Chapter Twenty-Four – Lucky Escape
The next night, Rowena and her followers stood in the backyard, in the far right hand corner. Earlier that day she had built a cemetery for the graves that had to be placed somewhere. The bodies couldn't remain on the second floor forever, it would be really disgusting and Rowena was sure the smell would become unbearable.
Rowena lit candles around them in a circle and had dug up five graves and made four stone tombstones. She had also placed an iron black gate around them, to keep the dead in peace and private. She knew it sounded silly but Rowena wanted their lives to become easier now that they were gone to another place.
The night was cold and heavy. Everyone shivered and breathed heavily as they all stood in a circle inside the candles and stood still. Rowena wanted them to think about why they were there, to think that next time it could be them being buried in a grave here. Rowena looked to her side and against the fence the bodies lay, tied up in a bag. Rowena couldn't imagine being like that, dead, not knowing you weren't there, that your body was no longer your own.
After much silence, Rowena lifted her wand gently and flicked it. All four bodies lay in their respective graves and Rowena placed a single black rose on each of the bodies. She looked over at Bella, who appeared solemn but not sad. Rowena wondered if they had any feelings for each other at all and it surprised her more to her holding hands with Rabastan, well, they were family still.
After another long silence, Rowena covered the bodies with dirt from the ground and placed the tombstones at their respective graves. She looked around. 'Does anyone want to say anything before we finish?'
It was still quiet. Rowena could see everyone's breath on the air. She knew everyone was cold, as was she but this still needed to be done. They could suffer the cold for a little while. It took a while but Alecto Carrow stepped forwards and raised her hand slightly. Rowena had never seen her nervous before. She nodded to Alecto.
'These men fought beside us and what they sacrificed should never be forgotten,' said Alecto loudly, so that everyone could hear her. 'I know Rodolphus was a very skilled man and he will be missed among us. Travers was also capable and though I didn't know him well, he served our past Lord well. Jugson tried hard but I don't think he would have lasted much longer, though his number amongst us will be remembered and Crabbe was, at times, not all there, but he still helped us and we thank them all.'
She stepped back into the circle and a few people nodded, including Rowena. She was surprised by what Alecto said. She could never picture her saying such nice, well as nice as possible, things about anyone, except her brother, maybe. Rowena looked at Crabbe's son. He seemed shaken, though there were no tears, nothing else to show how he was feeling.
She turned her gaze to the younger people left in the group. Draco and Pansy stood together with a few others from their school. They seemed shaken also, but Rowena suspected that it was for different reasons.
When the funerals ended all Death Eaters went back inside immediately but Rowena and Walden remained outside.
'Is everything alright, my Lord?' he asked, moving to stand beside her.
Rowena continued to look down at the graves but she nodded slowly. 'Yes, I am fine,' she replied. 'I worry about the raid.'
'We have been on them before.'
'I know,' said Rowena, slightly annoyed. 'That's not the point. This one's different. I feel like this one is more dangerous than previous ones. Though I will admit that I have only been on one of the previous ones, but it still seemed tamed in a way. Not everyone was killed and I can't believe I have told you all to kill everyone on this one.'
'Why are you then?' asked Walden.
'Because I need to show that I'm in charge,' Rowena replied. 'You said I would need everyone to trust me and have faith that I could lead them. Part of me isn't sure I can lead any of you, but I'm sure I have my father's strength in me. All I need is for it to emerge.'
Walden nodded but said no more. Rowena wasn't feeling like talking either. They returned to the house together and once inside Rowena locked the back door behind them.
Later that same night, the Order of the Phoenix gathered in the graveyard beyond the Riddle house once more. Most of them wondered why they were here. It sounded like a ridiculous reason. Dumbledore had decided to go back to the house and retrieve Voldemort's body to bury it in the graveyard.
They were now all standing the graveyard in front of Voldemort's grave. Most members thought this exercise pointless. None of them could understand why he would want to give Voldemort a burial, except for Harry maybe but shouldn't this have been a personal thing?
Voldemort's pale and now lifeless body was put into a grave made by Dumbledore and the Order stood around it.
'May you now rest in peace, Tom,' said Dumbledore softly.
