Salazar arrived in Diagon Alley and headed towards Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. He wasn't alone; Draco was with him. The young man had managed to get his mother to stay away by convincing her not to come to the station to pick him up, and he was now staying with Sirius and Salazar at Grimmauld Place. Since Draco was already fifteen, the Ministry couldn't do anything about it unless he got into trouble, as wizards of that age were considered pre-adults. It also helped that Draco had secured a portion of his fortune, just as Salazar had suggested. In addition to that, Draco had sent letters to his parents assuring them that he didn't want to get involved in his father's shady and illegal activities, and much less with Voldemort—though, of course, he continued to refer to him as the Dark Lord.
"Potter, everyone's looking at us," Draco remarked.
"Considering our first two years at Hogwarts and the fact that our families have historically been rivals, it would be strange if they didn't," Salazar replied.
"If Nott wasn't coming, I wouldn't have come. We don't even have our school lists yet."
"True. They're very late this year."
The lists were usually sent at the end of July, and it was already mid-August. Salazar could buy basic materials like spare potion ingredients, scrolls, quills, and his uniform, but not the specific fifth-year books and materials. This was a minor setback, as he preferred to have time to get organised. He imagined something must have happened, like Dumbledore having a particularly hard time finding a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher that year, as Sirius had mentioned. But Salazar didn't see why that should be such a problem. He would have just sent the book lists and then a second list for the specific extra materials after the students had already met their teacher.
"Hey guys, I've booked a table," Godric called out from a table for five on the terrace.
"Longbottom," Draco greeted politely.
They both sat on either side of Godric. Draco seemed to want to put as much distance between them as possible, yet they were almost directly facing each other. A waiter approached, and they quickly told him they were waiting for two more. The rules of courtesy dictated that they had to wait for everyone to be there before ordering, and all three of them adhered to that. Theodore and Rowena arrived shortly after. Theo sat next to Draco, and Luna sat between Salazar and him. It was then that they ordered their ice creams.
"The Prophet is doing a good job of sinking Dumbledore's reputation," Theodore remarked.
"Half the things they write are nonsense," Godric said. "There are more interesting things to talk about than whether he's mad or not."
"It's a natural reaction. The newspaper is controlled by the Ministry, and it's not in the Ministry's interest for people to break their perfect little pink bubble of a world."
"They attacked Diggory too, but not you," Draco pointed out to Salazar.
"Two years ago I bought forty per cent of the Prophet's shares at a rather generous price." The other four present knew well what those words meant: 'rather generous' was an understatement. "It's not enough for them to show the impartiality they should show as a media outlet, but it's enough to stop them from blindly following the Ministry and some of the other investors, including your father, Draco."
"Did you buy those shares with this in mind?" Rowena asked.
"No, I just saw that they were for sale and that it was a profitable business. I had to start rebuilding the family fortune that was lost in the war somehow."
"Your grandparents died young, and your father funded Dumbledore without thinking about you or the future," Draco remarked upon hearing those words. His tone wasn't mocking but echoed that he understood the situation.
"I don't know what he was thinking. Maybe he was thinking about the future, but I won't deny that it was careless. Nor will I deny that war is expensive. I doubt that his was the only family that invested in the war."
"All or almost all of them on both sides did it," Theodore said. "In the end, that investment in the Prophet worked out well for you."
"Yes, in fact, I'm thinking of dedicating a portion of my time to other media outlets. Is the Quibbler looking for new investors, Luna?"
"I can ask my father. Normally, he doesn't want investors; you know people end up trying to influence the editorial line."
"Understandably, you don't want your magazine to become a second version of the Prophet," Theodore said. "By the way, don't you think it's a little cold?"
Salazar frowned. Now that Theodore mentioned it, it was evident that the atmosphere had begun to change in a subtle way. He exchanged a glance with the others, especially Godric and Rowena. Yes, it was starting to get cold, and it wasn't a normal cold. It was a completely unearthly cold—a cold that was familiar to him. He looked up at the sky; moments before, it had been clear and sunny, but now it had turned a stormy black. It began to get windy, and soon after, it rained heavily. People were screaming and children were crying. Many tried to hide in businesses that soon became crowded. Few were able to Disapparate in time. Dementors had the effect of stealing energy and hope even as they approached a place.
