sirius hugged him one last time, as he could keep him from leaving. It was his life that Voldemort had destroyed when he took James away from him. Because James had always been all Sirius ever had…
Sirius saw him again, the first time they ever met on the Hogwarts Express. Then wearing the Sorting Hat. The night they became friends. The night they became Marauders. And all those times James' smile had made their friendship something sacred…
"Prongs…"
He kissed him on the forehead, before laying James down on the couch as he painfully tried to look away. He had to be strong. Lily's body had to be somewhere, as for little Benjy. And Harry too…
Without knowing why, his instinct led him to the stairs. Then, he found the strength to go to Harry's room. And he found him.
Harry. His little godson, lying there, face down, in front of a burnt body…
"Harry…" Sirius sobbed. "Not you, Harry…"
He crouched down beside him and put him on his back. Harry's face was peaceful, his little eyelids closed. He was dead. Just like James. It tore Sirius' heart. This little kid had always been the son he couldn't have. And Voldemort had taken him away…
Sirius took his little hand – a hand that was cold and stiffened by the flight of his life.
He felt something breaking in him.
It suddenly became too hard for Sirius. He stopped holding Harry's hand, before looking at the burnt body. Was it Lily's? No, it seemed too tall. Maybe Voldemort came here with a Death Eater and killed him in the process… Maybe it was Peter… As soon as Sirius thought about the traitor, fury came back bursting in his heart then flowing in his veins. Just like the worst venom he could ever think of.
"This damn traitor…"
Instinctively, Sirius looked for Lily and Benjy. He couldn't find them. Did Voldemort take them with him? Or maybe he made their body disappear? It really didn't mean any sense whatsoever, as the dreadful "Lord Voldemort" -Sirius cringed with anger when he thought about this title- never bothered to hide the bodies of his victims.
Like a ghost, Sirus went back down the stairs and out into the night. He needed some time. To think things through. Then, he exclaimed in surprise when he discovered a half-giant sitting on the low wall of the house's garden.
"H-Hagrid?" he stumbled. "Is that you?"
The half-giant turned to him, as his eyebrows furrowed.
"Black? What are yeh doin' here?" Hagrid asked with a suspicious tone. "How did yeh know that they were dead?"
Hearing Hagrid ask that question was like a stab in his heart. And yet, he knew very well that Voldemort had killed them. But it was hearing the word 'dead' associated to his loved ones that made him tear up.
As if it made things official. From now on, for the outside world, James and Harry were dead.
The tears came back. Sirius held them back at first. But then Hagrid made them fall, because the half-giant didn't immediately realize that the more he talked about James and Harry in the past tense, the more it hurt. Sirius never cried much before, though. He grew up in a home where feelings were weaknesses, thus he wasn't in the habit of letting his feelings get the better of him.
But losing James and Harry…
"Crying won't bring 'em back, yeh know…" Hagrid said, clumsy as ever. "They may be dead, but they wouldn't want that…"
"But it's all my fault…"
Sirius recalled the night he advised James to take Peter as his Secret Keeper. He recalled his -stupid- suspicions towards Remus. He felt awful.
"We're all partly responsible fer this tragedy, yeh know?" Hagrid reminded him. "When two persons so wonderful die so awfully and no one could prevent it… Everyone is equally guilty, yeh ge' me?"
"And he took Lily and Benjy away…" Sirius added sadly.
"No, Lily an' little Ben are right here," Hagrid revealed.
The half giant nodded toward a cabin in the garden where Sirius found Lily and Ben, lying on Hagrid's enormous leather coat. Sirius flinched when he saw that Lily was harmed. Blood was visible on the makeshift bandages she had around her waist and legs. Ben was unconscious, gently wrapped in a wool blanket. A little scar that looked like a moon cut across half his forehead.
"'Did what I could with what I had but I don't have a wand, yeh know?" Hagrid deplored. "The lady needs a real healer, I'm telling yeh. She needs to go to St Mungo's."
"Oh Merlin…" exclaimed Sirius, not believing what was happening. "What happened?"
"I dunno, Black. But they' both alive, I can tell yeh that." Hagrid nodded. "Dumbledore has a theory, though."
"What is it?"
