Curse of Fate

Title: Curse of Fate
Author: Mistress Nika
Rating: PG-15 (Yes, 15. That's somewhere between PG-13 and R)
Summary: Thousands of years into the future, vampire Harry only wants to join his loved ones in death. However, his curse of immortality is absolute. Therefore he sends himself back into the body of his infant self, vowing to this time refuse eternity. When do things ever go according to plan? Unexpected changes to the timeline, people who aren't as they once were and more send his life spiraling out of his control.
Pairings: Harry/Lucius(main), possible Harry/Severus, possible Lucius/Severus, possible Harry/Lucius/Severus, Sirius/Remus, Theo/Hermione, possible Theo/Blaise, possible Hermione/Ginny, Draco/Luna, possible one-sided Harry/Luna on Luna's part, possible Hermione/Pansy, Cedric/Eleanor(OC), past Harry/Ginny
Warnings: AU, het, slash, angst, language, violence, time travel, VampireHarry, DarkLordHarry
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

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Chapter Fifteen:
Lionel Parkinson sat alone in a dark corner of the Three Broomsticks pretending to nurse a firewhiskey. His hood was pulled up to throw his face into shadows and keep him from being recognized and his mask was concealed in an inner pocket of his robe.

The group had arrived with precisely seventeen minutes to spare before the attack was scheduled to begin and had immediately spread out to cover the village. His was the largest group of the five as they were to be the main distraction and would be facing Order members. He had relayed instructions to the fifty-two Death Eaters that not a single person was to be killed. Some had protested at first, but he had cast a wide range Cruciatus, having learned it from Harry a few weeks earlier, and they quickly abated.

Now, with three minutes to go, they were stationed all over the village. Some were pretending to shop, most were holed up in an establishment like him and the rest were skulking through dark alleys. They were all waiting for the signal from him.

He could tell the residents and patrons of Hogsmeade were starting to get nervous. While many wizards did tend to wear black and the sight of a few here and there was not cause for concern, many black-robed individuals who wore their hoods up and kept to themselves was a sure sign of trouble.

The serving witch who brought him his drink was having a hushed and heated conversation with the bartender and kept glancing his way. After a few moments, she came over and stood with a tray protectively in front of her chest.

"S-Sir, is there anything else I can get you?" she asked nervously.

Checking his watch, Lionel stood and replied, "No, thank you." Reaching into his robe, he drew out his mask and placed it on his face. "But you should run."

The witch let out a terrified scream and fell to the floor on her butt. Other patrons screamed as more black-robed figures, who's faces had previously remained hidden, stood and masked themselves. Wands were drawn and chaos broke out. People dove under tables, made a break for the door and a few brave souls went for their own wands.

Lionel motioned to a group of Death Eaters and they all calmly walked unopposed out into the light of day.

There were more screams as Death Eaters emerged from everywhere and people began to flee. Some of his team were already casting Unforgivables and Lionel was forced to "punish" one who attempted to cast the Killing Curse on a young boy. Somehow, he felt he'd be spending more time keeping the others in line than actually fighting.

-SCENE BREAK-

Emogene wondered how her husband was faring in Hogsmeade as she scooped up another spoonful of the sinfully delicious chocolate ice cream and brought the treat to her lips with a self-indulgent smile. Checking her watch once more, she quickly licked the spoon clean in a display she would have never even considered had she not been properly disguised. Dropping the spoon into the now empty bowl, she placed a few coins on the table and stood up.

Three wizards turned away from the display at Quality Quidditch Supplies and gave her their full attention. Two more emerged from Knockturn Alley and one who had been lounging on the steps to Gringotts put away the book he had been pretending to read. A handful of others began to leave off their browsing and make their way casually down the street toward her.

With a giggle, which drew strange looks from a nearby group of gossiping witches, she twisted her face into what she hoped was an appropriate expression of insanity, reached into her robe and drew out her mask. Before it was even on her face, the shoppers began to panic. They were apparently still on edge from the attack a few days ago.

Others followed suit, masking themselves and drawing their wands, and Diagon Alley was plunged into chaos much the same as Hogsmeade had been twenty minutes earlier.

With a high-pitched cackle, Emogene cast the Cruciatus in the general direction of a group of terrified wizards.

The frightened cry of "It's Bellatrix Lestrange!" only made her laugh harder.

No one outside the Death Eaters knew Bellatrix was dead and she planned to capitalize on her resemblance to the dead woman and said woman's rather fearsome reputation.

-SCENE BREAK-

As it turned out, only seven Death Eaters could fit in a phone box. Rabastan, Rodolphus and Michaels rode alone and Narcissa and Adeline had refused to ride with seven men squashed into a tight space. It simply wasn't proper, they claimed.

Lucius led his team consisting of Dolohov, Nott, Snape, Avery and Macnair down first. In the Atrium, they had faced absolutely no opposition. They stunned the few loitering visitors and the single security guard before an alarm could be raised.

