Welcome back!
I've gotten a staggering amount of support for the chapters, and I'm thankful for it all. It is heart warming to have gotten such inspiring feedback.
Adding a new warning! While it's far from lemony, it does get a bit warm.
Disclaimer still holds true. . . Sadly.
Question, as always, is at the bottom.
Now for 4: Distinctly Immune
Willow Croÿ watched her son's unbridled joy as he flew around the designated area of the manor grounds on his new toy broom. She couldn't help the smile as Sirius cheered him on. The emotions of watching her son preform his heart stopping stunts varied like a roller coaster.
Several times, she was tempted to call him down, but had to hold herself back. Boys needed their dangerous fun, but it didn't stop a mother's worry. She let her blue eyes follow his form. Even if he wasn't going more than 10ft off of the ground, stranger accidents had happened around Hadrian.
She, briefly, wondered where her brother had gone at 2 in the afternoon. He'd been acting strange lately, but then again, he'd always been strange. She smiled at that thought. Brothers, enough to drive you nuts sometimes.
She looked up to the sky, watching the clouds slowly roll by, but listening for any sign of trouble. She basked in the peace, and content of it all.
As if she'd thought to soon, the sky turned red, and the clouds an ominous black. Everything stilled, even the light breeze that had been blowing had stopped, holding it's self as if in fear.
She looked around for Hadrian, and Sirius, noticing that the sounds had stopped as well. When she didn't see them, she realized what had happened.
'Another vision.' she thought to herself.
It was the heat that snapped her out of her thoughts, then the slowly building roar of fire. Distant screams caught her ear, filling her heart with dread.
She looked around, trying to find someone, or something familiar, but what she saw chilled her more than anything.
Alcied! He was killing everyone around him with magic, and a sword. The screams were coming from his victims! Everything was burning, not just the light, or darkness, but everything. What was going on?!
She looked around, and noticed Sirius' still form. He was clutching Hadrian to him, holding him, as if to protect him, but both bodies were still. A sob wretched itself from her. No!
This felt to real, to vivid to be another vision, but she had to remind her self that it was.
She stood on shaky legs, trying her hardest to choke back a sob. She would never rid herself of the sight of Alcied licking the blood of her loved ones off of his sword!
She ran towards her brother, trying to reach for him, desperate to prove that it wasn't truly him. An imposter! It had to be!
This man couldn't have been her brother!
Running faster, she fell into his range. Desperate to stop this man, parading around as her brother, she didn't even notice when the blade had gone through her stomach. She reached down, feeling the steel, and wetness of the situation, realizing that he had stabbed her!
She looked into his eyes, to see his fierce pain, and unrestrained love. She reached for his face, but he quickly shoved her back. "All will fall before me! Even you, beloved." he said harshly, and her eyes fell shut.
"This cannot come to pass, Seer. Stop him, at all cost. Magic demands so." an ethereal voice called out to her as darkness attempted to swallow her whole.
. . .
Frightened emerald eyes were the first thing she saw, when coming to. Immediately, her pale arms, though trembling wrapped around her son, offering him her warmth, and comfort, and to hide the tears that wanted to fall. She looked for Sirius, and soon met with his blue grey eyes filled with worry.
They were alive! They were both OK. It was going to be OK! This was the mantra she repeated to herself to help stop said trembling.
"Wisp! Still having those visions of yours, I see." he commented. She felt Hadrian bury himself deeper into her arms. She cooed to him, offering her seven year old son love and comfort.
"I'm fine now, duckling. I'm fine." she repeated for him, even going so far as to refer to a nickname that he didn't like. He only burrowed more, as if trying to ascertain her presence for himself. She ran her hands through his raven hair, rocking him slightly. She was glad to have him in her arms, making certain for herself that he was fine.
She hated making the decision she had to make, but from what she had gathered, things had to be done. She would have to leave Hadrian soon, and that thought broke her heart, so she allowed him to act amiss. She looked to Sirius, and motioned that they would talk soon.
She would do whatever it took to make sure that that vision never came to pass.
. . .
Sirius Black was hardly what you would call a worry wart. He often let the world drift across his consciousness, but never truly took it to heart. Years in Azkaban hadn't helped that.
