Son of a Black

Gringotts

Lord Animus arrived in the early spring of 1979. This time his first stop was at Gringotts.

Like his previous visit he was recognized right away, but this time he didn’t even need to speak with a teller before he was instead guided back to see Griphook immediately. 

The first thing Griphook did was show him how his vault was doing. At the end of his previous day his vault had had a little over 500,000 galleons from the original followers of Voldemort and Arcturus Black. It now held over 40 million galleons. Animus had known trusting Griphook had been a good idea. Animus finished looking over the financial reports as he handed over a collection of investments, in both the muggle and magical world, for the next few years.

From there they moved on to the properties he had bought. Everything he had requested had been done. The land in the muggle world had been purchased and the demiguise had been released under the watchful eye of Alphard Black. The herd now numbered over 100 and they were producing over 500 invisibility cloaks a year that were sold outside of Britain to hide the business from the government interference. Even better, Griphook had seen the value in creating a chemical disposal company in the muggle world since the chemicals in the property were almost gone. It would allow them to continue to feed and grow the herd while also making even more money from the chemical disposal. Animus signed the paperwork claiming the company, legally goblins couldn’t own a business outside their own lands, which was under the bank, but they could be his silent partners.

He quickly laid out his plans for the property once all the chemicals were gone in the next year or so. He wanted Griphook to hire a magical construction company, preferably one that hired beings, to create a town.

In Britain the only fully magical village was Hogsmeade. The village was incredibly small, there were only about 30 homes and a dozen or so businesses. Because there wasn’t anywhere else to live most ended up living in what was labeled mixed magical villages but was actually a muggle town with one or two magical families trying to hide there, not that they were very good at blending in.

But he intended to change that. The town he was planning would have room for a few hundred families. In the centre of the area would be the town centre where there would be a public park. Around there would be a shopping district.

Under normal circumstances something like what he was planning wouldn’t be possible since it would require Ministry approval, and they rejected ideas like his all the time. But as he held the title of High King Pendragon he outranked the Ministry and could do what he wanted with his privately owned land and they couldn’t interfere. It made it even more fun that they couldn’t even demand taxes from him for the shops that were opened on his lands.

The Ministry blocked most beings from owning businesses, thankfully things hadn’t yet gotten so bad that they were denied jobs, but it was bad enough. They would be able to get jobs that paid equal wages in his town and even be able to open their own businesses. The fastest way to normalize being rights was to have wixen live along side them and see they weren’t the monsters they were often times portrayed as.

He was pleased to learn that the company he had recommended to Arcturus and Melania was still up and running, previously it had only lasted a few years. They would be perfect to use in helping to design the town he wanted to create.

After a bit more discussion they finished up their financial dealings and Griphook took him to a private office he could rent so he could go over the paperwork that had accumulated over the previous 18 years. One of the things he had Gringotts do before he left was higher a research group that had kept track of certain things for him and now he had to read what they had gathered. Not all of it was overly important, but he wanted to know the basics before he returned to the Black Castle. He had already sent a note to Arcturus he would be joining them later and requested that Dorea Potter nee Black be there too.

One of the first things he checked on was the summery of the changes in the laws. He was glad to see that a number of the worst laws had failed to pass. The ones that did pass even had his recommended changes to them limiting their damage. One law that he greatly enjoyed was the law making it illegal to join the Death Eaters. It was much the same as it had been in his time, but there were a few changes that even he hadn’t thought to suggest. The first was that it specifically said ‘willingly’, that meant since Voldemort was told to threaten those that came to willingly be marked if they were questioned and said they had been threatened they technically hadn’t committed a crime. The second change, and the one that thrilled him most was that The Order of the Phoenix was also added to the list of illegal fighting groups. According to the law The Order of the Phoenix was deemed an illegal vigilante group and would suffer the same punishments as the Death Eaters, including having to reimburse for damages.

The next section was dedicated to the deaths in the war. He was relieved to see the Dark was taking his recommendations of being careful who they attacked. While there were still a large number dead, the numbers were less than half of what it had been the first time around.

Then he moved on to information that wasn’t connected to the war. 

First was the grades at Hogwarts. Like he had suggested Melania had taken up a position on the school governors. He had had a letter sent to her documenting a history of both the staff at Hogwarts as well as the OWL and NEWT testers altering grades. It came to a head in 1967 with the death of a defence apprentice, Heir Titus Proudmore. The Proudmore family, one well known for their Gryffindor nature and close connections to Dumbledore had sued the defence master,  Didemus Avery. 

Originally the Proudmore family had won their suit and were awarded millions in damages. It had effectively bankrupted the entire Avery family that banded together to make sure Didemus didn’t end up in Azkaban. Dumbledore had also used his death to reduce apprenticeships until by the time he came of age they were practically non-existent in Britain and those that did exist only did so because he had personally approved of them.

Animus provided Melania with the truth. Titus simply wasn’t smart enough to have gotten the apprenticeship. Knowing his dreams his family had requested assistance from Albus to ensure he did well in defence, and since he was one of Dumbledores favoured Gryffindors he did as they asked since it also made the family indebted to him.

Titus Proudmore had originally failed his defence OWL, but his family and Albus hadn’t let that stop him. Albus had 'kindly' requested the tester give the ‘poor boy’ just a few extra points so he wouldn’t lose his dream. And the family requested the same from one of the testers that was associated with them. Between the two testers, only one of which had actually tested the boy, Titus was just able to get into the NEWT class.

While he had managed to pass his NEWT by the skin of his teeth it hadn’t been high enough to become an apprentice to a regular master, and Didemus Avery was considered one of the top masters in the country, his standards for students was much higher. Once again Albus and his family had interfered. This time they had both gone to multiple different people to get a few extra points added. Ultimately between all the different people increasing the boys grade, thinking they were the only ones to do so, his grade rose 23 points. This gave him a final grade just 2 points above the minimum required by Didemus.

Without their interference Titus never would have gotten the apprenticeship. Because he was given the wrong grade information Didemus was unaware of his new students limits and started teaching him at a higher level than he was capable and he lost control, killing himself. 

With the information he had provided Melania they were able to get the wrongful death suit dismissed. It was legally determined that Titus was responsible for his own death, although they made sure to censure both Hogwarts, the OWL and NEWT testers, and the Proudmore family for their involvement. 

But it didn’t end there. Melania also pointed out how the testing was pointless if both the staff of the school and the testers were giving students grades they hadn’t earned. To combat that she recommended they start using honesty ink.

Honesty ink had been created in America the year before and was originally intended as part of a mind healer program. The ink only showed up if the person writing was being completely honest. It was intended to have patients truthfully write how they were feeling or what was going on to force them to confront reality.

But it could be used to ensure that the marks being given were truthful. No one would be able to alter the appropriate grades. She also got them to agree that all tests had to be placed under a seal so once they were marked no one could go back and remark them under an easier marking scheme. And the school board didn’t just implement those policies for OWL and NEWT tests, they made it a requirement that all tests and assignments at the school be handled in the same way.

Then there was the werewolf issue. He had tried all ways he could, but nothing worked, Remus Lupin was meant to be a werewolf. But he did ensure it wasn’t as horrible as it could have been. He left time delayed letters for the international potioners guild that included a recipe for a potion that would stop the pain of the shift. It wouldn’t stop the madness outright, but it would reduce it as the wolf wouldn’t be in pain. 

He had had the potion sent to a number of different potions masters associated with the guild to ensure they were made public. If he had just sent them to those in Britain he had no doubt they would be covered up. He also had had to make sure that they were made public before the wolfsbane potion by Damocles Belby was created. Belby hated wolves and his potion actually killed them slowly while increasing their pain and madness, something the Ministry had been aware of and had not only allowed, but encouraged.

The potion had been made public only a few years after his last visit and was too widespread before the British Ministry of Magic realized so they couldn’t stop it. And that wasn't something those bigoted sadists would do anyway , they loved to make beings suffer as much as possible. Checking the records he was relieved to see that the Lupins had had a monthly supply of the potion delivered since Remus had been turned, although it didn’t escape his notice that the name on the potions purchase order was Hope Lupin and not Remus’s father despite her being a muggle. He had no doubt the man was just as hateful as always. 

From what Remus had told him while his father had loved and protected him he had made no secret of how much he hated werewolves. That was why he had been so worried about being a father himself. Teddy hadn’t been born of some great love affair as Tonks had told people before they were killed in the battle of Hogwarts, instead, the woman had gotten Remus drunk and shifted her features to look like someone he confessed he had had a crush on, Regulus Black. Remus never wanted Teddy to think his father didn’t love him even as he hated what the childs mother had done to force a marriage.

Looking over the records compiled on Remus he was pleased. Remus had finished Hogwarts with the top scores in history, defence, arithmancy, and ancient runes. He was also in the top ten in every other class other than potions which Animus knew he struggled with due to his enhanced senses and sensitivity to certain ingredients. Ultimately he had graduated as the top student of his year and had been doing relatively ok. He had a part time job at a small book shop and a small place his mum had left him when she passed. Although he was often off on missions that he had no doubt came from Dumbledore.

The next file was on Severus Snape, or as he was now known, Severus Prince-Snape. This file showed a brilliant and seemingly well adjusted young man. It would seem his recommendations were followed about putting pressure on his grandparents. They had been awarded partial custody of him on grounds of neglect when he had been 4 and given full custody when he was 9 due to evidence of physical abuse. He had had monthly visitations with his parents but didn’t seem to have been in contact with them since he came of age and could make his own decisions. There was a note that the visitation meetings had specifically been forced through by none other than Albus Dumbledore and the man had tried multiple times to return him to his parents but had thankfully failed.

