I do not own anything from the harry potter universe, unfortunately.
"Normal Talking"
'Thoughts'
"Parseltongue"
P_A_T_R_E_O_N /Akida_Pendragon
Harry had discovered that being alone in an empty bed after having nearly a month of lovely company was the worst. But he would have preferred that to where he was now. He sat, like a scolded child in the greeting room of Grimmauld Place while an understandably upset and confused, Amelia sat at the other end of the greeting room.
It had been a full day since their meeting with the Goblins and as soon as they returned Amelia left for the Ministry and took Jones with her. Saying that she would return to speak about the situation. And now here they were staring at each other and Harry was pretty sure that Amelia hadn't even blinked since she arrived.
"So if I am to understand this right, you found a strange obviously dark book. That taught you strange spells and rituals and helped you summon vicious beasts. And you told no one about it?" Amelia asked her tone flat.
"Well, it's more like I couldn't say anything about it. Anytime I tried to talk about it specifically it would jumble my words. It still will if I try to talk about the spells and rituals but I can talk about the Grimoire as well as the man who made it now that I have taken up my Lordships positions." Harry explained.
"Oh, you mean the Lordship to a house that belonged to the single most powerful Dark Wizard of our history. The one that nearly tore the entire wizarding world apart in not only Britain but Europe as a whole, Bulgaria, Russia, America, and even Asia? The same man who managed to swindle thousands of Wizards and Witches to his cause with his honeyed words? The man that took the combined efforts of your grandfather, Arcturus Black, And Dumbledore to defeat with Dumbledore being the one to deal the final blow? The one who, if he was still around today, would make Voldemort look like a common thug? That Lordship?" Amelia asks her tone dry and her gaze intense.
"Yes, and that's not entirely accurate," Harry said and Amelia's eyes narrowed.
"Which part?"
"Well, Dumbledore lied to everyone, my Grandfather and Arcturus dealt with Grindelwald while Dumbledore confunded them and took the credit," Harry explained and Amelia closed her eyes and took in a calming breath.
"That is not the issue right now. Why would you do something so monumentally idiotic? Regardless of the power, you have amassed that name carries a stain that I do not believe your reputation will be able to remove. Being the Boy who lived and The Immortal has given you much sway in our world but Grindelwald will have a bigger impact. Hell, even the school where he studied, Durmstrang, still has a scar he himself carved into the stone that has yet to be removed."
"I don't think it's monumentally idiotic! I had to make a decision to the best of my ability and I did. And I have yet to regret it." Harry said his own eyes becoming narrow.
"That's because as of yesterday nobody outside Sirius knew about it!" Amelia argued back and it was at this point Susan decided to speak up.
"Actually, Aunty, we knew as well," Susan said gesturing to herself, Daphne, and Hermione.
"And you are okay with this? Susan? Daphne? You both grew up in Magical Households! You know this history!"
"I do, Madam Bones. I do. But I also know Harry, I know that he would not make a decision that would cause us harm and would only do it to help and protect those he loves. He might have the name of Grindelwald now but that does not make him Grindelwald himself." Daphne said firmly.
"I'm not saying that Harry is all the sudden going to be a Dark Lord, I am saying that this is going to do more harm than good. Whether or not we like it History remembers names and Grindelwald's name is too well known for all the wrong reasons!"
"Well, perhaps we can swing this in our favor," Jones said speaking up for the first time.
"And how would we go about doing that?"
"Your right Amelia, History does remember names, but the present remembers stories. The reason that Voldemort is so feared is because of the stores surrounding him, the reason Harry is so revered is because of the stories about his life. What we need to do is spin a good story, one that paints Harry in a good light with the name of Grindelwald."
"And how do we do that Jones?"
"A story about a label, that Harry did not ask for but has nonetheless. He kept it secret for fear of the public reaction, but now since he's facing Voldemort he has no choice but to reveal his heritage."
"That wouldn't work, anyone with access to a library can do some research that the Potters never married into the Grindelwald family or any of the branch Houses."
"But what about the Evans family? His mother's Family?" Jones suggested and Amelia thought on this.
"Are there no records on my mother's side of the family?" Harry asked and Sirius scoffed.
"Yeah, for every muggleborn they mark them but their families might as well not exist unless there is some squib in the line but that is rarer than you think."
"Does my mother have a squib in her bloodline?" Harry asked and Sirius shook his head.
"Nope, one of the things that made your mother feel especially proud. Like magic chose her alone even though she had no relation to the wizarding world."
"But if that's the case won't people be able to tell that? And see that Lilly had no relation to the Grindelwald family." Daphne asked and Amelia nodded.
"Normally yes... unless one was created."
"You mean forging a relation?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, since muggle families aren't as cared for by our world it is possible to forge a relationship with a House."
"Wouldn't that be line theft?" Harry asked and Amelia nodded.
"Absolutely and if one tried to claim the name of say... Gryffindor or even Merlin they would never get away with it. But for a dead family, most don't look too closely into it. As long as it's not a legendary name or one of the sacred twenty-eight."
"But Grindelwald is a legendary name," Daphne said.
"Yes but it is hated, however, that ring silences nearly ninety-nine percent of all arguments. A family ring can only be worn by a proper heir either by blood or by name. Harry having that ring means that any doubts would be dashed and those sole few that would look deeper into it I can take care of." Jones said.
"It's a possibility, but how would Harry have known about it? It's known that he didn't have full access to his vaults or his family's homes without that ring which Dumbledore had all this time."
"I learned of it recently while making my first proper Gringotts visit. When I took an inheritance test with the Goblins and Grindelwald showed up. I asked about where it came from and they see that somewhere in my mother's family a squibbed-out member of the Grindelwald house married in. That sounds good?" Harry asked and Jones swayed her head from side to side in a so-so motion.
