Harry Potter: Backstep

"Good. Now use the Severing Charm to cut off the tumor at the base. Make sure to control the power. We don't want any vitals to be cut off."

Narcissa nodded, focusing on the replica of a human heart in front of her. The tumor looked disgusting, but then everything inside the creature did. She had not come so far because she was repulsed by something that was not pleasing to the eye. Her wand was held firmly in her right hand as she gave a swift flick, severing the tumor as her mentor had instructed.

"Nicely done," Madam Pomfrey praised. "Now deposit it in the tray over there and take care of the rest."

Narcissa nodded again as the old matron walked over to the desk where she was brewing a new batch of Calming Draughts.

"Professor Slughorn is away again?" Narcissa asked as she took care of the tumor and sealed the flesh anew.

"You know what it's like with him. I swear that man loves his fancy get-t0gethers," Madam Pomfrey replied.

Narcissa hummed, aware of her former professor's proclivities. He loved to collect students from influential backgrounds or those who showed promise in any field.

"I'm really surprised this time though," Madam Pomfrey continued. "I didn't think he knew anyone from the Harpies."

"The Quidditch team?"

"Mm-hmm. I heard he met a recent graduate yesterday and managed to get an invitation to her contract signing. Gwenog Jones, I think her name was. Quite a handful during her years here, if I recall correctly."

Narcissa nodded thoughtfully. She recognized the name, but she didn't recall ever interacting with her. She had seen her during a few matches she had attended though, and she could say the girl had talent. It was not surprising that she had been snatched up by the Harpies.

"And then there's the Malfoys to consider," Madam Pomfrey continued, and Narcissa's interest was piqued.

"Hmm?"

"Oh? Nothing much. Horace was telling us last evening that Abraxas Malfoy had invited him to dinner last night so he would not be having dinner with us. Not that anyone minds. This is his first time spending so much time in the castle during the holidays, after all."

Narcissa nodded as she went to the changing room and wondered if it was a regular dinner or if there was more to it. For Harry to receive that letter from Lucius Malfoy and now Abraxas Malfoy to invite Slughorn for dinner… It felt connected.

She did not ponder much on it though. The most Malfoy could do with Slughorn was to extract whatever information he could on Harry, and she knew Harry had not interacted much with her former professor, much to his slight chagrin as she had observed. Furthermore, if Malfoy thought he could somehow use Slughorn to influence the new Lord Peverell then he was sorely mistaken.

As she emerged from the changing room in her casual attire, she saw Madam Pomfrey reading a letter. The matron glanced up when she heard her and smiled.

"From the Headmaster," she told her. "Filius sent him a Patronus, asking to summon every staff member to the dueling chamber."

"Professor Flitwick's dueling someone?" Narcissa asked in surprise.

Madam Pomfrey smirked, "Not just anyone. He's dueling the Headmaster's apprentice."

Narcissa's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Still smirking, Madam Pomfrey continued, "Come on then. Let's see what the new Lord Peverell is made of."

Narcissa nodded and she could not help but feel excited at the thought of seeing Harry duel someone, and a former champion at that. She knew it was somehow connected to Harry's plans of representing Wizarding Britain in the European Championships and she was looking forward to seeing how he fared.

They made their way to the dueling chamber together and were joined on the way by Septima Vector, the new Arithmancy professor.

"He's planning to compete in the circuit," Narcissa informed the brunette whose eyes widened in surprise.

"I see. It'd be exciting to see a duel after all these years," she replied, smiling.

As they entered, they saw everyone was already in the stands. They quickly made their way over and spotted the two duelists standing at their respective sides.

Both Narcissa and Septima grinned at Harry when he glanced over to where they were.

"No referee?" Septima asked curiously.

"This is an exhibition duel. There's no need," Narcissa replied.

"Ready, Harry?" Filius Flitwick called out, his wand held firmly to his side.

Harry nodded as he took a deep breath and stood with his wand held loosely by his side.

"His stance is… pathetic," Septima deadpanned. "He looks like he'd rather be asleep than fight this duel."

"Stance matters very little than most people think," McGonagall replied calmly. "What matters significantly more is how quick, capable, powerful, and creative you are."

In the dueling pit, both Harry and Flitwick were staring at each other, wondering who would bite first, and the latter decided to take the initiative.

A series of spells rocketed toward Harry who quickly identified them. The spell chain was quick and precise, but Harry was faster.

