Chapter 29
Daily Prophet
January 3, 1995
Ministry Coup Underway
By Rita Skeeter
Alarmed! That is all this intrepid reporter can say.
Late last night, in an emergency meeting by the Wizengamot, an interim Minister of Magic was declared after Minister Fudge and his three top aides were found to have been arrested in the very early hours of New Year's Day. Rumors that this is a silent coup appeared to be confirmed.
Just after midnight, Chief Warlock Doge and Head Scrimgeour, both looking very tired, called a Press Conference. During the conference, it was confirmed that the Minister and eleven Wizengamot members were arrested under allegations of massive corruption, murder, money laundering and bribery in excess of allowed contributions. Fifty-two others were served for court dates with lesser, but no less severe, charges.
This reporter doubts some of these claims when it was found out that all the members of the Wizengamot arrested were all from prominent Pureblood houses that support the maintenance of our ways. Prominent among them are Lord Malfoy, Lord Flint and Lord Winters, all staunchly opposed to changes in the laws that may have led to these arrests at the Winter Solstice Wizengamot meet.
Coincidence or coup?
This reporter find it very dubious that the Head of the DMLE was reportedly not involved in any of these arrests. Lord Greengrass and Madam Bones were clearly the ringleaders in getting laws changed that protected Purebloods and Wizengamot members from illegal searches, questioning and arrests. In less than forty-eight hours, the core of the Traditionalist Houses has been detained. Added to the other losses in the last six months, this leaves that block of Wizengamot Houses gutted.
It is now apparent that the Potter-Bones-Greengrass alliance has been plotting this downfall...
-o-
"She didn't even say who the interim Minister is," Hermione huffed.
The rest of them were looking at each other a little shocked. "Holy shite," Harry said.
"What does this mean?" Hannah put to them.
"Auntie said the new law might lead to arrests," Susan replied.
Ernie put down the paper. "Did you see the article on the inside page? It says Fudge authorized Hit Wizards to take out people with only a Minister's order. That isn't supposed to be legal."
Daphne looked over her shoulder towards her table. Today they were at the Gryffindor table. "Malfoy still hasn't come back. Pansy, Lily and Vincent weren't in their rooms this morning."
"I told you I saw Lady Parkinson last night," Tracey replied.
"There are others missing as well," Daphne pointed out. "At least nine others."
Another owl landed in the middle of them. Harry recognized it as the eagle owl Neville's gran used. Neville took the letter off and they all looked at him, waiting to see if it had more news. Harry was surprised they hadn't heard anything from Amelia, Sirius or the Greengrasses yet.
Neville read, with Tracey putting her head on his shoulder to read it too. "Gran is interim Minister," Neville said after a moment.
Blaise whistled. "This has to have all the Dark Houses panicking right now. That is twenty of them that have either been convicted or are facing trials."
"Lord Goyle was sentenced yesterday. He is going to be stripped of his Lordship and sent to Azkaban for the next thirty years," Ernie commented, reading further into the paper. Only Hermione seemed to be further along.
"They are going to retry Selwyn and Mulciber for other crimes," Hermione added. "And add new trials for Goyle. Lord Crabbe has also been officially declared dead."
They all were shocked. "Merlin. I am unsure if father will be pleased or upset with this," Daphne put to them.
"Why is that? Most of his political opposition is now gone," Hermione asked.
Harry frowned, having a good feeling where Daphne was going with this.
"Father wants things to change, but he is still very much of the idea that the old Houses should still thrive. Six of the Sacred Twenty-eight are already in Azkaban, with another four now going to be in Azkaban. Only four of those houses have heirs, and it is a good possibility they will be stripped of their Peerage seats. I don't think this was his final goal," Daphne said.
Hermione and Ernie put their papers down. Most everyone looking to Daphne. Tracey caught on first. "Daph, this means only twelve of the Sacred Twenty-eight will still go on, won't it?"
Harry took up Daphne's hand.
"Does it matter?" Blaise asked.
"It shouldn't," Neville said.
"What does this mean for the Wizengamot charter? Weren't the Sacred Twenty-Eight the founders from the Wizard's Council?" Ernie put to them.
"No, only a few of the Sacred Twenty-eight were part of the founding members," Hannah put in.
"Only nine of the houses were on the Wizarding Council," Hermione answered. "This will leave three of those, I am pretty sure."
"Riddle killed off four houses of the Wizengamot founders in the last war," Neville said.
"That means there are only fifteen of the original twenty-eight that signed the Wizengamot Charter," Harry commented, thinking of the names Madam Bulstrode had given them. Looking at his group, four of those families were here: Bones, Potter, Longbottom, Greengrass. All families that were almost dead themselves. Changing their traditions were looking to be more of a priority now.
"The charter won't break, if that is what you are concerned with," Susan put to them. "Auntie described it to me that each peerage House has been added to the Charter as they were added to the Wizengamot. As long as at least one House is still alive, the charter will survive."
"And what happens if they all die?" Harry asked.
"Control of our government turns back over to the Queen and she decides what happened," Luna put in. He looked to her as she made a smiley face with some bacon on her pancakes. "Do you think she will release all the snallygasters the Unspeakables have? I hear they make their armor from their scales."
Harry just blinked at the girl.
"Luna," Hermione started.
Tracey was fast though. "I think we could ask her too, Luna. We have company coming this way."
