Chapter 24: Behind the Mask

"Tanith? Tanith McAllister? But how... How can you be so sure?" asked Harry, still under the shock of what Alexander had said.

"I've known for years that Tanith was adopted," said Alexander, who was beginning to calm down. "She told me when we were at school. And I met her adoptive parents. They were nice people... it all makes sense, now."

"Excuse me if I missed some parts," said Harry, still bemused.

"Who knew about the progress of the investigation on the Mask except for you, Ginny, the Weasleys, Dumbledore, and the Minister?" said Alexander.

It wasn't really a question.

"Tanith," he said. "She was in Ambrosius Office when I told him that Ginny was closing in on the Mask. Even the Aurors have been kept out of the loop. But I've gone to her to ensure the Replica of Morgenstein was made from a dead man. And then I trusted her, in front of Ambrosius. And once she hears that Ginny is investigating the trail of the Mask, Ginny is attacked by Servants of the Mask the very same evening. If you add to this the fact that we never saw her and Mask at the same time…"

"But Malfoy said she's was out of the conspiracy. He was under the effect of Veritaserum!"

"Because Malfoy never knew that Mask was Tanith. With this mask and strange voice, could you tell if it's a man or a woman behind it? Hermione was right, when she said that it could be anybody. We focused too much on Morgenstein. But I never thought of somebody I knew."

"But why did she help us against Stiller?" asked Ginny, still a little weak.

"That's obvious, now that I think of it," said Alexander. "She was playing both sides. She egged Malfoy on this rebellion project as the Mask, and at the same time, she warned us against the rebellion, to make sure that it would fail. Malfoy was linked to Devin Stiller. An aborted attempt of assassination against the Minister would ruin his career. And leave the way clear for her to get the Head Position. I'm sure she even made sure that Malfoy was harassing Hermione without any interference, to make sure that Hermione would refuse to take Devin's place."

"But why?"

"As a Head, she would be informed of more things. And especially, Ambrosius had just told her about the Seal and its precise location. That's why we succeeded in stopping the Masks when they tried to break in. They didn't know where the Seal was. They unleashed that spell to darken the Stars to make the Seal react and find it in the Building. Once Tanith got in the Head position, Ambrosius told her everything. And, soon, she was ready to strike."

"How didn't we see it before?" asked Harry, without hoping any answer.

"Because she was doing her best to prove to me that she was trustworthy. And she even succeeded, because I fell for it," Alexander said. "I'm sorry, Harry," he said.

"What?"

"I should have been more careful. If I didn't tell the Minister that it was Ginny who led the investigation on the Lochley family, Tanith wouldn't have attacked her."

"Don't begin to bear blames you don't deserve, Alexander," said Professor McGonagall, entering the Hospital Wing.

"She's right," said Ginny. "Tanith's the one who ordered the attack. And if I catch the bastard that threw that knife at me, he'll be in for serious pain."

Professor McGonagall looked at her with a mix of shock and amusement.

"I'm glad to see you better, Miss Weasley," she said. "I think your parents will want to see you, now."

"Are they here?" asked Ginny.

"They've been on your bedside for hours," said Harry. "You've been out for quite a while."

Ginny nodded.

"I'll be glad to see them," she said. "If only to prove to Mum that I'm alright."

Harry smiled.

"Harry," said Professor McGonagall, "I've got an owl from St Mungo's Hospital. Hermione woke up, and she wants to see both Alexander and you."

Harry raised his eyebrows. That seemed to make Alexander forget about his guilt.

"We got to make plans, Harry," said Alexander. "London could be a good place to do so."

"I've prepared a Portkey for the three of us," said McGonagall.

Alexander nodded.

"Just a minute," said Harry.

Professor McGonagall looked at him, and then at Ginny. She smiled.

"Of course," she said. "I'll tell the Weasleys to wait a little more."

She and Alexander left the wing, after Alexander nodded to Ginny. Harry sat again next to her and took her hand.

"I've got to go," he said. "You understand that, don't you?"

"Yes," said Ginny, with a curious fire in her eyes. "Do me a favour, please?"

