Meeting the God of Void
Professor Jim Moriarty was crouching down on the ground with Filch in a dim and humid room. The dungeons were his least favorite place but there they could use the Hogwarts' lodestone to contact the Magi world.
"Doesn't the unsynchronized time passage cause interruptions?" asked Professor Snape who was standing behind them.
"No," said Filch.
"It's a bit old fashioned method of communication but it works. We will just have to wait a bit longer for them to write back. Time is slower here," said Moriarty.
The stone got warmer and so did the room.
"I'm not happy with us doing this. A powerful Magi could use the stone to open a window," said Filch.
"If we hadn't guarded this place against them. Hurry up and write a message and put it on the stone," instructed Moriarty.
Filch did as he was told and saw the parchments turn into ash instantly. After a few minutes the same preachment reappeared with additional writings.
"Hermione's handwriting no doubt," said Moriarty with a fond smile, which slipped away as he read her message. "They were attacked. Four Magi and an unknown human."
"Well, we were anticipating that, weren't we?" said Filch. "She must have made a Blood Compass."
"Yes, and Morningstar must have sent a formidable team."
Snape felt worried. Their plan to keep Harry and Hermione safe was already at jeopardy. Seeing that Moriarty stood up and laid his hand on Snape's shoulder gently and smiled.
"Severus, be kind and don't tell Lily. She will only worry herself. That will do her no good"
"I do not wish to be insincere with Lily," asked Snape. "And she tends to get rather upset when we treat her like a precious porcelain doll."
"I'm sure she will. Then make sure she knows that they are fine when you tell her." Moriarty removed his hand and sat down next to Mr. Filch. He snapped his fingers and a small booklet appeared in his hands. This was a report he had prepared on their side and would calm down Harry and Hermione's nerves.
They soon received a small piece of paper which said, 'Thank you, we will send ours soon.'
None of them dared to leave as they waited for the report. When it came back they greedily read it together.
"Kaminari? That's an unaccounted factor," said Filch worriedly as he finished reading the rather short report.
"Kaminari wasn't involved in the Great War," said Moriarty thoughtfully. "But I have heard about him. He's ancient, much older than most Magi I know. It's very strange indeed. And it's Apollo's doing. I don't trust him and his prophecies."
"It gets stranger," said Filch. "Yami Yuri is a half-magi?"
"Of course he is," said Moriarty. He leaned over to read Hermione's neat handwriting. "But I didn't know who his father was. This is getting too interesting to be coincidental. I am almost tempted to check out the prophecy Mr. D brought over. I hate it when Fate is involved."
"You said it was not worth it," said Filch. "And I agreed. Prophecies rarely do any good."
"I know," said Moriarty, but his thoughtful expression indicated that he was considering the risk. "Considering that they could be falsely planted."
"Yes, let's not open the Pandora box," Filch warned.
Moriarty burst into laughter. Little did Filch know that Moriarty had seen the actual Pandora box and had used it.
Filch suddenly looked at his ring and closed his eyes.
"Pernelle and Nicholas are awake."
"How are they?" asked Moriarty.
"They are recovering fast. Rooth says they will not need another transfusion for at least ten weeks."
Moriarty smiled and patted Filch's back.
"Great. Let's go see them and have Poppy nag me for bringing Unspeakables over."
*HP*
Harry was now a snail moving excruciatingly slow. The world was perceived so differently as a snail. He was technically blind but that didn't bother him as a snail. He could distinguish the direction of the light and the shadows to see the danger coming.
Suddenly everything changed. His body melted and began to reshape itself. He gained volume. All the mass that had gone to vacancy was back. The change was not pleasant, but there was no pain either. He went completely bind. Now he was stressed but he knew it would be over soon. His body was human again. He moved his fingers. His skin dehydrated and suddenly he could blink. Slowly his eyesight came back and he could see.
"Hey I don't need glasses anymore," exclaimed Harry.
"You didn't need them as a snail either," chuckled Kaminari, "Is that why you stayed in that form longer than I had told you to?"
"Sorry," said Harry apologetically, "I was overwhelmed."
"Trust me, Harry, you don't want to live the rest of your very long life as a snail and wait for someone to trample you down."
"I understand, sir," said Harry.
They heard someone scream. It was Dionysus. Hermione had accidentally melted his glass of wine more than they had intended.
"I'm sorry," said Hermione, her face turned red due to shame.
"Ah, don't worry, the proper results come in time," said Anubis. His facial expressions reminded Harry of the Olivander he had known before Anubis. "One day you'll melt a building and think how effortless it was."
Hermione and Harry dared not ask why would she have to do that. Anubis said those things a lot.
"Isn't it strange that they haven't found us yet?" asked Dionysus as he conjured another glass of wine.
"This place is well protected," said Kaminari. "We should simply avoid saying their names too many times as we have so far. But we will eventually might have to face them. They seem to have a way to find Harry and Hermione."
"I never thought babysitting could be so dangerous," said Dionysus.
"We are not babies," said Harry.
"We are all babies compared to him," Dionysus pointed at Kaminari. "Well, maybe Anubis is a teenager."
