The French
Sirius Black stormed the steps of Gringotts, Draco directly on his heels. The former Dursleys followed closely behind while Severus eyed the back of Petunia— no, Prunella’s skull, warily. Hadrian was a step behind his uncle. He had no intentions of turning his back on individuals that, in his mind, were capable of torment.
The Black Lord ignored the cue in the lobby and headed directly toward the Goblin entrance they had used earlier. Without prompting, Sharpfang pressed the rune and fell into step with his father as they descended the steps.
Hadrian heard the rushed Gobbledygook between the two before Sharpfang gestured down the hall to an open doorway and scurried off. His father turned at the door and gestured everyone in before closing the door firmly.
He glared at the Dursleys, “None but Clan can wield magic here, so it would be wise of you to be on your best behavior.”
After a sharp nod of understanding from Prunella, Sirius rounded on Severus, “¤Spill.¤”
Severus ignored Sirius’s use of bas’tongue as he stared at Prunella, his face guarded, “I assume we left behind that walrus of a husband of yours behind.”
Prunella eyed the room cautiously, “I left Vernon after what he did to Harry.”
Hadrian eyed his aunt and uncle carefully. He knew that Severus was aware that Vernon and Petunia were no longer together. That Vernon was no longer among the living. As Hadrian had relapsed on that knowledge in the menagerie, he was giving his uncle the benefit of the doubt that he was sweating his aunt out.
Dudley, however, was staring up at Severus with wide eyes, “You’re my uncle?”
Jolted from his stare down with Prunella, Severus nodded curtly, “Indeed.”
Hadrian exchanged a raised brow with Draco before Severus’s harsh drawl broke the silence, “I do require information, Prunella.”
She turned away from Severus, and her voice fell dull, “Vernon never liked magic.” Her deadened eyes bore into the flames as she continued, “His parents were killed in a muggle-baiting incident only two years before I met him. He never understood exactly what killed them, but you can’t fully obliviate a man as stubborn as Vernon had been. He slowly put together what Lily was and knew what Harry was the moment he appeared on our doorstep. I told him not everyone born from magical parents was magical; I hadn’t been.”
Hadrian blinked slowly. He had never considered why his uncle hated him so much. Not that the reasoning would have any justification for the man’s actions.
Dudley gently guided his mother to a chair next to the fire, her eyes never regaining their focus, “In the beginning, it seemed alright. Harry seemed to know Vernon mistrusted magic, and nothing funny happened when Vernon was home. Of course, Vernon never allowed a single thing to be bought new for Harry, regardless of the money received into our account each month. I was never permitted to buy Harry clothes or toys. He had to use things that Dudley had dirtied or outgrown. With the increase in monthly allowance, I did attempt to feed Harry properly, but Vernon only allowed him to eat after the family. With more food on the table, Vernon ate more and encouraged Dudley to do the same. Vernon doubled in size in just two years.”
Her eyes closed, “Then, Harry hit a spurt of some kind. His magic no longer wanted to hide from Vernon. I was always terrified Dudley would be magical, and Vernon would also turn on him, his own son.” Her eyes opened and turned listlessly towards Severus, “You know what it’s like to have a father who despises what you are.”
Severus nodded slightly, and Prunella turned away and carried on, “I convinced Vernon that wizards hate to be caged, that their magic dislikes it. So he decided that the worst punishment he could bestow would be to lock Harry in the cupboard under the stairs. I fear those are the only times that poor child ever felt reprieve. I would pass water, bread, and small fruits to him through the door when able, but it was never enough. My fear is what ultimately led to Harry’s demise.”
Her eyes cleared, and she took a deep breath before returning her gaze to her brother. The silence stretched on as all those present devoured her words.
His father broke that silence, stiffly asking, “Where did you go? And why are you back?”
Preunella’s eyes snapped to him instantly, “A French wizard found Dudley and me on the streets of London after I left Vernon. He helped undo the blocks that were nullifying our magical abilities and offered us a place in France. We have been there ever since.” She glanced back at her son and smiled softly, “Dudley has been attending Beauxbatons for the past four years.”
