Good Intentions

A/N: Reposted to fix inconsistencies.

Thanks go out to my Beta Bre, who takes the time to correct all my horrible grammatical mistakes! This story is readable thanks to her. -winks-

Text Formatting:
‘Character thoughts’
Emphasis, Article Heading, setting info
Foreign words, spells, letters, media text (newspaper/books)
- Parseltongue -

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Good Intentions
By: SheWolfe7

Chapter I: Growth

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Erasmus Beasley Station
Diagon Alley, London
Saturday the 31st of August 1974
10:30 AM

It was a bright, humid day and the air was filled with noise as parents ushered their children to the train station. Excited children rushed to and fro while their exasperated parents levitated school trunks and carried pet cages. Wizards and Witches spilled out of the nearby Floo Station to the left of the train station. The fenced pasture across from the train station was filled with carriages pulled by magnificent winged horses. A metal roofed stable was situated in the middle of the huge pasture. Decorative bushes divided the arrival and take off lanes from the idling lanes.

Heads turned as a large shadow passed over the pedestrians on the ground. A carriage bearing the white and azure crest of Asturias was pulled by an eight horse team of Granians. The carriage landed without the slightest difficulty, the team of horses trotting regally along the arrival lane and crossing over to an unloading lane. Coming to an immediate halt in front of a vine covered wrought iron arch, the carriage door swung open triggering a set of elegant metal stairs to form from the bottom of the carriage to the ground. By now nearly everyone in the vicinity was watching with bated breath. This would be the first public outing of the Lund-Torres heir since the recent revelations earlier in the week.

To the surprise of many Estavan Torres, the Sovereign Prince of Asturias, stepped out of the carriage. Dressed in elegantly cut charcoal robes he gracefully climbed out of the carriage and turned back to offer his hand to his wife Tiziana Torres née Belmonte. The russet haired Witch had a willowy form and dazzling blue eyes. She was dressed in mint green robes which accentuated her dark hair and pale coloring. Upon stepping onto the ground, Estavan tucked her small hand onto the crook of his arm and ushered her to one side leaving room for the other occupants of the carriage to emerge.

Orion Black and Abraxas Malfoy watched from nearby exchanging calculating looks. It seemed like the Torres Family had decided to show a united front as Anastas made his first appearance since the startling revelations.

The next to emerge was Apolinar Torres who was followed by his dark haired wife Isabella. Born of the prestigious Castillo Family, Isabella had been a prized heiress with impeccable bloodlines. With her dark brown hair and startling teal colored eyes, she was considered to be one of the greatest beauties to have been born in Spain in the last century. Dressed in sapphire blue and a pale gold, the two were a striking couple.

Pascual Torres and his husband Olivier Sauvageon were the next to alight from the carriage. Like his younger brother, Pascual shared their mother’s blond hair and had their father’s blue eyes. He also inherited their Russian mother’s pale skin and shorter stature, standing at only 5’9. Olivier had hair so black it had blue highlights, his eyes were a dark forest green and he had a whipcord build. Both wore dark green robes, cut in a simple classic style.

Evaristo emerged next, wearing a set of robes that were such a dark red they were nearly black. His blond hair had been pulled back into a simple loose braid, his chin length bangs framing his face. Taking out his wand, he waved it at the carriage summoning his son’s school trunk and a bronze owl cage, containing a Short-Eared Owl. Stepping out with a smooth stride, Anastas glanced around with vague amusement as he took a position to the right of his father. The wind caught and toyed with his short pale hair, blowing it into his storm gray eyes. Looking slightly irritated, Anastas tucked his errant bangs behind his ears and straightened his silver robe.

Estavan graced his newest grandson with a smile as he and his wife led the procession, the rest of the Family falling into position behind him by rank. Apolinar and Isabella followed immediately behind them, with Pascual and Olivier next and Evaristo and Anastas bringing up the rear. Anastas took the cage containing his owl, leaving his father to levitate his trunk.

The murmuring Wizards and Witches who had been watching parted before them memorizing every detail they witnessed so they could relate the odd spectacle to their friends and family later. Anastas stiffened under the weight of the admiring and dismissive stares, Evaristo gently set his hand on his shoulder reminding his son that he was not alone.

Several minutes later they had arrived at Platform 5 and once they came to a stop, other Pureblooded Families came forward to reintroduce themselves to the powerful Family. Fortunately since they had arrived a half hour before the Hogwarts Express left, the socializing was cut down to a minimum. Anastas exchanged handshakes with his male relatives and hugs with his female relatives before joining the rest of the students on the train. Lucius and Severus spotted him and offered him a place in their compartment which he gladly accepted. It was vital that he forge ties with future Death Eaters if he wanted to successfully destroy Voldemort’s organization from within, causing the least amount of damage.

Stewart Crabbe and Nicholas Goyle also sat with them, both Third Years. Evan Rosier was a seemingly cheerful blond haired boy in Fifth Year but Anastas knew better than to trust him. In his world, Evan Rosier had been a consummate charmer who had seduced witches in the Ministry to gain vital information for Voldemort. Timothy Wilkes was a stoic brunette who also happened to be in the same Year as Lucius, Severus and himself.

Rabastan Lestrange, Meredith Wilkes and Keane Flint were Seventh Years while Lowell Avery, Desdemona MacKay and Circe Joyce were Sixth Years respectively. The six older Slytherins had stopped to introduce themselves to Anastas before claiming the compartment across the hall from them. Audrey Macnair and Caitlin O’Brien were both Fifth Year girls who sat with Theodore Derricks and some first Years. Roland Parkinson, Jamison Tracey and Isolde Pryce were all Second Years and Ethan Sinclair was a Third Year. The four were sharing a compartment with Regulus Black and some Ravenclaws of similar age, namely Manuel Snape and Eleanor McKinnon.