"Ageist!" coughed Kaminari.
Hermione smiled. She had come to like Kaminari, Anubis and even Dionysus. She hoped nothing would happen for the next two week so she and Harry could go home soon.
When another week passed, she got her hopes up. There was only one week left. On a very fateful morning things changed. She could feel the energy in the air change. Magic tasted different that day.
"Can you sense that?" she anxiously told Harry.
"Yes," he replied grimly.
"You two are getting good at this," said Kaminari as he entered their room. "Let's go and prepare for our guests."
Kaminari took them to the kitchen where Dionysus and Anubis were enjoying wine.
"Drink," ordered Kaminari. "Dionysus will connect our minds."
Harry and Hermione each took a glass of wine and drank it hesitantly. It tasted wonderful. Hermione could feel it travel through her bloodstream and get her warm. Suddenly she felt a connection.
"Winemaker to Little Bird, can you hear me?" said Dionysus in her mind.
"Loud and clear," replied Hermione internally.
"Excellent," said Dionysus with a bemused smile. "Now try communicating with others."
"Who can hear me?" asked Hermione mentally.
"I can," said Harry.
"I can," said Anubis.
"I can," said Dionysus and Kaminari simultaneously.
"So can we," said an unfamiliar voice from nowhere. It was sinister and low. Hermione could feel an unnatural cool creep to her bones.
"You are truly powerful, Miss Granger," said the voice silkily, "Not many Magi can broadcast their thoughts like you do."
"Hermione, close your mind to Xey!" said Kaminari stiffly.
Hermione blocked the unfamiliar voice. Kaminari relaxed and so did the others.
"That was so overwhelming," said Dionysus with a shaken voice.
"Hermione, you and I face Xey," said Kaminari. "You are the only one immune to his powers."
"I don't want to face Xey," moaned Anubis. Only then Hermione realised how terrified everyone was. Harry seemed shaken to the core and could not speak.
"They are going to bring down the eastern wall," warned Kaminari. "Brace yourselves."
The building suddenly shook and they saw the wall be torn away from the building.
*HG*
Hermione felt the magical protection go away. Kaminari pushed her out of the kitchen and pulled her with himself to the wall that was going down. Kaminari jumped out and so did Hermione.
Kaminari whispered a word and the wall turned into lava. Then he whispered another word that made the lava pour down faster than usual. Hermione overcame the shock and let herself float and then stood in the air. The lava hit the street underneath and burned through almost everything. Almost everything because there was a spot where it had formed a half sphere and once the lava settled the half sphere popped like bubble gum, revealing four men standing together. Kaminari shot lightning at them but one of them raised what looked like a metal rod and absorbed the massive electrical current.
As Hermione and Kaminari got closer, they noticed that the man with the rod had only one healthy eye. The other one was an empty socket filled with worm-like creatures. The rod in his hand was in fact a spear. And his clothes were all torn and stitched.
"Odin," whispered Kaminari.
Hermione recognised Mephistopheles and Amaimon on left and right. The man next to Odin had to be Xey.
He stood there tall and slender. His face as white as chalk, boney hands that were very human but unnatural at the same time. His clothes resembled a man who worked in a circus and Hermione was pretty sure this man had come from the Earth since his tophat still had its price ticket on it.
Xey pointed his finger at Kaminari, who dodged whatever was shot of it. Kaminari then fisted his right hand and punched the air. Suddenly there was a crater where the four Magi had stood. They were gone though.
They appeared in the air surrounding Hermione and Kaminari, who was shaking visibly.
"Kaminari, leave her to us," said Xey softly.
"Urusai! Like hell I will!" cried Kaminari.
He tried to attack but Xey was faster. With a gesture of his hand Kaminari fell and hit the ground hard which was also covered by hot lava.
"Come with us, Miss Granger," said Xey in an almost friendly manner.
"I don't think I want to," said Hermione angrily. The figures moved for her. She summoned Fyndfire. It was hotter and more dangerous than anything she had summoned before.
"Be sensible," cried Xey. How stupid he looked with his silly tophat.
"Get this," she cried.
The fire blasted the four Magi away. Hermione now could understand how different humans and Magi were. Any human would have been vaporised on spot. But while her fire was harmful to the Magi, it was not going to kill them.
Xey somehow managed to get out of the blazes and contain them. Seeing how fruitless her efforts were, Hermione let the fire subside.
"You are very powerful, but so young," said Xey. Hermione looked around. Mephistopheles and Amaimon were barely keeping themselves afloat. Hermione felt colder than before. There was something wrong about Xey. He could affect everybody but Hermione, but why?
"You are simply making me feel cold, Xey," said Hermione.
She could see surprise in his face and then something she had not expected to see; fear.
Xey began to chant in a language Hermione could not understand at first. As he kept chanting words became clear to Hermione. Not only she could understand the words, she could also distinguish which pronoun referred to which Magi. Xey was calling upon the Unformed to contain her. As his chanting came to halt a cubic barrier surrounded her. Despite its simple look Hermione knew only Xey himself knew the key to undoing it. Hermione frowned. Xey hovered back. Fear had not left his face. Magic surged in Hermione. Suddenly she knew the word to freedom.
