Slytherin Dorms. Near Midnight.
Blaise carefully exited the common room, intent on heading to the kitchen for the fifth night in a row. Blaise shook his head, trying to forget the nightmare that woke him up. He nearly vomited as he looked down at his hands and saw, for a split second, bright red blood flowing through his fingertips. He knelt on the ground, lightheaded and dry heaved. Nothing but spittle came out thankfully. Blaise quickly stood back on his feet and made his way down to the kitchens. He faced a portrait of a fruit bowl and tickled the pear. The pear giggled and turned into a green handle. Blaise yanked it open and entered the kitchen. Blaise stumbled and made his way to a small kitchen table. Even this late, there were House-Elves cleaning and preparing for breakfast. Several saw Blaise and one made its way by Blaise.
"Does young Master need anything?"
"Just give me a bottle of Firewhiskey please," Blaise whispered.
The House Elf frowned but quickly retrieved the drink with two empty glasses. Blaise opened the bottle and poured himself a generous amount. The fiery liquor burned his throat but Blaise welcomed the pain. It made his mind forget the haunting stare of Crabbe and Goyle before he shot them. How two small twitches of his fingers ripped the life out of two of his schoolmates that he had known for five years. The sheer callousness and numbness of emotion needed to simply execute them. In that moment that he had Crabbe and Goyle kneeling in front of him, staring up at him and hoping for a chance at mercy, Blaise simply pulled the trigger.
Blaise knocked down another generous amount of whiskey, smiling dimly as he felt the alcohol cloud his thoughts. He poured another glass but stopped when he heard another voice.
"Again here Blaise?"
Blaise turned to see Corvo watching him. Blaise stumbled to his feet and stood at attention.
"Sir!"
"Easy there Blaise. Take a seat and pour me one as well," Corvo said. Blaise nodded and poured two glasses of whiskey. Corvo swallowed a generous amount but eyed Blaise as he knocked the large amount of whiskey down his throat.
"You feel guilty right? And you're having nightmares huh?"
Blaise nodded. Corvo sighed.
"I had that problem too. My first kill was when I was thirteen and I was a mess. Yet I manage."
"How?"
"The thing with the Unforgivables is that you need real intent to use them. Crabbe and Goyle were dumb as a bag of hammers. However they were able to use the curse meaning that they truly enjoyed causing pain. Idiotic bullies now but they can grow into idiotic monsters whose only desires are pain."
Blaise nodded. Tipsy he may be, Corvo's words seemed to clear the miserable cloud that fogged Blaise's mind.
"You know it was right to kill them, yet you cannot see the reason. Let me give you a reason. You saved my girlfriend from more pain. Furthermore you saved Tracey. From what Daphne told me, Tracey would have become seriously injured if you had not intervened. Because of you, Tracey is not a catatonic or moody person. She won't forget the pain and fear. But hopefully after some time passes, she'll become the same girl that loves to annoy us."
Corvo filled Blaise's glass.
"For such monsters like Crabbe and Goyle, a quick death is the best mercy. The other fate for such monsters is to go mad under the dementors. So pick up you glass for the saved future innocents and go to bed," Corvo said. "We have school tomorrow."
Blaise gave Corvo a small smile and raised his glass.
"To ya long life and a feathery future!"
Blaise swallowed the large amount of whiskey. He stood straight with a goofy smile on his face before falling off his chair, shit-faced drunk. Corvo chuckled and waved his hand. Blaise's body began to float and hover. Corvo grabbed Blaise's pajama and pulled his body back to the Slytherin dorm. Corvo laid Blaise back in his bed before going off to his own bed. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.
"Oooh. My head."
"Can't say I didn't expect it. You knocked back nearly a whole cup of firewhiskey in less than 30 minutes."
Blaise sat unsteadily on the long bench. He glanced at the amount of food around him and nearly puked. He decided to just close his eyes and wait until the world stopped spinning. Corvo chuckled and poured Blaise a glass of water and mixed in spoonful of sugar. He pushed it to Blaise. He also got Blaise's plate and filled it with eggs, bacon, and fruits.
"Drink. Your body needs water. Once you feel a little better, eat something."
Blaise nodded and drank the glass of water. Corvo looked into his bag and made sure that he had his books for today's subjects. To his surprise he found a bottle of muggle painkillers slipped in. He opened it and found a note from Tracey. Corvo chuckled and pulled two pills out for Blaise. Blaise swallowed them gratefully before placing his head back down.