They stood in silence for a little longer before someone broke it by speaking. 'Is this really necessary?' asked Remus quietly.
'I believe so,' replied Dumbledore.
'Why?
Dumbledore sighed heavily. 'I knew Tom before he became Voldemort and he wasn't different but there was almost something innocent about him. I'll always remember him for the youth he once was. And I'm sure Rowena would appreciate giving him a burial.'
'What if she wanted to do it herself?' asked Sirius.
'I don't believe she would mind,' replied Dumbledore. 'Just as long as it was done, respectfully.'
'But why do this for her?' asked Remus.
'I still love Rowena, a small failing of mine I suppose, but I'm hoping this might get her to see something. What, I'm not sure. But if it's there within her, she'll find it and I'm hoping this gesture will get her there.'
'I'm not sure I agree with that,' said Sirius quietly. 'She may see right through it.'
'Yes,' said Dumbledore. 'And that is the risk we face.'
'I don't understand,' said Hermione, overhearing their conversation.
'I think we take the risk in angering her by burying her father,' said Dumbledore. 'She may take it the wrong way, which I am more than prepared to see through.'
'What if it comes down to it?' asked Harry, moving over to them.
'What do you mean, Harry?' asked Dumbledore, watching Harry curiously.
'I mean what if we end up having no choice but to see the end of Rowena? What if we have to kill her to stop this new growing threat?'
'That is not an option,' said Dumbledore stubbornly.
Harry and Remus exchanged glances but neither of them said anything more. This wasn't the time or the place to argue about Rowena's fate. They weren't even close to getting their and it was unfortunate that they all knew it.
A few nights later Rowena and followers arrived at a small Muggle village, far away from their hide-out. Rowena had checked the place out before they went in. No one seemed to recognise her and it was a great sign for her. She had already told the others what the place looked like and mapped out a plan for them. It was a rough one but it would do.
They arrived there just before midnight and Rowena sent them into the village in groups of three. The people she had brought here to join were here also, but Rowena wasn't sure how excited they were about it all. Ruban almost seemed repulsed by the idea. Rowena wondered if they knew what they were getting into when they agreed to join up.
Rowena shook her head, as there was no time to think about it now. Rowena wasn't planning to join in. She and Walden were going to keep a look out for any sign of the Order turning up. When she looked over at the village, she could tell that the raid had begun. She could see houses burning and thick black smoke rising into the night sky. People were beginning to scream and panic and she could even hear some people scream their pleas for their family. It almost ripped Rowena a part but she knew this had to be done.
Walden noticed the look on Rowena's face. 'It's too late to stop the raid now.'
'I know that,' she hissed quietly. 'I'm not planning to.'
'Really?' he asked in surprise.
'Yes, really,' she said coldly.
She folded her arms across her chest and she continued to look towards the village. The fire was becoming thicker and the screams were beginning to die down. Rowena couldn't believe how quick that had gone. She looked towards Walden questioningly.
'You told them to kill everyone. We're professionals, it doesn't take long.'
'I'll say,' Rowena whispered to herself.
Within another twenty minutes it was over. Rowena and Walden made their way into the village. Rowena wasn't prepared for anything she was about to see. The middle of the village had become a blood bath. All cement areas were painted with blood and bodies. Rowena's eyes passed over a small baby. She could tell it was a boy. He was lying still.
Rowena took one step forwards but stopped when a warning went out. 'The Order is here!'
Rowena and many other people turned their heads and sure enough the Order was coming, on broomsticks. Seeing this made Rowena panic like never before. She turned to her Death Eaters. 'What are you waiting for? Let's go, get out of here now! Go back to the hide-out but ensure that you are not followed!'
Much chaos ensued. The Death Eaters ran for cover and Walden grabbed Rowena's hand and started to run, dragging her along with him. Rowena felt grateful for a moment because she couldn't run as fast as he could. Rowena looked behind her and saw some Order members chasing them and Rowena couldn't help but notice that they were catching up quickly.
She tried to warn Walden but she knew he wouldn't hear her. The last thing Rowena wanted now was a confrontation with the Order. She needed to show them that they were back not she didn't want them drawn into a full blown war right now. She knew her Death Eaters weren't ready for it and neither was she.
