My Child

Chapter 5

None of them were comfortable with letting Harry out of their sight. Even if he was merely in the same room downstairs along with Arcturus. It had everything he would need, as well as plenty of space. They just had to trust that Healer Thorfinn Rowle knew what he was doing. Harry wouldn't wake anyway; he was currently asleep under a potent Dreamless Sleep Draught. Which Thorfinn had to actually ask a Pediatric healer how much he could be given due to how underweight he was. Harry hadn't even woken up for a moment.

'It's understandable, what of his magic is free is healing him, leaving him to feel extremely magically fatigued. Once the spells are removed, you must understand he will have such energy, and with no output.' Rowle had explained as he administered the potion.

"Marius, I want them destroyed, broken, begging for death…" Dorea declared darkly, clutching her husband's hands.

Charlus wore a grimace of pain on his face as his wife's nails dug into his hands. He wasn't brave enough to ask her to ease up lest he need Thorfinn's aid as well, to repair the broken bones in his hands.

"How do I do it?" Dorea demanded; grey eyes identical to Marius' flashed in very real, very potent fury. She wanted to know how to mess with the Muggles, eventually they would be killed, but for now she wanted to slowly dismantle them. She didn't need help on the ideas for making their lives a misery, no it was more how did she do it within the confines of the Muggles and their laws.

Marius Black smirked, his roguishly handsome features still got that sway despite his age. Smoothing down his tie, he crossed his legs, the picture of thoughtful innocence. "Oh, believe me, once I begin, they will never see it coming," they will never know what hit them. "I know just where to start." He had seen the job the man had, given his job title he knew he'd worked for a long time to get to where he was. To think they were pleased with that work ethic once upon a time .

"But I do believe it's best to dig into the Dursley family entirely, what was James' bride's maiden name again?" Marius questioned. Flicking out his book and pen, ready to write everything he needed down.

"Evans, Lily Evans," Dorea replied. "I might do a background on her as well, we know so much about the Potter side, I think it might be nice to give Harry more information about his mothers side." Even if they were Muggles and if Harry even wanted anything to do with them. Just thinking on his poor little hands, she felt tears blurring her eyes, no, she had to be strong, but it was so difficult.

Marius finishing writing he slid his small book and pen back into his suit jacket. Today had not gone as smoothly as any of them had bargained for. However, it did become less so in other ways, they didn't need to concern themselves with Harry reacting negatively to the change in circumstances. Although, he wished it wasn't the case at all, how anyone could abuse a child he just did not know.

A pop alerted them to Shaw appearing before them, clicking his fingers, and a trolly filled with all manner of finger foods appeared. Along with that a tray filled with two pots, one tea and the other coffee, sugar cubes, tongs, milk, cream everything anyone would need. "Can Shaw get anything else for Masters? Arcturus hasn't eaten yet; Shaw doesn't want to disturb Master Healer." He knew what was happening, what was going on, it was his place to know and participate his Masters needs and wishes.

"Take Arcturus to the sun room for his meal, read to him for half an hour, then return him to his room." Dorea answered, feeling bad that he was only going to get to be in the sun room for about forty-five minutes today. She liked to give him longer, even if it was just sitting in the sun room (which was a large conservatory) not the less modern ones they were used to in manors. Turning back to Charlus, "We need to use one of the bigger Potter properties, or the Black townhouse, cousin Orion put so many wards up that it's basically impenetrable." Sadness swamped her thinking of Orion. Fifty years old he'd been when he died, far too soon, six years ago now. He was in the Black family crypt. "Or perhaps we could go to Black Manor?"

"But you can't do that, not without control of the estates," Marius pointed out, jolting at the remembrance of the house he had grown up in for the first eleven years of his life. Or rather one of the manor houses on the Black estate, Arcturus (former Lord who had passed the title down to his son Orion) had lived in the bigger one as Lord, his parents had always resented that. Which was a reoccurring theme. Part of him thought it was why he hadn't had children, that and he didn't really care for a family. His parents, his siblings had soured him on the idea. That's not to say he was celibate (asexual as it would be known in the Muggle world), not like Regulus and Lycoris his parental first cousins. There had been an uproar at their refusal to marry, have children, continue the Black family (even side branches were important in preventing the disappearance of the Black family) they hadn't given into the family pressure. Marius would have congratulated them if he could, unfortunately they were both gone now.

