A Marauder's Cub

by Starian NightZz

Dumbledore should have learnt that you can't keep a wolf's cub away from him. An angry Remus Lupin learned about the manipulations that have almost destroyed his life and his best friends, and decided that enough is enough. He soon became what he had been all along. A wolf. A guardian. A protector. A Marauder.

13. The Dark Lord's Teacher

Chapter Thirteen: The Dark Lord's Teacher

Andromeda and Theodore Tonks were both waiting for Sirius Black and Lyuben Vasilev in their law office when the latter two have taken an international Portkey back to Britain, and have then headed straight to the Tonks' law office.

It is a Sunday after all, and Sirius doubts that Dumbledore would be in Hogwarts that day. Traditionally, the headmaster of Hogwarts don't leave the school when term is in session; but as Sirius knew from experience, since when does Albus Dumbledore thinks that the law applies to him?

Though much to Sirius' surprise when he and Lyuben were both shown into Ted and Andy's shared office by their intern, Frank and Alice Longbottom were both present as well.

"It's so good to see you, Sirius." Alice beamed, hugging Sirius, even though it was just the day before when they have seen each other at Hadrian's birthday party. "Andromeda told us what's going on, and we decided to come. We think that we might be able to help."

That, and Alice is just finishing up her law internship with Andromeda. From what Sirius had heard from Alice and even Andromeda yesterday, chances are Alice would be entering into a partnership with Andromeda and Ted instead of opening her own law office.

"What of Neville?" Sirius asked, knowing that the Longbottom parents have barely let their son out of their sights since they have recovered their minds from Healer Milan's treatments in Bulgaria. He wonders for a moment how well Alice and Frank would take it when Neville finally goes off to Hogwarts in a month or two.

"We were supposed to take him school shopping today." Frank admitted sheepishly from his position on the nearby couch. Even though his mind is recovered, it doesn't mean that Frank had recovered his mobility fully. He is still unable to stay on his feet for long, and requires a walking stick now. "But Amelia said that she can take him and Susan together when she heard about the situation. I promised my boy that I would at least be there when he gets his first wand though. So let's wrap this up quickly."

"Here you go, Andromeda." Lyuben handed a tied up scroll solemnly over to a pleased Andromeda that Sirius is pretty certain must contain the results of the scans that they did last night when Fawkes had delivered Hadrian's Hogwarts letter. "More ammo for you."

"With this and what we've already gathered, including the testimony by Veritaserum by Snape, I am sure that we can at least press charges against Dumbledore now and make it stick." Ted Tonks said briskly, watching his wife add the latest piece of evidence to the already bulging file that she had created years ago when she had first started building up her case against Dumbledore.

"And speaking of…" Frank trailed off slowly, glancing at Sirius. "I don't suppose you know about the retrials of the Death Eaters, do you? Those already behind Azkaban, and even those that got off on the Imperius excuse. The DMLE held those retrials about a year after Pettigrew's own trial and subsequent execution, and it blew up an entire can of worms. Fudge is barely holding onto the position of Minister by this point due to the scandal."

"Not really, no." Sirius shrugged. "I've been a bit preoccupied in Bulgaria for the past several years, building up connections and relationships. That, and I was more concerned with ensuring that my Bambi healed from whatever he was put through by those animals that had the guts to call themselves human beings." He growled, sounding more like his Animagus form.

"Due to what happened with Hadrian and then the miscarriage of injustice that happened to you, Sirius, all protests were ignored when Amelia and the DMLE as a whole decided to conduct full retrials for every single Death Eater that were ever accused in the last war – those already behind bars, and even those that were accused but got off due to the Imperius excuse." Ted started the ball rolling. Lyuben meanwhile made himself comfortable in a corner of the office, listening intently.

"Alice and myself were still in Bulgaria at that time undergoing treatments." Frank commented. "From what I heard later on, my mother was less than pleased that the Lestranges were amongst those going to be having retrials. But no amount of protests and complaints were enough to sway Amelia, considering Pettigrew's testimony at his trial before his execution."

"Yes. When he revealed that it is not possible to take the Dark Mark under coercion, it opened up an entire can of worms." Andromeda nodded. "Amelia was working overtime for months, as is the entire Auror office. The Aurors were all sent to round up every single person accused of being Death Eaters in the last war before they could escape. This includes Snape, despite Dumbledore's protests." She rolled her eyes at this.

"I take it Amelia finally managed to get Veritaserum down his throat?" Sirius asked with a grin, knowing full well how long Amelia had wanted to do that.

"In a full trial furthermore." Alice tried to hide a smile behind her hand. She and Frank might be two years ahead of Sirius and his group, but they knew how much Sirius and Snape have disliked each other even in school. Not that she approved of the 'pranks' that Sirius and his friends have done, but thankfully, those boys have grown up by Sixth Year when Lily Evans had gotten them on her leash. Snape on the other hand, from the horror stories that Alice and Frank have heard from their friends that had children or nieces or nephews in Hogwarts, had yet to grow up, it seems, if the way he terrorises the children is of any indication.

