The Trusted Hero
Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the idea of Harry Potter or any of the money making forms of it.
Special thanks to my soundboards: *Chereche* (also beta), LadyKnightofCelestia, and BlackRosedAlice
And a specialspecial thanks to Evebb who gave me permission to do this :)
Chapter 11: Consequences
Dumbledore took in a sharp breath, the wards and essence of Hogwarts flooding his senses like they could with no other wizard — well, except perhaps with Harry.
He allowed the ancient magic to encompass his entire being as he pushed forth his will to activate the more powerful wards. Wards only available to those with magic of his caliber. He knew there was no time, he had to raise as many as he could as quickly as he could.
McGonagall stood back, watching in silent awe.
Exhaling slowly, the magic settled around him as Hogwarts continued to obey his will.
"Come, Minerva, I believe it is time to see Dolores off," he said, quickly leading them out of the office and all the way to the entrance hall.
They made it just in time to see Umbridge huffing and puffing toward the main entrance. She didn't pause as she passed them. If anything, she just ran faster, leaving a trail of putrid mud behind her.
"Well, she can certainly move when she wishes," McGonagall commented as they watched Umbridge dash out onto the grounds and head to the edge of the wards.
When she was halfway there, Harry arrived and stepped beside Dumbledore to watch as well.
"Thank you, Mark. I am not sure I could have motivated her to depart so speedily," Dumbledore said, causing McGonagall to take notice of Mark's presence.
McGonagall's eyes widened before softening with a deep pride. "You have remarkable restraint, Mr. Twist. I am not sure I would have been able to allow her to leave intact."
Harry shrugged, before looking beyond Umbridge with a frown. His scar gave a twinge.
Figures appeared beyond the wards with echoing cracks. Easily over a hundred.
Harry's eyes narrowed and he felt Dumbledore's hand come to rest on his shoulder.
Now right on the edge of the wards, Umbridge froze in absolute disbelief as she was slammed with incontrovertible proof that she had been very wrong for months.
There, roughly a dozen feet beyond the pink and brown blob, was Voldemort. Voldemort looked at Hogwarts, taking in the stronger magic in the wards and finding the form of Albus Dumbledore standing at the doorway.
Harry's scar burned with indignation and a touch of fear. Before any of them could move, Voldemort sent a curse to the closest target in front of him.
Standing on the border of the wards, Umbridge took the curse to her face. She slammed onto her back so hard the breath was knocked out of her — which was further more unfortunate for her, as the curse began to banish every oxygen molecule in her body.
Voldemort and his men vanished soon after, knowing they would not be breaching Hogwarts that day.
Dumbledore dashed out. "Mark."
Harry quickly followed him, understanding the command even without the words.
They came to Umbridge who was clearly struggling to breathe. She seemed to be getting air in, but it wasn't helping at all.
Harry closed his eyes and quickly took a mental peek into Voldemort's mind to determine what he had cast.
"Curse of Oxygen Depletion," Harry stated, discovering Voldemort had adapted it from an old simple charm that had once been used to preserve meat.
Umbridge's lips began to turn purple and she was clutching at the fabric near her throat.
"I can counter it," Harry said after a moment, moving to kneel down.
"N-no!" Umbridge gasped, her crazed eyes staring at him in hatred as she pulled out her wand and pointed it at him.
"Don't cast any magic, you'll only make it move faster," Harry warned, not sure why he was even bothering to help her. "Do you want to die? Stop moving and let me remove the spell!"
Umbridge continued to struggle even as her eyes locked with his. "Evil . . . boy. . . Crucio!"
Harry didn't even need to roll; he just twisted his body to avoid the pathetically weak unforgivable as Dumbledore knocked her wand from her hand with a silent expelliarmus.
Her skin became blue as she continued to shake her head no until the demented light in her eyes faded and her body became still.
She was dead.
Harry straightened back up, his jaw clenched.
Dumbledore took a deep breath, staring at the cruel woman at their feet before turning to Harry. "It may well be the most powerful weapon in most any conflict . . . giving compassion to those who hate you. It drives them to make peace or to unwittingly realize their own destruction."
Dumbledore conjured a white sheet over Umbridge before guiding Harry back into Hogwarts. "We have a few hours before sunrise. Let me take you to your new chambers."
O
Susan couldn't help but quicken her pace to the Great Hall with Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbot. They had all gotten back to their dorms around 3 am after watching Umbridge's name vanish from the map before Dumbledore and Twist reentered the castle. It was surreal to know she was dead, struck down by someone outside the wards. From what they had seen her footprints do, it was clear someone beyond the grounds of Hogwarts had been responsible for her back steps.
