"The Sorting Hat?" Luna repeated curiously, "It wants me to go back to Hogwarts?"
"Yes indeed," Dumbledore replied. "Mrs. Jacobs –"
"Please, Luna," Luna said politely. Dumbledore nodded.
"Luna, you must understand. This is unprecedented. Very rarely has anyone been re-Sorted, but never before has the Hat requested this."
"How would it know Luna needs to be re-Sorted?" Harry asked, his brow furrowed.
"I'm afraid I don't know," Dumbledore said airily. "But nothing good has ever come before from ignoring the Hat's advice, I certainly think it would be foolish to disregard a request. It comes at a convenient time in any case, as I have information for you and Luna," he said, much more seriously now.
"I'll go then," Luna said with a smile. "I was going to ask for this anyway, to be with my friends, although I suppose we all ended up in the same house in one sense anyway…." Luna sounded thrilled, but Hermione blushed.
"Excellent," Dumbledore said briskly, "Harry, would you mind if I used your fireplace? I will connect it to Professor McGonagall's office, with your blessing."
"Sure," Harry said quickly. Dumbledore smiled and swept away from them, pulling a small bag from his robes. Michael frowned and nudged Luna; her eyes widened.
"Professor, your hand!"
Hermione had seen it too. Dumbledore shook his head, his back still to them, now crouching and clearing the cobwebs from the fireplace.
"It is of no concern – or, I should say, none at this particular moment," the headmaster answered. He drew his wand with his good hand, lit the fire, and tossed in a pinch of Floo powder from his bag. He looked back at them with a wink. "I love Chocolate Frogs!"
Luna smiled placidly as Dumbledore vanished. "I really like Professor Dumbledore – he's mysterious."
"Yet you seek to unravel all the mysteries of the world," Michael chuckled at her.
"Not all of them," Luna answered. "That would take the fun out of everything. I suppose I should be going then!"
"Without me?" Michael asked. He pushed out his bottom lip tilted his head at Luna sadly.
Luna laughed loud and long at that. "Just please don't ever make that face again. Are the rest of you coming?"
"I'll be honest, I'm tired," Jeff said flatly. "In fact, I'm totally exhausted. I'm going home, but good luck with that Sorting thing…."
"Aren't you curious how Dumbledore knew to find us here?" Sarah demanded incredulously.
"Oh, yeah," Jeff said, turning to Michael and Luna. "Be sure to find that out." Michael chuckled and gave him a two fingered wave as Jeff vanished in flames.
"Sigh," Sarah said out loud, shaking her head exasperatedly. She raised her hand in farewell and disappeared too. Hermione raised an eyebrow at the spot Sarah had vanished from. She furtively winked to Harry.
"Ron, let's go get something to eat," Hermione said to him. Ron looked immensely startled.
"You don't want to go back to school?" he asked disbelievingly.
"No, I thought we'd just have a nice lunch together. Does that sound fun?" she said, holding out her hand to Ron. He moved so fast Michael almost missed it as he grabbed Hermione's hand and turned with her, leaving only Michael, Luna, and Harry.
Michael grinned widely at Harry. "Those are your real friends, you know," he told him. "Well, Hermione at least. It was nice of Ron to visit with you, but Hermione's the one who just volunteered to try to have a conversation while watching him demolish three plates of sandwiches while you get up to terrible things with his sister."
Harry turned a little red and looked at the ground. "I'm going to see Dumbledore with you two."
"Of course you are!" Michael smirked. "After a cigarette. Luna and I will make some sort of scene to distract him."
"Please don't," Luna said, shaking her head, hitting Michael in the face with her flying hair.
"Don't what?"
"Jump headfirst into his Pensive," Luna replied dreamily. Michael bit his lip
"You're supposed to tell me if you can read my mind."
"I can't. I just know you very well."
"So let's get going then," Michael said, a little disappointed Luna had forestalled him. "Me and Luna will go see what's up with Dumbledore, and you go, ahem, have a date with Ginny."
"What makes you think we're going to get up to anything?" Harry demanded defensively.
Michael just raised his eyebrows at Harry and gave him a very quick wink.
"Okay, that should work," Luna said, disregarding Michael's lack of tact. "I suppose the only trouble is if the Hat wants to put me in Slytherin. You know, because of what we discovered concerning –."
"Well, Loon, just keep in mind that if it does," Michael said sternly. "I'm asking for a divorce."
