Chapter 8

It was less than a minute when she returned with four men, "Lord Black. This is Lord Voldemort of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin. You of course recognize Lord Malfoy, Lord Lestrange, and Mister Dolohov. My Lord Voldemort, this is Arcturus Black, the Lord of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."

Arcturus rose to his feet as did the nearly dozen and a half other members of the table as the Lord of the house offered his hand, "Welcome to Grimmauld Place. Please join me and my family by having a seat at the end of our table."

The four men offered short bows, and Arcturus addressed a young Lucius Malfoy, "Lord Malfoy, I was terribly sorry to hear about your father's passing. He was a good man. We may not have seen eye to eye on many matters, but I respected him as a Lord of the Wizengamot."

Lucius offered a slight bow of his head, "Your kind words mean the world to me, Lord Black. I know my father thought well of the Black clan, and I am honored to one day be a part of this ancient family."

Arcturus gave a subtle nod before turning to his other guest, "Lord Voldemort, Lord Lestrange, Mister Dolohov, a welcome to you as well. You are guests here in the Black Ancestral Home."

Short bows of acknowledgment were given by the men before together the four new arrivals strode across the room seemingly in step with one another as they took seats at the far end of the outstretched table. Voldemort took the head chair on the opposite side, and Harry couldn't seem to take his eyes off the handsome young man before him. This Voldemort was not like the one he was used to. His face was still normal, and the only distinguishable trait he actually recognized from the monster before him was the red eyes, but even those weren't as evil as they were in the future. These still had flakes of humanity and sanity in them. That did not make them any less abhorrent for Harry to look at.

A house elf appeared at the side of Arcturus and Harry nearly gasped as he took his eyes off the Dark Lord to see a much younger and healthier-looking Kreacher snapping his fingers as two bottles and two dozen glasses went across the table serving themselves. It was tradition apparently that a parley did not truly begin until drinks were served.

Once the house elf vanished, however, and everyone had a drink Voldemort began, "Lord Black, I thank you, and your noble clan for allowing me this audience. Please allow me to confess my admiration to such a powerful group of magic users. Here I even spot the heir to house Potter, and the Longbottom Lord. Of course, these great magic users are here by familial ties, but at the same time allow me to be humbled by the power that has gathered here at this table."

He gave a short bow of his head, and then turned his eyes back up in the direction of Harry's surrogate father, "Charlus Potter, I heard stories of you and your team when I was finishing up my years at Hogwarts. You were every bit the wizard I wished to grow up and become. Your prowess on the battlefield is as legendary as your unstoppable team of hit wizards and witches. I understand that Lord Longbottom, Lord Black, and your beautiful wife all served under you at one point, and I express the honor it is to speak to not just one Ancient family, but three."

Neither Charlus nor Hartfang, who Harry could definitely see a resemblance to Neville spoke, but then again no one did. Voldemort continued, "I do not wish to spend the evening expressing my admiration to the families that have gathered tonight however. I know witches and wizards of your standing get it often, and I intend to show you that I stand above the rest. My fellow witches and wizards, I come before you today to ask you a simple question. Why do we hide?"

No one bit on the question at first, so Bellatrix supplied, "Hide from what, my Lord?"

"The muggles!" Voldemort explained with a grateful nod towards Bellatrix, "We possess great gifts of extraordinary power. Our numbers have swelled in the last three decades following the great war. Purebloods are rising to a prominence that has not been seen since before the first Great War. While on the other hand, more and more Muggleborns are also appearing in our hallowed halls, and they wish to see our culture changed. They come from different backgrounds, and wish to institute their way of life upon us. Despite the fact that every year the purebloods of our country are still producing powerful children, some of whom are being swayed to see the usurper's point of view. It is time to put a stop to this in order for us to preserve our legacies. This is merely the short-term goal, though in the long term, I believe a time for us to no longer hide from the muggle world is coming."

