A New Chapter!
Hey everyone! I am super stoked to have this ready for you guys. It has been good to be back writing and having a flow going. As always enjoy, let me know what you think and let me know what you want to see more of.
Mermaid xoxo
Tom looked over the shopping list with relief, they had almost everything. With a tired sigh, he led his family over to the final stop in Diagon Alley. The building was an old one, made of faded purple bricks with four large dark green wooden panelled windows, and a long sign crossed over the middle with the golden letters declaring:
Magical Menagerie.
"Alright, try not to get distracted," Tom sighed as Harry and Hermione perked up seeing where they were. "We are here for care products for Hedwig and Aristotle only!" He yelled out the last part as they disappeared into the store without listening.
"Why do I try?" He asked his wife with a shake of his head, smiling when Cassi just laughed airily.
"You know, despite not having any contact with him before last year, they do remind me of Sirius so often. His excitement for everything, his love of animals, of quidditch and pranks" She said as they entered the building, only to hear, even above all the animal noises, Harry and Hermione cooing over everything they had found.
"Yes, well, as much as the mutt would deny it, he has many things in common with Bellatrix and yourself, and not only are you a dedicated and involved mother. But Bella has also been a big part of their lives as their Aunt, since the first day we bought them home." Tom nodded, it amused him to no end, how much Sirius Black denied the Black in him. And if the dog animagus ever proved himself trustworthy enough to their side, he would enjoy watching the reunion of the two most chaotic Blacks alive.
Cassi laughed, slapping his chest lightly, knowing exactly why he was smirking. Sirius and Bella's explosive fights, and the bizarre and outrageous pranks on each other had been legendary growing up. Both were determined to be the best and denied they were anything like each other. And until the split divided half the family, they had also had a very tight bond, always the first to defend each other against others despite also being the first to lay blame on each other.
Bella had been devastated by Sirius' fallout with the family, and she had hated her Aunt Walburga with all of her magic until the witch died. Many of the remaining Black family and inner circle friends, long suspected that Bella had, had a wand in Walburga's death. Of course, there was never any evidence of foul play behind Walburga's heart-stopping, but if anyone would have been able to pull off murdering the Black Matriarch without evidence, it would be Bellatrix.
"Why don't you try and wrangle our spawn, while I track down what we actually come in here for," Cassi said fondly, kissing Tom's cheek before disappearing into the rows of animal care equipment. Tom watched her leave until he couldn't see her anymore before listening out for his wayward children's voices and following them. He found Hermione first, up the front with one of the store's workers talking animatedly, clearly holding something blocked from Tom's view. As he got closer, he groaned loudly, clenching his eyes tight and pinching his nose in the hopes he was wrong.
"No," He said immediately, "absolutely not." he shook his head fervently after opening his eyes back open as Hermione grinned at him while turning around to look at him. In her arms was the ugliest ginger cat he had ever seen.
"Not happening." he denied, sneering at the large fluff ball that was eyeballing him. Judging by the squashed face, large size, lion-like mane around its face and the ambient magic he could feel, it was at least half-kneazle.
"But dad," Hermione whined, happily nuzzling her face into the demons. Tom groaned as the blasted thing purred and nuzzled her back. He could feel the magic from both the creature and his daughter tightening around them. They were bonding. It was her magical familiar. He knew it was coming home with them, not only was it extremely dangerous to even try and separate a bonded familiar and their witch or wizard. But with the joy he could feel coming from Hermione right now, he didn't know if he would have been able to make her leave it here even if they hadn't had a witch-familiar bond.
"Fucking hell," he swore, only to smile when Hermione squealed as he nodded reluctantly.
"Alright, let's find out what it needs," Tom sighed, glaring at the ginger menace, who dared to hiss at him as Hermione passed him! The demon's yellow eyes stared Tom down as Hermione thanked her father profusely.
"His name is Crookshanks." Hermione chirped.
"Of course it is," Tom said dully, the young worker giving him an apologetic look before darting after Hermione as she called for his help, leading her to all the things she would need. He couldn't believe he was going to have a cat in his home. This was a disaster! He had sworn he would never have one after spending 7 years at Hogwarts sharing a dorm with Ralston Lestrange's monster. Jezebelle. That demonic thing had been evil incarnate. And he was Voldemort!
