Author Notes: A new chapter for Moonlight Shadows, based on DZ2's Master of the House Challenge. This is an idea I have been slowly attempting to work on and have managed to complete it today.
Kraglor, the Goblin accountant in charge of the Potter and Peverell accounts is introduced in this story. I might introduce Snape's family, his wife and children in this story as well or I might not. I have not decided yet on what part, if any, Snape's family will play in this story.
DZ2's 'Master of the House' Challenge
Plot: Harry Potter always heard that he was destined for greatness, but never in his wildest dreams did he imagine anything like the greatness delivered to him one summer's night.
Rules: Grey, Dark or Evil Powerful Harry
Harry-is-Lord-Azkaban
Harry MUST come into the inheritance of Azkaban on his birthday during ANY summer, including before Hogwarts
As Lord Azkaban, Harry is immune to the Dementors' powers and holds a dominance over Dark Creatures
The ACTUAL realm Harry rules is more like a Kingdom than just the prison
As a result of the above, at least ONE family MUST be citizens and allies/servants of Harry's
Harry MUST have a Queen: NO SLASH OR HAREMS!
Despite coming into his heritage, Harry still attends Hogwarts
As Lord Azkaban, however, Harry has diplomatic immunity that antagonizes Fudge and his supporters
Sirius MUST be freed and an ally of Harry's
Guidelines:
Crossovers
Harry gets sent to Azkaban and becomes Lord there
Harry acquires Shadow Familiars
Slaves serve Harry faithfully and call him Master
Harry takes the current 'guests' of the prison as his slaves/warriors
For an added twist, Azkaban's realm ALSO owns Nurmengard
Master-of-Death Harry
Dark-Lord Harry
A prophecy speaks of Lord Azkaban's return
Forbidden:
Light Harry
Harry turning down his legacy
Others getting Harry away from his destiny
Harry getting in trouble with the Ministry and rolling over as a result
Slash
Harems
Harry leaving Hogwarts
Dumbledore OR Voldemort acquiring Harry's loyalties
Sirius as a prisoner/enemy of Harry's
Other than that, it's up to you...
Prologue: Warrior Oath
December 21, 1980
There were few days that were of note to those who practiced magic, ways that had been all but forgotten or even outlawed by the corruptible Ministry of Magic in the centuries since the time of the greatest Sorcerer to ever live, Merlin. Holidays and customs that had been slowly weeded out since the professed Leader of the Light, one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, had taken over as Headmaster of Hogwarts, a time that was considered by many Purebloods to begin with the influx of Muggleborn into not only Hogwarts but the wizarding world that existed on the shores of Britain. With the influx of Muggleborns the solstices were no longer celebrated nor were the countless other holidays that had been important to those who practiced the Old Ways and the Old Religion, honoring the mother of Magic and the earth and sky. Samhain was replaced with Halloween, Yule with Christmas and forget Mabon or Beltane or other holidays that had been important to what the Muggles termed Pagans. With their ways being forgotten and outright banned by a self-righteous magical government that forgot who their loyalty belonged to, the Queen of Britain herself for they were but subjects to the Muggle Government, it was no wonder there was strife between the few Pureblood families that hadn't been wiped out with the first war that was going on, nor between the war with Gellert Grindlewald and Albus Dumbledore, a war that was not as it appeared.
Also known as mid-winter, the Winter Solstice was a holiday that was celebrated between December 21st to the 23rd, marking the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere for thousands of Muggles. Not that wizards and witches tended to care about Muggle holidays, except that they were replacing the old holidays and beliefs of the magical population of Britain at least, none believing this more than the Dark Faction of Britain's magical population, a faction that either full on served or supported the Dark Lord known as Voldemort. Contrary to what the wizarding folk thought, there were those Muggleborns, who while they did disagree with some things like the concept of House-Elves and Purebloods controlling the government, there were those Muggleborn who respected the Old Ways and fully embraced them…including a member of the Potter family by marriage, one Muggleborn witch with hair like bloody flames and eyes like shining emeralds.
In a circle of standing stones within the countryside of Wiltshire, the winter snow glistened underneath a full moon, its pale glow the only light visible within the otherwise cold winter sky. Within the circle were glowing candles hovering like glowing stars or fireflies above the clearing within the circle, the gray stones visible against the white power blanketing the landscape, invisible wards that would conceal anything said and prevent apparition or port-key out of as well as a ward preventing house-elves from entering or leaving. On the ground were more candles, also within a circle that remained unlit for the time being, a hooded figure playing with a giggling infant outside the circle. The hood hid the taller figure's face, shrouding whoever it was in shadow, not even the flickering candles revealed the facial features, only showing a possible slim figure within the brown robe. Two pops within the air caused the hooded figure to straighten and pull out what appeared to be a stick from within the hooded cloak, only for a relieved sigh to escape the figure's mouth as two other hooded figures stepped forward, one a tall person that smelt of herbs and one an extremely short man that one might think they were a dwarf from mythology.