Harry looked to see Millicent with eight others. All children of the alliance they were in. "Right, we all only know what is in the papers," Daphne told them. She squeezed his hand. "We need to reassure them."
Daphne was looking to him to take charge. Hermione looked ready to jump in. Harry realized that she was reminding him he was the senior Scion here. "Susan, Amelia will be alright in this, right?"
His cousin looked to him and nodded. "I am sure she was not involved to avoid the appearance that it was our alliance trying to take control."
Harry nodded and turned to greet the others.
-oOo-
Same day...
Elephantine, Egypt
It was like walking back in time three thousand years. In the middle of the desert, about three miles back from the Nile River, was the oldest known Wizarding city in the world. It was heavily guarded by black skinned guards with the heads of animals. Groups of no less than six walked the thick sand-coloured walls. Guard towers help blazing fires, even in the broad day light. What looked like thick bronze doors glinted in the midday sun.
His guide, on the back of a camel, looked at the city. "I will go no further," the man said in halting English. "You must leave offering."
The man got down and walked to the small alter on the sandstone road they were on. After bowing to the alter, he put some fronds and then some of the gold Severus had paid him on the alter. Getting down, Severus took his small satchel and walked to the altar. His guide nodded to them and then walked back to the camels.
Looking at the altar, then the city, Severus had a bad feeling about this.
Copying his guide, he put down three fronds and then something that was important to him. One of the few things he had left that were truly important to him was several photographs, wizarding and muggle, of the one woman that he had ever loved.
It was one of Lily, when she was ten.
In it, a dower looking boy in a frock coat was next to a smiling redhead. It was one her parents had taken. As much as Snape hated most Muggles, the Evans had been nice and accepted him at a time when no one else was. Then he betrayed them in his bitterness of jealousy.
Yes, this photo meant much to him.
After putting the picture on the altar, he turned to see his guide already moving the camels along at a good clip. Severus could apparate away but had been warned any magical mode of transport was frowned upon in the ancient city. It was made in a time before any magical methods had been found and the rulers of the city were not fond of anything modern.
As he approached the city walls, many of the animal-headed guards stopped and looked at him. He felt as though he was being judged as he came to the door. When he was about ten yards away, the doors opened, and Severus stopped.
Eight of the guards with wicked looking sickle-like bronze swords came out the one open door. He had been warned they would not talk, but he had to state his business.
"I come to speak with Osiris and Ra. There is knowledge I seek to destroy a great enemy of my lands," Severus called out, trying hard to keep his normal disdain from his voice.
There was silence. None of the guards moved.
Severus would not be here if not for the fact the Unspeakables had changed their security protocols around the hidden kingdom of Camelot. Nor would he be here if his former Master had been any type of sane person.
It was a few minutes before the guards sheathed their swords and turned. Not knowing if this was a good sign or not, he followed them in when they marched back through the open gate. Inside, they walked down a broad boulevard. Stone and stucco square houses lined the streets. Old stalls and vendor carts were scattered here and there, looking aged but in good repair.
It unsettled him that all the houses looked empty, and there were no wares anywhere to be seen in any of the stalls. Yet, he felt like hundreds of eyes were on him. He undid the clasp on his wand in case he had to act fast.
In the center of the city was an old Egyptian palace. He felt the magic of the place, and the black hieroglyphs of the ancient Egyptians were scattered between massive stone carving and murals that depicted great battles, worship to the gods and gifts to the kings. In all of them, there was the same figure with a long beard with bands on it and a Pharaoh's head dress. His skin crawled at the dark magic and scenes of sacrifices and battles.
The guards led him up a wide set of stairs and into a columned hall. He heard a few things slithering in the shadows, and a few more guards stepped into the light that was coming from a set of windows at the peak of the roof.
He continued to follow the guards and when they turned, he was led into a long high room with intricately carved walls and pillars, all painted or shining in gold. At the far end was a black throne that looked to be carved out of obsidian, and on the throne was a figure. The figure was more human than the obsidian black guards, but still with the head of an animal. Where the others were birds, this one had the head of a snake. A shiver run up his spine and he had to suppress the urge to run.
Looking at the figure on the throne, Severus had no doubt the thing had been human at one point but was not anymore. There was more strength in the figure than the apparent bulging muscles or sheer magical presence.
One of the guards barked out something in a language he didn't understand, slapping the back of his knees with the butt of a spear.
Severus had to fight to keep the snarl down at the sudden pain. He fell to his knees and bowed his head, getting the threat loud and clear.
He had to semi-prostrate himself for minutes before the figure spoke. "Why has the young fool sent one of his servants? That was not our deal."
The power in the beings voice was felt in Severus' bones. He was suddenly realizing he may have made the wrong decision on what path to follow.
"Excuse me, High Priest of Aposis, I was not sent by the one known as Lord Voldemort."
There was another long pause. "I feel his taint on you. I smell it. It is weak, but he still lives. Our deal was that if he or any of his servants ever seek my favour again, they would die."
Severus eyes widen and the guards moved. Severus dropped, something whisking through his hair. His wand was out, and he was able to get a silent cutting curse off on one of the guards before another had caught the edge of his leg with the spear. "Voceventum!" he cried out. It was like a microburst. It hit down right over him, pinning him to the floor and knocking the breath out of himself. The three guards still standing where thrown back. "Protego circulum!" A slightly shimmering bluish barrier sprung up and made a wide circle around him.
