On the thirtieth of July Harry found himself at his birthday celebration. Every single Death Eater and ally of his father were here to honour him. Harry found himself quite embarrassed by the proceedings but understood that as the Dark Lord’s Heir the pomp and circumstance could not be ignore. It was the thing he hated the most about being the Dark Lord’s Heir.
At least tomorrow he could celebrate his birthday with his close friends and family rather than have people who did not know him. Just respected, feared and idolised his father. Harry was sure he would receive the best presents that the Death Eaters could afford but it would not be real.
Harry was back in the ball room dressed in a long, flowing silver, velveteen robes with wide arms. It was designed to be quite roomy so hid the small bump that was beginning to form. Harry doubted that the Death Eaters would risk the lives of themselves and their families by revealing Harry’s pregnancy.
Still it only took one wrong person drunk, stupid or traitorous witch or wizard for the Prophet or Dumbledore to find out. And Merlin knew that Dumbledore would do if he realised that Harry was pregnant too. And given the two months difference in gestation time for first male pregnancies and female pregnancies it meant that Harry and Ginny were due on almost exactly the same day.
All of Dumbledore’s plans hinged on Harry being heirless so he could use Ginny’s child to claim Harry’s titles and vaults which would not work if Harry had a child he had claimed especially if Harry’s child was his firstborn. Not that it would work anyway because Ginny’s child was not his, but Dumbledore didn’t know that. And would not know that until it was too late!
‘Are you alright?’ Tom asked gently.
‘Fine,’ Harry said too quickly.
Tom gave Harry an unconvinced look. Harry looked away hating the way that his father could see right through him.
Harry sighed, ‘just this isn’t my kind of thing.’
Tom sighed sadly, ‘I know. This is more for their benefit than yours but-‘
‘But we have to keep up appearances and traditions,’ Harry said. ‘I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.’
Tom gave Harry a piercing look, ‘it’s not just that.’
Harry looked away, ‘no. Worried about Dumbledore finding out … about the baby. Merlin knows what he’d do then. He’d probably do the same he did to me. And Merlin knows what would happen to Marcus’ baby. Probably split them up and place them in equally bad homes so that he has a backup “Saviour” should anything happen to the first.’
Tom scowled, ‘probably. but I will not allow that to happen whether Dumbledore manages to find out about the baby or not.’
Harry looked into his father’s steady dark brown eyes and did something he had done rarely in his life especially since the truth came out. Harry trusted the Dark Lord to look after him and his baby for their sake because they were family. Harry knew his father would kill anyone who dared to harm Harry or his son.
Before Harry could think to formulate an answer, the Death Eaters arrived. Before long all twenty-eight inner circle Death Eaters, thirty-four outer-circle members, their families and his father’s various allies arrived. In all there had to be over a hundred people present.
All this was for Harry’s birthday party.
Harry had never even had a birthday party before. That he could remember, and it was unlikely that Evans would have allowed Harry’s drugged Dad to celebrate the birth of the child she hated. And the Dursleys liked to punish Harry more than usual on his birthday if they mentioned it at all.
And even after Harry started Hogwarts all he got was a few presents on his birthday. Nobody even bothered to visit him or meet up with him just for the day. It was thoughts like this that made Harry wonder how he could have failed to notice that all his relationships had been nothing but facades.
Harry shook his head to clear it as his father stood up. Obviously, everyone his father expected was there already there. Not that they would have dared to be fashionably late for the Dark Lord as Harry’s father would consider unpunctuality to be the equivalent of disrespect.
‘I thank you all for coming to show your respect to my Heir Hadrian Slytherin,’ the Dark Lord greeted.
Harry felt more than a little depressed that his first birthday party would be attended by people who had no choice but to attend. If they did not his father would consider it treason and mark them for death. All Harry wanted was a small gathering with the few people in the world who really cared for him.
‘On behalf of the Werewolf Packs of Great Britain I High Alpha Greyback present you with a Alpha Dagger,’ Greyback said respectfully.
He handed Harry a small curved silver headed and sheathed curved dagger. The silver sheath was carved into the shape of a wolf’s head. Harry unsheathed the dagger finding a large, sharp fang underneath. Harry quickly sheathed the dagger and schooled his expression into one of acceptance and thanks.
