XIV. International Magical Cooperation
Later that morning, Severus and Vivienne met with Dumbledore in his office, not only to go over what had happened the day before in the Hog's Head, but also to see what information Severus had obtained while at the Death Eaters' hideout. Vivienne listened intently as Severus warned Dumbledore of plans to assassinate Scrimgeour and install Pius Thicknesse, who had been Imperiused, as the new Minister. He glossed over the torture he had received, simply stating that Voldemort had been none too pleased at the news that three of his Death Eaters had been apprehended. As his story drew to a close and their eyes turned to her, Vivienne found herself not wanting to relive those moments from the day before. So mad was she that Severus had to suffer for what dregs of information he could bring back, that people like Bellatrix Lestrange should find acceptance and even revelry among peers who were as barmy as she, or that their entire philosophy condemned the lives of millions of people simply for an incidence of birth, that she could not sit still any longer. Standing abruptly, Vivienne strode over to the fireplace, wringing her hands at the madness of it all. And wondering... As quickly as she could, she rattled off the story again.
"I see," said Dumbledore thoughtfully. Vivienne spared a glance at Severus, who smiled thinly as he reached for her hand to comfort the obviously distraught witch. "Then I suppose I should congratulate you both. It appears your curse is broken, my dear."
The two glanced somewhat sheepishly back at the old wizard before looking back at each other, the truth plainly evident on their faces. Remembering the idea that had been plaguing her a moment before though, Vivienne frowned again.
"Dumbledore," she began, thinking out loud, "I am fully aware how you feel regarding anything of dark origins in magic. But why have you or the Ministry never considered or attempted to bind his magic? Or draw it out of him, even if it meant going against his will? He, the ringleader of this sick pack of dogs? Were we to make an example of him, drain him of every ounce of black magic he could produce, the rest would be easier to round up, would they not?"
Severus simply stared at her for a moment, "what magic is this? How in the world would we begin--"
"This has only been done once before. It's a very old magic, Severus," Dumbledore said, still gazing intently at Vivienne, "but one that would require him to be cornered as it were. We would, in effect, have to know his whereabouts, and though Severus knows, there is a Fidelius Charm upon the place. He cannot tell us."
Severus looked despondently back at Vivienne before she uttered a shocked gasp. "But that is--she did say--that is...is he not at the Manor? The Malfoy's manor house?"
Severus started, standing bolt upright and looking completely aghast. "By god woman! She told you?"
"That is where she said they were taking me. 'Back to the Manor.' Is he not there?"
"Yes," he said lamely, "yes, he is. She must have been his Secret Keeper. Why in the world would he do such a thing? He, who trusts no one."
Dumbledore, rose, looking triumphant as he strode over to the fireplace. "No matter why he did it, foolish as it was. Apparently he mistook her utter slavish devotion for a lack of arrogance. But the thing can be done. Severus! Who is at residence there at this time?"
"Er, besides the Dark Lord... Pettigrew, Dolohov, and Narcissa."
"And the protection he has about the place?"
"Now that the Fidelius Charm is broken, merely an anti-apparition spell, anti-portus spell, and a magic detection spell at a radius of a kilometer out."
Dumbledore rested a hand on the mantle as he gazed into the fire. "Then they would not be able to leave by portkey...unless he lowers the enchantments himself, which would buy us time. We will have to use an anti-disapparition spell as well and go in already in position. Likewise, we shall have to prepare to be bombarded when he summons any Death Eaters to fight when he detects us moving in... We will need a rather large stone..."
At this point he was merely thinking to himself, yet he turned to face the two still seated, a light of jubilance upon his face. Fawkes gave a trill of song as he turned back and leaned in, tossing a handful of Floo powder into the fire.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley. If you would be so kind as to inform Rufus that I would like to speak with he and Gawain Robards," Dumbledore said, his head appearing as though it were engulfed in green flame. "I believe I have a way that at last we may work together on a rather important matter. Thank you."
With that, he pulled his head back out of the flames and brushed himself off before settling again behind his desk and conjuring two more chairs. Within minutes, the flames erupted again to emit both Rufus Scrimgeour and Gawain Robards. Dumbledore wasted no time in apprising them of the situation and their tentative plan. Both men sat for a moment in contemplative silence.