They were waiting for the others to join them when a lone Auror stumbled into the hall with a pile of paperwork in his arms. He had frozen, astonished by the sight before him. Bodies lying on the floor and slummed over the desk, six Death Eaters pointing their wands at him with incredulous expressions. No one moved for the longest minute as the two parties took in the sheer dumb luck involved with him happening upon them in the few moments they needed to remain undiscovered.

The man's eyes widened in fear upon spotting Lucius' silver mask.

A ding shocked them back into motion as three other Death Eaters emerged into the hall, Rabastan and Rodolphus also wearing the silver masks of the Inner Circle.

The man began to move. Lucius' mouth began to form the words to a spell. The Auror dropped the papers he was carrying and flew back around the corner just as a stunner hit the wall where he'd been standing. Moments later a loud siren began to sound and the last of the Death Eaters gathered in the hall.

Lucius cursed.

"Let's move!" he shouted and the large group broke into two smaller ones.

Michaels took point, leading Lucius, his team and the Lestrange brothers past traps and checkpoints and gave them access to the Auror only lifts. As they reached an intersection, he pointed Lucius in the direction of Bell's cell and then led the brothers down another corridor to free Crabbe and Goyle.

Sirius and Remus led their team the more direct route, hoping to meet and draw the Aurors to them and away from the others.

-SCENE BREAK-

Back in a Hogsmeade under siege, Lionel was forced to end the curse he held on an errant Death Eater as a crimson bolt of magic flew past him. Spinning around, he found himself face to face with Albus Dumbledore.

Most of the inhabitants of the village had either fled or disappeared indoors. The only people remaining on the streets were the Death Eaters and a large group of witches and wizards led by the aging, yet still formidable, headmaster.

Lionel swore and dove into an empty store just as several more spells flew towards him. The Death Eaters left outside began to trade volleys with what might as well have been the entire Order of the Phoenix. He had expected Dumbledore and most of his fighters to stay at the school, leaving the less powerful to defend the village, at least until it became apparent that an attack on the castle wasn't coming. That had been the plan, so why in Merlin's name were they all here?

A Death Eater fell to a cutting curse just outside the shop he crouched in, his blood trickling it's way past the door as if reaching out for him, trying to draw the leader out.

He needed to buy them more time. If they left now, Dumbledore would go straight to the Ministry to report it.

Glancing around, he noted that he was in a toy shop. A wicked grin spread over his face as he reached for a teddy bear.

-SCENE BREAK-

Minerva threw a cutting curse at an enemy, making her way down the street to where the obvious leader of the attack hid. A few strands of hair had escaped from her meticulous bun and a streak of blood, not hers thankfully, marred her cheek. She knew what an imposing figure she made as she cut through the black cloaked wizards who scurried away like mice before her.

She'd expected more of a fight, expected those trained by the Dark Lord to be present. If Bell was to be believed, they would be a match for the more senior members of the Order. However, all she'd encountered so far were the same class of wizards they'd faced in the first war. Though far from weak, their power and skill was definitely not on par with what would be achieved from intensive training with the Dark Lord. Many Order members outclassed them, including herself.

She pulled up short as a bit of black cloth began to emerge from the target shop. With a scowl, she threw another cutting curse toward it, expecting a cry of pain at the least.

Her expectations were shattered yet again as a rain of cotton filled the air and the head of a stuffed black bear fell to the ground, it's button eyes staring blankly skyward.

'An intelligent one,' she thought, erecting a shield and preparing for the anticipated fight with an Elite, one who seemed skilled in transfiguration.

To her immense surprise, another little black bear poked its head around the door frame, peering at her almost quizzically. It raised a plush arm to its head and saluted her before marching out into the street, an army of duplicates on its stubby little tail.

A monkey with a drum set marched alongside the bears, pounding out a battle cadence. A white bear with angel wings and a trumpet played a call to arms as it led an army of angelic teddy bear aerial bombers to join the infantry.

Toy troops filled the street and, after a moment of absolute shock, curses from her bewildered comrades tore through them, sending stuffing into the air.

One little button-eyed toy waddled over to a display of penguin statues and poked at them almost curiously. The penguins gave a collective shudder, lurched to their feet and joined the march of toys.

A ceramic, full-sized unicorn galloped toward her, leaped over her head and tackled Arthur Weasley to the ground. It trod on him with its padded hooves, gave a surprisingly lifelike neigh and ran down the street, knocking people this way and that.

A small pirate ship flew threw the air like it's larger counterpart rode the waves. A cry that sounded incredibly like "Land ho!" came from the toy pirate in the crow's nest. The ship pulled alongside Alastor Moody and the crew began to "board" his head. For every handful he knocked off, another would rush to avenge their fallen shipmates.

If chaos had reigned before, sheer panic had taken its place as Order members strove to fight off the advancing toys. The Death Eaters could only stare in wonder as a horde of child's toys did what they could not.

Minerva blinked as a jack-in-the-box hopped its way down the street, then winced in sympathy as it paused only to pop it's spring loaded head into some poor wizard's genitals and continue on it's way as the man fell to the ground moaning in pain.

