Thank you everyone to the support you've given to the continuation of this story! I hope chapter 3 is going to keep your interests!
The question will be at the end of this story!
Chapter 3: The Here, and Now
Diagon Alley was the busiest it had been in quite a while. The sights and sounds were as Willow had remembered them. The many shops that lined the street varied in colors, and design.
Feeling the yank on her hand, she turned her attention to Hadrian, who was happily taking in the sights, sounds, and brilliant colors of the alley. She smiled as his emerald eyes seemed to glow in happiness. She tilted her head to him. "What store catches your interest, my son?" she asked him with a smile.
Hadrian's eyes scanned the area around him, his grip on his mother's hand firm. The thought of letting it go was a horrifying one.
He finally found a store he would like, the many books piled high. He looked up to find the sign for the store, and read it with glee. 'Florish and Blott' stood out in bold green trimmed with gold against the dark brown wood of the sign. Hadrian smiled, and pointed it out to his mother.
Willow laughed at her son's eagerness, and lead him into the store with delight, telling him that he could pick out what ever he liked, and they could have it delivered to their home.
Unbeknownst to the two, there was a set of slate grey eyes watching them from the corner of the entrance to Knockturn Alley. The amazement in said eyes as they followed the young boy would have shocked those whom had known him.
. . .
Alcied stood in all his 6'4" glory as he was slowly surrounded by Death Eaters. The servants of the Dark Lord were whispering among themselves, no doubt about his family, and their actions. He held back the rolling of his eyes. Rumor mongers, that they were, they were still the servants of the Dark Lord.
While respect would save him much pain, Alcied knew he wouldn't bend to their whims so easily. He wouldn't bow down to kiss any of their robes... It wasn't a matter of pride. It was the matter of making a statement. With that in mind, Alcied braced himself as the Dark Lord strode in, his hood up.
Alcied blinked. It was unusual for the Dark Lord to wear his hood to these meetings, preferring the gasps that his snake like facade would bring. Soon, he shook himself of that thought, and cleared his mind of all thought, bringing up his mental shields.
And then he was pinned with furious red eyes. Alcied felt his stature wanting to shrink in on itself, and could almost feel his slightly tanned skin wanting to pale, but he held still, his eyes never wavering from those red orbs. It would be over the minuet he did.
He decided to flourish his greeting with a bow of his head, but not of his waist. He never let his midnight eyes leave those red, in all of this, never let his eyes drop to the floor.
Instead of angering the Dark Lord, it just made this man smirk at him. Alcied didn't let worry perturb his from. Even as he felt the Dark Lord's magic raking at his mental shields, he never looked away.
Croÿ children were taught that your thoughts are yours, and yours alone. They were taught many difficult magics in the early stages of their child hood, with the steady belief of 'the more you know, the safer you are'. Alcied couldn't help but mentally scoff at that thought. Another lesson of his house was that there was no such thing as complete safety.
It was a wonder they weren't related to Ravenclaw.
Voldemort's smirk soon became a sneer at the fact that this man was uncrackable. He didn't like that fact, no... It wouldn't do him any good to try to crack this man anyway.
"Croÿ. Why did your family flee?" it was a simple question.
"To escape the great purge brought down upon us, by my father's stupidity." Alcied answered honestly, he shrugged, as if the answer was not painful to give.
But with the insight of last night, Alcied began to understand why their father had cracked. He would always crack to the woman he loved.
He almost frowned at that thought, but managed to keep his face placid. Now was certainly not a good time for it.
The Dark Lord had thought about that. Indeed the former Lord Croÿ's betrayal had brought down his ire upon the whole family, and he couldn't even begin to fathom why one family had even mattered to him. The so called betrayal had been nothing truly important.
He had wondered what sort of mind control spell he'd been under while doing half of what he had done in the past. It went completely against what he'd planned for himself all those years ago. Now, it hardly mattered. He'd heard the full prophecy, and was not impressed one bit.
He focused back on the current Lord Croÿ. "And why did it take you a while to answer the summons?" Voldemort hissed out.
Alcied kept eye contact with this man. "My dear sister did put up her arguments about returning to Britain. As you know, her views on the current ministry are unfavorable, and she does so deplore the weather here." he answered with a straight face, hopping his flippant answer would distract the man from trying to pry into his mind.
