Year 1 Part 7

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  After I stepped through the Floo into the foyer of Dunscaith, I waited only a moment before for the first visitor to arrive. As the flaming red hair and piercing green eyes of Lily Evans emerged from the green flames of the fireplace, I stepped toward her, catching her arm as she stumbled so she didn’t fall to the ground.

  She clung to me briefly, letting me guide her away from the flames and then as she recovered her balance she looked up at me and smiled. “Thanks,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing pink.

  “No problem. I was just as dizzy my first time through the Floo.” As I replied I subtly used compulsion magic to build her trust. Learning how to cast such magic wandlessly had been a driving goal of mine since I’d gained the ability to cast wandlessly after unlocking my second pathway last year, and it was only today that it was seeing use. Or at least use it in the way I intended for it.

  Over the Winter Solstice break, I’d spent time in the muggle settlements of Portree, Dunvegan, and Uig on Skye, testing the usage of a wandless compulsion charm on any muggle I could find. There were limits to what I could achieve, and when used on adults I had to be more subtle in what I suggested they do or not do, but by the end of the break I had a good idea of what was possible for me currently with the wandless spell. So much so that I’d used it earlier today to ensure Lily’s parents weren’t coming to Dunscaith with the others in our enlarged party. I’d been able to convince them when I suggested letting Lily and Severus come to my home that it wasn't safe for muggles to visit the castle and that with myself, Elieen and others present they’d be safe. Eileen hadn’t sensed my use of magic – or if she had, she’d not commented on it – but had promised Harold and Judith that their daughter would be safe in her care.

  The only one to raise a fuss about not going was Petunia, but that was intentional. I knew that, in the other timeline, she had been supportive of Lily’s ability to wield magic at first before becoming jaded. In this dimension, I wanted that to change faster, to help sow the division between Lily and her parents in the coming years to educate her that muggles could never tolerate witches and wizards; not even when it was their flesh and blood. Yes, I was being manipulative, but it wasn’t just for my personal gain of, I hoped, Lily’s loyalty in later years. No, I needed her and other muggleborns to understand that muggles couldn’t be trusted. That they were a danger to our world that rivalled anything a Dark Lord or Lady might do because of how they were destroying the planet, and would seek to destroy our world simply because we were different from them.

  “Oh wow,” Lily mumbled as her eyes shifted from me to take in the grandeur of the foyer. While not on par with somewhere like the main Black residence of Le Domaine Noir, Dunscaith had a majesty that to most muggles would rival, and possibly surpass, anything they’d seen in their world. Be that from royalty, celebrities, or the most powerful of politicians. “It’s beautiful.”

  “You’ll see more of it soon,” I let out a soft laugh, and let go of her, moving towards the Floo as it indicated the next arrival. Lily, I noted, chose to stay at my side as first my cousin áine and then her cousins, Issa and Assa O’Conor emerged from the Floo.

  The trio had joined us in Diagon Alley not long after we’d emerged from Gringotts. While the Evans parents and Elieen had been busy sorting out robes for their children, I’d contacted my cousin. áine would be starting Hogwarts in the same year as Lily, and as she was both family and likely to be sorted into Ravenclaw, I wanted to use her to help foster links between myself and Lily.

  Keeping in contact with Lily once I returned to Hogwarts was going to be an issue as I’d only really be able to use Owl Post. At least until near or after the spring break when I, hopefully, had a pair of linked vanishing cabinets. áine was also a girl, so her parents would possibly feel better about áine being closer to Lily than myself. Now, they seemed accepting of Severus, but he had grown up near them and while from a poorer part of the same town as the Evans’ came from, was someone from Lily’s school. I, however, was just a boy their young daughter had met on her first day in the magical world. Yes, we were too young for her parents to be worried about certain things, but I was still unknown, male, and possibly depending on their views on nobility, someone who might try to exploit their daughter for personal reasons. Amusingly they were right about me, but I wasn’t going to let that deter my plans. Hence my choice to reach out to áine.

  She’d been with her cousins when I contacted her, and they were both bound for Hogwarts as well – with both likely to be eagles as well, though I couldn’t be certain of that given my limited interactions with them – I was happy for them to join us as well.

  The foursome of girls had spent much of the time after meeting each other talking animatedly. The trio of magically raised girls were happy to answer any question the muggleborn girl had, along with some that came from Severus who struggled to be a part of the group but wanted to remain close to Lily. To help him settle, I’d spent more time talking with him, learning about him as best I could without being too probing in front of his mother. Yet even though I was keeping my questions and comments suitable for Severus’ age, I felt Eileen was happy to encourage our interactions; potentially seeing a way to gain her son some form of sponsor once he entered Hogwarts as he’d not get any from the ancient House of Prince given they’d cast her out for marrying a muggle.

  The two O’Conor girls looked around, taking in the sight of my castle’s foyer as it was their first time here. áine however, moved forward and took Lily’s hand. “Come on,” she said as she started moving away, knowing her way around my home reasonably well. You need to see the courtyard.”

  Lily cast me a look, wanting to make sure it was okay for her to just head off with áine. I nodded, assuring her it was fine, and then, after giving me a small smile, allowed herself to be guided off, the O’Conor twins falling in behind áine.

  I watched them head off, noting that while áine’s guardian and Clan O’Conor weren’t members of the Sacred 77 like Clan MacLeod, they held to the Old Ways. That meant they would ensure Lily gained at least a base for understanding how the magical world worked. Something I intended to ensure was further taught during any interaction I had with Lily, be that by owl or in person.

  A split-second later Severus stepped through the Floo, and while he did a better job keeping his balance as he emerged, I was there to help him if he needed. “Thank you,” he said, though my help hadn’t been required. His attention was drawn to the giggles of girls, and he likely spotted Lily being led away by the others for a moment before they disappeared.

  His face dropped slightly, a faint frown coming to it as I gently guided him to the side, ensuring that he was out of the way as the last visitor, his mother, emerged from the flames. As she did, I moved towards her and bowed fractionally.

  “On behalf of the Ancient and Noble Clan MacLeod, I, Dòmhnall Fionnlagh MacLeod, the MacLeod of MacLeod, welcome you to my hearth and offer you the full protection of my Clan while you are here. No harm shall befall you, from within or without, so long as you don’t present a threat to my Clan.” Once I finished, I raised my head and looked at her carefully. There were hints of both confusion and amusement on her face for a moment, though they were quickly gone as her occlumency training kicked in. “You might be married to a muggle and living in their world, but you are the daughter of the Ancient House of Prince.”

  Eileen nodded and then sighed loudly. “Former daughter.” Severus turned to face his mother as she continued. “For marrying Tobias I was cast out of the House of Prince by my grandfather, the then Lord. My father is now the Lord, but he hasn’t chosen to rescind my status, even after I owled him about Severus being a wizard and accepted to Hogwarts.”

  “Ah,” I muttered, filing that little nugget about Lord Jermaine away. I’d never interacted with him directly, but from what I’d learnt in my research preparing for today, I’d discovered that the House was tolerant of halfbloods and muggleborns, readily adopting any new witches and wizards into the house as vassals. That Lord Jermaine hadn’t contacted Elieen about Severus wasn’t unexpected, but it suggested that while they were a House with no issues towards halfbloods and muggleborns, they disliked muggles. That could be of great use to me in the future.

  “My condolences for the treatment, however the offer of protection for today is given freely to you, your son and Lily Evans. You are not muggles and as such are welcome within the walls of my home.” She offered me a small smile at my words. “I might not like muggles for personal reasons, and my Hogwarts house is far from tolerant of them,” a single chuckle comes from her upon hearing that, “but I won’t condone someone for who they fall in love with.” Well, it would depend heavily on the muggle, and I doubted few if any met a standard I would deem acceptable, but there was no need for her to hear that.

  “Then on behalf of the House of Snape and the muggleborn Lily Evans, I thank you for the offer and kindly accept your protection.” As she spoke, Elieen curtseyed deeply, once more understanding and respecting the differences in our social standings. An adult witch who graduated Hogwarts she might be, but I was the Chief and her someone without the backing of any family. That she understood this, and after over a decade of not interacting with fellow members of the upper echelons of magical society still remembered the rules and customs expected spoke well of her upbringing. Something I could only hope she imparted to Severus, and Lily if she tutored the muggleborn before she headed to Hogwarts.

