Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling
The Truth behind your eye
By RawenclawBabe
Chapter 27 Alliances are formed
Albus Dumbledore was getting frustrated – it had been almost two weeks and he still hadn't found a Potions teacher for the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff-classes. He had tried Horace Slughorn – Severus predecessor as Potions Master and Head of Slytherin, who had retired fourteen years ago – but without Harry Potter he had no bait for the old Potions Master. He was slowly running out of options – Potions was a difficult subject and there were few Masters.
Sighing he was secretly glad that he hadn't fired Severus – the man was a Potions genius after all and one of the few persons in Britain who were able to teach NEWT-level Potions. Severus had already resumed teaching the fifth-year Hufflepuffs – their parents and the board of Governors had insisted – even a few Gryffindors had joined that class – and there was nothing he could do as Headmaster – it was their OWL-year and they had a right to have their lessons.
Cursing Molly Weasley he returned to the resumes of possible candidates. But honestly - what was that woman thinking? Even three of her children had decided to stay in Severus's classes – Percy was in NEWT-Potions and the twins had joined the Hufflepuffs for their OWL-preparation class. Only Ronald Weasley seemed to be truly happy about the situation.
He was really getting desperate – Albus had even written to his old friend Nicolas Flamel – the most famous alchemist alive. But his friend had only answered in a short note – 'No, I'm over 600 years old and have better things to do with my remaining days. N. F.' Well, he hadn't really expected the old man to accept the position, but he was running out of options and the school governors were breathing down his neck – he had to find a solution.
Sighing he looked at a list with the names of the students, who had taken their Potions-NEWT with 'Outstanding'. There were very few, and none matched Severus's genius – well, developing new potions and improving potions wasn't a feat anyone could do.
He had only a week left to present his candidates to the board of governors. Amelia Bones had insisted, that the Hufflepuff' and Gryffindor' students were taught by a fully qualified Potions Master – she really cared about her niece's Susan's education, who was a third year Hufflepuff. It was outrageous even weak-minded and loyal Hufflepuffs were working against him – Amelia Bones seemed to be rather close to the Slytherins and Ravenclaws on the Hogwarts Board of Governors as well. Why would a Hufflepuff work with sneaky Slytherins? Albus Dumbledore just couldn't understand that. Gryffindors were the brave and good leaders, everyone should follow him.
Well, he would prefer a Gryffindor candidate as second Potions teacher anyway. Gryffindors were loyal – to him. That had been the main reason for hiring Remus Lupin as teacher for Defence against the Dark Arts. But apart from Lily Potter there hadn't been a good Potions student in Gryffindor for decades. Maybe Molly Weasley was an option – she was rather good at brewing – mainly household – potions. It was only for the lower years anyway – but still the students needed to be able to pass their OWLs. But Molly had never taken NEWT-level Potions – and the Board of Governors would never allow him to hire a teacher without NEWT in the subject they were supposed to teach.
He needed a suitable candidate to teach Potions, the board of governors wouldn't accept anything else – they'd rather have Severus teach all Potions classes again especially the likes of Lucius Malfoy. What was the solution for his problem? Or better who was the right solution?
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Rats are small animals and are very good at hiding. Peter Pettigrew was aware of the advantages of his animagus form – even though his friends had always made fun of his form, but not everyone could be a stag or a large dog – their forms had been big and very visible – his wasn't and he had survived that way for the last twelve years.
But he had to admit that Gryffindor tower was getting dangerous for a small rat, especially considering all the cats living there – the biggest menace was a large orange tomcat.
He really needed a new hiding place. But he had to be careful – Remus was in the castle and he knew his rat-form. He couldn't be seen by his former friend – who believed him to be dead anyway.
His friends had never taken him seriously – their mistake. He had always been around them and been their truest friend as Marauder to avoid Snivellius fate. If he hadn't been Gryffindor and their friend, James and Sirius would certainly have picked on him. Being their friend he got the chance to laugh about Snivellius's misfortune – there had always been a cruel streak in his personality anyway – although he hadn't been worse than Sirius or James on that account, they had both been quite cruel themselves – especially Sirius.
Peter had an uncanny ability – he always found the strongest ally. The other Marauders had joined Dumbledore's Order of Phoenix – oh he had, too. But he had been looking for power – Dumbledore had power but he didn't share it. So he sought out the one person promising power to his follower – Peter Pettigrew had joined the Dark Lord.
Well, he couldn't hide in the kitchen - although he rather liked the idea – but the house-elves would go nuts, if they found a rat there.