Voldemort frowned. "Does it have anything to do with her son?" he asked, and Alcied couldn't stop his eyes from widening if he tried. At the give away, Voldemort smirked again.
Alcied felt his body tighten as the whispers went around again. "I wonder who the father is..." was once such whisper. It had apparently caught the Dark Lord's ear as well.
"I, to, wonder such a thing." he looked upon Alcied, with the bare interest. Alcied frowned. "I do not know, my Lord. She will not tell me for fear of me killing the sod. All she will tell me is that the man is a pureblood." he explained, picking up from what his sister had told him.
Voldemort waved it away, it wasn't an important matter to him anymore. "I've summoned you here for orders." he said, pulling out a piece of parchment, and offering it out to Alcied.
Alcied stepped up, cautiously taking the parchment from the man's hands. Once he was given the nod to do so, he opened it and read, careful enough to to give his surprise away. "I take it you require me to brew these, my Lord?" he asked with a tilt of his head.
At Voldemort's nod, he bowed. "When is the deadline for this mission, my Lord?"
"Yule."
. . .
Sirius Black had managed some impressive feats in his years, but this one had taken the cake! He wanted to grin, but it was to soon for celebrating just yet.
He held his breathe as another dementor passed him, letting a cold sort of feeling wash over his emotions.
As soon as the dark creature past, his four paws launched him across the archaic stone floor, and he easily slipped out of the door, and into the hall.
Once he found the right window, he launched himself from it, and on the way down, he let the animorph fade.
Angling his feet, like they'd been taught in Auror training, and preparing for the harsh waters of the North Sea.
Keeping calm, despite the stinging sensation of the cold water, he swam to the surface quickly, taking in a deep breath as soon as his head broke the layer.
For a fleeting moment, Sirius considered looking back at the prison that had held him for six long years. Quickly deciding that he'd had all he could stand to look at while he was in there, he flexed his arms, and began to swim towards Hogwarts.
He wasn't sure what he could do now, maybe call on a few favors. He knew one thing, he would find his godson, and not even that old arse Dumbledore could stop him.
. . .
Voldemort knew a lot of things. One of those things was this: Men like Croÿ never sat still for long, especially when their family had been brought in on certain matters.
Tom would be the first to admit the shock of seeing the heir that day. He looked like a happy child, and a well loved one. Far from what Tom had been as a child.
He briefly wondered what life would have been like had he had a family like the Croÿs.
Nagini hissed up at him. 'What's on your mind?' she wondered.
'Simple things. . . Simpler times.' he admitted softly.
Nagini moved closer to his hand, hinting at him. 'Ever since you reclaimed that piece of yourself from your diary, you've been more contemplative.' she noted.
Tom frowned. 'I think my sanity is slowly coming back.'
Nagini hissed in laughter. 'I am glad to hear those words. You need it for what is to come.'
He looked at his familiar with his slate gray eyes. 'What do you mean?'
'The Potter.' she reminded him.
'Ah. Finding the brat. That will not be difficult. Just a tug or two.' he said, letting his head rest back on the cushions of the couch he sat himself on.
'What will you do when you find him?' she asked as he ran his elegant fingers through his dark locks.
'I don't know. I realize that I will have to talk to him, but I know I will kill him, if I have to. Even if I think the prophecy is utter nonsense, I have more important things to do than worry about a child. So long as he stays out of Dumbledore's hands, then I will be content.' he admitted.
Nagini bobbed her scaly head. 'Wise words, especially from someone so young.'
Tom threw a sharp glare down at his familiar. 'I know I should have read more on that spell, but times were desperate! I am NOT going to lower myself to having to rely on those pathetic excuses for Death Eaters.'
Nagini could only hiss in her laughter.
. . .
Hadrian was laughing as he tugged his mother towards 'Quality Quidditch Supplies'. The look on her face was priceless. "Really?" she asked her son in playful horror. In truth, she remembered how James had loved to fly, and had half expected his son to share the same love.
Hadrian nodded at her, his eyes sparkling in joy, and humor. "Please mother?" he asked softly. She nodded her consent. Hadrian knew better than to let out a yell, or any other noise that could have been considered rude, but he did give his mother a huge grin. "Thank you mother!"
