Chapter 16: The Child Slayings – Pt. 1
Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England
October 31, 1980
"Lullabye, lullabye." Narcissa Malfoy sang softly to the baby boy who was nestled in her arms. His eyelids were heavy and drooping but he was fighting against sleep. He was already proving to be a willful and stubborn child. Unlike her husband, who would prefer Draco be more obedient, Narcissa did not mind at all. She took it as a sign that Draco would later have a great inner strength. She smiled and kissed drooping eyelids that hid his gray eyes from her. Those eyes were an inheritance from her side of the family. They were the eyes of a true child of the House of Black. The soft silvery-blond hair atop his head proved his father's lineage. Only Malfoy's had that shade of pale hair.
She allowed herself the privilege of holding Draco for another half hour before she released him into the care of his personal House-Elf, Varbey. Varbey had taken one look at Draco when he was introduced to the House Elves of Malfoy Manor and had proclaimed in his excited way that he belonged personally to Master Draco and that Master Draco was his person. It had stunned both Lucius and Narcissa. Both of them had personal House-Elves but those Elves had been assigned to them and then bonded to them at the order of their parents. This House-Elf acted as though there was more to it than that. So it was that Varbey was bonded to Draco and Narcissa had vowed to learn more about House-Elves.
"Lullabye?" The voice of her husband asked startling her. He smirked at her startled state knowing it was not an easy feat to startle the Lady Malfoy. He pulled her into his arms and she sighed into the embrace. "You know that it means Lilith be gone."
Narcissa nodded. "Of course I do." She sniffed a little indignant. "If you think that I mean to let some succubus come and feed on my son after all of the hard work I went through to finally have him, then you are seriously mistaken."
Lucius chuckled and held her closer. "Have I thanked you properly for the gift of our son?" He asked of his wife in a seductive tone of voice.
That voice never ceased to cause shivers of desire to race down Narcissa's spine. "You did shower me with diamonds as soon as the healer said I was well enough to resume my duties as your wife." She said with a blush as she remembered that night. Lucius had stripped her naked, laid her down upon their bed and then had literally showered her in diamonds. Rope after rope of beautiful glittering diamond necklaces were draped over her from her throat down to her ankles.
Lucius nodded also well remembering that satisfying night. "Hmm. In that case, perhaps you would like to consider rubies, sapphires, or emeralds next?"
She laughed, carefree in her husband's embrace. She allowed him to lead her from her personal sitting room and down the stairs. This time of the evening they normally spent an hour or so in the company of her father-in-law Abraxas Malfoy.
Narcissa was just entering the sitting room with Lucius when the two of them heard the floo in the receiving room sound. Narcissa frowned in curiosity wondering who would contact them at this time of night, and for what purpose? At this time in the evening most people were happy to settle down with their family members and unwind from the stresses of the day.
She walked with Lucius toward the receiving room only to see Orran Nott and three other men. Her husband opened his mouth to call Orran's name when suddenly a spell shot from Orran's wand. Narcissa grabbed the back of Lucius' robes and pulled him back with her out of the way of the spell. She drew her wand and made a quick flourishing motion that forced the doors to slam shut and lock.
"That won't hold them for long." She muttered darkly.
Lucius turned to her and took her hand to race down the hall. Even as they fled from the receiving room he raised her hand to his lips in a kiss. "Get upstairs and take Draco to Morning Vale." He told her.
"Why would Lord Nott come to our home and try to harm us?" She wondered aloud. "You are the God-father of his little boy, Theodore."
"Perhaps he feels a deep grievance over the fact that I did not likewise return the favor and name him Draco's God-father." Lucius supplied.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You do not really believe that do you?" She asked of him.
"No." Lucius said simply even as he pushed her toward the stairs. "Do not return until you have heard from me Cissa. You know the words that I would say."
She nodded and felt tears sting her eyes. She wanted to stay with him. If she did not have Draco to think of then she would stay and guard her husband's back, but he was right. They had to get Draco to safety. She ceased hesitating when she heard the receiving room door explode outward. They had probably fired blasting hex after blasting hex at the door until it gave way. She raced up the stairs and called out "Varbey, prepare Master Draco for transport."
