An Ill-Wind
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A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz. Alix33, your help is always welcomed and appreciated.
Some of our previous O/C's are showing up without much introduction as they are not the main focus. Cast of Characters not in the original stories will follow the first chapter. This is going to be a short story that moves quickly. More explanation may be added if needed.
This is not for people who admire James and Dumbledore. This is written for people who like to see a redeemed Snape and other Death Eaters, and would who like to see a bit of comeuppance to James.
AU, AU, AU!
The story starts just after Hogwarts is out for the summer, June 1981.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKRowling. We own nothing but our castles in the sand. There are several nods to other fanfic authors in our stories as well 'borrowing' ideas. But we never, ever, ever copy another work in its entirety to claim as our own. We appreciate and honor your efforts!
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Welcome to the Fireside.
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Chapter One - A Mysterious Illness
Arcturus Black rushed to his sister's side after receiving the terrible news. Dorea Black Potter lay in pain. Curse-breaker, Potions Mistress, Philanthropist Extraordinaire, and mother to her own boy as well as a pair of Black children, including the wizard he had named Heir Black. She had done much good in her life. Lady Potter was alone on a lounge chair in the Orangerie that had been built on the south side of the manor as an addition to the magnificent castle.
The Hall's opulence no longer dazzled on the best days and in his dash to Dorea from the floo went completely unseen.
Sunlight and the sweet smell of magical Seville orange blossoms had been prescribed by the dedicated healer attending her. The blossoms, however, were diametrically opposed to the fruit produced: luxuriant scent versus the bitter flesh used in the homemade marmalade that delighted guests. Appropriate, for all Arcturus could feel was bitterness. His life had nearly lost all sweetness. He took Dorea's hand in his and kissed it desperately while kneeling next to her.
Had his Melania been so cursed and the healers missed it or never said? But she was gone too soon for additional help to arrive. Setting his own recent loss aside, he gently kissed her brow.
Charlus could almost see the mantle of knight defender to their queen; he certainly was willing to wield wand and sword in her defense. If only the ruffians had been so bold.
Likely why the assassin chose to curse his lady instead of facing him. Some say that Voldemort (what a stupid made-up name that was!) was afraid only of the Defeater of Grindelwald. Well, that may very well be true…
But he also seemed to be a mite intimidated by Albus as well.
Lord Potter conjured an armchair for himself and their guest at Dorea's side making sure not to cast any shadow upon her too-pale face. There was no cure for this; just palliative treatments.
Arcturus begged in a low, desperate tone, "Dorea! Such terrible dark magic! What can I do? Tell me! You know more than any other in combating dark magic."
Dorea had refused the dark one's ranks just as his own dear Melania had, but he, Lord Black, had declared it was wise to wait and see if House Black was going to follow him. Was it for this reason the ladies in his life had been cursed?
Not that he planned to participate with such rabble, but this upstart would not dare attack them while courting their addition. However, some of his family were not thinking straight. His children, and even some of his grandchildren, had defied their Head of House and some were already marked. None, so far, had repented of it as the Snape and Greengrass boys had done, however secretly.
Dorea turned away, knowing the remedy was too terrible to perform to save herself. She wouldn't ask it of Arcturus. What if the situation were reversed? What if Jamie were older and it was his daughter at the center of this evil mess?
No, she kept her peace, knowing it would be her doom.
But Charlus had been by her side the entire time in their youth when they were learning every trick they could to be good curse-breakers. Egypt had given her a solid foundation in healing, and she had helped more than once in various hospitals both in England and in France. He understood her reticence, but while they knew they had spoilt James more than they should have, it was time for some natural consequences here in terms of Arcturus' lot.
Charlus asked intently, "How many Black libraries exist? I know the one in the townhouse where Narcissa's parents dwell is very small. Grimmauld Place has a much better one whereas Blackmoor Keep's archives rival Hogwarts. At least before the purge of anything to do with dark arts. Perhaps it's far better." Charlus noted Arcturus' proud smirk that popped in and out quicker than any elf. "Did someone borrow House Black magic? Did someone wield your House magic without permission? If so, you know what needs to be done." Charlus stood, the warrior-turned-patrician judge. He bore the cloak of wisdom, magic, and power. But his judgement! How could it be borne?
