Hey everone, here's another chapter of my little work. I hope you like it. It was real hard to write, and while some parts felt a bit rushed, I decided to put this out so I can move on the next chapter.
Chapter 4
After his return to Hogwarts, Harry spent his time either reading or exploring the castle. There were many secrets hidden by Rowena Ravenclaw when the castle was built that could be only discovered by a member of Nod.
On one such trip, Harry stumbled on a large mirror placed in an abandoned classroom. Noticing the writing on the mirror, he realized this was another of Dumbledore's plots, and casting a special detection spell, he picked up a number of spying spells layered across the room. Still, curious as to what he would see in the fabled Mirror of Erised, he stepped forward and gazed into its silvery surface.
The sight was certainly impressive to say the least. He saw Kane, standing on a stage before a massive stadium bursting with people, all of them cheering wildly, and he now knew what it was he desired above all else. To see his vision fulfilled, his people victorious.
Smiling a bit at the sight, he turned away and walked out. He was never one to dwell on dreams, but on actions. Over the next few days he continued to explore the castle, and he was amazed to see just how entwined the Brotherhood was with Hogwarts. There were hidden rooms all over the castle, all of them having served some purpose at some point, but as Nod established their own sites, the locations at Hogwarts fell into disuse. Nowadays, Hogwarts was a location linked more with prestige than utility. On one of these explorations, his journey led him to one of the less frequented areas of the castle, where he noticed a hidden Nod passage that looked older than any other he had found. The path through was long and winding, but eventually led to a small dusty office filled with books and blackboards covered in writing and equations. He recognized the writings as those commonly used in spell research, but he was uncertain what the spells worked on were, although he could see they were very complex ones.
"Welcome brother. It's been a long time since I've had a visitor." He looked up and saw a large portrait was hanging right above the entrance, portraying a black haired woman in a radiant blue dress with almost golden bronze trim that enhanced her figure and a distinctive diadem on her head.
"Lady Ravenclaw. It is an honor to meet you. From what I've been told, the Brotherhood owes you a debt it can never repay." Harry smiled at the Founder.
"You give me too much credit brother. I did no more or less than I was able." The portrait replied with a faint blush.
"I disagree. And to show you my appreciation, I will share my greatest secret with you." Harry smiled and in the blink of an eye his shape shifted to an adult form. "Lady Ravenclaw, Kane at your service."
The woman's eyes grew huge, and her mouth made a very good fish imitation as she tried to grasp the revelation.
"Ha. I knew you were real and would come back. Who's crazy now, Salazar you slithery sod?" The portrait exclaimed suddenly, shaking her fist at the ceiling.
"I take it Salazar was a member too?" Kane smiled inwardly at the woman's antics.
"Late in life, but yes. The true reason he left was to aid the Brotherhood abroad. It is thanks to him that the shinobi clans joined the Brotherhood." Ravenclaw replied.
"Impressive. I wonder what would have happened if all four of you were members of Nod?" Kane mused.
"Helga might have joined, but as capable as she was, the poor dear was too scatterbrained and loose lipped. She would have exposed us in a fortnight. And Godric was too damn chivalrous for his own good. That's what got him killed in the end after all." Rowena sighed.
"Well, members or not, they sound like remarkable people. I've been catching up on what has happened with the Brotherhood in my absence, and your accomplishments are impressive to say the least. You managed to improve my Tiberium containment spells significantly." Kane smiled at the portrait who blushed deeply under the praise.
"Thank you, but I just applied newer methods to the spells. The true brilliance is Tiberium itself. How did you create something so amazing? My work with it was mostly theoretical and I still know I barely scratched the surface of its potential."
"It was not what I was aiming to create to be honest, but sometimes, it is our accidents and mistakes that end up teaching us the most." Kane admitted.
"Truer words have never been spoken. That's how I created my portal system. I was trying to create something completely different." Rowena sighed.
"Portal system? Please share, milady." Kane asked curiously.
"I was trying to devise a new transportation method as I personally hated that new fangled floo system everyone was raving about back in the day, and I both succeeded and failed. My portals could form a link between a pair of them up to almost a thousand miles, and the passage between them was as easy as walking through a door, plus you could move back and forth without issue." Rowena sighed. "Despite that, they had massive drawbacks as well. Only a single portal can exist in a ten mile radius, and they can't remain active for more than three hours before they need six hours to cool down and recharge. I was told that Nod was using them to create an underground network, so I guess they weren't a total failure."
"It is a valuable and powerful creation despite its drawbacks, milady. I am certain the Brotherhood has put it to good use." Kane assured her.
"I believe so, but it has been nearly two centuries since I've spoken to a member of Nod. I am curious about one thing if you're willing to share with this old piece of canvas. Why did you create the Brotherhood?" Rowena asked, her eyes practically burning with curiosity.
"Well milady, if you can keep a secret, it was for…" And so, Kane told her, making the portrait stare in awe at his words.