"How's he doing?"
Corvo looked up to see Daphne staring down at Blaise. She slid in gracefully beside Corvo and began to pile on her plate.
"He's undergoing a rough time. The first time is always the worst," Corvo muttered. "He's a strong person. He'll be fine."
"I sure hope so. Malfoy's going to come out of that coma sooner or later and tell people about what you did," Daphne said.
"Even if he'll come out of that coma, he'll be in no shape to speak," Corvo replied lightly. Daphne caught the dark undertone to his voice and her mouth thinned/
"What did you do?"
"A cocktail of magical ingredients and muggle chemicals. I would be very surprised if he managed to wake up before the month is over," Corvo whispered. "His torment will be my weapon. His misery, my gun. His pain, my fire. In short, just a bomb waiting to explode."
"Why?" Corvo's face twisted into an expression of hate.
"He hurt you," Corvo stated. "That's reason enough."
Corvo anger melted as he felt Daphne's hand grip his.
"I always knew that you would come for me."
"Yeah but what if I'm too late?"
"You won't be. No matter what you may think, you are my knight in shining armor," Daphne whispered. She glanced at Corvo's dubious glance. "Well one in a suit and gun."
A loud retching noise was heard and they turned to see Tracey dry heaving.
"The atmosphere is so sweet that its making me sick.
Just then, Blaise vomited. Tracey giggled and rubbed Blaise's back.
"See, he even agrees with me. Don't you handsome?"
Blech!
"See? Even your right-hand man agrees!"
"Mr. Corleone, may we have a word?"
Corvo turned around to see Albus Dumbledore, Delores Umbridge, and Severus Snape looking at him. Corvo smirked, knowing full well why he was called out.
"May I help you?"
"Come to my office please. We have much to discuss," Albus said.
"Well Malfoy. What did you find out about this Godfather person?"
Malfoy trembled as he bowed his his head.
"Milord forgive me! Not only has practically no one heard of him but also, he now has support of the Ministry. I tried to ask Fudge and others about him. However, it seems that Fudge is adamant about leaving him alone. He had me thrown out by the Aurors."
Voldemort frowned. "Interesting. Malfoy, do you at least know one of their hideouts?"
"Yes sir. It seems the Godfather has set up a small club at the location of what was formerly Borgin and Burkes."
"Borgin and Burkes? What happened to all of the artifacts inside?"
"I am not sure milord."
Voldemort's face twisted in anger and he pointed his wand at Malfoy.
"Crucio!"
Malfoy screamed in pain. Voldemort held the curse for a bit longer before releasing it.
"You will take our Death Eaters and ransack the place. Capture anyone inside and bring them to me. I will use them to find out where this Godfather is hiding."
"At once milord."
Malfoy practically ran out of the throne room. Voldemort sat back against his chair and closed his eyes. Borgin and Burkes was a treasure trove of Dark artifacts, many of them which could be used against his enemies well. However it was the tomes that the Dark Lord was interested in. Many of them contained secrets to the Dark Arts that had been lost for many years. Some of which could have been Slytherin's own texts. It was this knowledge he needed to cement his reign of England and remain immortal.
Voldemort pounded his fist against the throne. That man. He had thrown a wrench in his plan. Dumbledore he could deal with. The Ministry he could handle. But this man. He had no idea who he is, what's his motives, how he thinks. And yet this man seems to know him. Voldemort ground his teeth. The more he found out about this Godfather, the better. Before this man's power could challenge his.
Corvo followed the professors to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore spoke the password to the gargoyle and revealed a stone staircase that led into his office. Once they were in his office, Albus sat behind his desk while the other two teachers sat on either side of Corvo. Corvo sat in the chair in front of Albus, his face completely emotionless.
"Mr. Corleone, one of our students has been put in the Hospital Wing due to severe injuries. Also two of his friends were found dead in the dungeons with what appeared to be bullet wounds in their heads," Albus stated. He stared at Corvo waiting for a reaction. However, Corvo's only emotion he could read was boredom.
"Well sir, with all due respect, you need to increase your security. There are so many abandoned hallways and corridors that I would not be surprised if there were more abandoned bodies lying around," Corvo replied.
"Do you have any knowledge as to why you are here?" Dumbledore asked. Corvo frowned.
"Do you honestly think I am that stupid? You obviously think I was the one that murdered Crabbe and Goyle and put Malfoy in the Hospital Wing."
