I, in no way form or fashion, own anything to do with Harry Potter; except for some really classy boxers. JK Rowling owns this stuff. T
Chapter 14 - Freond or Feond
Harry was able to complete both languages with only a slight headache, not the pounding revenge of arrogance the French series delivered him. He still accomplished what he wanted quicker than he was told, so he was satisfied with that result.
Monday he returned to the office to find out what his schedule would be now that he was finished with the required training.
Ariana was reviewing a report and Robards was not in his office so Harry just went to his cubicle to look through the papers on this desk and in his distribution boxes. He was almost halfway through the pile when Ariana walked up and sat in the second chair.
"Harry, good morning; you have a good week with the language tomes?"
"Actually, I knocked out two last week," she looked at him in surprise, "I did Goblin and Saxon. I have a feeling they will be important sometime in the not so distant future. It gave me a headache, but not as badly as last time. How was your weekend?"
She still continued to look at Harry a bit oddly, but answered, "Good. I had a date this weekend. We went to the shore for a couple of days.
"By the way, next week we have night duty, you wouldn't have to pull shift but you finished training early so you get to start the fun stuff. Basically, we just react to stuff late at night and call in reinforcements when needed. You just learned how to do messaging Patronus Charms so we'll practice it this week.
"I think Robards is considering an early evaluation for you also, but don't say anything yet. This week, aside from that possibility, we're going to look into some strange stuff happening down in Wales. I'm not sure if it's related to the Mulciber incident or something else entirely."
"A week in Cardiff sounds brilliant. If we have time on Thursday can we pop up to Hollyhead, my girlfriend has a shot at the Harpies reserve team during their open tryouts."
Ariana gave a conditional approval to the side trip, based on what else was happening. Harry told her he knew the job came first so that wasn't a problem. Harry was also thinking with all of these happenings in Wales he should check out the Welsh Syllabus tomes, maybe even Gaelic.
The two left after lunch and headed to Cardiff in order to nose about for anything out of the ordinary. Neither read nor understood the national paper which seemed to be filled with 80% consonants. Checking around, everyone could hear they were from London and were reluctant to tell them much. By Thursday, the only thing Harry had discovered was he liked something called Welsh Cawl which was a lamb stew of some type. He ordered it for every meal since discovering it and he liked the taste of unpronounceable ale called Cwrw Hâf, brewed by Tomos Watkin.
Between the language barrier, both spoken and written, and nothing of interest they could understand in pubs, they decided their efforts were a write off and headed to the Quidditch Stadium. Both entered the stadium together and took seats where they could watch the tryouts.
Ginny flew as both a Chaser and as Seeker. She flew nearly as well as the first team Chasers and out flew the Seeker four times out of ten. When the try out was finished Ariana and Harry were making their way to the pitch when Harry noticed a strange, chanting coming from the top seats of the stadium.
Harry looked up towards the disturbing sound and drew his wand. The sound was getting more and more intense. A glamour, a sort of aura, was starting to appear around three men at the top of the stadium.
As the chant came to a crescendo, Harry raised his wand. He understood the words as Old English, Saxon, but not the meaning behind them. As the central figure shouted, "Ablawan!" *death-blow* Harry started firing off spells.
Ariana jumped to the side just as a pulse of energy hit the stairs. Harry stood tall and yelled, "*You shall not kill nor injure these people*"
"*Move aside, this is not your business 'Botm-Edstaƥelian'. We are here for your heart. Not even the 'ierfeweard be Myrddin' can save you in the end.*"
Harry started moving toward the three archaic men, firing spells. Nothing seemed to have a full effect, but the total number of spells Harry shot at the trio were wearing them down, finally they disappear in a flash.
Harry spun in case the trio moved farther towards the other spectators. The crowds were stampeding on the pitch towards an exit so he ran to Ariana and cast charms to heal her wounds and wake her. Once she started to come around, Harry helped her up and then headed to the pitch.
As he exited the seating, he saw a group of healers kneeling near two prone bodies. Harry had a bad feeling. As he drew near he could blood mixed with red hair, his heart stopped for a moment.
Harry rushed to help hoping it wasn't too late, a barely audible, "Ginny.", escaped his mouth.