She hated everyone that wasn't Ralston and would actively hiss and try to attack those who got too close to her or her human. He shuddered, remembering the time Jezebelle had attacked him for simply sticking his hand under his OWN bed trying to find a grey and black button sweater. Unaware she was happily sleeping on said sweater under the bed until his hand startled her. Even with magic, it had been incredibly painful to heal.
"There you are," Cassi's sweet voice interrupted his memories, blinking his eyes, he brought himself back to the present, his vision focusing on his wife. Her thick curls were loose today, making her look more like her elder sister Bellatrix than ever. Although Bella's hair was as dark as ink while Cassi's was honey blonde, darker at the roots. Her grey eyes sparkled with love as she looked at her husband with a soft smile on her peach lips.
"You okay Tom?" She asked, eyes farrowing in worry. Tom chuckled and nodded.
"Yes dear, everything is fine," He leaned over and pulled her in tight with a kiss on her forehead. "Although I do regret to inform you that our daughter has found her familiar."
"Oh yes, I am aware," Cassi chuckled, "Hartford was most excited to inform me when I found him with his arms full of toys and bags of treat biscuits." Tom groaned, of course, his son was going overboard for his sister's familiar. She had done the same for Harry when he had bonded with Hedwig just before their first year. When they had agreed to get Harry and Hermione an owl for their first year at Hogwarts, never had he expected that Harry would find his familiar in a rare snowy owl.
"It is a blessing from Magic to find your familiar," Cassi smiled softly leaning into her husband.
"I know," Tom nodded.
"I am so happy she has found hers. She never showed it or acted out in jealousy when Harry found Hedwig, but I do believe she has been waiting for her turn ever since."
"Why did it have to be a cat?" Tom whined, which he would deny, causing Cassi to throw her head back as she laughed, shaking her head in amusement, hair flying wild.
"You will live my dear," she consoled insincerely with a grin before she saw Harry making his way towards them. Arms full of things for Crookshanks stacked high enough the poor boy couldn't see in front of him. Cassi snorted before heading over to guide her blind son to the counter.
Tom groaned as he headed outside, Merlin he could use a firewhisky.
"Do you really need this much stuff?" he heard Cassi ask their son sceptically.
"Yes Mother," Harry sighed with exasperation just as Tom stepped out into the crisp autumn air, the rest of his son's reply lost as the store door closed. Today couldn't end soon enough.
It was after two in the afternoon when they finally arrived home, thank Merlin for shrinking charms, they made school shopping that much easier. Bags and bags filled the foyer, as Tom and Cassi unshrunk them before passing them off to Pippin and Cinnamon to put away for their charges. Harry and Hermione were useless as they fawned over the new family member even Hedwig was sitting on Harry's head cooing at the damn thing.
At least they had gotten everything they needed for the new year at Hogwarts from Diagon Alley before moving to Horizont Alley, which branched off Diagon at Gringotts. They stopped to eat at Heliotropium, a popular Grey and Dark-friendly restaurant, run by the Pucey family. Hermione and Harry had eagerly fed little chunks of chicken to Crookshanks who purred loudly in his lavish cat carrier. Velvet cushions, a hidden expansion charm on the inside, and one side of the carrier was made of just scratching post material. A water and food bowl with stabilizing charms, Harry had even slipped in three of the twenty toys he had bought the cat.
"Why don't you two go and get Crookshanks' settled in?" Cassi encouraged, handing Harry the two bags from Magical Menagerie while Hermione carried Crookshanks in one arm and his carrier in the other. The twins hurried up the stairs, with Hedwig flying behind them, chattering away about where Crookshanks' bed should go, as well as his food and water bowls. Thankfully with all the wards around the property, and the small cat doors they would have installed, Crookshanks would be able to go outside whenever he pleased. Whether he needed to go to the toilet or simply play and explore he wouldn't be able to accidentally leave the property or get lost.
"Come on dear," Cassi hummed as she steered her husband into the small first-floor study that they often used when it was just the two of them. Tom sighed in relief as he sunk into his favourite chesterfield armchair. It was wider than average armchairs and extremely soft with a supportive seat and back. Covered entirely in a beautiful sapphire velvet, the feet and frame were made of robust black timber. Cassiopeia had a smaller version, identical to Tom's in everything but size. They rested together not quite side by side, not yet opposite each other. A small round coffee table between them, made of the same black timber as the furniture. On the other side of the room were a matching two-seater and a three-seater couch.