Dumbledore drew to her side, batting aside a swarm of pink, rainbow-winged bumblebees fluttering around his head, and quickly said to her, "An Animator. Be on guard." He then disappeared back into the fray, leaving her staring in shock.

His words made sense. An Animator possessed the ability to bring inanimate objects to life with a touch. The animated objects could then operate as individuals, independent of the Animator and could animate other objects themselves. However, it was a Blood Trait and had never been used in battle before. Whoever he was, he had most likely been cast out of his family or he would not have risked staining his honor by using it in such a manner.

The rustle of a cloak drew her attention back to the shop just in time to see a human-sized black blur run past her at full tilt. She began throwing curses at the Death Eater, obviously not only an Elite but the origin of the army of toys as well. If she could kill him, or render him unconscious, the toys would fall back to their inanimate state.

-SCENE BREAK-

After animating any useful toys and sending them into battle, Lionel took advantage of the distraction and dashed past the stunned wizards and witches. He grabbed the first Death Eater he saw and hissed at him, "Get out of here, you dimwit!" Then he pointed his wand straight up and shouted, "Morsmordre!" drawing all attention to the terrifying visage of the Dark Mark that took shape over the village.

The Death Eaters took their cue and began disappearing. He activated his portkey just as a bolt of blue energy tore through his right shoulder.

With a pained cry, he fell to the carpet of Harry's bedroom, blood pooling around him. He vaguely heard a concerned voice and felt an unnatural warmth flood him before he lost consciousness.

-SCENE BREAK-

Emogene cackled wildly as she blew apart a store front. The owners could always rebuild.

She was really getting into her role as Bellatrix. She'd never known how much fun it could be to just let go and blow stuff up.

-SCENE BREAK-

"Level Seven," a witch's recorded voice stated cheerfully, "Department of Magical Games and Sports."

Sirius tapped his foot impatiently. Remus shifted. Narcissa sighed.

"Level Six, Department of Magical Transportation."

Rookwood ground the heel of his boot into the inner office memo he swore had tried to take out his eye.

"Level Five, Department of International Magical Cooperation."

The sirens continued to sound and Adeline growled in frustration. "Why don't they try to stop us already?"

"Level Four, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Oh! Let's stop here!" Sirius declared with glee, rubbing his hands together sinisterly and twirling his wand.

Remus shot him a quelling, yet thankful look, his gold eyes shining with maliciousness and showing quite clearly how much he'd love to allow Sirius to go on a rampage through that particular department.

"Level Three, Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes."

"You'd think they'd at least stop the lift or something," Jugson mused, receiving a nod from Mulciber.

"Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"No," Remus stated as Sirius opened his mouth, "We're not stopping."

Sirius pouted.

"Level One, Administrative Offices, including the office of the Minister for Magic."

Rookwood threw up his hands in relief. "Finally!"

"Please enter your administrative passcode."

"What?" Sirius asked in confusion.

"Oh, for the love of Merlin!" Remus cried, shouldering everyone out of the way. He slammed his hands into the doors with a resounding clang, claws gouging holes in them, and began to pull them open with obvious effort.

Everyone blinked.

"You know," Rookwood said conversationally, "there's got to be at least a dozen spells on those doors to prevent them from being forced."

"Tell that to the doors," Sirius replied as they were ripped open by the frustrated werewolf, revealing a narrow, and suspiciously empty, corridor beyond.

Remus stood to the side of the lift, glared at them with flashing eyes and pointed a finger down the corridor.

"Out!" he demanded with a feral growl. They all rushed to comply.

"Remind me never to piss him off," Rookwood whispered to Sirius. Murmurs of agreement came from the others.

-SCENE BREAK-

Lucius smirked evilly at the quivering form of Malcolm Bell.

"P-please!" he begged pitifully. "I would never betray the Dark Lord!"

Lucius raised his wand, the others following suit.

Bell scuttled to the far corner of the cell. "I couldn't help it! They tortured me! They threatened to KILL me!"

The last thing he heard before the pain began was the silky, cruel voice of Lucius Malfoy. "You should have kept your mouth shut."

Several halls down, Rodolphus, Rabastan and Michaels grabbed the battered forms of Crabbe and Goyle and disappeared.

-SCENE BREAK-

"Son of a-!" Sirius shouted as a purple curse shot dangerously close to his face. He countered with his own, managing to drop three Aurors at once, before diving back behind the upturned desk that he and Remus were using as a shield.

"We knew there would be heavy guards around the minister," Remus reasoned, levitating a potted plant and sending it flying at the massed men. "You wanted to lead this team, remember? You begged and pleaded until you got it."

"Oh, shut up, Moony!" Sirius said before leaping over the desk and charging the Aurors.

"What does he think he's doing?" hissed Rookwood from around a nearby corner.

Remus shrugged. "Being Sirius," he replied simply.

With a fierce war cry, Sirius threw spell after punch after spell, dropping Aurors left and right. A young Auror directly in his path barely had time to look around frantically for help before he was knocked against the wall, realizing too late that his comrades had retreated further down the hall.

