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Lord Voldemort was, Amycus Carrow thought, begrudgingly, hypnotic, enchanting, spellbinding, and extremely dangerous.
“I would like to let you know, my faithful friends, that after tonight, I shall leave you no reason to doubt your Lord’s prowess.”
Many members of the inner circle paled considerably.
Amycus’ face remained stoic. He knew that the bastard was bluffing. He was trying to rattle them and scare them. He wanted to make them believe that everything was under control.
Which was an utter lie.
The prophecy was true and Voldemort—more than anyone else—knew that.
The hair on the back of his neck bristled when he sensed Alecto's wrath through the Twin Bond. Out of the two of them, his sister inherited their mother’s legendary temper. It was as explosive as a volcano. Amycus blamed it on the family tradition of naming daughters of House Carrow after the Furies.
He draped a hand over her stiff shoulders, letting his magic calm her, and let a breath out when she looked at him with swirling dark eyes flashing with anger.
“Let him talk,” his eyes said. “Everything is set for his downfall.”
Reaching up, Alecto stroked her fingers lightly through his dark hair, seeking solace from the simple touch. “I won’t let this fool destroy your future, brother. Carrows take care of their own.” He heard the words through their common mental link and fought the excited grin that started growing on his face.
His eyes went inadvertently to his covered right wrist. Under layers of silk and Dragon Hide, were the words that would set his heart free or doom him to eternal loneliness.
A year ago, on his seventeenth birthday, Amycus was overly thrilled to find out the identity of his Soulmate.
At midnight, when Soulmate Marks were supposed to start glowing, the paleness of his mark sent a shudder of disappointment through his chest.
His Soulmate was younger; probably too young considering how faded the letters were. He ran a trembling finger over the four letters: ACUS. It was the first thing his Soulmate would say to him when they met.
Alecto had teased him endlessly but he prevailed. He was a patient man. He could wait.
It wasn’t until months later that he met his destined Soulmate for the first time in the most unexpected place.
He was taking a stroll in Knockturn Alley, hunting for new Dark Arts books from Borgin and Burkes when he stumbled upon a woman wearing a cloak hiding her identity and holding a small bundle in her arms. The impact caused her to stagger on her feet. Instinctively, Amycus caught her elbow, steadying her.
It wasn’t until he lifted his head that he reinforced his Occlumency Shields in a deliberate attempt to hide his surprise. Her hood was down and the woman was none other than Lady Lily Potter.
He wondered what a woman like her was doing in this shady part of London.
“Pardon me, Lady Potter,” he fought an equally strong impulse to smirk when her brows knotted fiercely.
“Heir Carrow,” she nodded, wary of the glint in his eyes.
Contrary to popular belief, Amycus had nothing against Muggleborns and Half Bloods. Carrows valued power above all and Lily Evans Potter had proved time and again that she wasn’t to be underestimated. The brightest witch of her generation had accomplished the unprecedented feat of bringing the Potter Stag to his heels. Which was commendable in his humble opinion.
“I wonder, what a Light witch like yourself is doing here. Isn’t this alley too Dark for you?” he said evenly, unable to resist ruffling her feathers a bit.
“I’m looking for books,’’ she said, clutching the bundle closer to her chest. Her gaze met his challengingly, but he was reading through her thoughts far too accurately.
“You mean Dark, banned books? Because that’s the only kind of books you will find here…” he trailed off as his gaze swept over the small bundle that started fidgeting all of a sudden.
“Amycus,” she said, pressing her lips together firmly. “I have no time to banter with you. Excuse me, but I must leave.”
He lifted his hands in mock-surrender. “By all means. Just be careful.”
“ACUS?”
Lily’s eyes widened in alarm as he looked down, temporarily frozen. Without thought, he lifted the side of her cloak.
“Amycus!” Lily’s trembling hand lay against his arm in silent supplication.
“ACUS?” he echoed in a strange voice as tiny, excruciatingly soft fingers curled around his hand.
Amycus could feel his heart thump wildly, urging him to pursue what his reason resisted.
His right wrist tingled as he bared it to Lily’s eyes. The letters were no longer faded. They were legible.
