Everything belongs to JKRowling except the mad plots and the occasional characters I have added. I make no money on this and just write to express my warped sense of imagination.

NOTE: Thank you all for your kind reviews and favoring the story. I had this chapter partially finished when I posted the first two and will get back to it after I post new chapters to other stories. Thank you.

Chapter 3 – Meeting Lord Black

It had taken time, too much time for Andromeda Tonks' liking, but finally all of the members of "her family" had arrived at the emergency safe house. "Family" was the name she had given to not only Narcissa, Draco and her Ted, but the others who had been rescued on that Christmas Day and had made their way to safety and had found a home with the Tonkses and Narcissa. They had become her family because they all had lost everything and were now being given a chance at a new life due to the generosity of the current Lord Black, her Head of House.

The Tonkses had lost everything they had, including their only daughter, when Dumbledore took control of Britain and "turned it into a paradise" according to his vision of paradise. To about 95% of the population, it was more of a living hell than a paradise. Even Voldemort would not have turned Britain into what it had become under Dumbledore.

Of course had Voldemort taken over Britain there would have been the requisite murders, imprisonments, vendettas and the usual things which happened during any coup. But after a year or two things would have settled down, punishments would have been swiftly given to the losing side and rewards to the winners. Some people would have lived in fear but eventually things would just go back to what was "normal" for Magical Britain. As long as it didn't directly affect them, the majority of wizards and witches would continue living their lives and life would go on as it always had.

During the past few years when reflecting back on how things had turned out under Dumbledore's rule, even her Ted said that unless you were a Muggleborn or a first generation Half-blood, you'd be living far better under Voldemort than Dumbledore. At least the "Old Ways" and "Old Religions" wouldn't be outlawed and the sacred rites could be practiced and the magical holidays observed in the way they should be, well things would have just been better.

At least with Voldie, there wouldn't be a Fidelius over EVERYTHING so one could escape if only by the Muggle way. He might have enslaved some people, but not every single one starting from childhood with that damnable oath.

But Dumbledore had screwed up royally. He had lied, manipulated, used and abused just about everybody to get his way and serve his purposes. Apparently he had done it all of his long life. There were rumors which Andromeda had heard for years that it had been Dumbledore who caused the creation of the wizard who eventually became Voldemort. But rumors were rumors and no one would ever know the truth unless Voldemort resurrected from the dead again and both he and Dumbledore were dosed with Veritaserum and then swore on their life and magic what was true and what was not.

Voldemort wouldn't have ruined the economy like Dumbledore did. Granted it might have been a repressed economy with only the very rich and powerful having any real money or a posh lifestyle, but that was the way it had always been. Now not only was Britain an isolated outcast in both the Muggle and Magical worlds, the Goblins had managed to move out of the country so much cash, jewels and other valuables that it wrecked the economy and it was all Dumbledore's fault.

Then Dumbledore had actually confiscated all the cash, jewels and valuables from everyone whether it was from the likes of Lucius Malfoy to the lowest hag living in Knockturn Alley. Everything became the property of the government and was "evenly and fairly distributed among the people" or so it was said. There was no need to have money as everyone worked and earned points and points would get you and your family everything you needed in life such as food, clothing and shelter and the great honor of living in "paradise" as defined by Albus Dumbledore.

It was said that in Dumbledore's British Eden "All wizards are equal" but in reality they were not. Those who were among the elite, his first and most faithful followers such as the Weasleys, certain Aurors like Kingsley Shacklebolt and those he had "saved" when they were young like Hagrid and Remus Lupin, were treated much better than his newer volunteer followers and definitely better than most of those living in Britain.

Even some of his worst critics could work their way up the ladder if they proved useful. Percy Weasley had proved to be invaluable once he saw the way the wind was blowing. Added to the fact that his parents were part of Dumbledore's "Inner Circle" and Percy quickly moved up the ranks and received many promotions and perks. Much of it was due to his talents, dedication and hard work and to the fact that to achieve his goals he would conveniently "forget" some of the ethics which his father had instilled into him. He was doing very well.

Delores Umbridge had magnanimously been given one of Dumbledore's famous "second chances" and had proved her worth time and again. She was very useful determining what work a person should be assigned. It had amused Dumbledore to see how she arranged for some of the mighty to be humbled as well as some of the ordinary people whose only real fault had been to not have been a follower or at least a supporter of Albus Dumbledore.