"Not until the will is found, or until Harry comes of age where he can move in himself." Charlus agreed, he didn't have the kind of money to buy a property and have it warded, not like Dorea was meaning. An actual estate, somewhere similar to where she'd grown up. What irked was that they had two properties (and probably more) that were exactly what she was referring to. "And we've ran out of places to look for a copy of the will." Pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly. Exhausting weighing heavily upon him. They didn't mind raising Harry the slightest, or using their money to do so either until he came of age. Then he would be able to look after himself. It would be easier keeping Harry safe within the confines of an old estate. The old estates wouldn't have reacted well to the Fidelius thus James and Lily had moved to a small cottage – now ruined – which they'd bought since the Potter estate definitely didn't include Godric's Hollow when it was halved between him and his brother (with his brother getting all but one property that he'd chosen) a lovely little place for him and Dorea. By little it was a five-bedroom property with a good size garden, but nowhere near enough to interest a child.

"If it's money you need…" Marius begun, it's not like they wouldn't receive a hefty amount when he died. They were already written into his will, they had a copy of it in their records, and likely hadn't read it. They would respect his decision for them not to open it until he died.

"No, Marius, we'll be fine," Charlus declared, giving him a small but firm smile, he would not accept money from someone else, even if it was in order to raise his family in safety. He wasn't taking money off Marius, no, they would be fine, they'd find a way. He'd take more risks in investing, make it more, spend less money on things they didn't necessarily need.

"You should consider somewhere in the Muggle world, they'd never expect it," Marius informed them, knowing without a doubt that they wouldn't go for it. This place was safe enough, warded well, it would do for now, he was sure.

Charlus nodded somberly, "We'll consider it." It was true, Marius was giving it to him straight, and he respected him for it. It was true, there was little doubt Dumbledore wouldn't consider looking for purebloods like they were in the Muggle world. The thought filled him with horror though. "It will depend on what happens in the next week." Since Rowle would likely be staying with them until he felt it safe for Harry to remain on his own overnight.

"Horcruxes," Dorea said in disbelief, her left hand on her head, her hair shifting as she lay her head on her hand and shook it.

"He seemed very confident that it can be removed," Marius replied, glancing at the hallway, his doubt obvious for the Potters to see. "I'm not doubting his ability, but a human being a Horcrux?" there had been nothing like that recorded ever.

"If anyone can," Charlus mused, "It would be a natural healer, surely?"

"Certainly," Dorea agreed, "They have the ability to heal unlike anything the wizarding world ever sees. Normal healers are envious of those with the natural abilities, they don't need to take classes, didn't need to pass although Thorfinn did. He passed within a one year, as a healer not just a Medi-wizard." Not that she needed to say all that, they knew he was a healer he'd been introduced as such.

"But Horcruxes…there were far more natural healers around back in the day," Marius pointed out the reality of it, "Wizards were far more powerful as well." A universally acknowledged – and feared – piece of information that purebloods knew, but the why seemed to baffle most of them.

Dorea nodded, "A lot of books have been destroyed in-between too, banned or just outright burnt." She conceded, she opened her mouth to say something else, only for her breathe to be caught in her throat. Before she lurched to her feet, Charlus and Marius reacting similarly, rushing towards Arcturus' room where they'd heard the billow of pain.

They burst into the room to find Rowle picking himself up off the floor, a look of intense pain covering his face. Hands raised as if to stop them, whether it was to stop their questions, or to stop potential worry, nobody knew. The healer was breathing through his nose, as he tried to overcome the agony of being blasted into a wall, with nothing to ease his fall, although to be fair, luckily there was nothing to make it worse.

"I'm sorry," Rowle said, easing himself into his proper posture. His gaze flickering towards Harry, "I was wrong in my estimation. The soul piece…will never be removed except for in the event of death. It's too intwined with Harry's own soul, and that intwine? Will become even more so when the rest of the magical blocks are removed and Harry's true powers are unveiled."

Charlus paused, "What does this mean for Harry?" he asked eventually, caution warring with worry.

"Nothing, the piece of soul? Is so small it's almost negligible, but Harry's magic is very protective of it. It's became one with it, and when I attempted to remove it, it saw it as an attack and blasted me away." Rowle confessed, removing his handkerchief and wiping his brow. If he had been on his own, he would have used his sleeve, but with company he was always proper.

"That small? That's not good," Marius murmured, glancing at Dorea in fear.

