Chapter 14, Echoes of the Future
Experiments
Harry Potter does not belong to me. I make no money. But, I thank JK Rowling.
Thanks to Bluestriker666 for reviewing. Thanks to all who are reviewing, favoring, and following.
Sorry for the delay. I had to work out the order of what to present where. Hope you enjoy. If this order is confusing let me know, either by review or PM.
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Salzburg
As JAuger and Altaira left the first workout session from Hogwarts, and having actually made it into Severus Snape's quarters, at least for a quick peep, and then had arrived back at Salzburg, they headed for the drawing room. Rabastian and Antonin were not back yet from their trip to check out Malfoy Manor and the Weasley home, the Burrow. Altaira had no desire to be in JAuger's presence without Uncle Rabastian.
She asked, "Can I go upstairs?" She hoped she could be excused.
"Come back in two hours" and he nodded. He wanted to speak to the boy she had marked. Markus is his name, and JAuger wanted to discuss what he had felt when they had worked with Altaira.
As soon as Altaira had disappeared, he called for Markus to be sent to him. He wished there were a way to get a message to the three wizards at Chateaux Lestrange, but he didn't want to risk anyone. But, perhaps Markus could go get them.
Markus walked in, and meeting JAuger's eyes, respectfully, but not grovelling, greeted him, "Herr de Cerney." Then he simply waited.
JAuger grinned. This was a good addition, a lucky good choice, stupidly made by Altaira. "Markus. Welcome to the family. Please, sit down. We have much to discuss." JAuger waited until he was seated, and sat himself.
This boy was from Salzburg, and his family was well-known to JAuger. He had been orphaned, and JAuger had taken him in as a young boy. He was very loyal to JAuger.
"You are in school?" At a nod, he continued, "What year?"
"I enter fifth year, sir, at Durmstrang." Markus seemed very much at ease, and JAuger found himself wondering why the boy was chosen by Altaira. Was it random luck, or something else?
I would like you to switch to Hogwarts, for the next year, at least. I have a need to have a few wizards in place there for the next year." JAuger explained.
Markus nodded, but didn't speak, simply waited patiently for more information. He didn't have to wait long.
"I need 4 wizards total, one for each house. I need them of different ages, fourth through sixth years, or maybe even seventh for one. And, I could use a couple of younger ones, first or second-years. I have you, and perhaps you can go collect the three that got trapped at Chateaux Lestrange." JAuger explained what he needed. If the boy succeeded at this, then he would be welcomed most heartily.
"I need you to go to Chateaux Lestrange. And, I need you to be careful once you get there. The place will soon be raided. I am actually surprised they haven't already done so.
"Give no unnecessary explanations, no details, just that they are to come with you." JAuger filled him in on what he needed. He really didn't want to lose Fabian, Allard, and Etienne, if he could prevent it.
"It is likely the house is being watched. So, be careful."
"Now, before you go, I need to know what you felt, out there, working with Altaira. Tell me everything."
"It was odd, Herr de Cerney"
"Please, call me JAuger, now. We have passed the point of ward and custodian. You are now my apprentice, and I am henceforth your mentor." JAuger interrupted him. "I would have made that choice eventually. I would have waited until you were out of school, but you knew how close your father and I were."
Markus simply nodded his agreement, but deep inside, he was thrilled. He had hoped he would be accepted as more than a ward from this wizard. It meant a chance for him to remain in the noble ranks of German Wizards. He didn't let that show, though. He knew JAuger would interpret him revealing his emotions that openly as a weakness. He had lived here with JAuger for nearly 9 years now. His aunt worked for JAuger somewhere in the muggle world.
"JAuger," Markus continued his answer. "As I said, it was odd. When she burned it into my skin, it hurt like hell. I haven't felt anything like that before. But, afterward, when she would reach out, just before she apparated to me, I could feel nothing. But afterward, when she was close to me, I could feel it itching. And, then, when she had apparated back out of the wards, I could feel it calming down again."
"Let me see it." JAuger watched eagerly as Markus lifted his sleeve up above the mark. His mark was blackish grey, a bit darker than Antonin's and Rabastian's. "Does it still burn?"
Markus shook his head, "No, not since it first tingled. It was sore until she first apparated to me. After that, I couldn't feel it unless she was close."