For example, Cyril and Chloe Greengrass were Purebloods of the highest rank who were very wealthy and influential. They had not taken Voldemort's mark but it was rumored they had given him donations to leave them alone and provided supplies and information when asked. At the moment they were lucky they weren't in Azkaban, especially considering that both their very valuable daughters had managed to escape. Apparently they preferred that their daughters followed those who chose to "rule in hell than serve in heaven" a quote taken from another Muggle poem (Milton's Paradise Lost).

Those who had escaped and were doing well had no illusions, or even wanted to, return to their ancient land and heritage. Magicals existed in every country in the world so as long as you had your magic (and a wand in most cases) you would still be a wizard/witch. You could choose to live in the Magical or Muggle worlds (which most Muggleborns did after Hogwarts due to the lack of choices they found out they really didn't have).

Those who had escaped had more personnel freedom than they had had before Dumbles had taken complete control. They could acknowledge the existence of any God they believed in from the Muggle ones to the ancients. You didn't have to swear by Merlin anymore and definitely not (shudder, shudder) Dumbledore the now proclaimed Savior, Hero, Leader of the Light all things good and, by some of his fanatic and/or sycophantic followers, the new and only God!

It was dinner time when all of the refugees known as "The Lucky" (a name given to them by Lord Black) had assembled at the safe house which the Goblins had readied for them at Lord Black's request - all except Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode. Millie had shown great promise and Narcissa had had her educated in the food service industry. Well actually Lord Black had paid for the education but Narcissa had made Millie believe that she had done so.

Therefore, Millie "owed" Narcissa and was thus left behind with one house elf to see to the running of the business. If they were lucky, they would not be found and the chalet would be in the excellent condition as it was when Narcissa left it. Millie had no choice in the matter (and of course, neither did the house elf) as Narcissa would not take Millie's young brother to safety if she did not stay, run, guard and defend to the death the business.

In that respect, Narcissa was a true Black and Pureblood whereas Millie was just a insignificant Half-blood who knew she had to submit and obey her "betters" – especially if she wanted her brother to survive! Narcissa hoped that the business she had worked so hard to create would continue – and that nobody would notice that Millie wasn't with them as some might "disapprove" such as the Grangers and Andromeda. Oh well, she'd worry about it later.

Eventually, Daphne arrived BUT she was accompanied by her Muggle boyfriend and that was when all hell broke loose.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT…THAT…PIECE OF FILTH DOING WITH YOU?" Draco screamed out. Before anyone could respond, he had already pulled out his wand with the intention of cursing the hell out of that…creature…who had the gall to court a beautiful Pureblood witch who should have been madly in love (or at least lust) with Draco.

But before a curse could be cast, the "filth" held up his hand and put up a protective and reflective shield and the curse rebounded on Draco. He yelled out in pain when the skin burning curse hit him as his clothes and skin burst into flames. Fortunately, Andromeda was quick with a wand and cancelled the curse. But the damage had been done and Draco was already blistering with first-degree burns.

Narcissa rushed to the side of her baby not noticing that Ted had accioed her wand as no doubt she would seeking revenge for anything done to harm her idiot offspring, no matter how deserved.

"Lord Black, I presume?" Ted asked.

"Guilty as charged" Geoff replied. "Oh, and Narcissa, I merely reflected the curse Drakey-poo sent at me. The Goblins should be rushing in momentarily as a potentially lethal spell has been cast and – here they are now."

The Goblins looked at Draco, put him in stasis and began to take him away followed by his mother but she was stopped by Lord Black's call.

"Narcissa, we have much to talk about. Draco will be cared for by Goblin healers BUT he will also be suitably punished for his behavior."

The frantic mother looked at her Lord…and Master…and merely nodded her head. However, she did not attempt to apologize for her son's behavior and it did not go unnoticed by all present. There was great tension in the air but it was broken by good, ole Hermione, who couldn't control her curiosity any longer.

"Are you really Lord Black? How and why is that? Who are you related to? Was Sirius your father or was it his brother? Do you know what happened to Harry Potter? How did Professor Dumbledore find us? Is there another escape plan ready? Why has…."

