Categories > Books > Harry Potter > The Black Heir
Prologue
August 22, 1972
Diagon Alley
London, England
When Lily was twelve-years-old, she had met a boy. A spectacularly beautiful boy with the most lonely heart she had ever seen. There were scars left unseen behind his dark-gray eyes, scars he did not wish for anyone to know, lest of all his brother. He carried himself with an elegance only those of the upper-class knew how to, spoke like he was a character in those trashy, historical romance books her mother liked to read — when their mother wasn't looking, she and Tunia often sneaked and stole the book away for a good, brief read.
He was so awfully polite. So polite that she wondered if he was even capable of the rudeness most people are capable of. Lily thought not. His each word was carefully chosen. There wasn't a single word that he found unnecessary. Lily could not help but to think that if she had been anything like Petunia, she would have surely thought she had just found her prince charming. He was so perfect. Even though she had only known him for a mere five minutes, Lily could tell that much. It bothered her greatly. For, Lily knew the only reason people tried to appear perfect was because they had secrets to hide, the things that made him less perfect than he appeared to be. Perhaps those secrets had something to do with the scars that clearly laid within his skin. Perhaps those scars were his secret. Lily would not know. She never had any secret to hide.
"I am Regulus, by the way." There was that smile again. The smile that clearly indicated that despite his appearance, he was nothing but a trouble. Lily had a feeling they would get along just fine.
"I am Lily." She smiled back, and the hand that grasped her own was both bigger and softer than she could have possibly imagined. "Lily Evans."
July 31, 1980
The Longbottom Residence
England, London
Truth to be told, unlike her sister who had already thought of and imagined her entire family by the time she turned eleven, Lily had never envisioned herself as someone who would be someone's mother. She didn't think of herself as the type. But the minute her son opened his green eyes from across the bed they both laid in, Lily couldn't help but to think that the entire reason she was even alive to begin with, was to give birth and to mother this painfully, familiar looking dark-haired boy.
His father may not be alive enough to be there for him — she would forever curse the gods for having taken him away from her welcoming embrace — but she was here, and that should be more than enough to have him live a peaceful, ordinary life. Except, of course, who was she even kidding here? He wouldn't have an ordinary life even if he wished to. He was a Black. It was simple as that. They didn't have the fancy to afford a simple, meaningless life. Besides, they were in the middle of a freaking, bloody war. She wasn't living a fairy tale here. Chances that she would get herself brutally murdered were quite high, much to her misfortune. And though Frank — Regulus had always called him Francis despite how many times the older boy had asked him again and again to call him Frank — and Alice may try to reassure her they would never let anything of the sort happen, but that was a promise none can afford in those times, was it not? Nobody can predict the future. Except maybe the seers. All she could hope to do was try not to anger anyone, not fall into anyone's radar. It was the only way she could hope to survive.
"Have you decided on the name?" Alice asked her as she sat on the edge of the bed with an uncharacteristically sweet-looking smile as her gaze fell upon her dark-haired son. Neville was nowhere to be seen. She must have left her son with the father. "As I find, the name is quite essential."
It seemed that she was still antagonizing over the simple fact that she had lost to Frank the other day. You see, because they couldn't decide what to name their son the other day, like two perfectly responsible adults, they have decided to settle the name upon a coin toss.
If it landed on the head, they would name him Nicholas. But if it landed on the tail, they would get to name the boy Neville — to which Alice didn't hesitate to tell her was an obviously rubbish name, and a clear way of just asking their son to be bullied when he started Hogwarts.
Obviously, seeing as there was Neville Francis Longbottom who was sleeping there in the other room, Alice had lost the game. And like the past few times they had played the game — like when they were seventeen, and couldn't decide where to go on their graduation night — she was a sore loser. She brooded about it all week the last time. Who even knew how long this one would last?
"Hadrian."
September 13, 1980
The Longbottom Residence
England, London
Not for the first time in his life, Sirius Black was cursing the fact that his little brother could hold a grudge like a petty little bitch. After all, he wasn't even aware of the fact that the tosser was married to begin with — his brother had better taste in the women than he had imagined, for in his book, Evans was better marriage candidate than those witches his mother tried to set Regulus with — and even had managed to spawn a child between all the spying he apparently did for the Order and playing the role of the perfect, faultless pure-blood heir the rest of their family expected him to be — a role he could never play to save his life — until he was well gone, and properly mourned by him for several painful months.