Severus had graduated with the top grade in potions, naturally. He was also in the top five for defence, astronomy, herbology, and care of magical creatures. He had finished in the top 5 of his year and was already well on his way to getting his potions mastery. He only had a few months left before he took his mastery exam.

Sirius hadn’t managed to come out top in any class, but he had been near the top in nearly every one allowing him to be in the top 15 of their year. He also didn’t seem to have run away from home. According to the report, although he did spend a great deal of time at the Potter’s he was still welcome in the Black family and was known to visit his father and grandparents often. He was also in the trainee program to become an auror and doing quite well. There was still a lot of contact between him and Dumbledore so Animus believed he had still joined the Order of the Phoenix.

One thing that did interest him was that Andromeda had still been disowned from the Black family. What made it even worse was that Nymphadora Tonks had been disowned when she was 4. According to the rumours it had been done because she married a muggle-born but there was no proof of that. It also didn’t escape the notice of Animus nor his watchers that the only ones repeating those stories was the Tonks’s and their allies, the Black family as a whole had kept quiet about the matter. However, according to his watchers the official magical paperwork at the Ministry stated Andromeda was the one to initiate both disownments. He knew he was going to have to discuss it with Arcturus and Melania when he went to visit. He might not like what Nymphadora had grown up to be, but disowning a child who had committed no crime was not what he thought they would tolerate. 

Moving on to the next folders he looked at the information gathered on James and Lily Potter. It didn’t surprise him to see that neither managed to make top grades. James had done quite well in transfiguration, and Lily in charms and potions, but neither were the best. People had often talked about how brilliant the two were, but he believed that was more do to their fame rather than real talent. In the end James and Lily Potter were on the higher end of average, but not on the level they had always been portrayed.

Lily and James had gotten married a few months before. James had joined Sirius in auror training but appeared not to be doing as well, there were many notes and citations saying that he was being biased in how he administered the law, not that that surprised Animus. Lily had looked into a few apprenticeship programs but seemed content as a stay at home wife. They were living with James’s parents but had been looking for somewhere to move to.

The final file was on Molly and Arthur and was really just the basics. They had married right out of school and Bill had been born not long after, just like last time, and they had gone on to have Charlie, Percy, and the twins so far. But this time the dynamics of the family already appeared to be different. According to the floo report his watchers had managed to get there were multiple trips from The Burrow to the home of the Weasley grandparents each week. Animus had no doubt that the children were often visiting their grandparents to escape their mothers harping, something that hadn’t happened last time since Molly was in charge of the marriage and she couldn’t stand Cedrella, and vice versa. It would seem that Arcturus had been able to get Arthur a more favourable marriage contract like he had hoped. 

Arthur himself seemed a bit different, but not that much. He still worked in the Department for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts, but was doing a bit better. It would seem without the Malfoy Weasley Feud, which had been settled a few months after his previous visit, Arthur had been able to get a better starting wage and wasn’t looked down on, as much. The man still seemed overly enamoured with muggle stuff, but it looked to be more controlled. The bills and recommendations that came from him and his departments while still supporting muggles was about protecting their world more.

After looking through everything he had the ward stone he planned to have installed in the town he was having built was delivered to him. He spent 2 hours pouring magic into it and creating the ward scheme he wanted the town to have.

With that he packed up and left to head to the Black Castle.

Black Castle

Animus arrived at the castle gates and walked in, looking around as he did so seeing the changes that let him know they really had remodelled. The grounds were absolutely stunning with their lush greens and large flowers and trees. 

One thing that he thought was very smart was the pavilion off to the side of the gate that had a fireplace that had clearly been designed as an arrival point for the floo. It had always seemed stupid to have the main floo location being inside the house, if it was an enemy then they would already be inside. By having a floo outside it would offer more protection and family and close friends could still be given the passwords to a private floo inside if needs be.

Going inside he was pleased to see Dorea sitting and having afternoon tea with Melania and Arcturus. Melania instantly greeted him happily, over the years since they had last seen him their lives had only gotten better. Thanks to his warnings and recommendations the Black family was thriving and Melania had no problem telling him so.

After a few moments of small talk Animus and Dorea were left alone in the sitting room and he set the strongest privacy wards he knew of, making sure to cast them in parsel so no one could break them.

“If I may be so bold, who would you be?” Lady Dorea Potter said formally once she felt the wards go up, knowing something important was happening.

“To make a long story short I used a ritual to send myself back in time. Currently I am known as Lord Animus, or, that is my preferred name.” Animus smiled at the woman he knew was his grandmother. He was going to be giving her a great deal of information that she may not particularly like and knew he was going to need her help. “But when I was born in the summer of 1980 the name I was given was Harry James Potter.”

Dorea had been raised very strictly, her parents had claimed it was the only way to raise a Black, so she had very good control over her emotions but at the information she had just received she couldn’t help but gape like a fish. Looking closer she could see the similarities between this man and her own husband, as well as some of her own features. Both had thick messy hair, it had been darker in their youth but had naturally gone white with age. He had the same angular face she herself, along with her son, had inherited from her Black ancestors. Looking at the big green eyes she knew it was true, they were much more vivid than her daughter-in-laws, even with age, but they were undoubtedly the eyes of Lily Evans.

“What is it you need from me?” Dorea questioned. She had no doubt this man was her grandson.

“I need your help to save the Potter name, as well as myself.” Animus told her dejectedly as he used his wand to pull a stream of memories from his mind and added them to the pensieve that Arcturus had made available. "Please, watch these memories and then we can discuss what I need from you."

Dorea agreed and swiftly entered the memories, she would do anything for the sake of her son and his child. She wasn’t overly fond of her own family, late parents in particular, but since Arcturus had taken control they had been growing on her, which was the only reason she had shown up. She and her husband had both already gotten the news from their healers that they weren’t expected to make it more than a year, and that was ok by them.

To most it would seem odd they were both going to die when they were barely 100, most wixen lived to be an average age of 150, but they knew why. When they had been much younger they had been on vacation at their summer home in France when Grindelwald’s forces had attacked the area. Both she and Charlus had survived the attack but both had been gravely injured, Charlus’s elder cousin Fleamont and his wife Euphemia hadn’t been as lucky. 

It was because of that attack they were dying younger than many in their world. One of the favoured spells Grindelwald’s inner circle liked to use on purebloods that defied them was a core scarring spell. The spell would damage the core, weakening them magically, which was why they were dying younger than was normal given they were technically dying of old age. The only one that could remove the spell damage was Grindelwald or his inner circle and they had no intention of asking those monsters for anything. They had made peace with death a long time ago, they had actually lived longer than they had expected too.

She had just worried James was never going to settle down and continue the family line. Sure, he had gotten married, but he and his wife were far more interested in fighting in the war than starting a family.

Dorea herself had always wanted a large family, but it had been hard for her and Charlus. They had married right out of school and immediately started trying to have a family. After decades of trying and multiple miscarriages and stillbirths they had finally had James when they were in their mid 80’s. 

They had spoiled him outrageously in their joy over having a child. It hadn’t been until James was in his 6th year at Hogwarts she had seen just how much damage they were doing with letting him get away with everything and she had tried to set him on the right path. Unfortunately in her mind it had been a bit late. James was a spoiled and overindulged child that still acted like a kid. He had only joined the auror force when she and Charlus had told him if he didn’t find something to do they would be cutting off his allowance. And she knew it had been Albus Dumbledore more than them that had gotten him interested in the aurors. Now all they had left was to get Lily to do something other than sit at home, her and Charlus’s home of course, and wait for Albus to call her to one of their less than secret meetings. Didn’t the two realize that the group they were members of was illegal?

But now she was excited. There was going to be a grandchild, so maybe it was good Lily hadn’t taken an apprenticeship like she had suggested. But along with that excitement came worry, if her grandson had gone back in time, something both incredibly hard and dangerous, something must have gone truly wrong, especially since he was talking about the end of the Potter line.

Animus watched as his grandmother entered the pensieve. Leaning back in his seat he tried not to dwell on the memories the woman was seeing as he picked at the small meal Melania had ensured he had. He had picked those memories in particular to ensure Dorea would assist him in his plans.

The memories started with a few of the worst beatings he had received while at the Dursley’s, making sure to include the fact they called him Freak and hurt him for his freakishness. 

They then moved on to when he turned 11. The week before his 11th birthday Hagrid had come and collected him, taking him to Diagon Ally to collect his school supplies before dropping him off at the Potter home. It was then he learned the truth, his family was alive and well, they just hadn’t wanted him around.

He made sure to include the full memory of James and Lily explaining why he had had to spend a decade with the Dursley’s. They told him all about how his younger twin sister, Marigold, had survived an attack by Voldemort, though they called him You-Know-Who, and how she needed their full attention and they didn’t want him to grow jealous of his sisters fame so they sent him away to be raised normally.

It still disgusted him that he had accepted that excuse at the time. After a decade of abuse he had been so desperate for approval that he had been willing to do anything to gain his parents love. He had accepted all of their snide comments, mostly from his own sister, and how they looked down on him just because he wanted a family.

It had been at the end of their first year that the truth came out, another memory he had made sure was there. Voldemort had tried to steal the philosophers stone and he, Mari, Hermione and Ron all went to stop him. It had come to an end with just him and Mari in the room with the man and he had thrown Mari away from him no problem, but when he had touched him his skin had started to burn and blister.

In the infirmary Dumbledore told them the truth, it had been him that had survived the attack. The man had seemed shocked since he, like everyone else, had thought it was Mari. Now he knew from interrogating the old mans portrait that he had learned the truth when he had been 5 due to the large amounts of accidental magic he had been doing. That had been when the old man had started his plan of using Mari as a poster child while raising him to be a sacrificial lamb. He had added all kinds of wards and binds on him that would make him pliable to ensure he kept control since Mari revelled in her fame and he didn’t want that for him. That was information he had no intention of sharing though.

