The Prince and His Protectors
As Sirius, Severus, and Remus stood around the ancient chest in Hufflepuff's vault, the weight of anticipation hung heavily in the air. The letter, sealed with Lily's familiar handwriting, beckoned them to uncover the secrets within.
Sirius reached out, carefully breaking the unfamiliar seal—yet again, he wondered about the significance of the symbol—feeling his heart tighten as the words came into focus. It was like hearing Lily’s voice in his mind, a bittersweet echo from the past, but laced with the urgency of the present.
"To those I trust with my life and my son's future,
If you're reading this, then it means I was successful in protecting Harry's life. But it also means the war has left wounds that will take time to heal. There is so much I wish I could have said to each of you while I was still alive. This letter, and everything else I’ve left behind, is my final attempt to guide you through the storm that is still brewing.
First, I need to tell you the truth about my past—a truth I didn’t discover until I was forced into hiding. My birth name is not Lily Evans. I was born Princess Seraphina Nymeria Grey, of the Arcane Sovereigns of Grey. My homeland, Caer Nymira, is shrouded in magic older than any that exists today. Though I had forgotten it, my blood and magic remained connected to the Greys. When I rediscovered this, I learnt many truths that I now entrust to you."
Severus looked up, eyes wide. A princess? he thought. The shock was visible on his face, but the pieces started to click into place. Her talents, her natural affinity for magic—it all made sense now. She wasn’t just brilliant—she was different in a way none of them had understood before.
Sirius continued reading:
"The most important truth is this: Harry's existence is entwined with ancient magic, magic that must be protected. He is not only a Potter, but also the current Prince of the Grey line. The Grey family has long been forgotten by the magical world, believed to be nothing more than a myth. But the magic within us, within Harry, is real and powerful. It must be nurtured carefully and protected at all costs.
I should also let you know that Harry's life—his very soul—is connected to an ancient prophecy. A prophecy foretold by Lady Fate herself at the beginning of time. This prophecy, like the one Dumbledore mentioned, connects Harry and Voldemort inextricably. So no, Voldemort is not dead. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, kill him. Harry and Tom—that is Voldemort's real name—have had their lives bound together since the dawn of time; one truly cannot live while the other survives."
All three men were enraged. What? The monster who killed their best friends wasn’t to be killed? How could Lily imply they do nothing against him?
"This may be difficult to accept, but Tom plays a very important role in the future of magic in the wizarding world. Don’t worry; even though I didn’t have much time to study and research, I ensured the ritual would succeed. Tom will become a better person before long.
Severus, I forgive you. I won’t lie and say I understand—because I don’t. How you could ever think killing a child was the right choice is beyond me. But a few days after you confessed to overhearing the prophecy and relaying it to Voldemort, Dumbledore mentioned someone had come to him wanting to switch sides. I knew right away that it had to be you because you are the type of person to risk your life to save mine. So, while you may not have expected this, your knowledge, discipline, and loyalty to me are things I entrust to Harry. Severus, during my time in hiding, I learnt many things—among them, that you are the Heir to the House of Prince. If possible, please claim the title. The times ahead are trying, and you will need all the power and influence you can get. Lastly, if Harry is safe, then consider your life debt to James fulfilled—James agrees."
A royal heir… a child of magic older than the Founders themselves. Severus, still processing the enormity of the revelation, felt a wave of guilt and shame wash over him. He thought bitterly about the prophecy he had unwittingly delivered to the Dark Lord. It could have been anyone—but it had been Lily’s son. The guilt tore at him, but he resolved then and there to protect Harry, life debt or not.
"Sirius, I know you will give Harry the love and protection he needs. But please, make sure he becomes independent. Raise him the pure-blood way. He is the sole descendant of many ancient and powerful families. He needs to be able to wield his magic to the best of his abilities, and he must have complete control over his powerful magic. Claim the Black Lordship, Sirius. You will need it. Don’t be rash and discard everything your family stood for. My view of the world has shifted beyond belief. Learn more about Dark Arts and Dark Magic before you cast them aside."