At this point, Alice and Frank exchanged concerned looks before looking at Andromeda.

"Are you sure you want to hear this, Sirius? It might make you very upset." Andromeda cautioned, much to Sirius' confusion, but he nodded. He wanted to hear what Snape has to say about his activities as a Death Eater. Sure, he did bring news to the Order during the war. But Sirius had always suspected that Snape was playing both sides, especially with how many members that the Order had lost by the time the war had ended. "Very well." She exchanged looks with Ted. "Do you know that Lily and James went into hiding with Hadrian because of a prophecy?"

"Yes." Sirius looked bewildered, but nodded. James had told him about it, and why they have to go into hiding. "I don't know the details, and neither James nor Lily really places much stock in Divination to begin with. But apparently, Voldemort believes in it. That's why they have to go into hiding. From what James said, Voldemort was after Hadrian."

"That's not quite true." Frank rubbed at his eyes. Every single person in the room turned their attention towards him. Frank looked grim, as is Alice. "The prophecy could have meant either Hadrian or Neville," he revealed, much to their shock. "That's why Alice and I went into hiding as well."

"What has Snape got to do with the prophecy?"

"He was the one to tell Voldemort about it." Andromeda revealed, much to Sirius' shock. "From what is said, Dumbledore set up an interview with Sybill Trelawney for the Divination post at the Hog's Head. Trelawney went into a trance and supposedly told a real prophecy as the interview is wrapping up. Snape however was caught eavesdropping on them, and he only heard the first half of the prophecy which he then went on to tell Voldemort."

Sirius was very silent and very still.

"…You're trying to tell me that Snape is the reason why my best friend and his wife are dead?" Sirius said at last in a low voice. "He's also the reason why my Bambi became an orphan, and endured hell under the hands of those animals. Because Severus Snape is a Merlin-damned Death Eater who told Voldemort the prophecy?!"

Sensing danger at foot, Lyuben quietly cast a locking charm on the door so that Sirius wouldn't go tearing out of the room. Hesitating for a moment, he then cast a Calming Charm on Sirius. It wouldn't work as well as a Calming Draught, but it will do for now.

"Calm down, Sirius." Lyuben walked forward, and pressed down on Sirius' shoulders so that he wouldn't go tearing out of the room. "There's one thing I don't get." He looked at Andromeda. "If Dumbledore was there when Severus Snape was caught eavesdropping, why didn't he Obliviate him of that knowledge?" The others in the room blinked. "Besides that, am I the only one to find it fishy that Dumbledore held an interview for a Hogwarts professor in a public place like the Hog's Head? Does he always conduct interviews for potential professors in places like that?"

"Are you saying it's a setup?" Alice was incredulous. That means all those deaths… All those years that she and Frank lost… Even the deaths of James and Lily… It was all for nothing?

"I'll look into it." Ted promised, writing something in his planner. "Snape was sentenced to ten years in Azkaban's high security wing. Technically, what he did by drawing Voldemort's attention to James and Lily, and even to Frank and Alice isn't technically a crime. So Amelia can't pin him for that. What she pinned him with is being a Death Eater and committing war crimes, as well as emotional and psychological abuse of every single Hogwarts student that had ever walked the halls since he became a professor. We have probably half of Hogwarts' students and the professors testifying against him. The jury wanted a harsher sentence, but they can't legally add a heavier punishment when officially, that is what they're bringing against him. If he ever survives his release, he won't be able to work with children again." He exchanged looks with his wife. "Dumbledore was protesting every step of the way throughout his trial. I swear that I've never seen that vein on Amelia's head throb so much before."

Sirius looked to be calming down with this revelation, though it is the looks on Frank and Alice's faces that told everyone present that Severus Snape's days might be numbered.

"If and when he gets released, he had better get the hell out of Britain and go hide in a hole somewhere." Sirius said dangerously. "If I ever get my hands on him, I'll rip him apart! He claims he love Lily. Then he go and betray her like this and painted a target on her only child's back! He doesn't know love! He doesn't know what that means! If he had truly loved Lily like he claimed, he would never have joined those bunch of murdering psychos and become a Death Eater, and led Voldemort to James and Lily!"

"All right, moving on." Andromeda said hastily, deciding it best to move on from the topic of Severus Snape, though privately, she agreed with her cousin. Does the man believes that Lily Potter will fall into his arms should she survive after Voldemort kills her husband and son? She'll likely kill Severus Snape herself first. "Thanks to Veritaserum being a requirement in those retrials, those who have escaped crying Imperius were questioned with that potion. They were all sentenced to Azkaban. Just like Lucius. Though in his case, he was also arrested for spousal and child abuse. I'm sure Cissy will be glad to hear that. The Malfoy fortune was given to her and Draco for compensation. I've already seen to the transfers of that fortune to her vault in Bulgaria. Malfoy Manor is currently locked down until Draco comes of age, and then, he'll get to decide what to do about it. Lucius wouldn't get to use the Malfoy fortune in his lifetime, anyway."