"More or less, I would hammer out a few finer details about the who, what, where, and when but I can do that."
"And you can use our vacation as a setup. No one knows where we went so we can say that you had to take time to process what you learned." Daphne helpfully added.
"Oh that's good, I'll use that," Jones said and Daphne smirked. "Even though you probably spent most of your time with your face in a pillow right?" Jones jeered causing Daphne to roll her eyes.
"Of course not! That was Susan."
"DAPHNE!" Susan screamed out her face going red as she looked at her aunt who simply squeezed her eye's shut.
"One issue at a time Jones," Amelia said and Jones nodded though she kept a playful smirk aimed toward Harry.
"Your story Idea can help with the general public, but it's still not going to be a good reception. The only good thing is that since you are a Grindelwald in name and not Gellert Grindelwald himself then that means that you have a right to a family vote as he was a member of an ancient and most noble House himself before his crusade. After his defeat, his line was meant to end with him so they never demoted his house's standings." Amelia said.
"A House can be demoted?" Hermione asked and Sirius nodded.
"Yes but only the nobility part and the Ancient House will always be an Ancient House. But if a House were to do something heinous like Grindelwald they would no longer be considered most noble. Most likely they would be stripped of all nobility only leaving them with the house's ancient titles."
"But Grindelwald was allowed to keep its Most noble status?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, if he wasn't a Pureblood then most likely it would've been stripped. But he was and so it wasn't such is the world we live in... for now."
"What about our allies? How will they take it?" Harry asked.
"About as well as I have, some might be a little worse. But if we explain our story to them perhaps we can calm most of their worries. I would be more concerned about possible blood feuds. Grindelwald hurt a lot of people, and even if you aren't actually related by blood this story your spinning will make it sound like you are."
"Even if I had nothing to do with it?"
"That is how Bloodfueds work, you can try appeasing them but as Amelia said, there were a lot who Grindelwald hurt."
"Thankfully after his defeat, most of them would be satisfied but there may be a few that still hold onto it. I can look into it." Jones said but Harry shook his head.
"No, you need to help Amelia along with your mysterious spy. I can talk with Saurfang, He helped me with the tracking of my Family's heirlooms now he can help me with this. Hopefully." Jones nodded.
"Alright, if that is how we will handle Grindelwald then what is the word on Tom?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing, though we've investigated the Graveyard where Riddle kidnapped Harry the Gaunt shack we found there was abandoned."
"His ancestral home? Did they find a Horcrux?" Harry asked and Amelia shook her head.
"No, but they weren't looking for one. I have stationed a small group of Aurors to watch the home if anything should arise. Though it is just one of the properties of the Gaunts we have yet to locate the rest. But speaking about Horcruxs McGonagall has gotten back to us about that. She's spent this time pouring over the notes Dumbledore left and has found a few likely places where Riddle would've hidden them. One of them was the Gaunt Manor but like I said my Aurors didn't find anything but they weren't looking for it. Hogwarts is another place, and the next best lead we have is Gringotts. That's another reason I want the Deatheater accounts frozen and seized."
"How do we know that Riddle hasn't moved them already yet?" Harry asked.
"We don't, you destroyed one with the diary, then he destroyed the one he put inside of you. For all we know he felt this and then moved the rest. If that is the case we'll have to rely on you Jones. You and your spy whomever they are."
"They'll come through, trust me, they have no more love for bitchmort and his followers than Harry does. Though I will let them know to keep an ear down to the ground about anything relating to Horcruxes."
"Maybe you shouldn't, what if their mind gets read?"
"They are master Occlumens and Legillimens, plus they are not someone who Riddle will take notice or interest in," Jones assured and Harry nodded. He then rubbed his face a bit.
"What about Dumbledore any word from him?"
"Nothing still. Which makes me worried, but my Aurors say that he has not left his house and they see him walking about."
"Maybe they should have conversed with him."
"That could be dangerous, even without a wand one slip up and eye contact then Dumbledore could leave them drooling messes on the floor."
"There's no way he can make illusions of himself is there?" Harry asked and Amelia narrowed her eyes.
"For as powerful as Dumbledore is to create illusions of oneself is a task of complicated magic that requires a wand. He does not have one, but I understand your concern. I will get my best Occlumens to check on him." Amelia said.
"What else is there?" Hermione asked.
"Quite a bit, but I will take care of it at the Ministry. I still need to set up this vote and inform our allies about your new Lordships. You are going to be naming Sirius as your Proxy correct?" Amelia asked.
"Yes."
"Alright then, I will have the worst headache after this but it will be worth it. I do expect compensation after this though Lord Potter." Amelia said.
"I'll let you have Sirius for a whole day for yourself." Harry joked as his Godfather spluttered.
"Now see here!" Sirius exclaimed playfully but was silenced when Amelia answered.
"Agreed, that is acceptable Lord Potter. Come on Jones, we have work to do." She said and got up and left for the Floo. Sirius looked like a deer in the headlight and Jones grinned as she followed after the Minister backstepping to keep them in sight.
"Well, she is still a woman with needs right?"
"Jones!" Amelia called from the Floo and the Unspeakable turned and rushed through with her boss.
"Did you just pimp me out?" Sirius asked and Harry shook his head.
"I would never! I set you up, is that alright with you Susan?" Harry asked and Susan just smiled.
"My Aunty deserves to be happy just as much as anyone else. Remember Sirius, Demona likes me very much and would hate to see me upset." She said and Sirius raised his hands.
"Hey, I can be a gentleman!... Sometimes... you know I think I hear my Grandfather calling me, be back in a bit." He said as he shot to his feet and rushed out of the room. The group of teens broke out into laughter after that.