"I am not here for Lord Voldemort. I want to kill him," Snape cried out. The three guards had already picked themselves up. Four more rushed into the throne room.
The snake priest didn't move as his guards rushed him. Snape snarled, dropped the shield and spun. As he did, he let off a few more silent cutting curses. One hit another guard, who dropped. The other missed, but force two guards to dodge. "Avada Kedavra!" he spat out a few times. By the time he cast another shield, five guards were down, but six more were coming in.
"I do not want to kill any more of your guards," he yelled out. "I want to kill Tom Riddle!"
The snake man waved a few fingers and the guards stopped. Looking at them, he noticed none of the ones that had fallen had bled. They had broken like clay dolls. The feel of them was not that of an animated thing... homunculus. Severus saw the black mist leaving one of them. He realized there may be thousands of these guards here and knew he would have no chance of making it out alive.
"I do not forgive those that kill my subjects," the snake man said in anger.
Severus turned and gulped. The power radiating off the figure was like a small sun on earth. The rumors of the ancients having god like powers were holding a lot of truth at the moment. "I did not wish to kill them, but I will not die yet. I have pledges to destroy the one that gave me this brand," he snarled as he exposed his arm.
The priest gave a laugh that rose gooseflesh on his skin. "You have destroyed yourself, you foolish boy. Do you not know what that brand is?"
"The mark of a madman and the fool willing to take it," he said back. There had been many days he regretted taking this mark.
"The blind leading the blind." The thing stepped down the steps to the floor. Severus wanted to run but could not. If he did, he doubted he might make it past the door. "That mark is a soul bond. A bond that should have seen your Master live until the last soul leaves this earth that it is bound to. Or it should have been, but the fool misunderstood my teaching. Breaking his soul fractures that bond. With a fractured bond the mind fractures, and the servant suffers the same fate as the master in time. With a fractured soul, he is bound until the last of his marked are dead."
Severus' eyes widened. He had no reason to doubt this being. He was starting to feel the strain of holding the shield for so long.
"A mere babe thing he can play with the knowledge of gods and enslaves other babes foolish enough to follow him. I warned him of this, but in the fool's childish arrogance he thought he knew better. Three months does not give one the knowledge of millennium. Now, I must erase the stain of my last student. What is your name so that I may at least celebrate your valor? Few have survived my guards, and fewer still have killed them," the priest praised, taking a few more steps.
Severus backed up a few. "I am Severus Snape. I have vowed to kill the man you wish to kill. If you let me go with the knowledge how to destroy Tom Riddle without killing all those he marked, I will destroy him."
The priest laughed. "Severus Snape, you have given me a joy I have not felt in a long time."
Severus lifted his wand. It was the last thing he remembered doing as he saw the man flick a finger and a bolt of white lightening came out of the sky and broke through his shield as though it was less than paper...
When he came too, he smelt burnt flesh and pain greeted his return to the living. It was a pain worse than anything that he had ever received from his former Master. With a groan, he blinked to see the snake man kneeling next to him.
"Severus Snape, do you denounce this thing that has given you this mark?"
Through his pain, Severus snarled. "With every fiber of my being."
The snake-headed man took his arm and ripped off his sleeve. Severus winced as his body was man handled, but he couldn't do anything to stop it. The bolt of electrical magic had made him loose control of his body. He could still feel pain but couldn't control it.
The man hissed and spat like he had heard the Dark Lord, and even Potter. After a moment, a burning sensation started at the edges of the almost faded tattoo. He hissed as the pain overcame the pain in his chest. He was able to just turn his head as he started to feel control of his body coming back.
The Dark Mark grew more distinct. After a moment, it stood out as dark and distinct as it had been the day he was branded. He ground his teeth, unwilling to let a cry out. The creature kept hissing, encouraging the mark to grow blacker than black and it rose on his skin.
"Such a crude method," the snake man said, sounding extremely disappointed. "This will hurt, and I will have to crack your soul, but once done, my old student will not be able to pull on his minions like he does. This is why I will never take another student again."
Severus clamped his jaw as hard as he could, unsure if he just heard a tooth crack or if that was his knuckles with how much he was clenching his other hand now. The skin around the mark became red and he felt a tug on his magic. He couldn't keep the cry of deep agony in as he felt something intangible snap within him, which was quickly followed by the flash of a black, curved blade. He watched in horror as the mark burst on his arm, sending a spray of blood up. He was still looking at his ruined forearm before he realized that it wasn't attached to his body anymore.
He heard screaming as he looked at the blood coming from his arm... which now ended just above where his elbow used to be.
The man said something as he examined Severus forearm as he held it up to the sun. "Interesting. Perhaps he learned something? He did not connect the stain to each of his servants, only himself. It weakens the bond and only allows him to draw on another's magic when in close proximity but prevents what I tried to do. Heal him and I shall talk to him later."
By now, Severus realized gained enough control over his body to grab at the stump and stop his screaming. He was feeling though as something inside him had broken. He wasn't sure what, but he felt off.
Several of the black guards came to him. One of them grabbed his now shorter arm, and the pain that lanced through him had him rolling his eyes into his head...
-oOo-
London, England
January 5, 1995
"This is a blatant attempt to destroy our society and put respected people into the ground! How many died in these raids?!" an irate Lady Quentin screamed at Chief Warlock Doge.