She ran down the hall and tried to ignore the sounds of battle that were coming from down the stairs. She realized that Orran Nott knew that the floo network was set up only in the receiving room of Malfoy Manor. He obviously would expect her to come running downstairs. Narcissa had no intention of doing that. Instead she intended to utilize Varbey.
When she arrived in the nursery she found that Draco was still sleeping but Varbey had changed him into warmer clothes better for travel and had his bag of necessities ready. "Varbey, there are bad men in the Manor. I need you to apparate Draco and myself to a safe location. Take us to Morning Vale the home of Severus Snape."
Narcissa winced and Varbey trembled as they heard shouting in the hall coming nearer to the nursery. "Please Varbey. You must do it now."
That shook the little elf out of its fear and he nodded. He took a firm hold of Draco and a firm hold of Narcissa's wrist and then they apparated away. When Narcissa opened her eyes again she was in the receiving room of Morning Vale. She held Draco close to her and sighed in relief. They had not gotten to Draco; he would be safe now.
A few moments later a house-elf wearing the Prince emblem upon her pillow case rushed into the room. She bowed to Narcissa. "Asphodel is apologizing for not being here to greet you. My lord is in his parlor. You may come this way. The little Lord Draco is always welcome in this, his other home."
"Other home?" Narcissa questioned even as she walked with Asphodel to the Parlor. Varbey following close behind her, peering around Morning Vale with wide eyes.
"Yes, little Lord Draco is now the Heir Prince." Asphodel said and then bowed leaving a shocked Narcissa standing in the doorway of the parlor.
"Come now Narcissa, you did not think that you could trick me into having Draco for a God-son and me not find a way to get even by giving him the responsibilities of Heir Prince on top of being Heir Malfoy." Snarked Severus Snape from his seat before the fireplace. He had yet to look up at her from his book. When he finally did the smirk fell from his face. "Cissa, what has happened?"
"Oh Severus, it is awful." She said and felt close to tears. "Orran Nott came to the manor with a few unexpected guests. They tried to kill Lucius and I. Lucius ordered me to get to Draco and to bring him here to safety. Will you watch him for us please Severus, I need to return to Lucius." She babbled. "If something horrible happens to him I will never forgive myself."
Severus was out of his chair in a moment and his wand was drawn. He ran a quick diagnostic spell over Draco and then one of her and then his shoulders lost a little bit of tension. He looked her in the eye and then surprised her by uttering a single word "No."
"What?" She asked. "Severus, I must return to Lucius." She began to argue but he raised a hand, the effect silenced her.
"You and Draco will remain here at Morning Vale where the only people permitted through the wards are Abraxas, Lucius, You, Draco, and Tiberius Pucey." He insisted.
"But Lucius and Abraxas are alone at the Manor." She argued. "It is just the two of them against Nott and his cronies."
Severus smirked. "Then I better hurry or Abraxas and Lucius may have finished the game before I get a chance to play." He said even as he strode to the receiving room.
She watched him go and sighed and then looked at her son. "Your God-father is a loon." She whispered and then kissed his forehead once more.
Newcastle upon Tyne, Northeast England
October 31, 1980
Augustus Rookwood looked around the house at the mess that he and his companions had created. He could not help thinking that it was a job well done. He had staked out the house for a month and it did not take him long to realize that the father was abusive. He almost pitied the woman but could not bring himself to do so seeing as she was a muggle.
He had enjoyed killing the father and he had made him suffer the longest. He had ignored his friend Anthony Damerall as he tortured the woman. He had ordered Brandon Fielding and Martin Bratcher, the only other two men of his team, to smother the infant girl. They had accomplished their goal of killing the baby girl, Laura Dale, hours before they would finally leave the house.
Augustus let himself look down upon the dead infant just once. He stared at her for several moments before saying "You would have hated this world anyway kid. You are in a better place." He then left the house to return to Lestrange Manor where he would report his successful evening.
Caistor Hall, Norwich, Norfolk, England
The Home of the Turpin Family
October 31, 1980
Benedict Turpin looked himself over in the mirror to reassure himself that his black and silver ceremonial robes looked alright. They felt a little tight now in the shoulders but otherwise the robe still fit him perfectly. He knew that he should have ordered a new robe a month ago but he had been too busy deciphering a series of ancient texts for the Department of Mysteries.
