The Third Way: Arrival (Prequel)

by Snens32

Two souls from the future are reborn in 1975 and their births alone already cause a butterfly effect. Soon it will be their time to actively change history but for now they are too young. Follow Arcturus Black and many other characters as they try to survive the First Blood War. Will the war turn out different with a changed Sirius and in extension a changed House Black?

31. Chapter 31

Chapter 31:

A/N: Overlooked some issues in my notes and just realised that a few of the following scenes should have come before the Wizengamot scene in last chapter. Hope you don't mind jumping back a few weeks in the timeline.

7th October 1976, London (England), Buckingham Palace:

In Queen Elizabeth II's office, a room filled with elegant furnishings and shelves adorned with books and memorabilia, she sat at her desk engrossed in her daily tasks. The room was a sanctuary for her, a place where she could focus on matters at hand. As she went through her morning routine, her thoughts were momentarily interrupted by the soft pop and she looked up to see a middle-aged man standing before her. Her regal composure held firm as she suppressed the instinct to call for security, realizing that his sudden appearance indicated magical abilities against which her security was likely not able to do anything against. Sometimes it was frustrating to know how much power the magicals could hold over them if they wanted.

Her curiosity was immense however so she arched an eyebrow and inquired, "May I ask who you are, sir? It is quite unusual for someone to appear in my office unannounced."

The man bowed slightly and introduced himself with a respectful tone, "Your Majesty, I am Vahan Eisenhower, heir of House Eisenhower. I come from the magical community in America, where noble titles still hold some significance though the nobles in the Magical Congress of the Unites States of America don't have anything near the power the nobles in Magical Britain have."

The Queen's interest was immediately captured by this revelation. Though she was aware of the magical world and that it had it's intricacies, the notion of a powerful magical nobility intrigued her. She motioned for Vahan to take a seat and gestured for him to continue.

Engaging in polite small talk, discussing their respective countries and their unique magical societies, the Queen and Vahan established a rapport. Their conversation revealed shared interests and a mutual respect for the delicate balance between the magical and non-magical worlds.

After a moment, Vahan took a breath, preparing to delve into the purpose of his appearance. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and a sense of anticipation lingered in the air. The Queen leaned forward, her gaze fixed intently on Vahan, awaiting his explanation who didn't make her wait for too long.

„2 days ago there were death eater attacks on two noble families, the Burkes and the Pyrites. For context the now deceased Lord Bisonis Burke recently created a new and ministry aligned faction within the Wizengamot. As we can see this has displeased the Dark Lord known as Voldemort and understandably so as this faction together with the votes of the ministry employees has a large number of votes at their disposal. The Burke family is now almost completely dead with only one member remaining and Bertram Burke is likely only alive because he is a death eater if you will believe the rumours that have been around for some time. Additionally Burke Manor's upper floors collapsed during the attack. The reason for the attack on the Pyrites is uncertain but they were likely attacked due to their close ties to the Burkes. The Pyrites suffered a similiar fate to the Burkes with only two teenagers remaining alive, one who is still at Hogwarts and the other who lives in a flat in Diagon Alley and was thus also not at his childhood home when it was attacked. Both sides lost plenty of fighters during the attacks. Half of the aurors that went to Pyrites Courthouse to help out are now dead while allies of the Burkes aswell as a vigilante group who tried to save the Burkes lost a few members during the fight at Burk Manor before the collapse happened. Voldemort didn't come out of this without losses of his own however as my contact in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement told me. Nethertheless the ministry is once again in chaos at the moment and Magical Britain is in an uproar. Anything else you would like to know your majesty?"

Elizabeth's head swam in the large amount of information she just got. There were several questions in her head but she was content with asking the most pressing one for now.

„I am unsure on what this means for Magical Britain and to us by extension. Would you elaborate please Heir Eisenhower?" Queen Elizabeth inquired, her tone revealing a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Of course Ma'am." Vahan replied, nodding respectfully. „Besides the loss of human life and magical potential? Hard to say but the Umbridge family won't have it easy for a while. Auror Umbridge was found dead in the same room as the body of his grandson Levithian. What may prove to be problematical for the family is that Levithian was wearing death eater garb. This information is only somewhat believable as it comes from a pair of aurors who went back to investigate before more death eaters came and gained control of the property. Anyway, both the Pyrites and the Burke families will be going through an even more difficult time. The Burke family is completely dead except Bertram who like I said is probably a death eater and will join Voldemort's Wizengamot block during the next meeting. The Pyrites are in a similiar position, Adolphus is the only male member remaining and will most likely soon going to be under the influence of the Dark Lord. As I already said the only difference is that he has a sister who is alive and at Hogwarts"

"Wait Adolphus? The man is named Adolphus? Like Adolf Hitler?" Queen Elizabeth expressed her surprise, her mind connecting the dots between the name and a now historical figure she despised with her entire being. How anyone could still name their child as such was beyond her.

