~EDITED~
Chapter 25
Harry had seen this crest when his Grandfather was teaching his History of magic and various Families and while telling about this Family which had this crest he could see his Grandfather go pale his Grandfather had explained that this Family was the Darkest of Dark but they never misused their power they were known as Dark but from their family not even a single Dark Lord had emerged instead they were the founders and rulers of Azkaban and they were the only family who could rival Potter family but they instead choose to be allies of Potter family. This family used their power in the development of Magical Britain but this Family had gone extinct before 1200 years it was EVENING SHADE Family crest yes he remembered it clearly people even today shivered to take the name of this family.
Harry wondered why the Evening Shade family rings were kept in Salazar Slytherin's study. He could only find the answer for this Mystery after reading the Letter which was kept there. Harry Picked up the letter which could solve the Mystery of the Rings which he was holding.
Harry started to read the letter.
Dear descendant,
I am Salazar Slytherin, the last member alive of this once noble family. I am about to go confront my adopted son, but before I do, I want to ensure that my true descendants would be able to access this place and know of their ancestors. If you're reading this, then Amarantha must have told you about this place. She assured me that she would tell her descendants one day about me hiding the Evening shade Ring here in my chamber at Hogwarts. I hope the time is right for you to reclaim what is your right by birth.
I was orphaned when I was ten years old. My family were murdered by a bunch of muggles. I was devastated, but I had to take care of myself. I didn't trust anyone to take care of me because there were many who were jealous of my family's wealth and would have done everything possible to steal it from me. So I raised myself to be cunning and grew up in the shadows, and learnt about the most obscure forms of magic that interested me. I went abroad when I was old enough and learnt from various tribes who taught me more obscure rituals and magic. I have always had ambitions, and I wanted to achieve something great. That's when my life took an unexpected turn.
When I finally met Godric Gryffindor, he was in bad shape. The man too had lost his family to those filthy muggle barbarians and was doing his best to take care of his young daughter. We bonded over that and learnt magic from each other. Through Godric, I met Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff, two very gifted witches. Together, we created this school – Hogwarts.
I didn't marry anyone at that time, but I wanted a child of my own, so I adopted a young boy who surprisingly did speak parseltongue I guess his parents were from India where more number of parseltongue are found as in Britain only my family had the gift of parseltongue. I gave him my name – Salazar Slytherin. Oh, how I wish I knew that I was raising a boy who would be the cause of so much pain. I am so glad that I did not blood adopt him. If he had access to the Slytherin family magic, he would be more powerful than he is now. I only hope I can reason with him. He grew up very arrogant and had an intense dislike for Godric and saw the rest of the students as beneath him. I had warned him against doing so, but he didn't listen. When he was eighteen, he attacked a bunch of students, intending to molest them, and that's when I threw him out of the castle. We consider women to be sacred; the ones who are blessed by Old Magic to be able to create life. The fact that he could even think of something so atrocious still makes my blood boil.
Several years later, there was a young muggle born student. Her name was Evangline Noma, and after she finished her studies, she apprenticed under me. Though she was thirty years younger than me, I couldn't help but fall in love with her as we had several things in common, including the fact that we both were orphans. She too loved me, but she said that society wouldn't accept our relationship, given our great age difference, not to mention the fact that I was her mentor. If such a relationship was known to the magical public, they would stop sending their children to Hogwarts, fearing for their safety. So we got married in secret and pretty soon, she found herself pregnant.
We were very happy about that, but we were also scared. She hid her pregnancy, but nine months later, she died in childbirth. Oh, how I wish I could have asked Helga for help, but discretion was our focus. I was devastated, but when I saw the beautiful baby girl who was in my arms, I knew I couldn't let Evangeline down. I named our daughter Amaranth Evangline. She is named after an old Greek flower, and as I understand it, it is a tradition she seems to have followed in her family in that she names the female members after a flower. I decided to give her mother's name as well, so that she could honor her mother for the rest of her life. She also seems to have inherited my green eyes and so have her children. It is a trait in my family that all of the Slytherin children have emerald green eyes, even if they don't have the gift of parseltongue.
If you're reading this, then that means you passed the blood ward that I placed around this room. Please do not disturb the basilisk unless the castle is under attack. Give her specific orders, but try to leave her alone. Call her to battle against the muggles only if all is lost, as innocent witches and wizards could die in the attack as well. But it is better to die by the stare of a basilisk rather than being mutilated by those filthy muggles.