"We will need to disconnect the Floo network from the manor, of course, and I should like to see if the French ministry can afford us any more Aurors," said Scrimgeour thoughtfully. Yet already his face was set determinedly and alight with what Vivienne was sure he felt was imminent victory. "If there is nothing else I may help with, gentlemen, lady, I will get back to the office. Robards, I shall remain there this evening and expect you or a senior Auror to brief me as soon as you can."
"I will get on that, and round up all our Aurors and brief them as to the plan. Dulac, if you would, perhaps contact your Ministry and see what other reinforcements, if any, they may part with for this evening."
"Of course, sir. If I may, my father is now retired, but he would certainly help out if need be."
Robards nodded curtly. "We shall need all hands. Make he and any others aware that we will rendezvous one kilometer south from Malfoy Manor at approximately seven-thirty this evening. I shall send young Weatherby through the Floo with appropriate maps to aid in apparition." He nodded once more before striding stone-faced back through the fireplace.
***
Throughout the rest of the morning, preparations were well underway. In addition to two more visits from Robards and Scrimgeour to iron out the final plans, Vivienne was pleasantly surprised when her father Flooed back through with her after she came to ask for his help. He secured two more old Auror friends of his, Louis Blriot and Bernard Clairvaux to assist. She was surprised further still when Severus greeted him.
"Bonjour, Monsieur Dulac, je vous en prie," said Severus, striding forward to shake hands as Vivienne sputtered behind him.
"Moi aussi. Guillaume Dulac, s'il vous plat. Severus, non?" said Vivienne's father, smiling at the man he had heard so much about.
"Tu parles franais?" she asked incredulously, looking from her father back to Severus.
"Mais, bien sur," said Severus with a smug grin. "Je travaille avec Albus Dumbledore. Il parle des centaines des langues. J'ai d apprendre quelque chose."
Vivienne could scarcely contain the urge to stamp her foot in frustration at the number of times he had harassed her about lapsing into French. Before she could make a retort, however, Severus and Guillaume Dulac were well into a spirited conversation.
***
It was nearing sundown hours later, that Vivienne, Tonks, Severus--who had been entrusted with Gryffindor's sword-- and Dumbledore walked across the school grounds in the fading light. Dumbledore had entrusted Minerva with running the school for the rest of the evening and had stationed Molly, Percy, Bill and Charlie around the castle and within Hogsmeade as an extra precaution. As soon as Dumbledore's group exited the gates, they were met by Proudfoot and Dawlish, and together they all apparated to the rally point. The game was officially afoot.
Hagrid and Grawp, both unable to apparate, traveled by portkey to the location. Grawp had been entrusted to carry a rather large boulder made of gneiss, specifically because of its porous qualities. It was the stone which would absorb the magic and, as it was earthen, would help to neutralize some of the darkness. No sooner did they all arrive just outside the one kilometer mark then they found Robards already instructing a large group of where exactly to apparate. The rest of the Aurors and Order members, plus a Hit Wizard, Alastor Gumboil, were to surround the four main wizards needed for the spell. As soon as he made the assignments, Dumbledore addressed the crowd, as he and the other officials had decided it best to show solidarity through the mission.
"Thank you all for coming and supporting each other in this endeavor," he said, as the men and women fell silent. "It is absolutely imperative that we proceed as thus: myself, along with Arthur, Lupin, and Dawlish, will apparate to the northernmost point, followed by Kingsley at the east, Moody at the south, followed by Severus at the west. All of them have been familiarized with the spell and will proceed through it no matter what else goes on. It is of the utmost importance that they be protected until the deed is done. Once finished, should they need to assist as well, they will do so. You should be prepared almost as soon as we apparate in to be inundated from behind with Death Eaters, as he will most certainly summon them to his side once he realizes what we're about. I will be placing an anti-disapparation and anti-portus spell each on the grounds within the one kilometer radius before we fly in. He will not be able to leave, and will likely lower the enchantments to allow the Death Eaters to move in--which will allow us access as well--yet as soon as the other spells have taken effect his magic will be extracted and he will no longer pose a threat. Worse will be his men come to defend him, and that is where you all come in. Given the wide scope of the circle, to help us close ranks, the house elves of Hogwarts have endeavored to join us. As there are hundreds of them ready to fight, that should suffice. We start as one, one kilometer out, and move in as one toward the apex. Are there any questions before I continue?"
Silence, a few headshakes.