"Prepare your wands," Salazar said in a deep and serene voice.
"What would Dementors be doing here?" Rowena asked, her brow furrowed and her gaze determined.
"It's not the time to think about that," Godric said. "Patronus Charms now."
"No, only when they appear," Salazar corrected. "Let it be demonstrated that they are present before we do anything. It's dangerous, I know, but it's the best approach."
"Are you afraid this is a trap?" Godric asked.
"It could be anything. Something fortuitous, something premeditated, an accident... anything."
"I don't know how to make a Patronus," Draco admitted. He was slightly scared.
"Luna has been teaching me, but I'm only getting smoke," Theo said, still holding his wand ready.
"You'll make it," Rowena said with a faith that, to those who didn't know her, might seem strange.
The Dementors made their appearance. There were three of them. They immediately rushed towards where Salazar was. Three Patronuses immediately appeared on the scene: a Thestral, a Pegasus, and a hare, which, coming from the wands of Salazar, Godric, and Rowena, charged the Dementors, driving them out of the area while some newly arrived Aurors, alerted by traders, raised their wands against the Dementors. The Aurors stared at them. People pointed at them and applauded. Salazar put away his wand with a serious expression and sat down to enjoy what was left of his ice cream. He saw two of the three Aurors pointing at him out of the corner of his eye, while the one with a leonine face shook his head in response to their words. Salazar put his ice cream aside without finishing it. He didn't like the situation.
"I think it would be better to go home."
"Let's go to Gringotts. The elves will provide us with a Portkey, and the bank is closer than the Leaky Cauldron," Draco proposed.
"We could also call Kreacher," Salazar said. He had nothing against the goblins, but he knew that at some point, they would collect on that favour. He preferred to keep the number of favours asked of the goblins to a minimum. "Kreacher!"
"Did Master Harry call?"
"Take us home, please," Salazar asked the elf.
Kreacher took all five of them to the Black's house, much to the surprise of Sirius, who was expecting them later and didn't anticipate more people coming. Sirius quickly caught Salazar's eye, a look that clearly meant, "I'll tell you later." What was clear was that they had returned without any purchases and with the elf. Sirius was no fool; he knew something had happened. He waited for everyone to go home through the Floo Network before asking, though Salazar anticipated his question.
"Dementors. They appeared in the Alley and came for me."
"That's not normal. How many were there?"
"Three."
"But... someone must have sent them. Dementors, when they have a specific target, go after it as if they know how to locate it, as long as it's within their operating territory."
"I know, and a lot of the Dementors know me from when they were at Hogwarts. Someone has sent them, but who? And above all, why?"
"Voldemort. We know he's alive and he's already tried to kill you again."
"It could be... but it doesn't seem like his style. I think he would take things more personally. And sending Dementors... if they were under his power, why not attack Muggle towns with all of them? I'm sure he could offer them more than the Ministry does."
"That's what Dumbledore said. That the Dementors wouldn't need much to switch sides. It's in their nature."
"It was horrifying," said his cousin's son, who had been silent until then. "It was fortunate that they decided to attack today, when you were in a public place full of wizards. Normally at this time, you go to that Muggle sports centre."
"Lucky I wasn't at the gym," Salazar murmured thoughtfully.
"It looks like someone has studied your routine," Sirius commented.
There was no time to say more. The fireplace began to crackle as if someone was travelling through it but couldn't finish the journey. Sirius went to the fireplace with his wand raised, and when he saw who it was, he looked at the boys at once. It was Dumbledore. He motioned for them to go upstairs. He thought it was better that Dumbledore didn't know certain things. In fact, Salazar had been working on his Occlumency with the help of Helga, and Sirius knew, from Helga's own lips, that she had also been helping Salazar. Among other things, Sirius imagined. The Dementors and Dumbledore's visit, who, as usual, arrived without prior notice, seemed like too much for a single day. As soon as both Salazar and Draco Malfoy were out of sight, he granted the elderly Hogwarts Headmaster permission to enter their home.