Meanwhile Ariana, having recovered, headed to the position where the attack had originated, but very slowly. There was a chill in the air, a cold aftermath of evil. There were scraps of papers with ruins written on them scattered all around. All of it looked very old.
Ariana looked onto the pitch and saw Harry kneeling next to a group of healers. She continued to pick up the papers, having picked up all of them she could find she head down to the field. As she approached, she saw Harry helping with healing spells.
Healers decided the two were well enough to move to their magical hospital in Cardiff. Harry looked at Ariana pleadingly, and she nodded her understanding. "I'll go back to the office and ensure Gawain and Arthur know about the attack. I'll let Gawain know you need a day or so here. Meanwhile I have some papers that need to get into evidence and find a translator for these documents."
"If you can get a hold of my friend Hermione, she is great at ancient ruins. She can also keep her mouth shut. She will want the help because of Ginny. I'll write out my report before you get back.
"One other thing, my spells didn't work, I don't know if the word would be well or completely. Whatever or whoever those three are we have a problem. They spoke Saxon, both their spells and their threats were in Ancient Saxon."
"I'll pass it on to Gawain, he'll want to know this."
Both apparated, Ariana to the Ministry and Harry with the healers.
Harry had been waiting for well over two hours without any word. He had finished his report and put it into his backpack. When Arthur and Molly arrived they looked both confused and worried. Then they saw Harry. The faces were filled with mixed feelings.
"Harry, what happened?"
"We don't know yet, some strange wizards just appeared and started chanting in Old English. They fired several spell at Ariana and I. I didn't pay attention to the spells that went over my head and they hit Ginny and the other player. I need to talk with some folks in the office before I start speculating."
"Is she healed yet? Have you heard anything about her status?"
"Nothing, I wrote my report for Robards and Ariana while I waited, but I haven't heard anything from the healers." Another hour passed before the healers came to the waiting room.
"Which of the players are you here about?"
All three popped to their feet, "Ginny, our daughter, the red head. How is she?"
The healer looked questioningly at Harry, he responded, "She's also my girlfriend."
The healer looked at Arthur and Molly for permission to continue, they nodded so she continued, "She is awake, the spell damage took us time to work through. We're still not sure what the spell was, so both ladies are still not fully healed. We still have not heard from anyone who saw the attack, therefore we don't know where to go from here."
"Madam, uh, Healer, I'm Auror Potter. I saw the attack. I even tried defended the ones in the arena, but I haven't ever seen that type of spell. My supervisor should be here shortly, he might know what it was." Harry described the spell, but it didn't help.
Another hour passed before Robards, Ariana and Professor Tofty came into the waiting room. "How are they, Potter?"
"Sir, the spell affected both of them in some way the healers don't understand. Here is my report, but maybe if I describe the spell to you, you might be able to recognize it."
Robards nodded and then turned to the parents, "Arthur, Molly, we'll figure this out. That's why I brought Professor Tofty. We're going to sit somewhere and work through this. Let me find a private area so the four of us can talk while you wait on the healers and Ginny."
The healers led the four Aurors to a small room and left them. Harry cast Muffliato which surprised the other three. "I don't know what happened or who these guys were, but I am assuming they can listen in without us knowing. My spells barely affected them."
Professor Tofty open with, "Young Mr. Potter has a good grasp of the situation. I looked over the papers Auror Beckwith brought back with her, very disturbing. Auror Potter, I assume you are wondering why it took us so long to get here, yes?"
Robards and Ariana had received a quick brief, but had asked for venerable Tofty to cover it again once they returned to see Harry. It might shed light on his observations and would save time.
"Some background is required first, I think. When I was young, years before Grindelwald, we were having problems with a, well, cult, some would call it. This group believed that the new forms of magic were disrespectful of our heritage.
"The group called themselves 'Soƥ-Brimlad' or True-Path. They believed that the Founders had broken from the true path of magic by: a. changing the path of magic away from Druidism, b. teaching all magical children without a period of apprenticeship, c. limiting magic to being centered on wand magic and lastly d. discontinuing worship of their Gods."