Lord Black rocked back as if struck, "Repudiation? But it might not be Bellatrix! Orion was marked, as was Walburga…"
Arcturus cast the detection spell after asking permission from his sister with a look; closing his eyes in pain and resignation at the result.
Regina, Sirius' younger sister, came in with a tray sporting a frosty drink alongside a bowl with cooling clothes. It had been just two years since they lost Regulus, her twin, and while much better, she still suffered from bouts of melancholy. She sat the tray down carefully on the side table before giving brief curtseys to both her grandfather and adopted father before turning to her nursing.
Arcturus gained his feet and allowed his granddaughter to take his place. Granddaughter. Wasn't that interesting that Bellatrix, constantly getting into trouble of one sort or another; – an unplanned and unwed pregnancy, her frolicking with that bone-mask-wearing group–, had such a high place of esteem in his heart when this young witch here, near Sirius' twin in terms of colouring, intelligence, and power was previously dismissed by him. Was it because of her school house or her quiet nature? Ravenclaw was not a terrible House. In fact, why Lily hadn't been sorted there was a common discussion at table. And it was wisdom to listen more than natter on endlessly. She was not a mouse by any means.
He needed to sort out his priorities as well as his affections.
Regina looked up at the men, "Mother isn't doing very well, so please, can you please keep your visit short?" Understanding that her charge despised people hovering over her when she wasn't well, she turned to the mother of her heart, using a fresh cloth to cool her sweating brow, matter-of-factly stating, "You have the bell here. If you need anything, anything at all, please let me know. I'm going to make some mushroom soup for you. Yes, the goblin recipe."
Their goblin account manager, a friend of the Potters, since their early marriage, had been by with a dedicated group of all goblin curse-breakers, but Regina had seen the look in their eyes. Anger and the thirst for revenge; for her enemies were their enemies.
They had offered axes and arms against their common foe but only knew of one way forward. A goblin way that would not spare her life but avenge it.
Regina tried to tease her mum a bit, "You must confess to me you truly loved Spurnik at some time in the past for him to be bringing his mother's secret recipe for soup for you."
Dorea squeezed her daughter's hand, the smile of amusement on her lips not erasing the pain in her eyes. Regina stood, curseyed to all, and took her leave.
Charlus waved his long-time friend over to the far window where he could keep his beloved in view and still speak privately, but he was careful to not block the sunlight. He put up a silencing ward.
Arcturus, who had waited a bit impatiently for Regina to leave, stated sadly and firmly, "Repudiation Charlus; It's the only way,"
"The final solution, surely. But what if there's another way? We know a half dozen marked followers at a minimum. Let's ask for Marius' and Severus' help. I have an idea that came to me while watching Regina's ministrations. What would the dark toe-rag do if he had a choice between getting Bellatrix back or losing her forever?" Lord Potter queried somberly.
Arcturus stroked his goatee.
Did he know that Sirius copied his pose exactly when in thought? Then Black ran a hand through thick dark hair, nearly undoing his warrior queue. Charlus had known Dorea's brother in school; he was Head Boy when then Heir Potter had been sorted to Gryffindor. Had the school rivalry betwixt the lions and snakes gotten worse or had such memories dimmed with time?
Charlus had deeply admired the older boy. They later had become family through marriage, becoming warrior-in-arms fighting and defeating Grindelwald, surviving politics and hard-headed children. It was only due to his and Dorea's struggles to have a family that their generations were so skewed. They were actually married first. Eloped after giving up gaining permission from the stubborn Black Head.
And wasn't it interesting that Sirius Black, II, Dorea's father, passed away before she had finally fallen pregnant with James? And so far, no other children had come to them from Avalon through normal means.
Oh yes, their family had definitely fought against dark curses before. And this time, he was willing to give the perpetrator one chance to make things right. Or they would do it the hard way and likely squib the perpetrators.
Arcturus was chewing on this dilemma and liked the taste not at all. "You are right. The only chance to save Bellatrix' sanity if not magic is for whoever originally stood in the circle to do the counter-curse. Otherwise…"
Charlus had never once liked the over-the-top witch: not when Bellatrix was three throwing a tantrum over sweets, not when she was a teen and bullying toddlers Sirius and James. It was so bad that after that particular holiday, the Potters refused to return to any others, so poor James and Sirius thought they met as firsties on the train!