His sister, Evelyn Greengrass, would get on to him and say that it was no excuse to neglect himself and he had to admit that she had a point. At times like this he truly missed Elizabeth. His wife, Elizabeth Turpin nee Rivers had been dead for just three months and he still missed her with every fiber of his being. He had never appreciated all of the little things that she had handled for him, how easily she had maintained and ran the household and how she had managed the Turpin estates. She had died shortly after giving birth to their daughter. He had named the little girl Elisabeth Turpin after her mother, but he called her Lisa.
It was best not to think about Elizabeth. He did not want to forget about his wife completely, but thinking about Elizabeth let the grief come back in to a point where he soon felt like he would drown in it. He could not let himself do that. He was a highly regarded Unspeakable whose contributions were valued by the Ministry of Magic. His work needed him. His daughter needed him as well.
He turned away from the mirror and strode out of his bedroom. He was running late for the Samhain festivities that would be held at Anemone Hall, the home of his sister Evelyn and her family. His precious Lisa was already there. He often left her in the care of either his sister Evelyn Greengrass or his sister Hilary Bones. He had just reached the bottom of the stairs to the main floor when he felt the tingling along his skin that told him that his wards had been breached by intruders.
He frowned at the thought of intruders coming to rob him. Had someone found out exactly what he did for the ministry? All Unspeakables were kept in anonymity. They had special badges that claimed that they worked in a simple research department when really they were Unspeakables and they worked in the many sections of the Department of Mysteries. Could it be that these intruders knew he was an Unspeakable and thought he would have projects that he was working on at home that could be of value?
Benedict made his way to the receiving room but did not bother to go to the fireplace to call for help. Instead he opened one of the windows of the room by just a crack so that he could better hear the intruders outside his home.
He heard a shriek and smirked as he mumbled "That should be the Angelonia." The pretty violet herb like flowers were grown tall in his garden and they were rather violent. They had been planted when he was a mere boy to, as his father had said, help protect the Hall from invaders. His father had experienced the horrors of the Grindelwald tyranny and so he had never doubted his father's need to be safe and feel safe in his own home. Now he was quite grateful that he had not uprooted the Angelonia when he had assumed his father's role as Head of House Turpin upon his death.
He then heard three more screams. Two were clearly of men in pain while the final scream was one of terror. He heard the men thrash and scream in agony as they were being slowly eaten. "Oh dear, they found the prized Bloody Begonias." He murmured with a smirk. The Begonias were literally called "Bloody Begonias" since they were carnivorous and would eat intruders. Fortunately, they could be spelled to recognize family and thus not feed off of them. However, the spells were now considered Dark Arts by the Ministry of Magic.
He was just beginning to wonder what had become of the third man when he heard him scream as well. Benedict peered out into the darkness and smiled. "Poor man just came into contact with Larkspur." He said with a small measure of pride. Delphinium also known as Larkspur was a poisonous plant. One had to be very careful when handling it or they would become infected by the poison. He waited a few moments more to listen to the men outside. It seemed that each of them was blaming the final man for their current predicament.
Benedict moved away from the window and picked up a pinch of floo powder. He then threw it into the fire. When the flames became green he put his head in and called the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Upon being answered by a dispatcher, he informed them that he had four intruders on the grounds of his home that had been contained and he needed the Aurors to come and collect them.
Lestrange Manor, Hampshire, England
October 31, 1980
Evan Rosier was amazed that he did not vomit right after he apparated away from the home of young Bryan Albright. Evan had been ordered to lead his team of three other Death Eaters to the home of Bryan Albright in order to kill the child. Ever since receiving the order, a month previous, Evan had asked himself why he was being order to murder an infant? Not just an infant a magical infant at that.
Magical children were sacred. There were a significantly lower number of births amongst Witches and Wizards than there were amongst Muggles. Evan did not know how Lord Voldemort could countenance the idea of killing a magical child.
When Samhain came, Evan obeyed his orders. He led his team to the home of the Half-blood Bryan Albright and he and his team had killed the Albright family. Evan had taken it upon himself to kill the child. He had used the killing curse making it quick and painless.
