Son of a Black

Black Castle

Lord Animus arrived with a flash in 1961.

Looking around he was pleased to see no one had witnessed his arrival, it would have been far to risky to have to start killing people or messing with their minds. He didn’t wait around once he saw he was alone, he instantly apparated to the front gates of the Black Castle, the ancestral home of Lord Black. Flashing the Black Lordship ring that sat comfortably on his finger the gates opened allowing him to enter.

He felt the wards connecting to him letting him know that Lord Arcturus Black and his wife, Lady Melania Black, were in one of the sitting rooms on the main floor which was expected since lunch would have just finished. He also knew that as he could sense the location of Arcturus Black he could sense him.

Animus walked silently to the sitting room and wasn't surprised to find two wands pointed at him when he entered. He didn’t react in the slightest and just went and claimed a seat at the other end of the table, opposite Arcturus.

“It is a pleasure to see you Lord Black, Lady Black.”

“Who are you?” Arcturus demanded. “Leave this place, you are not welcome here.”

Animus smirked, making his scarred and old face look that much more sinister. Placing his hand on the table he only displayed the Black Lordship ring. “I am perfectly welcome in my own home. As to who I am… Well… That’s a bit more complicated. For now, just call me Lord Animus.” 

Arcturus didn’t drop his wand even slightly even as he was surprised to see the ring. “How did you get that ring? I am Lord Black, this is my home.”

“For now.” Animus said calmly.

“Are you threatening us?” Melania demanded, she had never been the demure sort of woman that let her husband be in control of everything.

“Absolutely not.” Animus said. “I’m here to help you. Have either of you ever heard of the neslavno minato ritual.” He honestly wasn't surprised when neither had. “It is also known as the ritual of the inglorious past. It allows for someone to walk through time itself and spend 3, 12 hour periods, in the past. 36 hours to change the world. This is my first stop.”

“So you’re… You are the Lord Black in the future.” Arcturus said in surprise as he sunk into his chair, stuttering for the first time since he was a child. He kept his wand out since he had no intention of taking any risks with his wife’s safety.

“How far back have you come?” Melania asked, it obviously had to be a long way just based off the mans age. He wasn't her son, and she knew it wasn't her eldest grandson, her daughter-in-law was pregnant, was it possible this was her younger grandchild.

“Over 150 years.” Animus told them.

“Why come here? Why today?” Arcturus questioned.

“I chose today because today is the day the war begins.” Animus said gravely. “But that is not why I came here in particular. I came here to save the Black family.”

“Save us?” Arcturus questioned in worry. “And what war? Does the war harm our family?”

“The war really doesn’t have that much of an effect on the Black family. At least, not until your grand children are of age.” Animus told them. “You must understand, the ritual I am using to be here is very delicate and complicated. I have worked for minimum of 1 hour every single day for over 70 years to be able to do this. I have had to calculate the impact I have arithmatically for every single thing that I do, and what I don’t do as well. If I could not make it balance I can not change it. That was one of the reasons it took me so long to get everything into place to preform the ritual, I had to try so many different scenarios to try and balance things so I could give you as much information as I possibly can. I managed to balance nearly everything with enough work, only a few large things like the war can’t be countered.

As for now I can say that a family member is lost to the war, but that won’t be for almost two decades. And while I couldn’t make the calculations balance so I could tell you who and how to stop it now I can change it on my next trip. The war is another thing I can’t stop. The war may start tonight but the catalyst that caused it was decades ago.

No, the cause of the downfall of the Black family is the Black family. One thing that has always been interesting to me is how so many pure blood families claim nothing is more important than family yet they are the first to throw away their family members. Tell me, how many members of your family did your ancestors disown because they weren’t exactly what they wanted. 

And it won’t end there. If you follow in their footsteps the Black family will fall. By the time I claim the position of Lord Black I am the last Black in Britain, and I’m not even from the main line, but descended from one of your cousins. And  I have no children. If things carry on as they have been then the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, a family that has existed in Britain for over 1000 years, will be extinct in less than 200 years.”

“How do we stop it?” Melania questioned as Arcturus was too horrified to speak at the idea of his line ending.

“By restoring the Black family.” Animus told them. “And you could start with Marius.”

“Marius?” Arcturus questioned as he thought of his squib cousin. “But he’s a squib.”

“Yes, but he’s also a Black.” Animus replied. “Despite what people might seem to like to pretend, no child is to blame for being a squib. That would be like blaming a child for their eye or hair colour, they had no control over that, they get that from their parents. If a child is a squib it goes back to the parents, not the child, and even then it’s just the luck of the draw, as exemplified by Marius who is the only squib of 4 children. A child being a squib can be tracked back to a number of causes, including genetic flaws they inherit from their parents, or magical complications during pregnancy, but the child has no control over any of that. 

And it is mainly the fault of this pure-blood obsession the family has. The simple fact that has been hidden for generations by those that seek power and control is that those referred to as muggle-born are in more often than not squib born. My own mother was originally thought to be muggle-born but was actually a squib line descendant of the Slytherin line. And the first time a Black marries a muggle-born their child will be the first full blooded metamorphmagus in nearly 300 years.

But, regardless of who is to blame for squibs, they are still magical and have access to magic, they just can’t actively cast. They are perfectly able to brew lower level potions, do arithmancy, and even carve and in some cases power runes. All their blood line really needs is time to recover and cross with another magical bloodline, be they wixen or creature. 

Marius is a squib yes, and so is his wife. After being abandoned by his family Marius married Zara Shafiq, Lord Shafiq’s squib niece. Lord Shafiq gave them a nice little home in France as a wedding gift. They have three young children, and I can tell you now, all three of them are going to be receiving letters from Beauxbatons in the next few years. And between them they go on to give Marius half a dozen magical grandchildren and over a dozen great-grandchildren. 

I may have been the last Black in Britain, but that didn’t mean I was the last Black. At the time I left Marius’s line was thriving with over 60 members, but none of them wanted anything to do with Britain or the Moat Ancient and Most Noble House of Black because of how Marius was just thrown away because he wasn't exactly what his parents wanted.

And welcoming back Marius will bring his sister Dorea back to an extent. She turned away from the family because she hated how her baby brother was treated. Dorea was always a grey witch, and she always will be, but she is not one of those blind light fools like she has been pretending to be the past years. She has a son a few months younger than Sirius and the two will be best friends. She will need the support of the family to keep her husband from completely ruining that boy. There isn’t much hope for James Potter, he is as blindly light as his father, but at least his mother will be able to set rules and limits for him without worrying she is being too much like her own family.”

Animus took a sip of the tea Melania had had served once he was sure there was nothing in it. “Another family member that needs to be brought back is Cedrella.”

“But the Weasley’s are blood traitors.” Arcturus said in slight horror. He had never understood why his young cousin had chosen to run off with a Weasley, but then again none of her siblings had exactly chosen well in his opinion.

“Indeed.” Animus said. “But I don’t really care. Yes, Septimus can be a right fool, but he actually does still hold to some of the old beliefs. And his boys won’t be much better. Besides, if you were to say… offer your assistance in finding a peaceful resolution to the Weasley Malfoy blood feud much of that blood traitor stain will be removed. And you would have extra leverage with the Malfoy family as the late Lord Malfoy signed a betrothal contract for his grandson Lucius with your cousin Cygnus’s daughter without bothering to inform you or your father before his own passing.

You could also assist Cedrella in protecting her eldest from a rather unfortunate marriage contract. His girlfriend intentionally got pregnant in their final year, she had previously used lust potions and the like on him, though I don’t know if that contributed to the pregnancy. I know for a fact their children even secretly tested him a few times over the years just to check if he was on potions but he always tested clean, he actually really did just love the woman. Either way, the Prewett’s blamed him for their daughters condition and they forced his parents to sign the contract they created without any protections for Arthur or his children in place. From what I understood Cedrella never forgave anyone for that and actually ensured that neither her son or daughter-in-law got a sickle of the estate, including the Wizengamot seat, instead leaving it to their eldest child.

But that is neither here nor there right now, I’m playing the long game. It is their grandchildren I’m interested in. Arthur will go on to have 7 children. Two of them are absolutely useless and complete blood traitors, I mean, they make Septimus look like an upstanding pure-blood. But it is the other 5 that are of interest. One will go on to become one of the top curse breakers and ward masters in the world. Another will become a dragonologist, and really, who wants to go against someone that has the loyalty of dragons. Then there is the Ministry employee. He achieved 12 OWLs and NEWTs with some of the highest scores on record and became the youngest junior assistant to the Minister of Magic. Bit of a brown noser, but they do serve a purpose. And then there is the demonic duo, they started creating their own spells and potions before they were teenagers. I personally invested 1000 galleons with them and in less than a decade it was worth millions.

All of them will accomplish great things. Having them associated with the Black family will only improve our standing. And, they all seemed to be a throw back of what the Weasley family was originally. They are all extremely powerful and loyal, to those that deserve it. They even practice the old ways once they are old enough to escape their banshee of a mother.”

