Outsider Chronicles: Dark Eclipse
The First Year is over and Leo is already working to right wrongs. However, darkness is beginning to stir, and not just at Hogwarts. As Leo gets more powerful, his nature as an Outsider begins to take effect and worlds are drawn together. Add in some family drama and reveals and Leos migraines are only going to get worse. Sequel to Black Zodiac
And we're back. Nothing much to say here, so lets jump in Enjoy!
Chapter 5
The day after our trip to Diagon Alley, Holly and I came downstairs to find a serious looking Sirius sat at the kitchen table with a folder of parchment in front of him.
"Morning Sirius," I said, pouring myself a cup of tea as Holly staggered across the room to the coffee machine., "Whats got you looking so serious?"
"Hey you two," said Sirius, sounding tired, "Sorry if I don't make a pun, but I've been up all night looking through these."
He tapped the file in front of him.
"What is it?" Asked Holly.
"A audit of the Potter Vaults," said Sirius, "I asked Gringotts to perform an Audit for a both the Potter and Black vaults since they have been largely dormant for the past 11 years. The Black Vault hasn't really changed, other than Lucius skimming some off the top which, although annoying, was legal because he was married to a Black. The Potter Vault on the other hand…"
He sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Its been gutted."
"What?" Asked Holly, looking surprised, "But I thought it was nearly full?"
"Thats just your Trust Vault Holly," said Sirius, "The Main Potter Vault is nearly empty. Fortunately, the Heirloom Vault can only be accessed by someone with Potter Blood, but the monetary vault is nearly drained."
"How is that possible?" I asked, "The only people who should be able to access that Vault is Holly when she turns 16 or her Magical Guardian…"
I paused.
"Wait, let me guess," I said, rubbing my eyes, "Someone declared themselves Magical Guardian since you were enjoying Azkaban's hospitality?"
"Got it in one," said Sirius, "And that person was Albus bloody Dumbledore, the same man who should have stood up and given me a trial as was his duty as the Supreme Mugwump of the Wizengamot and the same man who cast the Fidelius Charm on the Potter Cottage with Pettigrew as the Secret Keeper."
Oh dear. Thats two strikes Dumbledore. Throwing Sirius in prison when you know hes innocent and stealing from Holly? The way this is going, I'm almost expecting...
"But thats not the worst of it," continued Sirius, cutting across my thoughts, "Not only was Dumbledore skimming money of the top, but some of that was going to the Dursleys as upkeep pay and into vaults belonging to Molly and Ronald Weasley."
Exactly that. I glanced at Holly, who was gripping her coffee cup hard enough for the ceramic to crack and her hair was beginning to move slightly in response to her anger.
"OK, so I get how Dumbledore was able to access the Vault, but how were the Weasleys?" I asked.
Sirius didn't answer, instead pulling out a sheet of parchment and pushing it over to us. Oh dear, this will not end well for the idiots. It was a marriage contract, a very binding, very illegal and very invalid magic contract that, if I was reading it right, was a step above a slave contract, giving Hollys husband (Ron of course) full control over the Potter fortune, Votes and Holly herself. It was the sort of thing that, had it actually gone through, would have landed Dumbledore, Molly and Ronald a one way trip through the Veil of Death, so it was a very good thing that Dumbledore didn't have the authority to sign it or we'd be down a headmaster. Not that it was looking to good for the Old Man at the moment if the look on Hollys face was anything to go by. Of course, I was angry too, but since Black women were known to be the very definition of 'Hell Hath No Fury' and Lily was also well known for having a fiery and vindictive temper, anything I could do would probably pale in comparison.
Sirius didn't seem to notice the sudden increase in ambient magic in the room as the parchment that held the contract burned to ashes under Hollys magically enhanced glare and continued his explanation.
"I wouldn't worry though, that contract isn't even worth the paper its written on and the Goblins are working to reclaim the stolen gold. They were not happy to find out that one of their own was helping steal from one of their oldest clients and I believe that the spikes outside of Gringotts now has a new decoration. I've sent a copy to Amilia so she can add it to the case we're building against Dumbledore."
"So basically, Dumbledores in deep trouble," I said.
