Other Worlds

Harry was happily playing with Turnwise in the converted playroom, with Unspeakable Lovegood providing shielding for the day, when Severus kissed him on the top of his forehead and left with his bond-mates for the Ministry. They went under heavy glamours, like many out and about in Wizarding London. While Hogwarts had sent the students home for a two week Celebration Holiday, Severus had not returned to the school since leaving so dramatically during the Halloween Feast, and had not had a chance to think up an excuse. The last thing he wanted was to walk straight into Dumbledore outside the Ministry, nor, like Sirius, did he want any Death Eaters still walking free to witness them out and about. However, they would have to visit Gringotts, and his personal stock of potions ingredients was running too low to experiment effectively with potions for Harry.

 

They would also have to obtain papers enabling them to merge their personal, as opposed to lineage, Gringotts accounts; recognise each other legally as bond-mates and heirs; as well as draw up guardianship documents for Remus and Sirius to retain custody of Harry in the event of Severus' death, placing the Holmes brothers behind them in the chain of care. The risk of Dumbledore having any say in Harry's life, even if he was, as rumoured, in the running for Chief Warlock, had to be negated. Lastly, Letters of Authority needed to be obtained from the Goblin Head Teller in order for their accounts to be operated from America.

 

The talk had gone on late into the night, the three curled up around each other on the enlarged bed. The other bed had been vanished, and Harry's cot moved to that side of the room, and while not perfect, none of them wanted to sleep apart even if Remus in particular had not been cleared for anything physical. Their last stop, at St Mungo's, would hopefully indicate that he and Severus were discharged from their Healers care. Their shared kisses were growing increasingly passionate as the mating bond grew more solid, but anything more was being teasingly delayed until they could all go as far as they wanted.

 

Remaining in Britain carried an unacceptable risk to Harry, they all agreed, and with Regulus having gone ahead, none of them had any immediate family remaining. Severus knew that, while important to him, his cousins were not normally as present in his everyday life, and all of Remus' family was right here in the room with him. With James and Lily dead, there was no need for them to stay and every reason to go. Severus' only concern was for his godson, Draco, and to a lesser extent his mother. An owl had come for him from Narcissa just before they left. While it might be a trap - her sister was still at large, after all, he would need to speak to Mycroft about her request to meet.

 

The Ministry was still, to a degree, in chaos. Minister Bagnold, accompanied by a brightly attired Dumbledore and no less than six Aurors, was disappearing down the corridor to her Office as they flooed into the crowded atrium. An Unspeakable was waiting calmly at the wand weighing station, and he waved them through the line up, flashing his badge at the annoyed Auror on duty.

 

"Sorry about this," he said jovially, leading them rapidly down the walk to the lifts. "All sorts of people have been called to help out with the state funeral tomorrow, and nobody appears to be going home after their meetings. And you can't get near the Ward Office. Everyone wants their wards updating, no bugger knows how to do it themselves. I don't know what they learn at school these days, but when you can't ward your own house, then things have come to a pretty pass. Merlin must be rolling in his grave." The lift door opened into the Ministry corridor, and he wandlessly cast the spell to let them in the barrier. "Sorry about the prattling, Sirs. Too many ears. Please come this way."

 

They strode down the corridor till they reached Mycroft's office suite. In the waiting room, stiff backed, sat an expressionless Narcissa Malfoy, with her young son being quietly entertained by a small house elf. On seeing the three men enter, her tension visibly increased, so Severus, taking careful pity on her, let his glamour drop. 

 

Her relief was palpable. She rose gracefully, and approached him, extending her hand. Severus bowed over it, and kissed it in their usual fashion, then glanced to his feet, where Draco was pulling himself up by way of his robes. He quirked an eyebrow at her. "May I?" he asked. She nodded regally. "Of course, Severus. You are his godfather." Swiftly Severus lifted Draco up, and kissed him on his pert little nose. Draco crowed in pleasure and bopped his 'Sev'us' on the nose. Narcissa's face relaxed still more.