  As I nodded, accepting her words, and then turned to lead them towards the main sitting room, my mind played over the mention of Lily. Specifically, how there was a House Evans in the magical world. One that held a seat in the Wizengamot. The name was a common one in the Isles, or at least in and near Wales but more muggle in origin, so the House was only currently of Established standing. Like many such Houses at the lower end of the system, they were more aligned with the Progressive Builders group in the Wizengamot and often voted with proposals that came from the Established House of Dumbledore.

  I would have to speak with Eileen, Lily, and Lily’s parents about the matter of having her adopted by House Evans, but before then I planned to do more research on the current Lord, whose name I knew was Edgar but about whom I knew little else. Interestingly, during the day before we’d separated, I’d caught a few hints from Harold that he disliked the nobility. Or at least the idea that we ruled the magical world instead of a parliament of the common people as existed in Westminster. I’d ignored commenting on that issue, or that the vast majority of the muggle MPs were educated at private schools, meaning they were simply a newer class of aristocracy. However, it was a possible avenue to exploit to both drive a wedge between Lily and her parents and to push her further into my influence.

  “I must also thank you again for the offer of a place where, at least when you are present, Severus and Lily might come to learn and practise their magic.”

  I turned back to Elieen and smiled. “There’s no need for that. While I cannot extend that offer regularly currently, as I cannot currently depart Hogwarts as regularly as I might like given my age, I am working to rectify the situation. Headmaster Dumbledore cannot stop me from departing when I wish due to my status as Chief MacLeod, however, I know that the more often I choose to leave the school the more his gaze will fall on me, and that is something I would prefer to avoid.”

  “Still, even a handful of days where they can come and cast magic without fear of the Ministry investigating the improper use of magic in muggle areas will be of great benefit to both Severus and Lily.”

  I nodded, agreeing with Eileen’s words. The rules were draconian, but they served a purpose. The fewer muggles that learnt of or saw magic, the greater the problems they could cause us. Yes, the average muggle was no match for the average magical, but there was a strength in numbers that had to be respected. Just as one might respect a colony of ants that tried to interrupt a picnic. At least before the casting of magic was used to exterminate the pests.

  “That is true. The ministry means well, but as is often the case, their rulings are devoid of dignity while the way they enforce the rules lacks… the grace one would hope to see displayed.” My comments were yet another hint of my distaste regarding the Ministry, which Eileen had picked up on and I’d noticed, seemed to agree with. Expelled from House Prince she might be, but the upbringing of one from a mainline in an Ancient Clan or House to question the Ministry was still present. Plus, my comments, while likely not fully understood by Lily or Severus, would I hope to begin to shape their opinions on the way our world worked, and which parts were worth following and which should be either ignored or circumvented.

  As we stepped into the main sitting room, I turned to the pair and gestured to a nearby table. “Please, have a seat,” I said as I watched their reactions. Eileen was unfazed by the room, but Severus, who was my primary focus for now, was looking around the room intently. His eyes lingered on the various rows of books and ornaments that littered the walls, another hint of his need to learn and improve himself that I’d seen displayed earlier today.

  After the arrival of áine, Assa, and Issa, we’d all headed to Flourish and Blotts. There the girls had broken off to wander for books of their liking, the purebloods helping Lily find books they felt would appeal to her, including I was pleased to see once we left, one on the rules and customs of magical Britain. I’d not directly asked áine to do that, but the way she’d winked at me after I’d spotted the book in Lily’s pile made it clear she, as much as she might not always display it, understood that muggleborns needed to be educated on our customs.

  For Severus, I’d helped guide him toward books that, based on his comments on what he enjoyed as a muggle student, would be of use. He also wandered towards some areas either by chance or drawn by the titles of various books. While it was only early days, I was pleased to see him select books on potions, though Eileen forbade him from collecting several books on hexes and curses that caught his eye. I, being my usual manipulative self, noted the names of those books down, sensing a way I could use that interest in the coming months and years.

  After the bookshop, for which I paid for everything – even the books the three pureblood girls selected – we’d made our way to Ollivander’s so Lily and Severus could collect their wands. Even with áine, Assa, and Issa talking up the wonder of the wandmaker’s shop and getting your wand, the two muggle-raised children and the rest of Lily’s family were awe-struck when we’d entered the shop.

  Heir Garrick was there as normal, and he easily recalled the wands of both myself and Eileen. There had been a few off-hand comments and questions about why I, a member of the 77, was present with muggleborns but I’d easily deflected and answered them in ways that seemed to please the wandmaker. By the time we’d left, the pair each had their wands. Lily’s was made of willow and with a unicorn’s hair at its core while Severus’ was made of snakewood and with a dragon heartstring as the core.

  As an interesting, but possibly unimportant aside, Heir Garrick had explained that Severus’ wand was one of the last wands made by his father, Lord Gervaise before he stopped focusing on wands for all. Garrick didn’t use snakewood, finding it unsatisfying to work with, but he’d never heard of anyone complaining about one of his father’s wands made from the wood.

  “You can read those later,” I said to Severus, much to his mother’s amusement as I guided him to the table and away from the books in the sitting room. Once he was seated I spoke again. “Kadic.” The head elf appeared, resplendent in his clothing marking him as my head elf, a moment later. “Can you bring us some snacks along with orange juice for myself and Severus and some magically enhanced tea for Mrs Snape, please? Oh, and check on áine and her friends to see if they want anything?”

  Kadic nodded, accepting my requests and then with a click of his fingers vanished into thin air.

  “What was that and what did he just do?”

  I turned back to Severus, acting confused for a few seconds. “Ah, right. Kadic,” I began. However, before I could continue there was a scream of shock, and perhaps some fright, from Lily followed by laughter from the other girls outside. “Whoops,” I muttered, drawing a chuckle from Eileen as she understood my apparent mistake. “Forgive me but I’m unused to having anyone visit who isn’t already aware of elves. Kadic is the head of the elves that serve Clan MacLeod. Most Clans and Houses have them as servants, though they’re not slaves no matter how some people treat them, nor what many raised in the muggle world would believe at first glance.

  “Elves are creatures of magic, just like you and I, or dragons and unicorns. However, while elves can use magic and have it flowing through them, they need to be bonded to a place or person to harness it safely.” I sigh and shake my head as I sit at the table with him and his mother. “I don’t claim to understand the rules and logic behind it fully, but elves – who aren’t really elves but seem to be a variant of Brownies – need to both be bonded to use magic properly, and find joy in doing all those household and garden chores one would expect from a servant or slave.”

  Severus listened carefully, already displaying a knack for considering his words and thoughts before speaking. At least when not shocked. Outside I could hear Lily’s laughter join in with the others, meaning she’d recovered from her shock of Kadic’s sudden appearance. A gasp from her suggested my elf had vanished in front of her, something confirmed by the increased volume of the others who had likely never seen a muggleborn react to the appearance and then disappearance of an elf.

  “Would he be willing to clean my room for me?”

  “Severus! You don’t ask a Chief if you borrow their Head Elf!”

  I chuckled, both at Severus’ suggestion and the scandalised reaction of his mother. “It’s all right, Mrs Snape. I understand the appeal. And I’m sure Kadic wouldn’t mind helping you around the house. However, there’s the issue of the Ministry sensing the magic and getting you and Severus into trouble with them. Plus, as my head elf, he won’t serve anyone but me. Or I suppose my wife, as he listened to my mother before her death.” I looked down for a moment, seemingly sinking into the memory of their loss before I continued. “Aien, that’s my other elf, isn’t a house elf. Well, she is, but not in the sense she likes working in the castle. She handles the ground, helping grow plants for ingredients that are either magically stored or sold.”

  “Would it be possible to see your garden? I always enjoyed herbology but after marrying Tobias I had to be content with muggle plants. While some are challenging to grow and maintain, none come close to even the most basic of magical varieties of flora that exist in our world.”