‘It was taken from the last High Alpha of Great Britain when I defanged him so that his power can be used for the good of the Wolfpack. Few humans have ever been granted the honour of wielding it. May it serve you well against our enemies,’ Greyback said gravely.
‘Thank you, for the great honour bestowed on me,’ Harry said firmly. ‘May it serve to further the ties between the werewolves and the Dark.’
Greyback stepped back joining the company of the two werewolves that had accompanied him. A young man with black hair and grey-blue stepped into the front sneering at Greyback. Greyback sneered back but neither said anything.
‘May the Fates bless this coming year with blessings,’ the young man said. ‘The Vampires present you with the Scroll of Thor.’
Harry was presented with an ancient scroll in writing that Harry didn’t understand. But Harry thanked the man kindly and handed it to his father who looked it over curiously. Of course, he knew Old Norse – why wouldn’t he.
Then the Death Eaters began to present their gifts to Harry. Harry assumed there was some sort of order as there were no arguments over who went first. From the Polish Minister of Magic Harry got a book on the origins of magic that had yet to hit stores.
Then Lucius stepped up with a cultured smile and a small bow, ‘my Prince,’ he said with eyes only for Harry. ‘On behalf the House of Malfoy I bequeath you this.’
Harry gently undid the green ribbon on the silver box – there did seem to be a colour theme going on here. Lucius had given him a beautiful silver pendant with his initials H.S.S. on one side – which still did take some getting used to. One the other side was an interwoven lion and snake representing his dual nature as well as his bloodline.
Harry thanked him and things continued on so that by the time it was done Harry had a large pile of gifts which together must have amounted to a small fortune. Because, of course, no one wanted to be accused of holding out on the Dark Lord’s heir for fear of reprisals. Harry just hoped no one would believe that they could buy influence over him with trinkets even if they were ludicrously expensive.
‘Thank you all for the wonderful gifts,’ Harry said calmly. ‘Now lets eat.’
Then the dinner appeared on the long mahogany table. They had had a lot of conversations about how to handle the seating plan with no less than seven world leaders, both the werewolves and vampires in attendance. All they needed was an international incident because someone felt offended that they were not sitting close enough to the Dark Lord.
In the end they had just gone for a fancy buffet style mid-day party so there was sweets, cakes and pastries filling the table. The best china was piled at either end of the table so that guests could help themselves. Harry new that despite the fact it was his birthday he was expected to be mingling the guests.
‘Happy birthday, pup,’ murmured Sirius.
‘It’s not actually my birthday until tomorrow,’ reminded Harry.
Sirius shrugged, ‘it’s your party I can wish you birthday today as well as tomorrow.’
Harry smiled, ‘thanks Sirius.’
Sirius looked like he wanted to give Harry a hug but had just enough sense not to do so in front of the rest of the Death Eaters. There was always tomorrow – his actual birthday – for what he wanted out of his birthday which was a small get together with friends and family only. All this opulence, bowing and blatant flattery was not him.
‘So, looking forward to being a free man?’ asked Harry.
‘Wormtail’s trial can’t come quick enough,’ Sirius said simply.
Harry smiled, ‘everything seems to be looking up for us.’
Sirius smiled sadly, ‘I just … wish that Remus and James were here too.’
‘I wish Dad was here too,’ Harry said softly. ‘I think I should be doing some mingling.’
‘I should accompany you as I am your bodyguard,’ Sirius said grinning.
Harry nodded and began to make his rounds making his way towards Stoyan Zdravkov the Bulgarian Minister for Magic and his father’s candidate for the Supreme Mugwump. It would do well to thank him for the exceedingly rare translation on the magic of the Ancient Coven Veshtitsi.
‘Thank you, Minister Zdravkov,’ Harry said politely, ‘my father tells me that there are only three original copies in the world.’
‘Do you no much about the Veshitsi?’ asked Zdravkov.
Harry smiled ruefully, ‘I’m afraid that I’ve never come across them in my research.’
‘Not surprising,’ Zdravkov said, ‘even most Bulgarians haven’t heard of them. I only know of them because my father was descended from them. They were a coven of dark witches who practiced necromancy and black magic. Because of the rarity of their magic the potions and curses are unknown to most of the world. Healers wouldn’t be able to trace or heal the effects.’