'But then again the Magicals probably never heard of the atrocities that monster committed' she thought to herself.

Vahan pondered for a moment before responding, "Adolf Hitler hmmm... Ohhh you mean that muggle of yours that was helped to power by Grindelwald?" Another name she had never heard of. Curiousity peaked, she asked, "Who is Grindelwald and what did he have to do with Hitler?"

"Oh Gellert Grindelwald was an immensely powerful dark lord throughout the 30s and 40s who conquered much of Magical Europe until he was defeated by Albus Dumbledore, who is now the Headmaster of Hogwarts, in 1945. The specific relationship between Grindelwald and and Hitler isn't entirely known but they worked together atleast"

"I learn more and more interesting things about the connection between our societies every day. Anyway how does the entire thing affect the political landscape of Magical Britain? And you still haven't told me what this means for us on the normal side here"

"I apologise your majesty." Vahan responded, realizing he had not fully addressed her concerns. „This situation has only minimal impact on the non magical world as this isn't really something that either side could fully call a victory. For Magical Britain well... Voldemort's traditionalist faction will likely add 13 votes to their tally which brings their voting power to 73. It makes them the most powerful united faction, ahead of the Progressives and the Dark Moderates but they are not nearly strong enough to pass laws by themselves yet."

"So we don't have to worry about the Magical Government falling?" she asked sighing in relief.

"Not anytime soon.. well from the Wizengamot atleast." Vahan reassured her. He hesitated for a moment after that however, „The Ministry itself is another question but for now it stands as a formidable enemy, who knows how long that will last though. Voldemort most likely already has followers amongst the lower to mid ranks of the Ministry, it's only a matter of time before he helps those to influential positions. It may happen in two, five, ten years or even later but if the ministry doesn't get rid of the corruption it will inevitably fall at some point in the future."

The gravity of the situation sank in for Queen Elizabeth, who now understood the fragility of the magical world's political structure. She contemplated the potential consequences, realizing the need for unity and resilience in both the magical and non-magical realms.

„Is there anything else you wish to talk about your majesty?" Vahan asked seeing the contemplating look on her face.

„No, thank you for asking though. You have given me much to think about Heir Eisenhower. I thank you for coming."

„Such was the deal you made with my father, your majesty"

„Then I wish you a good day, Heir Eisenhower"

Knowing a dismissal when it happened he wished her a good day aswell and apparated away leaving a silent queen behind wishing for the rest of the day to be uneventful.

**Scene Break**

12th October 1976, England, Pyrites Graveyard:

The air was heavy with grief as the mourners gathered at the quiet funeral of the Pyrites. The atmosphere was solemn. The graveyard of the Pyrites was in a secluded clearing in the heart of an ancient forest and had once been chosen for its natural beauty and serene ambiance. Generations of Pyrites had been buried here upon their deaths and so the Pyrites Graveyard occupied a large area.

The funeral procession proceeded slowly, led by a group of witches and wizards dressed in traditional black robes. They carried with them lit wands, casting a gentle, flickering light that illuminated the path and created an otherworldly aura. There were no speeches. There was only silence and small, whispered conversations.

Jennifer, dressed in a flowing black dress, stood to the side, her tears flowing freely. She clutched a small bouquet of white lilies, symbolizing purity and innocence, in her trembling hands. Her sobs echoed through the quiet clearing, a heartbreaking melody of sorrow, mingling with the cries of other family friends who had lost people close to them.

Adolphus, standing at a distance, watched Jennifer with a mixture of conflicting emotions. His face remained impassive, hiding the storm raging within. His eyes burned with a deep, smoldering anger, fueled by his desire for revenge. Revenge for what you may ask but if you did he wouldn't have had an answer. Beneath the mask of indifference, a flicker of regret and longing flickered momentarily.

