Shunned and Spurned
Chapter 9
12 September 2011
Library
Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire
01.00 PM
"What. An. Eventful. Morning." Draco Malfoy dragged out tiredly as he leaned back on his designated seat on the Big 7's circular table.
"I rushed straight here once my mission was finished. What happened? Tell us in detail." Ron Weasley looked at Harry and Draco gravely. The Boy-Who-Lived nodded and began to narrate what had happened to Kingsley.
Once he finished, his fellow Big 7 members went silent. All while thinking that they should have settled this mess during the Second Wizarding World War and months after that instead they got too comfortable, which resulted in them bringing it to their children's generation. The bright future that each one of them imagined their children and the Wizarding World would have is once again going to be stained with blood and darkness.
"The milk has already been spilt. There is nothing we can do." Harry started determinedly, "I think we all know this, but by doing this to Kingsley, a key Order member, who is also our biggest supporter during and after the War. They are sending us a message that they are waging war against us. We all got it loud and clear. If what the Head of the Families want is war then a war they will get! We'll rid of them once and for all. It's not too late. This time we will make sure that this and the next generation's future is as bright as we imagined them to be."
Each of the Big 7 members looked at Harry with a resolute gaze and nodded at him.
With renewed spirit and motivation, the Big 7 then turned their attention towards Neville Longbottom. Harry contacted him after the four Healers ascertain that Kingsley's condition is stable enough to be examined from a Herbology expert's point of view. He knew that the Healers had done CT Scan of Kingsley's internal organs and requested them to give him a copy of the scan. He looked at the scan multiple times over himself. Neville decided to conduct his own examination in great detail just in case there are things that the Healers might miss. The results of both his and the healers fine inspection made him shocked and morbidly fascinated by what is happening inside the Minister of Magic's body.
"There are seeds on the base of his stomach. You would think that our stomach acid would easily melt or digest them away but instead it acted as nutrients for the seeds."
"So…the stomach acid acts a both water and fertiliser for the seeds?" Luna Lovegood whimsically concluded and Neville nodded.
"I…unfortunately don't know the mechanics behind it. But the Healers and I came to the conclusion that we have to surgically remove the seeds. The operation will be ongoing soon while Kingsley is stable enough for it at the moment. Once, they are done, then I will be able to examine the seeds more closely." Neville paused and added, "Its not all Biology and Herbology though. There are traces of Dark Arts. The Rhododendron was just a distraction from them to us and to avoid us looking more closely. They made it seem as though it was poisoning but they were actually experimenting with Muggles and Muggle-Borns first. It seems their latest formula and series of spells worked, which why they're finally confident giving this to Kingsley. This is certainly the Greengrass family's doing as their speciality is…"
"Imbuing Dark Arts to plants." Draco finished for him and continued,
"As you know, Father keeps an enormous section of each Pure Blood families here. I think it would benefit you, Longbottom, to take out all the Greengrass books from their designated shelves."
Neville nodded and reminded himself to transport the books back to his quarters in Hogwarts.
"Does he only need surgery then? Kingsley, I mean." Ginny asked her fellow Gryffindor.
"That…is what I discussed with the Healers for a long time. Because the seeds are imbued with Dark Arts and there are risks of it having a fail-safe mechanism. For now, we have no choice but to give him surgery since the seeds are growing at a rapid pace as time goes by. I will go to the hospital after this and standby in case something happens. I requested Terry to be one of the Healers to conduct this surgery as well. Like we agreed in our last meeting, leave this to me."
The other Big 7 members agree to this arrangement, as they know that botany has always been Neville's forte since their Hogwarts days. Not to mention that like the Greengrass family, his magic are all plant based.
12 September 2011
Operating Room 1
St Mungos Hospital
01.30 PM
Neville Longbottom waited outside Operating Room 1 to make sure that there won't be any complications with Kingsley's surgery. He was about to take a seat in one of the chairs situated outside of the waiting room when he heard Terry yelled his name from inside the Operating Room. Immediately, Neville raced inside and saw the roots on Kingsley's body coming alive –managing to knock three of the four Healers unconscious. He knew that this is the failsafe prepared by the Greengrass family. Neville took out his wand and looked at Terry who already gripped his wand tightly.
