Chapter 8
Disclaimer – All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the creator. The director/author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun.
Author Note – Ok readers. I love that you are reading this but I could really use more reviews! I love that you like it but I want to know! I guess I'm greedy that way. LOL. Now here is the next chapter of Dangerous Ties. Has anyone figured out who Callisto's brother is? HMMMMM? I want to know who you think it is. You may just have the right answer and if ya PM me the right answer, I might let ya in on part of the next chappie! LOL, Now onwards!
Note:
Personal Thoughts
~Legilimen's Spell~
-Pensieve Memories-
Mental Communication
Spells:
Detoxum –(De-tox-um) – Cleanses the body of any aliments. Curse, spell, venom, etc. Created by Callisto Crux.~Sorry, forgot to change that. LOL~
Reverso – (Re-ver-so) – Reverses any spells that have been cast. Created by Callisto Crux. ~Sorry, forgot to change that. LOL~
Repairum Entireis – (Re-pair-um, En-tire-is) – Repairs the entire body of wounds or poisons. Works wonderful with Detoxum. Created by Callisto Crux.
Shatter – Curse that shatters the object, or person, that it hits. Is an unwritten Unforgivable since it is messy as well as Forbidden. Created by Callisto Crux.
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(Hogwart's School – Great Hall – 7:00 AM – The Next Day)
Callisto sat at the Head Table along with the other head of the houses. Minerva stood at the podium with a sad smile on her face. Severus was seated next to Callisto as Poppy sat on the other side. The other professors were sitting there along with the Order members that were spread through out the great hall. The Slytherin table was almost bare except for three out of place people. Lucius, Narcissa and Draco were sitting at the head of the table as their eyes were on the ground. The other three tables were rather quiet as Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George and Neville stood there in front of their school/house mates.
"I would like to speak to each and everyone in the hall." Minerva started, her hands clenching the side of the podium. "As you can see, Professor Snape and the Malfoy's are in our presence at this time. I would be happy to tell you that they were indeed working for Albus Dumbledore and myself from thee very beginnin'." Her older, wiser eyes met Lucius. "I know that most of you do not believe what some of the rumors say but I am here to tell you that some of them are true. Severus Snape was a spy for the Order. Yes, he did give over information to the Dark Lord yet it was approved by Albus or myself, first. We should thank Lady Malfoy for her courage to stand up to the Dark Lord and declare Harry Potter dead, when he was indeed alive."
"They're Death Eater's!" A student yelled from the Ravenclaw table. "They should be placed in Azkaban for their crimes. The Law Demands It!"
"That is enough." Kingsley's voice boomed through out the hall. "I am the acting minister and I have pardoned the Malfoy's as well as Professor Severus Snape. As a member of the Order of the Phoenix, I have that power. Albus himself had requested Severus to take his live when he destroyed a ring, Hulcrux, of Tom Riddle -Voldemort." Gasps could be heard around the hall.
"What they are saying are true!" Hermione spoke up as she turned her eyes to Draco. "If Draco had told Bellatrix, when Harry, Ron and I were taken by Snatchers, that he knew it was Harry, when I changed his appearance, we would all be dead." Her eyes then scanned the crowd. "That day, Harry, Ron and myself saw the true Draco, Lucius and Narcissa. They made mistakes as well as anyone else in this place. Albus even made a mistake but he fought to make it mean something."
Harry walked over to the Slytherin table and held out his hand to Draco, just like at the first day of school when he turned it down. Draco took his hand hesitantly as he stood, while Harry stepped back a few feet. Harry smiled as he shook Draco's hand, while Lucius and Narcissa frowned at the gesture.
"I believe, Draco, that you're in the right crowd." Harry smirked as Draco narrowed his eyes.
"Is that right, Potter?" Everyone in the room held their breathe. "Have I finally turned 'good'?" Draco spat.
Harry raised his brow. "I thought you were Slytherin, instead of Gryffindor?"
The entire Hall busted up laughing, including the teachers and Draco's parents. Ron walked over and punched Draco in the arm as he stood beside Harry. Hermione walked over and smiled up at Draco before she stole a kiss causing Ron to grab her.