A call of "Down!" from behind him made Sirius drop to the floor on his stomach just as a huge fireball hurled by Narcissa tore through the corridor, turning the white walls into charred wood and plaster.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you were, the Aurors had heard the cry as well and had also hit the floor. As Sirius raised himself up, a disarming spell hit him squarely in the face. His head snapped backward, his hood fell down and his silver mask shattered into a million pieces.

Spells continued to fly over him between the Death Eaters and Aurors.

He slowly lowered his head, cracking his neck menacingly and pinned the terrified Auror who had cast the spell with angry, narrowed grey eyes.

"That HURT!" he shouted before launching himself into the fray once more.

A few moments later, all fell silent. The Death Eaters peered cautiously out of their hiding places to see a panting Sirius Black standing amongst the fallen bodies of the Aurors. His black hair fell loosely around his exposed face, blood trickled down his chin from a split lip and his wand was clenched tightly in his white-knuckled fist.

As they climbed out from behind various objects, one of the lower Death Eaters summed up their views on the situation with one breathy, awed word.

"Wow."

-SCENE BREAK-

Severus wondered, not for the first time, what was going on. Instead of going to Hogsmeade, Lucius had led them to the Ministry where they now stood in a cell torturing Bell to death.

He had been used. He had been given false information in the hopes that he would pass it along to Dumbledore. He wasn't trusted.

Pushing all of his anger into the Cruciatus he held on Bell, he vowed to pin Lucius after the attack and demand the truth.

-SCENE BREAK-

A warm throb from their left arms informed Sirius, Remus and the rest of their team that it was time to go.

As the others disappeared, he finished drawing a mustache on one Auror, shoved one's hand down another's pants, vanished three's clothing and then activated his portkey with a grin.

Only a Dark Mark drawn on the wall currently bore witness to the disturbing scene. It's cheerful eyes winked, it's serpent tongue stuck out in a permanent raspberry. Many would say, it was the most terrifying rendition of the Mark they had ever seen. Sirius just thought it was cute.

-SCENE BREAK-

Emogene cried out in shock as a blasting curse struck her from behind, sending her crashing painfully into the ruins of the building she'd just destroyed. Managing to lift her head through the waves of pain wracking her body, she saw Albus Dumbledore baring down on her, his eyes burning with rage.

Suddenly and without warning, the shadows shifted, engulfing her and filling her with a sweet warmth that made all her pains vanish.

The sounds of battle ceased and concerned green eyes in a child's face replaced the angry blue of the headmaster's.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

"My lord?" she wondered aloud, sitting up and taking note of her surroundings.

Everywhere there was darkness and it seemed so vast, endless. The only thing she could see was the crouched, boyish figure of her lord before her.

"Where are we?" she asked in confusion.

"This is the realm of shadows," he replied. "I brought you here. Lionel was wounded and used his Mark to portkey to me. After healing him, he told me that Dumbledore was acting quicker than expected. I've healed you. Now, if you're able, I need you to return to Diagon Alley and send up the Mark. Everyone except yours and Lucius' teams have returned. Get yours out and I'll alert Lucius."

Nodding, Emogene suddenly found herself hidden between two shops in Diagon Alley.

Albus Dumbledore stood across the street, looking confusedly at the place where she had been.

Rising to her feet, she raised her wand skyward. "Morsmordre!"

-SCENE BREAK-

Severus ended his curse when Lucius raised his hand abruptly, stopping them in their torture of the traitor.

"It seems our time has been cut short," the blonde man said, sounding rather put out.

He then drew a knife from within his robes and stepped toward the twitching, nearly unconscious form of Bell. With one smooth move, he casually drew the blade across the man's neck, slitting his throat. Replacing the knife, he stepped back, pointed his wand at the bleeding man and uttered the words to a gutting curse. Bell's belly split open and his entrails spilled forth onto the floor.

Turning to the others, he said, "Return to your homes. Elite back to base."

With nods, they all disappeared.

Lucius' hand wrapped around Severus' arm and the blonde man said, almost gently, "Come with me."

Giving Severus no time to protest, he portkeyed them away.

-SCENE BREAK-

Harry watched from his seat on the sofa as Sirius paced and ranted.

"They saw me! I cannot fucking believe this!"

"Calm down, Padfoot," Remus said soothingly. The hand he tried to lay on his rampaging mate's shoulder was brushed off as Sirius continued to pace.

"Don't tell me to calm down, damnit! There's no clearing my name now! Even if we can prove I didn't sell out Jamesy and Lils, I'll still be the damn Death Eater TRAITOR! No one will care about the details! I'll forever be a traitor to my best friends! All because some Auror who was probably still in diapers when I was fighting, not joining, FIGHTING Death Eaters decided to be ballsy and hit me in the face with a spell I should have seen coming a mile away! It'll be all over the papers! I just know it! 'Sirius Black confirmed as Inner Circle Death Eater at raid on ministry!' Hell, when I die, they'll just slap the words Death Eater on my tombstone and forget I ever existed! Forget the fact that I was a decorated Auror, loyal member of the Order, Lord of House Black, etcetera etcetera! I'm just a no good, rotten Death Eater! Well, I'm not a bloody Death Eater!"

