Chapter 32

News of Dumbledore's death had spread worldwide and for the first time in the history of world magic, there was a threat of a global war against people who did not deserve to have magic by Death Eater standards. It was rumoured that Voldemort was making plans to invade the rest of Europe despite international treaties on war, and the various Ministries of Magic prepared their borders in anticipation of an attack.

Dumbledore's body had been magically preserved in a cave at the Resistance camp and sealed. The pressure from the war could not give them the chance to bury his body. Witches and wizards worldwide held a vigil in his honour for he was the greatest wizard of his time. The Order of the Phoenix continued to consolidate their strength but their best was not enough. The only name on the lips and minds of everyone was Harry Potter. He was now the only person who could end everything and restore balance as it were but Harry Potter was hidden from everyone in the comfort of his crumbling mansion.

POTTER MANSION

Harry was laying in an old recliner reading the Daily Prophet and chuckling at the reports that he was a coward afraid to face his destiny. Lavender Brown reported that he had always been Dumbledore's pet and now that the old wizard was dead, she feared for the future of Britain. Bellatrix came down the stairs and walked to a corner of the room whistling a tune.

"Lavender Brown is calling for me to skin her," Harry said and levitated the newspaper to Bellatrix who read it in the air as she fed her nightingales in their cage. She cackled in amusement and looked at him.

"It that not the fool who saw something in Ronald Weasely?" Harry nodded and Bellatrix laughed again. "Her time will surely come Potter, right nowwhat are we doing that he's dead?" Harry crossed his legs and frowned in concentration.

"Draco disarmed Dumbledore Potter. I still cannot get over that fact. The fucking papers are reporting different stories but the fact that he disarmed the old man with his back turned runs through all the accounts. Unbelievable!" she cried.

"His time will come. He's a nuisance and a very sly one too. Somehow he keeps dodging certain death but his time will come. I have got to take the fight to Dumbledore but I cannot fight him if my magic refuses to work when he's around," he commented in obvious frustration.

"Aye," she muttered. "A fine point you make Potter. Hopefully it will be dealt with soon."

Harry turned to look at her and gave her a wry smile. "Where are you going all dressed up?"

"Following a hunch Potter, I may not be back till evening. I will update you regardless." Harry quickly scanned her with her eyes and said nothing.

"Kreacher!"

"Mistress called Kreacher," the elf said appearing from behind a bookshelf.

"Get me a broom."

He snapped his fingers and Harry's broomstick appeared in his spidery grasp. She took it and chuckled in amusement as she mounted it and flew about the vast hall for a while.

"Later Potter!" she called out from above him and zoomed out of the house through a window.

GREENGRASS MANSION

Daphne was all alone in her study sipping wine from a goblet and scheming. The death of Dumbledore had shaken everyone and Voldemort was closing in around all of Britain. She held her head in dismay when she recollected the last conversation she had with the old man. She could feel the weight of the secrets she bore and how it was killing her from the inside but it was her cross to bear alone.

"I have to tell Harry the truth," she muttered and sighed deeply. Tracey was away for a while. She was alone with the elves until Draco came quite recently. He had been promoted through the ranks as a top lieutenant and was now living temporarily with her per Voldemort's instructions. His promotion came with a squadron of his own protective detail.

"Fucking hell," she muttered and sighed. "In what military organization does Malfoy get promoted for disarming an enemy?" she asked a portrait of her parents hanging on a wall above the fire place. They shrugged in response and left Daphne to her thoughts.

She finished her wine and got slowly on her feet as she muttered a spell which slowly glided her across the polished wood floor of her study, down a corridor, up a flight of stairs until she appeared in front of a great oak door that was the entrance to her family library. She put her feet on the floor and opened the door with a spell, shutting it behind her.

Bellatrix Black had flown for three hours under the cover of the clouds and creating a slight fog as she flew towards Daphne's residence so as not to draw suspicion that someone was creating a weather spell. Before she reached her destination, the fog had settled around the mansion making everything seem perfectly natural. She directed the broom downwards and settled in the branches of an elm tree before marking her prey.

The first thing she realized was the presence of a few Death Eaters on patrol around the perimeter of the building.

"Draco," she muttered and smiled wickedly. "Greengrass would never get these clowns in her building unless Draco was living with her," she observed and picked her teeth with her dagger. She saw someone through a window moving about a room gently and she growled in anger.

"Occulus maxima," she whispered and felt her eyes stinging for a while. When the pain stopped she focused on the room and everything from a distance became clear to her and she saw Daphne Greengrass walking about in her library without a care in the world. She seemed to be looking for something as she scanned the shelves.

"That bitch is looking for another spell to destroy Harry now that Dumbledore's gone no doubt," she muttered and restored her vision to what it was. "Today she dies," she hissed firmly and set off on the broom.