"Oi, hands off, 'Mione!" Ron yelled as Harry shook his head and Hermione turned on Ron.
"It was a friendly kiss Ronald." Hermione hissed her fist clenched at her side. "I was just trying to welcome Draco back onto the side of doing the right thing."
"Feh, didn't look it ta me." He huffed crossing his arms. "Looked as though you were snoggin' 'em." Ron had his eyes closed, thus he couldn't see when everyone started to back up.
Hermione's whole body began to shake as her eyes narrowed. Harry swallowed as pushed Draco away as the twins moved back the others people. They knew how Hermione's temper was like and Ron loved to push her buttons. Narcissa was smirking at Hermione since she had seen the girls temper when a letter came with the picture of Draco in their second or third year. He had to have a splint placed on his nose after Madam Pomfrey set it. She was shocked when a girl broke his nose but then again, she wasn't blind to her son's faults as his father was.
"What's the matter, Potter?" Draco whispered his eyes looking between Ron and Hermione. "She isn't going to..."
Harry held up a finger just as Ginny walked over. "Just watch."
"She's going to let him have it, Harry." Ginny whispered as she leaned over. "You know one of us need to stop this." Her eyes went to her mother and father, who were looking on in shock.
"If she don't put 'em in his place," Fred started as he moved next to his sister with George on the other side of him.
George snorted, "He ain't gonna learn." He finished the sentence his brother started. "By the way, Draco, Welcome to the family."
Draco blinked at the Weaseley twins then to his parents. His mother was looking shocked as well but his father looked impressed, merely shrugging as he nodded towards the front. When Draco turned he saw Ron gasp as the Bat-Bogey Hex went flying at him with more speed he had ever seen in a pureblood. He was shocked beyond words as Harry chuckled along with the twins, Ginny and the other students in Gryffindor. He couldn't believe that they were like this at all. If this happened in Slytherin, things would go from playing around to trying to kill each other in a few minutes. He shook his head as he turned his eyes to Hermione. She was smirking at Ron as she blew the tip of her wand, as she sauntered over to Harry.
"Hermione!" Ron yelled as he tried to get the Bat-Bogey hex to release it's hold. "Get back here!"
"'Mione, ya need ta let 'em go." Harry told her with his eyes narrowed. "I know he's an ass some times but ya love 'em." He smirked when Hermione's face turned red.
"Fine." Hermione hissed looking at Ginny. "You can have the honors." She huffed up as she turned her back on them. "He deserved it and I now for a fact he has snogged Lavender Brown, multiple times."
"Alright. Alright!" Minerva called as she clapped her hands. "House's back to their tables' please. Thank you. There are some other things that need to be addressed." Her eyes went to Callisto who nodded.
The kids went back to their tables except for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, The twins as well as a few other Gryffindor's. They were sitting at the Slytherin table with the Malfoy family since the Slytherin students were pulled by their parents. Even Crabbe and Goyle were pulled which Minerva could understand. Their parents didn't wish them to be around Traitors. Out of the corner of her eye, Minerva spotted Callisto standing and stepped down, heading towards the table with Severus Snape. They both took a seat along with Poppy. The houses started clapping as the Malfoy's slowly but surely filled the Slytherin table with those of the other houses, that was on their side. Many in the school trusted and put their lives into the hands of the Golden Trio.
"Now, if everyone is done." She smirked to see that Draco was the first to blush as Hermione pinched his cheek. "I would like to also tell you that the threat is not over." The Great hall finally quietened down. "Voldemort, Tom Riddle, had a son. He is out for revenge for his father's death. His mother, Bellatrix Lestrange," Murmurs were going around the hall now. "was seen here yet I would like to remind you that magic is as old as Albus or any of the teachers here." Minerva could see a smirk on some of the Ravenclaw's faces. "She has the ability to do Astral Projection."
Everyone in the Great hall started to whisper rather quietly as they tried to figure out what Astral projection was. None of them had heard of such a gift before. When Callisto stood and headed towards the podium, the hall grew quiet. Some of them had heard that Callisto Crux was indeed Callisto Crux Riddle. While a few were scared of this, others were nervous for her being in the Great Hall with them.