Tom's elf Driscoll popped in quietly with Master Tom's favourite goblin-made whiskey, it was extremely expensive and one of the comforts he splurged on. After pouring his Master the glass, he moved quickly to drag the matching ottoman over to Tom's feet so he could rest them after the long shopping trip.
"Thank you, Driscoll," Cassi said softly as she sat down in her chair, pouring herself a glass of iced lemon water from the ever-present jug. Magic kept it fresh, clean and cold and all of her most common haunts of the manor had one.
"Oh Driscoll, before I forget, can you take an Identity Contract to Ollivanders before the day is done," Tom spoke, sipping his whiskey happily.
"Of course Master Tom," Driscoll nodded, after being assured they didn't need anything else he popped off to take care of his Master's contracts. They were serious business, no one could cause any mishaps for Driscoll's family with them. He was also the only elf in Riddle Manor trusted to take care of such important documents. Master Tom also had made it clear if anyone resisted signing, he could use any means to protect them. He smiled darkly at the contract, he had never been allowed to use his Elf Magic freely before Master Tom, let alone on human magicals.
But the Riddle family weren't like any others. Master Tom had killed his first owner, Margot Podmore; she had been a member of the Order of the Phoenix with her brothers Sturgis and Everett. Yet no one else knew how twisted the woman was, the Black Occamy of the family. She had once wanted to abandon the Light and her family, having fallen in love with a Slytherin. Unfortunately her precious Bennie had no idea who she was. During their time at Hogwarts together, he had never laid eyes on the lithe Gryffindor following him around. Had never spoken to the red headed girl who imagined him beside her pouring his heart out for only her.
She had only joined her brothers as a member of the Order in hopes it would help to enact revenge. Revenge on a man who had no idea the danger watching him when he married his beloved betrothed. She had tried many times to kill the disgusting raven haired witch who had stolen her soulmate. She had gotten close once, breaking the bitches spine during a raid on Diagon Alley. Unfortunately for Margot, before she could finish it, the blasted woman's brothers and Bennie appeared out of nowhere. The brothers apparating their wounded sister out of Diagon. But Bennie himself had then turned on her! In the end, she had been so blinded by his 'betrayal' that she had been stupid enough to target his two-year-old son, Marcus.
The attack ended up being her downfall, every Dark or Neutral Pureblood had blood wards protecting their bedrooms. Plus a layering of charms and runes that would only allow chosen cores to enter nurseries. Benjamin and Reginah Flint had tortured the woman for days for her attempt on their son's life. Being careful to keep her just sane enough to be able to pass information of the Order to their Lord. Once he had all extracted all he could, he executed her in front of the entire Inner Circle.
With her death, her elves' bond broke, most elves would be left to a family member or friend in a will. But being so sure of her future with Benjamin Flint after she killed Reginah, she had never written one. Meaning the elves were free. They had a few choices; they could stay free, find the Podmore brothers, find a new family, or pledge themselves to the man who had killed their abusive Master. To the hurt and exhausted elves, there was only one answer for them.
Driscoll had been amazed at how different things were with the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters, even with his new Master spiralling deeper into the war and creating more Horcruxes, he never regretted the decision to follow him. But now, they had Master Tom back. Voldemort was gone, mostly. And there wasn't anything Driscoll wouldn't do for his Master Tom.
The next day was quiet and calm with an overcast sky, it was just gone ten in the morning when Tom had finished up with the last of his paperwork and sent it off to Manager Blique. She had become his family affair and account manager two years before he had found and adopted Harry and Hermione. She had been recommended by Tom's previous Manager Lotil who was Blique's Aunt and also the one who had trained her, he had been sad to say goodbye to Lotil, but she was ready for retirement.
Manager Blique had helped forge the papers for Cassiopeia and himself to be the biological parents of Harry and Hermione. She had also worked with her brother, Slatek to create his new identity of Dion Thomas LeClair and it was finally done. They had finished with all the paperwork and secured a solid background that couldn't be pulled apart by anyone. Tom was officially able to take the Lordship of both Slytherin and Peverell. Just in time for him to attend the first Wizengamot Meeting of the year.