"They're not all bad people I suppose," Luna said with a shrug. "Just the very vast majority of them. I can't imagine its more than ninety-five percent, really."
Michael and Harry shared a laugh, and then the time came to step into the fire after Dumbledore. Michael's jokes and antics belied his raging curiosity – what was so important that Dumbledore as to track them down? And also…why was he asking specifically for Harry and Luna? Michael supposed it must have something to do with Voldemort himself, after all, Harry had always held a certain vague position in Dumbledore's plan to topple the Dark Lord and Luna, was, well, what she was. Did Dumbledore know that though?
Harry led them into the fire and Luna brought up the rear. All experienced a nauseating dizziness as they emerged in Professor McGonagall's office. McGonagall was fortunately not there to see the amount of ash the three tracked in.
They parted ways as they left the Transfiguration department, Michael and Luna headed for the Headmaster's office, Harry donning the Invisibility Cloak on his way to Gryffindor tower. A few students stared at them as they went, but Michael paid them little attention. Instead he took his wife's hand, walking purposefully, head held high and unable to help feeling slightly above the rest of the schoolchildren.
He wondered if dropping out at sixteen meant he shouldn't do so.
"Ah, I suppose it would have been foolish to only expect Luna," Dumbledore stated, as the couple entered his office.
"You don't mind do you Professor?" Luna asked, looking around the office. The only other time she had been in here before was when she was caught be the idiots in the Inquisitorial Squad last year. She had not once in her six and a half years at school been sent to Dumbledore's office.
"Not at all, I think it's wonderful you have found each other," Dumbledore said graciously. "I wonder, how did your father react when he learned of your marriage?"
"My father?" Luna said very quickly. Her eyes were suddenly wider even then usual and Michael knew what she was thinking.
"Yes, I was under the impression Xenophillius did not wish you to have any connections to STRIKE," Dumbledore said, looking curiously at Luna's reaction, "I would certainly think he would be angry with Michael at least for restoring your memories."
"He wasn't very happy at first," Luna said, obviously relieved Dumbledore was, for once, ignorant. "But we convinced him in the end."
"That must have taken some doing," Dumbledore said, impressed.
"Well," Michael said, with a glance over at Luna, "I suppose we just got lucky, you know."
"Must I wait much longer?" came an annoyed voice from the corner of the room.
Michael and Luna looked around for the source of the noise. For a minute, Michael was very confused; the only people in the office were himself, his wife, and Dumbledore. Then –
"The Sorting Hat?" Luna questioned.
"Still sharp as a blade, I see," the Hat said through the rip that was actually its mouth. "I won't admit I was wrong to put you in Ravenclaw. Not at the time at least."
"But now?" Luna prompted.
"Now things have changed. You've changed, Miss Lovegood. You're not the little child that skipped forward to your Sorting seven years ago."
"How do you know?" Michael inquired. The Hat ignored him. "Hello? Talking hat? How do you know you should re-Sort Luna?"
"You…you were one of the ones too good to be Sorted, hmmm?" the Hat demanded of Michael. "You just thought you could pick any House your heart desired and plop down in it and call it home, did you? That's not how it works!"
"Why not?" Michael said more loudly than he intended.
"There are rules!"
"Michael, you're arguing with a hat," Luna pointed out vaguely. Michael paused and looked down; his finger was extended out, pointing angrily at the Sorting Hat. He coughed and turned away muttering so only Luna could hear.
"Winning an argument with a know-it-all hat, thank you very much."
"Why did you call me here?" Luna asked politely, disregarding her husband, who picked up one of Dumbledore's little instruments.
"When you put me on your head, I see your heart," the Hat replied. "Your heart has changed."
"Has it?" Luna asked, placing her hand on her chest.
"Indeed. It is a misconception I Sort based on traits exhibited – I place far more importance on traits admired and desired. These matter far more as life goes on than a child's personality at age eleven."
"So you put me in Ravenclaw because I valued learning?" Luna said. The Hat paused. Michael and Dumbledore each looked at it.
"I did," the Hat replied after a moment. "But I also did so as a bit of a favor to you. I could see your…eccentricities might give you a hard time at Hogwarts. I have always judged Ravenclaw to be the most open-minded House, and therefore I thought you might grow best there."
"But now…?" Michael inquired.
"Her priories have changed," the Hat replied simply. "My Sorting is no longer appropriate and while you may not live in this castle, it is my sacred duty to Sort Hogwarts students, which you are for a few more months."