"So any other shocking revelations to go over? Or is that all for the day?" Hermione asked and Harry grinned.
"Nope, I think that's all. I want to train, care to join me?"
"Can you train here?" Daphne asked and Hermione nodded.
"There's a basement practice room. You still can't teach us about your spells yet right?"
"I'm close, I think by the time the school term starts I'll be nearly done."
"Don't rush, don't want any accidents," Susan said and the other girls nodded.
"Right, so join me?"
"Promise to train with your shirt off?" Daphne asked a flirtatious smile on her lips.
"Fine, but only if you do the same." Harry challenged with a playful smile of his own.
"I can do that," Daphne said as she came over to kiss him. The kiss quickly became hotter as Daphne slid into his lap and his hands boldly roamed her legs and rear. The times that the group spent together intimately had made all four of them much bolder.
"Are we going to train or shag?" Hermione asked with a roll of her eyes as Daphne pouted.
"Can we do both?"
"No... okay, maybe later," Hermione said and Daphne grinned as she got up with Harry and the group went downstairs. The Black's family training room was quite simple with a group of dummies for practice and large padding on the floor and a series of oil lamps along the walls providing light for the whole room.
"So, what are you going to be working on today?" Susan asked and Harry shrugged before pulling the Grimoire out of his pocket and with a quick flick of his wand it grew to its original size. He then flipped through it. He had gone over his basic elemental spells and the other-dimensional spells. The elemental alteration magic was a bit touch and go but he got the hang of it.
"Just the next spell I guess. What about you girls?"
"I figured we would just practice our offensive spells," Hermione said and Harry nodded. Harry then went to one side of the practice room and the girls to the other. Harry then flipped to the latest entry of the Grimoire and began reading.
Unity is such a grand and fragile term. People speak of unity as a form of strength and this holds true for magic as well. Though just like in the world if not carefully cared for unity can shatter and cause great damage. I should know, having experience tearing communities apart with but a few well-thought words and shows of strength. As for magic you have become quite familiar with Purgatory Fire and experienced Hellfire from your Hellhound companion. For this next series of spells and spell weaving, you must master both Hellfire and a new form of fire magic. The flames of Damnation, an old spell that was developed years ago. I have done the research and like Hellfire or Purgatory fire it is a flame that hails from a separate dimension, a dimension that thrives on conflict. You see each flame exists in different capacities. Hellfire exists within the beasts of the dimension from which it originates, the Hellscape, from which the biblical Hell was inspired. Purgatory flame exists on its own with beasts that are born of the flame and live within its power. The flames of Damnation, however, is a living flame which is what makes it so difficult to control, on the same level or even more difficult than Purgatory fire.
Now some Wizards and Witches have been able to master this flame but most of them lost all knowledge of where it comes from. For the rest of the Magical world, the spell is known as Fiendfyre, and the incantation has been altered to conjure a weaker easier controlled form of the flame. That incantation is Flammae Damnationis, but even in this weakened state, the flames can only be wielded by powerful Wizards and Witches with the strongest wills. Any who tries to wield these flames without both the magic and willpower to do so is doomed to be killed by the fire.
I highly recommend that you do not pursue the mastery of this spell yet. Instead, you must master the power of Hellfire first. Now it is true that normally you would not be able to wield this power as you are not a creature of the Hellscape. But due to your bond with your hound that will not be an issue. The power of Hellfire is now connected to you through your bond and the stronger your bond the easier time you will have called upon Hellfire. Also while you will manipulate and direct the flame with your wand there is no incantation for it. This magic is no spell but something you have to conjure and control through willpower.
The first step is to focus on your bond with your Hound, while normally it allows for understanding and communication between your two it will now act as a battery for you. You will call upon the Hellhound's ability to summon Hellfire and direct it through your body just like you will when casting a spell. You hound can help you with this process but you must make it clear what you want to do. Empower yourself first, it will help you handle the foreign magic and aid your body in adjusting to its power.
Also, Hellfire is a flame made for torment, which means whatever you hit if you inflict a wound that wound will not heal, not properly at least. Beasts of the Hellscape are naturally resistant to the fire as well as a handful of creatures from our world such as Dragons and Unicorns. But your average Witch or Wizard will burn as easily as wood. Be sure that if you engage with this spell, you only burn your enemies.
Harry quickly turned the page to read the warning that came with the explanation. Thankfully it was only a basic warning to not handle more than he could. Due to his connection to Demona, he also had resistance to Hellfire. The main problem with handling the magic was summoning it, controlling it appeared to be easy as Hellfire does not have the same level of semi-sentience as Purgatory or Fiendfyre.
The first step was to prepare so Harry closed his eyes and began to reach out to feel for any residual energy. It wasn't like Hogwarts where magic thrummed in the very walls. But in this house, there were still residual magics and even beyond like in the sparse trees.
But then something else entered Harry's mind that made him flinch and gasp. It was a sickly cold feeling, a feeling that pierced his mind like frozen poison. His eyes shot open and his girlfriends looked at him concerned.
"What? What's wrong?" Hermione said coming over, Susan, and Daphne right behind her.
"There's one here," Harry said rubbing his head.
"One what?"
"A Horcrux," Harry said and turned on his heel to leave.
"A Horcrux here? How?" Daphne asked her eyes wide.
"I don't know, but I bet someone does, Kreature!" Harry summoned as he exited the Basement and with a pop, the grumpy old elf appeared before him. He sneered at Hermione but held his tongue.
"Young master requires Kreature?" The elf asked.
"There's something in this house isn't there? Something incredibly dark?"
"There are many items that you may consider dark, young master. Things that the great house of Black have kept safe for so long." The elf replied.
"This is worse, something to do with tom riddle." The elf didn't know the name, and Harry realized he wouldn't have read the daily prophet all that much.