"Sure," said Harry.

"Give a kiss to Hermione for me, will you?" she said. "Tell her I'm glad she's okay."

Harry chuckled.

"You got it," he said.

"And you go kick that bitch Tanith's arse into kingdom come for me, okay?" she added with a fierce grin.

This time Harry laughed and kissed her furiously.

"I promise," said Harry. "She will be stopped."

Ginny nodded. Harry leaned down to kiss her again.

"I love you so much," he said. "I know what it feels to be afraid of losing you. I don't want to hurt you. I promise I'll be back soon. When you will wake up tomorrow, I'll be here."

"Promise?"

"Promise," said Harry.

He kissed her a last time, and stood up. He walked away from the bed, still looking at her. And he turned to walk out the Hospital wing, crossing path with the Weasleys, who hurried to Ginny's bed, with relived expressions on their faces. Harry nodded to Arthur and Molly, his resolve set. Alexander and Professor McGonagall were waiting for him. Lupin and Tonks were with them.

"I want to go with you, Harry," said Lupin.

"I'd like you to, but we still don't know what we're going to don," said Harry. "For now, I'd rather have you here, to watch over Ginny, she may not be safe yet. I'll keep you informed of what we're doing. Stick to your coin."

Lupin nodded.

Professor McGonagall extended her hand, where a returned cup of tea was lying.

"On three, put your finger on it," she said. "One, two, and three…"

Harry touched the Portkey, and seconds later, he was stumbling on the floor of St Mungo's second floor. He quickly spotted where they were in the Hospital and led the way to Hermione's room.

They joined quickly with the Weasleys that had stood guard at her door. Fred and Charlie were there. Bill was sitting on the other side of the corridor, still looking worried.

Harry wasted no time.

"Ginny will be fine," he said. "She's resting, now. Madam Pomfrey isn't worried for her, any more."

Fred let out a deep breath and Bill's face brightened. Charlie seemed still furious.

"Who did this, Harry?" he said. "Who is the bastard that tried to kill both my sisters?"

"Someone who will get the proper due," said Alexander. "How is Hermione?"

"Quite better than we could have expected her to be," said Terry Boot, walking out the room at this moment. "She's a very special witch, to have resisted to this spell with such strength. Usually, people take weeks of recovery before to be able to walk. But she is already quite strong."

"The spell was diminished by the mirror," said Alexander. "Maybe that saved her."

"It's possible," said Terry. "But that doesn't explain how she can get well so soon."

"Hermione is very strong," said Professor McGonagall. "I'm not surprised. She once succeeded in deflecting an incomplete Killing Curse off me. That requires a great inner strength."

"Can I see her?" asked Harry.

"Ron's with her, right now, but I guess he won't mind," said Fred. "Hermione called for you and Alexander."

Harry nodded and opened the door, before to enter the room with Alexander.

The contrast made him stop for a second before at the threshold of the room. When he had left, Hermione was pale as death, completely rigid. Now, her face was full of life and she was even smiling to her husband. Ron seemed still worried, but he was giving her back this smile.

Hermione caught sight of him and her face grew worried.

"How's Ginny?" she asked. "Ron just told me after I called you."

"She'll be fine," Harry said.

He walked to the left bedside, and leaned down to her.

"That's for you, from Ginny," he said, before to kiss her on the other cheek. "And that's from me, to thank you," said Harry, kissing her cheek.

"For what?" asked Hermione, puzzled.

"Without your coin, she would be dead now," Harry said. "So thank you. Why did you want to see me?"

"I remember something strange about Mask," she said. "Now that we've met, I'm not sure it's a man."

"Why?" asked Harry.

"The way it waved its wand," said Hermione. "It's very delicate and elegant. It's more like a woman's touch."

"Tanith," said Alexander, as if it was confirming his suspicion.

"Alright," said Harry. "Now, what do we do?"

"We follow the original plan," said Alexander. "Now that we're sure it's Tanith, I think I can find her trail and we catch up with her. Then, we get back the Seal…"

"Tanith?" repeated Hermione. "Tanith McAllister? Why her?"