Though the wolf was raging at being screamed at and brushed off, Remus had the restraint not to grab Sirius and do something rather unpleasant to him. He instead stated simply, "Yes, you are."

"I AM NOT A DEATH EATER!" Sirius yelled angrily, spinning on Remus with rage filled eyes. However, upon spotting Harry sitting calmly to the side, he paused and deflated a little. "I mean, I wasn't...I'm not...not how they think. I'd never serve that snake-faced bastard. I just-" He dropped to the floor with a heavy sigh, his eyes downcast. "I'm sorry, Moony. I just, I hate the fact that everyone thinks I betrayed the two people I would have been more than happy to call my family. The closest thing I had to a real brother, not counting that little bastard Regulus."

"I know, Padfoot," Remus replied, sitting down next to Sirius and draping his arms around the distraught man. "One day, when all this is over, I swear we will clear your name."

Harry took this as his cue. He stood and smiled softly at the two. "Actually, while it's been proven that you're a Death Eater now, we can still prove you weren't one when my parents were killed." Walking to the door, he opened it just as Lucius was about to knock. The blonde blinked a moment before he opened his mouth to speak. Harry held up a hand, silencing him, and looked back at the two men still sitting in a heap on the floor. "I went to the Weasleys a few months ago and caught a rat." At the hope shining in his godfather's eyes, Harry nodded. "I haven't turned him over to the ministry yet because I'm worried about Dumbledore's influence there, worried that he could 'disappear' him like he tried to do with you." Harry chuckled. "And I haven't told either of you because I knew you'd want to tear him apart the first chance you got. Now, with Sirius being revealed, I think I've figured out a way to have him safely confess and still keep him in our hands. Even if it doesn't convince them of your innocence, it will give them something to think about. Give me a few days to set it up, then I promise that you, Sirius, will at least have a modicum of revenge."

With that, he turned and left the room, Lucius at his heels.

"My lord, you've caught Pettigrew?" he questioned as he followed Harry toward the ballroom.

"Yes," he answered, not breaking stride now that he was on a mission. "I'll need you to acquire several things for me. A small house with a basement in a secure, yet unassuming location. Abandoned, perhaps, and in a muggle neighborhood. A muggle device called a video camera and several blank video tapes. Possibly a VCR and television that can operate in areas of high magical concentration, unless the ministry already has them."

"I've never heard them mentioned before. I doubt they have anything remotely muggle," Lucius replied, wondering about the strange terms and why Harry would need muggle devices.

Harry nodded absently. "I'll also need large amounts of Veritaserum and a reputable Potions Master. Severus, maybe. Everyone knows how accomplished he is. If the process of creation is visually documented, and perhaps reinforced with memories he would willingly provide to them, no one would question the validity of the potion. He could also be seen acting as a Death Eater and escape punishment due to his status as a spy."

"My lord," Lucius interrupted bravely. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about, other than to inform you that everyone is ready to make their reports."

Pausing, Harry turned to give the Malfoy lord his full attention. If Lucius had resorted to addressing him by title in private, something was bothering the man. Something he didn't think Harry would like. "Go ahead," he encouraged.

After a deep breath, Lucius began. "I don't believe Severus is a spy against us, my lord. He warned Dumbledore, yes, but he deliberately withheld the location of what he thought to be our main objective; Hogwarts. I understand that his actions only caused us more trouble and to have less time to fulfill our goals, but they weren't the actions of a traitor. Severus has more reason than anyone I know of to be loyal to you, not because you claim to be Voldemort, but because you are the Dark Lord. Severus is a creature of the Dark and-"

"What do you mean, he's a creature of the Dark?" Harry cut him off abruptly with what looked to be tightly controlled anger burning in his eyes. "Wizards are not creatures of the Dark, not even if they choose to support it. Not even you, Lucius. Wizards have a choice. They can choose to live in the Light or the Dark or to remain neutral, which is the truest magical state of all wizards and witches, but they were born with that choice. I have no choice. Remus has no choice. We are true creatures of the Dark. A vampire and a werewolf. I never had a choice and Remus had his taken away from him at the age of six! A wizard could never comprehend the existence that being a true Dark Creature brings!"

His words had taken on a hissing quality by this point and Lucius dropped to his knees in supplication as his master continued, not trying to stop him and knowing it would be dangerous to attempt to do so.

"You may call yourself Dark, Lucius, but you should count yourself lucky that you even have that choice. Wizards are the only, only magical race to have such a choice and the damn, fool creatures have all but gone and forgotten it! Every other magical race is born either inherently Light, Dark or the rare few which are neutral in their magic. Dragons are neutral. The Phoenix and Veela are Light. Vampires and Werewolves are Dark. And here, in the middle, are the Wizards. Capable of making a conscious decision in their path and destiny.