"Not that he'll be very comfortable in Azkaban, I bet." Sirius muttered furiously beneath his breath. Whenever he thinks about the state that Narcissa was in when he'd seen her at Gringotts Bank all those years ago, he got furious all over again. Even at the height of his rebel years, he had never laid a hand or a wand on a woman. Not unless you're in a battle for your life. Orion Black might have his faults, but he had made sure that both his sons understood that. "Old Lucy won't last long there once the prisoners find out what he's in for."

Magical prisons aren't that much different from muggle prisons. Once the other prisoners hear that Lucius is in prison for not just beating up his wife, but also his only son, they'll be out for blood. And with how the wardens are, Sirius knew they would be turning a blind eye.

Though speaking of the Azkaban wardens, from what he heard from Andy not long after he'd moved to Bulgaria, those same wardens that were there when he was in prison were all getting charged with reckless endangerment and the shirking of duties due to what Sirius had gone through under the hands of the prisoners when he was there.

The wardens working there now are all new guys—all undergoing a screening process before they were hired. And from is said, there are officers from the DMLE that would drop by for a surprise inspection every now and then to make sure that the wardens are not abusing their authority and doing their jobs.

"The Lestranges and Barty Crouch Junior were the last to have their re-trials. And by the time we got around to it, Alice and Frank have actually recovered enough that they were in attendance." Ted added, glancing at the couple in question. "Amelia actually thought it a good idea for them to witness their tormentors being sentenced."

"Please tell me you didn't release my crazy cousin, and that she's still behind bars." Sirius pleaded, not liking the look in Ted's eyes.

"No. Bella and her husband as well as brother-in-law are still in prison, Sirius." Andromeda assured her cousin. "Though Bella is placed in the lowest level in an isolation cell. Her sanity…seems to have eroded during her time in there that she will be a danger not only to herself, but also the wardens. So it was an unanimous decision by the jury for her to be placed there instead of the high security cell. I'm actually expecting to receive a missive about her death anytime soon." Andromeda looked sad.

It is common knowledge that most prisoners who were sentenced to the deepest block of Azkaban Prison – the isolation cells, are normally there because they're dangerous to the point that it is not safe for them to be around anyone else, or they're clinically insane. Prisoners sent there never last beyond five years. Though not that there are many prisoners sent there.

"I'll bet that Dumbledore protested her placement there." Sirius snorted.

Andromeda and Ted exchanged grim looks, not answering that question. Sirius had really hit the nail on the head with that. Augusta Longbottom looked ready to strangle Dumbledore with his own beard when he had preached clemency for Bellatrix Lestrange, if not for the fact that she's more preoccupied with her son and daughter-in-law.

"Though thankfully Amelia insisted on retrials for all those accused of being Death Eaters, as there are more than one accused wrongly and was in Azkaban. They didn't have trials the first time around, may I add," Alice added, looking at Sirius. The unspoken words 'just like you' went unsaid. "Amongst those found innocent was Barty Crouch Junior."

Sirius coughed. "Wasn't he dead?" he spluttered, remembering the wardens removing the body of Barty Crouch Junior less than a year after he was sentenced.

"Here's where things got interesting, Sirius." Andromeda said, flipping through her files before finding the document she wants. "When Frank and Alice have recovered and returned to Britain, Amelia sought an informal interview with them in regards to what went down that night at Longbottom Manor. We never got their side of the story, after all. And the only witness—Heir Longbottom, was too young to remember anything."

"Imagine our shock when we learned that Barty was arrested for torturing us into insanity." Frank said wryly. Accusing one of his best friends for torturing him and his wife into insanity? Barty had lots of faults, amongst them being very attached to his mother, along with being too trusting. But Barty would never have attacked Frank and Alice. Heck, the man is a Healer! He would have dropped dead instantly the moment he hurts someone, thanks to his oaths as a Healer! Why did no one ever think about that? "He was never there. The ones who attacked us are the Lestranges. We told Amelia as much, and she begun secretly looking into Crouch Senior. Never liked that man, by the way, even when he was head of the DMLE." He added. "And guess what Amelia found in his manor?"

"I have no idea, but I got a feeling you're going to tell me." Sirius said wryly.

"They found Barty in his manor. Crouch Senior snuck Barty out of Azkaban the one time he came to visit, with his dying wife taking his place. Ever since, Barty had been under the Imperius and imprisoned in Crouch Manor." Alice revealed, furious when she thought about what poor Barty had gone through for years for a crime he didn't commit. "I asked Mother about the supposedly original trial that had Barty convicted. And would you believe that he only had a sham of a trial? He was tried alongside the Lestranges, and none of them were even questioned! It's no wonder he was deemed guilty and tossed into Azkaban!"