JAuger took out his wand and pressed it into the mark. It glowed red, and suddenly, Altaira appeared in the room. JAuger looked up at her, and then took a second look. She looked startled. She smiled tentatively at Markus, who grinned back at her.
JAuger looked back and forth between the two. Oh, this wouldn't do at all. "Altaira, what did you feel just now?" he growled, harsher than he intended. But, that smile on her part was telling.
Altaira looked at Markus, "I felt a request for me to come here, to him." She nodded at Markus before turning back to JAuger.
"Could you tell it was him?" JAuger wanted to know.
"Yes." Altaira answered.
"Interesting. You can go back to whatever you were doing. I was experimenting." After she left the room, JAuger was about to silence the room when Antonin and Rabastian walked in. After they were settled, JAuger did silence the room.
"Rabastian, Antonin, this is Markus Schmidt. He has been my ward for several years. His father and I were school mates and companions for several years. Markus, this is Antonin Dolohov, my cousin, and Rebastian Lestrange, my friend."
All the wizards looked at each other, assessing and appraising. Being introduced to Markus meant something to JAuger. Antonin and Rabastian both shook hands with Markus, thus accepting him as part of their group.
"Markus was explaining to me what he felt when we were working with Altaira. Please repeat what you told me." JAuger asked Markus. When he was finished, JAuger asked Rabastian and Antonin what they had felt.
"Not exactly what Markus felt. I could feel her when she apparated away. I could also feel her when she was excited or agitated. But, I didn't feel her before she apparated to me." Rabastian explained.
Everyone looked to Antonin, who nodded. "Same here."
"Could one of you please try to summon her." JAuger wanted to know how it worked.
Antonin took his wand, pressing it into his dark mark, and it glowed red.
Almost immediately, Altaira popped back in. She took one look in Antonin's direction, and, a look of fear passed over her face before it quickly cleared when she spotted her uncle, and threw herself into Uncle Rabastian's arms. He caught her, laughing.
JAuger asked, "Was that the same feeling?"
It wasn't obvious what JAuger was asking, or to whom, and Antonin answered. "Yes, just a tingling, not a burning. Even though it turned red." They all looked down at his mark, which was now black. They looked at Rabastian's, which was still grayish white. Then they looked at Markus' arm, which was still grayish black.
"Anything for you?" JAuger looked back and forth, asking both other wizards.
Both shook their heads. Then, all of the marks began to tingle, and itch, and turn slightly darker.
JAuger looked at Altaira, "Control your emotions." He instructed her.
"Sorry, sir." Altaira didn't want him angry at her again. Uncle Rabastian had never interfered when he punished her.
"Did you feel anything different, Altaira?" JAuger asked asked.
Altaira nodded. "Yes," She answered too quickly. "This was different, but I am not sure how to explain it." She was puzzled.
"Did you know who it was?" This time it was Markus asking the question.
"Can we try with Uncle Rabastian. It just felt different from you." Altaira answered, looking at him in surprise. He had never questioned her before, not like that.
"Go back out, back to where you were." JAuger ordered her.
She left, and shortly after that, Rabastian activated his mark, and she immediately popped back in.
Three sets of eyes looked at her expectantly. She shook her head.
"Pisoi, what does that mean?" Antonin asked, smoothly. He had a melodic voice when he wanted to. It frightened Altaira more when he tried to be pleasant.
"It feels different from Markus, but I couldn't tell the difference between you and Uncle Rabastian." Altaira was worried. There was something else that was different, but she didn't want to tell them.
"Pisoi, what was different. Exactly, specifically, completely, explain it." Antonin commanded softly, walking towards her. He could tell she was hiding something.
Markus carefully hid his smirk. He didn't know Antonin very well, had only seen him a few times over the years. He didn't want to seem to be laughing or amused at his expense. But, he thought that choice of name was very deliberate on Antonin's part.
It was a subtle way of putting her in her place. She was either being called pussy, or pet, ormaybe both, and he had heard both JAuger and Antonin call witches that before. Both wizards were very dominating. He didn't consider JAuger to be cruel, but, he was very demanding. He wasn't sure of Antonin yet. He carefully schooled his face to a neutral expression, and just observed.
