Reading Time: 6 Minutes
Title: The Third Sacrifice
Series: The Master of Death
Series Order: 1
Author: Keira Marcos
Fandom: Harry Potter
Relationship: NA
Genre: Fantasy, Alternate Universe
Warnings: Ritual Sacrifice, Character Death
Word Count: 1,399
Author’s Note: This is a prequel to my RT Project for April 2026, most aptly called “Bone Deep”. I wrote it as part of my prep to see where I wanted to go with my zero draft, and I thought you guys might like to read it.
Summary: Sirius Black made a decision in Azkaban, and if anyone could ask him, he’d tell them he regrets nothing and fuck them for asking.
* * * *
Sirius Black sank down to his knees as the cell door slammed shut. No interview. He knew there would be no trial. Barty Crouch had made that clear when he’d been arrested. Sirius had been painted with a dark brush created by his own family. His godson was alone in the world—James and Lily Potter were gone, murdered by Voldemort.
Maybe he could escape, but no one ever had. Azkaban was a fortress on an unplottable island, guarded by disgusting creatures that had no place in the world. Dementors. He wondered if they offended Death as much as they offended him.
Sirius tried to shift into his animagus form, and his magic shuddered inside of him. The dampening spells were robust, and he didn’t know if the cell he was in was permanent or not. The words of the prophecy strummed inside of him, making his heart hurt with the galling magical truth of them.
Harry needed someone to protect him.
With a shaking hand, he started to draw runes on the stone floor of his cell. He was relieved that the spells guarding the cell didn’t recognize runic magic. They probably assumed no one in the prison was capable of such magic. The runes glowed gently with magic and his pure intent, and in his heart, an ancient power started to stir. He’d known since he’d met his animagus spirit that he had a unique potential—a connection with Death that defied genuine comprehension. Sirius had never hidden from it, but he hadn’t fully embraced it either.
Now, he had a choice to make. He could wallow in the filth of Azkaban, or he could join James and Lily in sacrifice. Sirius had felt them both die, one after another, in the defense of Harry, and as he finished the rune circle he’d created, the decision was made.
“Let me be seen as faithful,” he murmured. “Let me be known as strong.”
The runes started to glow brightly even as the hall outside of his cell darkened. The inky blackness could only be one thing, but his ritual circle kept him safe from the creatures.
“Accept my life and magic in the defense of my child, Hadrian James Potter,” he said. “Thanatos, god of death, I beg for your grace in my final moments. May Hekate accept this choice—made with a loyal and righteous heart.”
Magic heaved around him.
“You’d give your life for the boy?” a female voice questioned.
“Yes.”
“Your magic?” she prodded.
“Yes, take it all,” Sirius said hoarsely. “Take everything I am.”
“You’d have Death walk amongst the living?” A male voice questioned, tinged with amusement. “If your enemies had understood your true power, Sirius Orion Black, they would’ve killed you before giving you room to make such a choice.”
“Fuck them,” Sirius muttered.
“Yeah,” the woman said. “Fuck them. May they get exactly what they deserve.”
“Such words, sister, from the mouth of Fate could be the destroyer of entire worlds,” the male said. “Eh, c’est la vie as the French would say. Lovely people, next time around Sirius, you should be French.”
“Oi!” Sirius huffed. “That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
Fate laughed, and her musical laughter drifted over his skin like a summer breeze. “The food is better.”
Sirius couldn’t argue that, so he took a deep breath and wondered, very briefly, when his ritual sacrifice had gone completely off the rails.
“The child is alive,” the male said. “But, I would not say that he is safe. He’s left alone in a world without a single person dedicated to his welfare.”
“We can’t get you out of this prison—we have no power to interfere on the physical plane as we currently are. Every single moment your child is unprotected is a profound risk,” Fate said.
“I know,” Sirius said. “Even if I got free, they’d never let me keep him. I’m powerless, and most everyone thinks I’m a Death Eater.” A swirl of magic appeared in front of him, then a reaper took form. Sirius wasn’t afraid of Death; he never had been. He knew his own nature very well. “The first time I saw my animagus spirit, I was relieved to finally understand myself.”
The reaper nodded.
“This life is done,” Fate said quietly. “Thanatos, you have a choice to make. Genuine personification will be short—perhaps no more than ten years. No human’s magic or life force could sustain a god for longer.”
“I need more time than that,” Thanatos said roughly. “He’ll get attached to me—it is the nature of my own existence. It could damage him further if I’m gone from his life too quickly.”
“Then you must be less, and use the magic you’re being given carefully,” she paused. “Unless you want to go the other route.”
“It would be interesting,” Thanatos said. “Been a while since I’ve had a genuine hand on this plane.”
Sirius stayed where he was, grief pressing down on him in a way that wasn’t lessening in any single way. Even the decision to give himself over to the will of Magic herself hadn’t really helped.
The reaper knelt then in the circle with Sirius, and a skeletal hand cupped his face. He was beyond fearing an essential part of him, so he just closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“I shall take your place in this world, Sirius Black, and I will show your son’s enemies no mercy,” Thanatos said quietly. “Your love for him is now mine.”