The barrage of introductions confused Anastas, though he hid it well. There would be enough time to learn all the names and faces of his housemates in the remaining three years of his Hogwarts education. Once they were settled in their compartment and the train on its way, they began a lively discussion about Quidditch and racing brooms. As the hours passed they played a few games of Chess and Exploding Snap to pass the time. Around two thirty they locked their compartment and joined the rest of the students in the Dining Cars for a light lunch and snacks.

It was sometime after five when they arrived at Hogsmeade Station and it took all of Anastas’s willpower not to gape like a fish at the sight that awaited them. The quaint little village he had known in his world was nothing like the sprawling town that lay before him. The streets were paved with granite stone and the buildings along the main road were in fine condition, neatly packed together. Townsfolk bustled along the streets, some enjoying an early dinner in outdoor restaurants or doing some window shopping in the late August heat. Descending from the train, he looked around with some fascination at the neatly arrayed streets and buildings. This world was one bloody surprise after another!

“Anastas?” Lucius inquired, looking at the surprised teen.

Shaking his head, he turned his attention to Lucius. “Yes?”

“Did the Headmaster say whether you were to take a carriage or join the First Years on their boat ride across the lake?”

Anastas frowned. “He didn’t say but I’d much rather take a carriage ride.”

Severus nodded simply, “Then I would suggest we find an empty carriage. We wouldn’t want to share with a group of dimwit Gryffindors.”

Having come to an agreement, the five boys quickly claimed the first empty carriage they could find.

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The Great Hall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland
Saturday the 31st of August 1974
4:35 PM

It was the beginning of what would likely be a very interesting school year, as one Headmaster Albus Dumbledore believed. The Order of the Phoenix had begun hearing disturbing rumors of a Dark Wizard by the name of Lord Voldemort but so far they did not have many leads. He knew however that if the rumors had any substance, the first likely place to look for information would be with Slytherin House. Dumbledore held no prejudice against Salazar Slytherin’s House which, over the years, had been rumored to foster Dark Wizards and Witches. It was simply a matter of logic to start there, the most ambitious students were sorted into the House of Snakes and likely if there was to be any information learned about this Lord Voldemort, it would be found there or no where else.

Regardless of what was learned, Dumbledore knew that this year would prove to be one of interest and the reason for that was young Anastas Lund-Torres. Ever since his Adoption by the third son of Asturias’ Sovereign Prince, the Wizarding media had been abuzz with speculation about the young teenage Wizard. It had been barely a week ago when a nosy reporter for The Spanish Navigator had discovered documents at the Muggle Orphanage identifying young Anastas as the grandson of one Columbe Focalor.

Two days after that discovery Evaristo Torres had formally submitted a form to legally change his Heir’s name to Anastas Evaristo Rafael Lund-Torres. Reporters had clamored to Gringotts for confirmation which had been given rather brusquely. Evaristo Torres had brought his son to the London Gringotts asking for a Heritage Evaluation which had been given. According to the Bloodline Parchment, Anastas was undeniably the great-great-grandson of Jacob Lund and the only living Heir remaining. Anastas Lund-Torres had fulfilled the only requirement his ancestor had requested, taking on the Lund name, before he was able to inherit all the Lund monies and assets. The Lund accounts and properties would be held in trust by Evaristo Torres until his son reached his majority at age seventeen.

As his husband Rhys had been quick to point out, the story of Anastas Lund-Torres was like a Muggle fairy tale. He had been a lone orphan, Adopted into a prestigious Royal Family, and had discovered that he was the last living heir to another wealthy and prestigious Family to boot. Aside from having one of the largest fortunes in the Wizarding World, the Lund Family also had the distinction of being Swedish Nobles. Anastas had likely had his life turned upside down and inside out before all was said and done but he had kept his composure and accepted everything with a quiet dignity. Dumbledore was looking forward to meeting the teen, somehow he had a feeling that said teen would be the catalyst for many changes.

Professors Flitwick and Slughorn entered the Hall, both eagerly talking about the Lund-Torres heir and what teaching him would be like.

“…to have the honor of teaching a Torres!” Professor Flitwick exclaimed delighted. “It has been some two hundred years and more since a Torres was taught in these halls!”

Professor Slughorn beamed, “And consider the Lund connection as well! It’s said Jacob Lund was the most cunning of all the Lunds born thus far! I would be beyond pleased if young Anastas was Sorted into my honorable House.”

“I see they are still arguing about where the Lund-Torres Heir will be Sorted,” Rhys Dumbledore commented as he took the seat to his husband’s right.

Dumbledore chuckled as he turned to face his spouse, “It has been like this for nearly a week now. It will be some relief to have the matter dealt with this evening.”

Rhys laughed, “And then you’ll be faced with a more terrible situation, all the hopeful young witches and wizards who will be chasing after the poor boy. It’s not often, after all, that a Prince of the Blood attends a Magical school.”

“I have heard from my dear friend Paulo D’Cruz and he told me at great length that Anastas has quickly become the favorite grandson of the Sovereign Prince. He’s a charming teen from what he tells me, with a princely demeanor through and through. It shall be quite entertaining having him here.” Dumbledore confided, eyes twinkling.

