Author's note:
In the whole fanfic a few quotes were taken from the "Don" movie, bab la online dictionary, and descriptions from the Harry Potter book 5-7.
As a not fluent English speaker I want to say sorry for grammar mistakes or in the use of tenses in advance, but I'm looking forward for advices and any necessary changes.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Summary: Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts. In order to find all of Lord Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes, Albus Dumbledore began a cooperation with a group of people who are preferring to live outside of the contemporary magical community. But what Sirius Black has in common with them? No one can escape from the past.
Harry Potter and Those hidden in the shadow.
Chapter 1: Those hidden in the shadow.
It was nearing midnight, and no one could be seen on the streets of London. Heavy rain flooded the entire city and caused a serious problems for inhabitants - airports were closed and almost all public transport was suspended. The situation was similar in other cities and regions. On top of that, terrible things were happening all around - numerous murders, abductions and mysterious industrial disasters- even the weather was dismal, all this chilly mist in the middle of July... "A grim mood has gripped the country," the Brits were saying to each other. People really did seem more miserable than usual, but not only the Muggles felt that something wasn't right... Wizards knew that dementors were in uproar and Death Eaters were gaining more power every day.
But despite this depressing vibe, torrential rain and strong wind, a person dressed in a long hooded cloak was walking along a narrow, deserted street. Water was overflowing from a manhole and unto the road forming huge puddles, therefore, a shred of his robe was gliding smoothly across the water's surface.
The newcomer stopped for a moment, the brightness of a nearby street light was illuminating a signpost which informed him that it was just about few minutes walk from the Lordly street. He looked backward over his shoulder, after making sure that no one is following him, he turned toward the sleazy, obscure alley - it was lined with many old, damaged tenement houses and factory buildings which were suitable only for demolition.
With one hand tightly holding the hood on his head - in order to protect himself from the wind and rain - he entered the yard of house number 46, and at the same time, he was forced to leap away at the last moment to avoid a brick crashing down right next to his feet.
And then, suddenly, through the noise of wind and thunder, came a low, drawling male voice:
"Well, I never! Dear me! So you really came along! We are hugely honoured and very moved by your presence... Come on inside and make yourself at home..." someone said from the threshold, and then, the same person retreated back into the interior of the nearest apartment on the ground floor.
The stranger walked carefully to the front door which was barely hanging on by its hinges. He reached into his pocket, quickly pulled his wand out and tapped it against a door-frame. Now, freshly repaired door has opened widely, letting him inside.
The first room was dark and very gloomy. It was more like a basement, lit only by a few candles. Wax was dripping down the sides of the taper onto the dirty floor. He walked through a wide corridor; blue light was shining from behind an ajar door, directly opposite, so he pulled them open and stepped inside. This room was fairly large but shabby, bags of rubbish ran against the brick wall scribbled with graffiti; the mice completely ruined upholstery as well as curtains. A thick layer of dust covered the furniture and floor so you could even see your footprints as you walked.
Therein, on the other side of the room, a blonde woman was sitting in a dark corner. She was keeping her eyes closely on the newcomer since the moment he entered the chamber.
The visitor looked around - at the half collapsed staircase he recognised the person who had invited him here just a moment ago. Now the same man gestured with his hand to him to come closer. So he did, pulling his hood down. The smell of dust was suffocating but his soaked robes bothered him even more. Professor Dumbledore pulled out his wand once again and with a single flick of the wrist he drained his clothes. While walking over to the stairs, he hid the wand in a outer pocket.
"It's raining cats and dogs..." said Dumbledore. "I assume that this place is sufficiently protected, Ezra. Because even if it's just a one-off headquarters I don't want anyone to disturb us."