A ghost of a smile appeared on the figure's face as the woman, for the cloak didn't hide that, smiled as the two different-sized figures approached the circle of stones, a mystery that Muggles were still attempting to figure out after first discovering the circle of monolith gray stones. Still, precautions had to be taken, not only for her own safety but for the safety of her child. If everything went according to plan, then her son would be protected and have two strong protectors and advisers that she trusted and not the sometimes-bumbling best mate of her husband. Pulling out her willow wand from the sleeve of her cloak, she pointed her wand at the pair of figures and watched as they stilled with the wand tip pointing at them, the tip of the wand glowing with a jade green. Turning to the taller man she questioned him first as he posed the most threat to her heir. "What did you call me at the end of fifth year that supposedly broke up our friendship?"
The tall figure who was cloaked in black heaved a sigh at the question posed to him, regret and sorrow within his tone as he answered the question. "I said that I didn't need help from a Mudblood after James and Sirius hung me upside down in front of fellow students. After that I deeply regretted it but was unable to tell you how sorry I was and journeyed further down the path of the Dark."
Nodding, Lily turned her wand towards the smaller figure, the curse on the tip of her tongue though she'd never cast it before and was unsure if she could truly do it. She was not as light as she appeared however, more of a gray whereas her husband had been thoroughly light though only the man before her knew of her true alignment with magic. "What were you training me in when I became pregnant."
"I was training one of my best students to in Charms and Warding, intending on making you my successor at Hogwarts when I become too old to continue teaching," came a squeaky voice, the man before her letting out a startled gasp as he heard about the warding.
Still smiling, the woman canceled the spell and slipped her wand back within the sleeve of her robe, sliding the wand into the dragon-hide holster on her wrist before lifting a pair of slim hands and removing the hood to reveal a face covered in fair skin with long scarlet-red hair and bright green eyes. "Lily," breathed the man as he stepped forward and embraced his friend, his hood falling back to reveal the face of Severus Snape, Potions Master and spy for the vigilante group Order of the Phoenix that was run by Headmaster Dumbledore and contained many former students and professors from Hogwarts.
"Severus I'm glad you managed to come here. You too Professor Flitwick. I need your help."
"Miss Evans…Mrs. Potter," amended the squeaky voice as he too lowered his hood and watched as two of his former students embraced each other. "Are you here alone? Should you not be wherever you have been since before you were expecting?"
Lily let go of Severus, not minding being referred to by her maiden name and pulled back from Severus for a few moments. "I know it's risky to come Professor but like I said, I need your help and yours Severus to protect my son." She turned and retrieved her four-month-old son, a young boy who had James' messy jet-black hair and appearance but her eyes. "Severus, Professor Flitwick, this is my son. Hadrian James Potter though we call him Harry. He was named after Henry Potter, James' grandfather."
Hadrian felt himself being picked up by his mother, her arms circling around the infant protectively as he was then turned around to view the two men before him and his mother. Intelligent emerald eyes the color of the killing curse which had, moments ago, been reflected off his mother's wand look from the tall dark man to the small man in front of him. The tall man's face twisted into a scowl as he heard the name of the child while a chuckle came from the small man.
"He looks just like James," said Filius Flitwick, Charms Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "Except for your eyes Lily."
Lily sighed as her old professor and mentor commented on Hadrian's hair style. "I know. I'm hoping that it straightens out as he gets older, that's one thing I hate about the Potter men. I understand Harry's grandfather had the same hair style. I swear it's the curse of Potter men to have untamable hair." Severus gave a slight smile at hearing his friend talk about her husband's hair style behind his back and the dark broody man prayed to Merlin and Hecate that Hadrian's hair wouldn't resemble James' so much. Still, he was uncertain why he was called here and decided to ask.
"Merlin help us all if he ends up like James. Lily, why are you here with Pot…Hadrian…and why did you ask Filius and I to come?"
"Like I said, I need your help," said Lily. "James doesn't even know I'm here. He went to a party with the other Marauders but James desires for Harry to be Sirius's godson."
