Corruption
A/N: I wish to explain that yes in the synopsis it states Lilith must "conquer the realm of death" despite death being a mother figure. I will simply state that it is still going to go that way, I plan for this to be quite a dark story with betrayals of all kinds occurring. Anything that may have a trigger warning will be notified in the A/N Section of the chapters and if I happen to miss something that you believe deserves a trigger warning let me know and I will edit the chapter to have the warning.
Act 1: The Raven Queen of Slytherin
Chapter 2: Malfoy Manor
The Hogwarts curriculum offered limited information regarding the wizarding world as a whole and Lilith found herself severely disappointed in it despite having organised herself a study in her new compartment trunk. Luckily the books Vrask had informed her about made up for the standard curriculum and she spent much of the time leading up to her schooling just reading those and gaining a certain perspective about her role and where she fit in within the political climate.
Hela had brought her correspondence with Narcissa Malfoy and Draco Malfoy, while the boy her age only spoke of Quidditch and other such trivial topics, her conversations with Narcissa had been particularly enlightening. Of course, her mother had taught her the importance of knowledge being power and while she was fostering her talents in the shadows, it would be good for her to build certain connections and having her cousin's family on her side was going to be invaluable in the future.
One of her favourite things about her new little home, despite it being placed in her room in the orphanage, was that due to its very nature it obscured her use of magic. It wasn't hard to convert an empty bedroom into a place for her to practice wand magic, her lessons from her patron in shadow magic were also done in the same environment. The Mistress of Ravens was a tough mentor and while Lilith had bled on many occasions, she had never regretted her decision to accept the mantle of Champion.
The oaf had found her after most of her shopping was done and had given her the ticket for the Hogwarts Express the last thing she needed, and she pocketed it away for later before he took her back to the Orphanage. She didn't need to tell the matron or the others to leave her alone, she was able to do that with a simple glare, no chores, no distractions, only notification of when mealtimes were and when she was allowed to shower.
She was currently allowing the shadows to dance around her when her mother popped the most recent correspondence from Narcissa to herself. Pausing from her exercise she went over and opened the letter curiously. Scanning past the greetings she found herself invited to Malfoy manor for a dinner with the Malfoy's. She would meet Narcissa's husband Lucius as well as a few of his close friends and business partners. Smiling to herself, she instantly penned a response to her cousin and sent it off, Hela rolling her eyes but taking the letter none-the-less.
Back to her practicing it was, she practiced calling forth the shadows in the room and manipulating them to execute whatever she intended to do. Her grasp on ancient magic was solid due to the foundation Hela had given her years ago when she first accepted the role as Champion.
Weaving it and shaping it came natural to her now, at first it was a foreign feeling, that somehow the sickly blackness that resided within the heart of the shadows was not meant to be touched, moved or used by anyone. But with Hela's guidance and blessing she had learned; the Matron of Ravens had taught her how to harness the Darkness the world had to offer. She formed a long singular blade in front of her, the shadows dancing as it held onto her fingertips, looking as if it were a live writhing mass of blackness. She hurled it forward with practiced precision and completely sliced the test dummy she had purchased up, cutting it in half vertically and watching in fascination as it peeled in two and dropped to the ground. She wondered what it would be like to use that on a living being, how fascinating it would be to watch their bodies fall apart like that, exposing their insides. Perhaps an experiment for another time.
The invite to Malfoy Manor for the coming Friday came with the option to stay the weekend and then go to Platform 9 and 3/4 with them to board the Hogwarts Express. Something she would definitely take up; the Orphanage had its uses but the chance to be in an Ancient Magical Manor? That is not something she could give up even if it was just for a few days.
Of course, packing for the trip was easy as everything she owned of any value was now within her apartment trunk. Warded and safeguarded from any and all intruders including a layer of ancient shadow magic to protect it curtesy of Hela. She met Narcissa Malfoy out the front of the Orphanage Friday afternoon wearing one of her best dresses that she had purchased, it wasn't anything extravagant yet as she had yet to actually spend time getting herself a wardrobe but she found the simple emerald lace up maxi-dress wasn't too bad for a semi-casual occasion.
"You look lovely dear," Narcissa greeted with a smile.
"Thanks Aunt Cissy," Lilith replied, Narcissa had insisted of being called Cissy or Aunt Cissy and Lilith didn't mind.
