Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.

Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.

A/N: This story is A/U and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.

'Duel Theory'

TheOneandOnlyEnigma

Later that day Severus was informed that Remus was able to have visitors. So he, Lily, Sirius, Regulus, and Peter went to visit him in the Hospital Wing. They were escorted by Black Donal who kept his eyes out for Dante and his ilk.

Lily had a gift basket filled with chocolates, magazines, and other small gifts to make Remus feel better. Everyone has pitched in what they could to fill the basket.

They walked into the Hospital Wing, and saw Remus being checked up once again by Madam Pomfrey.

"Alright, Mr. Lupin. I dare say that you'll be right as rain, come tomorrow morning," Madam Pomfrey smiled as she finished her check up.

Remus gave her a faint imitation of a smile, "Thank you Madam Pomfrey." His voice was faint, barely above a whisper.

Madam Pomfrey rubbed the top of his head affectionately before turning to see Severus and the others walk towards them. "You have some visitors, Mr. Lupin. I'll give you some space as you all catch up."

Madam Pomfrey walked away and towards Severus and his other visitors. "You may sit with him if you'd like, but please keep calm around him. I don't want him to miss any more time in class than he already has."

"Don't worry Madam Pomfrey, we won't try to razzle him at all," Lily promised as she gave Sirius the gift basket to hold.

"Thank you," Madam Pomfrey went on her way to check up with the other students under her care.

Sirius walked up first with the gift basket, and placed it on Remus' lap. "Hey mate, this is from all of us."

Remus gave them a small smile, "Thank you. I'll definitely savor this when I'm gone."

Sirius looked confused, "When you're gone? Where are you going?"

"We overheard how Madam Pomfrey said you'll be right as rain tomorrow," Regulus mentioned.

Lily looked concerned, "Do you need to go to St. Mungo's for further treatment?"

Peter was the first to realize what Remus meant, and looked shocked, "He's not leaving because he's sick."

The others looked taken aback at the recent realization.

"Wait!" Sirius couldn't believe what he had heard, "That's not right!" He looked at his closest friend, and almost pleaded with him, "Tell us that's not what you meant Rem! You're not leaving us, right?!"

Remus frowned, he had tears sting his eyes, "I'm leaving for home next Thursday. That's the earliest that accommodations can be made for me."

Everyone was shocked to hear Remus' revelation.

"Remus, you can't! You can't do that!" Sirius pleaded with his friend, "We can figure something out!"

"There's nothing to figure out. I'm gone, Dante's won."

"Remus, please!" Lily felt as if she would start to cry. "You can't leave!"

"Dante knows, and I'm not waiting for the other shoe to fall!"

Peter looked at Remus, "How do you know he knows?"

Remus looked at all of them, "Let's just say he sent me a message that couldn't be easily misunderstood."

Severus knew exactly what he meant by that. Leaving would be the smart thing to do, and theoretically Remus could keep up with his studies with the help of a tutor. But why should Remus leave? It wasn't fair.

Sirius was starting to get mad, "Well maybe we should just go and…"

"Siri, just stop." Remus wasn't in the mood to entertain his outbursts.

"But Remus," Sirius did start to tear up. "You're my best friend, and I don't want you to leave!"

"It'll just be for the year. When Dante graduates, I'll come back to rejoin everyone for 5th year! It'll all work out!" But there was uncertainty laced in his voice.

"Remus…" Severus started to think aloud. "If you want to leave it will be better to wait until the end of the semester."

Everyone, but Remus, looked at Severus incredulously.

"Why?"

"Well, all the available tutors for hire would probably already be locked into contracts with their current clients, and you wouldn't be able to hire them until after the new year."

Remus looked at Severus and saw the logic in his words.

Lily knew what Severus was doing and interjected. "Plus Remus, just think about this. Perhaps we get this alliance with Sam's half of the United up off of the ground. Then with Sam on our side Dante will probably back off!"

Remus frowned, "You don't know that for sure."

"I know that for sure," Regulus mentioned. "Sam's the heir to the House of Yalarad, and as heir he has certain power in his family. So, having said that, Sam could order Dante to back off. Especially if 'The Rule of Two' is in effect."

"What's that?" Peter asked Regulus.

"One is none, two is one. Essentially, it means that the head of any house will run the family as a whole with the heir helping alongside him, or her."