Animus knew he was being ever so slightly disingenuous, but he was nothing if not a Slytherin at heart. He was a strong believer in editing the truth. Telling the truth without telling the full truth. Yes, Percy had become the youngest junior assistant to the Minister of Magic, but that was so he could spy on his family and give the minister access to Dumbledore’s supporters, but no one needed to know that. And yes, the twins had turned the money he gave them into millions, but he never received a knut of it, not that he had wanted it. He just needed Arcturus to see them as having value enough to bring Cedrella back into the family.

“I would also recommend making sure that Callidora and Charis know the family will be there for them should they ever need it.” Animus continued. “For the most part Callidora is fine with her life, her daughter-in-law is horrid, but she kept things mostly under control. It’s Charis that is going to need the support. Right now she is pregnant with her one and only child, he will be one of your younger grandsons best friends. Charis’s husband is a workaholic that will become extremely verbally abusive over time. He only cares about rising in the ministry and if he sees his wife or child as getting in his way or slowing him down he will make them suffer for it.

But the main people we need to talk about is Orion, Walburga, and the children. There are going to be a few issues in the coming years I hope we will be able to address and change.”

“I thought you said the war wouldn’t affect our family.” Melania said worriedly.

“And it won’t.” Animus assured. “I’m sure you know that Walburga is not stable. She cares for no one but herself, but that will soon change. For some reason Walburga will be completely devoted to your younger grandchild, Regulus. But her love will not be a healthy love, it will be more of an obsession. She will see Sirius’s presence as a hindrance to giving his brother everything she thinks he deserves. Over the coming years she will go from simply not caring about Sirius to becoming verbally and emotionally abusive towards him. She will always be careful to ensure Orion doesn’t know, but it won't be to hard because Orion can’t stand being in the same place as her for more than an hour at a time.

Sirius will grow up believing no one will help protect him from his mother as the Black family has never been overly close since you were just a boy. A major event that will push him even further away will happen when he is 7. Alphard will throw a party to introduce the family to his fiancée. But she will be a muggle-born and Walburga will take it as a personal insult. She will give Sirius a potion and tell him it is a headache cure for his soon to be aunt, she will order him to put it in a glass of champaign and give it to her. Truthfully the potion will be poison and Alphard will be devastated with the death of his fiancée. The family will ignore it as they always did causing Alphard to abandon the family and teach Sirius to hate the Black family more as he tries to understand his mother forced him to assist her in murdering someone and his own family acted like it was fine. 

Things will get even worse when Sirius starts Hogwarts and isn’t sorted into Slytherin. After that Walburga’s abuse will become magical. Since Sirius has no faith in the family at all he suffers alone. It will come to an end when he is 16 and accepts that his family will never care for or protect him and run away after his mother starts using the cruciatus curse on him. Thankfully there is one Black that he knows he can trust and Dorea takes him in and accepts him like he is her own. Despite having the last name Black, Sirius never considers himself a member of the Black family again. And the only other Black he ever cares enough about to attend the funeral of is Alphard who comes to hate the family as much as Sirius does.

Walburga will be obsessed with making sure Regulus becomes Lord Black. Once she deems Sirius as being out of his way she turns her attention to the others in between him and the title. Since you wouldn’t have ever been overly close to Sirius while Orion will always have had a soft spot for his first born she deems Orion the bigger threat. She worries that if Orion becomes Lord Black he might leave the title to Sirius just because he is the oldest. Another little ‘potions accident’ and Orion is out of the way. Unfortunately for her plans Regulus won’t deal with everything happening well and ends up killing himself only a few weeks later.”

Again, not exactly the truth, but Regulus did choose to go on a suicide mission that he knew could kill him. It was a bit of an embarrassment that such a Slytherin pulled such a Gryffindor move.

“I never liked that girl.” Melania growled. She still held a bit of a grudge against her husband and his parents for deciding to arrange the marriage between Orion and Walburga against her wishes, even more so now. She had never liked how self-centred the girl was and had known her son was in love with someone else when he was at Hogwarts.

“So all you want from us is to rebuild the family?” Arcturus questioned softly, he didn’t want to mention anything about Walburga as he still remembered and feared Melania’s displeasure over the marriage. He was horrified by everything he learned and immediately began thinking of ways he could be different than his father and grandfather. Originally he had been planning to continue following their plans as they had grown the Black fortune a fair amount even as they ‘pruned’ the family tree, but now he knew he couldn’t.

“Somewhat.” Animus shrugged. Normally such an action would be unbecoming, but this was family so he could get away with it. “For now you just need to protect the family mostly. But in a few years things are going to begin to change and that is when I’m going to need your assistance.”

Animus flipped the top of the ring on his middle finger of his right hand up and withheld his sigh of relief as he saw the shrunken trunk inside. The ritual was more than a little complex. He knew from reading about the ritual that nothing could be brought back in the pockets, it was odd since clothes and a persons wand could be transported but you couldn’t bring anything with you. He had created a shrunken ritual space in the hidden area behind an elfin emerald that had been placed in a ring made of celestial silver and hidden a shrunken trunk inside. Picking the trunk that was the size of a grain of rice out he magically expanded it. It wasn't an overly large trunk, even magic had its limits, but it was large enough to bring back everything he needed.

Animus pulled out the files he had brought for Arcturus. “This is a list of laws that will be put forward over the next few decades. I am going to be making a few changes so things might shift, but they are more than likely still going to be presented around the same times I have them listed. These laws can not be allowed to pass as they are written. Individually they are mostly just an annoyance, but taken together they lay the ground work to completely outlaw all forms of dark, blood, ritual, elemental, bardic, and even family magics.

If you can’t outright stop the laws then I have given a list of amendments that will stop or circumvent that aspect. I also intend to give this list to a few others that I will be meeting with later so you will have some assistance from Malfoy, Nott, Lestrange, Avery, Rookwood, and a few others. A bit of a hint, Albus Dumbledore likes to use his influence to have any bills he wants to sneak through presented last since he knows most think the most important bills will be presented first and don’t bother to return after lunch.

I may also have the goblins contact you and Alphard for assistance with a project I am planning in a few years but there is no guarantee on that yet. And now we come to these.” Animus pulled out two envelopes. “I will sell them to you for 10,000 galleons each."

“What are they?” Arcturus questioned. Either way he knew he would purchase them, this man was family after all and 20,000 galleons was not any great amount in the context of the Black family fortune, but he still wanted to know what he was buying.

“This one.” Animus held up the first envelope. “Is a list of different businesses and investments that will be doing quite well over the next few decades. And this one.” He held up the second envelope. “Is a list of a few major sporting events and their outcomes. A savvy financially intelligent man like yourself would easily be able to use them to benefit us all I’m sure. 

Note of caution though, you need to remember I’m changing certain things, it shouldn’t have too much of an effect on sports and investments, but still be smart. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket so to speak, and don’t take risks that are too large. And most importantly, do not bet anywhere where the goblins hold a stake, they know of time travel and consider things like this to be cheating, unless they personally benefit from it.”

Arcturus was more than happy to agree to purchase that information. Amongst all the things Lords of families were judged on growing or shrinking the family accounts was amongst the largest. With information like that he could outright double his family fortune. Giving his agreement he had one of the house elves collect his bank slips from his office so he could sign over the money. He didn’t know what Animus could need the money for, but he wasn't going to argue if it gave him access to that kind of information.

Animus sneered when he saw the house elf.

“Do you have a problem with our elves?” Melania asked primly seeing the expression.

“The only problem I have is their condition.” Animus told her, he would always have a soft spot for the little creatures. “Elves represent their families, having them dirty and in ragged pillowcases gives a very bad impression of the family.”

“It isn’t like we can give them anything else, giving them other clothes would free them.” Melania pointed out.

“I got around that by giving them fabric in the colours I like for them and having one of the elves create uniforms for them. They were very proud to be in their uniforms with the family crest over their heart.” Animus explained. “They also need multiple uniforms and proper accommodations. A happy, clean, well rested elf, is a loyal elf. 

I’ve personally had five of my elves give up their own lives protecting mine because I treat them well and don’t abuse them. They are very powerful creatures when the bond between them and their families is strong.” Animus saw the skepticism in Arcturus’s eyes. “House elves can get through the wards of Hogwarts without issue, witches and wizards certainly can’t do that. They can actually get through almost any wards as long as their master calls them through it.

And they can be quite dangerous if crossed. Some of them have rather… Slytherin, like minds. I actually knew a house elf that hated its master that had inherited it. He was able to interpret the orders differently than they were intended. Ordering him out of a room allowed him to leave the property completely. Ordering him to tell no one the secrets he heard just meant he went and looked at a wall while he spoke their secrets so he couldn’t see those standing behind him so he wasn't directly telling anyone. Ultimately he managed to manipulate the situation so well he got the master he didn’t like killed so he could go to someone else.