"Did you know that long ago there was a great council made up of representatives from each intelligent race in the world? Do you know the only race to have two representatives? Wizards. Wizards alone were broken into two groups with one representative from the Light and one from the Dark, each looking out for the best interests of their people. The Lord of Light and the Lord of Dark were masters of their own realms and now they have been reduced to mere shadows of what they once were. They've become pawns on a ministry chessboard with little to no knowledge of what, exactly, gives them the right to claim such a title.

"So, don't presume to tell me who is loyal and who is Dark! I know the Dark in ways you never could."

The fire burning in Harry's eyes had finally calmed from a raging inferno to a smoldering furnace. He was no longer angry, but seemed determined to get his point across.

"How well do you truly know the Dark, Lucius?" he asked, as if genuinely curious and taking a step forward. "Do you still feel the shiver of pleasure when you utter a Dark curse? As you harness a sliver of that heady, sinful darkness? Or has it become commonplace to you? Because that is what truly makes a Dark Wizard. Not just one who uses the Dark, but one who is as much a part of it as any wizard can be. Answer me. Do you feel the Dark call to you when you cast an Unforgivable?"

Lucius hesitated, not in indecision, but at the strength of the Dark magic emanating from the boy lord. It was thick, intoxicating. It clawed at his senses, dragging him down and making him want more. Such as he hadn't felt in a long time and it grew stronger as his master grew closer. "No," he managed to choke out. "Not anymore."

"I didn't think so," Harry returned, halting his approach when he saw Lucius begin to shiver. "You've used it so often, and yet managed to not lose your mind to it, that it's become a part of you. You've grown accustomed to that tiny fraction of a whole which could overwhelm in a heartbeat the strongest of wizards. You're no longer effected the same way most others are by Dark magic. You require a stronger dose to get the seductive high that wizards call Dark Magic Addiction. However, there is no stronger dose for a wizard, outside rituals, than the Unforgivables.

"There is a reason the Dark Arts are forbidden. It's because, for a wizard, they feel good. Beyond good, and most wizards do not have the strength of will to resist. Insanity and addiction come about when one is consumed by the need to feel it, again and again.

"Light magic is just as addictive, but is not forbidden because it is considered 'good' to seek that high from healing and protecting. Healing a mortal wound with Light magic gives almost the same feeling that taking a life does with Dark, only far less intense."

Harry drew closer and reached out a hand to stroke Lucius' cheek. The man gave a shuddering gasp as he felt the pure Dark magic play along his skin, interacting with his own and caressing his tainted magical core.

"I must congratulate you, Lucius. Only a handful of wizards alive today have taken the step to become true Dark Wizards, to devote themselves so fully, becoming a part of it and forsaking the Light completely. In this sense, you are truly worth of me."

Suddenly, Harry dropped his hand and moved away, drawing his magic back into himself and locking it tightly inside. Lucius collapsed onto his side at the loss of it.

"After I hear the others' reports and tend to Crabbe and Goyle, I'll hear you out concerning Severus." He turned his back on the crumpled, gasping form of his closest confidante. "You are lucky, Lucius, whether you realize it or not. Out of all of my servants, you are perhaps the only one I truly care for."

As Harry's footsteps drew away and Lucius remained on the floor, unable to move, he realized for the first time how absolutely unbelievable his master was. Not just a First vampire, a wizard or even a Dark Lord, but all three wrapped up into one incredible package. At only ten years old, his mere touch, augmented by his pure magic, Dark magic, was absolute rapture. Being deprived of it sent him into a withdrawal he'd never experienced before in his life. Not even when he was a teenager, first experimenting with really heavy Dark magic. He doubted one who was not, as Harry put it, a true Dark Wizard would have survived it.

-SCENE BREAK-

Severus shuddered in both fear and pleasure as he felt a spike of pure Dark magic from somewhere above him. It caressed his senses and threatened to drag him under. It pulled at his own Dark, urging it to come out and play.

It wasn't a spell, quick and focused.

It was more like true darkness; controlled, powerful and wielded by an inhuman master of the Dark.

Another shudder, this time one only of fear, raced down his spine.

What manner of creature was up there?

-SCENE BREAK-

Meanwhile, in the ballroom, the Elite and the rest of the Inner Circle waited for Lucius to return with their lord. They were tired and just wanted to give their reports and go home.

Conversation suddenly paused as both Rodolphus and Adeline looked up at the same time, eyes wide and staring at a bare spot on the wall. Their eyes glazed over and their breathing became quick and shallow. Rabastan threw an arm around his brother's waist, supporting his weight as the man's knees buckled. Adeline began to shake violently, her hands gripping the edge of the table like a vice.

"Sweet Merlin," Emogene breathed, prying one of Adeline's hands off the table and taking it in her own. "What's wrong with them?"

No one seemed to have a ready answer.

After a few moments, the attacks stopped as suddenly as they began and the two struggled to compose themselves.

