A/N: So, this is late, again. Sorry.
Chapter 8: Reconciliation
Lilly hesitated outside the door. Her hand raised to knock, but she couldn't. Her son had been absent in her life for almost nine years. She shuddered. It was a wonder he was even able to rehabilitate at all. She stepped back as the door opened revealing the neatly gelled hair of Draco Malfoy.
"He's asleep. Don't disturb him. And don't let Potter in either. He'll only cause Dalen more distress." Draco hissed at Lilly. She peeked around the door, trying desperately to see the child she had unknowingly forgotten.
"Oh for Merlin's sake. I never said you couldn't go in. Honestly muggleborns." The pure blood scion murmured under his breath, carefully glancing around.
Lilly entered the room slowly. Dalen lay on the bed, curled around his teddy bear, his black hair fanned out behind him on the pillow. He was beautiful. Lilly felt a tear escape her eye. She had hurt him so much, no matter how much she had tried to tell herself that she wasn't at fault, the doubt kept popping up and drowning her. But here was the proof. The solid proof that she was a monster, she had let this happen under her roof and not even wondered why her soul seemed to cry at the small hours of the night. The sheets on the bed rustled and she was faced with two very red eyes.
"Harry?" She whispered. His eyes faded from red to brown in curiosity. It was obvious that he hadn't heard the name in a very long time. She was about to reach out to him when something behind her grabbed Dalens attention causing him to draw away from her.
"He won't recognize the name. He only knew that name for four years, the rest of the time he didn't have a name. Those years outweighed any recollection of his humanity." Severus spoke softly, Lilly covered her mouth in horror. She hadn't seen the scars or the first hand results of James Potters sadism, she had obviously underestimated the long term effects of her husbands tortures. Dalen slowly drew towards her, careful to keep physical contact at a minimum.
"Ma..." He whispered cautiously, so unsure and confused.
"Yes sweet heart, your ma. I am here child, I will never let anyone hurt you again." Lilly reached out slowly but immediately drew back when Dalen flinched away reflexively. Cautiously she tried again.
"Come on sweetheart. I won't hurt you, I just want to hold you again child... Please." Lilly begged Dalen, tears in her eyes.
"Ma? Ma! MA!" Dalen cried out, whether in fear or happiness she could not tell, until he had lurched forwards into her arms. He was shaking, crying and whimpering, his terror and the painful hold Lilly had taken mingled with the relief and pure joy of seeing the only person who had cared for him before his years in the cell. Lilly carded her fingers through his hair and held him close. Allowing her tears to fall onto his hair.
"Oh my sweet child. I am so sorry, so sorry." She repeated her apologies until his breathing evened out and he became limp in her arms. Asleep.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
Remus paced on the hearth, fearfully awaiting his meeting with the Dark Lord.
He felt Moony howl and tear at his walls in rage. His cub had been hurt. One of his pack had been tortured. His pack had betrayed him and for once, Remus listened to the wolf. He was alpha of the pack, he would protect them all with everything he had, even from other pack mates. Sirius Black had harmed his cub, he would pay dearly for his madness and his prejudice.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
"The Dark Lord will see you now." The house elf vanished as soon as she had given her message. Remus gulped embarrassingly loudly, the he knocked.
"Enter." The words were calm and slightly bored sounding, which calmed Remus's nerves a little. He shakily pushed the doors open and entered the Dark Lords study. He sat calmly behind the desk and Lucius Malfoy sat in one of the armchair in front of Him. The both were relaxed seemingly uncaring about his presence in the room.
"Sit." Once again the order was obeyed hastily and shakily, fear was pooling in the bottom of his stomach. The Dark Lord watched his movements with a raised eyebrow, as if he was saying 'really?' Once Remus had sunken into the comfortable chair did Voldemort start to truly study him.
"You said you had information about Sirius Black's whereabouts. Can you betray your old friend like that? Truly?" Lucius purred, his silken voice mocking his claim. Remus merely nodded, then he gained the courage to speak.
"Yes. I can. The hurt the boy I see as my cub first! James Potter has been aptly punished, but his partner must also be stopped. The young man I knew on the schoolyard no longer exists. In his place is a blinded madman, who cannot decipher an ally from an enemy any longer. The Black Family madness has taken hold. There is nothing to be done." Remus spoke, he kept his voice respectful and even. Moony howled in triumph inside. The following silence was tense as Voldemort and lucius shared covert glances. Each coming to a similar conclusion.