Now he felt as though he had been cursed. The child had looked up at him with big bright blue eyes before he had aimed his wand at him and said the damning words. He had watched the light of life leave those pretty blue eyes and he had never hated anyone or anything as much as he hated himself in that moment.
'I am a monster.' He thought to himself.
"Evan!" His friend Victor Muciber Jr. called out to him.
He fought to compose himself and turned toward his friend. He smiled as Victor came nearer. "I take it all was successful with you." Evan said in greeting.
Victor grinned. "Yeah. The kid slept through all the noise." He said with a malicious smile. "We had a bit of sport with the muggles before we finished."
Evan nodded. Some of his men had done that as well. Evan had been focused on the true mission to kill the child. "How many groups have returned?"
"You, Me, Macnair, and Rookwood arrived just before you did." Victor told him.
"It seems that all is going according to our Lord's plan then." Evan said as they walked toward the ballroom of Lestrange Manor.
Victor smirked. "Yes. All seems to be going well."
'Yes, he's turning us into monsters.' Evan thought as he was spirited into the ballroom where Augustus Rookwood was telling a story about how he had tortured the abusive muggle father of his true target Laura Dale.
Anemone Hall, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Home of the Greengrass Family
October 31, 1980
Nicholas Greengrass surveyed the front parlor with vague irritation. His home had been overrun by the ladies born of the Turpin family. His sister-in-law, Hilary Bones stood by the window holding her daughter Susan Bones. Susan was a cute child with red-hair and pretty brown eyes. The red-hair was a typical trait of the Bones family. Each of them had various shades of red hair. Hilary was a widow, having lost her husband a year ago. She had been pregnant with little Susan at the time of his death. Her husband, Lionel Bones, had been an Auror and he had died due to injuries sustained in fighting against Dark Wizards.
His sister-in-law, Eleanor Davis, was seated on the sofa and was smiling cradling her daughter Tracey as she fed the infant from a bottle. She was speaking softly to her husband Johnathon Davis. Johnathon Davis owned a series of shops that specialized in magical jewelry and charms. He was greatly skilled in charms and Nicholas had to admit that he preferred this particular brother-in-law to Benedict, his wife's brother.
His final sister-in-law, Isobel Roper, was seated upon a footstool beside the chaise lounge in which his beloved wife, Evelyn resided. Isobel was the oldest of the Turpin sisters and it currently showed in the way she was tucking a throw blanket around Evelyn, her expression full of nurturing concern. Isobel was the mother of a single daughter named Sophie. Like Hilary, Isobel was a widow. Her husband had died in an accident involving the misuse of Muggle Artifacts, the division of the Ministry that Kenneth Roper had worked in.
He looked toward the bassinets that were set up against the far wall and sighed. His two daughters slept peacefully side by side in one enlarged bassinet while Isobel's daughter, Sophie Roper, slept in the bassinet beside them along with his other niece Lisa Turpin. Ever since the death of his wife, Benedict had been relying upon Evelyn to take care of his daughter Lisa. Nicholas was so used to the little girl being in his home that he already thought of her as his own.
The birth of twin daughters had been a great surprise. His wife and his sister, Olivia Macmillan nee Greengrass, had been dining in a restaurant in Diagon Alley during their mutual seventh month of pregnancy when both had sustained injury at the hands of marauding Death Eaters. Auror Sirius Black, his sister's former paramour, had gotten Evelyn and Olivia to the safety of Saint Mungoes Hospital of Magical Maladies. Both women had gone into early labor that could not be stopped. When Nicholas had arrived at the hospital Evelyn was in the last stages of giving birth to their first born child, Daphne. Upon giving birth to Daphne the healers assured him that Evelyn should be fine though she was weak and that the baby girl was being taken to the emergency wing to be properly looked over since she was several months premature. Nicholas had then gone to check on his sister's state of health. While he was checking on Olivia, Evelyn had experienced more labor pains and had given birth to another daughter, Astoria. He had been quite surprised to learn that he had twin daughters. Daphne was like him and most of the Greengrass's. She had blond hair and her eyes had changed very swiftly from blue to pale blue-green. Astoria took more after her mother's family with her brown hair and hazel eyes.