"Turns out that Barty was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Frank revealed. "Bellatrix's husband approached him after the Dark Lord's fall. Claimed that he wanted to adopt Hadrian, but couldn't find him, and he thought that we would know where Hadrian is, as we're his godparents. We've already came out of hiding at that time, and Barty was too trusting. He led the Lestranges right to us, and was actually trying to help us when they attacked. Hence why he was mistakenly arrested for being a Death Eater and for torturing us. Never mind that if they had actually checked his arms, they would have seen that he isn't one!"

"Where's Barty now?" Sirius was very pale. Years under the Imperius… What is his mind like at this point? Is there even anything left of that brilliant boy that Sirius had known in school? Barty Junior was two years ahead of him, and was in Ravenclaw. Despite that, he is also Frank's best friend, and the two were always hanging out together outside of classes.

"We took over his medical decisions, since Crouch Senior was arrested for what he's done to his own son, and sentenced to Azkaban." Alice answered, looking at her husband who looked furious and upset over what had befallen his best friend. "He's now undergoing treatment in Bulgaria with Healer Milan and Healer Emil. They helped us. So we thought that if there is anyone that can help Barty, it will be them. I pray to the Goddess that Crouch Senior hasn't completely destroyed Barty's life."

"Goddess above, help me." Sirius muttered in dismay. Just what are they fighting for anyway?

"Tell me about it." Andromeda sighed. "Anyway, Sirius, you said something about needing to see Dumbledore to turn down Hadrian and Draco's placements at Hogwarts?" Sirius nodded. "I'll come with you then in case Dumbledore is insane enough to try something. Don't worry, he's at Hogwarts today. I asked Minerva to make sure that he's at Hogwarts."

"Well, we would like to come along." Frank grunted as he got to his feet with the help of his wife and his walking stick. "But I promised my son that I will be there when he buys his first wand. But we can meet up at Fortescue's later."

"Yeah, I wanted to get my Bambi a pet anyway." Sirius nodded. "I'll see you later."

XXXXXX

In the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore's attention is entirely fixated on a spindling silver device that laid dormant.

"Why hasn't the spells taken hold?" Dumbledore murmured beneath his breath. He had sent Fawkes out last night after all. The letter should have reached Harry by now. Then once those spells take hold, he can slowly guide the boy to his destiny and restore his own positions and standing amongst the British wizarding community.

No matter. Even if the spells don't take hold, once Harry is in Hogwarts and under Albus' watchful eye, he can guide and make sure that Harry only learns what he wants the boy to learn. Young Ronald would make a good friend for Harry, he is sure. Too bad that the Board of Governors went over his head and asked Horace to return years ago when Severus was sentenced to Azkaban, even including lots of incentives to entice his return. It seems like Horace is still furious with Albus for 'asking' him to leave his position years ago just to have a placement for Severus—someone whom Horace had advised against appointing as a teacher to begin with.

Dumbledore was totally unaware of the disgusted looks on the faces of the portraits around him, even as he muttered his plans out loud. Former Headmaster Dippet looked as he wanted to crawl out of his portrait and hex Dumbledore to oblivion if it's even possible for him to do that. Not for the first time, he is solely regretting his choice in appointing Dumbledore as his successor. The past headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts have to sit and watch for years as Dumbledore destroyed not just Hogwarts, but also the British magical community, and they could do nothing at all.

Dippet recalled the furious words said to him by a Sixth Year student back when he was still headmaster, and Albus was a First Year student himself.

"You might be taken in by his genial and meek personality, Headmaster, but that isn't who he is! I know a mask when I see one! He's already a manipulator at this age. What is he going to be like once he's older?!"

And young Ominis Gaunt was correct, wasn't he? Albus Dumbledore isn't who he seems to be.

A polite cough interrupted his thoughts, and Albus looked up only to see an annoyed looking Minerva standing in front of him, with Sirius Black, a man whom Dumbledore only vaguely recognised as the head of the DMLE from Bulgaria, and even Andromeda Tonks flanking her on either side.

Minerva.

That is another problem in Dumbledore's recent increasing problems lately.

She used to be his staunchest ally, and would do anything that he asked her to do without any questions. But after the entire fiasco that is Sirius being sentenced to Azkaban illegally and even what had almost befallen little Harry Potter, Minerva had become almost antagonistic towards him. She would only do her own duties as Deputy and Transfiguration professor as well as being Gryffindor's head of house. Nothing more.

The paperwork that was Albus' own duty that he had always fostered off to Minerva is now his to do once more, thus reducing the free time that he had.

Never mind the fact that it is always Minerva the Board approaches whenever there is something that they need, thus keeping Albus out of the loop. These days, Dumbledore is always the last to know something, if he ever does, and he hates it. He hates not knowing something.

"Minerva. I wasn't aware that we're having guests at Hogwarts today." Dumbledore chided her gently.

"No, I was informed of their impending arrivals last night. And since this duty falls under mine as Deputy, I see no reason to inform you." Minerva said coolly. "Lord Black is here to see you, Albus."

"And what's this about, Sirius?"