He knew why Dumbledore had initially believed it was Mari. When the other Dumbledore had come back he had said that Mari was the key but hadn’t been able to say more. And Animus believed he knew why. Most didn’t know that Lily was the granddaughter of Merope Gaunt younger squib sister who had been abandoned shortly after her birth by her mother so her father couldn’t kill her, and therefor related to Voldemort. The Slytherin line was a patriarchy so neither Lily or Mari could claim the Heir position, but if Mari had a son they could have used him to gain some control and if Voldemort was killed they could claim everything. In that timeline, Mari had been the path to power. But in the new one since he had been born the Heirship was his and wouldn’t pass to Mari’s son unless he died without a son of his own.

The memories continued on, showing bits and pieces of his school years, including the fact that James and Lily insisted that he spend at least the first month of each summer with the Dursley’s, even after he had told them they hurt him. But by his third year Remus and then Sirius became a part of his life when Sirius was able to show at least them that he was innocent. According to the argument he had heard in the hospital wing Remus had been arguing with James and Lily about him for years and trying to get to see him but they had been denying and threatening to out him if he didn’t keep quiet.

Despite Dumbledore failing to get Sirius a trial he still became an active part of his life. Since James and Lily forced him to stay with the Dursley’s they quite literally pitched a tent in their backyard to keep an eye on them. It had driven the Dursley’s mad much to his enjoyment. He loved how much Sirius and Remus obviously cared for him. And it had been the treatment of the two men he had seen by those that claimed to be good that had first started him doubting Dumbledore and his light agenda, it had just taken him far too long in his opinion to really see the truth for what it was.

He had loved Sirius and Remus, they were more his parents than his own parents had ever been and he knew the memories showed that. It ended when Sirius was killed when he was 15 and then Remus 2 years later.

The memories showed when he defeated Voldemort once again when he was 17 and how his delightful family still tried to give Mari the credit even though everyone knew he had done it. And then they showed what came after. His delightful parents using a marriage contract to force him to marry Ginny Weasley, that had been the first time he had openly gone against them, but he was forced to comply due to family magics.

The final memory was the day after he was forced to marry Ginny and her reaction to learning she wasn’t going to be Lady Potter after his parents passed since he wasn’t the Heir. The girls fit and complete meltdown had been something that had always entertained him but he knew Dorea would be furious. She was undoubtably well aware of how Molly Weasley became a Weasley given the fact the woman’s mother-in-law was her younger cousin. She would see the girl as nothing but the greedy fortune hunter she was, and she would see his father forcing him to marry against his will, something she had always opposed despite being raised as a traditionalist.

As he figured the memories would be coming to an end he went over to the drinks cart at the side of the room and grabbed two glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey. He had no doubt his grandmother was going to need it, especially if she took after her Black ancestors in any way. It was just as he was sitting down and starting to pour Dorea came out of the memories, her face showing equal amounts of horror and rage. Saying nothing he handed over a full glass which she drank in one go, handing it back for a refill.

Once they were both settled as much as they could be Animus knew he needed to get this conversation started. "Do you have any questions?"

"Why? How? Please. Why would they?" Dorea just muttered in horror at the knowledge of what her own son had done. What he had subjected his own son too. But she pulled herself together after a few moments. “What do you need from me?” 

Animus gave her a soft smile. “What I need you to do is nearly exactly what you did last time, just with a few changes.

For a long time no one knew just why it is the killing curse failed, but after a great deal of research I believe I pieced it together. I have no doubt you have already realized that the behaviour of James and Lily has made them a target in this war.” Dorea nodded her agreement. “That realization is in part why the attack failed.

From what I found you started borrowing Black family grimoires shortly after you would have been told about Lily’s pregnancy. Eventually you found a ritual that could protect us, and you even managed to convince your husband to assist you.” 

“Charlus used a ritual from the Black’s?” Dorea questioned in disbelief. Merlin and Morgana knew she loved her husband but the man was as light as light could be, he opposed everything the dark side even suggested on principle alone. The idea of him doing a ritual that had been created by a Black was unbelievable.

“I have no idea how you convinced him, from what I knew he was all light all the time, but you did it.” Animus smiled. From what he had found his grandfather had been of the same school of thought as Dumbledore although not as outright devoted to the man as his son or late cousin, Fleamont. “The two of you bought them a nice house in Godric’s Hollow, near where the Potter Estate is. Since it was smaller you had a nursery set up so both Mari and I would be there. It was in the nursery that you conducted the ritual since it was where we would be if anything happened.

Under the carpet you laid down the blood runes. When I checked them I found residue of both your and grandfathers blood. According to the book the ritual requires a blood relative, or in this case two blood relatives, to sacrifice both blood and magic to protect a child of their blood. The two of you working together was enough to help protect Mari and I.”

Dorea thought for a few moments. That just didn’t make sense, she knew a lot about rituals and knew none that were strong enough to stop a killing curse, not even those created by the Blacks. “I’ve never heard of a ritual strong enough to throw back a killing curse.”

“It wasn’t just the ritual.” Animus conceded. “It would seem Lily is in fact a squib line descendent of the Gaunt family, which in turn comes from the Slytherin line, just like the current Dark Lord. Only males can inherit and he and I are, or at least will be, the only males in the line making us Count and Heir in the eyes of magic even if it has never been officially formalized in the Wizengamot. Slytherin placed protections so the Count and Heir can not kill one another.

This in turn was helped along by the fact that we both inherited the family magic, the gift of parseltongue. Parseltongue is a magical language and is therefor bound by the rules of Lady Magic, and she protects children first. No of age speaker can kill an underage speaker.

Those three things combine was enough to protect me. He in turn was punished by Lady Magic herself for his attack on me.”

“So you need me to do the same ritual I did last time?” Dorea said in slight confusion. “If that was all then you could have just left me be and let things play out since you knew what would happen. So what is it you need me to change?”

Animus smiled, pleased to see his grandmother wasn’t a fool. “I would prefer you do the same ritual it’s true, I do enjoy the idea of living after all. But I would like for your assistance in making it known.

The reason I was left with Lily’s muggle sister and her husband was because of the fame given to Mari for doing the impossible and surviving a killing curse, something that is supposed to be impossible.”

“You mean Mari became famous because you survived a killing curse.” Dorea pointed out.

Animus smiled once again, it seemed he knew where he got much of his snark from. “True. The reason for the fame was because you didn’t tell anyone what you had done since it was blood magic and could be construed as illegal despite the clause in the laws that say it’s legal in the event it is used for protection. It wasn’t until I started looking into it more in-depth that I found the runes under the nursery rug since no formal investigation was done at the time.

I have already started making the contacts needed to ensure that there is a full investigation this time. What I would like from you is to leave behind a note explaining that you had done a ritual under the carpet so it can be found then. It will hopefully limit the fame so James and Lily won’t be completely corrupted by it and might not make the same mistakes.”

Animus knew the chances of them actually keeping him were infinitesimal, but he needed Dorea to believe he was trying to preserve the Potter family. Truthfully he wanted them to abandon him, he already had plans to ensure he grew up safe and loved. James and Lily weren’t good parents, plain and simple, and he really didn’t want to grow up with them. He actually felt a little sympathy for Marigold, oh, he had grown to despise the vapid little shrew quite quickly after meeting her, despite forcing himself to pretend to adore her, but he did understand that she was a product of her raising, she just didn’t care enough to try and better herself when she became an adult, even Dudley had managed that to an extent.

“That can be easily done.” Dorea agreed, seeing no trouble with that. “Do you know what ritual it is that I need to use?”

“I can’t tell you outright, but I can say that it is in Black Family Blood Rituals, edition 2.” Animus told her.

Dorea made a mental note to borrow the book before she left. “Will I get to meet you again? You know, when you are born.”

Animus could see the woman’s hope but knew he couldn’t give her false hope in this. “No. You pass a few months before I’m born, a few days after your husband.”

Dorea sadly nodded her understanding, she hadn’t thought it would happen but she had had to question. It was enough to know that she would have two grandchildren, but that brought up something else he had said. “What became of your sister?”

Animus felt his lips tighten, he really did wish he and his sister could have been closer, but he had hated the girl their parents had raised her to be. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes, I need to.”

“Mari was exactly what she was raised to be, a brat. She was never told no, never given limits, and told she could do anything she wanted, at any time, to anyone, because she was famous.

After graduation Mari followed in James’s footsteps and joined the aurors. She wasn’t exactly good at it since she didn’t like work, but she was famous so no one really cared, plus James was head auror so no one could complain without becoming a target or losing their job.

She had 2 failed engagements. The first one ending a few weeks before the wedding when he was caught with one of her bridesmaids, that thing I was forced to marry. The second one ended when he found out she was still seeing her ex. She ended up marrying a member of the Smith family shortly before her 30th birthday. It ended up being quite the scandal as the muggle wedding dress she chose to wear did absolutely nothing to hide her pregnancy. Their son, Charlie Potter was born 3 months later.

I’m sure you heard about the information about professors and the examiners altering grades due to pressure from certain families.” Dorea nodded. “I was the one that suggested Lady Black bring it up. And in doing so I do believe I may have already altered Mari’s fate. Mari hadn’t managed to get the grades to take her NEWT in potions but between James, Lily, and Dumbledore, her grades were adjusted to allow her to both take and pass the class. In the end Mari was killed when she conducted a raid on a potions lab looking for illicit ingredients and started messing around with an experimental potion. It blew up, killing her and her partner.