Sirius’s heart raced. Dark Arts? He had recently decided to be more open to the idea, but to actively engage in Dark Magic? He feared it might consume him, as it had consumed so many in his family before him.
"Remus, you will give Harry the wisdom and perspective only you can provide. You are the kindest and most humble person I know. Your presence in Harry's life will be grounding, especially when Sirius is all chaos and Severus is gentle but stern. Most importantly, come to terms with your werewolf. The Greys have stood since the beginning of the magical realm and have befriended many magical creatures, werewolves included. Werewolves were created for a reason, Remus. Learn their origin, and confront your demons."
Remus swallowed hard, guilt gnawing at him. He had doubted himself so many times already. How could he live up to Lily’s expectations? And what did she mean by werewolves being created for a reason? He had always believed they were cursed. He needed to learn more.
"Alice, I don’t have much to tell you beyond what I’ve already said. But if you are still alive, please love my son as your own. Give Harry the motherly love he deserves, and I will be forever grateful.
James, my darling husband, I know there’s a slim chance of you reading this. You would fight with your life to protect Harry and me. But if you are alive, I am beyond joyful that our son will grow up in a home filled with love and laughter. I’m sorry I kept my heritage from you, but that is the way of the Greys. There are truths and magics beyond comprehension that the Greys are sworn to protect. Harry will one day carry this burden if that is what he chooses. James, I beg you to claim the Potter Lordship for Harry’s sake.
Lastly, to anyone reading this, please take Harry to Gringotts when he turns seven. He will need to claim his heirships to all the houses he descends from. The goblins will know what to do. They are sworn to protect and guide the Greys, and to safeguard their secrets. The main reason for this is that he will be old enough to be taken to Caer Nymira. Send him with my family—they will train him and prepare him for the future."
The men exchanged glances. Send him away? Sirius’s heart sank. The idea of sending Harry off filled him with dread. Even though it was years away, the thought of losing his godson, even temporarily, was unbearable.
"There are forces at play, forces that even Dumbledore cannot be trusted with. What I’ve written must remain secret, shared only with those who have read this letter.
P.S. There are books and journals in the chest for Harry when he is old enough to read. Take care of yourselves and my son. I love you all."
Forever yours,
Princess Seraphina Nymeria Grey, Lady Hufflepuff
Lily Jade Potter (née Evans)"
Sirius finally understood why he hadn’t recognised the crest symbol—it was a myth, a fairytale. The Greys were like a bedtime story, much like the Peverells for children of the Wizarding world. Everyone had heard of the great house, said to be favoured by Aetherion, the Primordial One, the Shaper of Worlds himself. The Greys were rumoured to be the oldest magical lineage to ever exist, dating back perhaps a thousand years before the Founders of Hogwarts in the 10th century. They lived in a timeless existence, and over time, people either forgot about them or dismissed them as nothing more than a legend—just as the Greys had intended, apparently.
And his friend had been a Princess, and now his godson was the Prince after her. In what world was he living? Princes and Princesses? Legends turning into reality? Sirius truly had no idea what to do with all this information. But at least he understood now the lengths Lily had gone to safeguard Harry, and the intricate measures she had put in place. They were well and truly worth it—and justified.
He glanced at the other two, and before he could stop himself, a hysterical laugh bubbled out of him. Severus looked more gobsmacked than Sirius had ever seen him, and Remus appeared as though he’d been handed the puzzle of the universe to solve. They were just as lost as he felt.
Severus and Remus snapped out of their musings at the sound of Sirius’s laughter, but soon enough, they found themselves joining in. The absurdity of their situation, the weight of the secrets they had uncovered, and the sheer fact that they were all just 21/22 and facing such enormous responsibilities—it was all too much. They were completely out of their depth, and laughter seemed to be the only way to cope with it all.