The rest of the staff began to arrive, taking their seats at the Staff table while they awaited the arrival of their students. Conversation flowed from various topics about lesson plans, to recent news and, of course, the Lund-Torres heir. Ten minutes later, students began to enter the Hall chattering about their summer vacation while they took their seats. The young witches, Dumbledore noticed, were giggling about something while the Wizards were shaking their heads. Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape in particular looked the most annoyed, though the reason why was anyone’s guess at the moment.

Professor McGonagall checked the Hall and once she was satisfied that all the students were seated, she vanished to retrieve the First Year students and the Transfer students. It was a large group Dumbledore recalled. Once it had become public knowledge that the Lund-Torres heir would be attending Hogwarts many Pureblooded Families, from not only Europe but all over the world, had decided to transfer their eligible offspring. No doubt they were hoping that their children could attract and hold the attention of the young Prince but Dumbledore rightly knew that teenage boys were quite fickle with their affections. Despite having been placed into Fourth Year upon the recommendation of his elite tutors, no one truly had any idea how old the boy was. The Navigator had speculated that he was anywhere between ages twelve to fourteen though upon seeing the boy, they had guessed he was younger than he appeared.

Setting the stool down, Professor McGonagall explained how they would be Sorted into their Houses and then let the Sorting Hat sing it’s song. Once that had been taken care of she began calling the names of the First Years. After they had been Sorted, she took out another list containing the names of the Transfer Students and began calling them. Anastas waited patiently for his turn, ignoring the far too familiar stares and whispers of the students watching.

“Lund-Torres, Anastas!”

Stepping forward Anastas took a seat on the stool and set the Sorting Hat on his head, still able to faintly hear the whispers of his audience.

:: Well, well what have we here? You’ve got the memories of someone far older than you…oh I see! Never let it be said that I would stand in the way of someone as determined as you are. I wish you the best of luck and have no fear I’ll speak of what I’ve seen in your mind. Without a doubt you belong in… ::

“SLYTHERIN!” The Sorting Hat proclaimed, after nearly eight minutes spent pouring through Anastas’s memories.

Removing the Sorting Hat, Anastas set it down on the stool as he headed toward the Slytherin table amid cheers and applause from the normally reserved students. As he took a seat between Lucius and Severus, Professor Flitwick handed a pouch of Galleons to a gleeful Professor Slughorn.

Dumbledore’s eyebrows lifted with interest, it was not an entirely unexpected event but the angelic looking boy certainly seemed quite out of place amongst his rather sinister looking housemates. It was quite clear that appearances could be deceiving and it made him wonder what sort of keen mind lurked behind that angelic countenance.

In person the Lund-Torres heir was of average height standing at five and half feet tall and moved with a refined gait that bespoke of hours of tutelage in Pureblooded Etiquette. At a glance it was quite clear that his Lund heritage dominated over both his Torres and Focalor blood. In fact, it was very difficult to detect any Focalor traits as he bore the pale hair and coloring of his Lund ancestors. Many speculated that the only traits he bore of the Torres lineage were his storm gray eyes and his barely tanned skin which only added to his angelic luminance or so the media was fond of reiterating.

As he had guessed, the Lund-Torres Heir would bear watching. Though young, only a fool would be moronic enough to dismiss the future influence the boy would have on the Wizarding World. With his fortune, bloodlines and intellect, it was likely that Anastas would someday lead the Wizarding World in entirely new directions. This would definitely be an interesting year without a doubt!

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After the delicious Welcoming Feast, Anastas followed his fellow Slytherin housemates down into the dungeons. Along the way, several of his housemates came forward for a proper introduction causing Anastas to begin the tedious task of remembering faces and the names that went with them. By the time they arrived in front of the entrance into the Slytherin Common Room, it was taking all of his self control to avoid displaying the huge headache he now had.

Lucius gave the password, “Res quanto est maior tanto est insidiosior.” (The bigger the undertaking, the trickier it is)

Anastas raised his eyebrows and Severus smiled slightly.

“Professor Slughorn is fond of Latin philosophers,”

“So I gather,” Anastas replied as he followed the others into the Slytherin Common Room. As he was already aware, that was not all the older man was fond of.

He was slightly surprised by the Common Room. Much like the one in his world, the room was dungeon-like in appearance with a low ceiling. Two large fireplaces took up most of the southern wall with a table and chairs set directly in front of it. Most of the furniture in the center of the room was angled to face the fireplace. A wall length bookshelf took up the eastern wall with tables and chairs taking up the remaining space along the western and northern walls. Anastas guessed that the doors flanking the fireplace led to the dormitories. Caitlin O’Brien, a Fifth Year Prefect, was leading the First Years behind them pointing out where to find the Notice Board (which was to the left of the Common Room entrance) and explaining about using the books in the Common Room.

Barely ten minutes passed before Professor Slughorn made an appearance. He greeted his students, explained what was expected of a Slytherin student, set some basic behavioral rules and then dismissed them. As Anastas had expected, Slughorn immediately homed in on him and began sprouting an assortment of compliments and inquires about his family. It came as a mild sort of relief that despite how many things varied between the two worlds, some people’s goals and motivations remained exactly the same. It was nearly ten o’clock by the time Anastas had finally been able to excuse himself to prepare for bed.

Rabastan Lestrange directed him to the doors to the right of the fireplace, telling him to take the stairs on the left side of the doors down three levels. When he walked into his dormitory he found the other boys in his Year were still up, unpacking their things as they talked about their holiday and got to know each other. Seven of the thirteen boys now sharing the dormitory had been new, Anastas included and the rest were transfers from foreign schools or came straight from tutors.