"We never stated that it was Crabbe and Goyle that were murdered, Mr. Corleone," Snape said triumphantly. Corvo snorted.
"I live in the same dorm as Malfoy and his two goons, I think I can put two and two together," Corvo replied. "Malfoy rarely is alone with anyone except his two henchmen. Nearly everyone in the Slytherin dorms knew that he and his goons were absent because we could not hear his whiny rant at precisely 2200 hours that night."
"However only you have a history of physical confrontation with Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore countered. Corvo nodded.
"True sir. However Malfoy provoked me into an argument. When I said how his mother was a money grabbing whore that pumped him out, he ordered his henchmen to attack me. I defended myself," Corvo stated. "While your opinion may pity the weak, he was at fault. I just won the fight."
"His two friends were found dead because of gunshot wounds. I forbid the knowledge of muggle firearms from our teachings so the fact remains that a mugglebor or half-blood must have done it," Dumbledore stated.
"While I may be half-blood, that does not prove anything. Malfoy made a lot of enemies in his time here. Once muggleborn or half-blood could have just smuggled a gun in his trunk and waited until it was the right time, kill Crabbe and Goyle, and beat Malfoy until he was satisfied. Also there is the fact that it could have been made to look like a muggle-born had done it. A transfigured thin spike to stab into the head with a small piece of smashed lead near the exit wound. Bludgeoning hexes until Malfoy was beaten into a pulp. There are many different ways to kill aside from the Killing Curse. All it takes is some imagination," Corvo said. Dumbledore stared at Corvo in the eye, sending out a mental probe. To his surprise, he could sense nothing. It was like trying to mind read and empty well. Corvo's smile grew slightly wider, making Dumbledore full well that Corvo was aware of what Dumbledore was doing.
Inwardly, Snape and Dumbledore were fuming. They knew that Corvo had done the deed, yet they could not pin him. Madam Umbridge coughed.
"I suggest we have him tried under full court of law Albus," Umbridge suggested. "I'm sure the Minister would make a suggestion since two heirs of minor Houses were murdered while an heir of a prestigious family was brutally and deliberately attacked."
"You have no evidence. Nothing substantial, just assumptions," Corvo said.
"We'll find something I'm sure," Umbridge replied airily. Corvo frowned.
"If you try to frame me, it will only end up bad. Do not think I would just take it lying down," Corvo stated. He stood up and strode towards the door. He took a look at Dumbledore and smiled.
"Y'know, if you were the one that raised me instead of the Dursleys, you might have molded me into the perfect tool. Yet you placed me in an abusive home hoping to soften me. Funny how that plan backfired."
Corvo opened the door, leaving the three professors fuming in rage. As he walked down, Corvo chuckled.
"All according to plan. Too damn easy."
Knockturn Alley 0100
Terrence was in a room inside the Raven's Coven, staring at the security cameras. He had them set on thermal, waiting to see if there was a threat coming. The cameras were not only placed in front of the club but also all around the two alleys making it possible to watch all of Diagon and Knockturn Alley at once. Terrence turned away from the screens and checked his computer monitors to see who was active and awake. With the new shipment of weapons that had come in, there were 60 mobsters, not counting the three Lupos that had arrived. Terrence shuddered. Those Lupos gave him the creeps, always staring from under those long brimmed hats. While the Lupos were not really on any duty, the 60 mobsters were divided into 10 men shifts every 4 hours, keeping an alert guard if there was ever an attack. Terrence chuckled. He doubted that there would ever need all the mobsters if there was an attack. The Lupos would just shred them apart. Them and their raptors.
A monitor beeped. Terrence looked up to see a large group of masked individuals coming their way. Terrence quickly tallied them up as another group appeared in the middle of Knockturn Alley. Another quick tally and he turned on his radio.
"Hey we got 28 wizards heading our way, all of them wearing hoods and masks."
Down at the front desk, a Lupo by the name of Lee picked up the radio.
"Understood. Are we to eliminate them?"
Terrence quickly typed in the computer, searching of Corvo's orders.
"Terminate them. Leave only one alive to send as a message."
"Roger." Lee quickly pressed a knot at the bar, sending an alarm through the club. Immediately, 10 men arrived at the door front, armed to the teeth with AK-47s. Lee himself went to the back and strode over to the raptor pen. His raptor, a large 7 foot tall raptor named Sawtooth, approached him. Lee eyed the raptor fearlessly until the raptor nudged his hand. Lee smiled as he petted the raptor on the nose.
