A/N: Chapters will be uploaded on Monday evening's AEST.
Times may vary depending on my classes
This is War
Chapter 12: In the moment of Truth Pt 1
Harry had to shake his head in exasperation and he was pretty sure somewhere someone was mocking him, probably death, or fate. Either way, he was surely the subject of much amusement to whichever deity was watching. Narcissa Black, was sitting across from him in his study. Next to her was Lord Black and Lady Black who was sporting an amused expression and next to Narcissa was Bellatrix who had a scowl. On the love seat that he had placed in his office was an amused Hela and Apolline. Narcissa smug expression when looking at her sister and then a bright smile when looking at Harry.
"So, let me get this straight, a marriage proposal for Narcissa?" Harry asked for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Would being married to me and Bella be such a bad thing Harry?" Narcissa asked.
"Well no… but…"
"Then I don't see a problem, so don't fight this and just sign," Narcissa said simply.
"You just can't let me have anything can you?" Bellatrix pouted.
"Hush Bella, unlike you, I can get things I want diplomatically instead of brute forcing my way into things like you do," Narcissa chastised.
"Girls, that's enough. This behavior is unbecoming of a daughter of House Black," Melania cut in before Bellatrix got a chance to reply.
"Are you okay with this Arcturus?" Harry asked the man who simply shrugged.
"I've learned long ago to not argue with the women of my house, I also couldn't disagree with her choice because it was at least her own decision," Arcturus said.
"You argue with Walburga all the time Grandfather," Bellatrix said.
"Hence why I said women, Bellatrix, Walburga is still a child. In the body of an overweight cow," Arcturus grumbled.
"If you two are sure about this… I suppose I can't disagree with it. Though isn't being married to the same man your sister is a bit strange?"
"Harry some pureblood families will literally marry brother to sister in order to stay pure. Sharing a husband isn't new, but, given that we have chosen you for ourselves I'd say we're more ahead than others," Narcissa dismissed.
"Well… alright then," Harry relented, picking up his blood quill and signing his name along with adding a thumb print.
Arcturus followed suit as did Narcissa, and with a flash of magic the contract was accepted. Narcissa was wearing a bright smile at this while Bellatrix had a scowl but you could see a slight smile if you looked closely.
"I can't wait to inform the girls!" Narcissa exclaimed.
"Now there is certain family matters I need to speak with you girls about. Sorry Arcturus, Melania but I am going to have to ask the two of you to leave as this is very sensitive information and can only be told to members of the Peverell family," Harry apologized but Arcturus waved him off.
"I understand, we have similar family secrets of our own. I'm sure Melania is eager to start wedding preparations for both Narcissa and Bellatrix so we will be off. I will see you this coming weekend yes?" Harry nodded affirmative, with a hug and a kiss goodbye, Arcturus and Melania took their leave back to Black manor leaving Harry with the four girls. For a few moments no one spoke. Harry then let out a loud sigh before addressing the girls.
"Samhain, all of you will be excused from your classes for the day. Each of you will be undergoing a blood ritual to inundate yourselves with the Peverell family magic. As Apolline and Hela have been through their own family rituals they have some idea of what it means already. Bella, Cissy, as the two of you aren't members of a Sentinel Family you wouldn't have experienced a ritual quite like this. As such, in the weeks leading up to Samhain you will be required to read the family grimoire as well as history and understand the depth of what you have chosen to involve yourselves in. Should you wish to not participate I will have to dissolve our marriage contracts. So, think everything over in these coming months, because if you decide to leave the family after the ritual has been done. It'll be an incredibly painful experience to have the family magic taken from you, and you will never quite be the same," Harry said honestly, all four girls looked at him, Apolline and Hela with understanding while Narcissa and Bellatrix seemed to be more intrigued.
"For now, all books regarding the family magic will be made available to you. You may not take them from this office, our floo in Hogwarts is directly connected here and only you can get in. Any questions?"