And that brings me to muggleborns. I had a beautiful plan that would integrate them into our society by obliviating the muggles and taking and raising the magical children ourselves. This would ensure that we are not compromised. It is difficult to trust the muggleborns as I'm not sure if they will betray us to the muggles. But at the same time, I can't help but feel sorry for them. My idea of fully integrating them wouldn't be possible right now as Helga pointed out to me; raising Amaranth was difficult, and I can't imagine raising hundreds of children. Hogwarts is a school, not a nursery. If it is possible, please work on it. Use the Slytherin title and try to work things out in the Wizard's Council. You'll probably save many lives.
My daughter grew up at Hogwarts under the watchful eyes of those faithful house elves. Rowena discovered that Amaranth was my daughter, but she agreed to remain quiet, although I'm sure Godric suspects it as well. Amarantha grew up to be a fine young woman and I couldn't be more proud of her. She met a young man in Greece and fell in love with him. I'm happy that my dear daughter has found love and happiness. Her husband even named their children after Evangeline when he realized how much Amarantha's last name meant to her, and I can't help but admire him. Merlin, that boy is powerful. He can probably give Godric a run for his money in terms of sheer magical power. In the end, my son-in-law turned out to be a better son than Salazar could ever be.
But now, I have to go confront my son. Thinking about killing him makes my heart ache, but I shall do it. He has killed many witches and wizards in his bid for power, and I cannot let that happen. Salazar seems to have a family of his own. Yes, he had married someone from the Gaunt Family, but what can I do? He is terrorizing people using my name, and I have to put a stop to it. Godric has volunteered to come with me, but I can manage on my own. I am confident I shall return to Hogwarts triumphant.
My dear descendant, you may be wondering why have I kept Evening shade Family Rings here with my letter it's because Evangeline was squib descendant of the great Evening Shade family which had gone extinct before 200 years I found this out after death of Evangline after Amarantha took Blood test I had decided to hand it over to my descendant when he returns to Slytherin title which is rightfully yours please accept the ring and magic of the Evening Shade family. It shall help you in your future endeavors as I'm sure you'll go on to do great things and yes I know Evening Shade family is known has Darkest of Dark magical family in the world it's all rubbish magic doesn't have any Light or Darkl as people label it so pride your Family name. My blessings are with you always.
May you always succeed and Mother Magic be by your side.
Salazar Slytherin.
Harry looked at the piece of parchment, his eyes brimming with tears. Here was a wonderful man who did his best for the people of the country, but he has now been vilified and hated for nearly a thousand years. He felt like ripping apart Hogwarts: A History for all the lies it has sprouted about his ancestor Salazar Slytherin. His ancestor . . .
Lilly was the true descendant of Salazar. The Evangeline line must have suffered something drastic that made the last witch or wizard lose their magic, but their traditions and names never vanished. It was very evident in the fact that even after a thousand years, the daughters were named after flowers – Petunia and Lily. And the magic had once again manifested after two squib lines met. His maternal Grandparents were squibs from Slytherin family and Ashwood families which triggered magic in Lily Evans, giving her the vivid green eyes of the Slytherin family. He realized that Tom Riddle was the descendant of the adopted son – Salazar Slytherin Jr. That's how the Gaunts came into possession of the locket; Junior must have married into the family. Salazar Sr. must have given it to his son or the younger man must have stolen it after killing his father.
Harry got his emotions under control and stood up. He would not fail Salazar. He looked at the parchment in front of him and said in a clear voice –
"I, Hadrian James Potter, scion of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Sytherin, do hereby solemnly swear by wearing this ring to uphold the values and traditions of the Evening Shade family. As Scion Evening shade, I swear to bring back my family's honor and strive for the betterment of my magical brethren. This I swear, so mote it be!"
A Black aura surrounded him, as if testing his worth. Harry stared ahead, with determination swirling in his eyes and soon the family magic accepted him. Soon the Ring which was in the drawer appeared on his ring finger. The ring had Black Ruby set on it with a phoenix engraving appearing on his ring finger. Harry concentrated, and the Slytherin ring transferred from his ring middle finger to his left as well. The Black aura slowly seeped into his skin as the magic of the Evening Shade family entered Harry.
End of year exams were canceled because of the chaos of Chamber of Secretsbut one thing was good that year Lockhart had also been mysteriously convicted of obliviousness to several people and passing their achievements for himself, and the aurors had had to escort him out of the school rather forcefully. He had tried to fight back against them, but spells meant for stopping pixies hadn't helped much against highly trained wizards and witches, and Lockhart had been led from the hall with a bloody nose and crossed eyes.