She was about to say something when her name being called by a familiar voice caught her attention. Looking up, she recognized that blond hair anywhere, and let a polite smile grace her face.
"Narcissa. It's been a while." she said in way of greeting. The other woman nodded to her as well. "Indeed Willow." she said, and then she caught sight of Hadrian. "And who is this darling young man?" she asked with a tender smile.
Willow couldn't help but to notice that Narcissa had her son with her as well. She nudged Hadrian, and he immediately flew into action.
Hadrian gracefully bowed to the new lady, and gave her a charming grin. "My name, my Lady, is Hadrian Croÿ, young Lord, and heir to the Croÿ house." he introduced, taking Narcissa's hand in his small one, and kissing the back of it, as a gentleman would do.
Narcissa's grey eyes were wide in surprise. He certainly did act like a young Lord. She curtsied in return. "My young Lord Croÿ, I am Narcissa Malfoy, and this is my son, young Lord, and heir to the Malfoy house, Draco." she introduced them to the pair in the pureblood fashion.
Draco peaked out from behind his mother's robes at the mention of his name. The young boy gave a small nod of his head, and nearly squeaked as green eyes landed on him. Said eyes were studying him, as if he were a specimen.
Apparently, whatever Hadrian found in Draco, he liked, for he quickly managed to charm Draco from behind his mother. And soon, both boys began to chatter about quiddich, and Hogwarts.
Narcissa gave Willow a smile over the heads of both of their children. While Narcissa had been doubtful of the Croÿ family, she couldn't doubt Willow. After all, the woman had almost been family to the Blacks... Well, before her cousin had gone and disgraced himself.
She had to avoid thoughts like that, least her thoughts show on her face.
She watched as her son got along with Hadrian, and talked animatedly about his stuffed dragon at home. Hadrian was equally as animate about his stuffed dog.
Narcissa wondered, briefly, what a union between the Malfoy house, and the Croÿ house would be like.
. . .
Alcied knew that he was in a tight spot, but this didn't bother him. He'd been in tougher spots, in harder places.
He looked back down at the parchment the Dark Lord had given him. The potions themselves weren't hard to make, but they were a bit time consuming. At least he'd been given till Yule.
He had arrived home before Willow and Hadrian, and quickly set about to drawing a bath for himself. He'd need it before he started the potions.
He knew he had to think quickly. While true that most of the potions were easy, they all had some ties to soul magic.
It made him worry about Hadrian.
He tilted his head back with a groan as his body relaxed. After all of this, he needed to think, and to breath. He didn't really like to work under stress, but it would seem he'd been given no choice in this matter.
"Ricin. Please bring me the paper from this morning."
He only had to wait a few seconds before the faithful house elf brought him what he desired.
Once he read the headlines, he nearly fell out of the tub. His eyes scanned the paper again, nearly having a heart attack, silently praying that it wasn't true, but he knew it was.
SIRIUS BLACK ESCAPES AZKABAN!
Sirius Black has managed a feat that few others have!
Be on the look out for the last Black heir.
Approach with caution! This man is dangerous!
For those whom do not remember, Sirius Black was the secret keeper of the Potters.
It is believed that he betrayed the Potter's location to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
He was also responsible for the death of Peter Petigrew, and 13 muggles.
Again, approach with caution.
Alcied let out another groan. He had the distinct feeling that he'd soon have a visitor. "Ricin, prepare Black's old bedroom. I have a feeling that he'll be coming for a visit."
. . .
Willow smiled as Hadrian was going through the purchases they had made today. His bouncy nature was something of a joy to Willow, as it let her know that her son was extremely happy.
She almost giggled as the snowy owl on his shoulder nipped at his ear, in scorn as he nearly unsettled her. Hadrian nearly squawked. "Sorry Hedwig! I didn't mean to startle you." he offered up his hand, and the owl happily nuzzled it, before returning to her preening.
Willow placed a delicate hand against her lips. She was about to tell Hadrian something before another house elf popped up to announce that there was a man at the door. She stood with a frown, and nodded for the elf to lead her into the grand hallway.
