The Last Protection: Harriett Potter's Legacy

Chapter 12: The Gathering Storm

The quiet and seemingly serene atmosphere at the Black family’s château masked a growing tension that had gripped them all. The unease that simmered beneath the surface was not just a result of the world outside—though that alone was enough to unsettle anyone—but also the growing sense that something inevitable was approaching. The clock was ticking, and with every passing moment, they could feel the weight of what was coming closer.

Sirius had always believed that when the time came, the Black family would act decisively, that their collective resolve would drive them to take the necessary steps. But now, as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, he found himself questioning everything. The risk, the danger, the toll it would take—he no longer cared about the cost. The family, particularly Harriett, needed to be protected at all costs.

The war, however, was no longer a distant specter. It was real. It was here.

---

The Black family’s strategy had been set in motion. There were countless meetings, some formal and some more secretive, where plans were made, alliances forged, and messages sent across borders. The resistance against Voldemort, though still in its infancy, was growing stronger by the day. The whispers were now becoming shouts, and families that had once been on the sidelines were beginning to make their moves.

Lucius had become more vocal in his dissatisfaction with Voldemort’s leadership, though he did so cautiously, always careful to maintain his position and keep his allegiance ambiguous. He knew that his true loyalties lay with those who were ready to confront the Dark Lord’s regime, but he was patient—ever the strategist.

The Malfoy patriarch, however, wasn’t the only one making moves. Several other families, whose names had long been synonymous with power in the wizarding world, were now slipping out of Voldemort’s grasp. These included influential houses like the Greengrasses and the Carrows, who were ready to side with anyone who could offer them the power and safety they sought.

Sirius, however, was less concerned with the politics of the wizarding world. His sole focus remained on Harriett. He had come to realize that the stakes were much higher than they had ever imagined. The only way to ensure Harriett’s safety was not by hiding behind walls or magical defenses, but by taking a stand, showing the world that the House of Black was not to be underestimated.

---

The first real shift came one cold evening when an owl arrived at the château with a letter sealed with the unmistakable Malfoy crest. Lucius had been sending messages regularly, but this one was different. This one was addressed directly to Arcturus.

Sirius, standing in the corner of the drawing room, watched as his grandfather unfolded the letter. Arcturus’s face remained unreadable as he scanned the contents, but the way his eyes narrowed told Sirius all he needed to know.

“They are ready,” Arcturus said simply, his voice carrying the weight of an unspoken promise. “The families we’ve contacted have made their choice. They are prepared to act when we are.”

It was a small victory, one that had been years in the making. Sirius’s heart quickened at the thought. But it also meant that the time for waiting was running out. There could be no more delays. If they were to move, they had to do it soon. Voldemort was not a man who could be underestimated, and the longer they waited, the greater the risk that their window of opportunity would close.

---

Regulus, as always, was more reserved in his assessment. He was more in tune with the darker side of the situation, the side that few others in the family truly understood. The Death Eaters, despite their growing discontent, were still a formidable force, and he knew better than anyone how quickly things could go wrong.

“You may be right,” Regulus said, his tone dark. “But do not forget what we are dealing with. Voldemort will not go down easily. He will strike back—hard.”

His words, though heavy with the truth, did little to dampen the mood of the family. There was too much at stake now. They could not afford to retreat into shadows forever. The Black family had always prided itself on strength, and now they were being forced to prove it.

---

The next few days were spent in a whirlwind of activity. Lucius came to the château himself, speaking with Arcturus and Narcissa in hushed tones. Sirius, though eager to hear the news, was not privy to their private discussions. He trusted Lucius’s judgment, but there was always a lingering suspicion in his mind about the Malfoy patriarch’s true intentions. Lucius was nothing if not a master of manipulation, and though he had shown signs of dissent against Voldemort, Sirius was wary of how long that loyalty might last.

Still, there was no time for second-guessing. Lucius would not have risked his own position unless he was truly committed to opposing Voldemort. If they were to stand any chance of success, they needed every ally they could get.

And Lucius was not alone. The Greengrasses, the Carrows, and several other old wizarding families had secretly pledged their allegiance to the cause. They knew that Voldemort’s rule was dangerous—not just for them, but for everyone. The wizarding world had to be restored to balance. But for that to happen, the Black family would need to lead the charge.

---

One afternoon, as the Black family sat together after lunch, a sudden knock at the door interrupted the stillness. Sirius’s hand instinctively went to his wand, but before he could rise, Narcissa had already answered it.

A familiar face appeared in the doorway—an old friend and long-time ally of the Black family, known simply as Severus Snape. Though his association with the Death Eaters was well-known, Snape had always been an enigma, a shadow lurking in the background of the family’s affairs. His presence here now was both a relief and a reminder of how perilous their situation had become.

“Severus,” Arcturus greeted, his tone curt but respectful. “What news do you bring?”

Snape’s dark eyes glinted as he stepped into the room, his black robes trailing behind him like an omen. “There are murmurs in the Dark Lord’s camp,” he said quietly. “He is growing paranoid. Distrust is spreading among the ranks. It is no longer the unified front it once was. But still, he is dangerous. He does not trust those who question him.”

Sirius, who had been standing near the fire, felt the weight of Snape’s words settle over him. Voldemort was unraveling, but in doing so, he would become even more unpredictable. No longer the brilliant strategist who had risen to power through cunning and fear, the Dark Lord was now a man whose every move was driven by suspicion and ego.

But Sirius could not afford to dwell on those thoughts. Harriett’s future, and the safety of the family, rested on their next move.

“Do you believe they are ready?” Lucius asked, his voice laced with caution.

Snape’s lips curled into a dark smile. “They are. And soon, you will have the opportunity to act. But when you do, remember that there is no turning back.”

---

That evening, as the family gathered for dinner, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation. They knew that their actions could very well set the course of the war. They could no longer sit idly by.

Sirius looked at his family, his heart swelling with pride. They had been through so much together, and now they stood united, prepared to face whatever came next. The Black family would no longer be a passive force in the world of magic. They would rise up, with strength and resolve, to reclaim their future.

He glanced at Harriett, who was sitting at the table, unaware of the weight of the world pressing down on her tiny shoulders. Her future was the reason they were all fighting. The Black legacy would continue, and it would be shaped by her.

As the meal came to an end and the family retreated to their respective chambers, Sirius stood in the doorway, watching as the firelight flickered in the hearth. The storm was coming, and the Black family would stand at the eye of it. They had been in the shadows for far too long. Now, it was time to step into the light.

And when they did, nothing would ever be the same.