His wandwork was one of art and he effortlessly batted each spell aside, his feet rooted to the spot.

"Not a fan of moving around, Harry?" Flitwick called out, grinning.

"Only when I feel the need to," Harry replied with an easy smile. "And I'd appreciate a few serious spells that I would be facing in the tournament, Filius."

"The circuit allows for everything short of the Unforgivables and Fiendfyre, Harry."

"I'm well aware of that. Believe me, I can take it."

Flitwick stared at Harry critically before he nodded and cast a few spells that would be considered questionable by some but were perfectly in line with the dueling regulations.

Off to the side, there were a few gasps as a spell chain consisting of multiple bonebreakers, piercing hexes, and cutting curses shot toward Harry, all weaved together to ensure the impact delay was a measly second between the two.

Harry was no slouch though. He swatted the volley of bonebreakers away and they collided violently with the wall to his right, sending dust and debris flying in the air. He leaned out of the trajectory of the piercing hexes that struck the wall behind him, tearing a few feet through concrete. The cutting curses came within the blink of an eye and Harry was still in the middle of reorienting his body. His wand was faster though.

Gasps sounded out as Harry swatted a few cutting curses aside before he stopped the final curse right in its track, catching it mid-air. He gave his wand a powerful flick and threw the curse right back at its caster with double the velocity.

Flitwick's eyes widened at the sheer display of magical control on his opponent's part and he hastily waved his wand in an arc, meeting the curse with his wand and swatting it aside.

There was another violent collision as the half-goblin stared at Harry who had yet to cast a spell or move.

"Truly unorthodox," McGonagall whispered from her spot in the stands. "Seeing someone sever the magical link between a caster and his spell in a duel is very rare. I don't think it's been seen in decades."

Everyone knew the reason. It took a massive control and intimate connection with one's magic to be able to manipulate it so intricately that one could pull off a move that Harry just had.

"It's clear to see why you are a Charms master, Filius," Harry called out. "But I prefer Transfigurations."

The ground near Flitwick opened up and a massive arm shot out of it. Made of the same material as the floor, it shot forward at a furious pace toward the half-goblin. Flitwick demonstrated a perfect display of agility as he slid to the side, employing the use of his heritage to swerve and move in a manner impossible for a regular human. The hand struck the wall behind him, shattering upon impact, and Flitwick quickly twirled his wand, scattering the dust all around the dueling pit.

"Taking away any visibility. Smart," Narcissa muttered.

Flitwick was not done though and he levitated all the debris before shooting it all where his magical senses informed him Harry was. While the people standing by the side could see what was going on, the two duelists could not, having had their visions impaired by the dust.

Harry thrust his wand forward and a torrent of air shot out of it. It blew away all the dust, clearing his vision, and his eyes quickly focused on the incoming projectiles of rock and concrete.

Mid-air, he took control of the projectiles and everyone's eyes widened when he transfigured them into rose petals that rained all over the pit and around him.

"It's clear that your magical power is much superior to mine, Harry," Flitwick admitted, having had his magic defeated twice by his opponent. "But magical power is not everything in a duel."

"I am aware of that, Filius," Harry replied with an easy smile.

"He's not even trying," Septima muttered, visibly impressed with the display Harry was putting for them.

"Look closely," Madam Pomfrey replied. "Severing someone's magical control takes a lot out of you. His relaxed stance should tell you how he's been affected."

As they focused closely, they could see the subtle shaking of his arm at times.

"He's tired but it's not as noticeable thanks to the relaxed stance he adopted in the beginning. He made a relaxed stance the normal so his opponent would not notice if it wavered too much," McGonagall observed keenly. "He planned his approach before the duel even began."

"A duel is as much magical as it is mental," Dumbledore interjected for the first time. "You win half the battle if you can influence your opponent's mind in your favor."

"And because he's not used many strong spells yet, he's in a much better position compared to Filius," McGonagall nodded. "Irrespective of the result of this duel, Harry has already proven that he deserves to represent Britain on the circuit."

"I have seen more than enough from you already, Harry. However, I would like to see you use shields in the duel. I know it is not desirable to limit yourself like that but do humor this old man a bit, if you will," Flitwick called out with an excited grin, earning a nod from Harry.

Flitwick's wand moved with practiced grace. A torrent of brilliant azure flames erupted from its tip, streaking toward Harry like ravenous arrows. Harry stood ready at his spot, and with a casual flick of his wrist, a shimmering barrier sprang to life, causing the flames to dissipate harmlessly against its surface.

