My Lord Potter

Warnings: AU, child abuse, character bashing, Dark Trio, slash, torture, NON-CANNON, character death, and use of smoking/alcohol.

Prelude

Dear Severus,

I must say, it was quiet a surprise, and no less a pleasure, to receive a letter from you, though it contents were much curious. I, of course, have the information on James Slytherin that you requested, but the next time we do tea, we will be discussing exactly why it is you need it. My current thoughts on the reason rest on a former pupil of mine.

I believe the main reason there are so few records on the Half-Blood Prince, is because, like with You-Know-Who, many were terrified that even writing his name would bring his wrath upon them. James Gryffindor (Slytherin) was not a kind, just, and powerful ruler, contrary to common folklore in small wizarding villages and a few obviously made up prophecies that claimed he would be. The to-be ruler of the Wizarding world was born of wedlock by rape to Severino Slytherin, the son of Hogwarts founders Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw, and Ruth Maynard, a young, sophisticated and rich Muggle woman. Of course, Slytherin did not remain with the mother of his child, and Ruth, horrified at the prospect at having a child by her attacker, abandoned the infant on the front steps of then fifty-two-year-old Godric Gryffindor, who instantly recognized him as an heir of his archrival. Not cruel enough to leave a child on the streets, Godric took the infant in, and attempted to raise James, as he was named, to be a light wizard, despite the fact that he already had two children of his own, Seamus Codogan and Olga Marie. However, despite these attempts, James quickly realized he was not like his brother and sister, and acted as such, constantly blowing up things, hexing his elder siblings (there were constant arguments and mutual dislike between the trio) and house-elves with precarious spells, and even Obliviating current Minister of Magic Joseph Cornelius Fudge, in plain view of his parents and other witnesses when the Minister accused him of stealing Galleons from the Fountain of Unity.

At the advice of his wife, Helga Hufflepuff, Godric informed the then thirteen-year-old James of his heritage, in hopes it would encourage the teen to avoid the road of his elders and take the one of his adoptive family. Though James did show signs of improvement, Godric's choice would cause of his charge's eventual turning, and his downfall, when he, his wife, and Seamus, slaughtered the Slytherin family in the Battle of the Founders. When told of the news, James, instead of being happy like the others of the magical British community, was furious, and in that fit of rage, cast a spell of strong hate onto his adoptive father, the green light killing him instantly, and repeated the action on Helga and Seamus. Olga was spared, as she had moved to Godric's Hollow, along with her husband, Vladimir Potter, a year earlier, as was too far along with child to travel and give proper congratulations. The deceased were found early the next morning, hung by their arms at the entrance of the Ministry of Magic, glassy eyes staring back at their audience with horrified expressions. Nailed into Godric's chest, spelled to keep any blood from seeping through, stating in plain, black letters, "The Half-Blood Prince has risen. Enemies, beware."

It was only natural that a war would follow, as it would be should any two or more forces of extreme power disagree upon something, and one did, precisely one year later, when the self-proclaimed prince blew up the newly constructed St. Mungos, causing a ripple of rage and cheer throughout the entire country. It is referred to, in text of diaries of those who lived through it, as the 'Blood War', as for once Muggle-Borns and Pure-Bloods stood together on both sides...or perhaps because it was truly a bloody war. Witches and wizards of all ages, if they (or their parents, if they were under-age) had chosen a side, were not spared any mercy, tortured by the Reducto curse on their veins or Crucio on their bones. Mothers were forced to watch as their children were slowly filleted, and husbands made to witness their wives suffering the bloodletting curse as they were ravaged.

Not much is known about the Blood War besides what is written in diaries, though it is common knowledge within the library that after a mere six months of fighting, torture, and numerous loss on both sides, the 'Slytherins', as they called themselves, defeated the Ministry, and James became the horrific prince briefly referred to in history books. Perhaps this is the reason why your young hatchlings are looked upon as if they are evil.

And to your question concerning a possible mix between the Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Potter lines, it is stated in the journal of a Slytherin that James took an unwilling lover in Tobias Potter, the son of his adoptive sister, and it is rumored in many of them that their relationship resulted in a male child. However, this was never proven, as Tobias was rescued by a rebellion clan (led by brothers Arthur and William Weasley), along with several others, two years into his imprisonment.

I do hope I was able to clear some things up for you, instead of giving you further questions. Do write whenever you feel the need, even if it is to chat. I daresay it would be relieving to converse with a Dumbledore who does not keep you on your toes. Do send my greetings to Draco, and ask him to stop by. Blaise is restless around us of old age.

Sincerely,

Aberforth

TBC