"Tamakh!" cried Hermione. The word meant 'end' and yet no mortal language could describe its severity.
The barrier exploded outward. There was nothing to see, but all present could feel the crushing waves of the quiet explosion. All they could do was to brace themselves. At Kaminari's home, Dionysus and Anubis shielded Harry.
The buildings around warped like pastry dough and then came apart and those parts turned into t smaller and smaller pieces until all remained was dust. Waves of explosion destroyed more and more buildings until there was nothing left but a bunch of terrified magi in a wasteland of dust.
Hermione suddenly felt tired. Like all her energy was gone. She fell down and that dived down to the ground. Xey hurried to grab her but Kaminari was faster; unharmed by the destructive waves of Magic, he sped to Hermione and grabbed her and fled. Anubis and Dionysus followed both holding Harry tight. Xey followed them with Odin. Mephistopheles and Amaimon, however, were still in shock. They had never seen such display of raw power.
"I think we go the other way," said Amaimon.
"Shut up!" snarled Mephistopheles.
"I can't fight that monster!" moaned Amaimon.
"You don't need to," smiled Mephistopheles. "That way there is only one window. Do you know where it goes?"
"No," said Amaimon cluelessly.
"To Avalon."
*JM*
Professor Moriarty was unhappy. He had not managed to get in contact with Hermione and Harry. There he sat with Sirius, Lucinda, Dumbledore, the Flamels and his old pal Argus Filch who was also known as Salazar Slytherin.
"We have lost connection," declared Moriarty
"Do you think they were attacked?" asked Sirius worriedly. "Maybe we should go help them."
Filch sniggered. "Another Sirius solution," he said to Moriarty. "We really should consider it."
"Please don't act like buffoons," said Moriarty grumpily, not getting the joke. "Neither of us is useful in that place."
"I think Argus was being sarcastic," said Lucinda.
"Teen points to my bright Slytherin!" said Filch with a smirk.
"Could we ask other Magi for help?" asked Dumbledore. "Maybe La –"
"Uh Uh Uh – don't you say that name!" said Moriarty.
"Then what do you suggest?" asked Lucinda.
"I say we talk to the dead," said Moriarty to their horror.
"And from we you mean me," said Perenelle.
"Yes," said Moriarty shamelessly.
"Then I need Doctor Doyle and Mr Weisz," said Perenelle.
"Couldn't we help you with the ritual?" asked Filch.
"No. I'm more comfortable with my long time friends than you Sally."
"Don't call me Sally," murmured Filch weakly.
"I can have them here in less than an hour," said Moriarty.
Perenelle nodded with a thankful smile.
"So how is teaching going on, Sirius?" asked Nicholas.
Sirius was a bit shocked that the ancient man had spoken to him. Flamels did not get friendly with people like him.
"Ah, it's good. I'm already taking a lot of load off Minerva's shoulders."
"A loud which he will carry on his own next year," said Lucinda.
"So you have heard the news," said Dumbledore with a smile. His eyes twinkled at Lucinda when she looked at him.
"Yes, Lucius told me. The process has already started, Albus."
"Will we have you next year, James?" asked Filch.
"You actually might," said Moriarty. "I think I will stay a couple more years before disappearing from both my jobs. I might go to Italy if Morningstar's goes into hiding. Maybe I'll go to Egypt, I have been postponing that for the longest time."
**EM**
Eve Morningstar was having tea next to her awakened prisoner.
"Why don't you have some tea, Remus?"
"Why won't you let me go?" asked Remus. "I have a child. My wife must be worried sick about me."
"I think you are alright," said Eve as she sipped her tea. "Your child is doing just well. Barty reported that much."
Remus grimaced.
"That sick bastard! He touched my Nymphadora!"
"I'm sorry that you had to see that," said Morningstar with an ashamed expression. "I'm sure Barty has been gentle."
"You disgust me!" said Remus.
"I would be more careful, Remus, with what I say," said Peter Petigrew, or as Remus had recently found out, Peter Heart.
Eve smiled heartwarmingly.
"My dear Doctor Heart, I'm not a tyrant. Remus has every right to dislike me. He shall not be mistreated."
"I was joking!" said Heart with a fake upset face.
"Что случилось!? {Chto sloochilas / what happened?}" cried Eve Morningstar.
To a mirror nearby. In it Remus saw a middle aged yet beautiful woman. He couldn't hear her but clearly she wasn't speaking English.
"Интресно, Баба. Это тебе сама надо сделать. {Intresna, Baba. Eto tibye sama nada zdyelat / Interesting, Baba. It's up to you to do it."
The middle-aged woman's face disappeared and was replaced by Hermes.
"Mr. Mercury, how are you?" asked Morningstar.
"I'm fine. Thank you. Mr. Black and I are ready for the next phase, Eve," said Hermes. "However, Moriarty's agents have been snooping around."
"Well, that was bound to happen," said Eve. "I love challenges. An easy win is hardly any success."
"Indeed," said Heemes.
Morningstar smiled at Peter who grunted.