With the changes to the grading it is much less likely to end that way for her. If she doesn’t study this time and relies on her fame to get her the job she wants she won’t be able to get her NEWT in the class so won’t even be considered as an auror. Or, to get her NEWT she will have to work for it and will hopefully know enough not to mess with volatile potions.”

Dorea couldn’t believe the fate of her granddaughter, surely her parents would care enough to teach her basic behavioural standards as well as potions safety. She was definitely going to have to see about doing more than just leaving behind a letter explaining what she was going to do, she was going to see about limiting James and Lily’s behaviour as much as possible, her grandchildren deserved that.

“And what happened to Charlie? Or yourself for that matter?” Dorea questioned. “You said this was about saving the Potter family, but surely the two of you could do that. You were the eldest, you should have been the family Heir and later Lord… But that thing you were forced to marry was angry because you weren’t the Heir… That doesn’t make sense.”

Animus could see the confusion on the woman’s face as all the information piled up. “I am the eldest, and therefore should have been Heir, but when I was 12 my parseltongue abilities came out and I was disinherited. 

Charlie became Heir when his mother died when he was 6. By that point in time the Potter family was effectively broke.”

“Broke!” Dorea gasped. “I know the Potter’s have never had money like the Black’s, but our vaults are doing quite well.”

“James, Lily, and Mari liked living the highlife. James and Mari liked quidditch so bought each and every new broom as they came out. Higher-end racing brooms price in the thousands, and they had to get 2 each time. And Lily and Mari did so love their shopping trips in France and Italy.

The Potter fortune was squandered away. By the time Mari and I came of age they had started selling family heirlooms and even the Potter Grimoire. It was one of the primary reasons the contract was set up for me. 

Sirius and Remus never approved of James and Lily’s treatment of myself. Sirius, as the last surviving member of the main Black line left the vaults to me for when I came of age since I was his godson. James and Lily struck a deal with Molly and her daughter to split the vaults between them using the contract. It was one of the few times I was grateful for James’s lack of knowledge about laws regarding traditions and Lily’s devotion to her muggle heritage.”

Dorea growled at the mentioning of the girl her grandson was forced to marry. “They forced you to be with that harpy to get your money?”

“Yes.” Animus nodded. “But it didn’t work for them. James and Molly knew enough to create an absolute contract, but Lily and Molly planned a muggle wedding rather than a magical bonding since both abhorred magical traditions. Because we were married the muggle way the contract was null and void.

After Ginny had her little meltdown when I told her I wasn’t the family Heir, something my darling parents neglected to mention to her or her mother, she decided to brag about how she was going to go to the bank to take all the money she could and put it in her own vault so I would have nothing before going to visit her ‘amazing’ boyfriend. The goblins all but threw her out and threatened to charge her with theft if she tried to use a contract like that to steal from one of their wealthiest clients again. Her fit after that was a great joy to watch, her elder brother, who was visiting me at the time, ate popcorn while she lost it.

Then she got caught with Meri’s fiancée a few months later and I was able to use that as justification to end the marriage through the muggle courts. It didn’t hurt that I had her father and all but 1 of her elder brothers full support in doing so. Arthur may be a bit of a fool, but he is a decent man, he was apoplectic when he learned about the contract his wife and daughter had made. They assisted me in getting the divorce recognized in the magical world.

After that I changed my name to Harrison Sirius Black so James and Lily couldn’t try the whole contract thing again. I even managed to claim the Black Lordship since I had Black blood from you and was Sirius’s Heir.”

“You gave up the Potter name?” Dorea questioned sadly.

“As far as I am concerned Harry Potter died in that nursery the night of that attack. The moment he was rejected by his own parents was his end. For years I tried to do everything perfectly in hopes they would one day love me until I finally realized it was never going to happen. Sirius and Remus were the closest thing I had to parents, but I still have Potter blood. We can just hope the changes we make can make a better life for your soon to be grandchildren.

But, back to Charlie. Neither Mari nor her husband were that parental. He had gone to a quidditch game thinking she’d watch him and she went shopping with some friends thinking he’d watch him. His mother stopped by for a visit and found Charlie screaming his little lungs out in his crib. He was immediately taken away from them and given to his fathers family.

He was raised by one of his fathers cousins along with his two kids. He was sorted into Gryffindor and from all accounts was an all around good kid and student.

By the time he finished school the Potter name wasn’t really worth much in Britain. There was still the title but James and Lily hadn’t done the reputation any favours with their attempts to remain famous. Charlie decided to try and bring credibility back to the family name. He went to work for the ICW in hopes he would be able to build up his reputation before returning and going to work for the ministry. Unfortunately it didn’t work out. He was a part of a trade delegation that was targeted in a civil uprising, none of them made it home. He was 24.

James had already passed away by that point so only Lily was left and they had never had any more children. In just over 50 years the Potter family went from a well respected decently well off house to ending broke and in disgrace.”

Dorea just sat there shocked and horrified, how could everything go so wrong so quickly? She was going to have her work cut out for her, but she was going to wrestle things as much under control as she could to ensure her son and his wife didn’t destroy the family legacy and endanger her grandchildrens happiness. He was right, if they could change what happened when they were attacked and limit any fame it would go a long way to stopping the worst aspects of the future being described, but she was also going to have to look at controlling the finances and ensuring no ill thought out marriage contracts were made, but she was going to need her husbands approval for that, and that meant telling him at least some of what she had been told.

It took a bit of negotiations, but eventually Dorea got her way. The secrecy wards were adjusted so that she could relay what she had been told to her husband, but only after he had taken a secrecy vow and was under wards to ensure he could tell no one, not even his son, as well as she could only give vague information and not specifics. Animus knew despite his grandfather not being nearly as enamoured with Dumbledore as James that he still had a certain level of devotion, plus the man was all about light magic.

“I did bring you something that may make your conversation with your husband easier.” Animus pulled out a small picture, it had been the one Lily took on his and Mari’s first birthday to send to Sirius. In the photo one year old him was zipping around on his childs broom, James’s legs were visible where he stood helping to keep Mari on her broom, every time he let go she would start to slide off the side. “I keep this as a reminder that as much as I have grown to hate them, it wasn’t always as bad as it became. It was taken for our first birthday, we got the brooms from Sirius.”

Dorea had silent tears flowing down her cheeks as she got to see what her grandchildren looked like. She swore to herself in that moment she was going to do everything in her power to keep them that innocent and happy.

“It is of course enchanted so no one can see it without my express permission, and I give you permission to show it to your husband Charlus Potter.” Animus worked his magic to ensure the picture would burn away as soon as his grandparents died, even enchanted as it was he couldn’t take any risks. He always used parselmagic for things like that since it was simple to bend to his will and far more direct, but he also knew Dumbledore had managed to learn a few words and didn’t want to take the chance of him breaking his spellwork.

“Oh, and I would recommend you give a standing order to your house elves that if they are freed they should come to Lord Black.” Animus said offhandedly. “Lily does not approve of house elves and freed them only a week after you and Charlus passed on last time.”

Dorea thanked him and hugged him before leaving. He knew it hadn’t really sunk in yet, not that he blamed her, he was just grateful she truly seemed to care for him. He just didn’t have the heart to tell her there was little to no chance she was going to be able to stop them from abandoning him since the letter she was leaving wouldn’t be found until an investigation was done and he would be long gone by then.

With Dorea gone he move to sit in the small parlour Arcturus and Melania had been in to talk with them. He had the basics from his sources but it would be nice to get more details from them, including the state of the family. He had been surprised to find that there were more Blacks than he remembered.

Melania was happy to explain. They had been having a family gathering when Lucretias lack of children had been mentioned. Lucretia, their daughter and Orion’s sister, had been cursed when she was a child when they had rejected making a marriage contract for her with a child of a less than desirable family making it impossible to carry a child to term.

It had been five year old Sirius that found a way around it. Seeing things through the simple yet creative view of a child he asked why they didn’t just switch places. It had confused them and they had gotten him to explain his thought process and they had been stunned.

There was a potion that would allow a man to have the reproductive system of a woman to allow for pregnancy and childbirth for gay couples. And there was a potion that would allow a woman to have the reproductive system of a man so she could impregnate someone for lesbian couples. So Sirius suggested they trade roles. Have Ignatius take the potion so he could carry a child and have Lucretia take the potion so she could get him pregnant.

It was such a simple idea but none of them had ever thought of having them switch. And it ultimately worked. A little over a year later Lucretia and Ignatius had welcomed their daughter Vega, and 2 years after that their son, Altir.

And then there was Alphard and his wife Odette. Odette was a tiny little thing and had a very rough time of it with their daughter Raina. She had gone through over 36 hours of labour and nearly died. So, when they were talking about maybe trying again Alphard offered to carry the child.  And it worked and they welcomed another baby girl, Carina.

But the topic of children brought up Andromeda and Nymphadora so Arcturus explained since Melania was to furious to even get the words out in regards to them. 

It went back to the Malfoy/Black marriage contract. Andromeda had made it no secret she had no desire to marry Lucius, and Lucius had made the same clear about her. Lucius and Narcissa had gone to their families with a compromise since they were in love, and their families had agreed.

They had just been in the process of removing Andromeda’s name from the contract and adding Narcissa’s when Andromeda and Ted Tonks had signed themselves out of school and gotten married in a muggle town, something they were able to do since they were in their final year and legal adults. It didn’t make sense to Animus, her parents had agreed to not forcer to be with Lucius so there was no need to run off and secretly get married.

But then Arcturus finished the tale. There was a dowery vault set up in Gringotts for Andromeda that would be accessible once she was married. If she had waited her name would have been removed and her sisters name added. Once they had the valid marriage certificate Andromeda and Ted had gone to the bank and emptied the vault and transferred it all to a muggle bank account. And to ensure that as her head of family Arcturus couldn’t just force her to give the money back she disowned herself.