  “I’m sure Aien would love the company,” I replied, sensing a chance to perhaps gain some influence and loyalty with her as well as Severus. She wasn’t a target for me in the same way, but she was a witch; one isolated by her family because of her husband and with a son I wanted as a friend and ally. I knew I needed figures in my ranks that were older and more experienced than me, so Eileen might well be a good place to start. “And perhaps we might be able to work something out so that you can come here while I’m at Hogwarts to help in the garden.”

  I wasn’t sure if that would be doable, as having someone here who wasn’t sworn to me was dangerous. However, if she could use the ingredients that Aien grew and create potions with them, not only would it generate a small increase in the income of the grounds – which was unimportant in the grand scheme of my money-making plans – but it might further encourage Severus to learn the craft of potion-making while having someone who could help him learn along a path I had little skill or interest towards.

  “What about you?” I asked Severus as I turned to him. “Do you want to see the garden as well?”

  “Um… another day. I want to…” his words trailed off and his hand moved to where I knew he’d secured his wand holster.

  “Take your wand and practise any spell you can?” I asked, to which he nodded with a smile that reached his eyes. “Yeah, I think everyone feels that way after getting their wand. However, after being forced to hire tutors to teach me every day for hours on end for years, I had almost lost that drive. Thankfully, I didn’t, not even during lessons on the mind arts.”

  “You mean Occlumency and Legilimency?” He asked.

  I nodded and then looked at his mother, wondering what she had already taught him about the arts. In the other timeline, Severus had been skilled with Legilimency, but it was occlumency where he was truly skilled. Able to hide his true thoughts from Voldemort even when being tortured for that fucker’s sick amusement.

  “Severus has skill with both, though he’s a more natural Occlumens than Legilimens. I’ve already taught him the basics of both, along with warnings about not using the latter on others without permission.”

  “Good.” I turned back to Severus. “While a muggle might not realise what you’re doing, anyone at Hogwarts with even a basic magical education will sense your mental probes. That can cause problems if you intrude on the mind of others and possibly lead to blood feuds with them, if not their entire Clan or House.” Severus nodded once, making clear he understood the warning. Probably as his mother had driven it into his head for however long she’d been teaching him as from what I recalled both he and Lily had known they could use magic long before getting their letter for Hogwarts. That simply sealed the deal and made things official.

  Kadic reappeared, a tray of drinks and snacks with him. “Thank you Kadic,” I said as he floated them onto the table, spreading out the drinks to the appropriate person. The elf nodded and then vanished again. Severus watched the causal display of magic with wide-eyed wonder. His mother, however, watched me. I wondered how her House treated their elves, and how she might feel about my closeness to Kadic. She understood enough to know who I was, so she likely assumed correctly that I’d been raised heavily by my elf. I would have to see if that helped or hindered me in earning her trust.

  We sat and enjoyed the snack that Kadic had prepared for a few minutes, the sounds of the girls running around outside reaching us on occasion. “It sounds as if they’re having fun,” Eileen commented with a smile.

  I nodded, matching her smile, and glanced at Severus. He seemed to be enjoying himself, but the sound of Lily’s laughter was distracting him. “Once we’re finished here, might I offer you both a short tour of Dunscaith?” Eileen nodded her agreement, as did Severus though he was slow to respond, his gaze shifting to the various books in the sitting room. “We can end it at the library if you wish. I’m sure there are some that I can loan you. Provided your mother is comfortable with that?”

  He looked at his mother, and after she confirmed it was okay, he turned back to me and smiled. “Okay. Thank you.”

  “I’ll just have to ensure that the books Chief Dòmhnall offers aren’t in any way dangerous or too advanced for you currently,” Eileen added.

  “Of course, Lady Snape,” I replied in agreement, lowering my head slightly as well. I was showing her far too much respect given the difference in our social ranks, and the fact she was a guest in my home. However, I wanted her son and Lily as allies. Her as well if I could manage it. Thus, overplaying my civility and courtesy was a minor price to pay to earn more of her respect, and then in time loyalty.

  Today had gone about as well as I could’ve hoped from first meeting Severus and Lily in Diagon Alley to now having them along with Elieen in Dunscaith. The first hints of issues that I planned to manifest in Lily’s parents and sister had already been planted, though I’d have to see how to handle Tobias Snape. I could tolerate Elieen falling in love with a muggle, however, I wouldn’t accept one into my forces. Beyond my general contempt for them, I knew if I did that it would cost me an immense potential well of support from other Clans and Houses, which would leave me weak in the future and then easy pickings for either Dumbledore or Voldemort to remove from the board. The latter was the more likely of the pair to target me as a minor nuisance and seek to remove me from the board.

  Yes, it was bad to be thinking of other children, both younger and older than me, as plants to cultivate and tools to sharpen but war was coming. I had to be ready for it and at the same time limit the pool of the younger generation from which either of the big two could recruit. If someone was potentially valuable to me, then committing acts others might consider underhanded or downright evil was a small price to pay if it led to victory.

  … …

  … …

  I walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, making my way back to the Slytherin chambers from the Library. Xeno was, for once, not in my arms or on my shoulder. Instead, my familiar was walking along at my side, giving out an occasional hiss if someone came too close for his liking, or they simply smelled funny or irritating to him.

  I’d just completed another study session with Bradley Cooper and Andrew MacLeod, something that since the end of the first term and the Winter Solstice break, I’d been receiving fewer comments about given their performances in the end-of-term tests. Bradley had finished the year forty-eighth overall, being the only muggleborn in the top one hundred students, though the most impressive parts of his scores were that he finished inside the top twenty for both potions and herbology. Merlin, he’d outperformed me in those subjects. Not by much, but enough that I’d taken some good-natured ribbing from him over it. Those two subjects were by far my weakest and the ones that were holding me back from cracking the top three overall in the test tables.

  As had been the case since the start of the school year, the top three consisted of Christine Greengrass, Lucian Mortigast – both Ravenclaws – and Vesta Malfoy. I sat just behind Christine in fourth, and the top ten was almost the same as in the first few months of the year. The only change was one of the Ravenclaws had been replaced in tenth place by Godwine Suthsax.

  The most amusing part of the final tables was that Amycus had slipped down them further. He wasn’t yet below Andrew, but if their paths remained the same, then that would be the case by the end-of-the-year exams. Amycus had, as expected, complained that I’d helped my muggle-lovers cheat in the final exams. A baseless lie that hadn’t gained any traction in Slytherin – never mind the other houses – outside of a handful of ardent, stuck-in-the-mud purebloods who looked down on everyone who wasn’t a pureblood. While small, no more than twenty students in my year in Slytherin, they were names I’d already marked down as likely supporters of Voldemort. Their families had joined that list if their Chiefs and Lords shared the same aggressive Traditionalist stances as Voldemort would sprout to curry influence and favour.

  Those students were if I could manage it without it getting tracked back to me, going to be removed before we graduated. I just had to be incredibly careful about how, where, and when they died as it could easily be spun by their families and Voldemort to suggest a move by muggleborns and halfbloods to target purebloods and begin a revolution of the magical world.

  Still, beyond that small group, the majority of my housemates were, if not accepting of my actions with the two muggleborns, willing to allow my experiment to continue as both were showing potential. The same was true of my tutors, known and unknown, as Finn Dalcassin, Asmodeus Wessex, Aífe Mac Uidhir – who I learnt went by Maguire, one of their vassal clans that few realised was a vassal, in public to hide the truth of her clan’s age and origins – and even Bellatrix had praised me, in varying terms and ways, on my pet muggleborns.

  Yet for all of Bradley’s status as the only muggleborn in the top one hundred, it was the improvement of Andrew MacLeod that had drawn the most attention across the school, and caused me, at least in the first month after the Winter Solstice break, the greatest issue. Other muggleborns, and even some muggle-raised halfbloods, had approached Bradley and Andrew about joining our study group. As interesting as gaining a large base of potential students among that faction at Hogwarts would be, I knew that adding more now might well cost me support among the purebloods. While I needed support across the entire school – and then the entire magical population – to stand against Voldemort and Dumbledore in the future, if I leaned too far to the muggleborns, I’d lose the purebloods. Or at least those who were receptive or ambivalent to my current project.