"So... Lord Black poses as a threat to the general public, Mr Lupin? Is that what you are telling us?" Lucius carefully phrased the question carefully. Remus nodded again mainly too tired and shocked to reply with words. Once again the silence was tense and Remus vowed to not close his eyes longer than a blink, but now it was becoming difficult to keep that promise. Finally, Voldemort spoke.
"The Blacks legendary madness strikes again. Another potential ally lost. But I will not have him anywhere near my son ever again!" The conversation seemed more focused inwards until the Dark Lord stood swiftly. "Tell me everything on Sirius Black Lupin. I also need the old order safe houses and Lucius, have your wife draw up a list of all the existing Black properties. I will have Ms Evans give us anywhere sirius would likely take up residency in. The hunt for Sirius Black has begun, and I want to find him. Because when I do. I'm gonna kill him!" Lucius nodded and left to carry out his orders and Remus Lupin along with Voldemort spoke on Sirius Black. The notorious child abuser. Yes, revenge would be sweet, Remus contemplated.. He grinned internally, showing his canines threateningly. Sirius Black would pay.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
Nick sat awkwardly across from Draco. The crackling fire was the only noise in the room.
"So..." Draco raised his eyebrow at Nicholas's attempt at making conversation. He let out a puff of air before standing quickly.
"You are the adopted brother of my god brother then. Unfortunately that means we are practically family and should act at least like proper pure bloods. Or half-bloods, in your case... So in that case... Hello I am Draco Malfoy, pleasure to meet you." Nicholas stared open mouthed at the hand Draco had presented to him. It was obvious he wanted to start over, or at least call a truce to their rivalry.
"Hi, um... I'm Nick Potter. Nice to meet you?" Draco rolled his eyes at he feeble attempt at a greeting. For a Potter he should at least know proper etiquette. Nick shook his hand unsurely, his face the picture of confusion.
"Now that that has been taken care of. I think we can agree to at least behave around each other, for Dalen at least." Draco spoke proudly and confidently, causing Nick to simply nod dumbly. "Good. Now. I must go back to Dalen." The pure blood scion strut out of the room, leaving the dumbfounded boy-who-lived staring after him.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
He was back in the cell. His father and the severe man had sent him back. Master Potter had been executed and Master Black was angry. Creature had to be punished. It was such a horrid horrid thing that it needed to be reminded of its place.
"You killed your master Freak. What do you think that deserves. A beating? No. Perhaps a bit of pain magic? No. Maybe the Monster needs to lose its fingers this time? Possibly. So many possibilities to punish the horrid thing. However, I have some friends that need to relieve a little stress. So you can help them first." Master Blacks sincerity only made Dalen shake even more. He knew what these friends wanted. He had done this often enough for Master Black and Master Potter and sometimes Master Moody, however he had never done this for so many people before.
The door to the dungeons opened. He recognized the aurors that had helped train him, then he saw the black cloaked figures that his father commanded.
"No." He whispered, standing at the top of the stairs was the blond man and his angel, the severe man was already removing his robes and his father... He couldn't breath, he couldn't move. He was frozen in panic and betrayal.
"Have fun everyone!" Master Black crowed in triumph and then swarmed into his cell. They fell on him like a pack of wild dogs on their prey. They ripped his tattered rags from his body and stared at his scars with lust, then pain.
Dalen screamed.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
Severus darted forwards as Dalen screamed. The sound was terrifying and full of pain. His eyes were pure red, shining in his panic. The he threw himself from the bed and onto his knees before Severus. He seemed desperate to get through his robes.
"NO!" Severus threw Dalen away from him at the realization of what Dalen wanted, "no." Severus stumbled backwards and fell onto the bed. His face nearly transparent.
"I would never expect that from you Dalen. Ever. Why would you, how can you... Why?" Severus begged his godson.
"You...y...you g...g...ga..gave m..m..me... You gave me b..bbe..be..ba..back." Severus shook his head. Then he gathered Dalen into his arms and embraced the stiff terrified figure,
"Never would I ever give you away to those people."Severus spat, "you can trust hat I would never do that to you, ever. Neither Lucius, your father or I expect you to... Please us. Not like that. Neither will it be used as a punishment. Child,meow can we help you to trust us?" There was no reply. Severus didn't expect one.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
Sirius was livid. He paced the ground. He couldn't return to he house in Godrics Hollow. He couldn't gather up his equipment in Grimmauld Place either. He really had nowhere to go. Moony wouldn't give him sanctuary, never in a million years would Moony aid the person who had hurt his cub. He was on his own. But this was nothing particularly new.