"I have a question," Luna said. Dumbledore walked over to the Hat and picked it up. Michael's eyes fell again on his unpleasant hand.
"Yes?" the Hat said.
"If I get Sorted into a House besides Ravenclaw, will I still be able to use the Sword of Ravenclaw? If I'm not a Ravenclaw anymore, will the Sword still come to me?"
Dumbledore stopped in front of Luna with the Hat, and for a moment he considered Luna. After a while he nodded, though his brow was still contracted. But it was the Hat that spoke.
"Yes, I think that as long as you retain the cleverness and wit that caused me to place you in Ravenclaw in the first place, the Sword should still be yours to control...although I was not aware the Sword had presented itself to you. All four founders carried one, naturally, yet none but Gryffindor's has been seen in centuries."
"Great," Luna said happily. "That's the only thing then."
Dumbledore smiled encouragingly and gestured at the little stool in the corner.
"Mrs. Jacobs?" the Hat repeated impatiently, as Michael waved his hand and caused the stool to zoom to the middle of the room and stop at Luna's feet. His smirk could not have been bigger; the stool barely reached Luna's shins.
"I do like Ravenclaw…but a change of scenery is always nice," Luna said dreamily, sitting down. She seemed perfectly untroubled by the fact that her knees were up nearly to her neck. Dumbledore waited a half second more, and then placed the ancient hat on Luna's scraggly hair.
"Hmm…" the Hat took its time considering Luna as it was perched on her head. Suddenly the Hat opened its tear, and then closed it again. It seemed to be very startled and when it did speak; it did so in a slow, measured voice.
"Well, something certainly has changed about you." The Hat chuckled. "I rather think I was right in re-Sorting you…"
"Into Gryffindor?" Luna said pleasantly. "Like my mother?"
"Like your mother…" the Hat repeated carefully. It's brim shuddered a little as it wobbled on Luna's head. "Hmm…now what is all this? Andthis?" Michael and Luna looked at each other in equal confusion.
"Is something wrong?" Luna asked dreamily.
"Your mind is everywhere at once," the Hat replied. Its tip sunk down in an exhausted way. "I must say…Sorting a grown woman is far more complicated than searching the hearts and minds of an eleven year old. But even for a full Witch, your mind is a maze, a mystery…though your heart seems singularly focused. Your mind calls to Ravenclaw, your heart beats as a Hufflepuff, your actions are those of a Gryffindor, and…something else about you has the very distinct traces of Slytherin. What are you…?"
"I'm Luna," she answered easily. "That's all I've ever really wanted to be, as unique a thing as it is."
"A distinct answer…" the Hat said after a moment. "A distinctly…Ravenclaw answer!"
"Perfect!" Luna said brightly. She jumped up and swept off the Hat, tossing it onto Dumbledore's desk.
"Well…that seemed rather pointless," Michael shrugged.
"Not at all," Luna smiled. "It was a very pleasant reaffirmation. Maybe we should all come back to be Sorted!"
"Nah, no need for that," Michael shook his head. "I think Gryffindor's just about the only place I'd ever fit in. Maybe Hufflepuff would take me out of pity," he added after a few seconds of consideration. Luna laughed but Michael didn't. His thoughts were drifting again."So," he said, turning to Dumbledore, "Professor…what did happen to your hand?"
"Once again, I wish Harry to be present for this tale," Dumbledore said, waving the hand in question. "Do you know where he is?"
Michael grinned over at Luna, who simply shrugged.
"He's probably on his way to Gryffindor tower," Luna replied, wrapping her hair around her finger. Dumbledore set his trademark gaze upon her; she gave no reaction whatsoever.
"And what is Harry doing there?" he wondered aloud.
"It's his home, his House," Luna answered easily.
"I see…" Dumbledore seemed torn between amusement and sternness. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "In any case, what I have to say is of the upmost importance. I need to find Harry so that I can tell him what I need to."
"Maybe we should find him," Michael suggested, putting his hand on Luna's upper arm.
"Please do," Dumbledore said, nodding. He walked over to the door and held it open with his uninjured hand. Michael and Luna hurried out of the door together.
"Wait!" Luna skidded to a stop on the spiral stairs, grabbing onto Michael's arm to stop him. She hurried back up the stairs without a word. Michael stood still for a moment, wondering what on earth Luna was doing. Then,
"Perseus!"