“We are here this year as my husband works for the education department in France and is to oversee an event that will be held between multiple wizarding schools. He is to be in the British ministry as a liaison for the Beauxbatons headmistress if she needs assistance.”
Sirius frowned, “The Triwizard Tournament.”
Her brows rose, “Yes. Although, I was under the impression it was to remain a secret. It’s been in the work for over ten years.”
Sirius shared a knowing look with Severus and then tilted his head at Hadrian.
Hadrian wanted to roll his eyes. Of course, his father would believe that Dumbledore had begun crafting trials for Harry back when he was barely four years old.
He watched as his uncle rubbed his face and sighed. Then he strolled across the room to stand before his aunt. His eyes roved over her worried face before he slowly opened his arms, a sight that shocked every Black present. Prunella lunged forward, closing the inches between them, and flung her arms around him, choking out a sob as he tightened his grip on her.
She sniffed into Severus’s shoulder as he rubbed her back, “I thought you hated me. With what happened to Lily… and then Harry… Oh, Severus… he’s dead because I couldn’t stand up to Vernon!”
“Shh…. It’s okay, Tuney.”
Hadrian stood next to his father and Draco, silently watching the scene unfold before them in bewilderment. His father’s fingers were digging into his shoulder, but Hadrian knew the action was grounding him. His father would not forgive so easily.
His aunt shook her head vigorously, “No, it’s not okay, Sev!” She pulled away from him, wringing her hands in her robe, “I let that man…. Sev, he killed our nephew!” Tears fell from her eyes as she shook her head, “I knew what type of man he was, and out of fear for Dudley, for myself, I couldn’t… didn’t stop him. If I had just taken off when Harry was dropped off on our doorstep…”
Hadrian furiously shook his head, “It wouldn’t have worked.”
His father growled in irritation as Prunella’s pale green gaze found him, “He wouldn’t be dead.”
Severus chuckled, “He isn’t.”
The hand on his shoulder was clenching and unclenching, and Hadrian could feel his father’s magic leeching outward.
Her eyes swam in confusion as tears continued to fall; she looked from Hadrian to Sirius and finally to Severus.
His uncle smiled softly, “I have something to tell you.”
Dudley clutched her arm as she stared at Severus, who locked eyes with Hadrian. With a gesture of his head, Hadrian was summoned.
He turned and grasped his father’s hand in his, “It will be alright. Toujours Pur. She’s family, dad.”
His father sighed deeply and nodded, his grip loosening.
Hadrian smiled reassuringly at his father before crossing the room to where Severus continued to speak, “The day your Harry disappeared, a child was found by a friend of mine near a train station. She brought him to me because he had an envelope with my name on it. An envelope you kept even after all those years apart.”
Hadrian blew out a breath he didn’t know he was holding as he stared at the bewildered look on his aunt’s face, “Hey, Aunt Petunia.”
She stared at him with wide eyes, her lips quivering, “Ha-Harry?”
Hadrian nodded as Severus backed away to stand with the others, “Turns out I only kinda died...”
Draco scoffed and mumbled from behind him, “Story of your life.”
Before Hadrian could retort, Prunella was pulling him into the first embrace he could recall her ever giving him, “I’m so sorry for the way you were treated. I was the worst aunt.”
Hadrian murmured into her shoulder, “You have years to make up for it, Aunt Petunia.”
She smiled wetly as she pulled away, ruffling his hair, “Please, call me Aunt Pru.”
Hadrian batted away her hand to have it only replaced by his fathers.
Sirius’s cold grey eyes bored into Prunella’s, “I will accept that you were not the one to harm my son, but know that I am displeased.”
Prunella nodded sharply as Dudley wrapped a hand around her elbow, “I accept nothing less from a diligent father.”
Sirius nodded once, and his eyes softened, “While I am still displeased, as Blacks, we are true to our family. Time mends wounds, and we shall have plenty of time to see to it. I welcome you to the family.”
Prunella shared a soft smile with Sirius before the sound of heavy wood dragging across stone filled the room.
Ragnok stood at the entrance of a hidden door behind the large bookcase on the western wall. His beady black eyes raked over the room before he grinned with his pointy teeth on full display, “Good Evening, Clan Black.” His eyes narrowed at Prunella and Dudley, “Others.”