"What? You don't believe in our professionalism and the value of services, Albus? It's very sad, very sad. My spirits are sinking right now," a drawling voice said, and they shook hands; but his eyes were sharp, cold and harsh. It was an unshaven man in his mid forties, with scars on his face, and long dreads. He also has a tattoos on the side of the neck. Ezra was wearing a thick Muggle-coat, but it was easy to notice that he was well-built and broad-shouldered. "Underestimating us never does anybody any good," he continued. "Oh, by the way, I've got something for you... There you go, here is a guarantee of our reliability and, hmm... trustworthiness. I'm such a generous man, really!" with a trace of a fake smile on his face, he withdrew from his pocket a large ring, rather clumsily made, with a heavy black stone that had cracked down the middle, and he handed it to Dumbledore.
The headmaster straightened his half-moon glasses and started to examine every inch of it.
"Astounding," he said. "Is this the same which I saw in the Bob Ogden's memory that you gave me? Incredible... Was is difficult to found it?"
"Albus, Albus... Don't start all over again. You know I can't tell you 'bout it... Okay, I'll be honest - I'm not willing to do it, it's a secret I can't expose," said Ezra, still smiling. "But it doesn't matter how did I know, the importance is: what can be done now."
"So our agreement can be considered as valid?" asked Dumbledore, watching Ezra closely to gauge his reaction, trying to see if his eyes or other acts could betray his true intentions.
"Of course. And as for the costs..." began Ezra, his cold eyes fixed unblinkingly upon Dumbledore. "We want 5% more, and also a few things, simple trinkets, from the headquarters of your dear convent, I mean - from the Order."
"This house has changed ownership. We want an agreement, therefore..." the headmaster said firmly, but he was trying to sound polite and calm.
"Just a few things," Ezra said swiftly, interrupting him. "Their owner left them there a long time ago, now he would like to get them back. I think it's safe to say they are well hidden, so I can assure you, Albus, that hmmm... 'the Chosen One' won't lose anything, his inheritance is safe. The new 'heir' ain't even aware that they are in the house, so I don't see a problem here, am I wrong?"
Dumbledore turned the ugly, black-stoned ring rapidly in his finger before he answered:
"I see," said the headmaster. "However, because of some formal and legal issues I'm not sure if we can keep using Grimmauld Place as the headquarters. We have vacated the building temporarily. Sirius left Harry everything he owned, but the Black family tradition decreed that the house was handed down the direct line, to the next male with the name of 'Black', and we both know who have and who haven't ever used this name," he reminded him. "In addition, it's possible that some spell or enchantment has been set upon the place to ensure that it cannot be owned by anyone other than a pureblood, that's the problem. Thus, if such an enchantment exists, then the ownership of the house is most likely to pass to the Sirius eldest pureblood cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange... In the next week, with the Black family house-elf I'm paying a visit to Harry Potter, after that we will be one hundred percent sure if this place is safe. I'll give you the answer then."
Ezra tapped his fingers impatiently on the stairway railing.
"But it's not a reason to prevent us from taking them, you can bet on that. Of course, we will respect the inheritance of the 'Chosen One' or of any other person..." words were coming slowly and the tone of his voice sounded way too polite which contrasted with his icy stare. "In point of fact, and to be precise: is it still the headquarters or not - it doesn't mean a thing, we don't mind at all. It would be even funnier if the house was surrounded by all these Death Eaters lurking from every corner. But, if you wish so, we will wait politely for your message, and then the kid will pick up his things in person. Five minutes can do the trick." said Ezra, smiling more widely.
Dumbledore's blue eyes traveled around the room. The woman who was observing them all this time winked at him from across the chamber.
"Then, tomorrow at the same time," the headmaster turned to the other man. "A few members of the Order of the Phoenix, which I mentioned earlier, will accompany me. Both of you should come, so we could officially discuss terms... And by the way, is he here?" asked Dumbledore, wondering who else was in this building.
"Nope..." Ezra contradicted him, still smiling his sickly smile. "I want to spare him any further unpleasantness, there's no need to hurry, meat must be had, but work may stay. The youth needs to blow off some steam, you know."