"Did you take the seeds out, Terry?"
"Yeah, we did. It was a success. But the roots that already sprouted out of his body went berserk when they noticed the extraction of the seeds." He said as he dodged a particularly sharp root and ran to stand by Neville's side.
"We need to extract or eliminate these roots out of his body."
Neville stayed quiet and said to his right hand man, "…I'm going to perform a spell to control these plants and make them self destruct. But I don't know how it will affect Kingsley. There is a high chance that you might have to revive him straight away when I'm done."
Terry nodded but then suddenly snapped his gaze at Neville's resolute gaze,
"Nev…will you be fine?" He asked concernedly.
"I will be. Just going to be severely drained than Harry and Draco." Neville smiled at him. "Be ready, Terry."
Neville took a deep breath and pointed his wand at his left wrist. He whispered a spell and soon a small cut appear. He wiped the tip of the wand with his blood and pointed it towards the roots.
"Vestigium!" (1) Neville yelled as he traced his name on the air and his name was etched on the roots. "Ut faciam tibi, plantae, parere me!" (2)
"Stop." He ordered the roots firmly and by his command they stopped. "Exitium sui." (3)
The roots immediately self-destruct by burning and turning itself into ash. Terry ran to Kingsley and without delay performed a spell to revive his heart back. He used the same spell once again and saw the jagged line on the heart monitor –signalling that the Minister of Magic's heart is slowly beating back to life.
Several Healers rushed to the Operating Room 1 and helped the three unconscious Healers on the floor while the other stabilise Kingsley, so he could be moved to another room. Terry observed the Healers for a bit and once he was confident that everything is fine, he approached Neville who sat leaning against the wall next to the Operating Room 1 double doors.
One of St Mungos' top Healers knew that Neville is indeed severely drained. He helped the Herbology Professor stand up and caught him when he was about to slump back down to the ground. Terry told Neville to lean on him and put the latter's right arm around his shoulders.
"Come on, mate. I'll take you back to Hogwarts. You need the whole day to recuperate. I'll give you a couple of potions that'll help you regain your strength back too."
"I appreciate it. Thanks, Terry." He said exhaustedly.
"Of course, anything for one of my best mates and leader." Terry grinned at him and meant it with all of his being. He swore his friendship, safety and loyalty to one, Neville Longbottom, all those years ago back in Hogwarts. He will keep doing so, maybe, until he dies. Such a Gryffindor thinking for a Ravenclaw, but then again that is the effect the Big 7 members have with their right and left hand people.
12 September 2011
Library
Hogwarts
07.30 PM
Scorpius Malfoy, James Potter and Rose Weasley were sitting on the dimly lit library desks poring over on books about their parents' past.
Rhianon Gregmeer stood behind the bookshelves with her right hand man, Theodore Nott, observing the new 'Golden Trio'.
"Would you look at that? They're close! I estimate one more day of reading the Harry Potter series for them to be well verse in our past. Well, as expected of the Big 7's children." Theo excitedly whispered his praise.
"You're right about that, Theo. But in regards to the full Big 7 past…they would still need to ask the members' themselves and that'll happen on the anniversary." Rhianon predicted as she took a final gaze at the Heir of the Malfoy family before walking away with Theo to continue their search.
12 September 2011
Lestrange Mansion
8.00 PM
"One word. Creepy!" Theo whispered loudly as they stood behind the trees on the forest near the Lestrange's Mansion. "Why does the final location have to be this place?"
"Well, all the signs point here and not to mention this is where Bellatrix did the process anyway."
"So…she lead us to a witch-hunt?" Theo wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "Get it? A witch-hunt? Since Hermione is one?"
"How do we plan on going in Bella?" Blaise blatantly brushed aside Theo's jokes.
"Invisibility spell and silencing spell. But first we have to disable the wards for us to get in and put it back up before they noticed." Hermione explained. "Logically, my body will probably be dumped in the dungeons."
"Why are you so sure?" Theo asked her curiously.