So it was with worry that he watched Willow pace across the floor in one of the many studies. He noticed that this one, unlike the rest, held no portraits. He raised an eyebrow at that thought. This must be important if Willow wanted to keep this private.
He watched as Willow settled herself across from him after they had tucked Hadrian in. She looked a frightful mess. And Sirius knew his friend could do with a hug, or a strong drink. He'd decide which after she told him what was going on. It's a good thing they had made sure Hadrian was asleep, even if he wouldn't let go of his mother's hand until dreams had whisked him away.
It was odd. Acting as a father figure to a child. He'd never really pictured himself as a father, especially to his best friend's son. But, as Willow had pointed out, strange things tended to happen. It was best to accept it as it came, and move on quickly.
He almost chucked, but Willow looked pretty shaken. He waited patiently for her to begin.
"Siri... We are all in danger, and I fear that Alcied is at the heart of it." she says, her eyes forlorn, and almost hopeless.
"What does Alcied have to do with it?" he wondered, his eyes narrowed. Of course Alcied would try to pull something stupid. Willow only shook her head.
"I'm not sure. He hasn't been home in two days. I'm worried, so I'm going to follow him, to find out what he's up to." she says. She then leveled Sirius with a serious look.
"I need something from you, Siri." she said, and he felt his magic stirring, answering the call of hers. An unbreakable vow! She wasn't kidding about this.
"Anything, Willow. Name it." He may regret those words later, but for now, it was the time for action.
"Take care of Hadrian. Train him in the ways of magic, both dark, and light. Teach him how to be a pureblood, and the art of deception." she asked. "I know you know these lessons well, Siri." she said as he went to deny it.
"The world is in danger, and Hadrian is the only way to stop the turmoil churning in the winds. I can't guarantee I can stop what Alcied is doing, but I can put a major hindrance in it. Something tells me he's gone to far, and magic will punish him severely." she said in a sad whisper.
Siri could only gawk at her, and he ached to reach out for her, to hold her close. He refrained, silently reminding himself that she had to get out what was on her mind. Besides, she'd probably kick him if he tried.
She looked to him, her eyes lost, and searching. "I know it's pointless to say this, but I wish James were here." she said in a helpless whisper. Sirius nodded, feeling this sentiment rang true for the both of them.
"Willow, I can do a lot of what you ask of me, but I can't teach Hadrian dark magic." he whispered. Her eyes narrowed.
"He will demand it. If you don't, someone else will, and it's safer if you teach him, other than someone like Lucius Malfoy." she said, ice in her voice. Sirius paled.
"When you put it like that!" he said edged. "It's just... Do you really want to put him down that path at such a young age? What would James and Lilly think of this?"
Willow stared at him as if he'd grown another head. "A few simple dark spells when he's 10, and then, during the holidays, teach him the more advanced once he goes to Hogwarts. James and Lilly would want their son to be as protected as he can get, without sticking him in a bubble." she hissed.
"How will we hide him from Dumbledore?" he asked. She gave him a smile. "Leave that to me!" she said with a cheeriness that Sirius found endearing.
. . .
Alcied leaned back against the chair in the pub, nursing his first whiskey sour. He only looked up when the chair across from him moved, allowing his present company to take his seat.
Yaxley's scrunched face is what met his midnight eyes. He let them trail over Yaxley. "Looking rough, old friend." he commented softly. Yaxley shot him a dirty look. "You try working tirelessly for our boss." he hissed out.
Alcied smiled at him, letting that boyish grin sink in. "I can help you with that." Yaxley shot him a grin. "Not now, Croÿ. We are here on business." he chucked. Alcied shrugged. "Your loss."
Yaxley growled. "Enough joking around. You wanted me here for a reason." he said with a serious look aimed at his friend. Alcied quickly put up a privacy charm around them. Yaxley's eyes widened, but only slightly.
Alcied straightened up, his broad, well muscled shoulders tightening. "Yes. Yaxley, about our boss. Have you noticed him acting odd?" he wondered, and Yaxley nodded. "He's done a 180 in his planning processes. Instead of searching for Harry Potter, we were told to lay low, act as if he were still gone, and do nothing in his name. Those caught doing something would be severely punished. There are whispers that he's scared, or that he's gone soft." he said with a shrug.