"C'mon buddy. It's time."
The raptor nodded and bent its knees. Lee quickly placed the harness and saddle on Sawtooth, making sure the device would not impede the raptor's claws or neck. Lee hauled himself onto the raptors' back. Once he was settled, Lee tapped Sawtooth's side twice. The raptor gave a fierce screech and ran out the back. Lee held himself tightly on the handle while the buckles on his legs held him on the seat, allowing for free hands. He reached in his coat and pulled out a radio.
"Coming around the back with a raptor. Make sure you have the flashbangs out on my mark."
Sawtooth went around and saw the wizards massing at the front of Raven's Coven. Lee raised his radio.
"Now!"
Ten flashbangs were thrown and exploded simultaneously. The wizards began to blindly stumble around, confused and dazed at the sudden noise and light. Sawtooth screeched loudly and pounced on the nearest wizard, ripping the poor victim's throat out. Lee pulled out his sawn-off shotgun and fired both barrels, severely injuring three nearby wizards. By now, Lee could see several of his men flooding out of the club and unleashing the bullets on the wizards. Many of the wizards were mowed down in an instant. By now, the shock had worn off and the small number of remaining wizards had conjured a stone wall to defend themselves from the gunfire. Lee tossed a flash bang over the wall and followed the flash bang with a cooked grenade. The grenade sent several wizards flying, leaving only three unharmed. The mobsters quickly surrounded the three surviving wizards and pointed their guns at them.
"Get them inside in the cells. We'll deal with them later. Any wounded on the ground, make sure they're fed to the raptors," Lee stated. With impressive efficiency, the Alley was quiet and empty again. The only thing remaining were the bloodstains on the ground and the scorch smiled as he closed the clubs doors. More blood will be spilled. Except this time, he wasn't on the losing side.
Back at Hogwarts, Corvo was enjoying dinner with his close friends. By now, Blaise had recovered from his hangover well. His normal stoic attitude returned and he was chatting politely with Tracey. Corvo turned back to Daphne and fed her a piece of fruit. He blushed as she licked the small piece of fruit slowly and sensuously.
"Geez Daphne, don't do that."
"Why, is it making you uncomfortable?" she asked, mischievously.
"Um yeah," Corvo replied bashfully. Daphne giggled.
"Really. Then watch this."
Daphne ate another piece of fruit. However the manner she did ate the piece of banana almost made Corvo break out in a and Tracey chuckled as Corvo turned extremely bright red and clenched his nose.
"Jesus Christ. Now I can never look at a banana again."
Daphne giggled again. It was endearing how she was able to make a ruthless crime boss into putty just by eating.
Bang!
The doors to the Great Hall slammed open. Everyone in the Great Hall watched as Madam Umbridge marched down towards the Slytherin Table, accompanied by four Aurors. She stopped in front of Corvo and opened a scroll.
"By the authority as Senior Undersecretary of the Minister of Magic, you are arrested for the murder of two students and the assault on another. Aurors take him away!"
Corvo glared at Umbridge as he slowly stood up. He turned to an Auror who was holding a pair of shackles.
"One moment please."
The Auror nodded. "Take your time son."
Corvo smiled gratefully and turned to Daphne.
"I'll be out soon. Don't you worry."
Daphne smiled. "I'm not. Go give em hell, Corvo."
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Corvo smiled widely.
"I'll see you soon. Blaise take care of them. Don't be afraid to ask our friends."
Blaise nodded. "Good luck sir."
"Luck has nothing to do with it. It's all part of the plan," Corvo mouthed. Corvo turned back to the Auror and pointed at the shackles.
"I'll do it myself, sir."
The Auror nodded as Corvo shackled himself. The Aurors marched Corvo out of the hallway. As he left the Hall, he put a impudent smile on his face, not unlike the smile Fred and George often had before a prank. Dumbledore cursed inwardly. Corvo knew this would happen. Now with this arrest, it will only end badly not only on the Ministry but himself as well.
At the same time this was happening, a hooded student tied a letter to an owl. The owl hooted as it flew through the night sky to London. After some time flying, the owl swooped down on the Daily Prophet's headquarters. The owl flew threw an open window and dropped a letter on the Chief Editor's lap. The man looked at the thick envelope and opened it curious. His eyes widened as he read the information. He immediately pulled out a piece of parchment and began writing the morning's next news.
Harry Potter Speaks Out For the First Time! A Life of Neglect and Shame at the Hands of our Heroes!
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