Wait. He had the secret lodgings that James and him had set up in case one of them was captured and killed. He could go there. It was in the outskirts of a tiny muggle village. He could safely enter the town and buy food as well as hide safely from the magical world. Yes that would work perfectly. The only issue was getting there without detection, the ministry was surely looking for him. However letting James down was not an option, he had noble work to be finished. Soon the dark scum would be vanquished and everyone would be free again. He let out a chuckle, which turned into a mad laugh. Soon he was cackling hysterically, tears running down his cheeks.
He apperated.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
The safe house was exactly the same as when he had been here last. The food in the cupboards were under stasis and the equipment was still in the same place. The small hole in the cupboard still had the cages in it. He could continue his work here, all he needed was the creature and he could finish it. The ritual only needed one more year to complete then the darkness would be obliterated and he world would know that good always triumphed over the evil.
"Well well. If it isn't "itsy Sirrus. Your insaner than even I. Has the family madness finally... Gotcha?" The mad singsong voice was unmistakable. Sirius froze where he stood, fear creeping down his back.
"How did you find me? Bellatrix."
"Oh come now cousin. I won't turn you in. In fact I have a deal for you. What do say... Cousin?"
"Oh? And what would you be getting out of this?" Sirius purred, spinning around to meet the manically grinning face of his mad cousin.
"Well, the new world will need a queen won't it? And I dearly want to show Voldemort what he could have had, instead of what he chose. It's all about revenge my cousin, and who can give it to me." Sirius smirked
"And what would I be getting out of this?
"Oh come now. Surely you haven't forgotten how trusted I am to the dark lord. I can give you information to aid in your evasion." Sirius chuckled but shook his head
"I have no need for a spy. I don't trust them. You could be a double agent for all I know." Bellatrix scowled darkly, but then her face split into a wide grin.
"I take it... You need the boy..."
~~~A Light is Born~~~
Albus sat in his office at Hogwarts, his head in his hands. He had been over to the potters at least once a week, and even he had never really cared enough about young Harry to notice that he had simply vanished off the face of the earth. He had never questioned James when he had led the rebel attacks on the information he got from a mysterious benefactor. Right at this moment he was ashamed to call himself the symbol of the light. He had, over he years, condoned torture, abuse and bullying of his students. Starting with Tom Riddle and ending with the meant ally damaged twelve year old Dalen Riddle. He had pushed Severus to the dark side with his constant favouritism, and no doubt countless others. It would stop now. He would no longer condone bullying on any part of the grounds. Never again. Not ever again.
"Fawkes will you please inform Minerva that there will be an impromptu staff meeting and then a school assembly. Classes are to be cancelled. It is time to start rectifying our past mistakes." The Phoenix chirped and then vanished in a flash of fire. Yes they would start to get things on the right track. Hogwarts would become safe again.
~~~A Light is Born~~~
The weeks continued on in the Riddle house, much the same as they had been since Dalen had arrived. Dalen grew stronger and began to trust Severus and Marvolo and even Lucius. The death eaters were still treated warily and sometimes fear. Even Lilly seemed to have a tiny bit of trust with the damaged little boy. Dalen still needed to walk with assistance and he still had trouble using the furniture when in a room with people. He still kneeled beside his father, Severus and Lucius. Bit he no longer called them master or Lord. He had even started to call Morvolo, Father. Nicholas and Draco had become sort of friends. Dalen had called Nicholas brother from the moment they met again, which resulted in a fit of jealousy from Draco until Lucius had explained to him that they probably still had a bit of a connection from when they were younger. For now there was peace, but the Dark Empire waited with baited breath for the attacks to start again. A rebellion was coming. As long as Sirius Black was at large there would not be true peace.
Marvolo watched his son play in the yard with Nicholas Potter and Draco. He was milling as he watched the three. Dalen was still recovering, he was still physically weak and vulnerable. He feared for Dalens safety constantly, but in that moment, as he watched his son laugh and smile with his friends, he was content.
TBC
A/N: Ok, so this is a bit late, but I am happy I got this out. To be honest some of the things in this chapter even surprised me. I was not expecting a little Black alliance there at all.
For reference there will be no relationship, romantic or otherwise between Sirius and Bellatrix. She is his ally and nothing more.
Also, yes Remus will be a big part of this later on. So we will be seeing more of him later. Though he may not be in the next chapter.
Thanks to all of you who favourited and followed my fanfic. And extra special shout out to everyone who reviewed. Some the questions you asked gave me a bit of inspiration to finish this chapter and give me a base on where to go with this story so thank you.
DNStalker