Hadrian inclined his head to the goblin and gestured to the armchair by the fire Prunella had vacated, “Good Evening, Ragnok. We are in need of your expertise this evening.”
Ragnok inclined his head as he settled himself on the cushion, “Which expertise do you require tonight?”
Hadrian waved his hand to Pru and Dudley, “Meet Prunella and Dudley. Or should I say, Petunia and Dudley Dursley?”
Ragnok gnashed his teeth together, and his eyes flashed hungrily, “So, you wish for my blades!”
The goblin quickly slipped from his chair, flicking his clawed fingers outward. His silver rings melted from around his fingers, the molten metal steadily growing in his outstretched hands. In one hand, he held an ornate curved sword that ended in a hook; in the other, he held an ax with a long and razor-sharp blade.
Hadrian laughed softly at Dudley’s terrified expression, “While your blades are indeed mighty, I wish for your potions.”
Ragnok waved his hands, and the blades melted back to innocent-looking rings, “You wish to poison them?” He nodded sharply, “A slow death. Not necessarily the goblin way, but you are only human.”
Dudley was now green and clutching his mother’s arm tightly.
Hadrian shook his head, “Petunia was not the one at fault for my death. That man has already met his end.”
Ragnok stood straight, “Then why have I been called, if not to bring goblin justice to the goblin nation?”
Hadrian waved his hand from Prunella to Severus to Sirius, “We are welcoming them to the family. Which means we will need to hide Prunella’s lineage from prying meddlers.”
Ragnok sneered, “Dumbledore.”
Prunella’s head snapped toward the goblin, “He was in the alley this morning. He was departing the floo in the little pub when Dudley and I walked in.”
Sirius growled, “Did he see you? Did he recognize you?”
She slowly nodded, “He seemed surprised, but then he was gone, so I do not know his entire reaction.”
Sirius nodded slowly, “We will need to act quickly. Ragnok, Severus is already her brother by a blood oath, but she needs something stronger. What would you suggest?”
Ragnok scratched his chin, his eyes calculative, “I will need to speak with Walburga.”
“You may want to speak with Knarler as well.”
The goblin’s gaze fell on Severus, “Why do I need to speak with that decrepit old beast?”
Severus sighed, “Because Knarler is the Prince account manager. As I am officially Lord Prince and Petunia, Prunella is my blood oath sister, I fear you will need to consult him as well, as she is technically bound to the Prince family.”
Ragnok’s lips curled, “You should think of moving your account; Knarler cannot even hold a dagger these days. He is not up to guarding his own treasure, let alone others.”
Severus sighed, “Would you rather I speak with him?”
The goblin grinned widely, “Unless you wish to retire the beast. If not, then your answer is yes.” He waved a clawed hand at Severus, “I will not tolerate him.”
Sirius interrupted the duo, “Ragnok, do you wish for me to call Walburga here, or will you find us when you have finalized your consult?”
Ragnok pointed towards the door, “Go. I will find you.” He paused, “Actually, call a family meeting.”
Hadrian’s eyes narrowed, “Why do we need a family meeting?”
The goblin stared at him, “Come now, you’re a smart boy.”
Hadrian shook his head in exasperation, “I assume you want to alter the family tree again, which would be why you are consulting Walburga. That’s a given.” His eyes narrowed, “You wish for us to gather the family to decide whether to divulge our secrets to newly acquired members.”
Ragnok grinned sharply at him, “That’s more like it.” He turned to Sirius, “Go to Grimmauld House; I have a direct floo connection to the study there.”
Sirius’s brow raised, but he didn’t comment.
When Ragnok finally left through his bookcase, Draco muttered to the silent room, “Just how much time does your Grandmother spend with her account manager?”
Hadrian shook his head as he followed his family from the room. Tonight would be interesting.
June 29th, 1986
It was a particularly dreary day in London, the skies threatening the pedestrians as they went about their daily business. Most of the passersby ignored the clouds and the impending rainfall, giving little thought to the darkening skies.
As yet another shoulder brushed his arm, Martin Fournier grumbled. Glaring at the offending individual, Martin decided he rather disliked the crowded city and sunless skies.