"You have spoiled him terribly," a woman's voice could be heard from the other side of the room. "He always do what he wants. He should be sitting here, not me."
"You wanted to come here, woman. Besides, ain't it our motto? To live life to the fullest? After all, you only live once... well, usually," Ezra said to her. "Anyway, I can't help it, he's like a son to me, and every parent wants to pamper their child. I lost my own kid years ago, so that's fine with me," he turned back to Dumbledore. "Gosh, where are my manners?" he cried, pretending to sound ashamed and throwing up his hands in a dramatic gesture. "Albus, you already met Helena, haven't you? Say 'hello', Helena."
The woman immediately jumped to her feet, she bowed gracefully and brushed her hair back from her face. She was about thirty years old, dressed like a Muggle - looking as if she was going to the disco.
"Forgive me, miss, but I thought you have already left the UK," said Dumbledore kindly. "Have you managed to see The Queen's Birthday Parade?"
"Si, claro ce si, I'm a huge fan. But I couldn't come closerr to the prince. I will trry in the next year, then I will surely pick him up." she spoke with a strong Spanish accent. Being already bored by this meeting, Helena smiled benignly upon Dumbledore and sat again at the chair waiting till she could leave this horrid shack and visit more interesting place.
"Yeah, but if we are talkin about our agreement, Albus," said Ezra, who for the first time today sounded very serious. "We're not any formal organization, however, we are well-organised and disciplined, hehe... what am I saying? Even highly disciplined if the situation requires it. I can vouch for everyone from 'the family'. I'd just like to mention that no one is going to snoop in your business, I don't care about it unless it will affect us in the way I wouldn't like to see it going. Our enemies should always remember this point - the Nauthiz never forgets anything," he warned Dumbledore to let him know that they won't be treating the Order of the Phoenix with kid gloves especially if the Order starts to spy around them. "When we close the deal I can promise that we'll fulfil its obligations not going beyond what is necessary, and it's mandatory on both sides..." he added, his cold eyes glittering malevolently in Dumbledore direction. "Now, I'm aware that some members of the Order of the Phoenix might not like the idea of our alliance as I did, therefore, we're ready to prove our credibility. I've decided to carry out one more task to convince all of you of our good will, kekeke..."
"So, it's decided. There's no turning back," thought Dumbledore. "Excellent, that's what I wanted to hear."
He wanted to believe that Ezra was telling him the truth - that they've become an reliable and loyal ally against a mutual threat they knew all too well; however, Dumbledore's own experience was telling him to remain careful and do not rely entirely on the word of a man whose way of life was so different than his and whose biography was similar to the Death Eaters in many ways. But still, the professor was of good cheer, trusting that everything will go according to his plan and expectations - he wishes to find all of Lord Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes and to discover how did Ezra know about them in the first place.
Although no one else but them were in the building at the moment, the headmaster knew that there are more people in this 'gang' who are living all around the globe. They are followers of so-called 'Nauthiz' - an old and a myopic view of the world which ordains them to break any existing connections with the magical community subordinated to the Ministry of Magic, and to live somehow outside the law, not being dependent to anyone or to any legislation. They used to define themselves as free people and over the years (since the inception of the Movement) they have established a sort of organisation, but after a few failed rebellions they've chosen to stay in the shade and keep away from the public life. However, as the rumour has it, in the need of money they were sometimes working for the government and others groups of people, performing various tasks for large sums of gold: bodyguarding and even murders. The previous Minister of Magic of Great Britain was accused by her political opponents of hiring the Nauthiz to get rid of giants from England, but only they know the truth. The fact is, many governments are trying to keep their existence secret, but they can be useful especially when the international cooperation is necessary. During the First Wizarding War they didn't officially support any side of the conflict, but it's possible that they helped the Death Eaters in several abductions and disappearances of Voldemort's opponents. Professor McGonagall thinks that they are just an ordinary bunch of hypocrites and renegades with no principles, professing warped philosophy of life, so they should be isolated from the society for good.