"Because of what Ginny discovered about the descendant of Mask being a woman, who was adopted when her mother died. She was never here when we met the Mask. The moment she was informed of the Seal's location, the Ministry is attacked and the Seal is taken, while my girlfriend is assaulted and Ginny is almost killed. And you just confirmed that Mask is a woman."

Hermione looked slightly disappointed.

"I wanted to help," she said.

"You did," said Alexander. "You dissipated any trace of doubt."

The door opened and Professor McGonagall entered the room, followed by Bill and Fred.

"How are you feeling, dear?" she asked to Hermione.

"Quite good, now, Minerva," said Hermione. "I'll be out of this bed as soon as somebody gives me my robes."

"What!" Harry and Ron exclaimed at the same time.

"I'm fine," said Hermione, impatiently. "And I must go with you and Alexander, Harry!"

Ron was too shocked to say a word. But all the people in the room were protesting vehemently, except Professor McGonagall.

"Where are you going exactly?" asked a voice from the door.

Phyllis had entered the room, still in a dressing gown. Now, she looked in worse condition than Hermione, but still she seemed very strong. She was shooting at Alexander a dangerous look. Alexander stood up and followed her outside.

Hermione looked at them walking out of the room, and smiled.

"Alright, they will settle this calmly," she said. "Couldn't we do the same here? There's nothing to discuss, anyway. I' m going and that's all."

"Stop that immediately, Hermione Granger Weasley!" said suddenly an angry Ron. "You won't get up from this bed until all of this is over."

"And you do believe that I will obey such an order, Ron?" replied Hermione furiously. "You don't even imagine the amount of trouble you're going to be in if you dare to go there without me!"

"You're still in recovery, Hermione," protested Bill, calmly.

"I don't care! Harry will need us!" shouted Hermione. "And I'm not in recovery anymore!"

"You were hurt only hours ago, love!" Ron said, begging her to be reasonable. "I don't want you to get in more…"

"And if I'm not there, who will take care of you?" countered Hermione. "This is serious situation, Ron. I won't stay behind. And I've been in a really worse condition before to fight all those Death Eaters, six years ago. You did not do such difficulties to let me go at the time, remember?"

"Ha! As if I had a choice! You had stunned me so you could apparate in St Mungo's freely."

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Ron," said Hermione softly. "Don't make me jinx you again!"

"Enough!" said Harry suddenly. "You're not thinking even the tenth of what you're saying! Nobody will jinx anyone in this room. Hermione, please be reasonable. I need you to stay behind!"

"Why?"

"Ginny is in recovery in Hogwarts," said Harry. "I'd be reassured if you're here to look after her..."

"That's unfair! Why don't you ask Bill or Fred?"

"Because you're the one who's injured, dear," said Harry, with a grin.

"May I say something?" asked Professor McGonagall. "I will look after Miss Weasley, Harry. I think Hermione has to go with you."

"WHAT?" Ron snarled. "Of all the persons here, I thought you would understand why she has to stay."

"You will need her skills, Mr. Weasley," said Professor McGonagall. "This is a crisis situation. Hermione is in a good condition enough to fight, according to the Healers. To get help from the Ministry would be too long. And Albus can't leave the school right now. Not if the Seal is about to be activated. He's responsible with the loves of all the students. I'm afraid you can't afford to leave anyone behind."

Ron was looking more furious than he ever had. But Harry could feel the worry behind the anger. He turned to Hermione. She was looking decided and inflexible.

"Why do I have the most stubborn people as my best friends?" he sighed.

"Harry," said Hermione. "I won't let you take my husband in danger if I'm not with him, you hear me?"

"Yes, I hear you," said Harry. "But it's not my choice to make. Settle this before I go with Alexander. I'll be waiting outside."

He walked out the door, still really tense. It wasn't the argument that had stressed him, but the fact that he'd have rather gone alone with Alexander. The thought of his friends again endangered because of him was too much to bear, pulling him back in the days of terror he had gone through, a few years ago. Once out the room, Harry met Alexander, who was kissing Phyllis softly. When they broke the kiss, Harry could hear them talk.