Martin was not like the others around him; he was a wizard. A wizard who usually found delight in the mundane world, or as the British call it, the muggle world. Unfortunately, the Londoners were not nearly as pleasant as the village of Eguisheim near his château. He was unsure if it was his size or his accent that seemed to offend the mundanes more. They either really disliked tall individuals or loathed the French.
The walk between the British Ministry and his muggle hotel had started off pleasant, the ministry building being in a secluded area of London that the mundane populace seemed to avoid. However, he now found himself in what he could only assume was a mealtime rush.
Because he was quite a tall man, he could easily see over the heads of the others passing him by on the pavement. Due to his height, he was able to spy a black cab crawling up the street.
Martin smiled. He would rather not have to walk the remaining mile, and as he was in the heart of London, there seemed to be no empty alleys to escape into. He decided he would have to apparate directly from the ministry on his next visit.
As the cab neared, he lifted his arm and hailed it over, just as he saw a woman also trying to hail the cab for herself and a young child.
Martin halted with his arm in the air, staring at the woman. Unlike the others passing, the leggy brunette was outlined in an aura of soft blue that reminded him of the Mediterranean off the coast of Cote d’Azur. The blue aura swam around her entire person while thick silver bands on her limbs and torso held the aura in. These waves were not the typical free-flowing tendrils that most holding a magical core showed; no, she was bound. The child beside her had similar bound waves of a darker blue.
Martin sighed heavily. He knew how British wizards felt about the mundane world and couldn’t even begin to speculate what led to these two magicals being so tightly bound and left in the mundane world.
His curiosity getting the better of him, he gestured to the woman, silently asking if she would like to share the cab. The brunette stared at him for a moment and then glanced upwards. Her eyes closed briefly before she turned back and inclined her head.
Martin held the door open for her and the child, “Madam.”
The woman softly smiled as she buckled her child into the seat next to her, “Thank you for sharing your cab.”
Martin returned her smile. Once the cab pulled out into traffic, he held out his forefinger, triggering the release mechanism on his wand holster. When the wand appeared in hand, he waved it towards the front of the cab, creating a silencing and strong notice me not barrier from the mundane driver.
The woman stilled at the sight of the wand, which intrigued him, “You know what this is?”
She nodded hesitantly, “It is a wand. You are a wizard.”
Martin nodded slowly and flicked it once more, casting a mild compulsion to calm the young woman and child, “I am Martin Fournier. I am a French wizard here on business with the British Ministry. What are your names?”
The woman shuffled in her seat, “I am Petunia, and this is my son, Dudley.”
Martin smiled at the wide-eyed boy, Dudley, before turning back to Petunia, “You don’t see many witches voluntarily walking through mundane streets.”
Petunia’s brows knit together, “I am not a witch. I am a squib.”
Martin laughed softly, “Ma chérie, I do not mean to be rude, but I have the gift of mageiasthesia. I can see the magic in all magical beings. A mundane does not have a magical aura; a squib hardly has one… but you and your son? You both have strong magical auras. They are bound, but they are most certainly there…”
The look of devastation that crossed Petunia’s face was heart-wrenching, “Dumbledore said I had no magic! He wouldn’t let me go to Hogwarts with my siblings!” Tears formed in her pale green eyes, “He said I would have to live in the muggle world and forget that magic existed.”
Martin could only smile sadly at the woman.
She wrung her hands on her skirt for a few moments and stared at her son, “I resented my sister so much for leaving me behind. And when her son was dropped off on our doorstep, I hoped he would be like me and not her.”
The tears began to stream down her face, and Martin realized that his compulsion had done far more than just calm her nerves. It had opened a dam within her. He silently wondered whether a mild compulsion on a bound witch was as potent as it was on a muggle. A compulsion charm placed on a muggle in the same manner would see them as carefree as ever, thinking you were their best friend and that there was nowhere safer than with you.
“He wasn’t like me. My hus…ex-husband tried to beat the magic out of him, and it hurt to know that I couldn’t stand up and protect my magical nephew.” The tears were now dampening the collar of her dress, “I left my husband the morning I found my nephew had run away, taking my son with me in fear that if he showed signs of magic, Vernon would try to kill him as well.”