  Based on the last major census of the magical population of the isles, the halfbloods were the largest single faction, accounting for nearly half the population. However, among the Ancient and older Clans and Houses, the Purebloods dominated, with many of the halfblood houses being septs or vassals of an Ancient or Most Ancient Clan or House. When war came, I needed the support of those Chiefs and Lords if I were to have any effect on the war and what came after.

  Thankfully, when I’d said to Bradley and Andrew that I didn’t want to expand our group, they understood, with Bradley then approaching purebloods in Ravenclaw to create new study groups and Andrew had done the same in Gryffindor. Interestingly, one of those groups was led by my cousin Iona O’Callaghan, while others were led by the Wheatcroft twins. I was uncertain which, if any of the muggleborns would be useful members of our society, but seeing so many purebloods starting study groups with muggleborns was encouraging. At least so long as they were ensuring their wards understood the way our world worked was the way it should work and not suggesting things needed to change.

  As I neared the entrance to the Slytherin chambers, I saw the wall shift and the massive stone snake that arched over the doorway appear. A moment later the door opened and a group of Fourth-Year girls emerged. The names of all of them I’d learnt by watching and listening in the chambers during the first term, but I’d barely had any interaction with them. Save for the odd glance and whispered comment that I’d not managed to overhear.

  “Back from another session with your servants, MacLeod?” That came from Sasha O’Brody, a daughter of the heir to Clan O’Brody and drew chuckles from her friends.

  “Perhaps,” I replied, seeing no reason to attempt to counter the idea that existed among many of the older Slytherins that I was training the two muggleborns to serve alongside the elves as servants of my Clan.

  “A waste of time. Muggleborns are little better than the mud they come from.”

  “But they are still above the mud,” I responded to the new comment from another in the group, not bothering to argue against the insult aimed at muggleborns and muggles by the girl. “Pottery is sculpted for certain types of rare mud, which might well be what muggleborns are. They just need someone to shape them, as proven by Cooper’s performance last term in beating almost everyone pureblood and halfblood in our year.”

  “A fact that says more about the failings of your year than your pet creature, MacLeod.”

  “Perhaps. Perhaps not.” With that, I was past the group and slipped inside the Slytherin entranceway before the door closed. That group were part of the majority who weren’t totally opposed to my actions but saw little benefit in it. Still, at least they’d mostly backed off from comments about myself and the two muggleborns. Only those like Amycus and the Lestranges wouldn’t let the matter go.

  Amycus was a minor issue now with Andrew moving closer to him in the tables, as he, like other Slytherins at the bottom of the house tables, had more important things to concern themselves with than the performance of the students in other houses. It was the older students, who were gathering around Rodolphus, that were more of an issue.

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  If not for the protection of my tutors, I suspected those older students would’ve already tried something more than pranks and tricks to damage my standing. Yes, many of those pranks and tricks they tried to pull on me could, if I didn’t catch them, cause me bodily harm, but that was the extent of how far they pushed things for now. As a First Year, I had safety from being challenged in a lot of ways, but I knew much of that would vanish in Second Year once I was able to join the various clubs, with a focus on the duelling clubs. The only upside was that Rodolphus was in the upper years, so he couldn’t challenge me to a duel. He could, however, try and goad me into challenging him.

  To counter this, Bellatrix had already told me that if he crossed the line, or targeted Xenocrates in any way, she’d handle him. The vicious smile she’d worn when making that offer made clear she wanted him to try something. While I’d not prodded about it during our tutoring sessions, it was clear she wanted nothing to do with Rodolphus and was just waiting for the day when she could end their betrothal via one of the few out-clauses that existed to her.

  Entering the antechamber, I considered what to do. For a moment, I pondered heading back to my dormitory, but I changed my mind and moved to the common room area when I saw several of my yearmates, some I might even consider friends, seated together near the massive windows that provided a view underneath the Black Lake. As I approached, I saw Merpeople swimming past, along with various fish and other aquatic creatures.

  “Finally finished with your muggle pets, MacLeod?”

  I rolled my eyes at the comment even as I silently summoned a chair so I could join the group around the table. On it was a large set of wizarding chess with a game taking place. “It is a sad indictment of your intelligence, Selwyn, that you cannot tell the difference between a bland muggle and a magic-capable muggleborn,” I finally responded to the speaker, Lowell Selwyn, as I settled into the chair. Xeno leapt into my lap once I’d sat down, glaring slightly at Damian Blackwood as he moved a chess piece in his game with Lasadh Astra. “It might well explain why Cooper finished last term so far above you, and the muggleborn MacLeod is on your heels.”

  The eyes of the boy from a cadet branch of house Selwyn narrowed, not liking the reminder of his struggles, or that he was being beaten by Bradley and several halfbloods. Still, while he might not like that reminder, at least his grades in all classes had been Exceeds Expectations or better. The same couldn’t be said for a handful of Slytherins who were rapidly becoming the lowest group within the house.

  Amycus led the group that gained more than a single Acceptable while Arnold Humber had gotten a Poor in Transfiguration. That was the only Poor in the entire house and while it hadn’t cost us any house points, it had seen Humber slightly ostracised since we’d returned to Hogwarts. If he couldn’t improve it by the monthly tests at the end of February, his standing in the house might well be ruined for good. Something that was likely given he was a halfblood and his father, who led their Established House, was a Progressive Builder in the Wizengamot and thus firmly in Dumbledore’s camp.

  If he could improve his grade, then I might well reach out and offer help. Yes, his House was minor, but from what I’d learnt he was the first of his House to ever be sorted into Slytherin and that was worthy of attention. Provided, of course, that he proved he had the skill and intelligence to back up his placement in our great house.

  “A random event of no great importance,” Lowell finally responded to my counter even as my hand came down to pet Xeno. “I assure you that by the end of the year, everything will have returned to its proper place.”

  “What? That Cooper will beat you or that Andrew MacLeod will be at your heels?” The response came from Godwine Suthsax. I’d not commented as I’d been busy dealing with Xeno who, as I’d moved to slide my wand into its holster, had started trying to once again play with the magic foci.

  “Both,” Lowell shot back quickly.

  “How about a wager then?” I suggested after finally getting my wand into its holster, and thus away from Xeno’s attention.

  Lowell was one of the more likely members of our year to place wagers via the black market that ran in the shadows of the student population. Normally, he focused on the various Quidditch games, or on the duelling club – be they wand or sword – but he also liked to bet on which Professor would give the largest amount of homework for a given week.

  I’d placed a few wagers as well, though that had mainly been done to gain connections with the members of Slytherin who oversaw the part of the black market that ran in our house. Through them, I’d found buyers for the various potion components, muggle sweets, and other items I’d brought to Hogwarts for making connections. While the muggle sweets had been popular, it was the rarer potion ingredients and even certain books that had earned me the most Galleons and opened the door for me with the power figures in the black market.

  While I’d been able to handle many of the requests they’d given me for potential items over the Winter Solstice, some of them – such as phoenix feathers and dragon’s blood – had proved more difficult. Such items were restricted in how many could be acquired from where, and by whom. Still, I’d managed to get most of them and was earning a juicy ten to fifteen per cent commission on anything rare that I could purchase for the black market. While the money was nice, it was the connections I was making that mattered more and would be something I could exploit further once the vanishing cabinets were repaired and put into use.

  “What terms?”

  I smirked as Lowell leaned forward; his interest piqued by the suggestion of a wager. “If Cooper finishes above you again, even if just by a single place, I expect you to congratulate him publicly on the matter.” That term made Lasadh drop his chess piece before he could finish the move. “As for Andrew, if he finishes within twenty places of you, then I expect you to help me tutor him next year.”

  Lowell’s brow had risen as I’d laid out my terms. They were harsh, and I could see a few students at other nearby tables stopping and leaning closer as they overhead them, but I didn’t mind. I felt Lowell had potential and saw this as a way to bring him and the two muggleborns closer without him potentially realising it.

  “And what if I beat the muddy eagle and thrash your dirty lion?”