House elves know everything that happens in the houses they care for. Even now, all of your elves know what is going on in this room, the only reason I do not fear them betraying me is because they actually like you, for now. A house elf knows all their masters deepest and darkest secrets, I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather have them as allies rather than enemies.”

That thought was slightly frightening. Arcturus and Melania knew it was true, their elves knew all of their secrets. Sharing a glance they knew they may just need to look into making sure the elves were better taken care of. 

“Is there anything else you need us to do?” Arcturus asked as he pulled out some parchment from a side table and started making notes on all they needed to do.

“Not outright, but there is a few things that I would request you consider.” Animus said. He had calculated the things that needed to happen to change things, but there were still other things that he wouldn’t mind altering that could be useful in future. “As I’m sure you know Lord and Lady Prince disowned their daughter for running away and marrying a muggle, breaking her marriage contract in the process. I would appreciate it if you both used your influence in the social circles to encourage them to take an interest in their grandsons life. Severus was born a few weeks before Sirius.

Tobias Snape, Eileen Prince’s husband, has a drinking problem. In time he will become resentful of his son and start to lash out and blame him for anything wrong in his life. Eileen prioritizes her husband over her son. Severus will become the victim of severe physical abuse by the age of eight. Nothing can be done for Eileen, you can not force someone to get help if they don’t want it, and last time no matter how bad things got she still loved the drunken bastard. But Severus shouldn’t have to suffer through that, it would be quite easy for his grandparents to take at least partial, if not full custody, once the abuse becomes physical starting when he is only five.”

Melania was furious. She couldn’t believe a mother would allow her child to come to harm, the idea children were sacred wasn't just an idea to her, it was a requirement. Nothing mattered more to the survival of their society than the next generation, she would most definitely be addressing Lady Ursula Prince and ensuring the woman looked after her grandson. Ursula had always been a bit of a cold fish, but Melania knew she wouldn’t do anything that would make her appear anything less than perfect to her social circle and she would be using that.

“I can assure you, I will deal with it.” Melania said in a prim voice as she already started to plan what she was going to say at the next ladies luncheon.

“I think it also might be beneficial for you to join the school board. I do believe the Blacks have an ancestral seat but just haven’t used it in the previous few decades. The school would only benefit from your attentions.” Animus smiled at the woman he knew was much more in charge than her husband. “Dumbledore will already be planning to cut back on the curriculum and that should be limited as much as possible. The students need to know things like laws and basic magical theory just to survive in this world and not end up in Azkaban for stupid little things they were never taught.

Nothing specific needs to be done at this time, but it would be a good idea to keep track of the failings of the dear Headmaster and his deputy. I will also be leaving a few time delay notes at Gringotts about certain things you might find interesting but I can’t mention yet.” When Animus had been calculating he had found he couldn’t outright act against Dumbledore’s control over the school, yet, but he could mention keeping an eye on things to those like Melania, free will was still a thing and she could act as she wished and it wouldn’t effect the ritual he cast or risk rupturing it.

The fact that he could give hints and leave things up to the free will of those he was in contact with during this ritual was something he was truly grateful he had learned. He first learned of the ritual in a journal belonging to Dumbledore and the man had apparently not known that. It meant that he wasn't as limited as he could have been.

“I also would recommend updating the look of the castle.” Animus said as he glanced around. “With the way the Black family has been drifting apart in recent generations it is no longer as open and welcoming as it once was.

There is a delightful firm that will be opening in the next few years called Divine Designs. It only stayed open for a short time originally given they make an effort to hire beings and the bigots of this world refused to hire them because of it. But, I did see the few buildings they worked on and they were marvellous even decades later. Just imagine what the gardens would look like if they were designed by flower nymphs or garden fairies, or the lake if it was tidied up by a nereid, or undine. Any construction needing done would go much faster with the enhanced speed and strength of werewolves and vampires. And there is no one that decorates quite like a siren or a veela. As I’m sure you know the decorations in the library were done by a siren and look at how stunning they still are after over 200 years.

I am hopeful that you will be able to get to spend more time with your children and grandchildren so the castle would need to be comfortable enough for them. Children do not do well in places full of breakables and nothing fun, as I would hope you both remember.”

Melania chuckled slightly, she remembered all the chaos Lucretia and Orion had created as they grew up. Her parents-in-law who had previously resided at the castle had actually banned anyone under the age of 15 from entering. For a couple that had 3 children they really hadn’t liked children. She personally would love for her grandkids to come and spend time with her, especially if it got them away from her horrible daughter-in-law.

“I would also recommend you get your hands on the book Mind Magics for the Berserk by Harald Fairhair.” Animus told them conversationally. “You probably won’t be able to find a copy here in Britain, but there should be a few in Norway or Sweden.”

“Why that book?” Melania asked. “There are plenty of more up to date occlumency books available.”

“Maybe, but not ones that will fully work for the Black family.” Animus told her. “As I’m sure your husband could tell you, or may have previously, the Black family descends from berserkers. They actually descend from Harald Fairhair himself who was the first king of Norway.

The Black family madness is in fact a part of the berserker magics that are a part of the family magics. The stronger the family magics, the more ‘madness’ they will display. The techniques Fairhair uses in occlumency are much more useful to members of the Black family. Cygnus’s eldest daughter, Bellatrix, will have the strongest family magic in generations, and Sirius won’t be far behind her. The two of them in particular need to learn that way to help them with their impulse control.”

“I will look into getting the book.” Arcturus assured. He knew his families history and their issues with mental health. If just changing the type of occlumency they practiced helped then that would be wonderful.

“Other than that there really isn’t anything you would need to be aware of.” Animus said thoughtfully.

Gringotts

After leaving the Black Castle Animus headed for Diagon Alley. It was a lovely sight, if a bit grimy. 

He had never understood why the alley wasn't properly maintained, they had magic for merlins sake. It hadn’t been until over a decade after he finished school that he learned the alley was technically owned by the Ministry and he knew just how corrupt they were, they would never spend money on maintenance when they could funnel it into their own pockets, the company assigned to keep the alley clean and in good repair belonged to certain high ranking members of the Ministry, including Albus Dumbledore, and they gave themselves hundreds of thousands of galleons each year while doing nothing, the company didn’t even have a staff.

He could still remember the first time he had walked down the alley when he went to get his first year supplies. He had been so filled with hope and wonder, what a foolish child he had been. He also remembered the last time he had walked down this alley before his return, it had been nothing but a charred and decaying husk. What a difference time could make.

Going into the bank Animus was pleased to see there was only one other person there and they weren’t paying him any attention. The goblins however were all keeping a steady eye on him. Humans might not know what he was on sight alone, but all beings did.

He wasn't just any wizard, he was magics chosen Grey Lord. Goblins, like most beings, fell into the realm of the grey. As much as those like Dumbledore claimed, even phoenixes weren’t light and werewolves weren’t dark, they were both grey. While most beings acknowledged a Grey Lord they didn’t follow them like sycophants like most witches and wizards did with Dark and Light Lords. 

Goblins would never bow to a human, but they would show him respect as a Grey Lord. It also didn’t hurt that their magic could detect that he was a time traveller. Almost no one knew it but there was a ward on the door and floos that recorded the name of a person entering as well as their date of birth so they knew exactly who they were dealing with even if they were in disguise.  

“Greetings sir goblin.” Animus bowed his head slightly to the teller he approached but made sure not to break eye contact so as not to show submission. “I wish to handle my business in private.”

The goblin swiftly agreed when one of the guards brought over the log showing just who this Grey Lord was. The guards escorted them to a large office where Animus was seated across the desk from who he knew to be the Chieftain of the British clans, Ragnock, and the director of Gringotts, Ironclaw.

“I greet you Chieftain Ragnock, Director Ironclaw.” Animus said formally. “I am known as Lord Animus. I came to open up an account.”

Both goblins greeted him before the formal paperwork was pulled out.

“We will need some basic information before we start, all involvement of time travel in bank business must be recorded, you understand.” Ironclaw said as Chieftain Ragnock sat back to observe.

“There is one request I have first.” Animus quickly said before the goblin could begin the paperwork. “I would request the presence of Griphook. I believe at this time he will have just started his training to be a cart driver. While he will be decent at that his true talent lays in managing accounts, my account in particular. I would request that he be placed in charge of my accounts here so he should be aware of everything.”

Chieftain Ragnock nodded his approval to one of his guards to go and collect his youngest son. It did him proud to know that a future Grey Lord didn’t just know his sons name but thought him a worthy account manager. 