"So you're sure?" asked Phyllis.

"I'll be reassured to know you're safe," said Alexander. "You've done enough by now and you're still hurt. It has nothing to do with a macho thing, alright? I'll already have help. And this place isn't safe. If she wants to strike Harry and me, she could decide to attack some people here. She knows what I feel for you, which is why you were attacked; in the first place. Remember how she came to try and win me back? She knew exactly how to hurt me: through you. She could decide to take a second chance. You'll be safer in Hogwarts."

Harry decided to give Alexander a hand on this one. He made a step forward.

"And if you could look over Ginny, that would be a great help for me," he told Phyllis.

"That's rubbish so I could stay out of the action," said Phyllis with a twisted smile.

"Partly," said Harry frankly. "But I also saw how you manage with a wand and I think that with Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall and you, Ginny will be safe in Hogwarts. So you should get there very soon."

"Alright," said Phyllis. "But don't believe you're going to get away with this that easily. You'll hear about that, Lockenburn."

"I'm sure I will," said Alexander, smiling softly.

He kissed her gently. Then he turned to Harry.

"Harry, I know Ron doesn't like this, because she's still in recovery, but I think we will really need Hermione. She's pretty skilled in duels and Tanith certainly won't be alone."

"Glad to hear that," said Hermione, walking out her room, fully dressed and looking stronger than Harry would have thought her to be.

Beside her, Ron was still looking unhappy with the thought but Harry saw something close to resignation in his eyes. He shook his head. To try and convince Hermione of something was just as easy as let's say, making Big Ben have a waltz with the Eiffel Tower, which wasn't impossible, but really tiring.

"Shall we go, then?" she asked, a mischievous grin on her face.

"How are we going to do, exactly?" asked Ron.

They were back in Harry's place, on Carnaby Street. It was a dark night outside the window. Harry and his friends were making plans. Professor McGonagall and Phyllis had gone back to Hogwarts, to keep Dumbledore informed of the situation. Lupin and Tonks had showed up at Harry's place a little while later, not willing to be kept out of the loop. So the problem that remained to be solved was to find Tanith quickly.

"I found a spell," said Alexander. "Once I cast it, I can apparate in the place where the person named in the spell is exactly. The name transforms the target into a kind of lighthouse in the magic space, so we can apparate straight at her. And I can carry three people with me. Now I've identified Tanith, I can get to her very fast."

"I'm in," said Harry.

"Me too," said Hermione almost immediately.

"Then, I'm in too," said Ron. "I won't let you get there alone."

"Alright, that's a great plan, but you're forgetting something. You'll be only four and there could be an army of these nutters working with Mask," said Fred.

"Just give me a moment," said Hermione, walking out of the room.

Harry looked around to his friends. The Weasley twins, Dean and Seamus, who had been called in by Ron, Bill and Charlie.

Suddenly, someone apparated in Harry's living room. Padma Patil was looking really decided, while her twin looked resigned.

"Alright, Potter," said Padma. "Don't even think to leave me out of this! I've been looking for you all over the city!"

"What are you doing here?" asked George in disbelief.

"Parvati was warned about the attack on the Ministry and she heard that Ginny was injured," said Padma, smiling to her boyfriend. "I knew you guys would start planning some stupid expedition. And I'm right on time, apparently. You were about to get there without me, George Weasley?"

"Well…"

"I knew it. Where are we going exactly? No way to let me out of this!" she said impatiently as George was about to protest. "Either I'm in, or you don't go anywhere."

"Then, you take this!" said Hermione, walking back into the room.

She threw her a coin. Padma caught it in the air and blinked at it, surprised.

"The DA coins?" she asked.

"I'll explain later," said George to her.

"I got them back," said Hermione, giving one coin to anyone in the room. "Remus and Tonks still have theirs, don't you?"

Remus nodded. Tonks made a show of holding out the coin, with a wink.