“She’s… ‘’ Lily stuttered, staring at him open-mouthed. “She’s too young.”
“I know,” he said hoarsely. The little girl peeked at him, her eyes sparkling like tiny stars sprinkled over a carpet of lush greenery. “But she’s my Soulmate.” Slowly, as not to startle her, he rolled the sleeve of her red dress up. A matching ACUS—the first words he said to her—marked the skin of her right wrist.
He sensed Alecto’s worry through the Twin Bond. She was undoubtedly feeling some of his turmoil.
He gained control of his emotions and looked at Lily straight in the eye. “Why are you here, Lily?”
When she hesitated, he added, forcing his voice to remain gentle. “I would never hurt her. You know that.”
“There's a prophecy….” Her sharp gaze flew to his. “And I was looking for ways to protect Alexandra if worse comes to worst.”
Her words were as affective as a blow and just as painful. Anger boiled to replace the happiness, and only his training kept him from burning Knockturn Alley to ashes.
“Tell me about it, maybe I can help….”
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Amycus had been restless for days. Still, he had managed to mask his worry thanks to the little kernel of patience that remained. His twin’s unconditional support was a tower of strength that kept him sane.
After he helped Lily find a Blood Ritual that would protect Alexandra even from the Unforgivables, he explained the cost, but Lily Potter was a fierce mother on a mission. No wonder the Sorting Hat put her in the lion den.
He admired her determination and drive; however, he knew he could not stand by and wait while Voldemort attacked his Soulmate.
After a lengthy discussion with Alecto, they decided that the best course of action was to infiltrate the Death Eaters' tight circle and make sure that their plan went smoothly.
He knew that revealing what Alexandra Potter was to him was too dangerous. Letting slip that bit of information was out of the question. Voldemort would hurt her through him. Losing a Soulmate was more than any Wixen could bear. Most—if not all would rather embrace death than go through that agonizing pain.
He watched from the shadows as Voldemort crept toward the Potters Cottage like the vermin he was.
“The rat is mine,” Alecto sneered. “A traitor can never be forgiven.”
“Let’s concentrate on the Potters and Alexandra first,” he gripped her head between his hands and kissed her forehead with a surge of fear and gratitude. “Thank you for doing all this for me. I hope you’ll find your Soulmate soon.”
Alecto averted her gaze. He knew that something had been bothering her for weeks but he’d been rather preoccupied with foiling Voldemort’s plans.
“It’s not the right time to…”
A brief cry was wrenched from his throat, his hand going instantly to rub his Soulmate Mark as they sensed a colossal blast of Dark magic.
Dry-mouthed. He was surprised he was still standing on his feet as if nothing was happening. As if his entire world wasn't about to be blown apart. It seemed almost as if he was watching from outside himself. Fear had never done that to him before. But maybe that was because he'd never had this much to lose.
“Alexandra…” Her name left his lips like a desperate prayer.
“Amycus,” Alecto said firmly. “Get your bearings. She’s not dead. Look at your Mark, it’s still there.”
He tried to shrug out of her grip and dart down the hill to find out what happened in the Potter Cottage.
Alecto’s fingers closed over his left wrist. “The Dark Mark…It’s fading.”
Amycus’ heart thundered in his ribcage as he lifted his sleeve. “You mean….Voldemort is gone?”
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Amycus dropped his unfocused gaze to the floor. He made sure his face remained averted so he wouldn't look at his right wrist. The sight of it caused a sharp pain in his throat, as if it had been pierced with a Ceremony Dagger. He willed the blanketing numbness to come back, and mercifully it did.
It had been fifteen years since he’d been incarcerated. Fifteen endless years since the Aurors threw him in Azkaban with Alecto because they carried the Dark Mark.
After Alexandra had managed to vanquish the Dark Lord, he considered asking for a meeting with the Head of the DMLE so he could explain himself. He was never given the chance. The Aurors raided many Pureblood strongholds looking for Voldemort’s followers. He and Alecto were dragged to the DMLE then dropped into Azkaban without a trial. The Dark Mark was their downfall.
What was the Ministry doing playing judge and jury without giving people their right to defend themselves?