And he had followed the Daily Prophet on Sirius Black's escaped – his former friend was getting closer to Hogwarts all the time and he hadn't been sighted anymore. He had to be very close and careful – Wormtail – he had always hated the nickname the other Marauders had given him - knew he had to be careful, too.
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Hermione was sitting in the Gryffindor common room and tried to do her homework. Due to her full timetable she had hardly any time for herself – using the time-turner was extremely strenuous for body and mind. She never slept more than four or five hours and was busy most of the time. She was exhausted and tried to concentrate on Ancient Runes – she realised for the first time how loud her fellow Gryffindors were all the time. Didn't they ever shut up?
When she had finally finished her Ancient Runes homework, sighing she took her Divination book – Unfogging the Future - out of her bag – she had saved the worst for last. Why did she even bother? Professor McGonagal - her mother - had only snorted – muttering under her breath about that 'stupid old fraud' and 'useless waste of time', when she had told her about taking Divination. Having been in Divination for more than two month, Hermione was close to admitting that her mother had been right – but she wasn't ready to drop the subject yet. Although she truly began to hate Divination, her marks were abyssal – she seemed to be the only student in class, who didn't make up horror stories. And Trelawney loved horror stories – the worse the foretold future was the better. Maybe she should try it too – 'I won't be attending Divination next week, because I'll be in hospital with a broken leg.' She certainly was able to find a spell to break a bone – but she had never believed in self-mutilation. And Hermione just wasn't the type for skipping classes, although she could become the type at least when Divination was concerned.
Maybe she should go to the library – it was quiet and she could do her homework undisturbed. Looking at her watch, she realised that it was after curfew. Sighing Hermione returned to her homework – it was always difficult to concentrate when the others played exploding snap at the next table – but there was nothing she could do about it now.
Her life had become difficult, when she wasn't busy doing schoolwork, she constantly thought about her new-found family. Her father's spirit on Halloween had left a deep impression in her heart – would their life ever be easy? She had always loved her muggle-parents, but she couldn't fathom why she had been taken from her biological parents in first place? Her mother had been hurt so much by losing her children. She had seen her mother's eyes, when they had learned the truth – happiness and love. Hermione had always admired Professor McGonagal – she couldn't wish for a better mother.
Her mother wanted to claim her publicly – they would go to the Ministry soon – before Christmas – she'd never return to her muggle parents. Her name would be changed and she'd live with her mother – Hermione Jean McGonagal – that would need some time of getting used to.
Lost in her thoughts Hermione was surprised, when Ron Weasley appeared next to her and told her loudly: "You need to control your menacing beast – Scabbers has disappeared and I'm certain that your cat has eaten him – he has been after him all the time. Your beast needs to be punished for killing my poor rat Scabbers."
Hermione sighed: "Ron, Crookshanks is a cat – it's not his fault, if you aren't able to look after your pet. If your mangy old shoe-brush is dead, it probably was a natural death anyway – ordinary garden rats don't get usually that old. Would you please leave me alone, I have homework to do."
Ron looked at her suspiciously: "You are still doing your homework? Even you can't have that much homework," he took a scroll from Hermione's bag, "Potions? Why on earth have you written a Potions essay for? We Gryffindors don't have Potions at the moment."
Losing her patience Hermione sighed: "Professor Snape allowed me to join the Ravenclaws and Slytherins for their lessons – I don't want to fall behind."
Ron looked really disgusted now: "You want to have Potions with Snape? Are you mad?"
"Professor Snape, Ron;" Hermione corrected him.
The red-headed boy shook his head: "You are mad. You've chosen Snape and the Slytherins over your own house – don't you remember how Malfoy called you? It's disgusting. You disgust me – no decent witch would spend her time with slimy, evil Slytherins. You really should show Gryffindor more loyalty."
Rolling her eyes she tried to explain her position: "This isn't about house loyalty, it's about academics – I've been top of our class since we started Hogwarts and I won't be beaten now – I can't fall behind Malfoy and the Ravenclaws in Potions."
"Bullocks," Ron shouted at her. "You really shouldn't give me that shit - you've been closer to the Ravenclaws and Slytherins than to your own house-mates since the term started."
Hermione huffed: "It's not my fault that no Gryffindor is interested in an intelligent conversation. No one at the Gryffindor table is even trying to talk to me and I can't stand constant Quidditch talk. So sorry," but her tone made sure that she wasn't sorry – she didn't feel any need to apologise for her recent behaviour – she had done nothing wrong after all.
