Again, Thank you all for the reviews. I found a lot of the information from the Harry Potter Wiki page. The Malfoy family ARE part of the Sacred 28 on that.
I'm still in two minds on where I want a particular characters development to go
I'm also considering giving my chapters titles. What do you guys think?
edited: my maths was crap
I own nothing
Hermione
Hermione was very confused but just as equally as concerned. After over five years of being best friends she thought she knew Harry. Apparently, she didn't know him as well as she thought. She was still very irritated that Harry hadn't talked to her since declaring Blood Feud three days ago. He had been absent for the majority of the last few days, often secluding himself from her and the others. She didn't like it, she thought about all the adventures they had been on over the many years and she was always at his side but this time it felt like he was leaving her behind. Logically she knew this was part of growing up, everyone has their own lives to lead after all but there was still the scared eleven-year-old girl inside her telling her that no one was actually her friend and that her bossy personality had finally driven Harry off. Thinking back to how they first met still often brought her to tears. She was really lucky that Harry had decided to go for a stroll on Hallowe'en instead of attending the feast and just happened on the her, Ron and the troll. Ron had come to try and find her to warn her about the troll, feeling guilty about making her cry when Harry heard the commotion and came to help. She still had no idea where he had learned the piercing hex that went straight through the trolls' eye but she knew she'd be eternally grateful that she wasn't a smear on the bathroom wall as Ron had frozen in fear at the side of her. Lying to the professors cemented their friendship. Harry had never commented on it though, not once.
They had become inseparable ever since. She felt much closer to Harry than to Ron. That had become evident in their fourth year when Harry came out to her when discussing having families in the future. They both knew that some people had them pegged as a future married couple given how they often were with each other. They were always hugging and touching each other. They both knew it was an anxiety thing, just making sure the other knew they were loved but others read into it wrongly. Growing up an only child was incredibly lonely, couple that with her obvious intelligence and it led to a very solitary existence. She often joked with Harry that the troll situation had actually saved her life in more ways than one. She also knew how Ron felt about her. She was waiting for him to make a move but didn't think that was likely to happen anytime soon so she was seriously considering moving on. She had already been asked out on a date twice and declined both times, she decided she wouldn't decline a third time if Ron didn't pull his finger out very soon.
Oh, where was that brother of hers? Deciding to just bite the bullet she wrote a note and called for Dobby, she hated slavery with a passion. It used to be an argument they'd have at least once a fortnight after she had found out about Harry owning Dobby. That was until Harry had exploded at her having finally had enough of her being a pain in the arse. He had silenced he, bound her to a chair and forced her to sit and listen to Harry and Dobby as they told her how idiotic she was being, how arrogant she was being as well thinking she knew better than anyone else about how a different species should live and that she didn't live in just the muggle world anymore, she was a witch and she should stop thinking they were all Muggles with Magic.
A pop signalled the Elf's appearance "Hi Dobby, could you give this to Harry please and tell him to reply" handing him the note. Dobby took the note silently and appeared with a message a few minutes later that simply said "Myrtles Bathroom, 6:30pm tonight". Good. She might finally get some answers
Ron
Ron was doing something that would have left other people speechless if they saw him. He was thinking. He was going through a very confusing time in his life lately. His best friend had seemingly decided out of nowhere to stop being a rug and letting people walk all over him. He very rarely reflected on how they had become friends. That troll was bloody huge! But he was very grateful to have not been made into a paste and had decided that he wasn't bad for a Slytherin. He deeply regretted his behaviour in fourth year though. He thought he'd gotten over his jealousy at Harry but evidently not. He knew that Harry didn't trust him as much anymore, but he had tried really hard afterwards to let Harry know he was sorry.
He was honestly very proud of Harry for finally standing up for himself, he just wished he would have had the courage to remove Snapes lips himself. Blood Feud though. That was as serious as it gets but if anyone could see their way through the pureblood mine of nonsense that comes with Blood Feud then Harry could.
His other best friend on the other hand confused him greatly. He knew that Hermione and Harry had a very weird relationship going on. He honestly didn't know what to think about it. At times they were like a married couple, finishing each other's sentences, always hugging. They even had what looked like silent conversations. Hermione had developed very nicely too over the summer. He was sure the twins weren't there before but he had caught a brief glimpse of them once when Hermione took her jumper off and had been fascinated ever since. She was always pretty to him, beautiful even and he often lamented that he was too much of a coward to tell her. He had hoped the little hints would be enough but evidently not. Women are very confusing he decided. Why couldn't they be the mind readers they expected men to be and save him the job? I mean the phrase "you know what you've done" often came from Hermione's mouth and more often than not he really didn't know.