"I suppose it's time you joined our other friends then, Hermes," said Morningstar. "Peter here will take care of everything else."
"I'm pleased to hear that. I'm sure Doctor Heart will do absolutely fine."
Hermes disappeared and the mirror was reflecting the world around like any normal mirror would.
"Remus, Peter used to be a chef. We are having fillet mignon tonight."
"Tonight is the full moon," said Peter. "How do you expect him to enjoy such a delicate meal as a beast?"
"But I have cured Remus," said Morningstar.
Remus was shocked but Peter just threw up his shoulders and left.
"How long had he worked for you?" asked Remus.
"I have known Peter since 1666," said Morningstar. Her body changed and she assumed the form of John Dee.
"Back then I was this man; John Dee, a very prestigious doctor and had a lot of connections within the government. I discovered Peter and he made such a profound impact on me that I granted him a part of my magic and made him immortal."
"How?" asked Remus in awe.
"Jim Moriarty never had the chance to tell you everything, did he?" said Dee softly. "I am not human, Remus. People of my race are called many things; gods, demons and sometimes monsters. Today the official English term for it is Magi. We shall go with that. Magi are extremely powerful beings that came from vast distances away from this galaxy. We established order on this planet and your race came to be because my partner and I wanted it."
Dee changed form and turned into the Lilith she had shown Ron.
"My real name is Lilith and my husband was Yahweh, although I should say the correct pronunciation is Yehova. I don't think he would care much about that. We lived for a very long time without names."
"How old are you?"
"Extremely old," said Lilith. "I do look good for a multi billion-year-old being, don't I?"
"You cannot be that old!" exclaimed Remus.
"Well, this form is not that old, yes. I don't think showing my original form would do you any good. Not that I could assume it."
"Why not?"
"Without my heart, I'm only a mere shadow of my former self. I am restricted by certain limits. However, I still can do a few party tricks," Dee smiled amiably.
"I can see why you are more dangerous than Voldemort," said Remus. "You are very good at concealing your evil."
"Tom Riddle used to be very good at appealing to people," pointed out Dee. "I am sorry to hear that you think of me as an evil person."
"Are you trying to recruit me?" smirked Remus, his eyes flag flashed angrily.
"No, but I believe you deserve to know why I'm doing all this. I'm going to end the endless suffering we endure and create a brighter future for my children."
At that moment someone knocked on the door and entered.
"Ah Gellert, are you done with your Translocator?" said Dee.
"Missed this form, father?" said Grindelwald with a chuckle. "It's ready for installation."
"What are you going to do?" asked Remus to Dee. "Are you going to invade our world?"
Dee's features morphed back to a Morningstar. She smiled brightly. "I think I'll surprise you and our dear Professor Moriarty. Gellert! Make preparation for our other guest as well. She will arrive soon."
**Dionysus**
Dionysus was holding Harry tight as he and Anubis were flying to the nearest magical window they could feel.
"Where does that window go?" he yelled.
"I have no idea," cried back Anubis. "And I don't feel very good about it."
They felt the presence of two very powerful Magi get closer from behind. Dionysus looked back and saw Kaminari spending toward them with Hermione embraced.
"Where does that window go, Kaminari," he said.
Harry gave him an odd look. Clearly he thought Kaminari couldn't have heard that.
"Dionysus, I believe it will lead us to Avalon," heard Dionysus is in his head. "We'll need to look for another window as soon as we get there."
"It goes to Avalon!" cried Dionysus to Anubis.
"Use the mental link," Harry said to Dionysus mentally allowing others to hear him as well.
"Well, someone's brain is still functional," commented Kaminari. "Remember not to use names. We don't want to attract unwanted attention in Avalon."
Dionysus felt four other forces behind Kaminari and Hermione. Kaminari had almost reached Anubis. He handed Hermione to Anubis.
"I'll buy you time to activate the window," he told Anubis. He lost his momentum and hovered in the air waiting for the enemy to arrive.
From far away Dionysus could see Kaminari's battle against Xey. He tried to sharpen his eyes and look more closely. Their style of casting magic was unknown to him.
"They use hand gestures," said Anubis without looking back. "Some humans in east Asia use it. Keep your attention ahead. That old man will be fine."
Dionysus could not help feeling bad for leaving Kaminari behind. They finally reached the place where the inter-universal window could be opened.
As Anubis was working on the window Dionysus helped Hermione gain her consciousness. Harry hurried to her side asking if she was okay.
Hermione kissed Harry and said that she was fine. Her voice, however, was disturbingly weak.
"Oh, my!" said Dionysus and burst into laughter. "I'm sorry Harry, but you just turned green."
Harry looked at his hands and yelped. His hands were turning green.
"You'll be back to normal when you calm down," said Anubis. "It's just a Primal Reaction."
"Like when his head turns into a dog," explained Dionysus.
"It's not a dog," replied Anubis softly, keeping his attention on opening the window.
Hermione nodded. "It's a jackal," she whispered.
"I knew that!" snapped Dionysius. Dogs and jackals, what was the difference again? He wasn't sure. He had never paid much attention to animals.