"Well, yes and no," said Sirius with a sigh, "The problem is that Dumbledore still has a lot of supporters who believe that the sun shines out of his ass and will make excuses for him until the cows come home. We can probably get him thrown out of his positions in the Wizengamot and ICW, but unless we can find more, we won't be able to get him out of his post as Headmaster."
Holly ground her teeth but held her silence as Sirius continued.
"I know its not fair considering all hes done, but its the best we can do."
Holly nodded, although she didn't look happy. I tapped my forefinger on my chin as I considered everything I knew so far and what I knew of tropes of this kind of story.
"Sirius, can you give us something to detect or neutralize potions?" I asked slowly, getting an odd look from the Black Lord, "If Dumbledore and the Weasleys were willing to make an illegal Marriage Contract to get their paws on the Potter family fortune, how do we know they won't stoop to potioning her?"
Sirius scowled at the thought while Holly looked horrified. She swallowed thickly and hugged herself. The very thought of Holly being potioned made me feel physically sick as well. I'd always hated the idea of potions capable of messing with ones mental state and the idea of someone trying it with my Holly made me want to rip something apart. I paused in my thoughts. My Holly? Where the hell had that come from?
I shook of the confusion, instead shuffling my chair around the table so I could hug her around the shoulders. Holly seemed to take comfort from my presence and relaxed slightly. Sirius' lips twitched at the sight, but he refrained from making a comment.
"I think I can do that," he said, "Their are a couple of amulets in storage that can be used to detect potions and I'll teach you a detection spell too. Leo, you should order Dobby to make sure no one trys to slip you something as well."
I nodded and did just that.
"Alright, with all the drama out of the way, I think it'd be best if we started your lessons Holly," said Sirius.
"Lessons?" Asked Holly.
"Your going to be the head of the Potter Family when you become of age," said Sirius, "That means that you need to know how to operate in the political field. I also need to teach you about the history of the Potter family and give you the Grimoire."
"And while you two are doing that, I'm going for a walk," I said, "I already know most of this stuff and its not really allowed for an outsider to know another familys secrets. See ya."
I gave Holly another hug and walked out of the kitchen.
The instant I stepped outside I seriously regretted it. I had actually forgotten the sort of neighbourhood Grimmauld Place was. While it wasn't really a bad neighbourhood per say, it was rundown, grotty and had a general feeling of gloom that permeated the houses. I wrinkled my nose and, after a quick look around to make sure no one was watching, I activated Talaria and took of, swooping over the rooftops of London, laughing as I went. While I doubted I would ever play Quidditch, I still loved to fly and using my Flight Spell was so much better than using a broom. It wasn't until the city vanished behind me that I slowed my flight and began to glide over the fields that surrounded the city. I had never actually experimented with Talaria and was mildly surprised as how far I'd traveled in such a short amount of time. Aw well, not like I actually needed to be anywhere for a while, might as well enjoy the peace and quiet.
I glided down and landed in a clearing of the forest I was flying over, before stretching out in the grass with a sigh of contentment. It had been a while since I had had the chance to lay back in the grass and enjoy the quiet and I intended to make the most of it.
I woke up to a sharp point poking my chin. I opened my eyes, noting that the sun was just starting to set, before my gaze landed on the object that was poking me. It was a bronze knife, being held by a girl with fiery red hair and sapphire blue eyes, clad in a white shirt, silver jacket and camo patterned trousers and black boots. She also had a silver bow and quiver of arrows on her back. Hmm, thats interesting…
"Good evening Miss," I said politely, not moving since she still had her knife pressed against me cheek, "May I ask why you are threatening me with a knife?"
The girl narrowed her eyes at me.
"You are trespassing boy," she snapped, "These woods belong to us. Now who are you and how did you get in here?"
"My name is Leo Black," I said.
That however was as far as I got as the girls face contorted into a snarl and she pressed the knife harder against my skin, drawing blood.
"Your related to that damn Dog?" She snarled.
"Oh, you know Sirius?" I asked calmly as my fingers twitched, causing my wand to slowly slip from its holster.
"Yes I know that mutt," growled the girl, "Him and his arrogant buddys, always chasing my sister and me!"
Wait a minute.
"Hold up, your sisters name wouldn't happen to be Lily, would it?" I asked.