"I say it is about time," Lord Brown replied back. "If half the accusations are true, half the dead Wizengamot houses are because of those that were arrested!"
"Lies and half-truths!" It was Lord Carver.
Doge banged his gavel on the podium. "Everyone will be quiet, or you will be spending a day in the DMLE holding cells for contempt," he said loudly over the shouts. He glared everyone down until they were quiet. After a moment, the man spoke up. "Under the Criminal Acts of last year, it was perfectly legal to question anyone suspected of certain crimes. Should any allegations come up against others, it is then perfectly legal to present the findings to a Wizengamot board of seven and then decide due course for future actions. Madam Bones, in her pursuit of justice to discover who attacked the Abbott's cotillion last year and then the attempt on Scion Potter, Scion Longbottom and Heiress Greengrass, was made aware of many illegal activities."
"I knew this was a way for their alliance to clean house," an irate Lord Carver yelled as he got up. His wand came out. It just barely swung towards her when the four Hit Wizards around her reacted. The man was hit with three of the first four stunners and there were more protests and yelling for a few minutes before the proceedings were brought under control again.
"Let me make this clear right now," Doge said in an angry voice once some order was established. "Should another wand be drawn, you shall either declare a duel or you will be let out in chains and charged with attempted murder! Do I make myself clear?"
Amelia was starting to worry about the older man. He was looking quite stressed.
When he got everyone else to sit, she stood.
"Chief Warlock, may I approach the dais as Head of the DMLE?"
There was some grumbling, but she was allowed. Taking up a few folders, she walked up to the podium. Clearing her throat, she made sure everyone was sitting and quiet. She looked around, meeting many eyes. Some were very respectful. Others wary. Many of those on the left of her angry and loathing.
"I have taken oaths to uphold the laws and traditions of this body. When I step into my office, or into the field and wear this badge..." she tapped the gold badge on her robes. It was the one that still said she was a registered Hit Wizard. "... I uphold those oaths. In the course of my duties, I came across information that condemns some for reprehensible actions. Actions that required the raids, arrests and charges that have been brought down this week."
Someone looked to speak, and she stared them down. She knew she was projecting how dangerous she could really be. It was something she did not normally do. "To avoid any impropriety in the proceedings, I stepped away from all investigations, and will remain away from all investigations brought on by these actions. Senior Auror Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror's department, has agreed to be lead in all actions and I have pledged any resources he may need. Per the law, a council of seven, that includes members from all major factions, are reviewing all cases before approving any actions. If anyone wishes to challenge the law and any findings that have led to the arrests and such, they are free to do so against the magic that has bound the law or to show up at the trials of your friends."
"What about the jinx on international travel! That is not legal," Lady Waterford yelled out. She was on the light side but was an older Dumbledore supporter and advocated for all freedoms.
"The DMLE followed proper protocol in enacting the jinx per the law. It is active for two weeks while major investigations are ongoing. Until January eighth, the only international portkeys allowed are from the Ministry. As long as you are not facing any warrants, you are free to come and go as you please," Amelia replied.
"There is no law allowing you to do that," Lard Carvers yelled. "Only the Wizengamot can authorize that!"
"Perhaps you didn't read everything in the Criminal Acts of 1994? There are eight rules that must be followed to enact the jinx without Wizengamot approval, Lord Carver. It gives the DMLE a two-week window to do as such before the Wizengamot can extend it," she replied.
"I voted against it," Lord Carvers grumbled.
"Two-hundred and seven votes passed it," she said. "Two-hundred and seven votes out of two-hundred and eighty-seven at the winter solstice."
A woman in her mid-forties stood up. "No one has answered yet how many were killed in these illegal raids."
Amelia turned to Lady Quinten. "Four Aurors, two suspects and three bystanders. None of the bystanders were killed by Auror team actions. One was Lady Mercer when her husband escaped by setting fiendfyre to his own house. It was a blessing their eleven-year-old daughter was at Hogwarts that night."
There was some unsettled murmurs and squirming.
"There are still some ongoing actions and the first of those accused shall stand Trial Monday, February sixth. Minister Fudge, Undersecretary Umbridge and Lord Malfoy will be the first presented..." she didn't get to say anything else. She caught the movement from the gallery.
Her first instinct was to grab a knife and throw it at the green spell that was racing for her. She rolled, another blade coming to her left hand and a wand in her right. The knife exploded and she felt the sting of something hot cutting her cheek. There were screams before four men started to fling anything they could at her. She raised a shield before looking up. The four Hit Wizards with her were already attacking the men, but with far less lethal spells than the killing curse.
She had trained them well. With civilians around, her Hit Wizards were buying time for them to escape. Within thirty seconds, the men were cleared. When that happened, her men started for real. It was over in less than ninety seconds. Two were clearly stunned. One was hurt badly, blood dripping for a broken arm. The last was missing half his face...
She stood up. Many of the Wizengamot members were huddled against the walls under the overhang of the gallery. A few had stood their grounds. Anders was guarding over Phoenicia, his wand up.
"Does anyone else want a shot at me?" Amelia asked in a deathly calm voice, her sonorous charm still active.
When no one said anything, she looked back to a shaken Chief Warlock. "Chief Warlock Doge, unless we are going to get any business done, I would request you adjourn this meeting and let my DMLE staff get to investigating this disturbance."
Doge nodded, then banged his gavel. "Any objections to closing this meeting until Monday?"