"Well, it's pretty convoluted, yeh know? Yeh-know-who came in." Hagrid began. "This sonova bludger killed James and then went upstairs t'kill Lily, Harry, and Benjy. He must've thought his explosion spell killed Lily so he left her -or he planned to kill her next, Merlin knows what was brewing in this twisted mind of his. Then, he went towards Benjy, planning to kill him first…"
"The bastard," Sirius whispered.
"Yeah. But yeh know, Dumbledore thinks Harry stood in the way and protected his little brother. He loved him so much that he decided to die for him. This gave Benjy a protection against the killing curse. The curse bounced back and then it killed yeh-know-who." Hagrid explained.
There was a silence, as Sirius pictured what happened. His godson was dead to protect his little brother. Like a hero. But for a moment, Sirius only could remember Lily spoon-feeding Harry when he was younger, gibbering nonsense to get him to open his mouth. His throat tightened.
For everyone, Harry would be a hero. But he deserved better. Actually, he only deserved to be the child he was meant to be...
"Poor little fella," Hagrid lamented. "'Met him only once when the Potters came to Hogwarts t'meet Dumbledore, and they left him with me to take care of him. Y'were here, remember?
"Yes, I do… We presented Benjy to Dumbledore…" Sirius nodded, hapless.
"I presented him Fang –t'was a pup at the time. Harry was something like one or two. Not older than three. Anyway, kid played with the dog the whole afternoon!" Hagrid laughed, thinking back. "'Was a good boy, very kind and polite, I can tell yeh that. He was a good boy 'till the end…" he added, as his voice broke a little.
Sirius caressed Benjamin's soft and chubby hand.
"We need to get them to St Mungo's…" he began, shaking his head. "Lily needs to get healed."
"Yeah… Thing is I just sent an owl to Dumbledore, asking him to send me a portkey," Hagrid sighed. "Can't create one since it's too complicated with my umbr... Er, since I don't have a wand, yeh know?"
"I'll create one, don't worry," Sirius nodded, before pointing his wand towards a small shovel in the cabin. "Portus St Mungo's!"
The shovel glowed blue and trembled noisily against the wooden floor for a few seconds, then became still once more.
"You can go with them, Hagrid," Sirius nodded.
"Oh, thanks a million, Black!" Hagrid smiled, relieved. "But yeh ain't comin' with us?"
"I'll apparate after you," Sirius answered bleakly. "I need some time alone… To think things through."
Hagrid seemed to understand, as he didn't try to change his mind. Sirius felt grateful about it. The half-giant wrapped the child in his large velvet-lined jacket before mildly carrying Lily.
"Well… 'Guess I'll see yeh later, Black."
"Be careful, Hagrid."
The half giant smiled.
"Don't worry 'bout it! Come on, hang in there an' be strong you too… They'll need yeh."
Hagrid took the shovel. Sirius watched him disappear with Lily and Ben, feeling almost numb, as if he was a losing boxer, beaten to a pulp. He exited the cabin, his fists clenching. Then, he stood alone in front of the half-ruined Potter house. Alone with his grief and his desire for revenge, which was growing a little more each minute that he sat on that low wall, brooding over memories and dark thoughts.
Without realizing it, Peter had destroyed his life by destroying James'. Sirius had to retaliate. He had to make Peter regret turning the Potters to Voldemort. And even if it was the last thing Sirius would ever do with his life… What life, anyway? He lost everything he held dear. Regulus had been taken from him, James had been taken from him and Harry had been taken from him. Voldemort took everything away. And Sirius'd thought that Remus had gone over to the wrong side… All this time, it was Peter who had been screwing with them.
"You damn traitor…" Sirius snarled, alone. "You'll pay…"
He had no reason to go on living. No more point of attachment. Voldemort and Peter took everything away from him…
Just like his mother, Sirius was very resentful. He never fully forgave. He was a Black, after all: vengeance was in their blood. He had to hunt down Peter and avenge James and Harry. He had to…
"They'll need yeh."
But then again, Sirius closed his eyes. Lily and Benjy would need him. Remus too. His revenge could wait, but they wouldn't. Sirius had to heal the ones he loved before killing the one he hated.
"Don't worry, Wormtail…" Sirius whispered. "There's always next time…"
Sirius looked at the broken house. Where his family was now mutilated. With a broken smile, he climbed onto his bike. Then, he drove towards St Mungo's.
(OvO)
1st November 1985 in the morning– Lestrange Castle
"Enough of your whining, boy!" Rabastan ordered. "I will not say it again, so you better shut up if you have half a mind!"