"Well, when you did it, I could feel it, drawing me here. When Uncle Rabastian did it, it was the same thing. But, when Markus did it, it was just different. And, I could tell it was him, Markus, specifically."
Altaira didn't want to tell them that when Markus did it, she could have stayed where she was. It felt like an invitation, magically. When Uncle Rabastian or HE did it, it felt like a compulsion. And, she didn't want them to know that.
Antonin kept advancing on her, and when he reached her, he cupped her chin and jaw in one hand, and turned her so she was looking straight at him. He stared at her.
"I wonder if she would notice a difference if it were another wizard that she had burned that mark into." Rabastian wondered out loud. There were three wizards that she had already marked. He wondered if she could tell the difference between all of them.
"I was wondering the same thing, Uncle." Altaira quickly agreed. She knew they were reading something on her face. Better they think that than the truth.
"Altaira, I want you to activate their mark. Antonin, could you locate yourself at the far side of the house, and send me a Patronus when you get there." JAuger was curious.
But then he thought, this was a risk, it could call Malfoy and Snape here. "On second thought, let's go somewhere else to do this. Some place less risky."
"Where do you have in mind?" Antonin asked.
"Somewhere that won't lead anyone here." JAuger answered.
"Perhaps Knockturn Alley?" Rabastian offered. "If we are there quick enough, and out again, it might be the safest place."
"Yes, that would be a good choice. Nice, out in the open, no clues as to where we live." JAuger agreed.
Altaira didn't know where this Knockturn Alley was, and Rabastian offered her his arm, knowing she had never been there.
They apparated to Knockturn Alley, and Antonin and Rabastian stayed there, while Markus, Altaira and JAuger walked some distance away. It was fairly late in the evening, and not many people were milling about. Altaira activated Markus arm, pressing her wand into it, and both Rabastian and Antonin appeared in front of them.
They kept increasing the distance between them, until finally, Altaira and Markus were in Diagon Alley. Altaira pressed her wand into Markus' dark mark. As expected, Antonin and Rabastian apparated to them.
Moments later, not expected, Draco Malfoy showed up, a tall, red-headed wizard by his side. He took one look at the situation, and immediately apparated them both out of there.
Draco had been at George's shop, looking for something to cheer Hermione up, and they had fallen into conversation. George had seen him grab his left arm, and before he could apparate, George had grabbed his arm and linked side-by-side, they had gone to check it out.
Draco and George were there and gone before any of the wizards with Altaira could react.
JAuger said, "We better get out of here." And they did.
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Diagon Alley
Minutes after the group of death eaters had left with Altaira, Harry, Arthur, Draco, and Kingsley were in Diagon Alley, searching. Soon after, there were nearly 30 Aurors prowling, looking for anyone that could be part of the group. But, after an hour, they concluded they had missed an opportunity. The five left to go to the Burrow.
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Salzburg
"That was great. Just fucking, blooding, great." Antonin growled.
"Yeah, very close, and very unfortunate." JAuger agreed. "Well, we have lost some element of surprise."
"Pisoi, why don't you go get some dinner?" JAuger looked at her pointedly.
She didn't hesitate. She walked out of the room, and JAuger silenced it.
"It appears that we can call her through wards. That is how she is getting into Hogwarts. If we activate the mark, she is pulled towards us." Antonin summarized.
"And, I think this answers why she can apparate so easily, without setting of Ministry wards of illegal magic of a minor. Her magic can reach out and pull her to us, without us calling her. It is a weak form of the dark mark's original magic." Rabastian answered.
"What do we do with this, now?"Antonin asked. "They know we are together. They know you are with us. Would they know who you are, JAuger?"
"Not likely, but, as you know, I am a very distant relation to the Malfoy wizard." JAuger admitted. "Lucius Malfoy's grandmother and my grandmother were distant cousins.. I might seem familiar to Lucius, but then again, maybe not. We saw each other from time to time, when we were children."
"Well, then, we need to make certain he doesn't see you." Antonin answered. "I remember him being at one or two family holiday dinners, but not often."
"Yes, and it isn't relevant. We rarely saw each other, and only as children." JAuger added. "I am not worried about Lucius."
"He's out of Askaban, you know." Rabastian mentioned.