Ron narrowed her eyes at her: "Maybe you should stop being such an insufferable swot – swots belong in Ravenclaw not Gryffindor."
Hermione stood up and pointed her wand at his breast: "Me being a swot has never disturbed you, when you wanted to copy my homework." She summoned her things and left the common room for her dormitory.
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It was a Saturday when Severus Snape visited Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire. He had promised his father to seek out his old followers after all on Halloween. Lucius was the best person to begin – although he had claimed to have been under the Imperius Curse after the Dark Lord fell – but he had been the one who had introduced Severus to the Dark Lord in first place.
Lucius was sitting in his study reading the Daily Prophet, when the floo-network was activated – the fireplace in his study was one out of two fireplaces in the manor that were linked to the network. Looking up from his newspaper he saw the face of Severus Snape in his fireplace: "Severus, to what circumstances do I owe you calling me on a Saturday morning?"
"Lucius, would you mind, if I came through – I want to talk to you in private."
Sighing Lucius unwarded the floo to allow his old friend to step through. When Severus came out of the fireplace, he asked him: "Severus, old friend, how can I help you?"
Severus looked into Lucius cool grey eyes and raised an eyebrow: "Lucius, I need you to contact our friends – there is a way for the Dark Lord to come back – we will finally be able to get rid of Dumbledore."
Looking at him critically, it took a few moments before Lucius answered: "You have been in contact with the Dark Lord?"
Severus nodded: "Yes, he wants us to reassemble his followers. There is a ritual that will help him to regain his physical form..."
Lucius raised an eyebrow: "A ritual that involves his daughter. You've already presented her to him."
Looking suspiciously Severus asked: "How do you know about his daughter?"
The blonde man shrugged: "One of your Slytherins saw Hermione Granger's family tree in your lesson, you students talked about it and Draco told me. So let's say I know the identity of the Dark Lord's daughter – as do you old friend. But how will we get a Gryffindor to help the Dark Lord?"
"Not everything is as it appears," Severus told his fellow Slytherin sighing.
"Ah, so you know more;" Lucius assumed smirking. "Well, most Death Eaters are in Azkaban and you are aware of that fact. But I'll use my contacts to the Ministry – an unspeakable like Augustus Rookwood might be able to help us with you obscure magical ritual."
Severus nodded: "Well, that's a starting point, but you know that the Dark Lord isn't easily satisfied."
Lucius smirked darkly: "Oh yes, we all know our Lord's tastes, don't we? You know me I've always been rather – how to put it – open-minded, but I would never go that far."
Although secretly disgusted, Severus smirked in response: "And because we've always enjoyed the Dark Lord's revels so much, we should do our best to bring him and his other followers back. I see that we understand each other."
Laughing Lucius replied: "Always. We need to gain control and we need a leader like the Dark Lord. It's a pity that you must be so close to the old fool, you could do so much more, if you weren't permanently watched by Dumbledore."
Sighing Severus nodded: "Yes, he spoils all the fun. Imagine I'm not allowed to teach the Gryffindor first though fifth years anymore. The old fool is still looking for another Potions teacher."
Lucius snorted: "Yes, that was Molly Weasley's idea, wasn't it? We'll a governors meeting soon. Amelia Bones is rather put out by Dumbledore – her niece is Hufflepuff and you aren't allowed to teach them, because they are to be taught withj the Gryffindors. Imagine – the old fool has many Hufflepuff opponents now. Only the Gryffindors seem to accept the current situation – but they are lazy fools anyway."
"Well, I have more time for my independant research now. And teaching Gryffindors has always been too exhausting anyway – they don't want to learn – so it's better for me that I don't have to teach them anymore," Severus responded smirking.
"Good for you, old friend," Lucius seemed to be getting a bit restless and Severus knew that it was time to go.
"Thank you, Lucius. I'll be in touch, but I have to return to Hogwarts now. Goodbye." Severus excused himself and left Malfoy Manor through the fireplace.
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Lucius Malfoy had an appointment with Fridericus Reichenbach. It had taken him quite some time, but he was in contact with his friend Severus's German acquaintances now.
The two men met at the German Ministry of Magic in Reichenbach's office. It was an unusual feeling to walk through the halls here – if he visited the Ministry of Magic in London, he was always greeted by his name – no one seemed to recognise him. The whole experience was weird.
He was led into Fridericus Reichenbach's office by a secretary – a young blonde witch who was wearing rather fitting robes.
Fridericus stood up from his seat behind his desk when Lucius Malfoy entered his office. He walked over to him and offered him his hand: "Welcome Mr Malfoy, I've been expecting you."