The family had been both furious and devastated by her actions but chose not to create a scandal. Andromeda’s disgraceful behaviour would hurt the reputations of her sisters and they didn’t want to do that to them. Instead they chose to cut ties and allow the girl to struggle since being disowned was a major social stigma.

But despite their anger at Andromeda they chose to show mercy to Nymphadora. Once she was a few years old they had started inviting her to things arranged for the kids. Andromeda’s response was to send them howlers about how she wouldn’t let them steal her daughter so she disowned her from the Black family fully so they wouldn’t have any hold on them. But by fully disowning Nymphadora she lost her metamorphmagus abilities, something that had infuriated Andromeda even more.

In the end Animus couldn’t fault them, it was all Andromeda’s fault. Although, it did make a bit of sense. Given both Andromeda and Sirius had been rejected by the Black family they should have been natural allies, but his Sirius had never really spoken of his cousin and actually seemed to avoid Nymphadora from what he could remember. He figured Andromeda had done something similar that caused Sirius to not like her anymore than the rest of his family.

He was pleased to find out the rest of the family was doing rather well. Marius and his children even came to visit for a week every summer. And according to Arcturus it was Marius they had to thank for Arthur’s toning down of the muggle devotion. 

Apparently Marius had gotten sick of the teenage Arthur going on and on about how amazing and harmless muggles were on one of his visits so had taken the boy out on a little day trip. He had taken him to different war museums around the country. Seeing photos and videos of WW2 and the concentration camps certainly straitened him out, muggles were just as dangerous as any other species. Marius made it a point to take Arthur out in the muggle world from time to time so he could see muggles were people too, some were good, and some were bad. Arthur was still fascinated with the muggle world and their technologies but he wasn’t as much of a wide eyed fool.

Then they spoke of Sirius and his friends. He had cautiously mentioned a werewolf incident in their sixth year, hoping that with a more stable home life Sirius wouldn’t do anything as stupid as to risk the life of a schoolmate. And he thankfully was, but time was a stubborn thing and often times tried to repeat certain events even if the situation and participants changed.

Melania explained how there had been a werewolf incident, but it hadn’t been Sirius’s fault. This time it had been James that had sent Severus to the Shrieking Shack and Sirius that had saved him. And thankfully it wasn’t just covered up.

Since Severus was in the custody of his grandparents who were a Lord and Lady they were able to force a disciplinary meeting. Dumbledore had of course defended James, but it hadn’t exactly worked out the way he wanted. Dorea had been in fine form according to Arcturus who had attended the meeting with Orion. She had been furious with her son for his behaviour and when Dumbledore refused to properly punish him she had decided to do it herself by yanking him out of school for two weeks so she could adjust his attitude herself, not even her husband had been willing to say a word in the face of her fury.

From there he turned his attention to Melania’s position on the school board. He had at first told her to put a limit on how much she did, but now it was the time to act as she had over a decade and a half of service behind her. He suggested that she begin to try and remove McGonagall as Deputy Headmistress. The woman just didn’t pay proper attention to her students and was one of those that blindly followed Dumbledore. He suggested using their grades, and behavioural reports, despite having a few extremely good students the rest were generally lower than average and they were often getting in trouble for bullying but having McGonagall or Dumbledore remove their punishment. He also told her that McGonagall wasn’t fulfilling her head of house duties properly so shouldn’t be considered for the elevation of deputy.

After a bit more talking it was time for his next appointment.

Privet Drive

Animus was less than pleased as he arrived on Privet Drive, he would be happy to never see this place again, but he needed to be there.

The place looked almost the exact same as it had when he was forced to live there. It was like nothing ever changed. He knew that Petunia and Vernon had just moved in, buying the house with the money left to them by Petunia’s parents who had been killed in a car accident a few months before. Under normal circumstances they wouldn’t have been able to afford the house since it was in a higher end area and Vernon had only started at the drill company and wouldn’t be making anywhere near enough for years but the inheritance had enabled it.

He hated them, but he also knew they weren’t exactly to blame for their behaviour. Honestly, he hated being able to see the nuances in situations, it would be so much easier to just see the world in black and white and not see the shades of grey. Petunia and Vernon disliked magic, but it wasn’t as violent as it had become in later years.

When they first took him in they had actually looked after him, obvious since he had survived and no one year old would be able to survive without at least basic care, but they just hadn’t been happy about it. They hadn’t liked him, but they didn’t outright despise him. 

It had changed when Dumbledore discovered the strength of his magic when he was 5. Amongst the wards he had placed around the house was a hate ward focused on him. The old bastard had forced their dislike of him to become outright hatred and that was when they became violent.

They were still scum in his opinion, they had blamed him for his presence in their lives even before the spells so they obviously weren’t good people. What kind of person blamed a child for the actions of their parents? And he most definitely wasn’t going to go out of his way to make their lives great, but he was going to help them if only to make sure he didn’t have to grow up with them again.

The work day had just ended and he arrived just as Vernon was getting home and gotten himself invited in. He made sure to cast his usual secrecy spells silently as he was guided into the kitchen to have a cup of tea.

“What is it that you want?” Vernon asked in his version of politeness. It was obvious to him this man had money based off the clothing he had and Vernon and Petunia were people that respected money if nothing else.

“I want to first tell you, I am here to help you. I mean you no harm.” Animus knew this was going to be rough for the first bit, neither of these two were sensible.

“Mean no harm?” Vernon blustered in irritation. This man had to be in his 90’s, it wasn’t like he could harm them.

“I am here about your sister Lily and what she is going to do.”

“Get out!” Petunia instantly shrieked. There was a freak in her house and she wouldn’t stand for it. She was going to have to destroy that tea cup she had given him, she wouldn’t risk using that thing, it might be infected.

“You heard my wife, take your hogwash elsewhere.” Vernon added as he hefted himself to his feet.

“Please do stop with the hysterics. I am here to help you.” Animus rubbed his eyes, these two were just too predictable.

“Help us? How could the likes of you help us? We are perfectly fine with our perfectly normal lives.” Petunia hissed.

“For now, but your sister is going to try and change that, I am here to stop her.” Animus told them. “As you know magic is real.” He didn’t miss how the two overly dramatic idiots flinched at the word. “A gift that comes with magic is the ability to catch glimpses of the future, and that is why I am here.

In just over a year Lily will give birth to twins. But she won’t be able to handle the responsibility of children so will decide to only keep one. On November 1st, 1981, you will wake to put out the milk bottles and find your one year old nephew fast asleep in a basket on your doorstep. There will be a note informing you to look after him until he is 11 and then they will come and collect him. You won’t want to, but won’t have a choice as there will be magic on the letter compelling you to do as you are told regardless of what you want.

You do not want the child, and I do not want you to have the child. He will just distract you from your own son.”

“We don’t have a son.” Petunia whispered in horror. She couldn’t decide what disgusted her more, that her sister would abandon one of her children, or that her sister would expect her to raise the little freak she didn’t want.

“You will by then.” Animus saw the joy in their eyes. They really had loved their son, they had spoiled him rotten and it had had a life long effect on him, but they had loved him. “On the day he is left with you, you will put on a pair of gardening gloves, pick up the basket by the handles, bring it in and put it out of the way in that corner over there.” Animus waved at a random corner. “You will make sure not to make physical contact with him at all, and you will not touch the letter or the basket. The gloves touch the handles only or you won’t be able to resist keeping him.”

“Why would we even bring that thing in our house, especially if we have our own son? Better to leave it outside.” Vernon asked in disgust.

“Because half an hour later the milk man will be by and I don’t think you would like to explain to him, or the neighbours who will undoubtedly be interested in the gossip, just why it is that you have selected to leave an infant out on a cold fall morning. Much better for your reputations to just wear the gloves and bring him in than become social pariahs don’t you think?” Animus saw the two flinch, they had always been so sensitive about their image even as many of the neighbours had secretly been disgusted by their attitude and behaviours. “As I was saying… 

When he wakes up he will naturally be distress since he won’t know you. You will give him a bottle of milk with this in it.” He placed a child safe sleep potion he had collected on the table. 

“And just what is that?” Petunia sneered at something that was clearly magic related. She was thinking about whether or not they should destroy the table since that thing was touching it.

“It’s a sleeping tonic. Once he drinks it he will sleep for the next 8 hours. But you need to make sure it’s mixed with a bottle of milk. Water will just water it down and he will be awake in a few hours and then you will have an upset child that you can not touch or quiet in any way.

After lunch you will put the gloves back on, move the basket to the car, and meet me at this address at 2.” He placed a small sheet of paper with all the information he was giving them on the table with a nearby address highlighted. “I will be waiting in the underground garage and will take him once you sign custody of him over to me.”

“Why should we do all this nonsense? We could just drop the little freak off at an orphanage, it’s where unwanted children go.” Vernon sneered.

“Because once you sign custody of him over to me I will hand each of you 5000 pounds, cash.” Animus saw the instant greed enter their eyes, it was one thing that never changed with them. “And, since it is cash it will be tax free, so long as you don’t tell any of your neighbours. The last thing any of us need is one of them to get jealous and report your sudden windfall to inland revenue, triggering an audit.”

Vernon still didn’t like the idea of allowing a freak into his home, even if temporarily. Especially if he had a son in the house. But he decided he could grudgingly tolerate it for a few hours so long as he got paid. He and Petunia shared a look and knew they wanted that money.

Animus knew he had them hooked, all it took was money. Leaving the instructions he showed himself out. The good thing was the instruction sheet and the potion vial had their own compulsions on it to make sure they remembered and followed the instructions.