Tom sighed, finally, he pushed back his large ornate Victorian chair back from the matching desk. The set was made from dark brown mahogany wood with intricate designs carved into the framework in lace-like patterns. He had two of these chairs, and he had them hand-made, along with the desk years ago. One chair was here in his private office, and the other he used at the head of the table for Death Eater meetings. They were large, the top of the backrest was several inches above his head when sitting down, and the Slytherin Crest was proudly carved into the top rail. The emerald green leather that made up the back support cushion was tufted with buttons, and the seat cushion was the same green leather, although untufted. Cassi called it his vanity throne, but he disagreed, maintaining it was just simply a nice chair.
But for now, it was time to track down his wayward children. They were eagerly awaiting him to finish off his work this morning, not only were they finally thirteen, but they also had focus stones in their wands as of yesterday. That only meant one thing to the excitable children of the Dark Lord Voldemort.
The Unforgivables.
Their Mother hadn't wanted them to begin training with the three unforgivables until they were fifteen or even seventeen, Tom had wanted them to learn earlier, at ten with their training wands. Finally, they had compromised at thirteen. Tom had been annoyed when at age 15, he went on Holiday with the Lestranges, the Blacks and the Averys and discovered his housemates had been training to use them since they were twelve or thirteen. It had only shown him, yet again, how big the gap in learning could be for Muggleborn or Muggle-raised. But being the prodigy he was, he had cast it successfully before the holidays were over, and he was a master before he turned 17. Even Cadsius Avery, who was the eldest of the group on holiday, had been nineteen and didn't have complete and total control over all three unforgivables.
Cassiopeia on the other hand had been nineteen before she had been allowed to even try the practical side of the unforgivables. Her father, Cygnus III, had kept her as sheltered as he could, not only had she been a late-in-life baby, a miracle in the eyes of her Father, who had adored her. But after Druella had threatened Cygnus with Cassi's life if he undermined her decision to disown Andromeda, he cherished his youngest even more. Once Druella had passed away from an 'accidental' and 'stray' curse during a fight in a Death Eater meeting, he had done everything in his power to keep Cassiopeia as the innocent child he felt he had failed to protect in his eldest three. He hadn't been able to thank Rodolphus for taking the shot and doing what he should have done many years ago.
"Father!" Harry was on his feet within seconds of seeing his father enter the parlour where he had been reading and replying to the latest letters from Fred Weasley, his Gryffindor soulmate. Hermione raised her head from the tea she had been enjoying with her Mother.
"How did it go?" Cassiopeia asked her husband, grinning in response to the wide smile that crossed Tom's lips.
"Perfectly," He purred, "I just sent off the last of papers, I shall be claiming my birthright at the first Wizengamot Meeting of the year." He laughed as Harry and Hermione cheered, and Cassi got up to kiss his cheek.
"I am so proud of you," She breathed.
"I am just glad it is done, I had never thought it would take as much time and effort as it had. But Manager Blique was thorough, not leaving anything to chance." Tom nodded, kissing his wife, ignoring the disgusted ew from his son.
"And you two, next summer you shall be attending with me as my heirs," he added looking at Harry and Hermione who bounced with excitement. Every summer, the heir of every lordship aged eleven or older, could attend the Wizengamot Meeting to watch and learn from the current Lord, Lady or Family Proxy. Their cousin Draco and their heir or heiress friends had been attending since they turned eleven, so Harry and Hermione had been waiting not so patiently for their turn.
"But we can discuss that closer to the time," Tom smiled, "I am now free, and just like we promised, your Mother and I shall begin the practical side of learning The Unforgivable Curses."
"Run ahead," Cassi encouraged her children, "we have the training room all set up, I shall go and retrieve our guests." she grinned wickedly, making Tom groan as her grey eyes sparkled darkly, she had no idea what she did to him.
"Tom!" She squealed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled his nose into her neck, pressing himself up against her back, and pulling her in tightly.
"Do you know how gorgeous you are when you embrace and delight in the darkness and malice inside of you?" He asked huskily, kissing her hand lightly, moving up her arm until finally giving a bite where the neck met her shoulder.
"Oh no mister," she giggled, "If I let you get started we would be here for ages, and our children would impatiently come looking for us and be scarred for life!"