"You'll address him as Lord Black." Andromeda Tonks cut in before Sirius can answer, her eyes flashing daggers. "He is not your peer or your student."

Dumbledore bristled with this disrespect by a woman that he had barely paid any attention to throughout her time in school and even after. She is a Slytherin after all.

"And what may I help you with, Lord Black?"

Sirius said nothing for several moments before pulling on a pair of dragonhide gloves and opening his briefcase and drawing out a familiar looking letter, before slapping it down on Dumbledore's desk.

Harry Potter's Hogwarts' acceptance letter. And from the looks of it, it has not even been opened.

"I am here to turn down Hadrian's place at Hogwarts. Draco Malfoy too." Sirius said coolly. "They have both accepted places at Drumstrang Institute, and will not be attending Hogwarts. So kindly cease sending letters."

"You can't do that!" Dumbledore lost his composure for the first time with the sheer indication that the Boy-Who-Lived won't be attending Hogwarts and under his watchful gaze. All his plans as he'd made it had just gone up in smoke. On the wall, Armando Dippet tried to hide a grin. And a few rows down, Niamh Fitzgerald smiled whilst hiding her smile behind a book. "Harry has a place at Hogwarts, and it is Hogwarts he should be attending!"

"I noticed you said nothing about Draco." Andromeda said frostily. "And his name is Hadrian, not Harry! You have not been given the leave to address him by his name, Dumbledore."

Dumbledore ignored Andromeda. "I will not let you take Harry away from Britain, Sirius. He is needed—"

"And what right do you have to dictate what I do or don't with my child?" Sirius thundered, eyes flashing daggers. "Hadrian is a child. His only 'duty' is to be a child, and to play and laugh like any child of his age!"

"We need him here, Sirius." Dumbledore tried to beseech to Sirius' more Gryffindor side. "I have my reasons to believe that Voldemort is not dead. Harry is the only one that can kill him. If you don't bring him back, you'll be dooming Britain to his rule!"

Every single person in the room stared at Dumbledore incredulously. Surely they have heard wrong? They did not just hear the headmaster of Hogwarts wanting to throw a child at the most feared Dark Lord of the last century?

Dumbledore flinched back as Sirius' black wand suddenly appeared from out of nowhere, jabbing him on the chin. "You come anywhere near my child, Dumbledore, and I'll kill you." Sirius whispered, a look of rage visible on his face. "Hadrian is a child. James and Lily died to protect their child. I wasn't able to protect them. But I will protect Hadrian. He will not be stepping one foot on the battlefield if I can help it."

"You'll doom us all!" Dumbledore is starting to get angry.

"Is this the way that the British does things?" Lyuben had stayed remarkably silent throughout everything. "Throwing children to fight battles and wars? If that is the case, then I understand perfectly well why Sirius had gone to Bulgaria with Hadrian Potter." He had a cold smile on his face. "You British never learn your lesson, do you? You tried pulling the same shit with Aria Michaelis back in the late 1800s just because she is the last known wielder of Ancient Magic."

A flash of some emotion flashed across Dumbledore's face so quickly that only Sirius was quick enough to catch it, and he frowned.

"Besides, even as powerful as Voldemort is, he is but one man. And his Death Eaters aren't that many in number either. Heck, the whole lot of them are in Azkaban by this point." Sirius pointed out. "Stand up and fight if and when he comes back. Do that and I guarantee you that there won't even be a war!"

"That isn't how it works!" Dumbledore was furious.

"Oh, for the love of the Goddess…!" Andromeda muttered irritably.

"They are right, you know, Albus." Minerva spoke up. "I know that Lily and Alice, and even Frank and James have said it during the last war. That if we just use more than stunning spells, the war would be over faster. We can't afford to hold back in a war. Not when it means our lives is at stake. If you're not prepared to do that, you don't step on the battlefield."

"Minerva, you would condone killing?" Dumbledore looked at Minerva with his 'I am very disappointed in you' gaze.

"When it is our lives on the line, then yes." Minerva wasn't deterred. "How many people have died just because you insisted on using stunning spells, Albus, when the other side were flinging about spells like the Unforgivables and even the Blood Boiling Curse?"

"You know, I'm starting to see why that war went on for years." Lyuben was staring at Dumbledore like he's a particularly interesting specimen. "You insist on using stunning spells on your enemies who were trying to kill you? What kind of result do you think that would achieve?"

"We're wasting time here." Andromeda interrupted. "Dumbledore, I am here as my cousin's attorney to inform you that if just one more Hogwarts letter reaches Hadrian Potter, I will bring the entire weight of my law office against you and charge you for harassment and every single charge I can think up of to bring against you. The Houses of Black and Potter are not at your beck and call. You are not the guardian of Hadrian Potter. You will leave him alone, or I'll see you in the courtroom and throw the entire library at you! Is that clear?"

Dumbledore clearly still remembered what happened the last time he had faced Andromeda Tonks nee Black in the courtroom, especially with how pale he had gone.

"Crystal."