"I'm a muggleborn. I don't think they want to dirty their carpets or rooms with my body." She just answered a matter-of-factly and the two Slytherins begrudgingly agreed with her line of thinking.
The three of them cast invisibility and silencing spells on themselves then Blaise pointed his wand towards the mansion and whispered, "Infrigere." (4)
They could see an opening on the sphere and ran towards it. The wards shut back up once they're all in the mansion's backyard.
Hermione ushered them with her hands to follow her and they rushed in after her through the back door. They walked through a long hallway and passed a lot of closed rooms when they suddenly stopped in front of an opened one. Death Eaters that were never caught by them and the Ministry occupied the room. They were having a meeting and Hermione signalled the two Slytherin's behind her to stop, as it is imperative for them to know what they are up to. The trio walked slowly and carefully inside then stood in the corner of the room.
"Silence! I called you here to finally reveal something I have kept and looked after for the Dark Lord including the honour he bestowed me. AND ONLY ME!" Bellatrix Lestrange madly twirled on the spot. "Let me introduce you to Delphini. Mine and the Dark Lord's daughter!" She gestured to a girl with black hair with silver tips and black dress to step forward.
The other Death Eaters present were momentarily silent before they burst into excited whispers at another chance to purify the Wizarding World. Meanwhile, Theo and Blaise's gaped in shock at the revelation not to mention disgusted by the idea of Voldemort having sex. Hermione in turn just stared at the Dark Lord's heiress and thought that this is indeed bad as this could be considered an encouragement for the Death Eaters to continue fighting for their cause.
"I am Delphini. I am the daughter of Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange. IF for some foolish reasons you doubt me then feel free to come forward and I will show you my heritage through some…curses perhaps?" She challenged confidently and the Death Eaters visibly stepped back from her. They certainly do not want to test her parentage. The Inner Circle know that this is indeed true as their deceased Dark Lord shared this with them and Bellatrix constant boasting. "As I am finally of age. I will restart my father's ambition of purifying the Wizarding World of filthy mudbloods, blood-traitors and muggles. Follow me, Death Eaters. Let us conquer the Wizarding World! Let us declare War on those retched Big 7! And what better time if not during their remembrance ceremony in Hogwarts?"
Hermione bit her lip in frustration as she ushered the two Slytherins to follow her down to the dungeons and finish what they intended to do at the mansion. Theo and Blaise nodded as they rushed towards the dungeons while the Death Eaters are busy partying. The dimly dungeons were surprisingly empty and they checked one by one to see if there is anything inside. Theo raised his hands and waved them wildly –telling them that he found the body. It was inside the furthest cell from the dungeons entrance and discarded like trash. Blaise opened the cell door and the three of them piled inside.
"This is it. Finally." Hermione undid her Silencing spell and happily hugged herself.
"…Well, this is a bit weird. I feel like I'm intruding a moment." Theo said as he undid his Silencing Spell as well.
"Bella, we have to leave now. If they know we're here, we'll be in deep trouble." Blaise concernedly pointed out and the two of them nodded. "How do we go about this?"
"We'll go with a bang." Hermione determinedly stood up as Theo piggyback the body and smirked.
"Ooh, that is a very Gryffindor-like suggestion!"
"Protego Maxima!" Hermione yelled and soon a hazy sphere appeared around them. "Bombarda Maxima!" She pointed her wand up and the ceiling collapse on them but they were protected under the sphere.
"That's a bang, alright." Blaise said as they heard footsteps approaching the dungeons. Bellatrix screamed crazily when she saw them.
"Mudblood! You will die by my hands this time!"
"Sure." Hermione scoffed as Blaise hold her left hand and Theo her right hand with her body on his back. "Vi Spectrum Little Hangleton Graveyard!" (5)
12 September 2011
Graveyard
Little Hangleton
10.00 PM
Once they were in Little Hangleton, the three of them quickly run towards the wilted flower bouquet placed in an unmarked grave two feet from where they arrived and touched them at the same time.
12 September 2011
Living Room
Mirage Greenhorn's House
10.15 PM
The three of them landed on Mirage Greenhorn's living room and let out a relief sighed at the same time. Theo placed the body gently on the sofa and they all stood beside it to properly look at it. The clothes the body wore were torn and dirty, not to mention the body itself were covered in dirt. They guessed that there might be bruises and scratches beneath the clothes, which they would have to heal. They will have to check for internal damages as well.