"Well hello to you too Hermione Jane Granger" the now smiling Lord said. "I know you have been going by the name of Hermione Jean Granger since you heard that if you have to swear an oath on your life and/or magic, the full and exact name given to you at birth must be used otherwise it will be invalid."

Hermione was stunned that he would know that as she hadn't told anybody, not even Ron and Harry. She had found out that useful piece of information while perusing through the Black Library. Only Harry had noticed Jane being turned into Jean, but she merely told him that he was mistaken as her name had always been Hermione Jean Granger and the naïve, trusting boy had accepted it as true as surely Hermione knew what her own name was!

Before she could deny the fact he continued by saying "Kreacher the house elf watched you whenever you entered the library – especially after he caught you sneaking down in the middle of the night to read the books. After you left, he checked the book you were reading and magicked the page. When I took over the Lordship, he briefed me about all of the horrors and insults my House was subject to thanks to Sirius."

Unbelievably she was still silent as he continued. "I found out some other interesting things when I perused through many of the books I inherited. Then before Britain fell to the tyranny of Dumbledamnit, I did some research. Did you know that your once idol and so-called mentor was born and officially named not Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore which was on all of his school records and everything thereafter but was really Albus Percival Wulfric Brutus Dumbledore, after a great grandfather? Once he started working at Hogwarts he changed his school records and did the same when he was given a Wizengamot seat. That was in case he was forced to swear that sacred oath, which he always managed to avoid anyway."

She snapped out of her silence, hoping that no one would now call her out about the name change and said "How did Professor Dumbledore find us? Has he sent people to bring us back?"

"Didn't the Goblins tell you? Dumbledore, at least to all our knowledge, hasn't found us BUT the Dark Lord is back."

There were gasps heard before Andromeda asked "How do you know that? You-Know-Who is dead – for good this time."

"Why? Because Dumbleshit said it was so? Well he was wrong as he usually is where the Dark Lord is concerned. He is a resilient old rascal is the Dark Lord."

"There are many other names which I would choose to call him but resilient old rascal isn't one of them" Ted added. "Besides how do you know old Voldie is back?"

Geoff smiled slightly and then said "Because my parents are Death Eaters, their marks flared up and they were called."

This silenced everyone – even Hermione – as those in the know realized that with his followers under Dumbles' complete and other control, Voldie would seek out any and all Britons, perhaps even Muggleborns, to wage war against the real Dark Lord.

Finally, Narcissa found her voice as asked "Is that why you are here? Are you recruiting us all into the Dark Lord's service – even the Mudbloods?"

Ignoring the insult, he smiled and said "Now why would I do that?"

"Because your parents are Death Eaters!" Hermione yelled.

"I chose not to be one and my parents accepted that which is why I have been removed from their lives. They don't know where I am or have access to my personal vaults or the plans for a new identity for me and you all. Hopefully, HE will never find out about my existence and I will be free…but I have lost my parents and they their only son."

A tear or two formed in various eyes, mostly of the two sets of parents. He regained his composure and then turned to Narcissa.

"No doubt your baby boy will want to run off and join the Dark Lord's cause, probably hoping to be rewarded with the Black Lordship and slowly but surely torture me to death and no doubt people such as Hermione and the Grangers. I will leave it up to you, as his mother, to make the choice for him."

"If Draco is determined – and stupid and foolish enough - to join the Dark Lord, he may. However, his memory will be wiped concerning all of our existence and locations. If any of us, but especially me, cross his path, since he is a Death Eater…he is to be killed as he will not be merciful to anybody…perhaps even you."

"If he does not join, he must swear a sacred oath on his life and magic to me, which I will write out and which is not optional. Just so you know, I am aware that Draco's full, exact and legal name is Draco Lucius Abraxas Marvolo Malfoy. If he does not swear or attempts any trickery or treason, I WILL PERSONALLY KILL HIM. I am my parents' child, The Lord Black and are heir to a few other Houses which can only be claimed in Briton."

He took a breath and continued saying "Heed me well, I do not threaten – I promise and I usually keep my word if the situation allows me to. So choose carefully for your child as you hold his fate in your hands."

Whatever Narcissa decided to do, they would all have to wait to hear it as she gracefully, as a well-bred Pureblood lady would do, fell to the floor in a dead faint. She did, however, make a loud noise when she landed with a thud at Lord Black's feet.