"That's a disaster waiting to happen. Black's a child who's" never grown up and never will," said Severus without preamble, causing his colleague to sigh but Lily's eyes just turned to gaze at him before nodding, surprising both men.
"Pa'foo," said Hadrian.
"Yes, we're talking about your mutt of a godfather," said Lily, exasperation evident in her tone. "Professor, Severus is right. Sirius…he's a man child and truthfully isn't godfather material but James will have none of it. He's already written in our will that Sirius becomes Harry's godfather in case anything happens to us."
"Nothing's going to happen to you Lily," said Severus.
"I'm not so sure Sev," said Lily, using her childhood nickname for her best friend. "The Dark Lord has been after us for a while to recruit us and this stupid…"
"What Mrs. Potter?"
"Please Professor, call me Lily or Miss Evans," said Lily. "What do you know about the reason we went into hiding?"
"Nothing much I am afraid," said Filius. "Care to share?"
Severus could see the earth cleared away in one area, the area within the circle of candles and looked to Lily. Was she going to tell his colleague about the prophecy and the fact that he had told his Master about the first half of the prophecy? Lily knew he was guilty of it but she had surprisingly forgiven him. Severus had been surprised at the time that she had forgiven him but he had been invited to the birth of Hadrian, allowing the two to bury the hatchet as the muggles said and clear the air. They had agreed to become friends again, unfortunately James had heard and thrown a fit only to be cursed by Lily as she took her anger out on her husband for daring to tell her who she could and couldn't be friends with.
"A prophecy was made before Hadrian was born, speaking of somebody being born as the seventh month dies to those who had thrice defied the Dark Lord. The prophecy made it seem like a child, a little child, could be the only one to defeat the Dark Lord. Professor Dumbledore seems to think it could only apply to Hadrian or little Neville and so ordered us both to go into hiding."
Filius listened to the information that Lily provided him which wasn't much but he frowned as he heard that it could affect either one of his brightest students and apprentice as well as the Longbottoms. Frank had been good with dueling while Alice loved gardening and animals, taking Care of Magical Creatures as one of her electives in school. He wouldn't be surprised if young Neville inherited a talent for the earth as his mother though he had yet to see the young boy, he knew that Neville had been born a day before Hadrian. "Prophecies are self-fulfilling Miss Evans but are generally, as Minerva would say, a load of tosh." His words caused both Lily and Severus to laugh at Professor McGonagall's disbelief in Divination as a real branch in magic. "There are thousands of prophecies told throughout the years that have never come true and there are those that have but it is only because those who the prophecies concern believes in them and thus set events in motion to cause the prophecy to come to pass. I'm afraid I don't know a lot about prophecies however, such questions would be better posed to one of the Unspeakables."
"Thank you, Professor. So, do you think there is any chance that this prophecy is real?"
"Miss Evans, I agree with Minerva that Divination is an unsuited magic to be taught within school. The concept of Divination is a hard to understand magic and the gift of premonitions cannot be taught, the gift of sight is born into a person. I am not certain if this prophecy is real or not, however I do know that the Dark Lord is a threat to all magical creatures and will stop at nothing to harm you or your family if he has his sights set on you. I would suggest you not live in fear of the prophecy, for it may not even refer to Mr. Potter or Mr. Longbottom. But, I would suggest remaining safe and keeping your family safe until this war ends between the Dark Lord and the magical community of the United Kingdom."
"Do you think it will? The Dark Lord grows stronger every day," pointed out Severus.
"All things have a season Severus," said Filius, turning his gaze upon his colleague. "Even people like the Dark Lord will meet their end despite the terror he causes everywhere. But with everyone running in fear of the Dark Lord and being afraid to stand up to him, it makes an end to the war seem hopeless. If the Ministry and the Headmaster who believes that everyone should be given a second chance would interrogate people for being suspected Death Eaters with Veritaserum and threw those who were supporters and sympathizers in Azkaban or the Veil then perhaps the Dark Lord wouldn't be as strong as he was. That is just my opinion but it might be held by others within the magical world."
Severus couldn't help shifting uneasily as Filius said that he thought those suspected of being Death Eaters or sympathizers to the Dark Lord should be interrogated with Veritaserum and tossed through the Veil when found guilty. Though he could agree it needed to be done to people like Lucius and McNair, he didn't have any desire to be tossed through the Veil. Though if anyone found out that he had turned spy for Dumbledore, he would be dead anyway as there were many Light supporters who didn't trust him and the Death Eaters would kill him for turning spy, even if he convinced them he was doing it on the Dark Lord's orders. "What are the candles for Lily?"
