June 1995
On the 24th of June 1995 the world lost colour. Everything dimmed, darkened, faded. Lilith moved around the castle in shadows, her vision tunnelled, her mind kept blank by the amount of firewhiskey she consumed when no one was watching. She didn't even say goodbye when she left the castle a few days before everyone, apparating to Cave Hill with her belongings from beyond the castle grounds. She didn't read the letters from her siblings or Fleur or notes from Hermione, only spared a few words to Squeaky before her vision went blank. When she came to her senses, she realised that in blind rage her accidental magic destroyed everything in sight inside the main room of the Cave Hill manor. But she didn't care about the shattered glass littering the wooden floor, pieces of torn paintings scattered around the room, or her bleeding face and arms. It all could be repaired with a simple spell. But Cedric? Her platonic soulmate, her sunny, goofy best friend, her partner in crime, her confidant... he couldn't be brought back. Cedric who loved the sun and flew high with such joy was now buried six feet under and no matter what she could do, no spell or potion would ever bring him back. Nothing. Was this some kind of cosmic joke? Her father's revenge from beyond? Or was this always his fate?
She was very familiar with the world of pain and death but Cedric's passing opened a new chapter in that book. She was sure she was prepared for everything but this wasn't it. She cried until her eyes were sore, and screamed until her voice disappeared but it didn't make the pain shrink. It filled her whole body and soul. It made her completely functionless. But she couldn't be functionless. She couldn't. The wizarding world was on the brink of another war and she was the head of the most powerful house in existence. She didn't like it, not at all but she had to admit that she was glad her father made her proficient in compartmentalization. So she took those feelings, the pain and sadness, shoved them into an imaginary box and hid them on the top shelf in her mind. She pulled the painful memories of her dead best friend from her mind and hid them in her personal Pensieve inside of her room. And she took every little thing Cedric ever gave her, put them into a real box and hid them under the floorboards, safe for one t-shirt and silver shamrock still hanging around her neck. She cleaned the main room, repaired the paintings and windows, apologized to Squeaky, and dove straight into the business ahead.
In the current situation, in the current environment, she couldn't let her siblings come home. They did not remember what it was like during the first war but she did. She remembered the yells, the screams, the bodies, the dangerous and important people coming and leaving. She witnessed the meetings and small battles taking place all around their home, and she couldn't let her sibling become part of it so soon. Before she left, Dumbledore told her about the new headquarters and it was ideal. So, the first letter she wrote was to Sirius, asking him to take them in for the summer. She was sure he knew the reason why, but they went with the official story. To get to know their uncle and their mother's side of the family. Up until then, Sirius was still in Azkaban and no other Black was around. Narcissa Malfoy or Andromeda Tonks were alive, yes, but Andromeda was still very fragile, trying to distance herself from the Black House as much as possible, and she couldn't trust Narcissa with facts. But Lilith trusted Sirius to tell them the truth about it, not 'The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black' bullshit. He was the closest link they had to their mother. So she wrote the letter, getting a positive reply immediately.
Dear L,
"I was in Godric's Hollow that day, my lady. He is dead." the man on her left leaned forward as if it would make his argument stronger. Her father always warned her to keep an eye on Felix Selwyn. He seemed nervous as he pushed back the sandy blond hair that fell into his eyes. Lilith raised her hand, silencing them.
"I'm aware of that. However, due to circumstances, I think we should all reconsider everything we ever knew about this matter. Because he didn't die." she could see the bewildered looks on their faces. All except one. Theodor Prewett was looking at her and she could see the spark of intrigue in his blue eyes.
"I don't know how is that possible, believe me. But fifteen years ago, Voldemort didn't die. He was weakened, very much so but not dead. I don't know how that slipped my father's radar, or how nobody knew about it but it is our problem now. Because his follower found him, and with the cooperation of Barty Crouch Jr., he brought him back. And I don't mean back to life, I mean brought him back to his previous state, previous power. Voldemort is back and more dangerous than ever, because the Ministry is in complete denial." the room fell completely silent, the only sound echoing through the room was the cracking of fire. She could see how colour disappeared from the faces around the table.
"So he's back." murmured the last of the four, Rowan Celtigar as tapped his fingers on the mahogany table.
"Yes." Lilith sighed as took another sip of her firewhiskey. "It could've been avoided if Dumbledore paid more attention. Crouch spent a year at Hogwarts yet he never suspected that his supposedly 'good friend' was not who he seemed to be." her tone was bitter and her knuckles whitened around the glass.
"Did he call the Order?" Theodor leaned forward in his seat. Of course, he would ask that question. His two brothers already died in Dumbledore's ranks and his sister was still part of it.
"He did." she watched as Theodor sighed and shook his head.
"I share your sentiment about him, Theodor, believe me, I do. But we have to act." the men sat up straight in their chairs. "Augustus, we need to keep an eye on the muggle prime minister, keep him safe. You're in his cabinet so that plays in our favour. I need you to look out for him but also keep an ear to the ground in case there is some strange occurrence that might be caused by magic. I need those reports from you."
