Author's notes:
Standard disclaimer. It all belongs to JKR. Thank you for letting us play with your toys.
I will continue to use the occasional song lyric in the story and will give credit at the time when needed.
This is the seventh book in my Slytherin Harry series and covers Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts.
Book 1: Harry Potter and the Muggle's Daughter
Book 2: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Book 3: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book 4: Harry Potter and the Blood Traitor's Daughter
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Book 6: Harry Potter; Flesh, Blood and Bone
Book 7: Harry Potter and the Lady of the Lake
If you haven't read books 1-6 you won't know what's going on. But the bonus is you've got six completed books before you even get to this one!
Fair warning, this story will continue to be dark and have mature language and situations in it.
Harry Potter and the Lady of the Lake
Chapter XXVII
Gryffindor You're a Young Man
Minister Amelia Bones sat at her desk across from president Felecia Ferdinand of the U.S. and Prime Minister Herbert Sanders of Canada. Their ambassadors and the heads of their magical law enforcement accompanied each of her counterparts while she was attended by Bill Weasley in guise of an Unspeakable and Rufus in his role as head of the U.K.s magical law enforcement.
"First," Amelia said, "I'd like to thank you once again for coming to hear us in this hour of need."
Prime Minister Sanders deferred to President Ferdinand. "And we are glad to be able to assist you in whatever way we can, Amelia."
Amelia nodded. "Well, let us not waste time on pleasantries or even beat around the bush and get right to it. We have a situation where you appear to have an answer. There is, however, something I have not revealed that makes things difficult. We have a possible solution and are working to implement it but before I go forward with plans to use these weapons of yours, I hoped you might level with me on just why you have them to begin with. In the interest of fostering trust between us, I will go first. Can I assume you know of the term Horcrux?"
Felicia and Herbert's eyes widened slightly. "He has fabricated one of these?" Felicia asked, aghast.
"Four," Amelia answered. "That we have so far found and destroyed."
"Four?" Herbert breathed. "Surely you are mistaken. Our experts have found none have ever managed to fabricate more than two."
Amelia nodded towards Bill. He stepped forward, pulled the diary, locket and diadem from a small bag and placed them on her desk. "The diary," Amelia said, "we have first hand account of its attempt to possess and subsequently kill a young girl. She has told us the object identified itself as being Tom Marvolo Riddle. The locket was found in the possession of a servant of Riddle's who discovered what he had done and managed to steal it from him and subsequently destroy it. The diadem, was found just more than a week ago; hidden within the fabled Chamber of Secrets beneath Hogwarts. Again, from the diary and the girl it attempted to possess, we know Riddle found the Chamber while he was a student at Hogwarts. A fourth item, a ring was found in the home of Riddle's mother… It has subsequently been reclaimed by its owner. So no, Herbert, we are not mistaken in that he constructed four of them. Worse, we suspect he has made at least two more."
"For seven fragments," Felicia whispered.
"Yes," Amelia answered.
"We believe we have possible object identifications for one of the two remaining but, obviously, have been unable to find and destroy it. Fortunately, we also seem to have discovered a bit of a fatal flaw with the things that works in our favor."
"A flaw?" Herbert asked.
"We have determined, with reasonable certainty, that a Horcrux is not simply a benign object content to while away eternity whilst the primary fragment goes about whatever it wishes. It is instead, a rival; that actively works to free itself and entrap the primary fragment instead."
"You mean to tell us if one of these things were to get loose we could be facing not one, but two or more Dark Lords?" Felicia asked.
"We believe that to be probable, yes."
"My god," Herbert said.
"Indeed," Amelia agreed. She stood from her desk and moved to the credenza where she poured from a decanter of whisky into six tumblers. A wave of her wand sent four of the tumblers to the U.S. and Canadian ambassadors and DMLE heads while she hand delivered the remaining two to Felicia and Herbert.
The President and Prime Minister only looked up at her. "You lied to us," Herbert accused.