"Addy?" Narcissa questioned, running the back of her hand over her friend's forehead. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Adeline croaked unsteadily after finding her voice. "It's just- The sheer power was- There aren't any words."

"You can't understand," Rodolphus added, seeing his brother about to question them. "You can't feel it. You aren't True Dark. Not like us."

A look was shared between Adeline and Rodolphus which seemed to say everything they were unable to voice.

"I didn't know you were-" Adeline began.

Rodolphus nodded. "It's not something one brags about. Not even in our circles."

-SCENE BREAK-

Sirius was dislodged from his peaceful place in Remus' lap as the werewolf leapt to his feet.

"Harry," he gasped, before dashing for the door. "Stay here, Padfoot," he commanded. "I mean it."

Sirius, while not a werewolf, knew a command from an Alpha when he heard one. Despite his curiosity and rebellious streak, he would not defy his Alpha. Especially not when said Alpha was also his mate who would withhold sex if he disobeyed. Yes, Sirius had learned that lesson early on.

-SCENE BREAK-

Lucius had finally managed to struggle halfway into a sitting position when Remus arrived. After a moment's pause in which the werewolf surveyed the situation, literally tasting the Dark magic that still hung in the air, he lifted the man up and shifted him over to rest against the wall.

"What the HELL did you do to piss him off?"

Lucius winced at the volume of the other man's voice. "I honestly don't know," he replied. "One moment he was fine, the next he just went off. Something about Severus. I was telling him that I don't think Severus is a traitor. Then, he just started ranting about the difference in a wizard's Dark and a creature's Dark. How he didn't have a choice."

Lucius told Remus about the entire conversation, if it could be called that. When he was done, he heaved a great sigh, still remembering the feel of Harry's magic.

"It was-" he tried to explain. "It was so- Oh Gods. I'd never felt anything like that before. It was sheer bliss. It was rapture. It was-"

"Better than sex?" Remus smiled. "I know how you feel. Well, Sirius has tried to explain it to me more than once. What it feels like to an outsider. When we're together, sexually, sometimes he can feel my Dark. Sirius is decidedly neutral in his magic, leaning more towards the Light. I can't imagine how intense it must have been for you, who is very much Dark. It must have gone far beyond corruptively alluring and seductive."

"It was an all encompassing desire to be hopelessly lost in that Dark forever," Lucius whispered in wonder. "To be completely consumed by it and never return."

Remus frowned slightly. "Sirius has never described it that way. I know our mate-bond protects him from it somewhat, but the way you put it sounds...dangerous. Don't go provoking Harry just to feel it again. He's more likely to hurt you than touch you with his Dark. He may have seemed angry, but he didn't hurt you. He could have easily driven you insane, but he didn't. What he did was a very intimate thing. One reserved to lovers and those closer than family. He was trying to show you something. Now you just have to figure out what it is."

"I'm no fool!" Lucius snapped. "I'm not going to purposefully anger him. I just have...the most powerful desire to serve him unselfishly, in any way he would ask, keeping nothing for myself. It seems so natural that I should do so."

Lucius looked so lost and confused that Remus had to smirk. "Well, that does make sense. He's the Dark Lord, and you are a servant of the Dark, in more ways than one."

-SCENE BREAK-

When Harry entered the ballroom and all eyes turned to him with a mixture of wariness and awe, he realized something he had previously overlooked. Rodolphus leaned heavily against the table, pale and shaking. Adeline was cradled in Narcissa and Emogene's arms, fairing little better than him.

"Adeline, Rodolphus," he said, joining them to stand around the table. "I'm sorry. I acted in haste and without thought of how my Dark would effect you, even this far away. Please accept my sincerest apologies."

If they were startled by this, they didn't show it.

"We're fine, my lord," Adeline said. "We just weren't prepared."

Rodolphus gave a nod of concurrence.

Harry conjured chairs around the table and Rodolphus collapsed into one, followed quickly by Adeline. "I believe you both could use some chocolate," Harry said, smiling.

Harry had a house-elf bring rich hot chocolate for the two and tea for the others. After receiving their reports, he instructed Rodolphus to take Crabbe and Goyle with them back to the hidden house when they left. For now, the two were resting and recovering from their ordeal in two of Harry's guest rooms. While he could heal most physical wounds in seconds, the wounds left on their minds and magics from the torture they had undergone would need to heal themselves.

It was just as they were about to adjourn that Lucius arrived. The doors to the ballroom opened and the man entered, all eyes turning to watch him.

He looked at Harry with such awe and devotion, yet a hint of uncertainty, that it made the others wish they were reckless enough to have questioned their lord on what had happened. After a pause in which he studied the others, considering his course of action carefully, he strode confidently across the room and dropped to his knees at Harry's side with a soft, "Master."

Harry smiled down at him and brought his hand to the blonde's head as if he were a favored pet.

The other ten looked on in confusion.

Normally, Harry did not enjoy displays such as that from them. He expected them to obey, yes, but not submit themselves blindly. He valued their opinions and treated them with respect. To him, they were people, not just servants.