Honestly, with a mother who didn't even think of forgiving Snape even now for one word he had uttered in a moment of a weakness, and a father who didn't forgive him for having abandoned him behind even when he was well into his grave, it wouldn't be a surprise if the boy did the same for someone who had wronged him awfully.
He pitied those who would get on his bad side.
"And the reason you didn't tell me before now?"
Lily merely crossed her arms across her chest, looking as if she really wouldn't have bothered to tell him if she wasn't left with no other choice. "It's simple, really." She informed him, forcing a small smile on her face. "I just don't like you." Who would have thought the seemingly innocent pranks he had done to Evans in his Hogwarts years would come to bite him in the ass years later? He certainly had not. "But alas, I was left with no other choice, but to come seeking for your help. I need you to tell me if there are any empty safe-houses left that are under his name. I need someplace to hide, where nobody would think of looking for me."
"You could have simply gone to Dumbledore for the help, you know?"
Evans looked at him as if she couldn't believe a word he was saying right now, like was so unbelievably foolish that she was resisting the urge to smack her head in the response. "It's unwise to trust Dumbledore. If he wants to help me, it's because he has a reason to. I don't wish to know what exactly I would have to pay for his help."
"Evans, what are you even talking about? He's Dumbledore. He's perfectly trustworthy."
"If you think he's trustworthy, Black, then you don't know him at all." There were hidden truths he had yet to discover there beneath her soul. Only time would tell exactly what exactly Dumbledore had done to evoke her rage. "Now, do you know or not?"
"There's this place in France. In a small town of Annecy, Haute-Savoie. I think you might just find it quite spectacular. If I might add, it was his favorite residence."
Evans nodded her head in a small acknowledgment. "Can you take me there?"
January 12, 1981
Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France
Lily should have known to let him into her secret was an awful, just awful idea. Even if it meant finding a secure, safe enough place to live in, Lily did wonder if putting up with him was worth it.
Apparently not.
Seeing as within months of having found out she was now a member of the family, he had managed to drive her insane enough to make her wonder many ways of his murder a few times a week. And now, he was suggesting something as obviously maddening as, "Let's make one of my friends the secret keeper of this house. After all, you do need one. Don't act as if you don't. You need someone who they wouldn't even imagine being your secret keeper."
Lily made a scene of considering the suggestion. "No." She told him as she waved her wand once, the spoon falling slowly into her son's mouth. Hadrian chewed once or twice, before looking at her, asking for another. "I will sooner die before I let any of your ridiculous friends into my house."
"Come on, Evans." He begged. "Pretty please."
"Would you leave me the fuck alone if I accept your completely unfavorable offer?" Sirius nodded his head. Lily sighed under her breath, and hesitatingly agreed. "As long as it's not Potter. I mean it, Sirius. If you drag Potter into my house, I would personally murder you both."
She had enough to worry about without having to deal with an ex-boyfriend of sorts — did he even count for a boyfriend, seeing as she had only agreed to date him because she wished to use him? Lily honestly did not know. But an ex-boyfriend or not, she didn't wish him anywhere near her house. Besides, he was all happily married now, anyway, with a son and two dogs. Surely, he wouldn't come all the way here just because he asked. She hoped so anyway.
"Evans, I am not that stupid. Of course I wouldn't think of dragging him here."
"Who, then? It's a matter of life and death, Black. It better be someone I can trust."
"Come on, they're my friends. I trust them all with my life." He said. "It's Peter."
May 31, 1972
The Tonks House
England, London
Andromeda had always felt a little too different from the rest of her sisters. Even at the tender age of eighteen, she knew she was a stranger in a home full of monsters and the alike.
Even Sirius with his cruel remarks and bullying tendencies fit quite well in the family. But Andromeda did not. Andromeda liked spending her days holed up in the family library, away from the pureblood politics she wanted a little to do with, and as far away from the cruel, cruel boy that was Rabastan Lestrange as was humanly possible.
