Greengrass Manor, Kent, 1/17/1985, 17:38
Harry stepped out of the fireplace with Ignotus in his arms, the room he stepped into reminded him of Malfoy Manor. The entry hall he stepped into had the same type of vaulted ceiling though the Greengrasses entry hall was composed of a beautiful dark green marble.
"Lord Peverell, welcome to our home," Lord Green grass said from a doorway leading off of the entry Hall.
'Whoosh'
"Thank you, Lord Greengrass," Harry said as Bellatrix and Carina appeared from the fireplace.
"Lady Peverell, welcome to our home," Lord Greengrass said with a bow.
"It is an honour for our family to be invited, Lord Greengrass," Bellatrix said in a stiff pureblood manner that seemed so out of character for his wife.
"I would formally introduce my heir but he seems to be sleeping at the moment," Harry chuckled as he and Bellatrix followed behind Jonathan as he led them through the door he had entered from
"Oh don't wake the lad up on my account, they need their rest at that age," Jonathan chuckled as they walked down a long hallway lined with paintings of past Greengrass lords.
"You have a very nice home," Harry commented as they entered a grand dining room decked in green marble just like the entrance hall.
"It's been part of my husband's family for six centuries," Roxanne Greengrass' voice cut in from the other end of the long table.
"I trust you remember my wife, Roxanne?" Lord Greengrass said as his wife approached.
"How could I forget, her beauty is only eclipsed by that of my wife," Harry said charmingly.
"Why thank you, as beautiful as your wife is I take that as high praise indeed," Roxanne beamed.
"Please join us at the table, I had Martin bring up a set of chairs for the little ones," Jonathan said as he led the way to the end of the table.
Harry noticed two little girls already seated at the table. The older of the two Harry knew to be Daphne was seated in a regular seat though seemed to be sitting on a booster.
The younger girl looked close in age to the twins and was seated in a matching highchair to the ones Harry and Bella were situating the twins in and watching the newcomers through her big blue eyes.
"Hello," Daphne said in an innocent voice.
"Hello Ms Greengrass," Harry said with a warm smile.
"Lord Peverell, meet my daughter Daphne," Jonathan said.
"Pleasure to meet you daphne," Harry smiled at the girl.
"And this little lady is Astoria," Lord Greengrass continued.
"Lady Astoria," Harry bowed his head making both girls giggle.
"I suppose it's my turn, Please let me introduce my heir, Ignotus Peverell," Harry said gesturing to his son who had just woken up and was looking around the room curiously.
"And my daughter, Carina Peverell," Harry gestured to his daughter who was staring at Astoria and Daphne in curiosity.
"You have beautiful children, Lord Peverell," Lord Greengrass complimented.
"Thank you but I think we can dispense with titles, Lord Greengrass. Harry will be more than fine," Harty grinned as he pulled Bellatrix's seat out and seated her.
"Then please call me Jonathan," Said lord reciprocated seeming to relax a bit.
"So Daphne, how are you liking Lady Malfoy's daycare?" Harry asked kindly.
"It's a lot of fun, Lady Malfoy taught us how to dance like a princess," Daphne answered happily.
"Narcissa is doing a wonderful job with them," Roxanne cut in sounding pleased.
"We've already signed the twins up for after their third birthday," Bellatrix admitted as food appeared on the table.
"We've done the same for little Astoria," Roxanne agreed.
The smell of food filled the room as they filled their plates.
The food was amazing and the group fell into silence as they enjoyed their meal and ensured the children put their food in their mouths and not on their faces.
Harry was still trying to figure out what this meeting was about but knew he was going to have to use patience and wait for Lord Greengrass to bring the subject up.
Luckily he didn't have to wait very long before the subject was broached
"So I suppose you're curious about why we invited you over for dinner this evening?" Roxanne asked after the main course was finished and they were starting on their dessert.
"I was a bit curious," Harry confessed as he put some chocolate cake onto Iggy's plate much to the toddler's delight.
"I am in the process of looking into suitable matches for my daughters, your son is one possible match for my youngest and I was wanting to discuss the possibility of entering them in a compatibility arrangement," Lord Greengrass explained.
"A Compatability arrangement?" Harry repeated as he wracked his brain to remember what that was.