"Let's get back to the topic at hand. Since she can apparently go through wards, let's list what we know, and think how we can use it." Rabastian snapped.
"She can go through wards. Under what conditions?" JAuger got a tablet and pen. He did not prefer parchment and quills. Bloody stupid wizards, stuck in the past.
"If we are present inside the wards, the wards don't seem to deter her." Rabastian started counting down.
"If she takes me in, she can bring me out." JAuger added.
"She can apparently apparate out of them, back to us." Markus added.
"Ok, and her slave bond with Granger will allow her to apparate into any place that Granger is, if the wards accept Granger." Antonin supplied.
"So why don't we just go get her? Granger, I mean." Antonin asked. "Why didn't you just grab her?"
JAuger looked disgusted. I would have, except that first, I wasn't certain Altaira could get all three of us out of there. That takes a certain level of power, and I am not certain she has reached that yet." JAuger continued. "And, I noticed a chain on her. Dragon Metal, I believe."
Rabastian asked, "What does the Dragon Metal mean when it is on a witch?"
"It means that she is spelled to remain where she is. If you try to apparate her out of there, and you are not the wizard or witch that cast the spell on the Dragon Metal, then you will be splinched." Antonin answered. "Dragon Metal is cast into a bar, and sealed with a spell. You configure it, and a key is cast when you configure it. When you put it on a witch, wizard, or animal, it can only be removed by the key, or by the original spell-caster. If she is chained, then likely Snape is the spell-caster."
"And, we don't actually know if Altaira could take three people through the wards." JAuger said. "She couldn't apparate me out, once she had taken her hand off mine. We experienced that. One of us could get caught."
"We could test this further, or we could just take some action. I say we take action." Rabastian suggested.
"What do you have in mind?" JAuger asked.
"If she can get through wards, let's go through them, and complete the binding spell. Then, apparate out, that quickly. We know we can do that." Rabastian explained.
"And, we have already lost the element of surprise, with the dark mark, and with us." Antonin lamented, then continued. "This, however, would certainly not be expected, right now." Antonin agreed. "I like it."
"Where? They will be training at Hogwarts the next week or so. We heard them talking." JAuger said.
"Agreed. We take her next week. Complete the bond, then get Altaira to summon her, bring her to us. They won't be able to stop it, without hurting her." Rabastian smiled. Finally, action.
"Bring her here, and once she is fully slave-bonded, Altaira can force her to slave bond to all of us." Antonin was ecstatic. "And, then, you my friend, can have the little witch."
"She is still a little young." Rabastian said, "although, she is growing faster and faster."
"We still want Potter, though. Can we get the Weasley girl? We could have a lot of ammunition?" JAuger reminded them. These two were acting like randy little teenagers.
"Well, we can get her. They will be looking for Granger, but Hogwarts will open, as usual. Altaira can get through the wards any time, whether there or at the Ministry." Antonin suggested.
"What?" JAuger asked, then, "Oh, of course, Markus could go there freely."
He turned to Markus. "You need to go collect the three wizards that got trapped at Chateaux Lestrange."
"Get them out tonight, Be careful." JAuger gave him final instructions. "You are not a criminal, and they cannot arrest you, even if they are there. But, be careful what you say. And, keep that mark covered."
"Do you know where Chateaux Lestrange is?" Rabastian asked. He didn't remember seeing him there.
"Yes, sir. I have been there a couple of times, with JAuger."
"Ok, see you in a bit. Be very careful." JAuger said, and Markus apparated to Chateaux Lestrange.
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Chateaux Lestrange:
When Markus appeared inside Chateaux Lestrange grounds, he made sure he touched down outside the house. He walked up, opened the door, and walked in. Sure enough, that mark enabled him to walk right through the wards.
What he didn't realize was that there were no wards. They had been taken down. He walked through, looking around, and when he got to a large drawing room, he couldn't believe his eyes. There was Altaira, talking to three young wizards. He narrowed his eyes, shaking his head. She was too impulsive, and JAuger was going to be really pissed at her.
Oh well, not his fight. He actually liked the little witch, but there were things he didn't understand. Like how she had gone from around three or four years old, to being a teenager, in the short time he had known her. Or what her real relationship was with Rabastian and JAuger. She was a beauty, or showed promise of being one. But, he was far more interested in securing his future, and she wasn't his future.