"Sirius, my boy. It looks like your fireplace has something wrong with it."
"It's just the security system. It's almost like knocking on the door. What can I get for you?"
"I have just been at the Ministry and I have heard some rumours that have left me uneasy. I heard that Harry performed amazing magic a few moments ago."
"And did you hear the details of the situation?"
"Indeed... I was about to intervene when the Head of the Auror Office himself, in the Minister's office, announced that there was no case against Harry, given the circumstances of what happened, of course. Even so, there were those in the Ministry who pointed out that it was not the first time he had performed magic outside of school..."
"On that occasion, it was a house-elf who showed up in his bedroom. He told me about it when we had time to catch up. And that is no excuse to file charges. If not, he would have already received a letter about it from the Ministry. But I appreciate the warning, Headmaster."
"Sirius, my boy. The thing is, Harry shouldn't just be going out like that. He is exposed to any attack without proper vigilance. Consider what we talked about. He is Voldemort's number one target, among other things. He must be in a safe place until he returns to Hogwarts. A place where he will be sheltered, protected, and with friends."
"He was with his friends in the Alley."
"Certainly, Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood may be good friends, but the other two companions are a little more disturbing."
"Nott and Malfoy?" Sirius asked with a frown.
"Precisely. They have been behaving with decency these last two years, although it is true that there were never any complaints from Nott. However, we know that his parents are in the inner circle and that Mr. Nott Sr. helped Voldemort in his resurrection ritual."
"Someone once told me that if you give up on someone, then you have lost them. I'm not going to make the mistake of judging children by who their parents are, just as I did at school by judging an entire House for how much I despised what it represented to my family. I'm not going to choose my godson's friends. I trust his judgement." Sirius spoke those words firmly. "As for the security of this house, I can guarantee you that it is very safe."
"But it is not under the Fidelius Charm, as the headquarters is..."
"Forgive me if the events of thirteen years ago make me doubt the effectiveness of the Fidelius. The answer is no, just like the other times you've asked me to send Harry to the Order's headquarters."
"There are many things you can't control, Sirius. The headquarters is secure. No one who is not of the Order can enter. I am the Secret-Keeper. And the mail that arrives there is safe."
"So that's what you want. To have my godson under your control. He is not a weapon for you to use in a war. He has enough with Voldemort to get into your hero games. Leave it."
"There is also another option."
"We will not use this house as a headquarters. I told you."
"At least bring him when you go to meetings. He can stay upstairs with the others while we talk."
"I'll consider it." Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a family dinner and I haven't prepared anything yet."
Sirius dismissed the Headmaster, wondering why he hadn't already told him to get lost. The answer was very clear. After the little Dumbledore did to grant him a trial at the time, and listening to Salazar's first two years at Hogwarts and what happened the previous year with the tournament, he didn't trust Dumbledore. It seemed to him that he had too much of an interest in Salazar—a rather insane interest. That is why Sirius was still in the Order, for Salazar. To protect him as best he could.
The Order of the Phoenix Meeting
Salazar had a long conversation with Sirius about Dumbledore's visit and his intentions. They had agreed that it was best to play along, to some extent. Salazar realised that going to the headquarters of that Order of the Phoenix was like stepping into the lion's den. He didn't need to be a genius to suspect that Dumbledore wanted to keep him under control, under surveillance. He just had to avoid staying there. So he went with Sirius to "The Burrow," the Weasleys' house.
"A bit of a stupid move to choose this place instead of finding one that isn't linked to anyone or isn't so obvious," Salazar murmured.
"What do you mean, Harry?"
"The Weasleys have never hidden their predilection for Dumbledore. In such dangerous times, it's an all-too-obvious move."
"I see."
They appeared on the edges of the property. At first, Salazar couldn't see anything, even though he knew there was something there, as if memories of that place were blocked. It wasn't until they read the note written by Dumbledore that the place appeared before them. That meant that the Fidelius Charm had been well-cast, but it still didn't guarantee safety as long as the surroundings were vulnerable and practically open field. They were greeted with enthusiasm, some of it perhaps even cloying.