So, when Ted Tonks had asked her for her hand in a marriage, Andromeda kissed him on the lips quickly and accepted, a full smile playing on her lips. Maybe she had accepted because she actually did love him and wished to spend the rest of her life with him, because being forced apart from him seemed more painful and unbearable than anything she could imagine. But maybe — just maybe, she only accepted his marriage offer because she wished to get away from them all, the family of monsters she would never quite fit in as much as her sisters and two, almost identical looking cousins did.
When she had told her parents of her plans, her mother had cast her one cold look out of the corner of her eye and left the dining table.
Her father gave her one last look, and sighed deeply, shaking his head in the disappointment. "Collect your things, Andromeda, and never come back. If not for your sake, then for mine. Betrayed or not, I do not wish to spill my hands with your blood."
Her heart stung deeply at his words, at his threats. After all, wasn't this exactly what she had wished for when she had accepted his offer? Why hesitate now? Andromeda merely nodded her head and left, forcing back the tears that forced to spill down. The next day, she received two letters.
Andy,
I hope you are happy. After all, it would be quite a shame if you weren't, wouldn't it? Since you felt the need to split our family apart with your whole affair. That being said, however, you would always be my beloved sister. I wouldn't hope to replace you with anyone, even dearest Bella. I am certain I would learn to forgive you soon enough.
Narcissa Black
Andromeda,
Please do ignore everything our family members surely have been telling you. You know them. They can hold their grudge. Though, I wouldn't hold your breath to hope they would take you back. That would be just a fantasy. And regardless of how little I understand your reasons behind making such a reckless decision, I accept the fact it is a life you wish to live and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you well.
Though, don't count on me to write often. My mother is becoming more and more unbearable as each day passes. If she finds out I'm writing to you, well — we both know the result won't be pretty.
P.S. Sirius would have written, but since he's the heir, they're watching him even more closely. On the other hand, because I am the spare, I can take the time to write to you every now and then.
R.A.B
Andromeda held them both in her hands as she sat up on the bed as she read them again and again, her heart sobering up at each, carefully chosen word and when it seemed as if she had read enough times, she fell on her back on the bed and cried herself to the sleep, the letters still deeply clutched in her small, tender fingers.
November 01, 1981
The Tonks House
London, England
Andromeda,
If you are reading this letter, it means I am dead. My worst fear had come true, and my beloved Hadrian is left all alone in this dark, cruel world. It also means that, due to my request, Rowan had managed to deliver my sweet winter prince to you successfully. Better you than Sirius, that's what I think. Regulus had always said that there were none gentler and more responsible than you, his cousin. And I would be forever thankful for the kindness you have done for our family.
P.S. His name is Hadrian Regulus Black. He was born on July 31st, 1980.
I hope he would come to be happy in your care.
With love, Lilian Evans-Black
Andromeda Tonks remembered the first time she had met Regulus very well. Almost as well as the day it had happened. He was such a small, adorable boy. Unlike with Sirius who was unpredictable to the point it drove her insane sometimes — maybe that was why he got along so well with Bellatrix before everything — Regulus with his quiet nature and carefully thought, polite words, she got along better with him. Even Narcissa seemed to like him — though, that may have to do with the fact that he tended to dress as well as any woman. Everyone loved Regulus. Except, she couldn't help but think, Regulus himself.
She wasn't even certain she even knew him to begin with. He had an awful habit of hiding his true self behind carefully laid out lies, and the perfect, traditional attitude that had nobody to regard him twice. After all, if she didn't even consider him wedding a muggle-born witch, then she didn't know him at all, did she?
Slowly, Andromeda swooped the boy into her arms and gazed at him with tear-filled, brown eyes of a woman whose heart ached at the thought of a cousin she couldn't save, whose letters she had cherished and loved throughout the years. They were the only thing that had her going all those years when it appeared as if she was about to go insane from the loneliness that forced to eat her inside on those days Ted was nowhere to be seen.
Hadrian looked so much like her late cousin that it physically ached to look at him. "Andromeda, honey?" It was her husband making his way from the stairs to the front door, a sleepy expression on his face.
With a crestfallen expression on her face, Andromeda turned towards her husband and told him, "Ted, meet Hadrian, the newest member of our small family."