Remus started to feel a flutter of something. Perhaps it was hope?

"If I stay, there's a chance he'll tell someone. That my life would be ruined."

Sirius growled, "If that's the case then he's a dead man!"

"Siri!" Regulus tried to calm his older brother down, "Come on, that's not the way we handle things."

"No, that's the way you don't handle things! But I've had enough, in fact I think I'll go and…"

"Do it then." Everyone turned to Black Donal.

"W-What?"

"Do it then. Kill him, and then you will have officially opened the floodgates, and doomed your house. Or, did you forget what happens when someone kills a member of the House of Yalarad?"

Sirius looked crestfallen as Black Donal said that.

Regulus looked at his older brother. "Houses Knight, Strong, Bolton, York, and Balmont! There aren't even any remaining blood relations of those houses anymore!"

Black Donal walked over to Sirius, "I know you want to keep Remus safe, but we have to think with our heads, and not with our emotions. That's how people get killed."

"You sound like my Dad," Sirius mentioned as he started to calm down.

"Orion Black is a wise man, I take that as a compliment."

Severus sighed, now that the situation was resolved he turned back to Remus. "So, will you at least give us until Christmas Break? Please Remus?"

Remus sighed, "Okay. You're right, that I should at least give you time to rectify things. But I am serious Severus, if things aren't better by then, I'm gone."

Severus smiled, managing to keep his friend here for a little while longer at least. "Thank you, Remus."

Everyone was too busy talking with Remus, and comforting him to realize that Sirius Black had left the Hospital Wing to see if he couldn't fix things himself.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

Cassidy scowled as he saw a few more outsiders come into the Room of Requirement.

A few Ravenclaw Second-years walked in and found a desk to study. They met eyes with Doherty for a split second, but they quickly made their way to a far off table.

The layout of the Room of Requirement was that of a simple study room with a few desks, study carrels, and bookcases filled with textbooks and study materials. However, there was a hidden door that led to an inner sanctum which The United now used as their personal hideout.

Cassidy walked back to a table where his best friend, Dante Yalarad, was sitting. He sat down next to him as Dante was reading a book. "This is such a load of Thestral shite."

"Patience, Cass." Dante whispered to his friend, "And lower your voice, please."

Cassidy scoffed, "I can't believe McGonagall fucked us over like this."

"This is just a small setback in the wider picture of the plan."

Cassidy looked at Dante, "What is the plan? You've never told me."

"I got to keep you in the dark a little while longer, Cass. Trust me, it's better this way."

Cassidy Doherty sank a bit further down in his chair "If you say so. Still, when are we going to see some action 'round here?"

The doors to the Room of Requirement flung open as an enraged Sirius Black gave his best imitation of his mother's death glare.

Dante smirked, "Now."

Sirius surprised the two by not charging at them like a maniac, but rather walking over to them calmly.

Cassidy stood in his way not letting Sirius near his best friend.

"No, no Cass. Let him be," Dante spoke, he was curious to see what Sirius wanted.

Cassidy stepped aside to let Sirius pass.

Sirius walked over to Dante who turned to face him, not giving him the courtesy of standing up.

"You gonna hit me Black? I'd be careful, there's witnesses," Dante pointed to the students using the room as a study hall.

"I'm not going to hit you."

"Well, that's surprising to say the least. Then why are you here? Did Snivellus send you here with a message for me?"

"No, they don't even know I'm here. I came here to tell you to leave Remus alone!"

"Or what?" Dante grinned, "You don't have anything meaningful to back up those words, so why don't you just mosey on back to Snape's heel, and sit, like a good dog."

Sirius clenched his fist, and counted to ten several times in his head.

Dante scoffed and turned back to his books.

"I challenge you."

Dante's head straightened as he turned back to Sirius Black.

Cassidy couldn't believe what he was saying, was Black insane?

"You challenge me?" Dante couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Challenge me to what exactly?"

Black felt every nerve in his body to quit, but he pushed on through. "A game of pool. I win, you leave Remus alone!"

Cassidy belched out with laughter. "Are you daft? I don't even play Dante in a game of pool! He's that good!"

Dante looked at Sirius and studied him before turning back to his books. "Nah, I'm good."

Sirius was dumbfounded, "What?"