As the funeral ceremony continued a flock of enchanted birds was conjured and perched on the surrounding branches, their mournful melodies filling the air. At last, Johnathan Pyrites was layed to rest besides his wife and with that the attendees lit their wands in respect and in mourning.

As the ceremony came to an end, a soft hush fell over the attendees. Jennifer's tears subsided, replaced by a profound sense of emptiness and longing. She laid the bouquet of lilies atop a marble gravestone adorned with the Pyrites' family crest, a symbol of their heritage and unity.

Slowly one by one the attendees left the site until only a young man dressed in formal robes was left. Silently, Adolphus stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the gravestone. A conflicted mix of grief and rage surged within him. He placed his hand on the gravestone of his parents, his fingers grazing the cold surface, before pulling away. With a solemn nod, he retreated back into the shadows, his heart heavy with unresolved emotions.

The funeral concluded, leaving behind a lingering sense of loss and an unspoken vow to honor the memory of those who had fallen. The enchanting atmosphere slowly dissipated, returning the forest to its usual state of quiet eeriness.

**Scene Break**

16th October 1976, Cork (Ireland), O'Hara Caislean / O'Hara Manor

Lord Colm O'Hara and Lady Saoirse O'Hara sat nervously in their opulent drawing room, awaiting the arrival of the most feared dark wizard of their time, Lord Voldemort. The room was adorned with ancestral portraits and rich tapestries, reflecting the O'Hara family's long and prestigious lineage.

„What has both of you so nervous today, descendant?" a magical portrait of Colm's ancestor Seamus O'Hara said with a grin. He loved teasing them about almost anything they did or didn't do.

„We are soon going to host one of the most dangerous wizards in the world"

„Indeed? Well that is certainly an understandable reason for feeling nervous. Tell me more Colm" Seamus mused curiously, his face showing no humour now.

„He calls himself Voldemort but noone really knows his real name so everyone's just going with it. Over in Britain they fear him so much already they started calling him You-Know-Who a while ago. He made his campaign of blood purism public around 6 years ago and started with infrequent terrorist attacks. With time those grew more and more frequent as he gathered more and more followers until he attacked Hogsmeade about a month ago. Just 2 weeks ago he led massive attacks on an english noble family after the Lord of said family had created an anti-Voldemort faction in their comhairliamhar."

„You say he's a believer of blood purism?" asked a thoughtful Seamus to which Colm just nodded, „Then I believe it is prudent to atleast help finance such a campaign. From what you and your father before you told me over the years, the nobility has steadily been losing power over the last 70 years and this might be our chance of reclaiming some of that power"

„But ancestor he is only seeking to gain power in Britain not in Ireland"

„Pff as if. Men like Voldemort are always the same. It wouldn't surprise me if this is his first step into controlling Ireland aswell. Who knows maybe he will follow into this Grindelwald fellows' footsteps and tries to take over the entirety of Europe"

„You seem to speak of experience ancestor. Was there a dark lord around during your time on Earth aswell?"

„Indeed though perhaps I ought to mention that it was a Dark Lady and not a Dark Lord. Zara Khavari, later known as the Veiled Serpent, was a Dark Lady who began her pursuit of knowledge and power in the early 1780s. By 1789 she and her followers called shadows were pretty much in power in her homeland Persia. In the 1790s she went to Europe to get more followers as the continent was in upheavel and it worked out but it also got them in the sights of the ICW. Within the next few years she expanded her power to India, the Ottoman Empire, Armenia and Georgea. But her rule became unstable during the 1800s as she had overextended her forces too quickly and slowly but surely the ICW hit wizard squads chipped away at her followers. It probably didn't help that the wizards and witches outside her homeland didn't really like her rule and rebelled. In 1813 she had to retreat back to Persia but even there the people had become discontent. She recognised her rule was coming to an end and so she took her remaining followers and escaped the incoming flood of ICW forces. They remained underground for eight years until they were discovered in 1821. Most of her followers were killed in the final battle, the rest were publicly executed along with her a year later."

**Scene Break**

As the clock ticked, their anxiety grew, until finally, with a chilling whisper, Voldemort materialized before them. It would be one of the last visits he would be doing in Ireland before he departed for Spain.

Lord O'Hara, a middle-aged man with a strong presence, greeted Voldemort with a forced smile. "My Lord, we are honored by your presence. How may we be of service to you?"