The dormitory was a T shaped room containing thirteen beds with the door to the shared bathroom across from the entrance door, in the left corner. Four beds were arranged horizontally along the wall to the immediate right of the door, with another two set along the wall on the left of the door. The bottom of the T shaped room was located to the left. Six of the last seven beds were arranged vertically, headboard to headboard, in three rows of two along the walls and the center of the vertical portion of the T shaped room, with the last bed located horizontally at the very bottom of the T.

Seth Bracken and Timothy Wilkes had the beds closest to the door, with Gruffud Ward and Aeneas Argyris taking the beds closest to the shared bathroom and O’Connor and Van Gysel took the two middle beds between the four. Lucius and Severus had the two beds along the bottom right side of the room, Hryhoruk and Wei had the center set of beds and Campo and Sospiri had the left most set. Anastas shrugged in response to the tentative looks of his roommates, indicating his lack of preference. He idly listened to the others as he put away his clothes and toiletries in the armoire alongside the wall near his headboard. Closing the armoire and locking it with a swish of his wand, Anastas moved to the side, studying the door hinges.

Spotting the small slot along the middle hinge, he traced his wand-tip on it and was rewarded with a soft click as the armoire doors swung open sideways revealing a hidden storage compartment. Anastas smiled to himself as he put away his jewelry and other expensive items he had brought with him. After he finished putting away his things he closed the armoire for the final time and cast two layers of Locking and Protection Charms over it. Picking up the bag of toiletries on his trunk, Anastas walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

The bathroom was very spacious. Six toilet stalls were set along the wall to his right, with six large sunken tubs to his immediate left and six shower stalls along the wall across from the tubs. In the center of the room was a towel cabinet with a laundry hamper next to it. A row of sinks was situated on the far wall directly across from the door, which was placed at the junction where the outermost walls formed a short L. Returning to his bed once he finished, Anastas changed into the navy colored silk pajamas he had left on his bed. Only Severus and Lucius were still awake at this point, it being some time after eleven o’clock now.

Lucius glanced up from the open book on his lap. “What do you think of Hogwarts so far?”

“It’s a very old castle but filled with magic. I can see how it’s become so sentient.” Anastas commented.

“My step-father believes Hogwarts is so sentient because of where it’s located. It’s on top of a magical node, one of the only ones in Great Britain.” Severus replied absently as he scribbled notes down as he read a Potions book.

Anastas nodded thoughtfully, reminding himself to do some research about that at a later time. “I think I’ll turn in for the night, we have to be up earlier than I’d like. Goodnight Lucius, Severus.”

“Goodnight Anastas,” Lucius replied as he returned his attention to his book.

Severus mumbled a quick “Goodnight,” before scribbling even more furiously.

Anastas shook his head and climbed into his bed, pulling the curtains closed and casting a few Privacy Charms. The day overall had been productive as he’d played the role expected of him to the letter and made enough connections to Dark-inclined families to merit eventual attention by the Dark Lord. Now all he had to do was put up with four years of schooling.

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Colchester Castle, Wales
Sunday the 1st of September 1974
12:08 AM

Voldemort contemplated his next move before moving his knight. “So, you say the boy has been Sorted into Slytherin?”

“Yes,” Cassius Malfoy replied as he frowned down at the chessboard. “What will you do?”

Voldemort picked up his glass of brandy on the nearby side table and took a drink. “I have given it a great deal of thought my young friend, and I have come to the conclusion that the best way to proceed is to observe his habits and desires. Though I do have an informant at Hogwarts, I doubt that a Professor could learn as much about his personality and ambitions as a fellow peer. I would like you to ask Lucius to befriend him; I want to know his past, motivations and future ambitions. At this stage in his life, it would be easy to manipulate him but if he is as intelligent as the rumors suggest, it would be more profitable to both parties if he willingly joined us.”

Cassius made his move. “I doubt I even have to say anything to Lucius, he’s been inordinately fascinated with Anastas since they met last week. I’m sure he will do his utmost to befriend the Lund-Torres heir.”

“One wonders if Lucius is attracted to the boy because he’s an enigma or because of his appearance.” Voldemort commented, chuckling.

“Regardless of his motives, he has good instincts and I am certain that Father would be all too pleased if he did have a romantic interest in Anastas. He has become the most eligible bachelor in Europe, possibly even the Wizarding World itself, and the Pureblooded Families will begin courting him at the earliest opportunity. I do not envy his father in that matter, having to deal with the onslaught of courtship requests.”

Voldemort moved his rook and took one of Cassius’s pawns. “It all depends on his age, once the boy turns fourteen Pureblooded Families all across the world will be after him. Anastas is a prize in more ways than one. In a purely financial and political sense he is Heir to two separate, impressive fortunes and has direct connections to the most prominent Pureblood Families in Asturias. In addition to that, he is nearly forty-six centuries Pureblooded patrilineally and eighteen centuries Pureblooded matrilineally, certainly one of the greatest social coups in European history. The fortuitous Wizard or Witch, whom earns the honor of someday becoming Mr. or Mrs. Anastas Lund-Torres, will have the very Wizarding World at his or her fingertips.”

Cassius nodded as he leaned back in his chair, contemplating both the chessboard and the possibilities in the future. “That is true and there are many other conflicting issues as well, for instance what requirements the Torres Family has for potential spouses and possibly even what the Focalors may demand of him. Still…if Lucius and Anastas were so inclined, it would be a very suitable arrangement for all of us.”

“Perhaps but I think the likelihood of a long term relationship is very slim. Adopted or no, Anastas is a Prince of Asturias and Lucius may not be Pureblooded or connected enough to be accepted as a suitable spouse by the rest of the Torres Family.” Voldemort replied.