Deciding this called for food and more thinking Ron made his way down to the kitchens to pick up a snack. Taking his broom with him he decided he'd be able to think better on the quidditch pitch. Yes, he decided, that seemed like a good plan.
Albus Dumbledore
What a week it had been so far. He couldn't remember a longer or more stressful week he'd had in a very long time. Thinking back, it was likely Hallowe'en '81 and the times after that. Sitting in his office, which was blissfully quiet at the moment, he thought about what had happened. Blood Feud being called by Harry would never have been in his top fifty guesses as an outcome for the attempted murder by Harry's dormmates. Introducing Harry to Gellert was also not something he believed he'd ever do. It was scary at times how similar Harry was to both himself and Gellert. All three of them genius', powerful, gifted with magic. All with a thirst to prove themselves. He just hoped Harry would not go down Tom and Gellert's' route.
Harry had had some fascinating insights on Toms past that he never really considered either. It really was the little things you do without thinking that shape the future. He couldn't help but think he'd massively contributed to Tom becoming Voldemort. His only defence was that he'd been frightened by Tom, even from a young age he was malicious. To think that a kind word here and there may have resulted in a different present left him feeling sad. Thinking of Tom inevitably led to him thinking of Severus. He had really tried with Severus. He knew what a horrible childhood he had had with how abusive his father Tobias was and tried his best to make Severus feel cared for. He had never had children of his own but Severus was as close as he would ever likely have gotten. Reading over the various reports in his cabinet showed just how badly he had messed up with him, and how badly he had messed up the students' lives by forcing him on them. How many prospective future Aurors, Healers and Potioneers had he sacrificed to keep one man happy? He had done more damage to the wizarding world in ten years than Voldemort did in twenty!
Looking at his ruined hand had made the decision for him. He knew he had less than a year to live so he should make sure Hogwarts and its students were left in the best hands possible. He would resign as Headmaster at Christmas. It should give him a solid four to five months to look for the final Horcrux and help Harry as much as possible. Sending a Patronus to Minerva he sat back as he pondered the upcoming conversation. Minerva wouldn't be told about his impending death but hopefully the changes of the rules would help her transition be a lot easier. Announcing his retirement after the blood feud ended was probably the wisest thing to do. It should come as suitable distraction after all. Hearing the alert ward go off he braced himself. This was necessary, it was for the greater good. "Come in Minerva"
Severus Snape
Severus Snape was terrified. He wished he'd never answered the summons but he knew that Voldemort had other ways of enforcing compliance through the Dark Mark. So, he'd apparated to Voldemort's mansion overlooking the graveyard where his resurrection had taken place and made his way to the throne room. He then had the most bizarre, frightening and awkward conversation he'd ever had. Voldemort was after performing a very strange fertility ritual to produce an heir. The ritual however required several items. A potion, a willing volunteer to carry the child and a witness to perform a spell at exactly the right time to seal the ritual.
This created several issues from the beginning. The potion was almost unheard of, only the fact Voldemort had scoured the globe decades ago looking for information on rituals had he come across this tome. The potion itself was easy to concoct. The issue however was the ingredients themselves. Several creatures' parts that were required had been extinct for centuries so finding suitable replacements was a challenge. The other issue was the final ingredient needed. Sperm from the person doing the ritual. This was the one ingredient he knew he'd never get as Voldemort was as anatomically challenged as one of those muggle ken-dolls Lily used to play with. Informing Voldemort of this had resulted in him being cruciod for nearly two minutes non-stop. Voldemort had sacrificed his genitalia decades ago performing a ritual to boost his magic. And had never got it back when his new body was reformed. He thought he would live forever so he wouldn't need an heir. It was deemed a suitable sacrifice at the time. Now, however he wanted an heir. His battles with Potter had scared him it seemed.
