And the poll is closed. The clear winner is 'keep working on Mischief Managed' with 22 of the 38 votes. To all who voted I'd like to say thanks. To all who voted for the winner I say congrats and to those who voted for 'Legacy' I'd like to say I agree it should have won.
Well, onto more important issues. Mischief Managed is about half way done now, the story will end shortly after Fifth Year. Don't think I have anything else to add so, on with the show!
Harry Potter belongs to J K Rowling.
The Norse Gods belong to, em the Norse?
XXX
Fawkes was resting on his perch feeling wretched. He'd have a Burning Day soon and he always felt like crap around them but that was the price one paid for immortality, of a sort. The twit had done something stupid again and Fawkes just knew he'd get to see it blow up in the man's face, with luck it would happen before his Burning and therefore he'd have something to take his mind off the horrible feeling of being old. Fawkes looked towards the door when he sensed a mass of anger, power and fear storm up the stairs. He chirped happily when Snape was forced roughly through the door and landed in a heap on the floor. Fawkes turned back to the door trying to see who had manhandled the greasy twat only to promptly experience his first ever heart attack induced Burning. It was Him.
X
Dumbledore had just enough time to note Fawkes experience a Burning before he was hit by wave upon wave of magically laced rage. Judging from Gilderoy's expression, and murderous intent, Severus most have done something wrong. Dumbledore put on his best 'grandfatherly' face and prepared to pacify the man Dumbledore suspected of being a close to his level, without the Elder wand of course. Speaking of the wand, it seemed to be reacting to the waves of power washing over him. Pulsing a bitter cold through his robes in rhythm. As Dumbledore was putting the final touches to the little speech he'd give to convince Gilderoy to calm done the other man spoke in a tone as cold as a Dementor's breath.
"This man endangered students in a juvenile attempt to make Darren Potter look foolish. Fire him." Lockhart said in an unnaturally calm voice. Dumbledore began to wonder if Gilderoy had a natural affinity for ice based magic as the temperature had dropped several degrees since he'd entered and frost was forming on the windows.
"Perhaps you should start from the beginning and tell me what happened.?" Dumbledore said, silently wondering what Severus had done this time.
Gilderoy began to explain exactly what had happened with the Duelling Club, paying extra attention to Snape's apparent refusal to follow the plan Filius and Gilderoy had come up with. He did pause momentary in his rant against Severus to have a go at Dumbledore for telling Filius to let Severus fill in for him. He mentioned how Severus attempted to seriously harm him while demonstrating the Disarming Spell and than how he deliberately paired up Darren and Draco, two students who despise each other, to demonstrate. Dumbledore felt that Gilderoy was overacting until he heard how Severus had advised young Draco to use certain spells, including 'Serpensortia'.
"While I think you may have been a little harsh with the punishments." the headmaster began slowly. "I can see your point, they were warned and did risk others with their wayward spells." Dumbledore paused to look at Severus who had recovered from his manhandling and taken to standing against one of the walls partly cloaked in shadows, and rather far from Gilderoy. "As for Severus, I'll admit he acted foolishly but I cannot, in fact will not, fire him." Dumbledore saw Severus smirk at Gilderoy as he spoke. Although Gilderoy's comeback wiped the smirk from his face, and worried Dumbledore greatly.
"Then, I'll go above you." came Gilderoy's rather calm, if forced, reply. "The Board of Governors have the power to remove staff members if justifiable reasons are given. And even ignoring tonight, I'm sure I'll be able to get hundreds of cases of favouritism, discrimination and poor safety practices... This year alone."
"While I'll admit Severus can come across as overly generous to Slytherin, I know for a fact he doesn't discriminate against others." Dumbledore began to defend the Potion Master only for Lockhart to cut across him.
"That Mark on his arm begs to differ." Gilderoy snapped. "I was there the day he called Evans a 'Mudblood' in front of half our year. The man discriminates against any not from Slytherin, especially those from Gryffindor and Muggle families." Gilderoy calmed himself before continuing. "I may even push for your removal! Maybe that way we'll get someone who will actually do something about these attacks. Or are you and your old 'friend' Grindelward closer than we thought?"
Dumbledore didn't know what caused it. Was it the threat of being removed? The slight at his preferences? Or that he didn't care for Muggles? Whatever it was, Dumbledore shot to his feet with wand in hand enraged. However as soon as his wand was levelled at Gilderoy, He was banished backwards and disarmed. A small, detached part of his mind noted that Gilderoy Lockhart must have an unbelievable affinity for ice and cold if the severe freezer burn and possible frostbite on his right hand and chest were anything to go by.