"You see, Hermione? That's why we are a declining civilization," said Anubis as he finally managed to open the window. This window was not like the previous one. It was like a net of sticky spider webs going down to the center of the Earth or whatever this planet was. "People like you ruin society, Dionysius. Not only you are ignorant, but also you refuse to learn."
"Sure, whatever!" said Dionysius trying to be dismissive. He felt hurt though. He looked away and saw a distant figure coming for them.
"We have to go," he said.
"Wait," said Anubis. He zoomed in on the figure and squinted his eyes and then smiled. "That's James Potter."
"What?!" exclaimed Harry and Hermione. They looked at the distant figure. It was too far to be recognized.
"Remind me to teach them the telescope trick," said Anubis to Dionysius.
As the man got closer the battle between Kaminari and the other Magi heated. Explosions came after explosions, and the resulting smoke and dust were gradually increasing.
When the man got close enough Harry and Hermione could that he was indeed no other than James Potter.
"Harry…" he painted. "I'm …"
"James Potter, we know," said Anubis.
"Mr. Olivander?" asked James with a puzzled expression.
"In the flesh. And no I didn't die. Here, I'm a Magi called Anubis."
James nodded though he clearly had not believed him. Anubis suddenly grabbed James and threw himself down the hole dragging James with himself into it.
"Let's go," said Dionysius and jumped after them. Harry and Hermione looked back. The battleground was getting closer to them. They managed to see Xey land on the ground after warding off an attack.
"Let's go," said Hermione. "Help me."
Harry helped Hermione stand up and the both jumped into the hole. They landed on a soft mushy ground in front of Anubis who snapped his fingers and the window was closed.
"Too bad it's not a direct window," he said. "We must find a passage to the other side. I remember being trapped in one of these mazes for a hundred years. They are indeed vast."
Harry looked around for James who was standing next to Dionysius.
"Can I hug my son?" he asked the Wine God.
"Sure, you could take him to Odin, too," he replied sarcastically.
"I don't want to do that!"
"Then why were you following those Magi, Mr. Potter?" asked Anubis. "I recall sensing you next to them last time."
"Odin brought me."
"Odin?" asked Dionysius. "Why?"
"He saved me when I died," said James.
"Then you must be indebted to him," said Dionysus.
"I am," replied James.
"But?" asked Anubis.
"My son is more important than anything else," continued James.
"I see, and it has nothing to do with Odin wanting the Serpent to fail," said Anubis.
"Who?" asked James.
"Lilith," said Hermione. Dionysus and Anubis looked at her angrily.
"Ah," said James. "You mean Miss Morningstar."
"You have spoken to her," asked Anubis, surprised to hear that.
"I have seen her a few times," said James. "She came to visit Odin. He was positively scared."
"That's impossible!" said Dionysus, "She can't enter this realm."
"She hasn't," said Anubis thoughtfully. "She must have used a golem."
"But golems work within a limited distance," said Harry.
"Ah, you have studied Necromancy," said Anubis with a morbid smile. Harry and James looked at Harry oddly. "Well, the Serpent is not an ordinary person. She can bend the rules. But it's good to know that you know how a golem works. Perhaps we can use that knowledge in near future."
He faced James and smiled. "Odin sent me a mental message. He is secretly on our side. Mr. Potter is here to help us."
"Yes. I am supposed to take you to the Damp Swamp."
"He has a key. It's very valuable. We can stay there and no one will follow us."
Little did they know that someone already had.
**AD**
"Adriana, a moment please," Lily Potter heard Severus Snape call her as she entered the dungeons.
"Ah, Severus. Missing the dungeons?" she asked amiably.
Snape smiled at her and walked forward. "I do not. However, I don't mind visiting friends from time to time. And Professor Black rarely comes here to bother us."
Severus was right. Sirius rarely came to the dungeons. It had nothing to do with the place. Sirius did not wish to be alone with Lily who had the same inclination. Thanks to Lilith's carefully placed manipulations Lily and Sirius could no longer feel comfortable around each other, and it was getting worse progressively.
Lily, however, had found comfort and ease with Severus, a man who was a friend again and whose kindness was a redemption from Lily's self pity and guilt.
Lily was about to invite Severus to her office, but they felt their telepathic rings warm up. Moriarty's voice echoed in their mind.
"New information! Come to my office if you are interested."
"Why don't we use my fireplace?" offered Lily. Severus accepted.
Once they appeared in Moriarty's office they noticed that he was not alone. Lucinda and Sirius were there looking at what looked like a large piece of compact charcoal. It looked very much like a book and upon closer inspection it turned out to be one.
"What is this?" asked Lily.
"Don't touch it," said Sirius.
"It's a personal project," said Moriarty. "Not related to today's topic."
"Oh," said Lily curtly and sat by Lucinda.
"We found out who Xey is," said Moriarty.
"In fact Sirius did," said Lucinda.
"By accident," Sirius pointed out.
"And the guy who told Sirius, didn't know what he had actually told him," said Moriarty with a smile. "But his information was crucial nevertheless. Apparently, some circus manager was using magic to run his shows and wherever he went people would disappear but no one would remember them or the circus. That is until recently that the missing people came back."