Alcied offered him a piece of parchment, the same that the Dark Lord had given him. Yaxley took it, with a bit of a wary stare, silently wondering what Alcied was hinting at.
After reading it, he frowned in confusion. "I don't understand." he said. He'd never been good at potions. Alcied nodded, as if he'd expected it.
"His core is at it's weakest. These potions are meant to quickly restore, and even strengthen one's magical core." he said, watching Yaxley for his reaction.
He didn't disappoint Alcied as a skeptical frown crossed his face. "I usually never am one to doubt you, but this information... It's to incredible. Before I even think about it, I'm going to need proof, Alc." he said, handing the parchment back to the man across from him.
Alcied took it, and nodded. "I had thought as much. Have you noticed his daily schedule? He has medical exams almost weekly." he pointed out.
Yaxley nodded. "Yes. There are only a few of us actually allowed at the manor during those medical exams though." This caught Alcied's attention.
"Do you know who?" he wondered. Yaxley nodded.
"Snape, Malfoy, and Rookwood." he said, tilting his head, wondering where his friend was trying to lead him.
Alcied grinned. "I figured Snape would be working on some potions for him. And he's the perfect person to talk to." he said with a chuckle. Yaxley frowned. He almost felt sorry for Snape.
Almost.
. . .
Severus Snape was in a particularly foul mood that evening. He had gone out to pick up some things from Diagon Alley, when a familiar face had found him. Why could his mistakes never leave him alone?
Alcied, as if hearing the potion master's thoughts, locked eyes with his dark orbs. Snape almost shivered. His almond shaped midnight eyes seemed to pin him to the spot, while his amazingly kissable lips were pulled into an almost cruel smirk.
The man was a tanned Adonis, and he knew it.
He almost winced when Alcied nodded to an abandoned, shadowed nook in the alley's long stretch. He frowned at the command in those cold midnight eyes.
He found his legs automatically moving for the nook, his eyes flicking around, making sure that no one was paying him any attention, and was glad that no one was.
A few minuets after he'd settled in the tight area, a hard, warm, and achingly familiar chest was pressed against his, and a privacy spell placed.
"What do you want?" he growled out. The answering dark chuckle that echoed through Alcied's chest, and into his own almost made Snape's breath come short. He didn't want to deal with this man again.
A big, tanned hand hooked under his chin, and pulled his face, eyes and all up towards his midnight ones. "Don't hide from me, Snape. The last time you tried that, we ended up in a precarious position. Unless you want a repeat?" he said with another chuckle. Snape growled, trying to wrench his face away from this devil, parading as a man.
He wouldn't offer up excuses for what had happened, but he wouldn't let the other man parade that around in front if his face. "You mean when you took advantage of me in my state of mourning, and we made love?"
Alcied saw through his bluff. "It was not love, Snape. It was sex. Hard, hot, and sticky. The least you could do is face that fact like a man." he said with an amused smile.
Snape snarled and swung his eyes to meet midnight in a furious haze. "How dare you!" For all his ire, Alcied only grinned. "I dare, Snape. I dared to take you to my bed that night, hoping to offer you some sort of distraction from Lilly's death. I dared to attempt to bring out a side of you that you'd never even explored." he said huskily, leaning over Snape's shorter form.
Snape had never been violent, but the temptation to strike out at this man was a siren's song. Thankfully, he had more will than most men.
With all the wind taken out of his sails, Snape sagged. He was tired, and Alcied had to hold him up.
For all of his acid towards the man, Alcied didn't truly hate him. Hate meant he had to feel something in the first place for the man now leaning against him. There was no one in his heart, save two.
But telling this man that fact wouldn't help his cause in the long run, so he decided to play nice. For now.
"I came here to talk to you. Maybe strike a deal with you." he offered softly. Snape pulled himself together, quickly, making Alcied straighten up as he stood taller, even if Alcied still towered over him. "What do you want?" he snarled.
"You see to Voldemort's medical exams, correct?" Alcied received a nod. "Do you keep results?" he wondered softly.