“I will write Lucius a note when I return home,” the younger man agreed.

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Anastas was the first to wake the next morning. Despite what his father thought, he normally woke up every morning between the hours of three a.m. to four a.m. a habit which even Azkaban had not changed. Following his morning routine, he lay in bed for another hour meditating and practicing his Occulmency. It was absolutely vital that no one ever saw his memories of his previous life in his old world. By the time he finished his wristwatch displayed the time as a quarter past four. Getting out of bed, he silently changed out of his pajamas and into a comfortable set of work out clothes.

Once he was dressed he made his way out of the Slytherin Dormitory and into the dungeons. Following his instinct he navigated his way blindly through the dark maze-like hallways, heading deeper and deeper into the dungeons. The air was cold and damp by the time he stopped in front of what appeared to be a dead end. It was good that some things had remained the same. Moving forward, he placed his palm against the wall and felt around for the loose stone that would allow him to waken the stone guardian. It took him nearly ten minutes before he found it. Carefully prying the stone free, Anastas bravely stuck his hand through the opening.

Much like what had happened in his world, there was no warning before he felt horribly sharp teeth sink into his hand before jerking to the side. Blood gushed, hot and sticky down his hand and he could feel soft, wet tissue contracting around his hand, eagerly swallowing his blood.

- You are not Salazar, nor a hatchling of his line! By what right do you awaken me from my slumber paltry mortal? -

- I wake thee Nehebkau, in the name of your father and liege He-Whom-Lives-In-Darkness. -

There was a heartbeat of silence. - What is the name of my father mortal? -

- He-Whom-Lives-In-Darkness has no true name servant! I am no fool to fall prey to such obvious treachery! - Anastas protested angrily.

- Very well, by what name have your ancestors invoked my Lord Father? -

- In the age of your first slumber they called him Apophis but it was the Children born of the Desert whom gave him his first name…Apep. -

Nehebkau let go of his hand. - You speak truthfully mortal and now that your blood has given me life once again, I am yours to command. What do you will of me? -

- Allow myself and those I give safe conduct through the hidden passageways guarded by yourself and your brethren. Now stand aside and speak with the other guardians in the castle. - Anastas replied, dismissing the snake and removing his hand from the hole in the wall.

- As you wish, Master. - Gears began moving and a large section of the wall swung open, revealing a pitch black corridor.

Reaching into his pocket, Anastas took out a small silver and glass lantern. A swish of his wrist caused the shrunken lantern to return to its normal size. Twisting the lid open, he muttered an incantation, pointing his wand into the lantern. A cheery bluebell flame erupted from the tip of his wand, casting a bright bluish light in the otherwise dark corridor. Closing the top of the lantern, Anastas took hold of the large silver ring at the top of the lantern and holding it out before him, entered the secret room.

The passageway was small with just enough room for two people to walk side by side and tall enough to let a troll through. It took several Scouring Charms to clean the dust and cobweb covered walls but once they were clean, Anastas was surprised to note that they weren’t ordinary walls seen in the dungeons. Though made of gray stone, the walls had been divided up into small two by two foot frames and each frame depicted a different species of snake. The name of each species of snake had been inscribed at the bottom of each frame and Anastas was rather impressed by how many species had been identified by Wizards in the late Tenth Century.

It took ten minutes to traverse the serpentine corridor which opened directly into a large sunken room. The minute he passed the threshold Everlasting Torches began lighting the room, illuminating it. Weapons of all types and weights hung on racks along the northern wall to his right. Directly across from him was a wall lined in towering bookshelves which would have made his dear friend Hermione weep with envy. Arrayed on the left wall were mannequins covered in different styles of Battle Robes and a very rare set of late Greco-Roman Spell-Proof Adamantine armor. The eastern wall, which he was standing next to, contained the Coat of Arms and surprisingly, the Family Trees of Pureblooded Wizarding Families from Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain.

Pausing to hang his lantern on a nearby hook Anastas headed to the first and most elaborate Family Tree which, unsurprisingly, was of the Slytherin Family. Taking out his wand, Anastas set the tree to display backward so he could view it properly beginning with Salazar Slytherin. An hour later, he was so engrossed in studying the Slytherin Family Tree that he forgot his original reason for coming here. Anastas only wished that he had discovered the Slytherin House Dueling Hall in his world then he could have made a better comparison.

Three months was barely enough time to get a good grasp on the history of this world, let alone all the other subjects he’d had to study. He was fortunate that the War had toiled on so long, allowing him to develop research skills that had appeased Hermione’s meticulousness along with strategizing abilities that made Ron second-guess himself. How he missed them, but he had promised-- no vowed that he would do better this time! This time around he was determined he would do everything he possibly could to minimize civilian death and Anastas swore that he would destroy Voldemort from within the ranks of his own Death Eaters! To do that, Anastas would have to know every detail about his enemy and once he did, he would use that knowledge to destroy him utterly. Smiling viciously, Anastas conjured a chair and returned his attention to the Family Tree.

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The Solarium
Focalor Aerie, France
Sunday the 1st of September 1974
8:33 AM

Alauda Tesia Focalor, Matriarch of the Focalor Family, stared down at the elegant, monogrammed missive which had arrived in her morning post.

Matriarch Alauda Focalor-

Si Vales Valeo (1)

I, Estavan Cleto Torres, offer my sincerest salutations and apologize profusely for the delay in initiating correspondence between our prestigious Families.