"Fleur does as well," said Bill. "She kept it to study the spell. She found it fascinating," he explained to Hermione with a smile.

Harry turned to Parvati.

"I thought you didn't want to be involved in stuff like that," he said with a smile.

"My sister is marching to war, Harry," said Parvati. "I can't let her go there on her own."

Harry had a nod of understanding.

"See? That wasn't so difficult, was it?" he said.

"Sod off, Potter," she said, sticking her tongue out.

"Alright, we can't waste anymore time," said Harry. "Once we find them, we call for back-up. Alexander?" he asked, turning to the Entropist.

"The ones who come with me must put their hands on my shoulders," said Alexander.

Harry, Hermione and Ron took their places at Alexander's side. Alexander made complicated waves with his wand, tracing motives in light with the tip. One pentacle appeared in the air.

"Pharos Tanith Lochley," said Alexander, with a low threat in his tone.

Harry's eyes suddenly didn't see the living room, but a vast plain, under the night sky. A plain that seemed lighted by lightning bolts. With each bolt, Harry heard the echo of a spell. It was amazing! He was seeing the Magic on the whole country! Maybe even on the whole world!

And at the horizon, he could see a light spot, that wasn't flickering at all.

"She's there!" said Alexander's voice in Harry's mind

And the plain began to move at a gigantic speed. His gaze was speeding over the fields of Magic, as if he was flying.

Harry understood what was going on. He was witnessing an Apparation from the inside!

"That's fascinating," said Hermione at his side.

Harry couldn't see her, but he could imagine her face marvelled by the vision of the landscape running under them.

Suddenly, it all stopped. Something passed before Harry's eyes, and suddenly, his vision cleared. They were standing in a clearing of a forest.

"Where are we?" asked Ron, pulling his wand out.

"We're still in England," said Alexander. "That's all I know."

They walked out of the woods, and faced suddenly the ruins of some strange temple. Alexander stiffened. He detailed the stone pillars and the cut obelisks.

"Tanith, you idiot, what are you doing?"

"What is this place?"

"A temple of Power of the Builders Cult," said Hermione, recognizing the writings on the columns.

"Here?"

"The family of the Mask must have built it, a while ago," said Alexander. "The most important is that this place is full of spells. It will increase the effect of the Seal, and it will protect it."

They began to run to the temple. They went around the ruins of ancient stones, and when they faced the great arch that was marking the entry of the temple, they saw the rituals of a ceremony. They took cover.

The Mask was here, hands raised, chanting strange incantations, with its Iron Voice. Around the stairs leading inside, maybe thirty wizards, dressed in the same robes that they had seen before, were kneeling in half-circles, in a kind of religious trance.

The Mask turned to its attendants. The iron voice rose again up to the sky.

"Today, the world is about to change. I will enter in possession of my legacy. And its power will make me the new Maker of the World. I will change all that is, and all that was, so that the future will be the way I want. When it's done, I won't forget the loyalty of your clan, Servants. You have all served us well during millennia of search. Tonight, the search is over, and you shall know your recompense for your faith."

Alexander walked out of his hiding place and waved his wand to the arch over the Gate of the temple.

"Fracasso!" he shouted.

The arch exploded and collapsed on the door, blocking the entry.

There was a great confusion in the ranks of the wizards. They all turned to Alexander. Harry joined him quickly, his wand ready to fight. Hermione and Ron were right on his heels. The Servants let out an outraged scream of rage and raised their wands.

"Stop!" shouted the iron voice.

Harry drew closer to Alexander.

"Did I ever tell you that you're way too impulsive?" he asked.

"But Hermione caught my signal, didn't she?" asked Alexander with a smile.

Hermione silently nodded, her hand buried in her pocket. Harry understood that Alexander had cast this spell as a diversion to let Hermione do something. And Harry knew what.

The Mask made a wave of hands and the stone blocking the Gate were swept away, thrown on the side of the stairs. Mask then turned to the four wizards, without showing any surprise at seeing them.

"Wise of you to keep the faith of your Servants alive," said Alexander on an ironic tone. "I'm glad that you still can control your zealots."