"In actuality," Amelia said, "we didn't lie to you. We simply failed to disclose certain things. A crime, which you are both guilty of as well if I am not mistaken… As we have now come clean, perhaps you might take this moment to do so as well and tell us what, exactly, it is you wish to accomplish in using these weapons you offer us. While you are at it, perhaps you will also tell us what on earth would possess you to develop nuclear weapons." She caught the quick darts of their eyes to the ambassadors. "Oh, rest assured their silence was the only answer we needed," Amelia said.
Felicia stood to be on the same level as Amelia. Before speaking she took the offered tumbler and downed it. "We developed them," she said, "because they are necessary to maintain peace between not only us and the ICW, but also the No-majes."
Herbert stood as well. Though he passed on the tumbler of whiskey. "There are secret programs within some forty non-magical governments around the world working to deal with the threat of magicals when the inevitable revelation of our existence occurs."
"The non-magical U.S. government actually has plans for a purge of those bearing magical blood on their soil," Felicia went on. "They are held at bay by the knowledge we have infiltrated their most secret and secure fortifications and have these weapons in place to take out their most senior leadership at a moment's notice."
"Should they move against us, our goal would be to respond with enough force as to eliminate the majority of their technology they would deploy against us."
"Leaving us to fight a pitched battle of roughly one sorcerer against a thousand or so non-magicals."
"Which we will still lose, but will leave their own society in such a damaged state as to convince them it is wiser to help us stay hidden than acknowledge the ever growing stockpile of evidence that we exist."
"Mutually Assured Destruction," Amelia said.
"Yes," Herbert agreed. "They know we've been developing these weapons but there is some debate within their governments as to just how successful we have been. Azkaban and the target it presents, gives us the chance to show the non-magical governments we have been very successful."
"As well," Felicia went on, "it demonstrates we will do our part to deal with elements in our society that would see us exert our advantages over them."
"And the ICW?" Amelia asked.
"In regards to us, they will be given the same lesson as the non-magical governments."
"They will also," Herbert said, "be presented evidence of just how ineffectual their defenses against non-magical technology and weaponry will be and we might drag them out of the dark ages so that they might begin to take the threat seriously."
"Because if they continue as they have," Felicia said.
"Thinking they can install magical governments that are openly hostile to non-magicals, they will push the non-magical governments of our countries too far," Herbert finished.
"And this is why you have worked so hard to expand your coalition over the last few years?" Amelia asked.
"The situation becomes more untenable by the day."
"No doubt made all the worse by Voldemort and his actions," Amelia said.
"You can be certain the non-magical governments of the U.S. and Canada are well aware of his actions and the beliefs he espouses," Felicia said. "If he becomes too big a threat, they will act."
"With Riddle's taking of Azkaban and the target it presents," Herbert said, "there is talk of action on their part already."
"And you know this how?"
"A well placed spy."
Amelia nodded. "Well at least we have that."
"Please understand," Felicia said, "as alarmist as we might sound we have nothing to indicate they wish to move against us as a whole. Our source indicates they would pass off any attack on the island as a strike against a terrorist organization plotting attacks against them."
"Which is not untrue at all," Amelia said.
"No," Herbert agreed. "We believe our spy has convinced them to wait and let us deal with the problem ourselves, but," he shrugged, considering his next words. "They are not fools. They know they have the ability to destroy us, but they are also aware any war between us would devastate their society as well."
"And we're back to M.A.D."
"Yes."
"Not exactly the most comforting theory to hide behind but better than nothing I suppose." She frowned. "Whatever, it does not deal with our current situation and the risk we run of failing to actually kill Riddle. As dangerous as things are with him alive and moving about, I shudder to think what releasing him in wraith form on the world again will bring. He will be far more cautious in returning again. We could find ourselves lost before we even know he has returned."
"A very legitimate concern," Felicia agreed. She glanced at Herbert. He nodded. "And what of the various rumors floating around that this young Harry Potter is prophesized to defeat Riddle?"
Amelia pursed her lips tightly before answering. "There is a prophecy. Whether it is fact or fallacy, yet remains to be seen."