Voldemort, with an air of calculated charm, smiled back. "Ah, Lord O'Hara, Lady O'Hara, the pleasure is all mine. I have heard of the O'Hara family's immense wealth and influence, and I believe our goals align quite perfectly."

Lady O'Hara, an elegant and composed woman, inclined her head. "We are ready to listen, my Lord. Pray, enlighten us."

Voldemort paced gracefully around the room, his crimson eyes gleaming with a mix of determination and malice. "You are of course familiar with my campaign to restore our traditions and our power to what they once were. You see, dear O'Haras, my cause requires resources. The reacquisition of power comes at a price, and with your financial support, we can achieve great things together."

Lord O'Hara's brows furrowed in thought. "But what assurance can you provide us, my Lord? We must consider the safety and well-being of our family and our standing in the wizarding world. I hope you understand my Lord, I mean no offense"

Voldemort leaned closer, his voice dripping with persuasion. "I understand your concerns, Lord O'Hara. Rest assured, the benefits of aligning with me will far outweigh any risks. With my rising influence, your family will find themselves in an even more elevated position, with privileges and opportunities beyond your wildest dreams."

Lady O'Hara interjected with a mix of curiosity and caution. "And what of our daughter, Lord Voldemort? How will she fit into this equation?"

Voldemort's gaze turned to the young woman who had silently observed the exchange. He studied her intently, sensing her hidden potential. "Your daughter possesses a remarkable talent, Lady O'Hara. I watched her during the recent duelling tournament and her skills in charms and her fighting instincts are impressive. Should she join me, I can provide her with the training and guidance to unlock her full potential."

Fiona, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of ambition and fascination, stepped forward. "I am ready, my Lord. I wish to learn from you, to serve your cause."

Voldemort's smile widened, satisfied with his persuasive abilities. "Very well, my dear. Welcome to our ranks. Together, we shall achieve greatness and reshape the wizarding world."

As the O'Hara family looked at each other, torn between trepidation and the allure of power, they made their decision. Lord O'Hara extended his hand towards Voldemort, sealing their pact of financial support, while Lady O'Hara embraced their daughter, her eyes filled with both pride and concern.

Little did they know that their choice would lead them down a dark and treacherous path.

**Scene Break**

19th October 1976, Madrid (Spain), El Ministerio de Magica:

„So are you willing to join the cause?" Voldemort asked the young woman in front of him. Her family had been unable to lend their support, having lost most of their fortune a few months ago. His information may have been outdated and the meeting would have been considered a waste had he not met the raw jewel in front of him that answered to the name Lucia Garcia.

„Of course Mi Señor"

**Scene Break**

22nd October 1976, Valencia (Spain):

Voldemort applied a cooling charm on his clothes as the hot atmosphere of Valencia greeted him. Immediately after apparating to this location he followed the instructions given to him personally by Luis Rodriguez. Entering the suburbs of muggle Valencia he scoffed at the idea of a pureblood family hiding literally amongst muggles. He pointedly ignored that the Blacks back in Britain were basically doing the same. An hour of politics later and he had a new follower, a young man named Carlos.

**Scene Break**

23rd October 1976, London (England), Ministry of Magic:

Arcturus Black sat in the grand chamber of the Wizengamot, observing the heated discussions unfolding before him. The room buzzed with tension as the aftermath of the recent attacks weighed heavily on everyone's minds. Bartemius Crouch had called for an additional session, his usually somewhat composed behavious was absolutely shattered by his aunt Pia's tragic death during the attack on the Burkes. Now he stood in front of the Wizengamot, his voice filled with malice and hatred.

"I propose," Crouch declared, his voice trembling with emotion, "that the Aurors be granted the authority to use the Unforgivable Curses without fear of punishment. We are in a time of war, and we cannot afford to hold back when our lives and the lives of our loved ones are at stake."

A murmur spread through the chamber, with some nodding in agreement, while others exchanged skeptical glances. The proposal struck at the heart of a fundamental debate on the boundaries of magical law enforcement.

Arcturus rose from his seat, his voice firm and steady. "I must oppose this proposal. While I understand the anguish and desperation we feel in the face of these attacks, we cannot abandon our principles and resort to the very darkness we fight against."

Arcturus Black, known for his unwavering principles, clenched his jaw, ready to defend his stance further. It wasn't needed though as for once the Wizengamot didn't immediately descend into childish bickering, instead the vote would be held after a thirty minute break where alliances could discuss how they were going to vote.