They continued to run and Rowena kept on looking behind her. Rowena suddenly yelped as they stopped abruptly and she bumped into Walden. She quickly moved away but he grabbed her and placed an arm around her to stop her from going anywhere. There were two Order members now in front of them. Of course the brooms were faster.
Rowena looked ahead of them and saw Albus and Severus. She couldn't believe it. They weren't getting out of this one alive. Rowena took out her wand and held it up, ready for something to come but she only heard Albus speak to her.
'Rowena, please do not do this. Cease activity now before more of your followers are killed.'
'I'm not listening to you,' shouted Rowena.
She didn't believe that many people or that anyone had died. She and Walden turned to go the other way but four more Order members stood behind them. Rowena looked at Walden. Now she was worried. 'They won't leave without you,' Walden whispered.
Rowena wasn't as confident. She looked at the other four people, Harry, Hermione, Charlie and Luna. Rowena frowned. She wondered when more people joined the Order. This was only going to get harder.
'Any suggestions?' Rowena asked through her teeth.
'Not really,' answered Walden. 'I was hoping you could think of something.'
'There's no way we can take on six capable w-'
Rowena was cut off as a roaring sound deafened them to everything else. Rowena covered her ears and watched but Walden straightened and frowned at the sound, as though it were familiar. Then Rowena was sure he had heard it before. He grabbed Rowena and pushed her to the ground, his body landing on top of hers. Rowena gasped and a huge fireball surrounded them and encircled them. The fire began to enclose on them quickly and Walden acted quickly. He waved his wand in front of them and his grip on Rowena tightened and together they disapparated just before the flames reached them.
When Rowena hit the ground in the forest she screamed. She opened her eyes and looked around without moving. They were back in the forest where their hide-out was. She noticed someone was lying on her and wasn't moving. She pushed Walden and said his name a few times before she realised he was unconscious. She rolled him off and she brought herself to her knees and looked down at him.
She yelled for help and it didn't take long for it to arrive. Dolohov and Amycus came running over and they picked Walden up and took him inside and up to the medical room. Bella came out and she helped Rowena to the same room though Rowena tried to go into the lounge room.
In the medical room Walden was already lying down, still unconscious. Rowena felt worried. How many times did Walden have to go through this to protect her? It felt as though it were becoming ridiculous. She lay down on a bed and she let Yaxley look her over. When he was finished he went to Walden. It didn't take long to revive him and he sat up quickly.
Once he caught Rowena's eye he relaxed and lay down on his bed again. Rowena had never seen anyone so happy to see her. She chuckled but then quickly stopped when she realised Yaxley was still in the room. It made Rowena think that they needed a nurse here. She had another idea.
The Order arrived at the Minister of Magic's office not long after they returned from their small encounter with the enemy. They were all down and felt despair. Dumbledore led them and the others followed. With him were Remus, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Moody, Arthur, Tonks and Kingsley. It had become no secret that some Ministry workers were working with the Order. Scrimgeour didn't particularly like it but it did have some advantages.
The Minister looked up as the group entered his small office. The office was big enough for one person but it wasn't overly crowded with furniture. Before, when Fudge had the office it was full with things he didn't use, things he didn't need. Scrimgeour cleaned it out as quickly as possible when he moved in.
'We need another conference,' said Dumbledore before the Minister could speak.
He sat up straighter in his chair and placed his quill on his desk gently. He looked Dumbledore over with his yellowish eyes. Dumbledore was a good man but Scrimgeour sometimes wondered if the older man had another reason for persisting this so badly and with much effort. Surely the Dark Lord's daughter didn't pose that much of a threat to them. She was now only twenty years old, surely she wasn't as skilled as most people in the Order or the Ministry.
'And why would that be?' asked Scrimgeour standing up, his chair scraping along the floor as it was push back.
'Because we have just encountered Rowena Riddle and… there was a massacre,' he replied grimly.
'More like a bloodbath,' said Harry bitterly.