"I said I'm not interested. You wouldn't even be a challenge. You've never played pool before in your life. I can tell from just looking at you, at that point it wouldn't even be fun." Dante turned the page as he continued reading the book.

Sirius then marched over and closed the book that Dante was reading.

They were nearly nose to nose, they were so close. "Then you pick the game," Sirius growled.

Dante studied Sirius again before smiling. "If you're that desperate for a thrashing, then by all means. I'll pick the game, but it will be at my leisure, not yours. When the game is set, I'll call for you, and we will see if your brash decision to call upon rain doesn't end up with a fistful of lightning."

Sirius backed off and walked off out of the Room of Requirement to rejoin his friends.

Cassidy sat back down with Dante, "So what are you thinking?"

Dante smiled, "I'm thinking about the endless choices on my plate to thrash Black with. The little boy is desperate to safeguard his friend; he doesn't even know he's left himself wide open for an attack."

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

The following Saturday, it was open enrollment for the newly reformed Dueling Club.

Severus and his friends were all there in attendance, including Remus. Black Donal was also accompanying them, he was also helping Gabriel as an unofficial assistant

They were all excited and curious as to what could be in store for them. The club was taking place in the Room of Requirement, as it was the only space in Hogwarts that would really serve Gabriel's needs for a proper dueling Club. There were several students already there at the Room of Requirement

The Room of Requirement was converted into a dueling exhibition hall. The first thing everyone noticed was that the ceiling had been raised up, and was adorned with animated caricatures of duelists in the midst of battle.

There were five dueling stages in the hall. Four were relatively smaller and less attractive to the eye than the center stage which was a deep navy blue and had moons, suns, and stars decorating the stage itself.

There was a couple of stands for seating, and a few tables filled with assorted waters, drinks, and healthy snacks to keep everyone's energy up.

Severus saw that Gabriel was on top of the center stage. He had his wand out casting some sort of incantation around the stage. He walked up to the stage, "Gabriel! This looks amazing!"

Gabriel smiled as he finished the last of his warding magics. "Thank you Severus."

Lily, Sirius, and the others walked up to the center stage. Gabriel looked at them, and noticed Remus with them. "Mr. Lupin, it's good to see you up and about. Feeling better?"

Remus gave a curt smile, "At the moment sir, thank you."

"Well if you get a bit tired or exhausted, let me know, and you can have a respite. That goes for you as well, Mr. Pettigrew. Do you have your medicine on hand?"

Peter pulled the vial of Breath-Ease from underneath his shirt. "Here sir."

"Good lad, keep it handy." Gabriel looked around the exhibition hall, and saw that a number of students were attending the open meeting. He then saw Sam walk in with his friends and siblings.

Gabriel breathed easily as there was nobody from Dante's friend group accompanying them.

Sam and his friends stopped before Severus and his friends. Sirius turned towards Sam with a frown and crossed his arms. The tension between the former friends was thick.

Gabriel stepped off the platform and stood between the two boys. He was well aware of the current animosity between the two of them, "There isn't going to be a problem here, right?"

The two shared a look.

"No problems Gabriel," Sirius shook his head.

"There's no problem unless someone starts one," Sam mentioned. "And I'm not going to start one."

"Good," Gabriel clapped his hands together. "Okay everyone!" He got the attention of the entire room. "Eyes on me please. I think it's time we all got started." He waved his wand and closed the door of the room, making sure nobody unsavory could come in.

He jumped back onto the dueling platform and made sure everyone was paying attention. "All right, welcome to The Hogwarts Dueling Club, thank you for coming."

Gabriel looked across the crowd of students eager to learn how to duel. He looked around and was surprised to see that the only trouble students were MacTavish, Troyer, and MacDonald. Well to be fair Mary MacDonald was actually acting a bit more studious than previous years, so he would give her a fair chance.

"I hope that you are all ready to learn, because that's what we are going to do for the next few sessions."

There was a collective groan throughout the whole crowd of students.

Gabriel gave a mock groan of his own. "Oh suck it up," He joked as he strutted around the platform. "This is for your benefit I might add. How can you properly duel, when you haven't been sufficiently taught?! Hence, for the first few weeks we will be going over 'Duel Theory.'"

"Professor Gold taught us to duel!" A voice piped up.