August 22, 1972
Diagon Alley
London, England
When Lily was twelve-years-old, she had met a boy. A spectacularly beautiful boy with the most lonely heart she had ever seen. There were scars left unseen behind his dark-gray eyes, scars he did not wish for anyone to know, lest of all his brother. He carried himself with an elegance only those of the upper-class knew how to, spoke like he was a character in those trashy, historical romance books her mother liked to read — when their mother wasn't looking, she and Tunia often sneaked and stole the book away for a good, brief read.
He was so awfully polite. So polite that she wondered if he was even capable of the rudeness most people are capable of. Lily thought not. His each word was carefully chosen. There wasn't a single word that he found unnecessary. Lily could not help but to think that if she had been anything like Petunia, she would have surely thought she had just found her prince charming. He was so perfect. Even though she had only known him for a mere five minutes, Lily could tell that much. It bothered her greatly. For, Lily knew the only reason people tried to appear perfect was because they had secrets to hide, the things that made him less perfect than he appeared to be. Perhaps those secrets had something to do with the scars that clearly laid within his skin. Perhaps those scars were his secret. Lily would not know. She never had any secret to hide.
"I am Regulus, by the way." There was that smile again. The smile that clearly indicated that despite his appearance, he was nothing but a trouble. Lily had a feeling they would get along just fine.
"I am Lily." She smiled back, and the hand that grasped her own was both bigger and softer than she could have possibly imagined. "Lily Evans."
July 31, 1980
The Longbottom Residence
England, London
Truth to be told, unlike her sister who had already thought of and imagined her entire family by the time she turned eleven, Lily had never envisioned herself as someone who would be someone's mother. She didn't think of herself as the type. But the minute her son opened his green eyes from across the bed they both laid in, Lily couldn't help but to think that the entire reason she was even alive to begin with, was to give birth and to mother this painfully, familiar looking dark-haired boy.
His father may not be alive enough to be there for him — she would forever curse the gods for having taken him away from her welcoming embrace — but she was here, and that should be more than enough to have him live a peaceful, ordinary life. Except, of course, who was she even kidding here? He wouldn't have an ordinary life even if he wished to. He was a Black. It was simple as that. They didn't have the fancy to afford a simple, meaningless life. Besides, they were in the middle of a freaking, bloody war. She wasn't living a fairy tale here. Chances that she would get herself brutally murdered were quite high, much to her misfortune. And though Frank — Regulus had always called him Francis despite how many times the older boy had asked him again and again to call him Frank — and Alice may try to reassure her they would never let anything of the sort happen, but that was a promise none can afford in those times, was it not? Nobody can predict the future. Except maybe the seers. All she could hope to do was try not to anger anyone, not fall into anyone's radar. It was the only way she could hope to survive.
"Have you decided on the name?" Alice asked her as she sat on the edge of the bed with an uncharacteristically sweet-looking smile as her gaze fell upon her dark-haired son. Neville was nowhere to be seen. She must have left her son with the father. "As I find, the name is quite essential."
It seemed that she was still antagonizing over the simple fact that she had lost to Frank the other day. You see, because they couldn't decide what to name their son the other day, like two perfectly responsible adults, they have decided to settle the name upon a coin toss.
If it landed on the head, they would name him Nicholas. But if it landed on the tail, they would get to name the boy Neville — to which Alice didn't hesitate to tell her was an obviously rubbish name, and a clear way of just asking their son to be bullied when he started Hogwarts.
Obviously, seeing as there was Neville Francis Longbottom who was sleeping there in the other room, Alice had lost the game. And like the past few times they had played the game — like when they were seventeen, and couldn't decide where to go on their graduation night — she was a sore loser. She brooded about it all week the last time. Who even knew how long this one would last?
"Hadrian."
September 13, 1980
The Longbottom Residence
England, London
Not for the first time in his life, Sirius Black was cursing the fact that his little brother could hold a grudge like a petty little bitch. After all, he wasn't even aware of the fact that the tosser was married to begin with — his brother had better taste in the women than he had imagined, for in his book, Evans was better marriage candidate than those witches his mother tried to set Regulus with — and even had managed to spawn a child between all the spying he apparently did for the Order and playing the role of the perfect, faultless pure-blood heir the rest of their family expected him to be — a role he could never play to save his life — until he was well gone, and properly mourned by him for several painful months.