Harry was angry with Dumbledore, Rowena, the Order, himself, everyone. He hated that Rowena seemed to get so lucky every time, except when she went to visit her friends but it eventually came back to her. Harry couldn't help but wonder how that was working out for her. One they locked up escaped, one has disappeared and two who join have been killed.
'Where?' asked Scrimgeour, sounding worried.
'It was a Muggle village,' replied Dumbledore. 'Every single person was killed.'
'Slaughtered more like,' said Harry through his teeth.
Everyone turned to look at Harry, who did have more to say on this. 'Look, I think we should have seen this coming,' he started heatedly. 'We knew that the Death Eaters and Rowena disappeared after Voldemort was killed. At some point they all joined together again and I think Rowena wanted to show that they were still around, that they hadn't gone anywhere and I think we've been overestimated how far Rowena is prepare to go with this.'
No one said anything so Harry continued. 'We all know what Rowena is capable of it. I believe if her father can do it then Rowena can. She has her father's abilities, you've seen it. She murdered her mother and yet no one, but Remus suspected and no one question her about it. She was treated as a victim.'
'How do you know she meant to kill her mother, Harry?' asked Dumbledore.
Harry's eyes went wide in shock. 'Are you serious?' he asked quietly. 'She said nothing, to anyone. She went about her life as though nothing were wrong. If it was an accident then why didn't she confess?'
'Maybe she was afraid of the consequences,' said Albus gently. He saw Harry roll his eyes and he sighed lightly. 'Harry, Rowena is not a clone of Voldemort. I know for a fact that she does not care about blood heritage and I know she doesn't mind Muggles but-'
'Then why did she have them all slaughtered like animals?' shouted Harry.
'Harry please, we won't know the full story until we capture Rowena,' said Albus firmly.
Harry knew the conversation was over and he stormed from the Minister's office. Hermione gave everyone an apologetic look before going after Harry. Ron eventually followed. Luna watched the whole scene with mild interested. Her blue eyes were drooping. Luna was tired. They hadn't been able to rest since the battle finished.
'What are you suggesting we do?' asked Scrimgeour after a few moments of silence.
Dumbledore breathed out heavily. 'Well,' he started calmly. 'I think we should do another meeting, with officials and the press. People need to know that there is a great danger out there and we have a duty to inform them. No one will be able to look after themselves otherwise.'
After everything Scrimgeour and the Ministry had been through with Dumbledore and his group with Voldemort, he decided enough was enough. It was time they stood together as one and fought together as one.
'Agreed,' said Scrimgeour quickly.
Outside the Minister's room Hermione found Harry sitting on the stairs that led down to the cells. Hermione wrinkled her nose slightly. It didn't smell too nice down here. It stunk of sweat, blood and dry urine, it was awful. She sat down next to Harry and nudged him gently. He looked at her only briefly. He looked down between his feet and sighed. Harry no longer knew what to think about what was happening around them.
'Dumbledore's making a mistake,' said Harry quietly.
'That may be,' said Hermione. 'But he loves Rowena. Did you really expect Dumbledore to forget who she was and what she means to him? I don't think its right to ask anyone to do that and we all know Dumbledore puts trust in people that most people would not. Dumbledore knows Rowena better than any of us and I think our best chance of capturing her safely is through Dumbledore's help.'
'You don't think it will come to her death?'
Hermione continued to look at Harry and she shook her head gently. 'No, I don't,' she replied softly. 'I know Rowena is cold and distant, but she's not a monster, she isn't her father and I think we all forget that.'
'I'm amazed you're defending her,' said Harry tightly.
'So am I,' said Hermione softly. 'But I do agree with Dumbledore in the sense that we have to hear things from Rowena's point of view.'
'She'd probably just lie,' said Harry sourly.
'Possibly,' said Hermione calmly. 'Though I'm sure they'll just give her a truth potion and check to make sure it's working.'
There was a long pause between them. Hermione continued to watch Harry. He seemed angry but he kept it bottled. Harry kept his eyes on the dark stair between his legs. His stare on it was intense, as though something bad would happen if he looked away. Harry didn't even remember feeling this angry when Voldemort was around, hurting people and killing innocent people just because he could. Rowena seemed to only be doing this to show she could. She had to seem like her father to the Death Eaters, otherwise, why would they protect her like they did?