"Now, once I give the signal, we fly in. Everyone has a broomstick?" All those present nodded or raised them above their heads. "He will surely be lowering the enchantments to allow himself out as we come in once he realizes he cannot apparate away, so be ready to hop on and ride to your destinations. By the time he can, however, it will be too late."
Vivienne wondered briefly what Voldemort was doing at that moment, completely unaware of the group that was readying themselves for a stand so close by. With a wave of his hand though, Dumbledore urged the groups to split according to who was going to be guarding which member of the circle. She moved to flank Kingsley with Proudfoot, Tonks, and Williamson while other Aurors and Order members stood with Dumbledore, Moody, and Severus. Any others remaining would be filling out the circle as they all apparated to their destinations. For a few tense minutes after they arrived at the spot, all she could hear was their breathing as they all stood with their brooms hovering, watching the sun's last rays sliding down in the west. All of a sudden, red sparks flew in the air to the north and they launched themselves onto their brooms, streaking toward the Malfoy estate. The foursome dismounted quickly, tossing their brooms aside as Kingsley took his position, wand raised. Vivienne and the others fanned out beside him and could now hear Dumbledore's voice off to the right. She raised an eyebrow, ready for anything, as a set of curtains twitched at the second floor window.
Dumbledore raised his wand, holding both arms above his head. "Extrahe!" he commanded, raising his hands even further into the air as if conducting a symphony. A great black mass, as a dense mist with a single swirl of gray, rose up above the white stone manor. The earth under their very feet began to tremor as wizards began apparating in. Suddenly house elves swarmed around them, seemingly out of nowhere, separating the circle from the intruders, Grawp let out an almighty roar as he dropped the boulder near the center of the circle and began swinging his huge arms, knocking aside Death Eaters left and right. It appeared Voldemort had lost his chance to fight by lowering the enchantments to allow his reinforcements in. His magic was coursing through the air above the house. "Transfere!" screamed Shacklebolt, directing the mist with his wand toward the boulder, which cracked as Yaxley rushed toward the circle, only to be fended off by a very sober Winky. With a snap of her fingers he was hoisted into the air and his wand swooped into her tiny hand. "You is a bad bad wizard!" she said, conjuring a cane branch and swiping at him like a piata. Vivienne watched tensely as part of the circle while around her Aurors and Death Eaters alike slashed and flicked, hurling curse and countercurse. Dawlish and Williamson rushed by to aid Proudfoot, who was fighting three at once. One, a huge blond wizard, was lifted off his feet by the force of a curse as she saw her father run past, taking him out from behind. A flash of green caught her peripheral vision as she saw Greyback fall to the ground at Gumboil's feet.
Meanwhile, the mass was swirling, funneling over to the stone and seeping into it. The fight continued in earnest all about the four wizards as Vivienne, sensing the need for more diversion, spun, siphoning the water from a nearby pond with a flick of her wrist. "Gelare!" she shouted as with another flick, the streams of water hardened to blades of ice the size of stalagmites and sung through the air toward each Death Eater. Behind her the last dregs of the murky mist leaked into the boulder, turning it black as Moody shouted, "cape!" the fissure in the stone closed. Finally, Severus raised the blade, slicing into the scarred rock exclaiming, "obsigna!" In unison the four of them shouted, "in persona nobilis et fidelis!" At their words the stone and sword glowed gold, fully defusing the evil enclosed there and sealing it in before the fissure around the sword closed, trapping it solidly. He gave one tug, then nodded resolutely. It was stuck fast, as was the magic contained therein. With that, he and the other members of the circle spun on the spot and joined the fray.
Notes:
Guillaume is the French equivalent to William. I named Vivienne's father after William the Conqueror (of Normandy). Louis Blriot was the first airman to cross the English channel, and Bernard Clairvaux was a monk/soldier who led the second Crusade. Now for the translations:
"Bonjour, Monsieur Dulac, je vous en prie." = Hello, Mr. Dulac, it's a pleasure/pleased to meet you
"Moi aussi. Guillaume Dulac, s'il vous plat. Severus, non?" = And I as well. William Dulac (of the lake, if you must have it all translated), please. Severus, right?
"Tu parles franais?" = You speak French?
"Mais, bien sur. Je travaille avec Albus Dumbledore. Il parle des centaines des langues. J'ai d apprendre quelque chose." = Of course. I work with Albus Dumbledore. He speaks hundreds of languages. I had to learn something.