"Sirius, anything else to add before we leave?" Andromeda asked. "I'm meeting my daughter for lunch, so I would like to leave soon."

"Yes. Fawkes had made himself quite at home in my house and doesn't seem to want to leave." Sirius said, taking pleasure in how Dumbledore paled. "It seems like even Fawkes had quite enough of you, and decided that he would rather stay with my Bambi or whatever it is that he planned on doing."

"You stole my phoenix!" Dumbledore roared, losing all composure, and pointing his wand at Sirius. In turn, the rest of the room whipped out their own wands in turn. All, save for Lyuben, who being Bulgarian, doesn't use a wand to cast magic anymore.

"Fawkes was never yours to steal, Albus." A voice interrupted. As one, everyone turned towards the source of the voice only to see the portrait of Armando Dippet gazing at them. Next to him, the portrait of Phineas Black looked gleeful, giving Sirius an approving nod. "I've said it again and again ever since you started misusing that phoenix and abusing him. Yes, abuse, Albus!" Dippet interrupted, seeing Dumbledore about to interrupt. "I call that abuse when you're forcing Fawkes to do something he doesn't want to do. It's little wonder he had enough. Fawkes was never yours to begin with. His allegiance is to the school because he felt he still owed Miss Michaelis for saving him. I never believed Mr Gaunt when he complained about you when he said that you seemed to have some kind of obsession with her, seeing as you were a First Year at that time when they were in Sixth Year. Now I wished I had taken it seriously when I was still alive. Things wouldn't have come to this then."

Dumbledore's face screwed up with the mention of the word Gaunt. "He's not worthy of her anyway. He's a Slytherin. A Dark Wizard. Fawkes protected the school. That means his loyalty is to the headmaster. This means me!"

"You know, I sometimes wish I had the ability to crawl out of here and whack you silly, you foolish boy!" Armando growled. "Fawkes is not yours to have. He's a free phoenix. If there is a bond he ever had with anyone, it would be with Miss Michaelis. And through her, her descendants – if there are ever any."

"I tried warning you about him. You wouldn't believe me." Phineas Black looked uncaring. "I told you this would happen if you appoint him as your successor, Dippet. He was always prejudiced against Slytherin House, this foolish boy." Phineas' eyes were cold even as he gazed at Dumbledore from his portrait. Half of the reason why the House of Black is almost in ruins today. "A bit hypocritical of him, seeing as his father died in Azkaban because he used all three Unforgivables on a trio of muggle boys!"

"They attacked my sister!" Dumbledore's face was white and red with both embarrassment and fury—with having the misdeeds of his youth declared out in the open in front of witnesses.

Andromeda and Sirius exchanged looks with this information, before Andromeda nodded.

"Yes, and you set out on a vendetta against the Gaunt family, because it was the head of the family at that time who made sure your father was sentenced to life in Azkaban, with no chance of parole, and made sure that this news was all over the Daily Prophet." Phineas' eyes were like daggers. "Your prejudiced ways had only set Hogwarts and Britain down on a road of no return. We have consulted. We have advised. And you only ignored us. Someone like you, Albus Dumbledore, should not be headmaster. At least I am frank about what I am, and never tried to pretend to be someone I'm not. But you? You are dangerous in a whole different way, and I look forward to the day when the entire world knows what you truly are."

Sirius had a raised brow. It seems like Phineas knows more things than he had let on. And now Sirius is kicking himself for not at least questioning his many times great grandfather about Dumbledore. How could he forget that a Black ancestor was once a Hogwarts headmaster?

His other portrait is at Black Manor, he recalls. Andromeda had done a thorough cleansing of Grimmauld Place on his behalf, and had all the Black books moved to Black Manor, with even the Black ancestors' portraits being moved to a portrait hall there.

"It seems, Grandfather, we have many things to talk about." Sirius remarked.

"Indeed, grandson." The smirk on Phineas' face is almost identical to Sirius. "I have lots of interesting stories to tell you. I'll wait patiently for you at Black Manor."

"No, I forbid you! I am headmaster and you are honour bound to keep my secrets!"

"Only if those 'secrets' are Hogwarts' secrets." Phineas looked bored. "But when you start threatening my descendants, Dumbledore, I am not about to sit back. You've ruined my family enough. I will not sit back and watch as the House of Black goes extinct or falls to ruin."

Niamh Fitzgerald only watched quietly from her portrait, making a mental note to travel to one of her other portraits soon and inform Emil Michaelis about the situation. It seems like their side of the Gaunt family would soon be drawn into a conflict, whether they like it or not.

For a moment, the former headmistress wonders what Aria would make of this.

XXXXXX

It is a peaceful place. And almost picturesque, Rean can admit, even as the Portkey took him and Crow to somewhere in the countryside in Ireland. From the information that Towa could gather, it seems like most of the mundanes don't even know about this place. Even most magicals doesn't.