  I shrugged, already having picked out suitably powerful rewards for him that he’d be hard pressed to not accept. “If you beat Cooper, then I’ll give you two hundred Galleons.” That drew a gasp from somewhere as that wasn’t a small chunk of change for most students, but since I had full control of the MacLeod accounts it was for me. “As for Andrew… If he’s more than fifty places below you, then I’ll stop tutoring him.” Again, a bold offer but I had faith in Andrew’s continual improvement, but if he wasn’t able to keep pace with Lowell, then perhaps he wasn’t worth the effort I was putting into him.

  “No,” Lowell responded after a few moments considering my terms. “If I beat the eagle, I want two-fifty. Speaking to him in public, even one doing so well in school will cost me standing with many others and possibly even my Lord. I need the rewards to represent the risk. As for your muggle MacLeod, fine but if he finishes more than fifty places below me, I want him stripped of his name and denied access to your Clan.”

  I froze for a fraction of a second at Lowell’s final term. The counteroffer for Bradley wasn’t an issue, but Andrew… Casting him out as a MacLeod would damage my standing with many halfbloods and muggleborns, possibly denying me a large potential pool of recruits in the coming years. Hell, it might even hurt my standing with Lily once she came to Hogwarts and learnt I’d bet and lost the future for a fellow muggleborn.

  Since she had almost daily sent an owl to me with questions – ones she could ask áine or others about instead – I felt I was rapidly gaining her trust. Something further shown by her spending every other weekend with áine and her cousins after just a few weeks of knowing each other. Turning Andrew MacLeod into Andrew Nemo would, in a matter of moments, lose me most if not all of that trust.

  “What’s the matter, MacLeod? Familiar got your tongue?”

  Lowell’s comment was offered with a smirk and drew chuckles from others nearby, making clear this had now grown a little further than I’d expected. It also ensured I couldn’t simply dismiss his terms without seemingly costing myself standing in the house. “Make it seventy places and you’ve got a deal,” I countered, extending my arm over the chess board- the game forgotten by the others while the bet was being agreed. I was taking a risk, but I’d made my bed, and now I had to sleep in it.

  Add in that the Most Ancient House of Selwyn was one that I wanted on my side, and thus not on Voldemort’s, and I had no choice in holding my path through the bet. It was callous to make such a meaningless wager on the fate of two wizards, but it was for the greater good.

  Lowell smiled and quickly shook my hand, thinking he’d got this in the bag.

  “With that out of the way,” Godwine began as Lowell and I broke the handshake and sat back in our chairs, “have you heard the latest rumo-”

  Whatever Godwine was about to say was cut off as, with a loud, angry hiss, Xeno leapt from my lap and started racing across the common room. I was on my feet a moment later, chasing after him as he scooted away, going under the robes of one Third-Year girl before leaping over a table where some Second Years were talking, and then swerving around the legs of a Sixth-Year boy.

  “Xeno!” I called out, not liking this behaviour and concerned about what had caused it even as many in the common room looked at me. Some were confused, but a few wore looks of annoyance and anger at the reckless behaviour of myself and my familiar.

  I cursed under my breath as I saw a familiar, and very unwanted, streak of white and silver move towards Xeno, hissing in the process. The kneazle in question belonged to Jason Flint, a Sixth-Year boy who greatly disliked me. Not just because of who I was and what I did, but because until this year his kneazle had been the dominant feline in Slytherin, but it was rapidly losing its position to Xeno with at barely a year old was starting to show his power towards the challenger.

  “Damnit MacLeod! Get your beast under control!” Flint snapped as he stood, his wand drawn and pointing in the direction of the two felines.

  “Don’t you fucking dare Flint!” I shot back, my wand sliding from my holster. I knew that if this turned into a fight I was toast, but there was no way I was going to let him attack my familiar.

  The kneazle, which was about the size of a collie, hissed at Xeno and swiped a paw in his direction. My familiar easily slipped around the attack, sparks dancing along his spine and near his eyes as he slipped inside the kneazle’s personal space. A pained hiss came from the kneazle as Xeno caught it with a bolt of electricity. As much as I’d prefer Xeno wouldn’t start displaying his powers in public, I was happy he was putting that overgrown alley cat in its place.

  Before Xeno could exploit the kneazle’s reaction, he jumped back, barely avoiding a bolt that struck the floor that had come from Flint’s wand. I reacted on instinct, firing off a magical bolt at the older student. He easily swatted it aside and turned his fury toward me. “Was that a challenge, MacLeod?” He snarled, the tip of his wand glowing an ominous purple.

  “If that’s what it takes to not have you target my familiar, and thus risk a blood feud with my Clan, then yes it was,” I snapped back, hoping the threat of a blood feud might have him back down as if I faced him in a duel, even with only basic spells allowed, I was going to get thrashed badly. Some people around us inhaled sharply at my warning but it seemed it sailed right over Flint’s head as he offered me a twisted smile.

  “I’ve been wanting to do this since you first stepped foot in this house,” he sneered. “You’re not worthy of us or your position, MacLeod. You just lucked into it because you abandoned your family!”

  My eyes narrowed at his words, knowing he was trying to provoke me but still struggling with my anger at the suggestion I’d abandoned my family when they’d been massacred. My grip on my wand tightened as people around us moved as quickly as they could to get out of the way without implying they were worried about getting caught in a crossfire.

  That granted me a few seconds in which I was able to calm myself enough that I could suppress my emotions and regain my focus. A smattering of possible plans to escape this challenge without ending up in the Infirmary rushed through my mind, but all were dismissed as either too cowardly or too improbable to be worth considering. As such, I braced, preparing for the pain that was about to come my way.

  “Flint! What the hell are you doing trying to duel a First Year?”

  The demanding question came from the familiar voice of Head Girl Serena Rowle as she moved closer. I knew she was with others, but my focus remained on Flint in case he chose to attack without warning.

  “He tried to attack me!” Flint snapped.

  “After you attacked my familiar,” I shot back, not wanting him to make it seem like I was the aggressor. “You fired a spell at Xenocrates!”

  “What?!” The new voice, one I was very familiar with, caused Flint to tense. His eyes stayed on me, but I could feel his fear rising as a strong magical presence spread around the common room. “Are you really as brain-dead as you look, Flint,” Bellatrix snapped coldly as she moved between us, cutting off my sight of Flint though not before I saw her wand was drawn and aimed at the Sixth-Year boy. “House Black, led by my Lord Arcturus, gave the raiju to Dòmhnall, so by attacking it you’re risking a feud with our House as well as Clan MacLeod. If you ever think of targeting either of them again, you’ll be spending a month in the medical wing once I’m through with you.” Her voice dropped lower as she continued. “To say nothing of what my uncle will demand of your grandfather as compensation.”

  I bit my tongue, keeping my amusement at the fact Bellatrix as a Fifth Year had a Sixth-Year seemingly terrified of her. Yes, she was downright scary when she wanted to be, but she was also witty, intelligent, and incredible. Far better than Rodolphus deserved if I was being honest. Yes, hiding behind Bellatrix was a little cowardly, but I hadn’t asked her to step in on my behalf. She had chosen to do so because she liked Xenocrates, and seemingly me as well, though I felt it was my familiar that had her protection more than me.

  As the silence stretched out and everyone waited to see how Flint responded, I watched as Xeno sauntered back to me, a proud bounce in his step. Given I’d seen the kneazle he’d been fighting had long since run from the common area, it was clear he’d once again proven his dominance over the minor magical creature even with Flint trying to target him with magic.

  “Fine,” Flint finally responded with a pained grunt, “but this isn’t over Black. Nor will I forgive the brat and his pet if they ever attack Flash again.”

  “He certainly took off like one.” I didn’t know who commented, but I joined in the mocking laughter it drew which I knew would only serve to anger Flint more. The boy was very much a hothead for a Slytherin and prone to getting detentions for attacking other students when they said something about him.

  “Who said that?!” Flint snarled. I slipped to one side of Bellatrix, letting me see Flint as his body and arm snapped around, seeking the speaker.

  “Put your wand down Flint before you do something really stupid!” That came from Serena Rowle and when I looked her way I saw that not only did she have her wand drawn, but so did a half-dozen other prefects who were with her. That number included Finn and Asmodeus, two of my other tutors along with Bellatrix. At a guess, the group had come from a prefect’s meeting when things had kicked off with myself and Flint. “Now!”