Leaving the house he walked quickly to the shadowed area between the house and garage and apparated away.

The Cave

Animus arrived outside the cave where the locket horcrux was hidden just five minutes before he knew Regulus would arrive. Kreacher had been an extremely loyal elf after the Battle of Hogwarts and he had been more then willing to tell him exactly what had happened leading up to Regulus’s death, including the time they had arrived.

Once again he set up his wards, he was actually getting rather sick of having to do it, but he knew he had to do it so no one he didn’t approve of discovered what he was doing. It didn’t take long or anything, he really had it down to an art since he had been using the same wards for years, but he was old and really just wanted to complain.

Exactly on time, not that he had doubted Kreacher for an instant, Regulus apparated in with Kreacher appearing at his side not even a second later. Regulus made to walk towards the cave before coming up short when he spotted him.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” Regulus demanded as his hand slipped to his wand. He took no joy in what he must do, but he knew he had too. The Dark Lord had gone too far and although he supported many of his ideals he couldn’t support this.

“I am called Lord Animus, but I’m sure Kreacher could tell you that.” Animus told him, not in the least worried since he knew he could handle Regulus if he had to, he was still Lord Black even if he was in the past.

“You is future Lord Black.” Kreacher muttered worriedly. He knew what they were doing was dangerous and didn’t want to get in trouble. He knew just how dangerous this man could be and he would do whatever he had to to protect his Master Regulus.

“Future Lord Black?” Regulus questioned in confusion.

“Indeed.” He had know that Kreacher above all would be the one to identify him, not only would he tell Regulus whatever he needed to to try and protect him, but there was also the bond that had existed between future Kreacher and himself up until his death that would provide him with even more information. “Long story short, I used a ritual to send myself back in time to try and fix things. I am Lord Black from my time.”

“Why are you here?” Regulus questioned warily. “I won’t let you stop me from doing this, he has gone too far.”

“I am not here to stop you, I am here to help you.” Animus soothed. “I agree with you, the Dark Lord has gone too far with this, especially since he hurt Kreacher. By the way, I have the antidote to the potion he was forced to drink.”

“Antidote?” Regulus was confused before looking to his elf in worry. “Kreacher, are you still not feeling well?”

“The potion he was forced to drink was the drink of despair. He needs the antidote or he will never have a restful night again. I will give it to you once we are back at the castle. He needs to take it just before bed time as it will put him to sleep for 12 hours.

So, shall we do this?” Animus questioned as he moved towards the entrance of the cave.

It was relatively easy to make it over to the small island. The only time they worried even slightly was when they were in the boat as it didn’t seem strong enough to hold the weight of two grown men and a house elf, but they made it.

Regulus tried to dump the potion out and realized it had to be drunk. Animus was actually impressed with how quickly he figured that out. But then he explained his plan of drinking it himself.

“You know, for a Slytherin you are behaving rather Griffindorish. You are not a fool, don’t act like one. Last time you made that same decision. You drank the potion and ordered Kreacher home to destroy the locket. Which left you in a cave, delirious and in mind shattering pain. The reason I came to help you is today is the day you died.

We will not be doing that again. We will be smart about this. Yes, the potion needs to be drunk, but it does not need to be a wizard, as proved by Kreacher.”

“We are not subjecting Kreacher to that again.” Regulus argued instantly, pure rage showing on his face even as Kreacher offered to do it.

“No Kreacher, you have suffered more than you should have had too.” Animus assured the poor elf before reaching into his bag and pulling out a flobberworm and enlarging it until it was the size of an average dog. “We’ll use this. I can give it the antidote after and release it. While it is a magical creature it won’t suffer the way a higher being like a wixen or house elf since it has only a limited consciousness and can’t remember anything for more than about 5 minutes.”

After that the swap was easy. Surprisingly the flobberworm didn’t even resist having the potion poured into its mouth so he wondered if it didn’t have the sentience to even be effected by the potion, but he was just relieved he wasn’t subjecting a creature to undue suffering, he needed to do this, but he took no joy in harming an innocent creature.

The swap was easily done and they left the cave, leaving no trace. From there he sent Regulus home, with a warning that his grandparents would like to have a word with him about his behaviour, and left to make a few more quick stops.

The first was to slip into Hogwarts and into the room of requirement to collect the diadem. Thankfully he was wearing his invisibility cloak so no one could see him, plus Hogwarts liked him so she was willing to hide his magic so no one could feel him. Once he had the diadem he went to Gringotts and stored both in his private vault along with Voldemort's blood.

From there he went to see an old friend.

Black Castle

Animus arrived back at Black Castle with a guest, Bronwen Alyn.

Bronwen had a rather tragic tale. He had first met her a few decades before going into the past, she had been a ghost haunting her old house. When her life started it had been a happy one, she had been the only child of two loving parents. The only draw back to her life was the secrecy, no one knew that her mother was descended from the Emrys family, whose most notable member was Merlin. And although they kept it secret it didn’t really cause her problems since no one knew enough to ask so she didn’t have to openly lie.

She had attended Hogwarts, being sorted into Ravenclaw. It was after graduation she had tragically lost both her parents in an accident while they had been on vacation. But her husband had helped her get through it.

She and her husband had gone on to have two children, a son and a daughter. And for a time life was good. Until it wasn’t.

Her husband and children had all been killed in an attack that had left the side of her face and body forever marked with burn scars. She had spent years trying to figure out who had killed her family. She would find them and make them pay. The attack had been staged to look like it had been done by a death eater, but she knew it wasn’t.

Ultimately she discovered it was her own cousin that had hired the man that was behind the attack. And she knew why. He had always resented that her mother came from the main line and therefore was the rightful Heiress of their families title even if she never claimed it. He had been attempting to wipe out the main line so that he could claim her title and all the power and influence that went with it.

In his timeline she had never been able to get her revenge or prove to everyone what he had done. She had spent to long recovering, and she never fully did. She had ended up alone in pain and grief as she tried to gather her evidence but had passed before she had her proof. In her rage she hadn’t been able to move on and join her family which had just made her spirit even more restless and volatile.

Animus had selected to add her to his plots for the power she'd bring, but at the same time he had grown close with her ghost and wished to give her peace so she could join her husband and children when her time came.

It had taken some work to get her to agree to go with him, but he had managed it by explaining the whole time travel thing and offering to assist her in arranging for her cousin to be brought to justice, eventually.

“You want us to what?” Bronwen questioned in shock from where she sat in one of the castles many sitting rooms.

Bronwen was a beautiful woman, even with the scars. Her auburn hair was kept in a short pixy cut  and framed her face nicely. She had almond shaped eyes that were a lovely combination of sage green and honey. She had a slim build and was of average height. At 27 she was quite beautiful, but it was obvious that she was unwell.

“I want the two of you to get married and move to France.” Animus replied casually. He took joy in the way everyone was staring at him in shock, not even Arcturus or Melania had managed to maintain their masks.

“We can’t just…” Regulus was as equally shocked as the woman this man wanted him to marry. “I can’t just leave the country, he would not respond well.”

“You leave him to me.” Animus assured. “I will be at the meeting tonight and can arrange it.”

“Animus, can you explain just why it is you want them to marry and leave the country?” Melania questioned in a soft voice, almost like she was trying to soothe a startled animal. This was her grandson they were talking about after all.

“Regulus, today was the day you were set to die. It is obvious you have grown disillusioned with the Dark Lord. The last thing you need is him picking up on that, and he will, he is very perceptive. It may be for the best for you to leave the country for a while. It won’t be forever, the war will end in just over 2 years, and then it will be safe for you to move back.

Bronwen, I know you want your cousin to pay for what he did. And I’m sorry, but you aren’t going to live to see it happen. Your health is failing and you only have 5 or 6 years left. If you stay here your cousin will continue to try and kill you, he has too much protection in the government for you to be able to get anyone to listen to you.” Animus explained before being cut off by Arcturus.

“Government protection? Is he a high ranked official?”

“No.” Animus shook his head. “He’s just been having an affair with Minister Bagnold for the past decade.

Either way… Bronwen, you deserve to find some happiness until you join your husband and children. If you remain here you will destroy yourself, becoming so obsessed with getting revenge you will be trapped on this plane when you pass and will never get to be with them again. Once you are gone your cousin will try and claim your title again, but this time you will have the backing of Lord Black. Arcturus can force a review of his claim on the seat, meaning he will have to take an oath of honesty, and Arcturus can get him to admit his culpability in what happened to you and your family. The Black’s will be able to protect you in the years to come as well. Your cousin is not going to give up and stop his attempts to kill you, if you are out of the country and under Black wards you will be much safer.”

“But why marry?” Bronwen questioned. She knew this man had offered to ensure her cousin paid for what he had done to her family, and she wanted that more than anything, but she didn’t understand why she should marry the Black boy.

Animus summoned the pensieve and placed the same memories of the abuse he had shown to Dorea and moved it over to he four others. “This is why.”

The memories only lasted about 10 minutes since he didn’t include anything about who he was or what had happened after. He wasn’t surprised when the four others came out of the memories completely outraged, both Melania and Bronwen had tears streaming down their faces.

“Who is that boy?”, “Where is he?”, “We need to get him away from those monsters.” Was all shouted out.

“Peace.” Animus told them as he held up his hand for calm. “That child hasn’t even been born yet. But he is why I wish for the two of you to marry.

That boy will be born in just over a year from now. His parents will abandon him a year after that. We must protect him from that fate. Not only the abuse, but the knowledge that his parents are still alive and would willingly subject him to that.