"If I may, Professor McGonagall." Callisto asked as she stood beside Minerva. "I will be able to explain this to them better then anyone." Her eyes were full of pain.
"Only if you are sure." Minerva told her stepping back.
Callisto cleared her throat as she cast a silent Sonorus spell on her throat. "Can I have your attention." The students in the hall stopped talking as soon as they heard Callisto's voice. "Bellatrix Lestrange has the ability to project an image of herself that can speak and cast spells, charms or curses. Her son, Tom Riddle's son, is able to do the same thing but he has yet to attain the ability to cast spells of any kind. I will warn you though, he is not to be stood up against by yourself."
"Is it true?" A girl from Hufferpuff called out. "Are you Voldemort's sister!?"
"I am." Callisto told them with narrowed eyes. "The only difference between my brother and myself, are the fact he fights for the darkness and I am an Order member." Her eyes went to Severus. "As you know Severus Snape was a spy for the Order. I was as well during the first time yet was threatened by Voldemort himself, thus the Order member's hid me away until I was needed again."
"How do we know you wont turn your back on us?" A boy from Ravenclaw stood, pointing his finger at Callisto.
"She wont. I can promise that." Harry said as he stood as the magic swirled around him as he took the wizards oath, his eyes hard as he stared the boy down. "Callisto was with Ron, Hermione and myself during the trek for Hulcrux's. She never turned her back on any of us during that time. Not to mention, I wouldn't have been able to kill Voldemort if it wasn't for her, Professor Snape, Draco, Narcissa and Lucius. If I can forgive and forget then I believe you all can as well."
"How do we know they wont turn on us?" Another student stood, this time a Gryffindor. "We trust you Harry but we don't trust Riddle's sister." The boy's eyes were hard as he stared at Callisto.
Harry was about to say something when Callisto placed her hand on his shoulder, shaking her head. She looked around the room and could see some of the students were thinking the same thing as the Gryffindor boy. She understood but needed them on her side if she was to beat her own nephew. Callisto looked at Minerva to see if the older woman knew what she needed to do and agreed. Minerva nodded sadly as her eyes portrayed her fear for the girl. Callisto held her head high as she moved back over in front of the other students. Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for those who would speak up.
"Since you do not trust me, I will tell you just how much Tom and I are different." Callisto clicked her tongue. "It is true that Nagini was Tom Riddle's familiar, however, Crux is a pure Dragon Snake." Crux flew through the room, causing everyone to gasp as the Dragon Snake landed on Callisto's arm, wrapping around the upper arm to perch. "Only those of pure of heart are able to have them as familiars. I can also see that some of you are staring at the scar that runs diagonal on my left eye."
"What happened?" A girl from Ravenclaw asked as her eyes were locked on Crux. "Did Crux do it?"
Callisto shook her head, petting her familiar. "No, my brother scarred me since I told him no." There were gasp around the room. "As you may have read in Hogwarts: A Full History, my brother was found in an orphanage when he was around 11. Dumbledore brought him here and treated him as one his students. The only thing was my brother was a lot like my father." Her eyes took on a glazed look. "Since Tom was like our father, he ran away, leaving me to deal with the man's temper on my own along with our mother. Our mother tried her hardest to see we were brought up right however things never go the way we hope."
"How did he find you?" This time it was Hermione Granger that ask as she frowned. "I have read the entire book yet it never said."
Minerva smirked as she walked forward. "I'll take it from here." She nodded to Callisto as she turned her attention to the students. "Albus and I noticed that Tom was distant when it came to discussions about his family. We asked Severus and Lucius to befriend him and find out why. It was a little time later we found out about his sister. His twins sister actually. They are truly as different as Day and Night."
"Who trained her?" Another male Gryffindor asked. "You said she was in the order. If she didn't come to the school, who trained her?"