Susan suspected Voldemort and that the only reason he hadn't entered was because he had seen Dumbledore.
Susan shook her head as she entered the Great Hall. Looking around, she could tell the rumor mill was just beginning to turn. Roughly half of her peers had their heads down, fearing punishment from Umbridge — they didn't know the toad had croaked. The rest were beginning to whisper with their neighbors as they noticed how Headmistress McGonagall was not seated at the center chair anymore, but in her old seat. The place she had sat when Dumbledore had been Headmaster — at his right hand.
As Susan took her seat, she carefully listened to the whispers around her.
"Is Umbridge Headmistress now?"
"Merlin, please no."
"I heard from a Gryffindor that she hasn't been seen since last night."
"She didn't return to the Gryffindors after giving that lockdown announcement?"
"Maybe she's at the Ministry."
"The professors seem more at ease."
"Something's happened. Something big."
Susan did her best to keep her face blank, but it was proving very difficult. Fortunately, before anyone could notice her unease, everyone's attention shot to the figure who had just stepped from the entrance behind and to the left of the head table.
Albus Dumbledore.
There was complete and utter silence. He went to his seat and stood in front of it, but he didn't sit.
"Before we begin our breakfast, there are some things I wish to announce," Dumbledore said, as if he suddenly being there was nothing out of the ordinary at all. "As you can see, I have returned as Headmaster."
Several students heaved a huge sigh of relief, while others looked on in fear — believing the lies of the Ministry and of Umbridge.
Dumbledore motioned to his right, bringing their attention to a row of aurors they hadn't noticed standing there before.
"I believe you will recognize some of these men and women. These aurors had been tasked by the Ministry to secure Hogwarts, but, as they will attest to, the Ministry was attacked by Lord Voldemort last night and has since fallen."
Gasps and a few screams followed his words, only to give rise to urgent whispers.
Dumbledore lifted his hand for silence and instantly received it.
"They have kindly agreed to stay here and help protect the school from Voldemort."
Susan noted that none of the aurors they had been warned to stay away from were present.
"I also regret to inform you that Professor Umbridge is dead," he began, a number of students gasped in shock as Dumbledore went on. "Killed by Lord Voldemort early this morning." Everyone froze. "In lieu of all that has happened, Hogwarts will act as a refuge from Voldemort. Later today, we will begin receiving families. As such, I must ask you all to act accordingly. We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." His eyes were not twinkling; instead, they held a gleam sharper than any knife. "To those of you with ties to Lord Voldemort or his allies, sever those ties. I will not permit anyone to endanger this castle and those she protects. The Dark Lord holds nothing sacred but his own life. Remaining with him will not spare you or your family, no matter your blood."
He straightened, returning to school business. "Professor McGonagall will return to her duties as Deputy Headmistress and Gryffindor's Head of House. Classes will continue but as the Ministry no longer exists as an entity Hogwarts recognizes, this year's OWLs and NEWTs will likely not be conducted. Remus Lupin, a previous instructor here at Hogwarts, will return to teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts." He motioned to Remus who was seated beside Hagrid. It was obvious why he hadn't been noticed until that moment. "And Auror Davis will take over Muggle Studies." He motioned to the auror Susan knew had helped her and her group a number of times over the past few months.
"Now, my last announcement concerns Mr. Mark Twist. I don't want any of you surprised when you see him, for he has come back with me. However, he is no longer a student, but my apprentice. I trust I will not need to remind anyone of his innocence now that it is known Voldemort has truly returned," Dumbledore said — though to most it sounded more like a warning.
Susan took in the professors' reactions. The Heads of Houses didn't seem surprised, nor Lupin, but the others did.
It was no wonder; the last time a Headmaster had taken on an apprentice had been over three hundred years ago.
She glanced around at her peers. They were stunned, a few even appeared frightened. Susan wanted to roll her eyes. How anyone could still believe the Ministry's lies was beyond her. Very little of what they accused Dumbledore of made any sense to begin with, and more often than not every accusation was downright inconsistent and filled with contradictions. For example, if Dumbledore was such a muggle-lover, why would he terrorize a muggle village?
She looked back up at Dumbledore.
She could see him hiding his fatigue, making her wonder what had happened exactly at the Ministry and if anything had happened beforehand. She also wondered what Twist had been involved in the previous day, other than helping Dumbledore retake Hogwarts.
Susan frowned. What was happening outside of Hogwarts now that Voldemort had revealed himself? Where was her aunt? Still at home? Susan desperately hoped she hadn't been at the Ministry when it had fallen.