Luna came running back down the steps, her mismatched shoes hitting the stones irregularly as she skipped a few steps. She grabbed Michael's arm again and dragged him down the stairs.
"What the hell was that?" Michael asked as they ran together out of the stairwell and into the hallway. Lessons had just begun, leaving their path mostly clear.
"Password!" Luna panted, as they hurried down the hall and towards the moving stairs. "They'll probably be in the Gryffindor common room."
Michael actually thought this was rather unlikely. In his opinion, Harry and Ginny would probably have found some little nook to be alone in, but it also seemed stupid not to bother in the common room.
"You!" the Fat Lady exclaimed five minutes later, as Michael and Luna staggered up to the portrait. "Michael Jacobs, the dropout! And you!" she said, turning to Luna, "you're that Ravenclaw who was always in here!'
"Glad to know we're remembered," Michael muttered.
"I am a Ravenclaw, yes, but I was almost re-Sorted into Gryffindor just now!" Luna said brightly. The Fat Lady held up her head in disbelief.
"You were re-Sorted? I've never heard that one before," she said scathingly.
"I bet you have heard that a lot," Luna said earnestly to the Fat Lady, "but I'm telling the truth, actually. I even know the password: 'Perseus.'"
"Oh, of course it is –" the Fat Lady said sarcastically. But she was cut off as she automatically swung forward. Michael shrugged and helped Luna over the threshold.
"Oh Harry! Ginny!" Michael called in a sing-song voice. "Are you in here?" No one answered; the common room was empty except for the couple. Michael slipped off his gloves in the warmth of the common room, Luna did the same beside him.
"Maybe you should check up in the boys' dorms," Luna suggested. Michael nodded and jogged up the stairs, leaving Luna to flip through a copy of Witch Weekly left on a table. She frowned at the story on the cover: "Hermione Granger's Whirlwind Romance with Draco Malfoy Revisited".
"No luck," he called as he trotted back down into the common room. "Do you think Harry even found a way to get her out of class?"
"Well, I know Harry," Luna said thoughtfully, tossing the magazine into the fire, "and when he really needs to get something done, he can usually find a way, come up with some kind of plan. His plans may be a bit hasty, but they usually work."
"Could really use that Map of his right now," Michael grumbled. "Now we have to run all around school looking for him so Dumbledore can tell him something. Sometimes he just –"
But Michael never said exactly what Harry did, because Harry himself and Ginny both stumbled into the common room, arms around each other's waist. Ginny was laughing and Harry's hair was even more ruffled than usual.
"That was genius, Harry!" Ginny was saying. "I can't believe you got me out of Trelawney's class!"
"Ahem," Michael coughed very loudly.
"Oh," Ginny gave a little start and stare around the room. Her eyes found Michael and Luna and she grinned with delight.
"Michael, Luna!" she cried, rushing over to hug Luna. "I haven't seen any of you since I was at your house!"
"I'm sorry," Luna said, returning Ginny's hug. "We've had a lot to handle lately and Harry was afraid to test Dumbledore by trying to sneak you out again."
Harry blushed.
"I can't blame him," Ginny laughed. "But what are you doing here? Is Ron with you?"
"No he's not," Michael said. "But as to why we're back, we need Harry for that. Dumbledore sent us to find you, actually."
For a moment, the two men locked eyes. Then Michael sighed very dramatically.
"Fine," he muttered, then he raised his voice much louder. "Well, hell, Loon. I can't believe they weren't in here. It'll probably take ten minutes," he put an inflection in his voice as he looked at Harry again, "to find them.
"Come on, Luna," Michael said. He moseyed over to the portrait hole, gesturing over his shoulder for Luna to follow.
"Okay!" she said brightly, waving goodbye to Harry and Ginny. "We'll see you in a bit Harry! Enjoy each other!" Michael buried his face in his hands as Luna caught up to him. She pulled his hands away from his face as she took his arm in hers.
Ten minutes later Michael and Luna were leaning against a wall outside the Headmaster's office, talking pointlessly. Harry sauntered down the hallway, smiling to himself and looking a little older than he had minutes ago.
"Ready to see Dumbledore then?" he said in a bit of a deeper voice than usual.
"Let's find out," Michael said. He was able to restrain himself from laughing, but only because he himself had been guilty of such an inflated ego a few times. Michael opened the doorway to the spiral staircase and was about to lead the other two up when,
"Harry, you should really do something about that hickey," Luna observed vaguely. "It's very noticeable."
