Chapter 8

"Ah, fuck!" Lily groaned as she sat behind James' desk with papers strewn about. It had been two days after her spontaneous divorce had been granted, and certain revelations had come to light. Initially, she had wanted to prepare thoroughly for the divorce proceedings. She wanted to get what was owed to her from James, but Lord Slytherin had granted the divorce then and there, which was problematic for her, as there had been no negotiation of asset division prior, which meant that she'd walk out of this marriage with what she had brought into it. What made it even worse was that James was now considered a fugitive of the Crown. If found guilty, the entire Potter estate could be confiscated, and the Lordship revoked.

She stood up and looked out the window to see three men standing guard around the Manor. Lord Slytherin's pet Death Eaters had been dispatched to the area the moment James and Dumbledore's escape became known. She and her son had been told in no uncertain terms that if they aided and abetted a fugitive that they would meet a similar fate.

James was a cocky and stubborn son of a bitch, but he wasn't stupid. He wouldn't come back to the estate, endangering his own son at the very least. Those guards were here to monitor them if they even thought of lending a hand.

There was a knock at the door to the study. Then another. "Mother," Fleamont's voice rang through the wood. "Are you still mad?"

Lily took a deep breath. Was she still mad? Was she still mad? Of course, she was still mad at Fleamont. She was seething. The young man, who had inherited more of her looks than his father's, opened the door carefully and walked inside. She took a deep breath before turning.

"What do you want?"

"A Goblin from the bank was here," Fleamont said tentatively. "He relayed that you have three days remaining to vacate the estate."

Lily clenched her fists until they left half-moon-shaped indents in her palms. "I'm pretty much ruined." Her laugh was rather dark. "I entered this marriage without a dowry, I have no property to my name, I burned the bridge with my parents and sister. I wanted to catch that scheming bastard in the act so I could claim half this estate, but now that's probably out the window as well!" she nearly sobbed. "My reputation amongst the Noble ladies might as well be in tatters also!"

"I mean, at least you weren't Dad's wife when Lord Slytherin declared him a fugitive," Fleamont stated. "You being divorced before he was sentenced to prison saved you from even further slander."

"The summer home in Cornwall," Fleamont spoke up. "It was my inheritance from grandfather. I want you to have it. A place away from the whispers. It's not part of father's estate anymore and won't be confiscated if it comes to that."

"Why?" she demanded, her voice breaking. "Why would you do this for me, after everything? You hid your father's affair for years. You knew he spawned a bastard son."

"Because you are still my mother," Fleamont said simply. "I thought not saying anything was protecting you. You and Father were supposed to be this perfect couple supporting each other. That's what you always made me believe. I didn't want to hurt you."

"Once father is found perhaps you can petition the Court," Fleamont continued. "Surely you could bring up the lack of asset division. You have supported dad since before you two graduated."

"I could," Lily stated, though hesitantly. "But I feel that Lord Slytherin knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted me to suffer."

"What? Why?"

"Fleamont, he knew about Harry."

Meanwhile, Albus, Sirius, and an injured James landed in Borrowdale rainforest with a thud. "Where are w-" James struggled to stand, though he slipped on the moss and nearly slid towards a nearby stream.

"We must move. I know a place," Albus said as he righted himself. Sirius muttered about the absurdity of hiding among vines and moss, while James trudged forward. None had their wands except for Sirius, and night was falling soon.

"Can you believe Remus?! How could he turn us away like that? Is he too good for us now that he found a pack?" Sirius angrily exclaimed.

The night was misty when the trio apparated to the outskirts of Ireland. "Bloody hell, Sirius, this is your grand idea? Remus? He hasn't spoken to us in years." James panted while wincing at the phantom pains in his arm.

"He'll listen. He has to. He's still your friend, my boy." Albus assured.

But Remus was not. Not anymore. The werewolf pack he had joined had carved out a fragile peace in the Irish countryside. When James, Sirius, and Albus approached, they were met with snarls and drawn wands. Remus himself stood at the edge of the campfire, his eyes were cold and narrowed, especially as he spotted James's missing limb. "You shouldn't have come," he said flatly. "Not here. Not now. Whatever you've gotten yourself into, I made it clear years ago that I was done helping you."

"Remus, please," James began, but his voice faltered.

"I know what you did," Remus said. "The battle at the Ministry Atrium. You thought no one would notice. I saw it, James. You were the one who injured Severus. Not an enemy combatant but an ally. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Remus, it's not... He's a Death Eater," James tried to justify.

"He was a spy. Who was fighting on our side. He was fighting alongside the Aurors when you struck. You think no one saw you?" Remus snarled. "I did. I don't know what your deal is, and I don't care if you hated him. He was an ally. You don't stab allies in the back."

Sirius bristled, but Albus raised a hand, silencing him. "We seek only refuge for the night. Lord Slytherin's trackers are closing in. You know what that means."

Remus's jaw tightened. "Then run faster. You'll find no sanctuary here."

Back in the present, James finally asked, "Albus, where in tarnation are we going?"

"There is a place. Slughorn's camp. He was investigating the Staff of Merlin for me. Supposedly, the artifact lies near his lodgings. If we reach him, we may yet turn this tide."

Sirius scoffed. "Slughorn? That pompous walrus? He'll sell us out the moment Lord Slytherin offers him a crate of gold."

"You underestimate him. Slughorn's greed is his weakness, but it is also his strength. A stereotypical opportunist." Albus chuckled. "He will not betray us until he knows which side profits most. And if he believes the Staff of Merlin is within reach, he will help us."

Back at Tintagel Castle, around the same time, Ginverva Weasley stood nervously in front of Lord Slytherin's study. She had no idea why she was summoned. Lord Slytherin had clearly made up his mind on who he was going to court two days ago. It was the talk of the Magical Community. Many Pureblood Lords lamented that they could not form ties through marriage with their new monarch.

"Miss Weasley," Lucius Malfoy stepped out into the corridor. "Lord Slytherin will see you now," he said haughtily before departing.

Before Ginny could even take a seat, Lord Slytherin asked, "Miss Weasley, tell me, have you ever had aspirations grander than what was expected of you as a Pureblood lady?"