His earlier words had resonated with his loyal allies, and the members of the Black family's voting block stood alongside him in staunch opposition. When the vote failed by a significant margin, with many other Wizengamot members sharing Arcturus' concerns. Here is who voted what:

Ministry Alliance: Ay

Progressives: Nay

Light Moderates: Ay

True Moderates: Nay

Dark Moderates: Nay

Traditionalists: Nay

Unaligned: Majority Nay

But the discussions were far from over. Nathan Bones who was a respected and moderate member rose from his seat, his voice filled with determination. "If we already don't want to use the unforgivables then we need another advantage. It is perhaps time for us to seek assistance from the International Confederation of Wizards. We cannot face these threats alone. Let us approach them for aid, for strategic cooperation, and united action."

The chamber fell into silence, the weight of Bones' proposal hanging in the air. Arcturus glanced at his loyal followers, contemplating the best course of action. This time, he decided on a different approach. Rather than opposing the proposal outright, he chose to abstain from voting, allowing the rest of the Wizengamot to decide.

As the votes were cast thirty minutes later, the proposal failed to pass, but this time the margin was narrow. It was a sign that the sentiment within the Wizengamot was shifting, that the need for external assistance was becoming more apparent. Here is who voted for what:

Ministry Alliance: Nay

Progressives: Ay

Light Moderates: Ay

True Moderates: Nay

Dark Moderates: Abstained

Traditionalists: Nay

Unaligned: Evenly split between Ay and Nay

Arcturus leaned back in his seat, a mix of determination and concern etched on his face. The future of the wizarding world was at stake, and he understood that difficult choices lay ahead. As time went on he found himself more and more unwilling to stand aside as Britain burned. But he didn't feel it was time to act just yet. He prepared himself for the battles to come, knowing that unity and wise decision-making would be crucial to overcome the looming darkness.

**Scene Break**

25th October 1976, Wales, Evergreen Residence:

"Are you sure this is the right place?" asked Christopher Weasley glancing around at the unassuming exterior of the house. His fellow auror, Andres Shellford, stood beside him, scanning the surroundings.

The recent battles had convinced them that they needed to do more against You-Know-Who and what better way was there than to join a little known vigilante group lead by probably the only one who could defeat You-Know-Who in a one on one. Now they were at what they presumed to be the Evergreen Residence which was owned by Mara Evergreen, an order member. She had recently decided to let Albus Dumbledore host it as a temporary headquarters for the order and so it had been cut off from the floo for more protection. This however meant that anyone who wanted to get there needed to either apparate there or take a portkey there. The Evergreen Residence also had anti-portkey wards up around it and apparition required you to visually picture the place you want to apparate to in your mind. Couldn't do that when you have never been there, could you?

"Well we followed Albus' instructions so yeah that should be the place we're looking for" said Andres his voice filled with confidence. He adjusted the strap of his wand holster, preparing himself for any potential surprises. You could never be too cautious after all.

Christopher nodded, his gaze shifting to the protective wards encircling the residence. "I've heard Mara Evergreen is quite skilled with defensive enchantments. No wonder she offered her home as the temporary headquarters for the Order."

Andres nodded in agreement. "It's a smart move, especially with the increasing threat from You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. This place will hopefully provide us with better protection."

Taking a deep breath, Christopher stepped forward and reached for the front door, his hand hesitating for a moment. "Once we step inside, there's no turning back. We'll officially join the Order and put ourselves directly in the line of fire."

Andres placed a reassuring hand on Christopher's shoulder. "We've trained for this, my friend. We've seen the dark forces at work, and it's our duty to fight against them. We're not alone in this. The Order is filled with brave and capable wizards and witches."

Christopher nodded, his determination resurfacing. "You're right, Andres. We have a chance to make a difference, to protect our loved ones and the entire wizarding world. Let's do this."

With a shared nod, the two aurors entered the Evergreen Residence, their footsteps echoing in the hallway. The air inside felt charged with anticipation, a mix of determination and trepidation.

As they made their way through the house, they encountered unfamiliar faces — probably Order members who had arrived before them, discussing strategy and sharing information with eachother. The two nodded at each person getting nods of respect in return. The atmosphere was serious, but there was also a sense of camaraderie and resilience.