"It explains his decline," Dorea added, "And his looks deteriorating as much as they did."

"Do you have many books about Horcruxes?" Rowle asked hopeful, the Black family library was one of the most impressive collections in the world. Libraries across the globe desired them religiously, going so far as to offer obscene amounts for a mere copy of a book. The spells to prevent copying of books (the bookstores would never make money otherwise) was only a few hundred years old. So, any book older than that could be easily copied.

"Yes, we do, but they'll likely be in Grimmauld Place," Dorea confessed.

"Is that a problem?" Rowle asked in confusion, she certainly was making it sound like one.

"Lady Walburga lives there," Charlus said, the distain in his voice, making no effort to hide the fact he did not like the Lady of the manor so to speak.

Rowle glanced at Arcturus Black, then at Dorea, confused but hiding it well. He didn't ask for he knew that family business was never discussed more than it need be. The fact that Walburga didn't have Arcturus in her home, where they were more closely related than Dorea was to Arcturus spoke of a tension. Although, to be fair, Walburga had been through a lot, her first son imprisoned, the second son she adored dead – without a body to bury – if not for the magic on the Black tapestry they wouldn't have a single clue that anything had happened to him. She'd also lost her husband, she was likely still in mourning he supposed, but…what was it? Maybe six years was an awful long time to mourn. Refusing to take in family though? That had to hurt, especially considering everyone thought Dorea and Charlus were dead…and he realized that Arcturus was never mentioned in society. They must suspect the same of him.

"Is there any possibility of it…influencing him?" Charlus asked, getting back on topic.

"No, definitely not, it didn't and couldn't even defend itself," Rowle declared seriously, and dark magic like that? You bet your life it would have some sort of defense mechanism bred into it.

"He's quite right," Dorea agreed, "If it didn't defend itself, it will not be able to influence him, Horcruxes have built in safety measures. I'm not sure exactly what they do, they're different for everyone…but they most assuredly do defend themselves against any and all threats. We can see to it that Thorfinn comes every year at least to make sure there are no changes." Just knowing that the soul piece hadn't tried to defend itself was a relief and harrowing at the same time.

"It raises another concerning point, however," Marius murmured, "Just how many has he made that the piece lodged in my nephew isn't even really active?"

Dorea positively beamed at the honorific that Marius had given, so very pleased despite the topic at hand. "Too many." She confessed. "Too bad we can't bring the political genius back; he didn't half give Dumbledore a run for his position." She added absently.

Rowle snatched onto her thought, "Maybe we can." He'd seen locations that meant nothing to him, perhaps the locations of the Horcruxes? He didn't know where, or if his thoughts were true, but it was worth a try. If he was wrong, he hadn't wasted more than a single afternoon.

"What if it's the lack of magic that's keeping it dormant? What if that's the real reason Dumbledore bound his magic?" Charlus pondered, almost spitting out Dumbledore and bound as well as magic. Not that he believed there was ever a reason to bind a child's magic. The practice and idea were abhorrent to him. As usual it was a muggle raised that suggested the foul bloody idea. Anything to keep them with their Muggle relatives, yes, distasteful.

"It's unlikely, but I'm not going to say possible, not yet," Rowle said pressing his lips together for a moment, "The Horcrux primarily latches onto the soul, but this one has grown along with Harry's, forgive me, Heir Potter's." he amended horrified to have found himself calling the child Harry without permission. "It's become part of him." It was all he could say really, this was all just his thoughts and theories.

"It drains both the soul and magic, but doesn't drain the magic entirely, it never has had a need to, magic comes from the soul. It should never affect Harry's magic and Dumbledore would have no reason to think as such…if he's as intelligent as others proclaim." Marius declared, having no fear of Dumbledore having not been around him or know much about him other than what Dorea and Charlus mentioned. Unsurprisingly he wasn't mentioned a lot, or in any decent manner. He was the reason they had felt the need to go into hiding.

"There is a reason for everything Dumbledore does, remember that," Charlus said grimly, "Including painting a target on my family's backs." Gritting his teeth, for a 'secret order' it wasn't quite so secret, James had doomed them all by joining that blasted Order. And considering how alike they looked, no surprise that there was speculation that he was in it.

James had gone into hiding for a reason, he'd refused to reveal that reason then. He'd promised to explain though, but well, James had died a week later. Taking with him the so-called reason, and Charlus wished he knew.