As far as the eye could see, one could only see hills, with various sheep and horses roaming the countryside. And from their positions from where the Portkey had deposited them, they could see a modest looking cottage not far from them located at the edge of a river, with a forest at the back. If not for the magical plants that Rean could identify growing in the front garden, he would think this place belonged to a muggle.

"This is where he is?" Crow murmured, looking at his mate. "Let's hope Towa is right about this."

"She hasn't been wrong yet." Rean commented. "The wizard who taught Tom Riddle, who would later go on to become the most feared Dark Wizard of the last century."

"Sebastian Sallow." Crow nodded. "I'm honestly not surprised he had gone and secluded himself to the point that it even took Towa over a year just to be able to track him down. By this point, I doubt there are many still alive who even knew who he is. I'm honestly surprised the man is still alive, to be honest. You don't see many wizards able to live more than a century. And he must be what? Nearly two centuries old?"

"Around there."

Rean knocked on the door gently, controlling his vampire strength. "Hello there?" he called out. "Mr Sallow? Are you home?" There was no answer, even though both vampires knew that there is someone inside. They both could smell it and sense it. "Mr Sallow, we would just like a word with you about Tom Riddle."

"Go home! I have nothing to say about that man!"

"We are trying to stop him!" Rean called out through the door, grabbing Crow by the arm to stop him from saying something insulting. "We would like to learn more about the boy that he had once been. You were his teacher, weren't you? You mentored him when he graduated from Hogwarts. Tell us what you know."

There were several seconds of silence before the door then unlocked magically and swung opened slightly, almost as if an open invitation for the two vampires.

Crow looked at his mate before pushing the door inwards. "I'll go first," he murmured, stepping into the house, with Rean close behind him.

The interior was modest, with just bare furnishings. But there were magical photographs hanging on the walls – most of which depicted teenagers dressed in Hogwarts uniforms. A few depicted a pair of teenagers – a boy and a girl. With how similar their features are, they might just be twins.

Then, there he sat.

An elderly wizard with a head full of silver hair. Unlike Dumbledore however, he is clean shaven, and dressed in casual attire. Several potion vials were on the table next to him, with a wand visible in his hand.

He is old now. But Rean and Crow recognised the wizard from the eyes, able to recognise him as the young man in the photos that Towa had shown them. The mentor of Voldemort – the guy who had taught him the spells that he had known and used it to wreck some havoc on Britain.

"Sebastian Sallow." Crow murmured. He could smell the illness on the wizard. And even the scent of anger.

"Vampires." Sebastian Sallow murmured, eyes moving from one to the other. "I hadn't seen another living being in years. Not since Ominis and Aria ran off to Bulgaria and left me behind. And not since I taught Tom Riddle. What brings you here?"

"I'll go straight to the point." Crow said, remaining standing. For one, there are no spare chairs. And for another, it is also used as an intimidation tactic. "We have information—though trust me when I say that it wasn't easy to track you down. Hardly anyone still alive these days even know about your existence. But what we know is that you were Tom Riddle's mentor. The guy that would later go on to become the Dark Lord that terrorises Britain. We would like to learn more about it."

Sebastian coughed harshly. Rean winced with that sound. The wizard is clearly deathly ill. If they hadn't come by, the wizard would likely be dead in a few days or so. He could quite easily smell the stench of approaching death on the wizard.

"I made a mistake with that boy. I admit that much." Sebastian said. "I really didn't mean to. I didn't think he would go that far. At that time, Britain was banning magic of all kinds. Even the kind that I learned when I was in Hogwarts. Our rituals and celebrations… It was slowly being stripped away and banned just to accommodate the muggle-borns who were coming into our world when it should be the other way around. And the cause of it all was Albus Dumbledore. That brat whom Ominis hated so much because he obsessed over Aria so." Sebastian gave a chuckle which quickly turned into a harsh cough. "But I couldn't do anything. And then… Tom Riddle came to me. I have no idea how he even found me, but he did. He asked me to teach him the magic I knew. Said that he wanted to restore the wizarding traditions and culture that are fast being stripped away, with magic of all kinds being banned and monitored. We can't even celebrate our own wizarding celebrations or perform the rituals like the way we could when I was a student. I just thought at that time… I just thought that if I helped that kid, that he would be able to fix things. Restore the balance. Fix it so that Aria and Ominis could return home. Part of the reason why Aria and Ominis fled Britain isn't wholly because the Gaunts would have killed both of them for marrying. It is the fact that the magic they both used are deemed illegal in this country now, not just because the Ministry of Magic at that time wanted Aria for her power. That's why Ominis faked his death and went with Aria to Bulgaria. But that Riddle kid… When he said he wanted to learn and restore the country to how it was… So that we can be proud that we're wizards and witches again… I agreed to help him. But I didn't think he would go this far." Sebastian looked up at the two vampires, a broken look in those eyes. "I didn't mean to…" He whispered.

"If you go too far, Sebastian, you might one day find yourself hurting the very person you wanted to protect." Aria had warned him long ago when they were students.