Lucius Malfoy nodded and shook the other wizard's hand: "Mr. Reichenbach, thank you for inviting me."
Fridericus led his guest to the sitting area of the office - there was a sofa and two armchairs with a small coffee-table in between: "Please sit down. Can I offer you anything to eat or drink?"
"Tea would be nice," Lucius answered, but he felt a bit disconcerted when Fridericus started to grin.
"Well, I suppose you are lucky then, that we are meeting here at the Ministry."
Lucius's eyes widened a bit, but he wouldn't show that he was indeed getting a bit unnerved: "And why am I lucky?"
Fridericus smirked: "Our Ministry has special house elves, who prepare food and drinks according to the wishes of our foreign guests. While I personally don't like tea, I really love the coffee prepared by our Italian house elf here. But I'm certain Dibby – our 'English' elf appreciates to serve tea to a distinguished guest like you - ..."
Before Fridericus was able to say anything else, the refreshments appeared on the coffee table.
Lucius was a bit suspicious about the tea – why had the other wizard deemed it necessary to tell him about the house elf brewing the tea? He carefully took a sip – the tea was quite good – he had expected worse after talking to Severus. He looked up and saw Fridericus Reichenbach smiling at him.
Fridericus waited a few moments before he began to speak: "Now – let us speak about your investments here." He took some documents out of a folder before looking back at Lucius. "I have to ask you a few standard questions first – the Ministry of our Magicum Imperium Romanum Nationis Germanicærequires certain information: first of all – do you plan to invest in the muggle world, too?"
Lucius Malfoy looked truly disgusted: "How can you ask a pureblood wizard, if he wants to invest in the muggle world? Muggles are disgusting. Why would anyone want to have contact to the muggle world?"
Fridericus sighed: "I apologise, Mr. Malfoy, but this is one of our standard question. The final Act of Secrecy between our Magicum Imperium Romanum Nationis Germanicæand Sacrum Imperium Romanum Nationis Germanicæwas signed it 1651 – it was necessary since most of the magical community had opted for separating our world from the muggle world anyway while the muggles were destroying nearly everything during the Thirty Years' War." Fridericus sighed again and continued: "That's the main reason for the huge differences between magical and muggle world here in middle Europe: While our political structures hardly changed in the last 350 years – we are still lead by our Empress and High-Priestess who is elected by seven electors – there have been vast political and geographical changes in the muggle world: at first they had been only small changes – after the Thirty Years' War their emperor was elected by eight instead of seven electors. Digusting, isn't it – seven is a magical number to have eight electors is outrageous. But it became worse and worse – they constantly had new borders and states. Why can't muggles value what they have? If you were interested in investments in the muggle world, the paperwork would get very complicated. Imagine because we couldn't have a treaty with the DDR – Eastern Germany – there weren't any muggleborn students at 'Blocksberg Magieschule für Hexen und Hexenmeister' between 1945 and 1990 – we could only reach the school through port-keys and the floo-network after all. Most muggle parents in Western Germany were freaked out by the idea of their children attending a Wizarding School on the territory of Eastern Germany and the government of Eastern Germany didn't allow us to contact muggleborns in their territory – it was a nightmare. Muggles are just insane - they have constantly been changing their borders in the last 200 years. So we are really grateful that you don't want to invest in the muggle world…"
Lucius was getting bored and secretly wondering why he was still listening to the other man. He wanted to expand his company and buy a few houses – he could have lived without an extended history and geography lesson. Sighing he decided to interrupt the other wizard: "Mr. Reichenbach, that may all be quite important to you, but I am here to expand my company. I need business contact and I want to see some mansions – I am her to buy estates not write a book about German history."
Looking back at his guest Fridericus caught himself: "Of course, Mr. Malfoy. I've always been very interested in history and I tend to forget that not everyone is like me in that point."
Smirking Lucius told his host: "Well, since we've returned to our main topic – I need business contact – maybe some shares in local companies – and I want to buy at least two mansions."
Fridericus nodded: "There are a couple of companies who are interested in foreign investors – you can meet their executive committees – and we'll show you a couple of mansions that are for sale. Do you have any special requirements for the pre-selection?"
The blonde wizard critically raised an eyebrow: "Nothing too small. No muggles close-by. Large estate – I don't like neighbours nearby. The estates shouldn't be visible for muggles – undetectable would be good as well."
Listening closely Fridericus's eyes widened more and more: "Well, I suppose we can find a nice castle somewhere. Have you any regional preferences – mountains, sea, lakes, forest – well, we can show you several options."