Ragnok understood their morbid sense of humor. They were all so young, yet from the moment they held their wands as weapons, they had been thrust into the roles of warriors, soldiers, protectors, and everything in between. The Wizarding world had always been brutal, whether in how it raised its children or through the rise of two Dark Lords in recent history. These young men had responsibilities far beyond their years, forced to grow up much faster than most. It was no wonder that some Muggle-borns struggled to adjust to this world, coming from a more relaxed environment only to face the accelerated maturity required in the magical one.
After allowing them some time to process the weight of the revelations, Ragnok spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Gentlemen, if there is anything more to discuss, we can continue in my office." With that, he motioned for Sirius to carry the chest that Lily had left for her son.
Once outside, Ragnok carefully locked the Founder’s vault before leading them back to the awaiting cart. The journey back was silent, each of the men lost in thought, contemplating their own portions of the letter and the secrets they had learned. So many arrangements needed to be made, and they would have to figure out how to care for a child—something none of them had prepared for.
Back in Ragnok’s office, Severus decided to follow Lily's request. "Master Goblin, I would like to claim my Lordship, please."
Sirius and Remus were shocked. They had never even known Snape came from a pure-blood family, let alone that he was in line for a Lordship title. Both men stared at him, wide-eyed and gaping like fish out of water, much to Severus's satisfaction. Despite having reached an uneasy truce, tensions between them remained high. Their shared history was a tangle of bitterness, and learning that it had been Snape who revealed the prophecy to the Dark Lord had deepened their mistrust.
Sirius struggled to understand how Lily could still name Snape as Harry’s godfather, knowing he had been the one to put Harry's life in danger in the first place. Remus, too, was baffled, but both men knew that Snape had switched sides once he realized it was Lily's son who was at risk. Though this did not forgive Snape’s betrayal, it showed that he regretted his actions enough to ask for help, offering himself as a spy, fully aware of the dire consequences if he were caught.
So, while their emotions were conflicted and they weren't sure where they stood with one another, they knew they would have to figure it out.
In the meantime, Ragnok called for Raznik, the Prince family account manager, to bring the Lordship ring.
The ring, crafted from polished silver with intricate black accents, radiated an aura of mystery and power. At its centre, a deep, dark onyx gemstone symbolised the shadows and hidden depths of the Prince family’s legacy. Ancient runes, representing mastery of both light and dark magic, encircled the band. Inside, the family motto, "Sempre in Umbra," was subtly engraved, reflecting the Prince family's influence from the shadows.
When Severus placed the ring on his right index finger, he was suddenly surrounded by shadows, followed by the appearance of mirrors, each reflecting a regret from his past. One showed the moment he called Lily a "Mudblood," another revealed his role in the Potters' deaths. These reflections were tests, designed to gauge Severus's ability to face and accept his past without being consumed by it. He had to take responsibility for his actions, acknowledge his flaws, and move forward without letting his mistakes define him.
The next mirror presented him with a vision of immense power, symbolized by the dark and light magic he could wield as Lord Prince. Here, Severus was tested on whether he could resist the temptation to abuse this power. He had to demonstrate that he sought balance, not domination. The mirror offered him more power than he could imagine, but he chose to walk away, proving that wisdom and control mattered more than raw strength.
The final mirror tested him with a vision of his future as Lord Prince. It forced him to consider how he would use the power and title—whether for personal gain or for the betterment of his family and the magical world. Severus had to prove that he would protect the Prince family’s legacy, ensuring its survival without compromising his morality or the well-being of others.
Having faced these trials—accepting his past, showing restraint with power, and demonstrating noble intentions for the future—the ring recognised Severus as worthy of the title of Lord Prince. As the rightful Lord, the ring granted him not only the title but also a deeper connection to the Prince family’s legacy and power.
When Severus opened his eyes, he saw the ring had resized perfectly to fit his finger. He felt a profound sense of wholeness and completeness, as though he could take on the world and win. It was an exhilarating sensation—one he hadn't even known he needed. The power within the ring seemed to flow through him, grounding his magical core in a way he'd never experienced before. He felt truly balanced, stronger and more capable than ever. For the first time in a long while, Severus felt fully in control of his destiny.