"Is the family magic what determined your animagus form?"
"Yes and no, the Peverell transformation is less of an animagus nature and more of an inner animal spirit. My form of the Nundu reflects my inner spirit and the ritual will have you come face to face with your own. There is a common misconception that the Peverell family are the only family to have a mythical animagus form. We allowed that to be spread so that they wouldn't look closer. Whereas in fact our animal spirits are a gift from Death, we are judged when we go through the ritual and we come face to face with our inner selves. If we can accept who we were, who we could be, and who we are now, then you and your animal will become one. If you cannot accept it, then the ritual will take your life as compensation for calling upon the magic," Harry explained, looking at each of them seriously.
"That is why I am informing you now, we have 4 months until Samhain, once it comes around there will be no backing out of the ritual and should you succeed and then back out of the contract, your animal spirit will be ripped from you by magic and that is why you will never be whole again afterwards," Harry said somberly.
Lily Evans noted a distinct lack of pranks from James Potter and his ilk in the weeks following the Hogsmeade incident, while she and the others had noted the French students, the Devereaux's, hanging around with Harry Peverell and the two Black Sisters, she hadn't quite gotten the confidence up to thank Harry and Bellatrix for saving them. However, whenever she looked at Harry Peverell during meal times, she was always mesmerized by his emerald green eyes. So much like her own, she felt like she knew him somehow and yet she had never spoken with him.
Another thing that changed was that Severus, Marlene and Alice had joined herself in studying. But what was different is that they were often joined by Sirius and Remus, sometimes James and Peter would also join the group for their studies. No more pranks, no more bad blood, sure Severus still held a grudge, but Sirius and James were often quick to apologise and placate Severus's anger to the point where they were somewhat becoming friends which was something Lily herself would have thought insane. War changes people, that was something her father had told her when she had learned about the muggle's first world war, supposedly the war to end all wars, then Grindelwald and World War 2 happened, and now Magical Britain was facing another War.
"What are we studying today?" James asked, sitting down across from Lily and her friends, next to him sat Sirius, Remus and then Peter.
"Defense, plus Peverell's homework from dueling club," Marlene replied, Sirius and the boys gave a nod before pulling out their text books and neatly stacking them before opening their parchment.
"Has anyone noticed that Lord Peverell, Bellatrix Black, Narcissa Black, Apolline Devereaux and that assistant girl Hela Odinson are all absent?" Alice asked, they all looked over at the Slytherin table to see that they indeed were vacant.
The sound of the post coming caught everyone's attention, the past few weeks had been tense but there hadn't been any more attacks anywhere so the public were notably more on edge. A regal looking raven flew down towards Sirius dropping a letter with the Black family crest on it. Frowning, Sirius opened the letter to read it before his eyes widened.
"What's got your tongue Black?" Severus drawled out.
"I know why they aren't here, grandfather just sent me a letter informing me that Narcissa has signed a betrothal contract with Lord Peverell," Sirius said, James immediately snatched the letter and read it for himself.
"Damn, Peverell wasn't happy with Bella he got Narcissa as well? Lucky guy," James grumbled.
"From what Grandfather says, Narcissa and Bellatrix were the ones who pushed for it, not Lord Peverell," Sirius replied, a few moments later a letter dropped in front of James from the Potter family. He quickly opened his own and groaned.
"We're being invited to the engagement party, bollocks," James slumped his head on the ground.
"Looks like we need to get formal robes and dates, hey reckon Lord Peverell would let us invite the guys? If so you can bring Lily, I can bring Marlene, Remus can bring Alice and Peter and Severus can come by themselves or invite their own date," Sirius said.
"I think Alice would rather go with Frank," Marlene cut in.
"Fair enough, but we don't even know if the Longbottom's will be invited," Sirius pointed out.
"They're your cousins, surely you could just ask them if we can come with our own dates?" Marlene reasoned, Sirius shrugged.