I shall be brief, by now you have no doubt heard news of my newest grandson Anastas Lund-Torres. My son Evaristo and my solicitors have found and procured legal documentation proving without a doubt that young Anastas is both the only surviving Lund Heir and that he was the great-grandson of your youngest brother, Columbe Focalor.

The reason I am writing you goes far beyond simple common Pureblooded courtesies. Evaristo, who in his own right is a famed Seer, has a suspicion that Anastas will display physical characteristics of the Veela or Harpy blood received through his maternal ancestry. My son assures me that there is no cause for concern yet so I would like to extend an invitation to your family to join us at the Palacio for Christmas Festivities beginning the 20th of December until the 2nd of January. If it is possible, please bring your family Medi-wizard or notify me of a reputable Medi-wizard and I shall see that Anastas is examined.

Yours Sincerely,

Estavan Cleto Torres, Sovereign Prince of the Kingdom of Asturias

Memores acti prudentes future. (Mindful of what has been done, aware of what will be.)

If there was one thing Alauda hated with a passion, it was being struck speechless. Yet, that’s exactly the predicament she found herself in after reading the letter stamped with the seal of the Asturian Royal Family. The Focalors had never hid their inclination to marry into Veela or Harpy Conclaves. It kept their bloodlines Pure, their magic strong and especially, kept the Focalors strictly Neutral in Wizarding Affairs.

As far back as the Focalor Family records went, they had always continuously married into Veela or Harpy Conclaves every second or third generation. The children of such unions were always exquisitely formed and much sought after by other Wizarding Families. But such inherent beauty came with a steep price, the Focalor Wizards were almost always less powerful than their Witch counterparts, though there was always an exception. Every seventh to ninth generation, a Wizard with Focalor blood was born who manifested full Veela or Harpy characteristics which nearly doubled, if not tripled, the amount of magic they had at their disposal.

It was not the fact that her great-grandnephew might be a full Veela or Harpy that dismayed and surprised her so. No, it was the fact that it should have been impossible for his Magical Creature blood to manifest as he was born of the Fourth generation! This was…unheard of! Never before had the Focalors observed the dormant power their weaker male relatives passed on emerge so soon! Even the fabulously intelligent Jacob Lund had been an average Wizard at best while her brother Columbe had barely ranked above Squib status and his son Corvus and his grandson Florian had been Squibs!

So how in the name of Merlin had their genes been able to create the infamous Focalor Hellion?!

Alauda slouched in her chair, rubbing her temples with her hands. “Damn you mother! If only you hadn’t disowned Columbe for running off with the Lund Heiress. Now what am I supposed to do?”

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The Great Hall
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland
Sunday the 1st of September 1974
7:34 PM

Dinner was almost over and Anastas could still feel the stares, hear the whispers following him. It was almost as bad as his first day of school when he had started attending Hogwarts in his own world, only this was much worse. Hero-worship was something he had become accustomed to over the years but the giggling attentions of young Witches was more than he could bear! They clustered around him during breaks, they flirted with him in hallways and they did everything but slip him love potions to get his attention and it had only been a day!

In his world, the War had erupted and overtaken the Wizarding World so quickly that there was no time for idle flirtations. The fact that Voldemort had yet to reveal himself was both worrisome and annoying. He had asked for a second chance to do things right, not have a gaggle of love struck adolescents chasing him around making doe eyes at him! Anastas had wanted to draw some attention to himself, but this wasn’t exactly the sort of attention he wanted. It didn’t help that the teachers had such a keen interest in him. During all the meals, Anastas could feel the occasional glances Dumbledore leveled at him and Slughorn had already invited him to join one of his gatherings. It was a shame he’d have to go, if only to further his contacts.

Lucius and Severus had apparently come to a silent decision to befriend him, including him in their discussions and sitting next to him in class and at mealtimes. Anastas accepted their friendship, making sure that he appeared to be unfamiliar with the castle and the classes. The first day had been rather dull, the Professors reminding them that their OWLS were soon approaching and to study hard and take good notes. Fortunately Lucius and Severus were both attentive of their studies unlike the two loudest members of the Marauders which he’d shared two classes with today.

He’d been amused to see that the Marauders of this world numbered as a group of three. Peter Pettigrew had died in the same accident that had killed his father, leaving his mother a widow and childless. He found this both relieving and disappointing. He had been looking forward to seeing Pettigrew be terrorized by Voldemort.

James, Sirius and Remus still got on famously with the two dark haired boys leading Remus into all sorts of mischief. In fact Anastas was a little worried about possibly finding himself in the middle of the silent War going on between the Maruaders and the former Slytherin Duo. As far as he could tell, both groups gave as good as they got and Lucius’s superior smirk sometimes made him regret choosing to befriend the two Slytherins.

It was times like this where he bemoaned the fact that he had arrived in this world as a thirteen year old child and not his nineteen year old self. Just the thought of having to go through school and hormones on top of yet another War made him feel ancient! Anastas could only hope that things would fall out better this time around.

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Two weeks had passed by without incident and it was the last class before dinner, a joint Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Professor Osborne was a dark haired, solemn faced man who was almost always dressed in dark gray or black robes. Most of the students were unsure of him, the girls half in love with his smoky voice and half terrified of his spooky mannerisms. He had a habit of sneaking up on people without them even being aware of them and Anastas found it rather amusing. Perhaps this is who the Snape of his world had learned to be so stealthy?

“Today we will be having a practical lesson on Boggarts, as you may have surmised from the reading I assigned you yesterday. Now Professor Slughorn was kind enough to retrieve a Boggart from a trunk in one of the empty Potions Classrooms. If you would all kindly get up from your desks and move to the front of the classroom?” Professor Osborne began smoothly.