Harry braced himself, forcing his tears back. He tried to recall the nightmare what brought him to the nightmare that his current predicament was. Two days ago, everything was normal. He was playing Quidditch with Ben, was preparing the list of gifts he wanted for Christmas and was expecting a delicious pumpkin-pie for Halloween.
But then, the main antagonist of his nightmare attacked them and ended everything. He attacked Dad, hurt Mum, and tried to harm Ben. Harry remembered standing up to this monster. But whatever happened beyond that faded into a blur.
Harry felt anger reddening his cheeks, as he moved with Rabastan. His heart was beating fast, as he remembered Rabastan saying he was a "Death Eater". Harry heard this term before, the day he eavesdropped a conversation between Mum, Dad, and Sirius. He knew this was a very nasty word: Mum forbade him to ever say it. She even punished him the time he said it to Ben when he broke his favorite broom. But an hour ago, when Harry asked Rabastan who he was, he heard him talk about this title with some sort of pride.
"Who am I? I'm Rabastan Adib Lestrange, one of the greatest Death Eaters. Now if you're finished eating, stand up and follow me, boy. And you better not whine."
Harry remembered waking up to see this man next to a woman with heavy eyelids. He remembered what they said when he woke up.
"So, is he the boy the Dark Lord brought? Little Potter Jr?" Rabastan had asked at his awakening.
"Yes, he is," the woman with heavy eyelids had answered. "Give him to eat, he must be hungry. Rodolphus and I will wait for you in the dueling room."
But Harry could barely eat. He was too scared for that. Where was he anyway? Was Benjy with him? Was he safe? And more than anything, where were Mum, Dad and Sirius? This was clearly the question he wanted to ask the most but he wasn't sure he was ready to hear the answer.
With many deadly questions and no answer in sight, Harry felt water filling his eyes. But before he could even think about crying, Rabastan crouched down and slapped him.
"I hate to say 'I told you so'… But then again, I told you so," Rabastan grinned, as Harry started crying. "Now go on little half-blood, cry me a river now that I've given you a real reason to."
Harry suddenly stopped crying and glared at Rabastan. He didn't feel hopeless anymore: only resentful toward this man. He couldn't wait to see his dad and Sirius come out of nowhere to save him and beat this Death Eater up.
Then, they'd go buy an ice cream and play Quidditch. His mum would give him a hug and Harry would gladly forget that this nightmare ever even happened.
"Good. You learn fast," Rabastan said with a wry smile. His cunning, calculating brown eyes watched Harry, looking for any fear. He mustn't have found any because his long raven-dark hair waved in the air as he turned around.
"You're a bad man," Harry said, hoping to insult him. He wanted to show that he wasn't afraid of Rabastan. That's exactly what his dad or Sirius would do. Thinking about them gave Harry courage -and deep down, he strangely knew that he'd need all the courage he could gather.
Rabastan suddenly stopped. He simply turned around, looking at Harry. His blue eyes were gazing at him. Suddenly, Harry felt he was in danger. His cheek was still hurting from the slap he just received. But if he shivered but didn't look away.
"Call me names again and I swear to the Dark Lord, you'll rejoin your father." Rabastan threatened. His voice was deeper, downright threatening. "Do you get me?"
Harry cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. Was it that easy to join his dad? He just had to insult Rabastan? Well, he stored this information somewhere in his little head. It could be useful, afterall.
"I said: do you get me?"
"Y-Yes I do," Harry answered, unable to control the little shiver in his voice.
"Good," Rabastan stated, smiling again. "Now you better follow me, if you know what's good for you."
Harry reluctantly nodded and followed Rabastan. He looked around him: he was inside some sort of castle. But it surely wasn't a castle as welcoming as Hogwarts. The walls were made of rough stone, which would certainly nick his little hands if he touched it. The hallway they were walking in was dimly illuminated by torches and felt hostile. Even the paintings were scary. The people in the back watching Harry smiled wryly at him, as if they were reveling in his despair.
Although, he had to admit everything was clean: there was no rat running around or doxy flying next to the stairs. But weirdly enough, Harry would have felt almost reassured to see them. This place would feel a lot less lifeless. But the only form of life that he knew of within a sixty-foot radius was Rabastan and the eerie other darkhaired lady who had the heavy eyelids. And honestly, Harry didn't feel reassured at all with them.
