"The war was tough on you, wasn't it?" He said gently.
"It was tough on everyone. But I-I-I have no more friends. One or two survived. And they would be better off dead"
"I know that feeling," the man said with a deep sigh. "My brother. He was the year below me in Durmstrang. I finished school the same year the-the Emperor revealed his continued existence. But Deckard, he-he couldn't keep his mouth closed. Of course, he couldn't. We were raised to believe that animals were to be treated like people. All the more so muggles. And so-so Deckard and a few of his friends were murdered in their school, by people who I had trusted and liked"
"Harry Potter was my friend once," she whispered tearfully, "he was kind and nice, and gentle. And now-"
She cut that sentence off, shaking her head briskly.
She wouldn't cry for him, wouldn't shed a tear for Ron's murderer.
"I'm Luna," she said, stretching out a hand, "Luna Lovegood. What's your name?"
He enveloped her hand in surprisingly warm, calloused fingers.
"Rolf Scamander. It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna"
September 1, 2012
He leaned back in the deck chair, idly clinking his glass against Draco's.
Ahead of them, the children were involved in a lively game of Quidditch.
Well, Damien and Lucius had loudly whined about the ignominy of being forced to use training brooms, and once their older brothers complained, Hector and Scorpius had easily gotten into the act.
They'd tried to get Bellona to come and cry to Harry about it, knowing that he couldn't refuse her anything, but she was far more interested in chasing the peacocks and trying to pull their feathers off.
Daphne and Tori were in the house with Narcissa and the younger girls.
It was a perfect day.
"Crazy, isn't it. Next year this time, we'll be at King's Cross"
Harry snorted. "I'm just waiting for Snape's reaction. Another Potter and Malfoy. Wouldn't be surprised if he just quits on the spot"
"Yeah"
Lucius shouted at Scorpius for letting the quaffle through, while Hector cheered his brother on.
"You know, I might be doing some teaching"
Draco almost dropped his glass.
"What?" He spluttered.
"I know, right? But, the quality of new recruits is way down. They're thinking about making a class for seventh years. Those who're interested, at least"
"And you would-what? Teach them interrogation? That type of thing?"
Harry's fingers ran across his face, rubbing his scars.
"Yeah. Counter-terrorism. Interrogation. The type of stuff we learned early"
"You gonna do it?"
"Thinking about it," he admitted. "It'd only be once a week, and only even for the last term. But it sounds pretty cool. What do you think?"
Draco chewed on his lips as he watched the impromptu diving competition break out.
"Any minute now, and one of them will crash" he mused absently, before shaking his head and turning to Harry.
"I think you should do it, mate. Seriously. You'd be good at it, and you'll have fun. Go for it"
He swirled the firewhisky around his mouth, letting it burn his cheeks a little bit before swallowing.
"You know what? I think I will"
January 1, 2013
"The-the incentive programs have worked tremendously, my lord. Over the last ten years, we have seen an average seventy percent increase in birth rate"
"Excellent. What did those surveyed have to say was the largest cause?"
"The land, then the societal pressure, then the draft deferments, then the financial assistance"
Voldemort smiled.
"Excellent. Thank you, Rupert. Dismissed. Harry, report"
He stepped forward smoothly, raising the documents he had long ago memorized.
"We have seen a decrease in actual action, my lord, although some criticism still remains. Of course, the offending newspapers and radio stations were shut down and the people responsible arrested, but graffiti still occasionally occurs"
He paused for a moment, expecting a comment. When none came, he carried on his report.
"The measures taken in Africa, particularly Swaziland, have proven successful. Our Departments across the continent have shown a greatly reduced number of incidents. However, the Departments in Mexico and in Taiwan have been facing difficulties. Nothing particularly onerous, merely rabble-rousing at this point, but I have authorized an increased presence and harsher public punishments. The former Chief Auror in Western Canada was replaced last month, and since then, there have been twenty-one arrests, all involved with the terrorists there"
"What of Corsica?"
He swallowed. "I should have a more full report within the month, my lord. But it seems that both the Agricultural Minister and the Liaison there have been involved with the terrorists. Our investigation continues, my lord"
The Dark Lord's hand waved, and he continued.
"Siberia is back under our control, and the leaders have been crucified. Our investigation into the hit-wizard squad here is still ongoing, but it is bearing fruit. One of the three suspects came forward begging for clemency, and he had a large list of names. We are still processing them"
"Excellent, Harry. Truly excellent. You will be teaching at Hogwarts?"
"Yes, my lord. But only the third term"
"Severus has said that there has been an increase in graffiti, and in defacements to the statues and memorials"
"I-I believe that is mostly youthful high-spirits, my lord. My son told me that it is mostly first years doing it as a bet, and even then, most of the children from reputable families are happy to show them the error of their ways"
"Good. But not good enough. A lack of respect at a young age breeds rebellion in later years. During the third term, you will handle discipline"
"Of course, my lord," he said with a bow.