Lord Alistair Carrow’s heart wasn’t strong enough to handle the horrendous news. He went to rack and ruin followed by his mother; Lady Megaera.
His cousin Aidan was taking care of the family vast estate in his stead. Not that he had any hope of leaving Azkaban.
Days bled into nights and he had lost count years ago. Only one thought kept his breathing coming in little gasps.
Alexandra…
She was fifteen…
He wondered how she was doing. Last he heard from Aidan, Voldemort wasn’t truly gone. Through the years, he had put his Soulmate in terrible danger. But she had thwarted his plans time and again and emerged victorious.
Aidan was keeping an eye on her, as were his daughters, Flora and Hestia and his sister Eloise’s son, Cassius Warrington.
It gave him great solace that the plan he had concocted with Lily years ago could still be put into play even in his absence.
He gave his her word to look after Alexandra, and even though he was helpless, his family was doing the job. Without bringing attention to themselves, of course.
Aidan went beyond his expectations and helped Lord Sirius Black prove his innocence. He took custody of Alexandra as soon as he was cleared of his charges.
Pain shot through his chest and his heart was ripped open again because of the reminder.
For years, he’d been denied everything. Even the small mercy of knowing what she looked like.
‘’Amycus…” Alecto interrupted his dark thoughts with a softness that, in no way, mitigated the misery in her voice. “We are not done yet.”
He didn’t reply immediately, feeling the burden of her faith as keenly as a dead weight. Instead, he sighed and lifted her hand to his lips, letting all the love and gratitude he felt for his sister stream freely through the Twin Bond. She was his anchor and sole confidante. Only her existence kept him relatively sane all these years. “We have no choice. For them, we are but convicted criminals regardless of our objections.”
“No choice?” Alecto’s eyes darkened with a fire he hadn’t seen in years. “By Merlin, my patience has seldom been tested to its limit as it is now. Who are you, and what have you done to my brother? You are not allowed to give up. Not in this lifetime.”
Amycus shook his head in exasperation. An angry Alecto was an impressive sight. He doubted he had encountered a witch with more determination and natural command. He pitied her Soulmate and not for the first time, he wondered who the bastard was?
Alecto was dead set on keeping his name to herself. Which brought the question of…
His thoughts were lost in the explosion that shook Azkaban’s walls and sent the Dementors into a frenzy for a moment before an ominous silence unfolded in a smothering blanket that made the hair at the back of his neck stand up. The looming danger was unmistakable.
Even barely holding to his wits, Amycus remembered that suffocating, tainted Aura so well.
“He’s back,” Alecto got slowly to her feet.
“And he wants us,” he drummed his fingers on his thigh, waiting for the inevitable.
“Then we’ll use him to get our freedom back, and after…who knows?” Cold, callous and straight to the point, Amycus thought. Yes, this was definitely his dear sister.
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Amycus looked over his shoulder at the entrance and sneered. Malfoy Manor's walls were painted a pale, celestial silver-blue, surmounted by a white ceiling. The plaster moldings were carved into an intricate Greek motif. A single round pedestal table stood in the center of the entry, graced by a silver bowl brimming with white roses and blue larkspur.
Everything about the place was pristine and crisp, unlike its occupants. He was certain that if he spent another hour confined to the manor, he would go insane.
It had been weeks since Voldemort staged the mass breakout from Azkaban after convincing the Dementors to switch sides.
Left with no choice but to keep the ruse and play along, he followed the rest of the Death Eaters to Malfoy Manor. For weeks, he adopted a perfectly grateful expression as he observed and waited patiently for Voldemort to share his plans.
But he had a pressing matter he couldn't delay longer. Perfectly hidden from sight after he localized the Ward Stone and tampered with it, Amycus headed for the door. Alecto would make sure that no one noticed his absence.
He appeared in Godric’s Hollow a second later. With a heavy heart, he set out for the Potters’ Cottage.
Lily’s love for her daughter was abundantly clear in the remains of the place. She made the ultimate sacrifice and gave her life to save her child.
What the Ministry did to the place was a travesty, an abomination. He let out a tense sigh when he sensed the other Aura. He kept correspondence with Aidan for years and knew all there was to know about the man standing behind him.