"What?" Harry said very sharply, feeling around his neck. "Where? You're joking, right?"
"Right… here," Luna said, placing her wand against the side of his neck where the red spot shone. The spot grew much redder for a second, and then returned to the normal white color of his skin. "There you go."
"Thanks…" Harry muttered gratefully. Luna stuck her wand back behind her ear and smiled dreamily at Harry, gesturing for him to follow her and Michael back up the stairs.
"Ah Harry, I'm glad we were able to find you," Dumbledore said, smiling knowingly. "Please, all three of you, sit down." Michael, Luna, and Harry all took a chair in front of Dumbledore's desk, while Dumbledore settled into one behind it.
He took a deep breath and began his tale. A few times Michael and Harry tried to interrupt, but Dumbledore silenced them with a wave of the hand they were discussing. Dumbledore told them everything regarding Harry's survival as a child, but paused when pressed for information regarding Voldemort's.
Dumbledore steepled his fingers and looked at Luna. "Luna, I am sure by now you have realized your mother was absolutely vital to our side in the last war. She facilitated cooperation between the Aurors, the Order of the Phoenix and her own organization almost seamlessly. Elysina Lovegood possessed the ability to bring out the best in people – a skill that may have given us the knowledge of how to end the Dark Lord for good."
"You're talking about an alliance?" Michael said quickly. "Between STRIKE, the Aurors, and the Order?"
"No, I am not," Dumbledore replied. "We are of a similar mind regarding your former employer Michael. While Elysina was able to keep them in check during her time, I fear no such balance is in place today. And Harry, I hear you and Mr. Weasley have expressed interested in joining the Aurors, despite lacking graduation. While I commend your enthusiasm, I must also advise you slow yourself, so to speak. The Aurors, while generally a force for good, fall under the command of…less reputable characters, or at least ones more susceptible to deviation."
"So what did my mother leave us then, if not an alliance?" Luna asked Dumbledore.
"Elysina – though she worked for STRIKE and reported to them – also reported certain things to me. In the final year of the last war, she came to me with information I do not think she shared with anyone else. If she did, their discretion is admirable."
Michael's excitement was building. Luna's mother had known something, something valuable enough to trust only Dumbledore with, not even written in her personal journals. Michael's hands were suddenly very sweaty.
"What did she tell you?"
"She was vague with certain pieces – intentionally so, out of an oath sworn – yet the whole picture is clear, or, at least, I believe it will soon be so, with your added details. Not long before Lord Voldemort set out to eliminate you, Harry, Elysina Lovegood befriended a Death Eater."
Michael, Harry, and Luna all looked at each other blankly. Harry opened his mouth, then closed it again, looking deep in thought.
"A…Death Eater, Professor?" Michael repeated disbelievingly. Luna's mother was always friendly and loving, yet he had a very hard time imagining her ever becoming close to one of Voldemort's servants. And yet, as he looked on her daughter beside him, Michael couldn't help but have a small smile. He had not seen Luna attempt to make peace with a Death Eater yet either, yet he would not be terribly surprised to see her do so.
"Yes, a Death Eater. Elysina foiled one of his first missions for the Dark Lord, yet spared him. He was young, younger than even the three of you. Troubled, she told me."
"It was Professor Snape, wasn't it sir?" Harry said quietly. "He was the Death Eater Luna's mother turned?"
Dumbledore looked sharply at Harry, his eyes narrowing over his spectacles. Michael and Luna displayed equal shock as they too stared at Harry.
"No," Dumbledore said after a moment. "It was not Severus."
Michael breathed out and caught Luna's eye. If he didn't know any better, he'd have thought she looked a little relieved.
"Then who was he, Professor?" Luna inquired, tilting her head. Dumbledore shook his.
"I do not know. I understand he asked her not to reveal his change of heart to anyone, including myself."
"So…he's probably dead then, isn't he?" Michael asked somewhat awkwardly. The only Death Eaters left were Draco Malfoy and Snape, though Michael supposed it wasn't really fair to count him.
"He is certainly dead," Dumbledore replied. He sighed deeply. "Assuming Elysina told me of his death near the time it happened, I have my suspicions to his identity, but I have not pursued them out of respect for her promise."
"So why did he turn?" Michael asked, becoming slightly harsh with his desire to learn more. "Why did Luna's mother befriend him? How? And what exactly did they do to help us kill Voldemort?"