When none came, he banged his gavel again, effectively opening the chamber and many rushed out. About two minutes later a tired looking Shacklebolt with a wide-eyed Tonks came up to her. "Have some trouble, Boss?" Shacklebolt asked
The man looked around at the destroyed section of the gallery.
"Find out who hired them and then I want them locked away forever. Get me Scrimgeour in my office in ten minutes. I don't care what he is doing right now," she barked at the tall senior Auror. The shorter junior Auror held her ground but looked slightly afraid of Amelia.
She took one more look before stalking away.
"Never mess with a badger," Shacklebolt commented.
Getting over her momentary fright, Tonks grinned. "Don't forget that. I'm one too."
Shacklebolt nodded. "I am well aware of that."
-oOo-
January 6, 1996
Somewhere along the Irish Sea...
It was the third time Albus had made this trip now. Some of the outer defenses had crumpled into dust. The magic the primary soul fragment had was fading.
He still felt uncomfortable to see the giant lake of Inferi.
Approaching the citadel at the center, Albus notice the base of it was mostly rebuilt now, but much of the upper portion was still half in ruin. As he landed, taking a few steps to stop, he could see the figure of Tom walking to the new walls. Tom must have sacrifices some of his outer defenses to rebuild his core. Albus was curious how much of the things magic it took to do that.
"You return," Tom said with a scowl.
"I return," Albus agreed, his face impassive.
Tom had a condescending look on his face. "You can't keep me in here forever. I am immortal."
Albus didn't want to give away any of his secrets. "No one is immortal, Tom."
"And yet you come to me like a pauper looking for a drink from the fountain of youth. You have grown old, old man," Tom snarked.
"We all grow old. The question is, what do you want to happen when your time comes?" Albus put to him.
The red-eyed man laughed. "You assume I will be judged?" Tom laughed harder. It was the laugh of an insane man. "No, I am the judge and jury," the man said with glee.
"There are powers higher than us, Tom. Let me help you seek redemption, and you can be fairly judged when your time comes." Albus and him had talked about this for an hour last time. Today Tom was not in a philosophical mood.
"You still don't get it, do you, you old fool. I have plans. Contingencies. Fail-safes. I will never be judged. I am above all others. Now, what do you seek?"
Albus sighed. "Fail-safes like horcruxes?"
The already pale skin of the man turned even whiter. Something Albus had not thought possible.
"How? How could you know about them!" Tom's eyes burned as red embers as he spat at Albus.
"You are not as good at hiding things as you thought. You also left part of yourself the night you attacked the Potters," Albus told him.
The man's face was a mask of rage. He was so upset; Tom didn't say a thing for minutes. When he did, the accusation on the man's voice was like acid. "You seek them! The release you want is to destroy them!"
Albus shook his head in a slow manner. "I want to reunite you with them."
Tom's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you."
Albus could feel the shift in the environment. He put a protective bubble around him. "Do you feel as powerful as you used to be?"
There was an uptick to the things mouth. "Just a temporary setback. Once I get a body back, my magic will be stronger than ever," the man said.
Albus shook his head. "You may be brilliant and researched down darker paths than I ever wanted to tread, but I think you incorrect. You do not have as many followers as you may think you do. There is also the fact that any reconstructed body will never carry as much magic as your natural body might have."
"You lie," the man said in an almost hiss.
"In ways I wish I did. Will you help me reunite your soul?"
Albus felt the attack before it hit him. Black tendrils shot out of the shadows around the walls. With a beam of light, he cut the tendrils. "Surely you can do better than that?" Albus said sounding disappointed.
As he finished, a wicked grin came over the man's face. "Oh, that was just the distraction."
He heard the hiss with just enough time to imagine a pair of glasses and a stone wall. A huge monster slammed into the wall. It was a basilisk. A sixty-foot-long basilisk that hissed and spat as though in pain as it reared back.
This was not going the way he wanted. Frustrated, Albus started to retreat. The basilisk attacked him, and he was forced to conjure another rock wall as his wand hand struck out with beams of light again.
Tom laughed as Albus retreated. He could fight back, but Albus needed Tom's mind intact. If he broke what was left of Tom, he would never find out about the horcruxes.
As he approached the lake, the horridly decaying and grey skinned forms of the Inferi were coming out. After blocking the basilisk again, he cast a wall of fire that caused the Inferi to hiss and howl in pain.
He cast another beam of light, just missing a black tendril and hissing as it stung the back of his hand. "Enough," he cried out in anger. His wand raised and as the basilisk came crashing down again, he sent a stream of fire that looked like molten metal. It went right down the maw of the beast and the scream of Tom echoed around him. Albus felt the whole dreamscape shutter. He had to get out of here before doing any more damage. Tom's magic was close to collapsing and he could afford that.
When he passed the grey line of what represented Tom's consciousness, he pulled full.
As his mind slammed back into his own head, he collapsed, hitting his head heard on the table. For minutes he just sat there, slumped over the edge of the table, and breathing hard. These excursions shouldn't take this much out of him.
As Albus faced his own mortality, he missed the black ooze soak into his skin in the same spot the black tendril had hit him.