The students began moving, taking out their wands and chatting with each other as they formed two distinct groups, one Slytherin the other Gryffindor. Waving his wand, Professor Osborne moved the desks to the side of the room, leaving a large open area. A flick of his wand drew the shaking trunk at the back of the classroom to the middle of the room.

“Pay attention,” Osborne commented, instantly hushing the Fourth Years. “Retego!”

The lid of the trunk flew open and a strange black thing shot out turning into a green skinned forest troll. Anastas recognized it instantly, as they were the most intelligent of the three kinds of Trolls and often contracted as Security personnel. Standing at a shorter eight feet tall, it was a well proportioned, intimidating hulk carrying a huge spiked club.

Raising its club, it moved forward to strike just as Professor Osborne pointed his wand at it, “Riddickulus!”

The class laughed as the once intimidating troll now shook a balloon sword at them, wearing a child’s play suit.

Osborne had the slightest hint of a smile on his lips, “Now it’s your turn. Argyris you’re up first, Black is next and Bracken after him with the rest of you up in alphabetical order.”

Argyris’s Boggart turned into a pale skinned, fang bearing Vampire, Sirius had a Thestral, Bracken’s was a Devil’s Snare and a wild eyed, blue skinned river troll was Brehn’s worst fear. Campo shuddered as a ripped out tongue materialized when it was his turn, making the Slytherin girl Elizabeth Cole’s Boggart, which turned into a suit of armor covered in blood, seem rather mild. Fiona Doherty was frightened of what looked to be a Selkie while her best friend Janelle Fleming was afraid of horned toads. Anastas knew firsthand how intimidating a Hungarian Horntail was and wondered what sort of experience Hryhoruk had had that had caused him to fear them so much. A fierce looking Griffin was Alice Jones’ greatest fear, Daniel Keegan paled at the sight of a Grim and Frank Longbottom had an easy time banishing a hissing Boomslang.

“Lund-Torres, next!” Professor Osborne called out, standing to the side of the trunk well out of the way.

Anastas hurried past Madereel, who still looked rather pale after facing off against a hag, wondering idly what would appear. Madereel’s hag, which was scrambling to pick up all her fallen crooked teeth, quickly began mutating. For half a minute it seemed to be fighting between two forms before it finally turned into a cloaked figure. Anastas watched the figure, puzzled by who it could be. The moment it spoke he blanched, recognizing its voice immediately.

- You’re nothing more than a worthless, naïve fool. You’ll fail them just as you failed your friends. They’ll have you Kissed instead of thrown in Azkaban and they’ll have every reason to. - The cloaked figure laughed, sending chills up Anastas’s spine. - You’re not a monster, oh no-- you’re my bloodthirsty Diablo! -

Anastas broke free from his shock. “Riddickulus!” The cloaked figure did not turn into a laughable object of interest but was replaced with a thick, bloodied book with a dragonhide cover. Across the cover in spidery script were the words Potentia Absolutus (Power Absolute). Horrified to see that book, Anastas cast the charm again for the second time. As had happened the first time he’d cast the spell, the book vanished to be replaced with the cloaked figure. Thoughtlessly, he cast a Silencing Charm and backed away, shaken in more ways than he wanted to think about right now.

Professor Osborne stared calculatingly at the intimidating figure. Parseltongue was such a rare gift and for this boy, who had been living as a Muggle bare months before, to know of another wizard who could speak the language was curious. The fact that he seemed to understand Parseltongue was also very interesting. Shaking his head slightly he called up the next student. Remus walked passed the dazed Slytherin and took his place in front of the Boggart, which quickly turned into a werewolf. Without speaking, Anastas quietly collected his things and left the room ignoring the stares that followed him.

Once in the hallway, he released his breath and attempted to regain his calm. He didn’t know which of the two fears was worse to have been revealed to the class. The first was unidentifiable to them but it had spoken Parseltongue and he did not banish it until after it had finished speaking. The more observant students and even the Professor had likely picked up that clue and Anastas was not looking forward to the inquiry that would follow once rumor of this DADA lesson became common knowledge to the rest of the school.

Then there was the second fear, that infamous book which had caused so much ruin in his former world. It was enough to make him want to Oblivate himself. Had Hermione been alive he might have known just how dangerous the Potentia Absolutus was and if he hadn’t been so desperate he might have never undertaken the dangerous journey to the old Wizarding Ruin, Rasha’ule. In retrospect the only good thing about that book was that it had allowed him to destroy the remaining Horcruxes and kill Voldemort. Had it been worth being thrown into Azkaban for? Without a doubt, but it had been foolhardy of him to accept its powers without thinking about how the Potentia Absolutus would change him. Nothing had been the same since that day. Truly, he had made the proverbial ‘deal with the devil’.

There was no point in worrying about the figure and the book, likely he would have to deal with that particular demon later. It would be best to focus on the monumental setback this particular lesson had done to his plans and his projected ‘image’. How the hell was he going to repair this?

Sighing, he decided to return to the dungeons and skip dinner. Let them make of it what they wanted; he really needed some time to plan and regain his nerves. Making a quick stop in his dorm to drop off his things, he quickly delved deeper into the dungeons heading to the forgotten Slytherin House Dueling Hall.

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After being released from their last class of the week, Severus and Lucius had immediately returned to their dorm, hoping to find Anastas. The pale haired boy had fled class without a word after taking his turn with the Boggart. While surprised at the odd fears his friend had, Lucius had also noted silently that there was most definitely far more to the Lund-Torres heir than anyone had probably guessed in their wildest fantasies.

