Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.


The Dungeon Books

Chapter Twelve: The Council of All Kindreds

They gathered all around a nondescript outcropping of stone, jutting from the middle of a sufficiently large, more or less circular clearing at the heart of the Forbidden Forest. Humans were granted safe passage under truce, and natural predators and prey set aside their ruling instincts to meet face to face and parley. Bane of the Centaurs was there, and the ailing Aragog of the Acromantulas, assisted by his eldest daughter and successor, Rasag. Murkus of the Mer-Folk floated in a glittering protective bubble next to Rubeus Hagrid and his full-sized half-brother, Grawp. Griphook and Gornuk of the Goblin Nation eyed the human contingent with thinly veiled distrust, while Kreacher of House Black and the Elves of House Malfoy waited demurely but excitedly a few paces behind their chosen human clans.

Cornelius Fudge was no longer Minister of Magic: the debacle at the Department of Mysteries had sealed his fate, and the very next day the pompous man was unceremoniously sacked by the Wizengamot. In his place stood Rufus Scrimgeour, the robust former Head of Magical Law Enforcement. That post had gone to Scrimgeour's deputy, Kingsley Shacklebolt, who towered from the new Minister's right side. Scrimgeour's left flank was covered by Madam Amelia Bones, new Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Albus Dumbledore had not fared well after the battle at the Ministry either; like Fudge, he too was summarily dismissed from all his leadership posts, including that of Headmaster of Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall had assumed that mantle, and she too stood among the human contingent, flanked by her colleagues and the members of the Order of the Phoenix. Among these, Remus Lupin drew the most attention: he was robed in what was unmistakably an animal's pelt. This was the peace offering of the werewolves; as proof of their severance of all ties with Voldemort, the lycanthropes had turned on one of their pack mates: Fenrir Greyback, hater of humans and Death Eater wannabe. Like prey he had been brought down at the last full moon, and his hide torn from his flesh; the rather gruesome garment was sent to Lupin in time for the Council.

Facing the Order members, Headmaster Igor Karkaroff of Durmstrang Academy struggled not to fidget: he came not as representative of his school but as spokesmen for those Death Eaters who had turned from Voldemort, sick of the madness and the danger to their families. Behind Karkaroff formed that funereal company, clad in their thick black cloaks and lurid pale masks, their wands floating at arm's length, horizontally, harmlessly: to parlay they were required not to dissemble. With them stood their families, those not Marked with heads uncovered: the youngest attendants to the gathering could be discerned there, the young scions of that rancid aristocracy. Seeking their own comfort, they had clustered around Draco Malfoy, who did his best to inspire a security he did not, could not feel, with all their shameful secrets bared so brutally to such an unlikely and fearsome company. In a gesture which did not go unnoticed, the younger Weasley children broke ranks and marched across the clearing to stand with their beleaguered schoolmates. The move triggered a minor stampede, as the flushed adults hastened to echo their charges. It was the signal the other kindreds were waiting for: as soon as all humans stood together, a piercing trill called the Council to attention.

All eyes sought the source of the melodious call, and they spied it upon the highest branch of the tallest tree nearby. Fawkes the phoenix descended like a comet and came to a rest upon the large boulder at the center of the clearing, the Council Rock. The flaming bird trilled again, and a rumbling as of an earthquake answered. Indeed the soil quivered under feet and other appendages, making the motley company struggle to keep their balance. More than one breath hitched when the reason for the commotion became clear: Brehas of the Serpents, Guardian of Hogwarts, had left his lair at the phoenix's summons, and his ponderous bulk now slithered toward the place of meeting. The general restiveness was quelled as soon as the great serpent's head cleared the trees: the fatal orbs, averted so the basilisk's neck was vulnerably exposed, was the ultimate olive branch.