 

"What brings you here at such a time, Narcissa?" Severus asked gently. She looked warily, but proudly, straight at him. "I have come to throw myself and Draco on your cousin's, and the Ministry's mercy, Severus." She smiled slightly at Severus' start of surprise. "Genealogy is a fascinating and culturally appropriate hobby for a lady of means, and Prince is an honourable House. I thought a tapestry would please you, and had begun researching when I saw Eileen Prince's sister Violet was married to Sigur Holmes, with Sherrinford, Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes as their children. Such distinguished names. Did you know Sherlock is Head Boy? I sat with him at the Founders Feast just a few months ago. Very much a Ravenclaw, of course, a brilliant mind, just like his cousin's." She smiled affectionately at Severus. "We live in a small world, Severus; don't look so surprised. I hoped that Mr Holmes would consent to see me based on our friendship. I did not look to find you here, but I am pleased to do so."


 

Severus took her hand, and pressed it warmly. Looking closely he could see that a light glamour was in place, no doubt masking too many sleepless nights. "I take it Lucius is unaware of your intentions?" he asked softly, as she gestured for the three men to sit. 


 

Narcissa offered a tight smile in return. "If he had any inkling at all, Severus, you would have received an owl by now encouraging you to ... deal with the situation? Or Bella would have." She shrugged lightly. "As you can see, we are both alive, so Bella, at least at the moment, doesn't know. I have been able to activate the Malfoy name-only wards, at least, to keep her out of the Manor, but if she finds herself unable to enter she will know I have betrayed Lucius, at the very least. So, as you can see, I am quite in your cousin's hands, and in yours also."

 

Sirius cleared his throat, somewhat awkwardly. "If it helps at all, Cissy, I would be honoured to invoke the Right of the Black Family to protect both you and Draco."

 

She smiled at him, transforming her face from the cool, pure blood mask to one of warm beauty. "Thank you Sirius, and on behalf of myself and my son, Draco, I willingly accept your protection. I must admit to have been saddened when you began to frequent Lucius' company, fearing you lost to the Dark Lord's thrall. I am gladdened beyond measure to find you here and safe. You also, Mr Lupin. I- I am sorry to hear about the Potters and the Longbottoms, and I can only offer my deepest apologies for my husband's shameful position at Voldemort's side."

 

Remus looked at her, gravely. "It has been hard for all of us, Lady Malfoy, and I do not expect your life to have been pleasant over the last few years, but I thank you for your kind words." 

 

They sat, in silence only broken by Draco's occasional babble, until the door opened to let Mycroft enter the room. He raised an eyebrow to see Severus holding both a small toddler and the hand of Narcissa Malfoy, and wordlessly warded the outer door against intrusion and eavesdroppers.

 

"We may as well all sit here, as you all seem comfortable. Bernard, if you would?" The aide looked out of the inner office, briefly went out of site and returned carrying files, then quickly transfigured a plant pot into a low desk next to an empty chair.

 

"Judging the company you find yourself in, Lady Malfoy, I surmise that you are here to seek Sanctuary, hmmm?'

 

Narcissa Rose and crossed the room to stand before him, then suddenly knelt before Mycroft. "On my magic's honour and worth, I come before thee to beseech Sanctuary for myself and child, offering naught but honesty and loyalty." The age old words, heavy with magic, hung in the air.

 

"On my magic's honour and worth, I grant unto thee, Narcissa Black Malfoy, and to thy child, Draco Lucius Black Malfoy, Sanctuary under my Name and that of my Family."

 

A flare of magic washed over all three of them, and Mycroft offered his hand to help Narcissa rise. The mutual vow ensured complete transparency, loyalty and honesty, and for that reason was very rarely invoked, most people having some secrets of one kind or another. Acting as a type of spell-bound veritaserum, Narcissa would be able to conceal nothing from Mycroft, and he in turn would be compelled to shelter and otherwise aid her or else risk losing not only his own magic, but all those bound to the Holmes Family name. For such a simply worded oath, it was one of the most powerful in all Wizardry. Magic itself determined when both parties' obligation had been met, so in asking for her Oath to have been accepted, Narcissa had made clear to all her desperation.