But he didn't listen even back then, did he? So convinced that he knew best. To the point that he killed his own uncle in an accident, and hurt his own twin sister. And not just her either, but his best friend…as well as the girl whom he loved.

"Tom Riddle made Horcruxes. Do you know that?" Crow asked, not showing what he's feeling.

Sebastian nodded. "Someone… A professor at Hogwarts, I believe, told him about the existence of Horcruxes to begin with," he revealed. "He asked me about it. Asked me about the ritual to create one. I thought it was just academic curiosity. So sure that he wouldn't be insane enough to split his own soul. I didn't think…" He trailed off slowly.

Crow walked closer to the wizard, hurling him to his feet, and looking him in the eye. "This is very important," he said, holding the eyes of the elderly wizard with his own. "How many did he make? Do you know? What did you teach him about Horcruxes?"

Sebastian found it difficult to look away from the eyes of the vampire. "…I taught him the ritual to make one. He asked me if it's possible to make a living Horcrux. Even in my studies, it is said not to store a piece of the soul in a living container." Sebastian whispered. "Tom Riddle said… He said that seven is the magical number. The most powerful number in magical rituals. He asked…if seven Horcruxes would be enough to make one immortal."

Sebastian was whispering, but Rean who is at the door could still hear every word thanks to his vampire hearing, and he felt faint. So it's true then. That mad man did make seven soul containers.

Crow closed his eyes briefly. "And none of his questions threw up red flags? You didn't find it suspicious that he was so interested in Dark Magic? Not just Dark Magic, but Black Magic?" The vampire despaired for the human race. "Where is your common sense? Didn't what happened to your sister teach you anything?"

"I'm sorry." The elderly wizard was crying. "I honestly didn't mean to. I didn't think he would go that far… I made mistakes. Lots of them, I know. I'm still paying for them to this day. I just…wanted to save Anne. I didn't mean any of this. Aria and Ominis tried to tell me. But I refused to listen. I thought I knew best. I thought I can resist the seduction of the Dark Arts. But I couldn't. I was weak. And now, it's all come to this. The state of Britain, and even the divide between light and dark… My fault… All my fault… I couldn't save Anne. I couldn't protect Aria. I couldn't help Ominis. I couldn't help anyone. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Crow dropped Sebastian back into his couch, as if disgusted by the touch.

"Apologies are meaningless now. Not when you've unleashed that monster upon the world." Crow said. "All those deaths… It is as much on your hands as it is on his."

"I know. But I have neither the magical power or the ability to match him." Sebastian admitted. "Maybe… I was just waiting for the day when someone will come asking about him. So I can pass on that duty." He reached under the couch and drew out a worn looking leather journal that seemed to have seen better days, handing it to Crow. "My memoirs… My journal… I wrote everything I knew about Tom Riddle. Everything that I ever taught him, and the counters to those rituals and spells. Everything I ever knew. I put it all in there. Stop him, please." Sebastian pleaded Crow with his eyes. "Time…has stopped for me long ago. It's stopped for me the day when I knew that Anne is dead. I'm just waiting for the day when the Goddess calls me to her side. At least then… Maybe I can finally atone for the mistakes I made as a child. So please…" He looked up at Crow. "Please kill me. I'm so tired…"

Crow closed his eyes briefly. He could hardly find it in himself to feel sorry for this wizard before him, but he find he does. What kind of life had he led for the past century, knowing he's the cause of Voldemort, and had as good as handed him the tools for him to bring about such destruction?

All those that this wizard had loved and cared for… He had lost them long ago due to his own foolish actions as a youngster. He had already been punished enough, hasn't he? Maybe it'll be much kinder to give him what he asks for.

"Rean, leave please." Crow told his mate.

"No."

"Rean?" Crow was surprised, turning to face his mate.

The omega was solemn, facing Crow, and shaking his head. "We're a team, Crow," he said. "I promised that on the day we bonded, and when you asked me to marry you. I said I'll stay by your side. Through the bad and good, I will stay. Your sins are mine, just like mine are yours. No matter what you have to do, I will stay by your side."

Crow gave a small smile, nodding. "…Okay."

Sebastian had taken out a worn looking wizarding photograph that was on the table next to him. A photo of three teenagers – one whom had Sebastian Sallow's eyes. A photo of happier days, no doubt. Of when Sebastian Sallow was a student.

"I was her friend first." Sebastian whispered, even as Crow touched Sebastian's neck with one hand. "I met Aria first. I met her first. I was the one to reach out to her. To befriend her. Help her. So why is it Ominis that she looked at? Why is it Ominis that had her heart? Why…?" He let the photo fall onto his lap. "Why can't it be me?"

Crow sighed. "You can ask her that when you meet your friends and sister beyond the Veil," he said instead. "We'll handle things from here. We'll stop Voldemort."

"That's all that I'm asking. I'm just…so tired…"

Rean turned his face away even as Crow moved in such a way that he's blocking Sebastian Sallow from his sight, even as there was the sound of a loud and resounding crack that echoed throughout the cottage.