"Voldemort." Harry clarified and the Elf's eyes widened.
"No! No such things here! Kreature knows! He knows of no such thing!" Kreature said his head shaking in panic.
"Are you protecting it!? Answer Kreature!" Harry said firmly and the Elf shook a bit and Hermione looked concerned at both Harry and the Elf.
"No! Master Regulus brought it, he brought it and with his dying breath he ordered Kreature to destroy it but Kreature could not do it!" The Elf wailed gripping his ears tightly. Harry kneeled down and gripped the Elf's hands and took them away from his ears to stop him from hurting himself.
"I want to destroy it Kreature, I know it's here somewhere," Harry said and Kreature looked up at Harry with a flicker of hope in his eyes. It was a bit odd as Harry had become accustomed to the poorly hidden contempt that was always there.
"You can? No! It is too powerful you cannot destroy it! You Half-Blood and friend of Mudbloods and Bloodtraitors!" Kreature exclaimed tearing his hands away and clutching his head. Harry's eyes narrowed as he rose to his full height.
"Kreature! This is an order from the Heir of House Black, retrieve the Horcrux I know is here and bring it to me! Now!" Harry ordered and Kreatue strained but it was a direct order from Harry so he could not refuse. Without a word, the Elf popped away for a few moments before he returned clutching a locket in his hand. Daphne's and Hermione's eyes widened as they recognized it. Daphne because every Slytherin student knew about it and Hermione because she read about it.
"That's the locket of Slytherin!" Hermione exclaimed as Harry took it from Kreature. It had a silver chain attached to a silver case which housed a slightly amber-colored crystal glass with the symbol of the Slytherin house within. Harry took it and used his senses to feel it and it was the real thing, sickly and cold. He could feel Demona in his shadow become agitated as her anger flowed through their bond. He quickly sent calming emotions to her.
"Thank you Kreature, I will destroy this. You Master Regulus will not be disappointed." Harry said but Kreature just had a frown on his face as he looked downcast to the floor. Harry then went to the study room with the others and opened it to see Sirius with many documents in front of him and Arcturus talking toward him. Whatever they were speaking about ended as both men looked toward the group.
"Ah the Young Lord Grindelwald! I must say when I gave you that advice the last guess on my mind was my old enemy. Perhaps this is some twisted prank of fate. To see my House joined with that of that psychopath." Arcturus said but Harry just held up the locket.
"We found one! It was here the whole time!" Harry said and Sirius looked at him oddly.
"What is it?"
"A Horcrux!" At Harry's words, Sirius jumped from his chair and Arcturus looked ready to murder.
"Such filth! Under my ROOF!" Arcturus bellowed.
"Someone named Regulus had it, he ordered Kreature to destroy it," Harry said and Sirius came over his eyes wide.
"Reg? He did that?" Sirius said looking towards the Locket. He then took it from Harry and dropped it almost immediately after shaking a bit.
"Sirius?" Harry asked worriedly.
"How can you even touch that thing?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked picking up the Horcrux but felt nothing except that same cold sickly feeling.
"I felt so... hateful, I wanted to hurt something... someone," Sirius said and shivered. Harry held the Locket tightly before he placed it down on the desk and Arcturus recognized it as Daphne and Hermione had.
"How do we destroy it?" Sirius asked.
"Well, Harry destroyed the diary with a Basilisk fang. And since he claimed the carcass of the Basilisk we would have access to the fangs." Hermione said and Harry nodded.
"Must we? Destroy the Horcrux yes but is there a way to preserve the Locket? This is a priceless artifact of one of the Founders!" Arcturus stated from his portrait. He wanted the Horcrux destroyed but would be quite disappointed at the loss of such a relic.
"I don't know, So far all I know is that to destroy the Horcrux you destroy whatever it's attached to."
"What about the killing curse?" Daphne asked and they looked at her with looks of surprise and concern.
"Oh come off it I'm not mad! But the Killing curse ejects a person's soul, right? The Horcrux is just a piece of a soul, so couldn't that destroy the Horcrux and leave the Locket intact?"
"But you have to hate the person to cast the Killing curse right?" Hermione asked feeling uncomfortable.
"Oh, I think I can hate someone who murdered my parents and helped ruin my childhood," Harry said with a little more bite than he meant to.
"Harry," Susan said and Harry flinched.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped."
"It's alright Harry, I understand. But the Killing curse... I don't know, you've been learning all these different spells isn't there at least one that could help?" Harry thought about it and remembered what happened in the veil.
"Well, there is Protego Diabolica. But I don't know if it would precise enough to only destroy the Horcrux and not the Locket. I can go through the Grimoire and see if maybe he has a cleansing ritual of some kind." Harry said.
"Maybe we should wait anyway, this is part of Riddle's soul, what if he feels it being destroyed and moves the others before we find them," Susan suggested and Arcturus shook his head.
"The Horcrux is separated from the person, even if it is a part of their soul. The only time the person would feel its destruction is if it was within a certain proximity. Or it was their last Horcrux, I shudder to think but... how many?"
"Seven in total," Harry answered and Arcturus narrowed his eyes.
"Pathetic worm, to corrupt ones self with such filth. A coward's way to survive. No wizard dark or otherwise has ever even entertained the thought since its conception by Herpo the Foul. You have destroyed a few?"
"Yes, one was a Diary I destroy with a Basilisk fang. The second one that got destroyed was me. He made me into a Horcrux by mistake and destroyed the Horcrux in me. So now there are only five out in the world."
"Not the world young Potter. Remember Voldemort for all his fear-mongering never made it out of the UK. I'd wager quite a bit that none of his Horcruxes are outside of the UK either. On the far fringes sure, but outside most likely not."