He walked in, not bothering to hide his presence, and was pleased that she at least had the sense to be afraid when she saw him. He stopped, and crossing his arms across his chest, gave her a look that spoke volumes about what he thought of her presence here. Then he looked at the three wizards talking to her.
"JAuger and Rabastian sent me to collect you three, and escort you to them. I presume she has told you where we are headed."
All three nodded.
"Get your stuff, then, and let's go." He didn't introduce himself, and he knew they knew he was legitimate, since Altaira didn't contradict him.
They all walked out, heading to grab a few clothes and stuff.
Markus gave her a look that told how stupid he thought she had just been.
"You know you are in serious trouble. You might want to beat me back home, and explain, before I have to." He didn't bother to be diplomatic. And, he wasn't going to lie for her.
"You don't have to tell him." Altaira started, only to be interrupted by his snort.
"Yeah, right. And have him stumble across this memory sometime later? I think not. You would be smart to confess this before I tell him, and if I were you, I would be very humble when you did so." Markus was trying to be diplomatic, but very clear. She needed to know where his loyalties were.
"You don't have to tell him." Altaira was begging, and she knew it. She could hear it in her own voice. She couldn't believe he had caught her like this. She wished she had known that they were going to send him here. She needn't have come at all. She hated this.
"Hmmm. I suppose you are right. I don't have to.' He smiled when she looked hopeful. "But, I am going to." He looked over to see the three boys coming back down. "So, I repeat, you might want to beat me to the story scoop." He cocked one eyebrow upward, giving her one last chance to get out of there before he did.
When she didn't move, he shrugged, and telling them to grab hold of him, he surprised her by jerking her snug right up against him, and apparated them all to Salzburg.
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They landed in the office of JAuger, and Markus called out for JAuger. When he didn't receive an answer, Altaira started to leave the room.
"I wouldn't do that, if I were you. My memories will give you away." Markus really did feel sorry for her, but she seemed determined to learn the hard way. He reached his arm out, and motioned for her to call to them.
Altaira shook her head, backing away. "Markus, please, just let me go. I won't ever do this again. I promise."
Markus shook his head. "This will go easier on you, if you cooperate. Trust me, if you force my hand, he will be angrier." He cocked one eyebrow, "Last chance."
Altaira disapparated out of the room.
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Markus didn't know where she had gone, but he was really glad he wasn't her. He shouted for a house elf, and when one showed up, he requested JAuger's location. Upon hearing that he wasn't actually at the Manor, but had left somewhere with Rabastian and Antonin, he walked over and poured himself a glass of German fire whiskey, and downed it in one gulp.
He asked to be informed immediately when JAuger returned, and sat down to think. At first, all he could think was, "Fuck." He must have said that out loud, because one of the wizards he had escorted here laughed.
"She is a handful." The wizard laughed again. "My name is Allard. These are Etienne and Fabian." Allard indicated which was which.
"I am Markus. Welcome to Salzburg." Markus grimaced. "And she is more than a handful. She is in serious trouble. I don't know whether to go get her, or just wait."
"Well, she likely went back home." Allard offered.
"Where else would she be likely to go?" Markus asked.
"Fabian, you have been to the other house?" Allard asked.
"Yes, but she isn't likely to be there, at least not this time of year." Fabian answered, and then when Markus looked confused, "It actually belongs to some aunt of hers, and this time of year, the aunt often is there. So, she and Rabastian don't go there, unless it is an odd time of year. We could go look."
"You said JAuger?" Allard repeated. When Markus nodded, Allard shook his head. "We would be better off to wait here, if this is where he said for us to be. JAuger is no one to fuck with."
Markus agreed with that, as did the rest of them.
"Besides, she doesn't really have anywhere to go, nowhere to hide." Etienne said. "She will be one of three places. Here, Chateaux Lestrange, or her aunt's house. Rabastian can always seem to find her."
"Yeah, she has hidden from him a couple of times, and he seems to always find her." Allard said, feeling pretty reassured that they could find her, when Rabastian showed up.
"How?" Markus asked.
"Dunno. Don't know if he knows. He just seems to be able to figure her out, can sense where she is." Allard explained.