He'd been in his masters' house for over twenty-four hours now, going through several tomes for replacements and was very close to finding a solution for all but the final ingredient. He would just have to hope that his masters' blood would be a suitable substitute. He knew his life was forfeit should it not be. He had not asked who the willing volunteer would be but there was only one person insane enough to go along with this willingly. And the less time he spent around her the better.
The ritual would take place on Hallowe'en, Tom really loved symbolism it seemed. He had still not told his master about being sacked yet. Or about the Blood Feud. This was his way of spiting Tom. The man had killed his Lily after all and should Lucius and Draco die, he may be able to worm his way into Narcissa affections. If not, there were always potions ensuring compliance. No one ever said Severus Snape was a moral man after all.
Voldemort
He was worried. His magic was playing up lately and he had no idea what the issue was. Over the past couple of years, he'd noticed a sharp decrease in his magic output. He was still exceptionally powerful when compared to the average wizard but he knew he was losing some magical ability. Before his downfall his Merlin Index had reached 785. Doing the charm after his resurrection it had gone down to 765. He had put that down to it not being his own natural body at the time but it had gone down by another sixty points over the last two years, that was eighty points overall! This was unacceptable! if this carried on he'd be at his starting point of 685 before his rituals!
It was very worrying which was why he'd read through several of his ritual tomes looking for an answer. Finally, he'd come across the 'Heirship Ritual' and paused. Did he want an heir? Did he need an heir? He was seventy years old now, middle aged in wizards' terms and never considered sharing his future with anybody let alone any offspring. But reading the description he noticed that once his progeny reached magical maturity, he could siphon off their magic to supplement his own. He'd been without a body for ten years, waiting seventeen years to get his full power back was an acceptable delay. After all, what was seventeen years when you were going to live forever. Calling Severus, he decided to go through with it. Putting the quick arrival of Severus to one side for the moment he discussed what he wanted doing. He did not like the answers given to him in response. How dare Severus imply he was more of a wizard than he was simply because he had functioning genitlia!
It had been a suitable sacrifice decades ago to gain the boost in his magic. He had found his mental acumen increase as well without the added hormones invading his thoughts. And while it didn't stop Bellatrix trying to bed him at every opportunity it helped him have clarity in stressful situations which he considered an acceptable trade. Crucioing her every time she tried something was getting very tedious. And she seemed to enjoy being tortured a little too much. That's a level of crazy that made even him pause. Hopefully the ritual would put a stop to it. Calling Severus, he absentmindedly stroked Naginis head. Severus better have some acceptable ideas. There were many other potion masters that he could have do his bidding after all
Narcissa Malfoy
She had cried so many times over the last few days that she wondered how she hadn't withered. Her life was over. In a strange way it was almost a relief knowing that the hell she was going through was nearly over with. Potter, she had no doubts would trounce her and Draco in a duel. She was never any good at fighting. She was raised to be a perfect pureblood, a daughter of an elevated house. The reality is she was a bargaining chip for her parents and served no other purpose. She had married very well and had come to love Lucius in her own way. Lucius had had many dalliances over the years, she knew of at least three not counting the revelries his master used to put on during the first war involving captured muggle women. As long as he was discreet and kept her in her accustomed lifestyle, she could accept it. While she was no Death Eater herself, she still believed that purebloods rightfully sat atop the food chain with the muggle filth at the bottom.
She knew Potter had killed her husband. While many would think it was a bluff, designed to infuriate her and the others at the meeting she knew what he said to be true. Her wedding band had turned black a few hours before the meeting meaning only one thing. Her husband was dead. And Potter had killed him.
41 years old and her life was days away from being over. Hopefully Potter would make it quick and be merciful. Looking over at the table where two scrolls lay, she wondered if she would live to give Bellatrix hers. They were the last of who she considered true Blacks. The fact the disgrace was living a better life than she had tore her up inside. How had it come to this?
Draco Malfoy
Rage. Injustice. Loathing. Disgust. These were just a few of the emotions Draco was feeling at the moment.
He was also terrified. It only hit him at the meeting how easily Potter had disarmed and silenced him without even trying that he'd have no chance in a duel. He had been raised to believe that his blood would carry him through in life. And for the first eleven years that had held true. While his father was mistrusted by many, he was also well-respected and feared by many. He was raised to believe that being a Malfoy automatically made him better than everyone else. That also held true. At least until he started Hogwarts and Potter was placed in Slytherin. His whole belief system came down around him. He wasn't as feared as Potter was, he wasn't as respected as Potter was and not long into the year, he found out he was nowhere near as powerful as Potter was. It was intolerable.