"I mean, I can probably ask. Grandmother is likely in charge of all the planning so it's hard to tell who is and isn't going to be invited. But it could end up being the engagement and weddings of the century, so to speak. Unless Lord Peverell wants it more low-key," Sirius said.
"Oh, by the way, Lily, have you thought much about going to Gringotts? Having a DNA test done and whatnot? I mean, you're the only magical out of your family and its pretty weird that there isn't any history anywhere," Marlene said, Lily frowned.
"I haven't thought about it yet, it hasn't really crossed my mind at all," Lily replied honestly.
"Maybe this weekend we can go? I'm sure one of the teachers or Aurors would accompany us," Marlene said.
"Sure, I guess. Anyways, back to our homework, Peverell's got us researching the various shield charms and what situation is best to use them," Lily said, and with that they were all absorbed in their studies once again.
Andromeda Black stared at herself in the bathroom mirror in her private room in the Lord's quarters. She had moved in a few weeks ago at the request of her grandfather, now that Bella was engaged to Lord Peverell, they saw fit to protect her and her sisters by having them move into the Lords quarters so they'd be out of the way. Harry was fine with her having visitors so long as she accompanied them and so her and Ted's quiet time had moved to her room in here. Now though, she had been throwing up every morning and her period was late. She had always used an anti-pregnancy charm whenever and she Ted had been intimate, hadn't she? Well, the results staring at her in the face would say something different, she faints green glow that said she was pregnant was staring back at her. Shit, this was not what she had intended. She had a house elf summon Ted to her.
"Andy, are you okay?" Ted asked, as she let him into the quarters and then they moved to her room.
"I'm pregnant!" Andromeda blurted out, she meant to be more composed, but she couldn't help it.
"You're… pregnant?" Ted repeated, shock evident on his face.
"Almost 6 weeks now, shit, Ted, what do we do? My family won't accept this, they'll disown me!" Andromeda said in a panic.
"Hey, Andy, it's okay my love. Even if they do, this is our baby, and I'll be damned if I don't do my best to make things work for us," Ted said, pulling the sobbing girl into his arms.
"But… our lives, you were supposed to go to law school and be a law-wizard, I was supposed to go to St Mugo's and become a healer. We can't do that with a child."
"We'll make it work somehow, I promise you Andy. You, me and this child against the world if we have to," he said resolute.
The familiar sound of the floo activating brought the two of them out of their thoughts as they heard five people come through. Then the voices of Narcissa and Bellatrix started to squabble at each other.
"Should we tell them?" Ted murmured, Andromeda froze for a few moments, considering the reactions of her sisters and the man who was currently taking care of her wellbeing.
"Better now than them finding out another way I suppose," she replied, but still didn't move.
Another 10 minutes passed before Andromeda had the courage to move from her bed, Ted following her as they emerged from her room. Andromeda was nervous and fidgeting as she approached the group who had now seated themselves and were drinking tea… or coffee…
"Andy! I have some great news! Grandfather and Harry signed the contract! I'm going to be marrying Harry!" Narcissa announced bouncing in her seat, all the while Bellatrix pouted.
"That's… great Cissy," Andromeda replied, almost immediately the two Black sisters looked at Andromeda and knew something was off.
"Ted, how are you doing today? Studies going well?" Harry asked the other boy who simply shrugged awkwardly.
"As good as anyone else's, though I believe the homework you set in dueling club is some of the most difficult by far," he replied.
"Andy, what's wrong?" Bellatrix was up almost straight away and inspecting her little sister, eyes calculating as she circled Andromeda.
"I'm pregnant," Andromeda mumbled, silence resonated throughout the room. For minutes no one spoke.
"You're pregnant?" Bellatrix whispered, wide eyed.
"It's Ted's," Andromeda added in a barely audible voice. Harry was the first one to recover from the news, standing up and approaching the two.
"Congratulations are in order then, congratulations Andromeda, Edward," Harry said to the two. Bellatrix was the next to break out of her stupor.