Snape again nodded. "I have to keep the results as to predict any potions that his condition may require."
Alcied grinned, victory almost within his grasp. "I want a copy of those results." he said softly. Snape, as close as he was to the man, almost missed what he said. "What? Why would you want those results?"
Alcied sneered at the shorter male. "The Dark Lord has set me to a task for him. I need the results to determine what ingredients I should substitute, as not to impede his progress." he said, logic backing his words soundly.
Snape frowned. "He'd give them to you, if he was truly worried about it." he reasoned, and Alcied cursed the man's intelligence.
"Why would it matter to you why I want it? You work for the Order of the Phoenix anyway. So even if it were to harm him, it would only benefit your order." Alcied pointed out. Snape, honing his years of spying, kept himself from showing any sign of guilt, or strife. "You certainly are taking liberties, throwing false accusations around like that." he said in an even tone.
Alcied pressed himself fully against Snape, his eyes narrowed. "I know you, Snape. I know what you did to Lilly Evans. How you sold her out to our Lord. What you promised her." he said, his voice cold and dark. It reverberated through Snape's very core, making him shudder. "I know how to break your occlumency shields, and bear your every thought to the Dark Lord." he threatened, and both knew it wasn't an empty one.
At this, Snape did pale. The Croÿ family were masters of mind, soul, and body magics. It was something they made sure to excel in.
All Snape could do is give his consent to give Alcied a copy of the medical results.
Unfortunately for them, or fortunately enough for Snape, Willow was sitting on the small patio of the local tea shop right across from that nook. She watched the two men, able to accurately read their lips, and was severely disappointed in her twin.
She now knew what she'd have to do, and it wouldn't be pretty. Alcied would have to be punished, and harshly, or magic would kill him for sure.
. . .
Snape was a bit shaky after his meeting with the eldest Croÿ twin, so you can imagine his ire when the youngest was waiting for him at the door to his home.
She was carrying a picnic basket, patiently waiting for him to approach. Looking up to him, she offered him one of the most warming smiles he'd seen in quite a while. A lot of people tended to act coldly to you when they thought you were a Death Eater.
He approached slowly. He may have been weak against Alcied, but he wouldn't be over powered by the weaker, and lesser willed Willow. His guard was up, and he was ready for anything she could throw at him.
"May I come in?" she asked softly. He eyed her, and then his door. Muggles were staring at her, and he could understand why.
She was beautiful in her own right, and apparently motherhood had done wonders for her, even still. She gave off a soft glow, and her skin, while pale was healthy, her cheeks rosy. Her blue eyes were warm with kindness. Her small, straight nose had a soft pink blush going across it, meaning that she'd been standing in the September cold for, at least, half an hour. The gentle set to her plump pink lips was attractive on her angular face.
Her lithe form, like that of a small dancer, was standing in a relaxed pose. Her body language offering no negative information.
She was warmth, where Alcied was ice.
Severus was weary, but invited her in, anyway.
Once he opened the door, the candles that lined the walls flickered to life, casting a cheery glow on the otherwise unwelcoming living room. Drab grey walls, and mahogany floors did nothing to warm the weary soul.
Willow looked around, and noticed that Snape was leading her to a different part of his home. She didn't feel out of bounds with this though. She knew that Severus was not the type of man to take his anger of her brother out on her, unless he had a good reason to do so.
When he stopped at a set of double doors, she briefly wondered why he'd not settled in the living room. Once he opened said doors, her question had been answered. A library.
Snape strode into the room that was more home to him than the entire house. With his confident stride, he moved quickly across the expansive oak floors, and moved to the cream colored couch, and two high backed chairs, also cream in color, sitting in front of a fireplace. Willow followed, not to far behind.
He settled into one of the chairs, leaning against it, and waving his hand at the fire, letting his wandless magic light it for him. If he was going to deal with her, he was going to do it in comfort, damn it.
He watched as she pulled her wand from her sleeve holster, and conjure a small table to set the basket down on. "What is it you want?" he asked gruffly.