"We don't know that for sure. But so far nothing that McGonagall has found would suggest otherwise. But back to the Horcrux we have, we can destroy it and be sure that Voldemort won't notice. But we want to keep a priceless artifact in one piece." Harry said Sirius shook his head.
"No, it would be nice but it is not a priority the priority is to destroy the Horcrux and bring that bastard a step closer to his final death," Sirius said and Arcturus grunted.
"Yes, though I am disappointed I agree. The destruction of the Horcrux is more important." Harry nodded and picked up the Locket.
"I'll try Protego Diabolica first if that doesn't work then we can try..." He gulped down "The killing curse, if that doesn't work like how we think then I'll go retrieve a Fang from my vault."
"We'll come with you," Hermione said but Harry shook his head.
"No, I don't know how it will react and if things get out of hand I can shadow travel out of the basement. Just wait for me, I promise I'll be careful." Harry said reassuringly as he cupped her cheek. Hermione leaned into his touch and nodded.
"Fine, but if anything, and I mean anything goes wrong you get out of there," Hermione said firmly and Harry smiled and nodded toward Susan and Daphne. Walking away he returned to the basement his family waiting at the top for his return. Placing the Horcrux at the center of the room he took a deep breath and made some distance between himself and the object. He needed to be incredibly focused and target the soul piece and try to preserve the Locket if he could.
Gathering his magic he searched and found the sickly cold feeling and held his wand up as magic pulsed from his form.
"Protego Diabolica!" He cast and a torrent of azure flames twisted from his wand tip He immediately reined them in and directed the flame toward the Locket and encircled it in a ring of fire.
"Open," Harry ordered in Parseltongue and the Locket flipped open and from it, a sudden cloud of shrieking black energy rose. It formed a face that Harry could recognize as Riddle but older than how he appeared in the Diary.
"You cannot protect them!" A scratchy voice sounded as the cloud morphed into some silvery mist and showed an image of Susan, Daphne, and Hermione.
"You are going to get us killed," Susan said angry tears flowing from her eyes as she glared at Harry. "You selfish idiot! You promised to be safe, you promised! But no! You have to be in the middle of it all!" She screamed her eyes piercing into Harry. He knew this was just an illusion he knew these were not his loves and these were not their words.
"Every time Harry! Every time!" Hermione cut in "You have to rush headlong into all these stupid situations! You don't think about how we might feel, do you? Do you even care!? Oh, it's fine since you're the boy who lived and now the Immortal! You're not immortal Harry! You can die! We can die! did you even think about that when you decided to pursue this war!" Hermione screamed and while he knew that Hermione wouldn't act like this with him her words did make him hesitate. No! This was not her these were not her thoughts.
"I've told you how my family was hurt the last time this happened. My father... he suffered so much, my family suffered! And now here you are ready to jump into something that can make us all suffer. You can't even teach us how to defend ourselves! When will you finally get the picture? When will you understand just what you are asking of us!? When we're dead at your feet!?" Daphne screamed and suddenly the white mist flared green as Susan fell then again and this time Hermione, the final flash saw Daphne fall, and then it showed the three girls dead eyes wide and staring at him.
This was just the Horcrux's defenses, but still seeing his girlfriends like this, the loves of his life dead. Even if it was an illusion it shook him to his core. Felt his breath get short and a tightness gripped his chest. He screamed as he whipped his wand and the flames leaped at his command. The Azure fire consumed the black smog as an unearthly screech wrenched itself from its depths. Harry contorted the Flames until he had the smog in a sphere and then he slammed it down.
With a final burst of light the Purgatory flames died down and left the Locket untouched save for a few scorch marks. Harry sat there, He knew that the words spoken by that Illusion were just meant to shake him and he could've shrugged them off easily but it was that image. The image of his loves dead and staring at him. That scared him more than anything ever has in his life. He could feel his chest tightening with every second as he began to hyperventilate.
However, before he could lose it he was suddenly flooded with a warm calming feeling. He let it wash over him as he took deep calming breaths and looked down seeing Demona's smoldering eyes staring back at him.
"Thank you, girl." He said sending his appreciation through their bond. Taking a few more breaths he stood up and picked up the Locket. He brushed it off able to clean some of the scorches with his thumb. He then reached out his senses and felt nothing from the locket. He smiled and went up to the basement. Once he was out he was beset by his girlfriends.
"Harry! Are you alright? Did it work?" Daphne asked and Harry didn't answer just stared at her eyes, so vibrant and full of life. He looked at Susan and Hermione and just peered into their eyes.
"Harry?" Susan asked concerned and Harry just pulled them all into his embrace. The girls were a bit surprised but wrapped themselves around him.
"You know I'll protect you right? I'll never let anything hurt you, no matter what." Harry whispered as he gripped them tightly.
"Of course Harry, what happened?" Hermione asked as he could feel a slight tremble in his frame.
"Just give me a second okay?" Harry said and the girls didn't question it. Instead, they just melted into his embrace, Hermione, and Susan at his side and stroking his back comfortingly. Daphne wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. Harry just stood there and breathed in their wonderful scent and basked in their warmth. After what he had seen it was just what he needed. The group stood together for a few moments and Sirius waited patiently until Harry nodded and released his grip on the girls. Though Hermione and Susan still gripped his arms gently.
"What happened Pup?" Sirius asked as Harry held up the Locket.
"It's a bit dirty but the Horcrux is destroyed," Harry said as Sirius tentatively took the locket but sighed in relief.
"Well, it doesn't feel like it did before, great job. Three down four left to go."
"Sirius go tell Arcturus," Daphne said and Sirius could tell that she wanted to be alone with Harry and the others.
"Alright," he said without an argument and left for the study.
"Come on Darling," Daphne said as the three girls lead the boy upstairs to his room and they lay down on the bed.
