Disclaimer: see Prologue
AN: Sorry for the wait, my computer decided to crash and I lost everything about the story. Took sometime to remember what I meant with the title for this chapter.
Beta: Deaths-Black-Rose
' thoughts '
Chapter 6: The Council and Dumbles vs Dursley, Potter
The chamber was well lit and the torches on the walls illuminated the table where the twelve people in the room were sitting. For the first time in fifteen years the Council was in session.
"It seems that fate has decided to bite Dumbledore in the ass. He has been moving his 'pawns' with great care and yet they still do exactly what he doesn't want them to do. The child has found out the truth and now the headmaster will find out first hand why messing with peoples' lives like he does is dangerous." the man at the head of the table said, the amusement obvious for anyone to hear.
"Dumbledore has lost control over another of his 'pawns' as well. Mr. Sirius Black has officially joined us. He is in the Order as our spy. When needed he will report back to us. He will also remain as a safe haven for any of our other spies. He has expressed concern over Lupin. It seems that the Potters didn't trust him as much as everyone believed. He had no idea of their child's true gender." the female sitting to the left of the leader said. That caused uproar. Lupin had been kept safe by the Council as he was a valued friend of the Potters. From what they knew now he was on Dumbledore's side, too bad.
"Both the Ministry and the Order are in chaos after Mr. Malfoy's visit to the Dursleys and Ms. Potter. Except for Madame Bones she seems to be amused by the whole thing and when asked she only shrugs and refers to a Contract." One of the other women suddenly started choking.
"The Potter-Malfoy marriage contract! I only know the basics but Ms. Potter is to marry Mr. Malfoy. That is why he visited and Madame Bones is Ms. Potter's godmother." The rest stared at her before one stood up and bowing towards the leader left the chamber. His informants were to see if they could dig up anything about the contract.
The rest watched as a letter was brought to the leader. It bore the Black crest. Letting the owl land, he took the letter and opened it.
"Lupin told the Headmaster about the contract and as we speak he is going to the Ministry to try to stop it." Snorts met his words. The contract was binding, no one, not even the Minister of Magic, could do anything about it. "What will happen with Lupin? I doubt Ms. Potter would allow him to get killed."
"Send him to the packs in Siberia. He can be the new Ambassador," the liaison with so called Dark creatures said. After receiving nods from everyone in attendance she wrote out the missive that named Remus Lupin the new British Ambassador with the Siberian packs.
While the members told the rest of the Council about what was happening on their fronts, the leader sat deep in thought. He knew that it was time for them to contact their allies and prepare for war. The war was already here but it was time to give the Wizarding world a fighting chance instead of putting every shred of hope on a child's shoulders. They had people in places where Dumbledore would never have. They knew what both sides were planning and they had the manpower to counter if necessary. Now they had to move quickly to get the messages out and get the ball rolling. Screwing with Dumbledore´s carefully made plans was always fun.
He knew that everything would be up and running soon. If they had the same organisation as the Order the Wizarding world would be screwed. They would have lost the war before it even started.
Watching the flickering flames he waited for the last member to give their report. Everyone here knew what needed to be done to keep their world safe; they had started planning for this when Dumbledore started manipulating Tom Riddle. Dumbledore had been overconfident in his abilities and thousands of innocents had paid for it and still did.
"Send the messages as soon as you are able to. We need to know what kind of support we have against both Voldemort and Dumbledore. Keep a close eye on the Order and who ever allies Dumbledore still has. Do the same to Voldemort but try to persuade his allies to our side instead.
"We can place Black as the new DADA professor. As Lupin will be in Siberia it will be impossible for him to teach. The more people loyal to Ms. Potter in the school the safer she will be."
"Are you sure you're not setting up our other spy?" The woman blushed but ignored the jibes. The others knew it was true but just watching their other spy's infatuation gave more speculations then answers. If something happened between the two it would happen of its own. Dumbledore loved to meddle they didn't care as long as it didn't affect their performance. He needed to know everything about everything.
"Make sure that the School Governors are notified. As Mr. Malfoy is one of us and the rest is not to happy with how Dumbledore is running Hogwarts I doubt it will be hard to get him in. If Dumbledore argues it will look suspicious, every teacher he's picked, except for Lupin has tried to kill Ms. Potter. He has gotten enough chances."
"If Dumbledore does make a fuss what do we do? Its not like we can remove him from Hogwarts. He's the only thing keeping Voldemort from attacking Hogwarts." "Dumbledore knows that he wont be replaced but he knows that the Governors have the power to put restrictions on him and, if necessary, close Hogwarts. I don't think he wants to have them to start an investigation on how he's been acting during Ms. Potter's years at Hogwarts."
The murmurs echoed through the chamber as they pondered his words. The words carried truth, the whole Wizarding world knew about the problems at Hogwarts concerning the DADA position.
"I doubt he will let that happen. Agreeing with the Governors is easier than fighting against them. There will be enough people watching Dumbledore and the same amount is watching Voldemort. At the moment patience is the keyword."