‘Fascinating,’ Harry said nodding. ‘I will enjoy reading about them. I’ve heard your polling rates are up.’
Zdravkov smiled slightly nervously, ‘yes, I am looking forward to being able to undo some of the damage that Dumbledore has managed to do to the world in his position as Supreme Mugwump.’
Harry nodded, ‘what are your plans?’
The ICW was only able to implement international rulings if they related to the International Statue of Secrecy, Wizarding War or Human Rights issues. They were also responsible for international organisations like Society for Healers and Mediwizards (SHAM) and International Schooling Standards (ISS). All other laws and regulations were set by the country’s own Ministry of Magic.
It was why it was the ICW who forbade the involvement in World War I and commissioned and ICW Counter-Measures Team to deal with Grindelwald in World War II. They had also put a non-travel into Britain during 1980s due to the civil war brewing in Britain. Thus, there was only so much that the ICW could actually enforce but they could petition the representatives of the country to look into revoking laws on their own.
‘Encourage countries like Britain to stop illegalising whole branches of magic,’ Zdravkov. ‘That is my main concern, but I am aware that does not come under my purview. But I can conduct a review into whether Dark magic is truly as dangerous as feared. If there is proof that it is just another kind of magic. Then the Light’s discrimination of those who are naturally Dark can be classed as a violation of human rights. Thus, does come under the ICW purview.
‘Next there is the problem with the clear breaches to the International Statue of Secrecy with Legacies and Half-Bloods going between worlds. Because if we are discovered then it will not just be that country who suffers.’
‘Pure-Bloods are worse,’ Harry said dryly. ‘Whenever they try to go into the Muggle world they have no idea to dress, no idea how to act, how to interact with their environment.’
‘Exactly,’ agreed Zdravkov excitedly. ‘In Bulgaria it is completely illegal for all witches and wizards to venture into the Muggle world at all. We stick to our towns and cities. The only ones who are allowed into the Muggle world are Aurors and Child Retrieval Officers who are trained on how to fit into the Muggle world.’
‘Child Retrieval Officers?’ asked Harry.
‘Upon the identification of magical Legacies they are removed from their Muggle parents by using Memory Charms to make the parents believe they willingly gave up the child or the child died depending on the circumstances,’ explained Zdravkov.
‘And the children?’ asked Harry.
‘Most are adopted,’ Zdravkov said. ‘Those few who are not live in group homes which have a focus on support and care until they are eighteen.’
Harry wondered what it would be like having grown up in the Wizarding World whether being adopted by caring family or even living with other young witches or wizards. It sounded a much better alternative than what Harry had grown up with.
However, Harry wasn’t sure how he felt about what was essentially kidnapping. As much as he was wary of Muggles he knew how harmful it was to be forcefully removed from his family. Harry’s father would likely be all for total removal of Muggleborns from the Muggle world. Not that it really mattered as there was little chance of that going through the current Wizengamot even without Dumbledore in power.
‘Now, I’m not foolish enough to believe that the rest of the world will like being as harsh as we are,’ Zdravkov admitted. ‘But we should work on introducing children earlier, prevent magical children from going to Muggle schools and magically prevent parents from telling friends and family about the magical world.’
Harry nodded eagerly, ‘to make sure every country as a Magical Primary school as a standard. It will both allow us to correctly introduce Muggleborns to the Wizarding World early enough for Muggle notions not to be allowed to take route. And keep an eye on Muggleborns who may be at risk from their parents or guardians.’
‘It still doesn’t stop them from retaining friends in the Muggle world,’ Zdravkov said.
‘No,’ Harry agreed. ‘Honestly, that is a problem but if they go to Magical schools the only ties they have are their immediate family who as you said will be prevented from saying anything.’
The two of them spent the next ten minutes speaking about Zdravkov’s plans for the future. Then Harry began to circle the floor once more with Sirius following steadfastly behind him. He hadn’t said anything in the conversation with Stoyan but Harry could tell he was uncomfortable with the conversation.
That was when he was approached by Fenrir Greyback. It was then that Sirius leapt between them glaring at the werewolf. Harry sighed he should have expected that really given everything that was believed about the werewolf.