"Do Not Threaten Me, Ever!" Gilderoy growled. His eyes flickered to the Elder Wand, lying near his feet. Dumbledore saw as recognition, realisation and confusion briefly passed across the other man's face before he kicked the wand back to it's owner muttering "Elder wood, interesting." With that Gilderoy turned on his heel and felt. At the door he did however report on one other fact about the disaster at the Club. "You'll need to run damage control, other wise people will have Potter pegged as the Heir by breakfast... Boy sure picked a crappy time to reveal he's a Parselmouth."
X
As Loki predicted, rumours of Darren's ancestry had spread like wildfire. The fact that Justin Finch-Fletchley had been petrified less than twenty-four hours after Darren appeared to sick a snake on him did not help. The fact that a ghost had also been affected caused a panic. This panic worked to Loki's advantage when we 'negotiated' with Dumbledore. The old man was despread to prevent him contacting the Governors. He'd also argued in defence of Snape continuing to work at the school but Loki refused to even entertain the notion. The man was a risk to the students and had to be dealt with. Although Loki was forced to admit that replacing him this late in the school year would be difficult and so settled for him being replaced over the summer break. Although in exchange for this concession Loki was given 'Carte Blanche' in dealing with the Chamber, whatever creature was in it and whoever was responsible for opening it.
Nothing else worth noting appeared to occur over the break, apart from the appearance of a 'catgirl' on Christmas Day. Loki laughed himself raw and made a point of sending up a gift basket full of cream and fish with a 'Get Well Soon' card. He also included a small book detailing the historical usage of animal based Polyjuice Potion. All seemed quite after the students returned apart from some minor vandalism in the Gryffindor's tower. At least everything seemed fine until the Gryffindor/Hufflepuff match.
X
Loki had only just sat down when McGonagall came half-marching, half-running onto the pitch carrying an enormous purple megaphone.
"This match has been cancelled." McGonagall repeated through the megaphone over and over again. "All students are to make there way back to there House Common Rooms, where their Head of House will provide further instructions."
Loki was out of his seat and on his way down through the stand before only one else had finished registering what had been said. He caught up with McGonagall as she told Ron and Darren to follow her.
"Minerva, What's happened?" Loki asked breathlessly.
"Another attack. Near the library." Came the weary reply. "It was ms. Granger." Darren and Ron's faces became masks of horror when she named Hermione.
"Is she?" Loki had to ask.
"Petrified. Like the others." She told him as they entered the Hospital Wing. "We found something strange, a small mirror, near her. Do you have any idea why she'd have had it boys?"
"A mirror?" Loki mused. "Why a mirror?" It took Loki a few moments to connect the dots into something that made sense. "Clever girl."
"Did you say something, Gilderoy?" McGonagall asked.
"Yeah, look gotta run. Need to see Silvanus. I think I've worked you why no one's dead." Loki called as he fled the Hospital Wing.
X
Silvanus Kettleburn had more scars than many of the Aesir Loki had fought alongside, and that was saying something. The man did, however, know his creatures.
"The reflection? Retain the power of a Basilisk's stare? Surely you're joking?" The man laughed, as Loki explained his theory.
"Think about it." Loki countered. "The Gorgon is vulnerable to it's reflection because it contains it's power, so why not a Basilisk's stare be as dangerous?"
"Well no one's ever tested it." Silvanus mused, stroking his chin. "Well, how did each victim see a reflection?"
"The cat, Mrs. Norris, was petrified looking into the water from the nearby bathroom. The Prefect, Penelope Clearwater was looking at the tray she was carrying. Mr. Finch-Fletchley was looking through that ghost."
"Nearly Headless Nick." Silvanus supplied.
"Right, him. Ms Granger had a small mirror, checking around corners to avoid it." Loki continued, the events seemed to fit and he just needed someone else to agree.
"It could work... I'd advise you to speak with Hagrid, just to be sure." Silvanus concluded after a moment's consideration.
"Why should I speak with Rubeus?" Loki asked in confusion.
"Well, he knows more about the little beasties than I do, and well..." kettleburn looked nervous. "You know... They say he was responsible last time."
Loki thanked his fellow professor and set off to speak with his second favourite half-giant.