"If you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to your Head of House. As I said before, families will begin arriving soon, very possibly some of your own. Now then, let us eat. Mew, Ditto, Onix."
He clapped his hands a food appeared.
Susan took a slow calming breath. Dumbledore certainly hadn't changed.
O
Harry took his time getting ready. He wasn't in much of a hurry to get to the Great Hall for lunch, and though he wanted to see Ron and the others, he knew the questions would be numerous — especially since the apprenticeship had likely been made public.
He was relieved when Dumbledore told him he would not return as a simple fifth year student. Not only because taking classes would be a waste of time (he was beyond NEWT level in several of the subjects, thanks to Voldemort's knowledge and his months of self-study), but because of his place in the war. Dumbledore had yet to bring up the prophecy with him, but by this point, it was an unspoken understanding. Harry had a vital part in the war.
Unable to find anything else to postpone the inevitable, Harry trudged down to the Great Hall, leaving the guest chambers of the Headmaster's Tower and taking comfort in the notice-me-not charm he had placed on himself.
"Hello, Mark Twist."
Harry turned around with his wand in his hand, unnerved that someone had seen through his charm and had come up behind him without him noticing.
"Er . . . hello," he said, blinking at the blond, slightly dazed looking girl before him.
"We're glad you and the Headmaster are back. It was quite exciting watching you on the map last night. I do wish I had been in the secret passage with Fred and George last night, though," she said, unbothered by the fact he had his wand out in his hand (though not pointed at her anymore).
"The map?" Harry asked, not sure he had heard correctly.
"The Marauder's Map. It's been a huge help to us these past few months in avoiding the toad's helpers and humdingers, you see."
"'Us'?" he asked, putting his wand away.
"There's fifteen of us, officially. Susan Bones started the group to resist the Ministry and pursue justice — for both you and Cedric Diggery," she explained. Harry frowned, but the girl continued before he could get a word in. "Her aunt, Madam Amelia Bones, was Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and had seen You-Know-Who in the Ministry that night Dumbledore broke you out of Azkaban. So it wasn't hard for her to realize you were innocent and had been telling the truth. She didn't really believe you had done it in the first place anyway."
Harry blinked. "Uh, right. I'm sorry, what is your name?"
"Luna Lovegood," she calmly answered as they made it to the Great Hall. With a smile, she left him and skipped her way to the Ravenclaw table.
Harry turned his attention to the rest of the Great Hall, deciding not to dwell on the . . . unique Ravenclaw.
He sat down at the Gryffindor table, which wasn't hard, over half of the student population was gone. Tentatively, he canceled his notice-me-not charm (which he had kept in place despite Lovegood seeing through it). He knew he had to get it over with.
"Mark!" Ron shouted, hurrying over with the rest of the Weasleys as practically every pair of eyes turned to stare.
O
Susan couldn't help but watch with the rest of her peers as Mark was greeted by the Weasleys. He had of course grown since the last time she had seen him, but his increased height and overall size was not the only change she noticed. He had always exuded confidence, a resilient, almost defiant assurance, but now it was laced with something she could only define as hard earned experience. His eyes didn't remain fixed on anyone for long, and Susan could see how tight his shoulders were, even from where she was sitting.
Her thoughts strayed, wondering how his time in Azkaban might have affected him, not to mention his months on the run with Dumbledore. She knew, like most of the students of Hogwarts, she didn't really know him; but if his actions were anything to go by, it was certainly time to make the effort now. It was long overdue.
Susan nodded to herself. After lunch, she would go and talk to him, perhaps even ask him to join them that evening—assuming they were given the opportunity. Fortunately, it was the weekend, if they weren't able to meet that night, there was the following night.
She waited until he stood up and politely excused himself from Ron and the others before she told Ernie and Hannah that she would meet up with them later. She followed him out of the Great Hall.
She was grateful that no one else had left when they had and eventually caught up with him in a deserted corridor.
"Twist," she said.
He stopped, and suddenly Susan realized she hadn't figured out exactly what she was going to say.
"Yes?" he asked curiously.
"Hi," she said, forcing herself to only mentally say 'um'. "I know we haven't really spoken before, but I was wondering, hoping, you'd come meet with me and a few of my friends. You see, because of Umbridge, I started a little . . . well, I suppose you could say study group. The Weasleys are part of it."
"You're Susan Bones, right?" Mark asked.
She nodded, a little surprised before suddenly wondering why knowing a peer's name outside of one's house was unique. How sad was that?
"A girl named Luna mentioned you before lunch," he said, his eyes growing solemn. "I'm glad not everyone fell for the Ministry's lies."
