Chapter 8
Lord Black had wanted to leave Ares home. An overabundant use of muggle cologne was thought sufficient to dissuade the werewolf, he wouldn't willingly go near the pair. They arrived with Amelia, and went to talk with the children about their latest adventure.
"But how did you apparate within Hogwarts? I didn't think it was allowed?" Ares asked.
Harry gave a gallic shrug and shook his head. "I really don't know, Uncle Ares. One minute I was looking at the map, the next I was building a cage for the troll."
"Smart not to try to kill it." Acturus said.
"Well, I figured it was an innocent Highland Mountain Troll that got caught. By whom? Quirrell, maybe. Or accomplices. I don't know. The purpose seemed to be to distract and attack. I don't speak troll, so I can't ask.
Ares snorted at that. "Just how many magical languages do you have now?"
"Not Mermish! Bleh! And don't tease, Hermione was nearly eaten tonight! I'm going to have nightmares about that one!"
"Miss Granger. I see that your shakes are going down. I'm sure that Poppy will be here soon. Do you want me to go and get your parents for you?" Ares offered. He had met Lily's family long before, and liked to go to muggle clubs back in the day. He wasn't as anti-muggle as his grandfather and godson were.
She thought about it. While it would be nice to see them, having them here for being attacked by a troll and nearly eaten by a cerberus probably wouldn't be a good plan.
Suddenly there was a loud caterwauling in the Great Hall.
"NOOOOO! You can't put Fluffy down! He's a good dog! He wouldn't hurt a flea! And Lupin's been feeding him and playing with him, so he's in good shape. Noooo! You can't hurt him like that. Of course he's mine, got him off a Greek chappy. Really interesting blue hair. What do you mean I'm under arrest? I just got out of Azkaban! I don't wanna go back! No! Where's Dumbledore? He's the one that asked me to put him up there! I swear!"
The group just looked at each other.
"Isn't that the man who tried to kidnap you, Harry?" Hermione asked in a small voice.
"Yes, it is. And Hagrid was used by Dumbledore. Guess he got out at a bad time."
"Yes. And if Remus Lupin was feeding the dog, and knew it was there, without reporting it..."
Ares broke off. The animagus held out his hand to Harry.
"I owe him, don't ask." Ares demanded.
Ares opened the map, called an elf, and watched a name disappear off of it. They would surrender later, but with a high priced solicitor.
"I'm going to need to use Potter resources..."Ares asked/told.
"Needs must, Uncle. Worry none." Harry replied, trying to sound like he understood. He didn't but knew it would be explained later.
Remus Lupin was Sirius Black's friend. Hiring a lawyer to protect him from whatever charges were coming was the least he could do. He just couldn't take up his old name for a friend. No matter what.
"He's Dumbledore's man." Harry stated.
"He's about to go to Azkaban. This won't be just a slap on the wrist. He'll spend time in that, that desolate place. And have to pay a large fine.. But after Dumbledore blames him for all of it? Outs him as a werewolf? He won't return to his service." Ares predicted.
Hermione bit her lip, and lowered her eyes. She would ask Harry in private to share what he knew, but now was not the time.
"You've changed the color of your robe to white, young lady." Acturus noticed.
"Yes, my lord. Heir Black is a good friend. We study together." She lifted her chin. Here it came. Proof that Professor Quirrell was telling the truth.
"That's very cunning of my heir. He tells me that you are the smartest witch of your year, maybe of the whole school. I do hope that you get something from him as well, besides headaches?" Lord Black gently teased.
She had just rubbed her head again. The bump wasn't too big, but it still smarted.
She just smiled at Harry who smiled at her.
"Books and cleverness, sir, they're not as important as friendship and..."
Hadrian leaned over and clasped her hand. In front of his grandfather!
"Lord Black, I'm not planning on proposing anytime soon, but if I were to offer marriage to Miss Granger in our future, would I have your blessing?"
"Your mother was one of the most powerful witches I've ever seen, and I saw Bellatrix at her worst. Lily Rose Potter was also very clever and cunning. She admitted to me that the hat would have put her in Slytherin if it had been safe at the time." Acturus turned to the girl.
"We are not promising anything right now, young lady, you understand this? But if in future, you were to accept his honest proposal, and all the normal precautions taken, I would bless your union." Lord Black actually managed a small smile at her!
Hermione's head was processing what he said. "Normal precautions."
"I'll let you explain that to her later, Hadrian. Poppy's here. Let her look at you both." Acturus replied.