The other two, Sirius and Remus, who had witnessed the process, felt the surge of power in the air. It was a blend of light, dark, and shadows—an energy both subtle and overwhelming. They couldn’t find the words to explain it, only that it was undeniably powerful, a force that demanded both respect and caution.
The only task left was to review the account statements and properties of the Prince family. Severus requested a copy of the documents to be sent to him for later perusal. Sirius, catching onto the idea, perked up and politely addressed Ragnok, “I would also like an inventory of my properties and an overview of my accounts. As much as I’d prefer not to live in my childhood home, it has possibly the largest library in all of Britain, and I want Harry to have access to as many books as possible. However, before moving in, I’d like to request your services to refurbish the townhouse, add protection wards, and remove any dangerous artefacts. Please place them in the Black Main Vault.”
Ragnok nodded in agreement. “A team will be dispatched immediately. You can expect the house to be ready for habitation within a few days to a week, at most.”
Sirius remembered the Blacks had a vacation home in France. Perhaps taking Harry there for a week or more would be the best course of action. After all they had been through, they both deserved a break. Sirius needed time to come to terms with the deaths of his best friend, James, and Lily, as well as the overwhelming responsibility of raising Harry. He also needed space, away from people from his past—Remus included. Though the memory orb from Lily had dropped into their lives only that morning, it felt like a lifetime had passed since then, with the afternoon consumed by revelations, will readings, and emotional letters.
He was far from ready to forgive the past, and the betrayal still stung. Right now, all he wanted was to go somewhere safe, hold his godson close, and sleep for a month. The idea of retreating to the Black vacation home, far from the chaos of the wizarding world, seemed like the best chance to process everything and, perhaps, find some peace.
Sirius, as the primary custodian of Harry, knew that both Severus—and to an extent, Remus—still had rights over the child. He turned to address Severus, his voice calm yet firm. "I know you have responsibilities at Hogwarts, so I thought I might take Harry to our vacation home in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. It’s more of a chalet, really. You’re welcome to visit anytime, Severus. We won’t be staying there long, just until the London townhouse is ready."
Severus gave a curt nod, relieved that Black had thought of allowing him access. He was determined to bond with Harry from an early age and appreciated the invitation.
Sirius then shifted his gaze to Remus, his tone softening but still carrying the weight of unspoken pain. "Remus, we’ve been friends for over a decade, but your betrayal… it cut deep. You were my best friend, and yet, it seemed so easy for you to believe I’d betray James and Lily. I need some time to grieve and process everything that’s happened. I’m not barring you from Harry—he needs his Uncle Moony just as much as Severus or me. But I’d appreciate a few days of space. That’s all."
Remus, though braced for this, couldn’t help but feel the sting of Sirius’s words. He had anticipated this moment, but the reality was far more painful. Still, he had to respond, even if it didn’t absolve his guilt. "I’m sorry, Sirius. I should have trusted you more, fought for you. But I wasn’t even aware that the secret keeper had been switched. None of you trusted me enough to tell me, either. It feels like we’ve all been left in the dark, and we could blame each other forever, but it won’t change what’s happened."
He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "If it’s acceptable, I’d like to share the chalet with you, just for the week, until the renovations are complete. After that, I’ll be leaving for… well, I’m not sure how long. I’ve got a lot to think about. But I’d like to spend some time bonding with Harry before I go. I want him to remember me when I come back. It would break my heart for him to see me as a stranger. I imagine the chalet is large enough for us to give each other space if needed."
Sirius, though craving solitude, couldn’t argue with that. He knew Remus had his own demons to confront, though he wasn’t certain where Remus intended to go. And despite his desire for distance, he understood why Remus was right. After all, they had all suspected him at one point—Remus, because of his werewolf status, and Sirius, because of his family's dark legacy. Trust had been shattered on all sides, and it would take time to rebuild. But maybe, once Remus left to find his way, some space and time apart would give them all a chance to heal and eventually rekindle their friendship.