-oOo-
January 8, 1995
London, England
"Wotcher, boss," Tonks said. She was unable to keep her non-excitement out of her voice. For the last week the Aurors had been busier than she had ever seen, and she had missed out on all of it while she played minder for Amelia Bones or her family. Well, Harry was family and she liked shadowing him, but she wanted to get out into the field. She was months away from stepping out of the training program and wanted more experience than just patrolling Knockturn Alley. She had to stifle the sigh that she would probably be shadowing Madam Bones again today, or patrolling Hogwarts.
The man she was calling boss today was the one that had taken her under his wing after she had left the Academy. Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt was a stalwart type of person. He was a calm rock when the sea raged around him. He did his job in a way that always saw his squad come home and complete their objective. He was also an extremely accomplished dueler. She had learned as much from him as she had Moody, something she had not expected.
In his usually unassuming manner, he nodded to her. As a greeting he said, "Get your armour. Standard street clothes and do something that you won't be recognized," he told her.
Things had been tense in the Ministry since the assassination attempt on Madam Bones at the Wizengamot meet.
"Who am I shadowing today?"
"Lord Parkinson," Shacklebolt told her.
She blinked a time or two. The man had slipped through a few raids in the last few days. He had also seriously harmed four Aurors, killed another and caused a major breach of the International Decree on Secrecy. "Really?" she asked incredulously.
"Due to your ability at disguise, I've volunteered you for a special mission. Report to Scrimgeour in courtroom seven. Don't make me regret my faith in you," he said sternly, but she could see the pride in his eyes.
"Yes, boss," she said, this time excitement oozing from her voice.
The lower courtrooms and holding cells had been off limits except to those that were invited. This meant she would be reporting to Scrimgeour today. As she made her way down into the corridor, she was greeted by three Hit Wizards. "Identification?"
"Omega-Terrance-Erickson-three-three-eight-four," she said.
"Junior Auror Nymphadora Tonks?"
She had to suppress the growl at the use of her name. "Yes," she ground out.
"Password eight," the woman demanded.
"Four-Four-nine-beta-alpha-theta-four-four," she repeated. Having to remember the twenty-two passcodes that was required each month was daunting, but she made sure she had it done the first day they came out. By day three the codes would change.
With a nod, she was waved through.
It was a little quiet as she moved to courtroom seven. She knew they had been busy, and this must be a down time. Walking in, she found a dozen people in the room. Scrimgeour looked exhausted as he talked with a few people. Just inside she came across one of her fellow Aurors that had gone through the Academy with her. "Wotcher, Briggs," she said to the tall man. He had dark hair, dark blue eyes and a big nose. She knew many women found him attractive, but she never had.
"Hey, Tonks. I see they are scraping the bottom of the barrel," he said jovially.
"If they asked you to come along, I think it's the underside of the barrel," she replied.
He laughed at her.
"Shut it," Scrimgeour barked. Tonks shut her mouth and snapped to attention. Briggs stood tall but was more at ease. "Now listen. I am only going to go over this once before I split you into three squads."
She was all ears for the Head of the Aurors. "About two hours ago we got word that a place in Knockturn Alley is offering illegal portkeys. Team Alpha and Beta will be going in. Beta, you will be paying a visit to Madam Crystal's. There is word that someone has been preparing portkeys for when the jinx falls at noon today. I want this person found and anything they have confiscated. The Unspeakables have a new toy or two designed to store the portkeys and find them. Team Alpha, you are to be in disguise and keep an eye on the alley. Three of you will be in the Alley. Two of you on the roofs, in case they try to scamper into Muggle London."
Tonks was wondering what team she would be on.
"Team Omega, you have a special task that you will be told about once we break. Everyone is to be in place at nine-oh-eight. I want this buttoned up fast. Three teams are in reserve incase things go pear shape. Understood?"
"Yes, boss," most echoed around the room.
Scrimgeour then went through the teams, getting to her close to last. "Tonks, you're with Omega."
Team Omega consisted of two Hit Wizards, two Unspeakables and her. She stepped up to them and one of the Unspeakables said, "Tonks. I am told you can change your appearance into almost anything?"
"Pretty much," she replied. "Why? You have a body type you like?"
A rather short Hit Wizard laughed. "I like this one," he said.
"We are to apprehend Kyle Parkinson. We know Parkinson likes a particular type, especially young and those a little more developed for their age," the Unspeakable said. "We are to try to intercept him as he makes it to Madame Crystal's. A cute, young, innocent girl should distract him."
She felt disgusted but knew there were guys like him. "I am far from innocent," she remarked.
The same Hit Wizard chuckled again. "One wouldn't guess," he said with a cheeky smirk. She returned it.
"Enough with the joking. We need to be in position in ten minutes. Can you do that?"
"You want the pigtail look with doe eyes or the more 'I'm pretending to be grown up' look?"
"It would be better if you played up you the innocent and you're lost," the Unspeakable remarked. "He is liable to take you along if he thinks no one is looking for you."
"Right. Pigtails it is. I'm going to have to lose my armour though. It will be too big otherwise," she told him.
"I will get some of the appropriate size. Just change and we will be right on our way," he told her before sliding away. She went to a changing screen and by the time she was out of her armour, another set appeared next to her. "It will resize itself," the man said.
She looked at the dragon hide armour set. "You can do that?"
The Unspeakable chuckled. "We have our secrets."
Secrets indeed.
When she stepped out, she looked about thirteen, with a 'more developed body' than most that age, but still looking rather young. "Parkinson likes blondes, not redheads," the Unspeakable replied. With a quick thought, she changed her hair to honey blonde. The Hit Wizard was eyeing her. She returned his stare, feeling a little creeped out.