"I wonder what could be keeping Benedict," His wife spoke bringing his attention to focus solely upon her.
"Oh you know Ben," Isobel said. "He probably got wrapped up in some project and lost complete track of time." She said with a soft laugh.
Eleanor nodded her agreement from her seat upon the sofa. "He'll be here soon. He knows this is important to you." She soothed her sister before rising and taking her sleeping daughter to the wall where the bassinet's had been placed. She gently laid her sleeping daughter into the bassinet beside the sleeping Sophie.
Evelyn sighed. "I suppose you are right."
"I think, perhaps he is here now." Hilary spoke with some confusion in her voice as she continued to peer out of the window. "Strange of him to apparate onto the grounds instead of using the floo."
Nicholas frowned at that. "He would not have apparated onto the grounds. He would have apparated into the receiving room." He declared and then moved to the window to stand beside Hilary and look out.
He peered for several moments into the darkness and then he saw the light of spells coming from four different directions aimed directly at the window. He grabbed Hilary and Susan suddenly, and none too gently pulled them out of the line of fire. Glass exploded inward and Nicholas cursed in his head the fact that it had been many years since the Greengrass family had upgraded their wards.
Isobel and Evelyn screamed in distress as the window pane exploded inward. Hilary trembled even as she began to move toward the bassinets where the children were. She swiftly placed a now crying Susan into the bassinet.
Johnathon placed himself in a stance of protective readiness before the women and the children while Nicholas remained where he was beside the window. The first man who came through the window received a nasty curse from Nicholas. The others managed to make it through into the parlor unscathed and soon Nicholas and Johnathon were trading curses and hexes with their assailants.
Evelyn, Isobel, and Eleanor were not very useful for anything other than casting shielding spells due to the fact that each woman had given birth within the last six months and their magical core was still getting used to no longer sustaining the life force of the baby. Hilary was of great use though, throwing herself into the fray casting a strong shielding charm over her sisters and the babies and then she began to hex the intruders.
Nicholas felt a moment of panic when his father entered the room and began to fire curses at the masked wizards. Demetrius Greengrass had not been the same since his wife's death and Nicholas knew that the wizard was no longer the great force to be reckoned with that he had once been.
"It's the old Bull." One of the Death Eaters snickered as he began to fight against Demetrius in earnest. This Death Eater clearly had an advantage of power and skill against the older gentleman and he pushed it forcing Demetrius back. Hilary swiftly began to battle that Death Eater forcing him to fight two against one, her hexes and charms a perfect foil for the nastier curses that Demetrius was wielding.
Nicholas was forced to pay attention to his own battle and force his fears for his father from his mind. He risked too much letting himself be distracted. A nasty slash across the face of his primary opponent broke the man's mask and the spell that held it in place. He was shocked for a moment to recognize the face of Raymond Martell, a man whom he had gone to school with and had on occasion done business with.
"You dare." Nicholas growled out before firing more hexes at the man.
"This isn't about you Nicholas." Martell declared. "Just give us your daughters and we will leave."
"NEVER!" Nicholas roared. "Glacies Spica." He murmured softly but he poured all of his intent into the spell. An ice spear formed before him and Nicholas grasped it and then rushed forward shoving it deep into Martell's chest.
Martell did not scream, he only gasped before he fell forward on the spear. Nicholas pushed him off of the spear and then he turned to survey the room. Johnathon was viciously battling against two Death Eaters while his father and Hilary Bones were still battling against just the one. He was torn, wanting to rush to his father's aid but realizing that he should instead join Johnathon.
He began firing hexes once more, joining his brother-in-law in his fight against the Death Eaters. He ducked and wove in order to avoid the worst of their curses. His clothing was ripped and he had several lacerations already but they were minor injuries for the moment. He prayed they remained so.
He heard the cry of pain that came from Johnathon from where he was hit in the arm by a dark curse. He heard the cry of "Johnathon!" come from Eleanor even as he heard both Isobel and Evelyn begin to murmur spells to protect the wound until it could be treated by a healer.
Then he heard the groan of pain come from his father. His eyes swung in that direction only to find that Demetrius Greengrass was falling to his knees. 'Father.' He thought but could not find voice with which to say it, too great was his dismay.