Only when Lucius rested his head comfortably against his master's leg, Harry stroking the Malfoy lord's hair lovingly, did Adeline's eyes light up with understanding and a tiny, amused smirk take over her lips. She leaned over and whispered something to Narcissa, who then joined in her smirking.

Narcissa, possibly emboldened by the familiar situation of upper class gossip she was so fond of, murmured genially, teacup halfway to her smiling lips, "Congratulations, Lucius, on your Consort status."

Lucius' eyes widened marginally before narrowing them at his wife. Harry merely raised an eyebrow at the woman.

"I was unaware," he began mildly, "that you were a student of the old ways of magic."

"I am a Black, by blood, my lord" she said easily by way of explanation. "There were several Dark Lords from our venerable line, so it was natural that we should learn the ways of the court."

"I see," Harry said, his hand trailing down to rest on Lucius' shoulder as the man seemed ready to leap up and throttle his wife for her audacity. "In that case, I should think you would know that I am far too young, physically, for a Consort. Besides, the court no longer exists."

"Too true, my lord," she responded lightly. "However, it is natural for the Lord of Dark to create his Dark Court, consciously or not. That is what you're doing, isn't it? As for your physical age; it really doesn't matter. You are an adult in all other ways and a Consort fulfills all of his or her lord's needs; physical, emotional, mental, everything. They are completely devoted. Sound like someone we know?"

Adeline snorted into her tea.

Harry just chuckled. "You're being awfully cheeky, Narcissa."

"Perhaps, my lord," she said with a pleased smile. "But I speak only the truth."

"Hold on," Michaels interrupted, speaking up for the first time. "I'm sure this is all very interesting, but would someone mind explaining for the poor commoner over here?"

Dolohov muttered, "I could do with an explanation myself," and was seconded by Emogene who appeared to be rather upset at being left out.

It was Adeline who answered.

"Well, around a thousand years ago, back when being the Dark Lord meant more than murdering, stealing and trying to topple the government, the Dark Lord ruled all the Dark Wizards and the Light Lord ruled the Light Wizards. Simple, right? Well, each had their own court with courtiers, servants, soldiers and so on. The most important of which were the members of the lord's family, their husband or wife and their Consort. You see, being the Dark Lord is a very stressful and demanding job. They need someone who is totally dedicated to them. The Consort is a servant who's one and only task is to care for their lord. It's an emotional, rather than physical, bond, though they were usually lovers as well.

"There hasn't been a real Dark Lord for quite a while; not since the Great Council disbanded and wizards became less tolerant of anything Dark. I believe Salazar Slytherin was the last true Dark Lord."

"Grindelwald," Harry stated, thoroughly enjoying her explanation.

"My lord?" she questioned.

"Grindlewald was chosen as the Dark Lord, but he went mad with the power," he explained. "Since there was no Council, there was no one to guide him."

"I see. May I continue, my lord, or would you like me to stop there?"

"Oh, by all means," Harry said with a smile, returning to petting Lucius hair. "Continue."

Adeline took a deep breath and forged on.

"Unlike today's wizards who merely claim the title of Dark Lord or have it forced upon them by their enemies, the true Dark Lord is chosen by magic itself for their potential as a great leader. The same is true for the Light Lord, the most famous of which was Merlin. They are supposedly approached in a dream vision and informed of their new position, though I don't know how accurate this is."

Here she looked to Harry for confirmation.

Harry nodded. "It's true. Magic uses the form of a departed loved one to deliver the message in a dream. I was told- I mean, the one who's memories and powers I bear was informed through such a dream."

Actually, he'd been informed in the previous timeline several hundred years after he'd been turned by the spirit of his mother during a particular nasty war in which muggles were using technology to meddle with magic. As wizards were all but extinct, there'd been little choice other than him. Hermione had been given the duties of Lady of the Light, becoming the first ever female leader of the Light.

"Well," Adeline continued, taking his moment of introspection to mean she should do so. "Most wizards have forgotten all of this. However, families such as the Blacks and Dumbledores who had an ancestor as part of one of the courts still pass on the knowledge."

"There are records left in the Department of Mysteries," Rookwood put in.

"What I mean," Adeline said, casting a quick glare at him for interrupting, "is that there is a handful of us left who remember. It's normally kept within families, along with other little secrets, but I see no reason to do so when a new Dark Lord has arisen." She finished with a beaming smile, looking quite proud of herself.

"Bloody Ravenclaw," Nott grumbled. "Where'd you pick this up? You're not from an old family."

"Hogwarts Restricted Section in my sixth year," she stated simply with a sniff.

-SCENE BREAK-

Severus was getting bored. He'd been waiting for hours. Lucius had left him in the room they'd met in before the attack, which must have been a basement, an admitedly very large basement, likely magically expanded, and promised to return and explain soon. He was still waiting.

Using his wand, he put the finishing touches on a llama he'd drawn in the air.

With an angry growl, he swept his wand through it, causing it to vanish like smoke. He'd been spending too much time with Minerva.