"Can you change into anyone?"
She sighed. How many men had asked her to change to satisfy their needs? "That is something for me to know."
"Right, everyone take this portkey and then we will apparate to Diagon Alley," the Unspeakable said. The other two in their group hadn't said a thing yet.
The portkey dropped them in a quiet park along the Thames. "Disillusion yourselves. Tonks, you are to apparate to the Leaky Cauldron and then 'get lost'. We will shadow you, but you will be mostly on your own. You are to make contact and keep him occupied until the other teams start the raid. Then knock him out. We will be your backup."
She nodded, checking the wand up her sleeve, the one on her upper calf that was just under the hem of her skirt and the knife. Her mum always insisted she carry the knife with the Black crest on it. Once at the Leaky, she made her way into Diagon Alley and then made it as though she got lost in Knockturn Alley.
Many looked at her. Some hungrily. Some with a sneer. A man was hurrying through the alley. Just the way he was moving rung all the bells in her head. She looked around, as though trying to get her bearings, and stumbled into the path of the man. She let out a small scream as she fell.
"Get out of my way, girl," the man snarled.
She rolled her eyes where he couldn't see her before turning her head up, tears on her cheeks. "I didn't mean too, mister. I am trying to find my way back to Diagon Alley."
As much as the man looked ready to bolt, the desire in his eyes came and went quickly. He reached down, taking her a little roughly under her arm. As he did, she made sure her blouse was slightly open. "This isn't the type of place to be lost."
She sniffed. "I've been trying to find my way back for a while. How do I get back?"
The man looked torn for a moment. "Is anyone looking for you?"
"I snuck out today," she sniffed again. "My mum's birthday is in a few days. I didn't mean to come down here." Tonks knew she was laying it on thick, but it looked to be working.
Parkinson looked around, licking his lips. A few others were around, but like normal in Knockturn Alley, no one was paying them attention, though she knew that wasn't true.
"I don't have time for this," Parkinson muttered under his breath. Tonks made sure her shirt opened a little more as she fretted and looked around. Seeing the top of her young swells, the man gave her a little smile. "I happen to be heading in the direction you need to go. I can escort you to the entrance to Diagon Alley."
"Really? No one else has helped," she said. The raid should start in three minutes, and she needed to hold him off that long. As much as she wanted to take him now, they couldn't be certain that others were not on the lookout. Scrimgeour wanted this man alive and ready to talk.
The grip on her arm grew a little tighter. "Not everyone is trustworthy here. If you come with me, I will assure your safety."
She looked at the hand on her arm. "You are hurting me," she said, looking a little dubiously at the hand.
His grip didn't loosen. "I need to assure your safety, miss. What is your name?"
"Elizabeth," she lied.
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen. What is your name? I really shouldn't go off with strangers," she told him, acting as though she was just starting to realize the situation, she might be in.
"Darnell Donaldson," the man said smoothly. "Now, we really should be going."
He started to move further into the alley.
"I've already been that way," she said, protesting feebly.
"You just missed the right way to go..."
There was a commotion. Someone yelled, "AURORS!"
"Shite," she swore. Her wand came to her hand as the man let her go, his own hand going for his wand. She cast a silent stupefy as the alley seemed to come to life. Many were moving up the alley and the sound of spell fire started as the man slumped. In her small form he was heavy, and she almost fell.
"Some help, you wankers," she swore as the man's weight pressed on her and she was buffeted by those fleeing.
Someone in a grey cloak was suddenly at her side. "Hold on," the Unspeakable ordered and then they were leaving the alley. Tonks didn't feel the pull of a portkey or apparation, but a second later they were in one of the courtrooms. "Aurors, take this man and get him to the interrogation chamber."
-oOo-
January 9, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
Daphne stood and walked off into the stacks of books. Harry followed. She was cute in her uniform, but he liked her more muggle clothes better.
"Harry, have you read everything in the Animagus journals yet," Hermione asked from next to him.
"Of course. I am not going to be unprepared for our session with McGonagall Wednesday," he told her, still looking at Daphne as she looked at a book.
As part of the Animagus training, there were a few ways to get in touch with the more animalistic side of him. The first was a potion, but that only got you to the point of opening yourself up to the possibility and help lead you to the family of animal you are most like. There was more work after that, but it could take months to years off the first stage. The next was to meditate and come to terms with what you are. This would lead to the animal family and the most likely forms you could choose from. For those of advanced occlumency it could be the easiest and best way. But one had to really know oneself and be willing to let go of the control that occlumency gives you. The last way was to do a ritual, which involved a new moon, no clothes and runes on your body. As enticing that may sound to his growing hormones, it took about three months to make the preparations and calling on old gods and spirits that wizards didn't really commune with anymore. There was no telling if they would be benign, helpful, apathetic or worse.
Harry had ripped through his father's journal, which was the original, by New Year's Eve. To see the handwriting, messy like his, was a connection he hadn't expected. There were also many notes and other projects in the journal. Sometimes it almost read like a diary, not a research journal. Many of those excerpts had been removed in the copies, leaving room for others to add their own notes. Harry had about twenty pages in the back to do that.