"Of course, my lady." the black-haired man nodded and Lilith turned to her left.
"Felix, I need you to keep an eye on your community. Werewolves are very unpredictable and with Greyback in the mix, I need every information you can get. Could you do that?" she watched as Felix sagged in his seat, his arm unconsciously touching the pale scars on his face.
"I will do everything I can, my lady." his voice shook a little bit but she could see the determination in his eyes before she turned to the next.
"Rowan, I need someone reliable at the ministry. Someone who will watch, listen and report everything back to me. If the Ministry is in denial, it's weakened. I need someone that nobody is going to suspect." she watched as Rowan's back straightened.
"I'm your eyes and ears, my lady." she nodded and her eyes finally found the last one.
"Theodor, I need you to take over my duties. From now on, I need you to deal with the debts, the loans, the acquisitions... everything. I trust you with it. I will be the one to deal with the goblins but everything else is on you now." she watched as Theodor's eyes widened in surprise.
"My lady... with all due respect, you want me to do what?" Lilith took another sip.
"I want you to take over my duties. You've done it for my father before and you've done it well." she said simply and watched as he took the information in.
"It'd be my honour, my lady." Theodor bowed his head and Lilith set her glass back on the table.
"Good. Now that we have this settled I think our meeting has ended." at that the four men bowed their heads and got up. "Theodore, please stay a little longer. I need to discuss something with you." Theodore sat back down as the other three said their goodbyes. Lilith waited until the last green flame faded before taking another sip from her glass and reaching down to her pocket.
"What do you need, my lady?" Lilith eyed him carefully. Out of everybody, Theodore Prewett was the one person her family could depend on 100%. He knew about every side it presented, every sickle that was moved and every move they made. He was discreet and he was loyal to the bone.
"I sent Aveline and Sebastian to live with our uncle at 12 Grimmauld Place, I know you're familiar with it. Dumbledore made it the headquarters of the Order. I need you to go there and give these to my siblings." she pushed two keys in her hand towards Theodore. She could feel her hand shaking a little bit so she quickly pulled it back. "During this year, I opened two vaults as Gringotts. One for Sebastian and one for Aveline. For safety purposes. I wanted to give those keys to them when they come of age but I guess they need it now." Theodore took those keys, eyeing them. "721 is for Sebastian and 722 is for Aveline. I transferred some amount of money to them, they should be alright." she paused for a moment. "Just, don't tell them they're from me. Tell them that father set them up and you're executing his will or something. Just make something up, please." she was once again nursing her glass of whiskey, avoiding Theodor's eyes as she leaned back into her chair.
"My lady, if I may, are you sure..." Lilith shot him a look.
"It's not a question, Theodor. It's an order." he held her gaze for a little while before he nodded. "That's it. You can go." she watched him get up, tucking the keys back into his pocket.
"I don't know what you're going to do next, my lady, but at least visit them sometime. Keeping things from your family is harder than it seems, believe me."
"I know, Theodore. Thank you." he bowed his head, walked towards the fireplace and disappeared in the green flames. With a long sigh, Lilith downed her firewhiskey and stood up to fill it again. As she stood with her back to the fireplace, pouring herself a generous amount, she heard a familiar cracking of the flames once more and watched green reflect on the wooden wall. She didn't turn around but quickly downed the liquor, not even wincing at the burning of her throat.
"New Lady Farrow, I presume?" the hair at the back of her neck rose up at the sound of the high-pitched, cold voice reminding her of the snake's hissing. Suddenly she was glad she decided to send her siblings away. She closed her eyes, cleared her mind, putting one wall after another around her thoughts until it was sealed completely, poured herself another glass and slowly turned around. She remembered him even though it was a very long time since she'd last seen him. But as those dark scarlet eyes bore into her, she felt goosebumps and shivers all around her body but she didn't show it. As they watched each other, she took a few slow steps forward, taking a sip from her glass but her eyes never left his.
"I was wondering when we would finally meet, Voldemort."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Theodore Prewett watched as the houses parted, revealing the infamous 12 Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of the Black family. He took a deep breath before gripping the door handle and pulling the door open. What he didn't expect were the noises that rang around the house. Lady Farrow told him it was the Order's headquarters but he expected only Sebastian and Aveline to be the only children there. But as a young girl with a fiery redhead ran down the stairs and stopped to stare at him, he gulped.
"Uncle Theo?" she whispered.
"Ginny." he smiled at her warmly before the girl threw herself at him, hugging him tightly before releasing him.
"Mum! Uncle Theo is here!" she yelled but her screams seemed to wake up a portrait hanging nearby.
"Blood-traitors! Filth! Scum in my home!" the lady in the portrait shrieked before being shut down by a man in his mid-thirties with curly black hair running down the hall.
"Shut up you wench!" he yelled back and waved his wand, ultimately making her stop. Behind him, Theodore could see another person.
"Theodore?" she smiled warmly at him as she walked forward, embracing him warmly.