When she saw who was standing at the door, she felt her legs quake. "Siri..." she whispered.
Sirius Black grinned at his long time friend, and betrothed. "Hey'o Willow!" he said with an awkward wave.
All she could do is give him a weak wave back. "How?" she whispered before collapsing to her knees.
Seeing this, Sirius quickly tried to catch her. "You have to believe me, Wills! I really didn't betray them!" he cried out.
Her blue eyes met his dark grey ones. "I do. I believe you didn't, Siri." she muttered, not able to say much else in her stunned silence.
She wriggled in his arms, forcing herself to stand up. She summoned one of the house elves, and told them to prepare a room, and a meal for their guest. She was surprised when the elf informed her that young master, Sirius' room was already ready.
Siri blinked. "How did you know I'd ask to stay, or that I was hungry?" he wondered aloud.
Willow just turned her wide eyes to him. "Siri, you old dog, I could hear your stomach growling. That, and I'm pretty sure an escaped convict can't just go ask for a room at the Leaky Cauldron." she said with a teasing lit in her voice.
Sirius shrugged, and followed her as she lead in deeper in. He let out a yelp as he nearly collided with her when she stopped so suddenly.
"Siri... I have to tell you something. Harry isn't missing." she said, looking over her shoulder to look him in the eye. "I've adopted him."
. . .
Remus Lupin was having a hard time breathing as he read the headlines himself.
'Sirius, what have you done? What will you do now?'
He set the paper down, laying his forehead on the wood of the bar of the Leaky Cauldron. He felt someone pat him on the back. "What's wrong Remmy?" the soft voice asked.
He turned to face his traveling companion. "All sorts of things. I think my friend has bitten off more than he can chew."
The other male chuckled. "Not like you can do much about it, Rem." he reminded his fellow werewolf.
Remus winced at the truth of the matter. No, he couldn't go hunt down Sirius Black, at least not until he found Harry.
. . .
Sirius Black choked back his surprise. "Adopted?!" he almost demanded.
"Yes, Black. Adopted. Unless your years in prison has dulled your hearing, Willow shouldn't have to repeat herself." Alcied's acid tongue interrupted Willow's reply as he sauntered up to the two of them.
Willow rolled her eyes, wondering what was with people interrupting her today. She smiled at Alcied as he approached. She hoped that the two men would play nice. She turned to face Sirius.
"Siri, he was left on the door step of Lilly's sister. I had to." she whispered, shaking her head, tears gathering in her eyes.
What she hadn't told Alcied is that she'd had a vision of what Hadrian's life would have been like had he not swooped down, and rescued Hadrian from that horrid fate.
"You remember Petunia." she reminded him, her nose scrunched.
Sirius didn't quite know what to say to that fact. He wanted to find Harry, and just hug the boy close. He'd been an utter fool to go darting off after Peter.
He looked up to meet Willow's eyes. She gave him a watery smile, guessing at his thoughts. "I'll introduce you to him soon, but for now, you may want to clean up, least you scare the poor boy." she informed him.
Siri looked down at his ragged clothing with a wince. He knew he could use a good scrub, and trim. He tugged at his hair subconsciously.
He looked to Willow when she took his arm in hers, and gave a tired smile as she lead him down the long, lavish hallway towards his new room.
"Clothes will be waiting for you on the bed after your done, and I'll cut your hair, if you'd like." she offered.
Sirius nodded. "Thank you." he said with a grateful nod. She shook her head, and playfully swatted at his shoulder. "Think nothing of it, my friend. After all, you would have done the same for me." she said.
Alcied watched all of this transpire with a sneer. Of course the mutt would come groveling to his sister, and her kindness.
He wanted to spit. Sirius Black thought he could take advantage of Willow. Alcied scoffed. He'd be there to crush Black should the man try.
He and Sirius had been the best of friends, until the day it had been announced that Willow and Sirius were to be married.
While both of them had tried to fight the contract, they were firmly told that it would stand.
Sirius had turned to blaming Willow for their predicament. Raving about how she'd just been waiting to pounce, all this time.
Of course, he stopped when she drove her foot into his shin, and venomously told him to 'Shove his mouth up someone else's arse.'