"And how is that related to Xey?" asked Lily.
"Be patient, Adriana. This mysterious circus however was utilizing magic beyond ordinary humans. You see, the MACUSA never even noticed it. That got my attention when Sirius told me about his friend who had been kept by this crazy circus manager. I would have surely heard about such a mysterious thing."
"Because you're the Head of the Department of Mysteries. We get it," said Lucinda rolling her eyes up.
"Exactly. The manager was called Mr. Tophat, and apparently he had extraordinary magical abilities."
"Like turning ordinary people into magical ones," explained Sirius.
"Yes. That's not what humans can do. So I asked Mr. Stiltskin and he… he got really angry," said Moriarty with apprehension.
"He told us that Mr. Tophat is a powerful Magi who was imprisoned by another very powerful Magi," said Lucinda.
"AKA Mr. Stiltskin whose Magi name I still don't know," said Moriarty. "That part is my own conclusion, of course. Now, who was Mr. Tophat? Xey!"
"How did he get free?" asked Severus.
"Oh, a very stupid technically set him free. Blind fate is a very strong thing coming from the right person," said Moriarty. He stood up and began to walk around. "Mr. Tophat, who will be called Mr. Tophat from now on for obvious security reasons, set up a pretty amazing game. He created a circus for the sake of an epic story he was making for one unique person who would come and set him free. Who knew Rachel Carpenter could accomplish such a feat? Long story short, Mr. Tophat introduces himself as the villain and lets Rachel, our hero, destroy him by his own magic. And that set Mr. Tophat free."
"I still don't understand why this Rachel was the only one who could do it," said Sirius.
Lucinda sighed. "Isn't it obvious, Sirius. Rachel Carpenter could use his magic against him because she believed she could."
"Yes… and," Moriarty's tiny skull vibrated on the desk. "And my guess just got confirmed."
"What guess?" asked Lucinda.
"I ordered Rachel to be tested. She is a half Magi. We can all guess who her father is."
"So that blind fate thing…" said Sirius.
"Well, that was probably involved, too," said Moriarty. "But I knew there had to be more than that to it."
Lily pretended to listen to Sirius and Moriarty but her mind was captivated by a memory of the past. One that she had of Dora Black.
Lily had only seen her boyfriend's father before; Charles Potter, a gentle and kind old man with a deep voice and playful green eyes. However, today she would be meeting Charles Potter's wife Dorea Potter née Black.
Dorea was a very different person. Very much unlike any witch she has met before. When she came to visit, Lily was quite surprised to see her wearing muggle clothes in a proper way. Her parents were delighted to see her and Dorea knew how to act muggle, even better than Lily did.
Perhaps she was the only witch Petunia never called Freak, and the first not to make his father retreat to his private library. And Lily could swear she was the most powerful witch she had met.
"James doesn't want me to know, but I'm aware that the baby is not his," she had said while they stood alone on the porch. A gentle breeze touched Lilly's hair and let it rise. Her eyes looked at her future mother-in-law with fear.
"Don't worry. I would not have bothered coming here if I thought you and James couldn't handle it. Blood is important, but emotions are far more important than anything else. How James feels about this child is more important than his biological relationship to it. But I would not be telling Charles if I were you. He wouldn't understand. Have faith, Lily. If you believe you can go through anything."
Dorea never talked about Lily's secret ever again until he was born. One night she came by. Harry was barely two days old and James was just staring at the boy who looked nothing like him with genuine love.
"How is Harry?" asked Dorea as she hung her coat on a peg.
"Oh, he's …"
James could not finish his sentence. He had not expected his mother to come by and he had not applied a glamour on Harry to make him look a bit more similar to him.
"You know, he looks like Orion when he was just a baby," said Dorea with a smile.
James looked at Lily with concern who nodded at him reassuringly.
"We're glad you came, Aunt Dorea," said Lily.
James was speechless. His mother got close to Harry and then picked him up.
"He's so adorable. He will do great things for sure. I can feel his strong magic," said Dorea.
"Mum, he was born two days ago. How do you know he looks like Uncle Orion?"
"I know my boy. I raised that kid," replied his mother with a chuckle. "Now, there is a potion that we need to make. This is something only women can learn, James darling. Could you please leave?"
James glanced at Lily who nodded approvingly. James left with no question asked.
"Do you have it?" asked Dorea.
"I do," replied Lily, holding a phial of her husband's blood.
"Excellent," said Dorea. "Now, we wait for her."
Suddenly Lily jumped in the real world. That part was not right. Something was horribly wrong with how she was recollecting things now.
A figure emerged from the shadows and stepped forward.
"I'm already here, Aunt Dorea," said a blond woman. She smiled at Lily. Lucinda!
What was Lucinda doing there. Lily clutched her head and bent over. A huge wave of new memories flooded her brain.
"Lily, are you alright?" said Sirius.
At that moment Argus Filch entered the room with his cat.
"Mrs. Norris doesn't feel very well," he said as he closed the door being him. He immediately noticed Lily who was clutching her hair hard.
"Is she alright?"