"How much longer will this last? We have been working on this for more then sixty years. Will it ever end?" The words were whispered but they hit with the force of a nuclear blast. Everyone watched the face of the people sitting around the table. They didn't need to speak to know what everyone was feeling at this moment; weariness, despair, hope, sadness and anger. These were the most prominent feelings but there were more under the surface.
The leader stood up and meeting the eyes of each member. He knew it was coming to an end soon. "It will end soon, one way or another. How it will end only the gods know."
Privet Drive 4, after Lucius walked away
Dumbledore stared at the spot where Lucius disapparated in confusion and horror. The man was a Death Eater and he'd been in the same house as Potter. 'Was the brat suicidal or just plain stupid? You don't invite Death Eaters to your house!' Turning he was faced with a closed door. Knocking again he waited for it to open.
"Mr. Dursley. You are aware that you had a wizard in your home?" Dumbledore waited for the shouts and nasty comments but none came. That left him unsettled.
"I am aware of that and as he doesn't use magic against us I have no problem with him. He is my niece's fiancé, as you know. He is welcome here unlike you Mr. Dumbledore. Now get of my property before I call the police or do you want Cassie to call the Aurors?" Dumbledore ignored the last words and pushed his way in. They weren't surprised by that. From what Lucius had told them and what they knew of him he only gave a damn when it went his way. If it didn't he made sure to get what he wanted using any means necessary.
"Headmaster, I didn't know that you visited students. How many will you visit or are you here to disturb my perfectly normal holiday?" The sarcasm was dripping of the words. Cassie was really proud of herself to manage to flabbergast the Headmaster like that.
"Now, Mr. Potter, you'll have to understand that you are not engaged to Mr. Malfoy Sr., but Mr. Draco Malfoy. Do not let Mr. Malfoy Sr. fool you; he's a loyal Death Eater!" Cassie looked at him like he was a particularly nasty insect she was about to crush under her boot. Like she was stupid enough to believe him; Gringotts had tested Lucius with vertiserum to make sure he wasn't lying or being impersonated.
"So you are saying that my parents made a mistake filling out my birth certificate? Or are you just trying to get under my skin. I have been told by the goblins about my position in the Wizarding world and exactly what is expected from me. Not only did they tell me what's expected of me they proved to me whom I am to marry." The smile on Cassie´s face was sugar sweet.
"Your parents wrote Draco Malfoy! I saw it. What are you playing at?" Dumbledore was flustered and confused. Cassie just smiled and let him think what he wanted. Obviously he thought it was a newer marriage contract. It seemed her parents had fooled him by filling out one but never had it signed by the Malfoy family. Not that it would make any difference, the older contract still has precedence.
Dudley was amazed that this old man was the most powerful wizard in the Wizarding world; he looked like a mad man or a hippie that didn't accept that the sixties were over. He needed to get a life really bad if he was hounding his cousin like that. Someone might get the wrong picture. That was not something he wanted to have in his head. With a shiver he forced his gaze to leave the old man. He could see the same doubt and thoughts on his parent's faces. Lucius had commanded more respect and trustworthiness that this old man did. He had done it without really being aware of it and Dumbledore made them fell like heading for cover.
"Now remove the glamour and stop pretending to be a girl." That made them all lose it and they broke down laughing. 'How stupid is he? Most powerful my ass. Senile old goat,' was running through all of their minds. Dumbledore looked at them like they were completely insane; luckily he didn't take a peek into their heads.
"Mr. Potter you will be going to Diagon Alley with Remus tomorrow to buy your school supplies. I will take your key and give it to Remus." Dumbledore said it with his kind grandfather mask on, he needed money and his older brother wasn't giving him any. Cassie looked at him, irritated as hell. 'What was the old man playing at? He knew she was of age.' Cassie knew that he'd been stealing from her but she was not going to give him the keys to any of her vaults. Then she realized that if he got the keys he would empty all of her vaults and not only her trust.
"There is no need for that Headmaster. I have already made plans with Sirius and my friends next week. I see no need for Remus to have my key as I am of age. Now do you see why it's wisest to ask everyone involved before making plans?" Cassie was well aware of the fact that he would try to stop them. Good luck with that.
Petunia was watching the food still on the table. It was enough to last the entire weekend. "Cassie, would you mind helping me put the food away? It seems there is quite a lot left."
She was amazed at how much food one wizarding meal consisted of. 'How can they stay fit with this kind of food?' Pulling out containers she started moving the food from the platters.
Dumbledore stepped in the kitchen when what Petunia said registered. When he caught sight of the table still laden with food he paled drastically and tensed. It was obvious he thought that they had been given something in the food that swayed them to trust Lucius Malfoy.
"You can't trust him not to poison you! He is your enemy Mr. Potter! He is more likely to take you to Voldemort if you give him an opening. You will be coming with me to Hogwarts so that Poppy can help you." With that he grabbed Cassie and tried to apparate out, tried to because Dudley had punched him hard enough to knock him out and send him crashing into the wall. Not to mention the fact that Cassie had planted her knee in his groin seconds before Dudley hit him. Albus Dumbledore was out cold and not one spell had been used.