"We can afford a Mind Healer for them," Tom joked, but he took a step back and took a breath to steady himself. "Are you alright to get our guests? While I get Hartford and Hermione ready?" He asked.
"Of course," Cassi grinned, kissing his cheek lightly, "Maybe we can continue this afterwards," she teased breathily as she passed her husband, making her way to the basement turned dungeon. Humming to herself lightly Cassiopeia made her way out of the parlour, feeling Tom's eyes on her until she turned the corner. She smiled with happiness, continuing her journey past the dining hall, where at the end of the hall she could see the large and heavy dark brown oak door. It was then that she felt a presence join her, a large shadow of a bumbling and gentle man darting across the walls as he hurried to join her.
"Mistress Cassi!" He called breathlessly as he chased after her, with a grin she stopped to turn to him. He was a short man, only a few inches taller than Harry and Hermione despite being thirty-three years old to their thirteen. He was also a rather plump man overall, his chubby cheeks always pink with excitement and his small blue eyes were almost beady in appearance. His dark blonde receding hair reached his shoulders, it had been brushed and pulled back into a low ponytail with a rather large blue bow. Most likely a gift from Harry who loved them, but also enjoyed playing with and styling everyone's hair, having started helping Hermione young.
"Peter dear I do wish you would call me just Cassi," She sighed with loving amusement, "You need not call me Mistress, or call Tom Master, we are family."
"Oh I couldn't do that Mistress," Peter Pettigrew squeaked, almost in horror at the suggestion, shaking his head. "Master Tom is our leader, he showed me the truth and has kept me safe. You are Master Tom's heart and so kind, so must be treated with the same respect." Cassi just smiled and hugged the man knowing it was a lost battle. She watched as his watery eyes darted around the hallways, always alert and checking for dangers, hands wringing in anxiety.
"We are safe in here," she promised, knowing sometimes he just needed to hear reassurances, "We checked on all the property wards just two days ago," Peter nodded happily before relaxing slightly, although after everything it seemed like he never truly relaxed fully. The poor animagus had been through hell during the war, and Cassi couldn't wait to get her hands on those responsible for destroying someone who had been so innocent and joyful. It filled a fire in her stomach as she thought about it, her hands clenching, aching to hold her wand as she cursed Dumbledore and Moody.
During the height of the Wizarding War, when Voldemort was at his most unstable and unpredictable, Dumbledore started to become desperate. The monster he had created with Myrtle's death and that first Horcrux had gone too far, gotten too powerful, and Dumbledore was no longer in control. It was obvious to the masses that the Light and the Ministry were losing this war. Everyone was scared, many were reaching out to Dumbledore, begging for him to do something, anything. Everyone looked to the Headmaster, expecting him to finish Voldemort like he had Grindelwald, the letters had started to turn into howlers. The Wizarding World was losing their faith, reverence and respect for him. He knew he had to hatch a new plan and fast.
One of the reasons they had been losing was that the Dark was always two wands ahead; with spies inside Hogwarts, students and teachers alike and the Ministry, from the Department of Magical Games and Sports to the Department of Mysteries, and the Department of Magical Law and Enforcement. He had loyal followers in the Auror department, many trainees were just-graduated students he had recruited for the Order of the Phoenix. But it wasn't enough, and so he decided he needed a spy inside the Death Eaters themselves.
Not only would the spy be able to pass vital information about Voldemort's plans back to Dumbledore, but they might even be able to find out the identities of the Inner and Outer Circle members. He knew of many ex-students that were sure to be marked, however, because of their high standing among Pureblood circles and the Wizengamot, with only his word to go on, the Aurors couldn't or wouldn't do anything. There were also so many Death Eaters and supporters that even he couldn't know all of their identities. Whispers of Voldemort recruiting powerful Ministry workers and leaving them unmarked to stay hidden had reached his ears as well.
He knew his spy couldn't be just anyone, the Dark would never trust one of his most loyal and devoted, but it also couldn't be someone who questioned him often. There would be sacrifices made to gain trust and that ruled out some of his followers who didn't have the stomach for that. The spy also couldn't be someone who could fight Dumbledore's 'influence' just in case he needed to use it or be weak-willed enough to convert to the Dark while undercover. That was when it hit him.