Griphook was slightly startled to be called into a meeting with a Grey Lord and his father. He was still quite young by goblin standards, barely out of adolescence at 35 years of age and had only gotten his first job. In the goblin culture there was no such thing as nepotism, his father may be the Chieftain, but he was still going to have to work his way up, just like his elder siblings. Finding out this Grey Lord was from the future and wanted him to manage his accounts was amazing, normally he wouldn’t even be considered for account managing status until he was at least 70. His young age was quickly discussed and the Grey Lord offered up a compromise by requesting the Black Account Manager Steelfang mentor him, something that was made easier with the knowledge that the Grey Lord was also Lord Black and Steelfang was his fathers cousin.

“Now that that is handled…” Ironclaw pulled out the time travel paperwork again. “Name? This includes your birth name and any titles you use… We do not need every alias you have, just your formal ones.

“I was born Harry James Potter.” Lord Animus informed them, knowing full well they already knew that. “I formally changed my name to Harrison Sirius Black when I was 19, it was not magically changed. 

As I have stated I am now known as Lord Animus, the Grey Lord as you obviously know. I also have the titles of Lord Black, Lord Potter, Baron Peverell, Count Gryffindor, and Count Slytherin. I also hold the title of High King Pendragon. And I have a further 37 headships through rights of conquest but I have never taken up those positions so I am hopeful I do not have to list them all.”

The goblins all gave him a blank look before Ironclaw cleared his throat. “No, as you have not taken up those headships we don't need you to list all of them. Date of birth?”

“July 31, 1980.” Animus informed them, pleased for a quick and simple answer.

“And what date did you travel from and method of travel?”

“I conducted the neslavno minato ritual on December 21, 2113.”

“Cause for travel?” Ironclaw questioned.

With the goblins there was no need to lie or mislead much to his joy. Goblins could be counted on to keep to a set pattern, even when dealing with time travel so Animus had had no problem getting all of his calculations in regards to them to work out. “There is a wixen civil war that is set to start tonight. The war will come to an end in 1981. Another wixen civil war will begin officially in July1996, although it will begin in a covert fashion in May 1995, and it will end May 1998. Neither of these civil wars will be a major issue in the grand scheme of things, just more wixen killing each other.” He had no intention of mentioning the attack on the bank by Voldemort that had resulted in over 50 goblins being killed as he did not wish them to side against the dark, plus he was going to stop that attack.

“The problem is what happens as a result of the wars as the idiots on the so called Light side will take control. The fools that they are decide it’s a good idea to attempt to merge the muggle and magical worlds once again, completely going against every magical treaty we have in the process. I initially worked with the International Council of Wizards and the International Council of Magical Beings to attempt to stop them and cover things up but it ultimately failed in September 2024. The muggles responded as they always have to anything different or that they don’t understand and can’t control, they waged war. By the time I returned much of the world had been decimated by the war and we had effectively gone back to the middle ages. 

Coming back allows me to change enough that I am hopeful that I can put a stop to it. I already have made contact with the current Lord and Lady Black and given them a list of the laws that begin the process. I also already plan to start changing things to ensure those that cause the troubles do not gain positions of power. I can not act against them outright without risking the ritual I used but by my calculations there is a 87% chance that I can nudge things just enough to avoid the muggles finding out about us but I would still recommend the Goblin Nation of Gringotts take precautions.”

“We thank you for your warning and will indeed make preparations for the worst possible outcome, as we always do.” Chieftain Ragnock assured gravely. Goblins were a nation that was always ready for war, because of that they kept an eye on all who may threaten them so they had seen the growth of the muggle war capabilities and would not underestimate them as the wixen did.

Animus was surprise that was the end of the time travel paperwork, usually goblins liked to delve into every little detail but assumed they knew that would be to risky with the ritual he had used since there were things that couldn’t be changed. After that he was led to a newly arranged office with Griphook.

“How may Gringotts assist you this day Lord Animus?” Griphook asked formally once they were in his new office.

“I came to open a new account.” Animus told him as he handed over the bank slips from Arcturus.

With a few quick taps and a few signatures the new account was opened. Griphook looked to his new client. “Is that all?”

“No.” Animus pulled out two parchments that were slightly larger than the ones he had given to Arcturus, he still needed to maintain some equilibrium in the stock market or risk throwing it completely out of whack and changing it so much that his investments were no longer profitable. “I wish for you to invest and grow my money until my return. I have a list of investment opportunities that I feel both myself and the bank may benefit from, as well as a list of sporting events and teams I wish to have bets placed on. I both acknowledge and accept the 5% fee that will be paid for such services as well as the additional 15% betting fee for all bets made by a time traveller in a goblin run betting establishment.”

Griphook gave a toothy grin. Goblins were all about the gold, of course they understood time travellers may wish to play the market, and they were all for it, so long as they got their cut and it was only done by the traveler themselves, anyone operating off a tip from a time traveller would be considered a cheat and treated as such if caught in one of their establishments. They would also of course use his information to benefit themselves. “Do you have any specific requirements with your accounts?”

Animus grinned back at the young goblin that he had only known for a few years before his death, he had grown to trust him in those years though. “Yes, as I am changing things there are no guarantees so a limit will be set on how much can be invested and bet. No more than 50% of the account balance can be placed in one  investment or on one bet.”

“Naturally.” Griphook agreed. This was his first chance to prove himself, something he had not expected to come around for another half century, he wasn't going to do anything to screw it up.

“Perfect.” Animus smiled as he pulled out more parchments. “This is a section of land I wish to purchase under the title of High King Pendragon. Currently it is a part of the muggle world so you will need to use a proxy in the purchase. The good news is that this land will be incredibly cheap as there was a chemical spill here a few years previous and the muggles consider the land useless.

And this.” Animus moved another folder forward. “Is a property that I wish to buy, just not yet. The owner of the land will be killed in a potions accident on February 26, 1969. He has no other family so the Ministry will auction it off March 1, 1969. It won’t be an issue to buy the property at a steep discount as it originally sat abandoned for over a decade before being purchased.”

“And what do you wish to do with these properties?” Griphook questioned and then started to worry slightly, it wasn't his place to ask questions like that and he knew it. But thankfully the Grey Lord didn’t look offended at his presumption.

“The man who will die is a magical creature smuggler.” Animus informed Griphook, he didn’t want just a business relationship with the goblin unlike most wixen, he wanted to be able to work honestly and openly with him since he was trusting him with so much that was vital to the future. “Hidden in the back stables he will have 17 demiguise. The land I wish to purchase is saturated with dioxins and benzene, toxic to wixen, muggles, and most creatures and beings, but a tasty treat to demiguise.

I will be giving you a time delay letter to send to Alphard Black once you have managed to purchase the property with the demiguise. By that time he will have earned his magical creatures mastery and will be able to properly care for them. Set up a salary for him to care for them, I will leave the negotiations of his wages to you. You will also need to work out a contract with Lycrois Black, youngest brother of Lord Black, who has his own weaving shop in Ireland as I have a letter for him that contains information on a potion that can be used on sheered demiguise hair to refine it to make invisibility cloaks without having to kill the creatures for their hides. The cloaks will only work for a decade or so, but that’s better than nothing and we can still turn a tidy profit from them which you can than invest.”

Griphook nodded his understanding. It was a clever way to bring in even more money. Although, he did wonder about what had originally happened to the creatures if no one had purchased the property…

“Other than that I wish to take out 100 galleons and that will conclude my business. But I will be returning to drop off a few time delay letters in 3 hours.” Animus informed the goblin.

After leaving the bank Animus bought some ritual ingredients and then rented a small sitting room in the Leaky Caldron for a few hours. There he wrote out his letters and made a few more preparations.

When the time came for the very first meeting Voldemort was going to hold with his followers Animus was ready. His letters had been left at the bank, and his rituals and spells were ready.

Death Eater Meeting

Animus knew his final stop of the evening was going to be the most dangerous. This meeting had been the reason he had selected this very day to return to. Voldemort had just been denied the position of defence professor and had decided to go to war. Tonight was the very first meeting where the decisions for the coming war were to be made, and he was going to influence them.

The meeting was taking place in a small property that belonged to the Nott family. As soon as he arrived outside the wards he found secrecy wards had already been placed but added to them just to be safe. He also laid down a ritual circle around the property that he had gotten from one of the Black family grimoires. The circle was bound to his blood and magic so anything he personally said couldn’t be repeated to anyone not within the ritual circle.

Once his own spells were added he crossed over the boundary and walked up to the front door and knocked. He wasn't surprised when the door was instantly thrown open and he was facing multiple wands.

“Who are you?” “Why are you here?” “How did you know we would be here?” “Why shouldn’t we just kill you?” was shouted out.

“Shall we all go inside and discuss this like rational adults?” Animus said in his best chiding voice.

“Bring the interloper in.” A cold voice hissed from inside the building.

Animus smiled superiorly at the others and entered the building without hesitation. He knew how Voldemort perceived those who showed him fear even as he actively tried to encourage it. This man wasn't the Voldemort he had known, at this point he only had 3 horcruxes and was much more human, but he was still volatile.

“Answer the questions.” Voldemort hissed once Animus had taken a seat.