Harry suppressed a cry. If dad and Sirius wanted to save him, now was the perfect moment.
"Here we are," Rabastan said, before sliding a door open. "The dueling room. Let's go inside…"
Harry followed the Death Eater inside of the room. It was a large chamber, way bigger than the living room of his house. Then again, Harry should've expected it: they were in a castle, horrifying or not. The room was filled with rings and training-dummies. If Harry wasn't so frightened, he would have been thrilled to be there: it looked exactly like a training room straight out of a comic book.
Rabastan's two companions grunted as they went in. Harry looked up at the two persons before him: the first was a colossal man. Six-foot three at least, he was tall, strong, and looked very much like Rabastan. Like him, he had dark brown eyes that managed to make him feel cunning and condescending at the same time. But unlike his brother, his dark hair was shorter. He had a beard that made him look even more intimidating and sharp features that were frightening. He seemed older than Rabastan, though: older and probably meaner. Harry sincerely disliked the glimmer of cruelty he saw in the man's eyes.
But it was the lady that caught Harry's eye. The lady with the heavy eyelids. When he woke up, Harry didn't see her that much. But now that she was in front of him, he felt very uneasy. She looked as gorgeous as unapologetic, as her grey eyes looked at him. If Harry saw a glimmer of cruelty in Rabastan's brother's eyes, it was a real blaze that was burning in the lady's. Harry promised himself to be very cautious if he ever had to deal with this lady. When she saw him, a little smirk enlightened her otherwise cold face. But it didn't felt welcoming at all. If anything, it made Harry wanting to flee far, far away from here.
A lump filled Harry's throat. Dad and Sirius should really hurry up, now.
"Allow me to introduce you to your new family, boy," Rabastan began, repressing a snicker. "This is my sister-in-law Bellatrix, who will be your mother from now on. I advise you to never get on her wrong side," he laughed, pointing at the woman, before pointing at the man. "And this is my older brother Rodolphus, who will be your father. As for me, you already know that I am your uncle Rabastan."
Harry tried to contain his surprise. "Tried" being the operative word. However, he failed two seconds later.
"But… I already have Mum and Dad and Sirius!" he protested, revolted.
"Not anymore," Bellatrix opposed. When she spoke, Harry felt a shiver go down his spine. "From this second forward, you're not a Potter anymore. You're a Lestrange."
"A what?"
"Oh for Merlin's sake, you're so bad at this, Bella," Rodolphus smirked with a deep voice, before turning his attention to Harry. "A member of our family, if you prefer."
Harry stayed silent for a moment. The idea seemed so ludicrous that he didn't even know where to start to refute it.
"But… I don't want to! I already have a family!"
"Too bad, we're not asking you," Rodolphus said condescendingly. "Not that we specially want it either, anyway. I mean, when I see my nephew Drago, I am very glad to be childfree. Merlin, he's such a brat, he actually reminds me of Rastaban when we were younger…"
"Hey, I heard that!" Rabastan protested.
"Well, not my fault if you were a brat," Rodolphus shrugged. "Actually, I rephrase. You're still a brat. Father was way too easy on you."
"Now listen here, Rod…"
"Can't you both shut up and be serious for once?" Bellatrix said, looking annoyed. She then turned her attention towards Harry. "Listen to me, kid. The Dark Lord gave you to us. He sees great potential in you. Thus, he wants us to train you. Do you understand that or not?"
"But… I-I don't want any of that!" Harry protested.
"I think he missed the part where you said we were not asking," Rabastan said to Rodolphus, after a little silence.
"I don't want any of that!" Harry continued. "I want to go back to my family, play with Dad and Ben and stay with my Mum! I don't want… you!"
"I don't care," Bellatrix replied coolly. And if the banter between the two brothers was a little bit amusing, her cool tone instantly made Harry silent. "Now you listen to me. Whatever sort of pampered life you were used to with your mudblood of a mother and your blood-traitor of a father is over. You'll come with us during raids, you'll train with us, and you'll shut up. I don't want to hear you moaning about it. We'll make you a decent pure-blood and a powerful asset for the Dark Lord. And if you ever try anything against him, I'll make you pay. Painfully. Am I clear?"
Harry simply nodded, trying to contain his tears. He had to show that he wasn't afraid of them. But they were three of them against one of him. Harry felt that all his courage was gone.
Then, he remembered what Rabastan said earlier. If Harry insulted him, his father would come, right?