Finally, Christopher and Andres found themselves in a room filled with assembled members of the Order. Albus Dumbledore sat at the head of the long table, his presence commanding attention.

Dumbledore's eyes met Christopher's and Andres's, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he stood up . "I hereby begin today's meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. I am happy to announce that, as you might have already guessed, as of today three more faces join our group. Let's welcome Frank Longbottom, Christopher Weasley and Andres Shellford. Christopher and Andres, Your skill and dedication at the battle at the Pyrites Courthouse have not gone unnoticed. You may have had to retreat but I have it on good authority that you and the others cost Voldemort a lot of his followers that day. Frank, your academic results and reputation at Hogwarts speak for themselves and I will be glad to have your defensive capabalities aiding me in battle coming forward. Today, you three join the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix, a group committed to defending what is right and protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

Christopher felt a surge of pride and determination. This was the moment he had been preparing for — the moment he would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Order, fighting against the rising darkness.

Albus smiled at Christopher's obvious satisfaction at being a member of their order and continued.

„As you three probably don't know most of them I will just introduce the entire order to you. I am head of the order but you already knew that. Alastor Moody to my left is currently the second in command and will be the head in my absence. Next to him beginning with the nearest are Elphias Doge, Sturgis Podmore, Benjamin Fenwick and Emmeline Vance. To my right are Caradoc Dearborn, Dorcas Meadowes, Mara Evergreen and Dedalus Diggle. Members not currently here today are my brother Aberforth, Leona Alcon, Mundungus Fletcher, Rubeus Hagrid and Joanne Archer."

Andres besides Christopher stood up, his gaze fixed on Dumbledore. "We are honored to be a part of this fight, Professor. We are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety and freedom of our world."

Dumbledore chuckled as he sat back down. „Then let's continue with business and talk about what needs to be talked about. Before we do however, I must ask you three to stop calling me professor as I am simply Albus in this capabilities. I trust this won't be too much of a burden." he finished with a smile getting snorts and / or chuckles from his allies.

„Right then. Anyone with an important topic to bring up can now do so. If you do simply lit your wand."

**Scene Break**

28th October 1976, London (England), Knockturn Alley:

Dedalus Diggle stood in front of his son Lawrence's flat, unease gnawing at his heart. Lawrence usually came by every month but hadn't done so for a few weeks now and Dedalus Diggle wanted to see what was up. Remembering Lawrence's last visit he realised that his son had been quite nervous about something. So here Dedalus was, having come here hoping to see his son, but Lawrence didn't answer the door. Finally after a minute Dedalus shook his head and disabled the few protective wards around the door and entered. Not something he usually did but something about this situation was eerily similiar to what he had of a few of his drinking buddies. Just two months Orlando Carter had mentioned that his cousin had mysteriously disappeared and Orlando hadn't been the only one telling of such an occurence over the last couple of years. Dedalus looked around the property for Lawrence but he was nowhere to be found. The flat seemed deserted, its windows dark and lifeless, but the bed was neatly made and everything looked normal.

'So there hasn't been an attack here, well that's atleast somewhat reassuring' he thought to himself. You might ask why his son would be randomly attacked in his home but Dedalus was an order member and his enemies had to find out someday and everyone knew they liked to use families and friends against their enemies.

Dedalus took a deep breath, his mind racing with concern. "Lawrence," he muttered to himself. "Where could you be?" Determined to find answers, he made his way to the neighboring flats, knocking on doors and inquiring about his son.

The first neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, answered the door with a puzzled expression. After explaining his reason for being here she said "Oh, Mr. Diggle, I haven't seen Lawrence in weeks. Usually, he's such a friendly young man, always saying hello. But lately, he's been entirely absent."

Dedalus's worry deepened. "Weeks?" he repeated, his voice tinged with desperation. "That's far too long. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Henderson."

He moved to the next flat, hoping for some different news. Mr. Thompson opened the door, peering at Dedalus with a frown. "Lawrence? No, I'm afraid I haven't seen him either. He used to come by to have a chat with me about academics, but he's been quiet lately."

Dedalus's heart sank further. Each door he knocked on revealed the same information, Lawrence hadn't been seen for weeks. His mind connected the dots, and a chilling realization dawned on him. The dates coincided with the attacks on the Burkes and Pyrites. Could Lawrence have become entangled in the dangerous web of events?