"They called me something, 'Botm-Edstaƥelian' I think and told me, 'We are here for your heart. Not even the 'ierfeweard be Myrddin' can save you in the end'. Do you know what this meant? I took the Saxon studies, but these words weren't included."
Professor Tofty looked at Robards for approval to continue, Gawain looked at the two young people then hung his head. "I had hoped we were done with this mess, go on. We'll brief the Minister after we finish."
"Potter, are you sure of those phrases?" asked Professor Tofty.
"Yes, Sir, I understand the language, but those phrases were not in the syllabus."
"We shouldn't speak of this here. I think we need to include the Head Mistress of Hogwarts, the Minister and the Head of the Department of Mysteries. There is one other, but I mustn't speak of that here." Professor stood as if he had the energy of someone half his age, but the anguish of someone twice as old. "Now! Move! We need to meet immediately. Robards, you gather Minerva, the head of the Mysteries and Kingsley, I will send word of where we will gather in a few hours." He left the room without another word leaving three in confusion.
Harry was annoyed and had a bad feeling about this response to his answer. Harry checked on Ginny, there was no change in her status. He said farewell to the Weasleys explaining the three Aurors were returning to the Ministry to do some research on the attackers. Robards sent a Patronus message with the image of a hawk to Hogwarts. The three then left quickly and returned to gather and meet with the Minister, the Head of the Department of Mysteries and Professor McGonagall and to await the mysterious 'one other' to whom Tofty mentioned.
The Minister cleared his office when he saw the look on Robards face. "What is it Gawain?"
"'Soƥ-Brimlad'," was all Robards said.
"Blood hell, not again. Where is Tofty?"
"He's gone to get a, 'contact', from his last dealings with 'em. He said he would send word where they want to meet."
"Alright, everyone sit. This will have to take priority until the meeting. What does Harry have to do with this?"
"As to that part, Tofty left in a hurry after we spoke and hinted we shouldn't speak about it until we have the meeting with his contact."
Not knowing how long this would take, everyone went into the Minister's conference room to wait while he continued to work. At some point Professor McGonagall and an unnamed older gentleman from the Department of Mysteries entered. They gave them a quick update, but continued to wait.
Harry broached the subject that he wanted to do the Welsh and Gaelic modules based on the lack of ability to gather information in Wales. Hints at Hogwarts being involvement led him to think Gaelic would be needed since Hogwarts was located in Scotland.
Robards thought for a minute and told Harry his logic was reasonable, but it would takes a couple of months to learn both languages with the recommended breaks. Harry explained his technique and limited backlash and was given the go ahead to try it. He wanted several other Aurors to do one of the languages over the upcoming weeks so he told Harry to use the next ten days to do what he needed, but after the meeting with Professor Tofty and his contact.
After six hours of waiting, Professor Tofty returned and entered the conference room with the Minister. Locking the door and silencing the room, he sat in exhaustion. Out of respect for the old Auror, the five simply waited.
After looking at the group, he spoke. "What I am about to tell you goes no further, for now. I must have your oaths. I will brief Arthur since his daughter now ties into this situation. I will have your oaths, now."
Startled, the five swore by their magic that until told otherwise they wouldn't speak about what was discussed. Harry giving the exception of Hermione, whom he trusted with is life.
"First, Harry, it was wise to muffle the room at the hospital. I will get into that more later. Please allow me to finish this history lesson, before you ask questions that may be answered further on, agreed?" Everyone nodded in agreement.
"I was given, let's just call it permission, to give you certain information. Just prior to the First World War, we had several incidents across Britain that involved members of the True-Path. They are not like today's Death-Eaters who kill for fun. They kill to reestablish their way of life. They are not allies to Voldemort's followers, they see them as competition. I would not be surprised to find several of Voldemort's followers were even killed by the True-Path. Having said that, they are not our allies either, we are the same as Voldemort in their eyes. You see, we are using corrupted magic and teaching methods.
"I will now explain what I started earlier. I will then get to why I had to leave so suddenly.
"So… First we will discuss changing the path of magic away from Druidism. To their way of thinking, Druidism is the origin and therefore only valid form of magic. Their form of magic ties closely to the natural order. All creatures are to be respected, not worshiped or enslaved, but respected. Their origins are in opposition to Myrddin Emrys otherwise known as Merlin.