"For now, we'll just leave it as is and rest for tonight. Force apparition is draining." Hermione sighed as she sat on her armchair while Blaise and Theo sat side by side on another sofa –relaxing. She suddenly whipped out her wand and whispered, "Expecto Patronum!"
Her patronus roared to life and once finished listening to her instructions, it flew off to where the Big Seven are.
12 September 2011
Library
Malfoy Manor
10.20 PM
The Big Seven were meeting once more for the day because of Neville's request. The tired Herbology Professor told them the whole ordeal in detail and immediately discusses plans to avoid another incident such as this. They also talk in length about the next step towards the Death Eaters that are still loose. The six of them were about to retire for the day when a female Antipodean Opaleye dragon Patronus standing on the centre of their circular table.
Draco immediately stood up from his chair and murmured, "…That's Granger's…"
"…Patronus." Harry finished for him in shock.
"Everyone. I hope you're all well. I take that back. I'm glad you're well! I have bad news concerning the loose Death Eaters. They have a new leader name Delphini. She is Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange's illegitimate daughter. She is of age now and she is restarting what her father couldn't finish. She has rallied the Death Eaters for another War. On the 7 of October at Hogwarts, she will make herself known to the Wizarding World! I'm sorry I could not deliver this message to you myself. I'm sorry as well for leaving you all without any explanation. I will be returning soon. We will fight together once more." The voice paused. "Draco, I'm sorry and thank you for raising, Scorpius so brilliantly. I will see and stay with you both! I promise."
The Patronus then disappeared as Draco clenched both of his knuckles,
"I'm holding you to your promise. Scorpius and I will wait for you, Hermione."
He whispered as he calmed himself down and took his seat once more.
"Draco, will you be alright? Shall we retire for the night?" Luna asked dreamily yet concernedly towards the blonde.
He shook his head and spoke,
"No, let's discuss this." The others nodded at him then after a moment of silence Ron roared,
"This is bloody insane! Voldemort. Has. A. Bloody. Daughter. I can't-even the thought of him doing those things." He shuddered in horror.
"No use thinking of him and Bellatrix." Harry suppressed his own horror at the thought, "We need to be fully prepared during the Remembrance Day at Hogwarts."
"Based on Hermione's message, it seems she wants to make herself known and create panic. So, she's as narcissistic as her parents." Ginny scoffed angrily.
"Voldemort and Bellatrix. She is a deadly combination. If not for Hermione, we would not have known this and completely be taken by surprise." Neville added solemnly.
"Our next move would be to find out everythingabout her including Death Eaters that supports her. Share this with your right and left hand people." Harry said as the members nodded at him and after another discussion decided that this will be all for the night. It has certainly been a long day.
(1) Vestigium : Marking
(2) Ut faciam tibi, plantae, parere me : Plants obey me
(3) Exitium sui : Self destruct yourself
(4) Infrigere : To breach
(5) Vi Spectrum : Force Apparition
A/N : THANK YOU FOR THE WARM WELCOME READERS! AND THANK YOU FOR STILL READING THIS STORY :D
In regards to @Dark-Supernatural-Angel question, yes, the Big Seven knows each other's right and left hand people. Their right and left hand people know each other too and they sometimes have their own meetings separate from the Big Seven.
Also, about Delphini, just an info but she is NOT an OC. She is canon based on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Because I truthfully just found out about her...a week ago. I'm sorry! I really need to update myself with the Potter world! This is just me but I try to not have OC on my character that has a major effect. I prefer to develop many of J. K Rowling's side characters :D
Oh! Furthermore, I have a question for my readers. What do you think of a prequel story for Shunned and Spurned? Like how the Big Seven was established? Why they choose their specific left and right hand people? Including how Draco and Hermione came to be? Leading up to the final battle with Voldemort and Horcrux hunt? It'll be set at the end of the 5th Year?
So, PREQUEL? YES OR NO?
Your thoughts! Sound off and review please :D