"Impressive," Flitwick called out, his eyes glinting. He knew he had been on the backfoot and he had posed little challenge to his adversary, if at all, but he had never felt so excited in decades. "Now, if you would move please."

He twirled his wand, and suddenly the ground beneath Harry's feet began to liquefy, transforming into a viscous, tar-like substance that threatened to swallow him whole.

"Really, Filius?" Harry called out as he slammed his wand down, nullifying the illusion entirely. "You'll have to do much better than that."

Standing right where he had been since the duel began, Harry moved his wand in a series of intricate patterns, and a flock of glittering, razor-sharp artificial birds materialized out of thin air, swooping toward his opponent with pinpoint precision.

Flitwick quickly swirled his wand and a shimmering vortex emerged, whirling the birds into its depths, rendering them harmless.

"About time you truly started to bring out the big guns," Harry smirked. With a flourish, he summoned a swarm of deadly bats that erupted from the tip of his wand. They shot toward Flitwick at a furious pace, swirling about him. As they reached close, each bat exploded in a thick black smog that momentarily blinded him on all sides.

"Employing my earlier technique against me now, Harry?" Flitwick called out, his excitement obvious in his voice.

Harry did not let up and immediately waved his wand in an intricate pattern. The smog around Flitwick began to distort and warp, enveloping him in the pitch blackness of unending nothingness, rendering all light and sound unreachable.

Flitwick staggered, his eyes wide as he could see or hear nothing around him. His senses utterly bewildered, he tried to move away, but he suddenly found his feet sticking to the ground. As quickly as he could, he cast a Finite Incantatem to get rid of the Sticking Charm Harry had discreetly cast on his legs and shot to the side, dodging the barrage of stunners his opponent sent his way.

The smog had filled the entire area of the dueling pit around him and try as he might, Flitwick could do nothing but let his eyes dart around, careful not to give away his position while trying to sense any incoming spell. He knew Harry could not locate him with his vision shrouded.

Suddenly, a shockwave of pure power rippled outward with a resounding boom, engulfing the entire dueling arena in a blinding flash of light. When the brilliance finally faded, the smog had vanished and Flitwick stood, his robes singed at places and his wand held loosely by his side. On the other end of the pit stood Harry, still in his spot, with a triumphant smirk on his face.

With a massive grin of respect, Flitwick gave the superior duelist a bow and let his wand drop on the floor with a soft clatter.

To the side, the crowd erupted into applause, impressed and awestruck by the display of skill and ingenuity they had just witnessed.

"Is this enough for you to believe that you deserve this recommendation, Harry?" Flitwick asked as he met him halfway, eagerly clasping his opponent's hand and squeezing firmly.

"I'd be honored, Filius," Harry smiled, bowing at the former dueling champion.

"After being bested like that, the honor would all be mine, Harry. Albus truly chose a worthy wizard to be his apprentice."

Harry smiled thinly and nodded. Together, they walked out of the dueling pit and joined the others near the exit.

"A truly remarkable display, Harry, Filius," Dumbledore praised.

"I have very high hopes now after seeing that duel, Harry," McGonagall smiled. "And I firmly believe you won't let us down."

Harry was oddly reminded of how Professor McGonagall used to speak to him in the same manner regarding Quidditch back when he was a student and he could not help but smile in reminiscence.

"I will do my best, Minerva," Harry replied, smiling.

Nodding, McGonagall took her leave with Dumbledore and the other professors, and soon, Harry was left with Narcissa and Septima. Both the women were staring at him with visibly impressed looks on their faces.

"That was really something, Harry," Septima praised. "You didn't even have to move. I've heard about Professor Flitwick's time on the circuit and for him to lose like that… it's truly impressive what you did."

"Well, I guess I'm just that good," he smirked.

"Don't go getting a big head now. You still have to compete and bring the prize home," she teased. "Really though. That was brilliant, Harry. I'm sure you'll do great on the circuit as well."

Harry smiled at the woman who took her leave shortly, leaving him with Narcissa who wasted no time. She pushed him against the wall by the exit door and smashed her lips against his. Harry needed only a moment to catch his bearings and he eagerly kissed her back. He grabbed her tight rear and pulled her firmly against himself, loving how she tightened her hold on his collar and kissed him with even more passion.