Arcturus, Lord Black, stood, gathering his magic and might about him, "Let's do this. This is the best path forward. Do you have a way of contacting your allies immediately?"
Potter nodded. His red hair was just starting to go a bit grey now at eighty-five, a sure sign he would see a double century. But only if Dorea lived. Otherwise, he knew for certain, Charlus would die of a broken heart just as Arcturus was slowly doing himself.
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Bellatrix cackled in delight. Let the Dark Lord think she was searching for revenge against Dorea. It was only partially true.
The real truth was that her cousin Sirius was Heir Black just as Cousin Jamie was Heir Potter. Both were weak-willed blood traitors. The current heads of house didn't deserve the title. Arcturus was already fading fast with his cursing, though he didn't know it. The elder Potter, the berk, would soon be next.
All to honor her Master. They would pillage House Potter and if Sirius refused to join them as Lord Black, then Narcissa could stand as regent for the next one who was far too young to refuse anything.
She was all too aware of how little coin was forthcoming from the Blacks; the main Black coffers were blocked to them right now. The Malfoys, and other 'prominent' Death Eaters were starting to feel the 'pinch' of frequent pleas for funding. It was unconscionable that her master didn't have anything and everything he wanted.
And never once did she think it evil to kill her own blood kin to inherit their lands, gold, and status. A very Grindelwald perspective of the 'Greater Good'.
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Marius Greengrass came at Charlus' silent summons. The dark-haired man behind him was several years younger - the youngest Potions Master in a century as well as one of the youngest to hold a Mastery in Defense. Dorea had been his anonymous sponsor for his masteries, never knowing that Abraxus Malfoy claimed the honor then pressured the young man to take the dark mark.
Just as Marius, older and now certainly wiser, had been so coerced. Both wizards had been blessed to have Dorea as a secret supporter, mentor, and patroness. Both had come to House Potter for protection and work after doing their best to do as little as possible for the Dark Lord.
And now, she was going to die; slowly, painfully, and fully aware of each terrible change. All because House Potter had refused to bend the knee to this upstart dark "lord".
Charlus would swear fealty on the second of never to that one!
Both wizards were more than willing to help in any way they could; Severus more than willing to wield his wand to make her enemies suffer. Marius was cursing as his healer's oaths were binding him to a higher path for the first time ever.
Charlus laid out his plan with Arcturus adding embellishments. It would mean summoning Orion and Walburga, Bellatrix and Narcissa all together. Perhaps Cygnus as well. A House meeting of a sort. Wherever they chose to hold the ritual. Likely at the Black townhouse in Paris. The stone ritual room at Chateau Lumiere would serve adequately. Calladora lived there alone and would be more than happy to host the family; not participating.
If Lucius, the Malfoy Heir, attended, it would be another feather in their quiver, but neither Marius nor Severus thought he would comply nicely. Not even with House Black having ascendency over House Malfoy.
Charlus placed a small, if completely inappropriate, bet with Severus. He thought Lucius would come, as the man was a consummate Slytherin and would be looking for information and ways to take advantage.
Severus thought Lucius would be too self-serving and act to preserve his life rather than attend any such family meeting.
Marius rubbed his hands in unconscious delight at the knowledge he was going to learn. They had research to do for certain but he was slowly working on a third mastery for himself, this one in Rituals, which would certainly complement his Runes and Healing knowledge.
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Arcturus had a cauldron of hatred starting to overboil towards this…person…who had defiled his granddaughter and not offered honorable marriage, who had gotten Regulus killed in some way, though Kreacher refused to tell more about that adventure that destroyed his sanity.
A boil that was begging to be lanced, and he was not afraid to act.
He started a missive, his strong letters intertwining with Charlus' bold words, adding to the request for answers, well, answer. Yes. A letter from actual Lords of Magic to a lordling wanna-be who had refused to seek the titles and honors he might have been able to inherit as he eschewed to follow societal norms.
It was past time to deal with this festering pustule on the backside of their world. Forever. Step one was removing House Black from his grasp and slap it for trying to attack House Potter.
