Children of Sin

Chapter 35

June 23rd, 1995.

"Tomorrow's the day," Victor remarks to Ray Silver as they complete that day's lessons, "the third task. Who do you think is going to win?"

"Definitely not Beauxbatons," Ray answered disappointedly, "after that, I'd guess Hogwarts, mainly because they have two contestants. Potter may have helped Fleur and Krum, but Hogwarts is his school; he's likely more determined to make them win."

"I agree," Victor shook his head, "I hope Fleur isn't too down about it. I'm certain she too is aware of this."

"I don't think anyone would dare to speak against her anyhow," Ray added, "your cousin Estelle is mightily protective over her. No one in our school wants to clash wands with her."

"Stelle's awesome," Victor nodded in agreement, "no doubt about that."

"Excuse me," Hermione Granger interrupted their conversation, Harry Potter and a red haired boy beside her, "may we have a word with you?"

"What on Earth could they want from our nephew?" Guenevive groaned. Her cousin's children may really be her first cousins once removed, but to her, they were her nephews and niece. It was a lot simpler that way.

"I don't know," Serena frowned, "but hopefully, it's nothing bad."

Victor and Ray locked eyes. Ray's slight head tilt told Victor that she was asking if he was cool with it. Victor nodded his head slightly, gesturing to her that he didn't mind.

"You may," Victor answered slowly, trying to feel out the intentions of the trio, "but please, make it quick."

The trio looked hesitant to speak, glancing nervously at Ray. Victor frowned; what did they have to say to him that made them this paranoid?

"You are the son of Madame Arquette, aren't you?" Harry blurted out, unable to hold back.

"What is that to you?" Victor narrowed his stormy sea-green eyes, unable to discern what Potter's intentions were.

"He looks so much like Fleamont and his boy," Lucinda Malfoy commented to her husband, "it's rather startling, isn't it dear?"

"Indeed," Abraxas frowned, "it's not a good sign for there to be a strong Potter presence in the future. They have already shamed the name of a pureblood enough already. The current heir is going to marry a mudblood. It will only get worse for us in the future."

"Nothing," Harry quickly reassured Victor, "I just wanted to send her my thanks for getting me out of the tournament and clearing my name. I don't want to even think of all the trouble and danger I would have been in otherwise."

"I will pass on your regards," Victor's harsh guards softened slightly. Potter wasn't too bad.

"Ask him about that rude kid," the redhead nudged Potter, who looked as if he wished for the earth to swallow him whole, "you know, the one who is friends with Ginny's friend. They have the same last name."

"I assume you're speaking of my sister Layla," Victor sighs, having heard what the redhead had "whispered". He knew that Layla lacked tact at times, but he had hoped she'd grown up.

"Huh?" the redhead seemed confused, "the kid was a boy named Damian. I don't know who this Layla you're talking about is."

"Damian?" Ray and Victor shouted, "that can't be right."

"Their faces," Lillian laughed, "did Damian's ability to be rude really shock them that much?"

After the initial shock wore off, Victor realized that there was actually a very good chance that Damian had been rude to Potter. Damian was vicious when it came to family; he was still holding the Flamels' deaths against Potter. Of all the members of their family, it was Damian who held the worst grudges.