"She did come to this school." Severus Snape spoke up as he rose from his seat. "It was around the same time that Tom created the Death Eater's. Albus believed she would be safe here yet another Death Eater was able to get to her. Tom was able to find her, thus giving her the Dark Mark on her neck, just as I have." He pushed his hair back to show the same mark on his neck, imperfections and all.
"She's also the toughest fighter we got." Tonks spoke up from her seat next to Remus, who held Teddy. "Learned from the best." She winked at Callisto who smirked.
"What will we tell our families?" A muggle-born witch from Hufferpuff asked as her eyes started to tear up. "I don't want my family in this. My brothers and sisters are muggles. I was the only witch in the family."
"Here, Here." Another muggle-born wizard said in Ravenclaw.
Minerva nodded as she thought of this. "Since I know you all want ta fight," Cheers could be heard. "I will leave it up to you. If you wish to leave, we will send a series of spells for you to protect yer home with. If not, we will send your parents on a vacation, until things settle down."
Minerva was glad that she had sent all the first and second years home for a longer holiday. There were only third years thru seventh. She didn't want to be responsible for those childrens lives even though she had the third and fourth years to worry about. She knew her other three years were well prepared for this as well as Harry, Hermione, Ron and Callisto. She was proud that the Twins stuck by them as well as half of the Gryffindor house. Neville was sitting by Narcissa with a smirk on his face as Luna sat on the other side.
"If they wish, Headmistress," Lucius stood as he walked up towards Minerva. "I will allow them to bring their family's, parents and siblings, to my Manor. A Curse-breaker has already cleansed the manor of any negative energy. I have also had Severus place all the spells to include protection against the Darker magic. Consider it an apology of how I treated all of you." He bowed towards the student body.
"I think that can help, right?" Harry said as he looked around at his school mates. "If it wasn't for Draco or Narcissa then I wouldn't be here. I trust them and I am asking for you to trust my judgment on this."
The Gryffindor table all stood and nodded. "If you trust them, we trust them because you do, Harry." One of the Seventh year boys stood. "Of course if they get out of line, I'm sure the twins will have things in hand."
"Of course we do..." George growled standing up.
Fred mimicked his lead. "...what do ya take us for?"
"First years?" George and Fred said in unison.
"Yes, well, now that is taken care of." Minerva cleared her throat looking around. "We need to get back our discussion."
"We will allow you to either join in this fight," Kingsley spoke up as he stood next to Minerva. "Or you will be placed with the rest of the student body in Malfoy Manor. Just so you are clear, this is not a playful time. The fight with Voldemort is the same as with his son. Yes, I know most of you do not know or trust Ms. Crux, yet I will tell you this. Dumbledore, myself, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks as well as the other order members have known her since she was a young girl. So please, if you do not trust Harry Potter, trust your professors as well as myself. We know she can be trusted along with Severus Snape and the Malfoys." His eyes locked on Lucius'.
There was quiet for a few minutes until the Gryffindor table rose to their feet and started to clap. The Ravenclaws were next followed by the Hufferpuffs. Once the entire hall was clapping Minerva held her hands up to silence everyone. She still needed to speak to the children before they were allowed to do what they wished. As soon as everyone was quiet, Minerva smiled as she looked at each house.
"Thank you for your trust in us." She bowed her head towards each table, even to the Slytherin table where the Order members sat with the Malfoys and Professor Snape. "Now, as you know, Voldemort has a son. Just as there was a plan to kill Voldemort, we have a plan to destroy Naraku, Voldemort's son." Hermione snorted at the mention of Voldemort's son's name. "If you wish, you may stay at the castle to defend your 'home away from home', as the Muggle's would say. For those who wish to return to your families, you will need to go into hiding. An order member will help you with this yet when they move you, you will not be allowed to leave the home. It will be hidden from everyone's view, except the Order members."
Minerva was glad that everyone was paying attention to what she was saying. The students would usually speak while the headmaster would stand in front of them yet now they all sat there eagerly awaiting orders. She sighed as she sent a mental pray to Albus, she could see now that Albus was correct. Hogwarts' had it's own army.