"Would you like me to remove the bindings on his magic?" Rowle asked, barely hiding a wince, he just knew he'd have a big bruise on his back within half an hour. "Or wait until he's been healed?" which he wouldn't be able to do while the Dreamless Sleep Draught in his system.

"What would cause the less amount of stress on his body?" Dorea asked, the thought of him being confused or hurt when he woke made her feel awful. Yet knowing he was safe now made her feel very protective, she was going to bring Dumbledore down, and Harry was going to attend Hogwarts like the rest of the Potter and Blacks had and he'd do so in a school that was free of Dumbledore and back to its former glory.

Rowle had to stop and think, it would be a lot for his body to deal with, if his magic was uncovered. On the other hand, it would help his recovery too. "There are numerous blocks, if I remove three of them, the magic should stabilize and focus on helping heal him without being too strenuous on his body…I think…it truly depends on how much control he has of his innate magic." Which was luckily, like a muscle whether you were consciously aware of magic or not.

"You'd be able to put a block on his magic if it should prove to be too much for him?" Marius questioned, giving the healer a thorough look.

"I could, yes," he agreed, he was now familiar with the kind of magic that went into blocking a child's magic. All he would need to do was copy it, it was easy for him to know what he was doing. "It will certainly only be a last resort." The thought of it made his skin crawl, and he wasn't sure how anyone could perform that spell.

"He will need a focus stone to begin with, it might help him," Rowle explained, finally allowing himself to sit down for a brief moment. Hating to sit down without being asked, but he had more or less been told to make himself at home while he oversaw Harrys' care.

"Amethyst then," it would absorb the power the best, Dorea was already making plans to get one specially made for him.

"A pre-made one, dear," Charlus declared in a whisper, knowing without a doubt what his wife was thinking, "It can still be new, just pre-made. Our monthly bill is going to double for the next ten years, Arcturus needs a lot of potions and will need more in the coming years my investments thus far will ensure a comfortable life…but you know it can change and we have no idea if a copy of the will can ever be found." Especially if he did not wake up. It wasn't as if he could get a job, no, he was working hard with his investments which could go either way. It's why he was ensuring that his investments continued making money. Everyone thought they suddenly just made you thousands but it wasn't true. They'd been 'dead' for years, and that meant they were limited on what they could do.

Dorea frowned, worry squirming in her gut, but it was something she'd bring up when they were alone. When they were in bed and nobody listening. It cost them thousands for Arcturus' potions, she'd ask Walburga but she knew the witch would just scream at them until they left. The odious woman that she was. There was no doubt she wouldn't leave anything to anyone. Pushing it aside, they'd worry about it if it came to pass, it was just a very distant fear right now. Its why her husband worked endlessly to ensure their comfort. If worst comes to worst, she had so much jewelry she never wore. She didn't have a daughter to pass anything on to. So, selling them was the next step. They often worried needlessly. If it was just the two of them it wouldn't be troublesome. They were fit and healthy though, Arcturus and Harry, however, were going to need a lot of potions. A callused hand rubbed her back in silent comfort as they got back to the topic at hand.

"Then yes, remove the blocks on his magic," agreed Charlus, a twinge of worry in his gut, praying all would go well. After this was done, he'd need to see to the books, try and figure out where the hell that will was, to see whether his usual Potions brewer was available and if they could brew the potions.

"Would you like something to eat and drink before you begin?" Dorea asked, ever the Lady she'd been raised to be (emulating her mother as well) at least in only the polite aspect thankfully. "Casting such magic can be exhausting, we understand its not taking advantage." She added firmly, "Sunny!" before the young wizard could even reply.

Rowle just smiled, accepting the kindness being offered to him, knowing that elders were used to getting their own way. His own grandparents were very much the same. With both his parents and himself, although, not so much anymore. Their advanced age meant that they didn't get away with it anymore.

The room was big enough for them all to sit and eat, the House-elves brought a table big enough to do so. The Potter's and Marius didn't eat much, having already consumed their lunch. They only ate a little not to be rude and to allow Rowle to feel comfortable enough to eat. Dorea naturally fussed after Arcturus, who was as normal, comatose.

The wizards all talked quietly amongst themselves, Charlus asking after his parents, whom he had attended school with and knew from social gatherings. He missed it, being out in society, having mostly only his wife to talk to and Marius when they met up twice or three times a month. It wasn't enough, he'd always been sociable, more so than Mont and maybe James, especially towards the end.