"Take my hand, take a deep breath as well we're going to apparrated," Narcissa said, Lilith raised an eyebrow, having read about what apparating was, basically teleportation.
She took a deep breath in as instructed then felt herself getting pulled and shoved through what felt like a needle thin tube before being expelled in a violent way and suddenly she was outside the front of what was a beautiful mansion, albino peacocks strutting about in the front garden which was adorned with beautifully kept hedges and shrubs. Of course, this beautiful sight was ruined as Lilith doubled over and dry heaved from the experience of being apparated. She would take shadow walking any-day over apparating. The feeling of nausea finally subsided, and she looked to see an amused Narcissa holding out a glass of water.
"It's like that for everyone first time, you'll get used to it," she said.
"Not bloody likely," Lilith murmured and Narcissa chuckled.
"Come, my husband is eager to meet you and Draco hasn't stopped talking to his friends about you," Narcissa said.
Lilith followed Narcissa into the manor, taking note of the various pieces of artwork both paintings and of other more physical creativity such as sculptures and vases, the odd piece of technology or intricate ancient looking jewel. It would seem Malfoy Manor displayed quite the treasure trove.
Lucius Malfoy was a proud man; his blonde hair shoulder length and he had his signature cane next to him as he sat on a comfortable lounge chair along with a few of his associates. Old friends of his including the man who sat in what could be considered the most extravagant chair within the lounge. Their eyes all turning to the door as they heard footsteps approaching and soon enough Narcissa entered followed by the girl he had heard so much about. Standing and approaching Narcissa he greeted her with a deep kiss before greeting the child.
"You must be Miss Potter, it's a pleasure to officially meet you. I'm Lord Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa's husband and Draco's father," he said to her, Lilith gave a polite curtsey, an action that had him surprised even as he eyed the Raven on her shoulder with interest.
"Pleasure to meet you my Lord, I'm Heiress Lilith Persephone Potter of houses Potter and Black," she replied, he raised an eyebrow in surprise at her level of decorum.
"Allow me to introduce you to some associates and close friends of mine, you'll be in Hogwarts with many of their kids. This is Lord Gregory Goyle senior and Lord Betrand Crabb," he said gesturing to two large, bodied men who nodded, not saying much. Lilith gave her own polite nod.
"Lord Thaddeus Nott and Lord Roland Parkinson," again another polite nod from the two men sitting next to Lord Crabb and Lord Goyle.
"This is Lord Rodolphus Lestrange and his wife Lady Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black, Narcissa's older sister," He moved on to the couple in the room.
"Pleased to meet you Lilith," Rodolphus said nodding his head as he raised a cup of tea to salute her. Bellatrix's response was more… extravagant.
"Another daughter of House Black! I'm so thrilled!" Bellatrix surged forward and picked Lilith up in an almost crushing hug, causing her to lose most of the air in her lungs and Hela protesting in the air beside her.
"I can't wait to teach you all about being a daughter of House Black, have you been to the vault yet? Have you picked out a set of daggers? All daughters of House Black must have and know how to use them…" she began rambling on while holding Lilith.
"Bella, that's enough. Let the girl down," a silky deep voice said in a stern tone and the woman stopped and put Lilith down. She turned to the final occupant of the room, his slick black hair, his aristocratic features and clean-shaven face, he looked regal and like he commanded the room, but the slight red tint in his eyes were a tell that something dangerous was always present.
"My apologies my Lord," Bellatrix bowed before pouting and sitting back with her husband who wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered placating things to her.
"Lilith, this is Lord Marvolo Slytherin. An old friend, he is also the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher as well as Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts," Lucius said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, My Lord Slytherin," Lilith said bowing deep as Hela joined her on her shoulder again.
"Be weary of this one child, I sense that he is not quite whole. But this is part of the man who sentenced you to the Dursley's by killing your parents," Hela's warning said in her head, Lilith understood, and she would be cautious around the man going forward.
"Lilith Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived. I've read much about you, but I find the stories lovely Narcissa have told me about her meeting and conversations with you were… interesting," he drawled out lazily.
"I wouldn't believe anything the books have said about my, my account manager is beginning litigation against any business that has made money by selling my name."
"A wise and… cutthroat decision young Heiress, I daresay you will even put businesses out of business outright," he said, looking at her with a calculating gaze.