"Their second tenet is teaching all magical children without a period of an apprenticeship is tantamount to apocalypse. No one should be allowed to use magic without a master and those apprentices should be subject to a period of no less than ten years of instruction, preferably twenty. Also, only those considered Arch Mages, something like Dumbledore, are allowed to teach an apprentice.
"Third, is our limiting magic to be centered on only wand magic. Wands should only be used for minor magic. The more stronger and dramatic forms of magic should be done wandless and using spells, series of words that hold power and control the outcome of the spell itself.
"Finally and most significantly is our discontinued worship of their Gods. Our secular society is offensive and heretical.
"Now that you have a basic understanding of their major problems with anyone not part of the True-Path. Does everyone understand at least these basics? Yes? Okay we shall continue.
"At the age of twenty, a little more than a century ago, I was initiated into the opposition of the True-Path. They do not have a name and as a group they are fairly segregated except when they must come together to oppose groups like True-Path. Most of this information could be gathered with a bit of research, although the books you would need are very difficult to find. They may available in the library at Hogwarts or here in the Department of Mysteries. You would need to know what you are looking for and it would take some effort.
"Now we get to the bit that I left you to obtain. That is permission to allow more than the Minister of Magic alone have access to a Crown Secret. Don't worry Minister, I have discussed with the appropriate people. Yes, before you ask, those people. What that means is only the sitting Regent of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealths may designate who knows this information. As of tonight, you six are on a very, very short list and the Queen herself signed the document authorizing you to know this information."
There was a collective gasp mingled with a groan from Harry.
"To continue, certain of the opposition, 'the good guys,' have key roles within Britain. Some watch over and, during certain times and specific ceremonies, renew the power of the lay lines in Britain. Others sole duty is liaison with certain magical creatures. Yet others work to watch, let's just say 'bad guys'. There are more 'bad guys' than just True-Path.
"My initiation into these disciplines was two-fold. I am the liaison between this group, the Crown and the Minister of Magic within our world, and only the Minister of Magic. I assist the Crowned Monarch and her Royal Wizard." He paused to let this sink in, when it looked like everyone had recovered he continued.
"Yes, there remains a Royal Wizard. He continues to protect the Royal family using the same traditions of Merlin, though he is not nearly as powerful, he is very competent. His magic is not the same as ours and therefore does not fall within the governance of the Ministry. Not many know this, but our Minister answers to the Prime Minister of England and he answers to the Queen.
"I will now pause for questions before I get to the point that will affect us most directly."
Agent Robards and Professor McGonagall said in unison, "Wow!"
Ariana, just sat, stunned. Harry had a sinking feeling he was being chucked into the maelstrom of fate yet again.
Professor Tofty decided to continue. "For these reasons each of you were added to the short list. The Minister knows the majority of this, so his inclusion is a matter of little significance to the problem we face.
"Gawain, you supervise every investigator in our world. You must review everything to manage information and anything that is related or potentially related to this subject is to be extracted, investigations modified and the information given to the Minister for his action. He alone within our world has the authority to either continue to act or stop the investigation.
"Ariana, your mother was not killed by Death-Eaters. She was killed defending one of the 'good guys'. You need to know this for several reasons. First, you and your family may be a target now. I will assist you in protecting them, but they cannot know why and you cannot tell them. I will also be helping to protect the Weasley family. I will talk more with Arthur Weasley and his family, though they will not know the reason either.
"Minerva, the reason for your inclusion should now be obvious, and that is the students at Hogwarts. Those students may be targets now that the True-Path has openly attacked, in public. I will be working with you along with select 'good guys' to protect the school. We will look into ancient wards that still exist there which may no longer be active or need renewed. These are old magic's from the time of the Founders. We will visit you over the summer to work with you and select few of your staff.
"Finally Harry we come to you; once again into the breach for you lad. As you have discerned, I am not a young man." Harry was getting a sick feeling he knew what was coming. "With the renewed fight, I must select my replacement. How do you feel about becoming a Druid?"