Severus and the other Slytherins had been silent, no doubt each absorbed with attempting to puzzle out the strange encounter in the classroom between their Housemate and the Boggart. As they had anticipated, the Gryffindors were gossiping loudly amongst themselves and eagerly stopped to tell friends and mutual acquaintances from other Houses about the strange incident in class. No doubt that the entire school and half the continent would know about the incident by the end of the weekend. Lucius grimaced; he did not envy his friend. The media would likely turn it into a spectacle, at least until the Sovereign Prince made his displeasure known. Then it would fade away from mainstream gossip to private speculation, spoken well out of earshot of anyone with connection to the Torres Family.

Lucius was annoyed to find their dorm empty. Only Anastas’ schoolbag gave any indication that the other boy had even returned to the dorm. Finding him would prove difficult in a school this size and Severus was quick to point out that their best choice would be to wait until Anastas joined the rest of the school for dinner. Nodding absently, Lucius wondered if the other boy would even bother making an appearance.

Two hours later, Lucius had the answer to his question. Anastas had not come out of hiding for dinner which was probably a good thing. Even though he had an angelic appearance and a nearly saint-like patience, Lucius had a feeling that the amount of gossip about Anastas’ Boggart would have likely caused the other boy to lose his temper. Only the Slytherin table was silent on the matter, they would likely ponder and share their theories later in a less public setting but they were Slytherins so that would be expected behavior.

At the Head Table, the Professors were also speaking softly of what had happened. Professor Slughorn was speaking in hushed tones with Professor Sinistra about how the media was likely to react when the news spread. Much to his annoyance, Professor Osborne found himself telling the story for the sixth time that evening to Professors Vector and Sprout. At the center of the table Albus and Rhys Dumbledore along with Professor McGonagall, were exchanging possible ideas about where the young Slytherin could be hiding. Fifth Year Prefect Evan Rosier had reported that no one had seen the Lund-Torres heir since he had abruptly left his DADA class and though he had been in the dorm briefly, no one had seen him after classes were let out.

After spending most of dinner debating about searching the school, Dumbledore finally decided that they would begin looking only if Anastas did not return to his dorm by curfew. As Professor Osborne had pointed out after first recounting the incident, it was likely the boy had wandered off to think about what had happened. Professor Slughorn cheerily agreed to grade papers in the Slytherin Common Room, so he could report if the Lund-Torres heir returned before curfew. Dumbledore nodded in agreement, thinking about what he had been told. It was not uncommon for a Boggart to change into different shapes when a Wizard failed to properly perform the Boggart Banishing Spell but he was vastly curious to find out more.

The cloaked man appeared to have spoken Parseltongue and where would a Muggle-raised orphan have heard Parseltongue before to recognize it? From the way Professor Osborne had described it, the Lund-Torres heir had not only recognized it, he had also understood it! It was becoming quite clear that young Anastas was more than he seemed and Dumbledore would have to invite the boy up to his office for tea soon.

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Notes:

1) Si Vales Valeo- Latin phrase meaning “If you are well, I am well” and was commonly used at the beginning of Ancient Roman letters.

The Torres Family- They have ruled the Wizarding Kingdom of Asturias for two thousand years, both before the Muggle KoA was founded in the 700’s and even after the Muggle KoA was absorbed into the Kingdom of Leon. Both kingdoms were separate, though the Wizards were obviously aware of the Muggle one. Estavan is a ruling Prince and his formal title is, His Serene Highness, the Sovereign Prince of Asturias, Estavan…etc.

All of Estavan’s descendants up to the third generation also bear the title Prince/Princess. Apolinar as the heir apparent is titled, ‘His Serene Highness, the Hereditary Prince of Asturias, Apolinar…etc. The rest of the Princes/Princesses are simply ‘His/Her Serene Highness’. Within the family itself, aside from given names, the siblings tend to refer to each other by the noble titles given to them from their father. I’ll go through more of the Torres Family history later on, so if you’re puzzled now (or curious) this will definitely be explored in depth later on.

The Lund Family- I got several reviews mentioning some confusion about the Lund Family so I’ll lay it out clearly for you.

Jacob Lund and Leticia De Witte had Phoebe Lund.

Phoebe Lund and Columbe Focalor had Corvus Focalor. Later on he became known as Corbin Evans.

Corbin Evans and Eglantine Teague had Florian Evans. (At this time the Focalor connection was forgotten)

Florian Evans and Gillian Trent had Petunia and Lily Evans. (In the World Anastas left behind. In the current world, Florian died before ever getting married and thus never had children.)

And as we all know, James Potter and Lily Evans had Harry Potter.

As mentioned last chapter, in the current world everyone believes Anastas is Florian Evans’s son.

The Focalor Family- Most family members have names that have some connection with birds. Unlike most Families, they are among the few who practice matrilineal succession, where all property and assets are passed directly from mother to daughter or the next closest female kin.

Alauda wrongly believes that Anastas is born of the Fourth Focalor generation when in reality, he’s of the Fifth. As is tradition of the Focalor Family the First generation of Focalors to be born after a Focalor Hellion emerges will be married, without issue, into Veela or Harpy conclaves. For breaking tradition, Columbe Focalor was disowned. This puts Alauda in a difficult position.

I hope that explains things well enough for now. Please review and ask questions if you’re confused, I’m happy to answer them!

-SheWolfe7
First Posted: Aug 18, 2006
First Revised: Aug 30, 2006
Second Revised: Dec 12, 2008