"Harry, you're so thin. Are you sure you eat well?" That was Mrs. Weasley's greeting.
"Yes, don't worry. I've simply made it a habit to go swimming for a couple of hours in the afternoons. That is why I look thin, but I assure you, Mrs. Weasley, that I am well cared for."
"That's good. Still, you must miss being with other people your age and the joy of a good home."
"I'm fine."
"I hope we're not too late," Sirius interjected.
"No, come in. The meeting is about to begin. Harry, you go upstairs with the rest. This is an adult thing."
Salazar expected something like this. He imagined it. On the one hand, it was good to want to keep young people out of it; on the other hand, it could be catastrophic. From Mrs. Weasley's posture, he imagined they were being overprotected. That was not good. He still wanted to know what they were going to talk about. He was involved in more than one aspect of all this. He had been since his first year, and even more so now with everything he had done. He didn't trust Dumbledore entirely and wanted to know the paths he intended to take.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley."
Salazar went upstairs. When he was on the second landing, he was called from a room. It was the twins' room. He entered without hesitation. There were not only the twins, but also Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. He smiled at them as soon as he saw them.
"You're planning something."
"Of course. We're going to listen to the meeting. They don't let us participate or tell us anything because we're too young," Fred said.
"They keep us in the dark and think that we won't be able to understand what they say," George added. "Fred and I are of legal age."
"So you could actually participate," Salazar said.
"But Mum won't let them because they're still in school," Ginny explained. "With Bill and Charlie in the Order, and Percy who moved to London when he heard that this house would be the headquarters of the Order."
"He's upset with our parents for following Dumbledore so blindly," Ron growled with a frown. "He said that Dumbledore was still a skilled politician even though he had decided to stay at Hogwarts rather than become Minister. He had two opportunities to be a Minister and he didn't want to."
"He chose to be a guide and an example to young minds to educate them," Salazar murmured. He had carefully chosen the words to share his opinion without directly attacking. He knew that some might not think the same. So it was better to leave it at a point where everyone could understand what was best from their own point of view. "How do you think you will find out what they are talking about?"
"With extendable ears," Fred said.
"They have two ends. You put one in your ear to listen, and the other is the amplifier that detects the conversation and brings it to you. It's very practical," George explained.
"A good element of espionage. As long as there are no barriers against it in the surroundings of the place," Salazar agreed. What they were proposing was quite ingenious.
"Come on," Fred said. "Carefully."
They went out onto the landing and carefully unfolded the extendable ear. They shared the string they were listening through. They remained silent, attentive to every sound. The meeting was on the ground floor, which was almost a single room. So the stairs offered them good cover and protection from being caught in their espionage.
"...The Dark Lord is growing desperate. He wants the weapon at all costs," they heard once they identified the voice as Snape's.
"None of that is new. Which leads us to have to organise the guards in the Department of Mysteries," they heard a man say in a nervous voice.
"Daedalus," a female voice warned.
"Is anything known about the Dementors? I was very worried that they would show up where Harry was. It seems like something planned," they heard Mrs. Weasley's voice.
"The Dark Lord has not declared that he is or is not related to the incident. Although he laments the fate of Mr. Potter. No bookings, no injuries..."
"I don't think Voldemort has anything to do with that attack. It doesn't seem subtle at all," Sirius said. "I would dare to say that it is even sloppy."
"Sloppy is letting a child go alone to Diagon Alley with how bad things are," Mrs. Weasley rebuked.
"Harry wasn't alone. He was with his friends in a place full of wizards. Besides, he is no longer a child. He is fifteen years old. In two years, he will be of legal age," Mr. Weasley interjected, speaking patiently.
"He is a minor. He has to be taken care of. Not left free to be in danger."
"As much as she likes to play surrogate mother, Mr. Potter has his legal guardian who, although the Ministry would not consider very competent, apparently does, as do those who appointed him as such," they heard Snape say. "Don't waste my time talking about Potter."