She smiled at him, despite his attitude as she tucked her wand back into it's holster. "I know it's been a while since the last time we talked." she said, and he had to keep from rolling his eyes. That had been a very awkward conversation after he'd stumbled out of Alcied's room, and straight into her.
Severus almost growled. "I remember it well." he commented.
She gave Severus a sad smile. "I know what you and Alcied discussed." she offered up, and Severus did pale. "What are you trying to pull?" he hissed out. She held up a hand, as if asking him to wait.
"I know you are in a precarious position with the Dark Lord, and Dumbledore. I know that what Alcied asked of you would tip that position, and possibly put you in more danger. I'm offering you a way out, Severus." she said in a soft tone, her blue meeting his black, never letting the eye contact drop.
He sat back in his chair, slightly stunned at what she was offering him. "Why?" was the only thing he could manage. He couldn't imagine someone wanting to willingly help him. Least of all, the youngest Croÿ sibling.
Before answering, she opened the picnic basket, and pulled a couple of sandwiches from it, offering him one. He looked at it with distrust.
"If I wanted to poison you, Severus, I'd do it in a much more sneaky way. Say, replace one of your potions, the ones you usually take for headaches, with something a bit more deadly." she said at his look. He frowned at this, resolving to go check his potion stores after this.
She laughed softly, knowing where his thoughts had gone, simply by the way his eyes had shifted to the door. She mentally shrugged, knowing her family's reputation had taken some major damage due to her meddling ancestors.
He took the sandwich from her, and quietly began eating it, as he hadn't really had anything to eat that day. It had been a busy day.
She then pulled two whiskey glasses out, and sure enough, she pulled a bottle of firewhisky from the basket next.
Severus wondered if she'd turned into an alcoholic. He raised his eyebrow as she offered him a glass. "Going to need this after a bit." she explained softly. He nodded, and accepted the glass. She uncorked the bottle with ease, and began to pour them both a drink.
"I used to do this for my father, whenever he was stressed, as he often was with my mother about." she said with a smile. Snape snorted. Like he'd been interested in that tid bit. She shrugged.
He narrowed his eyes as she set the bottle back down, and looked him in the eye. Blue clashed with black, and it was startling for Severus. She knew he was a Legilimens. What was she playing at?
"What I'm about to tell you, is important. It has to do with Lilly Evans, and her son." she said. She immediately had his attention. "When Dumbledore dropped Harry off at his muggle relatives, Alcied stole him away. We knew what Dumbledore would want with Harry. He didn't believe that the Dark Lord had died. Not really. So he waited. He also knew what the Dark Lord had done to Harry. Severus, he turned Harry into a horcrux by accident." she said softly, pausing for Severus to digest all that he'd been told.
It took a minuet, but he nodded, telling her to continue. Severus found himself taking a big gulp of the drink she had poured him. Seer indeed. She refilled his drink before continuing on.
"We knew Dumbledore would turn the boy, a CHILD, into his weapon. We've seen Dumbledore do it before with James Potter. Manipulate the boy's surroundings, and he'll be what you mold him into. That is what Dumbledore was trying to do. You remember Petunia Dursley. You remember how she hated everything magical. Now imagine her husband, who is worse on that subject than she is, and then, you throw the very thing they hate into an environment they control. Surely, you see where this is going Severus." she asked, a sort of despair in her eyes.
Snape, while digesting, had been brought back to his own past. His father, ever the negative muggle, and everything he'd suffered through. Again, another gulp burned down his throat.
Although she as confessing to the crime of kidnapping, he couldn't really call it a crime. More like a rescue. But still... Lilly's son. The savior of the wizarding world. Of all the people, why him?
He voiced such a thing to her, and a sad smile lit her eyes.
"Part for saving him, and part for a small selfish reason. I know you and James never particularly got along, but for some reason, I loved him." she confessed. He balked at her.
One of the darkest houses, loving one of the lightest? Things just got weirder as Severus got older. What had happened to the 'infinite wisdom' that came with old age? Another gulp, and she refilled his glass once more.
Maybe he was the alcoholic?
She shook her head. "Hadrian may look like James, but there are few similarities. I think that's a good thing. James had so much anger burning just under his skin. Hadrian is always calm, even when he should be scared." she explained. "It's almost like night and day. The similarities are the evening." she said with a small laugh.