"Yes, a match between our lines could be beneficial for both families. From my research, you are closely related to the Potter?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes, the Potters are our closest wizard kin," Harry agreed.
"I thought as much, the resemblance between you and little Harry Potter is quite striking," Roxanne said giving her husband a smug look.
"That is to the better, there hasn't been a union between the Potters or the Peverells in over four centuries," Jonathan nodded.
"And marrying a daughter of House Greengrass would elevate our status," Harry said thoughtfully.
Like the Blacks, the Greengrass family were part of the sacred twenty-eight not that Harry set much store by that list. The only reason the Potters were not included on that list was because the author one Cantankerous Nott took offence at Henry Potter's view on muggles at the time and excluded the whole line from the list. According to the pureblood code, the Potters were still pureblood as his mother was not a muggleborn as most believed.
If his son were to marry a daughter of the Greengrass line that would greatly improve the status of his house in the eyes of the other purebloods. His son would likely be very influential when he took up the Peverell lordship just for the fact of who he was married to.
Harry pushed those thoughts away as he tried to remember the compatibility arrangement but was drawing a blank.
"I am ashamed to admit that I am drawing a blank on a Compatability arrangement," Harry said candidly.
"Don't be, they haven't been used in centuries. Our solicitor actually suggested this to us as a safe way to take Astoria off of the market, so to speak," Roxanne said as she put a bit more cake on Daphne's plate.
"So how does it work?" Harry asked curiously.
"Basically, we would sign an agreement which would halt anyone from being able to approach either of the children with betrothal contracts. We would let them get to know each other and see if anything develops naturally over time," Jonathan explained.
"I imagine at a certain point the agreement would expire," Harry inquired.
"If they show no interest in the other by the day Astoria reaches maturity then they could go their own way," Jonathan assured him.
"I am not opposed to it but Bellatrix and I would have to talk this over before we could make any decision," Harry said thoughtfully.
"I agree, how about we discuss this in a few week's time?" Bellatrix said speaking up for the first time.
"Yes, that sounds fine. I know this is a big decision to make," Jonathan said seeming pleased with their answer.
"I know, it's kind of hard to look at them and think about them getting married one day," Harry chuckled as he watched his kids smearing chocolate cake on their chins.
"Agreed, I must admit that is not something I look forward to," Jonathan said shooting his daughters a fond look.
"I pity anyone trying to court Carina, Harry and his snakes will have them fleeing for the hills," Bellatrix giggled.
"I'm not sure there is a suitor good enough for my Carina," Harty said unabashedly.
"I know exactly what you mean," Jonathan said with a wry chuckle.
"So where are you going next on your travels?" Roxanne asked interestedly.
"India, there is an occamy reserve we are collecting eggshells from," Harry said looking forward to the upcoming trip.
"Are you still working with Sanjay Patil?" Jonathan inquired.
"Yes, though I think Sanjay is planning on retiring after this year," Harry answered somewhat sadly.
"So you will be taking over all of his duties?" Jonathan asked in surprise.
"To be honest I am not sure at the moment. I know I'm the only other serpent specialist in Britain but I know India and Egypt have quite a few. I have a feeling I will be taking on work in the Americas but other than that I'm not certain," Harry admitted.
"Harry got to work with basilisks a few months ago," Bellatrix said with a fond smile.
"Good heavens," Roxanne said in alarm.
"They are actually fairly friendly, though most of the ones I worked with were fairly young," Harry smiled.
"How do you look at them though?" Roxanne asked sounding very interested.
"They have a transparent eyelid that contains the effects of their stare, all you have to do is ask them to keep it shut," Harry assured her.
"I have noticed basilisk venom is very easy to acquire now," Jonathan said thoughtfully.
"That would be mainly due to the big one we removed from the Chamber of Secrets in eighty-two. She yielded over two gallons of venom in one extraction," Harry explained.
"So the rumours are true that the XXXXX creature you and Mr Scamsnder removed from the school was from the Chamber of Secrets," Jonathan muttered.
"Yes, she was very old and seems quite content in her new home," Harry chuckled.
"Have you been back to the chamber since then?" Roxanne asked curiously.
"No. From what I've heard, Dumbledore sealed the entrance off after we removed the creature," Harry answered as Carina started fussing.