Luna had placed her hand on Michael's arm; on his other side, Harry was looking at Dumbledore, apparently sharing Michael's questions.
"I do not know why he turned any more than I am aware of his identity," Dumbledore said. He opened a drawer in his desk and began to rummage through it. "Elysina told me she sensed something more than the average, hateful Death Eater in him, and she wished to try and preserve it."
"So he wasn't a Pureblood supremacist?"
Dumbledore looked up from his desk and smiled wisely at them. "Oh no, he certainly was. Elysina complained to me often of his slights against Muggleborns even in his last days. Yet, she believed his attitude came from ignorance, not hatred."
"So my mother wanted to save him then?" Luna asked Dumbledore.
"Your mother wished to save many people. As was often the case, she succeeded."
"But he died," Michael pressed.
"Yes, he died," Dumbledore said. He had found what he was searching for in his desk, yet held it within his closed, withered hand so they could not yet see. "Murdered by the Dark Lord himself, I believe. No one survives the Death Eaters, you all know this. But Elysina succeeded in saving his soul, and in return, gained the secret of Lord Voldemort's."
He opened his hand to show the three teens. Luna gasped more loudly than Michael had ever seen. She had turned completely white, looking both thrilled and terrified. Michael glanced at Harry, who had given no reaction – apparently they were both unsure of what was so special about the ring in Dumbledore's hand.
"The Death Eater who betrayed Lord Voldemort to Elysina spoke to her of his master's…unnatural behavior. He spoke of boasts of immortality, of a careless disregard for his body, knowing for certain he would live on with or without it. Elysina was a casual scholar of ancient magics, and with the help of a friend – one who was a master of the Dark Arts, both wielding and battling them – learned to understand them as well as the foulest Wizard. She came to me only for confirmation of her suspicions and, perhaps, for support in withstanding what she now knew."
"Which was what, sir?" Michael asked. He had not realized it, but he was now on his feet, leaning on Dumbledore's desk towards the old man.
"Lord Voldemort had employed an ancient form of dark magic called a Horcrux. The details are unimportant at the moment, a simple explanation is that he has divided his soul into portions hidden in certain items bound to him, insuring that if his body was ever destroyed – as it was – he would have means to return."
"What the fuck?" Michael spat, turning in horror away from Dumbledore to stare at the other two, neither of which made any mention of his language. Harry looked horrified, Luna still confused and shocked. Michael spun back around to Dumbledore, who had not moved. "Professor…I've never heard of this!"
"Very few have," Dumbledore replied seriously. "It is the darkest of magic. Now, I think, you see why Elysina trusted only myself with this information."
"How many?"
Harry had spoken.
"How many did he make, Professor?"
Dumbledore looked very strangely at him just then and for a moment, Michael thought he looked almost…guilty.
"Six," Dumbledore finally answered. "He made six Horcruxes to store his soul."
Michael cursed again and even Luna put her hand to her mouth. Michael fought with himself for a moment, nearly crushed by this revelation. He had thought they had Voldemort on the ropes, yet all they had done was inconvenienced him…for a moment, Michael despaired.
"Six…" he muttered furiously. "So we have to find six fucking pieces of that monster before we get rid of him for good."
"No," Dumbledore said, smiling for the first time since beginning the story. "We must find only one, which is known to us."
Michael started.
"You…you found them?" he asked in amazement. Dumbledore's smiled widened.
"Three of the four people in this room had a hand in doing so, at least indirectly. Harry, you brought me Tom Riddle's dairy in your second year. I wonder if you questioned its powers of possession over Ginny Weasley? I discovered Riddle's family ring not long ago," he said, gesturing with the ring he held, "although I also discovered the curse placed upon it. During the years after the war, Luna, your mother brought me two more items we believed tied to the Dark Lord – the cup of Helga Hufflepuff and the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw." Michael was counting on his fingers at this point. "The first of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes was delivered to me by Elysina as well, though not obtained by her. From what I gathered, securing it was the final act of her former Death Eater friend."
Michael and Harry and Luna all looked at each other in silence. Michael had been shocked to learn Elysina had been after the Slytherin Seven as he was, but this revelation was something else. Michael had always appreciated Luna's mother as a great Witch, more so when he learned of her actions in STRIKE but this new information raised her above anything Michael had ever guessed. He wondered if any Witch was ever her equal.