  Flint growled, but in the face of the force against him, he showed a sliver of intelligence and lowered his wand. Not until it was back in its holster. He then turned and stalked away, though not before giving me a glare that promised retribution for this public embarrassment. I knew I was reasonably safe for the rest of First Year, but once I was in Second Year, and thus able to join the duelling clubs he was in I might be in trouble. Or he might just wait to ambush me somewhere around school later in the year.

  Once he was gone, Bellatrix turned to me and offered a nod before smiling down at Xeno who was wandering around my legs, proud of the chaos he caused. “I’m not sure which of you is the more dangerous,” she said gently with a teasing smile, “but I admit you’re making this year more fun than I thought it’d be.”

  With that, she moved away, and I leaned down to collect my familiar. He leapt into my arms, leaning into my touch as if seeking reward for everything he’d caused. “Someday you’re going to be the death of me,” I said to him even as I scratched him behind an ear. I turned, and made my way back to my seat, making damn sure to not watch Bellatrix as she walked away. The last time she’d caught me watching her retreating form, she’d both hexed me and commented on waiting until I was older to start ogling women.

  “I’d be careful around Flint,” Damien Blackwood said as I sat. “My brother has told me more than a few stories about how dangerous he is. He won’t let this go., and will seek revenge in a way that will take things too far.”

  “I’m aware,” I replied as Xeno pushed his head into my hand. “But I’m not going to let him hex or curse Xenocrates.” Damien nodded, accepting my logic before I turned to Godwine. “What were you about to say before all that?” I asked, moving the day back to other matters.

  Moments like these were rare to have, yet I enjoyed them. Yes, everyone had their guards up, cautious of what they might accidentally reveal that could one day be used against them, but I was beginning to feel as if I were creating a solid group to use as the base of my support inside the house. However, for the rest of today, I was going to put aside thoughts of building for the future and the war to come. Instead, I was going to simply enjoy the moment with friends and savour it as best I could.

  … …

  … …

  As I looked at the cabinets displayed before me I didn’t bother to fight the urge to smile that came over me. Finally, after several months of work Cobb & Webb had finished the repairs to the vanishing cabinet that I’d given to them during the Winter Solstice break and now, assuming the tests I planned to carry out were a success, I had my method of slipping from and into Hogwarts without anyone ever realising I was gone.

  It was the mid-term break, one that corresponds to Easter in the muggle calendar, so I had two weeks at home to not only ensure the cabinets worked with each other but also carry out a few other things. Chief among those was spending time with Lily, áine, Severus and a handful of others who would be starting Hogwarts next year. Sirius had also been invited over for a day, but he had chosen to instead spend the time with James Potter.

  That was disappointing but not unexpected as I’d drifted away from the heir to House Black over the last few years as I took to Arcturus’ lessons while Sirius chose not to in an attempt to spite his mother. While I understood his motives, the way he'd gone about challenging that annoying woman would cost him the support of his House; so much so that if he fell fully into Dumbledore’s clutches I intended to not just work on making Regulus a loyal friend, but convincing Arcturus and his son and Heir, Orion that Regulus was a better choice as the next heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black.

  That, however, along with my plans for meeting others and doing a few more things over the break were for later. Today was all about the cabinets. I’d already looked them over carefully with Kadic, ensuring there were no differences in the runic arrays carved into them and the styling that had gone into the wood to hide the truth of what the cabinets were actually for. Bar a few markings that had clearly been made by former students at Hogwarts – including a rather predictable declaration of love between two sets of initials – they were a perfect match. Now all that remained was to test whether the cabinets were linked and that they were safe for me to use.

  Kadic was nearby, ready to step in if anything went wrong in my tests while Xeno was elsewhere. Knowing him, he’d likely be in the Master study enjoying my chair as it was by far the comfiest chair in the castle. That he could enter the Master Study had come as a surprise with him only doing it on the first day of the current break. After searching the castle for him and then finding him in the Master Study, I’d spoken with my ancestors to learn how he’d been able to access the restricted area.

  It turned out that this was common with familiars of any Chief, and only happened after the familiar had been bonded for over a year. As most of the Chiefs who had come before me had been bonded with their familiars for years if not decades before assuming their position, it had never been an issue. Xenocrates, however, was an exception in that he bonded with me after I became Chief.

  Since learning all that I’d often found the raiju in the study, enjoying the comforts of my chair there. Plus, as only Kadic or I could enter the room, he was safe from the attention of any visitors I had. While he enjoyed the attention most of the time – particularly when it came from áine, Lily, or one of the Black sisters on the odd occasions they came to Dunscaith or I went to Le Domaine Noir – there were still times he, like any feline, enjoyed his solitude.

  I moved to a nearby table, picking up an apple from the display of fruit there and then moving to the cabinets. Both were wide open and appeared to be nothing more than ordinary if unusually styled and shaped cabinets for storing clothing and other such paraphernalia. They weren’t, however, and I tossed the apple into the one on my left.

  A quick move had me catching the apple as it emerged from the cabinet on the right, and a wide smile came to my face as I looked down at the apple, ensuring it wasn’t in any way damaged by the transit. I repeated the trick, this time tossing the apple into the right cabinet and then catching it as it emerged from the left, my enhanced magical reflexes more than enough to track the apple as it emerged and then gather it from the air with ease.

  “Test one complete,” I said as I took a bite of the apple, ensuring it tasted fresh and ripe. Turning to Kadic I nodded, and he had a book float off the table, coming to rest on the ground before my feet. With a click of his fingers, the book turned into a rabbit, which was another reason I was glad Xeno was elsewhere as he’d chased the transfigured rabbit the moment he saw it.

  While I was at the top of my class for Transfiguration – well, second behind Christine Greengrass – I wasn’t skilled enough to attempt an inanimate to animate transfiguration. At least not enough for what the next test required, hence why I’d had Kadic do it for me.

  It took some coaxing, but I managed to get the rabbit into the right cabinet, and then through the wall at the back – which was where the magic happened – so that it emerged into the left cabinet. It stumbled forward, dazed, and confused from the transit which was something I took note of. Once it had recovered, a few well-placed bolts from my wand convinced it to return from whence it had come, and it emerged from the right cabinet a second later.

  As the rabbit rolled onto its side, confused by what had happened, I allowed myself a fist pump. “Second test complete,” I said, and Kadic transfigured the rabbit back into the book, which was one of my First-Year school books.

  “Kadic not like this test. Kadic should do it instead of The MacLeod.”

  I offered my head elf a smile. “Perhaps you should, but where’s the fun in life if I don’t take the odd risk?” Before he could respond, I moved towards the right cabinet, placing a foot inside it. The wood held, feeling firm as I stepped fully inside the cabinet. In a few years, I’d have to duck to enter but for now, I could walk in unrestricted. I did, however, have to duck to avoid the railing designed for clothing that was at the top and slip around the various handles on the side for drawers. As with almost anything magical, the cabinet was larger on the inside than the outside, but as amusing as that was, and how the drawers and hangar railing meant I could use either cabinet as one would expect, my focus was on the rear wall. That was where the magic happened.

  After taking a deep breath, I moved forward, placing my hand on the back wall. A fraction of a second later the world around me shifted and I was sucked into the void of the back wall. In that moment I saw nothing, not even the shimmering and shifting shadows of the Fearann na Scáthanna were as devoid of sight and intelligence. Before I could panic, however, I felt my foot touch against something solid. A moment later and light returned, letting me see Kadic standing outside the cabinet, a worried frown on his face.

  I stumbled forward, understanding now why the rabbit had been so disorientated as it emerged. “Going to have to work on that,” I muttered to myself as I stepped out of the cabinet, a glance to my side confirming I’d emerged from the other cabinet. The one I’d not entered.

  “The MacLeod is well?”

  I smiled at Kadic and waved him off even as he moved closer. “I’m fine. Just got to learn how to time my emergence,” I replied, being reminded of how I felt the first few times using the Floo or being side-apparated. It seemed that the discombobulation and confusion were a common side effect of learning to use magical travel for the first time, but something that I’d be able to compensate for and overcome with a few more practice runs. “Since they work, I now need to work out where to put them. Well, the one I’ll be taking to Hogwarts at any rate,” I added as I looked at the cabinets.