The head of House Black stood at the lady's entrance in the small meeting room that they were in. It was near the Great Hall, and away from the 3rd floor, and all the commotion there. He sat back down near his heir when she went over to the children.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. It wasn't your fault, but Professor Quirrell didn't make it. We'll have a small funeral tomorrow or the day after. I just wanted your family to know. The head of the DMLE will not be pursuing any charges. She asked me to tell you that and then told me to see to you both. I'm sorry I couldn't save him, but Professor Dumbledore has shut my access to St. Mungos! Quirinus really should have gone there. So if it is anyone's fault, it is the Headmaster's!"
Lord Black stood and touched the woman's arm. "Poppy. I'm sure that if you couldn't help him that he was beyond any healer's aid. You are a magnificent healer, and your work with the children here is always exemplary. Truly."
She smiled up at him at his kind words, but there was another in the room suffering guilt as well.
Harry closed his eyes in pain. He knew it was coming. One day he would accidentally kill someone. He took a deep breath, and looked up at the most important man in his life, the most important men in his life. Would they hate him now? Kick him out of the family?
The took turns taking his hand. No words were said, but the meaning was clear.
No one blamed Harry in the least. The only reason that the boy didn't burst into tears was the large dose of calming draught that the mediwitch had given him before telling him the bad news.
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Hermione kept sneaking peeks at Harry, watching him interact with his family. They weren't like hers at all! While very proper and very British at times, especially when interacting with royals, her family were also full of hugs, and warmth and laughter.
She at first was worried that Harry's family didn't love him, they seemed so cold. But then she saw the tension in the older man, the shoulder hug of the younger one. The way Harry asked about the man's wife and child.
They were close, very close, just reserved. Their goodbyes were sincere though. And then it was just the two of them, headed back across the hallway to where all of the students were getting into squashy purple sleeping bags.
"So, what are normal precautions?" Hermione remembered to ask.
Harry blushed, and she hit his arm. "Prat, you know what I meant!"
"Yeah, but still. Um, don't hit me again, okay? I really don't like it. Now, let me be clear. I don't think you would ever do this, but you asked." Harry waited for Hermione to nod, and took a breath. "Okay. Checking for imperius, love potions, compulsion charms, things like that."
"What?!"
"Well, it's not unknown for someone to try and get a husband or wife through potions. A wizarding ceremony includes those checks, you know, to make sure that everyone wants to be there and such."
"Oh, that actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks Harry." Hermione took a breath. "I'm sure that there's a formal way to do this, but I don't know it. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you saving me. Twice. Thank you. It was very brave of you."
Harry blushed. "Please just don't send it to Gilderoy. I know everyone loves his stories about me, but I really don't like them."
"Don't worry, Harry, besides, no one would believe a troll and a cerberus in one day?"
She kissed him on the cheek then dutifully went off to find her dormmates.
"Got a girlfriend, Potter?" Draco sneered, clearly jealous of the kiss.
"One, Malfoy? I'm heir to two current houses. If I decide to, I could resurrect Peverell as well. One wife, that's not very generous, is it?" Harry pretended to sniff, his nose in the air.
Draco, missing the reference, went to bed, very sure that Harry had teased him, but unsure how.
The prank of the dinner was completely forgotten about in all of the hubble bubble of aurors, and prisoners, and healers and undertakers that night.
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The next few weeks went by in a blur. Dumbledore was arrested, but again, escaped detention. This time two men, Hagrid again, and now Lupin, were sent for a stint in Azkaban.
This time the board terminated Hagrid's contract. He would have to find a new job and a new home when he was released.
Lupin had the better barrister. It was successfully argued that since the pooch was already in place in the school, and he had no way of knowing that it wasn't normally there, and had been hired on a temporary basis that he would serve a month term, and was fined 10,000 galleons, payable to Miss Granger, the student who was nearly eaten.
His sponsors, the House Black, opened a new account for Hermione, and had the fine paid before the men had left the Ministry of Magic building. Hagrid still was adamant that Dumbledore was a good man, so did not earn any sympathy (or help) from House Black.
Lupin on the other hand was fuming. It didn't help that it came out in public a long held secret that he was a werewolf. Dumbledore was acting as if he were the victim of a vicious man! That it was Lupin who brought his pet to school to terrify one and all.
Unfortunately, there was enough prejudice against werewolves that some believed Lupin guilty, despite the evidence. Others, however, were slowly starting to see a pattern emerging. An unhappy pattern of Dumbledore manipulating others into doing illegal things, and then letting said minions get caught up in the consequences of those actions. Paying for their master's crimes.
Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody watched and learned.
In the meantime, Hogwarts had a new gamekeeper for the third time that year - a record set that Dumbledore was hoping not to ever match again.
The new groundskeeper was almost as short as Flitwick, and had his cheery temperament. When entering the great hall, he bowed to Harry, swirling his purple cloak.
A flash of memory, one of his few happy ones from his time with the Dursleys.
"I remember you - you greeted me in Surrey!" Harry said, laughing.
"Dedalus Diggle, at your service Mr. Potter. Your parents would be so proud of you!" He smiled.
"Can you tell me about them sometime?" Harry asked quietly.
The man nodded, and for the last few weeks of the term, every weekend tea was spent in the company of the happy wizard. With Hermione or Susan coming sometimes to to learn about Harry's and Susan's families.
And soon it was nearly Yule.
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The holidays were difficult to plan for. Cassiopia was the easiest, because as a baby, everything went into her mouth, and she was happy.
His yearmates were very easy to buy for. Sweets all around - everyone got the same, except for his close friends who got books and chocolates. He even gave Susan and Hannah advance Harry Potter Doll accessories (a broom that really flew!) that was going to be introduced in the summer.
(They claimed later that they stopped playing with the dolls, but didn't give the presents back when Harry offered to exchange them for something else.)
Hermione enjoyed the magical catalogs and learning how to shop like a real witch. Now that she had her own vault, it was oh so wonderful!
But Yule was about more than gifts. It was about family, and Harry was looking forward to being home.
When the express arrived, he was surprised to see only Lord Black. Harry introduced his friends quickly, seeing the worry in the adult's eyes, and didn't ask anything in public.
With a restrained hug, he wished farewell to Hermione and Daphne, Neville and Justin. They were his closest friends, along with Susan and Hannah who he had grown up with. Once it was only family, Lord Black erected a privacy screen.
"Persephone was out in Diagon Alley this morning, shopping alone. She was hit by a spell. Hadrian, it doesn't look good. She's already lost the baby. The healers are trying to save her, but they don't know the spell. I've given them access to the Grimmauld Place library. If there's anything to find, it would be in there. Cassiopeia is home with her nanny. Ares of course is with his wife."
Harry sucked in a breath. "Who would do this?" His magic was gathering.
"If I knew, he'd already be dead, Hadrian. He killed my great-grandson. He killed an unborn baby! A magical child with Black blood." Acturus admitted. He and Hadrian had had many discussions in the past on when killing was not justified, and when it was.
Hadrian's glowing eyes showed he concurred with his grandfather.
"I'm going to take you home, and then go back to the hospital myself." The elderly man looked as if he had aged 100 years since September at this moment.
No! I want to go with you! Every healing spell I have ever read talks about the importance of intent. Well, I have to try! Please - you know that other than Dumbledore, I'm the only mage available. And I doubt the headmaster would help."
Persephone was the closest thing Harry had to a mother. Some of his youngest memories were of her when Sirius and she started dating. So full of life and fun. She had brought sunshine and joy to the House of Black.
Acturus nodded and grabbed a hold of Hadrian, but he held up a hand and summoned an elf. After his luggage was popped home, they too swirled away.
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Earlier that day:
"Are you sure that's the right woman?" the man skulking in the shadows asked.
"Yes, and she carries a wizard child. For the good of our master, he has to die."
"But the spell could kill her - a pureblood witch from a noble house! I don't want to be executed or kissed, or spend the rest of my life with the soul suckers."
"For what we are being paid? We do the job, get the money, leave the country. Unbreakable vow that we are not to be killed to silence us, just an obliviate to forget the details."
"Oh, then how to remember about the money? Think about that?"
"It's all taken care of. There she is. Wait until everyone moves aside. Come on, now!"
The spell was sent, and the two popped away, but not without a security elf tagging one of the men.
The unhappy elves had tried to be so careful, so careful, but even the best bodyguards can be overcome with magic, stealth, and the shooting of only one spell.
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Harry's eyes glowed brightly as he summoned his magic.
He had spent the day eating, relaxing with friends, napping, and eating some more. He was at the peak of physical and magical strength.
And he was still summoning his magic.
The healers had said that there was nothing more to be done. Persephone's organs were slowly shutting down.
But Harry Potter wasn't going to lose another family member - not if he could prevent it. He had to try.