"In which my account manager has been instructed to then purchase those businesses under the Potter name and obtain them proper licensing to sell my name as well as tell my story in a less fantastical way," she said without batting an eye. They stared at each other for a few moments before his lips curled into a smile that would have many women swooning and he let out a chuckle.
"A very calculated move, I look forward to teaching you at Hogwarts Lilith. Now, I believe young Draco and the others have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Narcissa and Bella why don't you two take Lilith to meet the others," Marvolo suggested, Bellatrix shot up with a manic grin while Narcissa nodded her head. The two women and Lilith left moments later out the very same door.
"My Lord?" Lucius asked hesitantly as he looked at Marvolo Slytherin who was watching the door where the three left.
"Well… I can certainly say that she is not Dumbledore's pawn, I sense almost no light coming from her. And she has the mind of someone I once knew," Marvolo mused thinking of his younger self.
"Your son and wife have done well in befriending her, I believe with connections to you and therefore me, when the time comes for our uprising to once again take place. Having her by my side will win us this cold war we seem to be stuck in," he added.
"I will make sure it happens," Lucius vowed.
"She's an orphan as well, perhaps Lucius or Rodolphus, you two looks at adopting her via the muggle means. If she is friends with Draco, it will make it easier, same for if she becomes friends with Delphine and Ares."
Lilith let out the breath she was holding in once she left that room and Bellatrix looked down at her amused. She gave Lilith a pat on the back as they continued walking through Malfoy Manor.
"Lord Slytherin has that effect on people, don't be too caught up about it. I daresay only Headmaster Dumbledore would be unfazed by it," Bellatrix said.
"Come along! The kids are all playing out the back," she added with a skip in her step as they continued on.
"Forgive my older sister, she can be a bit… overzealous," Narcissa sighed.
"Oh, shut it Cissy, you love me," she said poking her tongue out at her younger sister and Lilith smiled, she had never had siblings and Dudley only tortured her.
"Oh, Aunt Cissy, I brought all my luggage as well seeing as you offered for me to stay the weekend and go to the Express with you," Lilith said as they walked.
"Aunt Cissy! She's already calling you that?" Bellatrix asked looking affronted.
"That won't do! You'll have to call me Aunty Bella now!" Bellatrix insisted pointing at Lilith like an accusing child.
"Bellatrix behaves! Lilith that is excellent to hear, I will have Dobby set you up a bed with the girls," Narcissa said.
"Girls?" Lilith questioned.
"You're about to meet them," Narcissa said.
As they reached their destination Lilith saw the backyard and it was large, there was a patio where some women Narcissa's age were sitting having tea, sandwiches and gossiping. A bit away were a group of kids, she recognised Draco easily, they were hanging around a playground and some picnic tables, a small group of boys and a small group of girls.
"Lily!" Draco shouted seeing her appear as he dropped what he was doing to run over, the boys followed as did the girls curious and intrigued.
"I'm so glad you're here! For the weekend, yes?" He asked hopefully, Lilith nodded, and he grinned.
"Come! Allow me to introduce you to my friends!" He took her hands and pulled her to meet them. She let him.
"Lily this is Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Crabb and Gregory Goyle Junior. And these are Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and the twins Delphine and Ares Lestrange," he introduced.
Theodore Nott was a timid looking boy with rather pale features and messy brown hair much like his father, he looked like the quiet type. Blaise Zabini, however, with dark skinned with Southern Italian features mixed with aristocracy, he held himself with confidence and a bit of a cocky grin. Vincent and Gregory very much looked like their fathers in their large build and stoic expressions, not really saying much and keeping stoic and much like bodyguards than individuals.
Pansy Parkinson was a smallish girl with rust coloured hair and what appeared to be a pug-like face, scrunched nose and all. In contrast Daphne Greengrass was a foot taller than Pansy, sporting elegant blonde locks and cream coloured skin and crystal blue eyes, she looked like a picture-perfect princess. The Twin girls Delphine and Ares Lestrange looked a lot like their mother and even similar to herself, they had the signature black hair even if it was a little wild, petite bodies and brown eyes that seemed to hold an era of madness behind them. However, Lilith noticed a few differences, Delphine was slightly shorter and had more muscle showing on her body, she also seemed to favour her left side. But there was also a slight tint of red to her eyes that one could easily miss. Ares on the other hand seemed to have more fat on her bones, not by much as both were still very skinny, but she favoured her right side.