"Mum's the word, milady. I'll try to visit you again if I am able." Kane tapped his index finger on his lips, and Rowena nodded with a smile.
"You are always welcome here, Prophet. It was an honor to make your acquaintance." Rowena curtsied in her portrait.
"Likewise milady. Until we meet again." Kane blew her a kiss that made her blush deeply before he stepped forward, shifting in his younger form mid-step and walking out of Rowena's sanctum.
Soon enough, the students returned back and classes began once more.
"How were your holidays Harry?" Harry looked up from his book to see Hermione standing with a smile on her face.
"Calm. I spent most of the time reading and walking around the castle. I do have a bit of news though. Try to be in Cairo for the summer." Harry smiled back.
"It won't be easy to convince daddy, but I'll do my best." Hermione nodded and walked away to her dorm to get ready for the new term.
Meanwhile in the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore and Snape were discussing their most famous student.
"I admit I have my doubts about the boy Albus. He's far too capable for someone raised to be ignorant of our world. Talent alone can't explain his competence." Snape commented.
"I understand your doubts, but I see no way how he could have received this training you claim he has. I've kept a close eye on him and he hasn't slipped my watch for more than thirty minutes at a time. Nor has any magical person entered his home area without my instructions since I've placed him with his family. There have been students as good as him, and by all accounts, he works really hard." Dumbledore reassured him.
"I hope you're right Albus. We can scarcely afford to have him turn into another Dark Lord." Snape sighed.
"On that we can agree. I just wish he would show just a smidge of interest in the third floor corridor. He hasn't even gone close." Dumbledore complained. His little test would clearly show the nature of Harry's character. "It seems I might have to test him in other ways."
"What are you going to do about the Stone and Quirell then?" Snape asked.
"If he makes an attempt, I will let him think he has managed to draw me away and then confront him as he reaches the mirror." Dumbledore's gaze was stony as he spoke. He hated risking his school and students like this, but to prevent Voldemort's return, he had no choice but to take risky actions and hope for the best.
True to Dumbledore's prediction, near the end of the term, Quirell did make the attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone, and as he had said, he was there to confront the man as he reached the final obstacle before the stone.
"Dumbledore? But how?" Quirell was obviously surprised to see his master's most hated enemy standing calmly before him.
"Despite what the press may claim, I am neither foolish or senile. I had hoped you would abandon this foolish quest, but it seems both of us will end up disappointed this day." Dumbledore sighed and raised his wand.
Considering that a half-dead man and a weakened spirit were facing one of the strongest mages of the modern age, the outcome was hardly in question and a few minutes later, Dumbledore was standing over the cooling corpse of Quirell, staring at the patch of wall where the spirit of Voldemort passed through after he fled from Quirell's body.
'You've fallen far too low Tom, I just hope too many people won't die to correct my mistakes with you.' With that, the man walked away.
A week later, the First Temple in Cairo was bursting with people and many were discussing the recent advances the Science Ministry unveiled, and the reason for the unexpected call for assembly. While no one knew exactly what was going on, the sentiment was that it had to be something huge for the Inner Circle to arrange for not just as many members to be present in Cairo, but to broadcast this assembly to every Nod site on the planet. Arranging it all took months and it was a bitch to keep a secret.
Somewhere in the middle of the large hall sat Hermione along with her dad, Major Daniel Granger, publicly a member of Her Majesty's SAS. Famous among his men for being a total hardass, when it came to his princess, the man turned to putty in a second.
"I'm still wondering why you insisted on coming today. Sure it's a bit bigger than the usual assemblies, but I don't think it will be any more exciting than the last one." The man turned to his daughter.
"You might be surprised." She smiled back. If the assembly was about what she thought she was, today was going to be very exciting indeed, and she couldn't wait to see Kane in person. Harry was very unfair for not letting her meet him, she huffed as she turned her eyes to the stage. It seemed the show was about to start.
The crowd in the massive hall in the lowest part of the pyramid grew quiet as Dolores Umbridge, the High Confessor of the Brotherhood stepped to the podium.
"Children of Nod, hear me. I know you are all curious as to why you've been gathered here, so I will not keep you in suspense. This is a most momentous day for our Brotherhood, as it with the highest honor and greatest joy I give you Kane." Umbridge stood to the side as a new figure simply appeared on the stage and stepped up to the podium.
The cameras broadcasting to the large screens behind the stage captured his visage perfectly, and all members saw the pendant bearing the Nod symbol carved from pure Tiberium hanging from his neck.
Of course, the moment was carefully designed for maximum effect by Kane. Apparating inside the heavily warded room and wearing the Tiberium pendant were meant to erase any doubt in the minds of the members before it had a time to take root and grow.
"Rejoice my children for I have returned, never to leave your side again. You have grown strong and independent as I knew you would when I left, but the time for our greatest challenge to date draws close, the day when we rise out from the shadows and show the world the power of the used, the forgotten, the abandoned and the damned.