"I think we had better get the children to bed," Bellatrix said as she scooped Carina out of her high chair to try and settle her down.
"Yes, I suppose we should do the same Jonathan said as Daphne yawned cutely.
"I will owl you in a week or two so you can join us for dinner and we can discuss the compatibility agreement in more detail," Harry offered.
"That sounds agreeable," Jonathan nodded offering his hand which Harry shook.
"It was a pleasure to see you again, Lady Greengrass," Harry smiled and kissed the knuckles of her offered hand as custom dictated for these types of meetings.
"Lady Peverell," Jonathan bowed before kissing her hand as well.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Greengrass," Bellatrix said while holding Carina in her left arm.
After they had said their farewells, Harry scooped Ignotus out of the high chair and he and Bella made their way to the fireplace, knowing they would be up very late discussing Jonathan Greengrass' proposition.
Ignotus could be furious with him if he agreed to the arrangement. Then again, from what he remembered of Astoria Greengrass in his timeline, Harry knew she would grow up to be a very beautiful woman. So the chances were also good that Iggy could be ecstatic about the agreement.
'It could go either way,' Harry thought as he watched Bella and Carina disappear in green flames before he and Ignotus stepped through behind her.
Occamy Reserve, Ross Island, India, 3/28/1985
Harry was walking down the path following Sanjay as he led him towards an old nesting site to collect eggshells. The island was a subtropical jungle with tall trees and thick vines. The weather was hot and humid and the air was filled with birdsong and the sound of the ocean crashing onto the shore in the distance. They were walking through some old ruins of a stone building as they made their way across the island to their final stop of the day.
Occamy eggshells were made out of pure silver and were highly sought after which is why this reserve was founded in the first place. Poachers would often raid the occamy nests and would sometimes shatter unhatched eggs for their shells, killing the occamy hatchlings in the process.
These weren't really serpents per se but more of an odd breed of bird. However, they were classified as serpents meaning that Sanjay was able to enter the reserve which was heavily protected by the Indian ministry.
The island was abandoned by muggles but at one time it used to be controlled by the British government. Now the Indian magical ministry used this and a few other unpopulated islands in this island chain for dangerous or endangered magical creatures.
They weren't expected to be here for more than a few days but they had plenty of collections to make on the mainland after they were finished here. Sanjay said they would get to do extractions from the big four and maybe some king cobra venom if they came across any.
According to Sanjay, this would be his last venom collection excursion which meant Harry would be making the trip to Africa on his own this June.
Harry realized the throwaway comment Sanjay had made to the horned serpent held more truth than he thought. Sanjay wasn't training an assistant, he was training Harry to take his place.
They walked up to the last nesting site but found a gruesome sight waiting for them. The nest had been raided and dead chicks littered the ground, the shells of their eggs broken before they were ready to hatch.
"Oh no!" Sanjay exclaimed as he moved forward studying the area around the nest where a much larger occamy lay decapitated, its beautiful feathers soaked in pink-coloured blood.
"The creature is already on the verge of extinction without these bastards killing them for their shells!" Sanjay said looking very distraught.
"Who could have done something like this!" Harry asked in horror as he looked on the ground at the tiny feathered bodies of the dead baby occamy.
"Poachers," Sanjay hissed angrily.
Harry continued to look over the scene finding part of a torn and bloodied cloak on the ground by the nest. From the looks of it, the mother had put up a good fight.
Harry picked up the cloak noticing it was still warm and made of embroidered acromantula silk. Up towards where it was torn was half of the collar and part of the maker's tag still attached to the inside of the piece of the cloak.
"attings," Harry read out loud recognizing the writing on the tag as it was on most of his own clothes.
"They were from Britain and from the looks of it we just missed them," Harry said as he tossed Sanjay the piece of cloak
"Twilfit and Tattings," Sanjay muttered as he inspected the cloak looking for any other hint as to who the owner was.
Harry suddenly noticed something or more importantly, the lack of something on the ground.
The mother occamy's head wasn't on the ground anywhere near the body.
"They took her head," Harry said in realisation as he moved to the body of the down serpent and ran his wand over it.
"What have you got?" Sanjay asked after a minute.
"This wasn't done by a spell, she was restrained with a spell but her head was... removed with a sharp tool," Harry said thoughtfully.