 

------

 

Bellatrix glared in fury at the little gate hidden amongst artfully overgrown ivy. It refused to open any more than the wards allowed her to apparate into the Manor grounds. Her owl had peeled off to the east, so Narcissa was obviously not home, but to have the wards deny her entry? The Floo deactivated? Narcissa had always been a coward, afraid of any confrontation with her more powerful sister, but if closing the wards had been a deliberate manoeuvre to shut her out, rather than some fearful, mouselike attempt to keep the Aurors away, then not even sisterhood would stay her wand. Cursing, she disapparated, leaving only a tiny alert spell to let her know when next the wards were accessed.

 

-------

 

Mycroft steepled his hands, organising his thoughts.

 

"Lucius' trial will be one of the first, taking place after the McKinnon funeral. We'll have one of our Mind Healers assess you for any Damage caused, Narcissa, but you, Draco, Severus and Sirius will all need to be in protective custody for the duration of the trials you will be called as witnesses for. I recommend placing all of your affairs for the moment under Fidelius with Gringotts, and that any belongings you might want for the foreseeable future are placed in your vaults."

 

"There is no way you should go back to the Manor before Bellatrix is in custody in any case," rumbled Sirius' deep baritone. "You know what she is, and once either of us testify, she will be unhinged with rage. Your safety and that of Draco will rest on her not knowing where you are. In fact," he noted, turning to Mycroft, "given that she is likely to become deeply discontented with the Black family, I should blood-lock the wards on Grimmauld Place, and we should hide Andy's family too."

 

Mycroft nodded. "I'll send a team out to secure them once we are done here. I think you have been very wise to accept the relocation offer, gentlemen, and I hope that you will be able to give me your answer before the Trials begin next week, Lady Malfoy. Our legal team will be at your disposal regarding Draco's Heritage, but I believe the Wizengamot will be more kindly disposed towards you upon hearing your testimony. I would advise your flooing to Gringotts from the secured Floo here, and for Lady Malfoy to be escorted to the safe house from there. You cannot risk your glamour being penetrated, and the child makes the attempt ill advised, given his age. Your own house elves will be able to apparate into the safe house if you are there, so your effects can be brought to you."

 

He stood, and offered his hand to Narcissa. "Lady Malfoy, gentlemen, I understand that exile is a difficult decision. However, the safety of four Houses depends upon it, and that which you may be able to achieve will greatly benefit our society. You will be supported in your work and protected to the utmost of mine and my associates abilities, not only in the gathering storm.'

 

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Harry was thoughtfully changing the colour of the topmost block to green when the beautiful woman came in the room, carrying another child. The other child was pretty, he decided. He had never seen hair that colour before! Silver grey eyes watched Harry carefully until the lure of the new toys and a potential friend urged the new child to slide off his mama's dress and toddle towards him. Casting around for something special for the pretty one, Harry spotted a soft silvery unicorn, and held it out shyly to his new playmate, who accepted it with eyes wide as his mama clapped in delight. 

 

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Walpurga's house was also blocked to her, and while Bellatrix exploded a couple of muggle vehicles outside in rage, none of the unlocking spells she'd memorised as a child had had any effects on the wards, though she could faintly hear Walpurga's portrait cursing the noises outside. Severus was either prisoner or fled, judging by the rubble at his ghastly Muggle home, so he was going to be no help. The ward alarm at Malfoy Manor had not gone off, so wherever Narcissa was, she hadn't planned to return, and dammit, she needed a base to regroup from, with solid wards to mask her presence! The safe houses she was privy to had all been breached and were under Auror warding now, and the locations of the others, if they were still effective, were locked up inside Lucius' pretty but idiotic head. Voldemort's Lieutenant, captured so easily!

 

It was time to find Pettigrew. If the little rat had followed orders, then he at least might be in the fall-back position. Her luck had to change at some point soon. The fact that she was contemplating voluntarily working with the rat caused her face to set in a sneer, but with a determined set to her shoulders she apparated away from the burning street as the muggle sirens grew louder.