"That's true, he taught you how to duel under proper 'Code Duello' and he's taught you a little bit on how dueling works in the real world, but I'm going to expand on your knowledge of both dueling situations."

The students all shook their heads in understanding. "In both dueling situations I'm going to teach you different styles, and strategies. This will be beneficial for those of you who wish to become a professional duelist when you get older."

Sirius looked rather interested in what Gabriel was saying. He always thought that if he couldn't become an Auror he'd become a world famous duelist like Professor Gold.

"Here's a question for everyone," Gabriel transfigured two toothpicks into a chalkboard, and a piece of chalk. He wrote. 'Dueling Stances.' "Who here can tell me one of the different styles of dueling stances when in a standard dueling tournament?"

There were a few who raised their hands, Sam included, but Gabriel picked Sirius to answer, "Yes Mr. Black."

"Pure Style."

"Correct, Mr. Black. Take five points for Gryffindor." Gabriel wrote the answer on the chalkboard.

"Pure Style? Is that indicative to blood status?" Roland Summerset asked.

Gabriel shook his head, "No, but that was a very smart question. Take a point for Gryffindor, Mr. Summerset. To explain, Pure Style is the original stance that duelists used back when the sport was first introduced."

Gabriel posed in 'Pure Style' to show everyone. "You stand in a half-body profile, so that you are not as much as a target."

Gabriel posed back facing front normally towards the students, "Can anybody here explain why it is improper to be standing full frontal in a duel?"

A couple of hands raised. Gabriel looked out into the crowd and picked one. "Mr. Attenborough."

Silas Attenborough cleared his throat, "Because standing full frontal makes you more of a target."

"That's correct, thank you Mr. Attenborough. Take five points for Ravenclaw."

"Can anybody else tell me a different stance used for dueling?" Gabriel went to the chalkboard and wrote about 'Pure Style' before turning back to the crowd of students. "Yes, Mr. Clearwater?"

"Blackpool Style?"

Gabriel grimaced, but recovered. "Yes, you're technically right. Therefore take five points for Hufflepuff." He looked at his audience, "Can anyone tell me why 'Blackpool Style' gives me pause?"

The crowd was silent.

"Anyone? Come on, I'll open the floor!" He saw a hand raised up, "Yes, you in the back!"

It was Desdemona Yalarad, "It's illegal in modern Dueling tournaments."

"Yes, well done Ms. Yalarad, take five points for Slytherin. As she mentioned, 'Blackpool Style' is illegal when in a dueling tournament."

Gabriel posed in 'Blackpool Style' for everyone to see. He wielded his wand in his left hand, and balled his fist tight as he held it right under his chin. "See how I'm posed? Can anyone tell me what's wrong with 'Blackpool Style?'"

Severus raised his hand.

"Yes Sever…Mr. Snape?"

"Your wand is in your other hand," Severus pointed out.

"Yes! Anyone else?"

Lily pointed at Gabriel's fist. "Your fist is balled up like you're going to hit someone."

"Very good Ms. Evans, Mr. Snape. Take five more points for Slytherin and Gryffindor accordingly." Gabriel relaxed, and got out of the pose. "'Blackpool Style' is banned from tournament use since the 1830's, beause the last time it was used, it resulted in a riot. However, the style in question is a popular style when in close quarters combat, because you are able to fight two ways, with your fists and your magic."

Gabriel, with a flick of his wand, had several pamphlets float to the students for them to look at. "Along with Pure Style here are a few more stances that will be allowed in a proper 'Code Duello' duel. Divide yourselves up into several groups around each stage. There each of you will practice your form and your preferred stance and style."

Gabriel descended from the platform and saw that everyone was doing as he asked and went to the platforms to practice.

He saw that both Sam and Severus' group had taken to separate stages across the room from each other. He sighed. It was a start, a slow one, but a start nonetheless.

~*~* Page Break ~*~*

In Birmingham, hidden in plain sight was an unassuming high rise that was in fact a Grand Hotel for the Wizarding folk, and it was the current residence of one Haldana Hardbroom.

She looked down upon the muggle surroundings in disgust, a storm was rolling in. Bringing a hard rain, and even harder winds.

Hardbroom watched the weather take a turn from the comfort of her furnished hotel room. It had all the amenities and luxuries that she needed, or ever wanted. A comfortable queen sized bed, silk sheets, a turndown service, her own bathroom, a living room with a den, 24/7 room service, and plenty more where that came from. She walked over to her love seat near the lit fireplace, with her wand she levitated a log onto the fire.