"Tell us what happened," Susan said as she snuggled into his side with Daphne on the other Hermione was next to Daphne but her hand reached over to grip Harry's.
"The Horcrux had some defenses on it. It made this smog and from it, it played an illusion. An illusion of your three... you kept on saying things but I knew they weren't true. I knew what you would really say so I paid it no mind... then it showed me something..." Harry tried to explain but found his voice becoming tight again.
"Harry it's alright we are here," Susan said gently the other girls whispered the same.
"It showed me you three dead. You were just dead... I can't..." Harry said his voice cracking as he remembered.
"Harry, that's not going to happen," Daphne assured.
"It could, it's not going to get easier. We're practicing but we need more, proper training." Harry said and Susan smiled a bit uneasily.
"A quick word to my Aunty and I think I can get us a proper tutor. I have one in mind."
"Who?"
"Oh, You know him already. But Harry, we are not going anywhere. You are not going to die on us and we are not going to die on you. We are making it through this, all of us."
"And when this is over, we can leave," Daphne said.
"And go where? We still need to finish our schooling after all."
"Fine then, after we graduate we'll go anywhere and everywhere! Africa, Australia, America, Japan. The cities and the wilds, it will be an adventure." Daphne said as she clung to him tightly.
"That sounds like paradise to me," Harry said with a smile as the group just laid there.
Meanwhile over at the hidden Gaunt Manor Voldemort was quite upset at the news that his family's home, the Gaunt shack, was currently being closely guarded by Aurors. He didn't have fond memories of the place in any way. What worried him was his mother's ring, it was well hidden and no one save for maybe Dumbledore himself would be able to find where he had hidden it. But it was better to be safe rather than sorry.
He would have to make it a point to go there and retrieve his Horcrux before anything could happen. He looked around this dark and dank manor, when he took his place above all else he would enjoy burning this place to the ground. It was then that Lucious, with his scared face, limped in.
Despite all this time, it would seem that some of his injuries still hadn't healed as they should.
"My Lord, Wormtail has returned he used his Portkey but nearly got caught. He's... rattled."
"He is always rattled fool, as all cowards are." Voldemort sneered and Lucious said nothing but just bowed his head and stepped aside as Voldemort strode into the dining room where the other Deatheaters he had gathered waited. Most were useless now, such as Nott and Lucious who had lost their sway in court seeing as they were now wanted criminals.
If Pious had won the bid for Minister this would've gone much differently. But as it stands their seats were held by their wives, but they had no power. The only reason they themselves weren't taken into custody is due to have honestly no idea about the Dark Lords' plans and they have never taken the Dark mark. Their words in the Wizengamot held next to no sway and they could barely Bribe anyone to vote in favor of legislation the Dark Lord did and did not want to go through. Looking over he saw the wives looking subdued as they stood beside their husbands not daring to meet his eyes. Then there was Amelia.
Amelia was proving to be a bigger pain than Voldemort was willing to live with. On top of her constant disrespect, ever since his true identity as Tom Riddle was revealed she refused to call him anything else in public. This was, unfortunately, catching on as many who had feared the name of Voldemort now openly called him Riddle in the streets and talked brazenly. All the carefully crafted fear he had created was being smothered by this. Oh yes, Amelia had to go, or at the very least her support had to be weakened.
Coming back to the moment he scanned the room before finally noticing Pettigrew cowering in a corner. He was shaking horribly almost in a seizure-like manner. He was muttering to himself madly and even at this distance Voldemort could smell his stench and see he was filthy. With disgust clear on his face, he approached the trembling man.
"Wormtail, you have returned... good. Give me the box." Voldemort demanded holding out his hand. But Peter didn't respond he didn't even acknowledge anything else in the room. He just continued muttering. Voldemort was quite surprised by this. He had known what Peter had encountered but still, this was far too much fear for that, even for this coward.
That place, Voldemort remembered it well even all these years later. The red pool, and if you found it and managed to survive the encounter you were given a reward. But the catch was that you could only find the place once, if you wanted to collect your prize you had to send someone else and rob them of their chance at earning something from the clan. He also remembered the leader of that clan, the mask and the cloak all too present in his memories.
"Wormtail! The box!" Voldemort demanded a bit more forcefully and in response Peter just began to rock in place and mutter slightly louder, loud enough for Voldemort to hear what he was saying.
"James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, James, Lily, Sirius, Remus..." He continued on and on just muttering the names of his former friends over and over, his voice quaking with terror.
"WORMTAIL!" Voldemort screamed out making the other Death Eaters step back in fear and Wormtail shot up and screamed. The scream that ripped out of his mouth was something that Voldemort in his entire campaign of subjugation and fear had never heard. He had heard screams of fear, pleas for mercy, defiance, anger, and despair. But this, this was unlike any of them and it stirred something primal deep within Voldemort.
Peter then still screaming did something that shocked the entire room. He ran at the wall and began to bash his face against the hard unforgiving structure.
"JAMES! LILLY! SIRIUS! REMUS!" He screamed out as he continued to bash his head against the wall. The entire room, no one lifted a finger much less a wand to stop this. They held no love for the cowardly man and many would have killed him themselves if just given the order. But this wasn't a hesitance out of hatred or distaste. This was just pure shock causing the room to freeze unable to act or look away at what they were seeing.
The bashing continued for just over a minute but by the end, Peter finally lost the strength to maim himself further and fell. His face was mangled from his actions. His nose was broken and gushing blood along with his severely split lip and more blood flowing from his mouth as he continued his horrible mutterings. His eyes and cheeks had swollen his eyes were unable to open as they were quickly becoming nearly black.