For instance, he knew that it was impossible to break Grimmauld Place wards, hence why he opted for the second option.
Aidan had reported that Lord Black visited Godric’s Hollow. Every. Single. Night. Without fail.
Amycus dragged his hand through his thick hair, leaving it in ruffled disarray, then turned slowly, facing Alexandra’s only remaining family.
He watched with a derisive smile as Sirius Black’s eyes darkened with recognition.
“Lord Black. Merry Meet,” he said curtly.
“Carrow? What are you doing here?” he growled.
Amycus’ brows rose. Whoever thought that Sirius Black hexed first and asked questions next was a blabbering fool. Maybe his stay in Azkaban taught him something of value. Maybe it helped him embrace his Black roots.
“That’s a long story I plan to share with you,” he said, keeping his voice neutral as he spoke. Patience was the quickest path to gain his trust and give him the full truth. “This is not a coincidence.”
Sirius’ eyes narrowed in challenge. “Then, by all means start talking. I have no time or patience for your games.”
Well, it could’ve been worse.
⋅───⊱༺ 💔 ༻⊰───⋅
“Maybe we should wait by the elevators,” Bellatrix Black Lestrange said impatiently.
“No,” Came Lucius Malfoy’s dour reply. “We will do as the Dark Lord asked.”
Her chin rose obstinately but she kept her mouth shut.
Amycus hated this plan with every fiber of his being. He hated putting his Soulmate in danger. But the prophecy wasn’t fake. Alexandra had to face Voldemort eventually for this nightmare to end.
After the long, unpleasant night he spent explaining everything to Sirius—and barely managing to convince him of his innocence—they kept in touch.
The revelation of what Alexandra was to him didn’t go well. Sirius Black could present a ridiculously dangerous threat when angry. Luckily, he came to his senses fast, for there was no way to separate two Soulmates.
“Everything will be fine,’’ Alecto’s watchful gaze scanned the Hall of Prophecies. “She will be safe. We’ll make sure of it.”
Amycus nodded. Reluctantly, Sirius shared his findings with Dumbledore. His previous professor had been excited to have a second—and third—mole in Voldemort’s army. That gratitude meant nothing to him. All that mattered was Alexandra’s safety.
Regrettably, what he managed to unveil made it that they couldn’t kill Voldemort’s yet. They had to find out more about the Horcruxes and their secret locations.
His heart started thundering in his chest when he sensed her Aura. It was sweet and innocent, just like remembered. There was more to her now, though. His lips tightened into a grim line of determination. He would do his utmost to help her end the monster. There were no easy ways but between them, they would make one.
The moment her fingers brushed the Prophecy Orb free of the clogging dust, Amycus erected a wandless and wordless protective shield around her and her friends.
“Hand it over, Miss Potter,” Lucius Malfoy drawled in his annoying voice. “Maybe then, I’ll let you go.”
Alexandra looked unsurprised as she tilted her chin up. “Then, I assume this is a farce. You don’t have Sirius as a hostage?”
“They only did that to get your attention,” her bushy-haired friend said, cocking a brow up. “This is rather pathetic.”
“How dare you, Mudblood?” Bellatrix roared.
“Bella! Don’t do something you will regret later. We don’t want her to smash the prophecy,” Lucius sounded vexed.
“What if I want to smash it?” Alexandra taunted as she transferred the glowing orb from one hand to the other playfully. “Will Voldemort punish you?”
“You dare—“ Bella—as expected—threw the first spell.
“You are a disgrace to your family name, Bellatrix Black.” A tall lad—a Longbottom for certain, glared at the mad woman. “But it ends tonight.”
“It starts. Now,” Alecto said apprehensively.
Alexandra’s eyes flickered from Death Eater, to Death Eater, looking for something. They glittered from under the curtain of her sooty lashes when they landed on him.
She was…perfect but the timing was anything but.
Amycus spun on his heels and yanked open the door linking the Hall of Prophecies to the Room of the Veil.
He looked over his shoulder one last time.
Alexandra’s eyes were still glued to his back. Even in the middle of a raging fight, it was as if they were the only two in existence. He blinked in confusion at the thought, and with a rueful smile, he hit Lucius square on the back with a Blood Curdling Curse. He would not abide by Dumbledore’s rules. These people were criminals and murderers; they deserved no mercy.