"I don't think so," said Moriarty.
"I'll go get Madam Pomfrey," said Lucinda, attempting to stand up.
"Lucinda, stay. I can fix this," said Moriarty calmly. Lucinda sat back next to Sirius reluctantly.
Mortiarty squatted in front of Lily and raised her head looking into her piercing green eyes. He easily penetrated her mental barriers. Her mind was in disarray. Memories were flooding her mind. Suppressed memories. Moriarty immediately tried to help Lily organise them and was surprised what he was seeing and hearing in those memories. After five minutes he had helped Lily enough to help her go on and continue reconstructing her mind. He pulled out gently and looked at Lucinda.
Lucinda immediately jumped away. Her wand moved fast but Filch was much faster.
"Expelliarmus!"
"You were the last person I'd doubt, Lucinda," said Moriarty with a deep pain clear in his words.
Lucinda smiled. She did not seem angry or upset. She just smiled.
"You have always trusted me. I have always been trustworthy haven't I?" she said.
"You had me played very well, Lucinda Malfoy. In fact this has been your best act and you got so close. Your only mistake was bringing Lily back."
"What?" said Sirius and Severus in horror. Filch was staring at Lucinda with bewildered eyes.
"That was not a mistake. I had no choice. Lily was crucial to my success. Remember that I know how your mind works better than yourself," said Lucinda calmly.
"I loved you," said Moriarty. His voice broke painfully.
"It's hard to understand, my dear. But I love you, too. Pity you could never understand it."
Sirius was so pale he could have died for all they knew. Lucinda smiled at Sirius and took Walburga Black's form.
"Don't worry, I'm not your mother," she chuckled. Sirius's eyebrows moved down a bit. Then surprise filled his face.
"Well played, Lucinda. I bought it. All of it," said Moriarty with a bitter smile. "That, however, won't change anything."
"It would have if Lily hadn't remembered."
"Yes, it would have," agreed Moriarty. "Now get me my Lucinda back."
"Are sure you want to save the real Lucinda? I have been using her brain for a very long time. She was mostly unaware of my actions as her. Now that she's awake she is remembering and in the end of the day she might not take your side."
"Of course. I know that," said Moriarty. Suddenly, fake-Lucinda's body was tightened up by invisible ropes. She smiled and tried to break free. Once she failed her smile was replaced by an ugly frown.
"I have many security measures installed in my office. Some of which were gifted to me by prominent Magi. I made sure they could keep you contained within this room."
Mrs. Norris got close to Lucinda and sniffed her.
"Salazar, remove your cat, please," said Lilith dryly.
"I think I'll leave her with you for now," said Filch. "After all you're going to be very alone here."
Moriarty snapped his fingers and Lucinda disappeared.
"Where did she go?" asked Lily who had finally gained full consciousness.
"I have put her in an Anti-Magi spaceless prison."
"Why?" asked Lily.
"When you returned to our world, Morningstar tempered your mind. Lily I'm afraid during your previous life your memories were constantly being alerted. Since Morningstar is a much better Legilimens I never noticed it, but now your brain has repaired itself and restored all your memories."
"How?" asked Sirius. He was still shocked.
"I'm curious to know why as well," said Snape.
"Because she's an immortal," said Filch. "Immortals have unique regenerative abilities. Even if you damage their brain it will fix itself."
"Had Morningstar been a full Magi she could have taken away the memories from her soul," said Moriarty. "But here she had to rely on lesser tactics. If she hadn't I would have discovered that Lucinda was in fact Morningstar."
"What gave her away?" said Sirius.
"Well, I didn't. I just guessed because I had only seen some bits and pieces of the hidden information in Adriana's mind. She could have denied it, but why would she. Sirius you should be happy because most of what we have found out recently might have been all wrong."
"What?!" exclaimed everyone.
*HG*
Harry hated Avalon, so did Hermione.
"The stench is unbearable," said James Potter.
"I didn't know that Avalon the greatest Magi civilization smelled like crap, rotten meat and … are those vegetables?" asked Dionysus pointing at a pile of what appeared to be discarded veggies.
"Don't touch anything?" said Anubis. "I think we landed in a very unpleasant Magus's front yard," said Anubis.
"Who?" asked Harry.
"Lamentation," said Dionysus, "That's got to be him. He's relatively young."
"Yes," said Anubis. "He probably hasn't learned to detect his name being said. He's right there feeding on garbage."
"But why does he eat garbage?" asked Harry.
"Oh that's what he does," said Anubis. "Once you make something disappear, Lamentation can have it. He can bring them out of nothingness. Unfortunately, his power comes with side effects. He has become very fond of trash."
"Well, he's gathered quite a large pile of it," said Hermione. She bit her lower lip. They were underestimating someone who could summon anything out of the void. She didn't believe her friend understood what that meant.
Then a man emerged from a pile of discarded clothes. He was scrawny. Hermione noticed that he had a nice face but it was covered by dirt and dust and boney hands reminded her of her father's.
"Oh, hello," said Lamentation who had just noticed the strangers in his yard.
"Hi," said Hermione kindly.
"Please don't," mumbled Dionysus.