‘Sirius,’ Harry murmured gently. ‘Its okay. Sorry, Alpha Greyback my bodyguard can be a bit overzealous.’
Sirius glared, ‘yeah, sorry,’ he said sounding not sorry at all.
‘So, you’re the Dark Lord’s son?’ Greyback asked.
‘Yes,’ Harry replied tense.
‘How did you come to break free of Dumbledore’s manipulations?’ asked Greyback.
‘How does that have anything to do with you?’ demanded Sirius.
At that moment his father turned up at his side causing Harry to let out the breath he had been holding. Lucius didn’t touch him or there would be no amount of rumours, but Harry wanted to reach out to him. Harry ignored that thought – he didn’t need his father to cope with the question.
‘It’s a long story,’ Harry said coolly.
‘Fenrir,’ the Dark Lord said. ‘Explain it to them. Black, listen to Fenrir’s story.’
Fenrir bowed, ‘do you know much about wereborns?’
Harry shook his head, ‘not a lot.’
Greyback nodded, ‘most don’t nowadays as the Ministry does not like to admit to culling children.’
Harry blanched, ‘they kill children.’
Sirius nodded grimly, ‘the Wizarding World don’t consider born werewolves to have a shred of humanity, so they are considered to be only violent monsters even those few who can shift to human forms.’
Harry blanched, ‘that is despicable.’
Harry's hand instantly drifted downwards which Greyback caught with a sniff but he didn't say anything. Harry wasn’t all together surprised the Light would do something as heinous as routinely slaughter children. Not after what Albus Dumbledore had planned for him. Those they viewed as monsters were treated barely better than animals.
Greyback growled lowly, ‘all wereborns are able to shift to human forms. The problem is that due to being born at only two to three months depending when the full moon falls. They will be unable to shift to human form until they are nine months to a year.’
‘I didn’t know that,’ Sirius admitted.
‘You didn’t care to know that,’ growled Greyback lowly. ‘We do our best to hide our cubs before they assume human form for the first time. After they shift for the first time a parent or Alpha will bite them, so they are officially turned wolves which protects them for some extent.’
Sirius froze, ‘so you don’t pray on children?’
Greyback growled, ‘no that is just a misconception that I cannot dispute without threatening the lives of many in my pack.’
‘But what about Remus?’ demanded Sirius.
Greyback’s expression changed, ‘you know my Remus?’
‘He’s my best friend!’ Sirius said sharply. ‘Who you mauled as a child!’
‘Sirius,’ Harry said sharply. ‘Calm down.’
‘I never touched, Remus,’ Greyback growled back. ‘He’s my son!’
‘Son?’ demanded Sirius.
Greyback scowled, ‘thirty-six years ago my mate bore me a son. Naturally, when he shifted to human for the first time I bit him to protect him. When he was two years old the pack was attacked by the Ministry. The children and bearers were told to retreat whilst we fought off the enemy.
‘Upon re-joining with the rest of the pack I found that my mate and son were nowhere to be found,’ Greyback took a deep breath. ‘I returned to the site of the battle and found my mate’s dead body and my son was nowhere to be found.
‘I thought he had died for many years until a lone human corrupted wolf came into my territory. It became clear that he was spying on us on the behalf of Dumbledore. Under normal circumstances I would have cast him out or killed him for treason. But I recognised his scent as my son and I realised that the bastard Lupin had killed my mate, kidnapped my son and hurt him to indoctrinate him so that Dumbledore could have a spy.’
‘Remus’ father abused him,’ Sirius said horrified.
‘They didn’t beat him,’ Greyback said. ‘But they called him a monster, refused to let him socialise and locked him up like an animal.
‘Is there any one of my friends who hasn’t been harmed by the Light,’ Sirius said angrily.
The story was so familiar that it physically hurt Harry. A child was kidnapped to be used against their fathers. They were then hurt to make them vulnerable to manipulation. It was absolutely horrible. Harry had recently felt a lot of resentment to Lupin for abandoning him and his dad because Dumbledore told him to. Now, Harry realised that Lupin was in the same situation as he was but he hadn’t been able to break free. Harry just didn’t know what to feel about this.
‘I allowed him to come back trying to convince him that we, that he, wasn’t the monster he had been raised to believe he was,’ Greyback said growling softly.