Harry could tell Charlus was itching to say something, but remained silent and impassive. Voldemort spoke again, "The muggles out there are violent, and often cruel to each other in their ability to kill. It is because of this, when Muggleborns come into our world they see the need to make it more like their own. It is, for this reason, I suggest that we be more careful with who we let join our society."

Alphard Black snorted, "You wish to stop Muggleborns from joining the Wizarding World?"

Voldemort smiled, "No, of course not. Muggleborns are not useless. Just of a different disposition."

Harry noticed several people tense up at those words, and all of them fought against Grindelwald. Druella Black nee Rosier asked, "What would you have us do with them?"

Voldemort waved a hand, "Nothing drastic. Simple entrance interviews I think would go a long way. Get a feel for who we are bringing into our world."

Nods around the table seemed to indicate that the idea that Voldemort had proposed was not unreasonable, so the man continued, "I also think it would be prudent to perhaps separate the Muggleborns from those who were raised by witches and wizards. I believe that we could increase the speed in which the Hogwarts curriculum is administered, and in the long run create better witches and wizards through a few short generations. Allow our pureblood sons and daughters to push the bounds of magic to a point that we can make our ancestors proud."

Many of the Black family members seemed interested in this thought as well. Cygnus, Orion, and Cassiopeia even had smiles on their faces just listening to the man. Alphard Black seemed interested, but Pollux Black, who had been the one that peered into Harry's mind, had a deadly serious expression on his face. The younger Blacks in the family all kept neutral expressions as they listened, though Andromeda had become paler as the man spoke.

"Perhaps it would even be in the best interest if Hogwarts did close its doors to the Muggleborn community. I am certain in the modern age a school could be made for Muggleborns. I would even be happy to help spearhead the movement to get them a location created." Harry wanted to snort at this as the room seemed to eat up his words. At least some of them did, but the young man noticed his family did not seem to buy the honeyed words. Voldemort continued his speech, "This is merely to allow our children to push themselves with no limitations, and give them a chance to not be held back by those who did not grow up in our hallowed halls."

A hard pause allowed the room to take in what the man had said, and Harry wanted to roll his eyes at the theater of the production the man was putting on, "Then perhaps halfway through their school years, or even after their OWLs we do another interview. Perhaps even question some of their teachers as well about their behaviors. We do not wish any monsters to be hiding in the closet, as I am sure some will detest their separation from their betters."

Nods went around the table, and Harry could feel his temper rising. He glanced at Charlus who had a steely expression, and Dorea who merely gave him a meaningful look that said 'calm down, son.'

Taking a deep breath, Harry listened to the man drone on, "If we can eliminate the threat of Muggleborns coming into our world and causing violence or inciting change into our culture then I believe we are just one or two generations away from being able to come out of our hiding. It would have to be a slow, and methodical game, but that is the long-term goal. Keep careful tabs on Muggleborns over the next twenty years and over the next fifty come out of hiding, but it has to start here. We have to give our sons and daughters time to progress to their natural strengths so we are prepared for any eventuality"

Arcturus asked, "What would you do with the muggles that resisted? I fought alongside many of them in the great war, and when we joined them in battle many turned their guns on us, their allies, even after we saved their lives. They feared our power, and our differences."

"We are the dominant species, Lord Black. We are the evolution of regular men and women. We have the right to not be forced to hide like hunted animals. The problem has to begin with those of noble blood taking control of our lands." Voldemort proclaimed.

Dorea finally lost her composure and broke her silence sharply with a fake laugh, "So those who disagree we will just slaughter, right? Mass slaughter for the Greater Good rings a nice bell."

Voldemort gave the woman a patronizing smile, "Lady Potter, I assure you I am not Grindelwald. I never wish to declare open war against our own kind."

Harfang spoke next, "But you would if it helped you accomplish your goal?"

"I don't believe it would ever come to that." The man said calmly.

Harry finally broke his own silence, tired of the lies the man was uttering, "Forgive me, Voldemort, but I don't quite understand your name. Lady Bellatrix says you are the Lord Slytherin, but you go by your first name instead? Is your name Voldemort Slytherin?"