  While designed to stand as what they appeared to be, the presence of one in my dorm room would draw attention. Not least as they were, to be blunt, uglier than anything I’d want to be seen using.

  “Kadic suggest your chest. The MacLeod’s chest not like other chests. Much better, much stronger magic in it. Should not interfere with cabinets.”

  I looked at my elf, and after fighting off the urge to facepalm for not considering that idea myself, allowed a small chuckle to slip from my lips. “Aye, that would be the best choice. We’ll need to test if they work once one is inside the chest, and then over distance, but it would certainly be the best choice.” I spent time in my chest already meditating and studying, so few would wonder why I was spending more time inside the chest than before; at least not to the point they might think I wasn’t inside it at any rate.

  As for the other cabinet, the one to remain at Dunscaith, I already had a room picked out. It had been designed as a coat room just off the main foyer, but I never used it for that as I never had many visitors. Placing the other cabinet there would allow me to ensure that if anyone managed to use the cabinets to enter Dunscaith without my permission, then they’d be in the location designed to handle intruders via the Floo, apparition, or portkey as the wards of the castle filtered the last two to the foyer while the fireplace for the Floo was there as well. It was also where all the defences were for dealing with intruders using standard magical ways of entering the castle. At least when the wards were at their lowest setting; a setting I’d never kept them at for my safety.

  So long as the chest didn’t interfere with the cabinets, I now had a method of slipping from Hogwarts without alerting anyone. While I wasn’t sure I’d have much use for that in my First Year, or even my Second, I knew I’d need it as the years went by. That was why I’d also put out feelers to the handful of companies in the Isles that made paired cabinets like these. A network of them would be extremely useful for transporting me and others around quickly to key locations without anyone being aware of our movements. The issue was it was going to take time to get more pairs of cabinets, but that was something I felt I had, at least for the time being, and thus for now, a single pair of cabinets would suffice.

  … …

  … …

  I sat against the window in the compartment of the Hogwarts Express, Xeno resting peacefully on my knee, as I watched the school fade away into the distance. The school year was finally over, and along with the other nearly three thousand students in the school, I was travelling back to the Locus Collectio station. I was still uncertain as to where exactly the station was, but I was certain it was located on the northern outskirts of London for ease of access for muggleborn and muggle-raised witches and wizards.

  Given the number of magical people in the Isles, and thus the larger number of children that needed to be sent to school it made sense that the station was outside London and away from King’s Cross, but a part of me was still irked to not get to see the station that was used in the other timeline.

  “Glad that’s over,” Damien Blackwood said from the other side of the cabin I was in. “I’m heading off with my family to the Greek Free States over the summer and I expect I’ll learn more there than I did in the last year of school.”

  I smirked at the comment, agreeing that the first year of schooling had been lacking. Yes, I understood that they had to ensure everyone was at the same level going forward, and thus start from scratch for muggleborns and muggle-raised students, but wouldn’t it have just been easier to create summer camps for those students instead of forcing the vast majority of the year to waste their time? I mean, Bradley was proof of that given his academic performance this year.

  Bradley had finished in the top twenty overall for the year, and top ten in potions. That meant he defeated almost all those raised in the magical world, including all but five of my housemates along with myself. While that had drawn a lot of ire from them, I proved that muggleborns could be moulded into something useful, as was seen by the performances of Andrew and other muggleborns who’d started to be tutored since the Winter solstice break.

  Andrew had done well, improving his standing overall and critically finishing close enough to Lowell Selwyn that the bet I’d made with my fellow pureblood had been null and void. Andrew had finished thirty-three places behind Lowell with both of them finishing comfortably inside the upper half of the year. That was good as I’d already invited Andrew and his brother Ewan to Dunscaith this summer so they could learn more about my clan, though I still had to handle their parents not coming. However, as the use of wandless compulsion charms worked on Lily’s parents and other muggles I’d tested the ability on, I knew that wouldn’t be an issue.

  “Yes. My family plans to head off to MUNA as we have distant cousins there that while not as stringent about the rules regarding magical fidelity, remain on good terms with my grandfather,” Godwine Suthsax added from next to Damien.

  He, like myself, Lasadh Astra and Francis Bickerstaffe had retained his position at the top of the male Slytherin First Year and would remain my roommate for the following year. I couldn’t help but still smirk that Amycus wouldn’t be with us, having slipped to forty-third among the male students. That was an improvement on his early standing, but far too little to ensure he retained his position at the top of the year.

  Beyond being replaced in our top group by one Angus MacLean, his circle of friends and followers had shrunk as the year moved on. Most had joined Godwine’s or Francis’ circles, but some had started following me around. Between the three of us, we controlled about eighty per cent of the boys in Slytherin, and around half the girls. The only female students with a group comparable to ours were Vesta Malfoy and Adilene Pontius. However, as neither was in line to become a Lord or Chief, they lacked the gravitas needed to be true challengers.

  Instead of arguing over who was the dominant figure in our group, Godwine, Francis and I had reached an accord where we’d rule for the year, and through Second Year as equals. The only slight shift in that was that I was granted the position to decide on what was to be discussed between us since I had consistently been the superior student. Now, if I didn’t want to discuss a matter and both of them did, then they could override me but that had yet to occur as we discussed everything openly and freely.

  While an heir to an heir, Lasadh had little interest in house politics and thus had almost no group backing him. That allowed him to easily stay around Godwine, Francis and myself without causing issues. Even enabling him to offer an outside perspective when the three of us reached an impasse with a decision.

  Now, this status wouldn’t last past the end of Second Year as we’d already determined that the one who did best academically and in the two duelling clubs of the three of us would assume control. The only way there might be an issue was if we were each best at one of those roles, however, I had every intention of not just keeping my position as the strongest male student but of being the best duellist in Second Year: for both Slytherin and across the school. Of course, we had to remain top five for the boys as well and of the three of us, Francis was the most at risk of that.

  A student named James Portman – a member of a cadet branch of House Portman – had finished the year directly behind Francis. So much so that the gap was, from what I’d been able to determine, only a few marks across all subjects. If Francis lost his position in the top five boys then he’d automatically be excluded from leading our power collective, and would no doubt see a slippage in those willing to follow him.

  “Do you have any plans with your family for the summer, Dòmhnall?”

  The question from James, who I’d invited to join us in the cabin for the end-of-term trip, caused my hand to pause halfway down Xeno’s back. As I turned to the boy, who was sitting at the end of the bench on my side of the cabin, I noted that everyone was looking at him with disappointment. Even Lasadh had chosen to lift his head from his book in shock at the bluntness of the question.

  “No. I will be spending the summer at Dunscaith by myself.” My reply was clipped as I barely managed to keep my emotions in check at the, I hoped unintended, reminder that I had no direct family left. Yes, it was understandable that everyone was excited about the summer holidays and doing things with their families, but that sort of mistake from James was unacceptable. However, I was gallant enough to not hex him for the mistake. This time.

  James blinked as I stared at him. “Ah, right. My apologies for the unintended reminder of your loss,” He said slowly, lowering his head deeply in forgiveness. “I meant no disrespect.”

  “Good.”

  I turned back to the window, ignoring the awkward silence that fell over the cabin after James’ mistake. I was accepting that it was an accident so I wouldn’t be seeking compensation for it, but it did ruin the mood of the cabin.

  Now, while I would be with any family at Dunscaith I wouldn’t be spending all my time there, nor would I be alone. Beyond the muggleborn MacLeods coming to visit, I intended to spend what time I could with Lily, Severus, áine, and others so that they were prepared for Hogwarts. I also had arranged for several meetings with my student and adult tutors over the summer. The two I was most encouraged about studying with were Herr Durchdenwald and Aífe Mac Uidhir.

  For the former, I had a few ideas regarding runic arrays that I wished to run by him. Ones that lay at the core of the second fleshcarving array I was developing based on what the tome had revealed to me before school had started last year. For Aífe, while I’d not be showing her to the ward core, I’d found that accessing and controlling shadow magic and the Fearann na Scáthanna was easier at Dunscaith. Aífe assured me the same was true at her home – which she had yet to reveal the name of – and wished to see if that held for her at Dunscaith as well. Even if it didn’t, and she was aware she wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the ward core, she was still excited about seeing the former home of Scáthach.