Footsteps and shouts echoed from behind him as the members of the Order of the Phoenix hurtled toward the battle. Spells shot across the room, and by the horrified look on the Death Eaters’ faces, it was clear that they didn’t appreciate the new company.
The Hall of Prophecies was about to become their tomb, like he and Sirius planned. He didn’t care what happened next as long as they eradicated Voldemort’s main support.
Dumbledore materialized in the doorway from the Brain Room and stunned the nearest Death Eater.
He saw the fear and alarm on Alexandra’s face when Bellatrix sent an extremely Dark spell Sirius’ way. Even the latter’s eyes flared wide in alarm.
Amycus’ heart sank. He knew it was too late. He was too far away to help and he doubted that Alexandra knew how to counter such a Dark spell.
“You bloody bastard! I’m not done with you yet.” He heard the low whisper next to his ear and thought he was imagining things, but Alecto sped past everyone and shot a spell at Sirius. It pulled him back easily from harm’s way. She didn’t stop there. She threw a Confringo point-blank range at Bellatrix’ chest, and by the gaping hole it engendered, Amycus—and everyone in the room knew that the unhinged woman was gone.
Amycus felt terribly light-headed when Alecto slapped Sirius on the face then dragged his head down and kissed him savagely.
He recognized immediately what she’d been hiding all these years. The discovery made it hard to think straight. He could hardly believe that Sirius was Alecto’s Soulmate.
Alexandra’s amused eyes screwed up all of a sudden and her hand went to her scar.
Amycus knew it was his clue. He had to leave before Voldemort found out what he had done.
He called for Alecto through their link. She looked appalled by the idea of leaving her Soulmate again; a sentiment Sirius seemed to share. But she did it anyway.
Alexandra looked deeply into his eyes. He had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable. So sure. He mouthed ‘ACUS’, then turned around without a look back.
They had to leave before Voldemort and the Minister arrived. They had to stick to the plan until they ended Voldemort for good and proved their innocence.
A Soulmate Bond was supposed to be a happy, giddy experience one looked forward to. Like the silly verses written on cards and decorated with feathers and lace lovers exchanged.
Theirs, however, wasn't like that. It was a gnawing, feverish, and consuming feeling. There was a strong need to protect those who meant everything to them that could not be quenched.
It was pure, reckless madness. But they were the reckless Carrow Twins.
⋅───⊱༺ 💔 ༻⊰───⋅
The garden of the Carrow Ancestral Manor had been disheveled by the leaves and green buds scattered everywhere. Twigs and branches lied across the usually immaculate path.
Yet it was home.
Breathing deeply and taking the invigorating smell into his soul, Amycus strolled along the graveled walkway with Alecto by his side. Aidan had refused to move to the Manor after his father’s death. “It’s your birthright,” he stated firmly. “One day, you will prove your innocence and take back what belongs to you.”
It had been almost a year since the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Fudge and all the fools who had supported him had witnessed the duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort. After he lost most of his inner circle and any chance of getting the prophecy, Voldemort retreated back to Little Hangleton to lick his wounds and regroup. Only Rookwood, Jugson, Parkinson, Nott and the Lestrange brothers had managed to survive, mainly because they weren't there or fled as soon as they recognized their perilous position.
As luck would have it, all those who had witnessed his ‘betrayal’ were dead and he and his sister were once again among Voldemort’s most trusted.
The situation with the Horcruxes was progressing wonderfully. They had managed to locate and destroy the Slytherin Locket, the Ravenclaw Tiara and the Hufflepuff Cup.
“He’s getting more deranged every day,” Alecto snorted, one brow lifting in a mocking arch.
“And he’s been away for a week,” he replied unhappily. “He’s planning something.”
“He’s recruiting,” Alecto’s eyes narrowed. “He plans to launch an attack.”
“He lost all the support he had and he’s safe in the knowledge that he can always come back,” he said tersely. “We have to kill Nagini.”
“The potion Snape had been working on is almost ready. As soon as it is dead, he becomes mortal.”