The Dark Lord turned his eyes to the young man, who met his easily, "Forgive me, James, is it?"

"Harry, actually."

Voldemort looked slightly puzzled, "Harry Black? Forgive me you have me at a disadvantage. I am unfamiliar with you."

Harry stood, "Funny I was thinking the same about you."

Harry stood and walked to the other end of the table now standing next to his mother and Arcturus, "I know of the Slytherin family quite well, Mr Voldemort. You see I possess a rather rare gift from the family, and I made it my business to discover just how I inherited it. I know there are no true descendants of the Slytherin family left, and the only way you could be related to the family is through the Gaunts. Of which there are currently no survivors. The last died in Azkaban in 1943."

Voldemort's eyes were staring into his own, and Arcturus Black asked commandingly, "Well, my nephew asked you a question Mr Voldemort, your retort?"

No one missed how Arcturus did not refer to him as Lord Voldemort this go around, and the man looked slightly irritated by the slight, "My mother was Merope Gaunt, and I possess the locket of Salazar Slytherin himself to prove my heritage."

Voldemort untangled a locket from behind his robes and Harry got a look at the Horcrux that would one day be trusted to Regulus Black. Everyone at the table admired the locket, and Voldemort looked triumphant until Cassie asked, "What of your father? Is his last name Voldemort? I am unfamiliar with that name."

Harry then spoke again, "That's because it doesn't exist. Not in any Ministry records at least."

"So you are claiming to be an expert in familial trees now?" Lord Lestrange asked sarcastically.

Harry stared down the familiar face of Rodolphus Lestrange and merely responded with a neutral tone, "Not all familial trees of course, but the Slytherin one. Absolutely. You would think more research would go into who you ally yourself with, Lord Lestrange."

The man looked ready to retort rudely, but the Dark Lord held a hand in the air to silence his outburst. The Dark Lord stared at Harry with suspicion and annoyance. Harry could spot tension in his body as if he would love nothing less than to hit Harry in the face with a killing curse right here and now, "Who are you?"

"Harry Arcturus Potter. Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lord." Harry said cheekily.

Voldemort turned to Charlus Potter, "I was unaware you had children."

"Why would you be?" Charlus asked challengingly.

Harry bit back the grin that threatened to come over his face. The Dark Lord however responded, "My mother was killed by her brother, Morfin Gaunt, for allowing a member of the Avery family to defile her. It is a well-documented Ministry case."

Harry spotted the lie, and realized the Ministry files were likely already forged. This was why no one ever realized he was a half-blood. He faked the documents, and either changed the memories of Lord Avery, or convinced him to back him somehow before the man died.

Callidora Longbottom spoke after several moments of silence, "Coming from the Avery and Slytherin lines you must be well versed in the Dark Arts."

Voldemort gave the woman a smile, "I admit that I have delved into Salazaar Slytherin's work possibly more than anyone ever before me. Not all could be considered Dark Magic however."

Arcturus spoke calmly, "I admit myself surprised to find the heir to Slytherin. To possess so many of his works and tomes, yet my goblin contacts left me unaware the Slytherin vaults had been reactivated. Do you plan to take the Slytherin seat in the Wizengamot?"

Harry wondered if he was wrong, and there were actually differences in this world, but Voldemort shook his head, "To activate the Slytherin vaults I have to meet a very set of specific circumstances. I have read extensively on these things in the journals of my ancestors. I believe in time it will be accomplishable, but not yet."

Charlus then asked, "If you don't have access to Slytherin vaults, how have you come across so many works from Salazar Slytherin? There are less than a dozen known tomes from the man known to Wizarding Britain, and they would all be extremely expensive to obtain. The Black and Potter fortunes combined would barely be able to buy all of them without bankrupting the families."

Voldemort smiled, and was clearly happy this line of questioning happened, "I, of course, found my ancestor's legendary Chamber within the school. I found many impressive works that hadn't been touched in centuries."