Brehas coiled himself at a prudent distance, in deference to his ancient enemies. Another reptile, however, continued until its glistening coils were loped around the Council Rock, and the triangular head rested beside Fawkes's talons. Tomoe the rock python hissed a respectful greeting, and Fawkes trilled an equally warm response, before both joined in yet another summons. This time it was human feet who marched forth, a company of four: Irwin Jones, impressive and fearsome in his battle dress uniform, Muggle weaponry strapped sheathed all about his person; Diane Jones, equally attired but shimmering in and out of view as the Cloak of Invisibility billowed in the evening breeze; another human female, young and supple, exotic features framed by thick, inky black braids, clad in a Healer's emerald robes; and last but not least, the wizard all other humans had been dying for a glimpse of, for the past year and some months.


Harry Potter Jones was easily recognizable, despite having enjoyed the growth spurt of late adolescence and the benefit of intense physical effort. His dark hair still flowed every which way, though tamer now that it cascaded down his back, contained only by a thin braid running the length of his forehead and coming to rest upon his right shoulder, a gleaming raptor's quill tied at its tip. His emerald orbs were as they all remembered, but its depths now hinted at greater inner strength and wisdom, born of self-knowledge and acceptance. Harry had eschewed the garments of a Muggle soldier, but not the weaponry: knife sheaths adorned his arms, legs and torso, and a bow and quiver were slung across his back. As he entered the clearing, he held his wand non-threateningly at arm's length. He came to a stop in front of Fawkes and Tomoe, cleared his throat, and addressed the unlikely assembly.

"Welcome and well met, Peoples of Forest and Mountain, of Air and Flame and the Aquatic and Subterranean Realms, and of my own, Human kin. We are all of one blood, here and now, and long may our association last, for the benefit of all."

In unison all species answered, each in its own voice, and the ensuing cacophony brought itself to a halt as its meaning dawned on all participants. Never before, in the memories of all but the longest lived, had such an enterprise coalesced into reality. Fawkes broke the sudden thrall with another trill.

"Yes, yes, Fawkes, I know." Harry smiled wryly. "My feathered brother reminds me we have limited time, and requests we set aside protocol in favor of expediency. Any objections?"

Murmurs swirled around the clearing, rapid exchanges that slowly melted into general agreement. After each spokes-being noted its approval, Harry continued.

"Very well. Our first order of business comes from my human brethren. I understand Chief Warlock Bones of the Wizengamot has crucial intelligence to share with us. Madam Bones?"

Amelia Bones strode grim-faced toward the Council Rock. At her signal, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks and Alastor Moody also approached. Moody whipped an Invisibility Cloak off a fourth figure with a moue of distaste.

"Here he is, Chief Warlock. The traitor to his own." growled the fearsome, battle-scarred Auror.


The unveiled witness was none other than Albus Dumbledore. Held by magic-dampening chains, the aged wizard seemed to have collapsed on himself. His eyes were dim with grief, his once proud demeanor now broken by shame. Dumbledore sported a black eye, injury which Madam Bones swiftly questioned..

"Why has he not been Healed, Aurors?"

It was Sirius who answered.

"He was, Madam Bones. I fixed that."

"Mr. Black, this is a peaceful gathering! We've all come here under truce!"

"I didn't do it here, Madam." The Animagus turned to the assembly. "This man is a traitor, and worse than a traitor. Not long ago, he wanted his own Order of the Phoenix to murder Harry Jones. He believed my godson to be under the influence of Voldemort, and as such, no longer useful to his grand plan!"

Sirius continued after the chorus of gasps subsided.

"After we sacked him, he seemed to come to his senses. Then, at the Department of Mysteries, after Harry and the rest of us provided him with a clear shot, he let Voldemort go!"

The Animagus whirled on Albus, seizing his former mentor by the collar.

"Care to tell us why, Albus? Why didn't you come when that bastard cursed Emmeline Vance behind her back, after she saved me from Bellatrix Lestrange? Why didn't you blast him into oblivion when you had him in front of you? Why did you betray us, Albus, why?"

"Mr. Black, that is enough!" roared Madam Bones. Sirius forced himself to unhand Albus. The Chief Warlock threw Dumbledore a disgusted glare.