"You are training him, yes?"
"We are," Amelia confirmed.
"And if it is true, do you believe him up to the task?"
Amelia sighed. "I have no doubt, if that is what it comes to, Harry will do what he must."
Felicia nodded. "You mentioned a possible solution to destroying the island that might allow us to move forward?
Amelia glanced towards Bill. He stepped forward. "Given the obvious difficulty in finding Riddle's Horcruxes, the possibility of killing his current body and taking our chances with his return to wraith form has not been off the table. We believe we have developed a container that, if we can kill his current body, will capture that bit of his soul and allow us to contain him till such time as we have dealt with any other remaining fragments. The biggest difficulty is getting the container close enough to him for it to work. Again, a problem we may have a solution for."
Felicia considered. "A plausible option. Though I will caution you to remember what happened when we tried to hold Grindelwald instead of simply having him executed."
Herbert had drifted to Amelia's desk and was looking at the destroyed remains of the Horcruxes curiously. "How did you destroy them?"
"In each case, it was basilisk venom."
Herbert nodded. "And the ring, forgive me if I am surprised it would be returned to a former owner."
"When Death himself wishes his tokens returned to him, see if you do not comply with his request," Amelia said.
Herbert stared at her incredulously. "I'm sorry?"
"You are familiar with the Tales of Beetle the Bard and that of the Peverell brothers," Amelia asked.
"Of course."
"The Deathly Hallows were real," Amelia said. "In fighting this battle we have returned the Elder Wand, the Cloak of Invisibility, and the Resurrection Stone – set in the ring – to Him."
Felicia stared at her for a few moments before slowly sinking into her chair again. "This just gets crazier and crazier," she said staring off into space.
"Yes," Amelia agreed, "it does."
Felicia focused on her again. "How long before we can have this containment device in place?"
"We're not sure," Amelia answered. "One of Riddle's followers, Johannes Parkinson, has low level spy within the ministry. We've been watching him, feeding him information, trying to work him into a position to be more useful to Riddle and subsequently us. We're hopeful of him gaining enough influence he'll be called before his master."
"At which time you will plant the device on him?"
"Yes… At which point we would need you to act with all haste. Will we need to bring down the wards first?"
"No," Herbert answered. "The first weapon will be programed to detonate on the ward itself. The ward will fall within milliseconds. The rest of the weapons can be deployed moments after the first. They will arrive after the ward has fallen and can be set to appear in specific rooms within the castle. I assume you have detailed plans of it?"
"We do."
"Good, our experts will want those so they can determine the best locations for the weapons to arrive to achieve maximum effect."
Amelia glanced at Bill and Rufus. "We're in agreement?"
"Yes," Rufus said. Bill only inclined his head.
"Very good then. We'll make arrangements for your people and their… equipment."
With the first round of the talent competition complete, the attention of the school turned to the second and excited chatter filled the hallways and Great Hall as the students endlessly debated the best performances and who would do what during the next round. More than once Harry'd found his face heating at overhearing various of the female population wondering how he could possibly top his initial effort. Worse was catching snippets of what some of them wished they could do with him. For the sake of the goddess he was bloody married! Quite happily so, thank you very much. He might be a flirt, but it wasn't those he flirted with he overheard discussing him in a manner he didn't feel a married man should be discussed. No, little Celeste, Anwen, Jessica, Gwyneth, Veronica, his three closest female friends who did not carry his last name, they were the targets of his flirtations. And yes, he'd overheard Anwen, Jessica, Gwyneth and Veronica talking as well. But it wasn't what they wanted to do with him they discussed; it was their desire to have someone look at them the way he did Ginny. Though he supposed it was better those he hadn't really spoken or interacted with much at all talked of him that way than his close female friends. That would have been far more uncomfortable. He'd hate to think he'd ever given any of them the wrong impression and was glad to see they all seemed to understand their relationship with him the same way he did.