Animus didn’t miss the way the mans eyebrow rose a fraction of a millimetre when he chose to sit at the opposite end of the table, practically saying he was coming to him as an equal. “What question would you like me to answer?”

“All of them.” Voldemort hissed in irritation, his eyes going red momentarily as his other soon to be followers sat down at his end of the table, wands still out. “Who are you? How did you know we would be here? Why are you here? And ultimately, why shouldn’t we just kill you?”

“As you wish.” Animus agreed calmly, not missing Voldemort's wand was also out. “I have had many names, but most now call me Lord Animus, and I am here to help you. As to how I knew you would be here… Rookwood told me.”

“I did no such thing.” Wilhelm Rookwood instantly denied. “I swear my Lord, I told no one anything. Don't you lie about me.”

Animus completely ignored Rookwood pointing his wand directly at his face as he kept eye contact with Voldemort. “You are correct, when I said Rookwood told me I mean Augustus Rookwood, not his father.”

“Augustus?” Wilhelm was confused for a moment before he got extremely furious. “What have you done to my son? He couldn’t have told you anything, he knows nothing about this. He’s 7.”

“Enough Wilhelm.” Voldemort snapped at his excitable follower. He had always questioned how the idiot hadn’t ended up in Gryffindor with his temper and attitude. If it weren’t for how much money and power his family had he wouldn’t even be there. “Speak plainly old man.”

“When I say Augustus told me I also do not mean he told me recently. You see, this day will go down in infamy. He told me about this meeting many years ago, for me at least.” Animus was enjoying seeing the reactions of those around him even as Voldemort had his focus. It was surprising to see that these pure-blooded Slytherins, excluding Voldemort of course, weren’t maintaining their decorum. Although, it probably had something to do with the wards he had added that would make them more open to speaking. “I conducted a ritual to allow myself to travel to the past. Three days from now will be Augustus’s eighth birthday. Lord Voldemort, you are planning to gift him a copy of Arcane Magics and Rituals, Volume 3. That gift inspires 2 things, the first, a life long devotion to the dark and the Dark Lord Voldemort, the other, a fascination with all forms of magic, the arcane in particular. He will end up becoming a high ranking unspeakable, very useful. I would recommend getting him the rest of the series by the way.”

Wilhelm just stared openly, completely confused.

Voldemort was much quicker on the uptake. It pleased him to know his gift to the brat would be well received, even more so since it would make the man 100 times more useful than his father. But that could be pushed to the side for the moment, it was the future he was interested in. It pleased him greatly to be referred to as the Dark Lord Voldemort. “So what news do you bring us from the future? What could possibly be so important to come back in time to tell us?”

“I am here to hopefully stop a few… missteps.” Animus said diplomatically.

“Missteps?” Voldemort hissed in anger. That was not what he wanted to hear.

“Yes. I am not the first to use a time ritual. I personally found out about this ritual after breaking into a private property belonging to Albus Dumbledore where he kept his deepest secrets hidden. He used the ritual to make himself the man you know him as today.

But with that being said, he also knows how you operate as he has fought against you before. It is hard to win a war when your enemy knows the future after all. I’m here to even the playing field.”

“Just tell us everything then.” Abraxas Malfoy demanded pompously. His father had passed only a few weeks before and he was still settling into his role as Lord Malfoy and didn’t want to waste time.

“I can’t just do that.” Animus hedged.

“And why not?” Voldemort demanded.

“The ritual I used is very delicate. It took decades to prepare for. I have worked for minimum of 1 hour every single day for over 70 years to be able to do this. I have had to calculate the impact I have arithmatically for every single thing that I do, and what I don’t do as well. If I could not make it balance I can not change it. As of right now, I am limited in what I say so as not to rupture the ritual.” Animus told them, repeating much of what he had told Arcturus and Melania.

“So what if it ruptures? It’s just a ritual. It’ll be fine.” Wilhelm shrugged. Rituals and stuff had never been his strong suit, he didn’t see what the bid deal was.

“The last time a ritual like this was successfully cast and ruptured was in Pompeii, I hope I don’t have to explain to all of you how that ended.” Animus deadpanned. “Let’s not go setting off any volcanoes in England, it would be a hell of a time trying to cover that up.”

“So what can you tell us?” Voldemort questioned.

“First of all, I have this.” Animus pulled out the list of laws he had given to Arcturus. “These are a list of laws Dumbledore and his sheep are going to try to pass in the coming years that can not be allowed to pass as they are written. If they can not be stopped I have added alterations that will make them worthless. If they pass as they are they are the ground work for banning most branches of magic that aren’t perfectly light and Dumbledore approved. I have also given a copy of that list to Lord Black so he will be helping you in dealing with them. And as I told him, Dumbledore likes to put off anything important he’s trying to push through until the latter half of any Wizengamot meetings since most get bored and don't bother to return.”

“And why would you visit Lord Black first?” Voldemort hissed, not liking not being first.

“Assisting the dark is important, but family comes first.” Animus said as he held up his hand allowing the Black Lordship ring to show. “That is something else that will need to be worked on. So many of the pureblood families have forgotten the true importance of family.”

“We are well aware of how important family is.” Graham Lestrange said in an irritated voice.

“Yes, but that is something you need to pass on to your children.” Animus told them. “This war is not going to be over in a week. Revolution takes time, and all of your children will be out of school before this war draws to a close. I’m sure you will all be proud to know that each and every one of your children are loyal to the cause, but the problem is most of them are so busy fighting for the future they neglect to have the next generation. You teach them the glory of supporting the dark, and not the importance of continuing the family line.

Rookwood, Lestrange, Rosier, McNair, Dolohov, and Avery… all of your lines will come to an end with your children. And that isn’t just a problem for your family legacy, it is a problem for the dark side as without more Heirs there won’t be more Lords, meaning those seats in the Wizengamot go away. Nearly a quarter of those that fight in this coming war are so busy fighting they neglect to have the next generation. And that means less support for the dark over all.

Currently the dark outnumbers the light, but if the dark stops having children then our numbers will decrease as theirs rise. Simply to maintain the population size each couple would need to have 2 children, yet how many actually do?”

Voldemort didn’t like the sounds of that. He had never been big on family given his own experiences, but if his followers didn’t have children then he would have fewer followers. He was going to have to look into possibly ordering his followers to procreate more.

“I also have this.” Animus passed over more parchment, making sure each of the future death eaters got a copy just to be safe. 

“Is this a list of those we should attack?” McNair questioned in feral excitement.

“No, the exact opposite.” Animus quickly said, he had always hated McNair and his son, they were just to brutal, and that was saying something coming from him given everything he’d seen and done. “These are the ones you need to avoid attacking.

Attacking these particular individuals will do more harm than good. And often times it was actually a set up.”

“Set up?” Voldemort questioned.

“Despite the twinkly eyed innocent act you and I both know Albus Dumbledore is as cruel and conniving as any Slytherin. He will hurt anyone he has to to get what he wants. He’s just better at plausible deniability and keeping his own hands clean.

One tactic he greatly enjoys is spending a few weeks releasing all kinds of information about how important a person is and how much the light needs them and then having one of his people leak their location to you so you go after them thinking it will hurt him when it’s the opposite. A perfect example of that is what happened with the Bones family.

He went on and on about how important they were and then gave up their location. He did it because they were pulling away from him. The Bones’s have always been a light family, but they’ve been going more neutral in recent generations. Lord Bones had grown weary of Dumbledore and his agenda and had started seriously considering transferring the Bones seat in the Wizengamot to the neutral party, which would mean less votes for Dumbledore. By having them attacked he was looking to gain control of the family as he ensured the families Heiress would survive. He wanted to claim the position of magical guardian giving him access to the money and votes. He would then be able to ensure the child was raised to follow his directions. It didn’t work the way he planned since the girls aunt also survived, but it was enough to keep the Bones’s light. The dark killed their family so they wouldn’t consider anything but supporting the light even if they weren’t as loyal to Dumbledore as he would have liked. Eventually however he did manage to get your people to kill the aunt but the girl was already older so he didn’t have complete control over her as he wanted.

If there hadn’t been the attacked the Bones seat in the Wizengamot would have gone neutral and Dumbledore would have lost some power. Instead he maintained his power and the dark got all kinds of bad press for attacking a family.

Another tactic he used was setting his own people up to manipulate the public. An example of that is the attack on the Prewett twins. He specifically passed them information to investigate a location that was just outside the Dolohov estate. They were of course spotted, auror robes don’t exactly blend in. The fight was rather brutal but eventually both men were killed, although it did cost the lives of 3 of our own to accomplish. Not exactly a good trade, 3 lives to take 2.

The reason he set them up was to force through a bill banning more magics and making things needlessly harder on all those in the dark. They were both very popular aurors so the other aurors took it as a personal insult and targeted the dark even more.