Lucius only nodded: "I want to see what you have to offer – I'll decide if I buy, after I have seen the estates."
Noticing his guest's mood Fridericus said amicably: "Of course, Mr. Malfoy. I'll have my youngest daughter Clara show you the estates – she can either make port-keys or she'll apparate with you there."
Narrowing his eyes Lucius responded: "Well, when does she arrive? I'm a busy man, Mr. Reichenbach."
Before the other man was able to answer, they heard a knock and a young, pretty, blonde witch entered. Fridericus looked at his daughter, before introducing her to Lucius: "Mr. Malfoy – I want to introduce you to my daughter Clara Reichenbach."
Lucius Malfoy looked at the witch standing in front of him, took her hand and kissed it: "Miss Reichenbach, I'm delighted to meet you. I can't wait for you to show me the estates that your father has told me about."
Clara smiled at the attractive, blonde wizard: "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Malfoy. If you are ready, we can start right now." She looked at her father, before looking back at Lucius: "If you are finished here, I mean."
Fridericus nodded: "Goodbye Mr. Malfoy – I'm glad to have made your acquaintance."
Nodding at the other wizard Lucius said: "Likewise, Mr. Reichenbach – goodbye."
Lucius and Clara left Fridericus Reichenbach's office and walked through the halls of the Ministry – there were anti-apparation-wards protecting most of it. When Clara Reichenbach started to tell him about the first estate, Lucius interrupted her: "Miss Reichenbach, I insist that you call me Lucius - please."
She smiled at him: "Well, Lucius you can call me Clara."
Smiling at her he said flirtingly: "I'm delighted Clara. They had reached the entrance hall and apparated away.
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They reappeared in a rather wooded area. Smiling at him Clara showed him the impressive landscape: "Lucius Malfoy - Welcome to the 'Waldschlösschen' in the Black-Forest. This castle has been owned by the Ministry for the last two decades, after the pure-blood family who originally owned it died out."
It wasn't the best day to visit the small castle in the southern Black-Forest – the weather was bad and everything appeared rather gloomy and dark. Although the scenery was really amazing on a beautiful summer day, it seemed to be dangerous and dark under the current conditions.
Clara sighed: "Maybe we should start our tour inside – it's really a pity that the weather is so bad, this is usually wonderful region. These forests are amazing although you should really be careful there are some really dangerous magical creatures inside. I love to take walks in these forests, they are ideal for collecting potions ingredients."
Lucius smiled at her: "I'm not afraid of dangerous magical creatures, I'm a powerful wizard and can protect myself and those dear to me."
Entranced by his intense grey eyes Clara wasn't able to respond immediately. After looking into his eyes for a few moments, she cleared her voice: "We really should get inside." Lucius couldn't help it and was smirking, when he followed her into the caste. The famous Malfoy charm worked every time.
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A/N: Although I wrote Fridericus Reichenbach's little lecture, I'm not insane. I'm a historian and the separation between Muggle and Wizarding World in the Harry Potter books got me thinking. The Wizarding world seems to be rather conservative in its structures. I thought about possible points in history to separate Muggle and Magical World – and found the Thirty Years' War a good possibility in the German history (well, it was the topic of my Master Thesis, so it's a topic I know much about – compared to other topics). I've considered the German history and thinking about the last two-hundred years, it's seems difficult to imagine that a parallel and separated society would have the same development. So I decided to create a Magical Empire, which is supposed to be quite similar to the Holy Roman Empire of (the) German Nation – although I've decided the Magical Empire to be lead by an Empress who is elected by seven electors instead of an emperor. The idea of a federal Empire would also explain the existence of a couple of smaller schools – since Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang seem to be the large Wizarding Schools in Europe – especially considering that the Holy Roman Empire of (the) German Nation even had to highest Courts Imperial Chamber Court (Reichskammergericht – basically a federal court) and the Aulic Council (Reichshofrat – the court of the emperor) in Vienna – so it would be rather obvious to have more than one concerning most institutions. Okay – I just wanted to explain my reasoning – I hope no one got bored reading it. I also have to admit, that in my personal opinion another good time for the separation of muggle and wizarding world would be the reign of Charlemagne, because he forced many people into Christianity (e.g. the Saxons in Eastern Germany) – but his empire consisted of France and Germany – what would be the source for many more difficulties in explaining the structures of Wizarding Europe. And my knowledge of the Middle Ages is too limited try that - well, I wouldn't feel confident doing it. And maybe I am a bit insane trying to get history and fantasy connected in one story – I thought about all this for over a week.