"Light mostly," admitted Lily, "but I was hoping you would agree to be my choice for Harry's godfather Severus. I know James likes Sirius but I just don't think that he will take his duties as Harry's godfather seriously. He's more like a fun-loving uncle than a true father figure. I can't trust Sirius to not raise Harry to be a prankster like him if anything were to happen to James and me, yes Sev I am afraid. Not for myself but for my son which is why I asked you both here to see if you would consent to giving your loyalty only to my son. To serve as his teachers, his guardian in your case Sev, as his vassals and mentors within the magical and muggle worlds."
"You plan on enacting the Warrior Oath," breathed Filius.
"Warrior oath?" questioned Severus in confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"The Warrior Oath is a goblin ritual that every goblin has to take upon reaching adulthood, saying they will serve the goblin nation until the deaths as well as the king of the goblin nation."
"King of the goblin nation?" questioned Severus. "Lily how did you come across a goblin ritual."
"Because she came to me and asked if I could oversee it," said a melancholies voice that seemed like water dripping into a dark cavern. Both Filius and Severus pulled their wands out as a goblin with peach skin, black hair and black eyes appeared out of the shadows of the candlelight and stepped through the circle until he reached the pair of wizards who were staring at him. Filius inhaled sharply as he saw the goblin in question, a goblin that was clad in the armor of dwarves with dragon-hide gauntlets on his hands and bacers on his knees.
"Kraglor," said Filius in surprise. "Lily asked you?"
"She did," said Kraglor, nodding to Filius.
"Kraglor is in charge of the Potter and Peverell accounts at Gringotts," said Lily. "My son, Hadrian is the last descendant of Ignotus Peverell. The Dark Lord…"
"The Dark Lord is a descendant of Cadmus Peverell, the second of the three brothers and also the heir of the House of Gaunt through his mother," said Kraglor. "But Hadrian is the true heir to the Peverell family and house. Now, if you are going to be Godfather of Hadrian Mr. Snape, you will also need to take the Godfather's Oath. Are you prepared to take both oaths Mr. Snape?"
"I don't know what the Warrior Oath entails," said Severus, "and admit I've never had the honor of being anyone's godfather so am not sure what that entails either. Even though Lucius and Narcissa would like me to be godfather to their son, I have no desire to since he is likely to grow up spoiled and a miscreant." He was quiet as he contemplated what Lily asked of him, that she had wanted him to be Harry's other godfather. Severus was unsure if he could be Harry's godfather with his obligations towards the school, the Dark Lord and the Headmaster but here he was, hearing something that probably nobody but Potter and maybe the Dark Lord knew of. Then there was Lily who was watching him with unshed tears and hope within her eyes. He then looked at Hadrian who was heir to the Potter line and the extinct Peverell line which many had thought to have died out. "I accept Lily. I will be Hadrian's godfather and will take the Warrior Oath as well."
"Very well," said Kraglor. "The Godfather Oath first then. By saying the Godfather oath, you will be unable to harm or attack Hadrian in any way, shape or form. You will be his Guardian in his will and your magic will always know where he is and when he is danger. As Godfather, you will be able to discipline him and not be punished for that by the oath you take here tonight. You will be unable to betray Young Master Potter or else lose your magic and life. As for the Warrior Oath, it is a goblin rite done by all goblins who have reached adulthood but there are also some muggle and wizarding secret groups that use a version of it as well to keep their people loyal. Usually among the ninja of Japan, the Assassins Order and the knights of Merlin's time. The Warrior Oath will make you and Filius vassals of Hadrian Peverell, destroying any loyalties and brands that you have towards other Masters. Your loyalty will only be to the protection of Hadrian Potter and the oath you swear today on your magic and life will cause you to protect your ward at the extent of your own lives, if that is what it takes. Should you have children and pass, the Warrior Oath will continue onto them until they have fulfilled a need to protect Young Master Potter until ten generations have passed, a way of repayment should you choose to go against your duty and not answer the call of Young Master Potter if he be in need of help. It will also make you both vassals of House Potter and House Peverell, protecting you both from harm."
"I trust that Black has also taken the Guardian Oath?" questioned Severus in a dry tone.
"Of course, he has. It was the only way I would allow him around Hadrian," said Lily. "He also is a warrior to House Potter at the least, thus he will be unable to betray the house at the cost of his life."
Severus nodded. At least Lily had thought of making Black say that before being allowed around her son. "What do I need to do?" questioned Severus.