  A knock at the cabin door, followed a moment later by it sliding open, broke the uncomfortable silence that had fallen over the cabin. As Lowell stepped inside, a confused Bradley Cooper on his heels, the Express passed into the tunnel that led us away from Hogwarts and the valley it sat in.

  “I’ve brought him,” Lowell muttered as he moved into the cabin and retook his seat next to Godwine. The disgust in his tone and body was clear to see, but it was less than at the End of Term Feast. There, fulfilling the terms of our bet, Lowell had approached Bradley at the Ravenclaw table and congratulated him on his performance in the end-of-term tests. That had started many whispered conversations as it was well known that House Selwyn was anti-muggleborn, but that was Lowell’s issue to correct. Still, he had kept his word which was why he’d moved into a senior position in the ranks of those who followed me, Godwine, and Francis. That said, asking him to collect Bradley for me had been a test that I was glad he’d accepted and passed.

  “Come in Bradley,” I said to my friend, patting the spot on the bench beside me. A spot I’d kept clear just for this meeting. Lasadh, even though he was far enough away that Bradley could sit comfortably without disturbing him, shifted slightly, adding distance between himself and the muggleborn. I accepted that, and while not ideal, the fact that Lasadh no longer commented on my friendship with Bradley was, in my opinion, a step in the right direction for the future lord of House Astra.

  Bradley took a step inside the room and then blinked. He then lowered his head. “I thank you for the invitation, Chief MacLeod,” he said calmly, remembering his teaching on manners when around those of higher stations. “Heir Suthsax,” He continued as he turned to the other bench, “Heir Bickerstaffe, a pleasure to meet you both outside the confines of the classroom.”

  “Yes, it is,” Godwine replied slowly, his words devoid of any emotion yet civil enough that he hid his opinion on the presence of a muggleborn in our cabin well. While more open to my experiments with Bradley and Andrew, Godwine was still a pureblood and from a family in the 77, so he was reluctant to be friendly with any muggleborn. Even one who was showing themselves to be intelligent and accepting of the way the magical world worked.

  “Astra, Blackwood, Portman,” Bradley said to each of the others, careful to use family names as he was far from friendly with any of them. Each nodded in return, though Lasadh’s was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it response which given the firm pureblood ideals his House and he held was the best I could hope for. They might be only Established in rank, but House Astra was firmly in the Traditionalist camp which was unusual for a younger Clan or House. Particularly one not vassalized by an older, stronger House.

  With the greetings over, Bradley moved to where I’d indicated and sat slowly. “You called for me?”

  “I did,” I responded with a nod, reaching into my robes with the hand that Xeno wasn’t monopolising. I pulled out an envelope and handed it to the muggleborn. “I have spoken with Lord George Cooper, and after your performance this year, he has graciously allowed you to retain your family name. I’m led to believe that he has also extended an offer of vassalisation to you, though as I have not read the private correspondence, I cannot be certain of this.”

  Bradley’s eyes widened as I explained what the letter was for while I saw the others in the cabin, bar Lasadh who was engrossed in the book on charms that I’d given him for his twelfth birthday, all looking at me with varying gazes of confusion and concern. That was all understandable as House Cooper wasn’t one Clan MacLeod had any historical or political ties to beyond polite interaction in the Wizengamot. House Cooper sat, almost without exception, against Clan MacLeod on every piece of legislation that the Wizengamot debated and ratified. However, I was doing this because Bradley had earned it, and to publicly show that I wasn’t planning to use him to empower Clan MacLeod. Well, I was, but the longer others remained in the dark about that the longer I had to move without drawing too much attention.

  Bradley took the envelope, one sealed on the back with the sigil of House Cooper having been pressed into the wax, gingerly. Almost as if he were scared it might fall to pieces once he touched it. “I…” he paused and gulped. “Thank you for your help on this matter, Chief Macleod,” He said slowly, likely considering how to respond properly. “I owe you a great debt for your assistance.”

  “It is no more than you deserved based on your performances over the last year,” I replied with a warm smile. “From what Lord George has told me, the offer of vassalisation isn’t tied to keeping your name, so the choice to accept it is yours alone.”

  “I… Yes, I will give the matter all the attention it so clearly deserves,” Bradley said as he held the envelope in his hands carefully. He looked around for a few moments before speaking again. “Unless there is something else you wish to discuss?”

  “No, no. That was all I wanted to pass to you before we reached London.”

  Bradley nodded and then stood. “Then if you’ll excuse me, I have a matter to consider in private.”

  I nodded back at him. “Of course. I will send an owl in the coming days regarding your tutoring schedule for the summer. That is if you still wish to continue learning with me after being accepted into House Cooper.”

  Bradley just nodded in reply and moved almost as not under his control towards the door. There were nods of goodbye to the others in my cabin, but he didn’t say another word as he exited the cabin.

  “Lord George would no doubt have made that offer at some point over the summer regardless of your speaking to him or Cooper’s performances,” Godwine remarked once the door was closed. “From what my father has told me, he is one of the most pro-muggle members of the Wizengamot and a firm supporter of the Ministry.”

  “Yes, Lord George likely would’ve made the offer without my interference. Probably as soon as tomorrow.” I offered my friend an amused smile. “However, by activating the process myself not only will Bradley remain in my debt, but I will appear open to communications across the Wizengamot once I am able to assume my seat within the body.”

  “Why all of this bother for him though?” Lowell muttered, drawing my attention. “I mean, I don’t deny he’s clever, patricianly at potions, but he’s muggleborn. He’ll never amount to anything in our world.”

  “A muggleborn he might be, but he is top twenty in potions and top thirty in herbology. Two subjects that are notoriously hard for many and potion masters are always in demand in our world. By helping encourage that interest, Dòmhnall gains validation for his actions over the year, and earns a reputation as someone willing to overlook the status of one’s birth if they are intelligent and skilled enough to be worth the interest.” Lasadh fixed me with a firm stare as he continued. “However, he must be careful that such choices don’t cause him to lose standing with those of… firmer, traditional beliefs.”

  “I am aware of the risk I’m taking,” I replied, noting that his House was one such place with firm traditional beliefs. Not to the level of Houses like Carrow, Lestrange, or even Black, but still a solidly traditionalist. “However, as shown just now when confronted by something unexpected, and throughout the year just past, Bradley has shown that he has the potential to be that rare muggleborn that not only understands and accepts how our world works but is willing and able to become a productive member of it without clamouring for change that will never come.”

  “We’ll see,” Lasadh retorted before returning to his book.

  I let Lasadh do so, returning my gaze to outside the window as we emerged from the tunnel, and took in the Scottish landscape. Somewhere in the distance, I knew Dunscaith waited for my return, yet I was forced to head to London first before heading home. A pointless diversion of several hours that while there was logic behind was also irritating as it was time wasted on the train when I could be home, either relaxing or training.

  Bradley had started as the test subject for my methods for Lily and Severus, but he was slowly developing into something more than just a disposable tool. Oh, if I were forced to, I would discard him, but I hoped that might not become the case. He could be a contemporary of Severus’ if he maintained his focus on potions or even herbology. Given my struggles with the subjects, having others able to pick up the load for me was worth cultivating. That said, Lasadh was right in that I had to walk a fine line.

  Purebloods outnumbered muggleborns at Hogwarts by roughly five to three. A factor that carried into the general population. The base I had to build for the coming wars couldn’t ignore the pureblood Clans and Houses. However, the majority of students and members of our world were classed halfbloods, and as such I had to make my case to them as much as the purebloods. I wasn’t looking to pull many Clans and Houses from Dumbledore as many of the more progressive ideals that faction espoused were ones I couldn’t agree with, but I also couldn’t just ignore them and thus allow them to rally around Dumbledore in the coming conflict.

  Walking the path between the extremes was always the hardest path to take, but it was the only route I had unless I wanted to become a flunky of either Dumbledore or Voldemort. Bradley was a step along that route, as were Lily and Severus. The challenge was keeping to the path I’d chosen as Voldemort began to become more active and many gravitated towards the false ideals he pushed to elevate himself above all others.

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