"Pregnant… alright Tonks, you have a lot of work to do. You will be getting a ring, for every week that I see Andy here without a ring, is a week of hell I'll make you experience. Am I understood!" Bellatrix all but ordered, the boy nodded his head fervently under the gaze of the smaller but older witch.
"Congratulations Andromeda," Apolline and Hela voiced from their positions, politely giving the sisters the space, they likely needed.
"A Baby! Oh, my goodness Andy! Please! Please! Please! Let me be the godmother!" Narcissa jumped up excited.
"Hey! Why you! Why not me! I'm better prepared to protect the kid!" Bellatrix immediately retorted, Harry sighed and shook his head. Any fears Andromeda had about her sisters were immediately quelled as she teared up and smiled as her sisters started arguing over who would be the better godmother to her child.
"On a serious note, what do the two of you have planned for your careers? You're both only in 5th year, still got 2 more years at Hogwarts and having a Baby is difficult," Harry asked.
"Uh… we'll make it work Sir, I'll work in Hogsmeade during the weekends and study during the week. Andy will look after the child when I cannot be around to," Ted replied.
"And what about your studies Andromeda?" Harry asked the girl.
"Uh… I did want to become a healer but I can finish that after school once the child is a bit older," Andromeda replied.
"None of that, I will give you a house-elf to take care of your child while you complete your studies. Though I certainly hope that you will be around for your child but that is your decision as the parents I simply wish to help you get ahead. Telling your family will be up to the two of you, but you will have my support," Harry said, Andromeda looked like she was about to cry, Ted too for the matter.
"Thank you so much Harry! I want to be around for my child, Ted and I both. But your help will allow us to graduate and further our studies as well as be parents," Andromeda was trying her best to control her emotions.
"Now onto the more important things! Baby names!" And with that the four girls, even Hela got involved, took Andromeda into her room while Ted was left with Harry awkwardly.
"Want a drink?" Harry offered.
"Please," Ted sighed in relief.
It had been weeks and Tom was no closer to finding Grindelwald than he wanted to be, he knew that Dumbledore, the pacifist that he was wouldn't have been able to go through with killing the man who once meant the world to him.
The closest he had gotten so far to Grindelwald's trail was Albania but even then, the trail went cold. He thought that in Berlin, there would be some kind of clue as that was the location of the final confrontation between the previous Dark Lord and Dumbledore.
All Berlin held was a magical community of bitter men and women who neither asked for the conflict, nor desired to participate but were forced to because of outside players. Tom had hoped that someone had to have seen what happened and where the errant defeated Dark Lord was taken. But he was met with glares and silence, the nerve of these people to ignore him! Lord Voldemort! The Heir of Salazar Slytherin himself! It would do no good to start an international conflict though, he was sure that now because of France, the entire world was aware of his ambition and followers, and he was not yet in a position of strength in the other countries.
Furthermore, he didn't want to bring the attention of the other Sentinel Families until he was sure he could take them on at least on an even footing. He had studied them when at Hogwarts and even after, wanting to learn their magics for himself, but all of his efforts on those fronts were for naught as Sentinel Family magic is contained within its blood and they would never deign to give him an audience. He has fought Peverell to a stand-still, something that irked him to his core as the Peverell family were thought to be extinct so while consolidating power he felt safe in a country that was supposedly without a guardian.
It got worse, much worse according to reports from a few of his followers and his junior death eaters still at Hogwarts. Peverell was betrothed to the two Black sisters, Bellatrix and Narcissa, Lord and Lady Black themselves had announced it. If only Orion and Walburga were the Lord and Lady Black like was supposed to happen, things had really gone to shit since Abraxas's attempt on the lives of Arcturus and Melania Black, and his subsequent demise at the hands of Harry Peverell. While his loss of the Black Family save for Walburga and Cygnus was a hit to his support base, it was the news that the Devereaux's had one of their daughters transfer to Hogwarts with the assumption the French Veela was engaged to Peverell, and then there was the appearance of Odinson. Two international Sentinel Families were seen in the constant presence of Peverell, which meant that Tom was potentially dealing with three families with esoteric level magic. Add in the Black's and the other light and neutral families that support Peverell and, Tom had to admit for the first time that he was in danger of losing his ambition. This is why he needs to find Gellert Grindelwald, he needed to know what the man knew about the Peverell family given he took their family crest as his calling card.