Before the second round of the competition though there was a different event to occur. One Harry wasn't looking forward to at all. October 31st had reared its ugly head and Harry had wanted to do nothing more than find a place to duck and cover. At the very least he needed to get away from everyone and their smiling, oblivious faces. Unfortunately, being a prefect prevented such behavior on his part. Instead of slipping off somewhere to sulk he was forced to take part in helping to decorate the school and everything else that went with the day and as such was in a piss-poor mood when he'd finally been released from his duties. Thankfully Ginny had grabbed him and dragged him off to his mum and Bill's quarters to brood in peace without destroying the good time for everyone else around them.
He was just sitting with Ginny and his mum now. Bill, being a professor, had duties greater than Harry did and was still down at the feast. Maybe it was a bit cramped on the couch. He was leaned up against the arm, a leg up against the back of the couch with Ginny tucked in, her back to his chest. His mum lay with her head in Ginny's lap. His wife was gently coming her fingers through his mum's hair and Harry had been watching, mesmerized by the action, for a good long while. Though, given the darkness the sound of Ginny's voice roused him to his eyes must have drifted closed at some point.
"Mum?"
"Hmm?"
"When are you and Bill going to marry?" Harry's eyes snapped open at the same moment his mum drew a sharp breath in.
"I'm not sure, Love," Mum answered. "There are outside things to consider."
"You mean what people would say about you betraying James?"
"Yes."
"Isn't Harry the only one who really matters in that regard?"
"In most cases, yes, he would be."
"But we can't afford to have the public turn against us?"
"No."
Ginny was silent a moment before sliding her hand to Harry's mum's cheek. She turned the older woman's face so their eyes met. "I'm sorry you can't be as happy as you'd like."
Mum smiled. "We're married in our hearts, but thank you."
"I know," Ginny said. "But you're not as happy as you would be if you didn't have to hide."
Mum reached up and took Ginny's hand. Pulling it to her lips she kissed it before shifting and snuggling tighter into Ginny's lap. "I love you, Daughter."
Ginny tipped her head back on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Love you, Mum." Harry pressed a kiss to Ginny's temple, rested his head against hers and drifted off to sleep again.
Before Harry knew it Halloween had passed and he was standing in the wings behind the stage – it was kind of funny he hadn't actually set foot on the stage during the first round – ready for his second performance in of the talent competition. Harper Scott had already left people crying for their laughter, Andrew, Stephanie, Celeste and a host of others had sang, and Isla had danced; by the goddess had she danced, and for this round Harry was the last to go. After watching the other front runners, Harry wasn't certain his selection would be up to the task of keeping him in their company or not but he was going with it all the same. Maybe it wasn't the most difficult, but it was a vastly different than his first performance. He figured showing range was good. And if it wasn't as impressive as some of the other performances, combined with his first it should be enough to see him past the first round of eliminations. There were other things to consider too. He was going to actually play, not just sing this time. And there was audience participation aspect to consider as well. Provided he could get them to do it.
"All right, all right," Scarlett's amplified voice cried. "I know you're all excited for our last performance of the evening." She paused for the shouts and cheers. "Yes, yes, and after his first act who can blame us ladies?" The screams got louder and Harry couldn't help blushing. He also refused to look at Daphne or Hermione standing in the shadows just off to the side. "Because I know he left me in a puddle of goo." The screams intensified seeming tenfold. "Am I right, or am I right?"
"Bloody hell," Harry muttered, covering his ears. Who knew girls could make so much noise.
"Please welcome to the stage, HARRY POTTER." The torches along the walls dimmed and Harry suddenly found himself in near darkness. The screaming student body quickly grew quiet with anticipation.
"Actually," Harry's voice carried out into the hall. "I need a bit of help with this one so if I could ask the Slytherin quidditch team to come up on the stage." Harry paused. He could just imagine the faces of his teammates as they looked at each other.
"Come on," Siobhan Brennan shouted. "He may not be, Cap, but that don't mean we don't answer when he calls. Move. Move. Move."
"Is there any girl in this school you can't wrap around your finger?" Daphne whispered in his ear.
Harry chuckled. "Only you, Sister Dearest."