It also didn’t hurt his cause that although they were light leaning neutral they weren’t as fanatical as their parents or their sister and had grown disillusioned with the old man like the Bones’s. As soon as they were gone the Prewett seats in the Wizengamot were proxied over to Dumbledore giving him more control.

Similar things happened as a result of each of these attacks which is why I suggest not doing them this time around. If the people on that list are killed or injured during a regular battle that shouldn’t cause as many problems, but avoiding outright attacking them would be highly beneficial. And keep in mind, removing them may benefit you, but it will benefit Dumbledore more.”

“These lists cover 2 decades.” Rookwood all but whined. “It can’t possibly take that long to get rid of the light fools.”

Animus didn’t even waste time looking at the idiot, he was just relieved that Augustus hadn’t taken after the man. “Yes, of course it is. Making a lasting change takes more than a week. If you want an instant, and meaningless, victory, go play exploding snap with some school children. Changing the world isn’t something for the weak of mind, or the easily distracted.”

Voldemort chose to ignore the fool he had once shared a room with and looked at this man that claimed to come from the future. He could feel the magic around him, his power was on par with his own, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. “You said you found out about this ritual from something Dumbledore had. Explain.”

“The basics are that Dumbledore wanted to be the hero.” Animus started. “The old fool actually seemed to believe people would be grateful and revere him for all the things he did to destroy our world so he wrote pretty much everything down, including what the time traveller version of himself told him. The man that he is today, all that power and prestige, he got it by manipulating the timeline.

Originally he never fought Grindelwald. Grindelwald came to Britain in 1957 and caused the same chaos he caused everywhere he went. He was finally stopped and killed in 1972 by the real Dark Lord, Voldemort. All that fame, all that influence, went to Voldemort rather than Dumbledore. Dumbledore watched for years as the dark side won the influence war.

He had his supporters of course, but they couldn’t win. He decided to use the ritual so he could defeat Grindelwald so he could get the fame. It also benefited him since he was aware who would follow you and who would follow him so he could manipulate everything to his liking. 

He did actually come rather close to rupturing his ritual since he apparently didn’t spend as much time as I did working things out but thankfully he only cracked it slightly. It was the cause of the number of buildings around where he was being destroyed but it was always blamed on the muggle wars.

That is why I am here, he knows how you operate and will be able to predict you much better than you can predict him. As I said, I’m here to level the playing field. I can’t tell you exactly what is going to happen and when, but I can suggest directions you might like to take to improve your chances and reduce your casualties. The main way, other than those lists I just gave you, is your mark.”

“My mark?” Voldemort questioned. He had been planning on using a sign he had created while at school to mark his followers but hadn’t yet found the right ritual.

“Yes, I know that you will be looking for the right ritual to mark your followers as is the prerogative of a Lord of Magic.” Animus said. “It is for that reason I brought this with me.” He handed over a collection of handwritten notes with an image of the dark mark. “The problem is you use the vassal bond, which under normal circumstances would be fine, but as a Lord of Magic there is added properties. 

As a reminder of their fealty the mark would react to anyone speaking the name of their Lord in their presence. And, with your power levels, rather than just a slight twinge the mark burns and throbs like someone is pressing a hot poker to it. It doesn’t take long for Dumbledore to notice this so he encourages people to say your name, both because it causes your followers to flinch making them easy to identify, and also because he’s a sadistic bastard that likes to hurt them.

I spent some time working for the Department of Mysteries with Augustus. With the assistance of a few others there he and I were able to create this new ritual that would be much better for applying the mark. It has many of the same aspects as the vassle bond, but it stops the pain aspect.

I also included a few recommendations on what to do before applying the mark. Plausible deniability or at least the presence of a decent excuse would greatly assist in reducing any punishment your followers get if they are caught, and some will be. If they are questioned under truth spell or potion and can honestly say that they had a member of their family threatened or were tortured before taking the mark it will win them some sympathy. If you arrange it before hand there would be no need for anyone else to know that so long as those on the Wizengamot keep the questions limited. If asked if they were tortured and they can say yes no one needs to know if the cruciatus curse was on them willingly for 1 minute or 1 second, just that they were tortured before taking the mark. And if a family member is threatened, who needs to know that they know it’s an empty threat and were aware it was going to happen, all that matters is the life of someone they loved was threatened.”

“Acceptable.” Voldemort said as he glanced through the papers, pleased to have that added information. The idea of giving his people plausible deniability was something that appealed to his Slytherin nature. “Is there anything else you are able to add?”

Animus quickly gave the same warning to the future Dark Lord and the first of the Death Eaters about house elves. As anticipated the pure blood supremacists that they were didn’t see the value in such lowly creatures, even after his warning about what he knew Kreacher had done so he decided to add in another tactic.

“You really are a foolish lot. Even muggles have figured out that you don't antagonize the one making your food, that’s how you end up with spit in it. Tell me, have any of you ever given the specific instructions to not spit in your food, at every single meal, snack, and drink you order them to make you? Well, you’re a braver lot than I am… Admittedly, most elves would never even consider doing anything so vulgar, but it only takes one.

And that’s before you even take into account their state. Most are kept in those disgusting filthy pillowcases and only allowed to bathe once or twice a month. You order them to scrub your floors, give them no where to clean up, and then order them to make your food. You may as well be licking your floors. Or worse, what if they were out in the garden fertilizing before cooking…

But mostly, for me, it’s all about the perception. When one visits your manor the first thing they meet is your house elf that answers the door. That’s the impression they get, a filthy grubby little thing that is more often than not bandaged in some way. So… Their first impression is that they are dealing with someone that isn’t even capable of maintaining their property. How can you do business or work with someone that can’t maintain their property, it shows a distinct level of incompetence.”

“Enough.” Voldemort snapped before any of his followers could respond. “You have someone from the future warning you about the dangers of continually mistreating house elves since they are capable of betrayal when truly crossed. Not to mention the idea you have them cooking your food with dirty hands. Listen to what he says and follow his advice you fools. I have no desire to eat anything that has been made with hands that were just scrubbing your floors, and I hope none of you would either.

Each of you will address the issue. Get them to make uniforms for themselves and make sure they are able to rest and clean themselves. Failure to do so will be taken as a direct insult by myself. I will not have any of you looking bad or getting our secrets revealed because you are abusing your elves, and that means no abuse, find other forms of punishment that do not include violence or curses.”

The other men in the room quickly acquiesced. Animus was relieved. The care of the house elves really didn’t matter to the outcome of the war or anything but it was a personal cause. He wasn't an idiot like Granger and demanding to free the elves, they literally needed the bond to live, but he did support better treatment for them.

“I also brought these.” Animus pulled out envelopes like the ones he had sold to Arcturus. “A gift for you.” He handed the two largest over to Voldemort knowing the man would not be pleased to receive less than any of his followers and that despite everything his vaults weren’t exactly overflowing. “And I will sell each of you these for 20,000 galleons per envelope.”

“And what are they that you deem to have so much value?” Abraxas sneered.

“Why should we give up so much of our money to you?” Wilhelm added. He didn’t like this man, he had gotten way to close to their Lord way too quickly, he didn't like anyone near him. They had known him the longest, he was theirs.

“The blue envelopes hold a few different businesses and stocks that did well over the next 2 decades. The green envelopes have the outcome of different sports games.” Animus told them, seeing the gleam forming in their eyes. “They are each spelled so only you can see what is written and you can’t share the information with anyone. But I will give you all a warning before hand, I am changing things. It shouldn’t have much, if any, of an impact on the economy or sports, but still be cautious. Never risk more than you are willing to lose just in case something major changes.”

Each quickly signed the automatic transfer slips and stamped it with their keys. The only reason he hadn’t been able to have the money automatically transferred with Arcturus was because he hadn’t had an account to transfer the money into in this time. Now that he had an open account the money could magically be transferred without any of them needing to go to the bank to do it.

“How can we be assured that Dumbledore won’t just use the ritual again to give him back his advantage?” Voldemort questioned.

“He can’t.” Animus told them. “The ritual can only be used by a person once. The version of me that will live through this new timeline won’t be able to do the ritual because I already have. And the same is true for Dumbledore. He created the timeline I lived through using this ritual and can’t change anything anymore. We also can’t cross over. I couldn’t go to a time where Dumbledore travelled to, and no one who uses the ritual will be able to come to this time since I am here.”

Voldemort nodded his understanding, relieved Dumbledore wouldn’t be able to change things again.

“And I have a few last bits of information to impart, but they are not connected to the war.” Animus told the group. “Heir Lestrange. Your wife will go into premature labour in August. In an effort to save her and the child they will administer a new potion that combines a blood replenisher and a blood thickener due to her blood loss. You need to make sure they use the older potions. The newer one has re’em blood in it to strengthen it but your wife is highly allergic to it, an allergy that Rodolphus shares. Your children deserve to grow up with their mother. No child should have to lose their mother in childbirth.”