"Adopted?" Lily repeated, it was Easter break and she had opted to go back home for the week. There had been no terrorist activity for over 6 weeks now so she felt it was alright to go visit for the week. She had of course used this opportunity to ask her parents something that has been bothering her for quite some time.
"Yes dear, you see, after Petunia we couldn't have another biological child. But we always wanted two daughters, so we adopted you by chance. You had been left at the orphanage only a few nights before we met and adopted you. Your green eyes were so unique that we fell in love almost instantly," her mother explained, Lily could only nod her head.
"That doesn't mean we love you any less, we love you just as much Lily. Though we can't fault you if you feel you need to find out about your birth family," her father had said with a sad smile.
"We knew this day would come we just thought we had a bit more time," Her mother added.
She did need to know, she needed to know where her magic came from, her family, if they're still in the magical world, and why they cast her out. She would have to get an inheritance test done at Gringotts to determine her magical heritage.
The next day she had met Severus and together they had travelled to Diagon Alley, the district was alight with people once again, now that they felt safe to travel and conduct business again. Gringotts was as intimidating as ever and the goblins looked around with indifference though the amount of armed guards had significantly increased.
"Excuse me, I would like to get an inheritance test done?" Lily said to the teller at the front when she got there.
"Go over to Teller Rocktooth over there," he gestured and Lily was off.
"Inheritance test?" The goblin grumbled, Lily nodded.
"Take this knife and slice it over the bowl, wait until your blood hits the line then slice the same cut to close the wound," he ordered.
Lily did as instructed, wincing as the heat of the knife on her palm occurred then watching in morbid curiosity as the blood pooled into the bowl until it reached the required line. She then ran the knife along the wound again and watched as it magically sealed up, admittedly she was feeling a little light-headed from the blood loss. The blood in the bowl was then sucked down the bottom before a sheet of parchment seemed to materialize right next to the bowl which Lily stared at with curiosity and shock.
Lily Delilah Evans (Peverell)
Mother: Amara Beatrice Evans (adopted)
Father: Douglas Michael Evans (adopted)
Sister: Petunia Daisy Evans (adopted)
Birth Mother: ?
Birth Father: ?
Surviving Magical Relatives: Harry James Peverell (Cousin ?)
Grandmother: ?
Grandfather: ?
Great-Grandmother: Karine Peverell
Great Grandfather: Evander Peverell nee Salazar
"It would seem, Miss Peverell, that you are indeed a surviving member of the newly emerged Lord Peverell's family, we will alert him to this at once," Rocktooth's tone took on a serious edge and his back straightened.
"But why doesn't it list my parents and grandparents?"
"Unfortunately, Gringotts does not have an answer for you, Miss Peverell, many members of Sentinel Families aren't necessarily registered with Gringotts nor the wizarding population as a whole. Perhaps they were squibs, or lived quite private lives known only to them. Lord Peverell might have more of an answer for you. For now, we will do our best to assist you, here is a copy of your inheritance, is there anything else I can do for you?" Rocktooth asked.
"No, but if you could perhaps ask Har- er Lord Peverell to meet with me?" Lily asked, he nodded.
"It will be done."
Lily left the room with many questions and only some answers, mainly, that she had no idea she was adopted until the previous day and now it turns out she's a… cousin? Of Lord Peverell, the man who had been changing their world in only a few months.
"Well? What did it reveal?" Severus asked cautiously, he could tell his friend was in shock. She handed him the letter and he read it, eyes going wide.
"You're a Peverell?!"
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