He placed his hands on her head, and willed his magic into her. He willed his magic to find and break the curse upon her.
He willed his magic to heal her.
And kept trying until it was all sent, and well before he was empty, there were several 'popping' sounds, like large rubber bands breaking, and color began to return to the woman who only moments before had appeared as still as a corpse.
As she took a large breath, and another, Ares broke into tears.
"Harry! Harry! You did it! You saved her! Anything you want, anything at all is yours!"
In a nearby crib, layed out for burial was a tiny body dressed in pristine white. Nearly perfect from the outside, but still many, many weeks from being ready to be outside his mother. Harry saw this now, and broke down.
"I'm sorry I was too late to save you cousin. I pray that my mother will take care of you for the time being until we are all together again."
Those who were already weeping wailed, and those few with dry eyes now shed tears. Even the stoic Acturus was moved.
Healers were pushing family aside, and whispering arcane things about what to do next. One of the healers, a Master of something, Harry didn't recognize the symbol, came over to the waiting men of House Black.
"Thank you, Heir Potter. Without your work, she would have likely passed away in a few hours. I will make a note to myself to talk to you again at the end of your second year, see if you might be interested in curse-breaking for St. Mungo's. Oh sure, Gringotts has them too, but they work for the dead, we try to save the living." Healer Blackstone said. "Her security elf has been here, and wants to speak with you. Clever and useful creatures."
He licked his lips. "It would be wise to wait several months before trying for another baby. Give you lady wife time to completely heal. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. And don't feel guilty young Harry. The baby was dead the minute the spell hit, there was nothing anyone could do."
Ares nodded. He knew that he was above average in power, and that meant that normal magical contraceptives might prove less than perfect. He accepted the arrangements with grace.
"Good man. She'll likely be here at least until Friday. Yule isn't until the Tuesday after that. I can guardedly say that you should be able to celebrate together. Quietly though. Giving the Ministry Ball a miss would be absolutely required. I'll give you a note if required."
Ares smiled at that. He detested Ministry functions with a passion. Harry loved them, because he got to dance with all of the girls.
"A quiet Yule at home is just the ticket, I think." Ares winked at Harry, letting him know that he could still go if he wished.
"I will take that as my cue to leave. Thank you, Healer, for all that your team has done. As soon as Persephone has had time to say good-bye to her son, please let these people know. They will take care of everything. We'll have to do the internment without her, but can have a memorial later, if she wishes." Lord Black handed over a card of a magical funeral home that had taken care of his wife after she had passed away. A thoughtful elf had brought it for them. "Hadrian, I think it a good idea for you to come home with me now, get something to eat, and get to bed early."
The security elf waited for Harry and Lord Black to arrive back at the manor to report.
He was pulling at his ears, his eyes green shot, and his cheeks were nearly mint, they were so light.
"My Lord Black. Temple is so, so sorry about the baby. Temple is willing to give up his life if it would bring him back."
The elf had forgotten proper English in his distress, and was reverting to the near Pidgeon-English that most of his people used.
"Report." Acturus demanded.
"We had not heard of the possibility of an attack today, but tried to be aware of possible hostiles any time we go out. The Alley was unusually busy due to Yule shopping. Spell fire was silent and sudden. I saw two hostiles. Tagged hostile number Minx to tend to the hurt Mistress. Hostile number 1 and hostile number 2 were together when we followed. We were not seen, and able to follow invisibly, tagging number 1 in the process. Followed them to Gringotts. They emptied a vault after showing a message to Snaptooth, a goblin teller, who noticed us but said nothing. They were later joined by a wizard casting obliviate, but not taking their money. They were then given an international portkey."
"So we never see them again?" Harry complained.
The elf smiled a smile so wicked that Harry hoped he never saw one like it again.
"No, Master Hadrian. You remember saying that we need to protect Black family? Well, when Master gives order, Master gives elves permission to use that power."
"You followed them." Acturus surmised.
The elf nodded. "They is being in Antarctica. Without their wands. They is offering me money as they could see me. I asked what they wanted. They wanted wands and a portkey away from there."
He could see that Lord Black was getting impatient. "They is being in Black Manor in the dungeon. I is stopping by Potions Master and buying memory restoration with some of the gold they is giving me. Rest of the gold here. They is still having much, much in hand."