"What's left?" Harry asked breathlessly.
"His snake, Nagini," Dumbledore replied. "I have been certain for some time he turned her into a Horcrux as well."
Michael rubbed his eyes. "STRIKE was wondering why he was keeping her back these days…now we know."
There was silence while everyone digested all they had just learned.
"Professor," Luna said, finally breaking the quiet, "Michael and I found a photograph in my mother's Gringotts vault of her with a boy we didn't know. Maybe he was her Death Eater friend? He looked a little like Sirius Black, but a little smaller, and not as good looking." Michael almost snorted at that, but stopped himself after noticing Harry's face fall at the mention of his still missing godfather.
Dumbledore shut his eyes for a moment. "Then my theories are confirmed. The man in the photograph with your mother was Regulus Black, Sirius' younger brother who joined the Death Eaters at the age of sixteen."
"He got cold feet, he told me," Harry muttered. "Sirius said Voldemort killed him for backing out."
"Whatever his reasons for leaving, it appears his exit from this world was of a far nobler purpose than Sirius believed," Dumbledore said kindly. "I remember Regulus from his days as a student at Hogwarts. I confess I was always a little frightened by him."
"Frightened, sir?" Michael repeated in amazement. It was hard to imagine anyone scaring the old headmaster.
"Yes, Michael, because he displayed to me precisely what Sirius very nearly became, had he not had your mother and father to guide him down a different path," he added to Harry.
Harry frowned. "Sir…do you know where Sirius is?" Harry asked bluntly, desperately, hoping within his heart Dumbledore had simply been hiding Sirius for some reason, keeping him from Harry, safe and whole.
Dumbledore gave Harry a look Michael wasn't used to seeing from him; most of his interactions with Dumbledore came with the old man filling the role of a war leader, but here, the look he cast on Harry was…something else. Not paternal, but a kind of disappointing regret.
"I have not heard anything of Sirius since he vanished," Dumbledore told Harry. "I am very sorry Harry…but we must begin to consider the idea that Sirius may have struck out on his own path, and it may have led him far from us."
"To his death?"
"Not even I know that."
Michael suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. He was, at least partially, the cause of Sirius' flight and now he sat here beside Harry, who was making every attempt to contain his tears to his eyes. Luna reached over and put a hand on Harry's knee.
To break the silence again, Michael inquired as to how long ago Dumbledore had succeeded in vanquishing Lord Voldemort's fifth piece of soul.
"I came upon the Ring several days ago," Dumbledore replied
"But how did you know we were in Godric's Hollow?" Harry asked, coughing to cover the sound of mucus in his throat.
"Remus Lupin saw you," Dumbledore said apologetically. "He was also in Godric's Hollow, paying respect to your parents."
"Professor?" Luna piped up. Dumbledore inclined his head to her. "Why are you telling us this now? I understand why you didn't before, you didn't want to spread any word of Horcruxes to us –"
"It was no issue of trust," Dumbledore assured Luna steadily. But she merely smiled.
"I understand why you didn't tell Michael and I before now," she said serenely. "We are a tad reckless sometimes, and if my mother only trusted you, I know it's a big secret. But I'm not sure what's changed now? Michael is just as impulsive as before."
Michael opened his mouth to defend himself, but the calm little smile she turned on him killed the desire quickly. Instead he grinned. "Fair point. But really Dumbledore, why are you telling us this?"
Dumbledore's eyes flashed to his withered, dying hand before returning to meet Michael's. "Things have changed," he said simply.
Michael decided not to press this further, at least for now.
"Do you have any idea what his next move will be?" Michael asked, feeling more like a STRIKE Captain than he had in nearly a year.
"I have a few guesses," Dumbledore said mysteriously, "but one stands out to me. I believe he is seeking a new wand."
"A new wand?" Luna asked, brushing a finger across her own behind her ear.
"Yes, I believe so," Dumbledore said, narrowing his eyes behind his spectacles. "He fears the connection your wands share, Harry. He is looking for a wand that can defeat yours. A wand to defeat anyone…"
"Like the Elder Wand?" Luna asked curiously.
All three men stared at her. Michael and Harry did so in confusion, Dumbledore, however, looked grave and unsurprised.
"Of course you would know the legend of the Deathly Hallows…" he muttered. "I expect your father told you the story."
"Yes, he did," Luna said, nodding. She tilted her head to the side and considered the old man. "But you don't think it's just a story, do you Professor?"