Looking closer, Harry noticed the cut was very clean, the blade passed between her vertebrates without breaking them, this was done by someone experienced with butchering an animal.
"Like a sword?" Sanjay asked pulling Harry out of his observations.
"Or an axe," Harry said as he suddenly had a suspicion about who killed the mother occamy.
"Can members of the creatures divisions from other ministries enter this reserve?" Harry asked.
"No easier than anyone else," Sanjay answered in confusion.
"But if they had been here before they would know how to avoid being detected," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Yes, I could get in without being noticed by the Indian ministry," Sanjay admitted.
"I could too, the detection ward has weak spots to the south," Harry said thinking it over.
"You suspect someone?" Sanjay asked a shrewd look coming over his features.
"I do, there is a man in the British ministry who works as an executioner for the disposal of dangerous creatures. He uses a double-bladed axe to execute the animals he puts down," Harry said as he stepped away from the nest.
"I doubt anything can be done about this, especially if he is from Britain," Sanjay said as they began walking back the way they came, each getting lost in their own thoughts.
"Not yet, but I will make some inquiries with Amelia about this, she's still processing that poaching case from the year before last maybe we'll get lucky," Harry said knowing that legally there was not very much they could do.
"I wouldn't put too much effort into this, poachers hardly ever get prosecuted unless they're caught in the act," Sanjay said still seeming pretty upset.
"I know, but it can't hurt to try," Harry shrugged knowing their chances were pretty slim.
"Let's fill the warden in and get back to the mainland," Harry sighed.
"Agreed," Sanjay say as he led the way to the warden's hut down by the beach.
Harry waited outside the hit and waited while Sanjay talked to the warden still pondering what they had just found. They couldn't have missed the poachers by very long, the blood was still warm on the cloak. Harry did take some comfort in the fact that whoever had stolen the eggshells was pretty seriously injured by the mother occamy even though that had probably cost the creature her life.
Harry was tempted to pay Walden McNair a visit but knew he would have to be patient for now.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts as Sanjay came out of the Warden's hut looking stricken.
"The Indian ministry is on their way, they are going to want to interview us so we have to wait here for a bit," Sanjay said looking irritable.
"I hate that this had to happen on your final excursion," Harry sighed as he took a seat in the sand.
"And in my own country no less," Sanjay nodded as he took a seat beside Harry, pulling out a couple of bottles of butterbeer from his pocket.
"I am going to miss these trips," Sanjay admitted as he opened his drink.
"Same here, it will get lonely out there by myself," Harry agreed.
"Yeah, I know it will. I've been working solo for fifty-plus years," Sanjay nodded his agreement
"Here's to your retirement," Harry said with a sad smile as he raised his bottle in a toast and Sanjay clinked his bottle against it before they both took a swig.
Harry knew after this job everything was going to change. Rather the change was for the better or not remained to be seen.
'At least I'll still have Athena for company,' Harry thought optimistically.
Unknown Location, Balkan Mountain Range, 3/31/1985, 23:20
Thomas Avery approached the shack surrounded by thick forest, making sure to check over his shoulder before pushing the door open and stepping into the modestly furnished hunting cabin.
"You're late, Thomas," came the annoyed voice of Antonin Dolohov.
"It took them longer to collect the materials, the eggshells are particularly troublesome to obtain," Avery sighed as he took a seat at the scrubbed wooden table before grabbing the bottle of Odens and filling himself a glass.
"Yes, I'm aware," Dolohov sighed as he refilled his own glass once Avery set the bottle down.
"Are you sure this will work, I mean how do we even know he is still out there?" Avery asked nervously.
"The mark is still there, that means his magic is still powering it," Dolohov shrugged.
"And the ritual?" Avery pressed.
"It will have to wait until the solstice but it should help us find him," Dolohov assured him before taking a deep swig from his glass and belching out smoke.
"Alright, I'll get everyone here on the twentieth," Avery nodded as he dug in his pocket and pulled the burlap sack full of silver eggshells.
"How many have you gathered?" Dolohov asked as he looked in the bag before looking into his colleague's eyes.
"Seven so far, a lot of our brothers have died since the dark lord fell," Avery admitted as he knocked back the glass of firewhiskey.