Snape almost growled. That was about all he wanted to hear about James Potter anymore. "He's got Lilly's eyes." she said, and like that, Snape's mood went even further south, but this time, guilt being more prominent.
He took a swig of his drink, yet again, hoping to drown those memories. He could only look into his glass, scorn lighting his face, when it didn't work.
"Now, I know you work for both Dumbledore, and the Dark Lord. I know your in serious danger, and what my brother has asked of you would only put you in more, certain, danger. You cannot deflect this on someone else, as there are only three of you he would suspect. Lucius wouldn't guard his thoughts from the Dark Lord. Not if he were trying to prove his innocence, and neither would Rookwood. Thus, it would be you, Severus, left. The Dark Lord wouldn't even take the chance, and would most likely kill you on the spot.
Dumbledore, is using you. Using your guilt for Lilly to hold over your head, like a string for his puppet. But Severus, I don't think Lilly would blame you forever. Don't get me wrong! She'd be down right furious with you for a while. But you and I both know she wouldn't have held it against you for this long. She'd be angry that your blaming yourself for her death."
Severus went to argue this, but Willow held a hand up.
"Yes, you heard a prophecy. Yes, you went and told it to the Dark Lord. But did you really know it would involve Lilly? Did you, even for a moment, suspect that she would be the mother of the one it talked about?" She waited patiently for his answer.
He shook his head, confused.
"No, you did not. And Lilly would have realized this. She cared for you Severus. You were one of her dearest friends." she said, and Severus paled.
"Dumbledore has just been using Lilly's memory against you." she pointed out. An anger so hot shot through him. Burning that string that Dumbledore held against him.
He looked to Willow. "But what do you want out of all of this?" he said. She nodded. No time like the present.
"Do as Alcied has asked of you. But the results you bring him will be false." she said, her eyes finally lowering to the floor, in sadness. "They will tell Alcied that yes, the Dark Lord's core is faltering, and failing, even though you and I both know that it is not."
He gawked at her again. She was plotting against her own brother?! When had the world turned on it's axis, and not told him? He took a longer gulp, and looked her her abandoned glass. It was sitting, still full, on the table.
"My brother has become to ambitious. He thinks that he can take both Dumbledore, and the Dark Lord down. We already have evidence on Dumbledore, so it's merely a matter of bringing the Dark Lord down. Unfortunately, magic won't stand for this. It's not ready to replace the Dark Lord, just yet." she saw Severus' confused look.
"When a Light Lord, or a Dark Lord are taken down, that leaves a void, or a gap in magic's flow. Therefore, to fix said gap, magic replaces said person with another." she explained. Severus nodded, letting her know he was following her logic.
She gave a grim smile. "When Alcied receives those results, he will take them to others, proving that the Dark Lord is weak, and now is the time to take him down. He will rally a small support group to his side. Imagine his surprise, when he finds out that the Dark Lord is far from weakened." she said, and Severus took a certain glee in this. Alcied finally brought to his proud knees was something Severus looked forward too.
She tilted her head at the gleeful smile on his face. It was kind of scary to see. She shook her head.
Severus schooled his face, leaving only a slight bit of wonder on it. "How do you know all of this?" Willow looked up at him. "I have true seer blood in me. We are the insightful. The few that can actually make sense of, and remember the visions we are sent. My father was also one." she explained, and Severus nodded, and then his thoughts took a turn.
"What are you going to do with Hadrian. He will need magical education." he explained, at this Willow's face took on a brilliant smile. Severus thought it sort of scary.
"I was hoping, that I may have your help with that. I need you to protect him from Dumbledore while he's at Hogwarts. I am already teaching him Occlumency, so that will not be a problem. He's got Lilly's talents when it comes to that field." she said.
Severus frowned. "What do you mean protect?" She sighed. "I think he'll be placed in Slytherin. He met Draco, and they have become fast friends. You know that it's the will of the person that effects the decision." she said. "Magic is based off of the will, and intent of the caster. So, the magic of the hat will bend to the will of the one wearing it, and Hadrian has a strong will." she laughed.