"Use the three strike system. And if Sprout presents issues, remind her that she serves as Headmistress at my discretion alone and that the Department of Mysteries always requires more test subjects"
May 18, 2013
He leaned back in his chair and smiled at the punctual, nervous knock at his office door.
"Come in"
The door opened and a small, pale boy with a Gryffindor tie stepped in.
"Ah, Mr. Abercrombie, right on time. Have a seat"
The boy shakily took the chair opposite him, his eyes darting around the office and settling here and there on the implements scattered around.
"Would you like some tea?"
The boy shook himself and looked back at Harry.
"N-no, s-sir"
"All right then. Tell me," he glanced at the paper in his hand for a second, "Aaron. Would you like to join my class?"
"I-I thought it was only for-for seventh years, sir?"
He smiled widely, leaning forward.
"It is. But somehow, we just can't keep a test subject for too long"
The boy looked like he was about to vomit.
"Now, Aaron. You're only a first year, and it seems like you're already on the wrong path in life. Defacing the Emperor's statue?"
He shook his head sadly, tut-tutting under his breath.
"It was-it was-it was just a fake nose!"
He drew his wand slowly, making sure the boy could see.
"A fake nose now, some posters next year, attacking an Auror two years later. I know how this story goes, Aaron. I know it well"
"Pl-pl-please! It was just-just- it was a bet! That's all!"
"A. Bet."
The boy nodded his head frantically.
"Fifty Galleons! I-I-it was just a bet! Just a joke!"
He whistled. "Fifty Galleons. Who bet you that?"
Aaron hesitated.
"If you don't tell me who bet you, I must assume that it wasn't a bet, but rather something far more sinister. You don't want that, do you?"
He gripped his wand, ever so slowly raising it.
"Michael! Michael Collins! I swear, it was Michael Collins!"
He lowered his wand, smiling widely.
"Michael Collins," he said, marking it down. "Thank you, Aaron. Now, about your punishment"
"My-"
"Punishment. I think fifteen seconds ought to do it"
He saw the boy's eyes widen as he raised his wand again.
"Crucio!"
True to his word, he ended the spell after exactly fifteen seconds.
The boy had fallen off of his chair with his thrashing and lay on the cold floor in a trembling heap, piss staining through his robes.
"That was your first strike. Next time is thirty seconds, the time after that is a minute. After that, you will be marked as irredeemable and given to the Department of Mysteries. Get out of my office, and send in Collins"
As the boy rose and hobbled to the door, he called after him.
"If Collins isn't here within an hour, that will be strike two"
And Aaron ran.
April 1, 2017
"Happy birthday, Damien!"
Damien smiled up at him.
"Thanks, dad"
Harry pushed the parchment and blood quill in front of him.
"There's something I want to talk to you about. But I need you to sign this first"
Damien just looked at him with confusion. The raven glinted on his wrist.
"Look. It's just a promise that you won't talk to anyone about what I'm gonna tell you. Except me and your mother, of course. And the Emperor, if he ever asks. And the rest of our family, once they've all signed"
"The rest of our family?"
"Not our cousins. I mean your siblings. And your wife, one day. And the rest of your siblings' spouses, once they join the family. And have signed it"
He still looked hesitant. Harry suppressed a sigh and took his hand.
"Listen. There's no penalty. It'll just stop you from being able to talk about it. I really want to tell you this. And the Emperor said I could, but only once we've put safeguards into place to prevent this knowledge from spreading. It's really important, Damien"
Slowly, he signed, wincing as his hand was momentarily sliced open.
He looked at Harry expectantly.
"I was your age, when I was told about this," he began, still remembering that night with perfect clarity. "Tell me, Damien. Have you ever heard of Horcruxes?"
August 5, 2021
He was sitting on the couch, reading out interesting bits of the Prophet to Daphne, when a blood-curdling shriek tore through the house.
Hector and Livia both looked up, distracted from his explanation on what would await her in her first year in Hogwarts.
Daphne stood up, looking at Harry with a scowl.
"I'll get it this time. Next time, though, you're on"
"Sure"
Daphne strode onto the porch, and they all heard her enter disciplinarian mode as she berated her daughter.
"Bellona! You know Agrippa's ill and having a nap! Shut that thing up!"
Bellona's reply floated through the open doors.
"Sorry, mum. You heard her, you stupid fuck! Shut up! Shut the fuck up!"
"What part of keep it down don't you understand? And wash up before you come in!"
"Sorry, mum! Will do!"
Daphne strode back in, hands on her hips.
"I blame you," she said pointing at Harry. "Ever since you gave her that book, it's been non-stop!"
"Still with the flaying?"
"Yeah. And she's got blood everywhere! You need to work on her concentration, otherwise, I'll make you clean up the kennels, and-"
"Dad?" Livia asked suddenly, interrupting the rant, "is anything ready to eat?"
He shrugged, putting down the paper. "Angie!"
She walked into the room listlessly, the same time that Bellona came in from the garden.