"Morgana, you looked so hot down there," she whispered against his lips as she pulled back. "Mmmff…"

Harry turned them around, pressing her firmly between his body and the wall as he kissed her again. He mauled her delectable arse, fondling and squeezing, as he ground his hips against hers, letting her feel him against her.

"Why don't we take this somewhere more private?" He whispered as he pulled back, gazing at her lovely face. With her hair slightly askew and her lips swollen from their heated kissing session, Narcissa looked like a vision straight out of his wet dreams.

Instead of responding, she eagerly lowered herself to her knees in front of him.

"Or not," Harry said, watching her unbuckling his belt with a wicked grin on her plump lips. He cast a privacy charm around them and watched as she unbuttoned and unzipped him before she pulled his trousers down along with his boxers. His manhood lurched out, standing tall and proud, and Narcissa quickly wrapped her dainty fingers around it.

"This for me?" She asked coyly, smirking up at him. Harry breathed shallowly when she reached out and ran her wet tongue all over the head of his cock, stroking gently.

"You see any other woman around?"

"Hmm," she mused, looking thoughtful as she stroked. "I can think of a certain someone."

Harry let out a groan of satisfaction as the lovely blonde leaned forward and wrapped her lips around his length. He relished the feeling of the heat around his cock as she plunged her mouth onto it, taking him deeper inside her mouth.

"All in good time, dear," Harry let out. "Right now, it's all yours."

Narcissa's eyes glinted approvingly and she properly devoted herself to sucking him off. Her speed went up and she stroked him firmly while plunging her mouth onto his cock repeatedly. Harry could feel her tongue sliding all over his length, lathering it up with her slick saliva, and he reached out, threading his fingers through her lustrous blonde hair and gently stroking her. With his cock in her mouth, she glanced up at him through her eyelashes and purred around his length like a lovely little cat.

"You love it when I suck you off, don't you Harry?" She pulled her mouth off his cock with a wet pop and asked. Her hand moved fast over his prick, slick with her saliva as she stroked him.

"How's that even a question?" He replied, chuckling, before a glint entered his eyes. "I should be asking you something instead. You get hot at the thought of doing it in random places like this, don't you?"

"I don't know what you mean," she answered with a coy smile and took him back in her mouth.

"Fuck yes," Harry groaned, caressing her head. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean. Fuck, Cissa… I had no fucking idea you were such a deviant!"

Narcissa moaned around his length as she slid her tongue all over it before she flicked it all over the sensitive head of his cock and sucked as hard as she could. Harry groaned once again, keeping himself steady with his hand on her head as she pulled her head back until only the head remained inside her mouth before she slammed her face back down his entire length, tongue swishing wildly as she rammed the tip against the back of her throat.

"Oh fuck!" Harry whispered.

Narcissa moaned loudly, uncaring of anyone who might be able to hear her. The thought that someone might catch them made her even hotter.

Minutes passed and she kept sucking him off with reckless abandon, bobbing her head back and forth rhythmically on his cock as Harry thrust his hips in tandem with her movements, pumping his dick between her soft lips and right into her throat.

"Anyone can come and see us doing this," she whispered as she pulled back, stroking him furiously as she stared up at him with a wide grin.

"Oh yeah? And? I can see how much it excites you, and truth be told, I find it so hot as well!"

Lust coursed through the blonde as she stared up at him.

"You're so bad, Harry," she moaned, licking the precum off the tip of his cock as she kept stroking him.

"A bit rich, coming from you," he smirked, pulling her back onto his cock as he pushed forward, spearing into her mouth. "But I love this side of you as well."

"Mmmpphhh…" Narcissa moaned as he furiously thrust inside her mouth and she reached up with her free hand. Harry's breath hitched when he felt her grab his swinging balls and start to fondle them. Pulling her mouth off his cock, she gazed up at him heatedly. "I can't wait for you to fuck me again."

"Soon. Very soon," Harry promised with a grunt, feeling his orgasm approaching as he gazed at her.

Narcissa could feel the way his movements grew labored and realization dawned on her in an instant. Grinning, she asked hotly, "Where do you want it, Harry?"

Harry groaned at the feeling of her hand furiously stroking him to completion and his eyes widened slightly when she took the head of his cock in her mouth and sucked hard.

"Damn… fuck…" He grunted, and Narcissa's eyes lit up in jubilation as she felt the first shot of his hot, thick seed in her mouth. She was not one to let up and she continued to stroke and suck him hard.

