"Normal speech"
Thoughts
"Mental speech"
"Non-English speech"
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Brothers own Harry Potter.
Chapter 37
"Then what is your objective?" McGonagall asked, speaking for the first time. "If we defeat You-Know-Who, what will you do then?"
"In the unlikely event I survive, you mean?" Gellert asked, amusement evident. "I do not know. Returning to Nurmengard seems rather foolish. Perhaps a quiet retirement?" He glanced at Dumbledore. Severus could see the brief flicker of temptation in the blue eyes.
"Swear it," Moody demanded. "I want an Unbreakable Vow." Good thing we considered this possibility beforehand, Severus reflected.
"Surely that is not necessary –" Dumbledore began.
"Of course," Gellert replied genially. "Mordred, if you would take my hand? Auror Moody, would you care to act as bonder?"
Severus swiftly knelt on the kitchen floor across from Gellert, grasping the other's right hand in his own. It was crucial to act before the Order could recover enough from their surprise to object to him – Gellert's known associate – being the one to phrase the wording of the Vow. Moody, surprised, took a moment to stomp over. Didn't expect him to take you up on it, did you? Nor to be volunteered as bonder? As bonder, Moody would be the only one who could cancel the terms of the Vow. That alone should make the Order feel more confident. Moody touched the tip of his wand to their entwined hands.
"Will you, Gellert Grindelwald, assist in the destruction of the wizard born Tom Riddle?" Severus asked. The Dark Lord must be destroyed, and – unfortunately – the Order's resources are required to do so. But I am neither of my masters, nor are you a servant. You need not surrender your free will. Giving a few knuts to the "Tom Riddle Destruction Fund" would fulfil the terms of the Vow, should you ever decide to abandon this course.
Will anyone else realize my choice of wording? Dumbledore might, under normal circumstances, but he is too infatuated to notice. He might notice later, but by then it will be too late.
"I will." A thin stream of fire shot out of Moody's wand, weaving around the joined hands.
"And, should he be destroyed, will you refrain from taking his place?" Interpret this however you like. Feel free to become a dark lord again, provided you do not do so as a human-snake hybrid.
"I will." A second stream of fire joined the first.
"And finally, will you aid our allies for so long as they remain true?" They are already untrue, though nothing I have witnessed suggests that they are self-aware enough to recognize this. Dumbledore broke the terms of our alliance contract almost as soon as it was signed. Failing to aid them will not cause any harm from the Vow.
"I will." There was a final stream of fire, finalizing the Vow.
Severus observed, amused, as the three Gryffindors relaxed. Even Moody, paranoid as he was, seemed to accept Gellert's good intentions towards them.
And this is why I should not be the sole Slytherin in the Order. The dimmest of my House would know to include the phrase "to the best of your ability" to achieve optimal results. Then again, half of Slytherin would have recognized the "half-blood Prince" moniker.
Severus rose, and held out a hand to assist Gellert. Healthier though he was, he was still an old man, barely recovered from decades in prison. Gellert accepted the hand and stood as well.
"Now that the question of Gellert's loyalties has been settled, I believe that Mister Dumbledore intended to update us as to his plans?" Severus asked. As with the day before, he fought to control a smirk at the title. No longer Supreme Mugwump or Chief Warlock, old man. You are no longer Headmaster, or even Professor.
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied. "Please, take a seat." He gestured to the chairs around the kitchen table before sitting in one. The others followed.
"Vol – Tom Riddle has somehow secured a means of relatively immunity to death. He can be physically harmed or rendered discorporate, as was proven when young Mister Potter defeated him fourteen years ago. My current aims are twofold. First, to prevent him from increasing his current level of support or power. Second, to determine how he is shielding himself and find a means of undoing that protection," Dumbledore stated.
"And how do you intend to accomplish these objectives, Albus?" Gellert asked. "Raiding Death Eater homes? Legilimizing his followers? Killing them? Researching in libraries?"
Severus saw that both McGonagall and Dumbledore flinched slightly at "killing." Moody did not.
"Certainly not killing them," Dumbledore replied harshly. Moody snorted. "And, unfortunately, raiding their homes or legilimizing them could cause too much backlash given the current political climate. Many of them are considered respected members of society." More than you are, at this point, Severus thought, suppressing a smirk. "Research will be necessary, both in libraries, as you suggested, and into Riddle's past. Beyond that, we shall continue to prevent him from retrieving the prophecy concerning Mister Potter, and attempt to spread the word about his return as best we can."
"Why not destroy the prophecy?" Severus asked. "Also, I believe that Severus suggested to you that Riddle is likely stalling with regards to it, using it as a cover while he works on some other project or projects?"
"We may need to use it as bait in a trap for Tom later," Dumbledore replied equitably.
"Then destroy it and leave a decoy in its place," Severus replied, shrugging slightly.
"How?" Moody snapped. "The Unspeakables aren't exactly likely to tell us how to forge one. I understand they have rather distinctive magical signatures."
Gellert chuckled. "Fortunately for us, we have experts in runes, charms, and transfiguration here, yes? And I believe your eye can read magical signatures?"
Silence.
"Please tell me that logic isn't their greatest strength," Hellspawn said.
Severus contained his amusement, but Gellert laughed. The Order members turned to him, confused.
"Forgive me," he said, still chuckling. "Hellspawn simply made an interesting comment." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows inquisitively, but Gellert did not elaborate. "So, unless you have any further objections, we can begin work on the false prophecy and then replace it with the original?"
"I believe that is an excellent idea," McGonagall said, when neither Dumbledore nor Moody seemed likely to respond.
"Excellent," Gellert said, rubbing his hands excitedly. Severus was unpleasantly reminded of a young boy. "And for your other concerns, why should the current political climate prevent you from raiding Death Eater homes or attacking them? Surely, you have a convenient scapegoat already? Simply draw my old symbol on your robes, cover your faces or take polyjuice, and you can blame any incidents on me. I hardly need worry about someone ruining my pristine reputation."
To Severus's surprise, Moody laughed. "Aye, that would work."
"Would you be attacking these homes yourself?" McGonagall asked.
Gellert shrugged. "Perhaps. If it assists with the overall objective."
"And what would you do should you encounter any Death Eaters?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Ask them to join me. Better to have them working for us than for Riddle, no? Failing that, attack them. Interrogate them if I can. Kill them, if the situation warrants it. If not, capture or otherwise incapacitate them."
Moody nodded thoughtfully. McGonagall turned to Severus, frowning. "You approve of this?"
He shrugged. "We are at war. It is only logical to recruit potential defectors, and soldiers are sometimes forced to kill. With the possible exception of yourself, Headmistress McGonagall, we are all murderers in this room."
A/N: Please review!