At that moment, the room was filled with shouting and fighting. Salazar rolled his eyes. If this is how they planned to organise themselves to confront Voldemort, he saw it as very difficult for them to actually succeed. The situation lasted for almost a minute, until finally Dumbledore's voice resonated, causing them to fall silent.
"Fighting among ourselves won't help anything," the Headmaster said in a deep voice. "Remus, how are things with the werewolves?"
"They are somewhat reluctant. Even though we are on the fringes of the Ministry, they see us as part of those who have attacked and suppressed their rights. So they don't think the offer is legitimate. On the other hand, Greyback has a lot of influence in the different packs. I imagine that it was out of terror."
"It's a shame. If you have to live with them for a while to convince them, do it." There was a pause. "Bill, any news from Gringotts?"
"They don't want to know anything about the war. They say that it is a thing for wizards and that it doesn't have to affect them."
"It's a pity. The magical community is divided at the moment when it needs to have the greatest unity."
"Do we know anything about Hagrid, Dumbledore?" they heard Sirius ask.
"He hasn't returned yet. Madame Maxime informed me that they parted on the return journey. I trust that it won't take long for him to return. For the moment, I have been able to find a substitute for his position at the school. I don't want someone imposed by the Ministry to come. That educational decree that Fudge has pulled out of his sleeve..."
"And the Defence position?" they heard Mr. Weasley ask.
"I still can't find anyone. If I don't have anyone for the week before classes start, the Minister will appoint someone."
"Which means he'll send one of his followers to school," they heard McGonagall say. "That is, if what he's sending isn't a Death Eater. Doesn't the Minister count Lucius Malfoy among his closest friends?"
"I call the meeting closed. Continue as before, keeping an eye on the Department of Mysteries and keeping an eye out for anything that may be of use."
They quickly picked up the extendable ear and took refuge in the room in which they had gathered. Salazar could see that it was not the first time they had listened in on the forbidden gatherings of adults. They played different games and settled down as if they had been playing all along. So they waited until they were called for dinner.
During dinner, Salazar remained attentive to the conversations. Although they didn't say much about the impending war, it seemed to him that it wasn't for lack of desire. But Mrs. Weasley was constantly pressing to keep a word from coming out. Salazar found that overprotective attitude somewhat annoying. He didn't like how she tried to dictate what even he and Hermione should know about it. She took on some powers that did not correspond to her. During dinner, which seemed to be made for entertainment, Mrs. Weasley did not stop urging him to spend the rest of the holiday there, to the point that Salazar found it oppressive.
"Thank you, but I have so little time to be with my godfather when I'm at Hogwarts that I want to take advantage of all the time I can to be with him."
When dinner was over, he went with Sirius. He didn't want to stay there. He was sorry for his friends. But he feared that if he stayed for even one night, it would be used to keep him in that place. He was paranoid about it, but he feared that Mrs. Weasley's insistence was due to Dumbledore's insistence on keeping him under control. It could be that it had nothing to do with it. But it could also be that Dumbledore had taken advantage of Mrs. Weasley's goodwill to convince her that he would be better off there. It was difficult to see what the truth was there.
"Sirius, I have something to ask you," Salazar said as soon as they reached the safety of Grimmauld Place.
"Tell me."
"What's hidden in the Department of Mysteries?"
"So you've been listening."
"I'm involved in this, and I'm not a kid. What is Voldemort looking for in the Department of Mysteries?"
"A weapon, something he didn't have last time. Something that he thinks can help him win the war."
"If there were such a powerful secret weapon, the Ministry would have already used it."
"Dumbledore doesn't want you to know. In fact, he made us swear an oath not to say it. Don't worry, it's not an Unbreakable Vow. But he'll know if we do."
"Is there a way to say it without saying it?"
"Maybe so. Let me think... I will only tell you to keep in mind the downfall of the protagonists of Greek myths, which, in turn, is the trigger for most of them. That is the thing he's searching for."
"Does that have to do with what Dumbledore knows about why Voldemort attacked my family?"
"Absolutely. I can't say more."
"I thank you."