He had ended up in the hospital wing many times in his first four years because of Potter attacking him like a common muggle. Not even the threat of detention with his Godfather worked after the second year. He thought he was gaining ground in fourth year with Potter becoming isolated due to the tournament. That was until he took down the bloody dragon and walked out of that arena unscathed. Not only that but his father told him he had duelled the Dark Lord at his resurrection to a stalemate before escaping. Last year was a breakthrough year though. Umbridge had finally put Potter in his place, Draco had become the leader because Voldemort was back and the house dynamics had changed. Potter though was unmoved on his stance and continued to fight back against his authority. Draco knew something big was going to happen though, his father had said as much so it was only a matter of time before Potter was out of his way and he would rule Hogwarts. And then his father got caught in full Death Eater garb by Potter at the ministry along with many others of the Dark Lords faithful and Potter was back on top again.
The loss of Black seemed to have changed something in Potter. He had become more focused, more studious and more powerful. Draco knew that he couldn't outfight Potter but he knew he could outsmart him. Draco knew the laws that benefited purebloods, his father had help push most through after all so he knew he'd be protected at Hogwarts. He just hadn't accounted for Potter knowing the pureblood laws too. How the hell did he know about Blood Feud?
His mother had withdrawn into herself the last few days. She had told him that the Malfoy family no longer supported the Dark Lord. He couldn't believe that his own mother had turned Blood Traitor! She had confiscated his wand, ordered the house elves to ignore him and blocked off the floo. Well, there was no other option available to him. He needed to find a way of getting a message to the Dark Lord. He was the only person who could help him kill Potter and release him from the Blood Feud
Lucius Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy didn't think anything because he was currently without a working brain
Bellatrix Lestrange
Bellatrix was very concerned. After the fiasco at the Ministry, she had been punished extremely severely. Her master had tortured her for several days before throwing her through the floo back to her home. His rage was terrible to behold. She had been given a simple task, one job to do. That was to retrieve the prophecy after Potter had taken it off the shelf. But because she was surrounded by incompetents it had gone wrong. They vastly outnumbered those students and still came away empty handed and her master had lost his entire inner circle bar her at the same time. They should have all opened fire the minute the prophecy was lifted from its holding but no, Lucius had to grandstand, didn't he? He just had to talk to Potter and in doing so they lost the element of surprise and with it any advantage they may have held. If they'd have gone with her plan of all open fire while she summoned the orb this would have all been sorted, she would now be at her master's side revelling in their certain victory over the wizarding world due to the loss of their saviour.
She was hoping for a way to make it up to her master when a wave of magic hit her throwing her heavily onto the floor. She immediately felt very weak and lost consciousness. It took half an hour for her to regain her bearings and wake up. Wondering just what had happened her immediate thought was to go find her master and see if he knew what was wrong but then she remembered he had ordered her to heal up as he had need of her very soon. Calling Narcissa was a no go too, she was at a meeting at Gringotts according to the elf. She had no one else to turn to. Just what had happened to her? She suddenly felt very nauseous. Calling her elf, she ordered a drink. Maybe she was dehydrated? She would have to wait until later on to call Narcissa. Hopefully she might know what the issue was.
Deciding to go lie down and sleep whatever it was off she passed a mirror on the way. Glancing in it she stopped suddenly. Was that her? What had happened to her? Her eyes were no longer violet, they were brown, her hair had lost the black sheen to it and was now a dull brown and her skin was no longer as pale as it was before. Calling her elf to her she asked it if it knew what had happened
"Mistress is no longer a Black, the magic has been called back to the Lord of the house" came the reply before the elf quickly popped away knowing that her death was very likely soon to happen with that news. She popped away not a minute too soon before she heard a shout, several curses being thrown around and a lot of smashing happening.
Eventually Bellatrix's rage died down and the reality hit her as her legs gave way underneath her as she burst into tears. She was no longer a Black, it was all she had known her entire life. She was raised to believe she was better than everyone else due to her surname. What had happened? She would have to go to Gringotts and find out very soon. The Goblins didn't care about her being a criminal due to her bank vault being full. She decided to have a nap and call on Narcissa later on. Hopefully she knew what had happened