At Lockhart's trial, which had taken place on the first day of the summer holidays, he had been found guilty of obliviousness to many more people than previously thought. Along with wiping the memories of those who had done the deeds he had taken credit for, he had been obliviating Muggles prior to all that so that he could perfect the obliviation charm, and he had also wiped the memories of anyone who had discovered his secrets, adults and children alike.
The court had clearly found him guilty and most of them had wanted to throw him in Azkaban for life but Dumbledore had objected, saying that Lockhart deserved a chance to repent and 'atone for his mistakes.' In the end, Dumbledore had partially succeeded due to the fact that he influenced many families into agreeing with him and Lockhart had been sentenced to 50 years in Azkaban though by the time he would come out of there he would be a frail old man, haunted by nightmares constantly due to overexposure to the dementors.
Presently Harry was in Lord's Study in Potters Castle he had not told his Grandfather about Evening shade family and Salazar's Letter as Dumbledore may intercept the letters it would be really dangerous for him to get to know about Evening Shade family and even he wanted to surprise his Grandparents.
Charlus and Dorea were sitting in their chairs waiting for Harry to talk.
"Grandmother I have a present for you here take this letter this is letter written by Salazar Slytherin himself" Harry said handing her the letter she took it very curiously being a slytherin herself she had a lot respect for Salazar Slytherin
"What is there in it Harry come on tell me what's the matter you didn't even let me have my lunch hurry up I am hungry" Charlus said gesturing towards his stomach
Harry didn't respond instead he raised his hand and made the Heirship rings were visible
"Now why are you showing me Heir rings? I know it looks good but............." Charlus visibly paled when he one extra ring on harry saw and when he saw the crest on the ring
"Harry ho...... How do you have an Evening Shade ring" Charlus said he didn't get any reply. Instead he was handed the letter which Dorea was holding. She had tears in her eyes and at the same time. When Charlus started reading the letter he understood what was happening. After he finished reading the letter when he kept it down on the table everyone were silent for few minutes when Harry broke the silence and spoke
"Grandfather Grandmother I am sure the Evangeline line must have suffered something drastic that made the last witch or wizard lose their magic, but their traditions and names never vanished. It was very evident in the fact that even after a thousand or Hundreds of years, the daughters were named after flowers – Petunia and Lily. And the magic had once again manifested after two squib lines met which triggered magic in Lily Evans, giving her the vivid green eyes of the Slytherin family Trait. And also that Tom Riddle was the descendant of the adopted son – Salazar Slytherin Jr.remember Grandfather you told me that Gaunts always told that they were the heir of Salazar slytherin but they couldn't claim it in Gringotts this is the reason."
"Yes whatever you told is right now we have to tell al this to Lilly as she is descendant of Slytherin and Ashwood families and Thomas a I have decided should be given Ashwood family lordship but we will not tell him this or give the Heirship ring until he is intelligent enough as you said that this year he was easily manipulated by Dumbledore which would be very dangerous after he gets to know about this" Charlus finished
Both Harry and Dorea nodded and agreed on this that Thomas still had learn a lot of things
"Now we come to an important matter that this summer you and Thomas, maybe even Rigel and Draco will be joining you for training which you will be undergoing in Potter Castle in Dover. This is a special training Harry so I want you to give your 100% percent in this. You will be returning only few days before your birthday" Charlus said to Harry
"Yes Grandfather it's a great opportunity to train under Potters Army I will not let it go waste" Harry nodded Honestly
All of them were were discussing various topics and discussing about the school year
"Now what have you planned to do about the basilisk in the Chamber of secrets?" Dorea asked Harry
"Yes Grandma I have planned to send Salina to Slytherin Castle which I had planned to tell Grandfather to renovate it with Gryffindor Castle which would have fallen to disrepair" Harry said
"Yes about Gryffindor Castle you should first go take control of wards and allow us into wards after which we can start the renovation" Charlus told
"Ok then I will be leaving now only" Harry said
"OK but I want you to be present here by today evening as I have James and Lily for a Family meeting. We will today tell them about Slytherin and Ashwood families, which is Lilly's heritage." Charlus told
"Ok grandfather I will take your leave" Harry Bowed and left the study as he had to go to Gryffindor Castle where who knows he may find Godric Gryffindor's diary by which he could get to know about his life.
Hey guys Review please I will start working on the next chapter soon.
Notice - I desperately need a beta i cannot post next chapters before i finish editing my old chapters for which i need a beta if anyone of you are interested dm me please.