“Thank you,” Sirius said quietly. “Give them hell.”
“Oh lad,” Thanatos said. “By the time he’s an adult, anyone getting in your son’s way will wish fondly for the sanctuary of hell.”
* * * *
In a shack in Little Hangleton, a ridiculous gold box rocked violently underneath rotting floorboards, and with a soft pop of magic, a small stone popped away from the place, leaving fiery death magic in its wake.
In a castle in Scotland, the Elder Wand vibrated briefly in the restraining magic of Albus Dumbledore’s wand holster so violently that the wizard pulled it free with alarm. It glowed brightly in his hand, then caught fire. He dropped it with a shout of shock. Dumbledore stumbled back as a wispy hand made of bones picked up the wand, and it fell to ashes.
The elderly wizard rushed into his bedroom, threw open a trunk just in time to watch the Cloak of Invisibility disappear. He sank to his knees in shock, dread settling on his bones.
In a cupboard in a terribly normal house on Privet Drive, a swirl of magic curled around the toddler that had been locked away by his aunt. Under a thin blanket, the boy relaxed and started to sleep soundly. Magic burned briefly in the scar on his forehead, and when it was gone—the skin was left perfect.
A cloak shimmered into the air and draped over the child, hiding him away from the world that meant him harm.
A stone swirled around in the air, finally free from a curse it had long held, and settled into a small hand, and Harry Potter closed his chubby little fingers around it with a soft sigh even as he slept.
“And this belongs to you as well,” a voice said gently as a tiny wand holster appeared on the child’s wrist, then faded away from view. “It’ll grow with you, guide you, and protect you. I’ve made it anew, so your magic will remain pure, and no one will recognize it for what it is. But don’t worry, it’s not forgotten its true purpose.
“Sleep well, child, for you are the master of death magic on this world, and you have nothing to fear.”
The End
PS-If you’re sitting there thinking, where is the rest? You didn’t read my author’s note.
Oooh. Now I am waiting anxiously for April! A cool setup.
OMG OMG!!! Thank you for sharing!!
Wow, so much packed into a tiny little story. I really like that. Thanks for sharing it. I hope things are well for you. Take care.
Oh wow, this is awesome. I am really curious where you’ll take this, because zero draft or not I have complete faith in your ability to spin gold from anything.
Love this, it’s perfect
Wow! That’s an amazing start!
Heartbreakingly good, but then again all of your stories are phenomenally good. Now I am eagerly awaiting April@
Harry with a little miniature wand holster is awesome and bad@$$!! ❤️
Wow what a great start to a story. I’m hooked, as I usually am with your stories. Thank you for this tease, M’Lady. Here’s to a happy April Hxx
This was awesome, i love your writing. I can’t wait to see where the story goes, you always take them in directions that amaze me.
Coincidentally the email notification came through just before midnight for me, so this was the first bit of writing I read as someone who turned 20 7 minutes ago.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Oh my! Sadness and hope.
You my dear are too perfect for this world! Thank you so much for this new story. May the inspiration of today bring you luck fortune and happiness!
Hey, I’m really sorry for asking, but since you haven’t added anything, can I hope for more, or is this a one shot?
It’s in my author notes that’s a prequel to my RT work, I posted this less than an hour ago. Did you mean a different story?
Wow. Powerful story. Powerful writing. I look forward for more!
WOW!
Such a cool concept
Outstanding twist, quite plausible given the associations of the Grim w/ death. Thanks, this was a lovely way to start a weekend!
Wow!
That was fantastic! I’m looking forward to reading what comes next.
Wow. Speechless.
Oh my god! That is fantastic
I adore your writing!
That was all a real gut punch. Awesome Keria.
You were right right right: sooo happy to read this! Thank you for sharing and… looking forward to April’s RT:)
I love all your HP universes so…can’t wait to see where you go!
This was a fantastic read. I am so looking forward to seeing what you do with your RT project in April. You certainly knocked the start out of the park.
Lovely way to start the day. Thank you so much. Unique. Well done. As with much of your work I would love to see more, but know better than to ask 🙂 You are a guilty pleasure.
Wow! This was so much fun to read especially now that I’m starting to study for a really boring certification. This will be the thing I look forward to reading and rewarding myself with for all the boring study hours I will have to put in. Thank you so much, your writing has greatly helped me relax.
I love this characterization of Sirius. Looking forward to RT even more. And I’m just putting it out there that your AN’s and PS’ tickle me more than some full length novels I’ve read.
You are spectacular. April is going to be so much fun!!!
Thank you for this.
Dammmmm.
This is gonna be such a ride to read.
Looking forward to RT. ❤️
That was a tasty little appetizer! Thanks for sharing!
Yes. All the yes.
This is fantastic. I adore it as a complete story already but it’s exciting that this is a prequel for your RT because I can’t wait to see where you take it. I love the mythology and depth you add to the wizarding world, it is always fascinating.
Thanks for sharing it with us and good luck for the upcoming challenge.
Holy SHIT I love love love this prequel! I can only imagine the magic (no pun intended??) you’re going to work with the full story! TYSM for sharing!