The elf bowed. Arcturus went over what the elf meant. He was clearly happy that he caught the foul fiends. Clearly unhappy about failing his remit. He had bought a potion from Professor Snape to restore the lost memories of the miscreants, using the gold that they gave him. But the prisoners still had gold on them. And they were waiting for him at Black Manor
Harry walked over to the house-elf, and gave him a Hermione-like hug. The armored elf resisted at first, and then leaned into the magic and comfort and love that the Heir offered him.
"It wasn't your fault. The only way you could've stopped them was to kill them before they got to the Alley. Something you aren't allowed to do. Something no one is allowed to do."
"I agree with my heir. You have done well, Temple. Take the money that they bribed you with. Buy something for each and every elf in the household, including yourself. Something that you want but wouldn't normally get. Consider it a Yule bonus. If there isn't enough gold, see me, and I will sweeten it."
"But there is being hundreds! Lots and Lots!"
"You are the best security elf I have ever heard of. A normal bodyguard would have given up after the portkey. You went far beyond the line of duty. Remember this, if they had had wands, they could have killed you since you were visible."
Temple nodded, and started to leave to go and do as was instructed.
"But first, Temple, rest, eat, take care of yourself. You've been on duty nearly 18 hours now. I didn't mean to neglect you. I promise."
"Lord Black is a good and kind Master to his house elves. No one complaining like Malfoy elves." Temple put a hand over his mouth, and popped out, green-faced. He was clearly tired if he let that kind of secret slip.
"Lucius? Being unkind to elves. Some of those are Black elves. He wouldn't dare in front of me, but behind my back?"
"Dobby?" Harry called softly. Dobby was the elf assigned to Draco.
A bedraggled elf popped in, looking burned and cursed.
"Dobby!" Harry called, and put his hand on his head, but Lord Black stopped him.
"Oh, no, my boy! Persephone and Temple! Think! Another magical boost to someone else is likely to do you in. Allow me, Dobby was once a Black Elf assigned to Narcissa. If you will allow me?" Acturus asked before blessing the house elf with a gift of magic.
Neither Harry or Dobby told Acturus that some magic had already transferred to Dobby. It didn't seem prudent.
Dobby looked healthier, and Harry called for some food and drink for the elf. And a healing potion.
"Dobby, can you please tell me what has happened to you? Why do you look so hurt?"
"Master being unhappy with Dobby. Dobby can't say more." He choked trying to eat too fast, clearly he'd been starved. The healing potion was slipped into a pocket.
"Dobby take later, after Master going to bed. Other elves not say anything since it come from Harry Potter sir, greatest Wizard ever!"
"Draco is a friend of mine, as well as family. We'll figure this out." Harry said.
"Or I, as head of house, will give you clothes and have you come and bond to House Potter!" Acturus scowled. Abusing elves! That was something Walburga would do! It made them crazy, having to serve people who were hurting them.
Harry looked very unhappy. He and Draco had always gotten along, until they went to Hogwarts. Ever since, he had been snarking and sniping in subtle ways. He was one of the few that didn't wear white on All Hallows Eve stating he had no one to mourn - that he had both of his parents.
It was the tone that struck Harry as off.
And then there was the way Draco treated Hermione behind Harry's back. When everyone was together, he was polite, Miss Granger this and that, here's a book you might like, and had smiled at her smiling at him! But behind her back, he called her the M word more than once, and had even said that it was beneath Harry to be friends with her!
When confronted about it, Draco denied everything and said that he admired the girl. That he thought she was powerful, smart and cute. And he said this so sincerely that Harry believed him.
So why was he so mean about her when Harry wasn't around, and why was his family or Draco himself, abusing Dobby?
It made no sense.
The attack on Persephone made no sense.
"Hadrian. I don't like leaving you alone right now, but I need to find out some information from our guests. Would you like to visit one of your friends for a few hours? Or would you prefer to rest quietly at home?"
Harry thought about it. He hadn't eaten since the train, and had done a lot of magic.
"Grandfather, I just want a simple supper, and go to bed early. I promise I will stay home, and not fly or do anything exciting. Just eat and sleep."
The older man leaned over and kissed Harry's forehead. "You're a good boy. I love you. Thank you for all you did for the family today. Rest easy. I'll be back just as soon as I can."
Harry nodded, and headed for the kitchens. He disliked eating in the formal rooms by himself, but the elves always liked feeding him.
If Hadrian had seen the scowl of the face of Lord Black, he wouldn't have believed it was the man who had just shown him such rare affection.
'Kill my grandchild? Nearly kill his mother? A pureblood witch that belongs to MY family? Oh, you wished to be set free from certain death, but when I am done, you'll be begging for it.'
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