I wish for Bronwen and Regulus to marry and move to France, telling no one where they are. In early July 1980 they should file a birth certificate for a son listing it as a home birth. On November 1st, 1981 they will secretly return here. I have already made the arrangements to collect the child and once we have him they can conduct a blood adoption. It will give the child a new name and look so his birth parents can never claim him and allow him to be harmed again.”

“I’ll do it.” Bronwen instantly agreed. She would never allow a child to be subjected to that, not if she could protect them.

Regulus glanced over to the woman that was potentially going to be his wife and thought through things quickly and couldn’t argue it. Like her he wanted to protect that child, no magical child should be subjected to muggles like that, it was one thing he still agreed with his Lord about. And he felt a little guilty about it, but he knew the marriage wouldn’t be forever since she was dying. Regulus himself was actually gay and had no interest in a wife, but it would only be a temporary situation.

“If you can get permission for me to leave the country then I will as well.” Regulus agreed, looking to his grandparents who were having a quiet conversation.

“We will approve of the match since both are willing.” Arcturus said formally.

“Wonderful.” Animus was pleased.

Death Eater Meeting

Arriving at the new headquarters for Voldemort and his death eaters Animus quickly added his own wards to ensure once again no one could mention seeing him. He knew Voldemort would instantly be made aware of his presence but knew it was for the best. Voldemort by this time had 5 horcruxes, surprising him was not a good idea, the man was far less than stable.

Walking in he saw the meeting was near its end. He remained at the back while he waited for Voldemort to finish his rant. Interrupting the unstable man would not be healthy for anyone.

“Lord Animus, you have returned to us.” Voldemort hissed once he was finished giving his orders. He had of course sensed the man as soon as he started adding to his wards. He was mildly insulted he felt the need to add secrecy wards, none of his followers would dare to betray him like that, but he did understand paranoia. “What brings you to meet with us?”

This particular meeting was for his inner circle and elite Animus knew, not just because Regulus had told him before leaving to attend the meeting, but based on the number of people there. There were four levels to followers of Voldemort. The first, and smallest group was the elite, they were his original followers and a few that had proven themselves extremely valuable. Then there was the inner circle, those were followers from certain families or those that had shown they had value. The outer circle was made up of followers that had earned their mark but not much else. Then there were the basic followers that hadn’t yet earned their mark and were just there because they supported the dark and made the numbers look more impressive.

Animus walked up the steps of the dais, putting himself at the same level as Voldemort, subtly saying they were equal. And when he nodded his greeting he only dipped his chin enough to show respect, not deference or subservience as all others did, another subtle message to all those there. “It has come to my attention that a number of couples are struggling with having children.”

“Indeed.” Voldemort narrowed his eyes as he looked around at his followers, the masks hid the slight flinch many had made at that comment.

From the point this man had first pointed out the importance of his followers having children so they could continue to grow their side he had given his people a standing order that they were expected to have a minimum of 2 children. But his followers were struggling with it, and he couldn’t even torture them for failing since it would only reduce their chance of conception.

“I have been looking into it and found there is a reason beyond their control for it.” Animus assured the man, he didn’t need him taking out his anger on his followers any more than necessary, it wasn’t their fault. “It would seem that nearly all Slytherin's and many of those from dark families are leaving Hogwarts with a potion in their systems.

For the most part the potion has no effects, its purpose is to stop magical fluctuations. Useful for a child who is struggling to control their magic, detrimental for adults attempting to have a child. For conception to occur there must be a surge of magic, from both parents if they are magical, but the potion stops that. Conception is possible without that surge of magic, but it is much harder.” That was proven by the fact there were muggle-borns whose parents didn’t have any magic so there could be no magical surge. “The simple fact that any of them have managed to have children is a testament to their magical strength as well as that of their children.”

Many in the room were startled by that news. There had been a problem with fertility for decades and they were questioning if that was why.

“Now, the potion has only been detectible in the blood for the past 2 decades. Countering this potion will increase the odds of conception, but it will not solve all the problems.” Animus told them, although he knew the fertility problems were a combination of lower ambient magic due to so much of it being contained under Azkaban along with the inbreeding causing genetic issues.

“Why wouldn’t this be detectible on medical scans?” Voldemort hissed. All this worry about the next generation and it was because Dumbledore was drugging his followers, he was going to make that man suffer. “How dare the light fools deny the dark their children? We will have to have Dumbledore charged for this.” Voldemort himself did not like children, he hadn’t even liked them when he had been one, but these were his future followers they were discussing.

Animus tilted his head from side to side. “That is a little more complicated. Unfortunately the primary ingredients have been known to be used as seasoning on food in the past so he would be able to get around it by laying the blame elsewhere. He has too much plausible deniability to be worth the risk of tipping our hands right now. I have passed the information on to a few people that I know on the school board so they can address it and use it against him there.

As for getting rid of the potion it will not be overly easy. There has never been a specific antidote created. But, I am aware one of yours is rather close to becoming the youngest potions master in Britain for centuries. I would be more than willing to give him all the information I have gathered on the potion. I have no doubt he would be able to work up an antidote in a year or two.”

“Prince.” Voldemort called as he looked at his follows that had been watching this conversation in slight confusion. This man was talking to their Lord as if they were equals, and their Lord was allowing it. The tall follower stepped forward, taking a position before the dais. “You have 1 year to fix this.”

“If I may…” Animus said softly to Voldemort and waited until he had his attention back on him. “He is going to need to give his potions his full attention. I would recommend the use of Barty Crouch and Rabastan Lestrange as gofers. They are still young and do not have any positions of power so it will give them a way to prove their worth. 

I would also recommend sending Regulus Black to France. Many potions ingredients have been made illegal here in Britain but are still legal in the rest of Europe. The Blacks have estates all over the world. Black will be able to gather anything that can not be retrieved here in Britain and funnel them back. If he were to just disappear no one would question it so he will be able to move about untracked by Dumbledore and his light fools.”

Voldemort thought about the suggestions. He didn’t like another thinking they could tell him what to do with his followers, but this man had information about the future so he knew things he didn’t. So far the man had not steered him wrong, but he was still cautious. A large part of him just wanted to torture this man, as he so often wanted to do to all those around him, but thought better of it, he couldn’t risk him Turing against him.

“Severus Prince, Rabastan Lestrange, Barty Crouch, Regulus Black. For the foreseeable future you will be working on this problem and will be answerable to Lord Animus, but I am to be kept up to date with any progress you make. Am I understood?”

The four men all bowed and spoke in unison. “Yes my Lord.”

“Is your meeting over?” Animus questioned Voldemort.

“Yes.”

“Regulus Black, please escort the others to your house. I will meet you all there once I’m done here and give you your tasks.” Animus told them before turning his attention back to Voldemort. “I also wish to have a word with Augustus Rookwood.”

Voldemort raised one of his incredibly thin eyebrows in an irritated twitch. This man was getting on his nerves, but again he withheld his reaction. He knew the two had been connected in the future and assumed it was something about that. He also couldn’t deny having been given the information about the man Rookwood would grow up to be had assisted him in ensuring his father gave him access to the necessary books allowing him to become very useful.

“You requested to see me Lord Animus?” The deep voice of Augustus questioned. He was confused as to why his Lord had ordered him to see this new Lord that he had never seen or heard of before.

“Pleasure to see you again Augustus.” Animus smiled before quickly filling Augustus in about the time travel thing. 

“What is it you think I need to know?” Augustus questioned in shock a few moments later, he adjusted better than many others since as an unspeakable he was more acclimatized to the unbelievable, and he had worked in the time chamber so he was more than aware that time travel was possible.

“It isn’t anything to do with the war or anything, it’s just about something you told me was your deepest regret.” Animus told the man that had grown up to be his friend. “You are currently courting Mira Fenwick. She wants a quick courtship but you prefer the longer one. Listen to her and give her what she wants. 

While her grandfather and the current Lord Fenwick accepts your intentions towards his granddaughter the rest of her family doesn’t. When her grandfather passes next year her father will take over and will reject your suit. Instead he will agree to the marriage contract her brother suggests with one of his business friends. And when she says she will die before allowing the disgusting creep her brother selected touch her she means it.”

Animus could see the dawning horror on Augustus’s face. He knew it was the reason Benjy Fenwick’s death had been so brutal. The man had arranged an absolutely atrocious contract with one of his business partners and Mira had taken her own life rather than being force bonded to the man. The man selected was horrible to put it simply, she would have been his third wife. He was over 50 years her senior, massively overweight, and violent. From everything Augustus had told him about the man it sounded like he was a magical version of Vernon Dursley.

Augustus all but ran from him after that, no doubt to start getting everything arranged to make his courtship as short as possible. From everything he knew Augustus had loved Mira with all his heart and had never recovered from what happened to her. He had taken great joy in what he did to her family for what they did to her.

As soon as he was alone again he was approached by Abraxas Malfoy.

“Can I help you Malfoy?”

“You could have warned me that the Black my son would fall in love with wasn’t the one he was originally contracted too.” Abraxas grumbled. He had been so worried when his son had first come to him about not wanting to marry Andromeda Black since he had been assured his son would love a Black. It was only when Lucius had explained he wished to marry Andromeda’s younger sister who just so happened to want to become a healer, the only clue to the identity of the girl he had been given, that he calmed down.

“Where would be the fun in that?” Animus smirked.

“About that grandson you promised me..?” Abraxas questioned. He knew Lucius and Narcissa had been struggling with getting pregnant and now he had to wonder about this potion that would have been affecting them.

“Next year.” Animus assured. “And don’t worry overly much about the potion reducing his magic. Even without the antidote he was able to finish in the top 20 of his year each year. And I have no doubts Severus will rise to meet the occasion. We are talking about the magic of his godson after all.”

Abraxas let out a slight sigh, pleased to know his line would continue, and that his future grandchild would be so impressive even with his magic being limited.