Everyone looked impressed at this, even Charlus and Dorea. Harry however rolled his eyes, and prepared a strike, "In 1945, Rubeus Hagrid went to Azkaban and had his wand snapped for unleashing Slytherin's Monster. Something only the heir of Slytherin could do."

Voldemort twitched at the mention of this, "Hagrid was harboring a dangerous acromantula in a school full of children. You continue to surprise me Mr Potter with your knowledge of such events. Albus Dumbledore himself kept that event under wraps very well."

Harry grinned at the man, "Funny you mention the acromantula. I was unaware they were able to petrify students, or kill them with a single glance. I only know one creature in our world that could do such a thing, and it certainly isn't a spider."

Voldemort now looked irritated and hissed out, "Perhaps I will call for my faithful familiar, and let her have lunch."

Harry immediately shot back, "I have dealt with a basilisk in the past, and I would hate to rob you of such a faithful companion."

Voldemort visibly flinched at this, "The gift you received from Slytherin house was parseltongue."

"Glad we are on the same page now, My Lord."

No one missed the tone in which he spat those words. Voldemort considered the boy for several moments, "I could share many talents with you of the parseltongue language, and teach you magic you never dreamed of my young friend. You have courage very worthy of your family's history. I could use someone like you on my side."

Charlus then spoke back, "I can assure you that no Potter will ever take up wands against the Muggleborn community, or the muggle community at large. Our family were barons to the queen of England centuries ago, and we are loyal to her magistrate and this government. The International Statute of Secrecy is in place for a reason beyond us just hiding in our communities. It would be a bloodbath unlike the world has ever seen. Plus, I didn't hear what you would do to these Muggleborns who didn't appear for these supposed interviews, and truth be told, I don't think I want to."

Voldemort looked very displeased by the man's answer, and he turned to Lord Black next, "My Lord Black, I would very much like it if you and I could speak one to one with each other next time. You have very promising witches and wizards in your family that I think would prove to be great additions to our cause."

Arcturus seemed to consider his next words very carefully as all eyes were on him, "It seems, Voldemort, that you need to work on your sales pitch. My brother in all but blood, and his son seem to have provided many concrete problems with your plans, and I suggest you iron those out before coming to speak to me or this clan again. As for my family members...they are all free to do as they please. Though I expect each of them to remember not to disgrace the Black Clan."

At this Arcturus looked right at Bellatrix, and then back to Voldemort. Voldemort looked like he was seething on the inside, "Very well. I hope we can speak again, Lord Black. It was an honor to be among this esteemed body of witches and wizards."

With that Voldemort snapped his fingers and his three guests rose to their feet. This was followed by Arcturus standing and once again all members of the table rose next. Voldemort did not try and shake the man's hand as his small squad of people departed.

When Harry felt the man leave the wards he took a sigh of relief, and felt the tension slowly leave his body. Cassie immediately said, "Charlus, I like your son. Any chance you will send him off to me so I can make a man out of him? I have heard marvelous things about what parselmouths can do."

This made Harry blush fire engine red while Arcturus and Charlus roared with laughter. Alphard Black was grinning but spoke, "The man's background does not add up. It is a good thing Mr Potter was here to shed light on the Slytherin Line. I would've been much more open to hearing his methods until I realized just how much the man had to hide."

Arcturus then looked towards Cygnus, "I implore you to rethink the marriage contract between our family and the Malfoys. I gave you the rights to your children at birth, and I stand by that decision, but I fear the Malfoys will be knee-deep in any coming conflict with the Ministry. A conflict Narcissa could quickly find herself in the middle of."

Cygnus nodded, and Narcissa looked horrified, "I will of course take your wisdom into account as always Uncle. Bellatrix, can you tell us anything else about this man, this Voldemort?"

Bella looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and everyone was looking at her. She grumbled, "I don't know much else about him. Only rumors."

Dorea spoke sharply, "Why lie, girl, if you have nothing to hide?"