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It was against both custom and law to kill post owls. It was against custom and law to curse the servants of your host, whether human or house-elf, and it was certainly against custom to assault and kill members of the household where you were a guest.
So far, only the owls appeared to be safe from the mad-man who would be lord of all the magical realm. At least, no one had seen him killing or cursing those useful creatures.
The charmed letter had a glowing number fifteen at the top. What was this?!
'Dear Sir,
'I'm told you are offended by being called Voldemort, even if it is the name you made up for yourself, so I won't use it to address you. I know you by a different name, but I don't want to insult you by calling you that name as you refused to acknowledge that family connection either.
'One wonders why you didn't take up the mantle of Lord Slytherin? But then, you would have had to take the vows and oaths of the Wizengamot, something that you have been slowly and surely trying to do away with, going so far as to call them "old-fashioned".
The hand changed as Charlus, Lord Potter added his words to his brother-in-law's
'Well, we are old-fashioned, as we hold our Lordships dear. We have vowed to watch over our families, to provide for the sick, elderly, and any else within our household; to succor our Houses.
'Not suck the life-blood from them, as you seem wont to do.
'Dorea Cassiopeia Charlotte Black Potter has been cursed. The magical signatures are known to us. We're going to provide you with one question and one opportunity to make things right. The timer at the top will start once you open that question.
'You have a choice to make. We hold in our power several of your marked minions. We'll provide names later here, but two of them seem to be important to you.
'One is your spy at Hogwarts, Severus Snape. Charlus Potter is a governor at that school. Did you really think that the Heir of Gryffindor would not discover him? He is just one of the people in my power.
'The other person you might want back is my granddaughter, Bellatrix. I'm sending you two sets of parents in a moment who are going to beg you to save their children just as much as we are begging you to save our dear Dorea.
'Your choice. You might want to wait to open the question until after you see who arrives.'
The person once known to Lord Potter as Tom Riddle paused not just in fear but curiosity. So, the clever and dangerous man had found out about young Snape. Not that surprising but it was a shock that nothing had been done about it before now. Bellatrix? She was more than a companion and bed-warmer. He liked her vivacious and homicidal nature. Would Potter kill her to hurt him?
Interesting, especially with Lord Black sharing the letter.
Seeing Bellatrix' parents approach did not surprise him but Abraxas Malfoy was a surprise. His wife was no longer with them; had he found out that she had backchatted him, their lord and master, one too many times? His chastisement had been more than a little permanent.
The blond knelt in obeisance, but was nearly jabbering in fear, "My lord! I have received a most distressing message. My son Lucius is being held hostage. For what, I do not know, but was told to petition you for his release. Please! He is my only living child with my late lady wife!"
Legitimate heirs were so important to this world. The ill-begotten were provided for, to an extent, but no coddling. The dark lord knew this man had spawn running around the estate, just no other potential heirs.
"My lord, if he is killed, our joint lands will be surrendered to the Blacks! This fine home is theirs. Nearly everything of House Malfoy has been given to you for our noble cause." Malfoy over-shared.
That was a problem. Of course, if Abraxas was tapped out, then perhaps it was all for the best.
Waiting quietly was never going to be any Black's strong suit, and Druella, Bellatrix's mother not only barged forward, she physically tugged on the dark wizard's robes!
"Please, Master! Our daughter has been kidnapped! Do you know what they want? Please! She's our eldest and dearest child! She gave you your first…"
She swallowed, not knowing what happened to the malformed baby their wayward teen had delivered. The would-be gran hoped it had died of natural causes.
Surely, even the Dark Lord wouldn't kill his own child?
"Please, my lord, she must be…" His answer was both non-verbal and brutal.
Ignoring her weeping after his casual backhand, he returned to reading the letter,
'You have made a terrible mistake. If not corrected, you will have gained deadly enemies who will see you in the ground. This is a promise. You have one chance to make this right.'
Knowing now what the situation was, he just had to know the question that Black and Potter were asking. The former was a formidable fighter and had been supposedly debating joining his cause. The latter had killed Grindelwald though only a handful knew it.