"Shall we leave Healer Rowle to it?" Marius suggested, standing with his coffee and saucer in hand.

"Call me Thorfinn," he said, "When we aren't in work mode." Smiling a little he was proud of his work so would very much like to remain getting called Healer Rowle. He didn't want to be called it the entire time he was here seeing to Harry. Then there was the fact he was expecting reciprocation.

"Marius," he told him, inclining his head, lips twitching in amusement at the look on his face.

"I would like it if you stay," Thorfinn told Charlus and Dorea, not specifically looking at Marius, he had no magic, he wouldn't be able to cast a shield charm.

Dorea glanced at the young healer in confusion, the single glance conveying 'why' and if it was something serious.

"As you've no doubt deduced, Heir Potter is extremely powerful, removing the blocks will make him more so." Rowle declared, in healer mode. He wasn't surprised to see them both becoming rather smug. It was a family crowning achievement when their children are powerful. It meant a powerful alliance, marriage contract and future grandchildren and family members that would be 'powerful' which the Black's knew wasn't exactly accurate. Dorea and Marius' parents had four children, three powerful and one squib.

"Which means you fear an explosion of excess magic," Charlus answered, "Do you believe they'll destroy the wards?" excess magical displays could be dangerous.

"Considering we're releasing them in layers, likely not," Rowle informed them, "If I'm wrong, my cousin is an expert, I'll have them repaired for you within the end of the day." Not that he thought for a second that it would be needed.

Naturally none of them knew that he wasn't just powerful, he was one day to be the Dark Lord Voldemort's equal. An astonishingly powerful wizard, who, if he hadn't played with Horcruxes, would have been more powerful than imagining. The poor wizard hadn't stood a chance, when Dumbledore realized Tom's chosen path, he decided to put a spell upon the book and when Tom touched it? He was hooked, there had been no escape, the magic Dumbledore cast on the book did its job. And Tom…enchanted, performed the magic and continued on once the madness gripped him.

However, Thorfinn Rowle was going to figure it out. He would become the wizard formally known as Tom Marvolo Riddle most dedicated and trusted advisor. He was going to do what nobody had managed to do. Restore him.

"Ready," Dorea declared wand out, shield already up, Charlus joined her, standing at the bottom of the bed, and erected a shield as well. One that was further, covering the end of the beds and the side not covered by Dorea's.

Charlus glanced up when he noticed Marius had vacated the room, he wondered if Marius thought something was going to happen. Charlus shook his head, and returned to facing the front, just in time to have Harry screaming in agony, his entire body glowing brightly until they couldn't see him anymore, and the magic exploded out of him.

Dorea and Charlus poured and poured their magic into the spell, barely able to contain it, it was leaking around the areas where they hadn't covered it. Which included right at Rowle, but he was persevering, and honestly the three of them feared that they would need to replace the bindings on the child.

Then another burst of power caused a domino effect, as the three of them were blown off their feet with the power of it. The next thing they were aware was dust motes obscuring their view, and the sound of things falling, had the ceiling taken damage? Were they about to be caved in?

"What the hell is happening?" came the demanding (but hoarse from the lack of use) voice of Lord Arcturus Black who coughed dramatically breathing in the particles that still clouded the room.

A/n – Will Severus find out about Harry in this and be part of raising him? Another uncle? Or would the thought of being around so many Potter and Black's be too much? Perhaps a Sirius/Severus story? A Florence nightingale affect? Or will Charlus and Dorea set him to rights, be honest and tell him they were all kids, he survived they didn't, to grow up? Or will he first meet Harry at Hogwarts that's free of Dumbledore or will Severus never meet him after all I doubt he'd stay at Hogwarts without Dumbledore forcing his hand. So will it be the first story Severus is never EVER mentioned in (A/n's don't count 😉 lol) or will he have a bigger part to play than he did in The Contract? Will Walburga be brought back into it or will she die as she's meant to? Poor Arcturus you know I'll have to look up when Melania died/dies since I'm not sure she is yet but we'll see ;) I'd love to have more of the Black family in this and ohhh I'm so looking forward to unveiling how Regulus Black is alive *smirks* although you've probably already got a good idea you guys know me too well and I've had some seriously accurate reviews over the years from you guys! well, take care and stay safe guys R&R