Arcturus looked angrily at the girl, but she steeled her nerves clearly in the face of all these people, "I know this man wields great power. He is a parselmouth, and his symbol is indeed the calling card that lit up the sky the other night."

Orion spoke softly, "Three people were killed under that mark."

"Muggles." Bellatrix said distastefully, and Harry caught Andromeda giving her a dirty look.

Harry then spoke, "Mum's right though. Mass slaughter for the greater good. This man is taking steps at repeating history."

Bellatrix stood quickly with her wand coming out, "Good. Maybe this time he will get the job done."

Harry's wand was in his hand in a flash as he shot to his feet, "The Black family are not sheep, Bellatrix. This man is a coward hiding in the shadows of better witches and wizards."

Knowing Harry had antagonized the girl he prepared to block a spell that was coming, but Bellatrix was thrown backwards and everyone at the table shot to their feet in alarm, drawing their own wands. Harry didn't understand what was happening, but clearly, everyone else did. Arcturus was out of his seat and thundering towards the downed girl, "You idiot girl, did you forget you can't attack anyone with Black blood in this house without having control of the wards?"

Bellatrix looked more like her future self now and seemed like she wanted nothing more than to claw the man's eyes out, but waited till she got back to her feet before speaking again, "I have seen the magic this man can do, and we would all be foolish not to raise our wands with him."

"Even if he is a half-blood? Even if his father could be something as lowly as a muggle? Surely you were not foolish enough to buy the load of dragon shit he was spewing about being a part of the Avery family?" Harry asked coldly.

The girl in question looked livid at the insinuation, "If he lied then, and Lord Avery covered for him, don't you think it was for a good reason? Did you consider his father could've just been an evil and cruel man, and he doesn't like to discuss such things with strangers?"

Harry shook his head, "Such a simple thing would not have caused him to change Ministry archive records. If that was even true, what he did would've taken an immense amount of influence or money, and that seems like a lot of effort to just hide a shitty father. If that is the case then you ask him since you two seemed close. You seem closer to him than any of us. Figure it out, and let us know if it's a heritage worth following."

Bellatrix looked like she had been slapped, but then stormed out of the room towards the front door clearly intent on apparating away.

Arcturus looked troubled at this point, "Blanket neutrality for now. No one is to take up wands with this man until more is discovered about him and his intentions. Is that clear?"

Nods of assent were given all around the room, and Arcturus nodded, "Good quick thinking, Harry. Perhaps Bellatrix will think twice and begin asking her own questions. She was always a stubborn girl. Alphard, with you taking the Defense post at Hogwarts this year you may want to put this lad through the ringer. He is gifted, and has trained with his father for years. I fear he may find the normal lesson plans lacking."

Charlus offered, "Feel free to hit him as hard as you want."

Harry glared at his father, and the man chuckled while Alphard looked happy, "I would be happy to. Would be a waste to see such a promising wizard of house Potter and Black go to waste. Maybe you can whip up these nephews of mine. Regulus and Sirius may need all the help they can get."

Andromeda grinned, "Don't forget your niece, Uncle. I may also want some lessons with Mister Potter."

Harry gave a nod of the head, "I would be happy to work with you Miss Black."

"Please call me Andi."

"Harry, then, of course."

The two shared a smile and Cassie snorted as she grabbed her bag from the table, "Looks like I already lost my chances. Well, family, please call me next time if we are going to have another meeting this exciting. This is the most fun I've had in ages!"

(A/N) Discord is already up three chapters! So if you want to read FREE advanced content join me on discord today! In Discord you could also offer some insight on some scenes you would like to see in this story, so please drop in. If you want to see how Harry is fairing in his classes at Hogwarts in the new timeline join me on for just 1$ a month and read through chapter 15! If you want to see more of where this story is heading please give me a look at Pat(reon) OrionB15. Until then I will see you all in two weeks. Cheers!

Discord.

gg/

nzdkzPpu5j