Chapter One: The Gathering Shadow
A thin layer of mist hung over the City of London, an ominous symbol of the meeting that was taking place in a small home in its outer limits. For on this day, an evil pact would reveal itself to the world, and make known its grand yet twisted intentions for the world. A world that had been envisioned by countless before, but had never quite been realized by any of them. However, on this day that was all going to change.
On this day, a rapidly emerging force in the Wizarding World was preparing to announce itself to the rest of the magical community, in order that their cause begin to make itself known to others outside of their small group. For without public attention and fear, they could never hope to achieve their goals.
Though the Second Wizarding War had long since ground to its horrific conclusion, this group insisted that the War's principals had not been understood by the magical community, who had blinded themselves to the truth of what had happened by the fear of change and their mindless loyalty to traitors such as Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore.
Three cloaked figured, wearing hoods and skirting along the alleyways of London as though they were mere shadows, approached the main gate with caution. There was simply no telling was going to happen, and the thought of what their leader might do to them if they were late filled them with more dread than did the thought of the long stay in Azkaban that awaited them if they were ever caught in his service.
As the passed through the main gate, their boots squishing on the wet cobblestones of the walkway to the front door, the man on the left turned to his two companions and whispered "This had better be important, I'm probably going to get fired for this!" His companions hissed at him to be silent, saying "You should be willing…proud even, to give up your job in his service! Remember the cause you're fighting for, nothing can be more important than the mission! When all is said and done, you know that you shall be rewarded for your loyalty!"
The group grew deathly silent as they reached the imposing doorway, which was made of the finest oak and towered at least six feet over the head of even the tallest of men. Raising his gloved fist, the man on the right knocked precisely five times…then two more…followed by an additional nine…and lastly eight knocks. This seemingly random sequence of knocking was actually a secret code for the organization, and the door swung open soundlessly a moment later to admit the robed men.
This group was known as the Magical History Movement, or the MHM, and their goal was simple. To make the Wizarding World realize that the Dark Lord was actually a benevolent man whose only goal was to unite the Wizarding World under one banner. Unfortunately, as with any revolutionary movement, his plans had been met with resistance and he had been forced to violence in order to make this great new future a possibility.
Of course, as everyone who wasn't living underneath a rock knew, the Dark Lord was killed by Harry Potter on that fateful May day in 1998. But what very few people knew, according to the Magical History Movement, was that Harry Potter had killed the Dark Lord not to save the world from any 'evil plot' of his, but so that he could undermine the Ministry of Magic and take it over for himself, by installing his puppet as Minister of Magic.
Their leader was a young mysterious man whose name was known only to a select few, and his past to even fewer. Like the organization itself, the man was faceless unknown and deadly; and it was because of him that this meeting had been called forward. His face was disguised behind a hood as he strode at the head of the room before the fifty or so who had gathered at his command. Underneath the hood, a pair of gleaming eyes scanned the crowd before him, assessing who would be an asset to the organization as a combatant, and who would play other key roles. For he was an excellent judge of character, and could quickly point out a man's strengths and weaknesses. Already he was beginning to plan which of his supporters he would be sending on this crucial mission. Only the best of the best could go, as their fate hinged on this mission being an absolute success.
Stopping in midstride, the man faced the crowd and said "I suppose you're all wondering why I've assembled you here. After all, our organization is rarely brought together in such numbers…it is how we have survived over the years." There were murmurings of assent throughout the room. Everyone present was expecting some kind of incredible breakthrough, for what else could have caused such an unprecedented gathering?
"As I'm sure you know my friends, it was 18 years ago today that the greatest crime ever committed against Wizards took place, and to this day it goes unpunished." Pausing to glare out the window he continued "Everyone knows of this crime, everyone knows who committed it, but yet no one seems to care. Why is this?" at this he turned once again to face the room, as though daring one of them to answer. "Eighteen years ago today the world was lied to and deceived!" he proclaimed, slamming his hand down on the table. "Only we know the true story, and it is our sacred duty to ensure that the world knows the evil that Harry Potter has done!"
There was a general murmuring around the room at this point, yes they all knew that Harry Potter had murdered the Dark Lord eighteen years ago, and that by doing so he had prevented the Dark Lord from uniting the world under the banner of Wizard-rule, but what was the point of this meeting if not to tell them something that they already knew?
The Leader's stare grew ice-cold, and the room quickly fell silent as those gathered caught a glimpse of his withering gaze. "Yes," he continued, his voice harsher than before, "Harry Potter is the most praised criminal that the world has ever known. But now, we have found a way to ensure that the lies that he has created are forever shattered!"
The man's voice was as liquid gold to the listeners, who had cast aside their doubts at his promises and assurances. "How?" they chorused, as if trained to do so like pets. To which the man's wicked grin grew even wider. "How?" he scoffed, as if the very question was an insult to his intelligence. "We've all heard the legend of the famous Battle of Hogwarts, where Harry Potter cast down the Dark Lord and installed his puppet Kingsley Shacklebot as Minister of Magic." Again as if on cue, the others began hissing and booing at the mention of Potter and Shacklebot, but at a wave of the speaker's hand they grew silent once more.
"Yes!" he went on, "The magic used that day was some of the most incredible ever seen! And we have realized since that it was caused by an ancient artifact that none of the combatants knew about, the energy of which fuelled the spells of both sides! If we could find a way to channel its energy, then we will be able to destroy Harry Potter and his puppet regime once and for all! And restore the World to the way that it was meant to be!"
At the end of his speech, the crowd assembled around him began to roar and cheer in approval, a greeting which he seemed to take as trivial and commonplace. After acknowledging them he shouted "We are all followers of the Dark Lord, and we shall not rest until the truth is known to all the world!" and with those words, he strode from the hall to begin making preparations for the tasks ahead. One thing was certain though…they would need to find a way to sneak into the grounds of Hogwarts…and for that they would need a plan that had been meticulously crafted by one of the most gifted schemers of all time.
"Mandeni!" the man barked, calling one of his most trusted advisors to his side. The man was tall, and had short-cropped black hair that rose up in the front like a tidal wave ready to crash down on an unsuspecting shore-line. "Yes my liege?" the man replied, kneeling on the ground before his leader, fearful of what the man could possibly want with him.
Taking neither notice nor interest in his follower's fear and apprehension, the man continued "You are very familiar with the magical defenses surrounding Hogwarts. So I need you to take a look at these plans and tell me if they will work."
Mandeni rose from where he knelt at his master's feet and examined the plans closely, knowing all too well how important this decision was. If he told his master that the plans would not work…his master would be furious and their plans would be set back several months as new ones were drawn up. No doubt, all of this rage and frustration would find an outlet in him, and he had no desire to be used as a human dart-board. On the other hand, if he told his master that the plan was sound and it failed, for whatever reason, he would wish that he had never been born.
Finally, the man spoke…his voice quaking with fear as he continued to stare at the parchment he held in front of him. "They are flawless my lord, there is no way that anyone could prevent this plan from going forward." The man remained unconvinced by Mandeni's sniveling as he asked a moment later "And you're absolutely sure about this?" Mandeni nodded, to which the man replied "Good."
With a sigh of relief, Mandeni was turning to return to his place in the meeting hall when he heard the sound of rushing wind behind him, and saw the faintest hint of green filling the room. Before he could see any more, he had crumpled to the floor…dead.