Peter Pettigrew.
The Headmaster had never really paid attention to the boy when he had been in school, disregarding him as just a little follower who had managed to befriend the three he was more interested in. James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin, the golden boys of Gryffindor, although he had been pleasantly surprised when Peter had actually managed the animagus transformation. But now all four boys had graduated from Hogwarts and were ready to prove their worth to the old Headmaster.
James and Sirius had applied to the Auror recruitment programme, which due to the war had fast-tracked the students in just a year and a half instead of the original three years. Remus was tasked with tracking down werewolves who had not publically sided with Voldemort and ran under Fenrir Greyback. It was dangerous work trying to convince every unaligned pack or solo wolf to either side with Dumbledore or at the least stay neutral. It wasn't easy with Voldemort and Greyback vowing to change the restrictive and prejudiced laws against dark creatures.
But Peter hadn't been able to prove himself on missions yet and Dumbledore could see it eating at him when his friends were showered in praise for their successes. It didn't help that they also had it easier than Peter socially, James and Sirius were ever the popular and fun ones, whereas Remus always seemed to know just what to say in times of good and bad. James had just proposed to Lily Evans who had said yes joyfully, Sirius was happily bouncing from casual partner to casual partner and Remus had just recently started dating Emmeline Vance. Peter was left to just flounder about, stuttering when faced with a pretty girl and saying the wrong thing. That slight jealousy was what Dumbledore used to lure Peter into the trap that the undercover mission was.
The plan had been simple, even a Gnome could follow it, Dumbledore had thought. To begin with, Peter was to start pulling away from the Order and his friends, it was vital they didn't know why though. They couldn't afford an accidental or purposeful leak, so the only wizards aware of the plan were Dumbledore, Peter, and Dumbledore's second-in-command, Senior Auror Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. The stout and grouchy Auror was one of the most competent Aurors the department had ever seen, he was quick and vicious, often using extremely questionable methods to get the job done. Most of the Death Eaters that were dead or in Azkaban were there because of Moody. He never gave mercy and he never gave second chances.
With no chance of their plan escaping from any loose or drunk lips, the second thing they had to do was stop Peter himself from revealing what he was up to. So Dumbledore and Moody spent hours using Legilimency and Occlumency to painfully build up a mental shield in Peter's mind as they didn't have the time to train Peter to be able to do it himself. Not that they believed he could learn anyway. He ended up spending two weeks in a makeshift hospital wing in Dumbledore's office to recover when they were done. Thankfully because of the generous use of the Obliviate, none of the Mediwitches and wizards remembered any of it.
Next, Peter was to be seen by the right people hanging out in their pubs, mostly this was down Knockturn Alley as it had become a hub for Death Eaters. Slowly he would gain the trust of low-level sympathizers and recruiters, which was easier than they had planned. Peter pretended to get drunk and ramble scared about the war, using chosen phrases like; "how the Light would lose the war" and "no-one in the Order respects or trusts him" and as he settled in, adding "it's not like the Dark is actually wrong anyway," and "I will show them all". It had all worked perfectly. Within a few weeks, Peter had made friends with the recruiters who Peter would then pass on valuable information. Just like in chess, Dumbledore wasn't afraid to sacrifice a few pawns to win, so if a few Order members had to die for Peter to get the Dark Mark then so be it. Of course, Peter had no idea that the information he was repeating was reasonable for the deaths of his friends and their families. He would have pulled out and told everyone if he had known.
But they had done it! It took four seemingly long months, still, before they knew it, Peter was standing before Voldemort pledging his allegiance, taking part in his initiation and finally receiving the Dark Mark. He continued to pass vital information to Dumbledore, they were gaining the upper hand. Peter was proving himself to Voldemort as the "Darks Spy" and moving up the ranks.
It was March 1980, and Peter had been promoted from Death Eater to an Outer Circle Death Eater! It was the very next day after the Death Eaters had celebrated his promotion, that everything came crashing down around them. He had raced to Hogwarts to the Headmaster's office, excited to tell Dumbledore about making it to the Outer Circle, which gave him several new identities. He burst into the room unaware that Dumbledore had been in the middle of a job interview with Sybill Trelawney. Peter had arrived just in time to hear the damning prophecy.