Why Potter let that blustering, pompous, worthless wizard at Hogwarts claim the accomplishment, he could not understand.
But Tom Riddle would not bend his knee to either one of them. No matter what it cost.
The question was simple, 'Will you renounce the curse? Or do you condemn Bellatrix to a life with no magic? The answer "Yes" will see her spared. The answer "No" will see you lose the following followers as they lose their magic: Marius Greengrass, Severus Snape, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Orion and Walburga Black, and of course, Bellatrix.
'We don't know how Bellatrix will cope as a muggle, if she survives that is. Answering neither will be taken as "No". Tick-tock. The time starts now.'
And indeed, the timer started to count down. Two little boxes. One large choice. In the back part of his mind, he was curious as to the enchantment behind that. What could he have learned if adopted into the House of Potter? But that was a childish notion and he had put away childish things long ago. He was done allowing powerful wizards to force him to do anything.
He knew it was a mistake to give in to Bellatrix' demand to curse her aunt for some slight against her when she was younger. The Potters' son was a toddler at the time and Bellatrix had been stopped from casting at him with some relative's stolen wand.
She wasn't going to have the cruciatus on her own wand.
And she was only playing, or so she had told him. He suspected that was just an excuse; the real reason was probably that Dorea Potter had said 'no' when Bella was trying to recruit the wealthy patroness. Melania Black had died just recently as well. No, this was another mistake.
Even as he tapped No, a part of him was sad. The Potters had tried to adopt him, but Dippet, then later Dumbledore had interfered. He had been offered a mastery in any field he wanted, a patronage of a great House, but he had declined, finding out only later it wasn't the Malfoys, who weren't as wealthy as they acted, but a kindly Dorea Potter who sponsored at least one Slytherin of modest means every year; doing it in secret. He should have done more to protect this pureblood witch.
Whatever happened was going to be bad. At least he'd made progress towards eternal life.
But Tom Marvolo Riddle had made not one, but several critical mistakes of which he was unaware:
One was not recognizing that the diary was inside a House Black property, another was that the cup was inside a House Black vault, yet another was that the diadem was inside the wards of Hogwarts where Charlus Potter was governor.
Orion may have loaned him an elf, but said elf had refused to die as his precious Master Regulus had done, so once again, House Black had access to a different one of his treasures, making yet another mistake.
And because Charlus Potter had been a curse-breaker, he would know how to track down Tom Riddle's lineage; and thus the item hidden in the shameful, broken-down hovel of the once-great Gaunt family. He'd be able to find and destroy the horcrux not to mention the mummifying curse on the ring.
But all of that was happening in the future, all beneath the arrogant, non-existent nose of the wannabe Dark Lord.
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Cast of Characters
Regina Black - twin of Regulus, raised by House Potter since Sirius was in first year and his abuse was discovered in the first week health-check
Spurnik - Potter Account Manager, long time friend of Charlus and Dorea. They met in Egypt on a digsite. Adventures for another tale
Marius Greengrass - reformed Death Eater, coerced into taking the Dark Mark, he's become a healer and wants to break away forever from his 'master'
The Black Genealogy is different: Dorea is Arcturus' sister, daughter of Sirius Black, II who didn't like Charlus and thought him 'poor'.
The Potter Genealogy is different: Charlus' father is Fleamont, who was named with his mother's surname, a device that I use occasionally here.
Charlus and Dorea begat James; James and Lily begat Harry. Harry…while technically a Harry Potter story, he is here for the animals and to chew on the books. No, honey, take that out of your mouth.
James and Lily have been in hiding with Sirius posing as the secret-keeper but Lily works for Potter Potente Potions part-time and grows weary of staying inside the cottage at Godric's Hollow.
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A/N: Story recommended by Teedub; Petunia's Boys by severusphoenix
https/s/7832676/1/Petunia-s-Boys
A/N: Story recommended by Teedub; Wizard's Fall by Bobmin356
I adore Bobmin356, blessings to you forever!
Both of these are popular tales - if you have something you like, please drop us a note or review.0
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Copyright: The original books are all owned by JK Rowling and her associates. This piece is the intellectual property of the writer VashonBeader and her beta LtsHrIt4ThBoyz and is not to be used or sold elsewhere under any other name.