'We should go back,' said Hermione softly.
She stood up and pulled Harry to his feet. She chuckled softly and Harry finally looked at her. He hadn't realised before why Ron wanted her so badly. Hermione was a beautiful woman. Harry started to ponder the reason why he hadn't noticed this before. Had he blocked it out? Was it because of Ron or Mrs. Weasley even? Harry knew Molly wanted nothing more than Ron and Hermione together but he never asked why it would have been a problem if he loved Hermione also.
Hermione seemed to understand the look from Harry, as she cleared her throat and began walking up the stairs. Ron had followed them but instead of waiting for them at the top of the stairs, he left. He noticed the look from Harry too and he wasn't about to wait around and see what Hermione wanted. He was scared it would be the same thing.
Harry caught up with Hermione and their eyes met. Harry sent her a small, friendly smile and she returned it. They made their way back to the Minister's office but there was no one there.
'They must be in the Atrium,' said Harry.
Hermione nodded her head in agreement and they both set off together. They had been right. Everyone else was in there along with officials and many people of the press. It was about to happen again. Harry wondered how loud this one would get, especially when people learnt what Voldemort's daughter had done. It appeared no one had spoken yet. Harry and Hermione arrived at the perfect time to hear everything.
'We have some sad and devastating news to relate to the wizarding community,' said Dumbledore loud and clear so everyone could hear him. 'We have intercepted Rowena Riddle and the Death Eaters but all of them escaped. Some Death Eaters were injured but it was not life threatening. A Muggle village was attacked. No one survived.'
Dumbledore went quiet and the Minister of Magic stood up and addressed everyone. Even he was amazed at how quiet the crowd was tonight, they appeared to be able to contain themselves. 'We are insisting that people never travel alone anymore, especially at night time. Try to make it a group of about four or five. We want the wizarding people to remain safe and secure. The Ministry will be sending out warnings and updates and keep an ear out for your radios. We will send warnings via that also.'
When Scrimgeour finished speaking it was still quiet until the same small man from the last meeting walked to the side and around the front of the large group and peered over at the Minister. 'You expect people to be able to protect themselves against this? Why did you not stop them when you had the chance? Did you not think it wise? What about all the innocent Muggles who died because you had not stopped this woman earlier? I had heard rumours you once had her in custody before?'
'It is true,' said Dumbledore gravely. His voice was beginning to fail and he couldn't understand why. He was sure about his feelings on this. 'Rowena was once in our custody but she managed to escape but it wasn't on her own. A member of the Order trusted her without hesitation and it proved costly.'
'Proved costly?' the man asked outraged. 'That's all you can say on this matter? Where is the justice? The blame? What is becoming of these people? You have allowed this menace to continue and all you can say to us right now is to travel in groups and protect ourselves. It is unbecoming of you Dumbledore. I'm sure people expect more.'
The small man walked away and he left the room. Every pair of eyes in the room watched him. The room remained silent and Dumbledore sighed. They were losing people's confidence and Dumbledore knew it wouldn't take much for it to disappear altogether. He didn't want to see that happen. It would be too much.
As soon as the conference ended the Order went back to headquarters for another meeting.
A large sigh echoed Rowena's bed chambers. The room was dark and silent. The only light coming in to the room was from the moonlight which poured its silver blanket across the bare floor through the window. Rowena had cleared out most of the room. The furniture bothered her. It made things cluttered and it felt unnecessary to have so many things. She had looked into rooms of other people in this manor and some rooms you could barely see the floor.
Rowena leaned back in her black throne chair and placed both hands on her abdomen, her left resting on top of her right hand and she sighed again. It was after midnight and Rowena still hadn't done the after battle meeting thing. Right now she didn't want to. She wanted to sleep but in another way, she didn't want to sleep.
She had been injured in the small battle with the Order. She was amazed anyone got out alive, especially Walden and herself. She knew a few others were injured. Like Alecto, she had been burned from the backfire and Rabastan suffered a broken arm but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed.