"Whats it you you, Black?" She snarled.
"I'll take that as a yes," I grumbled, "I was under the impression that Lily only had one sister?"
"You mean that bitch Petunia?" Scoffed the girl, "Hardly, I'm her twin sister. Why, do you know her?"
"Wellll...," I said, looking away.
"Well what?" Demanded the girl.
"You should really pay more attention."
The girl looked confused, before she was suddenly hooked around the ankle and dragged into the air with a squawk, dropping her knife in the process. I sat up, ignoring her protests as I picked up her knife and examined it. It was made of bronze and seemed to glow faintly with its own luminescence. Lets see, girl dressed in silver who hates men, should be around 30 but looks only a few years older than me, armed with a bronze knife and a bow and arrow. Add two and two and you get.
"Oh fuck me."
I turned to the girl, who was still dangling upside down thanks to my spell.
"Let me guess, you're a Hunter of Artemis?"
My answer came, not from the girl, but from the treeline as a silvery arrow shot from the shadows and hit the tree, right next to my ear, followed by the archer, another girl in silver, this one with black hair, dark brown eyes and copper coloured skin. She also had a circlet of silver in her hair.
"Zoe!" Shouted the girl hanging next to me.
Welp, I'd say that confirms it. Dear God...er, gods, and to think I came out here for some peace and quiet! Zoe Nightshade paused when she saw her sister hanging upside down by her ankle, seemingly by nothing, before her eyes focused on me and narrowed.
"Before you shoot me, can I just say that was in self defence?" I asked, pointing at the Hunter with my wand.
Their was a flash and she landed in a rather undignified heap, but I was more interested in keeping Zoe from shooting me in the crotch, which was where she was aiming, than letting her down gently. The Hunter immediately grabbed her bow of her back and pointed an arrow at me.
"Who are Thee boy?" Demanded Zoe, "And how did thou enter this forest? It is protected by Mist and Wards that only a Half-Blood can pass through."
Hmm, interesting...I had a feeling I knew how that was possible and if I was right then my life was going to get a heck of a lot more dangerous.
"I'm not sure, but I have my suspicions," I said, "Now would you mind pointing those arrows somewhere else?"
Zoes glare kicked up a notch and I was very glad that she wasn't a Gorgon.
"Insolent boy!" She snarled, "You…"
"Zoe, that is quite enough!"
Zoe froze as the voice of a twelve year old girl cut across her as its owner stepped from the treeline.
"Sorry my lady," she mumbled.
The girl, who I strongly suspected to be Artemis, turned away from her Lieutenant and approached me, eyeing me up and down.
"Lady Artemis I presume?" I asked, inclining my head.
"Correct young man," said the Goddess as she eyed the wand in my hand, "And just who might you be?"
"Leo Black, at your service," I said.
"Ah, so that is why you didn't bow," said the Moon Goddess, "Nice to see some things never change."
"What are you talking about my lady?" Asked Zoe, looking confused.
"The motto of the Black family is 'We Bow to No One'," I said, "That extends to the Gods as well."
"Plus, you bowing to me would be kinda redundant," said Artemis, "After all, the Seven Knights have served to protect the Moon for longer than I have held dominion over it."
I cocked my head on one side.
"Pardon?"
"You don't know? Hmm."
The Goddess looked thoughtful for a moment, before shaking her head.
"That is a tale for another time I think," she said, "For now, I bid you goodbye, Leo Black. Come Zoe, Rose, we must be going."
The Hunters and their Goddess vanished back into the shadows of the forest before I could say anything else, leaving me feeling more confused and annoyed than ever before. Plus, I had a pounding headache.
And thats a wrap. We have our first glimpse of one of the worlds that exist within this world, that of Percy Jackson! I'm sure you can guess what Leo and Holly will be doing next summer.
So, Dumbledore's a bastard, we all knew that. Hes also been stealing from Holly and plotted to set her up with Ronald. Needless to say, the day that happens will be the day Snape, Aries and Voldemort put on tutus and dance Swan Lake on the planet Zog.
Who are the Seven Knights and why are they so important to the Moon? Who knows? I do, but the rest of you will have to wait.
Now its time for me to sign of so I'll see you all, next time!