After that incident, they had become quick friends, and Alcied didn't like it one bit. Call it a sister complex, but Alcied didn't trust Sirius Black with Willow. He would never forgive the man for how quickly he'd turned on his sister. How much hurt he'd pushed on her with just a few words.
Or for the other reason.
. . .
Hadrian sat, nearly curled up on the sofa with his Ancient Runes book, reading through it with ease that did not fit a seven year old. His fingers traced the words along the book, his mind roving the possibilities of several runes for when he went to Hogwarts.
He knew he'd have to hide himself from the headmaster of the school, and maybe most of the teachers. But it was something he had know to prepare for. Willow and Alcied had indeed taught him well, after all.
He sighed, knowing that he'd miss his mother, and uncle when he did finally go off to Hogwarts, but he knew he'd have friends like Draco. It just wouldn't be the same.
While Hogwarts was grand, from what he'd read, it wasn't home. The teachers weren't his family, or were the house elves his elves.
He'd miss the spiraling stair cases, and the many portraits that lined the walls. . . All except the portrait in Alcied's study. He wouldn't miss that one.
Hadrian shuddered in memory of that night, only a week ago now. He had wondered about his father for a while, and had been a bit upset when his mother and uncle told him that he'd been adopted, but it was understandable. At least he had two people who wanted him, and loved him. That's all Hadrian could ever ask for. Love, and acceptance.
It's all any child could truly ask for.
. . .
Willow straightened out her friend's shirt as she admired how much taller Sirius was from her. She pouted a bit at the fact of her 5'3" never quite added up to that of her brother, Siri, or James for that matter.
She shook her head at that thought, and looked up to look Siri in the eye. "Now, please remember, he's only seven. He doesn't recall anything from that night, and Alcied and I have been calling him Hadrian to hide him from Dumbledore, and Voldemort. So far, it's been working well." she said with a smile.
Sirius looked at her with more than a bit of confusion. "Why are you hiding him from Dumbledore?" he asked, a bit worried that his long time friend had sinister intentions.
She smacked his arm, hard. "What child deserves to be turned into a weapon?" she nearly hissed out, the anger making her eyes flare a bit brighter.
Sirius only looked more confused. "Dumbledore wouldn't do that to Harry." he sounded so sure. Willow's eyes narrowed dangerously. "He turned Hadrian over to muggles that want nothing to do with him. They hate magic, Siri! He'd give Hadrian's health, and happiness over to a woman who hated her sister. He'd tear apart a child to make him a weapon." her fury suddenly turned cold.
"He'd turn you over to Azkaban without demanding a trial for you." she pointed out softly, knowing her friend would hear her. Sirius had paled.
"I... I didn't think..." he trailed off forlornly, but Willow pressed on. "He knew that you and James had changed the secret keeper to Peter. He'd known all this time, and didn't say a word about it, or any word in your defense on that matter. He left you to rot, Siri." she said, her almond shaped eyes looking into Sirius's gray. "And he didn't give you the common courtesy of death, itself."
She tried to keep herself from crying, even employing a bit of the Croÿ coldness. Not that it helped any. Finally, she started to cry, and shake, but never emitting a sound. It was something she'd never allow to happen. Sobbing didn't become a Croÿ.
Sirius was shocked. All this in one night. He'd had thoughts, and doubts, but nothing this catastrophic. What Willow was telling him, made perfect sense though. Dumbledore, who had cast the darn fidelius charm in the first place, had to know who the secret keeper was. It was mandatory for the spell!
Then why? He was about to ask as much when he felt her tremble. He looked down, and her silky black bangs had fallen over her eyes. She was crying, he realized belatedly.
He wasn't sure how to comfort her, to be honest. Yes, they had been friends since diapers, but she'd never really cried around him before.
He found himself, awkwardly, hugging her. When she looked up at him, it was with watery blue eyes. "Why Siri? Why is war what we've had lead us into the future? Why couldn't we make our own choices?" she whispered to him, finally pulling back from his hug. She then gave him a smile, and dried her eyes.
If he had to admire one thing about his friend, it was that she was quick to bounce back. He opened his mouth to tell her so, but when he saw the look aimed his way, he decided not to. She smiled up at him.
"Enough of this nonsense. I'm sure you cannot wait to see your godson." she took his hand, and lead him to the study that Hadrian had curled up in.