"No, I do not," Dumbledore said quietly.
"Not as foolish as I thought, Professor," said a drawling voice behind Michael.
Michael began to turn, but the voice said, "No, Jacobs! Not unless you want her to lose that pretty little head."
Reflected in Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles, behind which blue eyes sparkled with tears, was Draco Malfoy, an Invisibility Cloak in one hand, his wand in the other pointed directly at the back of Luna's head.
"You son of a bitch," Michael snarled. "Finally crawled out of hiding, have you?"
"Shut up," Draco said imperiously, "you are in absolutely no position to speak like that…are they Greyback?"
Michael's hands in his lap clenched into fists. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, he glanced at Luna, who had turned whiter than usual.
"What do you want, Draco?" Michael asked quietly. Behind him he heard Greyback chuckle menacingly. Dumbledore had not moved, which disturbed Michael slightly.
"Not so brave anymore, eh Jacobs?" Draco taunted. "I thought you and your wife were so powerful? Not worried about her are you?"
"What do you want?" Michael repeated. Whatever happened next, one thing was certain. Fenrir Greyback would not be touching his wife.
"First of all, Potter, Jacobs, and Lovegood get behind the desk," Draco barked. His tone commanded authority; there was nothing timid in his order. "And done even think of trying anything!"
Very slowly and carefully Harry, Luna, and Michael stood up and edged their way to the other side of the desk so that Michael stood on one side of Dumbledore, Harry and Luna on the other.
"What do you think you can accomplish here?" Michael asked with a sneer. It was much easier to be arrogant and insubordinate when the woman he loved was not being threatened by a cannibalistic Werewolf.
"I was thinking the same thing," Luna said to Michael, then she turned back to the pair in front of her. Her tone was eerily polite as she asked, "You do realize that you've walked into a room containing the four most powerful magical beings on the good side, don't you? Harry, can you make any sense of this plan?"
But Harry was not really paying attention; Dumbledore also seemed to be thinking very hard. They both seemed to have seen a bigger problem than Michael and Luna. As far as Michael was concerned this would take nothing more than some snappy comments and quick-draw wandwork. He was certain he could get his wand from his holster in time to handle Malfoy, and with Albus Dumbledore at his side, he wouldn't even need to be the best in the room.
"How exactly did you two gentlemen gain entry into the castle?" Dumbledore asked quietly. "We both know a simple Invisibility Cloak would not get past the protective enchantments over Hogwarts."
"I had a little help," Malfoy smirked, "but he only got me in. I can't believe he's still the Dark Lord's favorite! He had a perfect opportunity to kill Jacobs on the first day, and he messed it up!"
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked, something changing on his lined face.
"Who else?" Malfoy sneered, "You always thought he was your double-agent on the path to redemption didn't you? Well you were wrong!"
"I don't believe it," Dumbledore said at once, "You may believe Severus is on your side but –"
"But what?" Severus Snape had swept into the room. He stood next to Draco, his own wand pointed at Michael. Beside him Greyback licked his filthy lips as he glared at Luna.
"Didn't see that one coming did you Dumbledore?" rasped Greyback.
"You were trying to kill me!" Michael growled at Snape. He narrowed his black eyes at Michael. An angry snarl crept onto his face. "I tried to get you released, and you were trying to murder me!"
"More times than you know. Your first day at this school, even. The Dark Lord told me all about you, Jacobs," he said. "He told me exactly what to say in order to get you angry. It wasn't difficult, a few simple words and you were jumping at the opportunity to attack.
"Why do you think the Dark Lord took so long to free me from Azkaban? He was angry, very angry that you survived…but now the Dark Lord himself is on his way. Soon you'll join your Muggle parents. The Dark Lord thought it appropriate that I got the set."
"What are you talking about?" Michael demanded, blood rushing to his head so fast he felt both nauseas and light-headed.
"I didn't know it until after you came to this school Jacobs, but it seems I have met your parents before…" Snape trailed off delicately, staring right at Michael.
"You!" Michael spat, very nearly diving over the desk to attack Snape. "You're the bastard that murdered my parents!" His hands began to emit a small aura of magical energy, but as Greyback jerked his wand at Luna, Michael slowly let it die away.
"They were merely collateral damage," Snape droned.
"How can you say that?" Luna demanded, feeling absolutely terrible for her husband and horribly angry at Snape. "Why would you kill them?"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Because of your mother."