"You're still wearing those shoes, Lamentation," said Anubis. "I remember those very well. You took them off Marcus Aurelius's feet."
"That I did," said Lamentation as showed off his shoes. Hermione could not believe those shoes to be so old.
"Wait… isn't that James Potter?" said Lamentation with a broad smile. He ran towards James and hugged him.
James could barely speak. The stench was about to knock him out.
"Hello, Levi," said James weakly.
"Levi?" said Anubis.
"That's what my friends call me these days. I mean… Lamentation is so depressing."
"Why are you here, Lamentation?" asked Dionysus carefully.
"Oh, Lilith asked me to," replied Lamentation. He ran his fingers through his soft black hair and scratched his head.
"What could you possibly do for her?" exclaimed Anubis with an amused smile.
Hermione's face paled up. She knew what Lamentation could do.
"He can control the void," said Hermione weakly. "That means he can determine who can pass through it."
Lamentation smiled at Hermione brightly.
"You're very beautiful, honey," he said. "You must be Hermione Granger and this young boy must be … Harry Potter. Welcome to Avalon."
"Lamentation, do not try my patience," said Anubis. "You cannot fight us."
"I don't have to," said Lamentation.
"Odin didn't want to help us, did he?" Dionysus asked James.
"I'm sorry, I had to. They have Lily."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and initiated a mental discussion.
"She couldn't have predicted this to happen, could she?" Harry's terrified voice echoed in Hermione's mind.
"This was no prediction, Harry. This must have been her plan from long ago."
Suddenly Anubis whispered a word. The world went dark. Hermione could barely see anything. A hand grabbed her and pulled her. Hermione followed blindly hopping that it was a friend. Eventually light returned to her eyes. She looked back. Behind her was a humongous wall of dark smoke.
The wall began to wobble and the whole thing began to contact. Hermione realised that it wasn't a walk rather a cube that was getting smaller and smaller.
"Dear me! He's stronger than I thought," said Anubis, who had pulled Hermione out of the darkness.
As the cube kept shrinking they saw Dionysius next to Harry who was desperately looking for Hermione. Dionysius saw Anubis and Hermione first. He grabbed Harry by the waist and they flew up in the air. Anubis and Hermione followed suit. The cube was now dangerously small. They spotted a large area of woods not very far away. That could be a good hiding place.
Once they were on the ground. Hermione and Harry hugged each other and kissed.
"Are you okay?" asked Harry anxiously. Hermione nodded and hugged him again.
"The Serpent wants you bad," said Dionysius. "I honestly don't feel good about this."
"We have played into her hands," said Hermione. "She knew exactly what Moriarty would do."
"You shouldn't have expected anything else," said a voice behind them a few feet away.
"Kaminari!" exclaimed Dionysius.
Kaminari was standing by a tree. He was superficially wounded and his wounds were healing fast.
"They are here," said Kaminari, "But don't worry they can no longer track us." He held up what seemed to be a pocket watch and continued, "There were tracking us with this."
"You're truly strong, Kaminari Sama," said Anubis with respect Hermione had never seen from him.
"We must find a safe place," said Kaminari. "The air is different, I can tell. Someone is blocking the exits."
"That would be –" Dionysius paused, wondering if it was the best idea to use Lamentation's name.
"It's a relatively young Magi," said Anubis. "We did not think he would be this powerful."
"Never underestimate young people," chuckled Kaminari.
Hermione looked up and for the first time she noticed that the sky was covered by red clouds."
"The moons have become one and the sky is red," said Kaminari. "Soon the clouds will go away and invisible things become visible. Let's move."
They had no idea where they were headed to. Only they kept going deeper into the woods.
"The Forest of Abyss," said Kaminari. "There are thousands of other forests like this. Don't lose each other because there is no chance that we could ever find each other again."
As the trees thickened they were forced to create their own lights. For the first time in a while Harry and Hermione used their new wands and were surprised by how comfortable they felt.
"You seem to like them," said Anubis and for a second Harry saw Olivander's eyes instead of his. "They are truly marvelous wands. Carefully crafted and measured them to match your magical flows. Harry, yours can be great for controlling the weather while Hermione's can transform almost anything. That is if you both master them."
"What are those above your head, Anubis?" asked Dionysius.
"What are you talking about?" asked Anubis, looking up to see nothing but leaves and tiny spider webs which were pink.
"Those insects," they are all over your head.
"Nargles," said Kaminari, "You're starting to see beyond the Veil."
"The Veil?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, there is a reality that exists closely to our reality called Giba in our language," explained Kaminari.
"The Unseen!" exclaimed Hermione, finding it strange that she had understood the word.
"Yes, in that reality live Gibarin. We can sometimes see those creatures. The joined moons help some of us to see them more clearly. When the moons turn red and are not covered by clouds, everybody will see them."
"How do we get out of this place?" squealed Dionysius as he tried to remove something invisible from this face with disgust.
"I'm happy I can't see them," said Anubis.
"You will soon enough," said Kaminari grimly. "We all will. And we can rest only when we no longer see them."
A/N: Are you angry at me for taking Lucinda away?