"I know, I watched the LeStrange brothers and Augustus die in their cells," Dolohov muttered.
"Who was it?" Avery asked his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Don't know, he wore grey hooded robes like an unspeakable. He killed them efficiently didn't seem to bother him much," Dolohov said thoughtfully.
"Bellatrix has left our ranks as well, she even found a way to remove her mark," Avery commented.
"I've heard, she married the bloke that killed Greyback," Dolohov grunted.
"She did, he and Patil almost caught McNair's team on Ross Island," Avery admitted.
"What do you know about Peverell?" Dolohov asked.
"Nothing concrete but there is a rumour in some circles that he is a hired assassin," Avery admitted.
"Really?" Dolohov asked intrigued.
"Word is he did Greyback on contract for Cassie Black," Avery explained.
"Would explain how he got in with the Black family," Dolohov mused.
"He turned Bellatrix into a common housewife," Avery guffawed.
"Well never mind that, the traitorous bitch will get hers when our master returns," Dolohov said with some annoyance.
"Good, if this ritual bears fruit we can find him and give our aid," Avery nodded his agreement.
"What about the stone?" Dolohov asked.
"I have some contacts out looking for the Flamels but they've had centuries to learn how to avoid being found. Their last known address was in Paris in nineteen twenty-seven," Avery sighed sounding frustrated.
"Good, keep looking," Dolohov ordered.
"I will. How's Igor holding up?" Avery asked.
"He came through, got me papers so I am legally a Bulgarian citizen as of last December," Dolohov conceded.
"Good, let the master decide his fate we're short-handed as it is," Avery insisted.
"I know Thomas," Antonin growled.
"I'll have our other supplies by the end of next month, I have to get back to Britain," Avery said as he knocked back his second glass of firewhiskey.
"Take care," Dolohov muttered as he refilled his own glass.
"You too," Avery grunted on his way out the door
Thomas made his way out of the cabin and began walking out into the forest surrounding it so he could cross the transportation wards.
At first, Thomas Avery was content to let the dark lord remain gone, it was rough being a death eater and he had just barely avoided Azkaban when his master fell.
Then purebloods started dropping like flies and their cause was seriously at risk of being lost for good. Avery had been shocked when Lucius had been killed but had chalked it up to an accident. Then Randolph disappeared never to be seen again. Nott and Selwyn were killed in very suspicious circumstances and their true killer was never found but it was believed to be an assassination.
It didn't take a genius to figure out death eaters were being picked off one at a time and that's not counting the three killed at Azkaban or Barty Crouch Jr getting the kiss!
He was good with a wand but Thomas was man enough to know when he was out of his depth. So he had set the wheels in motion to bring back someone who could get things back to the way they were supposed to be.
But first, they had to find him.
Peverell Beach House, Cornwall, 5/7/1985, 13:39
Harry smiled as his children ate their birthday cake, the weather was mild today so they had the party down by the beach so the kids could run around.
This year the Greengrass family had come by as well as Sirius, Harry, and Edgar. Narcissa had brought Draco so the twins had plenty of kids pretty close to their age to play with.
"Harry, when do you leave for Africa?" Sirius asked while the women chatted on the other side of the conjured picnic table while the children slurped on ice cream.
"First of next month, it'll just be me this time so I'll be gone for a few months," Harry answered before taking a bite of cake.
"What kind of snakes are you after?" Jonathan asked sounding interested.
"Boomslang for their skin and then I have to fill a collection order for black mamba venom," Harry replied.
"Well don't bring one of them home with you," Sirius cut in.
"Athena and Ares are all the snakes we need," Harry assured him as he glanced over at his familiar basking in the sun.
"So I take it you won't be at the Wizengamot meeting in June?" Jonathan asked.
Since Harry and Bellatrix had agreed to the compatibility arrangement, Jonathan Greengrass and his family had been over quite often. Likewise, Harry and Bella had visited Greengrass manor at least once a week for Ignotus and Astoria to get used to each other.
"No but Bellatrix will take my place," Harry assured him.
"I only hope you get to see Nymphadora before she has to go back to school," Andi said from her place down the table.
"I should be back by mid-July," Harry said as he caught a glimpse of his heir throwing cake at his sister.