X
Hagrid was in the process of putting a slab of fruitcake on a plate, when there was a knock on the door. Hagrid dropped the fruitcake. Darren and Ron exchanged panic-stricken looks, then threw Darren's invisibility cloak over themselves and retreated into a corner. Hagrid checked that they were hidden, seized his crossbow and flung open the door.
"Good evening, Rubeus." Professor Lockhart said, his normal cheer missing from his voice. "May I come in. I need to ask a few questions about the chamber."
"Now look 'ere, I had nothin' to do with it" Hagrid snapped.
"I know, I know." Lockhart tried to calm the huge man. "But I need to know about what happened last time. Minerva is busy arranging suitable patrols and escorts for the students and the Headmaster is in a meeting. That makes you my best chance of getting these answered and, with look, one step closer to solving this before someone dies again."
"Oh, sorry." Hagrid apologised. "Come in, come in. I'll pop the kettle on."
"I'll get the tea, you just try and remember as many details as you can." Lockhart told him as he stepped in and made his way over to the fire. Just as Hagrid sat down there was another knock at the door. This time it was Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
"Bad business, Hagrid." Said Fudge in a clipped tone. "Very bad business. Had to come Three attacks on Muggle Borns. Things have gone far enough. Ministry's got got act."
As both Hagrid and Dumbledore protested the man's innocence Professor Lockhart finished making the tea.
"Look at it from my point of view." Said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler. "I'm under a lot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn't Hagrid, he'll be back and no more said. But I've got to take him. Got to. Wouldn't be doing my duty..."
"So in other words, it's a publicity stunt." Lockhart cut in as he handed Hagrid and Dumbledore mugs of tea. He than sat on Hagrid's bed and sipped from his own mug. "If this is what our taxes pay for, I want a refund."
"How dare you." Fudge snapped, voice full with shock that someone would say such a thing to his face. Fudge looked like he'd continue but was cut off by a loud rap at the door and Lucius Malfoy entering the hut.
"Already here Fudge." He said approvingly. "good, good."
"What're you doin' here?" said Hagrid furiously. "Get outta my house."
"My dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being in your... er... did you call this a house? Said Lucius Malfoy, sneering as he looked around the small cabin. " simply called at the school and was told the Headmaster was here."
"And what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?" Dumbledore asked. He spoke politely, but there was a fire blazing in his eyes that neither of the boys had ever seen.
"Dreadful thing, Dumbledore." Said Lucius lazily, taking a long roll of parchment out of his pocket. "But the governors feel it's time for you to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension, you'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing your touch. How many attacks have there been now? Another one this afternoon, wasn't there? At this rate there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts and we all know what an awful loss that would be to the school."
"Oh, now, see here, Lucius." Fudge spoke up, looking alarmed. "Dumbledore suspended... No,no... Last thing we want just now..."
"The appointment, or suspension, of the Headmaster is a matter for the governors, Fudge." Said Lucius smoothly.
"More like whoever lines their pockets with gold." Lockhart countered just as smoothly causing Lucius to jump, it seems he hadn't spotted the professor sitting on the bed. Lockhart's comment sparked of something of a stand off between Hagrid, who refused to allow Dumbledore to leave, and Lucius. The stand off only ended when Dumbledore agreed to leave and, with his eyes flickering to where the boys stood hidden, said.
"You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."
With that the adults began to move out of the hut with Hagrid saying that anyone looking for answers should just 'follow the spiders' and that Fang would need feeding.
"I'll see to it personally, Rubeus." Lockhart assured him as he took up the rear of the group. "Dammit, I left my cloak in on the back of the chair. I'll grab it, lock up and follow on up."
Lockhart watched the group move up towards the castle while he cleared the table. Once he was sure they were too far to notice he spoke. "So boys, I trust what you heard will be kept quite?"
A moment passed before Darren spoke up. "Yes sir."
"Good, now stay under that and follow me back up." Lockhart said as he moved towards the door.
XXX
And that is that. Next chapter will see Loki meet the fearsome Basilisk and the end of, well I guess you could call it the current arc. With luck I'll have it up before New Years. Oh, and before anyone says anything, the Grindelward comment was Loki implying that Dumbledore secretly held similar views and was not linked to either man's preferences. Anyway thanks to all who have reviewed or voted. And if you want to comment or ask questions send it to me via review/pm/forum. Well, I think that's everything I've gotta say so, hope you enjoyed the chapter.
This is Highvalour saying bye and thanks for reading.