Rowena sighed once again. She was going to have a meeting before but she quickly felt sick. She decided to save it for later. Rowena tilted her head to the side gently and her eyes closed slowly as the door creaked open. She knew it was Walden. No one else would be able to get in here.
She heard Walden's heavy footsteps walk over to her though he made little sound. He stopped beside her chair and glanced down at her. Rowena didn't move. Her eyes opened and she went back to staring at the wall space below the window. It was bare and vacant looking. Rowena didn't want to look outside. She kept sensing that it would hurt her.
'My Lord,' said Walden quietly. 'The others are still waiting in the lounge room. We want to know if you are planning to have the meeting tonight.'
Rowena didn't answer him straight away. She didn't move her eyes from the wall and her body didn't move once. She sighed again. She had lost count of how many times she had done that tonight. She knew she looked and sounded bored but it's not how she actually felt. She was just tired but this had to be done now.
'Yes,' she breathed faintly.
After a few minutes, Rowena pulled herself up from the chair and she left the room with Walden following behind her. They entered the living room and Rowena immediately took her chair at the head of the table. She was still tired but this needed to be done now.
'Alright, let's get this over with then we can all sleep,' said Rowena quickly entering the living room. 'I want to know what happened and… how did we escape?' She was feeling confused and it showed, but the Death Eaters knew she hadn't seen that before, nor had they told her what it was.
'It was our secret,' said Yaxley quietly. His light eyes were focused on Rowena with a light ferocity. 'It was the first time we've ever had to use it and no, your father didn't know about it. We had a pact and we kept it. The spell needs a minimum of seven wands going to the same cause. It creates a ball of fire and it surrounds the people it's supposed to protect but it won't last. It's a distraction to allow the people inside a chance to disapparate.'
Rowena thought it through. She couldn't believe how clever that was. 'Who came up with it?' she asked curiously.
It went quiet. No one seemed to want to tell her. She looked around and her eyes connected with Bella's. She was sitting next to Rabastan and Rowena frowned slightly as she noticed they were holding hands again and not bothering to hide it. Rowena knew Rabastan was younger than Bella, though she wasn't sure by how much.
'It was Snape,' hissed Bella.
Rowena nodded. That's why everyone went quiet. They had all thought that Snape was on their side. She also knew how much the Death Eaters wanted to change the fact that Snape was still alive. Then, Rowena remembered she hadn't asked Walden.
'How are you feeling?'
'Fine,' Walden replied. 'I have healed well.'
'Speaking of which,' said Rowena slowly turning back to look at everyone. 'How hard would it be to break into Hogwarts?'
A few gasps went around the room. Rowena couldn't understand what the problem was but the Death Eaters did. 'My Lord,' started Rookwood. 'Hogwarts is heavily protected and it would be near impossible to enter while Dumbledore remains there.'
'There must be a flaw somehow,' said Rowena. 'How did you get in last time?'
'We didn't actually get in…'
'You're lying,' hissed Rowena.
All heads whipped quickly to look at Rowena. They hadn't heard that tone before and it made some of them jump in surprise.
'Um… my Lord?' questioned Rookwood.
'I know that in my sixth year you broke into Hogwarts. I know Greyback attacked Bill Weasley. How did you get in?' she asked firmly.
'It was Draco,' said Greyback roughly. 'He let us in through the room of requirement.'
'Which is what?'
'A room that only appears when you need it,' said Bella quickly. 'But Draco hid a vanishing cabinet in there and he kept the matching pair in Knockturn Alley.' Bella saw the confused look still on Rowena's face. 'Knockturn Alley is near Diagon Alley. It's just another place with shops and stuff for our kind,' added Bella.
'I see,' said Rowena quietly.
They had a small shopping village for wizards near Durmstrang too though most of the time it was cold and not many people went there. Speaking of small villages, Rowena thought of Hogsmeade. 'Hogsmeade is near Hogwarts, right?'
'Yes,' said Rookwood. Other Death Eaters nodded along too.
'I have someone to see there. Walden will accompany me. Meeting is over,' said Rowena quickly.
Bella opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything Rowena had already left the room. She returned to her bed chambers and she told Walden to stay outside the door. She wanted to be alone right now. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Aberforth. He lived and worked in Hogsmeade.