Excusing himself from the meeting Animus headed to Regulus’s private residence. Like all children of the main line he had received a flat in a town of his choosing after Hogwarts.

To the Blacks the flats would only be considered a decent place, but to the average person they were extravagant. Regulus had a flat in Bath, Somerset. Although it was referred to as a flat it was actually a house, just a small one in terms of the Black’s. It was a three story stone building with 3 bedrooms, 2 sitting rooms, a kitchen, staffed by his personal house elf, 2 dining rooms, one formal and the other informal, a decent sized library, a full potions lab, a sunroom, and a small greenhouse out back.

When he married he would be given access to a full manor for him, his spouse, and any children they had. Most of the family lived in properties owned by the Black Family rather than each individual. It was one thing many of the wealthier old families did.

“Thank you for meeting with me.” Animus said as he entered one of the sitting rooms to find the four waiting for him.

“What is it you require from us exactly?” Severus questioned, his voice just as strident and severe as he had been when Animus was a boy.

“Regulus, you will be leaving the country.” Animus told Regulus, his face didn’t show any response, but he could see the understanding and relief in the mans eyes. He knew Regulus had lost his faith, and this got him out safely. “You need to go silent. Best if everyone thinks you amongst the missing. It will allow you to move unmonitored. You can collect any potions ingredients that can’t be procured here in Britain and send it back through family properties since Rabastan will have access through a Black Family property thanks to his sister-in-law.

While Regulus is making supply runs out of Britain, Rabastan and Barty will remain here and make any pickups Severus needs. You two will need to just keep your head down and follow his instructions. The Dark Lord has made this assignment a priority. Ensuring that our community continues is important to him.”

After giving the three younger men their orders they left the room. Barty and Rabastan left, Animus didn’t miss the way the two of them were close and were exchanging looks. Regulus left the room to allow Animus to have a private conversation with Severus.

“Who are you?” Severus demanded. He knew this man was more than he claimed. “No one can behave like that around the Dark Lord and get away with it. What about you is so special?”

Animus smirked. Of course Severus would spot that. “You’re a legilimens, if you truly want to know who I am, then look.”

Severus hesitated for a moment, but in the end couldn’t resist. He wanted to know what was really going on. When he had joined the Dark Lord it had been because he truly believed in what he had said, but as time had gone by he found they were drifting more and more off course as the Dark Lord seemed to be deteriorating. If this man could give him answers he couldn’t pass up that opportunity.

Animus had mastered occlumency long ago and while he dropped his guard enough to allow Severus in he kept his shields up enough that he didn’t give him free access. He moved him through certain memories. 

He had long since stopped being ashamed of the abuse he had suffered as a child so had no problem with showing Severus it, just as he had already had to do repeatedly in the previous few hours. The only thing he really felt at those memories now was anger and resentment at what had been done to him and at those who had allowed it.

From there he moved him to the memories of finding out his parents were alive and just hadn’t wanted to look after him. He showed him bits and pieces of what it was like growing up and the coming war. It was a little morbid letting the man see his own death but he knew he needed to show it to him if only to stop him from becoming a Dumbledore fool. He ended with showing him what James and Lily became.

As Severus was pushed out of the memories he was in shock. That just couldn’t be possible. All of that couldn’t be his future, or the future of any of them.

“Lily wouldn’t…”

“Oh grow up Severus.” Animus snapped. He knew Severus was still a bit of an idiot, but he needed to force him so he didn’t spend his life desperate to see Lily as the child he had once known. “I know that she was your best friend, but that isn’t true anymore. It doesn’t mean your childhood friendship means any less now, it’s just time you move on with your life. She grew up, and it wasn’t into a good person.

I have seen the man you will become if you let your old crush destroy you. You are a dark wizard, she will never accept that, her prejudice is set too deeply. She and James Potter are equally matched, and you deserve more than someone that will never accept you completely.

I have seen what she has the potential to grow into too, and it isn’t good. I have made a few changes in an effort to mitigate her worst behaviours in regards to using her daughter for fame and attention, but there is only so much that can be done. She is too old to correct everything, it's just to ingrained at this point.

You have the potential to be great, this obsession with her is only holding you back from truly being happy. Last time you were so busy trying to prove to her that you could support the light and be her version of good that you knew nothing but misery. You had no life of your own, only an attempt at a life you thought she might approve of. You died a hero, but unlamented by the very person you had been devoted too.

We have a chance to change that now. I want you to have a chance to live a life worth living. To be the man you could be rather than the one you think she would want.”

“You demand me to betray her?” Severus sneered in outrage at all he had just been told. “From your own memories it was the Dark Lord that ultimately killed me. Why should I betray her and be loyal to him?” Not that he had any intention of turning against his Lord, he didn’t know exactly what had happened to make his Lord betray him, that memory hadn’t been shown to him, but he didn’t want to repeat it.

“I am not demanding, nor even asking, you to betray her. All I am saying is you need to stop living just to try and win her favour as it will never happen and you deserve better.” Animus pointed out. “You can have a great life, if you just move on from the past. And yes, I know how hypocritical that is coming from me since I have literally gone back in time because I can’t let it go, but you deserve better, and with what I am doing we both can have it.”

“And what of the Dark Lord?” Severus said in slight fear, he was loyal to his Lord and didn’t know what had caused him to turn against him, but he didn’t want to die. “The next war you showed me… That can not be allowed to happen. That thing was not my Lord, it was a monster.”

“That is already being addressed.” Animus assured. “The worst of the madness, that has already started to show itself, is the result of a ritual preformed when he was 16. I don’t have proof, but it is my belief that he was compelled to do the ritual as a way of driving him mad. It also didn’t help that he drank the blood of a unicorn for some reason which exacerbated his madness when he managed to get a body back.

Right now there is nothing that can be done. But, once he is incorporeal the ritual can be countered, hopefully restoring his sanity. It will take a decade of patience, but it will be done.”

Severus thought that through for a few minutes. Restore his Lord to the man he had been, that was something he fully supported. He joined his Lord for loyalty to the dark, and he was sick and tired of those like James Potter and Albus Dumbledore abusing those in the dark while claiming all those that were light were perfect. The slipping sanity of his Lord had been of real concern for many years, and he knew he wasn’t the only one that felt that way. If they followed this mans plans there was a good chance they could win, eventually.

“What is it that you need me to do?” Severus asked thoughtfully. “I’m almost done my potions mastery, but I don’t see how I could be of much use besides potions. 

With the limited time I have to make a counter to this potion you say is limiting birth rates I won’t have much time for anything else, including my mastery. It could push me back years. And then there is the risk of not being able to find a cure for this.”

“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that.” Animus assured. “I already have the potion to counter the fertility issue.” Animus pulled out a potions book that he had brought with him, it was rather small with only 2 dozen pages. The book was one he had written out that included a number of potions and advancements Severus himself had made. “When I said there was a potion I may have been exaggerating slightly.

Truthfully, it isn’t as bad as all that. As you know each year there is a get together for the students set to graduate before the ceremony and the students are given assigned seats for lunch. Someone, Dumbledore, is having the elves season the meals with goldenseal and meadowsweet. Perfect if treating someone with an unstable core with magical flares, exact worst thing for those trying to conceive. Mixing it with neem oil which is added to the drinks and it will stay in the system for a few decades.

All you really need to counter it is a concoction of mallow sweet, Jericho rose oil, and some feverfew. Take a vial of that for a week and you're fine. I just need you to delay this discovery for a bit. Certain things need to happen along a preset timeline, and for certain children to be born at the right time you can’t start administering the potion until November. And, it should also be given to the children that had been conceived and born while their parents had it in their system as it will also help their own magic grow since some of it will have been passed to them from their mothers.”

“I can do that.” Severus agreed since it was well within the time limit he had been given by his Lord. “Anything else?”

“Just a bit more.” Animus smiled, Severus was one of those he was going to be using a fair bit in the next two years. “In the book there are also a few potions you created that are needed. Including one that when combine with the potion I sent to the guild to reduce the pain in a wolves shift will give werewolves control over their shifting. Thankfully they will still only be contagious under the full moon so there shouldn’t be a rise in the number being turned. Once you have your mastery you can slowly begin to introduce them according to whatever timeline you like, although you need to make sure it is believable, you can also use my name if need be since I’m already well known in the potions community despite never directly interacting with any of them.

The last potion in the book is my main priority. It can be used to hide the dark mark once things play out as they need too. I hope you understand you can’t tell anyone about this.” Animus waited until Severus nodded. “You will need to brew at least a dozen batches and place them in stasis in the summer of 1981.”

“I can do that.” Severus said morosely. That meant in only two short years they would lose their Lord and would go back to being persecuted.

“I also know that the Dark Lord wishes you to begin spying on Dumbledore and his fools. That will effectively be arranged for you.” Animus told him. “Dumbledore will soon arrange for you to overhear a prophecy that you will then tell the Dark Lord. Regardless of whether it is you or not he will ensure the Dark Lord learns of it so you may as well pass on the prophecy yourself and get his praise.

He will then approach you about what you overheard in the beginning of next year and tell you he believes it to be about Lily in an effort to make you feel guilty as a way to get you to become his spy. Agree, but make sure you get his orders to become his spy in writing, signed as Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump so that he can not screw you over and gain control over you and the potions you create.

Last time he got himself assigned as your conservator for 10 years and used it to control you. He made you become a professor at Hogwarts with a limited income. And he controlled what you could research and what potions you could publish while claiming most of the profits for himself. Having evidence that you had been doing as he ordered will give you protection from any blowback. The light will think you support them and the dark will know it is really them you support.”

Severus simply agreed to do as he was told.