"Only four? You came to fight me with only three wizards?" said the iron voice. "You're still fearless and foolish, Alexander."

"Your minions won't stop me, Tanith, whatever their number is," said Alexander coldly.

The Mask seemed to hesitate. It took its hands to its face and took the silvery mask off, revealing the beautiful face of Tanith McAllister. She smiled sadly.

"So you know," she said. "That's too bad. I was hoping to keep you out of this."

"You should have made sure that Ginny was dead," said Alexander. "I've got someone here, who wants to even the score with you."

Harry made one step forward, eyes narrowed in anger.

"Nothing personal here, Harry," said Tanith. "I had to cover my trails. I'm sure you understand that."

"You made it personal by attacking the woman I love," said Harry.

"Maybe," admitted Tanith. "But still, as powerful as you may be, you're only four and my servants are twenty. The odds are against you, I'm afraid."

"But who said there were only four of us?" said Hermione.

She pulled out a coin of her pocket. She then flipped it in the air. It fell on the stone ground, with a tingling sound that rang a long moment. It was glowing red in the night.

When the echo faded, it was to be replaced by loud cracks, as many people were suddenly apparating.

There were Bill, Fleur, Charlie and the Twins. And, just beside Fred, Padma was standing, her wand on guard, and her face resolute. Parvati was on the right side of Alexander. A little farther on the left, Neville, Dean and Seamus appeared, with decided looks on their faces. And finally, Tonks, Lupin and Phyllis appeared right before them. Phyllis winked at Alexander who rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"What a mule!" he muttered. "How do I get a reasonable idea inside her head?"

Harry didn't bother to hide a smile.

"So, do we still have to fight, now? Or do you surrender willingly?" said Hermione casually.

Tanith's face closed.

"I want every one of them dead," she told her servants. "Everyone except this one."

She was pointing her finger at Alexander.

"Don't do me any favour, Tanith," said Alexander, coldly.

"Kill the others," she said, without looking at him.

She walked in the temple. All the Servants of Tanith raised their wands. Ron exchanged looks with Hermione, Harry and his brothers.

"Alright," he said. "Here we go again!"

"Stupefy!" shouted Padma, before anyone could do anything.

She had fury in her voice. The wizard she was waving her wand at was suddenly hit a by a shockwave of energy that threw him in the air. He hit the ground loudly. He was stunned. Padma looked at her wand, surprised by what she had done.

Alexander turned to his friends.

"The Seal is boosting our spells! Beware!"

"Okay," said Fred, drawing near Padma. "One down…"

"Twenty-nice to go," completed George, with a confident smile. "I'll get the twenty-eight on the left. You take the others on the right."

"Charge!" shouted Charlie, his wand emitting sparkles.

And the battle began, furious. There was confusion everywhere, spells rebounding in every direction, hitting shield charms. At some point, Ron turned to Harry and Alexander, dodged one stunning spell, and shouted at them.

"You two get inside this pile of bricks and stop her!" he said.

"But…" began Harry.

"No buts, Harry," cut Hermione. "We can manage here, so now you go!"

Harry made his decision. He took Alexander's arm.

"Come with me!" he said.

Alexander only hesitated one second, and then nodded. The both of them ran to the stairs of the Temple Gate. One of the wizards in the Mask's attire tried to get in their way, but some wave of energy hit him hard in the stomach, pushing him off the ground. He fell down the stairs, and landed on the bottom of it, motionless.

Harry turned to see Hermione and Phyllis lower their wands at the same time. They exchanged smiles before to nod to him. Phyllis mouthed "Be careful" to Alexander. He sent her a kiss and smiled reassuringly.

He and Harry ran into the darkness of the Temple.

The spell used by Alexander is based on the concept of the lighthouse, which light guides the ship searching for their way. So PHAROS" is the root for the French word "Phare" (=lighthouse). Pharos comes from the Tower of the Alexandria Harbour, in ancient Egypt, which was the first light house in history.

That's it for today... next time, the final face-off between the heroes and the Mask