Susan grew still, memories of the past few months quickly surfacing. "Umbridge worked really hard to try and make us believe the Ministry. At first, very few believed even half of what she was saying. But then things with the Daily Prophet and even people's parents . . . not to mention what she did during her detentions. . . ."
Mark frowned. "What did she do?"
Susan started walking. Mark quickly followed suit.
"My aunt would call it mental conditioning. Brainwashing. I would call it torture. I know some people just went along with what she wanted so they wouldn't have to go anymore, but I'm afraid a lot of people came to trust what she had said as fact, especially the younger years." Susan took a slow breath as a thought came to mind. "I'd advise against going anywhere by yourself, at least until people see the truth. She said horrible things about you and the Headmaster, and showed us—" She suddenly had a bitter taste in her mouth, "—pictures."
"What sort of pictures?" Mark asked, now clearly alarmed as they stopped again.
Susan shook her head, trying not to see them in her mind's eye again. "I don't know how or where she got them, but . . ." She swallowed, trying to make her voice work. "Professor Moody and . . . Cedric. Pictures of their bodies."
Susan turned away as Mark's eyes hardened and his face went rigid. She continued in a whisper. "She showed other things, along with your wanted poster and name, but . . . I'll never forget those two images." Susan covered her mouth and closed her eyes for a moment. "And she showed them to first years."
"I'm glad she died the way she had. I only wish she had suffered longer," Mark stated coldly.
Susan looked back at that, a dark curiosity rising. Their eyes met, and an indescribable understanding passed between them.
Mark answered her silent question. "Voldemort killed her with a curse that banishes oxygen. It wasn't a pleasant death."
Susan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as they returned to walking. Silently, she led him to the abandoned classroom on that floor.
"What's been happening?" she asked as they entered. At his confused look, she clarified. "We have no idea what's really been happening outside of Hogwarts. I know the Daily Prophet is full of lies, and I'm pretty certain Umbridge and her aurors were screening the mail."
"Voldemort and his Death Eaters have been recruiting. Fortunately there haven't been many raids, just two serious ones in muggle villages. All muggleborn students and their families have left England. Dumbledore and I helped with that. However, muggleborn adults had been targeted by the ministry before we started evacuating people. We don't know how many the Ministry got exactly." Mark frowned, before choosing to reveal more. "Voldemort emptied Azkaban a few days ago. And I doubt you would have heard about it even if the Ministry still existed because he's been secretly influencing the Ministry, and thus the Daily Prophet, for some time."
Susan's eyes widened.
"There are propaganda posters everywhere. He's the one who created the term 'Trueblood'. Like you said, brainwashing. I don't know how it will be now that the Ministry has fallen to Voldemort, but before, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were swarming with 'Ministry Officials'." Mark shook his head. "The Ministry may have collapsed, but I doubt Voldemort will have much to rebuild."
"Professor Burbage was murdered by Voldemort, wasn't she?" Susan asked after a moment.
Mark inhaled sharply, and Susan was alarmed by how pale he suddenly looked. Finally, he nodded his head. "Yes. He killed her personally."
Susan frowned, but she was too afraid of what she might hear if she asked how he knew. Instead, she asked a more urgent question.
"Do you . . . do you know if my aunt . . . ?" She couldn't finish.
Mark's eyes stared at the wall, and the sharpness that had been in them moments before seemed to fade for a long instant before returning. Mark's jaw clenched and Susan was certain she saw him swallow a lump in his throat before he answered with a flat voice.
"She's alright. But . . ." He glanced toward the door with a pained expression. "Ron and the others . . . they don't know yet."
Susan gasped. "Their father?"
"No. Percy."
Susan looked down and couldn't help the tears filling her eyes. After the last few months, she had gotten to know the Weasleys, or at least Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny. She knew Percy had been estranged from their family. She could only imagine the added hardship they would experience at not being able to reconcile with him now.
"I'm sorry, Susan. Could we talk more later? Families will begin arriving soon, and I'd rather be . . . away when that happens," Mark said after silence had risen between them.
Susan nodded. "Of course." She had the distinct feeling that he wanted to be alone because of their discussion, not solely because he wanted to avoid the families.
"If you need me urgently or need to send me a message, call for the house elf, Dobby. He's . . . a friend."
"Alright. And thank you."
With that, Mark left.
Next part - 'Recognition'
A/N: I'm going to have to slow down my posting rate. My muse is beginning to tire a bit, so it'll probably take me a bit longer to post the next part. I will try to keep the rate to at least once a week though.
Big thanks to those who have reviewed :D