Graham Lestrange looked horrified at the idea of losing his wife like that and quickly swore to handle it as suggested. Animus had only known the information about the mans wife as Draco had mentioned it in passing when he mentioned having been present when Rodolphus attempted to use the exstimulo potion, which temporarily strengthened a spell cast by the drinker, that also included re’m blood. From what Draco had mentioned it had been rather horrible to witness and the man had barely survived.

“Lord Malfoy. In the next few months Lord Black is to approach you about serving as a mediator to help settle the Malfoy/Weasley blood feud. You will work with him.” Animus said in a hard voice. He knew this was going to be one of the harder things to get done, no Malfoy could tolerate a Weasley, it had been a long and bitter feud that had started with a broken contract, descended into a skipped honour duel, then murder, and had settled into contempt in recent decades.

“I will do no such thing.” Malfoy instantly protested.

“You will.” Animus snapped back. “Unbeknownst to you, your father and Cygnus Black thought it would be a good idea to sign a betrothal contract between your son and one of his daughters. And not only did they not tell you, they neglected to inform Lord Black. That can be construed as the Malfoy family dishonouring the Black family. Much better to just play nice, wouldn’t you say?”

Abraxas was horrified at what his father had done, had the man gone senile, everyone knew the Lord of a family needed to be consulted about marriage contracts no matter what. “I could just cancel the contract and offer my apologies.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it.” Animus smiled, knowing he was going to get his way. “While the contract will not always go smoothly, it will be fulfilled. Lucius will love and adore his wife as she will him. Your daughter-in-law will masterfully balance being one of the Dark Lords top battlefield healers with ensuring the next Malfoy Heir is raised properly.”

That brought Abraxas up short. As much as he didn’t want to have to deal with Weasley’s he wanted his son happy more. His father had also arranged his marriage and he and his wife had barely tolerated each other until her passing the year before. The idea his son could have a happy loving marriage was something he didn’t want to give up. And, he couldn’t deny that the merging of the Black and Malfoy bloodlines would undoubtably be spectacular, and he knew it would result in a grandson so that just made it even better.

“What could any of us have to gain from bringing Weasley’s back into proper society with the removal of the blood traitor label?” Voldemort hissed. Septimus Weasley had been a few years ahead of them at school and the man had been worthless in all of their opinions, it had never made sense why a woman as well regarded as Cedrella Black would marry him. 

“Oh, they won't stop being blood traitors, they just will no longer be in a blood feud. They will still be fully supportive of Dumbledore and his getting rid of our traditions. But, as I told Lord Black when I was getting him to agree to rescind Cedrella’s disownment, we need to play the long game.” Animus told them. “Yes, Septimus and his sons are useless, but it is the grandchildren that are of interest.

Five of them, once they are of age and able to get away from their parents, become more inclined to practicing the old ways, and each will be quite exceptional in their chosen fields. In particular, two of them will be creative geniuses. 

They opened their own business before they even graduated from Hogwarts.” Technically true, sure, they had dropped out, but they did open a business before graduating. “They create a powder that blacks out an area for your enemy while allowing you and your allies to still be able to see, it came in quite handy when the dark was finally able to get everything in place to take the Ministry and Hogwarts.” Sure that hadn’t been what the twins had intended it for but it had worked. “They even created little candies in the shapes of the dark mark and sold them secretly.” Again, they weren’t meant to help the dark, more mock them, but none of them needed to know that. “But, due to their blood traitor status they could not formally join the dark and as such could not be used to their full potential.” Not that they had even considered joining the dark.

“My Lord?” Abraxas looked to Voldemort for direction.

Voldemort thought for a few moments. He hated the Weasley’s, but if they could be useful… “You will end the blood feud. Get what concessions you can, but end the feud. Gaining followers from such a light based family will benefit us in the long run.”

Abraxas just nodded. He didn’t like having to make peace with the likes of the Weasley’s, but he wouldn’t go against his Lord.

“There is one other thing…” Animus said, it wouldn’t hurt to have more support on the Severus front. “You all attended school with a younger year named Eileen Prince. After she finished school she ran away and married a muggle, getting herself disowned for breaking her betrothal contract.

What I am requesting from you is to recommend Lord and Lady Prince take an interest in their grandson despite their issues with their daughter. He is the only one available to take the title of Lord Prince and will need to be trained for his future role in our world. In this endeavour you will have the assistance of Lady Black.”

“Why should we care about some little half blood?” Wilhelm questioned in derision.

Animus really didn’t know how a man like Augustus could be related to a pathetic little idiot like Wilhelm. But Augustus had told him that he had spent most of his time with his mother and that his father hadn’t been all that interested in him, instead the man had been more interested in his mistress.

“That little half blood is going to be brilliant. Severus Prince-Snape grows up to be one of the youngest potions masters in centuries. He will be ranked in the top five potions masters in the world before the age of 30. Due to his half blood heritage Dumbledore thinks he can sway him and tries to recruit him as a spy, instead he spies on the light. He maintains his cover for over a decade and a half as he works his way into Dumbledores inner circle. And he is the one that personally kills Dumbledore after he is tortured by the Dark Lord. I was there watching, it was delightful to get to see Dumbledore plead with a man he had trusted so much before being killed.” Again, he was careful with his wording. While Severus did ultimately spy for the light, the dark thought he was their spy, and Dumbledore was tortured by the potion he had had to drink to gain one of the horcruxes and did plead with Severus before his death. But he hadn’t thought it was so delightful at the time, then he had been a horrified little fool that had actually cared for the old man.

“Then why not leave him alone, if he is on the right path to such greatness?” Voldemort all but purred, he had been thrilled to learn he had gotten to torture Dumbledore before his death. After everything the man had put him through, forcing him back to that muggle hell each year and destroying any career possibilities with his bigotry, it excited him to know the man would die.

“Severus will always be dark.” Animus told him. “No matter where he is raised he will join you. The reason I advocate getting his grandparents involved is that Eileen loves her husband more than her son. The man she married is an abusive alcoholic that will take his drunken rage out on his son. No child, regardless of blood status, deserves to be left in an abusive home. If we start doing that then we are no better than Dumbledore. Better to get someone in the department that deals with that sort of thing so Dumbledore can’t keep covering it up.”

Voldemort twitched ever so slightly at that. He above all knew how horrible it was to be forced to an abusive home. The last thing he wanted to do was be compared to Dumbledore. He knew he was going to have to look into how cases of child abuse were handled by the Ministry and see if he could get any of his people in place to try and fix Dumbledores screw ups. He also had no intention of leaving someone that had the potential to be such an important follower in an abusive home. “We will make sure the boy is properly cared for as befitting Heir Prince and a future follower.”

Animus was pleased. “There is only one other thing we need to discuss, but that needs to be done privately.”

“Leave.” Voldemort snapped. All his followers quickly jumped to their feet and left the room. “What is it that we can not discuss in front of my followers?”

Animus pushed over an empty vial. “I will need you to fill that with your blood.”

“No!” Voldemort was furious. You didn’t just go around demanding another wizards blood, blood had power. He was not going to risk his blood falling into the wrong hands, it could be used to track and control him.

“I give you my word that it will not be used against you. The vial will be placed in my private vault at Gringotts.” Animus assured, he had known the man wouldn’t willingly part with his blood.

“Why would you even demand such a thing?” Voldemort was trying to stop himself from just killing this man. He was far to cryptic and Voldemort felt like he was holding back a great deal of information. The only reason he wasn't was because he didn’t want to risk rupturing a ritual, he knew just how dangerous that could be.

“There was an… incident.” Animus said diplomatically, he had absolutely no intention of telling the man what really happened, even if he could have without risking the ritual. “The information I am passing on will hopefully stop it, but I still don't want to take the risk.

You got caught up in one of Dumbledores traps and were temporarily disembodied. If we had had access to your blood the ritual to return you to a body would have only taken a few weeks to prepare and an hour to do, but we didn’t. Because of that a different ritual needed to be used and it had to be altered to meet our specific needs. It took over a year to prepare, and there were some less than desirable side effects, including a lack of nose immediately after the ritual.

With the vial of blood we will simply be able to use a body creation ritual and then move your spirit into it. And since the vial will be stored in my private vault only I will be able to access it.”

Voldemort ground his teeth. The idea Dumbledore had managed to successfully trick him was infuriating. He wanted to rant and rave, but held back his temper, he would not risk looking weak in front of another, his childhood had taught him how dangerous that was. Instead he slashed the tip of his finger with a slicing hex and filled the vial before healing himself, sealing the vial, and passing it over.

“Thank you.” Animus nodded his gratitude as he pocketed the vial. “I shall leave you to get back to your meeting now. I will not see you for quite some time, but I will return when I am needed most.”

After the Meetings

Animus made a quick stop at Gringotts to store the blood. From there he went to Azkaban, deep into the caverns below the prison, where the ward stone hid.