This feels like evil authors day all over again! Waiting anxiously for RT
Nooo, not Sirius! Love this prequel and the love it took for him to make this choice, but my heart breaks for Siri. Hope he gets the best afterlife possible, and that Harry gets to grow up in a way that every child deserves.
Can’t wait for April! <3
There will be murder if ANYTHING prevents me from enjoying next month’s RT.
Wow! This was fabulous. I loved that Death and Fate stood for Harry and that Sirius used all he was to protect Harry.
Thanks
Jen
Holy crap!
I really enjoyed Sirius leaning into his grim, the wizarding world doesn’t know what’s coming for them.
I am hooked!! Thanks for the preview!!
WOW! Amazing post. I am so excited to read the April RT.
This is just made of awesome. Thank you.
OMG, how awesome is this?! You thought correctly – we would absolutely want to read this. Looking forward to April. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Still sad for Sirius, but excellent start to a new adventure!
WoW1 You always come at this from a new angle and I’m always thrilled to read where you take it. Thanks for this.
How do you keep managing to create new worlds for these characters that I get immediately invested in?! You are amazing, and thank you so much for sharing this!
Such a teaser. You’re world building is amazing. I’m waiting with bated breath.
Thank you!
I’m amazed at just how much you packed in to so few words!! I can’t wait for April to see what happens next!!
Lovely early start to your Rough Trade, such an amazing new world you’re building. I’m looking forward to reading. April can’t come soon enough.
Oooh, now I can’t wait for April’s RT!
Even if it wasn’t a prequel, it’s wonderful on its own. I could see Sirius doing this, easily.
Holy fuck, you magnificent bitch, I adore you! This is *awesome*! I’m in the car, riding back from a play party, and I just busted the ear drums of everyone in the car with the power of my Squee!
So fucking good!
You are an inspiration. I hope you had fun.
Sirius Black. From a dark wizarding family but his real family was the Potters and his love for Harry and his need to protect Harry made this sacrifice the right choice after Lily and James sacrifice. Hecate and Death protect them because Sirius has no mercy for Crouch or Albus decisions. Short story but what a story with a punch. Thank you.
Eeek! So excited for April! This reads like a banger!
What a tease! Can’t wait for April
Well, damn. This is gonna be so damn good! Sirius, tho…*sniff* I love your Sirius. He’s such a Badass in your hands.
Oh dear god – I cannot tell you how thankful I am that your writing mojo is back! So sorry you had a profoundly challenging 2025, but rejoicing that 2026 is hopefully shaping up to be an excellent year. This is an amazing start – can’t wait til Rough Trade!
Loved the prequel. Many thanks.
oh fuck yeah. Sirius is so awesome. Harry’s new godfather is one scary SOB lol. Love it, thanks.
This has definitely primed me for the upcoming tale!
I love how you do twisty things to different fandoms! What an awesome imagination you have! Thanks for sharing.
A lovely teaser, cannot wait to see where you take this.
This is very intriguing, as well as satisfying. Any story that leaves Dumbledore in utter dismay because he lost the Elder wand and the cloak will do that, I think. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It packs quite a punch.
Oh, this is delicious!
Wishing fondly for the sanctuary of hell, indeed.
This made me laugh out loud and read parts to my wife – the French? What an English attitude!
This made me leak tears – Thanatos retrieving His Hallows, right in front of Albus’ broken nose, and immediately protecting and comforting Harry.
Yikes. I see more is coming and has been written, but I tell you: if this was all there was, it would already be beautiful and complete.
Thank you for the story.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you regularly leave me *stunned* with your work.
I’m sitting here, mind *blown* by the sheer artistry in this short little tale that changes *everything* – in less than 1400 words. Seeing that change unfold in your RT project is going to be…amazing.
Thank you. (Also? Dumbledore isn’t gonna have *any* idea of what’s actually heading his way. Watching that ton of bricks landing on him is gonna be fun!)
WOW wonderful read and totally hooked me in again!
Thank you for this sneak peek into April. I LOVE your writing. And this bit, “Sirius couldn’t argue that, so he took a deep breath and wondered, very briefly, when his ritual sacrifice had gone completely off the rails.” is everything! ❤️
Oh, hell yes. This is me making heart eyes at you just so you know.
Somehow you bring forth stories that feel like old friends, while making them totally new.
YES!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, Hell’s BELLS!!! This is utterly FANTASTIC!!! I’m looking forward to everyone who has earned it getting their backsides walked on by a pair of hob nailed boots! This is glorious and I await April with glee! <3
LOVED This! I’m sooooo looking forward to RT!!
First I thought, no don’t kill Sirius. But this way is a mercy. Not all those years in Azkaban and he saves his son. It is not a bad thing to die with purpose.
Thank you! I love it already. Looking forward to the journey you take us on in April!
Fantastic beginning for this! I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes with your RT story. Thanks for sharing!
Yes!!!! This is amazing as always.
wow. you started this new world off with a bang. there’s a great deal of sense in Sirius’ making such a sacrifice but you know it makes me deeply sad. *sniff*
harry becoming the master of death as a toddler… look out, albus.
Love it, Can’t wait for April now