"When I say protect, I mean keep Dumbledore from finding out that he is really Harry Potter. Keep Hadrian under the radar, so to speak. The further from Dumbledore's notice, the better. I know he looks like James Potter, but I can fix that." she said softly.
He nodded as she connected the dots for him. He felt like someone just learning magic when it came to her. Like she was so finely in tune with it, but Alcied was nothing like that. He promised to examine the difference between them later, now he must plan.
He would protect Lilly's son. He would help bring Alcied to his knees. And he'd try to keep the glee from doing so under wraps.
"You have my agreement, and my loyalty with this. I will not fail Lilly Potter, or her son." he offered, and took the unbreakable vow to prove it.
. . .
Tom watched with red eyes as his followers bowed and scrapped before him. He was disgusted with them, but not all to surprised at their behavior, and was ecstatic that his glamor gave him the features of a snake.
If his followers found out that he was in his 15 year old body, there would be a riot on his hands. He mentally sighed. Good help was definitely hard to find these days.
It was his surprise when Willow Croÿ was escorted in by Lucius Malfoy. She looked elegant, gliding beside the Malfoy lord. He frowned. What would the Lady Croÿ want with him? He didn't like the unannounced visit, but he knew that, as Dark Lord, he'd have to put up with the insufferable sometimes. Now, it appeared, was one of those times.
When Lucius, and Willow made it to the base of his throne, they both bowed low, showing their supposed respect. He almost rolled his eyes.
"My Lord." Willow's soft voice was quiet, but still seemed to reach the ears of all around. He wondered if she was using magic. "I bring you grim news." she said, eying everyone in the room, and then meeting his. He nearly growled. How dare this woman tell him that this should be private. He waved his hands, sending everyone nearly scrambling from the room. "You may go Lucius." he dismissed the man.
Said man nodded, and left as well, leaving Willow and Lord Voldemort alone. She only rose when the Dark Lord beckoned her to do so.
She met his eyes, her blue wide, but not fearful. He briefly wondered if her mind had been addled. It would explain somethings, such as Alcied's behavior.
She tilted her head, and nodded, as if listening to someone speaking, and agreeing with what they just said. She smiled softly at the Dark Lord. "My Lord, I offer my congratulations on recovering your form. Might I add, that you look every bit as charming as you were described to be? I also would like to add my condolences for my family. Their betrayal to your cause was due to a vision my father had received, but had misinterpreted. His idiocy has led us into far darker times than he had thought. That, however does not excuse my brother."
He was surprised that she could see through the glamor, or could she? He wasn't sure. Mayhaps that comment had been sarcastic? He wasn't to sure, but he was now a bit more guarded around this woman.
She paused, waiting for the Dark Lord's reaction. Her face fell. "Or his betrayal." she whispered, but it was loud enough for the Dark Lord to hear.
Anger made the Dark Lord's magic swirl up like a scorpion's tail about to strike. "Explain!" he hissed out.
She nodded. "My brother is a fool. He means to protect Hadrian, and myself, but he's a fool. He doesn't realize that magic will kill him, if someone does not punish him in kind. Thus I am here to offer you said punishment. Myself." she said, lowering her eyes to the floor, finally, in a submissive move.
His magic softened. "You would offer yourself as a punishment to your brother?" he asked, it was in dark amusement. She nodded. "What worse fate then to go throughout life with only half of you, knowing that it is your fault?" she asked, and he almost laughed.
"You would willingly subject your brother to such cruelty?" She winced, but nodded. "Magic would do far worse to him." she explained.
The Dark Lord nodded, knowing that magic was not kind to those whom would upset her balance, and even worse to one who was not part of said balance. Alcied Croÿ was definitely not part of that balance.
Willow, waited for the Dark Lord's decision, silently praying for his acceptance. She wanted to weep, her death would mean separation from Hadrian. She could only imagine what it would put Hadrian through.
In all honesty, she had started to curse her brother's name. He didn't realize that he was upsetting her plans, and that this upset was killing all he wished to protect. She wanted to rage at her brother, but knew she would be unable to change his mind. He would simply lock her in her room with no escape, and no way to falter his plans.