"Lilith Potter, a pleasure to meet you all," she said giving a curtsey, the girls all returned it while Draco rolled his eyes.
"Come on guys! Let's go play!" He said dragging all of them back to the playground where the boys started to talk about Quidditch. Narcissa and Bellatrix joined the other women at the table drinking tea and watching the kids play though all of them became notably nervous when Bellatrix sat down.
"So, Lilith, what was it like with the… muggles?" Pansy asked bluntly, Daphne frowned while the Twins looked at Lilith with keen interest.
"Muggles? They're disgusting, filthy and they're greedy and destroy anything they can get their grubby hands on. The ones I was left with… well, they were some of the worst," Lilith said, remembering all her hate of the Dursley's. She could see the twins nod in approval while Daphne remained stoic, and Pansy looked even more curious.
"I've heard that muggles are horrid. What did you do to escape? and where are you now?" Pansy continued.
"Pansy, we've only just met Lilith. Perhaps it would be nice to tell her about us and just get to know her before she's expected to share such personal things?" Delphine's voice was stern like Bellatrix's almost and had an era of finality. Pansy shut up almost immediately.
"So… what would you like to know about us?" Ares asked shyly, seems the twins were different in more ways than one.
Lilith spent her time split between talking with the girls and being pulled around by Draco as he explained what Quidditch was, Blaise eagerly helping, and Theodore was timid in his interactions saying only a few words and generally to clarify a rule Draco only glossed over.
"I have to ask, Lilith, what's with the bird?" Blaise asked lazily over dinner, the adults were sitting at a provided adult table while all the kids, Lilith included sat at another one nearby. Though this question asked by Blaise had many of the adults pausing to listen, even Marvolo Slytherin who was gazing down at Lilith from the head of the table, a spot normally Lucius would inhabit.
"Her name is Hela, she's my familiar," Lilith replied, feeding the Raven some cooked meat.
"A familiar? How did you manage to find a familiar?" Delphine leaned forwards with interest, she was sat directly across from Lilith.
"She found me, when I needed her most," Lilith said fondly, ignoring the stares she was garnering.
A hissing sound came from the door as a large snake slithered its way into the room, all of the kids seemed on edge as it came over to them, smelling them before it reached Lilith and smelt her, Lilith didn't seem scared like the rest of them.
"You're new, I haven't scented you before," the snake hissed.
"I'm new here, I'm Lilith Potter. It's nice to meet you beautiful snake, what is your name?" Lilith replied, cutlery fell onto plates as the entire hall was silenced.
"A speaker! Like my Tom! I am Nagini, it is a pleasure to meet your hatchling!" The snake replied enthusiastically as it began to drape itself over Lilith's chair with its head occupying the other shoulder to Hela.
"You're a parsel mouth," the statement came from Marvolo Slytherin speaking in hisses, Lilith nodded her head.
"I thought everyone could talk to serpents," she said playing dumb.
"It is a rare gift to have, some call it dark, some call it beautiful. But aside from myself you are the only other Parsel Mouth in Europe," the news didn't surprise Lilith, but she acted surprised anyway.
"Tom! The hatchling can speak! We can teach her!" Nagini hissed excitedly.
"Tom?" Lilith raised an eyebrow and the man sighed before shaking his head.
"My name is Tom Marvolo Slytherin, but I go by Marvolo in public. Don't let my true name come out of your mouth child, I will not be pleased," He warned, she gave a nod that she understood.
"Don't sit there gawking, back to dinner," Marvolo hissed and as if everyone suddenly remembered what they were doing they resumed.
"That's so cool," Draco said, grinning at Lilith.
Indeed, Lilith would have to figure out what else she could do with parselmagic, the language of the serpents would certainly be something that would give her an edge in enacting her eventual plans. She looked at the head table where Marvolo sat, staring at her while the others spoke around him. Perhaps she would find a way to get some information or lessons out of him. Malfoy Manor it seems was looking like a very good place to be.
A/N: As Always, Pat. r30N is a fair few chapters ahead. I will be uploading chapters on fanfiction as I upload a new chapter on Pat. This way I continue to cycle new chapters through and as noted on "This is War" my best writing method is to write multiple stories at the same time so hopefully you enjoy all of them! If you do wish to follow Pat. it's /zyrakenzi