"Mr. Black's questions, however, are legitimate. Thus, you will now submit to examination under Veritaserum. Auror Tonks, if you please."

Albus Dumbledore's confession was illuminating, to say the least. Out poured the entire sordid tale of the aged wizard's association with Tom Marvolo Riddle: Dumbledore had been the one to fetch eleven year old Riddle from a dilapidated orphanage, the one to discover an adolescent Riddle's fascination with the Dark Arts, to suspect his hand in the murder of an innocent Muggle-born schoolmate. Dumbledore had tracked Riddle's quest for power and immortality, uncovered the details of his crimes and kept them quiet. When Riddle emerged as Lord Voldemort, Dumbledore went as far as to welcome him at Hogwarts, albeit for a short visit. Then had come the prophecy and the Potters' tragedy, and Dumbledore's decision to send Harry where he would grow up unloved and therefore pliant to Dumbledore's needs and expectations, ready to be molded into the perfect weapon to bring down the very evil the aged wizard had allowed to flourish.

The entire Council was enthusiastically demanding Dumbledore's hide by the time his despicable narration came to a close.

"WE ALL AGREE HIS LIFE IS FORFEIT, BUT WE MUST KNOW MORE OF THESE HORCRUXES!" thundered Madam Bones at last. She looked meaningfully at Dumbledore once the uproar subsided.

"I have told you all, Madam." The old wizard shook his head mournfully. "Except Horace... he did not give me a true memory."

"Horace Slughorn, the Potions Master?"

At Dumbledore's nod, Madam Bones gave Kingsley Shacklebolt a curt nod.

"I request permission from this Council for these Aurors to arrest one Horace Slughorn and bring him here."

After another moment of noisy conference, the centaur Bane answered.

"You have leave, but make it quick, humans."


Less than fifteen minutes later, a cowering Horace Slughorn struggled against his magical bonds next to Dumbledore. A minute later, he too succumbed to the pull of Veritaserum, and yielded the final piece of the Horcrux puzzle.

"Seven? He split his soul seven times? Merlin!" whispered a decidedly green-looking Mad-Eye Moody, giving voice to the general sentiment.

This time it was Severus Snape who ended the morbid reverie.

"If I may, I think it is time to ascertain the status of the seven vessels." Snape waited for signs of approval before counting off his fingers. "The diary was destroyed four years ago. The Order of the Phoenix has since brought Slytherin's Locket and Ravenclaw's Diadem to Lord Brehas, who destroyed them immediately."

The basilisk nodded. "It is so."

"I understand the serpent, Nagini, has been sentenced to death by her own kin?" inquired Snape at Harry, who was translating the serpent tongue.

Brehas nodded again. "The Slayer shall hunt her down, and none shall answer her ritual cry of kinship."

The young woman in Healer robes stepped forward from her place beside Diane Jones. Once all eyes were on her she seemed to shimmer, and in her place stood a sleek but sturdy mongoose. She clicked her claws and teeth as she reared upon lithe hind legs.

"At the hole where she went in, I shall hunt down Wrinkle-Skin! Woe betide the one called Nagini!"

The girl returned to human form, and facing each envoy to the gathering, bowed. "Do I have the favor of this Council?"

The response, again in a myriad voices, was unanimously in the affirmative.

Harry stepped forward then, casually draping an arm around the svelte Animagus's shoulders, a gesture of endearment not lost on the human contingent. The young Healer brushed a kiss against Harry's cheek before returning to her spot, garnering more raised eyebrows. Harry cleared his throat, emphatically waving aside the distraction.


"It is well met, my friends." declared Harry. "Only three pieces of the Abomination to destroy. I believe my godfather, Sirius Black of the Order of the Phoenix, can help us there. Sirius?"

The Animagus strode forward, his wand raised as if guiding something. Sirius canceled a Disillusion Charm to reveal Lucius Malfoy, whole but immobilized, floating in midair.