He had overdone the compulsion.
Dudley gaped at his mother, “That’s why we left? Because he would’ve killed me?”
Petunia’s frame collapsed into itself, and she grasped Dudley’s hand in hers. The next bit, she spoke to her son in a soft voice, “When Harry disappeared, I took you and ran. I carried you, sleeping against my shoulder, as I went to the nearest bobbie and reported Harry missing. I also told him what Vernon had done the previous night. Days later, I was informed that Harry was found in a park, curled beneath bushes.” She took a deep breath, “He died from the concussion Vernon gave him.”
Dudley’s face crumpled as he turned to look out the window.
Martin took a deep breath when the silence stretched on, “Do you have other family around here?”
Petunia looked back at Dudley with a saddened expression, “My parents died when I was still in school, and my sister and her husband were killed in the wizarding war. I do not know where my brother is these days, and the only other living relations we have are in the muggle world, and we want nothing to do with them.”
Martin’s thoughts sped through his mind as he thought up a plan that would help the duo while also trying to remember the strength of his compulsion, “Ma chérie, if you would allow me, I would love to help you and your son. Not to sound imposing, but if I say that I have a large estate in Eastern France that is a short distance away from a wizarding school and that I would be more than willing to train you both, would you care to join? I will gladly assist in unbinding your cores and personally guide you to be the greatest witch and wizard you could possibly be.”
Petunia’s eyes cut over to a rather excited Dudley before snapping back to Martin, “Is there a catch?”
Martin smiled softly, “No, ma chérie. You see, I work for the French Ministry in the education department. I am here on business with the French minister regarding reviving a possible tournament between the European schools in the next ten years or so. I believe that everyone who holds a magical core should be given the chance to wield it. The French are not as bigoted in the pureblood propaganda as the English in this regard.”
Petunia nodded slowly, “I would like to learn the magic I was denied and would love for Dudley to experience it as well. Do you know how to unbind our magic?”
Martin shook his head, “I do not have the ability to unbind a core, but I know someone who can.” He chuckled, “I warn you, though, he goes nowhere without his wife. She is half Veela, and while she or her daughters should not affect you, you will want to keep a tight hold on Dudley.”
Petunia placed her hand on Dudley’s shoulder, “Are they dangerous?”
He couldn’t help but laugh loudly, “Mon cher, any being can be dangerous. The trouble with Veela is that they have an allure. A true Veela, when angry, can be frightening, but anything less than a half Veela can only possess the allure. The young children are too small to actually lure anyone in, but the mother, Apolline, could if she wished.”
Petunia’s lips pinched, “As in seduction?”
Martin shook his head, “No, more like someone who is untrained or weak-willed will look at her and become obsessed or transfixed by her beauty.”
Her gaze flicked over him, head to toe and back, “Are you not?”
Martin chuckled, “No, madame, I would not find my sister’s allure to work on me.” At her shocked expression, he continued, “The Veela abilities are only passed down to the females of the line. Males born of a Veela and wizard are gifted with mageiasthesia, not with the traits of a Veela. Against other Veelas, I can resist the allure as I am well-versed in occlumency. I will be able to teach you both once your magic is unbound. That is if you wish to take me up on my offer.”
Dudley looked at his mother with pleading eyes, and she smiled, “I believe we will. What do we need to do?”
He smiled, as he internally hoped this was the woman speaking and not his compulsion, “Nothing, Miss Petunia. I will have the hotel add another room on my floor. You may meet the Delacours tonight as they are staying in the same hotel. I will ask my brother-in-law to unbind your magic, and we will depart for France in the morning. Once we arrive, we can attain a wand for you and a training wand for Dudley.”
Petunia flushed, “What of our flat? Should we not visit it first to retrieve things we would need?”
Martin waved his hand, “I can send a house elf to retrieve all that you desire. Whether it is a single knut or the entire flat’s contents.”
Petunia smiled softly as she watched Dudley’s face. It was the happiest she had seen him in over eleven months. She only wished Harry could’ve joined them.
If only.