Meanwhile, Daphne walked deeper into the library to find a book instructive on the nature of the secret she now carried with her. She scanned the shelves carefully and found what she was looking for at last. She picked the book off the shelf and magically cleared the dust from the thick leather cover. She walked to the window to examine the contents properly when she saw something rushing at her from outside at full speed. Daphne barely had time to do anything as the object crashed through the highest window in the library sending glass flying at her. She made a shield protecting her from the shards of glass and looked up in confusion at her attacker. When she saw who it was she stared dead straight at her foe without showing a shred of surprise.

"Bellatrix Black, she said coldly and repaired the broken window with a wave of her hand.

"You fucking little calculating twisted psychotic bitch," Bellatrix hissed in disgust and circled her prey. Daphne chuckled and shook her head and walked towards some chairs to sit. Bellatrix apparated in front of her blocking her path and growled in anger.

Daphne looked at her in boredom and replied, "Look at the pot calling the kettle black. No pun intended." Bellatrix continued sizing Daphne up as she stood there cool and unconcerned in her silk robe. Her black hair was tied up in her trademark bun and her brilliant blue eyes watched the mad witch unconcerned.

"I am going to beat you here like the spoiled brat you are and extract what I need. After that I will find Tracey Davies and endavour to find the most creative of endings for the good secretary. When I am done, I will expose you to the world," Bellatrix whispered quietly.

"Come now, let us not get ahead of ourselves. We can always talk civilly about anything you need clarification on."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Daphne dived out of the way and accioed her wand, and sent a hex at Bellatrix in rapid response. Daphne sucked her teeth and quickly dived behind a shelf for cover. She looked around her in a hurry, searching for a way to diffuse the fight.

"She'll burn the library down if she has to," she muttered as she thought of the security of the precious books. She rolled out of her corner and cast another hex at Bellatrix before apparating out of the library. Bellatrix cursed loudly and followed traces of Daphne's magic down the stairs and into the dining room. She cast a spell covering the room with another mist and moved through the cover of the mist to hunt her down.

"How did you get past Draco's guards?" Daphne called out from somewhere but Bellatrix ignored her and cast a spell at the direction of the voice. Daphne followed with another hex but missed Bellatrix. Suddenly the mist cleared and Bellatrix smirked when she realized she was surrounded by Death Eaters including Draco and Daphne. All of them with their wands trained at her.

"You dare attack my betrothed in her house?!" he roared.

Bellatrix spat on the floor in disgust and banished the furniture at a section of the Death Eaters before glaring at her nephew.

"Walk away boy, I do not wish to kill you for your mother's sake. My fight is with the whore by you and not you or anyone of you," she said gently and lowered her wand.

"REDUCTO!" Draco roared and Bellatrix swatted the spell in boredom. Daphne held her head in frustration and knew immediately that Bellatrix was going to display just how unhinged she was acclaimed to be.

"Really?" she asked. "Is that the best you could do big man?" she asked again taunting Draco. She banished a Death Eater towards her and when he was within range, she sank her teeth into his neck and ripped out his flesh in glee before stabbing him in quick succession with a cursed dagger. She banished his lifeless body at them and apparated into the next room to buy precious seconds. She quickly took off her bracelet and kissed it deeply before throwing it behind a shelf.

When her enemies stormed in, she looked at them in their eyes and cackled. A few Death Eaters were scared to advance the attack because of what they witnessed her do to their fallen brother. Draco shoved two of them at his aunty and she made short work of them with her dagger and immediately, the duel ensued.

The fight was long and bloody but Bellatrix Black stood her ground and refused to die or yield. She cut and killed her way around the mansion in glee but the more she killed, the more Death Eaters came. She looked out of the window and knew that she was either going to die or be captured again. She killed her last attacker and took shelter behind a statue and clenched her fists in determination.

"Kreacher come to me and let's destroy this horde," she whispered but Kreacher did not come. "Fucking wards," she muttered and cackled when she realized what Daphne had done.

"She's a pirate," she muttered to herself. "She's a pirate," she muttered again and charged from behind the statue, killing her attackers from the air and on the ground. She kept on fighting till she felt a spell hit her in her back. She turned and saw Daphne with her wand aimed at her.

"BITCH!" she yelled and countered the curse, releasing the momentary jinx and lashed out with a myriad of curses at the stoic witch but another spell hit her from behind weakening her and she growled as Draco disarmed her.

"This is how you got Dumbledore huh? Always coming in from behind like your father," Bellatrix hissed and stuck out her tongue, seeking to lick the blood from his face but he jumped back in fright. Daphne cast a strong body binding spell at Bellatrix and watched as she collapsed on her knees before falling face first on the floor. Bellatrix cackled because she was Bellatrix and watched helplessly as Draco turned her around and fastened her wrists with a jinxed pair of iron shackles

"We got the mad witch," Draco whispered when he looked at the carnage his aunty had caused. Just the two of us lived to tell the story," he said again and walked to Daphne, kissing her forcefully. "I will call for the Snatchers to deliver her to the Dark Lord. Well done Greengrass," he drawled and sneered at Bellatrix as he spoke.