What seemed like hours, but was only two minuets, the Dark Lord stood. He nodded. "I only accept because I know what you house. I am grateful that you are keeping him safe, and this is the only reason I will spare your life." he growled out. Willow's wide eyes rose to meet his, shock written across her face.
"You think I did not realize my mistake? That I had turned Harry Potter into a horcrux? I dare say, I'm slightly insulted by that. All it took to realize that was a tug on the magic keeping it within the boy." he hissed, nodding to himself.
"I know you knew. Croÿs have always had a close connection with soul magic. How could your brother have not known? The potions I'm having him make are for the boy, actually."
Willow almost cried. "Thank you, my Lord. For taking my son into consideration." she whispered.
"I know this is presumptuous of me, but may I beg something of you?" she waited, until his nod. "I beg you not to kill him, unless he attempts your life of his own will. He is a child, my Lord. He's no say in the things he does at this point in his life. Everything is still so new to him. He may even decide to take a place at your side."
His eyes narrowed in thought. She was right. The boy was but a child. One who's magic hadn't even fully developed. How would it look if the Dark Lord were frightened enough to kill a simple child.
It wasn't as if he had planned on killing the boy if he didn't need to. The boy would grow to be powerful, and a good ally, after all.
"I will think over your request." Indeed the request of a mother. "It would be such a shame to waste your talents though." he noted. Magic began whispering into his ear.
"I will not kill you. No. I'm going to send you far away. Someplace your brother will never find you. Your magic will be hidden behind a barrier. He will not be able to feel it. You are to give me something personal of yours. Something he would know is yours. Something you'd never part with, and a bit of your blood. I will not do this half way." he hissed.
She nodded, grateful that he had spared her life. She could once again see Hadrian, one day. "You are to go with one of my most trusted, to the Slytherin manor. There, you will stay until I call for you once again. If you have any visions, you will immediately write to me, and I will summon you. You will keep your mind open to me, and never lie to me. I don't take kindly to liars." he hissed.
"Yes, my Lord."
"You have two weeks until you will be summoned again. Take care of what you must, but be careful not to alert your brother to such a thing. He must think you are simply carrying on like normal."
She looked at him with a gratefulness that made the Dark Lord feel soft, so he crucioed her.
Dark Lords were not soft.
. . .
What Tom had not told Willow was that he'd also looked into the boy's soul, and had seen something that had almost made him cry in pure joy. A feeling he was not, and would rather not reacquaint himself with again.
Purity. Something so light, and beautiful. It was etched into the boy's very being. Despite Tom's piece of soul, the darkness that it brought forth, the boy's soul was still so clean, and pure.
You can imagine his confusion when magic had told him that the boy was his, and he was this boy's. You an also imagine his fury when magic clarified and told him that he was tied to this boy, forever. Bound throughout the lifetimes they would live.
For a moment, he swore that Destiny had it out for the both of them. He had quickly shaken the thought off, so as not to invoke Destiny's attention.
Tom Riddle was not happy in the least. While his fury had died down, his ire had not. What was Fate thinking? Tying him to a boy? It made no sense to the master of dark magic.
And all this nonsense with the Croÿs. It was enough to drive a teenage Dark Lord over the edge!
He sighed, his grey eyes landing on Nagini, who was curled up by the fireplace of his study. His sanctuary.
As if sensing his eyes, her head rose, and her attention was now focused on him.
'Your thinking to much, again.' she hissed out.
'To be a snake, and not worry about the things a human does.' he teased.
'It must be those teenage hormones kicking in.' she pointed out. His eyes narrowed on her.
'Teenage style says that snake skin boots are all the rage.' He said with barely concealed humor.
'Going back to my nap now.' she conceded.
He nodded. Guiding force indeed.
For now, he had planning to do, and a Ministry to take over.
He stood from the couch he'd been lounging on, and placed another glamor on himself, this one making him look to be 20 years or so.
It was time to head off to work.
He grinned. He did so love working at the Ministry. From the inside out, he reminded himself.
END of CHAPTER!
Question!
Which is your favorite Harry Potter character, of if your like me, how many faves, and which ones?
See you in the next chapter!