"What about those who wish to fight but their parents are muggles?" A Gryffindor witch asked standing up. "What will happen to our parents?" The girl had tears in her eye as Neville walked over and wrapped his arms around her.
"Your parents shall be transported to Mr. Malfoy's Manor along with the others." Minerva answered the young girl. "George and Fred have the barriers already in place as well as Hermione. All three of them were the best as spells. Professor Snape, yes he still is part of the staff child, has created a multiply of potions in case injured suddenly start to appear. All Order members, as those who are going to fight, will have a charm placed on them that if they are severely injured, they will be transported to Malfoy manor. Ron, Harry and Hermione will be going back and forth unless they are needed else where. Callisto will also be at the Manor for those who wish to speak to her, but please remember, these people have payed their debts." She nodded as she looked to Kingsley. "I do believe that is everything," Kingsley nodded as Minerva turned her eyes back to the students. "I know you need to make preparations. You are all dismissed to your dorm rooms. Head of the House, please make sure that everyone is taken care of."
Minerva saw Draco and Hermione nodded as they walked over to Gryffindor. She smiled as Neville walked up beside Draco with a leery face and patted the boy on the shoulder. Luna had skipped over pecked him on the cheek. The entire student body chuckled but then all the students headed out the door of the Great Hall. Seeing a flicker in her eye, Minerva turned her head and frowned. She could have sworn she saw something yet shook her head as she followed the order members out as Harry and Ron went to help Draco and Hermione. It wasn't a few minutes after the last person walked out, that the flicker of someone, disillusioned, vanished as if they were never there.
(Unknown Place – 12:00 PM)
Naraku watched his mother, as she layed on the bed in a small Manor he found. It was similar to the Malfoy Manor yet he knew that the owners already had the place cleansed and protected against the dark magic he was created of. If it wasn't for the dark magic running through his veins, Naraku knew he would still be in his mother's arms unable to form words or use his wand, nor his powers. Shaking his head, he watched as Bellatrix's eyes fluttered softly as they finally opened and locked on him. Her face twisted in something of amusement before she suddenly leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, quickly.
"You are so wonderful." Bellatrix pulled back as she stood and started to skip around the room, swinging around the pillars that held up the ceiling. "They believe you aren't able to use spells during your astral projection." She squealed like a 16 year old girl. "They are very tight on security at this time but I think we should wait until they are lax. Once they feel they are safe, they will relax their guard and we could strike." She turned to Naraku. "What do you think, my little Naraku?"
Naraku's red eyes narrowed at his mother. "What did you hear, mum?" He wasn't in the mood for games, his power was growing at a rapid pace. "Where will their forces be located? The most of them?"
"Lucius' Manor." Bellatrix frowned as she stepped closer. "What's the matter Naraku?" She could see that something was different.
Naraku smirked as he held out his hands. "I am growing again mother." His hands looked as if he was at least 20 years old. "I believe I am around 18 or 19. Of the exact age, I do not know but I can also feel my power getting stronger."
"That's wonderful." Bellatrix beamed as she smiled at Naraku. "Can you feel your father? Is he proud of us?" Her eyes were wide in wonder and hope.
"Neh, mum." Naraku shook his head. "I can not feel father or hear him but I know he is with us none the less. Gather my death eaters and prepare them for the final war between Harry Potter and Voldemort's Son. I have things to attend to before I am able to take on Harry Potter." He went to leave but Bellatrix whimpered.
"What do you need?" She couldn't believe her son couldn't defeat the traitor, Harry Potter. Her son was the most powerful wizard underneath his father, of course.
Naraku smirked as he cut his eyes over his shoulder to Bellatrix. "The Elder Wand."
In a flash, he was gone. He knew where he might find it but he had to make sure.
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Author Note – Here is the next chapter of Dangerous Ties. I also have another story in the makings but I haven't got it quite right yet. So, until then you'll just have to deal with this one. LOL. Now where do you think the elder wand is? Does Harry still have it? If not, Who? Will Naraku be able to defeat Harry? Or will Harry even be fighting against the 'young' wizard? Til next time keep reading and reviewing...
~*Dragon*~