Peter continued his horrid speech of repeating names as he began to choke on his blood. The retched event came to a bloody end as Peter died, drowning in his own blood and piss, his face battered nearly beyond recognition. Yet still, clutched tightly in his hands was the box miraculously untouched by the entire event.
Voldemort and the rest of the Death Eaters stood still and silent. None were quite able to comprehend what they had just witnessed as none had ever experienced. People either ran, fought, or begged when they approached. This level of pure horror and terror was something they had never seen.
It was Voldemort that regained his composure first as he flourished his wand towards the box unwilling to touch it himself. But he could not affect it, scowling he turned towards Crouch.
"Get the box." He ordered and before him, one of his most loyal followers hesitated as he looked between Riddle and the box.
"Now!" Voldemort ordered more forcefully. Crouch jumped a bit but finally followed his master's orders, Hobbing over on a poorly made prosthetic leg. He approached the still warm and stinking corpse of Peter and with shakey hands, he reached for the box. As he approached he could feel a chill in the air as if the coldest winter chill had somehow swept through his entire body. His body shivered as his hands hovered just over the box his eyes flicking to the mangled face of Peter Pettigrew.
Every instinct, emotion, thought, and nerve ending was screaming. Screaming at him to turn tail and run out of this room, Manor, hell maybe even go so far as to leave the country. Even the deep primal part of his humanity that had long been snuffed by civilized life woke up and demanded he flees.
"Crouch!" Voldemort yelled out and the Death Eater flinched. With trembling hands, he peeled off the stiff dead fingers of Peter from the box. Then he grabbed it and the chill he felt before now flooded him, it was like being buried in snow... no it was like being submerged in a frozen lake. He stood shaking horribly as he quickly moved to the table his steps hasty and uneven as he practically ran. He set the box down but before he could remove his hand he saw something that made him stop and freeze. Eyes going wide.
It was the bloody image of his dear mother, staring at him with empty eyes sockets as she wept tears of blood.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" She screamed out her mouth opening unnaturally large as she screeched and lept at him with blood-soaked hands. Crouch screamed and staggard back his hands coming off the box and as they did his mother vanished before his eyes. He looked around wildly still feeling that phantom chill in his bones.
But all he saw were the confused faces of his colleagues and Lord. He gulped but said nothing the image of his mother still fresh in his mind. Voldemort walked forward and felt the same chill as Crouch had. But if he had all of his soul with him, he would've felt the same instincts that he had to run.
He flourished his wand this time trying to unbind the chains around and to his surprise, the chains snapped and flung themselves off the box. Clattering against the wood of the table. He then conjured a simple knife and levitated it over to the box willing it to cut the wax that sealed the seam of the box. Once he had done that it was quiet, no one spoke or moved. They didn't even dare to breathe as they watched the Dark Lord flourish his wand once more but nothing happened. Then with a small moment of hesitance he used his free hand to flip open the lid of the box. It was a quick movement that caused a loud clatter as the lid hit the chains and the wood of the table.
The Death Eaters craned their necks but didn't move any closer to see the contents of the box. But there was nothing, the box was empty. The only thing they could see was the red velvet insides of the box which was perfectly clean and normal. No wand, knife, or vial, no relic or dark artifact. There was nothing.
"M-my Lord?" Lucious spoke but as soon as he did a sudden sound of shattering glass was heard and all the occupants of the room whirled around to look toward the source. It came from the long hallway that lead to the dining room. At the very end despite the trails of fading sunlight that bathed the rest of the hall in reddish-orange the very end of the hallway was pitch black.
Then the Death Eaters jumped as another shatter was heard and they saw the pair of wall lamps on either side of the hallway break and go out. The darkness at the end of the Hall crept forward drowning the once-lit section in shadow. Then before their eyes, some black tar substance began to flow down the window of the Hall drowning out the light from outside and allowing the darkness to creep ever more forward. At this, the Death Eaters drew their wand and aimed down the Hallway. But none moved to stand before it, their fear still telling them to run.
Then another set of lamps broke and the shadows slid forward again. Then again, and again with every shattered lamp and darkening of the Hallway, the Death Eaters became more and more fearful as they took some steps back.
When the darkness reached the halfway mark they stopped moving, for a few moments everything was still. It was here the Nott in a small insignificant spark of bravery stepped forward to look down the hall better. But this was a mistake, as he did this a sudden succession of quick shatters was heard as lamp after lamp exploded and the shadows suddenly raced forward. The sudden movement caused Nott to yell in surprise as he cast a curse into the shadows and that set off the other Death Eaters as they fired their curses into the shadow but it didn't slow and their spells while bright were just swallowed by the darkness.
Once it reached the end of the hall it stopped at the entrance painting it completely black. If they didn't know better, they would've said that there was no hallway, just a wall of black. Once again quiet fell over the room as no one, not even Voldemort dared to move.
"Vahl allutaid urai?" a sudden shrill yet deep voice asked, the sound was raspy yet held the undertones of a growl and it seemed to be layered in a way as it sounded like three people speaking at once. No one said anything, no one even recognized the language as confusing frightened glances were shared between them.
"Bahg nejal kathul urai?" The voice asked something different but again no answer. Then suddenly Nott grabbed his head and began to scream in pain. The Death Eater's eyes were wide as they suddenly flashed red for a moment and he fell to his knees. And just as quickly as it had started it ended as Nott used his hands to keep himself up off the ground and he gasped for air.
"Ah, there, much better. Now for my initial inquiry. Who freed me?" The voice said now in English with a British accent but the unnatural layering of his voice remained.
"I did, I am the one who freed you," Voldemort said as he stared down the shadow.
"Yes, Voldemort... Tom Riddle, what is known as a Half-Blood, now Dark Lord. Doubt creeps within your ranks... I smell it. They don't believe in you anymore." The voice taunted, Riddle should've been more rattled that the being knew his name but he wasn't.