"Alright enough of that," Harry chastised as Carina was raring her tiny arm back to return fire.
"We don't throw cake, we eat it," Bella cooed at the twins.
"You see the anarchy I have to put up with on a daily basis," Harry chuckled.
"Those two will be trouble, you mark my words," Narcissa smirked
"Yeah, I pity their etiquette teacher," Harry nodded earning a chuckle from his godfather and a withering glare from his sister-in-law.
"They will be perfectly behaved in my etiquette lessons," Narcissa assured him.
'You can only hope,' Harry thought to himself as Carina got her vengeance on Ignotus in the form of a flung spoonful of ice cream to his face.
Harry and Bella had just put the kids down for the evening and were sitting on the deck watching the sun get low in the sky. The party had gone well and the guests had all left after a light dinner on the beach. Harry had actually shifted his trip to Africa a head a month so he could spend the kids' birthday with them.
"How long do you plan on going abroad collecting venom?" Bellatrix asked curiously.
"A few more years, it's not like we need the money," Harry confessed.
"Then what will you do?" Bella asked curiously.
"Try and find work closer to home. I hate being away from you three for weeks at a time," Harry confessed.
"You could work at Hogwarts," Bella suggested.
"And work for that whiskered wanker?" Harry smirked repeating Bella's response when he had suggested she become a defence professor.
"Yes but it would be a very easy job, just don't start losing fingers and limbs like Kettleburn," Bella said with a giggle.
"I'll consider it the day you take the job as the defence professor," Harry proposed.
"Not going to happen," Bellatrix scowled.
"Then let's talk of something else," Harry grinned
."Like what?" Bellatrix asked in amusement.
"Like the fact that you behaved yourself through the entire party and it's been a while since we messed around on the deck," Harry grinned as he pulled her into his lap.
"Oh Harry," Bellatrix exclaimed before he silenced her by capturing her lips in a heated kiss.
Unknown, Balkan Mountain Range, 6/21/1985, 21:37
The circle of wizards chanted around the pint-sized steaming cauldron as they tried to channel their magic into the runic array etched into the earth with the cauldron at its centre.
In one voice, the seven death eaters chanted the final line of the ritual as the sun disappeared on the horizon.
"Show us to our master so he may guide us on our Way!"
A powerful burst of magic exploded out of the seven men and seemed to be absorbed into the potion before it glowed a bright ruby red.
"The parchment, Avery. Pour it on the parchment," Dolohov instructed.
Avery quickly took the enchanted parchment and unrolled it on the writing desk that looked completely out of place in the middle of this forest clearing, before putting on his dragonhide gloves and pouring the red liquid in the cauldron over the blank parchment.
The parchment seemed to soak up the potion before a red outline began to appear on the outer edge of the parchment.
The line curved and twisted quickly zooming around the parchment, it soon became obvious the line was forming the outline of the African, Asian, and European landmass. When the line stopped moving there was a flash and the outline turned black before two glowing red dots were marked on the parchment.
The first dot appeared near the Mediterranean sea on a peninsula east of the boot heel of Italy.
The other dot was definitely in England looking to be somewhere near London though it was hard to tell with no political lines on the map to go by.
"Well this complicates things," Dolohov grunted as he studied the map closely.
Head's Office, Hogwarts, 6/22/1985, 19:29
Albus lifted himself out of the memory and pondered what he had just seen. The death eaters had started searching out their matter again... but much too soon.
Albus just thanked his lucky stars that Severus had received an invitation to this gathering. This memory proved many of his theories correct. The first of which that Tom had split his soul, though if Albus were being honest he would have assumed there would be more pieces.
The ritual used a potion that sought out the soul of the one missing and marked them on a piece of enchanted parchment keyed to the potion.
Albus now knew where the occamy shells were that Newt had told him about. Mr Peverell and Mr Patil had made a gruesome discovery a few months back at the occamy reserve and now Albus knew the reason. The ritual potion required the shells of seven unhatched occamy eggs as well as other nefarious ingredients.
Albus would have to beef up security around the area Voldemort was hiding, he knew he could delay them a few years at the most but in the meantime, he would begin looking for that other dot he had seen on the map.
'I hoped I had more time,' Albus sighed as he opened a bottle of Coca-Cola sitting on his desk and took a long sip.