Honestly, with a mother who didn't even think of forgiving Snape even now for one word he had uttered in a moment of a weakness, and a father who didn't forgive him for having abandoned him behind even when he was well into his grave, it wouldn't be a surprise if the boy did the same for someone who had wronged him awfully.
He pitied those who would get on his bad side.
"And the reason you didn't tell me before now?"
Lily merely crossed her arms across her chest, looking as if she really wouldn't have bothered to tell him if she wasn't left with no other choice. "It's simple, really." She informed him, forcing a small smile on her face. "I just don't like you." Who would have thought the seemingly innocent pranks he had done to Evans in his Hogwarts years would come to bite him in the ass years later? He certainly had not. "But alas, I was left with no other choice, but to come seeking for your help. I need you to tell me if there are any empty safe-houses left that are under his name. I need someplace to hide, where nobody would think of looking for me."
"You could have simply gone to Dumbledore for the help, you know?"
Evans looked at him as if she couldn't believe a word he was saying right now, like was so unbelievably foolish that she was resisting the urge to smack her head in the response. "It's unwise to trust Dumbledore. If he wants to help me, it's because he has a reason to. I don't wish to know what exactly I would have to pay for his help."
"Evans, what are you even talking about? He's Dumbledore. He's perfectly trustworthy."
"If you think he's trustworthy, Black, then you don't know him at all." There were hidden truths he had yet to discover there beneath her soul. Only time would tell exactly what exactly Dumbledore had done to evoke her rage. "Now, do you know or not?"
"There's this place in France. In a small town of Annecy, Haute-Savoie. I think you might just find it quite spectacular. If I might add, it was his favorite residence."
Evans nodded her head in a small acknowledgment. "Can you take me there?"
January 12, 1981
Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France
Lily should have known to let him into her secret was an awful, just awful idea. Even if it meant finding a secure, safe enough place to live in, Lily did wonder if putting up with him was worth it.
Apparently not.
Seeing as within months of having found out she was now a member of the family, he had managed to drive her insane enough to make her wonder many ways of his murder a few times a week. And now, he was suggesting something as obviously maddening as, "Let's make one of my friends the secret keeper of this house. After all, you do need one. Don't act as if you don't. You need someone who they wouldn't even imagine being your secret keeper."
Lily made a scene of considering the suggestion. "No." She told him as she waved her wand once, the spoon falling slowly into her son's mouth. Hadrian chewed once or twice, before looking at her, asking for another. "I will sooner die before I let any of your ridiculous friends into my house."
"Come on, Evans." He begged. "Pretty please."
"Would you leave me the fuck alone if I accept your completely unfavorable offer?" Sirius nodded his head. Lily sighed under her breath, and hesitatingly agreed. "As long as it's not Potter. I mean it, Sirius. If you drag Potter into my house, I would personally murder you both."
She had enough to worry about without having to deal with an ex-boyfriend of sorts — did he even count for a boyfriend, seeing as she had only agreed to date him because she wished to use him? Lily honestly did not know. But an ex-boyfriend or not, she didn't wish him anywhere near her house. Besides, he was all happily married now, anyway, with a son and two dogs. Surely, he wouldn't come all the way here just because he asked. She hoped so anyway.
"Evans, I am not that stupid. Of course I wouldn't think of dragging him here."
"Who, then? It's a matter of life and death, Black. It better be someone I can trust."
"Come on, they're my friends. I trust them all with my life." He said. "It's Peter."
May 31, 1972
The Tonks House
England, London
Andromeda had always felt a little too different from the rest of her sisters. Even at the tender age of eighteen, she knew she was a stranger in a home full of monsters and the alike.
Even Sirius with his cruel remarks and bullying tendencies fit quite well in the family. But Andromeda did not. Andromeda liked spending her days holed up in the family library, away from the pureblood politics she wanted a little to do with, and as far away from the cruel, cruel boy that was Rabastan Lestrange as was humanly possible.