"I know what you did," Bellatrix said as she lay bound on the floor. I know the deal you made with Voldemort on the eve before the final battle. I know that you made Harry lose his magic Greengrass. I know that you told Voldemort that Harry had turned me into a spy for the Order. I know everything." Daphne stood quietly looking at the witch and didn't blink when she was accused.

"You know this how?" she asked in a bored tone.

"I will let you in on a little secret. When I was captured with Neville, I scratched Voldemort and got some of that dirty blood in my nails. I muttered the memory spell with much difficulty and got access to his memories from the war. When you live with Harry Potter, you learn so many things Greengrass. He has this funny book called the Bible his Muggle family gave him to cure the magic from his system. Anyway, there's this part where the God in that book says to His people not to consume anything with blood in it. You know why?"

Daphne shook her head and Bellatrix answered. "He says there is life in the blood. Life Greengrass. Life. And when he came and attacked me, I used the last of my strength and magic left to discover the truth that brought me here today."

"You are very powerful Black. In another life, we could have done great things together. That cell was designed to keep out the performance of magical spells. Unfortunately you may die and never return from where you are going and that does not bother me because you are a casualty of war."

"No life again for you Greengrass. You're a sick bitch." Daphne chuckled and turned to leave.

"Now pray to Merlin, the druids, Morganna and all the fucking fairies you pray to Greengrass, pray that I die because when I escape from my torturers, I will put your head on a spike and place it in my family's crypt as a lantern post," she hissed again and cackled loudly.

Draco walked back into the room with a team of Snatchers and pointed at Bellatrix in the floor. "Take her away to the Lestrange brothers. They will know what to do."

"She's a pirate. She's a pirate," Bellatrix sang on the floor in between giggles and cackles. The Snatchers looked at her nervously and refused to take custody of the witch's incapacitated body. Draco growled and levitated Bellatrix and rained blows on her face to shut her up. Bellatrix spat the blood from her mouth at him and cackled again.

"Oh Draco, I killed one kin do not let me add you to the list for your mother's sake," she said and continued singing about pirates. "Go on boys do as the gaffer says, quick about it! I miss Rodolphus and Rabastan, big family reunion soon you know? We go way the fuck back."

"The spell is of my creation, it will not wear off until I release her," Daphne said quietly and motioned for them to carry Bellatrix away. The Snatchers took hold of her body and apparated away with it.

"Where are you going to?" Draco asked as Daphne turned to leave.

"Going to think Malfoy. Harry Potter is the next person to attack when he realizes that his friend has not slept in her bed in a while. He will be accompanied with Neville Longbottom and the two house elves and nobody wants to meet an angry Harry Potter and his band of loyalists especially now that Dumbledore is gone."

"We will be fine. Potter will be scared. He has no friends left," he bragged. Daphne ignored him and left his presence.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

Harry apparated in front of the dreaded chamber designed by Salazar Slytherin and spoke in Parsel to unlock the green door. He walked in gently and smiled as he recollected his battle with the Basilisk some years ago. He chuckled when he saw the spot he disarmed and stunned Bellatrix when she tried to prevent him from killing the Basilisk. The same Basilisk who had taught him everything the books and professors at Hogwarts could not teach him. The same Basilisk he was coming to meet.

Come forth Snakey

There was a loud rumbling sound from the deep of the chamber followed by a soft hissing sound and then the Basilisk glided through the large pipes and coiled itself around Harry.

You look worn out

I know Dumbledore is dead. I want to kill Voldemort and be done with it all but I cannot seem to do it because my magic doesn't work properly when he is around me

Your magic was tampered it young master. You and Tom Riddle have been linked together by a very complex ancient spell that was developed by a particular family. You need to find out who or I am afraid dear boy that the situation would not change

You mean it is a secret family recipe kind of thing?

Yes.

Greengrass?

I do not know for certain because I do not know the full extent of that spell. You could have been experiencing a reaction from her for different reasons. I cannot conclude on that matter.

Harry sat on the floor and twiddled his thumbs as he sat in deep thought. "If only I could find the name. I know it is her," he muttered.

If you know it is her why do you not find out?

She's not your regular witch. She seems prepared for everything and knows what you're about to do before you act. Something she has acquired from having a large network of elves who function as informants as well as other people from different sectors in this life

Then bring her to me. I can extract all that I require from just a single gaze

Oh you big bad snake. It never occurred to me

Now you know what to do. Be fast about it and know that Draco Malfoy has been promoted to a top lieutenant. I know he will come after you one way or the other to make himself popular. Be on guard master

I will. How is Hogwarts?

Relatively fine. Severus Snape, the Malfoy matriarch and Astoria Greengrass work to protect the students from Riddle's wrath. They have devised a way of feeding a target student Polyjuice potion to resemble a Death Eater whilst they pick the Death Eater and put him under a Confundus charm looking like that student whilst leading him to slaughter

Smart system. Very ingenious

Harry got on his feet and touched the scaly face of the king of snakes and nodded. The Basilisk slithered away and retreated into the cold dark comfort of the pipes and Harry Potter apparated away to solve a mystery.

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