Cassie turned towards her cousin and gave him a grateful smile. "Lucius was right, you do pack a punch. Now let's take care of the old goat." Then both turned towards Petunia and helped her put the food away. Meanwhile Vernon picked the unconscious man up by the scruff of his neck and walking through the living room he threw him out into the backyard. They knew that Order members were stationed around the house and they would of course wake their beloved leader. Vernon put on the telly and sat down and Dudley went and joined him. Cassie and Petunia was putting the last of the food into the fridge and was cleaning up in the kitchen.
Dumbledore woke laying in a heap in the Dursley´s backyard with Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shackelbolt standing over him. They were both struggling hard not to laugh at him. The all-powerful Albus Dumbledore bested by muggles. Wincing when he stood up he gathers his shattered dignity around him and stormed around the house.
Dumbledore storms through the front door only to be met by four completely uninterested people. They didn't even glance at him when he entered.
"Mr. Potter! Stop this at once. You will be coming to Hogwarts with me this instant. Your relatives will have to go to the muggle ward at St. Mungos."
Cassie felt her temper flare and with it her magic. "You will listen to me Albus Dumbledore! I am not a boy. I am a girl! I was born a girl and I will always be a girl. My name is Cassandra Jasmine Potter not Harry James Potter. I will not go with you to Hogwarts. You will leave us alone. You are my god damned Headmaster not my guardian. Got it old man?!" The last was yelled at the top of her lungs and boosted by her magic flaring out around her in visible waves.
The four Order guards was standing in the doorway watching a teenage girl yell at the Headmaster, they found it hilarious, as some of them had warned Albus about how he treated the last Potter. Not to mention the fact that many in the Order had lost faith in Dumbledore. They feared that Dumbledore had lost sight of what they all were working towards.
The Dursley´s were watching from the living room and the kitchen doorway. They had to fight from breaking down laughing at the old goat once again. Not to mention that it was fascinating to watch a 16, soon 17, year old girl yell at a man more then thrice her age.
Dumbledore was looking as if someone had turned his world upside down, not to mention ended it in one swoop. His "saviour" was a bloody girl! An honest to god girl! His features twisted into a scowl and he levelled his wand at the enraged young woman standing in front of him.
Before he could hex her he realized that not only muggles but members of his own Order were standing around him. Tonks, Snape, Mad-Eye and Shackelbolt looked at him with shock and disgust now, not to mention the beetle animagus that was sitting on the rosebushes. Cassie knew about it and so did Mad-Eye. Oh, what a lovely little story for tomorrows paper.
Dumbledore knew that he had screwed up royally. He watched the people around him to see if they would bring it up. It had taken him years, years, of careful planning to get to this point.
Cassie turned hard green eyes on him and he knew she would not forget this. He raised his wand ready to obliviate them all. Mad-Eye and Snape drew their wands as well as they knew he would try something to regain his standing with them.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Dumbledore. My friends are aware of everything and if something happens to me they will act. Now leave my property, you are not welcome here anymore." Cassie turned her eyes to the Order, they retreated under her gaze. Severus gave her a glare that normally would piss her off, though now she only smirked back at him.
"Ms. Potter you must understand that it is a surprise to me, a shock. Your parents told everyone that you were a boy. If this is true then the Prophecy does not concern you. As it mentions a boy."
"Wrong. Nowhere in it does it mention the gender of the child. It mentions a child whose parents defied the Dark Tosser three times. Now do I have to spell it out for you or can you figure it out on your own."
Dumbledore paled at how flippantly she talked about the Dark Lord. Dudley, Vernon and Petunia had known that she found out a lot of things from her parents trunks but she never told them anything specific.
Rita Skeeter was having a blast, not only was the Saviour a girl she was not happy with Dumbledore. And Dumbledore was not as "Light" as everyone thought. Oh, the chaos this would cause. Not to mention what she heard Malfoy tell them earlier about the Dark Lord.
"You changed the Prophecy to suit you. You wanted to control the next Saviour so you could be famous once again. You wanted to get a new shot at controlling the Wizarding world. Sorry, I don't agree with your plans. I will kill Voldemort; I will do what you couldn't." Cassie´s voice was completely calm but there was a fire burning in her eyes making them even greener.
Since she started speaking her magic had kept Dumbledore stuck to the wall and now he was let down only to be thrown out of the house once again. Dumbledore was fuming, but he knew when to back down. It was obvious that he couldn't beat her magically; she was far stronger than he was. As her magic is emotionally based, her anger gave her a power boost. Of all the things he expected this was not it. His plans were completely ruined now.
After Dumbledore apparated away Cassie turned to the beetle sitting on the rosebush. "Did you get everything? Oath now." The beetle flew of the bush and turned back into her human form.
"I did. I'm not stupid Ms. Potter. I, Rita Skeeter, hereby swear on my magic and life to never reveal anything told to me in confidence by Cassandra Jasmine Potter." A light surrounded them both. They shared a grin then Rita turned back into a beetle and flew off. Cassie went back inside.
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