With a renewed sense of urgency, Dedalus decided to take matters into his own hands. He printed missing posters with Lawrence's photo and placed them around the neighborhood, promising a reward of 50 galleons to anyone who could provide information about his son's whereabouts.

As he stapled the posters to lampposts and walls, Dedalus couldn't help but feel a mixture of anxiety and hope. He hoped that someone would come forward, that Lawrence would be found safe and sound. But a nagging sense of foreboding lingered within him, whispering that something grave might have befallen his son.

The missing posters fluttered in the wind, a silent plea for help. Dedalus stood back, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "Please, Lawrence," he murmured, his voice filled with anguish. "Wherever you are, I hope you're safe. I won't rest until I find you."

With that resolve in his heart, Dedalus continued his search, determined to uncover the truth behind his son's disappearance and bring him back home.

He couldn't lose him aswell. Not after he lost Marilyn so recently.

**Scene Break**

30th October 1976, London (England), Knockturn Alley:

By now the chaos in Magical Britain had mostly calmed down again and most magicals in Britain went back to business as usual. Not Dedalus though no on this quiet evening he had an important meeting. Tonight he was going to meet a person that had sent a letter to him saying that the man may have vital information on the location of Lawrence. Desperate for anything at this point he eagerly agreed to a meeting even if it was at a dim lit pub deep in Knockturn Alley. Only a couple of patrons were in the pub when Dedalus entered. As he sat down on one of the benches a figure across the room stood up and walked towards him.

„Mr. Diggle. A pleasure meeting you" the person said and while it's face was covered it's voice let Dedalus know he was dealing with a man.

„Before we begin I must insist on an oath not to tell anyone and I mean ANYONE about this meeting okay? Merlin knows what my Lord will do should he hear about this" the man said snorting at the end of the last sentence and Dedalus' eyes widened. That last sentence had been muffled and was clearly not meant for him so this meant... he was meeting with a death eater. Hesitation filled his body as he nervously asked, „Are you here to rob or even kill me? I speak the truth when I only want information about my son and that I am willing to pay the galleons"

„Hmpf heard that last part, didn't ya?" the man asked grumpily. He looked at Dedalus for a moment before waving dismissively „Nah looking at you robbing you ain't worth the effort and if my Lord wanted you dead he would have sent more than just me. No no, I am here without him or anyone else knowing about it cuz they'd tell someone else until he eventually hears about it and well he would probably kill me, wouldnt he? I could really use the money tho to pay off some debts so here I am"

"Oh uhm well what do you know about my son?"

„That oath first, Mr. Diggle"

Having no other choice Dedalus gave the oath before remaining silent awaiting the information the other man could give him.

"You may not like to hear it but he was a group leader at the assault on the Pyrites Courthouse and was killed there, I know that as I was in the hall when the two surviving members of his group reported of everyone's death in their group"

The room fell silent for a moment as Dedalus processed the shocking information. Lawrence, his own son, involved in such a heinous act. It couldn't be true, could it? His mind swirled with disbelief and confusion. The man before him seemed to sense his turmoil, his gruff demeanor softening just a fraction for just a second.

"You're in quite a bind, Mr. Diggle," the man said, his voice laced with a strange mix of sympathy and detachment. "I know this news is difficult to accept, but I wouldn't lie to you about something like this. Your son was there, leading a group in that assault."

Dedalus felt a lump forming in his throat, his heart heavy with a mix of sorrow and anger. "No... Lawrence would never do something so vile," he whispered, almost to himself.

"Wait what? Oh, Ohhh." The man began chuckling lightly before getting a hold on himself „I apologise Mr. Diggle but man this is funny. And here your family is listed as sympathetic to our cause. Listen man as long as you don't act against us I don't care about you and I don't care whether you believe me or not. Now give me the reward and I'll be on my way alright? Oh and like I said let's keep this meeting between us okay?"

Dedalus hesitated for a moment, grappling with conflicting emotions. He wanted to demand more information, to understand how his son could have been involved. But the man's warning about the consequences of sharing this meeting lingered in his mind. Perhaps it was indeed better to keep this encounter a secret, for now at least.

"Yeah.. I think that might be better for the both of us. Thank you"

"Goodbye Diggle it was a pleasure doing business with you" the man said and within seconds the man was walking out of the pub leaving Dedalus behind, grieving for his son and mentally berating him for being so stupid as to involve himself with the death eaters.

**Scene Break**