They found him immersed into a book.
"Hadrian. There is someone I'd like you to meet." she said with a smile.
Said boy looked up, taking in the strange man standing close to his mother, even holding her hand. He decided he did not like this man.
Willow, noticing the look on her son's face, let go of Siri's hand, and moved to her son. "This man is Sirius Black. Your godfather." she said, gently taking the book, letting him know that he couldn't ignore this man.
Sirius was looking Harry over. His wide eyes were as green as the day he'd been born, regarding him with guarded curiosity. He gave him a smile, and moved to sit next to the boy.
Hadrian's eyes narrowed at this man. He didn't trust this man.
Willow, noticing this, sat on Hadrian's other side. She took his hand in hers, and held it gently. "Hadrian, Sirius is the man that your mum and dad appointed to be your godfather. He knew them both personally. He could probably tell you more about them, if you ever have questions." she said, her eyes gentle, and soft.
Hadrian's wide eyes met hers, then moved to the now nodding Sirius. "Really?" Hadrian wondered in a soft voice. "Really."
And that's now Hadrian and Sirius spent most of the night, until it was time for Hadrian to go to bed. Neither male noticed when Willow slipped out of the room.
. . .
She balanced herself, trying to keep herself together till she got to her room, feeling the numbness that usually came with what was going on.
She threw herself at the door. The only thing separating herself from her bedroom. She almost sighed in relief as the familiar cream and purples met her eyes. The dark mahogany floors were cold, and hard. Just what she needed to steady herself a bit.
She managed to get into the room, and get the door close before the numbness consumed her legs, making them buckle. She felt utterly helpless as she slid to the floor.
She decided to give into the numbness, and soon her blue eyes went opal and milky. The sight took over.
"Betrayer! There will be 3 the Betrayer contacts, chosen by whim. Soon, all shall shatter if the Betrayer succeeds. Magic will die, at the hands of muggle! Prevent this, you must!"
Then the darkness claimed her.
. . .
Alcied was not having a good day. First off, he'd been summoned by the Dark Lord. Then, he was given a hard task. Next, Sirius Black had escaped, and was now staying with them. What was he to do?
He could only protect the man for so long. It would look even worse on Hadrian if Sirius Black was seen clinging to him. If that happened, Sirius would give Hadrian's real identity away. Alcied frowned. There was only so much he could do.
Things were getting more complicated by the day.
He sighed as he moved to the potions lab that was below the study.
Opening the door, he half expected his parents to yell at him, but neither one were in their portrait. He sighed, and shrugged. Less noise, he supposed.
He then moved to the bookshelf, and tugged at a potion book, stepping back, and letting the shelf slide to the side. He moved into the opening the shelf had made, and descended into the darkened chamber. He pulled his wand out. "Lumos." he said the spell with determination, and confidence. Watching as light filled the potion chamber.
He rolled his right shoulder, limbering it up for what was to come. After all, stirring took some endurance, and a strong shoulder.
Alcied sighed, setting up his cauldron. He went to the ingredient storage closet, and began to pull out a few things.
He set down the dried beetle spleen, and began to cut it with expertise. Careful to keep the slices perfect.
After all the slices were done, he quickly set to work on pouring the dragon blood into the cauldron slowly, but steadily.
He added in five slices now, and stirred several times, counter clock wise. He then added in a few troll nails.
When it was all done, he began stirring 20 times clock wise, then another 20 counter.
He kept this up for two hours, never losing the rhythm of stirring. He was careful not to breathe on the liquid, knowing it could effect the potion.
All the while, he was wondering what this potion would be used for. The dragon's blood promoted healing, and restructuring of dead tissue, or magical cores. It all depended on what you added to it. Like dried beetle spleen, and troll nails. Both enabled your body to build up stamina.
Could the Dark Lord's core be damaged? Would this be the time to take the wounded beast down?
Alcied couldn't see himself doing it, but that didn't mean there weren't other ambitious people in the circle. He began to plot.
FIN Chapter
Oh noes! What will the devious Alcied do, and who will he drag into this? Find out in the next chapter!
Chapter Question:
What was your favorite book in the Harry Potter series, or part of said book book?