Harry let out a shuddering breath as he emptied his load inside her mouth, shooting rope after rope of his cum for her to feast on. His eyes were locked with hers and he knew the sight of her on her knees with her mouth full of his cock would forever be etched in his memory.

For her part, Narcissa easily swallowed every last drop of his cum and licked the last vestiges off his prick once he was done. Grinning up at him, she winked, coaxing a breathless chuckle out of him.

"Damn, Cissa," he breathed shakily. "That was brilliant."

Narcissa smirked.

-Break-

"So you sent a letter to this Peverell lord I keep hearing about?" Rudolphus Lestrange asked. He gulped down another glass of firewhiskey and let out a loud burp, much to the disgust of the rest of the occupants of the table. "No clue about you, but I don't see the fuss in trying to suck up to a brat who might as well be the last of his house. Don's gonna topple over before he could do anything for us, I reckon."

Lucius Malfoy had to force himself to not roll his eyes.

"The Peverells are a family who can trace back their roots well beyond the founders. They were considered as elite as one could be. Having his support in our pureblood movement would give it a lot of backing."

"Bah!" Rudolphus waved him off. "He's no elite, just a man with no power beyond a name he was born with."

Lucius was surprised the other man could not see the irony in what he'd just said.

"It matters not what he's capable of. He has the name and that is what matters. Father is optimistic that he would prove to be a worthy ally."

"There is a concern though. I was there in Gringotts today when Peverell came to claim his ring. I thought I'd seen him before. Turns out he's Dumbledore's new apprentice."

Surprised, everyone turned to Thomas Avery who sat with his hands clasped on the table in front of him.

"A fucking blood traitor. Brilliant!" Rudolphus chuckled. "Ain't no way he's joining us, not with that mudblood lover's prick deep down his throat."

"You're not kidding," Malfoy observed, eyeing Avery who shook his head.

"I've seen the man, Lucius. That's Dumbledore's apprentice. Surprising though that the Prophet hasn't published an article about it yet," Avery replied.

"I've got to agree with Rudolphus here," Yaxley interjected with a frown. "If he's really Dumbledore's apprentice then it all but tells us about his political views. No way he agrees with us."

"Attaboy, Yaxley," Rudolphus grinned as he turned toward Lucius. "And you, don't get your hopes too high. Plenty of big houses to target. Black's done. Better get to work on the rest."

"Having Peverell on our side would be a massive boon," Lucius continued. "He might be Dumbledore's apprentice but that doesn't mean we sit on our arses and twiddle our thumbs. A meeting won't hurt anyone."

"Eh, do what you want, Lucius. Just don't come back looking like a jackass when he spits on your face."

Lucius sneered at the Lestrange heir.

"The fuck do you take me for, huh? You talk as if I'm treating Peverell as some gift from fucking Merlin."

"Looks like it from where I'm sitting, mate."

"Listen carefully, Rudolphus," Lucius hissed. "I am only approaching Peverell for an alliance. He has two choices. He can either agree to join us, or he can refuse. If he agrees, he would be a valuable ally. And if he doesn't, he won't be the first to bite the dust."

"Oh?" Rudolphus smirked. "Got the balls to do it, do you? I'd like to see you try."

"I don't like what you're insinuating, Rudolphus," Lucius said gruffly.

"I ain't insinuating shit, Lucius. Think of it whatever you will, but when it gets to it, you better do the deed yourself. It's high time you grew a pair and tasted some red," Rudolphus sneered. "Our lord's plans will begin soon, and he can't have a scaredy cat fighting for him who can't even kill."

Lucius glared at the man who scoffed at the look.

"You think you know a lot, eh? You think we're morons sitting here? We were here well before your family crossed the Channel and built that manor of yours. We know who the Peverells were, and let me tell you, Lucius. They were beasts. This one? Pfft… He's nothing but the last lamb of that house who's better off dead than become an irritating sheep down the line."

"You don't need to tell me what to do, Rudolphus," Lucius sneered. "I know how to take an opportunity, and I know when to dispose of a liability."

"Get things done and then you can talk, big man," Rudolphus smirked. "Refill!"

As the elf arrived and started pouring his drink, Lucius glared at the table in front of him, aware of the eyes of all his associates on him. He gripped the arm of his chair firmly, gritting his teeth, when he heard the sound of an elf apparition behind him.