"Hi, Molly." he hugged her back. He hadn't seen his older sister in quite some time but her hugs and warm nature always reminded him of their mother. As she pulled back, she held him by his arms.
"What are you doing here? Did Dumbledore send you?" Theodore could feel a lump in his throat as he looked at his sister. As smart as she was, she believed in Dumbledore wholeheartedly. How could she be so blind? He shook his head and looked over her shoulder. Sirius Black was watching the exchange and another of his nephews were also watching them.
"No, it wasn't Dumbledore." His eyes locked on Sirius and saw as his back straightened. He understood what he meant. "Could we speak somewhere more private?" he watched as Molly's smile turned into confusion.
"Private? I... yes, of course. Come on in." she guided him to what seemed like a kitchen with Sirius in tow. He heard as the doors closed and Sirius put a silencing spell on them. "Some tea?."
"Tea would be lovely, Molly. Thank you." he sat at one of the chairs, Sirius and Molly following suit as Molly waved her wand and three cups of steaming tea levitated from the kitchen to the table.
"So why are you here, Theo?" Theodore stirred his tea with a spoon.
"I need to speak with Sebastian and Aveline." Molly sat up straighter in her chair.
"The Farrow children? What do you want with them?" he exchanged a quick look with Sirius before giving Molly a warm smile.
"It's my bad, honestly. Their father's last will landed on my table a long ago and I already executed most of it but I missed a small detail regarding them so I'm here to rectify the mistake." he hated lying to his sister in the face but he didn't have a choice. "Could you get them for me, please?" Molly nodded with a small smile, patted his hand gently and exited the kitchen. His eyes went back to Sirius who watched him with a raised eyebrow, leaning back in his chair.
"You're a better liar than I remember, Theo. My niece sent you, am I right?"
"I've got my orders." he shrugged and sipped his tea. Sirius leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"How is she? Is she alright?" Theodore felt a pang in his chest at the question and sighed.
"Honestly, I don't know. She looks troubled. The death of young Diggory hit her hard." Sirius frowned at his words.
"Well can you do something about it?"
"Do what exactly, Sirius? Do what? She an adult, she's the head of the Farrow house, she's my lady." he hissed." I worry, I do. I knew her even before she was born but I also know how her father raised her. There is nothing I can do but obey her orders and don't ask questions." Sirius's face was red in anger as he was ready to answer but the door creaked open and Molly came back with two kids behind her making Theodore blink in surprise. Both Sebastian and Aveline looked like spitting images of their parents combined. It was uncanny. He hasn't seen them since the First War when they were just small babes but looking at them now made him realise how much time has passed. Sebastian gave him a polite smile and Aveline eyed him suspiciously as he stood up with his hands folded behind his back.
"Hello, I'm Theodore Prewett, Molly's brother. I work for the Ministry of Magic. Are you Sebastian Alexander Farrow III, and Aveline Sophia Farrow?" Sebastian and Aveline exchanged a look before Sebastian gave him a small nod.
"Yes, sir. That's us."
"Good, take a seat, please." he gave them a warm smile, trying to reassure them as they sat down on the chairs.
"Is something wrong, sir?" he could see Sebastian was clearly nervous even though he tried to hide it.
"Has something happened to Lilith?" Aveline quipped quickly, and Theodore's heart broke a little at that question.
"No, nothing is wrong. This has nothing to do with your sister." Liar. he heard a small voice at the back of his head but pushed it away. His answer seemed to calm both siblings down. "I'm here because of an error I made several months ago. You see, I executed your father's last will but I seemed to overlook one point, for which I sincerely apologize." he fished in his breast pocket and pulled out the two keys Lady Farrow gave him. "As you know, as the eldest your sister inherited your family's vault at Gringotts. But before his death, your father set up individual vaults for both of you along with a part of inheritance already in it. This one is for you, Sebastian." he pushed the key with the number 721 towards Sebastian. "And this one is for you, Aveline." he pushed the key with the number 722 towards Aveline. The surprise was clear as they took the keys. Theodor could feel Sirius's eyes boring into his skull. "Once again, I apologize for the error."
"I... thank you, Mr Prewett." Sebastian nudged his sister who broke out of her trance.
"Thank you, Mr Prewett." Theodore smiled.
"Just doing my job." he finished his tea and stood up. "Thank you for the tea, Molly but I'm afraid I must go."
"So soon?" Molly frowned.
"I'm afraid so, yes. I'm putting in my resignation tomorrow so I need to prepare."
"Resignation? Why?" Theodore sighed. He could tell Molly why exactly but he could balance the line between truth and lie pretty well.
"The Ministry... it's not the same as it was. I got an opportunity in the private sector and I took it. I think it's for the better." technically, it wasn't a lie and it seemed to please Molly.
"If you think so." he walked towards her and she hugged him tightly. "It was good to see you, Theo. You should visit more often." he chuckled as he hugged her back.
"Yes, I should." he pulled back and looked around the room. "Goodbye to you all. Bye, Molly."
"Bye Theo." she smiled and Theodore walked out of the kitchen and quickly exited 12 Grimmauld Place.