‘Did you ever tell you that he was your son?’ asked Harry quietly.
Greyback nodded, ‘I did. I told him the whole story,’ Greyback said with a growl. ‘He left soon after that. I let him go thinking he needed time to come to terms with the truth. But when he returned he seemed to be under the impression that I was lying to him to manipulate him.’
‘Dumbledore,’ Harry said bitterly.
Greyback growled, ‘he obviously hated me but kept coming back to try and corrupt by pack on Dumbledore’s say so. Many of my pack members became increasingly angry at him but they didn’t touch him on my orders. Then your father fell, and I have not seen Remus since then.’
‘And you’re wondering how I broke free of Dumbledore’s manipulations, so I can get through to him,’ Harry said softly. ‘Honestly, I don’t know if I can do anything. I think the person you need to be talking to is Sirius.’
Sirius sighed, ‘Remus, has always hated himself. Dumbledore gave him a chance to go to Hogwarts, have friends, get an education; he’s his saviour. Its why he turned his back on James who had gone against Dumbledore.’
‘That’s who he was to me, as well,’ Harry said softly. ‘It was only after I realised he had betrayed me did I realise the truth about him. If I had found out that I was the son of Lord Voldemort any other time I would have believed whatever lie Dumbledore span because it was Dumbledore. But even then, I was still wary of father it wasn’t until I realised that he loved my Dad did I actually come around to the idea of being his son.
‘If you can get him to do a blood test to universally prove that he is your son and that Dumbledore is lying it might make him at least consider that Dumbledore is in the wrong,’ Harry said.
‘Do you want me to talk to him?’ asked Sirius. ‘I … I dislike the idea of us being on opposing sides. Maybe if I could explain it to him he will listen to me especially as he knows I disliked the Dark as much as he did.’
‘Mmmh,’ Voldemort murmured. ‘Remus Lupin would be a good representative for the werewolf cause. Wereborn but gentle, mild-mannered and very human.’
‘Would you be willing to give me a copy of the memory of … James’ death?’ asked Sirius voice breaking slightly. ‘Its what won me over more than anything else that day.’
Harry looked at his father who had tensed, eyes darkened and finger’s twitched as though he desired to curse someone.
‘I would,’ Harry said simply. ‘Alpha Greyback, will you provide memories of your wife. She’s his mother and has far less complicated emotions than you.’
‘If there is a chance I can get my son back then I will happily partake with my memories,’ Greyback said.
Greyback and Sirius continued to discuss Lupin whilst Harry took a seat feeling emotionally exhausted. The fear of losing his child like his father and Greyback had. Lucius came to sit beside him looking perfect as usual.
‘Lord Malfoy,’ Harry said politely as they were in public. ‘How are you finding the party?’
‘It is wonderful as always,’ Lucius replied. ‘How are you?’
‘Well, had quite a chat with Alpha Greyback,’ Harry said.
‘I’m sure that brought back a lot of mixed emotions,’ Lucius said.
‘Yeah,’ Harry agreed. ‘How would you mind skipping the party?’
Lucius laughed lightly, ‘running out on your own party whatever would your followers think?’
Harry laughed, ‘I think my father can handle his followers. Come on.’
Harry and Lucius made their way to Harry’s bedroom where Harry curled up in Lucius’ arms. He felt much more settled than he had the entire party. Harry really hated having to deal with the politics of being the Dark Lord’s son.
‘I really hate the politics,’ murmured Harry.
‘You were fine at the Dark Lord’s return party,’ Lucius said softly.
‘I wasn’t the centre of attention,’ Harry replied. ‘After talking to Greyback … after what happened to me I’m … I’m terrified that Dumbledore will take the baby.’
‘I won’t let that happen,’ Lucius assured him.
‘And I don’t want to forgive Lupin,’ Harry said angrily. ‘He was supposed to be one of my Dad’s best friends. He knew what was happening to Dad – he had to – and he did nothing. He abandoned me to Dumbledore and the Dursleys. Now he’s Greyback’s son who was kidnapped and indoctrinated him? What the hell am I supposed to feel?’
‘I don’t have the answers,’ Lucius said softly. ‘You have every reason to be angry at Lupin and of course you empathise with him.’
Lucius held him until he fell asleep in his arms.