Harry fiercely looked at Rabastan and tried to mimic Bellatrix' contempt in his own voice. He looked for the worst insult he knew, before finding one particularly fitting.
"You're just a Death Eater."
Rabastan looked at him, unimpressed.
"Well… No shit kid," he deadpanned, before turning towards Rodolphus and Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "Seriously, the master really thinks this kid has potential?"
"Do you question the intelligence of the master, Rabastan?" Bellatrix asked with an icy tone.
"O-Of course not, I was just joking!" Rabastan answered very quickly.
"Well, you better joke about something less serious," Bellatrix threatened.
"That's what I said. A brat," Rodolphus laughed with contempt. "Still, I don't know if the kid will be useful against the Longbottoms this Friday…"
"We'll cross that bridge when we'll come to it," Bellatrix shrugged.
"I can't wait for my dad to come and beat you up!" Harry shouted fiercely, hoping that it was the cue for Sirius and his dad to come and save him.
That got a laugh out of all three Lestrange. Harry's cheeks reddened with crimson shame.
"Well, I wouldn't count on it, Baby-Harry," Bellatrix sneered when she stopped laughing. "Your Daddy is dead. He got slaughtered by the Master so easily, this is almost a disgrace."
Harry cocked an eyebrow.
"W-What do you mean?"
"Oh boy, you don't even know what death is?" Rodolphus laughed. "He's dead. Gone to a better place if you prefer."
"Long story short: you're never going to see him again." Rabastan stated. "Your weakling of a Daddy is currently being put in a box."
It was as if something he never knew violently hit Harry. Way more viciously than Rabastan's slap. Harry couldn't believe it.
"Well, he was incredibly stupid anyway." Bellatrix sighed. "Attacking the Master without a wand? Please…"
"Stupid lot of Gryffidors," Rabastan added.
"My Dad isn't weak! He'll come with Sirius! And he'll save me!"
"Well, I hope for you that Sirius will not forget his wand," Bellatrix laughed. "But don't be so confident. I'm way stronger than dear Sirius. If he ever comes here, he's dead."
Harry wanted to throw a tantrum. Cry. Scream how much he hated her. But he simply fell silent.
"Well, at least he shuts up," Rabastan smiled.
"Yeah, unlike you," Rodolphus replied.
"Shut up both of you," Bellatrix deadpanned. "Now, we need to find him a name."
Suddenly, Harry wanted to revolt himself.
"What? But I don't want to change my name!" he protested.
"Oh, but you will. 'Harry' is a Muggle name," Bellatrix said with disgust. "No one will believe Rodolphus and I named our child like that."
"But I like my name! My parents gave it to me!"
"Did you forget the part about hearing you moaning? Maybe you want me to give you a serious beating for a reminder?" Bellatrix warned. It sounded less like a threat and more like a serious suggestion, which only made it even more scary to Harry.
"N-No... I'm s-sorry," he said, looking down at his feet.
"Bella, I hate to break it to you but I think using the Cruciatus curse seriously seems like bad parenting," Rabastan reminded.
"Shut up Rabastan," Rodolphus said. "Do you have an idea of a name, Bella?"
"Mmh… I thought about some constellations names to keep the Black family heritage but I never was that talented on Astronomy. I'd go with the second name of your father, Rodolphus. Valerian," she said. "Plus, the brat was supposedly born the same year your father died. We'll say it was to honor him."
"Valerian Lestrange…" Rodolphus smiled. "It sounds neat. We can give him any common name as a second name."
"Valerian Michael Lestrange," Rabastan intervened. "Val as a diminutive. Sounds good, doesn't it? What do you say, brat?"
"I-It sounds great." Harry quickly nodded.
"Then it's settled. I'll go suggest this name to Lucius," Bellatrix nodded, before turning towards Harry. "Now, we'll go to Lucius' manor to introduce you to the Dark Lord."
Harry suddenly shivered. If he could choose, he would immediately say no. But he knew that this decision wasn't up to him. Bellatrix took his hand with a wry smile.
"Have you ever apparated, boy?"
"N-Never…"
"Well, first time for everything. Let's go, Valerian."
With a nod, Rabastan and Rodolphus disappeared first. And as Harry disapparated with Bellatrix, he couldn't help but dream that Sirius would come save him, even though he was painfully starting to realize that the road laid in front of him was paved with torment and bad intentions.