“Almost mortal….” He drew the words out dangerously. Alecto gripped his hand and fell into step on his side. He drew courage from her knowing that they would find a way.
They would destroy the last Horcrux without harming Alexandra.
⋅───⊱༺ 💔 ༻⊰───⋅
The fools who had followed Voldemort into battle on countless occasions and elected to remain with him, still blinded by his lies, fell into line behind him.
“This is it,” Alecto commented dryly, patting him once more on the back. “I, of course, cannot wait to tame a wild dog,” she added archly, then paused, searching for a familiar face as they reached Hogwarts gates.
Dumbledore was leading the fighters, with Amelia Bones at his right and Minerva McGonagall at his left.
Amycus' mouth snapped shut when the crowd parted, allowing Alexandra a path. She pushed her way to the front, looking magnificent in her crimson Dragon Hide armour. Her gaze flew over everyone, and her face lightened with recognition when it slid to him. There was a heartbeat of time when everything around them simply froze.
“Alexandra Potter,” Voldemort said smoothly, none of his anger evident in his tone. “This ends tonight.”
She aimed the Elder Wand at him and shrugged in a relaxed manner. “I beg to differ with you. You end tonight. Your fate has been well and truly decided.”
Slitted blood-red eyes blinked in confusion at what she added in Parseltongue then looked mightily angered at whatever she did. He let loose a shrill scream when Nagini started trashing, then stilled, her lifeless eyes staring at the dark sky.
Amycus tried to fight the feelings swelling up inside him, but it was impossible. They did it. After sixteen years, they had managed to render Voldemort helpless and bring about his downfall.
He watched as Alexandra advanced on her foe with satisfaction, his feet bringing him instinctively to her side.
He took in the fire in her eyes and the giddiness’ flush on her cheek as she wielded the wand Dumbledore gave her with mastery. He moved in sync with her, struggling to keep his magic from stealing this moment from his Soulmate and dampening her victory. Alecto joined them, and so did Sirius.
He couldn’t help but return her smile as she breezed past him, dodging a lethal spell and throwing one of her own.
He was almost afraid to blink and inadvertently bring an end to this glorious moment.
It was all that he wanted….and more.
⋅───⊱༺ 💔 ༻⊰───⋅
Amycus reached down to rub a silky tress of his Soulmate’s hair between his fingers, his expression softening and his voice deepening as he spoke. ‘’Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that we’ve been together for five years.”
With a deep breath, she blinked tearfully, trying and failing to plaster a smile on her lips. “And I can’t believe you’ve loved me quietly for sixteen years. You’ve looked after me from a distance and never removed me from your heart. Even at your darkest hour. You sacrificed everything for me: your title, your freedom, and your reputation. How can I ever—“
He took her fingers gently and lifted her hand to his lips, then placed a kiss on her trembling knuckles. “It was worth it.” His hand moved to feather across her faded lightning scar—the one that disappeared the night they became one and replaced the Soul Shard with the Soulmate Bond, then slid to run gently across her bottom lip. “There was a hole in my heart, a bottomless void before I found you. You gave me purpose. Whenever you need me, I will always be there.”
When his lips finally found hers, she sighed dreamily. Winding her arms around his neck, she held him close and kissed him back, then quickly set about pushing him away when his hands began roaming over her body suggestively.
One brow lifted. “I thought you wanted to show me how much you loved me.”
She smiled and reached up to take his face between her hands. “I do. I love you so much.”
He paused to peer at her, a lecherous grin on his face as his eyes drifted over her body, taking in the toned, lean muscles courtesy of her Duelling career. “What is it, then, my love?”
The rest of his words were stolen by the sweet, hot shock of her mouth on his. The kiss went on and on, exploring deliciously, wringing sensations from his soul. She broke it when the need for air became too great to rest her forehead against his, their panting breaths mingling.
“I have to tell you something before you make me forget again.” She let out a shaken sigh, and he held her tightly.
“You can tell me anything, Alexandra. You know how much I love you.”
She braced her hands on his shoulders, looking into his eyes as she whispered. “Then, will you love them as much as you love me?”
“Them?” His brows furrowed in confusion.
She grinned at him affectionately. “Our twins.”