But whatever happened in the past and no matter what the rest of the Order of the Phoenix think about it, Dumbledore needed them. Although he made some terrible mistakes in the past he hoped it wasn't another one. The headmaster truly trusted that his plan would work and it will have a happy ending.
flashback
Dumbledore remembered well how less than three months ago, in one of the most bitter moments of conflict with Lord Voldemort, he met their 'leader'. In the Leaky Cauldron, a man - who he'd never expected to see ever again - sat next to him and after a small talk Ezra suggested that he knows something important which could help the Order of the Phoenix. The headmaster therefore offered him a considerable amount of Galleons for his help in defeating Death Eaters.
At the same time, however, Dumbledore wondered whether he was too hasty in his decision of dragging those people into this war. It was not just a question of self-sufficiency in resolving their own problems by themselves - especially by Dumbledore and Harry Potter - but it was also a question of responsibility because no one can be completely sure if they can be trusted. But generally speaking, he thought he was doing the right thing. The reason of renewing an acquaintance with those people was not only a common battle against Lord Voldemort, Dumbledore wants to fix a mistake he made years ago - because of his decision the Nauthiz gained a new group member - it was now a good time to undo this.
After their meeting in the Leaky Cauldron, he met Ezra together with Helena near Gringott Bank at the end of June. That day, Dumbledore decided to ask them to do something well-nigh impossible:
"I presume you know what had happened a few days ago at the Ministry of Magic, Ezra?" said Dumbledore.
"A bit..." he replied, with an impassive face.
"It would be advisable to examine this issue more closely. We know who can be able to do it, will you ask him to?"
"Well, well, you probably want to arrange Black's funeral, huh? I guess you can not find his body, keke..." Ezra chortled, and impatient Helena twisted her fingers together and checked her manicure. "I do not think the kid would like this, but from my experience I find that the seemingly impossible is possible, you know... Now, if we insist on doing that, then we may even be able to bring him back... alive," he added. "Who says miracles don't exist? Have a closer look at me!"
Dumbledore frowned a little.
Bringing someone back from the outer world is far from possible but the headmaster knew that there's indeed a slight chance it will work, so if they can save Sirius maybe it is worth a try.
"Splendid." said Dumbledore, and then he realized what does it mean - the Nauthiz were up to something because they don't have any special reason to do it. From now on, he should be more careful than usual, just in case.
"Then it looks like a new mission popped up. We should, therefore, thoroughly investigate the matter," Ezra turned to Helena, she nodded briefly. "We'll see what can be done 'bout it then, Albus. No worries." he said, a broad evil smile spreading across his face. Dumbledore didn't know one thing - they have examined the old archway just a short time ago, so they already knew everything necessary about the task. By the time the Nauthiz's enemies make their first move, the Nauthiz has already made it's second move.
end of flashback
Today, a few weeks after their last meeting Dumbledore and Ezra were facing each other once again wondering whether they can really trust one another or not, because if someone from the Order of the Phoenix or from the Nauthiz will break one's word, the consequences could be disastrous.
"Thus, of course, you remember what we were talking about last month, Ezra?" Dumbledore was not used to ask someone for help or advise, he never did, but it was a case where it's really needed because not everyone can do this job, not even him. Secondly, it was a part of his plan, the headmaster believed that Sirius - when he gets back to the Living World - will help him with the Nauthiz issues, especially that one with a certain person they both know. "I am thinking of the recent events in the Ministry of Magic and, in particular, I refer to the Death Chamber."
There was a short silence, broken by a drawling voice:
"Ah, yes... Yes, I do. It took some time, but now we know everything we need to."
"So?" Dumbledore asked Ezra impatiently. "Have you drawn any conclusions?"
"Well, yea," he said. "We should rely on blood, you know, and then... I think it will work."