"Finite Incantatem." cast Sirius, and moved aside.

Lucius came to with a start, and made to bolt when he saw his wife and son throw themselves at him.

"Cissy? Draco? What is this? Where?"

"This is the Council of All Kindreds, and we are within the Forbidden Forest. You have nothing to fear, Mr. Malfoy." said Harry, extending a hand to help the blond to his feet.

"Jones? This is your doing, then?" stammered Lucius.

Harry chuckled. "Not mine alone, never. I've only helped a bit." He shook his head a Lucius's questioning eyebrow. "Not so much, with you. That was all Draco, your wife, Professor Snape... and Sirius."

Lucius turned helplessly to the Animagus Black. "Why?"

Sirius shrugged. "You're family. How about you share what you know?"

Tonks came forward with the phial of Veritaserum, at a signal from Madam Bones.

"Hufflepuff's heirloom, the golden cup... the Dark Lord entrusted that treasure to Bellatrix, at the same time he gave me the diary. He said they were tokens of his esteem, powerful Dark objects... we were to guard them until he ordered us to strike at his enemies..."

Lucius's shoulders were hunched and his entire frame shook. The huge step the blond had taken, openly betraying his Master, was not lost on Harry, who conjured a goblet with water and offered it to the blond.

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. That was very brave of you. How about you go sit with your family a while?"

Draco and Narcissa helped Lucius back to their spot among the renegade Death Eaters. In a surprisingly open gesture, his comrades received Lucius with pats of approval. Tomoe's coils quivered with delight.

"Well done, my nestlings!"


"Indeed!" agreed Harry. He turned once more to the Council, intent on requesting permission for another Auror operative, when the two spokes-goblins gestured for a turn. Harry moved aside, and the whole clearing fell silent.

"The Goblin Nation had long held itself as aloof as possible from humans. Our history has been long and difficult... many of us felt offended with the results of our last... negotiations. Now, however, it seems humans are growing wise... some of them, at least."

Griphook smirked at Harry, who returned it levelly, earning himself a curt nod.

"When word of this Council reached us, the Elders of the Goblin Nation came together in a council of our own. Long we thought that the one called Voldemort was a problem for wizards alone. A Council had not been called for so long, we decided to come.

"As is the custom, we brought a peace offering. It was decided to change rules, so we did not offer it at the start."

Gornuk had taken an ornate box from a pocket, and opened it at Griphook's pause. Within lay Hufflepuff's golden Cup.

"This was left in our custody, a duty we are sworn never to fail. The Council is greater law, so the Goblin Nation makes an exception. Not to be taken lightly. It is only because it is cursed by this Voldemort, and the Council is against him. Never otherwise."

Gornuk placed the open box before the Rock, and stepped aside. Amid a wave of murmurs, all expressing approval and gratitude, (mostly in the form of fond wishes of prosperity for the Goblin Nation), all around the circle echoed Gornuk's gesture, creating an opening for Brehas to slither his gigantic head through. All backs turned as the great serpent opened his lethal maw to drip poison onto the Horcrux, which promptly sizzled and collapsed on itself with a shrill bloodcurdling cry. Stifling their curiosity, none turned back until the tremor caused by the displacement of the basilisk's bulk had subsided.

"That is four Horcruxes accounted for. Well done, sirs Goblins, Lord Brehas." said Snape.

"May the Aurors and the Order of the Phoenix have permission to hunt down the Gaunt Ring?" requested Harry, fast on the heels of his Head of House.

"As if we could deny you! Be gone, and let the Winged One go with you." spat an impatient Tomoe. Fawkes understood the python's unease—the Gaunt Ring lay hidden in Riddle's home turf—and promptly offered his long tail feathers to Snape, behind whom lined up the chosen warriors: Kingsley, Moody, Tonks, Professor Flitwick, Sirius, Remus, Arthur and Bill Weasley, and the young Healer and mongoose Animagus, Octavia Ríos.