He looked Angie over for a second, his lip curling. She was useful, true. But he still didn't like having a muggle in the house. She should be working on the farms or in the kennels with the rest of them. Unfortunately, it was the in thing. House-Elves were old news.
"Angie. Is anything ready to eat?"
"Not yet, sir"
Livia muttered something, making Hector burst out laughing.
"Why not?"
"I haven't been sure whether to make for Master Damien or not. I'm sorry, sir, but I-"
"You stupid fucking cow! I told you he won't be here tonight! Just make the fucking dinner!"
She cowered.
"Why the fuck do I even bother with you? If you keep on like this, I'm selling you to the whorehouses"
"As if they'll take her," Hector said snidely, "they prefer them thinner than that pig"
"Hector," Bellona asked innocently, "how do you know so much about the whorehouses?"
His head spun toward her, his red eyes gleaming.
"What, you're worried I'll see Sebastian there? You should be, I see him at the Poly-Parlors all the time! You should take better care of your hair, or-"
Harry's wand flashed, throwing up a shield between them just as his daughter tried to curse his son.
"Hector. Let's go have a chat"
Hector took one look at his face and nodded, eyes immediately dropping to his shoes.
As they started walking toward the gardens, he heard Daphne calling Bellona.
And Livia shouting "can't you just fucking cook it already you muggle bitch?"
He kept his chuckle internal, forcing his face to stay serious.
"Tell me, Hector. What were you trying to do?"
Hector stared at the raven on his wrist, scratching it as he mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Hurt her"
"And?"
"And we don't hurt family," he said with a sigh, "not their bodies and not their feelings. I know. I'm sorry, dad. But she started it!"
"She did. And you took it way further than her"
Hector just turned his arm, letting the raven catch the light.
"Is it true though? You see him at the Poly-Parlors?"
"Yeah"
Harry scratched at his scar.
"Maybe I should have a word with him" he mused.
"I-I don't think you need to. I spoke to him"
He looked at his son appraisingly. "What did you say?"
"I just-I showed him that memory you showed me once. Of that guy. Fred Weasley?"
Harry burst out laughing, making Hector smile.
"Yeah. I told him if he hurts her he'll be a lot worse than that"
Harry clapped him on the back.
"Good. Now, you'll apologize to her?"
"Yeah"
"And seriously. I don't want to hear you saying things to hurt her. Not on purpose, and not out of stupidity. Ok?"
"But-"
"She started it. You don't have to carry it on. She's your sister. Keep it for the enemies"
March 3, 2026
Blaise was nervous. He could tell, just from the way he walked up to him.
"Harry. We-we have a situation"
He smiled.
"About Bellona?"
"How-how'd you know?"
Harry just tapped his wrist.
Blaise hit himself in the forehead. "Of course. Of fucking course"
"Don't worry about it. Took us ten years to figure out how to use them to communicate. But yeah, I've heard from her. What've they said to you?"
"They say-they say they'll return her unharmed, and they want some prisoners in exchange"
"Stall. She's getting information, and then we're going in"
Blaise nodded. "What's she said so far?"
"Total amateurs. They didn't take her clothes, not even to search her, so she's still got her back-up wand. She says she isn't even tied up, just guarded. No wards on the place, at all. We could apparate in right now. She says they're the ones behind the recent graffiti and posters and shit. Nothing serious"
"And they took her?" Blade asked incredulously.
Harry just laughed.
"They didn't mean to. She says one of them vomited when they realized who she is. She's just been telling them what we're gonna do to them"
"Merlin, Harry. Your daughter is one of a kind"
"She is"
"Um. When we go…"
Blaise trailed off under Harry's gaze. Suddenly the humor was gone from his eyes.
"They took my daughter," he whispered. "Mistake or not, danger or not, they took her. They're coming to my house, Blaise. You can have them in a year and a day"
"Harry-"
"You can have one. To parade around. But the rest are coming to my house. They made it a family affair. They have to deal with my family"
July 31, 2028
He held his first grandson close to him, still marveling over how tiny babies were.
"We want to name him after you"
He looked up suddenly, meeting Damien's blood-red gaze.
"First grandson, and born on your birthday. We just-we think it's appropriate. Samantha agrees before you even ask"
He held the baby close to him and smiled down into Harry Potter's face.
"Happy birthday, Harry Potter," he said softly.
And throughout this all, Lord Voldemort, once called Tom Marvolo Riddle, now called Emperor, sits on His throne and rules. He is intelligent. He will not do something as foolish as banning Quidditch or the international equivalents, no. He hosts them in larger stadiums than ever before, and He opens the games with speeches about how once, it would have been impossible for witches and wizards to be in such a large space without having to hide from the animals that once ruled the earth.
He is ruthless. Any threat to His reign is cut off long before it could raise steam.
He is cunning. The new generations are being raised in the lap of luxury, and they are taught that it is purely due to His efforts.
He is worshipped. He rules the entire world. With a word, he decrees life or death, rich or poor, suffering or happiness.
He is worshipped, feared, and loved.
As is only right.