"Master has called Young Master urgently," the creature rasped, skidding back in fright when Lucius shot to his feet. Glaring at the elf out of the corner of his eye, Lucius looked around the table and sneered.

"Until next time, gentlemen."

They watched him walk into the fireplace where he shortly vanished in a swirl of emerald flames and turned back to stare at Rudolphus who sneered as he gazed at the fireplace.

"Fucking prissy princess," the Lestrange heir spat. "Treating with blood traitors, and that old fuck's associate at that."

-Break-

Abraxas Malfoy stared gravely at the parchment laid out in front of him, raking his eyes over the words written on it for the third time in as many minutes. He glanced at the fireplace out of the corner of his eye when it blazed green and his heir emerged from it.

"Father, you asked for me."

Abraxas pursed his lips and sighed, "Sit."

Curious, Lucius sat and frowned when his father slid a parchment over to him.

"Read."

Eyebrows furrowed, Lucius started reading the letter and the more he read, the thinner his lips grew.

Heir Lucius of House Malfoy,

I am refraining from replying to the subject matter contained in your recent letter. I was quite disappointed that your father delegated correspondence with a Lord of my standing to his heir instead of making the request for a meeting himself.

This disregard for the ancient protocols and courtesies that govern the conduct of a house of your station with a paramount house is simply unacceptable. As members of the pureblood hierarchy, you and your father should know better than to dispense with such firmly established traditions of respect and precedence.

Until I receive a formal letter and request from the hand of Lord Abraxas Malfoy himself, expressing his desire to meet and treating with the full propriety that my position merits, I shall refuse to entertain any overtures from House Malfoy - heir or not. Let this serve as a reminder that the formalities and courtesies between pureblood lords must be strictly upheld.

The insult your house has made, perhaps unknowingly, is no trivial thing. I expect you to ensure Lord Abraxas makes his envoys accordingly, lest our two families find the other paths than cordiality.

Lord Harry Peverell

"This fucking bastard," Lucius seethed.

"We have made a grave mistake, Lucius," Abraxas remarked.

"That gall of this cunt to treat us like this!" Lucius glared at his father who stared back, unimpressed. "He thinks himself superior to us! The Malfoys! This fucking blood traitor!"

"Cease with your mad ramblings, Lucius. I raised you better than that," Abraxas chided firmly, staring his son down.

Lucius breathed deeply, closing his eyes to bring his rampaging emotions under control. Lestrange's words kept running amok in his mind, further intensifying his rage.

"We are indeed at fault here," Abraxas continued, staring his son down once again when he made to speak. "He is a lord, and as such, it should've been me to send him the invitation. I made the grave error of treating him as a young man by allowing someone his age to approach him. I forgot that as a lord, his station is higher than yours at the moment and as such, he might consider an invitation from you on our house's behalf an insult. I believe I would've reacted similarly had our positions been reversed."

"Tell me you also see this how I am, Father," Lucius growled. "He is throwing his power around. He is Dumbledore's apprentice! No pet of Dumbledore would be a stickler for customs and traditions."

Abraxas pursed his lips as he stared at his son.

"Who did you let poison your mind against Lord Peverell, Lucius? Who were you with before coming here? I could see the anger on your face when you walked out of the floo."

"I was with the lads," Lucius replied. "Lestrange, Avery, and the lot."

"Lestrange," Abraxas sneered. "I should've known…"

Lucius stared at his father and was surprised to see the look of disappointment on his face. At once, all his rage evaporated and was replaced with concern.

"Father..?"

"I shall oversee this matter now, Lucius. I shall inform you should I need anything. You may go now."

Shocked, Lucius stared at his father who took that accursed letter and put it inside his cabinet. His body felt as if someone else was controlling it when he stood up and turned around to walk away.

"And Lucius," Abraxas called out, stopping his heir in his tracks. "I have yet to hear any progress with Miss Black. You should try and improve your relationship. This alliance with the Blacks is essential, particularly with the Lestranges lurking about."

Lucius nodded curtly and walked away, leaving his father staring at him with pursed lips.

"That fucking scumbag, and my idiot of a son… How could he let himself be influenced so easily?" He muttered under his breath, sneering.

They had screwed up this alliance before even taking the first step, and he knew he needed to do everything in his power to salvage the situation. No matter what the circumstances might be, Peverell had to be on their side.

TBC.

Check out patreon.com/TheBlackEarl for early access and more of my work. Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are already up.

Thanks for reading.