So, when Ted Tonks had asked her for her hand in a marriage, Andromeda kissed him on the lips quickly and accepted, a full smile playing on her lips. Maybe she had accepted because she actually did love him and wished to spend the rest of her life with him, because being forced apart from him seemed more painful and unbearable than anything she could imagine. But maybe — just maybe, she only accepted his marriage offer because she wished to get away from them all, the family of monsters she would never quite fit in as much as her sisters and two, almost identical looking cousins did.
When she had told her parents of her plans, her mother had cast her one cold look out of the corner of her eye and left the dining table.
Her father gave her one last look, and sighed deeply, shaking his head in the disappointment. "Collect your things, Andromeda, and never come back. If not for your sake, then for mine. Betrayed or not, I do not wish to spill my hands with your blood."
Her heart stung deeply at his words, at his threats. After all, wasn't this exactly what she had wished for when she had accepted his offer? Why hesitate now? Andromeda merely nodded her head and left, forcing back the tears that forced to spill down. The next day, she received two letters.
Andy,
I hope you are happy. After all, it would be quite a shame if you weren't, wouldn't it? Since you felt the need to split our family apart with your whole affair. That being said, however, you would always be my beloved sister. I wouldn't hope to replace you with anyone, even dearest Bella. I am certain I would learn to forgive you soon enough.
Narcissa Black
Andromeda,
Please do ignore everything our family members surely have been telling you. You know them. They can hold their grudge. Though, I wouldn't hold your breath to hope they would take you back. That would be just a fantasy. And regardless of how little I understand your reasons behind making such a reckless decision, I accept the fact it is a life you wish to live and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you well.
Though, don't count on me to write often. My mother is becoming more and more unbearable as each day passes. If she finds out I'm writing to you, well — we both know the result won't be pretty.
P.S. Sirius would have written, but since he's the heir, they're watching him even more closely. On the other hand, because I am the spare, I can take the time to write to you every now and then.
R.A.B
Andromeda held them both in her hands as she sat up on the bed as she read them again and again, her heart sobering up at each, carefully chosen word and when it seemed as if she had read enough times, she fell on her back on the bed and cried herself to the sleep, the letters still deeply clutched in her small, tender fingers.
November 01, 1981
The Tonks House
London, England
Andromeda,
If you are reading this letter, it means I am dead. My worst fear had come true, and my beloved Hadrian is left all alone in this dark, cruel world. It also means that, due to my request, Rowan had managed to deliver my sweet winter prince to you successfully. Better you than Sirius, that's what I think. Regulus had always said that there were none gentler and more responsible than you, his cousin. And I would be forever thankful for the kindness you have done for our family.
P.S. His name is Hadrian Regulus Black. He was born on July 31st, 1980.
I hope he would come to be happy in your care.
With love, Lilian Evans-Black
Andromeda Tonks remembered the first time she had met Regulus very well. Almost as well as the day it had happened. He was such a small, adorable boy. Unlike with Sirius who was unpredictable to the point it drove her insane sometimes — maybe that was why he got along so well with Bellatrix before everything — Regulus with his quiet nature and carefully thought, polite words, she got along better with him. Even Narcissa seemed to like him — though, that may have to do with the fact that he tended to dress as well as any woman. Everyone loved Regulus. Except, she couldn't help but think, Regulus himself.
She wasn't even certain she even knew him to begin with. He had an awful habit of hiding his true self behind carefully laid out lies, and the perfect, traditional attitude that had nobody to regard him twice. After all, if she didn't even consider him wedding a muggle-born witch, then she didn't know him at all, did she?
Slowly, Andromeda swooped the boy into her arms and gazed at him with tear-filled, brown eyes of a woman whose heart ached at the thought of a cousin she couldn't save, whose letters she had cherished and loved throughout the years. They were the only thing that had her going all those years when it appeared as if she was about to go insane from the loneliness that forced to eat her inside on those days Ted was nowhere to be seen.
Hadrian looked so much like her late cousin that it physically ached to look at him. "Andromeda, honey?" It was her husband making his way from the stairs to the front door, a sleepy expression on his face.
With a crestfallen expression on her face, Andromeda turned towards her husband and told him, "Ted, meet Hadrian, the newest member of our small family."
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