As she made herself comfortable, she remembered the tribulations she had to withstand for the past three years. For they hadn't been so kind to Haldana Hardbroom.

After her trial had ended, Hardbroom's vault at Gringotts was completely stripped bare. It got to the point where she had to sell off some of her most treasured belongings in order to make restitution to those wretched kids and their equally wretched families.

And Haldana only sank from there. Nobody would want anything to do with her. She couldn't find work as an Auror, or a Hit Wizard. She couldn't even hold down a job working security at a bar.

Haldana frowned as she reminisced on hitting rock bottom. She was still living in that little room overlooking Knockturn Alley.

She was renting the room with her last bit of money, and hadn't had a decent meal in ages.

She would never admit this, but she was so depressed that she was contemplating taking the easy way out at that point.

However, it is always the darkest before the dawn, and the dawn came for Haldana Hardbroom.

An owl had knocked upon her window. Its feathers were black as night, at first Haldana though she was hearing things. She opened the window, and took the letter before closing the window on it.

She opened the letter and read it, she knew it wasn't from Charles Potter as she'd given up hope of ever hearing from him again.

The letter was peculiar, as it had no return address, and was devoid of any identification of its writer.

'To the honorable Ms. Haldana Hardbroom,

I have a need for a person of your unique talents.

I have deposited the sum of 5000 galleons into your account at Gringotts.

If you are interested in gainful employment, and the comeuppance of the certain detestable individuals. Please wait for an owl to reach you for further instructions.

If you are concerned about leaving to find a better living situation for the time being. I have reserved a room for you at The Paramus Waldorf, in Birmingham, for the length of three months, all expenditures paid for.

You will wait there for my arrival, and from there we may hash out details for your further employment.

I am sure that we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.'

At first Haldana was unsure whether or not this was an offer too good to be true. However, the mere mention of those galleons waiting for her enticed her. She went straight to Gringotts and found the whole sum of 5000 Galleons waiting for her in her account.

She immediately left her disgraceful living situation and took residence in 'The Paramus Waldorf.' Where she had been staying for the past two weeks.

She inquired as to the identity of the person who had made this reservation, but the attendant at the front desk showed her that the reservation was made in the name of 'Ulysses N. Owen.' Haldana assumed it was an alias, as there were no families with the name of 'Owen.'

She had been living at the Grand Hotel for about two weeks at that point. Waiting upon this U. N. Owen's person. Haldana had no complaints, her stay was valid for another two and a half months.

There was a knock at the door.

Haldana rose quickly and approached the door with her wand drawn. "Who is it?!" She asked in a gruff tone of voice.

"It is your benefactor, Mr. Owen." A voice called out to Haldana. It was a soft spoken voice, but she refused to let her guard down.

She unlocked the door with a wave of her wand, "Door's open. Don't try anything funny around me."

The door opened to reveal a bit of a portly man with mutton chops dressed in a muggle two piece suit, and gold rimmed glasses. "You can lower your wand Miss Hardbroom, I mean you no harm."

Haldana lowered her wand, but still kept it out. "Well let's hear it then Mr. Owen, if that is your real name?"

The man smiled, "Right to the point, I like that." He walked inside, and took a seat on the couch opposite of the coffee table. Haldana kept him in her view, and followed him and stood opposite from him. "Won't you take a seat?"

"I'll stand thank you," Hardbroom told the man calling himself Owen.

"Very well." U. N. Owen made himself comfortable on the couch before speaking further. "I am told that you are a very skilled witch, and you take no prisoners, as they say."

"That's right," Haldana crossed her arms.

"Good, that's good. Well, I'll keep it simple." Mr. Owen looked at Haldana and gave her an unsettling stare. "You and I share a hatred for The House of Prince. I wish to see them brought down from their station."

Haldana looked interested in what this Owen's man had said, and sat down in a chair seated opposite of him. "You have my attention, Mr. Owen."

"I seek retribution against Marius and Vesper Prince. They took something away from me," Mr. Owen stated.

"And what? You want me to steal it from them and return it?"

Mr. Owen looked a bit melancholy for a split second and then steeled his resolve. "What they took from me can never be returned. I've tried, failed, and lost parts of me attempting to regain it."