During his life he had spent quite a while in the prison, both as a prisoner and the one in charge. He had been sent there when he had been 20, accused of the murders of Jonathan and Jean Granger, the parents of Hermione Granger. He hadn’t done it of course, but he had taken the blame. Truthfully the idiot had done it herself just before their final year when she had obliviated them in an attempt to force them from the country. 

It disgusted him she had done something like that. Granger had always thought she was the best when she really was just a stupid overindulged child. Who honestly thought they could successfully cast the strongest memory charm known to exist, on two people at the same time, and selectively remove a single person that had been in their lives for near enough 18 years? The idiot had completely destroyed their minds in a way that not even that idiot Lockhart could have managed.

While in Azkaban his soulmate had been murdered. In his rage and pain his magic had lashed out. Even with magic binds on him as well as no access to his wand his raw power overwhelmed the wards of the prison, allowing him to claim them as his own. 

Azkaban had originally been created by Ekrizdis, a rather insane wizard that used the island to lure in muggle sailors to experiment on in the 1500’s. When the Ministry had turned the island into a prison in the 1700’s they hadn’t been able to remove all of Ekrizdis’s wards and instead just built theirs on top of his. His rage had tapped directly into Ekrizdis’s wards allowing him to override the ministries.

Despite him not having claimed the wards he was still able to access them since he knew them well enough to know the access points. In a rather embarrassingly short amount of time he had been able to access the wards and tweak them. The Ministry had always been filled with idiots in his opinion, and given how easy it was his opinion wasn’t going to change any time soon.

The dementors had been created by Ekrizdis during his experiments to see if he could remove magic from one person and move it to another. The dementors  were the transfer method, they would take the magic with what was now referred to as a kiss, and could then do the reverse to the person receiving the magic, it was just horribly painful on both sides and the one losing their magic also lost their soul leaving them an empty husk. When the Ministry took the island they didn’t bother to do any in-depth studying on anything Ekrizdis had created out of fear, they just made assumptions which was why so little was known about the dementors, and why what was known was wrong. While the dementors could feed on emotion they preferred magic. 

The Ministry and their newer wards directed the dementors to feed only on the positive emotions of the prisoners as that was what they thought they did, because they didn’t properly understand the dementors they were effectively starving them which was why they fed so much since their food was substandard and why it drove the prisoners mad. As the dementors fed on the emotions they quite literally ate the memories, leaving their victims with nothing to hold on to even once they were released.

Animus wasn’t against a bit of torture, but even he had limits. Forcing someone in the presence of the dementor to have everything happy and good in their life taken from them was not acceptable to him, especially since he had been a victim of it himself. The purpose of a prison was to rehabilitate those that they could while serving as a punishment and contain those they couldn’t fix. Petty criminals were housed there too, driving them mad just made them commit more crimes and it ended up becoming a vicious cycle as they lost more and more of their humanity each time they were put in that place. 

With a few twists of the original magic, overriding the Ministries worthless attempts to control something they didn’t understand, he set limits and made the changes he wanted. From that day forward the dementors would be able to feed on the magic of those being held there and only on their emotions to a minimum degree. 

By having them stopping fully feeding on emotions it would keep the prisoners from losing their minds, hopefully allowing them to be able to reintegrate into society. It also meant the dementors wouldn’t be starving. Having them feed on magic just meant the witches and wizards there would have depleted cores making them physically weaker and quicker to tire stopping them from being able to escape. Once they were released their cores would be able to refill within a week or two, depending on their core size and strength, and they would be able to get back to normal life.

With the changes set in place he turned his attention to the magic that the dementors had already gathered over the centuries that hadn’t been used. Only Ekrizdis had known how to put the magic to use, well, Ekrizdis and him.

The dementors had gathered magic for a long time. The Ministry had opened the prison in 1718 but hadn’t forced the dementors to switch to feeding on emotions with their stupid wards until the late 1880’s. There was over 100 years of magic from prisoners stored there, along with hundreds of years more from what Ekrizdis had done and what happened after his death. And he was going to return that magic to the world.

There were multiple different types of magic, but the two primary kinds were ambient magic and personal magic. Ambient magic was magic that was in any given area while personal magic was what was in a persons core, obviously. Similar to the water cycle, magic had a cycle of its own. A simplified version was that as a person cast spells the magic left behind when the spell ended became ambient magic, with room in their core they absorbed ambient magic to refill it making it personal magic.

The magic stored under the prison accounted for hundreds of witches and wizards, but it was no longer in the magical cycle. And that contributed to the lower birth rates in part. A majority of the magic used to sustain a pregnancy depended on ambient magic, conception often times relied on the personal magic but not always, as evidenced by the existence of muggle-borns. Magic tried to reach an equilibrium, and with the magic that could fuel hundreds of cores taken from the magical cycle that meant hundreds fewer children.

Accessing the magical storage crystals that the ministry never managed to find in their hidden space Animus opened the magic 'taps' and allowed the magic to start flowing into the lay line that was under the prison that headed towards the mainland. The magic would slowly flow back into the lands, plus with the dementors once again feeding off magic there would be more to add to the cycle.

Leaving the prison he returned to the spot he had arrived in. He still had an hour or so before he would be taken away so he conjured a chair and table and sat to think.

He had known since just after he finished Hogwarts that so much, if not all, of the problems in his life could be tracked back to Albus Dumbledore and his meddling. But, at the same time, the only reason he was born was because of that meddling. 

In the original timeline Dumbledore hadn’t fought Grindelwald and that victory had belonged to Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle had been a man that grew up in a loving home and had always known his place in the magical world. Tom had used his fame to take control of the magical world of Britain and incorporate more dark and ritual magic into everyday life. From what little he had been able to discover it sounded like a decent world, even if all he had was the biased views of the other Dumbledore.

Dumbledore had been on the losing side. He had tried to gain a position of power so he could oppose Tom, but he was just a transfiguration professor and had never managed to rise very high due to his biases. There had of course been those that had supported the man, including the Potter’s and the Weasley’s, which was why he kept them so close.

While it had been Tom and the dark in control the world had been rather balanced, and that was why he hadn’t been born. A Grey Lord was only sent by Lady Magic when magic was too unbalanced in an area. Since the magic had been relatively balanced there had been no need for him.

It had disgusted him to know the man didn’t even attempt to save his sister, instead arguing that she was better off dead since she never would have been able to live a full and proper life. Animus thought if the man had gone back to when Ariana was little, before the attack, he could have saved her, his father, and his mother, but instead he had chosen to go after fame and power.

On his first trip he had forced Tom’s parents to split up and ensured that Tom was left in an abusive orphanage. He had wanted to ensure he didn’t grow up to be the confident young man that had gotten so much control.

On his second trip he had gone after Tom once again. Although the future version of Dumbledore never told the younger version what he had done it didn’t escape Animus’s notice that he had returned to the exact day that Tom had created his first horcrux. As far as Animus had been able to determine the man had forced Tom to do the ritual, thereby ensuring the man would slowly lose his mind.

On his last trip he had helped his other self defeat Gellert and therefore take control of the magical world. He gave his younger self what instructions he could about who he could trust and who he couldn’t, as well as the best ways to control certain people. He also made sure the rest of the ground work was laid to ensure that Tom was blocked from any legal avenue to power. 

After looking over all the information Dumbledore had accumulated it was obvious to him what had happened. Albus Dumbledore had manipulated himself. After all his own experiences with the man it was clear to him, although from what he could tell Dumbledore himself hadn’t recognized it for what it was.

That didn’t excuse the Dumbledore from his timeline for what he did. Yes, some of his worst behaviours were caused by the manipulation, but he had done plenty of horrible things on his own. From what Dumbledore had written much of his ideas about the evils of dark magic and his need for control came from what the other Dumbledore had told him, the man was a true believer and truly thought he was doing the right thing. He felt no guilt for what he had done to Tom because he had convinced himself that he was saving the world by subjecting a child to everything he had.

But, Harry Potter hadn’t existed in the other timeline so as far as Animus was concerned the old man was to blame for everything he had gone through. All the abuse, suffering and manipulations he had gone through in his youth was his bloody fault. He wasn't the only one to blame as so many others had failed an innocent child, but he was the primary reason for it all.

Albus Dumbledore was a true believer in his light only policies, and that was what made him so dangerous. He would do anything, kill anyone, and he would be able to justify it all to himself and never feel a moments guilt.

He knew this because there were more than just journals in Dumbledores hiding place. The man had had a few portraits there believing everyone would want him around even in death to keep ordering them about. It was just too bad for him he had died before getting any of the portraits to his blind fools to keep them under control, they had tried to follow his plans, but knew nothing of what he truly wanted and had screwed it all up. He had created an interesting parsel truth spell that worked on portraits and forced them to answer any question asked of them in a completely truthful manner. He had used it on the portraits of both Dumbledore and Walburga.

It was time Albus Dumbledore lost control.