Hilary still stood, bloody from injuries sustained but she moved to stand before the fallen body of the dying Demetrius Greengrass and their mutual opponent. Nicholas felt fear spear his heart then because he knew in that moment that her life was over. She was going to die. She was no match for the Death Eater she was facing. Still she fought on against the man, guarding Demetrius until he breathed his last. It was a thing of striking bittersweet beauty.
He was forced from watching the last moments of Hilary Bone's life as the two Death Eaters before him pressed for an advantage, firing hexes and curses at him. He was forced back into the dance of ducking and weaving even as he fired back curses of his own.
"NO!" The scream of his wife and her sisters confirmed what he had known would happen. A swift glance was all it took to tell him that Hilary Bones had fallen.
He glanced at Johnathon and frowned. Their situation was terrible. Johnathon could only use one arm at present, the other three women were only useful for shielding charms and light healing spells and had already been doing more magic than they should, potentially damaging their magical cores. His father was now dead and so too was his sister-in-law, Hilary.
Never-the-less, Nicholas continued to fight with Johnathon at his side against the three remaining Death Eaters. Just when he truly thought things were hopeless Benedict Turpin and three Auror's joined them. The Auror's immediately began to fire off spells at the Death Eaters while Benedict knelt beside his sister, Hilary, checking her vital signs. A moment later Benedict knelt beside Demetrius Greengrass and checked his vitals as well. By his expressions Nicholas knew that both of them were dead. He continued to battle the Death Eaters and managed to cast Incarcerous on one. That was when the other two chose to give up the cause and leave Anemone Manor.
A final spell fired by a retreating Death Eater struck their captured intruder, killing him instantly. The Auror's snarled at that but did not pursue the Death Eaters. Instead they remained and checked the house to be sure no other intruders were lurking within.
Nicholas turned away from the sight of the dead Death Eater, a man that the Auror's told him was named Neil Luckin. He instead made his way to the bassinet that held his daughters. Daphne and Astoria had slept through the fight, shielded from the noise by a spell. With a trembling hand he touched first Daphne's baby soft blond hair and then the baby soft brown hair of Astoria.
Evelyn was sobbing into Isobel's side as she stared across the room at where Hilary lay. Eleanor and an Auror were tending to Johnathon and preparing to send him to Saint Mungoes Hospital of Magical Maladies.
"I'm sorry, I arrived too late." Benedict said in a voice that was choking on the tears he refused to shed. "There was a break in at my home. Intruders on the property. Fortunately for me the plants handled things. I had to call Aurors and have them taken into custody so I awaited their arrival. A few Auror's chose to accompany me here just in case. I am glad they did now."
Nicholas could only nod. "I could have wished you had arrived sooner, but clearly it was not meant to be." The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. If Benedict could have arrived with Auror's sooner, would it have easily turned the tide in their favor ensuring the lives of Hilary and Demetrius? He shook his head to clear it of such thoughts. He knew better than to play games of what if.
"Susan is an orphan now." Benedict spoke softly as he looked to his crying niece who was even now being gently being lifted up into Isobel's arms.
"Hilary died well." Nicholas told Benedict. "She held herself well and fought bravely against a superior foe. She did it trying to help my father."
Benedict nodded. "I…thank you." He said simply.
"Amelia Bones will need to be alerted of the fact that her sister-in-law is dead." Nicholas said, slowly feeling himself take on the mantle of being Lord Greengrass. "In the meantime Susan shall remain here at Anemone Hall in the safe haven of her aunt's dwelling until such time as Regent Bones might be willing to discuss custody of Lady Bones."
Benedict nodded his head as did the Auror that was listening to them. "I volunteer my services in telling Regent Bones." Benedict said. "I have worked with her a few times at the Ministry. Amelia is a fine woman."
"Very well." Nicholas said even as he watched Johnathon and Eleanor leave with an Auror by way of emergency portkey. He watched as Benedict approached his remaining living sisters in the room and he embraced each of them.
Nicholas went to stand near the boy of his father. He stared at his dead father's body and he wondered why it was that the Death Eaters had wanted his daughters?
More to come in The Child Slayings Part II. Thank you very much my wonderful, kind readers. Until next time!