After reading the whole journal, he figured meditation would be his preferred method, and thus had started during his regular occlumency meditation. He was not delusional enough that he would think to find his way right away, but last night, while working on some new defences for his next lesson with Andi, he had found something. Being open to the possibility, he found it odd when he walked across a path in the fields. He had never seen that before and knew he hadn't put that in.
Looking at it, it was maybe a foot wide and looked lightly used. Looking down the path, he saw it went over the hills to the mountains. They were now snow covered and higher than before. After not seeing anything, he turned the other way. The path led well around the Quidditch stadium, and the small house that looked like the cottage in Godric's Hollow where his parents used to live. Behind that, in the distance, was something new. He had to blink a few times. There was now a large forest that hugged the base of the mountains and went up their sides until they petered out at the snow fields high above.
He had felt so confused. None of that was what he had ever imagined.
This seemed far beyond what he expected. Walking towards the forest, he found it stayed just out of reach.
He was able to make it about halfway between the pitch and the mountains. The more he walked, it never got closer. It was like his mind had been telling him he wasn't ready. When his alarm went off for him to finally go to sleep, he stopped for the night, and figured he would try to explore it again in a few nights.
"Your father, Padfoot, Moony and even Wormtail did a lot of research on it. I found it fascinating the different methods to get past the first stage or two," Hermione said, taking out the copy she had.
Daphne stretched up and he liked the way her skirt pulled up over her knees and how her blouse pulled taught. He hadn't quite gotten the nerve yet to move his hands from her sides to her front, but it didn't mean he didn't like the sounds she made when he just brushed the side of her breasts or grabbed her bottom. Coming back to his best mate, he responded, "I started to let my dreamscape evolve on its own based on what Moony found on the meditative method. My father said he didn't have the discipline to know occlumency when they went through the initial phases in their fourth year. I'm not sure he ever learned occlumency."
Hermione blinked. "I didn't see that in the journal," she told him, opening the book.
"Sirius gave me the original, with all his notes and other entries. Some of them were taken out if they didn't relate to the Animagus training or were more personal," he told her.
She stopped paging through the journal. "Oh," was her response.
Daphne had retrieved the book she wanted by now and was holding it in her hand as she leafed through it. Merlin, he was falling for her.
Hermione followed his eyes when she looked at him. A small smirk came over her face. "Could I read the original journal some time?"
He thought about that for a few. "Do you promise not to show anyone else? There is some personal stuff in there, about my mum too. I was thinking about only showing Daphne."
"You know I would never tell anyone your secrets." Her smirk came to a smile. "Do you love her?"
A smile came onto his face. "I think so."
"I am sorry about your Firebolt last year, but I don't think you would have met Daphne otherwise," she said.
"Thank you," he replied.
"For what?"
"Caring," he replied. That one act, as upset as he was with her at the time, had led him to where they were now.
Hermione reached out and squeezed his hand. "I've always cared for you, Harry."
"I know. Did you get the official paperwork back from the Wizengamot yet?"
"Madam Bones sent me a letter that the vote was going to happen next Monday," she answered.
"Good," he replied. "I'll have to start addressing you at Heiress soon."
"Only when you have too. What happened while you were trying to meditate last night?" Hermione asked. He described what happened and she frowned. "You just let a part of your mind go? Doesn't Andi say that is dangerous?"
"When you are learning, yes, but stage three says you can start to separate your thoughts. I don't know if that is what I did, but I just kind of left a space that I wasn't trying to shield or block," he told her. Down the aisle, Daphne shook her head and closed the book. His eyes were captivated by her body as she reached again.
"I don't know if I can do that," Hermione said pensively.
Harry knew her mind was highly organized, and she just didn't let herself go like that. Maybe she could learn that by reading the rest of his father's journal?
"You never know if you don't try," he told her.
Her lips pursed. "Maybe the Headmistress will have some advice or other books on this."
"Maybe. If you'll excuse me," he said, watching Daphne trying to reach for another book.
Hermione chuckled. "Go help her."
Harry gave her a smirk before walking to Daphne. "Which book?"
"The one by Everard," she said pointing towards a thick tome on the shelf just out of her reach. He reached over her as she came back down to her feet. He took it and she leaned into him. "Took you long enough."
He chuckled. "I didn't know you wanted any help."
She rested the back of her head on his shoulder. "Not really. What I wanted was for my boyfriend to come over and drag me over to that alcove," she told him.
He looked where she nodded. Looking back to Hermione, he could see Blaise, Neville and Tracey had joined her. The library was not very busy today, he took her hand and led her over. She hugged the book to her chest as she met his lips. Harry pulled her close, his hands wrapping around to her back. Daphne teased his lips with her tongue until he chased it back into her mouth. It quickly became heated, the book making it onto the ledge behind him, and her hands on his bottom.
It was only the clack of boots that had them separating. Daphne took a step back, quickly trying to straighten out her shirt. Harry ran a hand through his hair, trying to get it down some. A moment later, Madam Pince stopped at the end. Daphne had the book in her arms again. The stern woman gave them a look. Harry noticed Daphne playing with her bracelet. She had worn every day since her birthday. "If you are looking for a book here, get what you need and find a more public spot," Madam Pince told them.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied.
After another look, the woman walked away. Once they were sure she was a few bookcases down, Daphne turned and searched out his lips again. "I wasn't done," she told him.
"We should study," he said, not protesting her putting the book down again and having her press against him.
It was a good ten or fifteen minutes later before they made their way back to the group.