Daphne laughed softly. "Just what are you planning?"
"That would be telling," Harry teased.
"We're ready, Harry," Siobhan called.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Good lord, Potter."
Harry chuckled softly and activated his Sonorous Charm again. And, with a prayer Ginny wouldn't murder him later, said, "So, from the defending champions to our competition, we're laying down the gauntlet."
A murmur of confusion swept the crowd.
"What's he talking about?"
"No idea."
"It's Potter, when isn't he grandstanding?"
"True story," Daphne muttered, stealing one of Harry's favorite lines.
Harry ignored her and started, he stomped his foot hard on the floor twice before clapping his hands together once. He kept the rhythm up for about fifteen seconds before climbing the steps and making his way across the stage to Siobhan. Stopping in front of her, he bent down a bit and repeated the rhythm in front of her. Stomp, stomp, clap. It took only a few seconds for her to catch on and mimic him. "Don't stop," he mouthed before turning to Michael. The seventh-year followed Siobhan's lead and the rest of the team quickly joined in. Harry chanced a glance at Ginny and quickly looked away. She was participating but the glint in her eye told him he was going to pay later. Harry turned his attention to the crowd. "Come on," he shouted, "everybody!" Moments later the entire hall shook with the combined force of their efforts. Stomp, stomp, clap. Stomp, stomp, clap. Harry took a breath.
Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise.
Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday.
You got mud on your face, you big disgrace.
Kicking your can all over the place, singin'.
We will, we will rock you.
We will, we will rock you.
Harry broke from the lyrics and turned to his teammates. "Come on, with me now." They didn't disappoint him and screamed out the refrain.
We will, we will rock you.
We will, we will rock you.
He turned away again, still pounding out the rhythm and went into the second verse… With a few minor modifications
Gryffindor, you're a young man, hard man.
Shouting from your broom, gonna take on the world someday.
You got blood on your face, you big disgrace.
Waving your banner all over the place.
Harry turned and exhorted his teammates to join him again.
We will, we will rock you.
"Yeah Snakes!" Harry urged.
We will, we will rock you.
Birds and Badgers, you're an old man, poor man
Pleading with your eyes, gonna get you some goals someday
You got mud on your face, big disgrace
Slytherin gonna snatch that snitch right in front of your face. Do it!
Harry stopped and put his hand to his ear and his teammates didn't disappoint.
We will, we will rock you.
"Yeah, yeah, come on," Harry exhorted them to greater heights while pick up his guitar.
We will, we will rock you,
"All right, louder now!" Harry shifted his guitar into position.
We will, we will rock you."
"Keep coming," Harry said plucking the first notes of the riff.
We will, we will rock you."
"That's it!"
We will, we will rock you."
"Bring it in now," The team crowded in around him as Harry continued to play, stomping his foot in time with them while they continued the chant
We will, we will rock you.
We will, we will rock you!
Harry hit the last note and stopped. "We out'ta here!" His teammates stopped and instantly mobbed him. Before he knew it he was up on their shoulders.
"Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!" The chant from his teammates was picked up by the rest of the house till the entire Great Hall reverberated with the sound of it, causing dust to rain down from the beams high above.
Harry turned around as the door to his and Ginny's room closed. "How much trouble am I in?"
"All I can say," she said pulling her shirt from her skirt and over her head. She tossed it to the floor. "Is I expect a lot of attention tonight."
Harry stepped towards her. "Define a lot," he said, his hands going to her hips and pulling her against him.
"Four."
"Four?" he demanded with false incredulity
"On second thought, five."
Harry sank to his knees in front of her. "What do you say we start with that and see where we end up?" His fingers slipped under the waistband of her skirt, tights and knickers, taking them to the floor all at once.
Ginny's hands went to the back of his head, pulling his face to her stomach. "Oh, yes."
Author's notes:
And next week the talent competition begins! Actually looking forward to that. It's something new that I haven't seen a whole lot of in FF.
Obviously, Harry's song choice is, We Will Rock You by Queen
And next week's torture: Chapter 28, Even the Sugarquills