She furrowed her brow, "What are you wanting from me?"

"To topple their empire. Attack them from the bottom, and work your way up. Start with their associates, friends, and family. I need information gathered on all of them."

Haldana scoffed, "Here I thought you wanted me to kill someone."

Mr. Owen chuckled, "Oh my heavens Miss Hardbroom, no. But that can be arranged as well!"

Haldana was shocked at that, and was only being sarcastic.

Mr. Owen pulled out a file, and enlarged it with his wand; A thirteen inch ebony wand with a dragon heartstring core. He handed Haldana the file. "This would actually prove to me that you are capable for the work I have in store for you."

Haldana looked at the file, was she really going to do this for money? She opened the file, because of course she was. She took one look at the picture, and grimaced. "What are you asking me to do?"

"Well I don't wish the man dead, he has a part to play. I simply want him out of the way."

"This is impossible."

"Not impossible, just highly unlikely."

"This man is no ordinary wizard, he has a reputation! You're heard the stories about him, right?"

"So you're saying you are incapable of performing this task?"

"I…" Haldana looked at the file, and then back to Mr. Owen. "How much are you charging for this?"

"For this?' I will gladly pay you 50,000 galleons."

Haldana's eyes widened. For that kind of money, she would never have to worry about anything ever again. "50,000 galleons?"

"Is that not enough? Your target would be quite dangerous, how about 100,000 galleons?"

Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head at this and she asked, "Where is he now?"

"I do not know, but thanks to some information I have received. I know that in three days time the target will be West Berlin. I have everything prepared, and I have secured the support of a local mercenary group to back you up."

Haldana looked at the picture again, she wouldn't be able to take him one on one, but with a group of mercenaries at her back? The odds were in her favor. "I'll do it."

"Splendid! As an added bonus, I have managed to secure this room for your own personal residence from now on!" The man known as Owen gave her a packet with the deed to the flat.

Haldana smiled, "I take it the file has all the information that I need."

"Correct!" U. N. Owen looked at the clock, and stood up. "I do apologize, but I must be on my way. All the details are in the file."

As he began to rise, Haldana put her hand up to stop him. Own stopped in place, "Is something the matter?"

"Two things. One, I'd like half now, and half upon completion."

"Done."

"And two, when you say 'out our of the way'…"

U. N. Owen looked at Haldana, "Not killed, just physically incapacitated. Torture him if you feel inclined, but don't kill him. I need him alive to send a message to the Princes."

Haldana shook her head, "As you wish." She smiled, she would do this, get paid, and be on the right side of history as the Princes witnessed their downfall.

The man known as 'Owen' bid farewell to his newest associate and left her new flat.

He looked at his pocket watch and saw he had minutes to spare. He walked briskly out of the hotel, and apparated to his home.

A badly run down manor on the Scottish Moors. It was derelict, but it was all he had left. He could buy several more manors if he saw fit, but he wouldn't.

The man known as U. N. Owen felt the Polyjuice Potion wore off as he entered his domicile. The large suit slumped down upon his thin frame as the clothes were too big for him to wear. He looked into the mirror in his bathroom. He saw the same ugly face looking back, his unkempt beard was silver in color. The hair on the top of his head had abandoned him a long time ago. His teeth were in even worse condition as they were yellowed like a crayon.

He changed into a black pullover, and black pants. He walked into his study and stared at a board full of pictures, attached to little threads of red string. All these strings, and all these pictures led to the center of the board. In the epicenter of hatred and loathing the man directed his anger towards, was a single picture.

This was a magical picture of three people. It was a picture of Marius and Vesper Prince, and their grandson Severus Snape; it was a picture of them back at the Mullioned Moon after the skirmish with those Death Eaters. Unbeknownst that they were even being watched.

The man looked up at his mantle piece above his fireplace. On top was an urn, silver in color, adorned with ornate engravings of a duelist in the throngs of battle.

"They will pay for what happened to you." His gaze turned to the other pictures on the board. There was Petunia Evans alongside Salem Ollivander in Paris, Peter Evans at his worksite at the Mill, and Cinthy Evans out at the grocers market. More photos included pictures of all of Severus' friends and their families as well.

"They will all pay."

Thank you for reading. Please review.