"I freed you, from both the box and the red pool."
"Prison, drowning crimson. Box, shackles of wood, wax, and silver. A debt, a contract to be formed. State your desire." The voice said and Voldemort narrowed his eyes.
"I wish for you to be a weapon to use against my enemies."
"Blade and blood, shadow and death. War is despair, I am fear. A contract to be formed but a price also is to be."
"What is this price? You owe me a debt already there should be no price." Voldemort growled and suddenly the chairs at the table flung out and shattered against the wall and every form of glass cracked as the very foundations of the house shook.
"Debt has been paid, the life of yours remains aglow in your bosom. Debt paid, with the life of yours and your fellows. Rat unavoidable." The voice growled sounding much more hostile as everyone's eyes flicked towards the dead body of Peter when it mentioned the rat. Voldemort had no idea what he was truly dealing with and didn't want to risk it.
"Then what is this price?" He asked and the shadows seemed to melt becoming like tar as it formed a humanoid appearance. Then it began to solidify as it took on an appearance. It was clad in all black, a long victorian style coat that fell to its knees clasped together with jet-black metal and chains. The coat also had a hood that was thrown over its head and the being's face was covered by what could only be described as a gothic-style plague doctor's mask. With glassy black eyes that stared back at all the occupants of the room.
It was here that the room seemed to go cold as whisps of mist escaped people's mouths as they breathed. It approached, it steps silent and it left a trail of frost in its wake. For a split moment the Death Eaters thought that this was some form of Dementor but no, this was something older and much darker than the Dementors could ever dream of being.
"Blood and Soul, payments to be made to me. Blood for action, soul for loyalty." Voldemort didn't make a sound but internally he grinned. His soul was safely split into multiple vessels. If this creature wanted his blood he could have it. His soul would be unclaimable to it.
"When would the price need to be paid?" Voldemort asked.
"Blood with action... orders given and compensation will be needed."
"So if I order you to kill I will need to give you blood before you carry out the order?"
"Indeed payment will be given or else the contract shall break."
"And my soul?" He asked and the creature was as emotionless as stone.
"To be given upon our contract's completion. Your war shall be fought and I will have your soul. When you perish you shall be mine." The creature said. Again Voldemort felt his internal joy at fooling the creature, his soul would be going nowhere.
"I find this agreeable, how will this contract be formed?"
"With blood." The creature said as it approached and as it got closer Voldemort could feel the chill become stronger until it stood directly in front of him.
"Then let it be done," Voldemort said and the creature raised a single gloved hand and after a moment Voldemort surrendered one of his own. The creature gripped his wrist as it raised the appendage towards the beak of the mask. Then it began to shake and the stitching on the side strained as the beak parted. It was a strain as the creature opened its mouth the stitching being stretched along the sides as it revealed a fleshy mouth filled with straight needle-like teeth and a long thin tongue tipped with a single barb.
In a blink of an eye, the tongue lashed out and Voldemort felt a sting as it pierce his palm. It remained for a moment as he could feel the suction from the tongue until the creature retracted it. Then its mouth snapped closed and the creature stepped back.
"My name is for you to hear alone." The creature said and Voldemort noticed the unnatural stillness of his Death Eaters and he realized they were frozen.
"Vahlkiel," it said and after that, his Death Eaters resumed blinking. "What is your first order?" Vahlkiel asked and Voldemort took a moment. He needed his most loyal freed from Azkaban but Amelia had buffed up security at the prison. A perfect test to see how fruitful this contract would truly be.
"I have followers that are imprisoned, in a place called Azkaban. Free them and bring them to me safely." Vahlkiel was still before he was gone, just gone. No twist, no sound, no flash, just vanished from where he was. Voldemort looked around at his Death Eaters and saw they were all quite shaken.
"Get rid of Wormtail and clean up the mess." He said as he left the room he had much to plan now that he had his game changer in place. None of the Death Eaters moved at first too overwhelmed to even think.
"H-Husband... m-may I...?" Narcissa Malfoy spoke up after being silent the whole time. Lucious scowled as if annoyed with his wife's discomfort.
"Leave." He said shortly as he set about the task the Dark Lord ordered with the aid of Crouch. Nott was leaning on his wife as they left the room together. Narcissa hurried out navigating the halls until she reached the Floo. Without hesitation, she grabbed some powder and stepped through to her home. Once there she gripped her chest and fell to her knees greedily sucking in breaths as a weight seemed to lift off of her.
She had never been so terrified in her life, nothing came close. Whatever that thing was it was not of this world and the Dark Lord now had it at his beck and call. This was beyond horrible, and Narcissa knew she couldn't stay silent about this.
"Becky!" Narcissa called and her personal house elf appeared before her.
"Mistress called?"
"Yes, take a message to the Owl. Tell her we need to meet, in person and it cannot wait! Go now!" She said hurriedly as Narcissa still tried to calm herself. The Elf nodded hastily and disappeared with a pop. Narcissa remained on the floor on her knees for several more minutes. Her only company was the sound of her breathing and the still air of the empty manor. And yet even still she could feel the phantom chills from the creature and the horror of what she witnessed lingered in her mind.
"Gods help us all."
_SCENE_
Happy Halloween! I know it's late but still, it's my favorite Holiday! And I wanted to make something very spooky and horror-like for this chapter in honor of that. We get to see a few possible problems that could arise from the Grindelwald name as well as planning damage control. Also, we get to see what's in the box! Wonder how the group will have to deal with this new threat. Hope Y'all enjoyed and if you want to support me at P_A_T_R_E_O_N /Akida_Pendragon. Let me know what Y'all think and until next time this has been your Average, Ordinary, Everyday Fallen Angel!