The people of this world shake in impotent fury as they are forced to work for scraps, to see their countries raped and ravaged, to have their homes destroyed and their families shattered. I say no more. These suffering brothers and sisters have nothing but their anger. And we will take this spark of rage and grow it to a great conflagration that will engulf all those who would seek to place their boot to our neck. Today is the day the world screams 'Enough! We will be oppressed no more.' Stand strong my children, for the time of your deliverance is at hand. Remember our tenets as we liberate this world from those that would lay claim to it. Unity through Brotherhood, Strength through Unity, Peace from Strength." The whole crowd stood mesmerized as Kane began to speak, captivated by his every word. "One vision, one purpose."
"Peace through Power. Peace through Power. Peace through Power." It was a few moments before one brother shouted the response, until the whole hall was chanting it wildly, their zeal burning like a forest fire.
After the assembly, the highest ranking members of Nod gathered for an official personal meeting with the Prophet.
"I understand your concern Prophet, but we are well prepared for the conflict. We have members in place in practically all tiers of the local governments so we'll know their every move. It will be hard to maintain secrecy and evacuate people at the same time. I fear casualties will be inevitable." Alexander Kovacs, the commander of Temple Prime's Militant Arm replied to Kane's questions about the situation in Sarajevo and the surrounding region.
"Do all you are able to commander. There will be time for revenge once we come out in the open."
"Do you have a moment, Prophet?" Miranda Lawson walked up to him followed by a little girl with pale blue eyes and prominent, curious eyes.
"I always have time for my Science Minister." Kane gestured for them to sit while Kovacs excused himself.
"This is Luna Lovegood, my mentor's daughter, and perhaps the most uniquely intelligent person I know." Lawson introduced her companion.
"A pleasure to meet you, young lady." Kane took her hand and gave it a quick kiss.
"Thank you Prophet. What you seek is on the war world." Luna replied and took a magazine titled the 'Quibbler' to read.
"Selene suspected she has some form of Sight. We haven't been able to test it reliably, and her words are very unclear." Lawson answered the unspoken question.
"I see. We'll see if what she says will be of use eventually." Kane replied but inwardly he was intrigued. Luna's words were a hint, but to what exactly? And what did it mean?
"I see you've taken the time to show off your protégé, Lawson. I suppose the rest of us should do so as well." Kane turned to see the rest of the Inner Circle approach his table.
"Not my fault I was closer, Shen." Miranda gave him a haughty look.
"This is my daughter An-Yi, probably the only engineer better than me." Shen spoke with his hand on a blushing twelve year old.
"Call me Lilly, dad." she pushed his hand away.
"That is high praise from a man of your ability, Raymond. I look forward to your accomplishments, Miss Shen." Kane's gaze made the girl blush even harder and moved to hide behind her dad.
"This is my own student and adopted daughter, Faith. She recently finished her first year in the Salem Magical Institute." Wilkins approached with a black-haired girl wearing a very punk-rock outfit.
"Nice to meet cha." She shot off, trying to hide her nervousness with aloofness.
"Likewise. I trust you are happy under Richard's guidance?" Kane smiled at the girl.
"Yeah, he's cool. Everyone at Salem is sooo jealous that THE Richard Wilkins is my dad." She grinned and Wilkins ruffled her hair which she tried to swat away. "Dad, you're embarrassing me in front of everyone."
That drew out a round of laughs from everyone until they noticed Danzo and Umbridge approach their group.
"It seems my Inner Circle all decided to bring young talent tonight. Who are your companions my friends?" Kane asked, noticing the young boys following the pair.
"This is Orochimaru. His parents recently fell against forces of the Imperial Ministry, and the clan leaders decided he would benefit from my guidance. Though young, he is considered a prodigy of the Snake style and a genius of poisons." Danzo introduced the pale-skinned black haired boy that barely raised his head to whisper a greeting. "I fear he's still grieving Prophet. They were very close."
"Understandable. You will have your chance for revenge, my young friend, I promise you." Kane smiled encouragingly at the young boy.
"Thank you, Prophet." Orochimaru mumbled.
"I guess it's my turn now." Umbridge presented a ten year old boy to the group. "This is the youngest full member of the Brotherhood, and the one I hope will succeed me one day, Anton Slavik."
"A full member already? Your dedication is truly admirable." Kane was indeed impressed. To pass the initiate trials at such a young age required unbreakable faith and dedication.
"I was merely guided by your vision, Prophet." Slavik replied, not daring to look Kane in the eyes.
"He's just being modest, sir. He's already one of our most promising commanders. In our training simulators, he's the only undefeated commander in ANY scenario." Umbridge said proudly.
"Impressive indeed." Kane reached forward and raised the boy's head until their eyes met. "I think I'll see great things from you in the future."